<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
LOGO
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1100 LANDMARK TOWERS
345 ST. PETER STREET
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102-1639
March 30, 1998
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Green Tree Financial Corporation (the "Company") which will be held at 2:00
p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 1998, at the Holiday Inn, 505 North 5th Street,
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701.
At the meeting of stockholders you will be asked to: (1) elect four
Directors; (2) ratify the selection of the Company's independent auditors; and
(3) transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment thereof. Following these matters, management will present a
current report on the business and current activities of the Company. You will
also have an opportunity to comment on or inquire about aspects of the
business of the Company that may be of interest to you.
Please read the enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement which
describes the business to come before the meeting. Please mark, sign and
return the accompanying Proxy Card promptly in the enclosed postage-paid
envelope. We hope you will be able to attend the meeting on May 13.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY
CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES.
Sincerely,
LOGO
LAWRENCE M. COSS
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE>
LOGO
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------
NOTICE OF 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 1998
To the Stockholders of
Green Tree Financial Corporation:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Green
Tree Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has been
called to be held at the Holiday Inn, 505 North 5th Street, Rapid City, South
Dakota 57701, on May 13, 1998, at 2:00 p.m., for the following purposes:
1. To elect four Directors of the Company to hold office until their term
shall expire and until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified.
2. To ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders or at any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Wednesday, March
25, 1998, as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
Please date, sign and mail the Proxy Card in the enclosed self-addressed
return envelope. Stockholders attending the meeting may withdraw their Proxies
at any time prior to their exercise by filing written notice with any officer
of the Company.
Dated: March 30, 1998
Saint Paul, Minnesota
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LOGO
JOEL H. GOTTESMAN, Secretary
<PAGE>
LOGO
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1100 LANDMARK TOWERS
345 ST. PETER STREET
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102-1639
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 1998
GENERAL MATTERS
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The Board of Directors of Green Tree Financial Corporation (the "Company")
is soliciting the accompanying Proxy in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 13, 1998, at 2:00 p.m., and any adjournments of
the meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, 505 North 5th
Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed
Proxy Card are being mailed to stockholders commencing on or about March 30,
1998.
All proxies delivered pursuant to this solicitation are revocable at any
time at the option of the persons executing them by giving written notice to
the Secretary of the Company, by delivering a later dated proxy or by voting
in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Company will pay the costs of solicitation, including the cost of
preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement and Notice of Annual Meeting.
Solicitation will be primarily by mailing this Proxy Statement to all
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Proxies may be solicited by
officers of the Company by telephone or in person, but at no compensation in
addition to their regular compensation as officers. The Company will reimburse
brokers, banks, and others holding shares for the cost of distributing proxy
materials to and obtaining proxies from third parties. The Company has
retained Georgeson & Company Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies,
and has agreed to pay such firm approximately $7,000 plus reasonable expenses
incurred on behalf of the Company for its services. In addition, the Company
has retained Firstar Trust Company to tabulate and report on the votes cast by
stockholders.
A copy of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1997,
accompanies this Proxy Statement.
VOTING, EXECUTION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
Pursuant to Delaware law and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws, Firstar Trust Company will treat abstentions as shares that are
present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum, but as unvoted for purposes of determining the approval of any matter
submitted to the stockholders for a vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy
that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on
a particular matter, those shares will not be considered as present and
entitled to vote.
Only the holders of the Company's Common Stock whose names of record appear
on the Company's books at the close of business on March 25, 1998 (the "Record
Date") will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of
business on the Record Date, a total of 134,012,054 shares of Company Common
Stock were outstanding, each share being entitled to one vote.
1
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(ITEM 1)
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR
Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company, the Board of Directors has
established the number of Directors at six. The Bylaws provide that the
Directors are divided into three classes, as equal in number as possible. Each
class of Directors serves a three-year term. In the event of vacancies, a term
may be less than three years in order to accomplish a staggered Board.
The Nominating Committee met informally several times to consider potential
outside Directors. The Nominating Committee has acted to nominate two
individuals. The nominees are Donald S. Howard and Mark H. Burton. Their past
experience and the terms for election are specified below. It is anticipated
that the Board of Directors will appoint these nominees to fill vacancies
prior to the 1998 Annual Meeting.
Four Directors are to be elected at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Board of Directors has nominated Donald S. Howard for a two-year term
expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in the year 2000 and
Mark H. Burton for a three-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held in the year 2001. In addition, the Board of Directors
has nominated incumbent Directors Richard G. Evans and Robert S. Nickoloff for
three-year terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in
the year 2001.
The following table sets forth information, as of February 28, 1998,
including business experience during the past five years, as to the nominees
for election:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING
TERM THE PAST
NAME, POSITIONS AND DIRECTOR EXPIRES FIVE YEARS AND OTHER
OFFICES WITH COMPANY SINCE IN AGE DIRECTORSHIPS
-------------------- -------- ------- --- --------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <S>
Donald S. Howard............ 1998 2000 68 Independent Consultant
Director since 1993; Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer of
Salomon Inc. and Salomon
Brothers Inc (1988-1993);
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
of Citicorp and Citibank
N.A. (1957-1988); Director
of SIGA Parmaceuticals,
Inc. since 1997; Director
of Bank Leumi Trust Company
since 1994.
Mark H. Burton.............. 1998 2001 39 Lehman Brothers Inc. since
Director 1981--Managing Director in
the Financial Services
Group since 1990; Partner
since 1991.
Richard G. Evans............ 1991 2001 49 Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President; since May 1996; Executive
Director Vice President and
Secretary (December 1993-
May 1996); Senior Vice
President, General Counsel
and Secretary (1988-1993);
Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
(1985-1988).
Robert S. Nickoloff......... 1978 2001 68 Chairman of the Board,
Director Medical Innovation Capital,
Inc.; Director of Minnesota
Power and Light since 1986;
Director of Integ
Incorporated since 1991.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
NOMINEES. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY'S
COMMON STOCK PRESENT AT THE MEETING, IN PERSON OR BY PROXY, IS REQUIRED TO
ELECT THE NOMINEES. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH NOMINEES UNLESS
OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth information, as of February 28, 1998,
including business experience during the past five years as to Directors of
the Company whose terms of office will continue after the 1998 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING
TERM THE PAST
NAME, POSITIONS AND DIRECTOR EXPIRES FIVE YEARS AND OTHER
OFFICES WITH COMPANY SINCE IN AGE DIRECTORSHIPS
-------------------- -------- ------- --- --------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <S>
Lawrence M. Coss............ 1975 1999 59 Chairman and Chief
Chief Executive Officer; Executive Officer since
Chairman of the Board April 1994; Chairman,
President and Chief
Executive Officer (1987-
1994); President and Chief
Executive Officer (1975-
1987); Company founder.
W. Max McGee................ 1985 2000 65 President, Max McGee
Director Companies, a general
investment company, since
1981.
</TABLE>
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors has an Executive Committee which consisted
of Lawrence M. Coss, Robert S. Nickoloff and Robert D. Potts until December
15, 1997. Since December 15, 1997, the Executive Committee has consisted of
Lawrence M. Coss and Robert S. Nickoloff. The Executive Committee meets as
necessary between meetings of the Board of Directors to act on behalf of the
Board or take any other action that may be delegated to it. The Executive
Committee conducted its business by written action during 1997.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee consisting of W. Max McGee and
Robert S. Nickoloff. Among its duties, the Audit Committee reviews and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to designated financial
and accounting matters. The Audit Committee held two meetings during the year
ended December 31, 1997.
The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee consisting of W. Max
McGee and Robert S. Nickoloff. Among its duties, the Compensation Committee
administers the provisions of the Company's executive compensation, cash
incentive and stock option programs. The Compensation Committee held five
meetings during the year ended December 31, 1997.
The Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee which consisted of
Lawrence M. Coss, W. Max McGee and Robert S. Nickoloff. The Committee makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to nominees to serve on
the Board. The Nominating Committee did not have any formal meetings during
1997; however, the members of the Committee had numerous informal discussions
relating to potential outside Director nominees. In connection with its
nominating responsibilities, the Nominating Committee will consider qualified
nominees recommended by a stockholder of the Company if the recommendation is
submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company no later than the
December 31 preceding the annual meeting. Any such recommendation must include
information which will enable the Committee to evaluate the qualifications of
the proposed nominee.
3
<PAGE>
During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Board of Directors held five
meetings. All incumbent Directors attended at least 75 percent of those
meetings of the Board and committees of which they were members that were held
while they were serving on the Board or on such committees.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
During the year ended December 31, 1997, Directors received a fee of $2,000
per month plus travel expenses. In addition, members of the Audit Committee
received a fee of $1,250 per quarter. Pursuant to the Company's 1992
Supplemental Stock Option Plan, an outside Director is granted a stock option
to acquire 4,000 shares of Common Stock during each quarter the Director
serves on the Board. During 1997, options for a total of 32,000 shares were
granted to two outside Directors. The option price was the closing price of
the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of
grant.
COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE
The Performance Graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return
on the Company's Common Stock against the S&P Composite-500 Stock Index and
the S&P Financial Index for the period of five fiscal years commencing
December 31, 1992, and ending December 31, 1997. The graph presentation
assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1992, in Company Common Stock, the S&P
Composite-500 Stock Index and the S&P Financial Index, with dividends
reinvested, and shows such values at December 31, 1997.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
LOGO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/31/92 12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Green Tree Financial
Corporation............ 100 202 257 451 665 455
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P Composite-500 Index. 100 110 112 153 189 252
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P Financial Index..... 100 111 107 165 223 330
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The annual compensation for executive officers, including salaries,
Directors' fees, bonuses, and option awards for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1996, and 1997, was as follows:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS(2)
------------------------------------------
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES
AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY BONUS UNDERLYING
- ---------------------- YEAR ($)(1) ($) OPTIONS
------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence M. Coss.................. 1997 $633,600 $ 4,203,303 None
Chief Executive Officer; 1996 433,608 102,015,158(3) 2,000,000(4)
Chairman of the Board 1995 433,608 65,146,594(5) None
Robert D. Potts(6)................ 1997 428,174 1,650,000 100,000
President and Chief 1996 383,016 1,250,000 250,000
Operating Officer; 1995 333,000 850,000 300,000
Director
Richard G. Evans.................. 1997 283,008 350,000 None
Executive Vice President; 1996 268,000 350,000 85,000
Director 1995 258,000 350,000 100,000
Gregory D. Aplin.................. 1997 259,008 550,000 35,000
Executive Vice President 1996 184,000 350,000 85,000
1995 139,000 250,000 80,000
Jerry W. Britton.................. 1997 259,008 550,000 30,000
Executive Vice President 1996 209,000 400,000 160,000
1995 131,428 200,000 100,000
Bruce A. Crittenden............... 1997 259,008 550,000 50,000
Executive Vice President 1996 184,000 400,000 160,000
1995 70,346 75,000 80,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes compensation in the form of Director's fees, if applicable, and
car allowances. The aggregate amount of perquisites and personal benefits
does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the total
compensation, and is not separately shown.
(2) The Company did not issue any restricted stock to the executive officers
listed or any other employees in the applicable years.
(3) Includes $94,650,000 (2,400,000 shares) of the Company's Common Stock
earned as bonus, before stock withheld for federal and state taxes. As a
result of the restatement of the Company's 1996 financial statements, on
January 26, 1998, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Coss's
bonus for 1996 would be reduced by 761,210 shares and $2,500,000 in cash,
which stock and cash has been returned to the Company by Mr. Coss. See
"Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation--Compensation of
Chief Executive Officer" below.
(4) Granted pursuant to the 1997 Chief Executive Cash and Stock Bonus Plan
previously approved by stockholders.
5
<PAGE>
(5) Includes $59,212,820 (1,998,745 shares) of the Company's Common Stock
earned as bonus, before stock withheld for federal and state taxes.
(6) Mr. Potts resigned from employment with the Company effective December
15, 1997. The option to acquire 100,000 shares of Common Stock granted to
Mr. Potts in 1997 expired by its terms on such date. In connection with
Mr. Potts' resignation, the Company entered into an agreement with him
extending the exercise period of certain other previously granted, vested
options to acquire 303,333 shares until July 26, 1998.
OPTIONS GRANTED, EXERCISED AND HELD BY EXECUTIVES
The following table shows the number and potential realizable value of stock
options granted in 1997.
STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS REALIZABLE VALUE AT
---------------------------------------------- ASSUMED ANNUAL
% OF TOTAL RATES OF STOCK
NUMBER OF OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION
SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE FOR
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES OR BASE OPTION TERM(3)
OPTIONS IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION ----------------------
NAME GRANTED (#)(1) YEAR ($/SH)(2) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ---- -------------- ---------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence M. Coss........ 0 0% -- -- $ -- $ --
Robert D. Potts......... 100,000(4) 7.95% $38.375 07/17/07 --(4) --(4)
Richard G. Evans........ 0 0% -- -- -- --
Gregory D. Aplin........ 35,000 2.78% 33.500 11/22/07 737,379 1,868,663
Jerry W. Britton........ 30,000 2.39% 38.375 07/17/07 724,015 1,834,796
Bruce A. Crittenden..... 50,000 3.98% 38.375 07/17/07 1,206,692 3,057,993
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Stock options become exercisable at 20 percent of the total yearly
beginning January 2, 1999, except that Mr. Aplin's stock options become
exercisable at 20 percent of the total after each of the first five
anniversary dates from the date of grant.
(2) With prior approval from the Compensation Committee, optionees may tender
previously-acquired shares of the Company's Common Stock or request the
Company to withhold sufficient shares in payment of the exercise price of
a stock option, and optionees may tender previously-acquired shares or
request the Company to withhold sufficient shares to pay the taxes
arising from the exercise. Under the terms of the 1995 Employee Stock
Option Plan, of which the above options were granted, the Compensation
Committee may grant a reload stock option to purchase the number of
shares tendered and/or withheld in an exercise. The reload option would
have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of the transaction, and would expire on the scheduled
expiration date of the exercised option. The Compensation Committee has
not previously granted reload options to any optionees.
(3) The amounts shown represent potential realizable values using the
exercise prices and assumed rates of stock price appreciation. The
assumed rates of stock price appreciation are set by Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and are not intended to forecast the future
appreciation of the Common Stock of the Company.
6
<PAGE>
(4) Mr. Potts resigned from employment with the Company effective December 15,
1997. The option to acquire 100,000 shares granted to Mr. Potts in 1997
expired by its terms on such date.
The following table shows the number and value of stock options exercised by
the named executive officers during 1997 and the number and value of stock
options retained at December 31, 1997.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT
SHARES FY-END (#) FY-END ($)(2)
ACQUIRED ON --------------------- ------------------------
EXERCISE VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME (#) REALIZED ($)(1) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- --------------- --------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence M. Coss........ 168,400(3) $6,425,512(4) 1,231,600 / 1,600,000 $19,308,713 / $ 0
Robert D. Potts(5)...... -- -- 303,333 / 0 2,958,327 / 0
Gregory D. Alpin........ -- -- 102,333 / 177,667 1,148,327 / 644,173
Jerry W. Britton........ -- -- 72,000 / 218,000 172,500 / 258,750
Bruce A. Crittenden..... -- -- 64,000 / 226,000 70,000 / 105,000
Richard G. Evans........ 20,000 772,187(6) 217,000 / 128,000 3,545,000 / 131,250
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) An individual, upon exercise of an option, does not receive cash equal to
the amount contained in the Value Realized column of this table. Instead,
the amounts contained in the Value Realized column reflect the increase in
the price of the Company's Common Stock from the option grant date to the
option exercise date. No cash is realized until the shares received upon
exercise of an option are sold.
(2) Based on closing price of the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1997
($26.1875) less the option exercise price.
(3) Mr. Coss swapped shares already owned to exercise shares. Mr. Coss has
not sold any shares of the Company's Common Stock in the open market in
more than 10 years.
(4) The Value Realized is based on the closing price ($41.125) the day
preceding the stock swap.
(5) Mr. Potts resigned from employment with the Company effective December
15, 1997. In connection with Mr. Potts' resignation, the Company entered
into an agreement with him extending the exercise period of certain
previously granted, vested options to acquire 303,333 shares from January
16, 1998 to July 26, 1998.
(6) The value realized is based on the fair market value on the date of
exercise.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Role of Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") reviews and establishes compensation strategies and programs to
ensure that the Company attracts, retains, properly compensates, and motivates
the most qualified executives and key employees. The Committee consists of the
two nonemployee Directors. It regularly meets in November or December,
primarily to review and determine bonuses for executive and other key
personnel, and otherwise meets on an as-needed basis. In 1997, the Committee
met five times.
7
<PAGE>
Elements of Compensation Program. The Committee believes that the Company's
success depends greatly on the efforts of its officers, regional managers, and
other key personnel. The Committee also believes the Company must compete with
a number of other financial institutions for qualified personnel. For these
reasons, the Company seeks to attract, retain, and motivate its key employees
with compensation that is competitive within the financial services industry,
provided that performance of the Company and the individual warrant such
compensation. Historically, the most significant component of key employee
compensation has been remuneration in the form of cash bonuses awarded
pursuant to the Company's Key Employee Bonus Program (the "Bonus Program") and
stock options awarded pursuant to the Company's stock option plans. Base
salary levels for key Company employees are generally conservative compared to
similar positions at other financial institutions. Cash bonuses typically
represent a substantial portion of a key employee's total cash compensation.
The Committee believes that, by putting a substantial portion of a key
employee's compensation at risk, the employee is motivated to perform at a
high level. The Committee also believes that this performance-based philosophy
better aligns the employee's interests with those of the Company's
stockholders.
Under the Company's Bonus Program, cash bonuses aggregating up to 4 percent
of the Company's pretax earnings may be paid to executives and other key
employees, excluding the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Employees
participating in the program include Company officers, regional managers, and
other key employees designated by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
approved by the Committee. For 1997, 170 employees participated in the Bonus
Program.
The Committee meets to consider the amount of bonuses payable to Bonus
Program participants in November or December of each year, and bonuses are
paid before year end. The Committee determines bonus amounts on the basis of
recommendations of the Company's Chief Executive Officer who, in turn,
considers the written performance evaluations of the supervisors of
participating key employees. The Committee analyzes those recommendations in
light of a number of factors relating to both Company and individual
performance. Company performance factors include the level of profitability,
return on equity, volume of business and market share, comparison to prior
years' performance, actual versus budgeted performance, portfolio performance,
performance in relation to competitors, and other factors. Individual
performance factors include an assessment of contribution to business unit
performance, quality of work, individual and overall responsibilities, length
of service, and other factors. In addition, the Committee considered the
growth of the Company's business in setting annual bonuses. In particular, the
Committee considered the Company's significant increase in total managed
receivables in 1997 over 1996. The managed receivables at year end 1997 was
$28.0 billion, 39 percent higher than year-end 1996 managed receivables of
$20.1 billion. Total finance volume originated by the Company in 1997 was
$15.6 billion, an increase of 49 percent over 1996.
Although the Bonus Program enables the Company to pay up to 4 percent of
pretax profits as bonuses, the Company has not always paid out the maximum
available each year. For 1997, aggregate bonuses were $15,900,000 or 3.3
percent of pretax earnings, and in the preceding two years aggregate bonuses
under the Bonus Program approximated 2.5 percent of pretax earnings. The
foregoing amounts include the executive officers (other than the Company's
Chief Executive Officer) who received aggregate bonuses of $3,650,000 or 0.8
percent of pretax earnings in 1997. In 1996 and 1995, bonus compensation to
this group of individuals approximated 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent of pretax
earnings, respectively. The Committee determined that it was appropriate to
award bonuses for 1997 in amounts commensurate with prior years because the
factors used to determine the level of performance demonstrated the overall
strength of the Company's business and the high level of performance of the
Bonus Program participants.
The Committee believes that it is important for key employees to have long-
term incentives through an equity interest in the Company. Accordingly, from
time to time, the Company has granted key employees stock options pursuant to
the Company's stock option plans. As of February 28, 1998, 142 of the
Company's 161 total key employees (excluding the Company's Chief Executive
Officer) held options to acquire 5,410,332 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. As of the same date, the four current executive officers (other than
the
8
<PAGE>
Company's Chief Executive Officer) whose compensation is disclosed in the
Summary Compensation Table above, held options to acquire 1,205,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. The compensation of the Company's
Chief Executive Officer for 1997 is based entirely on an agreement between Mr.
Coss and the Company entered into on February 9, 1996. The five-year
employment agreement was effective January 1, 1997 (the "1997 Employment
Agreement") and provides for a base salary of $600,000 per year and a cash
bonus to be determined pursuant to the 1997 Chief Executive Plan which was
approved by stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 15,
1996. The cash bonus is determined pursuant to an incentive based formula
equal to 2.5 percent of the net income of the Company in excess of a 12
percent return on equity. On January 26, 1998 the Committee determined that as
a result of the 1996 restatement of earnings, the bonus paid to Mr. Coss for
1996 would be reduced by 761,210 shares of Common Stock and $2,500,000 in
cash, which stock has been transferred and the cash repaid to the Company by
Mr. Coss. In addition, since this adjustment was required on a retroactive
basis, the Committee determined that as a condition of such repayment, the
Company would indemnify the Chief Executive Officer for any inability to
obtain a full tax refund on the basis of the stock values used to compute the
original 1996 bonus amount.
Statement Regarding Tax Policy Compliance. Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), generally limits the Company's
federal income tax deduction for compensation paid in any year to certain
named executives (including the Chief Executive Officer) to $1 million, to the
extent that such compensation is not "performance-based compensation" within
the meaning of Section 162(m) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder. Accordingly, in structuring the Company's compensation arrangement
with its Chief Executive Officer under the 1997 Chief Executive Plan, the
Committee designed an incentive bonus formula and stock option plan which was
intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" in order to decrease
the after-tax cost of such arrangements to the Company. In compliance with
Section 162(m), the 1997 Chief Executive Plan, which provides for incentive-
based compensation, was approved by stockholders.
By the Compensation Committee:
W. Max McGee
Robert S. Nickoloff
9
<PAGE>
OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS
The Compensation Committee reached agreement with Mr. Coss at the
Committee's meeting on February 9, 1996, regarding the terms of a new
employment agreement to be effective on January 1, 1997. The 1997 Employment
Agreement term is five years beginning January 1, 1997 and ending on December
31, 2001. The 1997 Employment Agreement provides for: (1) a base salary of
$600,000 per year; (2) a cash bonus to be determined pursuant to a new chief
executive officer bonus and stock option plan (the "1997 Chief Executive
Plan"); and (3) the issuance to Mr. Coss in 1996 of a two million share option
award pursuant to the 1997 Chief Executive Plan. The 1997 Chief Executive Plan
was approved by stockholders at the last Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
on May 15, 1996.
The Compensation Committee and Mr. Coss also agreed that the terms of his
noncompetition agreement would be extended and would apply for the five-year
term of the 1997 Employment Agreement, plus one year. If retirement or a
change of control occurs during the five-year term, the noncompetition
agreement will apply from the date of such event for the remainder of the
original term of the 1997 Employment Agreement, plus one year.
The 1997 Employment Agreement with Mr. Coss grants him the right to
terminate his employment within two years of a Critical Event (defined as the
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to, or the
acquisition of more than 50 percent of the issued and outstanding voting stock
of the Company by, any person or group of persons acting in concert, or if the
Company is merged into another corporation or is consolidated with another
corporation), provided that the term of the noncompetition agreement will
remain in effect for the balance of the term of the 1997 Employment Agreement,
plus one year. The 1997 Employment Agreement also provides for a termination
payment equal to the largest amount that does not constitute an "excess
parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, provided
that the amount thereof is subject to a cap of 0.5 percent of the valuation
placed on the entire Company in connection with such Critical Event.
The Company has also entered into an agreement with Richard G. Evans,
Executive Vice President, which provides for specified financial arrangements
upon termination of employment with the Company after a change in control. The
agreement has an initial one-year term and thereafter is automatically
renewable for additional one-year terms unless the Company gives notice to Mr.
Evans at least 90 days prior to each December 31 that it does not wish to
extend the agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such notice
by the Company not to extend, the agreement will continue for a period of 24
months beyond its term if a change of control of the Company occurs during
such term. The agreement provides that after a change in control of the
Company, if Mr. Evans, leaves the Company's employ either voluntarily or
involuntarily (other than a termination for cause or due to death or
disability), he is entitled to compensation equal to three times the sum of
(i) his annual base salary, and (ii) an amount equal to the product of his
annual base salary multiplied by the percentage that the discretionary bonus
for the last complete fiscal year bears to the annual base salary for the
prior fiscal year. The agreement also requires the payment of all legal fees
and expenses incurred by Mr. Evans in connection with such a termination of
employment.
PENSION PLAN
Employees of the Company participate in a noncontributory pension plan (the
"Pension Plan"). The Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan qualified under
the Code. To be eligible to receive benefits under the Pension Plan, an
employee must be at least 21 years of age, have completed one full year of
employment, and have worked for the Company for a minimum of 1,000 hours in
the preceding 12 months.
Normal retirement age under the Pension Plan is generally age 65 and
benefits are reduced or increased for retirement prior to or after age 65. The
formula to determine the amount of benefits payable to an employee
10
<PAGE>
upon normal retirement is as follows: 1.2 percent of monthly average earnings
up to covered compensation plus 1.75 percent of monthly average earnings in
excess of covered compensation, multiplied by service up to 35 years. Monthly
average earnings is the employee's total pay during the 60 nonconsecutive
months of the employee's last 120 months of employment with the Company which
give the highest average compensation. None of the Chief Executive Officer's
stock bonus payments count as compensation under the Pension Plan. Covered
compensation is the 35-year average of the social security wage base, varying
by year of birth. The normal Pension Plan option, upon which the funding
assumptions are based, is an option that provides that the participant will
receive benefits for his or her lifetime. Section 415 of the Code limits the
annual benefit which may be paid under a qualified plan. The annual benefit
limit for an individual age 65 as of December 31, 1997, was $125,000. The
Board of Directors adopted a Restated Supplemental Pension Plan in September
1987 pursuant to which the Company will pay any benefits lost due to qualified
plan limitations for the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation
Table and certain other key officers of the Company.
On December 31, 1997, all of the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table above were participants in the Pension Plan, with the
exception of Mr. Potts who resigned effective December 15, 1997. Mr. Coss has
accrued 22 years of service; Mr. Potts, 4 years; Mr. Aplin, 6 years; Mr.
Britton, 3 years; Mr. Crittenden, 2 years; and Mr. Evans, 12 years.
The following table assumes a formula for normal retirement as described
above assuming all income is above covered compensation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ESTIMATED ANNUAL PENSION BASED ON YEARS
ANNUAL OF SERVICE AT NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE
EARNINGS ------------------------------------------------------
(IGHEST 5 YEARS)H 15 20 25 30 35
- ----------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$6,000,000.............. $1,575,000 $2,100,000 $2,625,000 $3,150,000 $3,675,000
5,000,000.............. 1,312,500 1,750,000 2,187,500 2,625,000 3,062,500
4,000,000............. 1,050,000 1,400,000 1,750,000 2,100,000 2,450,000
3,000,000............. 787,500 1,050,000 1,312,500 1,575,000 1,837,500
2,000,000............. 525,000 700,000 875,000 1,050,000 1,225,000
1,500,000............. 393,750 525,000 656,250 787,500 918,750
1,000,000............. 262,500 350,000 437,500 525,000 612,500
500,000............. 131,250 175,000 218,750 262,500 306,250
400,000............. 105,000 140,000 175,000 210,000 245,000
300,000............. 78,750 105,000 131,250 157,500 183,750
225,000............. 59,060 78,750 98,440 118,130 137,810
200,000............. 52,500 70,000 87,500 105,000 122,500
</TABLE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNER AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of March 19, 1998, information about the
ownership of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock by each
stockholder known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5 percent of
such stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF OUTSTANDING
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP SHARES
- ------------------------ -------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Pioneering Management Corporation (1).......... 6,957,400(2) 5.19%
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Investment Advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment
Advisors Act of 1940.
(2) Number of shares owned is based on a Schedule 13G dated March 19, 1998.
11
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth as of February 28, 1998, information about
the ownership of the Company's Common Stock by each Director, each nominee for
Director, by each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table
and by all Directors and Officers as a group. The stockholders listed in the
table have sole voting and investment powers with respect to the shares
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF OUTSTANDING
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP SHARES
- ------------------------ -------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Lawrence M. Coss.............................. 5,899,561(1) 4.40%
Robert D. Potts............................... 322,,242(2) *
Gregory D. Aplin.............................. 111,333(3) *
Jerry W. Britton.............................. 78,100(3) *
Bruce A. Crittenden........................... 70,515(3) *
Richard G. Evans.............................. 419,420(3) *
Mark H. Burton................................ 0 *
Donald S. Howard.............................. 0 *
W. Max McGee.................................. 593,800(4) *
Robert S. Nickoloff........................... 120,000(4) *
All current Directors and Executive Officers
as a group (22 persons)....................... 7,875,350(5) 5.88%
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than one percent.
(1) Includes 16,000 shares held by minor children, 87,200 shares held by
spouse, 80,000 shares held by LVC Investment Company, Inc., and options
for 1,231,600 shares of Common Stock exercisable within 60 days after
February 28, 1998.
(2) Includes 170,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options which are
exercisable currently or within 60 days after February 28, 1998. Mr.
Potts resigned effective December 15, 1997. In connection with Mr. Potts'
resignation, an agreement was reached to extend the exercise period of
certain vested options to acquire 303,333 from January 16, 1998 to July
26, 1998.
(3) Includes 102,333, 72,000, 64,000 and 217,000 shares issuable to Messrs.
Aplin, Britton, Crittenden and Evans, respectively, upon exercise of
stock options which are exercisable currently or within 60 days after
February 28, 1998. Mr. Crittenden's holdings include 40 shares held by
his minor child. Mr. Evans' holdings include 95,000 shares held by his
spouse.
(4) Includes 76,000 and 48,000 shares issuable to Messrs. McGee and
Nickoloff, respectively, upon exercise of stock options which are
exercisable currently or within 60 days after February 28, 1998. Mr.
McGee's holdings include 200,000 shares held by his spouse.
(5) Includes 2,367,333 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
exercisable currently or within 60 days after February 28, 1998.
SECTION 16(A) REPORTING
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the Company's Directors, executive
officers and all person who beneficially own more than 10% of the outstanding
shares of the Company's Common Stock to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the New York Stock Exchange initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of such Common Stock. Directors, executive
officers and greater-than-10%-beneficial
12
<PAGE>
owners are also required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section
16(a) reports they file. To the Company's knowledge, based upon a review of
the copies of such reports furnished to the Company during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to
the Company's Directors, executive officers and greater-than-10% beneficial
owners were complied with.
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
(ITEM 2)
The Board of Directors of the Company, upon recommendation of the Audit
Committee, has selected the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
auditors of the Company for the year ending December 31, 1998, subject to the
approval of the stockholders. Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick will be
present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be given a opportunity
to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions following the meeting.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF
THE SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS THE COMPANY'S AUDITORS. PROXIES WILL
BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH PROPOSAL UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In 1997, certain executive officers of the Company were eligible to borrow
funds from the Company to purchase Company Common Stock in the open market The
notes issued in connection with the loans to these executive officers are due
on demand and carry a 6 percent interest rate or applicable federal rates in
effect at the time the loan is made. Such Directors and executive officers are
required to pay interest annually on such notes. The principal amounts of the
notes are due upon the earlier of (i) 30 days after the date of resignation or
other termination of employment with the Company; or (ii) 3 years from the
date of the note. The following table indicates the largest outstanding
balances of any loans exceeding $60,000 at any time during 1997, and the rate
of interest applicable to such loans.
STOCK LOANS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STOCK LOAN MAXIMUM BALANCE OF
BALANCE AT STOCK LOAN STOCK LOAN
DECEMBER 31, 1997 DURING 1997 INTEREST RATE
----------------- ------------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory D. Aplin............. $156,068 $156,068 6.0%
Jerry W. Britton............. 187,743 187,743 6.0%
Bruce A. Crittenden.......... 201,693 201,693 6.0%
Edward L. Finn............... 136,260 136,260 6.0%
Joel H. Gottesman............ 146,680 146,680 6.0%
Mark A. Shepherd............. 100,920 100,920 6.0%
Jeffrey A. Vanthournout...... 68,290 68,290 6.0%
</TABLE>
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING
All proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company must be received by the Company at its
executive offices in Saint Paul, Minnesota on or before November 29, 1998, for
inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and Proxy for such meeting.
13
<PAGE>
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (an annual filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997, may be obtained without charge by writing to Green Tree Financial
Corporation, 1100 Landmark Towers, 345 St. Peter Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota
55102-1639, Attention: John A. Dolphin, Vice President and Director of Investor
Relations.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LOGO
JOEL H. GOTTESMAN
Secretary
Dated: March 30, 1998
14
<PAGE>
PROXY
-----
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1100 LANDMARK TOWERS
345 ST. PETER STREET
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102-1639
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GREEN TREE
FINANCIAL CORPORATION. The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence M. Coss and
Joel H. Gottesman, and each of them, with power of substitution, to vote all
stock the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Green Tree Financial Corporation to be held on Wednesday, May
13, 1998, at 2:00 p.m., and at any adjournments thereof, as specified below on
the matters referred to, and in their discretion, upon any other matters which
may be brought before the meeting.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
____ FOR the nominees listed below.
____ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for the nominees listed below. (If you
wish to withhold authority for any of the Directors, strike out the
appropriate name(s).)
Nominee for term expiring in 2000: Donald S. Howard
Nominees for term expiring in 2001: Mark H. Burton, Richard G. Evans and
Robert S. Nickoloff
2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS.
_____FOR _____AGAINST _____ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion to transact such other business as may come before
the meeting.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned Stockholder(s). If no direction is made, this Proxy
will be voted FOR the directors named in Item 1 and FOR the proposal under Item
2, and with discretionary authority on any other business as may properly come
before the meeting.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY NO. __________ GREEN TREE NO. OF SHARES __________
Please sign exactly as name(s) appear below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both stockholders must sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please include full title. If a
corporation, please type in full corporate name and sign by the President or
other authorized officer. If a partnership, please type in partnership name and
sign by an authorized person.
Individuals, Corporation, Partnership (or other entity):
___________________________________
Signature
___________________________________
Signature (if jointly held)
Title_______________________________
Dated:__________________________,1998
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
