WINTHROP RESOURCES CORP
S-2/A, 1996-06-17
COMPUTER RENTAL & LEASING
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<PAGE>
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 17, 1996
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-04539
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                         ------------------------------
 
   
                                 PRE-EFFECTIVE
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-2
    
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                         ------------------------------
 
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
              MINNESOTA                                 41-1415469
     (State or other jurisdiction                    (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)
 
                         ------------------------------
 
                                1015 OPUS CENTER
                              9900 BREN ROAD EAST
                          MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55343
                                 (612) 936-0226
 
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                         ------------------------------
 
                                 JOHN L. MORGAN
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                                1015 OPUS CENTER
                              9900 BREN ROAD EAST
                          MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55343
                                 (612) 936-0226
 
      (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
                        area code, of agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
         Thomas R. Marek, Esq.                    Patrick Delaney, Esq.
         Michael J. Kolar, Esq.                  Robert E. Tunheim, Esq.
      Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly             Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.
45 South Seventh Street, 3400 Plaza VII     80 South Eighth Street, Suite 4200
      Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402             Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
             (612) 344-9300                           (612) 371-3211
 
                         ------------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
                         ------------------------------
 
    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933 check the following box. / /
 
    If  the registrant  elects to deliver  its latest annual  report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item  11(a)(1)
of this Form, check the following box. / /
 
    If  this Form  is filed  to register  additional securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration statement  number  of  the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If  this Form  is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant  to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act,  check the following box  and list the Securities  Act
registration  statement number  of the earlier  effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
   
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected  to be made pursuant to Rule  434,
please check the following box. / /
    
                         ------------------------------
 
    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
                 CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B)
                   OF REGULATION S-K SHOWING LOCATION IN THE
                     PROSPECTUS OF INFORMATION REQUIRED BY
                          ITEMS OF PART I OF FORM S-2
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION                           LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
- -----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
<C>  <S>                                   <C>
 1.  Forepart of the Registration
      Statement and Outside Front Cover
      Page of Prospectus.................  Outside Front Cover Page
 2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
      Pages of Prospectus................  Inside Front Cover Page; Outside
                                           Back Cover Page; Available
                                            Information; Documents Incorporated
                                            by Reference
 3.  Summary Information, Risk Factors
      and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
      Charges............................  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
                                            Capitalization
 4.  Use of Proceeds.....................  Use of Proceeds
 5.  Determination of Offering Price.....                   *
 6.  Dilution............................                   *
 7.  Selling Security Holders............  Principal and Selling Shareholders
 8.  Plan of Distribution................  Outside Front Cover Page;
                                           Underwriting
 9.  Description of Securities to be
      Registered.........................  Outside Front Cover Page; Prospectus
                                            Summary; Dividend Policy;
                                            Capitalization; Description of
                                            Capital Stock; Description of Notes
10.  Interests of Named Experts and
      Counsel............................  Legal Matters; Experts
11.  Information with Respect to the
      Registrant.........................  Outside Front Cover Page; Inside
                                           Front Cover Page; Prospectus
                                            Summary; Risk Factors; Use of
                                            Proceeds; Price Range of Common
                                            Stock; Dividend Policy; Selected
                                            Financial and Other Data;
                                            Management's Discussion and
                                            Analysis of Financial Condition and
                                            Results of Operations; Business;
                                            Management; Principal and Selling
                                            Shareholders; Description of
                                            Capital Stock; Description of
                                            Notes; Consolidated Financial
                                            Statements
12.  Incorporation of Certain Information
      by Documents Incorporated by
      Reference..........................  Documents Incorporated by Reference
13.  Disclosure of Commission Position on
      Indemnification for Securities Act
      Liabilities........................                   *
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
*Omitted from Prospectus because item is inapplicable or answer is in the
negative.
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
PROSPECTUS         SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 17, 1996
    
DATED       , 1996
 
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                      1,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND
                  $25,000,000 OF      % SENIOR NOTES DUE 2003
 
   
The Common Stock and  the   %  Senior Notes due 2003  (the "Notes") of  Winthrop
Resources  Corporation (the "Company") are offered  separately and not as units.
Of the 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 750,000 shares are being
sold by the Company and 750,000 shares are being sold by certain shareholders of
the  Company   (the  "Selling   Shareholders").  See   "Principal  and   Selling
Shareholders."  The Company will receive  none of the proceeds  from the sale of
shares of Common Stock by the  Selling Shareholders. The Company's Common  Stock
is  traded on the  Nasdaq National Market  under the symbol  "WINR." On June 14,
1996, the last sale price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
Market was $21.375 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
    
 
   
Interest on the  Notes will  be payable  monthly on  the fifteenth  day of  each
month,  commencing August 15, 1996. The Notes  mature on July 1, 2003. The Notes
are redeemable in whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60  days'
notice  at any time on or after July 1, 2001 at the option of the Company at par
plus accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. The Notes will be issued
only in  fully registered  form  and in  denominations  of $1,000  and  integral
multiples thereof. The Notes will be general unsecured senior obligations of the
Company  ranking PARI  PASSU with  all other  existing and  future unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations  of  the  Company.  The  Notes  will  be  effectively
subordinated  to any secured indebtedness of the Company, including indebtedness
under the  Company's two  current  lines of  credit with  availability  totaling
$23,000,000,   to  the  extent  of  the   value  of  the  assets  securing  such
indebtedness. At May  31, 1996,  the total  amount of  secured indebtedness  was
$900,000,  excluding  discounted  lease rentals  of  approximately $189,105,000,
substantially all of  which are non-recourse  to the Company.  See "Business  --
Financing" and "Description of Notes."
    
 
The  Company does not intend to list the  Notes on any securities exchange or to
have them included  on any  quotation system, and  no active  trading market  is
likely to develop. Although the Underwriters have each indicated an intention to
make a market in the Notes, neither Underwriter is obligated to make a market in
the  Notes and  any market making  may be discontinued  at any time  at the sole
discretion of such Underwriter. See "Underwriting."
 
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS  THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PRICE TO    UNDERWRITING  PROCEEDS TO  PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                            PUBLIC     DISCOUNT(1)   COMPANY(2)     SHAREHOLDERS(2)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Per Share...............................       $            $             $                $
Total(3)................................       $            $             $                $
Per Note................................     100%           %             %               --
Total(4)................................  $25,000,000       $             $               --
</TABLE>
 
(1) The  Company and  the  Selling Shareholders  have  agreed to  indemnify  the
    Underwriters  against certain  liabilities, including  liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting estimated offering expenses payable by the Company and  the
    Selling Shareholders of $         and $         , respectively.
(3)  The Selling Shareholders  have granted the Underwriters  a 30-day option to
    purchase up to  225,000 additional shares  of Common Stock  solely to  cover
    over-allotments,  if  any, at  the  Price to  Public  shown above,  less the
    Underwriting Discount. If the Underwriters exercise this option in full, the
    total Price  to  Public,  Underwriting Discount,  Proceeds  to  Company  and
    Proceeds  to Selling Shareholders will  be $     , $     , $     and  $    ,
    respectively. See "Underwriting."
(4) The Company has granted the Underwriters  a 30-day option to purchase up  to
    $3,750,000   additional  principal   amount  of   Notes,  solely   to  cover
    over-allotments, if  any, at  the  Price to  Public  shown above,  less  the
    Underwriting Discount. If the Underwriters exercise this option in full, the
    total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be
    $    , $    and $    , respectively. See "Underwriting."
                         ------------------------------
 
The Common Stock and Notes are being offered severally by the Underwriters named
herein,  subject to prior sale and when, as  and if delivered to and accepted by
the Underwriters. It  is expected that  delivery of the  Notes and  certificates
representing  the Common Stock will be made at the offices of Piper Jaffray Inc.
in Minneapolis, Minnesota on  or about        , 1996. The  Notes will be  issued
initially  as  book-entry  notes in  the  form  of one  fully  registered global
security deposited with  or on  behalf of The  Depository Trust  Company or  its
nominees  ("DTC").  The  Notes  will not  initially  be  issuable  in definitive
certificated form to any person other than DTC.
 
PIPER JAFFRAY INC.                                                 DAIN BOSWORTH
                                                                    INCORPORATED
<PAGE>
  [A photo appears on this page, depicting typical types of of high technology
    and business-essential equipment leased by the Company under the heading
   "Four Product Strategy," with each of the Company's four products -- Value
    Added Lease, Small Ticket Lease, Enterprise Lease and Wholesale Lease --
    identified and above a caption that states "Building a Portfolio of High
                 Technology and Business Essential Equipment."]
 
                            ------------------------
 
Information contained in this  Prospectus contains "forward-looking  statements"
within  the meaning  of the  Private Securities  Litigation Reform  Act of 1995,
which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may,"
"will," "expect,"  "anticipate,"  "estimate,"  or  "continue"  or  the  negative
thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The statements in
"Risk  Factors"  beginning on  page 7  of  the Prospectus  constitute cautionary
statements  identifying   important  factors,   including  certain   risks   and
uncertainties,  with respect to such forward-looking statements that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking
statements.
                            ------------------------
 
IN CONNECTION WITH THESE  OFFERINGS, THE UNDERWRITERS  MAY OVER-ALLOT OR  EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS  WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE  MARKET PRICES OF THE COMMON STOCK
AND THE NOTES AT  LEVELS ABOVE THAT  WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE  PREVAIL IN THE  OPEN
MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE  OFFERING OF THE COMMON  STOCK, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND
SELLING GROUP MEMBERS MAY  ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET  MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN  THE
COMMON  STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10b-6A UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION  AND  THE  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AND  NOTES   THERETO
APPEARING   ELSEWHERE  IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS.  EXCEPT  AS  OTHERWISE  NOTED,  ALL
INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND  NOTES
OUTSTANDING  ASSUMES NO  EXERCISE OF  THE UNDERWRITERS'  OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTIONS.
UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY SUGGESTS OTHERWISE, REFERENCES IN THIS PROSPECTUS  TO
THE  ASSETS AND OPERATIONS OF  THE COMPANY INCLUDE THE  ASSETS AND OPERATIONS OF
THE COMPANY'S WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY,  WINR BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION  ("WINR
BUSINESS CREDIT"), DURING THE PERIOD TO WHICH THE INFORMATION RELATES.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    The  Company is engaged  in the business  of providing non-cancelable leases
for high technology and business-essential equipment to both large organizations
and smaller,  growing  companies.  The Company's  lease  products  are  marketed
nationally  through a 17-member  sales force located  in Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Dallas, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;  Knoxville, Tennessee; Santa  Barbara
and Oakland, California; and Henderson, Nevada. To differentiate itself from its
competitors  in  the  leasing  industry,  the  Company  offers  innovative lease
products and concentrates on building long-term, relationship-based associations
with its customers.
 
    Since its founding in  1982, the Company's focus  has been primarily on  the
Value  Added Lease. These lease transactions  generally have terms from three to
five years  and  are  with  large  organizations  (generally  corporations  with
revenues  of  $50,000,000  or  more).  Such  transactions  typically  range from
$250,000  to  $20,000,000  and   cover  high  technology  equipment,   including
computers,   telecommunications  equipment,  point-of-sale   systems  and  other
technology-based equipment. The leases are creative and flexible in structure to
accommodate equipment additions and upgrades to meet customers' changing  needs.
Value Added Leases are retained in the Company's portfolio.
 
    Responding  to the  expanding technological  needs of  increasing numbers of
small, growing businesses,  the Company  commenced operations  of WINR  Business
Credit  in 1995. WINR  Business Credit focuses  on the small  business market by
providing the  Small Ticket  Lease  which covers  business-essential  equipment,
including  computers,  telecommunications  equipment  and  production equipment.
Lease transactions in the small ticket area typically are for less than $250,000
and have lease  terms of between  two and  five years. The  Company manages  the
risks  and  costs  associated  with  high  volume  small  ticket  leases through
centralized credit evaluation, lease administration and collections and business
alliances with vendors of business-essential equipment. Small Ticket Leases  are
primarily generated for the Company's portfolio.
 
    With  the commencement of operations of WINR Business Credit the Company has
also developed the Enterprise Lease which is designed to meet the needs of large
corporations  with   influence  over   multiple  business   entities,  such   as
franchisor-franchisee  relationships. The Enterprise  Lease integrates the Value
Added Lease and Small Ticket Lease for organizations in need of  enterprise-wide
equipment and systems solutions.
 
    The  Company added the  Wholesale Lease to its  product portfolio in January
1996 through the acquisition of the assets of Capital Business Leasing, Inc., an
equipment lease broker  that, for a  fee, arranges lease  financings with  other
leasing  companies for a variety of unrelated brokers and vendors. The Wholesale
Lease is generally sold to an outside funding source and does not become part of
the Company's lease portfolio.
 
    The Company's strategy is to differentiate itself by continuing to  maintain
a focused, long-term, customer-service approach to its business. Key elements of
its strategy include:
 
    - FOCUS   ON  LEASING.    Leasing  high  technology  and  business-essential
      equipment is the Company's only business.
 
    - FOUR PRODUCT  STRATEGY.   The Company  provides a  comprehensive range  of
      lease  products  through  its  Value  Added  Lease,  Small  Ticket  Lease,
      Enterprise Lease and Wholesale Lease.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
    - ASSET OWNERSHIP.   The Company  retains ownership  of its  leases and  the
      underlying  equipment, except  Wholesale Leases. This  affords the Company
      the flexibility  to accommodate  customers' desire  to add  to or  upgrade
      equipment.
 
    - DIVERSIFICATION.    The  Company leases  a  wide variety  of  equipment to
      companies in diverse industries in many geographic locations.
 
    The Company is a Minnesota  corporation and was founded  in 1982 by Kirk  A.
MacKenzie,  John L. Morgan and Jack  A. Norqual. The Company's corporate offices
are located at  1015 Opus  Center, 9900  Bren Road  East, Minnetonka,  Minnesota
55343, and its telephone number is (612) 936-0226.
 
                                 THE OFFERINGS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>
COMMON STOCK
    Common Stock offered by
     Company..................  750,000 shares
    Common Stock offered by
     Selling Shareholders.....  750,000 shares
    Common Stock to be
     outstanding after the
     offering.................  8,599,800 shares (1)
    Nasdaq National Market
     symbol...................  WINR
 
NOTES
    Notes offered.............  $25,000,000  in  aggregate  principal  amount of
                                    % Senior Notes due 2003. See "Description of
                                Notes."
    Denominations.............  $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
    Maturity..................  July 1, 2003.
    Interest payment dates....  Interest is payable monthly on the fifteenth day
                                of each month, commencing  August 15, 1996.  The
                                first  interest  payment  will  include interest
                                from issuance through August 14, 1996.
    Sinking fund..............  None.
    Redemption at the
     Company's option.........  The Notes may not be  redeemed prior to July  1,
                                2001.  Thereafter, the Notes  may be redeemed in
                                whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor  more
                                than 60 days' prior written notice at the option
                                of  the Company at par  plus accrued interest to
                                the date fixed for redemption. See  "Description
                                of   Notes  --  Redemption   at  Option  of  the
                                Company."
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
(1) Does not include 390,000  shares of Common Stock  issuable upon exercise  of
    outstanding  stock  options, of  which 254,374  shares  of Common  Stock are
    subject to options that are immediately exercisable. See Note 7 of Notes  to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>
    Ranking...................  The  Notes  will  be  general  unsecured  senior
                                obligations of  the Company  ranking PARI  PASSU
                                with all other existing and future unsecured and
                                unsubordinated  obligations of  the Company. The
                                Notes will  be effectively  subordinated to  any
                                secured  indebtedness of  the Company, including
                                indebtedness under  the  Company's  two  current
                                lines   of  credit  with  availability  totaling
                                $23,000,000, to the extent  of the value of  the
                                assets  securing such  indebtedness. At  May 31,
                                1996, the total  amount of secured  indebtedness
                                was $900,000, excluding discounted lease rentals
                                of approximately $189,105,000, substantially all
                                of  which are  non-recourse to  the Company. The
                                Notes will also be structurally subordinated  to
                                all  existing  and  future  liabilities  of  the
                                Company's  subsidiaries.  See  "Description   of
                                Notes -- Unsecured Obligations; Ranking."
    Covenants.................  The  Indenture pursuant to  which the Notes will
                                be issued,  among  other things,  restricts  the
                                ability    of   the    Company   under   certain
                                circumstances to pay dividends or to make  other
                                capital   distributions.   The   Indenture  also
                                contains  covenants   limiting   the   Company's
                                ability to create or incur Funded Recourse Debt.
                                See   "Description  of  Notes  --  Covenants  --
                                Restrictions on Dividends, Redemption and  Other
                                Payments"  and  "--  Restrictions  on Additional
                                Indebtedness."
    Repayment option upon
     death....................  Upon the  death  of  any holder  of  Notes,  the
                                Company   will  redeem,  at   par  plus  accrued
                                interest, such holder's Notes upon request up to
                                $25,000 in principal amount per holder per year,
                                subject to an aggregate limit for all holders of
                                $250,000 in principal amount in any twelve-month
                                period  and   certain  conditions   being   met,
                                including  the condition that the Company not be
                                in default  on any  Funded  Recourse Debt  as  a
                                result  of such redemption.  See "Description of
                                Notes -- Repayment Option Upon Death."
USE OF PROCEEDS                 The net proceeds to  be received by the  Company
                                from  the sale of Common Stock and Notes will be
                                used  for   repayment   of  any   amounts   then
                                outstanding  under the two  lines of credit, for
                                purchases of equipment  for lease to  customers,
                                for  expansion  of  operations  and  for working
                                capital and general corporate purposes, possibly
                                including future acquisitions.  The Company  has
                                no   current  acquisition   plans  and   is  not
                                conducting  any  negotiations  with  respect  to
                                potential acquisitions. See "Use of Proceeds."
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                        SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   THREE MONTHS
                                                  ENDED MARCH 31,                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share        ---------------------   -----------------------------------------------------------
data)                                            1996        1995        1995        1994        1993        1992          1991
                                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------     ---------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS DATA:
Earnings before income tax expense and
 cumulative effect of accounting change.....      $5,313      $5,432     $19,260     $15,602     $12,766      $7,942        $5,295
Net earnings................................      $3,135      $3,259     $11,556     $ 9,361     $ 7,660      $5,054(1)     $3,177
Net earnings per common share...............      $  .40      $  .41     $  1.46     $  1.16     $   .98      $  .74(1)     $  .50
Cash dividend declared per common share.....      $  .04      $  .03     $   .12     $   .08     $   .06      $  .02        --
Weighted average number of common shares
 outstanding(2).............................   7,871,525   7,953,181   7,911,854   8,047,326   7,807,534   6,821,858     6,300,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                        --------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investment in leasing operations....................................          $263,660
Total assets........................................................           277,211
Discounted lease rentals(3).........................................           185,008
Retained earnings...................................................            47,327
Shareholders' equity................................................            56,872
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
 
<CAPTION>
                                                             THREE MONTHS
                                                           ENDED MARCH 31,              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ----------------  ---------------------------------------------
                                                            1996     1995      1995      1994     1993     1992     1991
                                                           -------  -------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                                                        <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
New equipment added during the period....................  $33,960  $35,305  $130,360  $108,768  $94,046  $50,374  $53,388
Monthly lease rentals in effect at period-end............  $11,273  $ 9,001  $ 10,239  $  7,866  $ 6,389  $ 5,294  $ 5,077
Retained earnings as a percentage of shareholders'
 equity..................................................    83.2%    79.9%     82.6%     78.7%    74.1%    81.2%    99.3%
Return on average assets.................................     4.6%     5.6%      4.7%      4.6%     4.8%     3.6%     2.4%
Return on average shareholders' equity...................    22.5%    28.0%     23.1%     22.6%    24.4%    24.6%    22.4%
Ratio of net earnings before fixed charges and taxes to
 fixed charges...........................................     2.5x     2.6x      2.4x      2.6x     2.5x     1.9x     1.5x
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1)  In September 1992, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board
     Statement  No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, effective as of January 1,
     1992. The cumulative effect of this  change in accounting for income  taxes
     was $289,500 or $.04 per share of Common Stock.
 
(2)  Common  Stock equivalents are excluded from  the weighted average number of
     outstanding common shares as the dilutive effect is less than 3%.
 
(3)  Discounted lease rentals includes $184,221,000 of non-recourse and $787,000
     of recourse debt.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    INVESTMENT  IN THE COMMON STOCK OR THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES CERTAIN
RISKS. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD  CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING  IMPORTANT
FACTORS,  IN ADDITION TO  THE OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDED  IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN
EVALUATING AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK OR THE NOTES.
 
    ABILITY TO SUSTAIN AND MANAGE GROWTH.  A primary objective of the Company is
to grow in a controlled fashion in  order to achieve its desired profit  levels.
In order to support its anticipated growth, the Company recently added personnel
and  expects to add a significant number  of additional employees in the future.
The  Company's  future  operating  results   will  depend  on  its  ability   to
successfully  hire, train and retain skilled employees and on the ability of its
officers and  key  employees  to  continue to  improve  the  efficiency  of  its
operational   and  financial  control  systems,   while  continuing  to  attract
significant numbers  of  new  quality customers  and  maintain  existing  client
relationships.  A key element  in achieving the  Company's desired profit levels
will be  the  effective  utilization  of  technology  to  support  this  growth,
including support of its small ticket leases. While the Company has historically
met  these objectives, there can be no assurance it will be able to do so in the
future at the level necessary to support its anticipated growth. If the  Company
is unable to manage growth effectively, there could be a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
 
    ECONOMIC  CONDITIONS.  The  Company's results of  operations are affected by
certain economic  factors,  including the  level  of economic  activity  in  the
markets in which the Company's customers operate. While the Company historically
has  been able  to maintain  profitability throughout  various economic business
cycles, a decline  in economic activity  may adversely affect  the Company.  The
Company's  growth  is  dependent upon  its  ability  to place  new  equipment in
service. In  an adverse  economic environment,  there may  be a  decline in  the
demand  for some  types of  equipment which the  Company leases,  resulting in a
decline in  the amount  of  new equipment  being  placed into  service.  Adverse
economic  conditions could  also lead  to an  increase in  customer defaults and
credit losses. Although the Company maintains  an allowance for losses in  lease
receivables  in an  amount which it  believes is sufficient  to provide adequate
protection against losses  in its portfolio,  this allowance could  prove to  be
inadequate.  Adverse economic conditions may also contribute to a decline in the
value of the equipment which the Company could realize upon disposition in  case
of  customer default. Any of these factors  could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
 
    CREDIT LOSSES.    In  addition  to general  economic  and  other  conditions
affecting  the  industries and  regions of  the country  in which  the Company's
customers operate, major  factors affecting  the Company's  ability to  maintain
profitability  include risks associated with  the creditworthiness and integrity
of the Company's customers. While the Company has not historically maintained  a
general  loss allowance  for its Value  Added Leases,  from time to  time it has
provided a loss allowance for specific  leases. The Company maintains a  general
allowance  for losses  on lease  finance receivables  in its  Small Ticket Lease
portfolio in  an  amount the  Company's  management believes  is  sufficient  to
provide  adequate protection against  loss. Because the Small  Ticket Lease is a
relatively new product for the Company, the allowance as to these receivables is
determined  principally  on  the  basis  of  leasing  industry  historical  loss
experience  and  reflects management's  judgment  of loss  potential considering
future economic conditions and the nature and characteristics of the  underlying
leases.  Although the  Company's allowance  for losses  in lease  receivables is
considered adequate by Company management, there  can be no assurance that  this
allowance  will prove to be  adequate over time to  cover all losses, especially
those in connection  with the  Small Ticket  Lease product.  This allowance  may
prove  to be inadequate due  to unanticipated adverse changes  in the economy or
discrete  events  adversely  affecting  specific  customers  or  industries.  In
conjunction with the commencement of operations of WINR Business Credit in 1995,
the Company implemented credit review policies for its small ticket leases which
are  different than  those utilized  for its  Value Added  Leases. The Company's
results of operations or financial condition could be adversely affected to  the
extent  that  the  Company's  credit analysis  is  inadequate  or  the Company's
allowance for losses is  insufficient. See "Business  -- Credit and  Transaction
Approval."
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    DEPENDENCE  UPON CURRENT MANAGEMENT.  The Company's growth and profitability
are dependent upon,  among other  things, the  abilities and  experience of  the
Company's  current management team.  There can be no  assurance that the Company
will be  able  to retain  its  current  management team  or  attract  additional
qualified management needed for its business. The loss of the services of one or
more  management  team members  could have  an adverse  effect on  the long-term
growth and profitability of the Company.
 
    HIGHLY  COMPETITIVE   INDUSTRY.     The   equipment  leasing   business   is
characterized   by  intense  competition.  The  Company  competes  with  leasing
companies  (including  those  that  are  captive  of  equipment  manufacturers),
commercial banks and other financial institutions, some of which may provide the
Company  with capital to  finance its leases. Many  of the Company's competitors
are significantly  larger  and have  substantially  greater resources  than  the
Company.  Many competitors have  sources of funds  at rates that  are lower than
those available to  the Company, thereby  enabling them to  provide lower  lease
rates  in the  marketplace. The  Company believes  it competes  on the  basis of
flexibility in structuring transactions, a  high level of customer service,  the
knowledge  and  competence of  its employees,  pricing and  the ability  to gain
referrals of potential  transactions from various  business contacts,  including
existing  customers. There can be no assurance  that the Company will be able to
compete successfully in the future. See "Business -- Competition."
 
    AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING.  The Company is and will continue to be dependent
on various banks and other financial  institutions for a significant portion  of
the  financing necessary to fund its  leases. Accordingly, the Company's ability
to successfully execute its business strategy and to grow is dependent, in part,
on its ability to obtain recourse and non-recourse debt capital, both short-term
and long-term, and to raise additional debt  or equity capital to meet its  cash
requirements in the future.
 
    Although  to  date the  Company has  been  able to  obtain the  recourse and
non-recourse borrowing, interim financing, and other capital required to finance
its business,  no assurance  can be  given  that the  necessary amount  of  such
financing  will continue to be available to the Company on favorable terms or at
all. If  the Company  were unable  to continue  to obtain  any portion  of  such
required  financing on favorable terms, the  Company could be required to reduce
or modify its leasing  activity, which would have  a material adverse effect  on
the  Company's results of operations  and financial condition. See "Management's
Discussion and  Analysis of  Results of  Operations and  Financial Condition  --
Financial Condition and Liquidity" and "Business -- Financing."
 
    RESIDUAL  VALUES OF LEASED EQUIPMENT.   At the inception  of each lease, the
Company estimates what the residual value of the leased equipment will be at the
end of the  initial lease  term. The actual  realized residual  value of  leased
equipment  may differ from its estimated  residual value, resulting in profit or
loss when the leased equipment  is re-leased or sold.  A variety of factors  may
affect  realized residual  values of  equipment, including  changes in equipment
resale market conditions,  the failure  by users  of the  equipment to  properly
maintain  and  protect  such  equipment and,  with  respect  to  high technology
equipment, rapid technological obsolescence  which typifies the industry.  There
can  be no assurance that  realized residual values of  leased equipment will be
equal to or greater than original estimated residual values. While the Company's
experience has generally  resulted in  equipment values in  excess of  estimated
residual  values, an unexpected decrease in  the market value of high technology
and other equipment leased  by the Company, whether  due to rapid  technological
obsolescence  or market factors, could adversely affect the Company's results of
operations and financial condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and  Financial Condition --  Lease Accounting Overview  --
Residual Values."
 
    LEASE  ACCOUNTING; QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS.  The Company follows Statement of
Financial Accounting  Standards No.  13  ("FASB No.  13")  with respect  to  the
accounting  for its lease transactions. Under  FASB No. 13, leasing revenues are
recognized during each of the accounting periods within the term of a lease, and
the allocation  of  leasing  revenue  among the  accounting  periods  will  vary
depending  upon the applicable  lease classification. The  Company cannot always
predict which lease classification will  be applicable to a pending  transaction
until  at or near the end of negotiations  with its customer. In addition, it is
difficult to predict when a particular leasing transaction will be  consummated.
Moreover,  a delay  in shipment of  equipment to be  leased by the  Company to a
customer may  delay the  time of  installation and  customer acceptance  of  the
equipment  from one quarter to the next. These events, in turn, will delay lease
inception
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
and the resulting recognition of leasing revenues by the Company. The volume and
type of  new lease  transactions and  the resulting  revenues and  earnings  may
fluctuate  from quarter to quarter based upon  factors not within the control of
the Company. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of  Operations
and Financial Condition -- Lease Accounting Overview."
 
    CONTROL  BY  CURRENT MANAGEMENT.   After  this offering,  Messrs. MacKenzie,
Morgan and Norqual collectively  will own approximately  51.3% of the  Company's
outstanding Common Stock (48.8% if the Underwriters' over-allotment option as to
the  Common Stock is exercised in full).  Because of such share ownership, these
individuals, who are also directors  and executive officers, will, in  practice,
be  able to  exercise significant  control over the  election of  members of the
Company's Board of Directors  and the outcome of  other corporate actions  after
the sale of the shares offered hereby. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
In  addition,  the  Board  of  Directors  may,  without  further  action  by the
shareholders, issue up  to 2,000,000 shares  of preferred stock  in one or  more
series,  and determine the  rights and preferences,  privileges and restrictions
with respect to any such preferred stock. If issued with voting rights or  given
a  feature making it  convertible into Common Stock,  such preferred stock could
have an adverse impact on the voting rights of holders of Common Stock and could
discourage tender offers or  other attempts to acquire  a substantial number  of
shares  of Common  Stock to  gain control  of the  Company. See  "Description of
Capital Stock -- Preferred Stock."
 
    POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF  SHARE PRICE.   The securities  of capital  equipment
leasing  companies have from  time to time experienced  extreme price and volume
fluctuations, which  may  be  unrelated  to the  operating  performance  of  the
individual companies. There may be significant volatility in the market price of
the  Company's Common  Stock due to  factors that may  or may not  relate to the
Company's performance.
 
    SHARES ELIGIBLE  FOR FUTURE  SALE.   The directors  of the  Company and  the
Selling  Shareholders have agreed not to sell their shares publicly or privately
for a period of 120 days after the effective date of the Company's  Registration
Statement  of which this Prospectus is a part without the Underwriters' consent.
Sales of any  such shares after  the 120-day period  could adversely affect  the
market  price  of the  Common  Stock. Following  the  expiration of  the lock-up
period, the 4,312,600 shares held by the directors and Selling Shareholders will
be available for sale, subject to  the volume and timing restrictions set  forth
under Rule 144. See "Underwriting."
 
    STRUCTURAL  SUBORDINATION  OF  THE NOTES.    The Notes  will  be effectively
subordinated to any  secured indebtedness of  the Company to  the extent of  the
value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of the liquidation,
dissolution, reorganization or any similar proceeding regarding the Company, the
assets  of the Company  securing any other  indebtedness of the  Company will be
available to pay obligations on the  Notes only after such secured  indebtedness
has been paid in full. Accordingly, there may not be sufficient assets remaining
to  pay  amounts  due  on  the  Notes.  The  Notes  will  also  be  structurally
subordinated to indebtedness, other liabilities and preferred stock (if any)  of
the  Company's  subsidiaries.  Since the  Notes  are obligations  of  the parent
company only, the Company's  subsidiaries are not obligated  or required to  pay
any  amounts pursuant to  the Notes or  to make funds  available therefor in the
form of  dividends or  advances to  the Company.  See "Description  of Notes  --
Unsecured Obligations; Ranking."
 
    LIMITED  COVENANTS.  The covenants in the  Indenture are limited and are not
designed to protect  holders of the  Notes in  the event of  a material  adverse
change  in  the  Company's financial  condition  or results  of  operations. The
covenants in the Indenture should not be a significant factor to an investor  in
evaluating whether the Company will be able to comply with its obligations under
the Notes. See "Description of Notes -- Covenants."
 
    LIMITED MARKET FOR THE NOTES.  The Company does not intend to list the Notes
on  any securities exchange or have them included for quotation by Nasdaq or any
other quotation system,  and no active  trading market is  expected to  develop.
Although  the Underwriters have each indicated an  intention to make a market in
the Notes, neither Underwriter is  obligated to make a  market in the Notes  and
any market making may be discontinued at any time at the sole discretion of such
Underwriter.  If the  Notes are traded  after their original  issuance, they may
trade at a discount to their principal amount. Without an active market, it  may
be difficult for investors to resell the Notes.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes and the 750,000 shares of Common
Stock  offered by the Company are estimated to be $           ($          if the
Underwriters' over-allotment options are exercised in full) after deducting  the
Underwriters'  discount and  the Company's  share of  the estimated  expenses of
these offerings. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the  sale
of  shares  by the  Selling Shareholders.  The  Company intends  to use  the net
proceeds for repayment of  any amounts then outstanding  under its two lines  of
credit,  for purchases  of equipment  for lease  to customers,  for expansion of
operations and  for working  capital and  general corporate  purposes,  possibly
including  future acquisitions. One of Company's  lines of credit bears interest
at no greater than prime and expires on July 31, 1996. The other line of  credit
bears  interest at prime plus  25 basis points and expires  on June 30, 1996. At
May 31, 1996,  an aggregate  of $900,000 was  outstanding under  these lines  of
credit.  The Company has no current acquisition  plans and is not conducting any
negotiations with respect to potential acquisitions. Pending the use of the  net
proceeds   of   these  offerings,   the  Company   may   invest  the   funds  in
interest-bearing U.S. government or agency securities.
    
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
    The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol WINR. The  following table  sets forth,  for the  periods indicated,  the
range  of the  high and  low per share  sales prices  as reported  by the Nasdaq
National Market and the dividends paid in each quarter.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       DIVIDEND
                                                     HIGH      LOW     DECLARED
                                                    ------  ---------  --------
<S>                                                 <C>     <C>        <C>
1994
  First Quarter...................................  $ 13.25 $ 10.00      $.02
  Second Quarter..................................    13.25   11.25       .02
  Third Quarter...................................    12.00   10.25       .02
  Fourth Quarter..................................    11.25   10.00       .02
1995
  First Quarter...................................  $ 12.00 $ 10.25      $.03
  Second Quarter..................................    14.50   11.25       .03
  Third Quarter...................................    18.25   13.25       .03
  Fourth Quarter..................................    18.50   16.00       .03
1996
  First Quarter...................................  $ 18.50 $ 15.47      $.04
  Second Quarter (through June 14, 1996)..........    23.00   18.25       .04
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    On June 14, 1996, the last sale price  of the Common Stock was as set  forth
on  the cover page of this Prospectus. As of June 14, 1996, the Company's Common
Stock was held by  approximately 100 holders of  record and approximately  1,900
beneficial holders.
    
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $.03 per share of Common Stock
on  January 2, 1996 to holders of record on December 15, 1995. On April 1, 1996,
the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $.04 per share of Common Stock  to
holders  of record on March 15, 1996.  The Company has declared a quarterly cash
dividend of $.04 per share of Common Stock payable on July 1, 1996 to holders of
record on June 14, 1996.  Payment of dividends is  within the discretion of  the
Company's  Board of Directors and will be subject to periodic review. Payment of
dividends  will  depend,  among  other  factors,  upon  the  earnings,   capital
requirements,  operating results and  financial condition of  the Company. Under
the Minnesota Business Corporation  Act, a dividend may  be declared only  after
the  Board determines that, after  payment of the dividend,  the Company will be
able to pay its  debts in the  ordinary course of  business. The Indenture  that
governs  the  Notes contains  limitations on  cash dividends,  distributions and
redemptions with  respect to  the Common  Stock. See  "Description of  Notes  --
Covenants -- Restrictions on Dividends, Redemptions and Other Payments."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the debt and capitalization of the Company as
of  March 31, 1996  and as adjusted  to give effect  to the sale  of the 750,000
shares of  Common  Stock  offered by  the  Company,  the sale  of  an  aggregate
principal  amount of $25,000,000  of Notes and the  application of the estimated
net proceeds of such sales. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 31, 1996
                                                           ---------------------
                                                            ACTUAL   AS ADJUSTED
                                                           --------  -----------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>       <C>
Long term debt:
  Bank notes payable (1).................................  $  --      $  --
  Discounted lease rentals (2)...........................   185,008     185,008
  Senior Notes due 2003, offered hereby..................     --         25,000
                                                           --------  -----------
    Total long term debt (3).............................   185,008     210,008
                                                           --------  -----------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares
   authorized, no shares issued and outstanding (no
   shares, as adjusted)..................................     --         --
  Common Stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares
   authorized, 7,849,800 shares issued and outstanding
   (8,599,800 shares, as adjusted) (4)...................        78
  Additional paid-in capital.............................     9,467
  Retained earnings......................................    47,327      47,327
                                                           --------  -----------
    Total shareholders' equity...........................    56,872
                                                           --------  -----------
    Total capitalization.................................  $241,880   $
                                                           --------  -----------
                                                           --------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) The Company  currently  has  lines  of  credit  with  availability  totaling
    $23,000,000  from two  banks to provide  interim financing  of the Company's
    acquisition of equipment for lease. See "Business -- Financing." The Company
    intends to use  the estimated net  proceeds, in part,  for repayment of  any
    amounts then outstanding under the two lines of credit.
 
(2) Discounted  lease rentals includes $184,221,000 of non-recourse and $787,000
    of recourse debt.
 
(3) For information with respect  to the Company's  debt, see Notes  4 and 5  of
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(4) Does  not include 390,000  shares of Common Stock  issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding stock  options, of  which  254,374 shares  of Common  Stock  are
    subject  to options that are immediately exercisable. See Note 7 of Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
    The selected financial data presented below under the captions "Statement of
Earnings Data" and "Balance Sheet Data" for, and  as of the end of, each of  the
years  in the  five-year period  ended December  31, 1995  are derived  from the
Company's Consolidated Financial  Statements, which  have been  audited by  KPMG
Peat  Marwick LLP,  independent certified  public accountants.  The Consolidated
Financial Statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for each of the  years
in  the three-year period ended  December 31, 1995, and  the report thereon, are
included elsewhere in  this Prospectus.  The selected financial  data under  the
captions  "Statement of Earnings Data" and "Balance  Sheet Data" as of March 31,
1996 and 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 are derived
from the Company's unaudited consolidated  financial statements and include  all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that the Company considers
necessary  for a fair  presentation of such  data. Results for  the three months
ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily  indicative of the results that may  be
expected for the entire year ending December 31, 1996. The data set forth in the
following tables should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis  of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and the Consolidated
Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  THREE MONTHS
                                                ENDED MARCH 31,                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share       --------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
data)                                           1996       1995       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS DATA:
Revenues:
  Leasing revenues:
    Direct financing and sales-type
     leases.................................  $  14,140  $  15,533  $  60,986  $  64,042  $  56,449  $  39,561  $  37,053
    Operating leases........................      1,360      1,361      5,696      3,909      8,721     10,799     12,372
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total leasing revenues................     15,500     16,894     66,682     67,951     65,170     50,360     49,425
  Sales of equipment........................        477        870      2,003      1,870      2,194      2,345      6,728
  Other revenue.............................         72         48         96         75        536        387         24
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total revenues........................     16,049     17,812     68,781     69,896     67,900     53,092     56,177
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Costs and expenses:
  Leasing costs:
    Direct financing and sales-type
     leases.................................      3,653      5,691     24,926     34,456     33,155     21,231     19,458
    Operating leases........................      1,001      1,008      3,914      2,813      6,620      8,858     10,315
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total leasing costs...................      4,654      6,699     28,840     37,269     39,775     30,089     29,773
  Cost of equipment sold....................        259        791      1,555      1,234      1,994      1,826      6,204
  Selling, general and administrative.......      2,126      1,526      5,656      5,863      4,764      4,207      4,668
  Interest expense..........................      3,578      3,364     13,470      9,928      8,601      9,028      9,995
  Other.....................................        119     --         --         --         --         --            242
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total costs and expenses..............     10,736     12,380     49,521     54,294     55,134     45,150     50,882
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Earnings before income tax expense and
 cumulative effect of accounting change.....      5,313      5,432     19,260     15,602     12,766      7,942      5,295
Provision for income tax expense............      2,178      2,173      7,704      6,241      5,106      3,177      2,118
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Earnings before cumulative effect of
 accounting change..........................      3,135      3,259     11,556      9,361      7,660      4,765      3,177
Cumulative effect of accounting change
 (1)........................................     --         --         --         --         --            289     --
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net earnings................................  $   3,135  $   3,259  $  11,556  $   9,361  $   7,660  $   5,054  $   3,177
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net earnings per common share before
 cumulative effect of accounting change.....  $     .40  $     .41  $    1.46  $    1.16  $     .98  $     .70  $     .50
Cumulative effect of accounting change per
 common share (1)...........................     --         --         --         --         --            .04     --
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net earnings per common share...............  $     .40  $     .41  $    1.46  $    1.16  $     .98  $     .74  $     .50
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash dividends declared per common share....  $     .04  $     .03  $     .12  $     .08  $     .06  $     .02     --
Weighted average number of common shares
 outstanding (2)............................  7,871,525  7,953,181  7,911,854  8,047,326  7,807,534  6,821,858  6,300,000
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MARCH 31,                            DECEMBER 31,
                                      --------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
                                        1996       1995       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investment in leasing operations....   $263,660   $233,484   $254,281   $216,737   $171,975   $134,123   $135,494
Total assets........................    277,211    238,093    267,901    226,711    178,991    139,877    139,108
Discounted lease rentals (3)........    185,008    161,794    178,457    153,793    119,837     91,262    106,539
Retained earnings...................     47,327     38,241     45,180     35,657     27,736     20,545     15,636
Shareholders' equity................     56,872     47,847     54,724     45,317     37,423     25,303     15,741
 
<CAPTION>
                                          THREE MONTHS
                                        ENDED MARCH 31,                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      --------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
                                        1996       1995       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
New equipment added during the
 period.............................   $ 33,960   $ 35,305   $130,360   $108,768   $ 94,046   $ 50,374   $ 53,388
Monthly lease rentals in effect at
 period-end.........................   $ 11,273   $  9,001   $ 10,239   $  7,866   $  6,389   $  5,294   $  5,077
Retained earnings as a percentage of
 shareholders' equity...............      83.2%      79.9%      82.6%      78.7%      74.1%      81.2%      99.3%
Return on average assets............       4.6%       5.6%       4.7%       4.6%       4.8%       3.6%       2.4%
Return on average shareholders'
 equity.............................      22.5%      28.0%      23.1%      22.6%      24.4%      24.6%      22.4%
Ratio of net earnings before fixed
 charges and taxes to fixed
 charges............................       2.5x       2.6x       2.4x       2.6x       2.5x       1.9x       1.5x
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1)  In September 1992, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board
     Statement No. 109, ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES, effective as of January  1,
     1992.  The cumulative effect of this  change in accounting for income taxes
     was $289,500 or $.04 per share of Common Stock.
 
(2)  Common Stock equivalents are excluded  from the weighted average number  of
     common shares outstanding as the dilutive effect is less than 3%.
 
(3)  Discounted lease rentals includes $184,221,000 of non-recourse and $787,000
     of recourse debt at March 31, 1996.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
                     OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
LEASE ACCOUNTING OVERVIEW
 
    GENERAL.  The Company classifies its lease transactions, as required by FASB
No.  13,  as (1)  direct  financing, (2)  sales-type,  or (3)  operating leases.
Revenues,  costs  and  resulting  income  are  recognized  during  each  of  the
accounting  periods within the term of the lease. The allocation of income among
the accounting periods within  a lease term will  vary depending upon the  lease
classification.
 
    For  financial  statement purposes,  the Company  includes revenue  from all
three classifications in leasing revenues, and costs related to these leases  in
leasing  costs. The Company has in "Selected Financial and Other Data" separated
its leasing revenues into  two categories: (1)  direct financing and  sales-type
leases and (2) operating leases.
 
    DIRECT  FINANCING AND  SALES-TYPE LEASES.   Direct  financing and sales-type
leases transfer substantially all benefits  and risks of equipment ownership  to
the  customer.  A  lease  is  a direct  financing  or  sales-type  lease  if the
creditworthiness of the customer  and the collectibility  of lease payments  are
reasonably  certain and it  meets one of  the following criteria:  (1) the lease
transfers ownership of the  equipment to the  customer by the  end of the  lease
term,  (2) the lease contains  a bargain purchase option,  (3) the lease term at
inception is  at  least  75%  of  the estimated  economic  life  of  the  leased
equipment,  or (4) the present  value of the minimum  lease payments is at least
90% of the fair value of the leased equipment at inception.
 
    Direct financing and sales-type leased  assets consist of the present  value
of  the future  minimum lease  payments plus the  present value  of the residual
(collectively referred to  as the "net  investment"). Sales-type  classification
gives rise to dealer profit to the lessor and generally results when the Company
leases  used equipment to  its customer. This  equipment may be  obtained in the
secondary marketplace, but most frequently is the result of re-leasing equipment
from the Company's own portfolio to the same customer.
 
    For direct financing leases, leasing revenue consists of interest earned  on
the  present value  of the  lease payments  and residual.  Revenue is recognized
periodically over the  lease term  as a constant  percentage return  on the  net
investment. There are no costs and expenses recorded for direct financing leases
since  leasing  revenue is  recorded  on a  net  basis. Therefore,  the revenues
resulting from the "mix"  of lease classifications  during an accounting  period
will  affect  the profit  margin percentage  for such  period, with  such profit
margin percentage generally increasing as revenues from direct financing  leases
increase.
 
    Sales-type leasing revenue, which is recognized at lease inception, consists
of  the present value of  the total minimum lease  payments. Costs and expenses,
also recognized at lease inception, consist  of the equipment's net book  value,
less  the  present value  of the  residual. The  difference between  the leasing
revenue and  such  costs  and expenses  results  in  a profit  recorded  at  the
inception  of  the lease.  Interest earned  on  the present  value of  the lease
payments and  residual is  recognized  periodically over  the  lease term  as  a
constant  percentage return on the net investment and is included as part of the
Company's leasing revenues.
 
    OPERATING LEASES.  All leases that are not classified as direct financing or
sales-type leases are treated as  operating leases. Monthly lease payments  from
these  leases  are recognized  as leasing  revenues. The  Company's cost  of the
leased equipment is  recorded on  the balance  sheet in  "Investment in  leasing
operations"  and is depreciated on a straight-line  basis over the lease term to
the Company's  estimate of  residual value.  Revenue, depreciation  expense  and
resultant  profit for operating leases are recorded  evenly over the life of the
lease. Should the lease be financed, the interest expense declines over the term
of the financing  as the  principal is reduced,  with the  resultant net  profit
being  lower  in the  early periods  of the  financing and  higher in  the later
periods.
 
    RESIDUAL VALUES.  Residual values,  representing the value of the  equipment
at  the termination of the lease, are  estimated by the Company at the inception
of the lease and recorded on its  balance sheet. The residual values for  direct
financing   and  sales-type  leases  are  recorded  in  "Investment  in  leasing
operations" on a  net present  value basis.  The residual  values for  operating
leases  are included  in the  leased equipment's  net book  value. The estimated
residual values will vary, both  in amount and as  a percentage of the  original
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
equipment  cost, depending  upon several  factors, including  the amount  of the
monthly rent and the term of the lease. The Company believes that its  estimates
of  future residual values generally are  below or equal to valuations published
by independent third-party residual forecasters.
 
    The Company evaluates residual  values on an ongoing  basis and records  any
required changes in accordance with FASB No. 13. Residual values are affected by
equipment  supply and demand and by  new product announcements and price changes
by manufacturers. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as
stated in FASB No. 13, residuals can  only be adjusted downward during the  term
of the lease.
 
    The  Company  seeks  to  realize  the  estimated  residual  value  at  lease
termination through renewal or  extension of the original  lease or sale of  the
equipment.  The  difference between  the proceeds  of a  sale and  the remaining
estimated residual value results in either a gain or loss when title  transfers.
The proceeds from any subsequent lease are accounted for in accordance with FASB
No. 13.
 
    INITIAL  DIRECT COSTS.   Initial direct costs related  to the origination of
direct  financing  and  operating  leases,  including  sales  commissions,   are
capitalized  and recorded as part of  the "Investment in leasing operations" and
are amortized over the lease term.
 
    SALES.  In equipment sales transactions, sales revenue is recognized by  the
Company  at the time title to the equipment  passes to the customer. If the sale
is to the  customer who is  leasing the  equipment, the revenue  is included  in
"Leasing revenues," and if the equipment is sold into the secondary marketplace,
the revenue is included in "Sales of equipment."
 
    CASH  FLOWS.  Cash flows are  not affected by lease classification. However,
cash flows  are  affected by  the  Company's decision  on  how it  finances  its
investment  in a particular lease. After  lease inception, the Company generally
discounts the remaining lease payments on a non-recourse or recourse basis  with
various financial institutions. The Company assigns the remaining lease payments
to  these  financial institutions  at fixed  interest rates.  In return  for the
future  remaining  lease   payments,  the  Company   receives  a  cash   payment
substantially  equal to the present value  of such lease payments. Proceeds from
discounting are  recorded on  the Company's  balance sheet  as discounted  lease
rentals.  As customers  make payments  to financial  institutions, lease revenue
(i.e., interest  income on  direct financing  and sales-type  leases and  rental
revenue  on operating leases)  and interest expense are  recorded by the Company
and the  discounted  lease rentals  on  the balance  sheet  are reduced  by  the
interest method. See "Business -- Financing."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995
 
    Net  earnings for the three months ended  March 31, 1996 were $3,135,000, or
$0.40 per  share,  as  compared to  $3,259,000,  or  $0.41 per  share,  for  the
corresponding  period in 1995. At March 31, 1996 the Company's net investment in
leasing operations was $263,660,000,  an increase of  3.7% over $254,281,000  at
December 31, 1995.
 
    Total revenues of $16,049,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 were
down  9.7% from  $17,768,000 for  the same  three-month period  in 1995. Leasing
revenues accounted for  97.0% and 95.1%  of total revenues  for the  three-month
periods  ended  March 31,  1996 and  1995, respectively.  The quarter-to-quarter
fluctuations in leasing  revenues result primarily  from the allocation  between
types  of leasing revenues and  the manner and timing  in which leasing revenues
are recognized over the term of each particular lease. See "-- Lease  Accounting
Overview." Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1996 also include
$2,128,000  of commissions  generated from  the financing  of lease transactions
which were placed by the Company's  wholesale lease broker business acquired  on
January 19, 1996. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
    Total  leasing costs as a percentage of leasing revenue were 29.9% and 39.6%
for the three-month periods ended March  31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Total
leasing  costs for the three  months ended March 31,  1996 include $1,354,000 of
commissions  paid  to   third-party  brokers  for   the  origination  of   lease
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
transactions  for the Company's wholesale lease broker business. The decrease in
leasing costs as a percentage of leasing revenues reflects the influence of  the
relative  size  and  lease  classification of  transactions  for  the respective
periods, offset by the impact of commissions earned versus commissions paid.
 
    Revenues from  outright sales  of equipment  as a  percentage of  the  total
revenues were 3.0% and 4.9% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1996 and
1995,  respectively. Cost of the  equipment sold as a  percent of outright sales
was 54.3% and  90.9% for the  respective 1996 and  1995 periods. The  period-to-
period variations in outright sales of equipment and cost of equipment sold as a
percent  of these sales were the result  of fluctuations in the value and timing
of the return to the Company of equipment placed on lease in earlier periods.
 
    Selling, general and administrative  expenses increased $601,000 (39.4%)  in
the  three  months ended  March  31, 1996  over  the corresponding  1995 period,
primarily as  a  result of  increased  employment costs  and  general  operating
expenses.  Employment costs increased  primarily as a result  of the addition of
personnel since the  commencement of operations  in July 1995  of WINR  Business
Credit  and the acquisition of the wholesale lease broker business. At March 31,
1996 the Company had a total of 83 full-time employees compared to 48  full-time
employees  at March 31,  1995. General operating expenses  have increased due to
the growth of the Company, through the formation of WINR Business Credit and the
wholesale lease broker business acquisition, as  well as the expansion of  sales
offices.
 
    Interest expense increased $256,624 (7.7%) in the first quarter of 1996 over
the  first  quarter of  1995. This  increase  was the  result of  higher average
borrowings in  the  form  of  discounted  lease  rentals,  coupled  with  higher
effective interest rates on the aggregate debt of the Company during the current
period, as compared with the period ended March 31, 1995.
 
    Income  tax  expense  as a  percentage  of  earnings before  income  tax was
approximately 41% and 40% for the  three-month periods ended March 31, 1996  and
1995, respectively. The actual income tax paid varies depending on many factors,
including  the  alternative minimum  tax rate,  various  state tax  laws, timing
differences due to accelerated tax depreciation rules and a variety of other tax
considerations.
 
    As a result  of the foregoing  factors, net earnings  decreased by  $125,000
(3.8%)  for  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  1996  as  compared  with the
corresponding 1995 period.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
    Net earnings  for the  years ended  December 31,  1995, 1994  and 1993  were
$11,556,000  ($1.46  per share),  $9,361,000  ($1.16 per  share)  and $7,660,000
($0.98 per  share),  respectively.  At  December 31,  1995,  the  Company's  net
investment  in leasing operations was $254,281,000 as compared with $216,737,000
at December 31, 1994 and $171,975,000 at December 31, 1993.
 
    Total revenues of $68,709,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 were down
1.7% from total revenues of $69,878,000 recorded during the year ended  December
31,  1994. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1994 were up 3.7% over
the $67,401,000 of total revenues recognized during the year ended December  31,
1993. Leasing revenues accounted for 97.1%, 97.3% and 96.7% of total revenues in
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The year-to-year
fluctuations  in leasing revenues  result primarily from  the allocation between
types of leasing revenues  and the manner and  timing in which leasing  revenues
are  recognized  over  the term  of  each  particular lease.  The  allocation of
revenues is a function of the  lease classification as determined in  accordance
with  FASB No.  13. See  "-- Lease  Accounting Overview."  For this  reason, the
Company believes that more  meaningful measures of growth  are the increases  in
leased assets and net earnings.
 
    Total leasing costs as a percentage of leasing revenue were 43.2%, 54.8% and
61.0%  for the years ended  December 31, 1995, 1994  and 1993, respectively. The
decrease in  leasing cost  percentage in  1995 from  1994 was  the result  of  a
greater  contribution from certain large transactions. In 1994, leasing costs as
a percent of revenue decreased from 1993, again reflecting the contribution from
certain large transactions.
 
    Revenues from outright sales of equipment as a percentage of total  revenues
were  2.9%, 2.7% and 3.3% for the years  ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Contributing to the year-to-year
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
variation in outright sales were fluctuations  in size and timing of the  return
to  the  Company  of equipment  placed  on  lease in  earlier  periods.  Cost of
equipment sold for the years ended December  31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was  77.6%,
66.0% and 90.9% of sales of equipment, respectively.
 
    Selling,  general and  administrative expenses decreased  $207,000 (3.5%) in
1995 from 1994 and increased $1,099,000 (23.1%) in 1994 over 1993. The  decrease
in  1995 from 1994 is  the result of increased  deferral of initial direct costs
associated with  direct  finance  and  operating  leases,  offset  by  increased
employment costs and general operating expenses. The increase in the deferral of
initial direct costs is primarily the result of an increase in the proportionate
volume  of  direct  finance  leases  recorded  during  1995  compared  to  1994.
Employment costs  increased as  a  result of  general  growth due  to  increased
business  volume  coupled  with the  addition  of personnel  resulting  from the
commencement of operations of WINR  Business Credit. General operating  expenses
increased  due to increased business volume  and physical growth of the Company.
In  September  1995,  the  Company  opened   an  East  Coast  sales  office   in
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania and expanded the facilities in the San Francisco Bay
area by combining the Company's office in Mill Valley, California with the sales
operations of WINR Business Credit. The increase in 1994 over 1993 is  primarily
due  to increased commissions  and salaries. Net  commission expense varies from
period to period depending upon  relative profits generated by individual  sales
representatives.   The  increased   salary  expense   reflects  the   change  in
compensation arrangements  for  a senior  management  employee which  went  into
effect  January 1, 1994, whereby  the employee's previous commission arrangement
was phased out during 1994 in favor  of salary and bonus compensation that  more
accurately reflects his duties and responsibilities.
 
    Interest  expense  increased  $3,541,000  (35.7%)  in  1995  over  1994  and
increased $1,327,000  (15.4%)  in  1994  over 1993.  The  increase  in  1995  is
primarily  the result of  greater discounted lease  rental borrowings and higher
effective interest rates  during 1995  as compared with  the corresponding  1994
period.  The increase  in 1994  was primarily  the result  of greater discounted
lease rental borrowings resulting from more  equipment being placed on lease  as
compared  with the corresponding 1993 period,  offset by reduced borrowings from
lines of credit and lower effective interest rates on the aggregate  outstanding
debt of the Company during 1994.
 
    Income  tax  expense  as a  percentage  of  earnings before  income  tax was
approximately 40% in each of  the years 1995, 1994  and 1993. The actual  income
tax paid varies depending on many factors, including the alternative minimum tax
rate,  various  state  tax  laws,  timing  differences  due  to  accelerated tax
depreciation rules and a variety of other tax considerations.
 
    As a result  of the  foregoing factors, net  earnings and  net earnings  per
common  share increased  each year in  the three-year period  ended December 31,
1995. Net earnings increased $2,195,000 (23.4%) in 1995 over 1994 and $1,701,000
(22.2%) in 1994 over 1993.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
 
    The funds necessary to  support the Company's  leasing activities have  been
provided  primarily from  operations and  discounted lease  financing and,  to a
lesser extent and only on an interim basis, from bank borrowings under lines  of
credit. During 1995 the daily average borrowings under these lines of credit was
$299,000, compared with $11,000 in 1994. The extent to which the Company employs
these lines is dependent upon its available internal funds and the volume of its
sales  and  lease  transactions.  At  March  31,  1996,  there  were  no amounts
outstanding under these lines of credit.
 
    Generally upon commencement of  a lease, the  Company assigns the  remaining
lease  payment  stream  to a  financial  institution, and  the  discounted lease
proceeds are used to reduce any  amounts outstanding under the lines of  credit.
The  Company generally  funds its  equity investments  in leased  equipment with
internally generated funds. See "Business -- Financing."
 
    The Company's entire lease portfolio was  originated by the Company and  the
majority   consists  of  leases   that  have  been   discounted  with  financial
institutions. The Company does finance selected leases with internally generated
funds. The  portion  of  the  Company's  current  portfolio  that  was  financed
internally at December 31, 1995 was 11.5% of the total portfolio (as measured by
original  equipment cost). The  leases financed internally  are typically leases
too small  to  be attractive  to  a financial  institution  or where  the  value
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
of  the  underlying  equipment or  the  credit  status of  the  customer  is not
acceptable to financial institutions for non-recourse financing. In these cases,
the Company believes there  are other circumstances  that warrant such  internal
funding.
 
    At  March 31, 1996, the Company  had discounted lease rentals outstanding of
$185,008,000 of which  99.6% were non-recourse  loans. At the  end of 1995,  the
Company had discounted lease rentals outstanding of $178,457,000, of which 99.3%
were  non-recourse loans. The increase in discounted lease rentals for the three
months ended  March  31,  1996  is  due  primarily  to  the  proceeds  from  the
discounting  of  new leases  during the  quarter  exceeding the  amortization of
previously  discounted  lease   rentals.  At  March   31,  1996,   approximately
$202,717,000   of  the  Company's  $260,569,000  total  minimum  lease  payments
receivable represented  leases that  were discounted,  $28,973,000 consisted  of
leases pending discounting and the remaining $28,879,000 consisted of internally
funded  leases. The  Company depends  on discounted  lease financing  to provide
funds for its operations at rates that reflect prevailing market interest  rates
and  the credit standing of its customers.  Based on the Company's experience in
the leasing  industry,  its  strong  financial  history  and  its  long-standing
relationships  with certain  financial institutions,  the Company  believes that
discounted lease financing will continue to be available at competitive rates of
interest.
 
    The primary use of cash for the three years ended December 31, 1995 has been
for the  purchase of  equipment for  leasing. At  December 31,  1995, the  lease
portfolio  for all lease classifications included equipment owned by the Company
with an original cost of equipment of approximately $397,996,000.
 
    The Company's  current  financial resources  and  estimated cash  flow  from
operations,  together with the proceeds to the Company from these offerings, are
expected to be adequate to fund the  Company's operations for at least the  next
twelve  months. There can be fluctuations in cash flow from period to period due
to the  timing of  payments  by customers  and  timing of  permanent  financing.
However,  the  Company has  consistently generated  positive  cash flow  and has
increased its net worth from its initial  equity capital of $105,000 in 1982  to
approximately $56,872,000 at March 31, 1996, including equity infusions totaling
$9,581,000  from the Company's public offerings in 1993 and 1992. On January 19,
1996, the Company made a $5,100,000  cash payment pursuant to an asset  purchase
agreement  (the "Agreement") for the purchase of substantially all the assets of
Capital Business Leasing, Inc. Under the terms of the Agreement, on December 31,
1996 the Company is required to make  a final payment of up to $2,000,000,  plus
accrued interest thereon at a rate of six percent (6%) per annum.
 
    Inflation has not been a significant factor in the Company's operations.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
    The  Company is engaged  in the business  of providing non-cancelable leases
for high technology and business-essential equipment to both large organizations
and smaller,  growing  companies.  The Company's  lease  products  are  marketed
nationally  through a 17-member  sales force located  in Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Dallas, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;  Knoxville, Tennessee; Santa  Barbara
and Oakland, California; and Henderson, Nevada. To differentiate itself from its
competitors  in  the  leasing  industry,  the  Company  offers  innovative lease
products and concentrates on building long-term, relationship-based associations
with its customers.
 
    Since its founding in  1982, the Company's focus  has been primarily on  the
Value  Added Lease. These lease transactions  generally have terms from three to
five years  and  are  with  large  organizations  (generally  corporations  with
revenues  of  $50,000,000  or  more).  Such  transactions  typically  range from
$250,000  to  $20,000,000  and   cover  high  technology  equipment,   including
computers,   telecommunications  equipment,  point-of-sale   systems  and  other
technology-based equipment. The leases are creative and flexible in structure to
accommodate equipment additions and upgrades to meet customers' changing  needs.
Value Added Leases are retained in the Company's portfolio.
 
    Responding  to the  expanding technological  needs of  increasing numbers of
small, growing businesses,  the Company  commenced operations  of WINR  Business
Credit  in 1995. WINR  Business Credit focuses  on the small  business market by
providing the  Small Ticket  Lease  which covers  business-essential  equipment,
including  computers,  telecommunications  equipment  and  production equipment.
Lease transactions in the small ticket area typically are for less than $250,000
and have lease terms of between two and and five years. The Company manages  the
risks  and  costs  associated  with  high  volume  small  ticket  leases through
centralized credit evaluation, lease administration and collections and business
alliances with vendors of business-essential equipment. Small Ticket Leases  are
primarily generated for the Company's portfolio.
 
    With  the commencement of operations of WINR Business Credit the Company has
also developed the Enterprise Lease which is designed to meet the needs of large
corporations  with   influence  over   multiple  business   entities,  such   as
franchisor-franchisee  relationships. The Enterprise  Lease integrates the Value
Added  Lease  and  the  Small  Ticket   Lease  for  organizations  in  need   of
enterprise-wide equipment and systems solutions.
 
    The  Company added the  Wholesale Lease to its  product portfolio in January
1996 through the acquisition of the assets of Capital Business Leasing, Inc., an
equipment lease broker  that, for a  fee, arranges lease  financings with  other
leasing  companies for a variety of unrelated brokers and vendors. The Wholesale
Lease is generally sold to an outside funding source and does not become part of
the Company's lease portfolio.
 
INDUSTRY
 
    The equipment leasing  industry in  the United States  has greatly  expanded
during  the last decade. According to the Equipment Leasing Association ("ELA"),
a leading industry trade association,  lease financing plays a significant  role
in  the United  States economy, representing  29% of all  business investment in
productive assets during 1994. The ELA also estimates that approximately 80%  of
all  United States companies lease some or  all of their equipment. According to
the United  States Department  of Commerce,  the annual  volume of  new  capital
equipment,  measured by original  equipment cost, placed on  lease in the United
States was approximately $147 billion in 1994 and is estimated to have been $160
billion in 1995, representing an 8.8% increase.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company's strategy is  to differentiate itself  from its competitors  in
the  leasing  industry  by maintaining  a  focused,  long-term, customer-service
approach to its business. Key elements of this strategy include:
 
    - FOCUS ON LEASING. Leasing high technology and business-essential equipment
      is the Company's only business. All of the Company's efforts are  directed
      toward providing the most effective leasing
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
      products  for its customers. The Company makes no recommendation regarding
      hardware, software or other services in the analysis of the most effective
      financial arrangements for  its customers.  As a result,  the Company  has
      developed   a   network   of   informal   relationships   with   equipment
      manufacturers, consultants,  valued-added remarketers,  lease brokers  and
      software  providers.  These informal  alliances  provide the  Company with
      referral sources for  a significant  number of quality  prospects for  its
      lease products.
 
    - FOUR  PRODUCT  STRATEGY. The  Company's Four  Product Strategy  provides a
      range of  comprehensive lease  finance products  addressing the  financing
      needs  of  diverse companies.  The VALUE  ADDED LEASE  features innovative
      lease structures and the flexibility to upgrade or change technology-based
      equipment during the lease term.  These transactions typically range  from
      $250,000   to  $20,000,000.   Customers  for   this  product   are  large,
      creditworthy companies with critical technological needs. The SMALL TICKET
      LEASE targets smaller, growing companies with a need for equipment that is
      critical for the operation  of their businesses.  This product provides  a
      relatively  fast and  straightforward way  for these  customers to acquire
      business-essential equipment. Lease transactions  typically are less  than
      $250,000.  The ENTERPRISE LEASE, which is a combination of the Value Added
      Lease and  the Small  Ticket Lease,  is marketed  to business  enterprises
      typified  by  a large  corporate entity  with influence  over a  number of
      smaller business entities, such as the franchisor/franchisee relationship.
      The Enterprise  Lease is  designed  to provide  enterprise-wide  equipment
      financing   solutions.  Consolidation  of  financing  for  the  enterprise
      provides the customer  with an  all-inclusive solution  that promotes  the
      installation  of equipment throughout the  enterprise. The WHOLESALE LEASE
      is typically a small ticket lease brought to the Company by a lease broker
      and sold to  an outside funding  source and  does not become  part of  the
      Company's lease portfolio.
 
    - ASSET  OWNERSHIP.  The Company  retains ownership  of  its leases  and the
      underlying equipment, except  Wholesale Leases. This  affords the  Company
      the  flexibility to  accommodate customers'  desire to  add to  or upgrade
      their equipment.  This strategy  of asset  ownership and  lease  structure
      provides  a  means for  the  customer to  meet  its changing  needs  on an
      economically viable basis for both the customer and the Company.
 
    - DIVERSIFICATION. The Company believes that it maximizes the stability  and
      profitability  of its portfolio by leasing  a wide variety of equipment to
      companies in diverse industries in many geographic locations. Equipment in
      the Company's  portfolio is  leased  to customers  across the  country  in
      industries  including retail, wholesale, manufacturing, financial services
      and health care. See "Business -- Portfolio."
 
LEASING AND SALES ACTIVITIES
 
    The  Company  generally  leases   high  technology  and   business-essential
equipment  for  terms ranging  from two  to five  years. The  Company's standard
master lease agreements,  entered into  with each  customer, are  non-cancelable
"net"  leases  which  contain "hell-or-high-water"  provisions  under  which the
customer, upon  acceptance  of  the  equipment, must  make  all  lease  payments
regardless  of any defects in  the equipment, and which  require the customer to
maintain and service the equipment,  insure the equipment against casualty  loss
and  pay all property, sales and other  taxes related to the equipment. Although
the Company's leases are non-cancelable,  leases are frequently modified  during
the  term  of the  lease to  upgrade a  customer's equipment  configuration. The
Company retains  ownership of  the equipment  it  leases and,  in the  event  of
default  by the customer, the  Company or the financial  institution to whom the
lease has been  assigned may  declare the  customer in  default, accelerate  all
lease  payments  due  under  the  lease  and  pursue  other  available remedies,
including repossession of the equipment. Upon completion of the initial term  of
the lease, the customer may: (i) return the equipment to the Company, (ii) renew
the  lease  for an  additional term,  or  (iii) purchase  the equipment.  If the
equipment is  returned  to the  Company,  it is  sold  into the  secondary  user
marketplace.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    The  Company  sometimes  leases operating  system  software  and application
software to its customers, but only  with a hardware lease. Generally,  software
leasing  is  only  a financing  of  the  customer's license  agreement  with its
software vendor and no title passes to either the customer or the Company. As  a
result,  the  Company  generally  provides software  leasing  only  to  its most
creditworthy customers.
 
    The Company conducts its leasing business  in a manner designed to  conserve
its  working  capital and  minimize its  credit exposure.  The Company  does not
purchase equipment  until  it  has  received a  non-cancelable  lease  from  its
customer  and has  determined that the  lease can  be discounted with  a bank or
financial institution or financed with internal funds.
 
FINANCING
 
    The Company's ability to arrange financing is important to its business. The
Company uses its lines of credit when needed on an interim basis to finance  the
purchase  of equipment  for lease. Lease  rentals are  typically discounted with
financial institutions to provide longer term financing of a substantial portion
of the equipment cost.
 
    The Company generally  arranges permanent  financing of  Value Added  Leases
through  non-recourse  discounting  of  lease  rentals  with  various  financial
institutions at fixed interest  rates. The proceeds from  the assignment of  the
lease rentals are equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments due
under  the  lease, discounted  at  the interest  rate  charged by  the financial
institution. Interest rates obtained under this type of financing are negotiated
on a transaction-by-transaction basis and reflect the financial condition of the
customer, the term of the lease,  and the prevailing interest rates. For  leases
discounted  on a non-recourse  basis, the financial  institution has no recourse
against the  Company unless  the  Company is  in default  of  the terms  of  the
agreement  under which the  lease and the  leased equipment are  assigned to the
institution as  collateral. The  institution  may, however,  take title  to  the
collateral  in the event  the customer fails  to make lease  payments or certain
other defaults by the customer occur under the terms of the lease.
 
    The Company  expects  to permanently  finance  its Small  Ticket  Leases  by
discounting  pools of lease receivables with various financial institutions on a
partial recourse basis. The recourse amount may vary from pool to pool, but  the
Company's responsibility is generally expected to be limited to 10% of the total
discounted  amount. In addition  to the recourse  responsibility of the Company,
these loans will  be secured by  the specific leases  and equipment assigned  to
each pool.
 
    The  Company also uses  its available cash to  fund leases internally rather
than discounting the leases with financial institutions. The Company has  funded
leases  internally where the lease  amounts are too small  to be attractive to a
financial institution or  where the  value of  the underlying  equipment or  the
credit  rating of the customer is  not acceptable for non-recourse financing. In
these cases, the  Company believes  there are other  circumstances that  warrant
such internal funding. The Company also internally funds leases in its portfolio
pending  discounting. See  "Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition -- Financial Condition and Liquidity."
 
    The Company  has  line of  credit  agreements  for the  purpose  of  interim
financing  of the Company's  acquisition of equipment for  lease with First Bank
National  Association  ("First  Bank")  and  Norwest  Equipment  Finance,   Inc.
("Norwest")  (collectively the "Banks"). The First  Bank line provides credit up
to $15,000,000  at  its prime  rate  or, at  the  Company's option,  at  a  rate
determined  by a specified  alternative rate calculation  and terminates on July
31, 1996. The Norwest line provides credit  up to $8,000,000 at 25 basis  points
over its prime rate and expires on June 30, 1996. Both line of credit agreements
are  secured by the specific leases and  equipment assigned to each of the Banks
and, under the First Bank agreement, all other personal property and fixtures of
the Company.  The  Company expects  that  each of  these  credit lines  will  be
extended; however, such line of credit financing may not always be available or,
if so, on terms acceptable to the Company.
 
PORTFOLIO
 
    As  of  March  31, 1996,  the  Company  had a  total  investment  in leasing
operations of  $263,659,839. Of  this  amount, $242,946,082  represented  direct
financing  and sales-type  leases, $4,842,593 represented  operating leases, and
$15,871,164 represented  equipment  purchased  for  leases  that  were  not  yet
commenced.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    As  measured by original equipment cost,  approximately 35% of the portfolio
as of March 31,  1996 was comprised  of a variety  of equipment manufactured  by
IBM.  The  remainder of  the  portfolio was  comprised  of other  types  of data
processing  equipment,  point-of-sale  systems,  telecommunications   equipment,
office  automation equipment  and other  business-essential equipment  made by a
variety of other manufacturers.
 
    The entire portfolio  has been originated  by the Company  and is owned  and
administered  by  the Company.  The  Company's portfolio  consists  of equipment
located in all 50 states with the heaviest concentration in the following states
as measured by the percentage of original equipment cost of the entire portfolio
as of December 31, 1995:
 
              California   14.3%        Arizona     6.4%
              Texas        12.3%        Wisconsin   5.1%
              Illinois      7.8%        New York    4.3%
              Minnesota     7.4%        Ohio        4.0%
 
CUSTOMERS
 
    The Company currently provides leasing services to a variety of corporations
located across the country, some of whom are listed below:
 
    Bank of America                       Johnson & Johnson
    Citibank                              Mattel, Inc.
    PETsMART, Inc.                        Pacific Telesis
    The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation      Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
    Time Warner, Inc.                     Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
    Texaco                                Kinko's
 
    The Company enters into standard master lease agreements with its  customers
that  may contain  many separate lease  schedules, each with  its own particular
lease term. Most of the Company's customers have a number of lease schedules  in
place.  Customers' repeat business, through the  addition of new lease schedules
and modification of existing leases, is an important source of earnings for  the
Company.  Each lease schedule  constitutes a lease  of additional equipment. For
any one  customer, its  lease schedules  can end  on many  different dates.  The
Company's  representatives  maintain close  contact with  all of  its customers.
During 1995,  a  single  customer  accounted  for  approximately  14%  of  total
revenues,  which  resulted  from  a  merger-driven buyout  of  a  lease  and the
underlying equipment. No  other customer  accounted for  more than  6% of  total
revenues during 1995.
 
CREDIT AND TRANSACTION APPROVAL
 
    The  Company's  credit  policies, procedures  and  transaction  criteria are
established by  its  executive  officers. The  Credit  Committee,  comprised  of
experienced  credit professionals, has the  responsibility to enforce policy and
ensure  the  quality   of  the  Company's   transactions.  Small  ticket   lease
transactions  under  $50,000 in  equipment cost  are  reviewed and  graded using
credit information supplied by the lessee  and by credit agencies with whom  the
Company  has  contracted. These  transactions are  either approved,  rejected or
re-submitted when credit enhancements are established. For transactions that are
greater than  $50,000, the  Company  requires financial  statements,  additional
credit  information  and  senior  management  approval.  For  transactions  over
$250,000, additional approval is  required by outside  funding sources who  fund
those transactions on a non-recourse or recourse basis.
 
OPERATIONS
 
    The   Company's  Account  Management  staff  provides  lease  administration
services to  the  Value  Added  Lease customer,  while  WINR  Business  Credit's
Customer  Sales and  Service provides these  services to the  Small Ticket Lease
customer. Account Management delivers a service to the customer by  coordinating
and  managing the installation of a customer's leased assets. Account Management
approves vendor payments for installed equipment, tracks assets by serial number
and location, and  is responsible  for the preparation  of lease  documentation.
WINR  Business Credit's Customer Sales and Service tracks Small Ticket Lease and
Wholesale Lease applications and  inquiries. This group  is responsible for  all
customer contact, customer satisfaction and the quality and control of all lease
documents.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
MARKETING
 
    The  Company markets its  leasing products by  selling directly to end-users
and indirectly through vendors of equipment, software, value-added services  and
consulting  services.  Marketing  to  customers and  prospects  directly  by the
Company's sales representatives is also done by telephone canvassing.
 
    The Company's  sales representatives  spend a  significant amount  of  their
efforts  building networks of  equipment manufacturers, value-added remarketers,
software suppliers, lease  brokers and  consultants. The objective  is to  build
informal  strategic  alliances  in  order to  provide  customers  with  the most
effective method  for their  acquisition of  each supplier's  products. Most  of
these referral sources do not provide lease products and look to the Company and
other leasing companies to provide these products.
 
    Personal  visits to customers and prospects by Company sales representatives
allow the sales representative to  build strong relationships with customers  in
order  to provide the most attractive  financial products. Repeat business is an
important source of earnings for the Company. During the year ended December 31,
1995, a  substantial  majority of  the  Company's lease  transactions  was  with
existing customers.
 
    As of May 15, 1996, the Company had a total of 17 sales representatives. The
Company  generally seeks  to hire sales  representatives who  have experience in
equipment sales. The Company expects to hire additional sales personnel in 1996.
In addition  to its  headquarters in  Minneapolis, the  Company also  has  sales
offices  located in  Santa Barbara  and Oakland,  California; Henderson, Nevada;
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Dallas, Texas.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The Company competes in the equipment leasing marketplace with a variety  of
companies,  some of which  have more capital and  resources. These firms include
equipment manufacturers (as well as captive leasing companies), brokers, leasing
companies  and  financial  institutions.   The  Company  frequently   encounters
competition  from  IBM  Credit Corporation,  Comdisco  Incorporated,  GE Capital
Corporation,  AT&T  Capital,   Advanta  Corporation,   Dana  Commercial   Credit
Corporation and Amplicon Inc.
 
    The   Company  competes   on  the   basis  of   flexibility  in  structuring
transactions, providing  a high  level of  customer service,  the knowledge  and
competence  of  its employees,  pricing  and the  ability  to gain  referrals of
potential  transactions  from  various  business  contacts  including   existing
customers.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As  of  May 15,  1996,  the Company  had  85 employees,  including  17 sales
representatives. The  other employees  are managerial,  administrative, MIS  and
clerical   personnel.  The  Company  considers  its  employee  relations  to  be
excellent.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company's corporate offices are located  at 1015 Opus Center, 9900  Bren
Road East, Minnetonka, Minnesota, 55343. The Company leases approximately 18,000
square  feet pursuant  to a lease  expiring in June  1999. Over the  term of the
lease, the rent  expense is approximately  $29,000 per month.  The Company  also
pays  monthly parking expenses  and a pro  rata share of  operating expenses and
real estate taxes  if such  expenses and  taxes exceed  certain thresholds.  The
Company  also leases sales and customer  services offices in California, Nevada,
Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Texas.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is  not currently  involved in  any legal  proceedings that  are
material to the Company's business or financial condition.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    The  Company's  directors  and  executive officers  of  the  Company  are as
follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME          AGE                          TITLE
- --------------------  ---  -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>  <C>
John L. Morgan        55   President and Director
Kirk A. MacKenzie     57   Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Director
Jack A. Norqual       50   Senior Vice President and Director
Paul C. Reyelts       49   Director
Gerald W. Simonson    65   Director
Mark L. Wilson        47   Director and Secretary
Deborah L. Mogensen   44   Vice President
Robert P. Murphy      45   Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Janice R. Englund     50   Vice President
Coleman P. Griffing   39   Vice President of Sales
Gary W. Anderson      43   Vice President, Controller and Assistant Secretary
Richard J. Pieper     46   Vice President
Paul L. Gendler       30   Vice President and General Counsel
Jeffrey A. Mattson    40   Vice President and General Manager of WINR Business
                            Credit
</TABLE>
    
 
    JOHN L. MORGAN is a founder of the Company and has served as President since
January 1985. He has been a director and executive officer of the Company  since
1982.
 
    KIRK  A. MACKENZIE is a  founder of the Company  and has served as Executive
Vice President since July  1992. From January 1985  to July 1992, Mr.  MacKenzie
was  a Vice  President of  the Company.  He has  been Treasurer,  a director and
executive officer of the Company since 1982.
 
    JACK A. NORQUAL is a  founder of the Company and  has served as Senior  Vice
President since July 1992. From January 1985 to July 1992, Mr. Norqual served as
Vice  President  and  Secretary of  the  Company.  He has  been  a  director and
executive officer of the Company since 1982.
 
    PAUL C. REYELTS became a  director of the Company in  May 1994. He has  been
Vice  President, Finance and Chief Financial  Officer of the Valspar Corporation
since 1982.  Valspar  Corporation  is  a manufacturer  of  consumer  paints  and
industrial coatings and related products.
 
    GERALD  W.  SIMONSON became  a director  of  the Company  in July  1992. Mr.
Simonson has been a venture capital investor for more than 24 years. He has been
the Chief Executive Officer of Omnetics Connector Corporation, a manufacturer of
microminiature connectors, since March 1991. He  is also a director of  Fairview
Hospital and Healthcare Services, Medtronic, Inc. and Northwest Teleproductions,
Inc.
 
    MARK  L. WILSON was named Secretary and  Director of the Company in February
1995. He has been a practicing attorney since 1974. From 1986 to February  1995,
he  was a shareholder and officer of  the Minneapolis law firm Ross Rosenblatt &
Wilson, Ltd. Since February 1995, he has  been a shareholder and officer of  the
Minneapolis law firm Ravich Meyer Wilson Kirkman McGrath & Nauman, P.A.
 
    DEBORAH L. MOGENSEN joined the Company in 1982 and has been a Vice President
of  the  Company  since  1986. She  is  currently  responsible  for re-marketing
previously leased equipment.
 
    ROBERT P. MURPHY  joined the  Company in  1986 as  a Vice  President. He  is
currently responsible for the Company's sales and marketing efforts.
 
    JANICE  R. ENGLUND joined the Company in  1986 and has been a Vice President
since 1990. She  is responsible  for the Company's  customer account  management
functions.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    COLEMAN P. GRIFFING joined the Company in 1987 as a sales representative. In
January 1994 he became a Vice President.
 
    GARY  W. ANDERSON, a certified public accountant, joined the Company in 1988
as Controller  and has  served as  Assistant Secretary  since October  1992.  In
January 1993, he became Vice President/Controller.
 
    RICHARD  J. PIEPER  joined the Company  in 1991  as a Vice  President. He is
currently responsible for the Company's bank financing functions.
 
    PAUL L.  GENDLER, an  attorney  and certified  public accountant,  has  been
Counsel  of  the Company  since August  1994.  In October  1995, he  became Vice
President. From 1993 to 1994 he was an attorney in the General Counsel's  Office
of  the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Prior  to that he was the law clerk
to Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge Robert J. Kressel from 1992 to 1993.
 
   
    JEFFREY A. MATTSON joined the Company in  June 1996 as a Vice President  and
General  Manager of  WINR Business  Credit. From  1988 until  June 1996,  he was
employed by Norstan  Financial Services, a  wholly-owned subsidiary of  Norstan,
Inc.,  a telecommunications equipment  company, most recently  as an officer and
general manager.
    
 
AUDIT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
    The Audit and Compensation  Committees are composed  of the Company's  three
outside  directors, Paul C. Reyelts, Gerald W.  Simonson and Mark L. Wilson. The
Audit Committee has responsibility for  selecting and recommending to the  Board
of   Directors  the  Company's  independent  auditors,  subject  to  shareholder
approval, reviewing the audit plan of the independent auditors, reviewing annual
financial statements and overseeing  the monitoring of  the Company's system  of
internal  control. The  Compensation Committee has  responsibility for reviewing
and recommending to  the Board of  Directors any major  change in the  personnel
policies  or  employee  benefits of  the  Company, plans  to  provide management
continuity,  and  employee  and   executive  compensation  policies,   approving
compensation changes for executives, and administering the Company's stock-based
compensation plans.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
    The  following table sets forth  as of May 1,  1996 certain information with
respect to the beneficial  ownership of the Company's  Common Stock by (i)  each
shareholder  known by the Company to be the  beneficial owner of more than 5% of
the Company's Common Stock, (ii)  each Selling Shareholder, (iii) each  director
of  the  Company,  (iv)  each  of  the  named  executive  officers  listed under
"Management" and (v) all directors and executive officers as a group. The  table
also  sets forth the number  of shares of Common Stock  being offered by each of
the Selling Shareholders and the number and percentage of the outstanding shares
to be owned after the offering by each person or group identified in the table.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED                  SHARES TO BE BENEFICIALLY
                                                  PRIOR TO OFFERING (1)                     OWNED AFTER OFFERING (1)
                  NAME OF                     ------------------------------   SHARES    ------------------------------
              BENEFICIAL OWNER                    NUMBER        PERCENTAGE     OFFERED       NUMBER        PERCENTAGE
- --------------------------------------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------------  -------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>            <C>        <C>              <C>
Jack A. Norqual (2)(3)                          1,762,000            22.3%      250,000    1,512,000            17.5%
John L. Morgan (2)(4)                           1,715,000            21.7       250,000    1,465,000            17.0
Kirk A. MacKenzie (2)(5)                        1,702,400            21.6       250,000    1,452,400            16.8
C.C. Dunnavan & Co., Inc. (6)                     397,070             5.1        --          397,070             4.6
Paul C. Reyelts (7)                                 6,866            *           --            6,866            *
Gerald W. Simonson (8)                             10,000            *           --           10,000            *
Mark L. Wilson (9)                                  6,333            *           --            6,333            *
Deborah L. Mogensen (8)                            10,100            *           --           10,100            *
Robert P. Murphy (10)                              87,000             1.1        --           87,000             1.0
Janice R. Englund (8)                              10,100            *           --           10,100            *
Gary W. Anderson (8)                               12,000            *           --           12,000            *
Richard J. Pieper (11)                             51,850            *           --           51,850            *
Coleman P. Griffing (12)                           31,000            *           --           31,000            *
Paul L. Gendler (13)                                1,250            *           --            1,250            *
Jeffrey A. Mattson                                    100            *           --              100            *
All directors and executive officers as a
 group (14 persons)(14)                         5,405,999            66.3       750,000    4,655,999            52.3
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
*   Less than 1%.
 
 (1)Unless otherwise noted,  each person  identified possesses  sole voting  and
    investment  power with respect  to the shares  shown. Shares not outstanding
    but deemed beneficially owned by virtue of  the right of a person or  member
    of  a group to acquire  them within 60 days  are treated as outstanding only
    when determining the amount and percent owned by such person or group.
 
 (2)Located at  1015 Opus  Center, 9900  Bren Road  East, Minnetonka,  Minnesota
    55343.
 
 (3)Includes 50,000 shares owned by Mr. Norqual's spouse, 29,000 shares owned by
    Mr. Norqual's son and 3,000 shares owned by a not-for-profit organization of
    which  Mr.  Norqual  is a  board  member, as  to  all of  which  Mr. Norqual
    disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 40,000 shares that Mr. Norqual  has
    the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options.
 
 (4)Includes  50,000 shares owned by Mr. Morgan's  spouse as to which Mr. Morgan
    disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 40,000  shares that Mr. Morgan  has
    the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options.
 
 (5)Includes  18,400  shares owned  by Mr.  MacKenzie's spouse  as to  which Mr.
    MacKenzie disclaims beneficial  ownership. Includes 40,000  shares that  Mr.
    MacKenzie has the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
   
 (6)As reported in Schedule 13G dated May 28, 1996 filed with the Securities and
    Exchange  Commission. C.C.  Dunnavan &  Co., Inc.,  located at  4540 Norwest
    Center, 90  South Seventh  Street, Minneapolis,  Minnesota 55402,  has  sole
    voting  and  investment  power  with respect  to  17,200  shares  and shared
    investment power with respect to 379,870 shares.
    
 
 (7)Includes 6,666 shares that Mr. Reyelts has the right to acquire pursuant  to
    outstanding options.
 
 (8)  Includes  10,000  shares that  the  individual  has the  right  to acquire
    pursuant to outstanding options.
 
 (9) Includes 3,333 shares that Mr. Wilson has the right to acquire pursuant  to
    outstanding options.
 
(10) Includes 80,000 shares that Mr. Murphy has the right to acquire pursuant to
    outstanding options.
 
(11)  Includes 2,300 shares owned by Mr.  Pieper's spouse and 1,550 shares owned
    by Mr. Pieper's  sons, as to  all of which  Mr. Pieper disclaims  beneficial
    ownership.  Includes 27,500 shares that Mr.  Pieper has the right to acquire
    pursuant to outstanding options.
 
(12) Includes 20,000 shares that Mr. Griffing has the right to acquire  pursuant
    to outstanding options.
 
(13) Includes 1,250 shares that Mr. Gendler has the right to acquire pursuant to
    outstanding options.
 
(14)  Includes 120,700  shares owned  by spouses  of executive  officers, 30,550
    shares owned  by sons  of executive  officers and  3,000 shares  owned by  a
    not-for-profit organization of which an executive officer is a board member,
    as  to all of  which such executive  officers disclaim beneficial ownership.
    Includes 298,749 shares that executive officers and directors have the right
    to acquire pursuant to outstanding options.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 15,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    As of May 1, 1996,  there were 7,849,800 shares  of Common Stock issued  and
outstanding.  All outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares offered
hereby will be, fully  paid and nonassessable. The  holders of Common Stock  are
entitled  to one vote for each share held of record on all matters voted upon by
shareholders and may not  use cumulative voting for  the election of  directors.
Thus,  the owners of  a majority of  the shares of  Common Stock outstanding may
elect all of  the directors,  if they choose  to do  so, and the  owners of  the
balance  of such  shares would  not be  able to  elect any  directors. Since the
Selling Shareholders will continue to  collectively own more than fifty  percent
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock after these offerings, acting together
they  effectively have the power to elect  all directors of the Company. Subject
to the rights of the holders of any future series of shares of Preferred  Stock,
each share of outstanding Common Stock is entitled to participate equally in any
distribution  of net assets made to the shareholders in liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Company and is entitled to participate equally in dividends
and other distributions  if, as  and when declared  by the  Board of  Directors.
There  are no  redemption, sinking  fund, conversion  or preemptive  rights with
respect to the shares  of Common Stock.  All shares of  Common Stock have  equal
rights and preferences.
 
    The  transfer agent and registrar for the  shares of Common Stock is Norwest
Bank Minnesota, National Association.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    None of the  Company's 2,000,000  authorized shares of  Preferred Stock  has
been  issued or authorized by the  Board of Directors for issuance. Furthermore,
the Company currently has no plans or arrangements to issue shares of  Preferred
Stock.  Under the Minnesota Business Corporation  Act and the Company's Restated
Articles of Incorporation, no action by the Company's shareholders is necessary,
and only  action  of  the Board  of  Directors  is required,  to  establish  and
designate one or more series of Preferred Stock and to authorize the issuance of
shares  of any such series. The Board of Directors is empowered to set the terms
of each such series (including terms  with respect to redemption, sinking  fund,
dividend,   liquidation,   preemptive,   conversion   and   voting   rights  and
preferences). Accordingly, the Board of Directors, without shareholder approval,
may issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series with terms that  could
adversely  effect the  voting power  and other rights  of holders  of the Common
Stock.
 
    The authorization  or  issuance of  one  or  more series  of  the  Company's
Preferred  Stock  may  have  the  effect  of  discouraging  an  attempt, through
acquisition of  a substantial  number  of shares  of  Common Stock,  to  acquire
control  of the Company with  a view to effecting a  merger, sale or exchange of
assets or a similar transaction. The anti-takeover effects of any such series of
Preferred Stock may deny shareholders the  receipt of a premium on their  Common
Stock  and may also have  a depressive effect on the  market price of the Common
Stock.
 
CERTAIN LIMITED LIABILITY, INDEMNIFICATION AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
    The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation limit the liability of  its
directors  to the fullest extent permitted by the Minnesota Business Corporation
Act. Specifically, directors of  the Company will not  be personally liable  for
monetary  damages  for  a breach  of  fiduciary  duty as  directors,  except for
liability for: (1)  any breach  of the  duty of loyalty  to the  Company or  its
shareholders,  (2)  acts  or  omissions  not  in  good  faith  or  that  involve
intentional misconduct or  a knowing violation  of law, (3)  dividends or  other
distributions of corporate assets that are in contravention of certain statutory
or  contractual  restrictions, (4)  violations  of certain  Minnesota securities
laws, or  (5)  any transaction  from  which  the director  derives  an  improper
personal  benefit. Liability under federal securities  law is not limited by the
Restated Articles.
 
    The Minnesota Business Corporation Act requires the Company to indemnify any
director, officer  or employee  made  or threatened  to be  made  a party  to  a
proceeding,  by reason of the former or present official capacity of the person,
against  judgments,  penalties,  fines,  settlements  and  reasonable   expenses
incurred by
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
the  person in connection with the proceeding if certain statutory standards are
met. "Proceeding"  means a  threatened, pending  or completed  civil,  criminal,
administrative,  arbitration or investigative proceeding, including a derivative
action in the name of  the Company. Reference is made  to the detailed terms  of
the  Minnesota  indemnification  statute  (Minn.  Stat.  Section302A.521)  for a
complete statement of such indemnification rights. The Company's Restated Bylaws
require the Company  to provide  indemnification to  the fullest  extent of  the
Minnesota indemnification statute.
 
    Insofar  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as  amended (the  "Act"), may be  permitted to  directors, officers  or
persons  controlling  the  Company  pursuant to  the  foregoing  provisions, the
Company is aware that in the  opinion of the Securities and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification is against  public policy as  expressed in the  Act and is
therefore unenforceable.
 
    The Company is subject to the provisions of Sections 302A.671, .673 and .675
of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. These Sections could operate to  deny
shareholders  the receipt of a premium on their Common Stock and may also have a
depressive effect on the market price of the Company's Common Stock.
 
    Section 302A.671 provides  that the shares  of a corporation  acquired in  a
"control  share  acquisition" have  no voting  rights  unless voting  rights are
approved in a prescribed manner. A "control share acquisition" is an acquisition
of beneficial ownership  of shares that  would, when added  to all other  shares
beneficially owned by the acquiring person, entitle the acquiring person to have
voting power of stated percentages (20%, 33 1/3% or 50%) or more in the election
of directors.
 
    Section 302A.673 prohibits a public corporation from engaging in a "business
combination"  with an "interested shareholder" for  a period of four years after
the  date  of  the  transaction  in  which  the  person  became  an   interested
shareholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
"Business  combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions. An
"interested shareholder" is a person who is the beneficial owner of 10% or  more
of  the  corporation's  voting stock.  This  provision  would not  apply  to any
"business combination"  with or  involving all  or any  of the  founders of  the
Company.
 
    In  the event  of certain  tender offers for  stock of  the Company, Section
302A.675 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act precludes the tender  offeror
from  acquiring additional shares  of stock (including  acquisitions pursuant to
mergers, consolidations or statutory share exchanges) within two years following
the completion of such an offer unless the tendering shareholders are given  the
opportunity  to sell  the shares on  terms that are  substantially equivalent to
those contained in the  earlier tender offer.  The Section does  not apply if  a
committee  of  the  Board  consisting  of  all  of  its  disinterested directors
(excluding  present  and  former  officers  of  the  corporation)  approves  the
subsequent acquisition before shares are acquired pursuant to the earlier tender
offer.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
    The  Notes are to be issued  under the Indenture, dated as of              ,
1996, between the Company and Norwest Bank Minneapolis, National Association, as
trustee (the  "Trustee"). The  following summary  of certain  provisions of  the
Indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its  entirety by  reference to, the  provisions of the  Indenture (including the
definition of certain terms in the Indenture), the form of which has been  filed
as  an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
Wherever particular provisions and definitions of the Indenture are referred to,
such provisions and  definitions are incorporated  by reference as  part of  the
statements  made, and  the statements  are qualified  in their  entirety by such
reference. Article and Section  references are to Articles  and Sections of  the
Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
   
    The  Notes  offered  by  this  Prospectus  will  be  limited  to $25,000,000
aggregate principal  amount,  plus  up to  an  additional  $3,750,000  aggregate
principal  amount  if the  Underwriters' over-allotment  option is  exercised in
full.  The  Notes  will  be  issued  only  in  fully  registered  form  and   in
denominations  of $1,000  and any integral  multiple thereof. The  Notes will be
issued initially as book-entry notes in the form of one fully registered  global
security  deposited with  or on  behalf of The  Depository Trust  Company or its
nominees ("DTC").  The  Notes  will  not initially  be  issuable  in  definitive
certificated  form to  any person  other than  DTC. Interest  on the  Notes will
accrue from the date of original issuance  and will be payable on the  fifteenth
day  of each month, commencing August 15, 1996,  at the rate per annum stated on
the cover page of  this Prospectus. Interest  will be payable  to the person  in
whose  name the Note is registered at the  close of business on the tenth day of
the month of such Interest Payment Date.  (Sections 201, 202, 301, 307, 308  and
311)  The Notes  will mature  on July  1, 2003,  unless redeemed  earlier at the
option of the Company or repaid earlier upon the death of a Holder as set  forth
below.  See "-- Redemption  at Option of  the Company" and  "-- Repayment Option
Upon Death."
    
 
    Principal and  interest  will  be payable  at  an  office or  agency  to  be
maintained  by the Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, except that, at the option
of the Company, principal and interest may be paid by check mailed to the person
entitled thereto. (Sections 301,  307 and 1002) The  Notes may be presented  for
registration  of transfer or exchange at an office or agency to be maintained by
the  Company  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  (Section  305)  The  Notes  will  be
exchangeable  without service  charge, but  the Company  may require  payment to
cover taxes or other government charges. (Section 305)
 
    So long as the Company is a reporting company under the Securities  Exchange
Act  of  1934, as  amended (the  "Exchange  Act"), the  Company will  furnish to
Holders of the Notes such reports of the Company as are furnished to the holders
of Common Stock.  If the  Company ceases  to be  a reporting  company under  the
Exchange  Act, the Company will  furnish to Holders of  the Notes annual audited
consolidated financial statements and  quarterly unaudited consolidated  summary
financial statements. (Section 704)
 
UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS; RANKING
 
    The  Notes will  be senior unsecured  obligations of the  Company. The Notes
will not be secured by the assets of  the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  or
Affiliates  or otherwise. As such, the Notes will be effectively subordinated to
any secured  debt of  the Company  to  the extent  of the  value of  the  assets
securing  such obligations. The Notes will  also be structurally subordinated to
all existing and future liabilities of the Company's Subsidiaries to the  extent
of  the  assets  of  such  Subsidiaries, since  the  rights  of  the  Company to
participate in  any distribution  of assets  of any  Subsidiary, including  WINR
Business  Credit, upon its liquidation or  reorganization or otherwise (and thus
the ability  of  the  Holders of  the  Notes  to benefit  indirectly  from  such
distribution)  are subject to  the prior claims of  creditors of the Subsidiary.
Although historically the Company has not incurred debt at the subsidiary level,
it may do so in the future.
 
REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE COMPANY
 
   
    The Notes may not be redeemed prior  to July 1, 2001. The Notes are  subject
to redemption at par plus accrued interest to the dated fixed for redemption, at
the  option of the Company  in whole at any  time or in part  from time to time,
commencing on July 1, 2001, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'  notice
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
mailed  to the registered Holders thereof. If  the Company elects to redeem less
than all of the Notes, the Trustee will select which Notes to redeem using  such
method  as  it shall  deem  fair and  appropriate,  including the  selection for
redemption of a portion of  the principal amount of any  Note but not less  than
$1,000.  On and after the redemption date,  interest will cease to accrue on the
Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. (Article Eleven)
 
REPAYMENT OPTION UPON DEATH
 
    Upon the  death of  any Holder  of  Notes, the  Company will  purchase  such
Holder's Notes on request, if (a) the Notes have been registered in the Holder's
name  since their date  of issuance or for  a period of six  months prior to the
date of such Holder's death, whichever is less, (b) the redemption payments with
respect to such Holder's  Notes will not exceed  $25,000 in aggregate  principal
amount  in any calendar year,  (c) the Company will  not, after giving effect to
such payment, have made redemption payments  on Notes of deceased Holders in  an
aggregate  principal amount  exceeding $250,000  in any  calendar year  (if such
aggregate principal amount exceeds $250,000,  the Trustee will repay such  Notes
up to $250,000 in aggregate principal amount in the order in which such requests
for  repayment were received),  (d) either the  Company or the  Trustee has been
notified in writing  of the  request for redemption  within one  year after  the
Holder's  death,  and if  less  than all  of  such Holder's  Notes  are redeemed
pursuant to such  initial request, either  the Company or  the Trustee has  been
notified in writing of subsequent requests for redemption of additional Notes of
such  Holder within one year after any such preceding notice, (e) the Company is
not, after giving effect to such  payment, in default under any Funded  Recourse
Debt,  and (f) the Company  is not subject to  any law, regulation, agreement or
administrative  directive  preventing  such  repayment.  Notes  for  which  such
repayment  is requested  shall, subject to  the limitations  described above, be
repaid at 100% of the principal  amount thereof, together with interest  accrued
to  the repayment date, within  30 days following receipt  by the Company of the
following: (i)  a  written request  for  payment  signed by  a  duly  authorized
representative  of the  deceased Holder,  which shall  indicate the  name of the
deceased Holder, the  date of  death of the  deceased Holder  and the  principal
amount  of Notes to be  repaid, (ii) the certificates,  if any, representing the
Notes to  be repaid  and (iii)  evidence  satisfactory to  the Company  and  the
Trustee   of  the  death  of  the  Holder  and  evidence  of  authority  of  the
representative to the extent required by the Trustee. Authorized representatives
of a  deceased Holder  shall include  executors, administrators  or other  legal
representatives  of an estate, trustees of a  trust, joint owners of Notes owned
in  joint  tenancy  or  tenancy  by  the  entirety,  custodians,   conservators,
guardians,  attorneys-in-fact and  other persons generally  recognized as having
legal authority to act on behalf of others. (Section 1201)
 
    The death of  a person  owning a  Note in joint  tenancy or  tenancy by  the
entirety  with another or others shall be deemed  the death of the Holder of the
Note, and the entire principal  amount of the Note so  held shall be subject  to
repayment,  together with  interest accrued thereon  to the  repayment date. The
death of a person owning a Note by  tenancy in common shall be deemed the  death
of a Holder of a Note only with respect to the deceased Holder's interest in the
Note  so held by tenancy in  common; except that in the  event a Note is held by
husband and wife as tenants in common,  the death of either shall be deemed  the
death  of the Holder of the Note, and the entire principal amount of the Note so
held shall be subject to repayment. The death of a person who, during his or her
lifetime, was  entitled to  substantially  all of  the beneficial  interests  of
ownership of a Note, will be deemed the death of the Holder thereof for purposes
of  this  provision, regardless  of the  registered  Holder, if  such beneficial
interest can be established to the satisfaction of the Trustee. Such  beneficial
interest  will  be  deemed  to  exist in  typical  cases  of  nominee ownership,
ownership under  the  Uniform Transfers  (or  Gifts) to  Minors  Act,  community
property  or other joint  ownership arrangements between a  husband and wife and
trust arrangements  where one  person has  substantially all  of the  beneficial
ownership interests in the Note during his or her lifetime. (Section 1201)
 
COVENANTS
 
    The Indenture will contain a number of covenants relating to the Company and
its operations, including the following:
 
    RESTRICTIONS ON ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS.  The Indenture limits the amount of
Funded Recourse Debt of the Company on a consolidated basis. The Company may not
create, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
be  liable  for any  Funded Recourse  Debt if,  immediately after  giving effect
thereto, the  aggregate amount  of the  Funded Recourse  Debt outstanding  would
exceed  300% of the Company's Consolidated  Net Worth. "Funded Recourse Debt" is
defined in the Indenture as any of  the following obligations of the Company  or
any  Subsidiary which by its  terms matures at or  is extendable or renewable at
the sole option of the obligor without requiring the consent of the obligee to a
date more than 360  days after the  date of the creation  or incurrence of  such
obligation:  (1) any obligations, contingent or otherwise, for borrowed money or
for the  deferred purchase  price of  property or  services (including,  without
limitation,  any interest accruing  subsequent to an event  of default); (2) all
obligations (including the Notes) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar  instruments;  (3)  all  indebtedness  created  or  arising  under   any
conditional  sale or  other title retention  agreement with  respect to property
acquired, except any  such obligation that  constitutes a trade  payable and  an
accrued  liability arising  in the  ordinary course of  business, if  and to the
extent any of  the foregoing  indebtedness would appear  as a  liability upon  a
balance   sheet  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles; (4)  all Capitalized  Lease Obligations;  and (5)  any guarantee  or
endorsement  (other than  for collection  or deposit  in the  ordinary course of
business) or  discount  with recourse  of,  or other  agreement,  contingent  or
otherwise,  to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise  acquire, to supply or advance
funds or become liable  with respect to, any  indebtedness or any obligation  of
the type referred to in any of the foregoing clauses (1) through (4), regardless
of  whether such obligation would appear  on a balance sheet; provided, however,
that Funded Recourse  Debt shall  not include  any obligations  included in  the
foregoing  clauses (1) through  (5) under which  the rights and  remedies of the
lender in the event of default are  limited to repossession or sale of  property
securing  such obligation,  with no recourse  to the Company  or any Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Net Worth" is defined as  the excess, as determined in  accordance
with  generally accepted accounting principles,  after appropriate deduction for
minority interests  in  the  net  worth of  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  of  the
Company's  assets over  its liabilities.  (Sections 101  and 1007)  At March 31,
1996, the Company's Consolidated Net Worth was approximately $56,872,000. As  of
such  date, under the foregoing restriction, and after giving effect to the sale
of $25,000,000 principal  amount of the  Notes hereby, the  Company could  incur
approximately $145,000,000 of additional Funded Recourse Debt. (Sections 101 and
1007)
 
    RESTRICTIONS  ON DIVIDENDS, REDEMPTIONS  AND OTHER PAYMENTS.   The Indenture
provides that the Company cannot (i) declare or pay any dividend, either in cash
or property,  on any  shares of  its capital  stock (except  dividends or  other
distributions  payable solely in shares of capital stock of the Company) or (ii)
purchase, redeem or  retire any  shares of its  capital stock  or any  warrants,
rights  or options  to purchase or  acquire any  shares of its  capital stock or
(iii) make  any other  payment or  distribution, either  directly or  indirectly
through  any  Subsidiary,  in  respect of  its  capital  stock  (such dividends,
purchases, redemptions,  retirements, payments  and distributions  being  herein
collectively called "Restricted Payments") if, after giving effect thereto,
 
        (1) an Event of Default would have occurred; or
 
        (2) the sum of such Restricted Payments plus the aggregate amount of all
           Restricted  Payments made during  the period after  December 31, 1995
           would exceed  the  sum  of  $5,000,000  plus  50%  of  the  Company's
           Consolidated Net Income for each fiscal year commencing subsequent to
           December 31, 1995 (with 100% reduction for a loss in any fiscal year)
           plus  the cumulative  net proceeds received  by the  Company from the
           issuance or sale after June 30, 1996 of capital stock of the  Company
           (excluding  the proceeds of this offering) or of any warrants, rights
           or other options to purchase or acquire its capital stock.
 
Notwithstanding the  foregoing,  the  Company  may  make  a  previously-declared
Restricted  Payment if the declaration of  such Restricted Payment was permitted
when made. The  amount of any  Restricted Payment payable  in property shall  be
deemed  to be the fair market value of  such property as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company. (Section 1006)
 
    CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR TRANSFER.   The Company  may not consolidate  with,
merge with, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to another entity
where  the Company is not the surviving corporation unless (i) such other entity
assumes the Company's  obligations under  the Indenture, and  (ii) after  giving
effect  thereto, no  event shall  have occurred  and be  continuing which, after
notice or lapse of  time, or both,  would become an  Event of Default.  (Section
801)
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    LIMITATION  ON RANKING OF FUTURE INDEBTEDNESS.   The Indenture provides that
the Company will not, directly or indirectly, incur, create, assume or guarantee
any Funded  Recourse Debt  that is  senior in  right of  payment to  the  Notes.
(Section 1013)
 
    LIMITATIONS  ON RESTRICTING  SUBSIDIARY DIVIDENDS.   The  Indenture provides
that neither the Company nor its  Subsidiaries may create or otherwise cause  to
become  effective any consensual  encumbrance or restriction of  any kind on the
ability of any Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distribution on
its capital stock, (ii) pay  any indebtedness owed to  the Company or any  other
Subsidiary or (iii) make loans, advances or capital contributions to the Company
or  any  other Subsidiary  except in  certain specified  circumstances. (Section
1014)
 
    LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS  WITH AFFILIATES.   Neither the  Company nor  any
Subsidiary  may  enter into  any transactions  with any  Affiliate on  terms and
conditions less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
than would be available at such time in a comparable transaction in arm's length
dealings with  an unrelated  Person  as determined  by  the Company's  Board  of
Directors.  These  provisions  do  not apply  to  Restricted  Payments otherwise
permitted under  the Indenture,  fees and  compensation paid  to, and  indemnity
provided  on behalf  of, officers,  directors, employees  or consultants  of the
Company or any Subsidiary, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors  or
its  senior management in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment, or
payments for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business  on
an arm's length basis. (Section 1015)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    An  Event of Default includes: (a) failure to pay the principal on the Notes
when due at  Maturity, upon  redemption or upon  repayment, as  provided in  the
Indenture; (b) failure to pay any interest on the Notes for 10 days; (c) failure
to  perform any  other covenants set  forth in  the Indenture for  30 days after
receipt of  written notice  from  the Trustee  or Holders  of  at least  25%  in
principal  amount of the outstanding Notes  specifying the default and requiring
the Company  to  remedy such  default;  (d) default  in  the payment  at  stated
maturity of indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed having an outstanding
principal amount due at stated maturity greater than $1,000,000 and such default
having continued for a period of 30 days beyond any applicable grace period; (e)
an  event of default as defined in  any mortgage, indenture or instrument of the
Company shall have happened and resulted in acceleration of indebtedness  which,
together  with the  principal amount of  any other  indebtedness so accelerated,
exceeds $1,000,000 or more at any time,  and such default shall not be cured  or
waived  and such  acceleration shall  not have  been rescinded  or annulled; (f)
certain events of insolvency, receivership  or reorganization of the Company  or
any  Subsidiary; and (g) entry of a  final judgment, decree or order against the
Company for the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000, which judgment, decree
or order continues unsatisfied for 30 days without a stay of execution. (Section
501)
 
    The Indenture provides  that the  Trustee shall,  within 90  days after  the
occurrence of a "default" (meaning, for this purpose, the events specified above
without  grace periods), give  the Holders of  the Notes notice  of all defaults
known to it which have occurred  and remained uncured; provided that, except  in
the  case of a  default in the  payment of principal  or interest on  any of the
Notes, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so  long
as  it in good  faith determines that the  withholding of such  notice is in the
interest of the Holders. (Section 602)
 
    If an Event of Default  shall occur and be  continuing, the Trustee, in  its
discretion  may,  and,  at the  written  request  of Holders  of  a  majority in
aggregate principal amount of  the outstanding Notes  shall, proceed to  protect
and  enforce its rights  and the rights of  the Holders. If  an Event of Default
shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25%
in aggregate principal amount of  outstanding Notes may accelerate the  maturity
of  all  such outstanding  Notes; provided  that  such acceleration  shall occur
automatically and without any action on the  part of the Trustee or any  Holders
upon  (i)  the commencement  by the  Company  or any  Subsidiary of  a voluntary
proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or  other
similar  law or of  a voluntary proceeding seeking  to be adjudicated insolvent;
(ii) the consent by the  Company or any Subsidiary to  the entry of a decree  or
order  for relief in an involuntary  proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency,   reorganization    or    other    similar    law    or    to    the
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
commencement  of any insolvency  proceeding against it; (iii)  the filing by the
Company  or  any  Subsidiary  of  a  petition  or  answer  or  consent   seeking
reorganization  or  relief under  any applicable  law; (iv)  the consent  by the
Company or any Subsidiary to the filing  of such petition or to the  appointment
of  or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee
or similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary of any substantial part  of
the  property of the Company  or any Subsidiary or the  making by the Company or
any Subsidiary of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) the  taking
of  corporate action by the Company or any Subsidiary in furtherance of any such
action. The Holders of a majority  in aggregate principal amount of  outstanding
Notes  may waive a default,  except a default in the  payment of principal of or
interest on any Note. If any Event of Default has occurred and a declaration  of
acceleration  made  before a  judgment or  decree  for payment  of money  due is
obtained, Holders  of  a majority  of  the  outstanding Notes  may  rescind  the
acceleration  of the Notes if  all Events of Default  have been remedied and all
payments due, other than those due as a result of acceleration, have been  made.
(Sections 502, 503, 512 and 513)
 
    The  Company must furnish quarterly to  the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
stating whether to the best knowledge of the signers, the Company is in  default
under  any of the provisions of the  Indenture, and specifying all such defaults
and the nature thereof, of which they have knowledge. (Section 1011)
 
    A Holder will not have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to
the Indenture or for  any remedy thereunder, unless  (a) such Holder shall  have
previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Notes  shall have made  a written request, and  offered reasonable indemnity, to
the Trustee to institute such proceeding as Trustee; (c) the Trustee shall  have
failed  to institute such proceeding  within 60 days; and  (d) the Trustee shall
not have received from the Holders  of a majority in aggregate principal  amount
of  the outstanding Notes  a direction inconsistent  with such request. (Section
507) However, the  Holder of any  Note will  have an absolute  right to  receive
payment of the principal of and interest on such Note on or after the respective
due dates and to institute suit for the enforcement of such right. (Section 508)
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
    With  certain limited exceptions which permit modifications of the Indenture
by the  Company and  the Trustee  only, the  Indenture may  be modified  by  the
Company  with the consent  of Holders of  not less than  a majority in aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Notes;  provided, however, that no such  changes
shall without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby (a) change
the  maturity date of  the principal of, or  the due date  of any installment of
interest on, any Note; (b) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest  on,
any  Note; (c) change the currency in which  any portion of the principal of, or
interest on, any Note is payable; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment of principal of, or interest on, any Note; (e) reduce
the above-stated percentage of Holders of outstanding Notes necessary to  modify
the Indenture; (f) modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of
outstanding  Notes  necessary  to waive  any  past  default; or  (g)  impair the
optional right to repayment  upon death provided to  the Holders. (Sections  513
and 902)
 
    The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes
may  waive compliance by the Company  with certain restrictive provisions of the
Indenture. (Section 1012)
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company may terminate its obligations  under
the  Indenture with respect  to all the  Notes by delivering  to the Trustee, in
trust for such purpose,  money, Government Obligations  or both, which,  through
the  payment of  interest and  principal in  respect thereof  in accordance with
their terms, will  provide on  the due  dates of  any payment  of principal  and
interest,  or a combination thereof, money  in an amount sufficient to discharge
the entire indebtedness of the Notes. (Sections 401 and 402)
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
    Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association is Trustee under the  Indenture
and is also the Note Registrar.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
SALE OF COMMON STOCK
 
   
    The Underwriters named below have severally agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions  pertaining to the Common Stock  set forth in the Purchase Agreement,
to purchase from the Company and  the Selling Shareholders the number of  shares
of  Common Stock indicated below opposite their respective names at the Price to
Public  less  Underwriting  Discount  set  forth  on  the  cover  page  of  this
Prospectus.  The  Purchase  Agreement  provides  that  the  obligations  of  the
Underwriters  are  subject  to  certain   conditions  precedent  and  that   the
Underwriters  are committed to purchase  all of the shares  if they purchase any
shares. The Common Stock and the Notes are offered separately and not as units.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      NUMBER OF
UNDERWRITERS                                                           SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>
Piper Jaffray Inc...................................................
Dain Bosworth Incorporated..........................................
                                                                      ---------
    Total...........................................................  1,500,000
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      ---------
</TABLE>
 
   
    The Underwriters have  advised the  Company that they  propose initially  to
offer the Common Stock to the public on the terms set forth on the cover page of
this  Prospectus. The Underwriters may allow to selected dealers a concession of
not more than $      per share; and the Underwriters may allow, and such dealers
may reallow, a concession of  not more than $        per share to certain  other
dealers.  After the initial distribution of the Common Stock has been completed,
the price  and other  selling terms  may  change. The  Common Stock  is  offered
subject  to receipt  and acceptance  by the  Underwriters, and  to certain other
conditions, including the right to reject orders in whole or in part.
    
 
    The Selling  Shareholders  have  granted  an  option  to  the  Underwriters,
exercisable  during  the 30-day  period after  the date  of this  Prospectus, to
purchase up to a maximum of 225,000  additional shares of Common Stock to  cover
over-allotments, if any, at the same price per share as the initial shares to be
purchased by the Underwriters. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise this
option,  the Underwriters will purchase  such additional shares in approximately
the same  proportion as  set forth  in  the above  table. The  Underwriters  may
purchase  such shares only to cover  over-allotments, if any, made in connection
with this offering.
 
    The Company, its directors and the  Selling Shareholders have agreed not  to
offer,  sell or otherwise dispose of any  equity securities of the Company for a
period of 120 days from  the date of this  Prospectus without the prior  written
consent of the Underwriters. Following the expiration of the lock-up period, the
4,312,600  shares  held  by  the  directors  and  Selling  Stockholders  will be
available for sale,  subject to  the volume  and timing  restrictions set  forth
under Rule 144.
 
    In connection with this offering, the Underwriters and certain selling group
members  may engage in passive market making transactions in the Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act
during the two-business-day period before commencement of offers or sales of the
Common Stock offered hereby. Any passive market making transactions must  comply
with applicable volume and price limits and be identified as such. In general, a
passive  market maker  may display  its bids  at a  price not  in excess  of the
highest independent bid for the security; if all independent bids are below  the
passive  market  maker's bid,  however, such  bid must  be lowered  when certain
purchase limits are  exceeded. Passive  market making may  stabilize the  market
price  of the Common Stock  at a level above  that which might otherwise prevail
and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
SALE OF NOTES
 
    The Underwriters named below have severally agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions pertaining  to the  Notes set  forth in  the Purchase  Agreement,  to
purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of the Notes indicated
below opposite their names at the Price to Public less Underwriting Discount set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The Purchase Agreement provides that
the obligations of the
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
   
Underwriters   are  subject  to  certain   conditions  precedent  and  that  the
Underwriters are committed  to purchase all  of the Notes  if they purchase  any
Notes. The Notes and the Common Stock are offered separately and not as units.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
UNDERWRITERS                                                       OF NOTES
- ------------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
<S>                                                            <C>
Piper Jaffray Inc...........................................     $
Dain Bosworth Incorporated..................................
                                                               -----------------
    Total...................................................     $  25,000,000
                                                               -----------------
                                                               -----------------
</TABLE>
 
   
    The  Underwriters have  advised the Company  that they  propose initially to
offer the Notes to the public at the Price to Public and to selected dealers  at
such price less a concession of not more than   % of the principal amount of the
Notes.  The Underwriters may  allow, and such dealers  may reallow, a concession
not in excess of   % of the principal amount of Notes to certain other  dealers.
After  the initial distribution of  the Notes has been  completed, the price and
other selling terms may change.
    
 
    The Company has granted  an option to  the Underwriters, exercisable  during
the 30-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to a maximum
of  $3,750,000  in aggregate  principal  amount of  the  Notes, solely  to cover
over-allotments, if any, incurred in the  sale of the Notes offered hereby.  Any
such  purchase will occur at the same price as the initial Notes to be purchased
by the Underwriters. To the extent  that the Underwriters exercise this  option,
the  Underwriters will purchase a principal amount of the Notes in approximately
the same proportion as  set forth in  the above table, and  the Company will  be
obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell such Notes to the Underwriters.
 
    The  Company does not intend to list the Notes on any securities exchange or
have them included for quotation by Nasdaq or any other quotation system, and no
active trading market  is expected  to develop. Although  the Underwriters  have
each  indicated an intention  to make a  market in the  Notes, no Underwriter is
obligated to  make  a  market  in  the  Notes  and  any  market  making  may  be
discontinued  at any  time at  the sole discretion  of such  Underwriter. If the
Notes are traded after their original issuance, they may trade at a discount  to
their principal amount.
 
GENERAL
 
    The  Company  and  the Selling  Shareholders  have agreed  to  indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities,  including liabilities under the  Act,
or  to contribute to payments which the  Underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereto.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity  of the  shares of  Common Stock  and the  Notes being  offered
hereby  is being passed  upon for the  Company by Oppenheimer  Wolff & Donnelly,
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota, has
acted as counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The Consolidated Financial Statements  of Winthrop Resources Corporation  as
of  December 31,  1995 and  1994, and for  each of  the years  in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1995, have  been included and incorporated herein  and
in  the Registration Statement by reference in  reliance upon the report of KPMG
Peat  Marwick  LLP,  independent  certified  public  accountants,  included  and
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and,  in  accordance  therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such
reports, proxy statements and other information  can be inspected and copied  at
the  Public Reference Section of the Commission  at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
20549, and  at  the following  Regional  Offices  of the  Commission:  New  York
Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and
Chicago  Regional Office, Citicorp Center, 500  West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material can also be obtained  from
the  Public  Reference Section  of  the Commission  at  450 Fifth  Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
    This Prospectus  does not  contain  all the  information  set forth  in  the
Registration  Statement on Form S-2 (the "Registration Statement") of which this
Prospectus is a part, including exhibits relating thereto, which has been  filed
with the Commission in Washington, D.C. Copies of the Registration Statement and
exhibits  thereto may  be obtained,  upon payment of  the fee  prescribed by the
Commission, or may be examined without charge, at the office of the Commission.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
    The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December
31,  1995, its Quarterly Report on Form  10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March
31, 1996 and its Proxy Statement dated March 29, 1996 are incorporated herein by
reference. All other  reports filed by  the Company pursuant  to Sections 13  or
15(d)  of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the above
referenced  Annual  Report  and  prior  to  the  date  of  this  Prospectus  are
incorporated  by  reference in  this Prospectus.  Any  statement contained  in a
document incorporated by  reference herein  shall be  deemed to  be modified  or
superseded  for  purposes of  this  Prospectus to  the  extent that  a statement
contained herein  modifies  or  supersedes  such  statement.  Any  statement  so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge
to  each person to  whom this Prospectus  is delivered upon  the written or oral
request of such person, a  copy of any or all  of the documents incorporated  by
reference  in this Prospectus  (except for certain  exhibits to such documents).
Written requests for such  copies should be directed  to Gary W. Anderson,  Vice
President  and Controller of the Company, 1015 Opus Center, 9900 Bren Road East,
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343; telephone number (612) 936-0226.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Interim
  Consolidated Financial Statements
  Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996 and 1995................   F-2
  Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three-month periods ended
   March 31, 1996 and 1995................................................   F-3
  Consolidated Statement of Common Shareholders' Equity for the
   three-month period ended March 31, 1996................................   F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended
   March 31, 1996 and 1995................................................   F-5
  Condensed Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial
   Statements.............................................................   F-6
 
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated
  Financial Statements
  Independent Auditors' Report............................................   F-8
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995............   F-9
  Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the years in the
   three-year period ended December 31, 1995..............................  F-10
  Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity for each of the
   years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995.................  F-11
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the
   three-year period ended December 31, 1995..............................  F-12
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..............................  F-13
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 31,
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                         1996           1995
                                                     ------------   ------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.........................   $  2,671,587   $  2,472,352
Receivables:
  Trade accounts..................................      2,729,982      1,537,116
  Other receivables...............................        208,707         39,454
                                                     ------------   ------------
    Total receivables.............................      2,938,689      1,576,570
Investment in leasing operations:
  Direct financing and sales-type leases..........    242,946,082    211,166,725
  Operating leases, less accumulated
   depreciation...................................      4,842,593      7,642,071
  Equipment installed on leases not yet
   commenced......................................     15,871,164     14,675,050
                                                     ------------   ------------
    Total investment in leasing operations........    263,659,839    233,483,846
Furniture and equipment, less accumulated
 depreciation and amortization of $582,139 and
 $456,025.........................................        702,774        322,831
Goodwill and other intangible assets, less
 accumulated amortization of $119,560.............      6,789,137        --
Other assets......................................        448,868        237,047
                                                     ------------   ------------
                                                     $277,210,894   $238,092,646
                                                     ------------   ------------
                                                     ------------   ------------
 
                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Trade accounts payable............................   $  5,754,109   $  4,409,318
Accrued liabilities...............................      6,416,237      4,749,985
Income taxes payable..............................      1,899,553      1,696,195
Customer deposits.................................      2,574,550      1,695,549
Rents received in advance.........................      2,384,453      1,618,985
Deferred income taxes.............................     16,301,734     14,281,456
Discounted lease rentals..........................    185,007,934    161,793,846
                                                     ------------   ------------
      Total liabilities...........................    220,338,570    190,245,334
Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized
 2,000,000 shares; no shares issued and
 outstanding......................................        --             --
Common shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized
   15,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
   7,849,800 shares and 7,934,400 shares..........         78,498         79,344
  Additional paid-in capital......................      9,467,104      9,527,043
  Retained earnings...............................     47,326,722     38,240,925
                                                     ------------   ------------
    Total common shareholders' equity.............     56,872,324     47,847,312
                                                     ------------   ------------
                                                     $277,210,894   $238,092,646
                                                     ------------   ------------
                                                     ------------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                                                  31,
                                                       -------------------------
                                                          1996          1995
                                                       -----------   -----------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
Revenues:
  Leasing...........................................   $15,499,784   $16,894,607
  Sales.............................................       477,525       869,814
  Other.............................................        71,937        47,782
                                                       -----------   -----------
    Total revenues..................................    16,049,246    17,812,203
                                                       -----------   -----------
 
Costs and expenses:
  Leasing...........................................     4,654,327     6,699,168
  Sales.............................................       259,337       790,790
  Selling, general and administrative...............     2,126,295     1,525,727
  Interest..........................................     3,577,662     3,364,601
  Other.............................................       118,727       --
                                                       -----------   -----------
    Total costs and expenses........................    10,736,348    12,380,286
                                                       -----------   -----------
 
Earnings before income tax expense..................     5,312,898     5,431,917
 
Provision for income tax expense....................     2,178,300     2,172,800
                                                       -----------   -----------
 
Net earnings........................................   $ 3,134,598   $ 3,259,117
                                                       -----------   -----------
                                                       -----------   -----------
 
Net earnings per common share.......................   $      0.40   $      0.41
                                                       -----------   -----------
                                                       -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL
                                                      --------------------   PAID-IN     RETAINED
                                                       SHARES     AMOUNT     CAPITAL     EARNINGS       TOTAL
                                                      ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
Balance, December 31, 1995..........................  7,882,900  $  78,829  $9,465,205  $45,179,662  $54,723,696
Repurchase and retirement of common shares..........    (43,100)      (431)    (51,751)    (673,746)    (725,928)
Common shares issued upon exercise of stock
 options............................................     10,000        100      53,650      --            53,750
Dividends declared..................................     --         --          --         (313,792)    (313,792)
Net earnings for the period.........................     --         --          --        3,134,598    3,134,598
                                                      ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Balance, March 31, 1996.............................  7,849,800  $  78,498  $9,467,104  $47,326,722  $56,872,324
                                                      ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                      ---------  ---------  ----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                                    ------------------------------
                                                                                         1996            1995
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings......................................................................  $    3,134,598  $    3,259,117
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
  Leasing costs, primarily depreciation and interest expense on discounted lease
   rentals........................................................................       8,294,455      10,746,757
  Leasing revenue, primarily amortization of unearned income on sales-type and
   direct finance leases..........................................................      (1,723,425)     (7,190,918)
  Deferred initial direct costs...................................................         (10,528)       (245,137)
  Deferred income taxes...........................................................         871,320         869,120
  Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets............................         118,727        --
  Depreciation and amortization on furniture and equipment........................          53,154          20,446
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Trade accounts and other receivables..........................................        (593,033)        847,480
    Other assets..................................................................         (81,792)        140,698
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities......................................         400,057        (437,748)
    Income taxes payable..........................................................         254,671       1,258,349
    Customer deposits and rents received in advance...............................        (992,825)       (916,366)
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities...................................       9,725,379       8,351,798
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of equipment for leasing...............................................     (33,960,483)    (35,304,921)
  Purchase of furniture and equipment.............................................        (148,850)        (32,114)
  Acquisition, net of cash and equipment acquired.................................      (6,842,031)       --
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
      Net cash used in investing activities.......................................     (40,951,364)    (35,337,035)
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from discounted lease rentals..........................................      25,064,660      24,089,096
  Early retirement of discounted lease rentals....................................        (492,582)       (840,895)
  Borrowings under lines of credit................................................         800,000       9,300,000
  Repayment of borrowings under lines of credit...................................        (800,000)     (9,300,000)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options.........................................          53,750        --
  Repurchase of common stock......................................................        (725,928)       (490,309)
  Dividends paid..................................................................        (236,487)       (161,050)
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
      Net cash provided by financing activities...................................      23,663,413      22,596,842
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents.........................................      (7,562,572)     (4,388,395)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period....................................      10,234,159       6,860,747
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period..........................................  $    2,671,587  $    2,472,352
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest........................................................................  $       22,819  $       41,246
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
  Income taxes....................................................................  $    1,052,308  $       45,331
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
              CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    The  financial statements included in this  Prospectus have been prepared by
the Company,  without  audit, pursuant  to  the  rules and  regulations  of  the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures
normally  included in  consolidated financial statements  prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles  have been condensed, or  omitted,
pursuant  to  such  rules  and  regulations,  although  management  believes the
disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These
statements should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    The  financial statements presented herein as of March 31, 1996 and 1995 and
for the  three months  then ended  reflect, in  the opinion  of management,  all
material  adjustments consisting only of  normal recurring adjustments necessary
for a fair  presentation of the  financial position, results  of operations  and
cash flows for the interim periods. Certain 1995 balances have been reclassified
to conform to the 1996 method of presentation.
 
(2) ACQUISITION
    On January 19, 1996, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of
Capital  Business  Leasing,  Inc.  ("Capital"), a  Nevada  corporation  with its
headquarters in Henderson, Nevada  and a sales  office in Knoxville,  Tennessee.
Capital  was  a  small-ticket lease  broker  that  served as  a  focal  point or
consolidator for a variety  of unrelated brokers and  vendors, and arranged  for
the  financing of  these lease  transactions with  other leasing  companies. The
Company plans  to  operate  this  wholesale lease  broker  business  as  it  was
previously  conducted.  Capital's  assets, which  included  cash,  furniture and
equipment and other intangibles including goodwill, were acquired pursuant to an
asset purchase agreement for $7,100,000. The Company paid $5,100,000 on  January
19,  1996 from existing cash reserves, and will pay up to $2,000,000 on December
31, 1996, plus accrued interest thereon at a rate of six percent (6%) per annum.
 
    The acquisition has  been accounted  for as a  purchase and  the results  of
operations  of Capital since the  date of acquisition have  been included in the
Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company allocated $1,000,000 of
the purchase price to other intangible assets and is amortizing such amount on a
straight-line basis over five years. The excess of the aggregate purchase  price
over  the fair market  value of net assets  acquired of approximately $5,842,000
was recognized as goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis  over
15 years.
 
(3) INVESTMENT IN LEASING OPERATIONS
    The  components of  the net  investment in  direct financing  and sales-type
leases as of March 31, 1996 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Minimum lease payments receivable...........................  $260,568,947
Estimated residual values...................................    23,135,261
Initial direct costs........................................     4,138,711
Less unearned revenue on lease payments receivable..........   (40,986,792)
Less unearned revenue on residuals..........................    (3,910,045)
                                                              ------------
Net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases....  $242,946,082
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
    Unearned revenue is recorded as leasing revenue over the lease terms.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
        CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(3) INVESTMENT IN LEASING OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
    Investment in operating lease assets included the following as of March  31,
1996:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Operating lease assets......................................  $  9,915,680
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............    (5,073,087)
                                                              ------------
Net operating lease assets..................................  $  4,842,593
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
(4) DISCOUNTED LEASE RENTALS
    Discounted lease rentals as of March 31, 1996 consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Non-recourse borrowings.....................................  $184,220,729
Recourse borrowings.........................................       787,205
                                                              ------------
Total discounted lease rentals..............................  $185,007,934
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
(5) NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS
    At  March 31,  1996, the  Company had  lines of  credit totaling $23,000,000
available from two  banks. The interest  rates are charged  at one bank's  prime
rate,  or,  at  the  Company's  option, at  a  rate  determined  by  a specified
alternative-rate calculation, and at 25 basis points over the other bank's prime
rate. These agreements  expire in  July 1996  and June  1996, respectively.  All
borrowings  under  these  agreements  are secured  by  specific  leases  and the
underlying equipment and,  in the case  of one credit  line, all other  personal
property  and  fixtures of  the  Company. At  March  31, 1996,  no  amounts were
outstanding under these lines of credit.
 
(6) INCOME TAXES
    The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB No. 109. Income tax expense
for the three months ended March 31, 1996 consisted of current and deferred  tax
expense of $1,306,980 and $871,320, respectively.
 
(7) EARNINGS PER SHARE
    Earnings  per share  are computed on  the weighted average  number of common
shares outstanding of 7,871,525 and 7,953,181  for the three months ended  March
31,  1996 and 1995, respectively. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the
weighted average number of common shares as the dilutive effect is less than 3%.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
  Winthrop Resources Corporation:
 
    We  have  audited  the  consolidated balance  sheets  of  Winthrop Resources
Corporation and Subsidiary  as of December  31, 1995 and  1994, and the  related
consolidated statements of earnings, common shareholders' equity, and cash flows
for  each of the years  in the three-year period  ended December 31, 1995. These
consolidated financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Company's
management.  Our responsibility is  to express an  opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted  our  audits in  accordance  with generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence  supporting
the  amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles used  and  significant estimates  made  by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our  opinion, the  consolidated financial  statements referred  to  above
present  fairly, in  all material respects,  the financial  position of Winthrop
Resources Corporation and Subsidiary as of  December 31, 1995 and 1994, and  the
results  of its  operations and  its cash  flows for  each of  the years  in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                                    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 7, 1996
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                   ------------------------------
                                                                                        1995            1994
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>
Cash and cash equivalents........................................................  $   10,234,159  $    6,860,747
Receivables:
  Trade accounts.................................................................       2,215,747       2,372,863
  Other receivables..............................................................         129,909          51,187
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
    Total receivables............................................................       2,345,656       2,424,050
Investment in leasing operations:
  Direct financing and sales-type leases.........................................     238,651,547     194,379,184
  Operating leases, less accumulated depreciation................................       5,542,906       8,527,321
  Equipment installed on leases not yet commenced................................      10,086,568      13,830,784
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
    Total investment in leasing operations.......................................     254,281,021     216,737,289
Furniture and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of
 $528,985 and $435,579...........................................................         607,078         311,163
Other assets.....................................................................         432,909         377,745
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
                                                                                   $  267,900,823  $  226,710,994
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
                                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable...........................................................  $    8,001,592  $    5,453,696
Accrued liabilities..............................................................       3,691,392       4,066,373
Income taxes payable.............................................................       1,644,882         437,846
Customer deposits................................................................       2,017,070       1,595,957
Rents received in advance........................................................       3,934,758       2,634,943
Deferred income taxes............................................................      15,430,414      13,412,336
Discounted lease rentals.........................................................     178,457,019     153,793,307
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
    Total liabilities............................................................     213,177,127     181,394,458
Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000 shares; no shares issued
 and outstanding.................................................................        --              --
Common shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 15,000,000 shares; issued and
   outstanding 7,882,900 and 7,978,500 shares....................................          78,829          79,785
  Additional paid-in capital.....................................................       9,465,205       9,579,995
  Retained earnings..............................................................      45,179,662      35,656,756
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
    Total common shareholders' equity............................................      54,723,696      45,316,536
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
                                                                                   $  267,900,823  $  226,710,994
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
                                                                                   --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      -------------------------------------------
                                                                          1995           1994           1993
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenues:
  Leasing...........................................................  $  66,705,791  $  68,007,754  $  65,206,846
  Sales.............................................................      2,003,054      1,870,024      2,194,413
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
    Total revenues..................................................     68,708,845     69,877,778     67,401,259
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Costs and expenses:
  Leasing...........................................................     28,840,374     37,269,426     39,775,398
  Sales.............................................................      1,555,212      1,233,988      1,993,963
  Selling, general and administrative...............................      5,655,555      5,862,466      4,763,810
  Interest expense..................................................     13,469,746      9,928,313      8,600,891
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
    Total costs and expenses........................................     49,520,887     54,294,193     55,134,062
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Investment income...................................................         72,019         17,913        498,866
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Earnings before income tax expense..................................     19,259,977     15,601,498     12,766,063
Provision for income tax expense....................................      7,704,000      6,240,600      5,106,500
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Net earnings........................................................  $  11,555,977  $   9,360,898  $   7,659,563
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Net earnings per common share.......................................  $        1.46  $        1.16  $        0.98
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding................      7,911,854      8,047,326      7,807,534
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   COMMON STOCK         ADDITIONAL
                                              -----------------------    PAID-IN       RETAINED
                                                 SHARES      AMOUNT      CAPITAL       EARNINGS         TOTAL
                                              ------------  ---------  ------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992..................  $  7,300,000  $  73,000  $  4,684,735  $  20,544,898  $  25,302,633
  Issuance of common shares in connection
   with public stock offering net of
   $508,750 issuance cost...................       750,000      7,500     4,921,250       --            4,928,750
  Dividends declared........................       --          --           --            (468,000)      (468,000)
  Net earnings for year.....................       --          --           --           7,659,563      7,659,563
                                              ------------  ---------  ------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1993..................     8,050,000     80,500     9,605,985     27,736,461     37,422,946
  Repurchase and retirement of common
   shares...................................       (85,666)      (857)     (102,824)      (796,553)      (900,234)
  Common shares issued upon exercise of
   stock options............................        14,166        142        76,834       --               76,976
  Dividends declared........................       --          --           --            (644,050)      (644,050)
  Net earnings for year.....................       --          --           --           9,360,898      9,360,898
                                              ------------  ---------  ------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1994..................     7,978,500     79,785     9,579,995     35,656,756     45,316,536
  Repurchase and retirement of common
   shares...................................       (95,600)      (956)     (114,790)    (1,084,498)    (1,200,244)
  Dividends declared........................       --          --           --            (948,573)      (948,573)
  Net earnings for year.....................       --          --           --          11,555,977     11,555,977
                                              ------------  ---------  ------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995..................  $  7,882,900  $  78,829  $  9,465,205  $  45,179,662  $  54,723,696
                                              ------------  ---------  ------------  -------------  -------------
                                              ------------  ---------  ------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 ------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1995             1994             1993
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>              <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings...................................................  $    11,555,977  $     9,360,898  $    7,659,563
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by
 operating activities:
  Leasing costs, primarily depreciation and interest expense on
   discounted lease rentals....................................       41,945,076       46,789,031      48,375,551
  Leasing revenues, primarily amortization of unearned income
   on sales-type and direct finance leases.....................      (16,407,715)     (36,279,512)    (40,962,075)
  Deferred initial direct costs................................       (1,317,625)        (360,496)       (446,410)
  Deferred income taxes........................................        2,018,078        3,398,444       3,080,163
  Net (gain) loss on sales of investments......................            2,846        --               (498,866)
  Depreciation and amortization on furniture and equipment.....           93,406           76,408          67,039
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Trade accounts and other receivables.........................           78,394       (1,256,374)        133,215
  Other assets.................................................         (331,829)          49,048         (55,210)
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.....................        2,097,478        1,211,301      (5,046,710)
  Income taxes payable.........................................        1,207,036         (191,015)       (146,088)
  Customer deposits and rents received in advance..............        1,720,928        1,450,619         371,006
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
    Net cash provided by operating activities..................       42,662,050       24,248,352      12,531,178
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of equipment for leasing............................     (130,359,631)    (108,767,816)    (94,046,260)
  Purchase of furniture and equipment..........................         (389,321)        (140,741)       (122,461)
  Purchase of investments......................................          (40,300)        (241,393)        (61,028)
  Proceeds from sales of investments...........................          314,119        --              1,222,132
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
    Net cash used in investing activities......................     (130,475,133)    (109,149,950)    (93,007,617)
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from discounted lease rentals.......................      105,065,806       95,686,303      82,140,671
  Early retirement of discounted lease rentals.................      (11,805,932)      (7,873,312)     (4,338,932)
  Borrowings under lines of credit.............................       17,900,000        1,900,000      45,889,000
  Repayment of borrowings under lines of credit................      (17,900,000)      (1,900,000)    (45,889,000)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock.......................        --               --              4,928,750
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options......................        --                  76,976        --
  Repurchase of common stock...................................       (1,200,243)        (900,234)       --
  Dividends paid...............................................         (873,136)        (644,000)       (307,000)
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
      Net cash provided by financing activities................       91,186,495       86,345,733      82,423,489
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents......................        3,373,412        1,444,135       1,947,050
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year...................        6,860,747        5,416,612       3,469,562
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year.........................  $    10,234,159  $     6,860,747  $    5,416,612
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest.....................................................  $       144,140  $        91,750  $      343,042
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
  Income taxes.................................................  $     4,478,886  $     3,033,071  $    2,158,874
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
    Winthrop Resources Corporation (the "Company") is engaged in the business of
leasing  computer systems and other equipment  throughout the United States. The
Company extends credit to its customers, substantially all of whom are end users
of the leased equipment, in a wide variety of industries. During 1995, a  single
customer accounted for approximately 14% of total revenues. A different customer
during  1994 and 1993 accounted for approximately 20% and 18% of total revenues,
respectively.
 
  PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
    The consolidated financial  statements include the  accounts of the  Company
and  its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  WINR  Business  Credit  Corporation  ("WINR
Business Credit"). Intercompany  accounts have  been eliminated.  There were  no
intercompany  transactions. WINR Business  Credit was organized  in July 1995 to
provide lease financing to small and emerging-growth companies.
 
  USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions that  affect the  reported  amounts of  assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure  of contingent  assets and liabilities  at the date  of the financial
statements and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  LEASE ACCOUNTING
 
    LEASE ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
13,  ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES ("FASB  No. 13"), requires that  a lessor account for
each lease  by  either the  direct  financing, sales-type  or  operating  method
(hereinafter  referred to as "accounting  methods"). Lease classification is not
affected by the discounting of lease rentals that occurs after lease inception.
 
    ACCOUNTING METHODS AND  PROFIT RECOGNITION  -- Revenue,  cost and  resulting
profit  are recognized  during each of  the accounting periods  within the lease
term. For all  types of  leases, the determination  of profit  recognizes as  an
asset  the estimated  fair market value  of the equipment  at lease termination,
commonly referred to as "residual" value.
 
    The allocation of profit  among the accounting periods  within a lease  term
will  vary depending upon the accounting  method applied. The accounting methods
are described below.
 
    DIRECT  FINANCING   AND  SALES-TYPE   LEASES   --  These   leases   transfer
substantially all the benefits and risks of equipment ownership to the lessee as
defined in FASB No. 13. Profit recognition under these two accounting methods is
similar,  except that the sales-type classification gives rise to dealer profit.
This generally results when the Company provides used equipment to its customer.
This equipment may be obtained in the secondary marketplace, but most frequently
is the result of  re-leasing the Company's own  portfolio. Under the  sales-type
method,  dealer  profit  is recognized  at  lease inception  by  recording lease
revenue and lease  cost. Revenue  consists of the  present value  of the  future
minimum  lease  payments discounted  at  the rate  implicit  in the  lease. Cost
consists of the equipment's book value, less the present value of its  residual.
For direct financing and sales-type leases, the present value of both the future
minimum  lease payments and the residual are recorded as assets. In each period,
interest income,  which is  included  in leasing  revenue,  is recognized  as  a
constant percentage return on asset carrying values.
 
    OPERATING LEASES -- Operating lease revenue consists of monthly rentals. The
cost  of equipment is recorded as "Investment in leasing operations -- Operating
leases" on the balance sheet and is depreciated
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
on a  straight-line basis  over the  lease  term to  the Company's  estimate  of
residual  value. Revenue,  depreciation expense  and the  resultant gross profit
margin are recorded  evenly over  the life  of the  lease. Should  the lease  be
financed,  the interest expense declines  over the term of  the financing as the
principal is reduced,  with the resultant  net margin being  lower in the  early
periods of the financing and higher in the later periods.
 
    INITIAL  DIRECT COSTS -- Initial  direct costs, including sales commissions,
related to direct financing and operating leases are capitalized and recorded as
part of the net investment in leases and are amortized over the lease terms.
 
    RESIDUALS --  Residual  values,  representing the  estimated  value  of  the
equipment  at  the  termination of  the  lease,  are recorded  in  the financial
statements at the  inception of  each sales-type  or direct  financing lease  as
amounts  estimated by  management based  upon its  experience and  judgment. The
residual values for operating leases are included in the leased equipment's  net
book value.
 
    The  Company evaluates residual  values on an ongoing  basis and records any
required changes. In accordance  with generally accepted accounting  principles,
no  upward revision of residual  values is made subsequent  to the period of the
inception of  the lease.  Residual values  for sales-type  and direct  financing
leases  are recorded  at their  net present value  and the  unearned interest is
amortized over the lease term so as  to produce a constant percentage return  on
the net present value.
 
  SALES
 
    Sales  revenue  includes only  proceeds  from outright  equipment  sales and
excludes sales-type lease revenue, which is included in leasing revenue.
 
  EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON LEASES NOT YET COMMENCED
 
    Equipment installed  on  leases  not yet  commenced  consists  primarily  of
equipment  installed on lease contracts that are  yet to commence and as such is
valued at cost.
 
  DEPRECIATION
 
    The cost of equipment under operating leases and furniture and equipment  is
depreciated   using  an   accelerated  method   for  income   tax  purposes  and
straight-line method  for financial  reporting  purposes. The  estimated  useful
lives of these assets range from three to seven years.
 
  INCOME TAXES
 
    Deferred  income taxes are  determined on the asset  and liability method in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.
 
  CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    For purposes  of the  Consolidated  Statements of  Cash Flows,  the  Company
considers  all highly liquid debt instruments  with original maturities of three
months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
    The net earnings per  common share is computed  by dividing net earnings  by
the  weighted average  number of  common shares  outstanding. In  1995, 1994 and
1993, common stock equivalents are excluded from the weighted average number  of
outstanding common shares as the dilutive effect is less than 3%.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(2) INVESTMENT IN LEASING OPERATIONS
    The  components of  the net  investment in  direct financing  and sales-type
leases as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1995            1994
                                                                         --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>
Minimum lease payments receivable:
  To be received by the Company........................................  $   61,018,757  $   39,715,117
  To be received by financial institutions.............................     197,251,654     170,577,470
Estimated residual values..............................................      22,255,982      17,285,979
Initial direct costs...................................................       4,119,388       2,869,912
Less unearned revenue on lease payments receivable.....................     (42,106,109)    (32,875,403)
Less unearned revenue on residuals.....................................      (3,888,125)     (3,193,891)
                                                                         --------------  --------------
Net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases...............  $  238,651,547  $  194,379,184
                                                                         --------------  --------------
                                                                         --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    Unearned revenue is recognized as leasing revenue over the lease term.
 
    Investment in operating lease assets  includes the following as of  December
31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1995           1994
                                                                           -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>
Operating lease assets...................................................  $  10,152,159  $  11,935,424
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...........................     (4,609,253)    (3,408,103)
                                                                           -------------  -------------
Net......................................................................  $   5,542,906  $   8,527,321
                                                                           -------------  -------------
                                                                           -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
(3) FUTURE MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS RECEIVABLE ON NONDISCOUNTED LEASES
    Future minimum lease payments to be received by the Company on nondiscounted
leases, as of December 31, 1995, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          DIRECT FINANCING AND   OPERATING
YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31                   SALES-TYPE LEASES      LEASES        TOTAL
- ----------------------------------------  --------------------   ---------   -----------
<S>                                       <C>                    <C>         <C>
1996....................................      $23,200,074          $300      $23,200,374
1997....................................       17,600,398          --         17,600,398
1998....................................       11,929,115          --         11,929,115
1999....................................        6,467,289          --          6,467,289
2000....................................        1,821,881          --          1,821,881
                                          --------------------   ---------   -----------
                                              $61,018,757          $300      $61,019,057
                                          --------------------   ---------   -----------
                                          --------------------   ---------   -----------
</TABLE>
 
(4) DISCOUNTED LEASE RENTALS
    The   Company  utilizes  its  lease  rentals  and  underlying  equipment  as
collateral  to  borrow  from  financial   institutions  at  fixed  rates  on   a
non-recourse  or recourse basis. In the event of a default by a customer in non-
recourse financing, the financial institution has a first lien on the underlying
leased equipment, with  no further  recourse against the  Company. For  recourse
financing,  besides  having  a  first  lien  on  the  equipment,  the  financial
institution can seek recourse  from the Company.  Proceeds from discounting  are
recorded  on the balance sheet as  "Discounted lease rentals." As customers make
payments to  financial institutions,  lease revenue  (i.e., interest  income  on
direct  financing and sales-type leases and  rental revenue on operating leases)
and interest expense are recorded. Discounted lease rentals are amortized  using
the interest method.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(4) DISCOUNTED LEASE RENTALS (CONTINUED)
    Discounted lease rentals as of December 31 consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1995            1994
                                                                         --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>
Non-recourse borrowings................................................  $  177,158,813  $  145,779,462
Recourse borrowings....................................................       1,298,206       8,013,845
                                                                         --------------  --------------
    Total..............................................................  $  178,457,019  $  153,793,307
                                                                         --------------  --------------
                                                                         --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    Future  minimum lease rentals and interest  expense on leases that have been
discounted as of December 31, 1995 are as follows:
 
                           RENTALS TO BE RECEIVED BY
                             FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       DIRECT FINANCING
                                              AND           OPERATING      DISCOUNTED      INTEREST
YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31               SALES-TYPE LEASES      LEASES     LEASE RENTALS      EXPENSE
- ------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                   <C>                  <C>           <C>             <C>
1996................................    $    80,777,323    $  2,797,668  $   71,536,313  $  12,038,678
1997................................         62,058,466       1,468,892      56,602,021      6,925,337
1998................................         33,300,608          36,336      30,352,454      2,984,490
1999................................         16,859,955          33,308      15,830,940      1,062,323
2000................................          4,255,302         --            4,135,291        120,011
                                      -------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------
                                        $   197,251,654    $  4,336,204  $  178,457,019  $  23,130,839
                                      -------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------
                                      -------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Interest expense was  $13,469,746, $9,928,313 and  $8,600,891 in 1995,  1994
and 1993, respectively.
 
(5) NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS
    At  December 31, 1995, the Company  had lines of credit totaling $23,000,000
available from two  banks. The interest  rates are charged  at one bank's  prime
rate,  or,  at  the  Company's  option, at  a  rate  determined  by  a specified
alternative-rate calculation, and at 25 basis points over the other bank's prime
rate. These agreements  expire in  July 1996  and June  1996, respectively.  All
borrowings  under  these  agreements  are secured  by  specific  leases  and the
underlying equipment. At December 31, 1995 and 1994, no amounts were outstanding
under these lines of credit.
 
(6) INCOME TAXES
    Provisions for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994  and
1993 are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995          1994          1993
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>           <C>
Current:
Federal.......................................................  $  4,549,100  $  2,459,200  $  1,717,000
State.........................................................     1,136,800       383,000       309,300
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                   5,685,900     2,842,200     2,026,300
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
Deferred:
Federal.......................................................     1,763,400     2,649,400     2,424,700
State.........................................................       254,700       749,000       655,500
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                   2,018,100     3,398,400     3,080,200
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                $  7,704,000  $  6,240,600  $  5,106,500
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(6) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Reconciliation  of the  statutory federal income  tax rate  to the Company's
effective rate is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1995         1994         1993
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
Statutory rate.............................................................       34.0%        34.0%        34.0%
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit....................................        5.0%         5.0%         5.0%
Other, net.................................................................        1.0%         1.0%         1.0%
Effective rate.............................................................       40.0%        40.0%        40.0%
</TABLE>
 
    The components of deferred income tax  expense for the years ended  December
31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995          1994           1993
                                                              ------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>            <C>
Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the effects of other
 components listed below)...................................  $    553,100  $   4,637,800  $   4,420,500
Deferred tax credits reinstated for utilization of tax net
 operating loss carryforwards...............................       --            --                5,200
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards used/
 (generated)................................................     1,465,000     (1,239,400)    (1,345,500)
                                                              ------------  -------------  -------------
                                                              $  2,018,100  $   3,398,400  $   3,080,200
                                                              ------------  -------------  -------------
                                                              ------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    The  tax  effects of  temporary differences  that  give rise  to significant
portions of the deferred tax liabilities (assets) at December 31, 1995 and  1994
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1995           1994
                                                                           -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>
Investment in leasing operations, principally due to differences in tax
 and book accounting methods.............................................  $  20,393,200  $  19,976,600
Other....................................................................         53,014         31,636
                                                                           -------------  -------------
  Gross deferred tax liability...........................................     20,446,214     20,008,236
                                                                           -------------  -------------
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.............................     (4,946,000)    (6,411,000)
Other....................................................................        (69,800)      (184,900)
                                                                           -------------  -------------
  Gross deferred tax asset...............................................     (5,015,800)    (6,595,900)
                                                                           -------------  -------------
Net deferred tax liability...............................................  $  15,430,414  $  13,412,336
                                                                           -------------  -------------
                                                                           -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    No  valuation allowance for deferred tax  assets was considered necessary as
of December 31, 1995 or 1994. The  character of the deferred tax assets is  such
that they cannot be realized through carryback to prior tax periods, but rather,
by  offsetting the  tax effects  of the  reversal of  existing taxable temporary
differences.
 
    The  Company  had   federal  and  state   alternative  minimum  tax   credit
carryforwards,  for  tax purposes,  of $4,946,000  at  December 31,  1995. These
credits may be used to  offset future tax liability  if the regular tax  exceeds
alternative minimum tax and may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
 
(7) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    STOCK  INCENTIVE  PLAN --  On April  21,  1992, the  Board of  Directors and
shareholders of  the Company  adopted the  Company's Stock  Incentive Plan  (the
"Plan").  The Plan, effective May 1, 1992,  provides for the granting of options
to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Common Stock to certain  key
employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(7) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
    Stock  options and common  shares reserved for  grant under the  Plan are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             OPTION
                                                               RESERVED      SHARES
                                                               FOR GRANT   OUTSTANDING    PRICE PER SHARE
                                                              -----------  -----------  --------------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992..................................     230,000      270,000   $   5 3/8  $   5 1/2
  Granted...................................................     (50,000)      50,000       8 1/8      9 3/4
                                                              -----------  -----------
Balance, December 31, 1993..................................     180,000      320,000       5 3/8      9 3/4
  Granted...................................................     (37,500)      37,500    10 11/16     12 5/8
  Exercised.................................................      --          (14,166)      5 3/8      5 1/2
  Forfeited.................................................      13,334      (13,334)      5 3/8      5 1/2
                                                              -----------  -----------
Balance, December 31, 1994..................................     155,834      330,000       5 3/8     12 5/8
  Granted...................................................     (50,000)      50,000          12     17 3/4
                                                              -----------  -----------
Balance, December 31, 1995..................................     105,834      380,000       5 3/8     17 3/4
                                                              -----------  -----------
                                                              -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Options granted have  ten year  terms and  vest in  equal installments  over
periods  of  three or  four years  beginning one  year after  date of  grant. At
December 31, 1995, options for 252,708 shares were exercisable.
 
    PUBLIC STOCK  OFFERING  --  On  April 29,  1993,  the  Company  completed  a
secondary  public stock offering of  1,725,000 shares of Common  Stock at $7 1/4
per share, with 750,000 shares being sold  by the Company and 975,000 shares  by
certain  selling shareholders. The net proceeds  to the Company of that offering
were $4,928,750.
 
    REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK  -- On October 26,  1994, the Company's Board  of
Directors  authorized  and the  Company  implemented a  Common  Stock repurchase
program in which it would  purchase, from time to time  in the market and/or  in
private transactions, up to an aggregate 250,000 shares of its own Common Stock.
The  program is intended to enable the  Company to purchase shares in advance of
possible option exercises by persons who  have received options pursuant to  the
Company's  1992 Stock Incentive  Plan. During the years  ended December 31, 1995
and 1994, the Company has purchased and retired 95,600 and 85,666 shares of  its
Common Stock, respectively, at prices ranging from $10 3/8 to $17 1/8 per share.
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
 
    Common  Stock cash dividends declared were $0.12 per share in 1995 and $0.08
per share  in 1994.  On  October 25,  1995, upon  declaration  by the  Board  of
Directors,  the Company  accrued a  quarterly cash  dividend of  $0.03 per share
payable January 2, 1996, to shareholders of record on December 15, 1995.
 
(8) PROFIT SHARING 401(K) PLAN
    The Company has a  401(k) profit sharing  plan (the "Plan").  The Plan is  a
salary  reduction  cash or  deferred profit  sharing plan  intended to  meet the
requirements of Section  401(k) and  401(a) of  the Internal  Revenue Code.  All
employees  who have completed at least one year of service and have attained the
age of 21  are eligible to  participate in  the Plan. The  Plan allows  eligible
employees to contribute a certain percentage of their base compensation into the
Plan  each year. The Company may make discretionary contributions to the Plan on
behalf of  eligible  participants  in  an amount  determined  by  the  Board  of
Directors.
 
    The  Company's contributions to the Plan  were $119,961, $88,766 and $73,779
for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
(9) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
    Summarized quarterly financial data  for the years  ended December 31,  1995
and 1994, is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      QUARTER ENDED
                                                      ----------------------------------------------
                                                       MARCH 31    JUNE 30     SEPT 30      DEC 31
                                                      ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
1995:
  Revenues..........................................  $ 17,768.5  $ 22,981.0  $ 12,170.4  $ 15,788.9
  Net earnings......................................     3,259.1     2,766.6     2,688.6     2,841.7
    Per common share................................  $     0.41  $     0.35  $     0.34  $     0.36
 
1994:
  Revenues..........................................  $ 14,443.1  $ 13,424.2  $ 10,633.4  $ 31,377.1
  Net earnings......................................     2,214.7     2,025.3     1,523.1     3,597.8
    Per common share................................  $     0.28  $     0.25  $     0.19  $     0.45
</TABLE>
 
(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    On  January 19, 1996,  the Company acquired substantially  all the assets of
Capital Business Leasing, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Capital"),  headquartered
in  Henderson, Nevada with a sales office in Knoxville, Tennessee. Capital was a
small  ticket  lease  re-broker  company  that  served  as  a  focal  point   or
consolidator of a variety of unrelated brokers. Capital's assets, which included
cash,  furniture and  equipment and  other intangibles  including goodwill, were
acquired pursuant to an  asset purchase agreement for  $7,100,000, of which  the
Company  paid $5,100,000 on January 19, 1996,  and $2,000,000 which will be paid
on December 31, 1996 plus accrued interest thereon at a rate of six percent (6%)
per annum. The Company plans to have its wholly-owned subsidiary, WINR  Business
Credit  Corporation, operate  the business  as it  was previously  conducted. In
1995, over $50 million in equipment  was placed in service through  transactions
processed by Capital.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
No  dealer, salesperson  or any  other person  has been  authorized to  give any
information or  to make  any  representation other  than  as contained  in  this
Prospectus,  and, if given or made,  such information or representation must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company, any Selling Shareholder
or the Underwriters. This Prospectus does not  constitute an offer to sell or  a
solicitation  of an  offer to buy  any of  the securities offered  hereby to any
person or  in  any jurisdiction  in  which such  offer  or solicitation  is  not
authorized  or in  which the  person making  such offer  or solicitation  is not
qualified to do so, or to any person  to whom it is unlawful to make such  offer
or  solicitation. Neither  the delivery  of this  Prospectus nor  any sales made
hereunder shall under any  circumstances create any  implication that there  has
been  no change in the affairs of the  Company since the date hereof or that the
information herein is  correct as of  any time  subsequent to the  date of  this
Prospectus.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY..........................................    3
RISK FACTORS................................................    7
USE OF PROCEEDS.............................................   10
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK.................................   10
DIVIDEND POLICY.............................................   10
CAPITALIZATION..............................................   11
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA...........................   12
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF
 OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.........................   14
BUSINESS....................................................   19
MANAGEMENT..................................................   24
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS..........................   26
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK................................   28
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES........................................   30
UNDERWRITING................................................   35
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................   36
EXPERTS.....................................................   36
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.......................................   36
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.........................   37
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..................  F-1
</TABLE>
 
                                    WINTHROP
                             RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                1,500,000 Shares
                                of Common Stock
                                      and
                                 $25,000,000 of
                                   % Senior Notes
                                    due 2003
 
                              --------------------
 
                              P R O S P E C T U S
 
                              --------------------
 
                               PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
 
                                 DAIN BOSWORTH
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                                        , 1996
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The  following table sets forth the  various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the Common Stock and the Notes being registered,  other
than the underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts shown are estimates
except  the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, the NASD filing
fee, the Nasdaq fee and the accountable expense allowance.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
SEC registration fee..............................................  $  23,159
NASD filing fee...................................................      7,213
Nasdaq fees.......................................................     15,000
Printing expenses.................................................     50,000
Fees and expenses of Company counsel..............................     75,000
Fees and expenses of Company accountants..........................     35,000
Rating Agency Fee.................................................     53,750
Transfer Agent and Registrar fees.................................      3,000
Trustee and Note Registrar........................................      6,500
Blue Sky fees and expenses........................................      3,500
Miscellaneous.....................................................     12,878
                                                                    ---------
    Total.........................................................  $ 285,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation limit the liability of  its
directors  to the fullest extent permitted by the Minnesota Business Corporation
Act. Specifically, directors of  the Company will not  be personally liable  for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as directors, except for liability
for  (i) any breach of  the duty of loyalty to  the Company or its shareholders,
(ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional  misconduct
or  a  knowing  violation of  law,  (iii)  dividends or  other  distributions of
corporate assets that are in  contravention of certain statutory or  contractual
restrictions,  (iv) violations of certain Minnesota  securities laws, or (v) any
transaction from  which  the  director derives  an  improper  personal  benefit.
Liability under federal securities law is not limited by the Restated Articles.
 
    The  Minnesota  Business Corporation  Act  requires that  the  Company shall
indemnify any director,  officer or  employee made or  threatened to  be made  a
party  to a proceeding, by reason of  the former or present official capacity of
the person,  against judgments,  penalties,  fines, settlements  and  reasonable
expenses  incurred by  the person in  connection with the  proceeding if certain
statutory standards  are  met.  "Proceeding"  means  a  threatened,  pending  or
completed   civil,  criminal,   administrative,  arbitration   or  investigative
proceeding, including a derivative action in the name of the Company.  Reference
is  made to the  detailed terms of the  Minnesota indemnification statute (Minn.
Stat. Section 302A.521) for a complete statement of such indemnification rights.
The Company's Restated Bylaws require the Company to provide indemnification  to
the fullest extent of the Minnesota indemnification statute.
 
    The  Company  maintains a  directors and  officers  insurance policy  with a
$3,000,000 coverage limit per occurrence and in the aggregate per year.
 
    Pursuant to Section 6 of the Purchase Agreement as set forth in Exhibit 1.1,
the directors and officers of the Company are indemnified against certain  civil
liabilities  that they may incur under the  Securities Act of 1933 in connection
with this Registration Statement and the related Prospectus.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
      1.1  Form of Purchase Agreement (previously filed).
      4.1  Specimen Form of the Company's Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed April 24, 1992,
           (File No. 33-47435)(the "1992 Registration Statement")).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
      4.2  Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 3.1 to the 1992 Registration Statement).
      4.3  Restated Bylaws of the Company as amended on April 21, 1992 (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
           March 19, 1993 (File No. 33-59808)(the "1993 Registration Statement")).
      4.4  Restated Bylaws of the Company as amended on May 4, 1994 (incorporated by reference
           to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June 8, 1994
           (File No. 33-80056)).
      4.5  Form of Indenture relating to the Notes, including Form of Note (previously filed).
      5.1  Opinion and Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly (previously filed).
     10.1  Winthrop Resources Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference
           to Exhibit 10.1 to the 1992 Registration Statement).
     10.2  Office Lease Agreement dated January 15, 1987 between the Company and Alscor
           Investors Joint Venture, as amended in Amendment No. 1 dated August 11, 1988;
           Amendment No. 2 dated February 28, 1990; Amendment No. 3 dated June 1, 1991; and
           Amendment No. 4 dated October 16, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
           the 1992 Registration Statement).
     10.3  Amendment No. 5 dated January 26, 1993 to the Office Lease Agreement between the
           Company and Alscor Investors Joint Venture dated January 15, 1987, as amended
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 1993 Registration Statement).
     10.4  Form of Lease Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment No. 1
           to the 1992 Registration Statement filed June 4, 1992).
     10.5  Amendment No. 6 dated May 25, 1994 to the Office Lease Agreement between the Company
           and Alscor Investors Joint Venture dated January 15, 1987, as amended (incorporated
           reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
           June 30, 1994 (File No. 0-20123)).
     10.6  Discretionary Credit Facility Letter of Agreement between the Company and First Bank
           National Association dated August 2, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
           to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30,
           1994 (File No. 0-20123)).
     10.7  Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as of October 26, 1994, between the
           Company and Kirk A. MacKenzie (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No.
           0-20123)).
     10.8  Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as of October 26, 1994, between the
           Company and John L. Morgan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No.
           0-20123)).
     10.9  Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as of October 26, 1994, between the
           Company and Robert P. Murphy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No.
           0-20123)).
    10.10  Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as of October 26, 1994, between the
           Company and Jack A. Norqual (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No.
           0-20123)).
    10.11  Addendum to Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreements dated June 17, 1992, October 27,
           1993 and October 26, 1994 between Robert P. Murphy and Winthrop Resources Corporation
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
           10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-20123)).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
    10.12  Discretionary Revolving Credit Note dated June 12, 1995 between the Company and First
           Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
           Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1995 filed August 14,
           1995 (File No. 0-20123)).
    10.13  Letter of Agreement dated June 19, 1995 between the Company and Norwest Equipment
           Finance, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly
           Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 0-20123)).
    10.14  Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 19, 1996 by and between Winthrop
           Resources Corporation and Capital Business Leasing, Inc. (incorporated by reference
           to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 19, 1996
           filed February 5, 1996 (File No. 0-20123)).
     11.1  Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings Per Share incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
           31, 1995 (File No. 0-20123) and to Exhibit 11 to the Company's Quarterly Report on
           Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 (File No. 0-20123).
     12.1  Statements Regarding Computation of Ratios (previously filed).
     23.1  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (filed herewith electronically).
     23.2  Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly (included in Exhibit 5.1).
     24.1  Power of Attorney (previously filed).
     25.1  Statement of Eligibility of Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee
           (previously filed).
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities  Act
of  1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant  to the  foregoing provisions,  or otherwise,  except as  to
certain  insurance policies, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in  the Act and is,  therefore, unenforceable. In the  event
that  a  claim  for indemnification  against  such liabilities  (other  than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the  Registrant in the successful  defense of any  action,
suit  or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,  unless
in  the  opinion of  its  counsel the  matter  has been  settled  by controlling
precedent, submit to a  court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question  whether
such  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (1) For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities  Act
    of  1933, the information omitted from the  form of prospectus filed as part
    of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
    or 497(h)  under the  Securities Act  shall be  deemed to  be part  of  this
    Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
        (2)  For the purpose  of determining any  liability under the Securities
    Act  of  1933,  each  post-effective  amendment  that  contains  a  form  of
    prospectus  shall be deemed  to be a new  registration statement relating to
    the securities offered herein, and the  offering of such securities at  that
    time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be  signed
on  its behalf  by the  undersigned, thereunto duly  authorized, in  the City of
Minneapolis and State of Minnesota, on June 14, 1996.
    
 
                                          WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
                                          By          /s/ JOHN L. MORGAN
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                       John L. Morgan
                                                         PRESIDENT
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, this  Amendment
No.  1  to the  Registration  Statement has  been signed  on  its behalf  by the
following persons on June 14, 1996 in the capacities indicated.
    
 
   
             SIGNATURE                         TITLE
- -----------------------------------  -------------------------
 
          /S/ JOHN L. MORGAN         President and Director
    ---------------------------       (Principal Executive
          John L. Morgan              Officer)
 
                                     Executive Vice President,
        /S/ KIRK A. MACKENZIE         Treasurer and Director
    ---------------------------       (Principal Financial and
         Kirk A. MacKenzie            Accounting Officer)
 
                                                                *By       /S/
                                                                JOHN L.
                       *                                        MORGAN
    ---------------------------      Senior Vice President and  ------------
          Jack A. Norqual             Director                  John L. Morgan
                                                                Pro se and
                                                                attorney-in-fact
 
                                                                *By      /S/
                                                                KIRK A.
                                                                MACKENZIE
                       *                                        ------------
    ---------------------------      Director                   Kirk A.
          Paul C. Reyelts                                       MacKenzie
                                                                Pro se and
                                                                attorney-in-fact
 
                       *
    ---------------------------      Director
        Gerald W. Simonson
 
                       *
    ---------------------------      Director and Secretary
          Mark L. Wilson
 
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
   
                         WINTHROP RESOURCES CORPORATION
                    INDEX TO EXHIBITS TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-2
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO.   DESCRIPTION                                                           METHOD OF FILING
- ---------  ---------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                                  <C>
   1.1     Form of Purchase Agreement.........................  Previously filed.
   4.1     Specimen Form of the Company's Common Stock
            Certificate.......................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                                                                 Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
                                                                 April 24, 1992, (File No. 33-47435) (the "1992
                                                                 Registration Statement").
   4.2     Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
            Company...........................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
                                                                 1992 Registration Statement.
   4.3     Restated Bylaws of the Company as amended on April
            21, 1992..........................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
                                                                 Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
                                                                 March 19, 1993 (File No. 33-59808) (the "1993
                                                                 Registration Statement").
   4.4     Restated Bylaws of the Company as amended on May 4,
            1994..............................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
                                                                 Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed
                                                                 June 8, 1994 (File No. 33-80056).
   4.5     Form of Indenture relating to the Notes, including
            Form of Note......................................  Previously filed.
   5.1     Opinion and Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff &
            Donnelly..........................................  Previously filed.
  10.1     Winthrop Resources Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive
            Plan..............................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                                                                 1992 Registration Statement.
  10.2     Office Lease Agreement dated January 15, 1987
            between the Company and Alscor Investors Joint
            Venture, as amended in Amendment No. 1 dated
            August 11, 1988; Amendment No. 2 dated February
            28, 1990; Amendment No. 3 dated June 1, 1991; and
            Amendment No. 4 dated October 16, 1991              Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
                                                                 1992 Registration Statement.
  10.3     Amendment No. 5 dated January 26, 1993 to the
            Office Lease Agreement between the Company and
            Alscor Investors Joint Venture dated January 15,
            1987, as amended..................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
                                                                 1993 Registration Statement.
  10.4     Form of Lease Agreement............................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
                                                                 Amendment No. 1 to the 1992 Registration Statement
                                                                 filed June 4, 1992.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO.   DESCRIPTION                                                           METHOD OF FILING
- ---------  ---------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                                  <C>
  10.5     Amendment No. 6 dated May 25, 1994 to the Office
            Lease Agreement between the Company and Alscor
            Investors Joint Venture dated January 15, 1987, as
            amended...........................................  Incorporated reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                                                                 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                                                                 June 30, 1994 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.6     Discretionary Credit Facility Letter of Agreement
            between the Company and First Bank National
            Association dated August 2, 1994..................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                                                                 Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                                                                 period ended September 30, 1994 (File No.
                                                                 0-20123).
  10.7     Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as
            of October 26, 1994, between the Company and Kirk
            A. MacKenzie                                        Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the
                                                                 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                                                                 ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.8     Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as
            of October 26, 1994, between the Company and John
            L. Morgan.........................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the
                                                                 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                                                                 ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.9     Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as
            of October 26, 1994, between the Company and
            Robert P. Murphy..................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the
                                                                 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                                                                 ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.10    Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as
            of October 26, 1994, between the Company and Jack
            A. Norqual........................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the
                                                                 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                                                                 ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.11    Addendum to Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreements
            dated June 17, 1992, October 27, 1993 and October
            26, 1994 between Robert P. Murphy and Winthrop
            Resources Corporation.............................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the
                                                                 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                                                                 ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-20123).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NO.   DESCRIPTION                                                           METHOD OF FILING
- ---------  ---------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                                  <C>
  10.12    Discretionary Revolving Credit Note dated June 12,
            1995 between the Company and First Bank National
            Association.......................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                                                                 Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                                                                 period ended June 30, 1995 filed August 14, 1995
                                                                 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.13    Letter of Agreement dated June 19, 1995 between the
            Company and Norwest Equipment Finance, Inc........  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                                                                 Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                                                                 period ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 0-20123).
  10.14    Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 19,
            1996 by and between Winthrop Resources Corporation
            and Capital Business Leasing, Inc.................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the
                                                                 Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January
                                                                 19, 1996 filed February 5, 1996 (File No.
                                                                 0-20123).
  11.1     Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings Per
            Share.............................................  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11 to the
                                                                 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                                                                 ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-20123) and to
                                                                 Exhibit 11 to the Company's Quarterly Report on
                                                                 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996
                                                                 (File No. 0-20123).
  12.1     Statements Regarding Computation of Ratios.........  Previously filed.
  23.1     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP...................  Filed herewith electronically.
  23.2     Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly............  Included in Exhibit 5.1.
  24.1     Power of Attorney..................................  Previously filed.
  25.1     Statement of Eligibility of Norwest Bank Minnesota,
            National Association, as Trustee..................  Previously filed.
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Winthrop Resources Corporation:
 
    We  consent to the use of our  report included and incorporated by reference
herein and to the references to our firm under the headings "Selected  Financial
and Other Data" and "Experts" in the Prospectus.
 
                                                /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 14, 1996



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