<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. 11)*
ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC.
________________________________________________________________
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
________________________________________________________________
(Title of Class of Securities)
01-975T105
_____________________________
(CUSIP Number)
Allmerica Financial Corporation COPY TO: Lauren I. Norton, Esq.
440 Lincoln Street Ropes & Gray
Worcester, MA 01605 One International Place
Attention: John F. Kelly, Esq. Boston, MA 02110
(508) 855-1000 (617) 951-7000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
Communications)
June 17, 1997
______________________________________________________
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement (A fee is
not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to
be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 11 TO
SCHEDULE 13D
------------
This Amendment No. 11 to Schedule 13D relating to the common stock, $1.00 par
value per share, (the "Common Stock") of Allmerica Property & Casualty
Companies, Inc. (the "Issuer") is filed to reflect the following information:
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
-------------------------------------------------
Item 3 is hereby amended to include the following paragraph immediately after
the last paragraph:
On June 17, 1997, AFC and The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase") entered into an
agreement (the "Credit Agreement") which provides for a $225 million revolving
line of credit that expires on December 15, 1997 (the "Senior Credit Facility").
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility will be unsecured and will bear
interest as a rate per annum equal to, at AFC's option, Chase's base rate or the
eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin. The proceeds of the Senior Credit
Facility will be used, in part, to finance the cash portion of the Merger
Consideration. The Credit Agreement is filed as Exhibit 21 hereto and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction.
---------------------------
Item 4 is hereby amended to include the following immediately following the
penultimate paragraph and immediately preceding the last paragraph:
On June 16, 1997, the Information Statement of the Issuer was mailed to
stockholders of the Issuer. The Information Statement is filed as Exhibit 22
hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Page 2 of 4 Pages
<PAGE>
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits
--------------------------------
Item 7 is hereby amended by the addition of the following exhibits to the end
thereof:
Exhibit 21 Credit Agreement between Chase and AFC.
Exhibit 22 Information Statement of the Issuer.
Page 3 of 4 Pages
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: June 18, 1997
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Edward J. Parry III
---------------------------
Title: Vice President
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Edward J. Parry III
---------------------------
Title: Vice President
SMA FINANCIAL CORP.
By: /s/ Edward J. Parry III
---------------------------
Title: Vice President
Page 4 of 4 Pages
<PAGE>
[Execution Copy]
************************************************************
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
-----------------------------
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 17, 1997
------------------------------
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Administrative Agent
************************************************************
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Table of Contents is not part of the Agreement to which it is
attached but is inserted for convenience of reference only.
<TABLE>
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Page
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<S> <C>
Section 1. Definitions and Accounting Matters.................. 1
1.01 Certain Defined Terms................................ 1
1.02 Accounting Terms and Determinations.................. 18
1.03 Types of Loans....................................... 19
Section 2. Commitments, Loans, and Prepayments................. 19
2.01 Loans................................................ 19
2.02 Borrowings........................................... 19
2.03 Changes of Commitments............................... 20
2.04 Loan Fee............................................. 20
2.05 Lending Offices...................................... 20
2.06 Several Obligations; Remedies Independent............ 20
2.07 Evidence of Debt..................................... 21
2.08 Prepayments and Conversions or Continuations of
Loans................................................ 21
Section 3. Payments of Principal and Interest.................. 22
3.01 Repayment of Loans................................... 22
3.02 Interest............................................. 22
Section 4. Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Computations;
Etc................................................. 23
4.01 Payments............................................. 23
4.02 Pro Rata Treatment................................... 24
4.03 Computations......................................... 24
4.04 Minimum Amounts...................................... 24
4.05 Certain Notices...................................... 25
4.06 Non-Receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent..... 26
4.07 Sharing of Payments, Etc............................. 27
Section 5. Yield Protection, Etc............................... 28
5.01 Additional Costs..................................... 28
5.02 Limitation on Types of Loans......................... 30
5.03 Illegality........................................... 31
5.04 Treatment of Affected Loans.......................... 31
5.05 Compensation......................................... 32
5.06 U.S. Taxes........................................... 33
Section 6. Conditions Precedent................................ 35
6.01 Initial Loan......................................... 35
6.02 Initial and Subsequent Loans......................... 36
</TABLE>
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Section 7. Representations and Warranties...................... 37
7.01 Corporate Existence.................................. 37
7.02 Financial Condition.................................. 37
7.03 Litigation........................................... 38
7.04 No Breach............................................ 38
7.05 Action............................................... 38
7.06 Approvals............................................ 38
7.07 Margin Stock......................................... 39
7.08 ERISA................................................ 39
7.09 Taxes................................................ 39
7.10 Investment Company Act............................... 39
7.11 Public Utility Holding Company Act................... 39
7.12 Environmental Matters................................ 39
7.13 Subsidiaries, Etc.................................... 40
7.14 Title to Assets...................................... 41
7.15 True and Complete Disclosure......................... 41
Section 8. Covenants of the Company............................ 41
8.01 Financial Statements Etc............................. 42
8.02 Litigation........................................... 46
8.03 Existence, Etc....................................... 46
8.04 Prohibition of Fundamental Changes................... 47
8.05 Limitation on Liens.................................. 49
8.06 Indebtedness......................................... 51
8.07 Lines of Business.................................... 51
8.08 Transactions with Affiliates......................... 52
8.09 Use of Proceeds...................................... 52
8.10 Consolidated Debt to Net Worth....................... 52
8.11 Minimum Statutory Surplus............................ 52
Section 9. Events of Default................................... 53
Section 10. The Administrative Agent........................... 57
10.01 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.................. 57
10.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent.................... 58
10.03 Defaults............................................ 58
10.04 Rights as a Lender.................................. 58
10.05 Indemnification..................................... 59
10.06 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other
Lenders............................................. 59
10.07 Failure to Act...................................... 60
10.08 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent...... 60
Section 11. Miscellaneous...................................... 61
11.01 Waiver.............................................. 61
11.02 Notices 61
11.03 Expenses, Etc....................................... 61
11.04 Amendments, Etc..................................... 63
11.05 Successors and Assigns.............................. 63
11.06 Assignments and Participations...................... 63
11.07 Replacement of Lender............................... 65
</TABLE>
(ii)
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<S> <C>
11.08 Survival............................................ 66
11.09 Captions............................................ 67
11.10 Counterparts........................................ 67
11.11 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction........... 67
11.12 Waiver of Jury Trial................................ 67
11.13 Treatment of Certain Information;
Confidentiality..................................... 68
</TABLE>
SCHEDULE I - Indebtedness
SCHEDULE II - Subsidiaries and Investments
SCHEDULE III - Investment Company Act
EXHIBIT A - Form of Opinion of Counsel to
the Company
EXHIBIT B - Form of Opinion of Special New York
Counsel to Chase
EXHIBIT C - Form of Confidentiality Agreement
EXHIBIT D - Form of Assignment and Acceptance
(iii)
<PAGE>
CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of June 17, 1997, between: ALLMERICA
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Company"); each of the lenders that is a
-------
signatory hereto identified under the caption "LENDERS" on the signature pages
hereto and each lender that becomes a "Lender" after the date hereof pursuant to
Section 11.06(b) or 11.07 hereof (individually, a "Lender" and, collectively,
------
the "Lenders"); and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation, as
-------
agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such
capacity, the "Administrative Agent").
--------------------
The Company has requested that the Lenders make loans to it in an
aggregate principal amount not exceeding $225,000,000 at any one time
outstanding and the Lenders are prepared to make such loans upon the terms and
conditions hereof. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions and Accounting Matters.
----------------------------------
1.01 Certain Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms
---------------------
shall have the following meanings (all terms defined in this Section 1.01 or in
other provisions of this Agreement in the singular to have the same meanings
when used in the plural and vice versa):
---- -----
"Acquisition" shall mean the acquisition by the Company of the
-----------
outstanding shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of APY not
already held directly or indirectly by the Company pursuant to the Merger
Agreement.
"Adjusted Statutory Surplus" shall mean, on any date, the sum, for
--------------------------
FAFLIC and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis, without
duplication in accordance with SAP), of (a) Statutory Surplus on such date plus
----
(b) the amount of AVR on such date.
"Administrative Questionnaire" shall mean an Administrative
----------------------------
Questionnaire in the form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
"Affiliate" shall mean any Person that directly or indirectly
---------
controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, the Company.
As used in this definition, "control" (including, with its correlative meanings,
-------
"controlled by" and "under common control with") shall mean possession, directly
------------- -------------------------
or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or
policies (whether through ownership of
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 2 -
securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or
otherwise), provided that, in any event, any Person that owns directly or
--------
indirectly securities having 20% or more of the voting power for the election of
directors or other governing body of a corporation or 20% or more of the
partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person (other than as a
limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to control such corporation
or other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) no individual shall be an
Affiliate solely by reason of being, nor considered to have the power to direct
or cause the direction of management or policies solely by reason of being or
actions taken as, a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (b) none of the Subsidiaries of the Company shall be
Affiliates.
"AFLIAC" shall mean Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity
------
Company, a Delaware insurance company.
"Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority" shall mean, when used with
-----------------------------------------
respect to any Insurance Subsidiary, the insurance department or similar
administrative authority or agency located in the State in which such Insurance
Subsidiary is domiciled.
"Applicable Lending Office" shall mean, for each Lender and for each
-------------------------
Type of Loan, the "Lending Office" of such Lender (or of an affiliate of such
Lender) designated for such Type of Loan in the Administrative Questionnaire
submitted by such Lender or such other office of such Lender (or of an affiliate
of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the
Administrative Agent and the Company as the office by which its Loans of such
Type are to be made and maintained.
"Applicable Loan Fee Percentage" shall mean the rate per annum set
------------------------------
forth opposite the applicable Rating Level in the schedule below:
Credit Agreement
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<PAGE>
- 3 -
Loan Fee Percentage
-------------------
Rating Level 1 0.045%
Rating Level 2 0.050%
Rating Level 3 0.055%
Rating Level 4 0.065%
Rating Level 5 0.080%
Rating Level 6 0.100%
Rating Level 7 0.125%
Any change in the Loan Fee Percentage by reason of a change in the Standard &
Poor's Rating or the Moody's Rating shall become effective on the date of
announcement or publication by the respective rating agencies of a change in
such rating or, in the absence of such announcement or publication, on the
effective date of such changed rating.
"Applicable Margin" shall mean, with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the
-----------------
rate per annum set forth opposite the applicable Rating Level in the schedule
below:
Applicable Margin
-----------------
Rating Level 1 0.1425%
Rating Level 2 0.1500%
Rating Level 3 0.1700%
Rating Level 4 0.1850%
Rating Level 5 0.2200%
Rating Level 6 0.3000%
Rating Level 7 0.4250%
Any change in the Applicable Margin by reason of a change in the Standard &
Poor's Rating or the Moody's Rating shall become effective on the date of
announcement or publication by the respective rating agencies of a change in
such rating or, in the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 4 -
absence of such announcement or publication, on the effective date of such
changed rating.
"APY" shall mean Allmerica Property & Casualty Companies, Inc., a
---
Delaware corporation.
"AVR" shall mean, on any date of determination thereof, for FAFLIC and
---
its Subsidiaries, the asset valuation reserve (as determined in accordance with
SAP) as at the last day of the fiscal quarter of FAFLIC ending on or most
recently ended prior to such date.
"Bankruptcy Code" shall mean the Federal Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as
---------------
amended from time to time.
"Base Rate" shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the
---------
higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the
Prime Rate for such day. Each change in any interest rate provided for herein
based upon the Base Rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate shall take
effect at the time of such change in the Base Rate.
"Base Rate Loans" shall mean Loans that bear interest at rates based
---------------
upon the Base Rate.
"Basle Accord" shall mean the proposals for risk-based capital
------------
framework described by the Basle Committee on Banking Regulations and
Supervisory Practices in its paper entitled "International Convergence of
Capital Measurement and Capital Standards" dated July 1988, as amended, modified
and supplemented and in effect from time to time or any replacement thereof.
"Business Day" shall mean any day (a) on which commercial banks are
------------
not authorized or required to close in New York City and (b) if such day relates
to a borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, a
Conversion of or into, or an Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice
by the Company with respect to any such borrowing, payment, prepayment,
Conversion or Interest Period, that is also a day on which dealings in Dollar
deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.
"Capital Lease Obligations" shall mean, for any Person, all
-------------------------
obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or
other agreement conveying the right to use) Property to the extent such
obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease
on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and, for purposes of this
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 5 -
Agreement, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount
thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Chase" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank.
-----
"Citizens" shall mean Citizens Insurance Company of America, a
--------
Michigan insurance company.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date upon which the initial Loan
------------
hereunder is made.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
----
time to time.
"Commitment" shall mean, as to each Lender, the obligation of such
----------
Lender to make Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
outstanding up to but not exceeding the amount set opposite the name of such
Lender on the signature pages hereof under the caption "Commitment" or, in the
case of a Person that becomes a Lender pursuant to an assignment permitted under
Section 11.06(b) or 11.07 hereof, as specified in the respective instrument of
assignment pursuant to which such assignment is effected (as the same may be
reduced at any time or from time to time pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof).
"Commitment Termination Date" shall mean December 15, 1997.
---------------------------
"Continue", "Continuation" and "Continued" shall refer to the
-------- ------------ ---------
continuation pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof of a Eurodollar Loan from one
Interest Period to the next Interest Period.
"Convert", "Conversion" and "Converted" shall refer to a conversion
------- ---------- ---------
pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof of one Type of Loans into another Type of Loans,
which may be accompanied by the transfer by a Lender (at its sole discretion) of
a Loan from one Applicable Lending Office to another.
"Default" shall mean an Event of Default or an event that with notice
-------
or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.
"Dollars" and "$" shall mean lawful money of the United States of
------- -
America.
"Environmental Claim" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
-------------------
written notice, claim, demand or other communication
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 6 -
(collectively, a "claim") by any other Person alleging or asserting such
-----
Person's liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response
costs, damages to natural resources or other Property, personal injuries, fines
or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from (i) the presence, or
Release into the environment, of any Hazardous Material at any location, whether
or not owned by such Person, or (ii) circumstances forming the basis of any
violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law. The term
"Environmental Claim" shall include, without limitation, any claim by any
governmental authority for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or
other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, and any
claim by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost
recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from the presence of
Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to
health, safety or the environment.
"Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all present and future
------------------
Federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules or regulations, and any orders or
decrees, in each case as now or hereafter in effect, relating to the regulation
or protection of human health, safety or the environment or to emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants,
chemicals or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the indoor or outdoor
environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, soil, surface water,
ground water, wetlands, land or subsurface strata, or otherwise relating to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or toxic or
hazardous substances or wastes.
"Equity Rights" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
-------------
subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements
of any kind (including, without limitation, any stockholders' or voting trust
agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of, or securities
convertible into, any additional shares of capital stock of any class, or
partnership or other ownership interests of any type in, such Person.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
-----
1974, as amended from time to time.
"ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any corporation or trade or business that
---------------
is a member of any group of organizations (i) described in Section 414(b) or (c)
of the Code of which the Company is a member and (ii) solely for purposes of
potential
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 7 -
liability under Section 302(c)(11) of ERISA and Section 412(c)(11) of the Code
and the lien created under Section 302(f) of ERISA and Section 412(n) of the
Code, described in Section 414(m) or (o) of the Code of which the Company is a
member.
"Eurodollar Base Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar
--------------------
Loan for any Interest Period therefor:
(a) the rate per annum appearing on display page 3750 (British
Bankers Association - LIBOR) of the Dow Jones Markets Service (or any
successor or substitute therefor) as of 11:00 a.m. London time two Business
Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for such Loan as the
London Interbank Offered Rate for Dollar deposits having a term comparable
to such Interest Period and (if applicable) in an amount of $1,000,000 or
more; or
(b) if no such rate appears on display page 3750 (British Bankers
Association - LIBOR) of the Dow Jones Markets Service (or any successor or
substitute therefor) or, if said page shall cease to be publicly available
or if the information contained on said page, in the reasonable judgment of
the Administrative Agent, shall cease accurately to reflect the rate
offered by leading banks in the London interbank market ("London Interbank
----------------
Offered Rate") (as reported by any publicly available source of similar
------------
market data selected by the Administrative Agent that, in the reasonable
judgment of the Administrative Agent, accurately reflects the London
Interbank Offered Rate), the rate per annum, as determined by the
Administrative Agent, quoted by Chase at approximately 11:00 a.m. London
time (or as soon thereafter as practicable) on the date two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period for such Loan for the
offering by Chase to leading banks in the London interbank market of Dollar
deposits having a term comparable to such Interest Period and in an amount
comparable to the principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan to be made for
such Interest Period.
"Eurodollar Loans" shall mean Loans that bear interest at rates based
----------------
on rates referred to in the definition of "Eurodollar Base Rate" in this Section
1.01.
"Eurodollar Rate" shall mean, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest
---------------
Period therefor, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the
Eurodollar Base Rate
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 8 -
for such Loan for such Interest Period divided by 1 minus the Reserve
Requirement (if any) for such Loan for such Interest Period.
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
----------------
Section 9 hereof.
"FAFLIC" shall mean First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company,
------
a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
"Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum
------------------
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such
day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day
next succeeding such day, provided that (a) if the day for which such rate is to
--------
be determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall
be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so
published on the next succeeding Business Day and (b) if such rate is not so
published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such Business Day
shall be the average rate charged to Chase on such Business Day on such
transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
"Funded Debt" shall mean, for any Person: (a) all Indebtedness for
-----------
such Person that should be reflected on a balance sheet of such Person in
accordance with GAAP and (b) all Indebtedness for any other Person that should
be reflected on a balance sheet of such other Person in accordance with GAAP and
that is secured by a Lien on the Property of such Person, is supported by a
letter of credit issued for account of, or is Guaranteed by, such Person;
provided that, Funded Debt shall include (i) the aggregate liquidation
- --------
preference of all preferred securities that are mandatorily redeemable,
exchangeable or convertible into debt at the option of the holder or redeemable
at the option of the holder, less than ten years after issue and (ii) the
aggregate liquidation preference of all Special Preferred Securities but only
that portion of such aggregate liquidation preference that is on such date equal
to, or in excess of, 15% of Total Capitalization on such date.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles applied on
----
a basis consistent with those that, in accordance with the last sentence of
Section 1.02(a) hereof, are to be used in making the calculations for purposes
of determining compliance with this Agreement.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 9 -
"Guarantee" shall mean a guarantee, an endorsement, a contingent
---------
agreement to purchase or to furnish funds for the payment or maintenance of, or
otherwise to be or become contingently liable under or with respect to, the
Indebtedness, other obligations, net worth, working capital or earnings of any
Person, or a guarantee of the payment of dividends or other distributions upon
the stock or equity interests of any Person, or an agreement to purchase, sell
or lease (as lessee or lessor) Property, products, materials, supplies or
services primarily for the purpose of enabling a debtor to make payment of such
debtor's obligations or an agreement to assure a creditor against loss, and
including, without limitation, causing a bank or other financial institution to
issue a letter of credit or other similar instrument for the benefit of another
Person, but excluding endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary
course of business. The terms "Guarantee" and "Guaranteed" used as a verb shall
--------- ----------
have a correlative meaning.
"Hanover" shall mean The Hanover Insurance Company, a New Hampshire
-------
insurance company.
"Hazardous Material" shall mean, collectively, (a) any petroleum or
------------------
petroleum products, flammable materials, explosives, radioactive materials,
asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, and transformers or other equipment
that contain polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB's"), (b) any chemicals or other
-----
materials or substances that are now or hereafter become defined as or included
in the definition of "hazardous substances", "hazardous wastes", "hazardous
materials", "extremely hazardous wastes", "restricted hazardous wastes", "toxic
substances", "toxic pollutants", "contaminants", "pollutants" or words of
similar import under any Environmental Law and (c) any other chemical or other
material or substance, exposure to which is now or hereafter prohibited, limited
or regulated under any Environmental Law.
"Indebtedness" shall mean, for any Person: (a) obligations created,
------------
issued or incurred by such Person for borrowed money (whether by loan, the
issuance and sale of debt securities or the sale of Property to another Person
subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase
such Property from such Person); (b) obligations of such Person to pay the
deferred purchase or acquisition price of Property or services, other than trade
accounts payable (other than for borrowed money) arising, and accrued expenses
incurred, in the ordinary course of business; (c) Indebtedness of others secured
by a Lien on the Property of such Person, whether or not the respective
indebtedness so secured has been assumed by such
Credit Agreement
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Person; (d) obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or
similar instruments issued or accepted by banks and other financial institutions
for account of such Person; (e) Capital Lease Obligations of such Person; and
(f) Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others; provided that
--------
Indebtedness shall not include (i) obligations with respect to insurance
policies, annuities, guaranteed investment contracts and similar products
underwritten by, or Reinsurance Agreements or Retrocession Agreements entered
into by, an Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, (ii)
obligations with respect to Surplus Relief Reinsurance ceded by an Insurance
Subsidiary and (iii) Rate Hedging Obligations.
"Insurance Subsidiaries" shall mean, collectively, FAFLIC, Hanover and
----------------------
any other Subsidiary of the Company licensed to do an insurance business.
"Interest Period" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan,
---------------
each period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Loan is made or Converted
from a Base Rate Loan or (in the event of a Continuation) the last day of the
next preceding Interest Period for such Loan and ending on the numerically
corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth calendar month
thereafter, as the Company may select as provided in Section 4.05 hereof, except
that each Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar
month (or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Business Day of the
appropriate subsequent calendar month.
Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) if any Interest Period would
otherwise end after the Commitment Termination Date, such Interest Period shall
not be available hereunder; (ii) each Interest Period that would otherwise end
on a day that is not a Business Day shall end on the next succeeding Business
Day (or, if such next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding
calendar month, on the next preceding Business Day); and (iii) notwithstanding
clause (i) above, no Interest Period shall have a duration of less than one
month and, if the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan would otherwise be a
shorter period, such Loan shall not be available hereunder for such period.
"Investment" shall mean, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether
----------
for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of capital stock,
bonds, notes, debentures, partnership or other ownership interests or other
securities of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 11 -
(including, without limitation, any "short sale" or any sale of any securities
at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such
sale); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension
of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another
Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to
resell such Property to such Person); (c) the entering into of any Guarantee of,
or other contingent obligation with respect to, Indebtedness or other liability
of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be
advanced, lent or extended to such Person; or (d) the incurring of any Rate
Hedging Obligations.
"Lien" shall mean, with respect to any Property, any mortgage, lien,
----
pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such
Property. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own
subject to a Lien any Property that it has acquired or holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital
lease or other title retention agreement (other than an operating lease)
relating to such Property.
"Loans" shall mean the loans provided for in Section 2.01 hereof,
-----
which may be Base Rate Loans and/or Eurodollar Loans.
"Majority Lenders" shall mean Lenders having more than 50% of the
----------------
aggregate amount of the Commitments or, if the Commitments shall have
terminated, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Loans.
"Margin Stock" shall mean "margin stock" within the meaning of
------------
Regulations U and X.
"Material Adverse Change" shall mean a material adverse change in or
-----------------------
affecting (a) the Property, business, operations or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability
of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder, (c) the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement, (d) the rights and remedies of the Lenders and
the Administrative Agent hereunder or (e) the timely payment of the principal of
or interest on the Loans or other amounts payable in connection therewith.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on (a)
-----------------------
the Property, business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company to
perform its
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 12 -
obligations hereunder, (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, (d)
the rights and remedies of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereunder or
(e) the timely payment of the principal of or interest on the Loans or other
amounts payable in connection therewith.
"Material Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean any Insurance Subsidiary
-----------------------------
that is a Material Subsidiary.
"Material Subsidiary" shall mean, at any time, any Subsidiary of the
-------------------
Company that as of such time would meet the definition of "significant
subsidiary" contained as of the date hereof in Regulation S-X of the Securities
and Exchange Commission if the percentage of 10 percent wherever it appears
therein were changed to 5 percent.
"Merger Agreement" shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
----------------
as of February 19, 1997 between the Company, APY and APY Acquisition, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
"Moody's Rating" shall mean, at any time, the then current rating
--------------
(including the failure to rate) by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. (or any
successor thereto) of the Company's senior unsecured, unguaranteed long term
indebtedness.
"Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan defined as such
------------------
in Section 3(37) of ERISA to which contributions have been made by the Company
or any ERISA Affiliate and that is covered by Title IV of ERISA.
"NAIC" shall mean the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
----
and any successor thereto.
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any
----
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, company, voluntary
------
association, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust,
unincorporated organization or government (or any agency, instrumentality or
political subdivision thereof).
"Plan" shall mean an employee benefit or other plan established or
----
maintained by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate and that is covered by Title IV
of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan.
Credit Agreement
----------------
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- 13 -
"Post-Default Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to 2.0% plus the
----------------- ----
Base Rate as in effect from time to time, provided that, with respect to
--------
principal of a Eurodollar Loan that shall become due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) on a day other than the last day of any
Interest Period therefor, the "Post-Default Rate" shall be, for the period from
and including such due date to but excluding the last day of such Interest
Period, 2.0% plus the interest rate for such Loan as provided in Section 3.02(b)
----
hereof and, thereafter, the rate provided for above in this definition.
"Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest from time to time
----------
announced by Chase at the Principal Office as its prime commercial lending rate.
"Principal Office" shall mean the principal office of Chase, located
----------------
on the date hereof at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
"Principal Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean AFLIAC, Citizens, FAFLIC
------------------------------
and Hanover.
"Property" shall mean any right or interest in or to property of any
--------
kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or
intangible.
"Quarterly Dates" shall mean the last Business Day of March, June,
---------------
September and December in each year, the first of which shall be the first such
day after the date hereof.
"Rate Hedging Obligations" shall mean, for any Person, any and all net
------------------------
obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and
whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals,
extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any
agreements, devices or arrangements designed to protect at least one of the
parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates or
forward rates applicable to such party's assets, liabilities or exchange
transactions, including but not limited to, dollar-denominated or cross-currency
interest rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange agreements,
interest rate cap or collar protection agreements, forward rate currency or
interest rate options, puts and warrants, or any similar derivative transactions
and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or
assignments of any of the forgoing.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 14 -
"Rating Level" shall mean Rating Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. For
------------
purposes of this Agreement, whenever a Rating Level is stated to be higher or
lower than another Rating Level, the terms "higher" and "lower" shall be
determined on the basis that the highest Rating Level is Rating Level 1 and the
lowest Rating Level is Rating Level 7.
"Rating Level 1" shall be deemed to be applicable if the Standard &
--------------
Poor's Rating is at or above AA- (or any successor rating) or the Moody's Rating
is at or above Aa3 (or any successor rating); "Rating Level 2" shall be deemed
--------------
to be applicable if Rating Level 1 is not applicable and the Standard & Poor's
Rating is at or above A+ (or any successor rating) or the Moody's Rating is at
or above A1 (or any successor rating); "Rating Level 3" shall be deemed to be
--------------
applicable if Rating Level 1 and 2 are not applicable and if the Standard &
Poor's Rating is at or above A (or any successor rating) or the Moody's Rating
is at or above A2 (or any successor rating); "Rating Level 4" shall be deemed
--------------
to be applicable if Rating Level 1, 2 and 3 are not applicable and if the
Standard & Poor's Rating is at or above A-(or any successor rating) or the
Moody's Rating is at or above A3 (or any successor rating); "Rating Level 5"
--------------
shall be deemed to be applicable if Rating Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not
applicable and if the Standard & Poor's Rating is at or above BBB+ (or any
successor rating) or the Moody's Rating is at or above Baa1 (or any successor
rating); "Rating Level 6" shall be deemed to be applicable if Rating Level 1,
--------------
2, 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable and if the Standard & Poor's Rating is at or
above BBB (or any successor rating) or the Moody's Rating is at or above Baa2
(or any successor rating); "Rating Level 7" shall be deemed to be applicable if
--------------
Rating Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are not applicable; provided that, if the
--------
Standard & Poor's Rating and the Moody's Rating fall in a Rating Level more than
the one Rating Level apart, then the applicable Rating Level shall be the Rating
Level one higher than the lower of the two Rating Levels.
"Regulations A, D, U and X" shall mean, respectively, Regulations A,
-------------------------
D, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor), as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time
to time.
"Regulatory Change" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, any change
-----------------
after the date hereof in Federal, state or foreign law or regulations
(including, without limitation, Regulation D) or the adoption or making after
such date of any interpretation, directive or request applying to a class of
banks including such Lender of or under any Federal, state or foreign law or
regulations (whether or not having the force of law and
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 15 -
whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful) by any court or
governmental or monetary authority charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof.
"Reinsurance Agreement" shall mean any agreement, contract, treaty or
---------------------
other arrangement (other than Surplus Relief Reinsurance) whereby other insurers
assume insurance from any Insurance Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such
Insurance Subsidiary.
"Release" shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
-------
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into
the indoor or outdoor environment, including, without limitation, the movement
of Hazardous Materials through ambient air, soil, surface water, ground water,
wetlands, land or subsurface strata.
"Reserve Requirement" shall mean, for any Interest Period for any
-------------------
Eurodollar Loan, the average maximum rate at which reserves (including, without
limitation, any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be
maintained during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the
Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one billion
Dollars against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is used in Regulation
D). Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Reserve Requirement shall
include any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks by
reason of any Regulatory Change with respect to (i) any category of liabilities
that includes deposits by reference to which the Eurodollar Base Rate is to be
determined as provided in the definition of "Eurodollar Base Rate" in this
Section 1.01 or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or other assets that
includes Eurodollar Loans.
"Retrocession Agreement" shall mean any agreement, contract, treaty or
----------------------
other arrangement (other than Surplus Relief Reinsurance) whereby any Insurance
Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Insurance Subsidiary cedes reinsurance to
other insurers (other than to another Insurance Subsidiary or any of its
Subsidiaries).
"SAP" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance Subsidiary, the
---
accounting procedures and practices prescribed or permitted by the Applicable
Insurance Regulatory Authority, applied on a basis consistent with those that,
in accordance with the last sentence of Section 1.02(a) hereof, are to be used
in making the calculations for purposes of determining compliance with this
Agreement.
Credit Agreement
----------------
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- 16 -
"Special Preferred Securities" shall mean preferred securities that
----------------------------
are mandatorily redeemable, exchangeable or convertible into debt at the option
of the holder or redeemable at the option of the holder, ten years or more after
the issuance thereof and issued by the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries
of the Company, and that would not be reflected as a liability in a consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
"Standard & Poor's Rating" shall mean, at any time, the then current
------------------------
rating (including the failure to rate) by Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a
division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (or any successor thereto) of the
Company's senior unsecured, unguaranteed long term indebtedness.
"Statutory Statement" shall mean, as to any Insurance Subsidiary, a
-------------------
statement of the condition and affairs of such Insurance Subsidiary, prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices required or permitted by the
Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority, and filed with the Applicable
Insurance Regulatory Authority.
"Statutory Surplus" shall mean, for any Insurance Subsidiary, on any
-----------------
date of determination thereof, the amount (determined in accordance with SAP)
calculated in accordance with methods permitted or prescribed by the Applicable
Regulatory Authority of such Insurance Subsidiary as such Insurance Subsidiary's
statutory reserve as at the last day of the fiscal quarter of such Insurance
Subsidiary ending on or most recently ended prior to such date.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" shall mean (a) the Company's 8.207% Junior
-------------------------
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 and (b) any other
Indebtedness (i) for which the Company is directly and primarily liable, (ii) in
respect of which none of its Subsidiaries is contingently or otherwise obligated
and (iii) that is subordinated to the obligations of the Company to pay
principal of and interest on the Loans hereunder on terms, and pursuant to
documentation containing other terms (including interest, amortization,
covenants and events of default), in form and substance satisfactory to the
Majority Lenders.
"Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
----------
partnership or other entity of which at least a majority of the securities or
other ownership interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 17 -
the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions of such
corporation, partnership or other entity (irrespective of whether or not at the
time securities or other ownership interests of any other class or classes of
such corporation, partnership or other entity shall have or might have voting
power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or
indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Surplus Relief Reinsurance" shall mean any transaction in which any
--------------------------
Insurance Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Insurance Subsidiary cedes
business under a reinsurance agreement that would be considered a "financing-
type" reinsurance agreement as determined by the independent certified public
accountants of the Company in accordance with principles published by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Second Edition of the AICPA Audit
Guide for Stock Life Insurance Companies (pp. 91-92), as the same may be revised
from time to time.
"Total Capitalization" shall mean, at any date, the sum (without
--------------------
duplication) of Total Debt plus Total Shareholders' Equity plus the aggregate
---- ----
liquidation preference of Special Preferred Securities.
"Total Debt" shall mean, as at any date, the sum for the Company and
----------
its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in
accordance with GAAP) of all Funded Debt.
"Total Shareholders' Equity" shall mean at any date the aggregate
--------------------------
shareholders' equity for the Company and its Subsidiaries (determined in
accordance with GAAP); provided that, the aggregate liquidation preference of
--------
Special Preferred Securities shall be included in the calculation of Total
Shareholders' Equity only with respect to that portion of such aggregate
liquidation preference that is less than 15% of Total Capitalization on such
date.
"Type" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.03
----
hereof.
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
-----------------------
corporation, partnership or other entity of which all of the equity securities
or other ownership interests (other than, in the case of a corporation,
directors' qualifying shares) are directly or indirectly owned or controlled by
such Person or
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 18 -
one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one
or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
1.02 Accounting Terms and Determinations.
-----------------------------------
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting
terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and
certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the
Lenders hereunder shall (unless otherwise disclosed to the Lenders in writing at
the time of delivery thereof in the manner described in subsection (b) below) be
prepared, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or
statutory accounting practices, as the case may be, applied on a basis
consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest financial statements
furnished to the Lenders hereunder (which, prior to the delivery of the first
financial statements under Section 8.01 hereof, shall mean the audited, or
annual statutory, financial statements as at December 31, 1996 referred to in
Section 7.02 hereof). All calculations made for the purposes of determining
compliance with this Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided
herein) be made by application of generally accepted accounting principles or
statutory accounting practices, as the case may be, applied on a basis
consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest annual or quarterly
financial statements furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof
(or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements under Section 8.01
hereof, used in the preparation of the audited, or annual statutory, financial
statements as at December 31, 1996 referred to in Section 7.02 hereof) unless
(i) the Company shall have objected to determining such compliance on such basis
at the time of delivery of such financial statements or (ii) the Majority
Lenders shall so object in writing within 30 days after delivery of such
financial statements, in either of which events such calculations shall be made
on a basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest financial
statements as to which such objection shall not have been made (which, if
objection is made in respect of the first financial statements delivered under
Section 8.01 hereof, shall mean the audited, or annual statutory, financial
statements referred to in Section 7.02 hereof).
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Lenders at the same time as the
delivery of any annual or quarterly financial statement under Section 8.01
hereof (i) a description in reasonable detail of any material variation between
the application of accounting principles, or statutory accounting practices,
employed in the preparation of such statement and the application of accounting
principles, or statutory accounting
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 19 -
practices, employed in the preparation of the next preceding annual or quarterly
financial statements as to which no objection has been made in accordance with
the last sentence of subsection (a) above and (ii) reasonable estimates of the
difference between such statements arising as a consequence thereof.
1.03 Types of Loans. Loans hereunder are distinguished by "Type".
--------------
The "Type" of a Loan refers to whether such Loan is a Base Rate Loan or a
Eurodollar Loan, each of which constitutes a Type.
Section 2. Commitments, Loans, and Prepayments.
-----------------------------------
2.01 Loans. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and
-----
conditions of this Agreement, to make loans to the Company in Dollars during the
period from and including the date hereof to but not including the Commitment
Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up
to but not exceeding the amount of the Commitment of such Lender as in effect
from time to time. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
during such period the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow the amount of the
Commitments by means of Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans and may Convert
Loans of one Type into Loans of another Type (as provided in Section 2.08
hereof) or Continue Loans of one Type as Loans of the same Type (as provided in
Section 2.08 hereof); provided that no more than six separate Interest Periods
--------
in respect of Eurodollar Loans from each Lender may be outstanding at any one
time.
2.02 Borrowings. The Company shall give the Administrative Agent
----------
notice of each borrowing hereunder as provided in Section 4.05 hereof. Not
later than 1:00 p.m. New York time on the date specified for each borrowing
hereunder, each Lender shall make available the amount of the Loan or Loans to
be made by it on such date to the Administrative Agent, at an account designated
by the Administrative Agent and maintained with Chase at the Principal Office,
in immediately available funds, for account of the Company. The amount so
received by the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, be made available to the Company by depositing the same, in
immediately available funds, in an account of the Company designated by the
Company and maintained with Chase at the Principal Office.
Credit Agreement
----------------
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2.03 Changes of Commitments.
----------------------
(a) The aggregate amount of the Commitments shall be automatically
reduced to zero on the Commitment Termination Date.
(b) The Company shall have the right at any time or from time to time
(i) so long as no Loans are outstanding, to terminate the Commitments and (ii)
to reduce the aggregate unused amount of the Commitments; provided that (x) the
--------
Company shall give notice of each such termination or reduction as provided in
Section 4.05 hereof and (y) each partial reduction shall be in an aggregate
amount at least equal to $5,000,000 (or a larger multiple of $1,000,000).
(c) The Commitments once terminated or reduced may not be reinstated.
2.04 Loan Fee. The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for
--------
account of each Lender loan fees on the amount of such Lender's Commitment
(whether or not utilized) for the period from and including the date hereof to
but not including the earlier of the date such Commitment is terminated and the
Commitment Termination Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Loan
Fee Percentage. Accrued loan fees shall be payable on each Quarterly Date and
on the earlier of the date the Commitments are terminated and the Commitment
Termination Date.
2.05 Lending Offices. The Loans of each Type made by each Lender
---------------
shall be made and maintained at such Lender's Applicable Lending Office for
Loans of such Type.
2.06 Several Obligations; Remedies Independent. The failure of any
-----------------------------------------
Lender to make any Loan to be made by it on the date specified therefor shall
not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to make its Loan on such date,
but neither any Lender nor the Administrative Agent shall be responsible for the
failure of any other Lender to make a Loan to be made by such other Lender, and
(except as otherwise provided in Section 4.06 hereof) no Lender shall have any
obligation to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender for the failure by
such Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such Lender. The amounts
payable by the Company at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate
and independent debt and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce
its rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any
other Lender or the Administrative Agent to consent to, or be joined as an
additional party in, any proceedings for such purposes.
Credit Agreement
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2.07 Evidence of Debt.
----------------
(a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice
an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Company to such Lender
resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal
and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it
shall record (i) the date, amount, Type, interest rate and duration of Interest
Period (if applicable) of each Loan made hereunder, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the
Company to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the
Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender's
share thereof.
(c) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to clause
(a) or (b) of this Section 2.09 shall be prima facie evidence of the existence
----- -----
and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of
--------
any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error
therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Company to repay
the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(d) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it to the Company be
evidenced by a promissory note of the Company. In such event, the Company shall
prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the
order of such Lender and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.
2.08 Prepayments and Conversions or Continuations of Loans. Subject
-----------------------------------------------------
to Section 4.04 hereof, the Company shall have the right to prepay Loans, or to
Convert Loans of one Type into Loans of another Type or Continue Loans of one
Type as Loans of the same Type, at any time or from time to time, provided that:
--------
(a) the Company shall give the Administrative Agent notice of each such
prepayment, Conversion or Continuation as provided in Section 4.05 hereof (and,
upon the date specified in any such notice of prepayment, the amount to be
prepaid shall become due and payable hereunder) and (b) Eurodollar Loans may be
prepaid or Converted at any time from time to time, provided that the Company
shall pay any amounts owing under Section 5.05 hereof in the event of any such
prepayment or Conversion on any date other than the last day of any Interest
Period for such Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting the
rights and remedies of the Lenders under Section 9 hereof, in the event
Credit Agreement
----------------
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that any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Administrative Agent may (and at the request of the Majority Lenders shall)
suspend the right of the Company to Convert any Loan into a Eurodollar Loan, or
to Continue any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan, in which event all Loans shall be
Converted (on the last day(s) of the respective Interest Periods therefor) or
Continued, as the case may be, as Base Rate Loans.
Section 3. Payments of Principal and Interest.
----------------------------------
3.01 Repayment of Loans. The Company hereby promises to pay to the
------------------
Administrative Agent for account of each Lender the entire outstanding principal
amount of such Lender's Loans, and each Loan shall mature, on the Commitment
Termination Date.
3.02 Interest. The Company hereby promises to pay to the
--------
Administrative Agent for account of each Lender interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each Loan made by such Lender for the period from and including the
date of such Loan to but excluding the date such Loan shall be paid in full, at
the following rates per annum:
(a) during such periods as such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, the Base
Rate (as in effect from time to time) and
(b) during such periods as such Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, for each
Interest Period relating thereto, the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan for
such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin.
----
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or
any fee or other amount payable by the Company hereunder is not paid when due,
whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, the Company hereby
promises to pay (i) interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by
such Lender at a rate per annum equal to 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable
----
to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section and (ii)
the applicable Post-Default Rate on all overdue amounts (other than overdue
principal). Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable (i) in the case of a
Base Rate Loan, quarterly on the Quarterly Dates, (ii) in the case of a
Eurodollar Loan, on the last day of each Interest Period therefor and (iii) in
the case of any Loan, upon the payment or prepayment thereof or the Conversion
of such Loan to a Loan of another Type (but only on the principal amount so
paid, prepaid or Converted), except that interest payable at the Post-Default
Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand. Promptly after the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
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determination of any interest rate provided for herein or any change therein,
the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders to which such
interest is payable and to the Company.
Section 4. Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Computations; Etc.
------------------------------------------------
4.01 Payments.
--------
(a) Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, all payments of
principal, interest and other amounts to be made by the Company under this
Agreement, shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, without
deduction, set-off or counterclaim, to the Administrative Agent at an account
designated by the Administrative Agent and maintained with Chase at the
Principal Office, not later than 1:00 p.m. New York time on the date on which
such payment shall become due (each such payment made after such time on such
due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day).
(b) The Company shall, at the time of making each payment under this
Agreement for account of any Lender, specify to the Administrative Agent (which
shall so notify the intended recipient(s) thereof) the Loans or other amounts
payable by the Company hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in
the event that the Company fails to so specify, or if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may distribute such payment
to the Lenders for application in such manner as it or the Majority Lenders,
subject to Section 4.02 hereof, may determine to be appropriate).
(c) Each payment received by the Administrative Agent under this
Agreement for account of any Lender shall be paid by the Administrative Agent
promptly to such Lender, in immediately available funds, for account of such
Lender's Applicable Lending Office for the Loan or other obligation in respect
of which such payment is made.
(d) If the due date of any payment under this Agreement would
otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, such date shall be extended
to the next succeeding Business Day, and interest shall be payable for any
principal so extended for the period of such extension.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 24 -
(e) The Company shall be fully protected in making all payments of
principal and interest to be made by the Company under this Agreement to the
Administrative Agent.
4.02 Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided
------------------
herein: (a) each borrowing from the Lenders under Section 2.01 hereof shall be
made from the Lenders, each payment of loan fees under Section 2.04 hereof shall
be made to the Administrative Agent for account of the Lenders, and each
termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments under Section 2.03
hereof shall be applied to the respective Commitments of the Lenders, pro rata
according to the amounts of their respective Commitments; (b) except as
otherwise provided in Section 5.04 hereof, Eurodollar Loans having the same
Interest Period shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders according to the
amounts of their respective Commitments (in the case of the making of Loans) or
their respective Loans (in the case of Conversions and Continuations of Loans);
(c) each payment or prepayment of principal of Loans by the Company shall be
made for account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective
unpaid principal amounts of the Loans held by them; and (d) each payment of
interest on Loans by the Company shall be made for account of the Lenders pro
rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and
payable to the respective Lenders.
4.03 Computations. Interest on Eurodollar Loans and loan fees shall
------------
be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for
which payable and interest on Base Rate Loans shall be computed on the basis of
a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for
which payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each day that the Base Rate
is calculated by reference to the Federal Funds Rate, interest on Base Rate
Loans shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days
elapsed.
4.04 Minimum Amounts. Each borrowing, Conversion and partial
---------------
prepayment of principal of Loans shall be in an aggregate amount at least equal
to $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,0000 (borrowings, Conversions or
prepayments of or into Loans of different Types or, in the case of Eurodollar
Loans, having different Interest Periods at the same time hereunder to be deemed
separate borrowings, Conversions and prepayments for purposes of the foregoing,
one for each Type or Interest Period), provided that the aggregate principal
--------
amount of Eurodollar Loans
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 25 -
having the same Interest Period shall be in an amount at least equal to
$5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000 and, if any Eurodollar Loans would
otherwise be in a lesser principal amount for any period, such Loans shall be
Base Rate Loans during such period.
4.05 Certain Notices. Notices by the Company to the Administrative
---------------
Agent of terminations or reductions of the Commitments and of borrowings,
Conversions, Continuations and optional prepayments of Loans, of Types of Loans
and of the duration of Interest Periods shall be irrevocable and shall be
effective only if received by the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m.
New York time on the number of Business Days prior to the date of the relevant
termination, reduction, borrowing, Conversion, Continuation or prepayment or the
first day of such Interest Period specified below:
Number of
Business
Notice Days Prior
------ ----------
Termination or reduction
of Commitments 1
Borrowing or prepayment of,
or Conversions into,
Base Rate Loans same day
Borrowing or prepayment of,
Conversions into, Continuations
as, or duration of Interest
Period for, Eurodollar Loans 3
Each such notice of termination or reduction shall specify the amount of the
Commitments to be terminated or reduced. Each such notice of borrowing,
Conversion, Continuation or optional prepayment shall specify the Loans to be
borrowed, Converted, Continued or prepaid and the amount (subject to Section
4.04 hereof) and Type of each Loan to be borrowed, Converted, Continued or
prepaid and the date of borrowing, Conversion, Continuation or optional
prepayment (which shall be a Business Day). Each such notice of the duration of
an Interest Period shall specify the Loans to which such Interest Period is to
relate. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of the
contents of each such notice. In the event that the Company fails to select the
Type of Loan, or the duration of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan,
within the time period and otherwise as provided in this Section 4.05, such Loan
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 26 -
(if outstanding as a Eurodollar Loan) will be automatically Converted into a
Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Loan
or (if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan) will remain as, or (if not then
outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan.
4.06 Non-Receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent. Unless the
------------------------------------------------
Administrative Agent shall have been notified by a Lender or the Company (the
"Payor") prior to the date on which the Payor is to make payment to the
- ------
Administrative Agent of (in the case of a Lender) the proceeds of a Loan to be
made by such Lender hereunder or (in the case of the Company) a payment to the
Administrative Agent for account of one or more of the Lenders hereunder (such
payment being herein called the "Required Payment"), which notice shall be
----------------
effective upon receipt, that the Payor does not intend to make the Required
Payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that
the Required Payment has been made and may, in reliance upon such assumption
(but shall not be required to), make the amount thereof available to the
intended recipient(s) on such date; and, if the Payor has not in fact made the
Required Payment to the Administrative Agent, the recipient(s) of such payment
shall, on demand, repay to the Administrative Agent the amount so made available
together with interest thereon in respect of each day during the period
commencing on the date (the "Advance Date") such amount was so made available by
------------
the Administrative Agent until the date the Administrative Agent recovers such
amount at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate for such day and, if
such recipient(s) shall fail promptly to make such payment, the Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount, on demand, from the Payor,
together with interest as aforesaid, provided that if neither the recipient(s)
--------
nor the Payor shall return the Required Payment to the Administrative Agent
within three Business Days of the Advance Date, then, retroactively to the
Advance Date, the Payor and the recipient(s) shall each be obligated to pay
interest on the Required Payment as follows:
(i) if the Required Payment shall represent a payment to be made
by the Company to the Lenders, the Company and the recipient(s) shall each
be obligated retroactively to the Advance Date to pay interest in respect
of the Required Payment at the Post-Default Rate (without duplication of
the obligation of the Company under Section 3.02 hereof to pay interest on
the Required Payment at the Post-Default Rate), it being understood that
the return by the recipient(s) of the Required Payment to the
Administrative Agent shall not limit such obligation of the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 27 -
Company under said Section 3.02 to pay interest at the Post-Default Rate in
respect of the Required Payment and
(ii) if the Required Payment shall represent proceeds of a Loan
to be made by the Lenders to the Company, the Payor and the Company shall
each be obligated retroactively to the Advance Date to pay interest in
respect of the Required Payment pursuant to whichever of the rates
specified in Section 3.02 hereof is applicable to the Type of such Loan, it
being understood that the return by the Company of the Required Payment to
the Administrative Agent shall not limit any claim the Company may have
against the Payor in respect of such Required Payment.
4.07 Sharing of Payments, Etc.
-------------------------
(a) The Company agrees that, in addition to (and without limitation
of) any right of set-off, banker's lien or counterclaim a Lender may otherwise
have, each Lender shall be entitled, at its option (to the fullest extent
permitted by law), to set off and apply any deposit (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final), or other indebtedness, held by it for the credit
or account of the Company at any of its offices, in Dollars or in any other
currency, against any principal of or interest on any of such Lender's Loans or
any other amount payable to such Lender hereunder, that is not paid when due
(regardless of whether such deposit or other indebtedness are then due to the
Company), in which case it shall promptly notify the Company and the
Administrative Agent thereof, provided that such Lender's failure to give such
--------
notice shall not affect the validity thereof.
(b) If any Lender shall obtain from the Company payment of any
principal of or interest on any Loan owing to it or payment of any other amount
under this Agreement through the exercise of any right of set-off, banker's lien
or counterclaim or similar right or otherwise (other than from the
Administrative Agent as provided herein), and, as a result of such payment, such
Lender shall have received a greater percentage of the principal of or interest
on the Loans or such other amounts then due hereunder by the Company to such
Lender than the percentage received by any other Lender, it shall promptly
purchase from such other Lenders participations in (or, if and to the extent
specified by such Lender, direct interests in) the Loans or such other amounts,
respectively, owing to such other Lenders (or in interest due thereon, as the
case may be) in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time
as shall be equitable, to the end that all the Lenders shall share the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 28 -
benefit of such excess payment (net of any expenses that may be incurred by such
Lender in obtaining or preserving such excess payment) pro rata in accordance
with the unpaid principal of and/or interest on the Loans or such other amounts,
respectively, owing to each of the Lenders. To such end all the Lenders shall
make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participations
sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored.
(c) The Company agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a
participation (or direct interest) may exercise all rights of set-off, banker's
lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation as fully
as if such Lender were a direct holder of Loans or other amounts (as the case
may be) owing to such Lender in the amount of such participation.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall require any Lender to exercise any
such right or shall affect the right of any Lender to exercise, and retain the
benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to any other indebtedness or
obligation of the Company. If, under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a set-off to
which this Section 4.07 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable,
exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with
the rights of the Lenders entitled under this Section 4.07 to share in the
benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
Section 5. Yield Protection, Etc.
----------------------
5.01 Additional Costs.
----------------
(a) The Company shall pay directly to each Lender from time to time
such amounts as such Lender may reasonably determine to be necessary to
compensate such Lender for any costs that such Lender determines are
attributable to its making or maintaining of any Eurodollar Loans or its
obligation to make any Eurodollar Loans hereunder, or any reduction in any
amount receivable by such Lender hereunder in respect of any of such Loans or
such obligation (such increases in costs and reductions in amounts receivable
being herein called "Additional Costs"), resulting from any Regulatory Change
----------------
that:
(i) shall subject any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office
for any of such Loans) to any tax, duty or other charge in respect of such
Loans or changes the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such
Lender under this
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 29 -
Agreement in respect of any of such Loans (excluding changes in the rate of
tax on the overall net income of such Lender or of such Applicable Lending
Office by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office or
such Applicable Lending Office); or
(ii) imposes or modifies any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirements (other than the Reserve Requirement utilized in the
determination of the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan) relating to any
extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other
liabilities of, such Lender (including, without limitation, any of such
Loans or any deposits referred to in the definition of "Eurodollar Base
Rate" in Section 1.01 hereof), or any commitment of such Lender (including,
without limitation, the Commitment of such Lender hereunder); or
(iii) imposes any other condition affecting this Agreement (or
any of such extensions of credit or liabilities) or its Commitment.
If any Lender requests compensation from the Company under this Section 5.01(a),
the Company may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender thereafter to make or Continue
Eurodollar Loans, or to Convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans, until the
Regulatory Change giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which
case the provisions of Section 5.04 hereof shall be applicable), provided that
--------
such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the
compensation so requested.
(b) Without limiting the effect of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 5.01 (but without duplication), the Company shall pay directly to
each Lender from time to time on request such amounts as such Lender may
reasonably determine to be necessary to compensate such Lender (or, without
duplication, the bank holding company of which such Lender is a subsidiary) for
any costs that it reasonably determines are attributable to the maintenance by
such Lender (or any Applicable Lending Office or such bank holding company),
pursuant to any law or regulation or any interpretation, directive or request
(whether or not having the force of law and whether or not failure to comply
therewith would be unlawful) of any court or governmental or monetary authority
(i) following any Regulatory Change or (ii) implementing any risk-based capital
guideline or other requirement (whether or not having the force of law and
whether or not the failure to comply therewith would be unlawful)
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 30 -
hereafter issued by any government or governmental or supervisory authority
implementing at the national level the Basle Accord, of capital in respect of
its Commitment or Loans (such compensation to include, without limitation, an
amount equal to any reduction of the rate of return on assets or equity of such
Lender (or any Applicable Lending Office or such bank holding company) to a
level below that which such Lender (or any Applicable Lending Office or such
bank holding company) could have achieved but for such law, regulation,
interpretation, directive or request).
(c) Each Lender shall notify the Company of any event occurring
after the date hereof entitling such Lender to compensation under paragraph (a)
or (b) of this Section 5.01 as promptly as practicable, but in any event within
45 days, after such Lender obtains actual knowledge thereof; provided that (i)
--------
if any Lender fails to give such notice within 45 days after it obtains actual
knowledge of such an event, such Lender shall, with respect to compensation
payable pursuant to this Section 5.01 in respect of any costs resulting from
such event, only be entitled to payment under this Section 5.01 for costs
incurred from and after the date 45 days prior to the date that such Lender does
give such notice and (ii) each Lender will designate a different Applicable
Lending Office for the Loans of such Lender affected by such event if such
designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation
and will not, in the sole opinion of such Lender, be disadvantageous to such
Lender, except that such Lender shall have no obligation to designate an
Applicable Lending Office located in the United States of America. Each Lender
will furnish to the Company a certificate setting forth the basis and amount of
each request by such Lender for compensation under paragraph (a) or (b) of this
Section 5.01. Determinations and allocations by any Lender for purposes of this
Section 5.01 of the effect of any Regulatory Change pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this Section 5.01, or of the effect of capital maintained pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this Section 5.01, on its costs or rate of return of maintaining Loans or
its obligation to make Loans, or on amounts receivable by it in respect of
Loans, and of the amounts required to compensate such Lender under this Section
5.01, shall be conclusive, provided that such determinations and allocations are
--------
made on a reasonable basis.
5.02 Limitation on Types of Loans. Anything herein to the
----------------------------
contrary notwithstanding, if, on or prior to the determination of any Eurodollar
Base Rate for any Interest Period:
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 31 -
(a) clause (ii) of the definition of "Eurodollar Base Rate" in
Section 1.01 hereof is the basis for determining rates of interest for
Eurodollar Loans and the Administrative Agent determines, which
determination shall be conclusive, that quotations of interest rates for
the relevant deposits referred to in said clause (ii) are not being
provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for
purposes of determining rates of interest for Eurodollar Loans as provided
herein; or
(b) the Majority Lenders determine, which determination shall be
conclusive, and notify the Administrative Agent that the relevant rates of
interest referred to in the definition of "Eurodollar Base Rate" in Section
1.01 hereof upon the basis of which the rate of interest for Eurodollar
Loans for such Interest Period is to be determined are not likely
adequately to cover the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining
Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give the Company and each Lender prompt
notice thereof and, so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders
shall be under no obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans, to Continue
Eurodollar Loans or to Convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans, and the
Company shall, on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for the
outstanding Eurodollar Loans, either prepay such Loans or Convert such Loans
into Base Rate Loans in accordance with Section 2.08 hereof.
5.03 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
----------
Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its
Applicable Lending Office to honor its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar
Loans hereunder (and, in the sole opinion of such Lender, the designation of a
different Applicable Lending Office would either not avoid such unlawfulness or
would be disadvantageous to such Lender), then such Lender shall promptly notify
the Company thereof (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and such Lender's
obligation to make or Continue, or to Convert Loans of any other Type into,
Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again
make and maintain Eurodollar Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 5.04
hereof shall be applicable).
5.04 Treatment of Affected Loans. If the obligation of any
---------------------------
Lender to make Eurodollar Loans or to Continue, or to Convert Base Rate Loans
into, Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended pursuant to Section 5.01 or 5.03
hereof, such Lender's Eurodollar
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
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Loans shall be automatically Converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s)
of the then current Interest Period(s) for Eurodollar Loans (or, in the case of
a Conversion resulting from a circumstance described in Section 5.03 hereof, on
such earlier date as such Lender may specify to the Company with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) and, unless and until such Lender gives notice as provided
below that the circumstances specified in Section 5.01 or 5.03 hereof that gave
rise to such Conversion no longer exist:
(a) to the extent that such Lender's Eurodollar Loans have been
so Converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would
otherwise be applied to such Lender's Eurodollar Loans shall be applied
instead to its Base Rate Loans; and
(b) all Loans that would otherwise be made or Continued by such
Lender as Eurodollar Loans shall be made or Continued instead as Base Rate
Loans, and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be
Converted into Eurodollar Loans shall remain as Base Rate Loans.
If such Lender gives notice to the Company with a copy to the Administrative
Agent that the circumstances specified in Section 5.01 or 5.03 hereof that gave
rise to the Conversion of such Lender's Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this
Section 5.04 no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such
circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurodollar Loans made by other
Lenders are outstanding, such Lender's Base Rate Loans shall be automatically
Converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for
such outstanding Eurodollar Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving
effect thereto, all Base Rate and Eurodollar Loans are allocated among the
Lenders ratably (as to principal amounts, Types and Interest Periods) in
accordance with their respective Commitments.
5.05 Compensation. The Company shall pay to the Administrative
------------
Agent for account of each Lender, upon the request of such Lender through the
Administrative Agent, such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the
reasonable opinion of such Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost or
expense that such Lender determines is attributable to:
(a) any payment, prepayment or Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan
made by such Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, the
acceleration of the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 33 -
Loans pursuant to Section 9 hereof) on a date other than the last day of
any Interest Period for such Loan; or
(b) any failure by the Company for any reason (including, without
limitation, the failure of any of the conditions precedent specified in
Section 6 hereof to be satisfied) to borrow a Eurodollar Loan from such
Lender on the date for such borrowing specified in the relevant notice of
borrowing given pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof.
Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, such compensation shall
include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest
that otherwise would have accrued on the principal amount so paid, prepaid,
Converted or not borrowed for the period from the date of such payment,
prepayment, Conversion or failure to borrow to the last day of the then current
Interest Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, the
Interest Period for such Loan that would have commenced on the date specified
for such borrowing) at the applicable rate of interest for such Loan provided
for herein over (ii) the amount of interest that otherwise would have accrued on
such principal amount at a rate per annum equal to the interest component of the
amount such Lender would have bid in the London interbank market for Dollar
deposits of leading banks in amounts comparable to such principal amount and
with maturities comparable to such period (as reasonably determined by such
Lender), or if such Lender shall cease to make such bids, the equivalent rate,
as reasonably determined by such Lender, derived from display page 3750 (British
Bankers Association - LIBOR) of the Dow Jones Markets Service Screen (or any
successor or substitute therefor) or other publicly available source as
described in the definition of "Eurodollar Base Rate" in Section 1.01 hereof).
5.06 U.S. Taxes.
----------
(a) The Company agrees to pay to each Lender that is not a U.S.
Person such additional amounts as are necessary in order that the net payment of
any amount due to such non-U.S. Person hereunder after deduction for or
withholding in respect of any U.S. Taxes imposed with respect to such payment
(or in lieu thereof, payment of such U.S. Taxes by such non-U.S. Person), will
not be less than the amount stated herein to be then due and payable, provided
--------
that the foregoing obligation to pay such additional amounts shall not apply:
(i) to any payment to any Lender hereunder unless such Lender
is, on the date hereof (or on the date it
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 34 -
becomes a Lender hereunder as provided in Section 11.06(b) or 11.07 hereof)
and on the date of any change in the Applicable Lending Office of such
Lender, either entitled to submit a Form 1001 (relating to such Lender and
entitling it to a complete exemption from withholding on all interest to be
received by it hereunder in respect of the Loans) or Form 4224 (relating to
all interest to be received by such Lender hereunder in respect of the
Loans), or
(ii) to any U.S. Taxes imposed solely by reason of the failure
by such non-U.S. Person to comply with applicable certification,
information, documentation or other reporting requirements concerning the
nationality, residence, identity or connections with the United States of
America of such non-U.S. Person if such compliance is required by statute
or regulation of the United States of America as a precondition to relief
or exemption from such U.S. Taxes.
For the purposes of this Section 5.06(a), (A) "U.S. Person" shall mean a
-----------
citizen, national or resident of the United States of America, a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in or under any laws of the
United States of America or any State thereof, or any estate or trust that is
subject to Federal income taxation regardless of the source of its income, (B)
"U.S. Taxes" shall mean any present or future tax, assessment or other charge or
----------
levy imposed by or on behalf of the United States of America or any taxing
authority thereof or therein, (C) "Form 1001" shall mean Form 1001 (Ownership,
---------
Exemption, or Reduced Rate Certificate) of the Department of the Treasury of the
United States of America and (D) "Form 4224" shall mean Form 4224 (Exemption
---------
from Withholding of Tax on Income Effectively Connected with the Conduct of a
Trade or Business in the United States) of the Department of the Treasury of the
United States of America (or in relation to either such Form such successor and
related forms as may from time to time be adopted by the relevant taxing
authorities of the United States of America to document a claim to which such
Form relates). Each of the Forms referred to in the foregoing clauses (C) and
(D) shall include such successor and related forms as may from time to time be
adopted by the relevant taxing authorities of the United States of America to
document a claim to which such Form relates.
(b) Within 30 days after paying any amount to the Administrative
Agent or any Lender from which it is required by law to make any deduction or
withholding, and within 30 days after it is required by law to remit such
deduction or withholding to any relevant taxing or other authority, the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 35 -
Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent for delivery to such non-U.S.
Person evidence satisfactory to such Person of such deduction, withholding or
payment (as the case may be).
Section 6. Conditions Precedent.
--------------------
6.01 Initial Loan. The obligation of any Lender to make its
------------
initial Loan hereunder is subject to the conditions precedent that (i) such Loan
shall be made on or before September 1, 1997 and (ii) the Administrative Agent
shall have received the following documents (with, in the case of clauses (a),
(b), (c) and (d) below, sufficient copies for each Lender), each of which shall
be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and to the extent specified below,
to each Lender) in form and substance:
(a) Corporate Documents. Certified copies of the charter and
-------------------
by-laws (or equivalent documents) of the Company and of all corporate
authority for the Company (including, without limitation, board of director
resolutions and evidence of the incumbency, including specimen signatures,
of officers) with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and each other document to be delivered by the Company from
time to time in connection herewith and the Loans hereunder (and the
Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely on such
certificate until it receives notice in writing from the Company to the
contrary).
(b) Officer's Certificate. A certificate of a senior officer of
---------------------
the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in the first
sentence of Section 6.02 hereof.
(c) Opinion of Counsel to the Company. An opinion, dated the
---------------------------------
Closing Date, of Ropes & Gray, counsel to the Company, substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto (provided that the second sentence of paragraph 1
of Exhibit A shall be given by John F. Kelly, General Counsel of the
Company) and covering such other matters as the Administrative Agent or any
Lender may reasonably request (and the Company hereby instructs such
counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent).
(d) Opinion of Special New York Counsel to Chase. An opinion,
--------------------------------------------
dated the Closing Date, of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, special New
York counsel to Chase, substantially in
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 36 -
the form of Exhibit B hereto (and Chase hereby instructs such counsel to
deliver such opinion to the Lenders).
(e) Merger. Evidence that (i) the Merger Agreement is in full
------
force and effect, (ii) none of the parties to the Merger Agreement has
defaulted in its performance of any of its obligations under the Merger
Agreement that could have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) the
representations and warranties made in or pursuant to the Merger Agreement
are true and complete in all material respects.
(f) Other Documents. Such other documents as the Administrative
---------------
Agent or any Lender or special New York counsel to Chase may reasonably
request.
The obligation of any Lender to make its initial Loan hereunder is also subject
to the payment by the Company of such fees as the Company shall have agreed to
pay or deliver to any Lender or the Administrative Agent in connection herewith,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Milbank,
Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, special New York counsel to Chase, in connection with
the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
making of the Loans hereunder (to the extent that statements for such fees and
expenses have been delivered to the Company).
6.02 Initial and Subsequent Loans. The obligation of the Lenders
----------------------------
to make any Loan to the Company upon the occasion of each borrowing hereunder
(including the initial borrowing) is subject to the further conditions precedent
that, both immediately prior to the making of such Loan and also after giving
effect thereto and to the intended use thereof:
(a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(b) the representations and warranties made by the Company in
Section 7 hereof shall be true and complete on and as of the date of the
making of such Loan with the same force and effect as if made on and as of
such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated
to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date).
Each notice of borrowing by the Company hereunder shall constitute a
certification by the Company to the effect set forth in the preceding sentence
(both as of the date of such notice and, unless the Company otherwise notifies
the Administrative
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Agent prior to the date of such borrowing, as of the date of such borrowing).
Section 7. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents
------------------------------
and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
7.01 Corporate Existence. Each of the Company and its
-------------------
Subsidiaries: (a) is a corporation, partnership or other entity duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization; (b) has all requisite corporate or other power, and has all
material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary
to own its assets and carry on its business as now being or as proposed to be
conducted; and (c) is qualified to do business and is in good standing in all
jurisdictions in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such
qualification necessary and where failure so to qualify could (either
individually or in the aggregate) have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.02 Financial Condition.
-------------------
(a) The Company has heretofore furnished to each of the Lenders
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at December
31, 1996 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity
and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended on
said date, with the opinion thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP. All such financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as at said date and the
consolidated results of their operations for the fiscal year ended on said date,
all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices
applied on a consistent basis. None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has on the date hereof any material contingent liabilities, liabilities for
taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated
losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as referred to or reflected or
provided for in said balance sheet as at said date. Since March 31, 1997, there
has been no Material Adverse Change.
(b) The Company has heretofore furnished to each of the Lenders
the annual Statutory Statements of each Principal Insurance Subsidiary for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 as filed with the Applicable Insurance
Regulatory Authority. All such Statutory Statements present fairly, in all
material
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respects, the financial condition of such Principal Insurance Subsidiary as at,
and the results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, in
accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the
Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority.
7.03 Litigation. There are no legal or arbitral proceedings, or
----------
any proceedings by or before any governmental or regulatory authority or agency,
now pending or (to the knowledge of the Company) threatened against the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries that is reasonable likely (either individually or in
the aggregate) to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.04 No Breach. None of the execution and delivery of this
---------
Agreement, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated or
compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will conflict with or result in
a breach of, or require any consent under, the charter or by-laws of the
Company, or any applicable law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or
decree of any court or governmental authority or agency, or any agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them or any of their Property is bound or to which any of them is
subject, or constitute a default under any such agreement or instrument.
7.05 Action. The Company has all necessary corporate power,
------
authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under
this Agreement and the Merger Agreement; the execution, delivery and performance
by the Company of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement has been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on its part (including, without
limitation, any required shareholder approvals); and this Agreement and the
Merger Agreement have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the
Company and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability
may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
7.06 Approvals. No authorizations, approvals or consents of, and
---------
no filings or registrations with, any governmental or regulatory authority or
agency, or any securities exchange, are necessary for the execution, delivery or
performance by the Company of this Agreement or the Merger
Credit Agreement
----------------
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Agreement or for the legality, validity or enforceability hereof or thereof
except authorizations, approvals and consents that have already been obtained
and those filings and registrations that have previously been made.
7.07 Margin Stock. Not more than 25% of the value (as determined by
------------
any reasonable method) of the assets (after giving effect to the Acquisition)
subject to any restriction on (i) sale or other disposition set forth in Section
8.04 hereof or (ii) Liens set forth in Section 8.05 hereof is represented by
Margin Stock.
7.08 ERISA. Each Plan, and, to the knowledge of the Company, each
-----
Multiemployer Plan, is in compliance in all material respects with, and has been
administered in all material respects in compliance with, the applicable
provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other Federal or State law, and no event
or condition has occurred and is continuing as to which the Company would be
under an obligation to furnish a report to the Lenders under Section 8.01(j)
hereof.
7.09 Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal
-----
income tax returns and all other material tax returns that are required to be
filed by them and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant
to any assessment received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except for
any tax assessment, charge or levy the payment of which is being contested in
good faith and by proper proceedings. The charges, accruals and reserves on the
books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of taxes and other
governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Company, adequate.
7.10 Investment Company Act. Except as disclosed in Schedule III
----------------------
hereto, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment
company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment company", within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
7.11 Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any
----------------------------------
of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding
company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", within the meaning of
the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
7.12 Environmental Matters. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
---------------------
has obtained all environmental, health and safety permits, licenses and other
authorizations required under all Environmental Laws to carry on its business as
now being or
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----------------
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- 40 -
as proposed to be conducted, except to the extent failure to have any such
permit, license or authorization would not (either individually or in the
aggregate) have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of such permits, licenses and
authorizations is in full force and effect and each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms and conditions thereof, and is also
in compliance with all other limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards,
prohibitions, requirements, obligations, schedules and timetables contained in
any applicable Environmental Law or in any regulation, code, plan, order,
decree, judgment, injunction, notice or demand letter issued, entered,
promulgated or approved thereunder, except to the extent failure to comply
therewith would not (either individually or in the aggregate) have a Material
Adverse Effect.
In addition, no notice, notification, demand, request for information,
citation, summons or order has been issued, no complaint has been filed, no
penalty has been assessed and no investigation or review is pending or
threatened by any governmental or other entity with respect to any alleged
failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to have any environmental,
health or safety permit, license or other authorization required under any
Environmental Law in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to any generation, treatment,
storage, recycling, transportation, discharge or disposal, or any Release of any
Hazardous Materials generated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
All environmental investigations, studies, audits, tests, reviews or
other analyses conducted by or that are in the possession of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries in relation to facts, circumstances or conditions at or
affecting any site or facility now or previously owned, operated or leased by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and that could result in a Material
Adverse Effect have been made available to the Lenders.
7.13 Subsidiaries, Etc. Set forth in Schedule II hereto is a
------------------
complete and correct list of all of the Subsidiaries of the Company as of the
date hereof together with, for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of
organization of such Subsidiary, (ii) each Person holding ownership interests in
such Subsidiary and (iii) the nature of the ownership interests held by each
such Person and the percentage of ownership of such Subsidiary represented by
such ownership interests. Except as disclosed in Schedule II hereto, (x) each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of Liens, and has the
unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding ownership interests
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----------------
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in each Person shown to be held by it in Schedule II hereto, (y) all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Person organized as a
corporation is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (z) there are no
outstanding Equity Rights with respect to such Person (other than the
registration rights of holders of Special Preferred Securities of the Company or
its Subsidiaries).
7.14 Title to Assets. The Company and its Subsidiaries own and have
---------------
on the date hereof good title (subject only to Liens permitted by Section 8.05
hereof) to the Properties shown to be owned in the most recent financial
statements referred to in Section 7.02 hereof (other than Properties consisting
of "separate account assets" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet or
Properties disposed of in the ordinary course of business or otherwise permitted
to be disposed of pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof). The Company and its
Subsidiaries own and have on the date hereof good title to, and enjoys on the
date hereof peaceful and undisturbed possession of, all Properties (subject only
to Liens permitted by Section 8.05 hereof) that are necessary for the operation
and conduct of their businesses.
7.15 True and Complete Disclosure. The information, reports,
----------------------------
financial statements, exhibits and schedules furnished in writing by or on
behalf of the Company to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection
with the negotiation, preparation or delivery of this Agreement or included
herein or delivered pursuant hereto, when taken as a whole do not contain any
untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. All written information furnished after
the date hereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby will be true, complete and accurate in every material
respect, or (in the case of projections) based on reasonable estimates, on the
date as of which such information is stated or certified. There is no fact
known to the Company that could have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been
disclosed herein or in a report, financial statement, exhibit, schedule,
disclosure letter or other writing furnished to the Lenders for use in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 8. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and
------------------------
agrees with the Lenders and the Administrative
Credit Agreement
----------------
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Agent that, so long as any Commitment or Loan is outstanding and until payment
in full of all amounts payable by the Company hereunder:
8.01 Financial Statements Etc. The Company shall deliver to each of
-------------------------
the Lenders:
(a) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the
end of each of the first three quarterly fiscal periods of each fiscal year
of the Company, consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and
cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period and for the
period from the beginning of the respective fiscal year to the end of such
period, and the related consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such period, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the corresponding consolidated figures for the
corresponding periods in the preceding fiscal year (except that, in the
case of balance sheet, such comparison shall be to the last day of the
prior fiscal year), accompanied by a certificate of a senior financial
officer of the Company, which certificate shall state that said
consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects,
the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, as at the end of, and
for, such period (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments);
(b) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Company, consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
such fiscal year and the related consolidated balance sheet of the Company
and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, setting forth in
each case in comparative form the corresponding consolidated figures for
the preceding fiscal year, and accompanied by an opinion thereon of
independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing,
which opinion shall state that said consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position and results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
at the end of, and for, such fiscal year in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and a statement of such accountants to the
effect that, in making the examination necessary for their opinion, nothing
came to
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
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their attention that caused them to believe that the Company was not in
compliance with Sections 8.10 and 8.11 hereof, insofar as such Sections
relate to accounting matters, in each case in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, as at the end of, and
for, such fiscal year;
(c) promptly after filing with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory
Authority and in any event within 55 days after the end of each of the
first three quarterly fiscal periods of each fiscal year of each Principal
Insurance Subsidiary, the quarterly Statutory Statement of such Principal
Insurance Subsidiary for such quarterly fiscal period, together with the
opinion thereon of a senior financial officer of such Insurance Subsidiary
stating that such Statutory Statement presents fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of such Principal Insurance Subsidiary for
such quarterly fiscal period in accordance with statutory accounting
practices required or permitted by the Applicable Insurance Regulatory
Authority;
(d) promptly after filing with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory
Authority and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year
of each Principal Insurance Subsidiary, the annual Statutory Statement of
such Principal Insurance Subsidiary for such year, together with (i) the
opinion thereon of a senior financial officer of such Principal Insurance
Subsidiary stating that said annual Statutory Statement presents fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of such Principal Insurance
Subsidiary for such fiscal year in accordance with statutory accounting
practices required or permitted by the Applicable Insurance Regulatory
Authority and (ii) with respect to Hanover and FAFLIC, a certificate of the
chief actuary of such Insurance Subsidiary, affirming the adequacy of
reserves taken by such Insurance Subsidiary, in respect of future
policyholder benefits as at the end of such fiscal year (as shown on such
financial statements);
(e) within 180 days after the end of each fiscal year of each
Principal Insurance Subsidiary, the report of Price Waterhouse LLP (or
other independent certified public accountants of recognized national
standing) on the annual Statutory Statements delivered pursuant to Section
8.01(d) hereof;
(f) promptly upon their becoming available, copies of all
registration statements and regular periodic reports, if
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----------------
<PAGE>
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any, that the Company shall have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (or any governmental agency substituted therefor) or any
national securities exchange;
(g) promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of the
Company generally or to holders of Subordinated Indebtedness generally,
copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed;
(h) promptly after each Principal Insurance Subsidiary receives the
results of a triennial examination by its Applicable Insurance Regulatory
Authority of its financial condition and operations and/or any of its
Subsidiaries, a copy thereof;
(i) promptly following the delivery or receipt by any Principal
Insurance Subsidiary or any of their respective Subsidiaries of any
material correspondence, notice or report to or from any Applicable
Insurance Regulatory Authority (including, without limitation, any NAIC
specified real estate and mortgage survey, or any successor report or
survey, filed with the NAIC), a copy thereof;
(j) as soon as possible, and in any event within ten Business Days
after the Company knows or has reason to believe that any of the events or
conditions specified below with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan
has occurred or exists, a statement signed by a senior financial officer of
the Company setting forth details respecting such event or condition and
the action, if any, that the Company or its ERISA Affiliate proposes to
take with respect thereto (and a copy of any report or notice required to
be filed with or given to the PBGC by the Company or an ERISA Affiliate
with respect to such event or condition):
(i) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(b) of
ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan,
as to which the PBGC has not by regulation waived the requirement of
Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days of the
occurrence of such event (provided that a failure to meet the minimum
--------
funding standard of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
including, without limitation, the failure to make on or before its
due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Code or
Section 302(e) of ERISA, shall be a reportable event regardless of the
issuance of any waivers in accordance with Section 412(d) of the
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
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Code); and any request for a waiver under Section 412(d) of the Code
for any Plan;
(ii) the distribution under Section 4041 of ERISA of a
notice of intent to terminate any Plan or any action taken by the
Company or an ERISA Affiliate to terminate any Plan;
(iii) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings under
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
trustee to administer, any Plan, or the receipt by the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan that such action
has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan;
(iv) the complete or partial withdrawal from a
Multiemployer Plan by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that results
in liability under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA (including the
obligation to satisfy secondary liability as a result of a purchaser
default) or the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of
notice from a Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or
insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA or that it
intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA;
(v) the institution of a proceeding by a fiduciary of any
Multiemployer Plan against the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to
enforce Section 515 of ERISA, which proceeding is not dismissed within
30 days; and
(vi) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan that,
pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA,
would result in the loss of tax-exempt status of the trust of which
such Plan is a part if the Company or an ERISA Affiliate fails to
timely provide security to the Plan in accordance with the provisions
of said Sections;
(k) promptly after the Company knows or has reason to believe that
any Default has occurred, a notice of such Default describing the same in
reasonable detail and, together with such notice or as soon thereafter as
possible, a description of the action that the Company has taken or
proposes to take with respect thereto; and
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----------------
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(l) from time to time such other information regarding the financial
condition, operations or business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and any
reports or other information required to be filed under ERISA) as any
Lender or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
The Company will furnish to each Lender, at the time it furnishes each set of
financial statements pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a
senior financial officer of the Company (i) to the effect that no Default has
occurred and is continuing (or, if any Default has occurred and is continuing,
describing the same in reasonable detail and describing the action that the
Company has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto) and (ii) setting
forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary to determine whether the
Company is in compliance with Sections 8.10 and 8.11 hereof as of the end of the
respective quarterly fiscal period or fiscal year.
8.02 Litigation. The Company will promptly give to each Lender
----------
notice of all legal or arbitral proceedings, and of all proceedings by or before
any governmental or regulatory authority or agency, and any material development
in respect of such legal or other proceedings, affecting the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, except proceedings that could not reasonable be expected
(either individually or in the aggregate) to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will give to each
Lender notice of the assertion of any Environmental Claim by any Person against,
or with respect to the activities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and
notice of any alleged violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Laws
or any permits, licenses or authorizations, other than any Environmental Claim
or alleged violation that could not reasonably be expected (either individually
or in the aggregate) to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
8.03 Existence, Etc. The Company will, and will cause each of its
---------------
Material Insurance Subsidiaries to:
(a) preserve and maintain its legal existence and all of its material
rights, privileges, licenses and franchises (provided that nothing in this
--------
Section 8.03 shall prohibit any transaction expressly permitted under
Section 8.04 hereof);
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(b) comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules,
regulations and orders of governmental or regulatory authorities if failure
to comply with such requirements could reasonably be expected (either
individually or in the aggregate) to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental charges
or levies imposed on it or on its income or profits or on any of its
Property prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except for
any such tax, assessment, charge or levy the payment of which is being
contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against which
adequate reserves are being maintained;
(d) do all things necessary in the judgement of management to
maintain, preserve, protect and keep all of its tangible Properties in good
repair, working order and condition, and make all necessary and proper
repairs, renewals and replacements so that its business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times;
(e) keep adequate records and books of account, in which complete
entries will be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied; and
(f) permit representatives of any Lender or the Administrative Agent,
during normal business hours, to examine, copy and make extracts from its
books and records, to inspect any of its Properties, and to discuss its
business and affairs with its officers, all to the extent reasonably
requested by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be);
provided that, prior to the occurrence of a Default, the Lenders will use
--------
reasonable efforts to coordinate their inspection through the
Administrative Agent so as to minimize any disruption to the business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries.
8.04 Prohibition of Fundamental Changes. The Company will not, nor
----------------------------------
will it permit any of its Material Insurance Subsidiaries to, enter into any
transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or
dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution).
The Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Material Insurance
Subsidiaries to, acquire any business from, or
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----------------
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capital stock of, or be a party to any acquisition of, any Person.
The Company will not directly or indirectly, nor will it permit any of
its Material Insurance Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or a
substantial part of its business or Property, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired (including, without limitation, receivables and leasehold interests,
but excluding (i) any Property sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of
business and on ordinary business terms and (ii) any Property consisting of
Margin Stock held as part of "separate account assets", so long as the
liabilities or obligations in respect of such "separate account assets" have not
been Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.04:
(a) any Subsidiary of the Company may be merged or consolidated with
or into: (i) the Company if the Company shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation or (ii) any other such Subsidiary; provided that (x)
--------
if any such transaction shall be between a Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation;
(b) any Subsidiary of the Company may sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any or all of its Property (upon voluntary liquidation
or otherwise) to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company;
(c) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company may merge or
consolidate with any other Person if (i) in the case of a merger or
consolidation of the Company, the Company is the surviving corporation and,
in any other case, the surviving corporation is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
of the Company and (ii) after giving effect thereto no Default would exist
hereunder;
(d) the Company and its Subsidiaries may consummate the Merger;
(e) the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company or
Citizens Corporation may acquire capital stock of Citizens Corporation;
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(f) the Company may enter into any Reinsurance Agreement, including
any Reinsurance Agreement relating to the ceding of its individual
disability insurance business; and
(g) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may consummate
acquisitions of other Persons subsequent to the date of this Agreement;
provided that, (a) upon giving effect to each such acquisition the Person
--------
so acquired by the Company shall have either been merged into the Company
or any Subsidiary (with the Company or its Subsidiary as the surviving
entity) or such Person shall have become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
Company, (b) no Default shall exist immediately before giving effect to
such acquisition and after giving effect to such acquisition and (c) such
acquisition is consummated pursuant to a negotiated acquisition agreement
on a non-hostile basis approved by a majority of the board of directors of
all Persons parties thereto and involves the purchase of a business line
similar, related or incidental to that of the Company and its Subsidiaries
as of the date of this Agreement.
8.05 Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, nor will it permit
-------------------
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any of its Property (other than Property consisting of Margin Stock held as
part of "separate account assets", so long as the liabilities or obligations in
respect of such "separate account assets" have not been Guaranteed by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries), whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
except:
(a) Liens in existence on the date hereof;
(b) Liens imposed by any governmental authority for taxes,
assessments or charges not yet due or that are being contested in good
faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect
thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or the affected
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP or SAP, as the
case may be;
(c) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen's
or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not
overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in
good faith and by appropriate proceedings and Liens securing judgments but
only to the extent for an amount and for a
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----------------
<PAGE>
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period not resulting in an Event of Default under Section 9(i) hereof;
(d) pledges or deposits under worker's compensation, unemployment
insurance and other social security legislation;
(e) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts
(other than for Indebtedness), leases, statutory obligations, surety and
appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature
incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and encumbrances
consisting of zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, restrictions on the
use of Property or minor imperfections in title thereto that, in the
aggregate, are not material in amount, and that do not in any case
materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or
interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries;
(g) Liens arising under escrows, trusts, custodianships, separate
accounts, funds withheld procedures, and similar deposits, arrangements, or
agreements established with respect to insurance policies, annuities,
guaranteed investment contracts and similar products underwritten by, or
Reinsurance Agreements entered into by, any Insurance Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business;
(h) deposits with insurance regulatory authorities;
(i) Liens on Property of any corporation that becomes a Subsidiary of
the Company after the date hereof, provided that such Liens are in
--------
existence at the time such corporation becomes a Subsidiary of the Company
and were not created in anticipation thereof;
(j) Liens upon real and/or tangible personal Property acquired after
the date hereof (by purchase, construction or otherwise) by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, each of which Liens either (A) existed on such
Property before the time of its acquisition and was not created in
anticipation thereof or (B) was created solely for the purpose of securing
Indebtedness representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, the
cost (including the
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cost of construction) of such Property; provided that (i) no such Lien
--------
shall extend to or cover any Property of the Company or such Subsidiary
other than the Property so acquired and improvements thereon and (ii) the
principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien shall at no time
exceed 80% of the fair market value (as determined in good faith by a
senior financial officer of the Company) of such Property at the time it
was acquired (by purchase, construction or otherwise);
(k) Liens arising out of the "closed block" of certain individual
participating life insurance policies and contracts of FAFLIC in effect as
of the effective date of the demutualization of FAFLIC; and
(l) additional Liens upon real and/or personal Property created after
the date hereof, provided that the aggregate Indebtedness secured thereby
--------
and incurred on and after the date hereof shall not exceed $5,000,000 in
the aggregate at any one time outstanding.
8.06 Indebtedness. The Company will not, nor will it permit any of
------------
its Subsidiaries to, create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:
(a) Indebtedness to the Lenders hereunder;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on
Schedule I hereto;
(c) Subordinated Indebtedness;
(d) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Company to the Company or to
other Subsidiaries of the Company;
(e) keep well and similar arrangements with any Applicable Insurance
Authority;
(f) Indebtedness with respect to commercial paper in an aggregate
face amount or an aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, at any
one time outstanding not to exceed $140,000,000 and any Indebtedness
relating to letters of credit issued for account of the Company in support
of the issuance of such commercial paper; and
(g) additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations and other
Indebtedness secured by Liens
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----------------
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permitted under Sections 8.05(j) or 8.05(l) hereof) up to but not exceeding
$100,000,000 at any one time outstanding.
8.07 Lines of Business. The Company will not, nor will it permit any
-----------------
of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any substantial extent in any line or lines of
business activity not engaged in by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of
the date hereof and businesses related or incidental thereto.
8.08 Transactions with Affiliates. Except as expressly permitted by
----------------------------
this Agreement, the Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly: (a) make any Investment in an Affiliate; (b)
transfer, sell, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of any Property to an
Affiliate; (c) merge into or consolidate with or purchase or acquire Property
from an Affiliate; or (d) enter into any other transaction directly or
indirectly with or for the benefit of an Affiliate (including, without
limitation, Guarantees and assumptions of obligations of an Affiliate); provided
--------
that (x) any Affiliate who is an individual may serve as a director, officer or
employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and receive reasonable
compensation for his or her services in such capacity and (y) the Company and
its Subsidiaries may enter into transactions (other than extensions of credit by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to an Affiliate) providing for the
leasing of Property, the rendering or receipt of services or the purchase or
sale of inventory and other Property in the ordinary course of business if the
monetary or business consideration arising therefrom would be substantially as
advantageous to the Company and its Subsidiaries as the monetary or business
consideration that would obtain in a comparable transaction with a Person not an
Affiliate.
8.09 Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds of the Loans
---------------
hereunder solely to finance the Acquisition and for general corporate purposes
of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (in
compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including,
without limitation, Regulations G, T, U and X and the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the regulations thereunder), provided
--------
that the Company shall not use proceeds of the Loans to make Investments in any
Subsidiary of the Company that is listed in Schedule III hereto; provided
--------
further that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any
responsibility as to the use of any of such proceeds.
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8.10 Consolidated Debt to Net Worth. The Company will not permit
------------------------------
Total Debt at any time to exceed 35% of Total Capitalization.
8.11 Minimum Statutory Surplus. The Company will not permit (ii)
-------------------------
FAFLIC's Adjusted Statutory Surplus at any time to be less than $900,000,000 and
(ii) Hanover's Statutory Surplus at any time to be less than $750,000,000.
Section 9. Events of Default. If one or more of the following events
-----------------
(herein called "Events of Default") shall occur and be continuing:
-----------------
(a) The Company shall: (i) default in the payment of any principal
of any Loan when due (whether at stated maturity or at mandatory or
optional prepayment); or (ii) default in the payment of any interest on any
Loan, any loan fee or any other amount payable by it hereunder when due and
such default shall have continued unremedied for three Business Days or
more; or
(b) The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the
payment when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) of
any principal of or interest on any of its other Indebtedness aggregating
$10,000,000 or more; or any event specified in any note, agreement,
indenture or other document evidencing or relating to any such Indebtedness
shall occur if the effect of such event is to cause, or (with the giving of
any notice or the lapse of time or both) to permit the holder or holders of
such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
holders) to cause, such Indebtedness to become due, or to be prepaid in
full (whether by redemption, purchase, offer to purchase or otherwise),
prior to its stated maturity or to have the interest rate thereon reset to
a level so that securities evidencing such Indebtedness trade at a level
specified in relation to the par value thereof; or the Company shall
default in the payment when due (after giving effect to any applicable
grace periods) of any amount aggregating $10,000,000 or more on any of its
Rate Hedging Obligations; or any event specified in any agreement or
document relating to any such Rate Hedging Obligations shall occur if the
effect of such event is to cause, or (with the giving of any notice or the
lapse of time or both) to permit, termination or liquidation payment or
payments aggregating $10,000,000 or more to become due; or
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(c) Any representation, warranty or certification made or deemed made
herein (or in any modification or supplement hereto) by the Company, or any
certificate furnished by the Company to any Lender or the Administrative
Agent pursuant to the provisions hereof, shall prove to have been false or
misleading as of the time made or furnished in any material respect; or
(d) The Company shall default in the performance of any of its
obligations under any of Sections 8.04, 8.05, 8.06, 8.08, 8.10 or 8.11
hereof; or the Company shall default in the performance of any of its other
obligations in this Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied
for a period of thirty or more days after (x) the occurrence thereof in the
case of a default under Section 8.01(k) and (y) notice thereof to the
Company by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the
Administrative Agent) in the case of any other default; or
(e) The Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries shall admit in
writing its inability to, or be generally unable to, pay its debts as such
debts become due; or
(f) The Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries shall (i) apply
for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a
receiver, custodian, trustee, examiner or liquidator of itself or of all or
a substantial part of its Property, (ii) make a general assignment for the
benefit of its creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case under the
Bankruptcy Code, (iv) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any
other law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation,
dissolution, arrangement or winding-up, or composition or readjustment of
debts, (v) fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, or
acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed against it in an involuntary
case under the Bankruptcy Code or (vi) take any corporate action for the
purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
(g) A proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the application
or consent of the Company, in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking
(i) its reorganization, liquidation, dissolution, arrangement or winding-
up, or the composition or readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment
of a receiver, custodian, trustee, examiner, liquidator or the like of the
Company or such Subsidiary or of all or any substantial part of its
Property or (iii) similar relief in respect of the Company or such
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<PAGE>
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Subsidiary under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, winding-up, or composition or adjustment of debts, and such
proceeding or case shall continue undismissed, or an order, judgment or
decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered and
continue unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 or more days; or an
order for relief against the Company or such Subsidiary
shall be entered in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code; or
(h) Any Insurance Regulatory Authority shall appoint a rehabitator,
receiver, custodian, trustee, conservator or liquidator or the like
(collectively, a "conservator") for any Insurance Subsidiary, or cause
-----------
possession of all or any substantial portion of the property of any
Insurance Subsidiary to be taken by any conservator (or any Insurance
Regulatory Authority shall commence any action to effect any of the
foregoing); or
(i) A final judgment or judgments for the payment of money of
$10,000,000 or more in the aggregate (exclusive of judgment amounts fully
covered by insurance where the insurer has admitted liability in respect of
such judgment) or of $75,000,000 or more in the aggregate (regardless of
insurance coverage) shall be rendered by one or more courts, administrative
tribunals or other bodies having jurisdiction against the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries and the same shall not be discharged (or provision shall
not be made for such discharge), or a stay of execution thereof shall not
be procured, within 30 days from the date of entry thereof and the Company
or the relevant Subsidiary shall not, within said period of 30 days, or
such longer period during which execution of the same shall have been
stayed, appeal therefrom and cause the execution thereof to be stayed
during such appeal; or
(j) An event or condition specified in Section 8.01(j) hereof shall
occur or exist with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and, as a
result of such event or condition, together with all other such events or
conditions, the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall incur or in the
opinion of the Majority Lenders shall be reasonably likely to incur a
liability to a Plan, a Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC (or any combination
of the foregoing) that, in the determination of the Majority Lenders, would
(either individually or in the aggregate) have a Material Adverse Effect;
or
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<PAGE>
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(k) A reasonable basis shall exist for the assertion against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any predecessor in interest of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, of (or there shall have
been asserted against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) an
Environmental Claim that, in the judgment of the Majority Lenders is
reasonably likely to be determined adversely to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and the amount thereof (either individually or in the
aggregate) is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (insofar
as such amount is payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries but
after deducting any portion thereof that is reasonably expected to be paid
by other creditworthy Persons jointly and severally liable therefor); or
(l) During any period of 25 consecutive calendar months (or, if
shorter in the duration, the period commencing on the date hereof to but
not including the Commitment Termination Date), a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company shall no longer be composed of individuals (i) who
were members of said Board on the first day of such period, (ii) whose
election or nomination to said Board was approved by individuals referred
to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or
nomination at least a majority of said Board or (iii) whose election or
nomination to said Board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses
(i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination
at least a majority of said Board;
THEREUPON: (1) in the case of an Event of Default other than one referred to in
clause (f) or (g) of this Section 9 with respect to the Company, the
Administrative Agent may and, upon request of the Majority Lenders, will, by
notice to the Company, terminate the Commitments and/or declare the principal
amount then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the Loans and all other
amounts payable by the Company hereunder (including, without limitation, any
amounts payable under Section 5.05 hereof) to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon such amounts shall be immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or other formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived by the Company; and (2) in the case of the occurrence of an
Event of Default referred to in clause (f) or (g) of this Section 9 with respect
to the Company, the Commitments shall automatically be terminated and the
principal amount then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the Loans and
all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder (including, without
limitation, any amounts payable under
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Section 5.05 hereof) shall automatically become immediately due and payable
without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by the Company.
Section 10. The Administrative Agent.
------------------------
10.01 Appointment, Powers and Immunities. Each Lender hereby
----------------------------------
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as its agent hereunder
with such powers as are specifically delegated to the Administrative Agent by
the terms of this Agreement, together with such other powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent (which term as used in this
sentence and in Section 10.05 and the first sentence of Section 10.06 hereof
shall include reference to its affiliates and its own and its affiliates'
officers, directors, employees and agents):
(a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly
set forth in this Agreement, and shall not by reason of this Agreement be a
trustee for any Lender;
(b) shall not be responsible to the Lenders for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement, or
in any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or
received by any of them under, this Agreement, or for the value, validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement
or any other document referred to or provided for herein or for any failure
by the Company or any other Person to perform any of its obligations
hereunder or thereunder;
(c) shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or
collection proceedings hereunder; and
(d) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it hereunder or under any other document or instrument referred to
or provided for herein or in connection herewith, except for its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
The Administrative Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not
be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-
in-fact selected by it in good faith. The Administrative Agent may deem and
treat the payee of any promissory note evidencing any Loans hereunder as the
holder
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thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a notice of the assignment or
transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent, together
with the consent of the Company to such assignment or transfer (to the extent
required by Section 11.06(b) hereof).
10.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
--------------------------------
shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice or other communication
(including, without limitation, any thereof by telephone, telecopy, telegram or
cable) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice
and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts
selected by the Administrative Agent. As to any matters not expressly provided
for by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully
protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder in accordance with
instructions given by the Majority Lenders, and such instructions of the
Majority Lenders and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall
be binding on all of the Lenders.
10.03 Defaults. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have
--------
knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default unless the Administrative
Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Company specifying such Default
and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default". In the event that the
Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default, the
Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 10.07 hereof) take such action
with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the Majority Lenders,
provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received
- --------
such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to)
take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such
Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Lenders except to
the extent that this Agreement expressly requires that such action be taken, or
not be taken, only with the consent or upon the authorization of the Majority
Lenders or all of the Lenders.
10.04 Rights as a Lender. With respect to its Commitment and the
------------------
Loans made by it, Chase (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in
its capacity as a Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and powers
hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not
acting as the Administrative Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall,
unless the context otherwise indicates, include
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the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. Chase (and any successor
acting as Administrative Agent) and its affiliates may (without having to
account therefor to any Lender) accept deposits from, lend money to, make
investments in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other
business with the Company (and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) as if it
were not acting as the Administrative Agent, and Chase (and any such successor)
and its affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from the Company for
services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to
account for the same to the Lenders.
10.05 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the
---------------
Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed under Section 11.03 hereof,
but without limiting the obligations of the Company under said Section 11.03)
ratably in accordance with the aggregate principal amount of the Loans held by
the Lenders (or, if no Loans are at the time outstanding, ratably in accordance
with their respective Commitments), for any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred
by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (including by any Lender)
arising out of or by reason of any investigation in or in any way relating to or
arising out of this Agreement or any other documents contemplated by or referred
to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, the costs and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay under
Section 11.03 hereof, but excluding, unless a Default has occurred and is
continuing, normal administrative costs and expenses incident to the performance
of its agency duties hereunder) or the enforcement of any of the terms hereof or
of any such other documents, provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of
--------
the foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the party to be indemnified.
10.06 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each
------------------------------------------------------
Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this Agreement and that
it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent
shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the
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performance or observance by the Company of this Agreement or any other document
referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except for notices, reports and other
documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by
the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any
duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their affiliates) that may come
into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its affiliates.
10.07 Failure to Act. Except for action expressly required of the
--------------
Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall in all cases be
fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder unless it shall receive
further assurances to its satisfaction from the Lenders of their indemnification
obligations under Section 10.05 hereof against any and all liability and expense
that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such
action.
10.08 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent. Subject to the
----------------------------------------------
appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided
below, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof
to the Lenders and the Company, and the Administrative Agent may be removed at
any time with or without cause by the Majority Lenders. Upon any such
resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders shall have the right (after, so
long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, consultation with the
Company) to appoint a successor Administrative Agent; provided that such
successor Administrative Agent shall be a Lender hereunder. If no successor
Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and
shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring
Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the Majority Lenders'
removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative
Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, (after, so long as no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, consultation with the Company) appoint a successor
Administrative Agent, that shall be Lender hereunder and that is a bank that has
an office in New York, New York with a combined capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative
Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its
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duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation or removal hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this
Section 10 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Administrative
Agent.
Section 11. Miscellaneous.
-------------
11.01 Waiver. No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent or
------
any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with
respect to, any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as
a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power
or privilege under this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The remedies provided
herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
11.02 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications
-------
provided for herein (including, without limitation, any modifications of, or
waivers, requests or consents under, this Agreement) shall be given or made in
writing (including, without limitation, by telecopy) delivered to the intended
recipient at (i) in the case of the Company and the Administrative Agent, the
"Address for Notices" specified below its name on the signature pages hereof and
(ii) in the case of the Lenders, the address (or telecopy number) set forth in
its Administrative Questionnaire; or, as to any party, at such other address as
shall be designated by such party in a notice to each other party. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such communications shall be deemed to
have been duly given when transmitted by telecopier or personally delivered or,
in the case of a mailed notice, upon receipt, in each case given or addressed as
aforesaid.
11.03 Expenses, Etc. The Company agrees to pay or reimburse each of
--------------
the Lenders and the Administrative Agent for: (a) all reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and expenses of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, special New
York counsel to Chase) in connection with (i) the negotiation, preparation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder
and (ii) the negotiation or preparation of any modification, supplement or
waiver of any of the terms of this Agreement (whether or not consummated); (b)
all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses
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of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) in connection with (i) any
Default and any enforcement or collection proceedings resulting therefrom,
including, without limitation, all manner of participation in or other
involvement with (x) bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, foreclosure, winding
up or liquidation proceedings, (y) judicial or regulatory proceedings and (z)
workout, restructuring or other negotiations or proceedings (whether or not the
workout, restructuring or transaction contemplated thereby is consummated) and
(ii) the enforcement of this Section 11.03; and (c) all transfer, stamp,
documentary or other similar taxes, assessments or charges levied by any
governmental or revenue authority in respect of this Agreement or any other
document referred to herein.
The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and
each Lender and their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys and
agents from, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or reasonable expenses incurred by any of them
(including, without limitation, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages
or expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent to any Lender, whether or not
the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) arising out of or by
reason of any investigation or litigation or other proceedings (including any
threatened investigation or litigation or other proceedings) relating to the
Loans hereunder or any actual or proposed use by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of the proceeds of any of the Loans hereunder, including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel incurred in
connection with any such investigation or litigation or other proceedings (but
excluding any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by
reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be
indemnified). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company
will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender from, and hold the
Administrative Agent and each Lender harmless against, any losses, liabilities,
claims, damages or reasonable expenses described in the preceding sentence (but
excluding, as provided in the preceding sentence, any loss, liability, claim,
damage or reasonable expense incurred by reason of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Person to be indemnified) arising under any
Environmental Law as a result of the past, present or future operations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any predecessor in interest to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries), or the past, present or future condition of
any site or facility owned, operated or leased at any time by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries (or any such
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predecessor in interest), or any Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous
Materials at or from any such site or facility, excluding any such Release or
threatened Release that shall occur during any period when the Administrative
Agent or any Lender shall be in possession of any such site or facility
following the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its
rights and remedies hereunder, but including any such Release or threatened
Release occurring during such period that is a continuation of conditions
previously in existence, or of practices employed by the Company and its
Subsidiaries, at such site or facility.
11.04 Amendments, Etc. Except as otherwise expressly provided in
----------------
this Agreement, any provision of this Agreement may be modified or supplemented
only by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Majority Lenders,
or by the Company and the Administrative Agent acting with the consent of the
Majority Lenders, and any provision of this Agreement may be waived by the
Majority Lenders or by the Administrative Agent acting with the consent of the
Majority Lenders; provided that: (a) no modification, supplement or waiver
--------
shall, unless by an instrument signed by all of the Lenders or by the
Administrative Agent acting with the consent of all of the Lenders: (i)
increase, or extend the term of the Commitments, or extend the time or waive any
requirement for the reduction or termination of the Commitments, (ii) extend the
date fixed for the payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee
hereunder, (iii) reduce the amount of any such payment of principal, (iv) reduce
the rate at which interest is payable thereon or any fee is payable hereunder,
(v) alter the rights or obligations of the Company to prepay Loans, (vi) alter
the manner in which payments or prepayments of principal, interest or other
amounts hereunder shall be applied as between the Lenders or Types of Loans,
(vii) alter the terms of this Section 11.04, (viii) modify the definition of the
term "Majority Lenders" or modify in any other manner the number or percentage
of the Lenders required to make any determinations or waive any rights hereunder
or to modify any provision hereof, or (ix) waive any of the conditions precedent
set forth in Section 6.01 hereof; and (b) any modification or supplement of
Section 10 hereof, or of any of the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent
hereunder, shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent. The Company
shall be fully protected in relying upon consents, modifications and amendments
executed by the Administrative Agent purportedly on the Lenders' behalf.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 64 -
11.05 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
----------------------
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and permitted assigns.
11.06 Assignments and Participations.
------------------------------
(a) The Company may not assign any of its rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior consent of all of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent.
(b) Each Lender may assign any of its Loans and its Commitment (but
only with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Company, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that
--------
(i) no such consent by the Company or the Administrative Agent
shall be required in the case of any assignment to another Lender or an
affiliate of a Lender;
(ii) except to the extent the Company and the Administrative
Agent shall otherwise consent, any such partial assignment (other than to
another Lender) shall be in an amount at least equal to $10,000,000;
(iii) each such assignment by a Lender of its Loans or
Commitment shall be made in such manner so that the same portion of its
Loans and Commitment is assigned to the respective assignee; and
(iv) upon each such assignment, the assignor and assignee shall
deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent an Assignment and
Acceptance in the form of Exhibit D hereto.
Upon execution and delivery by the assignor and the assignee to the Company and
the Administrative Agent of such Assignment and Acceptance, and upon consent
thereto by the Company and the Administrative Agent to the extent required
above, the assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment (unless
otherwise consented to by the Company and the Administrative Agent), the
obligations, rights and benefits of a Lender hereunder holding the Commitment
and Loans (or portions thereof) assigned to it and specified in such Assignment
and Acceptance (in addition to the Commitment and Loans, if any, theretofore
held by such assignee) and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent of such
assignment, be released from the Commitment (or portion thereof) so assigned.
Upon each such assignment the assigning Lender shall pay the Administrative
Agent an assignment fee of $3,000.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 65 -
(c) A Lender may sell or agree to sell to one or more other Persons
(each a "Participant") a participation in all or any part of any Loans held by
-----------
it, or in its Commitment, provided that such Participant shall not have any
--------
rights or obligations under this Agreement (the Participant's rights against
such Lender in respect of such participation to be those set forth in the
agreements executed by such Lender in favor of the Participant). All amounts
payable by the Company to any Lender under Section 5 hereof in respect of Loans
held by it, and its Commitment, shall be determined as if such Lender had not
sold or agreed to sell any participations in such Loans and Commitment, and as
if such Lender were funding each of such Loan and Commitment in the same way
that it is funding the portion of such Loan and Commitment in which no
participations have been sold. In no event shall a Lender that sells a
participation agree with the Participant to take or refrain from taking any
action hereunder except that such Lender may agree with the Participant that it
will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to (i) increase or
extend the term of such Lender's Commitment, (ii) extend the date fixed for the
payment of principal of or interest on the related Loan or Loans or any portion
of any fee hereunder payable to the Participant, (iii) reduce the amount of any
such payment of principal, (iv) reduce the rate at which interest is payable
thereon, or any fee hereunder payable to the Participant, to a level below the
rate at which the Participant is entitled to receive such interest or fee or (v)
consent to any modification, supplement or waiver hereof to the extent that the
same, under Section 11.04 hereof, requires the consent of each Lender.
(d) In addition to the assignments and participations permitted under
the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.06, any Lender may (without notice
to the Company, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and without payment
of any fee) (i) assign and pledge all or any portion of its Loans to any Federal
Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating
Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank and (ii) assign all or any portion
of its rights under this Agreement and its Loans to an affiliate. No such
assignment shall release the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.
(e) A Lender may furnish any information concerning the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in the possession of such Lender from time to time to
assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and participants),
subject, however, to the provisions of Section 11.13(b) hereof.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 66 -
(f) Anything in this Section 11.06 to the contrary notwithstanding,
no Lender may assign or participate any interest in any Loan held by it
hereunder to the Company or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries without the
prior consent of each Lender.
11.07 Replacement of Lender. In the event that any Lender or, to the
---------------------
extent applicable, any Participant (the "Affected Lender"):
---------------
(a) fails to perform its obligations to fund any portion of any Loan
when required to do so by the terms of this Agreement, or any other present
or future agreement or instrument from time to time entered into among the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent or any Lender
relating to this Agreement, or fails to provide its portion of any
Eurodollar Loan or to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans on
account of any Regulatory Change;
(b) demands payment under the provisions of Section 5.01 in an amount
materially in excess of the amounts with respect thereto demanded by the
other Lenders;
(c) refuses to consent to a proposed amendment, modification, waiver
or other action requiring consent of all of the Lenders under Section 11.04
that is consented to by all of the other Lenders;
then, so long as no Event of Default exists, the Company shall have the right to
seek a replacement Lender which is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent (the "Replacement Lender"). The Replacement Lender shall purchase the
------------------
interests of the Affected Lender in the Loan and its Commitment and shall assume
the obligations of the Affected Lender hereunder upon execution by the
Replacement Lender of an Assignment and Acceptance and the tender by it to the
Affected Lender of a purchase price agreed between it and the Affected Lender
(or, if they are unable to agree, a purchase price in the amount of the Affected
Lender's percentage interest in any Loan or appropriate credit support for
contingent amounts included therein, and all other outstanding obligations
payable hereunder then owed to the Affected Lender). Upon consummation of such
assignment, the Replacement Lender shall become a party this Agreement as a
signatory hereto and shall have all the rights and obligations of the Affected
Lender under this Agreement, the Affected Lender shall be released from its
obligations hereunder, and no further consent or action by any party shall be
required. The Company shall sign such documents and take such other actions
reasonably
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 67 -
requested by the Replacement Lender to enable it to share in the benefits of the
rights created by this Agreement. Until the consummation of an assignment in
accordance with the forgoing provisions of this Section 11.07, the Company shall
continue to pay the Affected Lender any amounts payable pursuant to this
Agreement as they become due and payable.
11.08 Survival. The obligations of the Company under Sections 5.01,
--------
5.05, 5.06 and 11.03 hereof, and the obligations of the Lenders under Section
10.05 hereof, shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the termination of
the Commitments and, in the case of any Lender that may assign any interest in
its Commitment or Loans hereunder, shall survive the making of such assignment,
notwithstanding that such assigning Lender may cease to be a "Lender" hereunder.
In addition, each representation and warranty made, or deemed to be made by a
notice of any Loan, herein or pursuant hereto shall survive the making of such
representation and warranty, and no Lender shall be deemed to have waived, by
reason of making any Loan, any Default that may arise by reason of such
representation or warranty proving to have been false or misleading,
notwithstanding that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may have had notice
or knowledge or reason to believe that such representation or warranty was false
or misleading at the time such Loan was made.
11.09 Captions. The table of contents and captions and section
--------
headings appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and
are not intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this
Agreement.
11.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
------------
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any such counterpart.
11.11 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement
-----------------------------------------
shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of
New York. The Company hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County (including its
Appellate Division), and of any other appellate court in the State of New York,
for the purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any
objection
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 68 -
that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such
proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding
brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
11.12 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE
--------------------
AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY.
11.13 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
-------------------------------------------------
(a) The Company acknowledges that from time to time financial
advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to
the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries (in connection with this
Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more subsidiaries or
affiliates of such Lender and the Company hereby authorizes each Lender to share
any information delivered to such Lender by the Company and its Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to
enter into this Agreement, to any such subsidiary or affiliate, it being
understood that any such subsidiary or affiliate receiving such information
shall be bound by the provisions of paragraph (b) below as if it were a Lender
hereunder. Such authorization shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the
termination of the Commitments.
(b) Each Lender and the Administrative Agent agrees (on behalf of
itself and each of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and
representatives) to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential, in
accordance with their customary procedures for handling confidential information
of the same nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices, any
non-public information supplied to it by the Company pursuant to this Agreement
that is identified by the Company as being confidential at the time the same is
delivered to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, provided that nothing
--------
herein shall limit the disclosure of any such information (i) after such
information shall have become public (other than through a violation of this
Section 11.13), (ii) to the extent required by statute, rule, regulation or
judicial process, (iii) to counsel for any of the Lenders or the Administrative
Agent, provided that such counsel is advised of the confidential nature of such
information, (iv) to bank examiners (or any other
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 69 -
regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any Lender or the Administrative
Agent), or to auditors or accountants, (v) to the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender (or to Chase Securities Inc.), (vi) in connection with any
litigation to which any one or more of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent
is a party, or in connection with the enforcement of rights or remedies
hereunder, (vii) to a subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender as provided in
paragraph (a) above or (viii) to any assignee or participant (or prospective
assignee or participant) so long as such assignee or participant (or prospective
assignee or participant) first executes and delivers to the respective Lender a
Confidentiality Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (or
executes and delivers to such Lender an acknowledgement to the effect that it is
bound by the provisions of this Section 11.13(b), which acknowledgement may be
included as part of the respective assignment or participation agreement
pursuant to which such assignee or participant acquires an interest in the Loans
hereunder); provided, further, that in no event shall any Lender or the
-------- -------
Administrative Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished
by the Company. The obligations of any assignee that has executed a
Confidentiality Agreement in the form of Exhibit C hereto shall be superseded by
this Section 11.13 upon the date upon which such assignee becomes a Lender
hereunder pursuant to Section 11.06(b) or 11.07 hereof.
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 70 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By
------------------------------
Title:
Address for Notices:
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01653
Attention: Edward A. Ostrout
Telecopier No.: (508) 853-1733
Telephone No.: (508) 855-2230
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 71 -
Lenders
-------
Commitment THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
----------
$225,000,000
By
---------------------------------
Title:
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
- 72 -
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Administrative Agent
By
-----------------------------
Title:
Address for Notices to
Chase as Administrative Agent:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10081
Credit Agreement
----------------
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
Indebtedness
------------
[See Section 8.06(b)]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)
Amount
Outstanding
at April
Borrower Description Maturity 30, 1997
- -------- ----------- -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AFC 7 5/8% Senior Debentures due 2025 $199.5
AFC Guarantee of the liquidation
amount of the 8.207% of AFC
Capital Trust
APC Funding Short-term commercial paper various 1997 27.9
FAFLIC Short-term commercial paper various 1997 24.7
Logan wells Bank note payable due 2013 2.7
Logan wells Bank note payable due 2010 0.6
-----------
$255.4
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Notional Amt.
-------------
Synthetic Preferred Swaps
- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
CBI 7 48 4/00 Syn Pfds 1-Oct-96 $14,000,000
MBNA Pfds 19-Nov-96 $15,500,000
First Nationwide Pfds 15-Dec-96 $10,000,000
LILCO 7.05 Syn Pfds 22-Jan-97 $22,000,000
El Paso 8.25 Syn Pfds 24-Jan-97 $10,000,000
Vanilla swap to hedge CBI $14,100,000
<CAPTION>
Emerging Markets to Local Currency Basket Swaps
- -----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Latin LC Basket 19-Mar-97 $25,000,000
Asia LC Basket 24-Mar-97 $25,000,000
Europe/Afr Basket 4-Apr-97 $25,000,000
<CAPTION>
Muni Inverse/Swap Tax Arbitrage
- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Florida RITES 22-May-97 $ 2,575,000
Swap (RITES hedge) 22-May-97 $ 5,600,000
Fairfax RITES (2 tranches) $ 3,535,000
Swap (RITES hedge) $ 7,000,000
Puerto Rico RITES $ 2,000,000
Swap (RITES hedge) $ 5,400,000
</TABLE>
Schedule I
----------
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
Subsidiaries
[See Section 7.13]
Subsidiaries as of May 30, 1997
--------------------------------
I. Allmerica Financial Corporation (Delaware)
A. Allmerica Funding Corp. (Massachusetts)
B. First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company(Massachusetts)
1. Logan Wells Ware Company, Inc. (New Jersey)
2. SMA Financial Corp. (Massachusetts)
a. Allmerica Property & Casualty Companies, Inc. (Delaware)
(59.5% owned)
i. APC Funding Corp. (Massachusetts)
ii. Allmerica Financial Insurance Brokers, Inc.(Massachusetts)
iii. Citizens Insurance Company of Illinois (Illinois)
iv. The Hanover Insurance Company (New Hampshire)
1. Allmerica Financial Benefit Insurance Company
(Pennsylvania)
2. Allmerica Employees Insurance Agency, Inc.
(Massachusetts)
3. The Hanover American Insurance Company (New Hampshire)
4. Hanover Texas Insurance Management Company, Inc.
(Texas)
5. Citizens Corporation (Delaware) (82.5% owned)
a. Citizens Insurance Company of Ohio (Ohio)
b. Citizens Insurance Company of America (Michigan)
i. Citizens Management Inc. (Michigan)
c. Citizens Insurance Company of the Midwest
(Indiana)
6. AMGRO, Inc. (Massachusetts)
a. Lloyds Credit Corporation (Massachusetts)
7. Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company (New Hampshire)
8. Allmerica Financial Alliance Insurance Company
(New Hampshire)
b. Sterling Risk Management Services, Inc. (Delaware)
Schedule II
-----------
<PAGE>
- 2 -
c. Allmerica Trust Company, N.A. (Federally chartered)
(99.2% owned)
d. Somerset Square, Inc. (Massachusetts)
e. Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company
(Delaware)
f. Allmerica Institutional Services, Inc. (Massachusetts)
g. Allmerica Investments, Inc. (Massachusetts)
h. Allmerica Investment Management Company, Inc. (Massachusetts)
i. Allmerica Asset Management Company, Inc. (Massachusetts)
j. Allmerica Financial Services Insurance Agency, Inc.
(Massachusetts)
k. Linder Skokie Real Estate Corporation (Massachusetts)
l. Allmerica Asset Management, Limited (Bermuda)
C. APY Acquisition, Inc. (Delaware)
D. Allmerica, Inc, (Massachusetts)
E. AFC Capital Trust I (Delaware)
F. Allmerica Services Corporation (Massachusetts)
G. First Sterling Reinsurance Company Limited (Bermuda)
Schedule II
-----------
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE III
Investment Company Act
[See Section 7.10]
Allmerica Funds, in which Allmerica Investments, Inc. an indirect Wholly-
Owned Subsidiary of the Company, has a $6,000,000 investment, is an "investment
company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Schedule III
------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
[Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Company]
__________, 199_
To the Lenders party to the
Credit Agreement referred to
below and The Chase
Manhattan Lender, as Administrative Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is being furnished to you pursuant to Section 6.01(c) of
the Credit Agreement dated as of June 17, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement") between
----------------
Allmerica Financial Corporation (the "Company"), the lenders party thereto and
-------
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, providing for loans to be
made by said lenders to the Company in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $225,000,000. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have
the respective meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
We have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the Credit
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and as such are familiar
with the proceedings taken by it in connection therewith.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined the Credit
Agreement. We have also examined such certificates, documents and records, and
have made such examination of law, as we have deemed necessary to enable us to
render the opinions expressed below. In addition, we have examined and relied
as to matters of fact upon representations and warranties contained in the
Credit Agreement and in certificates and upon covenants contained in the Credit
Agreement as to the application of the proceeds of the loans made pursuant
thereto.
We call your attention to the fact that each of the Credit Documents
provides that it is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York, and we understand that you are relying on the advice
of your own counsel with respect to all matters involving New York law. For
purposes of rendering the opinions expressed in paragraph 5 below, we have
assumed that the Credit Agreement is to be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The opinions expressed below are limited to matters governed by the
internal laws of The Commonwealth of
Opinion of Counsel to the Company
---------------------------------
<PAGE>
- 2 -
Massachusetts, the Federal laws of the United States and the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject also to the
comments and qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each Material
Insurance Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the respective
state indicated opposite its name in Schedule II to the Credit Agreement.
2. The Company has all requisite corporate power to execute and
deliver, and to perform its obligations under, the Credit Agreement. The
Company has all requisite corporate power to borrow under the Credit
Agreement.
3. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the
Credit Agreement, and the borrowings by the Company under the Credit
Agreement, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Company.
4. The Credit Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company.
5. The Credit Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
the rights of creditors generally and except as the enforceability of the
Credit Agreement is subject to the application of general principles of
equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law), including, without limitation, (a) the possible unavailability of
specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and
(b) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.
6. No authorization, approval or consent of, and no filing or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or agency of
the United States of America is required on the part of the Company for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the Credit
Opinion of Counsel to the Company
---------------------------------
<PAGE>
- 3 -
Agreement or for the borrowings by the Company under the Credit Agreement.
7. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of, and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by, the Credit
Agreement do not and will not (a) violate any provision of its charter or
by-laws, (b) violate any applicable law, rule or regulation of the United
States or The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (c) violate any order, writ,
injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority or agency or
any arbitral award applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
which we have knowledge (after due inquiry of officers of the Company) or
(d) result in a breach of, constitute a default under, require any consent
under, or result in the acceleration or required prepayment of any
indebtedness pursuant to the terms of, any agreement or instrument to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which any of them
is bound or to which any of them is subject, and which has been or is
required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or result
in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any Property of the Company
pursuant to, the terms of any such agreement or instrument.
The foregoing opinions are subject to the following comments and
qualifications:
(A) The enforceability of Section 11.03 of the Credit Agreement may
be limited by laws rendering unenforceable indemnification contrary to
Federal or state securities laws and the public policy underlying such
laws.
(B) The enforceability of provisions in the Credit Agreement to the
effect that terms may not be waived or modified except in writing may be
limited under certain circumstances.
(C) We express no opinion as to (i) the effect of the laws of any
jurisdiction in which any Lender is located that limit the interest, fees
or other charges such Lender may impose, (ii) Section 4.07(c) of the Credit
Agreement, and (iii) the second sentence of Section 11.11 of the Credit
Agreement, insofar as such sentence relates to the subject matter
jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York to adjudicate any controversy related to the Credit Agreement.
Opinion of Counsel to the Company
---------------------------------
<PAGE>
- 4 -
This opinion letter may not be relied upon by any Person for any
purpose other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Credit Agreement without, in each instance, our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
Opinion of Counsel to the Company
---------------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Opinion of Special New York Counsel to Chase]
__________, 199_
To the Lenders party to the
Credit Agreement referred to
below and The Chase
Manhattan Lender, as Administrative Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special New York counsel to The Chase Manhattan Bank
("Chase") in connection with (i) the Credit Agreement dated as of June 17, 1997
-----
(the "Credit Agreement") between Allmerica Financial Corporation (the
----------------
"Company"), the lenders party thereto and Chase, as Administrative Agent,
-------
providing for loans to be made by said lenders to the Company in an aggregate
principal amount not exceeding $225,000,000 and (ii) the various other
agreements, instruments and other documents referred to in the next following
paragraph. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as defined
therein. This opinion letter is being delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) of
the Credit Agreement.
We have examined the Credit Agreement. In such examination, we have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals and the conformity with authentic original
documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. When relevant facts were
not independently established, we have relied upon representations made in or
pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed, with
respect to the Credit Agreement that:
(i) the Credit Agreement has been duly authorized by, has been duly
executed and delivered by, and (except to the extent set forth
in the opinions below as to the Company) constitutes legal,
valid, binding and enforceable obligations of, all of the
parties to such documents;
(ii) all signatories to the Credit Agreement have been duly
authorized; and
(iii) all of the parties to the Credit Agreement are duly organized
and validly existing and have the power and authority
(corporate or other) to execute, deliver and perform the Credit
Agreement.
Opinion of Special Counsel to the Chase
---------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- 2 -
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject also to the
comments and qualifications set forth below, and having considered such
questions of law as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions
expressed below, we are of the opinion that the Credit Agreement constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally and except as the enforceability of
the Credit Agreement is subject to the application of general principles of
equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law),
including, without limitation, (a) the possible unavailability of specific
performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (b) concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.
The foregoing opinions are subject to the following comments and
qualifications:
(A) The enforceability of Section 11.03 of the Credit Agreement may
be limited by (i) laws rendering unenforceable indemnification contrary to
Federal or state securities laws and the public policy underlying such laws
and (ii) laws limiting the enforceability of provisions exculpating or
exempting a party, or requiring indemnification of a party for, liability
for its own action or inaction, to the extent the action or inaction
involves gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct or unlawful
conduct.
(B) The enforceability of provisions in the Credit Agreement to the
effect that terms may not be waived or modified except in writing may be
limited under certain circumstances.
(C) We express no opinion as to (i) the effect of the laws of any
jurisdiction in which any Lender is located (other than the State of New
York) that limit the interest, fees or other charges such Lender may
impose, (ii) Section 4.07(c) of the Credit Agreement, and (iii) the second
sentence of Section 11.11 of the Credit Agreement, insofar as such sentence
relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York to adjudicate any controversy
related to the Credit Agreement.
The foregoing opinions are limited to matters involving the Federal
laws of the United States and the law of the State of
Opinion of Special Counsel to the Chase
---------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- 3 -
New York, and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other
jurisdiction.
At the request of our client, this opinion letter is, pursuant to
Section 6.01(d) of the Credit Agreement, provided to you by us in our capacity
as special New York counsel to Chase and may not be relied upon by any Person
for any purpose other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the Credit Agreement without, in each instance, our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
CDP/___
Opinion of Special Counsel to the Chase
---------------------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
[Form of Confidentiality Agreement]
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
[Date]
[Insert Name and
Address of Prospective
Participant or Assignee]
Re: Credit Agreement dated as of June 17, 1997 (the "Credit
------
Agreement"), between Allmerica Financial Corporation (the
---------
"Company"), the lenders party thereto and The Chase Manhattan
-------
Bank, as Administrative Agent.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
As a Lender party to the Credit Agreement, we have agreed with the
Company pursuant to Section 11.13 of the Credit Agreement to use reasonable
precautions to keep confidential, except as otherwise provided therein, all non-
public information identified by the Company as being confidential at the time
the same is delivered to us pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
As provided in said Section 11.13, we are permitted to provide you, as
a prospective [holder of a participation in the Loans (as defined in the Credit
Agreement)] [assignee Lender], with certain of such non-public information
subject to the execution and delivery by you, prior to receiving such non-public
information, of a Confidentiality Agreement in this form. Such information will
not be made available to you until your execution and return to us of this
Confidentiality Agreement.
Accordingly, in consideration of the foregoing, you agree (on behalf
of yourself and each of your affiliates, directors, officers, employees and
representatives and for the benefit of us and the Company) that (A) such
information will not be used by you except in connection with the proposed
[participation][assignment] mentioned above and (B) you shall use reasonable
precautions, in accordance with your customary procedures for handling
confidential information and in accordance with safe and sound banking
practices, to keep such information confidential, provided that nothing herein
--------
shall limit the disclosure of any such information (i) after such information
shall have become public (other than through a
Confidentiality Agreement
-------------------------
<PAGE>
- 2 -
violation of Section 11.13 of the Credit Agreement), (ii) to the extent required
by statute, rule, regulation or judicial process, (iii) to your counsel or to
counsel for any of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, provided that such
counsel is advised of the confidential nature of such information, (iv) to bank
examiners (or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any Lender
or the Administrative Agent), or to auditors or accountants, (v) to the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender (or to Chase Securities Inc.), (vi) in
connection with any litigation to which you or any one or more of the Lenders or
the Administrative Agent are a party, or in connection with the enforcement of
rights or remedies under the Credit Agreement, (vii) to a subsidiary or
affiliate of yours as provided in Section 11.13(a) of the Credit Agreement or
(viii) to any assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or participant)
so long as such assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or participant)
first executes and delivers to you a Confidentiality Agreement substantially in
the form hereof; provided, further, that in no event shall you be obligated to
-------- -------
return any materials furnished to you pursuant to this Confidentiality
Agreement.
If you are a prospective assignee, your obligations under this
Confidentiality Agreement shall be superseded by Section 11.13 of the Credit
Agreement on the date upon which you become a Lender under the Credit Agreement
pursuant to Section 11.06(b) thereof.
Confidentiality Agreement
-------------------------
<PAGE>
- 3 -
Please indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing as provided
below the enclosed copy of this Confidentiality Agreement and returning the same
to us.
Very truly yours,
[INSERT NAME OF LENDER]
By
-------------------------
The foregoing is agreed to
as of the date of this letter.
[INSERT NAME OF PROSPECTIVE
PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE]
By
-------------------------
Confidentiality Agreement
-------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
[Form of Assignment and Acceptance]
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997
(as modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time, the "Credit
------
Agreement"), between Allmerica Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation,
- ---------
the lenders named therein, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent
for such lenders. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as
defined therein.
____________________ (the "Assignor") and ____________________ (the
--------
"Assignee") agree as follows:
--------
1. The Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee
without recourse to the Assignor, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases
and assumes from the Assignor without recourse to the Assignor, as of the
Effective Date as set forth in Schedule 1 hereto (the "Effective Date"), an
--------------
interest (the "Assigned Interest") in and to the Assignor's rights and
-----------------
obligations under the Credit Agreement with respect to those credit facilities
contained in the Credit Agreement as are set forth on Schedule 1 (individually,
an "Assigned Facility"; collectively, the "Assigned Facilities"), in a principal
----------------- -------------------
amount and percentage for each Assigned Facility as set forth on Schedule 1.
2. The Assignor (i) makes no representation or warranty and assumes
no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant thereto, or the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any
other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that it has
not created any adverse claim upon the interest being assigned by it hereunder
and that such interest is free and clear of any such adverse claim; (ii) makes
no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the
financial condition of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other
obligation or the performance or observance by the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any other obligor of any of their respective obligations under
the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
hereto or thereto; and (iii) attaches the Note(s), if any, held by it evidencing
the Assigned Facilities and requests that the Administrative Agent exchange such
Note(s), if any, for a new Note or Notes payable to the Assignor (if the
Assignor has retained any interest in the
Assignment and Acceptance
-------------------------
<PAGE>
- 2 -
Assigned Facility) and a new Note or Notes payable to the Assignee, if requested
by the Assignee pursuant to Section 2.09(d) of the Credit Agreement, in the
respective amounts which reflect the assignment being made hereby (and after
giving effect to any other assignments which have become effective on the
Effective Date).
3. The Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it is legally
authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) confirms that it
has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the
financial statements referred to in Section 7.02 thereof, the financial
statements delivered pursuant to Section 8.01 thereof, if any, and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (iii) agrees
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor, the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement or
any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (iv)
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as
administrative agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion
under the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto or thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the
terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto; and (v)
agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and will
perform in accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of
the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender including,
if it is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of
America, its obligation pursuant to Section 5.06 of the Credit Agreement to
deliver the forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United
States certifying as to the Assignee's exemption from United States withholding
taxes with respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee under the Credit
Agreement, or such other documents as are necessary to indicate that all such
payments are subject to such tax at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty.
4. Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will
be delivered to the Administrative Agent for acceptance, effective as of the
Effective Date (which date shall not, unless otherwise agreed to by the
Administrative Agent, be earlier than five Business Days after the date of such
acceptance).
Assignment and Acceptance
-------------------------
<PAGE>
- 3 -
5. Upon such acceptance, from and after the Effective Date, the
Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest
(including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the
Assignee which accrue subsequent to the Effective Date.
6. From and after the Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a
party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and
Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and shall be
bound by the provisions thereof and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be
released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement except as provided in
Sections 10.05 and 11.12 of the Credit Agreement.
7. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
8. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Assignment and
Acceptance by signing any such counterpart.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and
Acceptance to be executed as of the date first above written by their respective
duly authorized officers on Schedule 1 hereto.
Assignment and Acceptance
-------------------------
<PAGE>
Schedule 1 to
Assignment and Acceptance
relating to the Credit Agreement,
dated as of June 17, 1997,
between Allmerica Financial Corporation,
the lenders named therein and
The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as administrative agent for the Lenders
(in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent")
--------------------
Name of Assignor:
Name of Assignee:
Effective Date of Assignment:
Credit Principal Percentage
Facility Assigned Amount Assigned Assigned
----------------- --------------- --------
[ASSIGNEE] [ASSIGNOR]
By: By:
--------------------------- --------------------------
Title: Title:
[Consented to and] Accepted:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Administrative Agent
By:
--------------------------
Title:
[Consented to:
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL
CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------
Title:]
Assignment and Acceptance
-------------------------
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC.
INFORMATION STATEMENT
NOTICE OF ACTION TAKEN WITHOUT A MEETING
NOTICE OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS
----------------
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
PROSPECTUS
This Information Statement/Prospectus, Notice of Action Taken Without a
Meeting and Notice of Appraisal Rights (the "Information
Statement/Prospectus") is being furnished to holders of Common Stock, par
value $1.00 per share ("APY Common Stock") of Allmerica Property & Casualty
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("APY") in connection with the
proposed acquisition by Allmerica Financial Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("AFC"), of the outstanding shares of APY Common Stock not held
directly or indirectly by AFC. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of February 19, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement") between AFC, APY and
APY Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
AFC ("Merger Sub"), Merger Sub will merge with and into APY (the "Merger")
resulting in APY becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AFC. Also, immediately
prior to the consummation of the Merger, the Certificate of Incorporation of
APY will be amended to authorize the Board of Directors of APY to issue a new
class of APY Common Stock (the "APY Class B Common Stock"), one share of which
will be exchanged for each share of APY Common Stock held directly or
indirectly by AFC (the "Recapitalization," and together with the Merger, the
"Merger Transactions"). After the effective date of the Merger, the APY Common
Stock will cease to be quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE").
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of APY
Common Stock, other than shares held directly or indirectly by AFC or by
stockholders who properly perfect their appraisal rights under the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), will be converted into the right to
receive (x) 0.4 (the "Standard Exchange Ratio") of a share of the Common
Stock, $.01 par value per share, of AFC ("AFC Common Stock"), and (y) an
amount in cash, without interest, equal to $17.60 (the "Standard Cash
Consideration" and together with the shares of AFC Common Stock issued under
the Standard Exchange Ratio, the "Standard Consideration"); provided, however,
that (1) in the event the Average Stock Price (as defined below) is less than
$36.00, the Standard Cash Consideration shall be equal to (A) $32.00 less (B)
the Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price and (2) in
the event the Average Stock Price is greater than $41.00, the Standard Cash
Consideration shall be equal to (A) $34.00 less (B) the Standard Exchange
Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price. Alternatively, an APY stockholder
may elect to receive merger consideration solely in AFC Common Stock or in
cash, subject to proration in the event that the election made by such
stockholder is oversubscribed. If an APY stockholder elects to receive merger
consideration in all stock, such holder will receive, for each share of APY
Common Stock, .85714 (the "Stock Exchange Ratio") of a share of AFC Common
Stock (the "Stock Consideration"); provided, however, that (1) in the event
the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the Stock Exchange Ratio shall be
equal to $32.00 divided by the Average Stock Price and (2) that in the event
the Average Stock Price is greater than $41.00, the Stock Exchange Ratio shall
be equal to $34.00 divided by the Average Stock Price. If such a stockholder
elects to receive their merger
(Continued on the following page)
----------------
NEITHER THIS TRANSACTION NOR THESE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION. NEITHER THE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THIS
TRANSACTION NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS INFORMATION
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Information Statement/Prospectus is June 13, 1997.
<PAGE>
(Continued from the previous page)
consideration in all cash, such holder will receive, for each share of APY
Common Stock, $33.00 in cash, without interest (the "Cash Consideration");
provided, however, that (1) in the event the Average Stock Price is less than
$36.00, the Cash Consideration shall be equal to $32.00 and (2) in the event
the Average Stock Price is more than $41.00, the Cash Consideration shall be
equal to $34.00. The consideration to be received by an APY Public Stockholder
(as defined below) in connection with the Merger, whether in the form of
Standard Consideration, Stock Consideration or Cash Consideration, shall be
referred to herein as the "Merger Consideration." The value of the per share
Merger Consideration may vary depending on, among other things, whether such
holder receives Standard Consideration or elects to receive Stock Consideration
or Cash Consideration. See "The Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY
Merger Consideration." If an APY stockholder elects to receive the Stock
Consideration or the Cash Consideration, the application of the proration
procedures may cause the mix of cash and AFC Common Stock actually received by
such holder to differ from the election made; as a result, the value of the
consideration received may be less than if proration had not been applied.
"Average Stock Price" means the average of the Closing Market Prices (as
defined below) for the ten consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading
day prior to the Effective Time (as defined below). The "Closing Market Prices"
for any trading day means the closing sales price of the AFC Common Stock as
reported in the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape (as reported by the Wall
Street Journal) for that day.
On June 12, 1997, the closing prices per share of AFC Common Stock and APY
Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape were $39 1/2 and $32 3/4, respectively.
On December 16, 1996, the last full trading day preceding public announcement
of the proposed Merger Transactions, the closing prices per share of AFC Common
Stock and APY Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape were $32 1/8 and $28 1/2,
respectively. HOLDERS OF APY COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET
QUOTATIONS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THEIR ELECTION OF A
FORM OF MERGER CONSIDERATION OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
YOU ARE URGED TO REVIEW THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY TO
DECIDE WHICH FORM OF MERGER CONSIDERATION TO ELECT OR WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE
MERGER CONSIDERATION OR TO EXERCISE APPRAISAL RIGHTS. HOLDERS OF APY COMMON
STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND ANY CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING APY COMMON STOCK TO APY AT
THIS TIME. A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND AN ELECTION FORM WILL BE MAILED AFTER
THE EFFECTIVE TIME TO EACH PERSON WHO WAS A HOLDER OF OUTSTANDING APY COMMON
STOCK IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME. APY STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD SEND
CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING APY COMMON STOCK TO FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF
NEW YORK, THE EXCHANGE AGENT, ONLY AFTER THEY RECEIVE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE ELECTION FORM.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A
PROXY.
This Information Statement/Prospectus also serves as a prospectus of AFC with
respect to the issuance of up to 9,690,323 shares of AFC Common Stock to APY
Public Stockholders in connection with the consummation of the Merger. See "The
Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY Merger Consideration."
The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of, vote on or consent to
the Merger Transactions was May 28, 1997 (the "Record Date"). As of the Record
Date, there were issued and outstanding 59,657,606 shares of APY Common Stock,
held by 1,051 owners of record. On the Record Date, AFC, through its wholly
owned subsidiary SMA Financial Corp. ("SMA"), owned 35,472,600, or 59.5%, of
the outstanding shares of APY Common Stock. Pursuant to the DGCL and APY's
Certificate of Incorporation, SMA, as the owner of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of APY Common Stock, approved the Merger Transactions by
written consent on June 13, 1997. Consequently, no meeting of stockholders of
APY is necessary to effect the Merger Transactions, and no action on the part
of any public stockholder is necessary to authorize or to consummate the Merger
Transactions. It is expected that the Merger Transactions will be consummated
on or about July 16, 1997.
<PAGE>
Holders of APY Common Stock who make a demand in writing on or before July 6,
1997 and who otherwise comply with the applicable provisions of the DGCL are
entitled to a judicial appraisal of the fair value of their shares of APY
Common Stock. See "The Merger Transactions--Appraisal Rights" and the text of
the applicable sections of the DGCL attached as Appendix D to this Information
Statement/Prospectus.
This Information Statement is being mailed on or about June 16, 1997 to APY
stockholders of record on the Record Date, and constitutes the notice of
appraisal rights required by Section 262 of the DGCL and the notice of
corporate action without meeting required by Section 228 of the DGCL.
The principal executive offices of each of APY and AFC are located at 440
Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653, and the telephone number of
each is (508) 855-1000.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION..................................................... 1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE........................... 2
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS................................................ 3
SUMMARY................................................................... 4
The Companies........................................................... 4
The Merger Transactions................................................. 4
The Charter Amendment................................................... 10
Comparative Rights of Stockholders...................................... 10
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends................................. 11
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Allmerica
Financial Corporation.................................................. 12
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Allmerica
Property & Casualty Companies, Inc..................................... 15
Unaudited Pro Forma Selected Condensed Consolidated Financial
Information of AFC..................................................... 17
Unaudited Comparative per Share Data.................................... 19
SPECIAL FACTORS........................................................... 20
Background of the Merger Transactions................................... 20
Purpose of and Reasons for the Merger Transactions...................... 24
Determination of the Special Committee; Approval of the APY Board of
Directors.............................................................. 24
Reasons for the Special Committee's Recommendation...................... 25
Approval of the AFC Board of Directors.................................. 27
Certain Projections..................................................... 28
Fairness Opinions....................................................... 29
No Action Required by Stockholders to Consummate the Merger
Transactions........................................................... 38
Certain Litigation...................................................... 39
Certain Effects of the Merger Transactions.............................. 39
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger Transactions................. 40
Accounting Treatment.................................................... 41
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences................................. 41
Federal Securities Laws Consequences.................................... 42
THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS................................................... 43
General................................................................. 43
The Merger Agreement.................................................... 44
APY Merger Consideration.............................................. 44
The Recapitalization.................................................. 47
Certain Representations and Warranties................................ 47
Certain Covenants..................................................... 47
Conditions to the Merger Transactions................................. 49
Termination of the Merger Agreement................................... 49
Payment to Stockholders; Election Procedures............................ 50
Regulatory Approvals.................................................... 51
Stock Exchange Listing.................................................. 52
Financing the Merger; Fees and Expenses................................. 52
Appraisal Rights........................................................ 52
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT..................................................... 55
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS IN THE APY COMMON STOCK.............................. 55
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
THE COMPANIES.............................................................. 56
Business of AFC.......................................................... 56
Business of APY.......................................................... 57
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION........... 59
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS......................................... 66
PRINCIPAL AND OTHER STOCKHOLDERS OF APY.................................... 68
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AFC AND APY................................. 70
REGULATORY MATTERS......................................................... 70
General.................................................................. 70
Holding Company Regulation............................................... 71
OTHER MATTERS.............................................................. 73
Directors and Executive Officers of AFC.................................. 73
Directors and Executive Officers of APY.................................. 77
Directors and Executive Officers of Merger Sub........................... 78
LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................. 78
EXPERTS.................................................................... 78
Appendix A-1
Agreement and Plan of Merger between AFC, Merger Sub and APY............. A1-1
Appendix A-2
Form of Charter Amendment................................................ A2-1
Appendix B
Fairness Opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated... B-1
Appendix C
Fairness Opinion of Salomon Brothers Inc................................. C-1
Appendix D
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law...................... D-1
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
AFC and APY are each subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed with the Commission can be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and
at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Citicorp Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center,
Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained
at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission
maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other materials that are filed through the Commission's Electronic Data
Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system. The Web site can be accessed at
http://www.sec.gov. AFC Common Stock and APY Common Stock are listed on the
NYSE and such material may also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. After consummation of the Merger, APY
will no longer file reports, proxy statements or other information with the
Commission.
AFC has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-4
(together with all amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), relating to shares of AFC Common Stock that are proposed to be issued
in connection with the Merger to certain holders of APY Common Stock and AFC
and APY jointly have filed with the Commission a Rule 13e-3 Transaction
Statement on Schedule 13E-3 (together with any amendments thereto, the
"Schedule 13E-3") under the Exchange Act. See "The Merger Transactions--The
Merger Agreement--APY Merger Consideration." This Information
Statement/Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement or the Schedule 13E-3, certain portions of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Such
additional information is available for inspection and copying at the offices
of the Commission. Statements contained in this Information
Statement/Prospectus or in any document incorporated into this Information
Statement/Prospectus by reference as to the contents of any contract or other
document referred to herein or therein are not necessarily complete, and in
each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, the Schedule 13E-3 or such
other document, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference.
THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
THAT ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS (OTHER
THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN) ARE AVAILABLE, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON ORAL OR
WRITTEN REQUEST BY ANY PERSON TO WHOM THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, 440 LINCOLN STREET,
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01653, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS; TELEPHONE
NUMBER (508) 855-1000. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS,
ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE JULY 9, 1997.
All information contained or incorporated by reference in this Information
Statement/Prospectus relating to AFC has been supplied by AFC and all such
information relating to APY has been supplied by APY.
----------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this Information
Statement/Prospectus and, if so given or made, such information or
representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This
Information Statement/Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than those to which it
relates or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities, or the solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction in which, or to
any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither
the delivery of this Information Statement/Prospectus nor the issuance or sale
of any securities hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the affairs of AFC or APY since
the date hereof or that the information herein is correct as of any time
subsequent to its date.
<PAGE>
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed by AFC with the Commission under
the Act and the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) AFC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996 (the "AFC Form 10-K");
(b) AFC's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996 (the "AFC Form 10-K/A");
(c) AFC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March
31, 1997 (the "AFC Form 10-Q");
(d) The description of AFC Common Stock contained in AFC's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-91766) which the Commission declared
effective on October 10, 1995, and any amendment or report filed for the
purpose of updating any such description (the "AFC Common Stock Description");
(e) AFC's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 5, 1997, February 19,
1997 and April 15, 1997 (the "AFC Form 8-Ks"); and
(f) AFC's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996 (collectively with the AFC Form 10-K, the AFC Form 10-K/A, the AFC
Form 10-Q, the AFC Common Stock Description and the AFC Form 8-Ks, the "AFC
Reports").
The following documents previously filed by APY with the Commission under
the Act and the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) APY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996
(the "APY Form 10-K");
(b) APY's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1996
(the "APY Form 10-K/A");
(c) APY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March
31, 1997 (the "APY Form 10-Q");
(d) The description of APY Common Stock contained in APY's Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-51696) which the Commission declared
effective on September 4, 1992, and any amendment or report filed for the
purposes of updating any such description (the "APY Common Stock
Description"); and
(e) APY's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 19, 1997 (collectively
with the APY Form 10-K, the APY Form 10-K/A, the APY Form 10-Q and the APY
Common Stock Description, the "APY Reports)."
All documents filed by AFC or APY pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Information
Statement/Prospectus and prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Information Statement/Prospectus and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. In addition, the
Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A-1 to this
Information Statement/Prospectus, is incorporated herein by reference.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any
other subsequently filed document that is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein) modifies or supersedes such previous statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part
hereof except as so modified or superseded.
----------------
FOR NORTH CAROLINA INVESTORS: THESE SECURITIES AND THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
----------------
STATE INSURANCE HOLDING COMPANY LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO AFC AND
APY GENERALLY PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON MAY ACQUIRE CONTROL OF AFC, AND THUS
INDIRECT CONTROL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES, UNLESS SUCH
PERSON HAS PROVIDED CERTAIN REQUIRED INFORMATION TO, AND SUCH ACQUISITION IS
APPROVED (OR NOT DISAPPROVED) BY THE APPROPRIATE INSURANCE REGULATORY
AUTHORITIES. GENERALLY, ANY PERSON WHO ACQUIRES BENEFICIAL
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<PAGE>
OWNERSHIP OF 10% OR MORE OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF AFC
OR APY WOULD BE PRESUMED TO HAVE ACQUIRED SUCH CONTROL, UNLESS THE APPROPRIATE
INSURANCE REGULATORS UPON ADVANCE APPLICATION DETERMINE OTHERWISE.
----------------
AFC'S DIRECT SUBSIDIARIES MAY EACH BE CONSIDERED A "PARTY IN INTEREST"
WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS
AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR A "DISQUALIFIED PERSON" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"), WITH RESPECT TO MANY
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ERISA OR
THE CODE MAY ARISE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE SHARES OF AFC COMMON STOCK TO BE
EXCHANGED WITH SHARES OF APY COMMON STOCK HEREBY ARE HELD BY OR WITH THE
ASSETS OF A PENSION OR OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITH RESPECT TO WHICH
EITHER SUBSIDIARY IS A SERVICE PROVIDER, UNLESS SUCH SHARES OF AFC COMMON
STOCK ARE ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FOR TRANSACTIONS EFFECTED ON
BEHALF OF SUCH PLAN BY A "QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL ASSET MANAGER" OR PURSUANT TO
ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION. THE ASSETS OF A PENSION OR OTHER EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN MAY INCLUDE ASSETS HELD IN THE GENERAL ACCOUNT OF AN INSURANCE
COMPANY THAT ARE DEEMED TO BE "PLAN ASSETS" UNDER ERISA. ANY INSURANCE COMPANY
OR PENSION OR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN PROPOSING TO HOLD AFC COMMON STOCK SHOULD
CONSULT WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL.
----------------
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Each of AFC and APY wish to caution readers that the following important
factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could
affect, AFC and/or APY's actual results and could cause AFC and/or APY's
actual results for 1997 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed
in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, AFC or APY. The
words "believes," "anticipated," "expects" and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward looking statements. See "Important Factors
Regarding Forward Looking Statements" filed as Exhibit 99-2 to the AFC Form
10-K and filed as Exhibit 99-1 to the APY Form 10-K, each of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
Factors that may cause AFC and/or APY's actual results to differ materially
from those contemplated or projected, forecast, estimated or budgeted in such
forward looking statements include among others, the following possibilities:
(i) adverse catastrophe experience and severe weather; (ii) adverse loss
development for events AFC or APY insured in prior years; (iii) heightened
competition, including the intensification of price competition, the entry of
new competitors, and the introduction of new products by new and existing
competitors; (iv) adverse state and federal legislation or regulation,
including decreases in rates, limitations on premium levels, increases in
minimum capital and reserve requirements, benefit mandates, limitations on the
ability to manage care and utilization, and tax treatment of insurance
products; (v) changes in interest rates causing a reduction of investment
income and in the market value of interest rate sensitive investments; (vi)
failure to obtain new customers, retain existing customers or reductions in
policies in force by existing customers; (vii) higher service, administrative,
or general expense due to the need for additional advertising, marketing,
administrative or management information systems expenditures, including year
2000 initiatives; (viii) loss or retirement of key executives; (ix) increases
in medical costs, including increases in utilization, costs of medical
services, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment and other covered items;
(x) termination of provider contracts or renegotiation at less cost-effective
rates or terms of payment; (xi) changes in AFC and/or APY's liquidity due to
changes in asset and liability matching; (xii) restrictions on insurance
underwriting, based on genetic testing and other criteria; (xiii) adverse
changes in the ratings obtained by independent rating agencies, such as
Moody's, Standard & Poors, A.M. Best Company, Inc. ("A.M. Best") and Duff &
Phelps; (xiv) adverse trends in mortality and morbidity; (xv) lower
appreciation on and decline in value of managed investments, resulting in
reduced variable products, assets and related fees; and (xvi) possible claims
relating to sales practices for insurance products.
3
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
The following summary is intended only to highlight certain information
contained elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus. This summary is
not intended to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information contained elsewhere in this Information
Statement/Prospectus, the Appendices hereto and the documents incorporated by
reference or otherwise referred to herein. Stockholders of APY are urged to
review carefully this entire Information Statement/Prospectus, including the
Appendices hereto.
THE COMPANIES
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AFC is a holding company for a diversified group of insurance and financial
services companies with total assets, as of March 31, 1997, of $19.6 billion.
AFC, through its subsidiaries, operates in two fundamental areas: retirement
and asset management and risk management. AFC's retirement and asset management
segments offer annuities, variable life insurance, full-service retirement
savings products and investment management services to retail and institutional
clients. AFC's risk management operations are conducted through its
indirect subsidiary, APY. AFC indirectly holds approximately 59.5% of the
capital stock of APY. See "The Companies--Business of AFC."
ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC.
APY, through its operating subsidiaries, underwrites personal and commercial
property and casualty insurance in five major lines of business: personal
automobile, homeowners, commercial automobile, workers' compensation and
commercial multiple peril. APY's principal operating subsidiaries are The
Hanover Insurance Company ("Hanover") and Citizens Corporation ("Citizens"),
the holding company for Citizens Insurance Company of America. Through Hanover,
APY holds approximately 82.5% of the outstanding common stock of Citizens. See
"The Companies--Business of APY."
The mailing address of the principal executive offices of each of AFC, APY
and Merger Sub is 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653 (telephone
number: (508) 855-1000).
THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
THE MERGER
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (a) Merger Sub will merge with and into
APY, which will result in APY, as the surviving corporation of the Merger,
becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AFC, and (b) each share of APY Common
Stock held by SMA will be exchanged for one share of APY Class B Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger.
Consideration to be Received by APY Public Stockholders. The Merger Agreement
provides that each outstanding share of APY Common Stock held by stockholders
other than persons who properly perfect their appraisal rights under the DGCL
(the "Dissenting APY Stockholders") or other than AFC or its wholly-owned
subsidiaries (the "APY Public Stockholders"), will be converted into the right
to receive (x) 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock, and (y) an amount in cash,
without interest, equal to $17.60; provided, however, that (1) in the event the
Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the Standard Cash Consideration shall
be equal to (A) $32.00 less (B) the Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the
Average Stock Price and (2) in the event the Average Stock Price is greater
than $41.00, the Standard Cash Consideration shall be equal to (A) $34.00 less
(B) the Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price. Any
election for Standard Consideration is referred to herein as a "Standard
Election." Alternatively, an APY Public Stockholder may elect to receive
4
<PAGE>
merger consideration solely in AFC Common Stock or in cash, subject to
proration in the event that the election made by such stockholder is
oversubscribed. If no election is made by an APY Public Stockholder, such
holder will be deemed to have made a Standard Election with respect to such
holder's shares of APY Common Stock. See "The Merger Transactions--Payment to
Stockholders; Election Procedures" and "The Merger Transactions--The Merger
Agreement--APY Merger Consideration."
If an APY Public Stockholder elects to receive the Stock Consideration in
lieu of the Standard Consideration, each share of APY Common Stock will be
converted into .85714 of a share of AFC Common Stock (any such election being
referred to herein as a "Stock Election"), subject to proration; provided,
however, that (1) in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the
Stock Exchange Ratio shall be equal to $32.00 divided by the Average Stock
Price and (2) in the event the Average Stock Price is greater than $41.00, the
Stock Exchange Ratio shall be equal to $34.00 divided by the Average Stock
Price.
If an APY Public Stockholder elects to receive the Cash Consideration in lieu
of the Standard Consideration, each share of APY Common Stock will be converted
into $33.00 in cash, without interest (any such election being referred to
herein as a "Cash Election"), subject to proration; provided, however, that (1)
in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the Cash
Consideration shall be equal to $32.00 and (2) in the event the Average Stock
Price is greater than $41.00, the Cash Consideration shall be equal to $34.00.
See "The Merger Transactions--Payment to Stockholders; Election Procedures" and
"The Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY Merger Consideration."
No fractional shares of AFC Common Stock will be issued pursuant to the
Merger. In lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares of AFC Common Stock,
cash will be paid to holders of such fractional share in the amount of the
product of such fractional share and the Average Stock Price. Each share of APY
Common Stock which is held in the treasury of APY (the "APY Treasury Stock")
will be cancelled and cease to exist. See "The Merger Transactions--The Merger
Agreement--APY Merger Consideration."
As more fully set forth below, the maximum number of shares of AFC Common
Stock issuable to APY Public Stockholders (the "Maximum Number of AFC Shares")
shall not exceed the product of (x) the Standard Exchange Ratio and (y) the
number of shares of APY Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time excluding (A) APY Treasury Stock, (B) shares held by Dissenting
APY Stockholders, (C) shares exchanged in the Recapitalization and (D) shares
held directly or indirectly by AFC (the "Outstanding APY Shares"). As of June
12, 1997, the Maximum Number of AFC Shares was equal to 9,674,323. In addition,
as is more fully set forth below, the aggregate amount of cash to be paid to
APY Public Stockholders (the "Maximum Cash Amount") shall not exceed the
product of (i) the Standard Cash Consideration and (ii) the Outstanding APY
Shares.
The following table illustrates the different values of the Standard
Consideration, the Stock Consideration and the Cash Consideration at certain
assumed Average Stock Prices, and illustrates the effect of the collar
provisions, without the effect of the proration procedures described below. If
other than a Standard Election is made, the effect of the proration may cause
the mix of cash and AFC Common Stock actually received by an APY Public
Stockholder to differ from the election made by such holder; as a result the
value of consideration received would also vary accordingly.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF
ASSUMED AVERAGE STANDARD STOCK CASH
STOCK PRICE(2) CONSIDERATION CONSIDERATION(4) CONSIDERATION
- --------------- --------------------------- ---------------- -------------
CASH STOCK(3) TOTAL
------ -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$32.00(1) $19.20 $12.80 $32.00 $32.00 $32.00
$36.00 $17.60 $14.40 $32.00 $30.86 $33.00
$38.50 $17.60 $15.40 $33.00 $33.00 $33.00
$41.00 $17.60 $16.40 $34.00 $35.14 $33.00
$45.00(1) $16.00 $18.00 $34.00 $34.00 $34.00
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
- --------
(1) If the Average Stock Price is below $36.00 per share or above $41.00 per
share, the value of the per share consideration payable to each APY Public
Stockholder will be equivalent regardless of whether such holder makes a
Standard Election, a Cash Election or a Stock Election.
(2) To be determined based upon the average of the closing sales prices of AFC
Common Stock for the ten consecutive trading days ending on the fifth
trading day prior to the Effective Time.
(3) Based upon 0.4 shares of AFC Common Stock at the assumed Average Stock
Price indicated.
(4) When the Average Stock Price is equal to or greater than $36.00 and less
than or equal to $41.00, the amount is based upon .85714 shares of AFC
Common Stock at the assumed Average Stock Price indicated. When the
Average Stock Price is less than $36.00 or greater than $41.00, the amount
is determined by multiplying the Average Stock Price by the quotient
obtained by dividing $32.00 (if the Average Stock Price is less than
$36.00) or $34.00 (if the Average Stock Price is greater than $41.00) by
the Average Stock Price.
THE VALUE OF THE PER SHARE MERGER CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO EACH APY PUBLIC
STOCKHOLDER MAY VARY DEPENDING ON (I) THE AVERAGE STOCK PRICE, (II) WHETHER
SUCH HOLDER MAKES A STANDARD ELECTION, A CASH ELECTION OR A STOCK ELECTION, AND
(III) THE PRORATION PROCEDURES DESCRIBED BELOW. SEE "THE MERGER--THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--APY MERGER CONSIDERATION" FOR A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE EFFECT OF
THE AVERAGE STOCK PRICE AND PRORATION ON THE VALUE OF THE MERGER CONSIDERATION.
In the event that the aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to the Cash
Elections received by the Exchange Agent exceeds the Maximum Cash Amount minus
the aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to Standard Elections (such
difference, the "Remaining Cash"), the Cash Election shall be oversubscribed.
In that event, a holder who has made a Cash Election shall receive, for each
share of APY Common Stock held by such holder (the "Cash Election APY Shares"),
(x) cash in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the (i)
Remaining Cash by (ii) the Cash Election APY Shares and (y) a number of shares
of AFC Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (iii) the
Remaining Cash Election Shares (as defined below) by (iv) the Cash Election APY
Shares. The "Remaining Cash Election Shares" shall be the number of shares of
AFC Common Stock equal to the Maximum Number of AFC Shares minus the number of
shares of AFC Common Stock issuable pursuant to Standard Elections and Stock
Elections.
In the event that the aggregate number of shares of AFC Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Stock Elections received by the Exchange Agent exceeds an
amount equal to the Maximum Number of AFC Shares minus the number of shares of
AFC Common Stock issuable pursuant to Standard Elections, including any
fractional shares for which a cash payment will be made (such difference, the
"Remaining Shares"), the Stock Election shall be oversubscribed. In that event,
a holder who has made a Stock Election shall receive, for each share of APY
Common held by such holder (the "Stock Election APY Shares"), (x) a number of
shares of AFC Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the
Remaining Shares by (ii) the Stock Election APY Shares and (y) cash in an
amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (iii) the Remaining Stock
Election Cash Amount (as defined below) by (iv) the Stock Election APY Shares.
The "Remaining Stock Election Cash Amount" shall be equal to the Maximum Cash
Amount minus the amount of cash payable pursuant to Standard Elections, and
Cash Elections.
Recapitalization. In connection with, and immediately prior to, the
consummation of the Merger, APY will issue one share of APY Class B Common
Stock as authorized by the Charter Amendment (as defined below) to SMA in
exchange for each share of APY Common Stock then held by SMA. See "The Merger
Transactions--The Merger Agreement--Recapitalization."
Conditions to the Merger. The obligations of AFC and APY to consummate the
Merger are subject to the fulfillment of various conditions, including, among
others: (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the absence of
any stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof and no proceeding for that
purpose having
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<PAGE>
been initiated by the Commission; (ii) consummation of the Recapitalization;
(iii) receipt of all requisite orders and approvals of insurance regulatory
authorities; (iv) listing of the shares of AFC Common Stock to be issued to APY
stockholders on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance; and (v)
the receipt of fairness opinions from the financial advisors to AFC and APY,
respectively, which have not been withdrawn as of the Effective Time. The
conditions to the obligation of AFC to consummate the Merger can be waived by
AFC and the conditions to the obligation of APY to consummate the Merger can be
waived by APY with the consent of the Special Committee. It is not anticipated
that APY or the Special Committee will waive any conditions, the failure of
which to be satisfied would have a material adverse effect on the Merger, AFC
or APY. See "The Merger Transactions--Conditions to the Merger."
Termination of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement is subject to
termination at the option of either AFC or APY (with the consent of the Special
Committee of the Board of Directors of APY (the "Special Committee")) if the
Merger is not consummated on or before September 30, 1997, and prior to such
time by the mutual consent of AFC, Merger Sub and APY (with the consent of the
Special Committee), or upon the occurrence of certain events. The Merger
Agreement may be terminated by APY (with the consent of the Special Committee)
at any time prior to the Effective Time, if prior to the Effective Time, (i)
the Board of Directors of APY (the "APY Board") determines in good faith, based
on the advice of counsel, that the failure to terminate the Merger Agreement
would likely be a breach of their fiduciary duties, by reason of a proposal
with respect to a merger, acquisition or similar transaction involving the
purchase of the stock or assets of APY (an "Alternative Proposal") being made;
(ii) there has been a material breach by AFC of any of the covenants or
agreements in the Merger Agreement that is not curable or cured within 30 days
after written notice of the breach; or (iii) the Board of Directors of AFC (the
"AFC Board") shall have withdrawn or modified, in a manner materially adverse
to APY, its approval or recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Special Committee if the Special
Committee withdraws or materially changes its recommendation of the Merger
Agreement and it determines, in good faith, based on the advice of counsel,
that the failure to terminate the Merger Agreement would likely be a breach of
their fiduciary duties, by reason of an Alternative Proposal being made. AFC
may terminate the Merger Agreement, at any time prior to the Effective Time,
if: (i) the APY Board and the Special Committee shall have withdrawn or
modified in a manner materially adverse to AFC their approval or recommendation
of the Merger Agreement or the Merger; (ii) there has been a breach by APY of
any representation or warranty in the Merger Agreement that would have, or that
would be reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on APY; or (iii)
there has been a material breach by APY of any of the covenants or agreements
in the Merger Agreement which is not curable or not cured within 30 days of
written notice of the breach. See "The Merger Transactions--The Merger
Agreement--Termination of the Merger Agreement."
Payment to Stockholders; Election Procedures. As soon as reasonably
practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each APY
Public Stockholder of record immediately prior to the Effective Time (A) a
letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), (B) instructions for use
in effecting the surrender of the certificates representing APY Common Stock
(the "APY Stock Certificates") in exchange for the Merger Consideration, and
(C) an election form (the "Election Form") providing for such holders to make
the Standard Election, the Cash Election or the Stock Election. AS OF THE
ELECTION DEADLINE (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED) ALL APY PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS
IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME THAT SHALL NOT HAVE SUBMITTED TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT, OR THAT SHALL HAVE PROPERLY REVOKED, AN EFFECTIVE, PROPERLY
COMPLETED ELECTION FORM SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE A STANDARD ELECTION.
Upon surrender of an APY Stock Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange
Agent, together with the Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, and such other
documents as AFC or the Exchange Agent shall reasonably request, the holder of
such APY Stock Certificate shall be entitled to receive promptly after the
Election Deadline in exchange therefor (A) a check in the amount equal to the
cash, if any, which such holder has the right to receive (including any cash in
lieu of fractional shares of AFC Common Stock), and (B) an AFC Stock
Certificate representing that number of shares of AFC Common Stock, if any,
which such holder has the right to receive (in
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<PAGE>
each case less the amount of any required withholding taxes), and the APY Stock
Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. If no election is made
by a holder of APY Common Stock, such holder will be deemed to have made a
Standard Election with respect to such holder's shares. See "The Merger
Transactions--Payment to Stockholders; Election Procedures."
DETERMINATION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE; APPROVAL OF THE APY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On February 19, 1997, the Special Committee, which was formed to review,
evaluate and negotiate the fairness of the Merger Transactions on behalf of APY
Public Stockholders, concluded that the Merger Transactions are fair to, and in
the best interests of, the holders of APY Common Stock other than AFC and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, and recommended that the APY Board approve the
Merger Agreement and the Merger Transactions. Based on the recommendation and
report of the Special Committee, the APY Board approved the Merger Transactions
and the Merger Agreement. For a discussion of the factors the Special Committee
considered in reaching its decision, see "Special Factors--Determination of the
Special Committee; Approval of the APY Board of Directors" and "Special
Factors--Fairness Opinions--Opinion of APY's Financial Advisor."
APPROVAL OF THE AFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On February 19, 1997, the AFC Board approved the Merger Transactions and the
Merger Agreement. The Board's approval is based upon a number of factors,
including the fairness opinion of its financial advisor and the approval of the
APY Board based upon the recommendation and report of the Special Committee.
See "Approval of the AFC Board of Directors" and "Special Factors--Fairness
Opinions--Opinion of AFC's Financial Advisor."
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
On February 19, 1997, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
("Merrill Lynch") delivered to the AFC Board its oral opinion, which was
subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of such date and on the basis of and
subject to the matters set forth in its written opinion, the Merger
Consideration was fair from a financial point of view to AFC. Merrill Lynch
subsequently delivered its written opinion dated the date of this Information
Statement/Prospectus that, as of such date, the Merger Consideration is fair
from a financial point of view to AFC. The full text of the written opinion of
Merrill Lynch, dated as of the date of this Information Statement/Prospectus,
which sets forth assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and
limitations on the review undertaken by Merrill Lynch, is included as Appendix
B to this Information Statement/Prospectus. Pursuant to Merrill Lynch's
engagement letter with AFC, AFC has agreed to pay Merrill Lynch a fee of
$1,000,000 upon consummation of the Merger Transactions. See "Special Factors--
Fairness Opinions--Opinion of AFC's Financial Advisor."
On February 19, 1997, Salomon Brothers Inc ("Salomon Brothers") rendered to
the Special Committee its written opinion to the effect that, as of such date,
the consideration to be received by the holders of APY Common Stock (other than
AFC and its subsidiaries) in the Merger was fair to such holders from a
financial point of view. The full text of the written opinion of Salomon
Brothers, dated February 19, 1997, which sets forth the assumptions made,
factors considered and limitations on the review undertaken by Salomon
Brothers, is included as Appendix C to this Information Statement/Prospectus.
APY stockholders are urged to read such opinion carefully in its entirety. See
"Special Factors--Fairness Opinions--Opinion of APY's Financial Advisor."
NO ACTION REQUIRED BY APY STOCKHOLDERS TO CONSUMMATE THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
May 28, 1997 was the Record Date for determining the holders of record
entitled to notice of, vote on or consent to the Merger Transactions. On the
Record Date, SMA held 35,472,600 shares, or approximately 59.5%
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<PAGE>
of the 59,657,606 outstanding shares of APY Common Stock. Pursuant to the DGCL
and APY's Certificate of Incorporation (the "APY Charter"), SMA, as holder of
more than 50% of the outstanding APY Common Stock, approved the Merger
Agreement and the Merger Transactions by written consent on June 13, 1997 (the
"Written Consent"). Consequently, no meeting of stockholders of APY is
necessary to effect the Merger Transactions, and no action on the part of any
APY Public Stockholder is necessary to authorize or to consummate the Merger
Transactions.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
Certain members of the management of AFC and APY and the AFC Board and APY
Board have certain interests in the Merger Transactions that are different
from, or in addition to, the interests of stockholders of AFC and APY
generally. See "Special Factors--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
Transactions." In addition, seven of AFC's directors and virtually all of its
executive officers, including its Chief Executive Officer, occupy similar
positions with APY. See "Business Relationships Between AFC and APY."
At the Record Date, directors and executive officers of each of AFC and APY
and their respective affiliates (excluding SMA) owned in the aggregate 43,140
shares of APY Common Stock (including shares issuable on or before July 16,
1997 upon exercise of outstanding stock options) which represents less than one
percent of the outstanding shares of APY Common Stock. The directors and
executive officers of AFC and APY who own shares of APY Common Stock will have
the right to receive the Merger Consideration in exchange for such shares. In
addition, each outstanding option to purchase shares of APY Common Stock that
is held by a director or executive officer of AFC or APY at the Effective Time
will be converted into options to acquire shares of AFC as set forth in "The
Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY Merger Consideration." As of the
Record Date, AFC, through SMA, owned an aggregate of 35,472,600 shares,
representing 59.5%, of the outstanding APY Common Stock.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger will be accounted for under the "purchase" method of accounting,
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
Recapitalization will not change the recorded amount of AFC's assets and
liabilities. See "Special Factors--Accounting Treatment."
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The receipt of the Merger Consideration (including any cash amounts received
by any APY Public Stockholder pursuant to their exercise of appraisal rights)
will be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes (and also may be
a taxable transaction under applicable state, local and other income tax laws).
In general, for federal income tax purposes, an APY Public Stockholder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between his or her adjusted tax
basis in the shares of APY Common Stock exchanged in the Merger Transactions,
and the amount of cash and the fair market value of the AFC Common Stock
received therefor. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and will be
long-term gain or loss if on the date of the Merger Transactions, the shares of
APY Common Stock were held for more than one year. The exchange of one share of
the APY Class B Common Stock for each share of APY Common Stock held by SMA
immediately prior to the Merger will be treated as a tax-free recapitalization
for federal income tax purposes. In addition, no gain or loss will be
recognized by AFC, Merger Sub or APY as a result of the Merger. See "Special
Factors--Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Consummation of the Merger Transactions is conditioned upon receipt of the
respective approvals or exemptions therefrom or other actions of all relevant
insurance regulatory authorities. See "The Merger Transactions--Regulatory
Approvals."
9
<PAGE>
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Any APY Public Stockholder who desires to exercise his or her appraisal
rights should review carefully the text of Section 262 of the DGCL attached as
Appendix D to this Information Statement/Prospectus and is urged to consult his
or her legal advisor before electing or attempting to exercise such rights. See
"The Merger Transactions--Appraisal Rights."
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT
The APY Charter does not currently authorize the APY Board to issue more than
one class of APY Common Stock. In order to effect the Recapitalization, which
will result in SMA holding shares of APY Class B Common Stock and which is a
condition precedent to the consummation of the Merger, the APY Charter will be
amended to authorize the APY Board to issue APY Class B Common Stock, $5.00 par
value per share. See "The Charter Amendment." SMA, as holder of more than 50%
of the outstanding APY Common Stock, will approve the Charter Amendment by
written consent.
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS
The rights of stockholders of APY currently are governed by Delaware law, the
APY Charter and APY's By-Laws. Upon consummation of the Merger, the
stockholders of APY who receive AFC Common Stock in the Merger will become
stockholders of AFC, which is also a Delaware corporation, and their rights as
stockholders of AFC will be governed by Delaware law, AFC's Certificate of
Incorporation and AFC's By-Laws. For a discussion of various differences
between the rights of stockholders of APY and AFC, see "Comparative Rights of
Stockholders."
10
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
AFC Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol AFC. APY Common Stock
is listed on the NYSE under the symbol APY.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of AFC Common
Stock and APY Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape and the
dividends declared per share of AFC Common Stock and APY Common Stock for each
quarterly period since October 16, 1995 (the date of its inception) with
respect to AFC and since January 1, 1994 with respect to APY.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES PRICES PER SALES PRICES PER
SHARE OF AFC SHARE OF APY
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS DECLARED DIVIDENDS DECLARED
----------------- ----------------- PER SHARE OF AFC PER SHARE OF APY
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter......... N/A N/A $20 1/8 $ 16 3/4 N/A $ 0.04
Second Quarter........ N/A N/A $22 3/8 $ 18 1/2 N/A $ 0.04
Third Quarter......... N/A N/A $24 3/4 $22 N/A $ 0.04
Fourth Quarter........ $28 5/8 $23 3/8 $27 $21 7/8 $0.05 $ 0.04
1996
First Quarter......... $28 $ 24 3/4 $27 1/4 $ 24 1/4 $0.05 $ 0.04
Second Quarter........ $30 1/8 $ 25 1/4 $27 1/4 $25 $0.05 $ 0.04
Third Quarter......... $32 7/8 $ 27 1/2 $30 1/2 $25 5/8 $0.05 $ 0.04
Fourth Quarter........ $33 3/4 $30 1/8 $30 1/2 $ 27 1/4 $0.05 $ 0.04
1997
First Quarter ........ $ 39 7/8 $32 3/4 $ 31 7/8 $ 30 1/8 $0.05 $ 0.04
Second Quarter
(through June 12).... $39 1/2 $33 5/8 $32 3/4 $31 1/4 $0.05 $ 0.04
</TABLE>
On December 16, 1996, the last full trading day preceding public announcement
of the proposed Merger Transactions, the closing price per share of AFC Common
Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape was $32 1/8 and the closing price per share of
APY Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape was $28 1/2. On June 12, 1997, the
most recent practicable date prior to the printing of this Information
Statement/Prospectus, the closing price per share of AFC Common Stock on the
NYSE Composite Tape was $39 1/2 and the closing price per share of APY Common
Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape was $32 3/4.
Holders of APY Common Stock are urged to obtain current market quotations
prior to making any decision with respect to their election of a form of merger
consideration or the exercise of any appraisal rights.
The payment of future dividends, if any, on AFC Common Stock will be a
business decision to be made by the Board of Directors of AFC from time to time
based upon the results of operations and financial condition of AFC and such
other factors as the AFC Board of Directors considers relevant.
11
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
OF ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
The following selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 and the statement of income data for
each of the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992 have been
derived from the consolidated financial statements of AFC, which have been
audited by AFC's independent accountants, whose reports thereon for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 are
incorporated by reference in this Information Statement/Prospectus. The balance
sheet data as of March 31, 1997 and 1996 and December 31, 1992 and the
statement of income data for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 are
unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary
for the fair presentation of the results for such period. All adjustments are
of a normal, recurring nature, except as described in the accompanying notes.
The following data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements of AFC and the notes thereto, which are incorporated by
reference in this Information Statement/Prospectus. See "Incorporation by
Reference" and "Available Information."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED AT OR FOR THE
MARCH 31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
DATA:
Revenues
Premiums............... $ 562.3 547.6 $ 2,236.3 $ 2,222.8 $ 2,181.8 $ 2,079.3 $ 2,172.4
Universal life and
investment product
policy fees........... 56.3 46.5 197.2 172.4 156.8 143.7 132.9
Net investment
income................ 163.4 161.1 672.6 710.5 743.1 782.8 823.7
Net realized
gains(1).............. 44.0 51.6 65.9 39.8 1.1 159.6 9.6
Other income(2)(3)..... 28.9 21.6 102.7 95.4 112.3 73.8 37.1
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total revenues....... 854.9 828.4 3,274.7 3,240.9 3,195.1 3,239.2 3,175.7
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Benefits, Losses and
Expenses
Policy benefits,
claims, losses and
loss adjustment
expenses.............. 492.3 496.9 1,957.0 2,010.3 2,047.0 1,987.2 2,163.8
Policy acquisition
expenses.............. 119.8 119.7 483.5 470.3 475.7 435.8 424.1
Loss from cession of
disability income
business(4)........... 53.9 -- -- -- -- -- --
Other operating
expenses net(2)(5).... 134.9 115.6 502.5 458.5 518.9 421.3 373.5
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total benefits,
losses and
expenses............ 800.9 732.2 2,943.0 2,939.1 3,041.6 2,844.3 2,961.4
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before federal
income taxes.......... 54.0 96.2 331.7 301.8 153.5 394.9 214.3
Federal income tax
expense............... 9.7 24.2 75.2 82.7 53.4 74.7 62.7
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before minority
interest,
extraordinary item
and cumulative effect
of accounting
changes............... 44.3 72.0 256.5 219.1 100.1 320.2 151.6
Minority interest
Distributions on
Company-obligated
mandatorily
redeemable preferred
securities of
subsidiary trust...... (2.4) -- -- -- -- -- --
Equity in
earnings(6)........... (26.0) (24.7) (74.6) (73.1) (51.0) (122.8) (54.4)
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(28.4) (24.7)
Income before
extraordinary item
and cumulative effect
of accounting
changes............... 15.9 47.3 181.9 146.0 49.1 197.4 97.2
Extraordinary item-
demutualization
expenses(7)........... -- -- -- (12.1) (9.2) (4.6) --
Cumulative effect of
accounting
changes(8)............ -- -- -- -- (1.9) (35.4) --
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income............. $ 15.9 $ 47.3 $ 181.9 $ 133.9 $ 38.0 $ 157.4 $ 97.2
========= ======== ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Net income per
share(9).............. $ 0.32 $ 0.94 $ 3.63 $ 2.61 $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ======== ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Adjusted Net
Income(10)............. $ 33.2 $ 25.5 $ 137.9 $ 116.4 $ 90.4 $ 119.1 $ 109.9
========= ======== ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
PERIOD END):
Total assets............ $19,625.6 18,162.7 $18,997.7 $17,757.7 $15,921.5 $15,378.4 $14,083.1
Long-term debt.......... 202.2 202.2 202.2 202.3 2.7 -- --
Total liabilities....... 16,871.2 15,872.3 16,489.0 15,425.0 14,299.4 13,711.7 12,764.1
Minority interest:
Company obligated
mandatorily redeemable
securities of
subsidiary trust...... 300.0 -- -- -- -- -- --
Common Stock(6)........ 782.4 734.5 784.0 758.5 629.7 615.8 422.4
Equity.................. 1,672.0 1,555.9 1,724.7 1,574.2 992.4 1,050.9 896.6
ADDITIONAL DATA:
Book value per
share(9)............... $ 33.35 $ 31.03 $ 34.40 $ 31.40 -- -- --
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(11)...... 4.3x 8.5x 8.7x 13.4x 10.6x 33.4x 14.7x
Statutory combined
ratios(12)
Property and Casualty
Insurance
Subsidiaries.......... $ 105.2 $ 105.8 104.5 101.0 105.3 102.7 104.5
Property and Casualty
Industry.............. -- -- 107.0 106.5 108.5 106.9 115.8
Cash dividends declared
per share.............. $ 0.05 0.05 $ 0.20 $ 0.05 -- -- --
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Net realized gains include (benefits) provisions for investment losses of
$(0.3) million and $1.3 million for the first three months of 1997 and
1996, respectively, and $5.5 million, $2.5 million, $19.5 million, $19.8
million and $22.8 million, in 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992,
respectively. These provisions were primarily related to reserves and
writedowns of mortgage loan and real estate investments. Also included in
this item in 1995 is a $20.7 million gain from the sale of the Company's
mutual fund servicing business. In addition, in 1993, a gain of $35.7
million from the sale of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon
Insurance Company of America ("Beacon"), and a gain of $62.9 million from
an initial public offering of 19.4% of Citizens' Common Stock, is
included.
(2) Other income primarily includes fee income from AFC's non-insurance
businesses, such as mutual fund services, institutional 401(k)
recordkeeping services and other fee income from AFC's insurance segments,
such as administrative services fees in AFC's Corporate Risk Management
Services ("CRMS") segment. Also included in other income for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 and the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1995 is income from the Closed Block totaling $5.5 million, $3.4
million, $8.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
(3) AFC sold its mutual fund servicing business during the first quarter of
1995, which represented $13.7 million, or 14.4%, of other income and $15.5
million in direct expenses during the year ended December 31, 1995 and
$42.5 million, or 37.8%, of other income and $49.3 million in direct
expenses during the year ended December 31, 1994.
(4) In April 1997, AFC, through its wholly owned subsidiary AFLIAC, entered
into a letter of intent for the 100% coinsurance of its disability income
line of business. The consummation of the transaction is subject to a
number of conditions, including the negotiation and execution of
definitive documentation and the receipt of regulatory approvals. The
proposed transaction has resulted in the recognition of a $53.9 million
pre-tax loss for the three months ended March 31, 1997.
(5) Other operating expenses include all general and administrative expenses,
as well as the operating expenses resulting from AFC's non-insurance
businesses, such as mutual fund services, institutional 401(k)
recordkeeping services and investment advisory services.
(6) AFC's interest in APY, through its wholly owned subsidiary SMA Financial
Corp., was represented by ownership of 59.5%, 59.5%, 59.2%, 58.3%, and
57.4% of the outstanding shares of APY common stock at March 31, 1997,
December 31, 1996, March 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. APY had ownership interests of 82.5%, 82.5%, 81.4%, 81.1%
and 80.6% in Citizens at March 31, 1997, December 31, 1996, March 31,
1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Earnings and stockholders'
equity attributable to minority shareholders are included in minority
interest in the consolidated financial statements.
(7) Demutualization expenses relate to costs associated with conversion from a
mutual life insurance company to a stock life insurance company. The
demutualization resulted in the issuance of 37.5 million shares of AFC
Common Stock. Concurrent with the demutualization was an initial public
offering which resulted in
13
<PAGE>
issuance of an additional 12.6 million shares of AFC Common Stock. The
demutualization and initial public offering occurred during the quarter
ended December 31, 1995.
(8) In 1993, AFC adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pension" ("SFAS No. 106"), which requires recognition
of a liability for health and life insurance benefits expected to be
provided to employees after retirement. Adoption of this statement
resulted in a charge to net income of $35.4 million, after taxes of $23.5
million and minority interest of $10.2 million, as a cumulative effect of
a change in accounting principle. In 1994, AFC adopted the provisions of
SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits" ("SFAS
No. 112"), which requires employers to recognize the costs of
postemployment benefits over the service period of the employees. Adoption
of this statement resulted in a charge to net income of $1.9 million,
after taxes of $1.5 million, and minority interest of $0.9 million, as a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
(9) Net income per share and book value per share for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 are based
on a weighted average of the number of shares outstanding for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the year ended December 31,
1996, respectively. The net income per share and book value per share for
the year ended December 31, 1995 are unaudited and are pro forma based on
a weighted average of the number of shares that would have been
outstanding between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1995 had the
demutualization transaction and the initial public offering of AFC Common
Stock occurred as of January 1, 1995, and does not represent a projection
or forecast of AFC's consolidated results of operations for any future
period.
(10) Adjusted net income represents net income adjusted to eliminate certain
items which management believes are not indicative of overall operating
trends, including net realized gains and losses on the sales of
investments, the cumulative effect of accounting changes, extraordinary
items, loss from the cession of the disability income business, gains on
sales of interests in subsidiaries and the differential earnings tax
adjustment. AFC management believes adjusted net income enhances an
investor's understanding of AFC's results of operations by highlighting
net income attributable to the normal, recurring operations of the
business. However, adjusted net income is not a substitute for net income
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and should be considered together with AFC's financial statements.
(11) For purposes of determining the historical ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consists of earnings before federal income taxes and
minority interest plus interest expense on AFC indebtedness and the
portion of operating lease rentals representative of the interest factor.
Fixed charges consist of interest expense on AFC indebtedness, dividends
on AFC-obligated manditorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary
trust recorded as minority interest before provision for federal income
taxes, plus the portion of operating lease rentals representative of the
interest factor.
(12) The amounts presented reflect ratios after policyholder dividends. The
industry combined ratios are not available for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996. Industry combined ratios before policyholder
dividends were 105.0, 107.1, 105.7 and 114.6 for the years ended December
31, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. Industry combined ratios
before policyholder dividends are not yet published for 1996. Industry
averages are from A.M. Best.
14
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF
ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC.
The following selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992 and the statement of income data
for each of the years then ended have been derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of APY. APY's financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 have been audited by APY's
independent accountants, Price Waterhouse LLP, whose reports thereon for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and as of December 31, 1996 and
1995 are incorporated by reference in this Information Statement/Prospectus.
APY's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1992 were
audited by independent accountants other than Price Waterhouse LLP. The balance
sheet data as of March 31, 1997 and 1996 and the statement of income data for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 are unaudited but, in the
opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for the fair
presentation of the results for such periods. All adjustments are of a normal,
recurring nature, except as described in the accompanying notes. The following
data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
of APY and the notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference in this
Information Statement/Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE
THREE MONTHS AT OR FOR THE
ENDED MARCH 31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------ ------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
DATA:
Revenues
Premiums............... $ 475.1 $ 465.1 $1,898.3 $1,863.2 $1,791.3 $1,678.2 $1,678.1
Net investment
income................ 61.3 52.3 235.4 209.6 202.4 202.2 210.6
Net realized
gains(1).............. 37.8 45.5 48.1 14.6 3.5 165.9 28.7
Other income(2)........ 2.4 0.4 11.9 7.7 7.6 4.8 5.5
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues....... 576.6 563.3 2,193.7 2,095.1 2,004.8 2,051.1 1,922.9
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Benefits, Losses and
Expenses
Policy benefits,
claims, losses and
loss adjustment
expenses.............. 348.2 349.3 1,383.4 1,300.3 1,315.5 1,207.6 1,252.1
Policy acquisition
expenses.............. 103.2 103.7 422.6 409.1 390.3 370.1 370.1
Other operating
expenses(3)........... 53.5 42.8 190.0 179.4 185.9 146.2 135.8
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total benefits,
losses and
expenses............ 504.9 495.8 1,996.0 1,888.8 1,891.7 1,723.9 1,758.0
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before federal
income taxes.......... 71.7 67.5 197.7 206.3 113.1 327.2 164.9
Federal income tax
expense............... 14.9 13.7 36.4 52.1 3.9 61.3 31.2
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before minority
interest and
cumulative effect of
accounting changes.... 56.8 53.8 161.3 154.2 109.2 265.9 133.7
Minority interest(4)... (5.0) (4.2) (14.9) (14.1) (8.0) (13.5) --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before
cumulative effect of
accounting changes.... 51.8 49.6 146.4 140.1 101.2 252.4 133.7
Cumulative effect of
accounting
changes(5)............ -- -- -- -- (2.0) 4.0 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income............. $ 51.8 $ 49.6 $ 146.4 $ 140.1 $ 99.2 $ 256.4 $ 133.7
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income per share
before cumulative
effect of accounting
changes............... -- -- $ 2.44 $ 2.28 $ 1.64 $ 4.08 $ 2.16
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income per
share(6).............. $ 0.87 $ 0.82 $ 2.44 $ 2.28 $ 1.61 $ 4.15 $ 2.16
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Adjusted Net Income(7).. $ 29.5 $ 21.8 $ 117.6 $ 131.1 $ 98.7 $ 127.8 $ 114.8
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
PERIOD END):
Total assets............ $5,663.7 $5,789.3 $5,703.9 $5,741.8 $5,408.7 $5,198.1 $4,693.5
Long-term debt.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Total liabilities....... 3,927.1 4,176.8 3,963.3 4,103.6 4,073.1 3,890.4 3,725.0
Minority interest(4).... 132.1 127.8 132.1 128.9 105.9 104.7 --
Equity.................. 1,604.5 1,484.7 1,608.5 1,509.3 1,229.7 1,203.0 968.6
ADDITIONAL DATA:
Book value per
share(6)............... $ 26.88 $ 24.78 $ 26.99 $ 24.82 $ 19.91 $ 19.47 $ 15.65
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(8)....... 35.1x 30.3x 30.1x 27.1x 14.5x 39.0x 17.2x
Statutory combined
ratios (9)
Property and Casualty
Insurance
Subsidiaries.......... 105.2 105.8 104.5 101.0 105.3 102.7 104.5
Property and Casualty
Industry.............. -- -- 107.0 106.5 108.5 106.9 115.8
Cash dividends declared
per share.............. $ 0.04 $ 0.04 $ 0.16 $ 0.16 $ 0.16 $ 0.19 $ 0.15
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
- --------
(1) Net realized gains include the 1993 gain of $35.7 million from the sale of
APY's wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon, and a gain of $62.9 million from an
initial public offering of 19.4% of Citizens' Common Stock.
(2) Other income primarily includes fee income from APY's non-insurance
businesses.
(3) Other operating expenses include all general and administrative expenses,
as well as the operating expenses resulting from the Company's non-
insurance businesses.
(4) APY had ownership interests of 82.5%, 82.5%, 81.4%, 81.1% and 80.6% in
Citizens at March 31, 1997, December 31, 1996, March 31, 1996, December 31,
1995 and December 31, 1994, respectively. Earnings and stockholders' equity
attributable to minority shareholders are included in minority interest in
the consolidated financial statements.
(5) In 1993, APY adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 106, which require
recognition of a liability for health and life insurance benefits expected
to be provided to employees after retirement. Adoption of this statement
resulted in a charge to net income of $22.0 million, after taxes of $11.3
million, recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle. APY also adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes" ("SFAS No. 109"), effective January 1, 1993. SFAS No. 109
changed APY's method of accounting for income taxes from the deferred
method to an asset and liability method, resulting in additional net income
of $23.7 million recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle. Additionally, APY changed its method of calculating deferred
policy acquisition expenses effective January 1, 1993. The cumulative
effect of this change in accounting principle was to increase net income by
$2.3 million, net of income taxes of $1.2 million. In 1994, APY adopted the
provisions of SFAS No. 112, which requires employers to recognize the costs
of postemployment benefits over the service period of the employees.
Adoption of this statement resulted in a charge to net income of $2.0
million, after taxes of $1.1 million, as a cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle.
(6) In December 1993, APY's board of directors approved a three-for-one stock
split of APY Common Stock, effected in the form of a stock dividend. A
total of 41.3 million additional shares of APY Common Stock were issued in
connection with this split. All share amounts have been restated to reflect
the stock split on a retroactive basis. The weighted average shares
outstanding applicable to APY Common Stock were 59.7 million and 60.5
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
and 59.9 million, 61.4 million, 61.8 million, 61.8 million and 61.9 million
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992,
respectively.
(7) Adjusted net income represents net income adjusted to eliminate certain
items which management believes are not indicative of overall operating
trends, including net realized gains and losses on the sales of
investments, the cumulative effect of accounting changes and gains on sales
of interests in subsidiaries. APY management believes adjusted net income
enhances an investor's understanding of APY's results of operations by
highlighting net income attributable to the normal, recurring operations of
the business. However, adjusted net income is not a substitute for net
income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and should be considered together with APY's financial
statements.
(8) For purposes of determining the historical ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of earnings before federal income taxes, minority
interest, extraordinary item and cumulative effect of accounting changes
plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on APY
indebtedness plus the portion of operating lease rentals representative of
the interest factor.
(9) The amounts presented reflect ratios after policyholder dividends. The
industry combined ratios are not available for the three months ended March
31, 1997 and 1996. Industry combined ratios before policyholder dividends
were 105.0, 107.1, 105.7 and 114.6, for the years ended December 31, 1995,
1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. Industry combined ratios before
policyholder dividends are not yet published for 1996. Industry averages
are from A.M. Best.
16
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AFC
The following unaudited pro forma selected condensed consolidated financial
information for AFC gives effect to the Merger Transactions and the Offering
(as defined herein), and is derived from the unaudited pro forma financial
information appearing elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus. The
applicable transactions are reflected in the unaudited pro forma consolidated
balance sheet as if they occurred on March 31, 1997 and in the unaudited pro
forma consolidated statements of income as if they occurred January 1, 1997
(for the three months ended March 31, 1997) and January 1, 1996 (for the twelve
months ended December 31, 1996). The Merger will be accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting. The Recapitalization will be treated as a
reorganization with no change in the recorded amount of AFC's assets and
liabilities. See "Special Factors--Accounting Treatment." The unaudited pro
forma financial statements are prepared for illustrative purposes only and are
not necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of operations
that might have occurred had the applicable transactions actually taken place
on the dates indicated, or of future results of operations or of financial
position of the stand-alone or combined entities. The unaudited pro forma
financial statements are based on the historical consolidated financial
statements of AFC and APY and the unaudited selected pro forma financial
information should be read in conjunction with (i) such historical financial
statements and the notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference in this
Information Statement/Prospectus, (ii) the unaudited pro forma financial
information and unaudited comparative per share data, including the notes
thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus and (iii)
the selected historical financial information of AFC and APY appearing
elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus. See "Incorporation of
Certain Documents by Reference," "Available Information," "Unaudited Pro Forma
Financial Information" and "Selected Historical Financial Information."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED FOR THE YEAR
MARCH 31, 1997 ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
---------------------- ------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues
Premiums.................. $ 562.3 $ 2,236.3
Universal life and
investment product
policy fees.............. 56.3 197.2
Net investment income..... 157.3 655.6
Net realized investment
gains.................... 44.0 65.9
Other income.............. 28.9 102.7
---------------------- ---------------------
Total revenues.......... 848.8 3,257.7
---------------------- ---------------------
Benefits, Losses and
Expenses
Policy benefits, claims,
losses and loss
adjustment expenses...... 492.4 1,957.4
Policy acquisition
expenses................. 119.8 483.5
Loss from cession of
disability income
business ................ 53.9 --
Other operating
expenses................. 136.1 507.9
---------------------- ---------------------
Total benefits, losses
and expenses........... 802.2 2,948.8
---------------------- ---------------------
Income before federal
income taxes............. 46.6 308.9
Federal income tax
expense.................. 7.7 69.9
---------------------- ---------------------
Income before minority
interest................. 38.9 239.0
Minority interest:
Dividends on Company-
obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred
securities of
subsidiary trust........ (4.0) (16.0)
Equity in earnings....... (5.0) (14.9)
---------------------- ---------------------
Net income................ $ 29.9 $ 208.1
====================== =====================
Net income per share...... $ 0.50 $ 3.48
====================== =====================
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
PERIOD END):
Total assets............... $19,319.5
Long-term debt............. 202.2
Total liabilities.......... 16,843.1
Minority interest:
Company-obligated
mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities of
subsidiary trust......... 300.0
Common stock.............. 132.1
Equity..................... 2,044.3
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE THREE MONTHS AT OR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C>
ADDITIONAL DATA:
Book value per share.... $ 34.13 $ 35.00
Cash dividends declared
per share(1)........... 0.05 0.20
Pro forma ratio of
earnings to fixed
charges(2)............. 3.3x 5.2x
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Pro forma cash dividends per share are assumed to be the same as
historically declared by AFC. The payment of future dividends, if any, on
AFC Common Stock will be a business decision to be made by the Board of
Directors of AFC from time to time based upon the results of operations and
financial condition of AFC and such other factors as the AFC Board of
Directors considers relevant.
(2) For purposes of determining the pro forma ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of pro forma earnings before federal income taxes
and minority interest plus interest expense on AFC indebtedness and the
portion of operating lease rentals representative of the interest factor.
Fixed charges consist of interest expense on AFC indebtedness, pro forma
dividends on AFC-obligated manditorily redeemable preferred securities of
subsidiary trust recorded as minority interest before provision for federal
income taxes, plus the portion of operating lease rentals representative of
the interest factor.
18
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
Set forth below are historical earnings per share, cash dividends per share
and book value per share data of AFC and APY, unaudited pro forma consolidated
per share data of AFC and pro forma equivalent per share data of APY. The data
set forth below should be read in conjunction with the AFC and APY audited
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, which are
incorporated by reference in this Information Statement/Prospectus. The data
should also be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus. See "Selected Historical
Financial Information" and "Selected Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
Information."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AFC APY
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
OR AS OF OR AS OF OR AS OF OR AS OF
MARCH 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996 MARCH 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
------------------ ----------------- ------------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Historical:
Net income per share... $ 0.32 $ 3.63 $ 0.87 $ 2.44
Cash dividends per
share................. 0.05 0.20 0.04 0.16
Book value per share... 33.35 34.40 26.88 26.99
Pro Forma Consolidated:
Net income per share... $ 0.50 $ 3.48 N/A N/A
Cash dividends per
share(1).............. 0.05 0.20 N/A N/A
Book value per share... 34.13 35.00 N/A N/A
APY Pro Forma
Equivalents:(2)
Net income per share... N/A N/A 0.20 $ 1.39
Cash dividends per
share................. N/A N/A 0.02 0.08
Book value per share... N/A N/A 13.65 14.00
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Pro forma cash dividends per share are assumed to be the same as
historically declared by AFC. The payment of future dividends, if any, on
AFC Common Stock will be a business decision to be made by the Board of
Directors of AFC from time to time based upon the results of operations and
financial condition of AFC and such other factors as the AFC Board of
Directors considers relevant.
(2) The pro forma equivalents are calculated by multiplying the Standard
Exchange Ratio by AFC's pro forma earnings per share, cash dividends per
share and book value per share, which have been prepared using adjustments
consistent with those included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Information contained elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus.
19
<PAGE>
SPECIAL FACTORS
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
Preliminary Note. The following discussion of contacts among the parties to
the Merger Transactions and their affiliates and advisors does not describe
each and every of the many conversations and meetings among the parties
concerning the Merger Transactions and related transactions or the various
conversations they have had with their respective financial and legal
advisors. It is intended to provide a description of material events in
connection with the negotiation of the terms of the Merger Transactions.
Background. AFC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have held over 50% of the
outstanding capital stock of APY or its predecessor since 1977. Until 1991,
APY was operated independently from AFC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Since 1991, when certain directors of AFC were elected to the board of
directors of APY, the management and operations of AFC and its subsidiaries
and APY and its subsidiaries have been combined. In 1992, APY was formed to be
a holding company for Hanover. In 1995, in connection with the demutualization
of State Mutual Insurance Company of America ("State Mutual"), AFC was formed
as a holding company for First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
("FAFLIC"), the successor to State Mutual. FAFLIC had from time to time
considered the possibility of a merger or consolidation with APY. In
connection with the demutualization, in July 1993 FAFLIC invited APY to enter
into discussions relating to such a possible merger and announced that a
preliminary alternative being considered was the creation of a public holding
company, having as its subsidiaries FAFLIC and the operating subsidiaries of
APY, which would have been owned by the former minority stockholders of APY
and the policyholders of FAFLIC. However, no specific transaction was proposed
by FAFLIC or considered by the respective boards of directors of APY and
FAFLIC at that time. In March 1994, FAFLIC's management decided to focus its
efforts solely on developing a plan of demutualization, independent of any
merger or consolidation with APY, in order to simplify the lengthy and
complicated process of demutualization. In October 1995, the demutualization
of FAFLIC was completed. Under FAFLIC's plan of demutualization, for one year
after the consummation of the demutualization, AFC and FAFLIC were prohibited
from entering into any merger, consolidation or other business combination
with any entity, and from issuing any shares of capital stock or securities
convertible into capital stock, without the prior approval of the Commissioner
of the Division of Insurance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In June
1996, management of AFC engaged Merrill Lynch to assist in analyzing,
structuring, negotiating and effecting an acquisition transaction involving
APY.
In October 1996, management of AFC determined to consider a possible
transaction with APY. AFC management decided to consider developing a proposal
to acquire the shares of APY Common Stock held by the APY Public Stockholders
at such time because the restrictions imposed by regulatory authorities in
connection with FAFLIC's demutualization had lapsed and in order to obtain as
soon as possible the benefits of such a transaction, including an increase in
AFC's proportion of earnings from APY's property and casualty operations. AFC
management did not make a proposal to APY immediately but instead continued to
analyze possible alternatives to acquire the shares of the APY Public
Stockholders. AFC management considered a number of acquisition structures
including the merger of a wholly-owned acquisition subsidiary of AFC into APY
and the creation of a public holding company having AFC and APY as
subsidiaries. AFC management also analyzed the effect, including the Federal
tax consequences to the APY Public Stockholders, of using various forms of
consideration, including all cash, all AFC Common Stock or a combination of
cash and AFC Common Stock. On December 17, 1996 the AFC Board held a meeting
at which AFC management presented to the AFC Board a proposal (the "Initial
AFC Merger Proposal") to acquire all of the shares of APY Common Stock and to
merge a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFC into APY. The Initial AFC Merger
Proposal was delivered to the APY Board at the meeting of the APY Board which
followed the meeting of the AFC Board. Under the Initial AFC Merger Proposal,
each outstanding share of APY Common Stock held by the APY Public Stockholders
would be converted into the right to receive $16.59 in cash without interest
and 0.385 of a share of AFC Common Stock. In lieu of the combined cash and
stock consideration, a stockholder would be permitted to elect to receive
consideration all in cash or all in stock, subject to proration. The Initial
AFC Merger Proposal also proposed amending the APY Charter in order to effect
a Recapitalization pursuant to which immediately prior to the proposed Merger
each share of APY Common Stock held by AFC or SMA would be converted into one
20
<PAGE>
share of APY Class B Common Stock, which shares would remain outstanding
following the Merger. AFC management decided to structure the Merger
Transaction to include the Recapitalization in order to enable SMA to retain
its interest in APY through its ownership of shares of Class B Common Stock of
APY. The failure of SMA to retain its ownership interest in APY would have
certain adverse consequences to FAFLIC under applicable insurance statutes and
regulations. In determining the value of APY for purposes of determining the
proposed merger consideration, AFC management considered several factors
including the then current market price of APY and the trading performance of
APY stock, as well as the future earnings potential of APY. AFC management
with the advice of Merrill Lynch, also utilized several customary valuation
methods in determining the value of APY. Such techniques included comparable
public company analysis, acquisition premium analysis, comparable acquisition
transactions analysis, as well as discounted dividend analysis.
At the December 17th meeting, the APY Board (i) appointed James A. Cotter,
Jr., M Howard Jacobson and Dona Scott Laskey, who were the only APY directors
that were neither present or former directors, officers or employees of AFC,
as members of a Special Committee to review, evaluate, negotiate and make a
recommendation with respect to the proposed transactions, (ii) authorized the
Special Committee to hire its own legal and financial advisors to assist it in
considering the proposed Merger Transactions and (iii) authorized the Special
Committee to determine whether the terms of a proposed merger with AFC were
fair to, and in the best interests of, the APY Public Stockholders. For their
services as members of the Special Committee, Mr. Jacobson and Ms. Laskey each
will receive a quarterly fee of $10,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses, and Mr.
Cotter, who was appointed Chairman of the Special Committee, will receive a
quarterly fee of $16,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Negotiations Between AFC and the Special Committee. On December 26, 1996 the
Special Committee interviewed investment banking firms and law firms and
retained Salomon Brothers as its financial advisor and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
MacRae, L.L.P. as its legal counsel.
The Special Committee requested that Salomon Brothers review the terms of
the Initial AFC Merger Proposal and assist the Special Committee in evaluating
the Initial AFC Merger Proposal, negotiating the terms of a merger with AFC
and determining whether the terms of a merger with AFC were fair to, and in
the best interests of, the APY Public Stockholders.
On behalf of the Special Committee, Salomon Brothers undertook a review of
the business and financial condition of APY, AFC and their subsidiaries. In
connection with this review, Salomon Brothers, among other things, (i)
reviewed historical financial information and 1997 projected financial
information for AFC, APY and their subsidiaries, (ii) conducted extensive
interviews with members of management of AFC, APY and their subsidiaries,
(iii) analyzed historical trading prices for AFC, APY and Citizens and (iv)
reviewed financial and market data for comparable companies and comparable
acquisition transactions, including acquisitions by controlling stockholders
of minority interests. The methodology Salomon Brothers used and the various
details of their analyses are summarized below under the caption "Special
Factors--Fairness Opinions--Opinion of APY's Financial Advisor."
From December 27, 1996 through February 19, 1997, the Special Committee met
eleven times with its financial and legal advisors both in person and by
telephone to discuss the proposed merger, including the Initial AFC Merger
Proposal, potential responses and negotiating strategies and the legal
standards and duties applicable to the Special Committee under Delaware law,
as well as other financial and legal matters relating to the Merger
Transactions.
At a meeting of the Special Committee on January 18, 1997, Salomon Brothers
discussed with the Special Committee its preliminary findings on the valuation
of APY, its analysis of the Initial AFC Merger Proposal, its consideration of
selected comparable companies and acquisition transactions, and its ongoing
due diligence review of APY, AFC and their subsidiaries. The Special Committee
also discussed with its advisors AFC's proposed timing and financing of the
Merger Transactions and trading values of APY and AFC Common Stock
21
<PAGE>
following announcement of the Initial AFC Merger Proposal. In addition, the
Special Committee discussed with its advisors a variety of issues and
alternatives to the Initial AFC Merger Proposal, including rejection of any
business combination between APY and AFC, the feasibility of seeking an
unaffiliated purchaser of APY given AFC's significant ownership position,
whether AFC would sell its approximately 59.5% ownership interest in APY, the
feasibility of seeking an all stock merger, conditioning the merger on the
approval of a majority of the APY Public Stockholders, and negotiating with
AFC to increase the price and improve the terms offered by AFC. As a result of
the Special Committee's deliberations and discussions with its advisors, the
Special Committee determined that the value and terms of the Initial AFC
Merger Proposal were not acceptable and determined to attempt to negotiate
terms for a possible transaction that would be more favorable to the APY
Public Stockholders.
On January 22, 1997, the Special Committee's legal and financial advisors
met with AFC's representatives and advisors and conveyed the Special
Committee's determination that the Initial AFC Merger Proposal was inadequate.
At the Special Committee's request, Salomon Brothers also inquired as to
whether AFC would be willing to sell its 59.5% ownership interest in APY to a
third party. AFC indicated that it would not consider such a sale. AFC and its
advisors requested that Salomon Brothers convey their view of the value of APY
in order to establish whether there would be a basis upon which to reach
agreement on a mutually acceptable price.
On January 23, 1997, the Special Committee met to discuss whether and how to
respond to AFC and to review the draft Merger Agreement proposed by AFC and
related issues. The Special Committee discussed with its advisors various
alternative responses and a range of valuations of APY. As a result of these
discussions, and at the request of the Special Committee, on January 24, 1997,
Salomon Brothers communicated to AFC and Merrill Lynch that the Special
Committee would consider accepting an offer pursuant to which each share of
APY Common Stock would be exchanged for .415 of a share of AFC Common Stock
and $19.45 in cash. As with each of its proposals, the Special Committee
determined the amount and form of consideration to be proposed after
discussing and analyzing AFC's then existing proposal and deliberating with
its financial and legal advisors as to how best to obtain for the APY Public
Stockholders the most favorable transaction available.
After discussions with Merrill Lynch, including consideration of the impact
of the increase in the trading prices of both AFC and APY since the
announcement of the Initial AFC Merger Proposal, AFC management instructed
Merrill Lynch to advise Salomon Brothers that AFC believed that merger
consideration in which each share of APY Common Stock held by the APY Public
Stockholders would be exchanged for 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock and
$16.30 in cash would be more appropriate.
On January 24, 1997, at a Special Meeting, the AFC Board approved the
issuance of certain capital securities issued by a subsidiary trust of AFC to
finance a portion of the merger consideration. At the meeting, AFC management
and Merrill Lynch summarized for the AFC Board the status of its negotiations
with the Special Committee. See "The Merger Transactions--Financing the
Merger; Fees and Expenses."
The Special Committee met several times between January 25th and 28th to
discuss the negotiations, including AFC's response and additional information
relating to the valuation of APY. The Special Committee and its advisors
reviewed a number of factors relating to the valuation of APY, including the
effect of recapitalizing APY, APY's 1997 projected pro forma earnings per
share, the proposed financing for the Merger Transactions, and the fourth
quarter and year-end results of operations for APY and AFC. The Special
Committee also discussed Salomon Brothers' assessment of various alternative
proposals that AFC might submit.
After considering the advice of Salomon Brothers, the Special Committee
concluded that merger consideration of 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock and
$16.30 in cash was not acceptable. The Special Committee and its advisors then
reviewed a range of options such as communicating only that AFC's proposed
valuation of APY was not acceptable, rejecting any business combination at
this time or proposing an increase in the cash portion of the merger
consideration. On January 29, 1997 Salomon Brothers met with Merrill Lynch and
indicated that the Special Committee did not consider the revised proposal of
AFC to be acceptable. Salomon Brothers also indicated that the Special
Committee had authorized a proposal pursuant to which each share of
22
<PAGE>
APY Common Stock held by the APY Public Stockholders would be exchanged for
.415 of a share of AFC Common Stock and $19.50 in cash.
AFC then met with its advisors and considered several alternatives,
including terminating merger discussions and increasing the cash portion of
the merger consideration. In determining how best to proceed, AFC considered
the impact of the Merger Transactions on AFC's earnings and the effect on the
valuation of APY of various alternative capital structures of APY. On February
4, 1997, representatives of AFC and Merrill Lynch spoke by telephone with
Salomon Brothers and proposed that each share of APY Common Stock held by the
APY Public Stockholders be exchanged for 0.3 of a share of AFC Common Stock
and $21.04 in cash.
On February 5th and 6th, the Special Committee met to consider AFC's latest
proposal and discuss the terms of the draft Merger Agreement. The Special
Committee also discussed with its advisors the possibility of including
warrants as a component of the merger consideration. Following these
discussions, on February 6, 1997 representatives of Salomon Brothers met with
Merrill Lynch to convey the Special Committee's proposal that each share of
APY Common Stock be exchanged for .25 of a share of AFC Common Stock, plus
$22.83 in cash and a warrant to purchase 0.17 of a share of AFC Common Stock
and that consummation of the merger be conditioned on the approval of the
merger by a majority of the APY Public Stockholders.
After discussion with AFC, Merrill Lynch, upon instruction from AFC,
responded to Salomon Brothers that AFC management had rejected the Special
Committee's proposal because the valuation of APY reflected by the proposal
was in excess of what AFC believed was an appropriate valuation for APY. AFC
management also indicated that AFC would not consider a transaction
conditioned on approval by a majority of the APY Public Stockholders because
such approval was not required under applicable law and that the interests of
the APY Public Stockholders were being represented by the Special Committee.
On February 7, 1997, after the Special Committee met with its advisors, Mr.
Cotter and representatives of Salomon Brothers telephoned Messrs. O'Brien and
Parry of AFC and representatives of Merrill Lynch to communicate the Special
Committee's latest proposal pursuant to which each share of APY Common Stock
would be exchanged for 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock plus $18.60 in cash,
with an asymmetrical collar on the price which would, between signing and
closing of the merger, protect APY Public Stockholders against a decline in
the price of AFC Common Stock of greater than 7.5% and allow APY Public
Stockholders to participate in any increase in AFC's stock price. During this
conversation Salomon Brothers recounted the Special Committee's good faith
deliberations and negotiations to date and the Special Committee's desire to
negotiate a transaction that was fair to the APY Public Stockholders. Later
that day, after discussions among AFC and its advisors, representatives of
Merrill Lynch, upon instruction from AFC management, spoke by telephone with
Mr. Cotter and representatives of Salomon Brothers and suggested 0.4 of a
share of AFC Common Stock and $17.47 cash as per share merger consideration,
with a 10% asymmetrical collar on the AFC Common Stock price which would,
between signing and closing of the merger, protect APY Public Stockholders
against a decline in AFC's stock price of greater than 10% and allow APY
Public Stockholders to participate in any appreciation in AFC's stock price.
On February 8, 1997, the Special Committee met with its advisors to discuss
AFC's latest offer. The Special Committee considered alternative responses to
AFC's offer, various conditions to signing a merger agreement with AFC and the
pending litigation. See "Special Factors--Certain Litigation." On the
following day, Salomon Brothers conveyed the Special Committee's proposal that
the merger consideration consist of 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock and
$17.47 in cash, with a similar asymmetrical collar of 6.5% instead of 10%.
After reviewing the proposal and considering the effect of the asymmetrical
collar, AFC management rejected the Special Committee's proposal. However, AFC
management indicated that it would, provided the parties could finalize the
terms of the Merger Agreement, consider a transaction consisting of the same
terms as the Special Committee's most recent proposal, but with a symmetrical
6.5% collar which would allow APY Public Stockholders to participate in up to
6.5% appreciation in AFC's stock price, while protecting the APY Public
Stockholders against a decline in AFC's stock price of more than 6.5%.
23
<PAGE>
The parties spent the next several days analyzing the most recent proposal
and negotiating the final terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. As a
result of continued negotiations among AFC, the Special Committee, Merrill
Lynch and Salomon Brothers, the amount of the Standard Consideration for each
share of APY Common Stock exchanged in the Merger was increased to $17.60 in
cash and 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock. In addition, APY Public
Stockholders could elect, subject to proration, to receive the merger
consideration all in stock and receive 0.85714 of a share of AFC Common Stock
or all in cash at $33.00. Additionally, the Merger Agreement provided that if
AFC's 10-day average closing stock price on the date that ends five trading
days prior to the consummation of the merger is below $36.00 per share or
above $41.00 per share, the Merger Consideration would be adjusted. See "The
Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY Merger Consideration."
Counsel for AFC also met by telephone with attorneys for the plaintiffs in
the Delaware Actions (as defined below) to determine whether there was the
basis for a settlement. On February 19, 1997, the parties to the lawsuits
executed a Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") memorializing an agreement-
in-principle to settle the lawsuits. Under the terms of the MOU, the parties
to the lawsuits have agreed to use their best efforts to execute and present
to the Delaware Chancery Court on or before April 30, 1997, a formal
Stipulation of Settlement. See "Special Factors--Certain Litigation."
PURPOSE OF AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
AFC is pursuing the Merger Transactions in order to increase the proportion
of its earnings from APY's property and casualty operations, which are a key
element of AFC's future operations and strategy. Following the Merger, on a
pro forma basis as of the year ended December 31, 1997, approximately 54% of
AFC's earnings would have been derived from the operations of APY and its
subsidiaries had the Merger been consummated as of December 31, 1997.
Additionally, AFC believes that the Merger Transactions will result in a more
stable surplus position for FAFLIC, since the APY Common Stock and therefore
FAFLIC's surplus, would no longer be linked to a fluctuating market price.
Further, the Merger Transactions would create a simplified corporate structure
for AFC, allowing it greater efficiency and flexibility in its utilization of
capital. Lastly, the Merger Transactions would provide AFC with certain
administrative cost savings, primarily resulting from the elimination of
certain APY shareholder-related expenses and the elimination of taxes on APY
dividends to its direct shareholder, SMA Financial Corp.
Before deciding to proceed with the Merger Transactions by means of the
Merger and the Recapitalization, the AFC Board considered different structures
and alternatives to accomplishing its goal of holding, directly or indirectly,
all of the outstanding stock of APY. The AFC Board reviewed the different
types of consideration that could be offered to APY stockholders, including
all cash, all capital stock and various combinations of the components of cash
and capital stock offered. AFC determined, however, that the Merger
Consideration, which provides holders of APY Common Stock with the right to
make an election between different forms of consideration, subject to certain
limitations, provides it and the APY stockholders with the greatest
flexibility and benefit while considering the interests of the AFC
stockholders. The form of the Merger Consideration, which includes both cash
and stock components, will result in a capital structure for AFC and its
subsidiaries following the consummation of the Merger Transactions which will
permit AFC and its subsidiaries the flexibility to raise capital through the
issuance of debt or equity in order to pursue opportunities as they arise in
the future. AFC management determined that merger consideration consisting
entirely of cash would have resulted in a highly leveraged capital structure
for AFC as AFC would have been required to further increase its debt to
finance the Merger which would have limited AFC's ability to borrow additional
funds to grow its business in the future. AFC management was also concerned
about the increased dilutive effect of APY's earnings on AFC's financial
results in the event the merger consideration was comprised entirely of shares
of AFC Common Stock.
DETERMINATION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE; APPROVAL OF THE APY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On February 19, 1997, the Special Committee met with Salomon Brothers and
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P. to discuss the terms and conditions of
the Merger. At this meeting Salomon Brothers made a
24
<PAGE>
presentation to the Special Committee of the terms of the proposed Merger and
delivered its written opinion to the Special Committee that, as of such date,
the consideration to be received by the APY Public Stockholders in the Merger
is fair to such holders from a financial point of view. After discussions
among the members of the Special Committee and its advisors, the members of
the Special Committee unanimously determined that the terms of the Merger and
the Merger Agreement were fair to, and in the best interests of, the APY
Public Stockholders and that it would recommend that the APY Board approve the
Merger and the Merger Agreement. Given that the Special Committee was
comprised of independent directors of APY and that the terms of the Merger
were the result of extensive arms' length negotiations between the Special
Committee, on behalf of the APY Public Stockholders, and AFC, the Special
Committee determined that the approval of the Merger by the majority of APY
Public Stockholders was not necessary for the Special Committee to make its
determination of fairness.
Based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, the APY Board
determined that the Merger Transactions are fair, to the APY Public
Stockholders, and in the best interests of APY and the APY Public Stockholders
and approved the Charter Amendment and the Merger Transactions. In so finding,
the APY Board relied on the recommendation and report of the Special
Committee.
REASONS FOR THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION
The Merger Consideration per share of APY Common Stock to be received by APY
Public Stockholders under the terms of the Merger is the result of
negotiations between the Special Committee and AFC. The following are the
material factors upon which the Special Committee based its decision to
recommend that the APY Board approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement:
1. The assistance, advice and opinion of Salomon Brothers, including Salomon
Brothers' financial analysis and review of financial matters relating to APY
and AFC, and its written opinion that, as of the date of such opinion, the
Merger Consideration to be received in the Merger by APY Public Stockholders
was fair to such holders from a financial point of view. In connection with
its evaluation of the Merger Consideration, the Special Committee considered
favorably the fact that the Merger Consideration fell within the ranges of
implied valuations per share of APY Common Stock calculated by Salomon
Brothers using various analyses (comparable company, recapitalization,
discounted cash flow, dividend discount analysis, comparable transactions and
selected insurance company acquisitions) which are summarized below under "--
Fairness Opinions--Opinion of APY's Financial Advisor."
2. Information concerning the business, assets, financial condition,
operating results and prospects of AFC and APY, the risks involved in
achieving those prospects and the general condition, outlook and trends of the
property and casualty industry, including the trend towards consolidation in
the insurance industry. The Special Committee members reviewed these matters
with representatives of Salomon Brothers who had conducted a due diligence
review of APY, AFC and their affiliates. Review of these matters provided the
Special Committee with a better understanding of the business and prospects of
APY and AFC and formed, in part, the basis upon which the Special Committee
considered the proposed terms of the Merger and the various valuation analyses
of APY.
3. The current book values per share of AFC and APY and current and
historical market prices of AFC Common Stock and APY Common Stock. As of
December 31, 1996 the book value per share of AFC Common Stock and APY Common
Stock was, respectively, $34.40 and $26.99. The Special Committee noted that
the value of the Merger Consideration was in excess of the per share book
value of APY and that the market price of AFC was in excess of the per share
book value of AFC.
4. The Special Committee considered favorably the relative market value of
the shares of APY Common Stock and AFC Common Stock historically and on the
date of the Special Committee's action. The market price for AFC Common Stock
and APY Common Stock as of December 16, 1996 (the last full trading day
preceding public announcement of the proposed Merger) was $32 1/8 and $28 1/2,
respectively. The Special Committee considered the likelihood that the market
had anticipated a combination between AFC and APY and that the market price of
APY prior to the public announcement of the Merger reflected this expectation.
25
<PAGE>
5. The opportunity for APY Public Stockholders to receive a premium for
their shares over recent and current market prices for APY Common Stock. The
fact that the Merger Consideration represented a 10% premium over the market
price for APY Common Stock on December 16, 1996 and a 19% premium over the
market price of APY Common Stock on September 16, 1996, before a proposal for
a transaction was expected to be made was considered favorably by the Special
Committee. The Special Committee considered the premium to market price
represented by the Merger Consideration to be reasonably comparable to
premiums offered in a number of selected transactions analyzed by Salomon
Brothers involving acquisition of minority interests by controlling
stockholders. The Special Committee based this conclusion in part on the
likelihood that the market had anticipated a combination between AFC and APY
and that, prior to the public announcement of the Merger, the market price of
APY Common Stock reflected this expectation.
6. The proposed terms and structure of the Merger and the terms and
conditions of the Merger Agreement, which the Special Committee concluded were
favorable to the APY Public Stockholders, including the Standard Exchange
Ratio, the amount and mix of stock and cash, the right of APY Public
Stockholders to elect the Standard Consideration, the Cash Consideration or
the Stock Consideration, subject to proration, the collar provisions which
mitigate the effects of a decline in the market price of AFC Common Stock, the
nature of AFC's and APY's representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in the Merger Agreement and the ability of the Special Committee to
terminate the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances. The Special
Committee also considered that one of the reasons that AFC had structured the
Merger Transactions to enable FAFLIC to retain its equity interest in APY was
that such a structure would result in a more stable surplus for FAFLIC. The
Special Committee concluded that such a structure was not likely to prejudice
the interests of the APY Public Stockholders and, therefore, did not alter the
Special Committee's analysis of the fairness of the Merger to the APY Public
Stockholders.
7. The Special Committee considered favorably the processes and procedures
undertaken in connection with the evaluation and negotiation of the Merger
Transactions, including the creation by APY of a Special Committee of
independent directors, the thorough review of APY and its business by the
Special Committee and its advisors and the nature and extent of the
negotiations relating to the Merger Transactions on behalf of the APY Public
Stockholders. The members of the Special Committee and representatives of AFC
negotiated the terms of the Merger with the assistance of each of their
respective legal and financial advisors. The $4.00 increase in the value of
the Merger Consideration compared to the value offered in the Initial AFC
Merger Proposal, based on the market price of AFC Common Stock at February 19,
1997. The Special Committee was of the view that, based on the discussions and
negotiations with representatives of AFC, the terms of the Merger reflected
the highest value that AFC was willing to pay as consideration and that the
value to be received by APY Public Stockholders in the Merger was superior to
that held by APY Public Stockholders prior to the announcement of the Merger.
8. The lack of any third party bidders for all or a portion of APY since the
announcement of the Initial AFC Merger Proposal. The fact that AFC controls
APY and had stated that it was not willing to sell its APY Common Stock. The
Special Committee concluded that a third party bid was unlikely and that, in
such context, the Committee viewed as favorable the opportunity for the APY
Public Stockholders to receive liquidity for their investment at a premium to
market. The Special Committee did not believe that there were any alternatives
to the merger with AFC that were as promising for the APY Public Stockholders.
Based on discussions with its advisors and on other factors, the Special
Committee concluded that it was unlikely that an unsolicited bid would result
in an offer to acquire APY or the shares held by the APY Public Stockholders
at a higher price or on better terms than pursuant to the Merger and that
pursuit of such bids would likely delay or possibly jeopardize a transaction
with AFC.
9. The fact that the plaintiffs in the Delaware Actions had indicated that
the payment of the Merger Consideration, which had been increased from the
Initial AFC Merger Proposal, was sufficient to settle the
26
<PAGE>
Delaware Actions; that a favorable settlement of the Massachusetts Action in
the context thereof was also likely and that the favorable settlements of such
actions would benefit the APY Public Stockholders by reducing the risk of
additional litigation and the risk that the Merger would not be consummated.
10. The opportunity, by virtue of the Merger, for APY Public Stockholders to
continue as stockholders in AFC following the Merger. The Special Committee
concluded that this opportunity was beneficial to the APY Public Stockholders
because the Special Committee believed that the overall prospects of AFC
following the Merger were favorable.
11. The Special Committee did not consider liquidation value as the holders
of APY Common Stock, without the approval of AFC and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, do not have the power to liquidate APY.
The Special Committee based its assessment of the fairness of the Merger to
APY Public Stockholders and its recommendation to the APY Board on its
consideration of all material factors which are described above taken together
as a whole. The Special Committee did not analyze specific factors in
isolation and did not attempt to assign relative weights to the specific
factors considered in reaching its determination.
During negotiations on the proposed merger, the Special Committee proposed
that the Merger Transactions be conditioned on the approval of a majority of
the APY Public Stockholders. AFC management rejected such proposal because
such approval was not required under applicable law and because the interests
of the APY Public Stockholders were being represented by the Special Committee
which was composed of APY directors who were unaffiliated with AFC and who had
retained separate financial and legal advisors. Accordingly, no vote of the
APY Public Stockholders is required to approve the Merger. The terms of the
Merger and Merger Agreement were negotiated in good faith at arms' length and
were unanimously approved by the Special Committee.
APPROVAL OF THE AFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The AFC Board believes that the Merger is fair to the APY Public
Stockholders. The AFC Board concluded that the consideration to be received by
the APY Public Stockholders is fair by adopting all analyses and conclusions
of the Special Committee, including its analysis and conclusion with respect
to the fairness opinion of Salomon Brothers. The AFC Board also believes that
the Merger Transactions are procedurally fair because, in addition to the
appraisal rights granted to the APY Public Stockholders described below under
"Appraisal Rights," the final merger consideration and terms were negotiated
in good faith by AFC and its financial advisor and the Special Committee and
its financial advisor and the Merger Transactions were unanimously approved by
the members of the Special Committee and recommended to the full APY Board. In
addition, the Board considered the prospects of settling the Delaware Actions
and the Massachusetts Action. The AFC Board particularly considered the
fairness of the process undertaken in reaching agreement with the Special
Committee and the conclusions of the Special Committee as to fairness but did
not otherwise attach relative weights in reaching agreement with the Special
Committee but specific factors considered in reaching their conclusion as to
fairness to APY.
AFC retained Merrill Lynch as financial advisor to assist in analyzing,
structuring, negotiating and effecting an acquisition transaction involving
APY and, if requested by AFC, rendering an opinion as to whether the
consideration to be paid in such an acquisition transaction was fair to AFC
from a financial point of view. On February 19, 1997, the AFC Board met with
Merrill Lynch and AFC's legal counsel, Ropes & Gray, to discuss the terms and
conditions of the Merger Transactions. At this meeting Merrill Lynch delivered
its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the AFC
Board that the Merger Consideration was fair from a financial point of view to
AFC and made a presentation to the AFC Board of the financial analyses
performed by Merrill Lynch in connection with the preparation of such opinion.
After discussions among the members of the AFC Board and its advisors, the AFC
Board concluded that the Merger Transactions were fair to AFC and approved the
Merger Transactions. The AFC Board's approval is based upon the opinion of
Merrill Lynch and the fact that the Merger Consideration was agreed upon as a
result of arm's length negotiations with the independent Special Committee who
was represented by its own financial and legal advisors.
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<PAGE>
CERTAIN PROJECTIONS FOR APY
The following sets forth certain financial information and projections (the
"projections") for APY for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. APY does
not in the ordinary course publicly disclose projections as to future revenues
or earnings and the projections were not prepared with a view to public
disclosure. These projections were not prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and APY's independent accountants have not
examined or compiled any of the following projections or expressed any
conclusion or provided any other form of assurance with respect to such
projections and accordingly assume no responsibility for such projections.
These projections were delivered to Merrill Lynch and Salomon Brothers solely
in connection with their due diligence investigation of APY in order for them
to render their fairness opinions in connection with the Merger. The
projections were prepared with a limited degree of precision, and were not
prepared with a view to compliance with the guidelines established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants regarding projections,
which would require a more complete presentation of data than as shown below.
While presented with numerical specificity, the projections were prepared in
December 1996, and are based upon a variety of estimates and hypothetical
assumptions, which, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time
the projections were prepared, may not or may no longer be accurate, may not
be realized, and are also inherently subject to significant business, economic
and competitive uncertainties, most of which are beyond the control of the
Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any of the projections
will be realized and the actual results for 1997 may vary materially from
those shown. The inclusion of the projections herein should not be regarded as
a representation by APY, AFC, Merrill Lynch, Salomon Brothers or any other
person that the projected results will be achieved. The projections constitute
forward-looking information and for a discussion of factors regarding such
forward-looking information see "Forward Looking Statements."
The material assumptions underlying the following projections concern (i)
growth in written premium, (ii) growth in net investment income, (iii)
expected loss ratios and (iv) expected levels of underwriting expenses as a
percentage of written premium. The projections assume that the rate of overall
growth in the APY's property and casualty insurance business will improve
modestly in 1997, resulting in an increase in net written premium of 8.6% at
Hanover and 5.5% at Citizens. Net investment income is forecast to grow
modestly in 1997, resulting primarily from the investment of cash generated
from operations. Total statutory loss and LAE ratio for both companies is
forecast to be approximately 72%. Statutory underwriting expense ratios at
both companies are forecast to improve modestly, to 33.2% at Hanover and 26.9%
at Citizens.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996
ESTIMATED HISTORICAL
----------------------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Premiums................ $2,027.0 $1,898.3
Net investment income... 238.7 235.4
Fees and other income... 7.1 11.9
-------- --------
Operating revenue (non-
GAAP measure).......... 2,272.8 2,145.6
======== ========
Policy benefits, claims,
losses and loss
adjustment expenses.... 1,476.9 1,383.4
======== ========
Policy acquisition
expenses............... 442.0 422.6
======== ========
Federal income tax
expense................ 19.9 36.4
======== ========
Adjusted net income
before minority
interest............... 141.6 131.0
Minority interest....... (14.1) (13.4)
-------- --------
Adjusted net income..... 127.5 117.6
======== ========
Adjusted net income per
share.................. $ 2.14 $ 1.96
======== ========
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE>
FAIRNESS OPINIONS
Opinion of APY's Financial Advisor
APY retained Salomon Brothers pursuant to a letter agreement dated January
3, 1997 (the "Engagement Letter") to act as financial advisor to the Special
Committee in connection with its review of the proposed acquisition by AFC of
the shares of APY Common Stock it did not already own and to render an opinion
relating to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the APY Public
Stockholders of the consideration to be received by such holders in such
proposed acquisition. Pursuant to the Engagement Letter, Salomon Brothers
rendered an opinion to the Special Committee on February 19, 1997 to the
effect that, based upon and subject to the considerations set forth in such
opinion, as of such date, the consideration to be received by the APY Public
Stockholders in the Merger was fair to such holders from a financial point of
view. No limitations were imposed by the Special Committee or the APY Board on
the investigations made or procedures followed by Salomon Brothers.
THE FULL TEXT OF SALOMON BROTHERS' FAIRNESS OPINION, WHICH SETS FORTH THE
ASSUMPTIONS MADE, GENERAL PROCEDURES FOLLOWED, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITS
ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS INCLUDED AS APPENDIX C TO THIS INFORMATION
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. THE SUMMARY OF SALOMON BROTHERS' OPINION SET FORTH BELOW
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH OPINION
INCLUDED AS APPENDIX C. HOLDERS OF APY COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO READ THE
OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Salomon Brothers reviewed and
analyzed material bearing upon the financial and operating conditions and
prospects of APY and AFC including, among other things, the following: (i) the
Schedule 13D filed by AFC with respect to its ownership of APY Common Stock,
as amended through the date of the opinion; (ii) the Merger Agreement; (iii)
certain publicly available information concerning APY and AFC, including the
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of APY and AFC for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994 and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for each of APY and AFC for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September
30, 1996; (iv) the statistical supplements containing certain financial
information for the year and the quarter ended December 31, 1996 for each of
APY and AFC; (v) certain internal information of APY and AFC, primarily
financial in nature, including projections for the fiscal year ending December
31, 1997 for APY and AFC prepared by AFC's and APY's managements (the "1997
Projections") and analyses prepared by or on behalf of APY's and AFC's
managements, concerning the business, assets, liabilities, operations and
prospects of APY and AFC furnished to Salomon Brothers by APY and AFC for
purposes of its analysis; (vi) statutory financial information of APY's and
AFC's insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
December 31, 1994 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1996;
(vii) certain publicly available information concerning the trading of, and
the trading market for, APY Common Stock and AFC Common Stock; (viii) certain
publicly available information with respect to certain publicly traded
companies that Salomon Brothers believed to be comparable to APY and AFC and
the trading markets for certain of such other companies' securities; and (ix)
certain publicly available information concerning the nature and terms of
certain other acquisition transactions and certain transactions involving the
acquisition of minority interests by controlling stockholders that Salomon
Brothers considered relevant to its inquiry. Salomon Brothers also met with
certain officers and employees of APY and AFC to discuss matters Salomon
Brothers believed relevant to its inquiry including the past and current
business operations, financial condition and prospects of APY and AFC. Salomon
Brothers also considered such other information, financial studies, analyses,
investigations and financial, economic and market criteria that it deemed
relevant. In rendering its opinion, Salomon Brothers was aware of the
structure of the Merger Transactions, including the implementation of the
Recapitalization, and Salomon Brothers determined that the Recapitalization
did not affect its view that the consideration to be received by the APY
Public Stockholders in the Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to
the APY Public Stockholders.
In its review and analysis and in arriving at its opinion, Salomon Brothers
assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial
and other information provided to it or publicly available and neither
attempted independently to verify nor assumed any responsibility for verifying
any of such information.
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<PAGE>
With respect to financial projections and forecasts, Salomon Brothers assumed
that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the managements of APY and AFC as to the
future financial performance of APY and AFC. Salomon Brothers expressed no
view with respect to such projections or forecasts or the assumptions on which
they were based. Salomon Brothers did not make or assume any responsibility
for making any independent evaluations or appraisals of any of APY's or AFC's
assets, properties or facilities nor did Salomon Brothers rely on any
evaluations or appraisals of APY's or AFC's assets, properties or facilities.
In conducting its analysis and arriving at its opinion, Salomon Brothers
considered such financial and other factors as it deemed appropriate under the
circumstances including, among others, the following: (i) the historical and
current financial position and results of operations of APY and AFC; (ii) the
business prospects of APY and AFC; (iii) the historical and current market for
APY Common Stock and AFC Common Stock and for the equity securities of certain
other companies that Salomon Brothers believes to be comparable to APY and
AFC; and (iv) the nature and terms of certain other acquisition transactions
and acquisitions of minority interests by controlling stockholders that
Salomon Brothers believes to be relevant. Salomon Brothers took into
consideration the current ownership by AFC of approximately 60% of the
outstanding APY Common Stock and the fact that AFC had stated that it did not
intend to sell such stock. As a result of AFC's position, Salomon Brothers was
not requested to solicit third parties with respect to possible interest in
acquiring APY or any of its businesses, and did not attempt to do so. Salomon
Brothers also took into account its assessment of general economic, market and
financial conditions as well as its experience in connection with similar
transactions and securities valuation generally. Salomon Brothers' opinion
necessarily was based on conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on
the date thereof and Salomon Brothers assumed no responsibility to update or
revise its opinion based upon circumstances or events occurring after such
date. Salomon Brothers' opinion did not constitute an opinion or imply any
conclusion as to the likely trading range for AFC Common Stock following
consummation of the Merger. Salomon Brothers' opinion was for the sole benefit
of the Special Committee in its consideration of the Merger and was, in any
event, limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be received by the APY Public Stockholders in the Merger and
did not address APY's underlying business decision to effect the Merger or
constitute a recommendation of the Merger to any holder of APY Common Stock or
as to what election any such holder should make with respect to the conversion
of such holder's shares of APY Common Stock.
Salomon Brothers has advised the Special Committee that, based on an express
disclaimer in the Engagement Letter, Salomon Brothers does not believe that
any person (including a stockholder of APY), other than APY or the APY Board
(including the Special Committee), has a legal right to rely upon its fairness
opinion to support any claims against Salomon Brothers arising under
applicable state law and that, should any such claims be brought against
Salomon Brothers by any such person, this assertion will be raised as a
defense. In the absence of applicable state law authority, the availability of
such a defense will be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Resolution of the question of the availability of such a defense, however,
will have no effect on the rights and responsibilities of the APY Board, or
the Special Committee, under applicable state law. Nor would the availability
of such a state law defense to Salomon Brothers have any effect on the rights
and responsibilities of either Salomon Brothers or the APY Board (including
the Special Committee) under the federal securities laws.
In connection with its opinion, Salomon Brothers made a presentation to the
Special Committee on February 19, 1997, with respect to certain analyses
performed by Salomon Brothers in evaluating the consideration to be received
in the Merger by the APY Public Stockholders and other considerations. The
following is a summary of such Salomon Brothers presentation. The following
quantitative information, to the extent it is based on market data, is based
on market data as it existed at February 18, 1997 and is not necessarily
indicative of current market conditions.
Overview of APY and Historical Trading Analysis. Salomon Brothers reviewed
certain aspects of the financial performance of APY, including, among other
things, net premiums earned, revenues, total expenses, net operating earnings,
net income, revenue growth, operating income growth, net income growth,
statutory ratios
30
<PAGE>
and statutory underwriting loss for fiscal years 1992 through 1996 and 1997
management estimates. Salomon Brothers also reviewed net premiums written,
assets, total assets, reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses,
unearned premium, total shareholders' equity, book value per share and book
value per share excluding the effect of SFAS 115 for fiscal years 1992 through
1996. Salomon Brothers also reviewed certain of such GAAP financial
information and statutory ratios on a segment basis for APY's Citizens and
Hanover business segments for 1996 and estimated 1997. In addition, Salomon
Brothers reviewed with the Special Committee certain information concerning
the trading prices of APY Common Stock from January 1, 1996 through February
17, 1997. Salomon Brothers noted that APY Common Stock had outperformed an
index of selected peer companies, but had underperformed by comparison to AFC
Common Stock and the S&P 500 Composite Average over such period. The
cumulative appreciation of APY Common Stock, the index of selected peer
companies, AFC Common Stock and the S&P Composite Average over such period was
117.1%, 109.5%, 150.2% and 230.3%, respectively.
Overview of AFC and Historical Trading Analysis. Salomon Brothers also
reviewed certain aspects of the financial performance of AFC, including, among
other things, revenues, net operating income, net income, revenue growth and
net operating income growth for fiscal years 1992 through 1996 and 1997
management estimates. In addition, Salomon Brothers reviewed total
investments, separate account assets, total assets, total shareholders'
equity, book value per share and book value per share excluding the effect of
SFAS 115 for fiscal years 1992 through 1996. Salomon Brothers also reviewed
with the Special Committee certain information concerning the trading prices
of AFC Common Stock from October 11, 1995 (the date that AFC Common Stock
began trading, through February 17, 1997. Salomon Brothers noted that the
trading price of AFC Common Stock generally had outperformed an index of
selected peer companies and the S&P 500 Composite Average over such period.
The cumulative appreciation of AFC Common Stock, the index of selected peer
companies and the S&P 500 Composite Average over such period was 161.9%,
140.5%, and 139.5%, respectively.
Comparable Company Analysis. Salomon Brothers reviewed certain publicly
available financial, operating and stock market information for APY and
fifteen other publicly-traded property and casualty insurance companies
(Allied Group Inc., American States Financial Corp., Chubb, Cincinnati
Financial, Citizens (82.5% owned by APY), Commerce Group Inc., Harleysville
Group, Horace Mann Educators Corp., Ohio Casualty Corp., SAFECO Corp.,
Selective Insurance Group Inc., The St. Paul Companies, State Auto Financial
Corp., USF&G and W.R. Berkley Corp. (excluding APY, each of which is a
"Comparable Company" and collectively referred to as "Comparable Companies")).
Salomon Brothers considered the Comparable Companies to be reasonably similar
to APY, but none of these companies is identical to APY. Accordingly, the
analysis described below is not purely mathematical. Rather it involves
complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in historical and
projected financial and operating characteristics of APY and the Comparable
Companies and other factors that could affect public trading value.
For APY and each of the Comparable Companies, Salomon Brothers reviewed,
among other things, its 1996 operating earnings per share ("EPS"), 1997
estimated operating EPS, book value (as of December 31, 1996), book value
excluding the effect of SFAS 115, dividend yield, 1997 implied return on
equity (based on 1997 estimated operating EPS and book value) and the ratio of
enterprise value (equity market capitalization plus total debt, preferred
stock and minority interests) to statutory surplus. (Estimated 1997 EPS was
based upon Institutional Brokers Estimate Systems reports.) In order to arrive
at an implied valuation for APY, Salomon Brothers calculated, for APY and each
of the Comparable Companies, multiples of price (market price as of February
18, 1997) to 1996 EPS, estimated 1997 EPS, book value and book value excluding
the effect of SFAS 115. An analysis of the multiples of price to 1996 EPS
yielded multiples ranging from 10.4x to 20.5x, with a median of 14.1x, for the
Comparable Companies. An analysis of the multiples of price to estimated 1997
EPS yielded multiples ranging from 8.9x to 16.4x, with a median of 11.9x, for
the Comparable Companies. An analysis of the multiples of price to book value
yielded multiples ranging from 1.16x to 2.09x, with a median of 1.36x, for the
Comparable Companies. An analysis of the multiples of price to book value
excluding the effect of SFAS 115 yielded multiples ranging from 1.26x to
2.14x, with a median of 1.64x, for the Comparable Companies. Salomon Brothers
noted that these multiples could be compared with the multiples of 16.8x,
14.3x, 1.22x and 1.33x that the Merger Consideration represented to APY's 1996
operating EPS, estimated 1997 operating EPS, book value and book value
excluding the effect of SFAS 115, respectively.
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<PAGE>
Using each of the ranges of multiples for the Comparable Companies, Salomon
Brothers derived a valuation range for the implied value per share of APY
Common Stock as follows: $20.37 to $40.10, with a median of $27.64, based on
1996 EPS of $1.96; $20.50 to $37.76, with a median of $27.34, based on
estimated 1997 EPS of $2.30 ($19.07 to $35.13, with a median of $25.44, using
management's estimate of 1997 EPS of $2.14); $31.38 to $56.37, with a median
of $36.69, based on book value per share of $26.99; and $31.42 to $53.28, with
a median of $40.76, based on book value per share excluding the effect of SFAS
115 of $24.86.
Recapitalization Analysis. Salomon Brothers also performed an analysis of
the value of APY assuming a hypothetical recapitalization of APY involving the
distribution by APY of excess capital of $200 million in the form of a special
dividend to its stockholders followed by adding financial leverage so that the
pro forma debt/capitalization ratio would be 20%, which is approximately the
median rate for the Comparable Companies (with the proceeds of the additional
debt being distributed to APY stockholders as part of the special dividend).
Salomon Brothers performed a series of calculations, including the calculation
of pro forma book value per share of $19.30 and pro forma estimated 1997 EPS
of $1.74. Applying the ranges of multiples for the Comparable Companies
described above of price to book value and estimated 1997 EPS to these pro
forma estimates, and adding the total special dividend assumed to be
distributed to stockholders of $7.67 per share of APY Common Stock, Salomon
Brothers derived valuation ranges for the implied value per share of APY
Common Stock of and $23.22 to $36.31, with a median of $28.41, and $30.11 to
$47.97, with a median of $33.90, for estimated 1997 EPS and pro forma book
value, respectively.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Salomon Brothers performed a discounted cash
flow analysis pursuant to which the value of APY was estimated by adding (i)
the estimated net present value of APY's future free cash flows from its
Hanover and Citizens businesses, assuming the maximum statutorily allowable
dividend stream from its Hanover business and a dividend stream of $7.1
million annually from its Citizens business (holding constant management's
projected dividend for 1997), plus (ii) the estimated net present value of the
terminal value of APY, based upon certain operating and financial assumptions,
the 1997 Projections and other information provided to Salomon Brothers by the
management of APY. Salomon Brothers based its dividend stream estimates upon
projected statutory results for the Hanover and Citizens businesses for the
five year period ended December 31, 2001. For purposes of such analysis,
Salomon Brothers utilized discount rates of 11% and 13%, and terminal values
based on multiples of 11x, 12x, 13x, 14x and 15x projected statutory earnings
for the year 2002. The discounted cash flow analysis was based on the 1997
Projections. Salomon Brothers performed the discounted cash analysis by
creating a "base case" scenario and an "upside" scenario. In the upside
scenario, Salomon Brothers assumed an annual reduction in Hanover's expense
ratio and in Hanover's loss ratio of .7 points and .3 points, respectively,
for 1998 through 2001. From these analyses, Salomon Brothers used the ranges
calculated from terminal value multiples 12x, 13x and 14x to derive reference
ranges for the implied value of the shares of APY Common Stock under the base
case and the upside scenario of $28.19 to $31.36, with a median of $29.77, and
$34.81 to $38.92, with a median of $36.86, respectively, using an 11% discount
rate, and $26.31 to $29.21, with a median of $27.76, and $32.38 to $36.14,
with a median of $34.26, respectively, using a 13% discount rate.
Dividend Discount Analysis. Salomon Brothers also performed a dividend
discount analysis pursuant to which the value of APY was estimated by adding
(i) the estimated net present value of APY's future stream of dividend
payments to APY's stockholders plus (ii) the estimated net present value of
the terminal value of APY, based upon certain operating and financial
assumptions, 1997 Projections and other information provided to Salomon
Brothers by the management of APY. Salomon Brothers assumed that dividends
would continue to be paid out through 2001 at the current level of 8.2% of
operating earnings per share and that operating earnings per share would grow
at a rate of 5% per year from management's estimate of $2.14 for 1997. For
purposes of such analysis, Salomon Brothers utilized discount rates of 10%,
11%, 12%, 13% and 14%, and terminal values based on multiples of 11x, 12x,
13x, 14x and 15x projected statutory earnings for the year 2002. From these
analyses, Salomon Brothers used the ranges calculated for terminal value
multiples 12x, 13x and 14x to derive reference ranges for the implied value of
the shares of APY Common Stock of $28.10 to $31.34, with a median of $29.72,
using an 11% discount rate, and $26.01 to $28.97, with a median of $27.49,
using a 13% discount rate.
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Comparable Transaction Analysis Involving Acquisition of Minority Interests
by Controlling Stockholders. Salomon Brothers reviewed the consideration paid
in certain transactions in which a controlling stockholder was seeking to
acquire substantial additional ownership of that company. Salomon Brothers
considered 54 such transactions since 1992 that it considered comparable to
the Merger. Using publicly available information, Salomon Brothers calculated
the premium represented by the highest price offered by the controlling
stockholder over the market price one week prior to, and four weeks prior to,
the announcement of the offer. Salomon Brothers determined that the median
premiums to market one week and four weeks prior to announcement for all
transactions were 21.3% and 22.8%, respectively. Of the 54 transactions, seven
had been withdrawn. The median premiums to market one week and four weeks
prior to the announcement for the 47 transactions that were consummated or
pending were 21.3% and 23.5%, respectively. Salomon Brothers also reviewed
separately the seven transactions included in the group of 54 that involved
insurance companies. In these seven transactions, Salomon Brothers determined
that the median premiums to market one week and four weeks prior to
announcement were 21.4% and 22.3%, respectively. Salomon Brothers noted that
these premiums could be compared with the 12.8% premium that the Merger
Consideration represented to the market price one week, and the 15.3% premium
to the market price four weeks, prior to the announcement of AFC's proposal.
Salomon Brothers used the range of the premiums in all 54 transactions to the
market price one week prior to the announcement of the offer to derive a range
between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile of such premiums (Salomon
Brothers did not consider the high and low statistics outside that range to be
meaningful) of 15.4% to 38.1%, with a median of 21.3%. From this derived
range, Salomon Brothers derived a reference range for the implied value of the
shares of APY Common Stock of $33.76 to $40.40, with a median of $35.49.
Analysis of Selected Insurance Company Acquisitions. Salomon Brothers also
analyzed certain publicly available financial, operating and stock market
information for 29 selected merger or acquisition transactions in the
insurance industry over the past three and one-half years. Salomon Brothers
considered the precedent mergers and acquisition transactions to be reasonably
similar to the Merger, but none of these precedents is identical to the
Merger. For each such transaction, Salomon Brothers calculated the premium
represented by the highest price offered over the market price one month prior
to the announcement of the offer, and the multiples of, among other things,
offer price to latest twelve months ("LTM") GAAP net operating income, offer
price to LTM GAAP book value, offer price to LTM statutory net operating
income and offer price to LTM statutory capital and surplus. An analysis of
the premium to market price one month prior to announcement yielded a median
premium of 30.7%. An analysis of the multiples of offer price to LTM GAAP net
operating income, LTM GAAP book value, LTM statutory net operating income and
LTM statutory capital and surplus yield medians of 14.4x, 1.19x, 15.3x and
1.33x, respectively. Salomon Brothers used the range of premiums to market
price one month prior to announcement and the range of multiples of offer
price to LTM GAAP net operating income and LTM GAAP book value to derive a
range between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile of such premiums and
multiples (Salomon Brothers did not consider the high and low statistics
outside that range to be meaningful) of 15.5% to 58.8%, with a median of
30.7%, 7.7x to 26.3x, with a median of 14.4x, and 1.03x to 1.38x, with a
median of 1.19x, respectively. Using such derived ranges of premiums and
multiples, Salomon Brothers derived a reference range for the implied value of
the shares of APY Common Stock of $33.07 to $45.46, with a median of $37.42,
$15.01 to $51.64, with a median of $28.16, and $27.82 to $37.37, with a median
of $32.17, respectively.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete description of the
analyses performed by Salomon Brothers or of its presentations to the Special
Committee. The preparation of financial analyses and fairness opinions is a
complex process involving subjective judgments and is not necessarily
susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Salomon Brothers made
no attempt to assign specific weights to particular analyses or factors
considered, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and
relevance of the analyses and factors considered. Accordingly, Salomon
Brothers believes that its analyses (and the summary set forth above) must be
considered as a whole, and that selecting portions of such analyses and of the
factors considered by Salomon Brothers, without considering all of such
analyses and factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the
processes underlying the analyses conducted by Salomon Brothers and its
opinion. With regard to the comparable public company analysis and the
comparable transaction analysis summarized above, Salomon Brothers selected
comparable public companies on the basis of various factors, including the
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size of the public company and similarity of the line of business; however, no
public company or transaction utilized as a comparison is identical to APY,
any business segment of APY or the Merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the
foregoing is not mathematical; rather, it involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of
the comparable companies and other factors that could affect the transaction
or public trading value of the comparable companies and transactions to which
APY, the business segments of APY and the Merger are being compared. In its
analyses, Salomon Brothers made numerous assumptions with respect to APY,
industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of APY. Any
estimates contained in Salomon Brothers' analyses are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which
may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such
analyses. Estimates of values of companies do not purport to be appraisals or
necessarily to reflect the prices at which companies may actually be sold.
Because such estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty, none of APY, the
Special Committee, Salomon Brothers or any other person assumes responsibility
for their accuracy.
Salomon Brothers is an internationally recognized investment banking firm
engaged, among other things, in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings,
leveraged buyouts, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. The Special Committee
selected Salomon Brothers to act as its financial advisor on the basis of
Salomon Brothers' international reputation. Salomon Brothers acted as co-
manager for AFC's initial public offering of AFC Common Stock and its
contemporaneous offering of Senior Debentures in October 1995, for which it
received compensation consisting of customary underwriting discounts. In
addition, in the ordinary course of its business, Salomon Brothers may
actively trade the debt and equity securities of both APY and AFC for its own
account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities.
Pursuant to the Engagement Letter, APY will pay Salomon Brothers the
following fees: (a) $100,000, paid upon APY's execution of the Engagement
Letter; plus (b) an additional fee of $1,150,000, which became payable upon
completion of Salomon Brothers' work in preparation for the delivery of its
fairness opinion. APY has also agreed to reimburse Salomon Brothers for its
reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
its engagement (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its
counsel) and to indemnify Salomon Brothers against certain liabilities and
expenses relating to or arising out of its engagement, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
As noted under the caption "Special Factors--Determination of the Special
Committee; Approval of the APY Board of Directors," the fairness opinion of
Salomon Brothers was only one of the many factors considered by the Special
Committee in determining to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger. The
amount of consideration payable in the Merger was determined by arms' length
negotiations between AFC and the Special Committee, in consultation with their
respective financial advisors and other representatives, and was not
established by such financial advisors.
Opinion of AFC's Financial Advisor
On February 19, 1997, Merrill Lynch delivered its oral opinion to the Board
of Directors of AFC, which was subsequently confirmed in writing (the
"Original Merrill Lynch Opinion") that, as of that date and on the basis of
and subject to the matters set forth therein, the Merger Consideration was
fair from a financial point of view to AFC. Merrill Lynch subsequently
delivered its written opinion dated the date hereof (the "Merrill Lynch
Opinion") that, as of the date hereof and on the basis of and subject to the
matters set forth therein, the Merger Consideration was fair from a financial
point of view to AFC.
A COPY OF THE MERRILL LYNCH OPINION, WHICH SETS FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE,
MATTERS CONSIDERED, QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN,
IS ATTACHED AS APPENDIX B TO THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE SUMMARY OF THE MERRILL LYNCH OPINION SET
FORTH IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH OPINION. THE MERRILL LYNCH OPINION WAS
ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AFC AND DID NOT CONSTITUTE A
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER.
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In arriving at its opinion Merrill Lynch, among other things: (1) reviewed
AFC's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial information for the
four fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, AFC's Form 10-Q and related
unaudited financial information for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997
and AFC's press release dated April 30, 1997 announcing results for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 as well as AFC's statistical supplement
containing certain financial information for the quarter ended March 31, 1997;
(2) reviewed APY's Annual Reports for the three fiscal years ended December
31, 1995, APY's Forms 10-K and related financial information for the four
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, APY's Form 10-Q and related unaudited
financial information for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 and APY's
press release dated April 30, 1997 announcing results for the quarterly period
ended March 31, 1997 as well as APY's statistical supplement containing
certain financial information for the quarter ended March 31, 1997; (3)
reviewed certain statutory financial statements of the insurance subsidiaries
of AFC and APY for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1996; (4) reviewed certain information,
including the 1997 Projections, relating to the business, earnings, cash flow,
assets and prospects of AFC and APY, furnished to Merrill Lynch by or on
behalf of AFC and APY; (5) reviewed certain information relating to the cost
savings expected to result from the Merger provided to Merrill Lynch by AFC
and APY and conducted discussions with members of senior management of AFC and
APY concerning their respective businesses and prospects as well as such
expected cost savings; (6) analyzed the pro forma effect of the Merger on AFC;
(7) reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity of the shares
of AFC Common Stock and the shares of APY Common Stock and compared them with
those of certain publicly traded companies which Merrill Lynch deemed to be
reasonably similar to AFC and APY, respectively; (8) compared the results of
operations of AFC and APY with those of certain companies which Merrill Lynch
deemed to be reasonably similar to AFC and APY, respectively; (9) compared the
proposed financial terms of the Merger with the financial terms of certain
other mergers and acquisitions which Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant;
(10) reviewed the Merger Agreement; (11) reviewed an opinion dated February
19, 1997 of Latham & Watkins, counsel to AFC, with respect to certain tax
consequences of the Recapitalization; (12) reviewed a certificate dated
February 19, 1997 of Edward J. Parry III, Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of AFC, with respect to the financial impact of the Recapitalization
on AFC and APY; and (13) reviewed such other financial studies and analyses
and performed such other investigations and took into account such other
matters as Merrill Lynch deemed necessary, including its assessment of general
economic, market and monetary conditions.
In preparing its opinion, Merrill Lynch assumed and relied on the accuracy
and completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made available to it
by or on behalf of AFC and APY or made publicly available by AFC or APY, and
did not independently verify such information or undertake an independent
valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of AFC or APY. With
respect to the 1997 Projections, Merrill Lynch assumed that they had been
reasonably prepared and reflected the best currently available estimates and
judgment of the management of AFC or APY as to the expected future financial
performance of AFC or APY, as the case might be. Merrill Lynch assumed that
the information relating to the cost savings expected to result from the
Merger provided to it by AFC and APY was reasonably prepared and represented
the best current estimates and judgments of the managements of AFC and APY as
to such cost savings. Merrill Lynch did not express any opinion as to the
prices at which the shares of AFC Common Stock would actually trade following
the consummation of the Merger or the prices at which the shares of AFC Common
Stock or the shares of APY Common Stock would trade between the announcement
and the consummation of the Merger. The Merrill Lynch Opinion was necessarily
based upon market, economic, financial and other conditions as they existed
and could be evaluated as of the date thereof.
The terms of the Merger Transactions, including the Merger Consideration,
were developed through a process of arm's-length negotiations between AFC and
the Special Committee and were approved by the Board of Directors of AFC and
by the Board of Directors of APY upon the recommendation of the Special
Committee. See "Special Factors--Background of the Merger Transactions."
The following is a summary of the analyses performed by Merrill Lynch in
connection with the preparation of the Original Merrill Lynch Opinion. Merrill
Lynch reviewed and updated such analyses in connection with its preparation of
the Merrill Lynch Opinion.
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Comparable Public Company Analysis. Using publicly available information
(including estimates by First Call Corporation), Merrill Lynch compared
certain financial and operating information and ratios (described below) for
APY with corresponding financial and operating information and ratios for a
group of publicly traded property and casualty insurance companies (including
certain companies in which publicly held shares of common stock constitute a
minority of all of the issued and outstanding shares of such common stock)
that Merrill Lynch deemed to be similar to APY. The comparable public
companies were ALFA Corporation, American States Financial Corporation, W.R.
Berkley Corporation, Cincinnati Financial Corporation, Harleysville Group
Inc., Ohio Casualty Corporation, SAFECO Corporation, St. Paul Companies, Inc.,
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. and State Auto Financial Corporation
(collectively, the "Public Comparables"). Merrill Lynch compared (1) the
closing price on February 14, 1997 (the "Price") of the common stock of each
of the Public Comparables as a multiple (the "P/E Multiple") of their
respective earnings per share (the "EPS") for the calendar year 1996 (the
"1996 P/E Multiple") and estimated EPS for the calendar year 1997 (the "1997
P/E Multiple") and (2) the Price of each of the Public Comparables as a
multiple of their respective book values per share (the "Price/Book
Multiple"). The following multiples were derived from such calculation: (1)
for the 1996 P/E Multiple, a range of 11.6x to 22.2x, within which Merrill
Lynch selected a narrower range of 13.0x to 14.0x as most representative of
appropriate equity value; for the 1997 P/E Multiple, a range of 8.7x to 15.8x,
within which Merrill Lynch selected a narrower range of 12.0x to 13.0x as most
representative of appropriate equity value; and (2) for the Price/Book
Multiple, a range of 1.1x to 1.9x, within which Merrill Lynch selected a
narrower range of 1.2x to 1.3x as most representative of appropriate equity
value. Narrower ranges selected by Merrill Lynch for each of the 1996 P/E
Multiple, the 1997 P/E Multiple and the Price/Book Multiple are most
representative of appropriate equity value because they take into account the
relative performance and ownership characteristics of the Public Comparables
as well as the variation of the Public Comparables from the average of the
group.
By applying its selected range of 1996 P/E Multiples to estimates of
earnings provided by APY's management (adjusted for the pro forma effect of a
dividend in an amount of $150 million assumed to be paid by APY immediately
prior to the Effective Time (the "Dividend")) (the "Adjusted Management
Earnings") for 1996 and adding thereto the Dividend, Merrill Lynch calculated
a range of equity value for APY of $1,605.7 million to $1,717.7 million (or
$26.92 to $28.80 on a per share basis). By applying its selected range of 1997
P/E Multiples to the Adjusted Management Earnings for 1997 and adding thereto
the Dividend, Merrill Lynch calculated a range of equity value for APY of
$1,598.1 million to $1,718.8 million (or $26.79 to $28.82 on a per share
basis). Merrill Lynch also reduced the Adjusted Management Earnings for 1997
to take into account additional debt (the "Additional Debt") to reflect how a
prospective third party acquirer might reasonably be expected to capitalize
APY (the "Levered 1997 Earnings") and applied its selected range of 1997 P/E
Multiples to the 1997 Levered Earnings and added thereto the Dividend and the
Additional Debt. Such analysis yielded a range of equity value for APY of
$1,683.9 million to $1,795.1 million (or $28.23 to $30.10 on a per share
basis). By applying its selected range of Price/Book Multiples to the book
value of APY as of December 31, 1996 (the "1996 Book Value") and adding
thereto the Dividend, Merrill Lynch calculated a range of equity value for APY
of $2,082.0 million to $2,243.0 million (or $34.91 to $37.61 on a per share
basis). Based on the foregoing, Merrill Lynch derived a public comparable
value range for APY under this methodology of $1,800.0 million to $2,000.0
million (or $30.18 to $33.53 on a per share basis) (the "Public Comparable
Range"). The Public Comparable Range (adjusted for the Dividend) represents
the following ranges of implied multiples: (i) for the Adjusted Management
Earnings for 1997, a range of 13.7x to 15.3x and (ii) for the 1996 Book Value,
a range of 1.0x to 1.1x.
No company utilized in the comparable public company analysis was identical
to APY. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of such a comparison is not
purely mathematical, but instead it involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in historical and projected financial and
operating characteristics of the comparable companies and other factors that
could affect the public trading value of the comparable companies or company
to which they are being compared. In each applicable instance, Merrill Lynch
used the 1997 Projections and other information provided to Merrill Lynch by
the management of APY.
Acquisition Premium Analysis. Merrill Lynch calculated ranges of implied
equity values for APY based on assumed transaction premiums of 10% and 20%. In
selecting such assumed transaction premiums, Merrill
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Lynch reviewed the premiums paid in 33 minority buyout transactions completed
within the past five years and calculated that the median transaction premiums
paid in such transactions over the trading price of the acquired companies one
day and four weeks prior to announcement were 19% and 26%, respectively.
Merrill Lynch also considered the price to earnings ratios of the Public
Comparables over the past five years and, in so doing, determined that the
Public Comparables were then trading at price to earnings ratios that were
approximately 10% to 15% higher than historical norms. In light of the lower
historical price to earnings ratios of the Public Comparables, it was Merrill
Lynch's judgment that a premium range of 10% to 20% was appropriate in
analyzing the Merger Consideration on behalf of AFC. The application of a 10%
premium to the Public Comparable Range resulted in a range of $1,980.0 million
to $2,200.0 million (or $33.20 to $36.89 on a per share basis). The
application of a 20% premium to the Public Comparable Range resulted in a
range of $2,160.0 million to $2,400.0 million (or $36.22 to $40.24 on a per
share basis).
Comparable Acquisition Transactions Analysis. Merrill Lynch compared certain
financial and operating information and ratios (described below) for APY with
corresponding financial and operating information and ratios for a number of
acquisition transactions (the "Comparable Acquisition Transactions") involving
property and casualty insurance companies. The Comparable Acquisition
Transactions were: the acquisition by Orion Capital Corporation, a 49.5%
holder of common stock of Guaranty National Corporation ("Guaranty"), of
additional 30.8% of Guaranty's common stock, Ohio Farmers Insurance Co.'s
acquisition of Beacon Insurance Co. of America, Travelers Group Inc.'s
acquisition of the property and casualty business of Aetna Inc., Unitrin,
Inc.'s acquisition of Milwaukee Insurance Group, Inc., Guaranty's acquisition
of Viking Insurance Holdings, Inc., Anthem P&C Holdings, Inc.'s acquisition of
Federal Kemper Insurance Company, St. Paul Companies, Inc.'s acquisition of
Economy Fire and Casualty Co., Allianz AG Holding's acquisition of Fireman's
Fund Corp. and Zurich Versicherungsgessellschaft's acquisition of Maryland
Casualty Co. Merrill Lynch compared (1) the enterprise value of the acquired
company as a multiple of such company's (a) adjusted statutory net operating
income (the "Statutory Income Multiple") and (b) adjusted statutory capital
and surplus of such company (the "Statutory Capital & Surplus Multiple") and
(2) the price paid for the acquired company's equity in the Comparable
Acquisition Transaction as a multiple of such acquired company's book value
per share (the "Acquisition Price/Book Multiple"). The following multiples
were derived from such calculations: (1) for the Statutory Income Multiple, a
range of 10.1x to 18.8x, based on which Merrill Lynch selected a range of
14.0x to 19.0x as most representative of appropriate equity value, (2) for the
Statutory Capital & Surplus Multiple, a range of 1.1x to 2.6x, based on which
Merrill Lynch selected a range of 1.5x to 1.8x as most representative of
appropriate equity value and (3) for the Acquisition Price/Book Multiple, a
range of 0.6x to 1.4x, based on which Merrill Lynch selected a range of 1.2x
to 1.3x as most representative of appropriate equity value. The selected range
reflected consideration of the relative performance of each acquired company,
the situation under which each company was acquired, the date of each
transaction and the variation of the transactions from the average of the
group.
By applying its selected range of Statutory Income Multiples to the 1996
adjusted statutory net operating income of APY provided by APY's management,
adding thereto the Dividend and subtracting $26 million in debt owed to AFC
(the "Debt"), Merrill Lynch calculated a range of equity value for APY of
$1,583.3 million to $2,104.5 million (or $26.55 to $35.29 on a per share
basis). Merrill Lynch also applied the selected range of Statutory Capital &
Surplus Multiples to the 1996 adjusted capital and surplus of APY provided by
APY's management, added thereto the Dividend and subtracted the Debt. Such
analysis yielded a range of equity value for APY of $1,708.9 million to
$2,025.9 million (or $28.65 to $33.97 on a per share basis). By applying its
selected range of Acquisition Price/Book Multiples to the 1996 Book Value,
adding thereto the Dividend and subtracting the Debt, Merrill Lynch calculated
a range of equity value for APY of $2,056.0 million to $2,217.0 million (or
$34.47 to $37.17 on a per share basis). Based on the foregoing, Merrill Lynch
derived a comparable acquisition value range for APY under this methodology of
$1,800.0 million to $2,100.0 million (or $30.18 to $35.21 on a per share
basis) (the "Comparable Acquisition Value Range"). The Comparable Acquisition
Value Range (adjusted for the Dividend and the Debt) represents the following
ranges of implied multiples: (i) for the 1996 adjusted statutory net operating
income of APY, a range of 16.1x to 19.0x, (ii) for the 1996 adjusted capital
and surplus of APY, a range of 1.6x to 1.9x, and (iii) for the 1996 Book
Value, a range of 1.0x to 1.2x.
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Discounted Dividend Analysis. Merrill Lynch calculated ranges of equity
value for APY based upon the sum of the discounted present value of Hanover
plus 82.5% of the terminal value of Citizens Insurance Company of America, an
82.5% direct subsidiary of Hanover. The discounted present value of Hanover
was calculated based on the sum of (i) the discounted present value of the
stream of projected maximum dividends that could reasonably be paid by Hanover
on an after-tax basis for the five-year period from 1998 through 2002 and (ii)
the discounted present value of the projected terminal value. In each
applicable instance, Merrill Lynch based its analysis upon certain operating
and financial assumptions, the 1997 Projections and other information provided
to Merrill Lynch by the management of APY. Merrill Lynch utilized discount
rates reflecting a weighted average cost of capital of 9.5%, 10.5% and 11.5%
and terminal value multiples for forward earnings of 11.0x, 13.0x and 15.0x.
Based on such analyses, the implied values were estimated to range from $1,757
million to $2,324 million (or $29.46 to $38.97 based on a per share basis),
within which Merrill Lynch selected a range of $1,800.0 million to $2,100.0
million (or $30.18 to $35.21 on a per share basis).
Based on all of the foregoing analyses, Merrill Lynch selected the range of
$1,900.0 million to $2,300.0 million (or $31.86 to $38.56 on a per share
basis) as the overall equity transaction value range for APY.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex analytic process
involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant
methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the
particular circumstances, and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily
susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its
opinion, Merrill Lynch did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis
or factor considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the
significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. Accordingly, Merrill
Lynch believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that
selecting portions of its analyses, without considering all analyses, would
create an incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. No
limitations were imposed by AFC's Board of Directors on the investigations
made or procedures followed by Merrill Lynch.
Pursuant to an engagement letter dated June 27, 1996, AFC engaged Merrill
Lynch as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with a possible
acquisition transaction involving APY. AFC agreed to pay Merrill Lynch fees of
(i) $200,000 on the date of such engagement letter, (ii) $300,000 on the
earlier of the date on which the Merger Agreement was executed and a fairness
opinion was delivered and (iii) $1,000,000 upon consummation of the Merger
Transactions. AFC also agreed to reimburse Merrill Lynch for its expenses,
including reasonable counsel fees, and to indemnify it against certain
liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal
securities laws.
AFC retained Merrill Lynch based upon Merrill Lynch's experience and
expertise. Merrill Lynch is an internationally recognized investment banking
and advisory firm. Merrill Lynch, as part of its investment banking business,
is continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings,
competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and other
purposes. On January 29, 1997, Merrill Lynch and AFC entered into a purchase
agreement pursuant to which Merrill Lynch and its affiliates purchased
$300,000,000 of Series A Capital Securities issued by AFC in a Rule 144A
private placement through a newly created subsidiary business trust. Merrill
Lynch has also provided financial advisory and financing services to AFC and
APY (including services as a lead manager of the initial public offering of
AFC Common Stock and Senior Debentures and as a dealer for AFC's commercial
paper program). Merrill Lynch has received fees for the rendering of such
services over the past two years in the aggregate amount of approximately $9
million. In addition, in the ordinary course of its business, Merrill Lynch
may actively trade the securities of AFC and APY for its own account and for
the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or
short position in such securities.
NO ACTION REQUIRED BY STOCKHOLDERS TO CONSUMMATE THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
The Record Date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, vote on
or consent to the Merger Transactions was May 28, 1997. As of the Record Date,
there were 59,657,606 shares of APY Common Stock outstanding. Each holder of
record is entitled to one vote per share held. On the Record Date, SMA held
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approximately 59.5% of the outstanding APY Common Stock. Pursuant to the DGCL
and the APY Charter, the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
Common Stock is necessary to approve the Merger Transactions, the Charter
Amendment and the Merger Agreement. The Merger Transactions, the Charter
Amendment and the Merger Agreement have been approved by the written consent
of SMA as holder of 35,472,600 shares of APY Common Stock. The approval of a
majority of the APY Public Stockholders is not required to approve the Merger
Transactions. Consequently, no meeting of APY stockholders is necessary to
effect the Merger Transactions, and none will be held. ACCORDINGLY, NO ACTION
ON THE PART OF ANY APY PUBLIC STOCKHOLDER IS NECESSARY TO AUTHORIZE OR
CONSUMMATE THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS.
CERTAIN LITIGATION
Shortly after AFC publicly disclosed its proposal regarding the Merger
Transactions, three separate stockholders of APY, Leslie Susser, Harbor
Finance Partners and William A. Kass, IRA-Simplified Employee Pension, filed
lawsuits in the Delaware Chancery Court against AFC, APY and the directors of
APY and the directors of AFC who are also on the board of directors of APY
(the "Delaware Actions"). An additional lawsuit challenging the Merger
Transactions was filed by another stockholder of APY, Daniel Bruno, in the
Worcester County (Massachusetts) Superior Court (the "Massachusetts Action"
and, together with the Delaware Actions, the "Actions"). The named plaintiff
in each of the Actions purports to maintain each individual action as a class
action on behalf of the APY Public Stockholders. In each of the Actions, the
plaintiff alleges that under the terms of the proposed Merger Transactions,
AFC would acquire the APY Common Stock at a price that is substantially below
the fair price of such stock and that certain officers and/or directors of AFC
and/or APY have breached fiduciary duties owed to APY and the Public
Stockholders in connection with the proposed Merger Transactions. The
plaintiffs sought injunctive relief prohibiting AFC from completing the Merger
Transactions or, in the alternative, compensatory damages. On February 19,
1997, the parties to the Delaware Actions executed an MOU memorializing an
agreement-in-principle to settle the Delaware Actions. An Order consolidating
the Delaware Actions was entered by the Delaware Chancery Court on February
26, 1997 (the "Consolidated Action"). On April 3, 1997, the plaintiff in the
Massachusetts Action voluntarily dismissed without prejudice his complaint in
that proceeding and, on March 26, 1997, he became a party to the Consolidated
Action. On May 8, 1997, the parties to the Consolidated Action executed a
Stipulation of Settlement (the "Settlement") which provides for the full
settlement and release of any and all claims that are or could have been
asserted in the Consolidated Action (the "Settled Claims"). The consideration
for the plaintiffs' agreement to such settlement and release is the right of
such plaintiffs to receive, along with each other APY Public Stockholder, the
Merger Consideration (the amount of which had been increased by AFC during
negotiations with the Special Committee from the merger consideration
initially proposed by AFC at the time the Actions were instituted). In
addition, the defendants in the Consolidated Action have agreed that they will
not oppose an application by plaintiffs' attorneys for attorneys' fees and
expenses in the amount of no more than $995,000. On May 13, 1997, the Delaware
Chancery Court entered an or order (the "Scheduling Order") determining
preliminarily and solely for the purposes of the Settlement, that the
Consolidated Action may be maintained as a class action by plaintiffs as
representatives of the class of APY Public Stockholders (the "Class") and
scheduling a hearing to determine whether the Settlement is fair to the Class.
On May 15, 1997, APY mailed a notice regarding the terms of the Settlement and
the scheduling of a hearing relating to the Settlement to all holders who
became record holders of APY Common Stock on or after December 17, 1996.
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
It is currently expected that, following the Effective Date, except as
described in this Prospectus/Information Statement, the business and
operations of APY and AFC will be continued substantially as they are
currently being conducted. Except for the Merger Transactions, and as
otherwise described in this Prospectus/Information Statement, AFC has no
current plans or proposals to enter into material corporate transactions or to
sell a substantial portion of APY's assets. After the Effective Date, APY and
AFC management will continue from time to time to evaluate the business and
operations of APY and may propose or develop new plans or proposals, and make
such changes, as are deemed appropriate.
If the Merger Transactions are consummated, except to the extent that
stockholders receive AFC Common Stock as a part of their Merger Consideration,
the APY Public Stockholders will no longer have any equity
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interest in APY, and, therefore, will not share in its future earnings (or
losses) and growth, if any, nor will they share as directly in the risks
associated with the continuing operations of APY. To the extent that APY
Public Stockholders receive AFC Common Stock as a part of their Merger
Consideration, such stockholders will have an indirect interest in APY, and,
therefore, its future earnings (or losses) and growth, and will be subject to
the risks associated with the continuing operations of AFC and its
subsidiaries, including APY and its subsidiaries. Following the consummation
of the Merger, as a result of the receipt of AFC Common Stock as Merger
Consideration, the APY Public Stockholders will hold approximately 16% of the
outstanding shares of AFC Common Stock. As a result of the consummation of the
Merger Transactions, APY will be wholly-owned by AFC and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries and AFC will have acquired the full interest in APY's net book
value, net tangible book value and net earnings, as well as the risks
associated with the continuing operations of APY.
The Merger Agreement provides that the certificate of incorporation of APY,
as amended by the Charter Amendment, and the by-laws of APY, each as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, respectively, of the surviving corporation after
the Effective Time. The Merger Agreement also provides that the directors of
Merger Sub and the officers of APY immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the initial directors and officers, respectively, of the surviving
corporation.
APY is currently subject to the informational filing requirements of the
Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith, is required to file reports and
other information with the Commission relating to its business, financial
statements and other matters. As a result of the Merger Transactions, there
will cease to be any public market for the APY Common Stock, and after the
Effective Time, the APY Common Stock will be delisted from the NYSE. Upon such
event, APY is expected to apply to the Commission for the deregistration of
the APY Common Stock under the Exchange Act. Upon deregistration, APY will no
longer be required to file reports and other information under the Exchange
Act. The termination of the registration of the APY Common Stock under the
Exchange Act would make the 1934 Act (including the proxy solicitation
provisions of Section 14(a), the periodic reporting requirements of Section 13
and the short swing trading provisions of Section 16(b)) no longer applicable
to APY. Additionally, upon the termination of the registration of the APY
Common Stock under the 1934 Act, the APY Common Stock will no longer
constitute "margin securities" under the regulations of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
In considering the respective recommendations of the AFC Board and the APY
Board with respect to the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, stockholders of APY should be aware that certain members of the
management of AFC and APY and the AFC Board and the APY Board have certain
interests in the Merger Transactions that are different from, or in addition
to, the interests of stockholders of AFC and APY generally.
At the Record Date, directors and executive officers of each of AFC and APY
and their respective affiliates (excluding SMA) owned in the aggregate 43,140
shares of APY Common Stock (including shares issuable on or before July 16,
1997 upon exercise of outstanding stock options) which represents less than
one percent of the outstanding shares of APY Common Stock. Certain directors
and executive officers of AFC and APY own shares of APY Common Stock and
therefore will exchange such shares of APY Common Stock for Merger
Consideration in connection with the Merger. See "Principal and Other
Stockholders of APY." In addition, each outstanding option to purchase shares
of APY Common Stock that is held by a director or executive officer of AFC or
APY at the Effective Time will be converted into options to acquire shares of
AFC as set forth in "The Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY Merger
Consideration."
Also, following the Recapitalization, SMA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFC,
will continue to own 59.5% of the capital stock of APY through its ownership
of APY Class B Common Stock. At the conclusion of the Merger Transactions, the
equity ownership and percentage interest of AFC in the net earnings, net
tangible book value and net book value of APY will have increased from 59.5%
to 100%. Finally, following the consummation of the Merger Transactions, the
officers of APY will continue to serve in their respective positions with APY.
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ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting as
a step acquisition, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. Under the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price of
APY, including direct costs of the Merger Transactions, will be allocated to
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated
relative fair values, with the excess purchase consideration allocated to
goodwill. The Recapitalization will not change the recorded amount of AFC's
assets and liabilities.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
appearing elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus are based upon
certain assumptions and allocate the purchase price to assets and liabilities
based upon preliminary estimates of their respective fair values. The
unaudited pro forma adjustments and combined amounts are included for
informational purposes only. If the Merger Transactions are consummated, AFC's
financial statements will reflect the effects of acquisition adjustments which
correspond to the announcement of the Merger on February 19, 1997. The actual
allocation of the purchase price may differ from the allocation reflected in
the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Consequences to the APY Public Stockholders
The receipt of the Merger Consideration for shares of APY Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable transaction for Federal income tax
purposes and may also be a taxable transaction under applicable state, local,
foreign and other tax laws. In general, for Federal income tax purposes, an
APY stockholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between
his or her adjusted tax basis for such shares and the amount of cash and the
fair market value of the AFC Common Stock received therefor. Such gain or loss
will be capital gain or loss if the shares of APY Common Stock are capital
assets in the hands of the APY stockholder, and will be long-term capital gain
or loss if the shares of APY Common Stock have been held by the APY
stockholders for more than one year.
Merger Consideration received by any APY stockholder exercising appraisal
rights will also result in gain or loss equal to the difference between the
cash received for his or her shares and such stockholder's adjusted basis for
such shares.
To prevent back-up withholding on payments of Merger Consideration in
exchange for APY Common Stock in the Merger, each APY stockholder will be
required to furnish, together with the certificates for his or her shares, a
properly completed substitute Form W-9. If back-up withholding applies, the
payor is required to withhold 31% from payments. This is not an additional
tax. Rather, the amount of back-up withholding can be credited against the tax
liability of the stockholder subject to back-up withholding. If withholding
results in overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained upon the filing of
an appropriate form with the Internal Revenue Service.
The foregoing summary of certain income tax consequences is included for
general information only and is not intended to and does not constitute a
complete description of all possible Federal, state, local, foreign or other
tax consequences to the holders of APY Common Stock. Also, the tax
consequences of the transaction may vary depending upon the particular facts
relating to each holder of APY Common Stock. ACCORDINGLY, EACH APY STOCKHOLDER
IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSACTION.
THIS FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY
NOT APPLY TO ALL HOLDERS OF APY COMMON STOCK. SUCH HOLDERS ARE URGED TO
CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
MERGER.
Consequences to AFC
The exchange of one share of the APY Class B Common Stock for each share of
APY Common Stock held by SMA immediately prior to the Merger will be treated
as a tax-free recapitalization for federal income tax
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purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized by APY or SMA as a
result of such exchange. In addition, no gain or loss will be recognized by
AFC, Merger Sub or APY as a result of the Merger. For federal income tax
purposes, the existence of Merger Sub will be ignored and the Merger will be
treated as a taxable acquisition of APY Common Stock by AFC in exchange for
the Merger Consideration.
FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS CONSEQUENCES
All shares of AFC Common Stock received by APY stockholders in the Merger
will be freely transferable, except that shares of AFC Common Stock received
by persons who are deemed to be "affiliates" (as such term is defined under
the Act) of AFC or APY prior to the Merger may be resold by them only in
transactions permitted by the resale provisions of Rule 145 promulgated under
the Act (or Rule 144 in the case of such persons who become affiliates of AFC)
or as otherwise permitted under the Act. Persons who are deemed to be
affiliates of AFC or APY generally include individuals or entities that
control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, such party and
may include certain officers and directors of such party as well as principal
stockholders of such party.
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THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions
thereof, Merger Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFC formed for the purpose
of the Merger, will be merged with and into APY. As a result of the Merger
Transactions, APY will become a wholly owned subsidiary of AFC. As part of the
Merger Transactions, stockholders of APY, other than AFC and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, will receive the consideration described below.
The following organizational chart illustrates the corporate structure of
AFC, APY and their principal subsidiaries assuming the consummation of the
Merger Transactions.
[ORGANIZATIONAL CHART]
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the closing of
the transactions contemplated thereby will take place on the later of (i) 20
business days following the date that this Information Statement/Prospectus is
first mailed to stockholders and (ii) the first business day following the day
on which all conditions to the Merger Agreement are satisfied or waived (such
later day, the "Closing Date"). The Merger will become effective upon the
filing of the certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware. The time at which the Merger becomes effective is referred to as
the Effective Time.
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a brief summary of the material provisions of the Merger
Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A-1 to this Information
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. This summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete text of the
Merger Agreement.
APY MERGER CONSIDERATION
Standard Consideration. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon consummation
of the Merger each share of APY Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by an APY Public Stockholder
will be converted into the right to receive (x) a fraction of a share of AFC
Common Stock equal to the Standard Exchange Ratio, and (y) the Standard Cash
Consideration; provided, however, that (1) in the event the Average Stock
Price is less than $36.00, the Standard Cash Consideration shall be equal to
(A) $32.00 less (B) the Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average
Stock Price and (2) in the event the Average Stock Price is greater than
$41.00, the Standard Cash Consideration shall be equal to (A) $34.00 less (B)
the Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price. Unless an
APY Public Stockholder makes an affirmative election to receive all stock or
all cash, such stockholder will receive the Standard Consideration.
Alternatively, an APY Public Stockholder may elect to receive their merger
consideration solely in stock or in cash, subject to proration in the event
that the election made by such stockholder is oversubscribed.
Stock Consideration. If an APY Public stockholder elects to receive stock in
lieu of the Standard Consideration, each share of APY Common Stock will be
converted into a fraction of a share of AFC Common Stock equal to the Stock
Exchange Ratio; provided, however, that (1) in the event the Average Stock
Price is less than $36.00, the Stock Exchange Ratio shall be equal to $32.00
divided by the Average Stock Price and (2) in the event the Average Stock
Price is greater than $41.00, the Stock Exchange Ratio shall be equal to
$34.00 divided by the Average Stock Price.
Cash Consideration. If an APY Public stockholder elects to receive cash in
lieu of the Standard Consideration, each share of APY Common Stock will be
converted into $33.00 in cash, without interest; provided, however, that (1)
in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the Cash
Consideration shall be equal to $32.00 and (2) in the event the Average Stock
Price is more than $41.00, the Cash Consideration shall be equal to $34.00.
Effect of AFC Common Stock Price on Value of Merger Consideration. If the
Average Stock Price is below $36.00 per share or above $41.00 per share (any
such Average Stock Price being referred to herein as being "Outside the
Collar"), the value of the per share consideration payable to each APY Public
Stockholder will be equivalent regardless of whether such holder makes a
Standard Election, a Cash Election or a Stock Election. However, if the
Average Stock Price is greater than or equal to $36.00 and less than or equal
to $41.00, the value of the per share Merger Consideration payable to each APY
Public Stockholder may vary depending on (i) the Average Stock Price, (ii)
whether such holder makes a Standard Election, a Stock Election or a Cash
Election, and (iii) the combination of cash and AFC Common Stock actually
received by such holder as a result of the proration procedures described
below. The Standard Consideration, the Stock Consideration and the Cash
Consideration each are fixed in amount when the Average Stock Price is greater
than $41.00 and less than $36.00. However, the impact of the fluctuation in
value of AFC Common Stock varies depending upon the type of consideration
selected. Thus, the value of the per share consideration received by certain
holders may be greater or less than the consideration per share received by
other holders. The Letter of Transmittal, which will be distributed to APY
Public Stockholders promptly after the Effective Time, will provide such
holders with the actual Average Stock Price and holders should carefully
review the value of the consideration before making any election.
The following table illustrates the different values of the Standard
Consideration, the Stock Consideration and the Cash Consideration at certain
assumed Average Stock Prices, and illustrates the effect of the collar without
the effect of the proration procedures described below. If other than a
Standard Election is made, the
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effect of the proration may cause the mix of cash and AFC Common Stock
actually received by an APY Public Stockholder to differ from the election
made by such holder; as a result the value of consideration received would
also vary accordingly.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT OF
STANDARD CONSIDERATION
ASSUMED AVERAGE ---------------------- AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF
STOCK PRICE(2) CASH STOCK(3) TOTAL STOCK CONSIDERATION(4) CASH CONSIDERATION
- --------------- ------ -------- ------ ---------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$32.00(1) $19.20 $12.80 $32.00 $32.00 $32.00
$33.00(1) $18.80 $13.20 $32.00 $32.00 $32.00
$34.00(1) $18.40 $13.60 $32.00 $32.00 $32.00
$35.00(1) $18.00 $14.00 $32.00 $32.00 $32.00
$36.00 $17.60 $14.40 $32.00 $30.86 $33.00
$36.50 $17.60 $14.60 $32.20 $31.29 $33.00
$37.00 $17.60 $14.80 $32.40 $31.71 $33.00
$37.50 $17.60 $15.00 $32.60 $32.14 $33.00
$38.00 $17.60 $15.20 $32.80 $32.57 $33.00
$38.50 $17.60 $15.40 $33.00 $33.00 $33.00
$39.00 $17.60 $15.60 $33.20 $33.43 $33.00
$39.50 $17.60 $15.80 $33.40 $33.86 $33.00
$40.00 $17.60 $16.00 $33.60 $34.29 $33.00
$40.50 $17.60 $16.20 $33.80 $34.71 $33.00
$41.00 $17.60 $16.40 $34.00 $35.14 $33.00
$42.00(1) $17.20 $16.80 $34.00 $34.00 $34.00
$43.00(1) $16.80 $17.20 $34.00 $34.00 $34.00
$44.00(1) $16.40 $17.60 $34.00 $34.00 $34.00
$45.00(1) $16.00 $18.00 $34.00 $34.00 $34.00
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) Outside the Collar
(2) To be determined based upon the average of the closing sales prices of AFC
Common Stock for the ten consecutive trading days ending on the fifth
trading day prior to the Effective Time.
(3) Based upon 0.4 shares of AFC Common Stock at the assumed Average Stock
Price indicated.
(4) When the Average Stock Price is equal to or greater than $36.00 and less
than or equal to $41.00, the amount is based upon .85714 shares of AFC
Common Stock at the assumed Average Stock Price indicated. Where the
Average Stock Price is less than $36.00 or greater than $41.00, the amount
is determined by multiplying the Average Stock Price by the quotient
obtained by dividing $32.00 (if the Average Stock Price is less than
$36.00) or $34.00 (if the Average Stock Price is greater than $41.00) by
the Average Stock Price.
If an APY Public Stockholder makes a Standard Election or a Cash Election,
the Merger Consideration received by such holder will be a minimum of $32.00
per share. However, at an assumed Average Stock Price of $36.00, a Stock
Election could result in an APY Public Stockholder receiving $30.86 per share
subject to the effect of proration. Similarly, if the Average Stock Price is
between $36.00 and approximately $37.30, an APY Public Stockholder that makes
a Stock Election will receive less than $32.00 per share and if the Average
Stock Price is between approximately $39.80 and $41.00 per share, an APY
Stockholder that makes a Stock Election will receive more than $34.00 per
share. The proration procedures described below may, however, mitigate the
effect of these collar provisions.
Proration. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Maximum Number
of AFC Shares issuable to holders of APY Common Stock will not exceed the
product of (x) the Standard Exchange Ratio and (y) the number of Outstanding
APY Shares. As of June 12, 1997, the Maximum Number of AFC Shares was
9,674,323 The Maximum Number of AFC Shares may increase, but not in excess of
an additional 50,000 shares, as a result of the exercise of outstanding APY
stock options. In addition, the Maximum Cash Amount to be paid to holders of
APY Common Stock will not exceed the product of the Standard Cash
Consideration and the number of Outstanding APY Shares.
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In the event that the aggregate amount of cash payable to holders of APY
Common Stock making Cash Elections received by the Exchange Agent exceeds the
Maximum Cash Amount minus the aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to
Standard Elections, the Cash Election shall be oversubscribed. In that event,
a holder who has made a Cash Election shall receive cash and AFC Common Stock
in an amount equal to, for each share of APY Common Stock held by such holder,
(x) cash in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the (i)
Remaining Cash by (ii) the Cash Election APY Shares and (y) a number of shares
of AFC Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (iii) the
Remaining Cash Election Shares by (iv) the Cash Election APY Shares.
In the event that the aggregate number of shares of AFC Common Stock
issuable to holders of APY Common Stock making Stock Elections exceeds the
Maximum Number of AFC Shares minus the number of shares issuable pursuant to
Standard Elections, including any fractional shares for which a cash payment
will be made, the Stock Election shall be oversubscribed. In that event, a
holder who has made a Stock Election shall receive AFC Common Stock and cash
in an amount equal to, for each share of APY Common Stock held by such holder,
(x) a number of shares of AFC Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the Remaining Shares by (ii) the Stock Election APY Shares and
(y) cash in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (iii) the
Remaining Stock Election Cash Amount by (iv) the Stock Election APY Shares.
The following examples illustrate the effect of the proration procedures.
Example A: Assuming an Average Stock Price of $36.00 and assuming that
holders are indifferent to receiving cash or AFC Common Stock, each holder of
APY Common Stock would make a Cash Election, valued at $33.00, as opposed to a
Stock Election, valued at $30.56, or a Standard Election, valued at $32.00. If
a Cash Election was made for each of the outstanding shares of APY Common
Stock as of the date of this Information Statement/Prospectus, the cash
payable pursuant to such elections would exceed the Maximum Cash Amount.
Therefore, each holder would receive the Standard Consideration consisting of
$17.60 in cash, without interest, and 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock,
valued at $14.40, for a total value of $32.00.
Example B: Assuming an Average Stock Price of $41.00 and assuming that
holders are indifferent to receiving cash or AFC Common Stock, each holder of
APY Common Stock would make a Stock Election, valued at $35.14, as opposed to
a Cash Election, valued at $33.00, or a Standard Election, valued at $34.00.
If a Stock Election was made for each of the outstanding shares of APY Common
Stock as of the date of this Information Statement/Prospectus, the stock to be
issued pursuant to such elections would exceed the Maximum Number of AFC
Shares. Therefore, each holder would receive the Standard Consideration
consisting of $17.60 in cash, without interest, and 0.4 of a share of AFC
Common Stock, valued at $16.40 per share, for a total value of $34.00.
Example C: Assuming holders of 60% of the Outstanding APY Shares make a
Stock Election and the holders of the remaining Outstanding APY Shares make a
Standard Election, the shares of AFC Common Stock issuable pursuant to the
Stock Elections would exceed the Maximum Number of AFC Shares. In that
instance, (i) each holder making a Standard Election would receive the
Standard Consideration and (ii) each holder making a Stock Election would
receive, (a) a number of shares of AFC Common Stock equal to the Maximum
Number of AFC Shares, less the shares of AFC Common Stock issuable pursuant to
Standard Elections, divided by the number of shares of APY Common Stock held
by the holders making a Stock Election, and (b) cash in an amount equal to the
Maximum Cash Amount, less the cash payable pursuant to Standard Elections,
divided by the number of shares of APY Common Stock held by the holders making
a Stock Election.
APY Stock Options. As provided in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective
Time, each option or right to purchase shares of APY Common Stock (an "APY
Option") will be converted into an option to purchase AFC Common Stock.
Following the Effective Time, each such APY Option will be exercisable on the
same terms and conditions as are then applicable to such APY Option, except
that (i) each such APY Option will be exercisable for a number of shares of
AFC Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of APY
Common Stock for which such APY Option was exercisable and (y) the Stock
Consideration and (ii) the
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exercise price of such option shall be equal to the exercise price of such
option as of the date of the Merger Agreement divided by the Stock
Consideration.
As of May 16, 1997, options to purchase 142,800 shares of APY Common Stock
were outstanding with exercise prices of $21.00, $25.50 and $26.625. The
exercise dates for these options range from May 17, 1996 through June 17, 2006
and the options expire between May 17, 2005 and June 17, 2006. Under the terms
of the Merger Agreement, AFC has agreed to file a registration statement on
Form S-8 to register the issuance of the shares of the AFC Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of these options.
HOLDERS OF APY COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND ANY CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING
APY COMMON STOCK TO AFC OR APY AT THIS TIME. A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ELECTION FORM WILL BE MAILED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE TIME TO EACH PERSON WHO WAS A
HOLDER OF OUTSTANDING APY COMMON STOCK IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE
TIME. APY STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD SEND CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING APY COMMON STOCK
TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT ONLY AFTER THEY RECEIVE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ELECTION FORM.
Dividends. No dividends or other distributions declared after the Effective
Time on AFC Common Stock shall be paid with respect to any shares of AFC
Common Stock represented by an APY Stock Certificate until such APY Stock
Certificate is surrendered for exchange according to the procedures described
above.
No fractional shares of AFC Common Stock will be issued pursuant to the
Merger. In lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares of AFC Common Stock,
cash will be paid to holders of such fractional share in the amount of the
product of such fractional share multiplied by the Average Stock Price.
THE RECAPITALIZATION
APY is currently authorized to issue only one class of APY Common Stock. The
Board of Directors of APY has approved, and SMA, the holder of more than a
majority of the outstanding APY Common Stock, has approved by written consent,
an amendment to the APY Charter that would authorize the issuance of APY
Class B Common Stock. Immediately prior to and as a condition precedent to the
consummation of the Merger, APY will file such Amendment with the Secretary of
State of Delaware and will exchange one share of the APY Class B Common Stock
for each share of APY Common Stock held by SMA. Such shares of APY Class B
Common Stock shall remain outstanding after the Merger. See "The Charter
Amendment" and "Appendix A-2--Form of Charter Amendment."
CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by
AFC, Merger Sub and APY as to, among other things, (i) due organization, valid
existence and good standing; (ii) corporate authority to enter into the Merger
Agreement and related agreements; (iii) authorized capital stock; (iv)
ownership of subsidiaries; (v) the lack of conflict of the Merger Agreement
and related agreements and transactions with charters, bylaws, law and certain
agreements; (vi) consents, approvals and authorizations of governmental
entities; (vii) compliance with law and contract; (viii) the filing of certain
documents with the Commission; (ix) the accuracy of financial statements; (x)
the absence of certain litigation; (xi) the absence of certain changes
including those having a material adverse effect, the payment of dividends
other than regular quarterly cash dividends and a change in accounting policy;
(xii) the receipt of fairness opinions; and (xiii) the lack of any contract or
agreement obligating the payment of finder's fees, brokerage or agent's
commissions, other than agreements with Salomon Brothers and Merrill Lynch. In
addition, AFC represents that (i) immediately following the Effective Time, it
will have available funds to satisfy the cash portion of the Merger
Consideration; and (ii) to its knowledge, no event has occurred or condition
exists in connection with the Merger that would cause it to fail to satisfy
any material applicable statute or written regulation.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Conduct of Business Pending the Reorganization. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, AFC and APY have made various customary covenants relating to the
Merger Transactions. APY has agreed that, prior to the
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Effective Time, APY and its significant subsidiaries will conduct their
operations according to their usual, regular and ordinary course of business.
Specifically, APY has agreed, among other things: (i) to preserve intact its
business organization, relationships and goodwill and to keep available the
services of its officers and employees; (ii) not to amend its certificate of
incorporation or bylaws (other than to permit the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement); (iii) not to adopt any new
employee benefit plan (including any stock option, stock benefit or stock
purchase plan) or amend any existing employee benefit plan in any material
respect; (iv) not to issue new APY capital stock (except pursuant to the
exercise of contractual rights existing prior to the execution of the Merger
Agreement), grant, confer, or award any option, warrant, conversion right, or
other right not existing on the date of the Merger Agreement, to acquire any
shares of its capital stock, effect a stock split or change its current
capitalization; (v) not to declare any dividends, other than regular quarterly
dividends not in excess of $.05 per share, or make any distributions with
respect to its capital stock or redeem any of its capital stock or stock of
its subsidiaries; (vi) not to dispose of or acquire (nor allow any subsidiary
to dispose of or acquire) any asset, in each case, for an amount exceeding
$25,000,000, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice; (vii) not to incur material indebtedness for borrowed money, or
issue or sell any debt securities other than in the ordinary course of
business, in each case, in an amount exceeding $35,000,000 and (viii) not to
make any change to its accounting methods and principles or practices, with
certain limited exceptions.
AFC has agreed that, prior to the Effective Time, it will, among other
things: (i) not effect any stock split or issue any shares of its capital
stock at less than fair market value; (ii) deliver to APY copies of filings
made with the Commission and (iii) not declare any dividends or make any
distributions with respect to its capital stock other than regular quarterly
cash dividends including any increases thereof consistent with past practice.
Alternative Proposals. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, APY has agreed that
neither it, nor any of its subsidiaries, will permit its respective officers,
directors, employees, agents or representatives (including, without
limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or
any of its subsidiaries) to (x) initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or
indirectly, any inquiries, or the making of implementation of any proposal or
offer (including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its
stockholders), with respect to (i) a merger, acquisition, consolidation or
similar transaction involving the purchase of (A) any assets of APY and its
subsidiaries (other than purchases of securities and other investments from
APY's investment portfolio consistent with past practice) or (B) any
outstanding shares of APY Common Stock, including any shares not already owned
by AFC or its subsidiaries, (ii) any tender offer or exchange offer with
respect to shares of APY Common Stock, or (iii) any other transaction the
consummation of which could be reasonably expected to impede, interfere with,
prevent or materially delay the merger or which could reasonably be expected
to dilute materially the benefits to AFC of the transactions contemplated
under the Merger Agreement (any such proposal or offer being referred to as an
"Alternative Proposal") or (y) engage in any negotiations concerning, or
provide any confidential information or data to any person, relating to an
Alternative Proposal, or (z) agree to, recommend or approve any Alternative
Proposal. APY has further agreed that it will immediately notify AFC if any
such inquiries or proposals are received, any confidential information is
requested, or any negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated with
APY. Neither the APY Board nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or
modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to AFC, the
approval or recommendation by such APY Board (or such committee) of the Merger
Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or
recommend, any Alternative Proposal or (iii) cause APY to enter into any
agreement with respect to any Alternative Proposal; provided, however, in the
event that prior to the Effective Time the APY Board or the Special Committee
determines in good faith, upon advice of counsel, that failure to do so would
likely be a breach of its fiduciary duties, the APY Board or the Special
Committee, as the case may be, may withdraw or modify its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement and the Merger as a result of an
Alternative Proposal. AFC is required to immediately advise APY and the
Special Committee orally and in writing of any Alternative Proposals and shall
describe the material terms and conditions of such Alternative Proposal and
the identity of the person making such Alternative Proposal.
Certain Other Covenants. Both AFC and APY have also agreed: (i) to promptly
make their respective filings and any other submissions and obtain all other
consents, approvals or permits from the necessary Federal
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and state governments and insurance regulatory agencies (including any
national securities exchange) prior to the Effective Time; (ii) to consult
with each other prior to issuing any press release or public statement with
respect to the Merger Transactions; (iii) to allow all designated officers,
attorneys, accountants and representatives of the other reasonable access to
offices, records and files (including information relating to commitments,
contracts, titles and financial position) and to instruct their respective
employees, counsel and financial advisors to cooperate with each other's
investigation; (iv) to cooperate in the filing of the Registration Statement
and a Schedule 13E-3 and obtain all necessary state securities laws permits or
approvals; (v) to use their best efforts to obtain comfort letters from Price
Waterhouse LLP; and (vi) to use their reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all other action and to do, or cause to be done, all other things
necessary, proper or appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement. In addition, AFC has agreed (i) to cause SMA to vote
the shares of APY Common Stock owned by it in favor of the adopting of the
Merger Agreement and the approval of the Merger and the Charter Amendment; and
(ii) to submit an additional listing application covering the shares of AFC
Common Stock issuable in the Merger to the NYSE and will use reasonable
efforts to obtain the approval of such application prior to the Effective
Time.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS
The obligations of AFC and APY to consummate the Merger are conditions on
the fulfillment of the following: (i) approval of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby in the manner required by law, the New York
Stock Exchange or other regulatory body; (ii) neither APY nor AFC shall be
subject to any order or injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction which
prohibits the consummation of the transaction contemplated in the Merger
Agreement, and in the event such order or injunction shall have been issued,
each party will use its reasonable efforts to have any such injunction lifted;
(iii) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the absence of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof and no proceeding for that
purpose having been initiated by the Commission; (iv) all orders and approvals
of the insurance regulatory authorities required in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall
have been obtained or made; (v) the receipt of all consents, authorizations,
orders and approvals of (or filings or registrations with) any governmental
commission, board or other regulatory body required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement (except for those
documents required to be filed after the Effective Time and except where the
failure to obtain such approval or order would not have a material adverse
effect); (vi) the listing of the AFC Common Stock to be issued to APY
stockholders on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance; and
(vii) consummation of the Recapitalization.
The obligation of APY to consummate the Merger Transactions is conditioned
on the fulfillment of the following conditions: (i) the performance by AFC and
Merger Sub, in all material respects, of their obligations pursuant to the
Merger Agreement which are required to be performed on or prior to the
Effective Date; (ii) the representations and warranties made by AFC and Merger
Sub in the Merger Agreement shall be true as of the Effective Date (except for
changes specifically permitted by the Merger Agreement); and (iii) that APY
shall have received a fairness opinion of Salomon Brothers that the Merger
Consideration is fair to the APY Public Stockholders from a financial point of
view and such fairness opinion shall not have been withdrawn.
The obligation of AFC to consummate the Merger Transactions is conditioned
on the fulfillment of the following conditions: (i) the performance by APY, in
all material respects, of its obligations pursuant to the Merger Agreement
which are required to be performed on or prior to the Effective Date; (ii) the
representations and warranties made by APY in the Merger Agreement shall be
true as of the Effective Date (except for changes specifically permitted by
the Merger Agreement); and (iii) that AFC shall have received a fairness
opinion of Merrill Lynch that the Merger is fair to AFC from a financial point
of view and such fairness opinion shall not have not been withdrawn.
TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The Merger Agreement is subject to termination at the option of either AFC
or APY (with the consent of the Special Committee) if the Merger Transactions
are not consummated on or before September 30, 1997. In addition, prior to
such time, the Merger Agreement is subject to termination upon: (i) the
issuance by a United
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States Federal court or Federal governmental, regulatory or administrative
agency, or a state court of competent jurisdiction or state governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency or commission, of any order, decree or
ruling permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger Transactions, and such order, decree or ruling
having become final and non-appealable, provided that the party seeking to
terminate the Merger Agreement shall have used all reasonable efforts to
remove such injunction, order or decree; (ii) insurance regulatory authorities
shall have issued an order or ruling or taken other action denying approval of
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; or (iii) the mutual
consent of AFC, Merger Sub and APY (with the consent of the Special
Committee).
The Merger Agreement may be terminated by the APY Board (with the consent of
the Special Committee) at any time prior to the Effective Time if: (i) the APY
Board determines in good faith, upon advice of counsel, that notwithstanding a
binding commitment to consummate the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement
entered into in the proper exercise of their fiduciary duties, failure to
terminate the Merger Agreement would likely be a breach of their fiduciary
duties by reason of an Alternative Proposal being made; (ii) there has been a
material breach of any of the covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement
on the part of AFC which is not curable or not cured within 30 days after
written notice of the breach by APY; or (iii) the AFC Board shall have
withdrawn or modified, in a manner materially adverse to APY, its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Special Committee on behalf of
APY at any time prior to the Effective Time if the Special Committee withdraws
or materially modifies or changes its recommendation of the Merger Agreement
or the Merger and the Special Committee determines in good faith, upon advice
of counsel, that failure to terminate the Merger Agreement would likely be a
breach of such fiduciary duties by reason of an Alternative Proposal; provided
that the Special Committee shall notify APY and AFC promptly of its intention
to terminate the Merger Agreement, but in no event shall such notice be given
less than 48 hours prior to the public announcement of such termination.
The AFC Board may terminate the Merger Agreement at any time prior to the
Effective Time if: (i) the APY Board and the Special Committee shall have
withdrawn or modified in a manner materially adverse to AFC its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger; (ii) there has been a
breach by APY of any representation or warranty in the Merger Agreement which
would have, or which would be reasonably likely to have, a material adverse
effect on APY; or (iii) there has been a material breach by APY of any of the
covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement on the part of APY which is
not curable or not cured within 30 days of written notice by AFC.
PAYMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS; ELECTION PROCEDURES
Each APY Public Stockholder of record at the Effective Time, other than a
Dissenting APY Stockholder, shall have the right to submit an Election Form
specifying whether such person desires to have all of the shares of APY Common
Stock owned by such person converted into the right to receive the Standard
Consideration, the Cash Consideration or the Stock Consideration. See "The
Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY Merger Consideration."
Promptly after the Allocation Determination (as defined below), AFC shall
deposit (or cause to be deposited) with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of
the APY Public Stockholders, cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate
cash portion of the Merger Consideration and certificates representing the
shares of AFC Common Stock ("AFC Stock Certificates") in an amount sufficient
to pay the aggregate stock portion of the Merger Consideration.
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent shall mail to each APY Public Stockholder of record immediately prior to
the Effective Time (i) the Letter of Transmittal (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the APY Stock
Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of such APY Stock Certificates to
the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as
AFC shall specify), (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of
the APY Stock Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration with
respect to the shares of APY Common Stock formerly
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represented thereby, and (iii) the Election Form providing for such holders to
make the Standard Election, the Cash Election or the Stock Election. As of the
Election Deadline (as defined below) all holders of APY Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time that shall not have submitted to the
Exchange Agent or shall have properly revoked an effective, properly completed
Election Form shall be deemed to have made a Standard Election.
Any Cash Election, Standard Election, or Stock Election shall have been
validly made only if the Exchange Agent shall have received by 5:00 p.m.
Boston, Massachusetts time on August 13, 1997 (the "Election Deadline"), an
Election Form properly completed and executed (with the signature or
signatures thereof guaranteed to the extent required by the Election Form) by
such holder accompanied by such holder's APY Stock Certificates, or by an
appropriate guarantee of delivery of such APY Stock Certificates from a member
of any registered national securities exchange or of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company in the
United States as set forth in such Election Form. Any APY Public Stockholder
that has made an election by submitting an Election Form to the Exchange Agent
may at any time prior to the Election Deadline change such holder's election
by submitting a revised Election Form, properly completed and signed that is
received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline. Any APY Public
Stockholder may at any time prior to the Election Deadline revoke such
holder's election and withdraw such holder's APY Stock Certificates deposited
with the Exchange Agent by written notice to the Exchange Agent received by
the close of business on the day prior to the Election Deadline. As soon as
practicable after the Election Deadline (but in no event later than ten
business days after the Election Deadline), the Exchange Agent shall determine
the allocation of the cash portion of the Merger Consideration and the stock
portion of the Merger Consideration and shall notify AFC of its determined
allocation (the "Allocation Determination").
THE VALUE OF THE PER SHARE MERGER CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO EACH APY PUBLIC
STOCKHOLDER MAY VARY DEPENDING ON (I) THE AVERAGE STOCK PRICE, (II) WHETHER
SUCH HOLDER MAKES A STANDARD ELECTION, A CASH ELECTION OR A STOCK ELECTION,
AND (III) THE PRORATION PROCEDURES. SEE "THE MERGER TRANSACTIONS--THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--APY MERGER CONSIDERATION" FOR A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE EFFECT OF
THE AVERAGE STOCK PRICE AND PRORATION ON THE VALUE OF THE MERGER
CONSIDERATION.
Upon surrender of an APY Stock Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange
Agent, together with the Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, and such other
documents as AFC or the Exchange Agent shall reasonably request, the holder of
such APY Stock Certificate shall be entitled to receive promptly after the
Election Deadline in exchange therefor (i) a check in the amount equal to the
cash, if any, which such holder has the right to receive (including any cash
in lieu of fractional shares of AFC Common Stock), and (ii) an AFC Stock
Certificate representing that number of shares of AFC Common Stock, if any,
which such holder has the right to receive (in the case of each of clause (i)
and (ii) above, less the amount of any required withholding taxes), and the
APY Stock Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. Until
surrendered, each APY Stock Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the
Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration
with respect to the shares of APY Common Stock formerly represented thereby.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Neither AFC nor APY is regulated as an insurance company but is, as the
owner of the capital stock of subsidiaries that are insurance companies (the
"Insurance Subsidiaries"), subject to the insurance holding company acts of
each of the states of domiciles of such subsidiaries. In Delaware, Illinois,
Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas,
the Merger Transactions described herein require either (i) the notification
of the insurance department of such state, (ii) the prior approval of the
insurance department pursuant to the state's insurance holding company act or
(iii) the obtaining of an exemption from the prior approval requirements in
the change of control provisions of such act. In addition, if any of the
domiciliary states conclude that the Merger Transactions described herein
constitute a change in control of a domiciliary insurer, several state
insurance regulatory laws contain provisions that require pre-notification to
state agencies of a change in control of a non-domestic admitted insurance
company in that state. While such pre-notification statutes do not authorize
the state agency to disapprove the change of control, such statutes do
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authorize issuance of a cease and desist order with respect to the non-
domestic admitted insurer if certain conditions exist, such as undue market
concentration. Therefore, the Merger Agreement provides that a condition to
AFC and APY consummating the Merger is the receipt of all orders and approvals
or exemptions therefrom required from regulatory authorities in connection
with the Transaction.
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
It is a condition to the Merger Transactions that the shares of AFC Common
Stock to be issued to the holders of APY Common Stock in connection with the
Merger shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to
official notice of issuance. Application has been made to list such additional
shares of AFC Common Stock on the NYSE.
FINANCING THE MERGER; FEES AND EXPENSES
The total amount of funds required by AFC to pay the cash component of the
Merger Consideration is estimated to be approximately $425.5 million. AFC
currently expects to finance this cash payment and any costs relating to the
Merger from one or more of the following sources: (i) the $296.3 million of
proceeds received by AFC on February 3, 1997 from the sale of $300.0 million
of 8.207% Series A Capital Securities issued by AFC Capital Trust I, a
subsidiary business trust of AFC, and guaranteed by AFC; (ii) internally
available funds of AFC; and/or (iii) borrowings pursuant to a revolving bank
credit facility. AFC and The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase") have entered into
a commitment letter which provides for a $225 million revolving line of credit
that expires on December 15, 1997. Borrowings under the line of credit will be
unsecured and will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at AFC's
option, Chase's base rate or the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin.
The commitment letter provides that the loan documentation relating to the
revolving line of credit will require AFC to provide Chase certain period
financial reports and comply with certain financial ratios. AFC expects to
enter into definitive documentation with respect to the revolving line of
credit on or prior to June 17, 1997. AFC expects to repay these borrowings
with cash from operations.
Other than the indenture relating to the Subordinated Debentures (as defined
below) issued in connection with the Series A Capital Securities and the
commitment letter with The Chase Manhattan Bank, AFC has not entered into any
agreements with respect to the borrowing of funds to pay the cash portion of
the Merger Consideration.
AFC has incurred and has agreed to pay all of the various fees and expenses
in connection with the Merger. Estimated costs and fees in connection with the
Merger and related transactions are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Legal Fees and Expenses....................................... $1,400,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses.................................. 300,000
Financial Advisors............................................ 3,100,000
Printing and Mailing.......................................... 250,000
Filing Fees................................................... 150,000
Miscellaneous................................................. 800,000
----------
$6,000,000
==========
</TABLE>
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
APY stockholders have the right to demand an appraisal of the fair value of
their APY Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the
DGCL ("Section 262"), which section sets forth the rights and obligations of
APY stockholders demanding an appraisal and the procedures to be followed.
Stockholders who perfect such rights will not be entitled to surrender their
APY Common Stock for payment of the Merger Consideration in the manner
otherwise described in this Information Statement/Prospectus. Stockholders
should assume that APY will take no action to perfect any appraisal rights of
any stockholder. Therefore, to exercise his
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or her appraisal rights, a stockholder should strictly comply with the
procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL and is urged to consult his or
her legal advisor before electing or attempting to exercise such appraisal
rights.
The following is a summary of the procedures to be followed under Section
262, the text of which is attached to this Information Statement/Prospectus as
Appendix D. The summary does not purport to be a complete statement of, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, Section 262 and to any amendments to
such section after the date of this Information Statement/Prospectus. Failure
to follow any Section 262 procedures may result in termination or waiver of
appraisal rights under Section 262.
Only a holder of record of shares of APY Common Stock is entitled to seek
appraisal. The demand for appraisal must be executed by or for the holder of
record, fully and correctly, as such holder's name appears on the holder's APY
Stock Certificate. If the stock is owned of record in a fiduciary capacity,
such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be made in that
capacity, and if the stock is owned of record by more than one person, as in a
joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be made by or for all
owners of record. An authorized agent, including one or more joint owners, may
execute the demand for appraisal for a holder of record; however, such agent
must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose in such demand
that the agent is acting as agent for the record owner or owners of such
shares.
A record holder such as a broker who holds shares of APY Common Stock as a
nominee for beneficial owners, some of whom desire to demand appraisal, must
exercise appraisal rights on behalf of such beneficial owners with respect to
the shares held for such beneficial owners. In such case, the written demand
for appraisal should set forth the number of shares of APY Common Stock covered
by it. Unless a demand for appraisal specifies a number of shares, such demand
will be presumed to cover all shares of APY Common Stock held in the name of
such record owner.
Since the Merger Transactions have been approved by written consent without a
meeting, APY is mailing to each stockholder of record on the Record Date who
did not consent to the Merger Transactions this Information
Statement/Prospectus which constitutes the notice required under Section 262.
Included with this notice is a copy of Section 262. Any stockholder entitled to
appraisal rights may, by July 6, 1997 demand in writing from APY an appraisal
of his or her shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs
APY of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends to
demand an appraisal of his or her shares. Failure to make such a demand on or
before the date that is twenty days after the mailing of this notice will
foreclose a stockholder's right to appraisal.
For purposes of making an appraisal demand, the address of APY is:
Allmerica Property & Casualty Companies, Inc.
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01653
Attention: John F. Kelly, Vice President and General Counsel
A stockholder may withdraw his demand for appraisal by written request within
60 days after the Effective Date of the Merger but thereafter the approval of
APY is needed for such a withdrawal. Upon withdrawal of an appraisal demand, an
APY stockholder will be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration.
Within 120 days after the Effective Date (the "120-Day Period"), in
compliance with Section 262, any APY stockholder who has properly demanded an
appraisal and who has not withdrawn his demand as provided above (such
stockholders being referred to collectively as the "Dissenting Stockholders")
and APY each has the right to file in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the
"Delaware Court") a petition (the "Petition") demanding a determination of the
value of the APY Common Stock held by all of the Dissenting Stockholders. If,
within the 120-Day Period, no Petition shall have been filed as provided above,
all rights to appraisal will
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cease and all of the Dissenting Stockholders who owned APY Common Stock will
become entitled to receive the Merger Consideration. APY is not obligated and
does not intend to file such a Petition. Any Dissenting Stockholder is
entitled, within the 120-Day Period and upon written request to APY, to
receive from APY a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares of
APY Common Stock with respect to which demands for appraisal have been
received and the aggregate number of Dissenting Stockholders.
Such written statement must be mailed within 10 days after a written request
therefor has been received by APY or within 10 days after expiration of the
period for delivery of appraisal demands, whichever is later. Upon the filing
of a Petition by a Dissenting Stockholder in the Court, service of a copy
thereof must be made upon APY, and APY must, within 20 days after such
service, file in the office of the Register in Chancery of the State of
Delaware (the "Register in Chancery") in which the petition was filed a duly
verified list containing the names and addresses of all Dissenting
Stockholders and with whom agreements as to the value of their APY Common
Stock have not been reached by APY. If a Petition for appraisal by a
Dissenting Stockholder is timely filed, the Delaware Court may order that
notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing on the Petition be mailed
to APY and all of the Dissenting Stockholders and be published at least one
week before the day of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation
published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or in another publication
determined by the Delaware Court. The costs relating to these notices will be
borne by APY. If a hearing on the Petition is held, the Delaware Court is
empowered to determine which Dissenting Stockholders have complied with the
provisions of Section 262 and are entitled to an appraisal of their Common
Stock. The Delaware Court may require that Dissenting Stockholders submit
their APY Stock Certificates for notation thereon of the pendency of the
appraisal proceedings. The Delaware Court is empowered to dismiss the
proceedings as to any Dissenting Stockholder who does not comply with such
requirement. Accordingly, Dissenting Stockholders are cautioned to retain
their APY Stock Certificates pending resolution of the appraisal proceedings.
The APY Common Stock will be appraised by the Delaware Court at its fair
value as of the Effective Date exclusive of any element of value arising from
the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger. In determining the value, the
court is to take into account all relevant factors. In Weinberger v. UOP,
Inc., et al., decided February 1, 1983, the Delaware Supreme Court expanded
the considerations that could be considered in determining fair value in an
appraisal proceeding, stating that "proof of value by any techniques or
methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community
and otherwise admissible in court" should be considered and that ".........fair
price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the
value of a company.........'' The Delaware Supreme Court stated, in making this
determination of fair value, that the court must consider market value, asset
value, dividends, earnings, prospects, the nature of the enterprise and any
other facts which could be ascertained as of the date of the merger which
throw any light on future prospects of the merged corporation. Section 262
provides that fair value is to be ""exclusive of any element of value arising
from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger.'' In Weinberger, the
Delaware Supreme Court held that ""elements of future value, including the
nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the
date of the merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered."
Stockholders considering seeking appraisal should have in mind that the fair
value of their shares determined under Section 262 could be more, the same, or
less than the Merger Consideration and that investment banking opinions as to
fairness from a financial point of view are not necessarily opinions as to
fair value under Section 262.
The Delaware Court may also, on application, (i) determine a fair rate of
interest, simple or compound, if any, to be paid to Dissenting Stockholders in
addition to the value of the APY Common Stock for the period from the
Effective Date to the date of payment, (ii) assess costs among the parties as
the Delaware Court deems equitable and (iii) order all or a portion of the
expenses incurred by any Dissenting Stockholder in connection with the
appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's
fees and fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the
value of all shares entitled to appraisal. Determinations by the Delaware
Court are subject to appellate review by the Delaware Supreme Court.
54
<PAGE>
Dissenting Stockholders are generally permitted to participate in the
appraisal proceedings. No appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court shall be
dismissed as to any Dissenting Stockholder without the approval of the Delaware
Court, and this approval may be conditioned upon terms which the Delaware Court
deems just.
From and after the Effective Date, Dissenting Stockholders will not be
entitled to vote their APY Common Stock for any purpose and will not be
entitled to receive payment of dividends or other distributions in respect of
such APY Common Stock payable to stockholders of record thereafter.
If any holder of APY Common Stock who demands appraisal of shares under
Section 262 fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, the right of
appraisal, as provided in the DGCL, the shares of APY Common Stock will be
converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with
the Merger Agreement.
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT
The APY Charter does not currently authorize the APY Board to issue more than
one class of APY Common Stock. In order to effect the Recapitalization, in
which SMA will exchange each share of APY Common Stock held by it for one share
of APY Class B Common Stock of APY, the APY Charter will be amended to
authorize the APY Board to issue two classes of common stock. The APY Class B
Common Stock will remain outstanding following the consummation of the Merger.
The Charter Amendment will authorize the APY Board to issue 100,000,000
shares of which will be Common Stock, 40,000,000 shares of which will be APY
Class B Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share. Holders of Class B Common Stock
will be entitled to one vote for each share held and will not have any
preemptive, conversion or other rights to subscribe for additional shares of
APY. Holders of record of the Class B Common Stock are entitled to such
dividends as may be declared the APY Board out of funds legally available
therefor. On liquidation, dissolution or winding up of APY, the holders of Class
B Common Stock are entitled to receive pro rata with the holders of APY Common
Stock the net assets of APY remaining after the payment of all creditors and
liquidation preferences, if any. See "Appendix A-2--Form of Charter Amendment."
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS IN THE APY COMMON STOCK
Since January 1, 1995, APY has repurchased an aggregate of 2,111,600 shares
of APY Common Stock at the times and in the amounts summarized in the following
schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RANGE OF
NUMBER OF PER SHARE
SHARES OF APY PURCHASE PRICE AVERAGE
COMMON STOCK --------------- PER SHARE
PURCHASED HIGH LOW PURCHASE PRICE
------------- ------- ------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter................... 67,500 $19 $18 3/8 $18.877
Second Quarter.................. 487,600 $20 7/8 $19 $20.045
Third Quarter................... 44,200 $23 3/4 $22 1/2 $23.284
Fourth Quarter.................. 341,300 $26 1/4 $22 $25.723
1996
First Quarter................... 892,200 $26 7/8 $24 1/2 $26.475
Second Quarter.................. 278,800 $26 3/4 $26 $26.646
Third Quarter................... -- -- -- --
Fourth Quarter.................. -- -- -- --
1997
First Quarter -- -- -- --
Second Quarter (through June
12)............................ -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
55
<PAGE>
THE COMPANIES
BUSINESS OF AFC
AFC is a non-insurance holding company for a group of insurance and
financial services companies and, through its subsidiaries, offers financial
products and services in two major areas: Risk Management and Retirement and
Asset Management. Within these broad areas, AFC operates principally in five
operating segments: Regional Property & Casualty; Corporate Risk Management
Services; Retail Financial Services; Institutional Services and Allmerica
Asset Management.
The Regional Property and Casualty segment of AFC's business consists of its
approximately 59.5% ownership of APY. See "The Companies--Business of APY."
AFC's Corporate Risk Management Services segment provides managed care
medical group insurance products and administrative services as well as other
group insurance coverages, such as group life, dental and disability products,
to corporate employers. As of March 31, 1997, this segment insured and/or
provided administrative services to the employee benefit plans of over 2,700
employers covering 606,835 employee lives. AFC's strategy in this segment
emphasizes risk sharing arrangements rather than traditional indemnity medical
insurance products. AFC's risk sharing arrangements consist of providing stop-
loss indemnity insurance coverage for self-insured employers with 100 to 5,000
employees together with managed care and administrative services for coverage
provided by the employer and AFC. This risk sharing approach enables AFC to
provide more managed care, administrative and other services with less
exposure to losses than traditional indemnity medical insurance.
AFC's Retail Financial Services segment includes the individual financial
products businesses of FAFLIC and its wholly owned subsidiary Allmerica
Financial Life and Annuity Insurance ("AFLIAC"), as well as AFC's registered
investment advisor and broker-dealer affiliates. Through this segment,
according to Variable Annuity Research Data Services, AFC is a leading
provider of investment-oriented life insurance and annuities as determined by
sales to upper income individuals and small businesses throughout the United
States. These products are marketed through AFC's career agency force of 574
agents and on a wholesale basis to financial planners and broker/dealers. AFC
offers a diverse line of products tailored to its customer market, including
variable universal life, variable annuities, universal life and retirement
plan funding products. The main components of AFC's current strategy in this
segment are to: (i) emphasize investment-oriented insurance products,
particularly variable annuities and variable universal life insurance, (ii)
improve the productivity of the career agency distribution system, (iii)
implement a targeted marketing approach emphasizing value-added service, (iv)
leverage AFC's technological resources to support marketing and client service
initiatives and (v) continue to develop new distribution systems.
AFC's Institutional Services segment has historically offered plan design,
investment and participant recordkeeping services to defined benefit and
defined contribution retirement plans of corporate employers and sold
guaranteed investment contracts and annuities to corporate retirement plans.
AFC conducts its operations in this segment through FAFLIC and its
subsidiaries. AFC also offers participant recordkeeping and administrative
services to defined benefit retirement plans. AFC provides administration and
recordkeeping for approximately 561 qualified pension and profit sharing plans
which have assets totaling $2.5 billion and cover approximately 105,000
participants. To address the decrease in the market for defined benefit plans
sponsored by employers, AFC has focused on increasing sales to defined
contribution plans, targeting plans with 25 to 1,500 participants. Based upon
internal studies, management believes the size of this market provides the
greatest opportunity in this line of business. In addition, AFC provides
investment only plan services to approximately 201 plans with aggregate assets
under management of $1.0 billion.
Since late 1995, AFC has offered its products for sale directly at the
worksite through trained and licensed sales representatives. By using
education and personalized consulting to increase employee purchases, AFC
seeks to lower acquisition costs and increase employee participation levels.
56
<PAGE>
At March 31, 1997, AFC managed $10.1 billion of investment assets, including
$766.2 million of investment assets in the "closed block" of certain
individual participating life insurance policies and contracts of FAFLIC in
effect as of the effective date of the demutualization of FAFLIC (the "Closed
Block"). These investments are generally of high quality and broadly
diversified across asset classes and individual investment risks. The major
categories of investment assets are: fixed maturities, which includes both
investment grade and below investment grade public and private debt
securities; equity securities; mortgage loans, principally on commercial
properties; policy loans; real estate, which consists primarily of investments
in commercial properties and other long-term investments. The remainder of the
investment assets is comprised of cash and cash equivalents.
Since 1994, the Company has provided investment advisory and sub-advisory
services, primarily to affiliates, through its registered investment advisor,
Allmerica Asset Management.
In October 1995, AFC conducted an initial public offering of 12.6 million
shares of its common stock at a price of $21 per share and an initial public
offering of $200.0 million Aggregate Principal Amount of 7 5/8% Senior
Debentures due 2025 (the "Senior Debentures"). AFC's initial public offering
occurred concurrently with the conversion of State Mutual from a mutual life
insurance company to a subsidiary of AFC, a stockholder-owned life insurance
holding company. The aggregate net proceeds of the Common Stock and Senior
Debenture Offerings to AFC were approximately $445.2 million.
On February 3, 1997, AFC Capital Trust, a subsidiary business trust of AFC,
issued $300.0 million Series A Capital Securities, which pay cumulative
dividends at a rate of 8.207% semiannually commencing August 15, 1997. The
Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and
investing the proceeds thereof in an equivalent amount of 8.207% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 of AFC (the "Subordinated
Debentures"). Through certain guarantees, the Subordinated Debentures and the
terms of related agreements, AFC has irrevocably and unconditionally
guaranteed the obligations of the Trust under the Capital Securities. Net
proceeds from the offering of approximately $296.3 million are intended to
fund a portion of the cash portion of the Merger Consideration.
Additional information concerning AFC is included in the AFC Reports
incorporated by reference in this Information Statement/Prospectus. See
"Available Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
BUSINESS OF APY
APY is a non-insurance holding company organized as a Delaware corporation
in 1992 to hold all of the outstanding shares of Hanover. APY, through its
primary insurance operating subsidiaries, Hanover and Citizens Insurance
Company of America ("Citizens Insurance"), is engaged in the business of
underwriting personal and commercial property and casualty insurance.
Personal automobile coverage insures individuals against losses incurred
from personal bodily injury, bodily injury to third parties, property damage
to an insured's vehicle, and property damage to other vehicles and other
property.
Homeowners coverage insures individuals for losses to their residences and
personal property, such as those caused by fire, wind, hail, water damage
(except for flooding), theft and vandalism, and against third party liability
claims.
Commercial automobile coverage insures businesses against losses incurred
form personal bodily injury, bodily injury to third parties, property damage
to an insured's vehicle, and property damage to other vehicles and other
property.
Workers' compensation coverage insures employers against employee medical
and indemnity claims resulting from injuries related to work. Workers'
compensation policies are often written in conjunction with other commercial
policies.
57
<PAGE>
Commercial multiple peril coverage insures businesses against third party
liability from accidents occurring on their premises or arising out of their
operations, such as injuries sustained from products sold. It also insures
business property for damage, such as that caused by fire, wind, hail, water
damage (except for flooding), theft and vandalism.
Both Hanover and Citizens Insurance also offer a variety of other products,
such as inland marine, fire, and fidelity and surety insurance. APY provides
self-insurance administration services for individual and group risks and
writes excess reinsurance coverage for the self-insurance programs it
administers through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens Management, Inc.
Through its insurance subsidiaries, the Company is licensed to sell property
and casualty insurance in all fifty states in the United States, as well as
the District of Columbia and all provinces of Canada, except Prince Edward
Island. Hanover's business is concentrated in the Northeast, primarily
Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Maine. Citizens' business is
predominantly in Michigan and has recently expanded into Indiana and Ohio.
Additional information concerning APY is included in the APY Reports
incorporated by reference in this Information Statement/Prospectus. See
"Available Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
58
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information (the "Pro Forma
Information") of AFC presented below is based upon its consolidated financial
statements, which include the accounts of APY, as adjusted to give effect to
the Merger Transactions. The Merger Agreement provides that each outstanding
share of APY Common Stock held by an APY Public Stockholder, will be converted
into the right to receive (x) 0.4 of a share of AFC Common Stock, and (y) an
amount in cash, without interest, equal to $17.60; provided, however, that (1)
in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the Standard Cash
Consideration shall be equal to (A) $32.00 less (B) the Standard Exchange
Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price and (2) in the event the Average
Stock Price is greater than $41.00, the Standard Cash Consideration shall be
equal to (A) $34.00 less (B) the Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the
Average Stock Price. Alternatively, an APY stockholder may elect to receive
their merger consideration solely in AFC Common Stock or in cash, subject to
proration in the event that the election made by such stockholder is
oversubscribed. If no election is made by an APY Public Stockholder, such
holder will be deemed to have made a Standard Election with respect to such
holder's shares. See "The Merger Transactions--Payment to Stockholders;
Election Procedures" and "The Merger Transactions--The Merger Agreement--APY
Merger Consideration."
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of
income for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and for the year ended
December 31, 1996 give effect to the Merger Transactions and the offering of
8.207% Series A Capital Securities by AFC Capital Trust I (the "Offering," and
together with the Merger Transactions, the "Transactions") as if each had
occurred at the beginning of 1997 and 1996, respectively, and is based on the
consolidated statement of income of AFC for such period. The following
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 1997
gives effect to the Transactions as if each had occurred on such date and is
based on the consolidated balance sheet of AFC as of March 31, 1997.
The Pro Forma Information is based on available information and on
assumptions management believes are reasonable and that reflect the effects of
the Transactions. The Pro Forma Information is provided for informational
purposes only and should not be construed to be indicative of AFC's
consolidated financial position or its results of operations had the
transactions been consummated on the dates assumed and does not in any way
represent a projection or forecast of AFC's consolidated financial position or
consolidated results of operations for any future date or period. The Pro
Forma Information should be read in conjunction with the AFC and APY
historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Information Statement/Prospectus and with the information
set forth under "The Merger Transactions," as well as AFC and APY audited
consolidated financial statements including the notes thereto, AFC's and APY's
management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations and AFC's and APY's description of business, which are incorporated
by reference into this Information Statement/Prospectus. See "Incorporation of
Certain Documents by Reference."
59
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA(1)
----------------------------------------
ADJUSTMENTS
HISTORICAL RELATING TO THE ADJUSTMENTS
---------- CAPITAL RELATING TO THE ADJUSTED
AFC SECURITIES MERGER BALANCE
---------- --------------- --------------- --------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Premiums................. $562.3 $562.3
Universal life and
investment product
policy fees............. 56.3 56.3
Net investment income.... 163.4 (1.6)(2)
(4.5)(10) 157.3
Net realized investment
gains................... 44.0 44.0
Other income............. 28.9 28.9
------ ----- ------
Total revenues......... 854.9 (6.1) 848.8
------ ----- ------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND
EXPENSES
Policy benefits, claims,
losses and loss
adjustment expenses..... 492.3 0.1 (3) 492.4
Policy acquisition
expenses................ 119.8 119.8
Loss from cession of
disability income
business................ 53.9 53.9
Other operating
expenses................ 134.9 1.2 (4) 136.1
------ ----- ------
Total benefits, losses
and expenses.......... 800.9 1.3 802.2
------ ----- ------
Income before federal
income taxes.............. 54.0 (7.4) 46.6
Federal income tax expense
(benefit)................. 9.7 (2.0)(5) 7.7
------ ----- ------
Income before minority
interest.................. 44.3 (5.4) 38.9
------ ----- ------
Minority interest
Dividends on Company-
obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred
securities of subsidiary
trust................... (2.4) (1.6)(6) (4.0)
Equity in earnings....... (26.0) 21.0 (7) (5.0)
------ ----- ----- ------
Total minority
interest.............. (28.4) (1.6) 21.0 (9.0)
------ ----- ----- ------
Net income(8).............. $ 15.9 $(1.6) $15.6 $ 29.9
====== ===== ===== ======
PER SHARE DATA
Net income............... $ 0.32 $ 0.50
------ ------
Shares used in calculating
per common share
amounts(9)................ 50.2 59.9
------ ------
</TABLE>
60
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA(1)
----------------------------------------
ADJUSTMENTS
HISTORICAL RELATING TO THE ADJUSTMENTS
---------- CAPITAL RELATING TO THE ADJUSTED
AFC SECURITIES MERGER BALANCE
---------- --------------- --------------- --------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Premiums................ $2,236.3 $2,236.3
Universal life and
investment product
policy fees............ 197.2 197.2
Net investment income... 672.6 (9.0)(2) 655.6
(8.0)(10)
Net realized investment
gains.................. 65.9 65.9
Other income............ 102.7 102.7
-------- ----- --------
Total revenues........ 3,274.7 (17.0) 3,257.7
-------- ----- --------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND
EXPENSES
Policy benefits, claims,
losses and loss
adjustment expenses.... 1,957.0 0.4 (3) 1,957.4
Policy acquisition
expenses............... 483.5 483.5
Other operating
expenses............... 502.5 5.4 (4) 507.9
-------- ----- --------
Total benefits, losses
and expenses......... 2,943.0 5.8 2,948.8
-------- ----- --------
Income before federal
income taxes............. 331.7 (22.8) 308.9
Federal income tax expense
(benefit)................ 75.2 (5.3)(5) 69.9
-------- ----- --------
Income before minority
interest................. 256.5 (17.5) 239.0
-------- ----- --------
Minority interest
Dividends on Company-
obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred
securities of
subsidiary trust....... -- (16.0)(6) (16.0)
Equity in earnings...... (74.6) 59.7 (7) (14.9)
-------- ------ ----- --------
Total minority
interest............. (74.6) (16.0) 59.7 (30.9)
-------- ------ ----- --------
Net income(8)............. $ 181.9 $(16.0) $42.2 $ 208.1
======== ====== ===== ========
PER SHARE DATA
Net income.............. $ 3.63 $ 3.48
-------- --------
Shares used in calculating
per common share
amounts(9)............... 50.1 59.8
-------- --------
</TABLE>
61
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA(1)
--------------------------
ADJUSTMENTS
HISTORICAL RELATING TO THE ADJUSTED
AFC MERGER BALANCE
---------- --------------- ---------
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities, at fair value..... $ 7,358.2 $ 7,358.2
Equity securities, at fair value.... 381.6 381.6
Mortgage loans...................... 646.5 646.5
Real estate......................... 100.9 100.9
Policy loans........................ 135.8 135.8
Other long-term investments......... 135.3 135.3
--------- ---------
Total investments................. 8,758.3 8,758.3
Cash and cash equivalents........... 553.3 (425.5)(10) 127.8
Accrued investment income........... 151.8 151.8
Deferred policy acquisition costs... 831.4 831.4
Reinsurance receivables............. 841.4 841.4
Deferred federal income taxes....... 122.6 (24.4)(11) 98.2
Premiums, accounts and notes
receivable......................... 542.5 542.5
Goodwill............................ -- 143.8 (12) 143.8
Other assets........................ 314.8 314.8
Closed Block assets................. 803.7 803.7
Separate account assets............. 6,705.8 6,705.8
--------- ------- ---------
Total assets...................... $19,625.6 $(306.1) $19,319.5
--------- ------- ---------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Policy liabilities and accruals:
Future policy benefits.............. $ 2,610.7 $ 2,610.7
Outstanding claims, losses and loss
adjustment expenses................ 2,890.0 2,890.0
Unearned premiums................... 828.0 828.0
Contractholder deposit funds and
other policy liabilities........... 1,926.9 1,926.9
--------- ---------
Total policy liabilities and
accruals......................... 8,255.6 8,255.6
Expenses and taxes payable.......... 712.5 (9.0)(13) 703.5
Reinsurance premiums payable........ 30.1 30.1
Short-term debt..................... 67.6 67.6
Deferred federal income taxes....... 19.1 (19.1)(11) --
Long-term debt...................... 202.2 202.2
Closed Block liabilities............ 883.9 883.9
Separate account liabilities........ 6,700.2 6,700.2
--------- ------- ---------
Total liabilities................. 16,871.2 (28.1) 16,843.1
--------- ------- ---------
MINORITY INTEREST
Company-obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities of
subsidiary trust................... 300.0 300.0
Common stock........................ 782.4 (650.3)(14) 132.1
--------- ------- ---------
Total minority interest........... 1,082.4 (650.3) 432.1
--------- ------- ---------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock..................... -- --
Common stock........................ 0.5 0.1 (15) 0.6
Additional paid-in capital.......... 1,378.8 372.2 (15) 1,751.0
Unrealized appreciation on
investments, net................... 69.2 69.2
Retained earnings................... 223.5 223.5
--------- ------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity........ 1,672.0 372.3 2,044.3
--------- ------- ---------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity........... $19,625.6 $(306.1) $19,319.5
========= ======= =========
</TABLE>
62
<PAGE>
(1) The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet consolidates
the historical balance sheet of AFC, which includes the accounts of APY
and the interest of APY Public Stockholders, as if the Merger
Transactions had been consummated on March 31, 1997. The pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 consolidate the
historical statements of income of AFC, which include the accounts of APY
and the interest of APY Public Stockholders, as if the Merger
Transactions had been consummated on January 1, 1997 and January 1, 1996,
respectively.
The Merger will be accounted for by the purchase method of accounting as a
step purchase. Accordingly, AFC's cost to acquire the minority interest in
APY, calculated to be $797.8 million based on an AFC average Common Stock
price of $38.50 per share, will be allocated to the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed according to their respective fair values, with the
excess Merger Consideration being allocated to goodwill. Applicable income
tax effects of such adjustments are included as a component of AFC's net
deferred tax asset. Certain transactions conducted in the ordinary course
of business between AFC and APY are immaterial and, accordingly, have not
been eliminated.
Notwithstanding that the Merger Consideration is subject to change to the
extent of fluctuations in the Average Stock Price, subsequent changes in
AFC's market share price will not affect the measurement of the cost of the
transaction for accounting purposes. The unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information has been prepared based on an AFC
average market price of $38.50, corresponding to the announcement of the
Merger on February 19, 1997. The final allocation of the Merger
Consideration is dependent upon certain valuations and other studies that
have not progressed to a stage where there is sufficient information to
make such an allocation in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the purchase allocation
adjustments made in connection with the development of the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial statements are preliminary and have
been made solely for the purpose of developing such unaudited pro forma
consolidated financial statements.
The $143.8 million pro forma excess of Merger Consideration over net
tangible assets acquired as of March 31, 1997 would be amortized over 40
years at a rate of $3.6 million per year, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, which require that acquired intangible
assets be amortized over lives not to exceed 40 years. After consummation
of the Merger Transactions, AFC anticipates completion of the valuations
and other studies of the significant assets, liabilities and business
operations of APY. These valuations and other studies include determination
of the fair value of APY's pension plans and investment portfolio, as well
as the final determination of AFC's acquisition costs resulting from the
Merger. Using this information, AFC will make a final allocation of the
Merger Consideration, including allocation to tangible assets and
liabilities, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. AFC believes that
any significant allocation of excess Merger Consideration to assets other
than goodwill will be amortized over periods approximating the assets'
remaining useful lives. The amortization periods used in preparing the
unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are not expected to
change materially at the consummation of the Merger Transactions.
The future results of operations of AFC will reflect increased amortization
of intangible assets which are non-deductible for tax purposes. The future
financial position of AFC will reflect increased intangible assets as
described above and increased shareholders' equity resulting from the
issuance of approximately 9.7 million shares of AFC Common Stock to APY
Public Stockholders.
(2) Represents amortization or accretion of purchased premium or discount,
respectively, on fixed maturities over the estimated remaining life of
the securities. Net investment income is adjusted to include the effect
of restating the historical yield on fixed maturity securities to the
estimated market yield as of the beginning of the period. The change to a
market yield is estimated by referencing Hanover's and Citizens'
unrealized gain or loss on fixed maturities at the beginning of the
period, amortized over the estimated life of the portfolio (5 years).
(3) Represents 40% of the elimination of the amortization of unrecognized
transition, prior service and other costs recognized in fair value
purchase accounting adjustment for Hanover's and Citizens' pension plans.
The remaining 60% of the elimination is an adjustment to other operating
expense. The 40%-60%
63
<PAGE>
allocation is based on the percentage of total salary expense charged to
losses and loss adjustment expenses and other operating expenses.
(4) Represents (i) amortization over 40 years of goodwill resulting from this
transaction of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
$4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 and (ii) 60% of the
elimination of the amortization of unrecognized transition, prior service
and other costs recognized in fair value purchase accounting adjustments
for Hanover's and Citizens' pension plans of $0.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and $0.6 million for the year ended December
31, 1996 (the remaining 40% of the elimination is an adjustment to policy
benefits, claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses) and (iii)
elimination of the amortization of unrecognized transition, prior service
and other costs recognized in fair value purchase accounting adjustments
for Hanover and Citizens post-retirement benefit plans of $0.2 million for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 and $0.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The 60%- 40% allocation is based on the percentage of
total salary expense charged to adjustment policy benefits, claims, losses
and loss adjustment expenses and other operating expenses.
(5) Represents the income tax benefit of the above adjustments except
amortization of goodwill, which is non-deductible for tax purposes. The
income tax benefits of adjustments to net investment income discussed in
Note (10) which relate to reduced cash at APY are at 18.5% for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 19.4% for the year ended December 31,
1996, respectively, which represents the effective tax rate on APY's
investment portfolio. The income tax benefit of all other adjustments,
except goodwill, is at 35%.
(6) AFC, through a subsidiary trust, on February 3, 1997, issued mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities with a liquidation amount totaling $300.0
million due 2027, which accrue dividends at an annual rate of 8.207%.
Adjustments represent accrued dividends on these securities of a
subsidiary trust, net of federal income taxes at 35%, as if such
securities had been issued at the beginning of each period presented.
Distributions are payable on these securities on February 15 and August 15
of each year.
(7) Represents elimination of the minority interest expense associated with
AFC's interest in APY on AFC's consolidated statement of income.
(8) The following ratios of earnings to fixed charges are derived from the
historical Consolidated Statements of Income and the Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
------------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Historical Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges(a)................... 4.3x 8.7x
Pro Forma Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges(b)......................... 3.3x 5.2x
</TABLE>
(a) For purposes of determining the historical ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of earnings before federal income taxes and
minority interest plus interest expense on AFC indebtedness and the
portion of operating lease rentals representative of the interest
factor. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on AFC indebtedness,
dividends on AFC-obligated manditorily redeemable preferred securities
of subsidiary trust recorded as minority interest before provision for
federal income taxes, plus the portion of operating lease rentals
representative of the interest factor.
(b) For purposes of determining the pro forma ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of pro forma earnings before federal income
taxes and minority interest plus interest expense on AFC indebtedness
and the portion of operating lease rentals representative of the
interest factor. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on AFC
indebtedness, pro forma dividends on AFC-obligated manditorily
redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trust recorded as
minority interest before provision for federal income taxes, plus the
portion of operating lease rentals representative of the interest
factor.
(9) The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements
reflect the conversion of each share held by an APY Public Stockholder
(24.2 million minority-owned shares at March 31, 1997) to 0.4 shares of
AFC Common Stock (50.2 million weighted average shares outstanding at
March 31, 1997), resulting in 59.9 million pro forma shares of AFC Common
Stock outstanding.
64
<PAGE>
The total market value of the AFC Common Stock to be issued in connection
with the Merger, is calculated as follows (in thousands, except the
Standard Exchange Ratio and per share data):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
APY minority-owned common shares outstanding on March 31, 1997.. 24,177
Standard Exchange Ratio......................................... 0.4
--------
Shares of AFC Common Stock to be issued......................... 9,671
Average market price per share of AFC Common Stock at February
19, 1997 $ 38.50
--------
Total market value of AFC Common Stock to be issued........... $372,334
========
</TABLE>
(10) Reflects cash paid to APY minority shareholders at $17.60 per
approximately 24.2 million shares. Net investment income is decreased to
reflect the lower level of cash and cash equivalents at APY, based on
$129.2 million of cash utilized in the Merger Transactions and APY's
average portfolio yield of 6.11% and 6.19% for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1996, respectively. In
addition, net investment income is reduced by $2.5 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 for the actual net investment income earned
on the proceeds from the mandatorily redeemable preferred securities in
the Merger Transactions.
(11) Reflects the deferred tax effect of adjusting certain pension and post
retirement benefit liabilities to fair value. Additionally, AFC and APY
will become a single taxable entity as a result of the Merger
Transactions. Accordingly, the historical deferred tax liability of $19.1
million, which is related to the Life Insurance Subsidiaries, has been
netted against the historical deferred tax asset as part of the pro forma
adjustments.
(12) Consists of the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net
assets acquired, calculated as follows (in millions):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Purchase price.................................................. $ 797.8
Book value of minority interest in APY.......................... (650.3)
Fair market value adjustments on
Reserve for acquisition costs................................. 6.0
Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits (net of taxes)... (9.7)
-------
Net goodwill.................................................. $ 143.8
=======
</TABLE>
(13) Consists of a $6.0 million increase resulting from the establishment of a
reserve for acquisition costs and a $15.0 million decrease resulting from
adjusting certain pension and postretirement benefit liabilities to fair
value.
(14) Represents elimination of AFC historical minority interest related to
APY.
(15) Reflects issuance of 9.7 million shares of AFC Common Stock exchanged for
100% of the minority shares of APY Common Stock, as described in Note 9
above.
65
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS
At the Effective Time, the stockholders of APY who receive AFC Common Stock
as Merger Consideration will become stockholders of AFC. As stockholders of
AFC, their rights will be governed by the DGCL and the Certificate of
Incorporation of AFC (the "AFC Charter") and Bylaws (the "AFC Bylaws").
Following are summaries of certain differences between the rights of APY
stockholders and AFC stockholders.
AFC and APY are both organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Any
differences, therefore, in the rights of holders of APY Common Stock and AFC
Common Stock arise solely from the differences in their respective
certificates of incorporation and bylaws. The AFC Charter and AFC Bylaws are
substantially similar to the APY Charter and the APY Bylaws, respectively,
except for certain matters as described herein.
Authorized Capital. The total number of authorized shares of capital stock
of APY is 110,000,000, consisting of 90,000,000 shares of APY Common Stock and
20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value, $1.00 per share (the "APY
Preferred Stock"). Immediately prior to the Merger and as a result of the
approval of the Charter Amendment, APY will have authorized 120,000,000 shares
of capital stock, of which 60,000,000 are shares of APY Common Stock,
40,000,000 are shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share, and
20,000,000 are shares of APY Preferred Stock. The total number of authorized
shares of capital stock of AFC is 320,000,000 consisting of 300,000,000 shares
of AFC Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01
per share (the "AFC Preferred Stock").
Directors. The AFC Board of Directors is divided into three separate
classes, consisting, as nearly as possible, of equal number of directors. At
each annual meeting of stockholders, successors to the class of directors
whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year
term. The APY Board is not divided into separate classes.
Amendment of Bylaws. Under the AFC Charter and the AFC Bylaws, the AFC
Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new bylaws may be adopted either
by a vote of a majority of the AFC Board or by the holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote thereon. The APY Charter and
APY Bylaws provide that the APY Bylaws may be adopted, altered, amended or
repealed by either a vote by the majority of the APY Board or by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote thereon.
Amendment of Charter. Under the DGCL, the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to amend the AFC Charter.
In addition, amendments which make changes relating to the capital stock by
increasing or decreasing the par value or the aggregate number of authorized
shares of a class, or otherwise adversely affecting the rights of such class,
must be approved by the majority vote of each class or series of stock
affected, even if such stock would not otherwise have such voting rights. The
AFC Charter, but not the APY Charter, requires a vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors to amend certain provisions thereof, including the provisions
relating to the classification of the Board, evaluation of certain
transactions and regulation of nominations of directors and of business to be
conducted at meetings of stockholders.
Removal of Directors. Under the AFC Charter, any or all directors may be
removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by either the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares then
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or the affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office. The APY Bylaws allow for
the removal of any or all directors, with or without cause, by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote to
remove directors.
Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors. Pursuant to the AFC Bylaws, any
vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled upon the affirmative vote of
a majority of the remaining directors then in office. Newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be
filled by a vote of the stockholders but only if such positions are not first
filled by the AFC Board. In contrast, under the APY Bylaws, vacancies and any
newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
directors may be filled by either a vote of stockholders or by a majority of
the directors then in office.
66
<PAGE>
Notice of Director Nominations and New Business. The AFC Charter authorizes
and the AFC Bylaws establish procedures, including advance notice procedures,
with regard to the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the AFC
Board of Directors, of candidates for election as directors to be brought
before meetings of stockholders of AFC. In general, notice must be received by
AFC not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting and must
contain certain specified information concerning the persons to be nominated
and concerning the stockholder submitting the nomination proposal. In
addition, the Bylaws require that any such nomination of candidates for
election as a director be accompanied by a petition signed by at least 100
record holders of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors,
representing in the aggregate 1% of the outstanding capital stock entitled to
vote thereon. In contrast, the APY Charter and By-laws do not contain such a
restriction.
Stockholder Action Without a Meeting. Under the AFC Charter, as permitted by
the DGCL, no action may be taken by the stockholders except at a meeting. The
APY Charter does not contain such a restriction.
Section 203 of the DGCL. Under Section 203 of the DGCL (the "Delaware anti-
takeover law"), certain "business combinations" between a Delaware corporation
whose stock generally is publicly traded or held of record by more than 2,000
stockholders and an "interested stockholder" are prohibited for a three-year
period following the date such stockholder became an interested stockholder,
unless (i) the corporation has elected in its certificate of incorporation not
to be governed by the Delaware anti-takeover law, (ii) the business
combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation before
the other party to the business combination became an interested stockholder,
(iii) upon consummation of the transaction that made it an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock
of the corporation outstanding at the commencement of the transaction
(excluding voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or held in
employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have a confidential right
to tender or vote stock held by the plan), or (iv) the business combination
was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and ratified by 66
2/3% of the voting stock which the interested stockholder did not own. The
three-year prohibition also does not apply to certain business combinations
proposed by an interested stockholder following the announcement or
notification of certain extraordinary transactions involving the corporation
and a person who had not been an interested stockholder during the previous
three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of a
majority of the corporation's directors. The term "business combination" is
defined generally to include mergers or consolidations between a Delaware
corporation and an "interested stockholder," transactions with an "interested
stockholder" involving the assets or stock of the corporation or its majority-
owned subsidiaries and transactions which increase an interested stockholder's
percentage ownership of stock. The term "interested stockholder" is defined
generally as those stockholders who become beneficial owners of 15% or more of
a Delaware corporation's voting stock. APY elected in its certificate of
incorporation not to be governed by the Delaware anti-takeover law. AFC made
no such election and therefore remains subject to the provisions of Section
203 of the DGCL.
67
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL AND OTHER STOCKHOLDERS OF APY
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of APY Common Stock, as of the Record Date (unless otherwise noted),
by (i) each director and executive officer of APY and AFC; (ii) stockholders
holding 5% or more of APY Common Stock and (iii) all directors and executive
officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APY COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-------------------------
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
SHARES(1) SHARES
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
SMA Financial Corp. .................................. 35,472,600(2) 59.5%
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01653
John F. O'Brien....................................... 16,000 *
(Director, President and Chief
Executive Officer of AFC and APY)
Bruce C. Anderson..................................... 1,000 *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
Michael P. Angelini................................... 3,000 *
(Director of AFC and APY)
Richard J. Baker...................................... 4,200(3) *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
David A. Barrett...................................... 600 *
(Director of AFC and APY)
James A. Cotter, Jr................................... 1,700(4) *
(Director of APY)
Gail L. Harrison...................................... 450 *
(Director of AFC and APY)
Robert P. Henderson................................... -- *
(Director of AFC)
M Howard Jacobsen..................................... -- *
(Director of APY)
John P. Kavanaugh..................................... -- *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
John F. Kelly......................................... 450(5) *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
Dona Scott Laskey..................................... 1,040 *
(Director of APY)
J. Barry May.......................................... 3,200 *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
James R. McAuliffe.................................... 1,600 *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
J. Terrence Murray.................................... -- *
(Director of AFC)
</TABLE>
68
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APY COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
SHARES(1) SHARES
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Robert J. Murray................................... -- *
(Director of AFC)
Edward J. Parry III................................ -- *
(Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of AFC and APY)
Richard M. Reilly.................................. -- *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
Larry C. Renfro.................................... -- *
(Vice President of AFC and APY)
Eric A. Simonsen................................... 9,000(6) *
(Director of APY and
Vice President of AFC and APY)
Philip E. Soule.................................... 300 *
(Vice President of FAFLIC and APY)
John L. Sprague.................................... -- *
(Director of AFC)
Robert G. Stachler................................. -- *
(Director of AFC and APY)
Herbert M. Varnum.................................. 600 *
(Director of AFC and APY)
Richard M. Wall.................................... -- *
(Director or AFC and APY)
Directors and executive officers of APY and AFC
as a group (26 persons)..............................43,140 *
</TABLE>
- --------
* Each of the amounts represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
APY Common Stock as of the Record Date. As to shares beneficially owned,
each person has sole voting and investment power, except as indicated in
other footnotes to this table.
(1) Represents shares beneficially owned and shares that the beneficial owner
named above has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 16, 1997, upon
exercise of outstanding stock options.
(2) All of the outstanding capital stock of SMA Financial Corp. is owned by
FAFLIC, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of AFC.
(3) Includes 2,700 shares held by Mr. Baker's wife, who has the sole power to
vote, dispose of, receive dividends and proceeds from such shares.
(4) Includes 100 shares owned by Mr. Cotter's spouse.
(5) Includes 150 shares Mr. Kelly holds as custodian under the Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act.
(6) Includes an aggregate of 3,000 shares held in trusts for the benefit of
Mr. Simonsen's children. Mr. Simonsen is trustee of the trusts and he
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in the trusts.
69
<PAGE>
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AFC AND APY
Prior to the consummation of the Merger Transactions, AFC indirectly owned
approximately 59.5% of the capital stock of APY. This 59.5% interest is held
directly by SMA Financial Corp., a Massachusetts corporation, which is a
wholly owned direct subsidiary of FAFLIC. FAFLIC is a wholly owned direct
subsidiary of AFC. In addition, seven of AFC's directors and virtually all of
its executive officers, including its Chief Executive Officer, occupy similar
positions with APY.
AFC's subsidiary FAFLIC currently provides various centralized
administrative and management services, operating support and office space to
APY and its subsidiaries, as well as to other FAFLIC subsidiaries. Effective
in 1970, APY's predecessor entered into an agreement with FAFLIC pursuant to
which FAFLIC agreed to provide services to APY in accordance with FAFLIC's
cost allocation policy. FAFLIC's cost allocation policy is based on state
insurance law requirements that all cost allocations be on a fair and
reasonable basis between entities and product lines within FAFLIC's holding
company structure and also are designed to meet regulations imposed by taxing
authorities. Services provided by FAFLIC include investment services,
portfolio management, and a certain amount of accounting, financial, legal and
administrative services, operations relating to servicing and underwriting of
policies and information and data systems. FAFLIC's cost allocation and
distribution policies are subject to review by various state and federal
regulatory agencies. AFC intends to continue to provide such services on the
same cost allocation basis to APY and its subsidiaries immediately following
the Merger Transactions.
Administrative charges (excluding rental charges) incurred by FAFLIC and
charged to APY were $12.6 million, $58.0 million and $50.8 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and for the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1995, respectively. APY leases its principal office from FAFLIC, with
which it shares most of the facility. Rental charges were $0.3 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and $1.3 million for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The rent is triple net, with rent
based on cost using a fluctuating interest rate. FAFLIC believes that such
terms are no less favorable to APY than if the property was leased to a non-
affiliate.
See also "Special Factors--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
Transactions;" "Certain Other Matters--Directors and Executive Officers of
AFC;" and "--Directors and Executive Officers of APY."
REGULATORY MATTERS
GENERAL
Insurance companies are subject to supervision and regulation by the state
insurance authorities in each state in which they transact business. Such
supervision and regulation relate to numerous aspects of an insurance
company's business and financial condition and, in certain states,
significantly affect the pricing and types of business an insurance company
may write. The extent of state regulation varies, but most jurisdictions have
laws and regulations governing standards of solvency, levels of reserves,
limitations on the authorization of an insurer's lines of business,
underwriting limits, the licensing to do business of insurers and agents, the
nature and concentration of investments by insurers, the setting of premium
rates, the payment of dividends, an insurer's transactions with its
affiliates, the change of control of an insurer and the approval of policy
forms. State insurance departments also conduct periodic financial condition
and market conduct examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and
require the filing of annual and other reports relating to the financial
condition of insurance companies, including the filing of detailed annual
financial statements, prepared on the basis of statutory accounting practices
and valuation of assets rules, in each of the jurisdictions in which the
insurance companies are licensed.
AFC is subject to regulation under the insurance holding company statutes of
Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Texas, the domiciliary states of the Insurance Subsidiaries.
APY is subject to regulation under the insurance holding company statutes of
Illinois, Indiana,
70
<PAGE>
Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, the domiciliary states
of APY's subsidiaries that are insurance companies. The Insurance Subsidiaries
are regulated under the statutes of their domiciliary states and the other
states in which they are licensed to transact insurance business. The
Insurance Subsidiaries are collectively licensed to transact business in, and
are subject to regulation and supervision by, all fifty states, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and Canada. In addition,
as a result of the nature of AFC's business, certain of its Insurance
Subsidiaries are subject to regulation under the federal securities laws,
including the Securities Act and the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Investment Advisors Act"), and under ERISA.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") and state
insurance regulators continue to reexamine existing insurance laws and
regulations, and as a condition to accreditation have required the adoption of
certain model laws which specifically focus on insurance company investments,
issues relating to the solvency of insurance companies, risk-based capital
("RBC") guidelines, interpretation of existing laws, the development on new
laws and the definition of extraordinary dividends.
The Insurance Subsidiaries are subject to various state statutory and
regulatory restrictions which limit the amount of dividends or distributions
by an insurance company to its stockholders. The restrictions are generally
based (i) on certain levels of statutory surplus and net income, as determined
under statutory accounting principles "SAP," and (ii) the type of insurance
the insurer is licensed to sell. Massachusetts, the domiciliary state of
FAFLIC, requires that statutory surplus following any dividend or distribution
be reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its
financial needs and permits the payment of dividends only from statutory
earned surplus (unassigned funds) unless payment out of other funds is
approved by the Commissioner of the Division of Insurance of Massachusetts.
Delaware and Michigan, the domiciliary states of Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance and Annuity Company and Citizens, respectively, have substantially
similar dividend restrictions as Massachusetts. New Hampshire, Hanover's
domiciliary state, provides that the maximum dividends and other distributions
that an insurer may pay in any twelve-month period, without prior 30-day
notice to and approval of the New Hampshire Commissioner of Insurance, is
limited to 10% of its statutory policyholders' surplus as of the preceding
December 31.
State regulators also have the discretionary authority, in connection with
the ongoing licensing of the Insurance Subsidiaries, to limit or prohibit new
issuance of business to policy owners when, in their judgment, such regulators
determine that such insurer is not maintaining minimum surplus or is in
hazardous financial conditions. Failure to maintain certain levels of
statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory scrutiny, action by
state regulatory authorities or a downgrade by private rating agencies. As of
December 31, 1996, all of the Insurance Subsidiaries were in compliance with
state requirements with respect to statutory surplus.
The NAIC has created a system for assessing the adequacy of statutory
capital for life and health insurers and property and casualty insurers. This
system, known as risk-based capital ("RBC"), is in addition to the states'
fixed dollar minimum capital and other requirements. The system is based on
risk-based formulas (separately defined for life and health insurers and
property and casualty insurers) that apply prescribed factors to the various
risk elements in an insurer's business to report a minimum capital requirement
proportional to the amount of risk assumed by the insurer. Under the model
law, if an insurer's RBC, as determined under the RBC formula, falls below
specified RBC levels, the insurer would be subject to different degrees of
regulatory action depending upon the RBC level. These actions range from
requiring the insurer to propose actions to correct the risk-based capital
deficiency to placing the insurer under regulatory control. Based on
computations made by AFC and APY in accordance with the prescribed formulas,
each of the Insurance Subsidiaries exceeded the minimum RBC requirements at
December 31, 1996.
HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION
As indicated above, neither AFC nor APY is regulated as an insurance company
but is, as the owner of the capital stock of subsidiaries that are insurance
companies, subject to the insurance holding company acts of each of the states
of domicile of such subsidiaries. These acts contain certain reporting
requirements as well as restrictions on transactions between an insurer and
its affiliates.
71
<PAGE>
The insurance codes of the domiciliary states of the Insurance Subsidiaries
contain similar provisions (subject to certain variations) to the effect that
the acquisition or change of "control" of a domestic insurer or of any person
that controls a domestic insurer cannot be consummated without the prior
approval of the relevant insurance regulator. In general, a presumption of
"control" arises from the ownership, control, possession with the power to
vote or possession of proxies with respect to 10% or more of the voting
securities of a domestic insurer or of a person that controls a domestic
insurer. A person seeking to acquire control, directly or indirectly, of a
domestic insurance company or of any person controlling a domestic insurance
company must generally file with the relevant insurance regulatory authority
an application for change of control (commonly known as a "Form A") containing
certain information required by statute and published regulations and provide
a copy of such Form A to the domestic insurer.
In Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire,
Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, the Merger Transactions described herein require
either (i) the notification of the insurance department of such state; (ii)
the prior approval of the insurance department pursuant to the state's
insurance holding company act or (iii) the obtaining of an exemption from the
prior approval requirements in the change of control provisions of such act.
AFC and APY do not believe that the Merger Transactions constitute a change
in control of APY and its insurance subsidiaries because, among other reasons,
(i) the Merger is not being pursued for the purpose and will not have the
effect of changing or influencing the control of APY or its subsidiaries,
since SMA already holds 59.5% of the APY Common Stock; and (ii) the Merger is
not within the purpose of the change of control provisions of state insurance
statutes, which are designed to protect against detrimental takeovers of
insurance companies, since the Merger is neither a takeover nor detrimental.
On this basis, AFC and APY have applied for, and received, exemptive orders
from the prior approval requirements of statutory change of control provisions
in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas
(the states in which APY's insurance subsidiaries are domiciled).
Any future transactions that would constitute a change in control of AFC
would also generally require prior approval by and/or notice filings with the
state insurance departments of at least Delaware, Illinois, Indiana,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas and would
require the pre-acquisition notification in those states which have adopted
pre-acquisition notification provisions and wherein the Insurance Subsidiaries
are admitted to transact business. Such requirements may deter, delay or
prevent certain transactions affecting the control of AFC or the ownership of
AFC Common Stock, including transactions that could be advantageous to the
stockholders of AFC.
72
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF AFC
Below is information with respect to those individuals who serve as
directors and executive officers of AFC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
John F. O'Brien...... 54 Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
Bruce C. Anderson.... 53 Vice President
Richard J. Baker..... 66 Vice President and Secretary
John P. Kavanaugh.... 42 Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
John F. Kelly........ 58 Vice President and General Counsel
J. Barry May......... 49 Vice President
James R. McAuliffe... 52 Vice President
Edward J. Parry III.. 37 Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Richard M. Reilly.... 59 Vice President
Larry C. Renfro...... 46 Vice President
Eric A. Simonsen..... 51 Vice President
Phillip E. Soule..... 47 Vice President
Michael P. Angelini.. 54 Director
David A. Barrett..... 69 Director
Gail L. Harrison..... 49 Director
Robert P. Henderson.. 66 Director
J. Terrence Murray... 57 Director
Robert J. Murray..... 55 Director
John L. Sprague...... 67 Director
Robert G. Stachler... 67 Director
Herbert M. Varnum.... 60 Director
Richard M. Wall...... 68 Director
</TABLE>
JOHN O'BRIEN has been a Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of
AFC since February 1995. He has also served as a Director, Chief Executive
Officer and President of FAFLIC since August 1989. In addition to his
positions with AFC and FAFLIC, Mr. O'Brien has served as a Director, President
and Chief Executive Officer of APY since August 1992, and has been a Director
of Hanover since September 1989, Citizens Insurance since March 1992 and
Citizens, for which he also serves as Chief Executive Officer, since December
1992. Mr. O'Brien is also a trustee or director and executive officer of
Allmerica Investment Trust, Allmerica Securities Trust, and Allmerica Funds.
Additionally, Mr. O'Brien is a director and/or holds offices at various other
non-public FAFLIC affiliates including SMA Financial Corp. and AFLIAC. Mr.
O'Brien also currently serves as a Director of The TJX Companies, Inc., an
off-price family apparel retailer, ABIOMED, Inc., a medical device company,
Cabot Corporation, a diversified specialty chemicals and materials and energy
company and The Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts. He also currently
serves as a member of the executive committee of the Mass Capital Resource
Company, a Massachusetts investment partnership. Prior to joining FAFLIC, Mr.
O'Brien
73
<PAGE>
served as an officer of FMR Corp., the parent company of various financial
services companies in the Fidelity Group, and a director and/or an executive
officer at various other of FMR Corp.'s affiliates. Mr. O'Brien's term of
office as a Director of AFC expires in 1998.
BRUCE ANDERSON has been Vice President of AFC since February 1995 and Vice
President of APY and Citizens since March 1997. Mr. Anderson has been employed
by FAFLIC since 1967 and has been Vice President of FAFLIC since October 1984.
RICHARD BAKER has been Vice President and Secretary of AFC since February
1995, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of FAFLIC since 1973 and April
1996, respectively, and has been employed by FAFLIC since 1959. He has served
as Assistant Secretary of APY since October 1992, Vice President and Secretary
of APY since May 1995, and as Vice President and Secretary of Citizens since
September 1993 and January 1993, respectively. Mr. Baker has also served as
Vice President of AFLIAC since January 1982, and as a Director from June 1993
to April 1996. In addition, Mr. Baker is a director and/or executive officer
at various other non-public affiliates.
JOHN KAVANAUGH has been Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of AFC
since September 1996, has been employed by FAFLIC since 1983, and has been
Vice President of FAFLIC since December 1991 and Vice President of AFLIAC
since January 1992. Mr. Kavanaugh has also served as Director and Chief
Investment Officer of FAFLIC, Hanover, Citizens Insurance and AFLIAC since
August 1996, and Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of APY and
Citizens since September 1996. Mr. Kavanaugh is also a director and/or
executive officer at various other non-public affiliates.
JOHN KELLY has been Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
of AFC since February 1995, has been employed by FAFLIC since July 1968, and
has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel of FAFLIC since February
1986. In addition to his positions with AFC and FAFLIC, Mr. Kelly has been
Vice President and General Counsel of APY since August 1992, Assistant
Secretary of APY since May 1995, Assistant Secretary of Citizens since
December 1992, and Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of
Citizens since September 1993. Mr. Kelly was Secretary of APY from August 1992
to May 1995. Mr. Kelly has been a Director of AFLIAC since October 1982 and is
a director and/or executive officer at various other non-public affiliates.
J. BARRY MAY has been Vice President of AFC since February 1997, Vice
President of APY and President of Hanover since September 1996 and Vice
President of Citizens since March 1997. He has been a Director of Hanover and
Citizens Insurance since September 1996. Mr. May served as Vice President of
Hanover from May 1995 to September 1996, as Regional Vice President from
February 1993 to May 1995 and as a General Manager of Hanover from June 1989
to May 1995. Mr. May has been employed by Hanover since 1985.
JAMES MCAULIFFE has been Vice President of AFC from February 1995 through
December 1995 and since February 1997, Vice President of APY since August
1992, a Director of APY from August 1992 through December 1994, a Director and
Vice President of Citizens since December 1992, and a Director of AFLIAC from
April 1987 through May 1995 and since May 1996. Mr. McAuliffe has been
President of Citizens Insurance since December 1994. Mr. McAuliffe has been
employed by FAFLIC since 1968, and served as Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer of FAFLIC from November 1986 through December 1994. Mr.
McAuliffe has served as Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of APY
from August 1992 through December 1994, and Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer of AFLIAC from December 1986 through May 1995.
Additionally, Mr. McAuliffe is a director and/or executive officer at various
other non-public affiliates.
EDWARD PARRY has been Chief Financial Officer of AFC since December 1996. He
has also been Vice President and Treasurer of AFC since February 1995. He has
served as Chief Financial Officer of FAFLIC, AFLIAC, APY, Hanover, Citizens
and Citizens Insurance since December 1996 and as Vice President and Treasurer
of FAFLIC, AFLIAC, APY and Hanover since February 1993 and of Citizens since
September 1993 and December 1992, respectively. Mr. Parry is also a director
and/or executive officer at various other non-public affiliates. Prior to
joining FAFLIC in July 1992, Mr. Parry was employed by the accounting firm of
Price Waterhouse from July 1987 through July 1992.
74
<PAGE>
RICHARD REILLY has been Vice President of AFC and FAFLIC since February 1997
and November 1990, respectively, and Vice President of APY and Citizens since
March 1997. He has also been a Director and Vice President of AFLIAC since
November 1990 and President and Chief Executive Officer of AFLIAC since August
1995. Mr. Reilly was Vice President of AFC from February 1995 through December
1995. Additionally, Mr. Reilly has been the President of Allmerica Investment
Trust, Allmerica Funds, and Allmerica Securities Trust, each a registered
investment company, since February 1991, April 1991 and February 1991,
respectively. Mr. Reilly is also a director and/or holds an executive office
at various other non-public affiliates. Prior to his affiliation with FAFLIC,
he was an executive officer of Fidelity Management and Research Company from
1969 to 1987 and Oppenheimer Capital from 1987 to 1990.
LARRY RENFRO has been a Vice President of AFC and FAFLIC since February 1997
and April 1990, respectively, and Vice President of APY and Citizens since
March 1997. He has served as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
of 440 Financial Group of Worcester, Inc. (a former subsidiary of FAFLIC) from
May 1990 to March 1995. Mr. Renfro has also served as Vice President of APY
from October 1992 through December 1995 and as Vice President of AFC from
February 1995 through December 1995. From August 1989 through March 1990, Mr.
Renfro was an Executive Vice President at State Street Bank & Trust Company.
From March 1988 through July 1989, Mr. Renfro served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Boston Financial Data Services, Incorporated, a
subsidiary of State Street Bank & Trust Company. From April 1981 through March
1988, Mr. Renfro held various executive offices at Fidelity Investments,
including Managing Director of Fidelity Management & Research Company. Mr.
Renfro is currently a Director of LoJack Corporation, a manufacturer of anti-
theft systems.
ERIC SIMONSEN has been Vice President of AFC since February 1995. He has
been a Director and Vice President of APY since August 1992, of Citizens since
December 1992 and of AFLIAC since September 1990. He has served as Vice
President and as a Director of FAFLIC since September 1990 and April 1996,
respectively. Mr. Simonsen has been President of Allmerica Service Company,
Inc. since December 1996. Mr. Simonsen was Chief Financial Officer of AFC from
February 1995 to December 1996, of FAFLIC and AFLIAC from September 1990 to
December 1996, of APY from August 1992 to December 1996 and of Citizens from
December 1992 to December 1996. Mr. Simonsen is also a director and/or
executive officer at various other non-public affiliates. From April 1987 to
September 1990, Mr. Simonsen served as a Principal and Chief Financial Officer
of The Lincoln Group, Inc., a privately owned group of manufacturing
companies.
PHILLIP SOULE has been Vice President of AFC, Citizens and FAFLIC since
February 1997, March 1997 and February 1987, respectively, and of APY since
September 1996. He was a Vice President of AFC from February 1995 through
December 1995. Mr. Soule has been employed by FAFLIC since 1972 in various
capacities.
MICHAEL ANGELINI has been a Director of AFC since February 1995, of FAFLIC
from August 1984 to April 1996, and of APY since August 1992. He served as a
Director of Hanover from December 1991 through December 1992. Mr. Angelini is
a partner at the law firm of Bowditch & Dewey, with which he has been
associated since 1968, and is a Director of Flagship Bank & Trust Company.
Mr. Angelini is Chairman of the Audit Committee of AFC's Board of Directors.
His term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1998.
DAVID BARRETT has been a Director of AFC since February 1995, of FAFLIC from
March 1976 to April 1996, of APY since August 1992 and of Hanover from
December 1991 to December 1992. Mr. Barrett was executive director of
Worcester Memorial Hospital, Inc. from 1968 until January 1983, and served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of that organization until October 1988.
Mr. Barrett served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Center
of Central Mass., Inc. from October 1988 to April 1992, and currently is a
consultant to that organization, now known as Memorial Health Care.
Mr. Barrett is a member of the Audit Committee of AFC's Board of Directors.
His term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1998.
75
<PAGE>
GAIL HARRISON has been a Director of AFC since February 1995, of FAFLIC from
March 1986 to April 1996, of APY since August 1992, and of Hanover from
December 1991 to December 1992. Since February 1981, Ms. Harrison has been
affiliated with The Wexler Group (formerly Wexler, Reynolds, Harrison & Shule,
Inc.), a government relations consulting firm.
Ms. Harrison's term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 2000.
ROBERT P. HENDERSON has been a Director of AFC since September 1996. Mr.
Henderson has been the Chairman of Greylock Management Corporation, a venture
capital firm, since 1983. Mr. Henderson is also a Director of Cabot
Corporation and Filenes Basement, a Trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts in
Boston, Massachusetts, and a Member of Corporation of the New England
Deaconess Hospital. Mr. Henderson is a former Chairman of the Federal Reserve
Bank of Boston.
Mr. Henderson's term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1999.
J. TERRENCE MURRAY has been a Director of AFC since February 1995 and of
FAFLIC from January 1992 to April 1996. Mr. Murray is the Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Financial Group, Inc., a bank holding
company, where he has been employed since July 1962. Mr. Murray is also a
Director of A.T. Cross Co., a writing instrument company, and CVS Corporation,
a drugstore chain.
Mr. Murray's term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1998.
ROBERT MURRAY has been a Director of AFC since May 1996. Mr. Murray has been
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of New England Business
Service, Inc. ("NEBS"), a supplier of business forms, since December 1995 and
has served on the Board of Directors of NEBS since 1991. Prior to joining
NEBS, Mr. Murray was employed by The Gillette Company, Inc. ("Gillette"), a
manufacturing company, beginning in 1961. He served as a Corporate Vice
President of Gillette beginning in 1987 and as the Executive Vice President of
Gillette's North Atlantic Group from January 1991 to December 1995. Mr. Murray
is also a Director of North American Mortgage Company, LoJack Corporation and
Fleet National Bank, as well as a Trustee of Boston College.
Mr. Murray's term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1999.
JOHN SPRAGUE has been a Director of AFC since February 1995 and of FAFLIC
from September 1972 to April 1996. Mr. Sprague has been President of John L.
Sprague Associates, Inc., a consulting company for technology companies, since
January 1988. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sprague
Electric Company, a semiconductor company, from December 1980 to January 1988.
Mr. Sprague is also a Director of Aerovox Corp., a manufacturing company,
Sipex Corporation and California Micro Devices Corporation, an electronic
components manufacturer.
Mr. Sprague is a member of the Audit Committee of AFC's Board of Directors.
Mr. Sprague's term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1999.
ROBERT STACHLER has been a Director of AFC since February 1995, of FAFLIC
from March 1978 to April 1996, of APY since August 1992, and of Hanover from
April 1990 to December 1992. Mr. Stachler has been a partner at the law firm
of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister since 1964.
Mr. Stachler is a member of the Compensation Committee of AFC's Board of
Directors. His term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 2000.
HERBERT VARNUM has been a Director of AFC since February 1995, of FAFLIC
from March 1979 to April 1996, of APY since August 1992, and of Hanover from
December 1991 through December 1992. Mr. Varnum was employed by Quabaug
Corporation, a manufacturing company, beginning in 1960 and served as
President and Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1989, and as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer from January 1990 until his retirement in June 1995.
76
<PAGE>
Mr. Varnum is a member of the Compensation Committee of AFC's Board of
Directors. His term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1998.
RICHARD WALL has been a Director of AFC since February 1995, of FAFLIC from
March 1986 to April 1996, of APY since August 1992, and of Hanover from
December 1991 through December 1992. Mr. Wall has been General Counsel and
assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FLEXcon Company,
Inc., a plastics manufacturing company, since November 1985.
Mr. Wall is a member of the Compensation Committee of AFC's Board of
Directors. His term of office as a Director of AFC expires in 1999.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF APY
Below is information with respect to those individuals who serve as
directors and executive officers of APY.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
John F. O'Brien...... 54 Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
Bruce C. Anderson.... 53 Vice President
Richard J. Baker..... 66 Vice President and Secretary
John P. Kavanaugh.... 42 Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
John F. Kelly........ 58 Vice President and General Counsel
J. Barry May......... 49 Vice President
James R. McAuliffe... 52 Vice President
Edward J. Parry III.. 37 Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Richard M. Reilly.... 59 Vice President
Larry C. Renfro...... 46 Vice President
Eric A. Simonsen..... 51 Vice President and Director
Phillip E. Soule..... 47 Vice President
Michael P. Angelini.. 54 Director
David A. Barrett..... 69 Director
James A. Cotter, 57 Director
Jr..................
Gail L. Harrison..... 49 Director
M Howard Jacobson.... 64 Director
Dona Scott Laskey.... 53 Director
Robert G. Stachler... 67 Director
Herbert M. Varnum.... 60 Director
Richard M. Wall...... 68 Director
</TABLE>
JAMES COTTER, JR. has been a Director of APY since February 1996. Mr. Cotter
is also a Director of Citizens Corporation. Mr. Cotter has been a broker with
the firm of H.C. Wainwright & Co. since January 1994, and previously was a
broker with the firm of Gruntal & Co. (June 1993-January 1994). He previously
served as a Managing Director and Treasurer of Schooner Trading Company. Mr.
Cotter is also Chairman of Olde Port Bank and Trust of Portsmouth, New
Hampshire and a Director of Citizens Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company.
77
<PAGE>
M HOWARD JACOBSON has been a Director of APY since 1992. Mr. Jacobson has
been a Senior Advisor of, and consultant to, Bankers Trust, Private Bank, New
York, New York since 1991. From August 1989 to August 1991, he was Senior
Advisor to Prudential-Bache Capital Funding. Mr. Jacobson is also a Director
of Boston Chicken, Inc. and Wyman-Gordon Co.
DONA SCOTT LASKEY has been a Director of APY since 1992. Ms. Laskey is an
attorney in private practice. From 1989 until December 1996, she practiced law
with the firm of Tillman, McTier, Coleman, Talley, Newbern & Kurrie, in
Valdosta, Georgia. She is also a Director of APY's subsidiary, Citizens
Corporation, and of FNB Bancorp, Inc.
For information with respect to John F. O'Brien, Bruce C. Anderson, Richard
J. Baker, John P. Kavanaugh, John F. Kelly, J. Barry May, James R. McAuliffe,
Edward J. Parry III, Richard M. Reilly, Larry C. Renfro, Eric A. Simonsen,
Phillip E. Soule, Michael P. Angelini, David A. Barrett, Gail L. Harrison,
Robert G. Stachler, Herbert M. Varnum and Richard M. Wall, see "--Directors
and Executive Officers of AFC" above.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF MERGER SUB
John F. Kelly, 58, serves as a Director and as Secretary of Merger Sub.
Edward J. Parry III, 37, serves as a Director and as President and Treasurer
of Merger Sub. For information with respect to John F. Kelly and Edward J.
Parry III, see "Directors and Executive Officers of AFC" above.
All the directors and executive officers of AFC, APY and Merger Sub are
United States citizens.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the AFC Common Stock to be issued in connection with the
Merger Transactions will be passed upon for AFC by Ropes & Gray, One
International Place, Boston, Massachusetts. Certain federal income tax
consequences of the Merger Transactions will be passed upon for AFC by Latham
& Watkins, 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of AFC as of December 31, 1996 and
1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996,
incorporated in this Information Statement/Prospectus by reference to its
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1996, have been
so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of APY as of December 31, 1996 and
1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996,
incorporated in this Information Statement/Prospectus by reference to its
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1996, have been
so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
78
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A-1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
APY ACQUISITION, INC.
AND
ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC.
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 19, 1997
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
ARTICLE 1 THE MERGER................................................... 1
1.1. The Merger................................................... 1
1.2. Effective Time............................................... 2
1.3. Effect of the Merger......................................... 2
1.4. Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws........................ 3
1.5. Directors and Officers....................................... 3
ARTICLE 2 EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER
SUB.......................................................... 3
2.1. Merger Sub Stock............................................. 3
2.2. Conversion of Company Common Stock; Recapitalization......... 3
2.3. Company Common Stock Elections............................... 4
2.4. Proration.................................................... 5
2.5. Dividends, Fractional Shares, Etc. .......................... 6
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY.................... 7
3.1. Existence; Good Standing; Corporate Authority................ 7
3.2. Authorization, Validity and Effects of Agreements............ 7
3.3. Capitalization............................................... 8
3.4. Subsidiaries................................................. 8
3.5. No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents................... 8
3.6. Compliance................................................... 9
3.7. SEC Documents................................................ 9
3.8. Litigation................................................... 10
3.9. Absence of Certain Changes................................... 10
3.10. No Brokers................................................... 10
3.11. Opinion of Financial Advisor................................. 10
3.12. DGCL Section 203............................................. 10
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER AND MERGER SUB... 10
4.1. Existence; Good Standing; Corporate Authority................ 10
4.2. Authorization; Validity and Effect of Agreements............. 11
4.3. Capitalization............................................... 11
4.4. Subsidiaries................................................. 11
4.5. No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents................... 11
4.6. Compliance................................................... 12
4.7. SEC Documents................................................ 12
4.8. Litigation................................................... 13
4.9. Absence of Certain Changes................................... 13
4.10. No Brokers................................................... 13
4.11. Opinion of Financial Advisor................................. 13
4.12. Financing.................................................... 13
4.13. No Regulatory Disqualifiers.................................. 13
4.14. DGCL Section 203............................................. 13
4.15. Interim Operations of the Sub................................ 13
ARTICLE 5 COVENANTS.................................................... 13
5.1. Alternative Proposals........................................ 13
5.2. Interim Operations........................................... 14
5.3. Filings; Other Action........................................ 15
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
5.4. Inspection of Records......................................... 15
5.5. Publicity..................................................... 16
5.6. Registration Statement........................................ 16
5.7. Written Consent............................................... 17
5.8. Listing Application........................................... 17
5.9. Further Action................................................ 17
5.10. Expenses...................................................... 17
5.11. Takeover Statute.............................................. 17
5.12. Indemnification............................................... 17
5.13. Cooperation of the Purchaser.................................. 18
5.14. Letter of Purchaser's Accountants............................. 18
5.15. Letter of Company's Accountants............................... 18
ARTICLE 6 CONDITIONS.................................................... 19
6.1. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.... 19
6.2. Conditions to Obligation of Company to Effect the Merger...... 19
6.3. Conditions to Obligation of Purchaser to Effect the Merger.... 20
ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION................................................... 20
7.1. Termination by Mutual Consent................................. 20
7.2. Termination by Either Purchaser or Company.................... 20
7.3. Termination by Company........................................ 20
7.4. Termination by Special Committee.............................. 21
7.5. Termination by Purchaser...................................... 21
7.6. Effect of Termination and Abandonment......................... 21
7.7. Extension; Waiver............................................. 21
ARTICLE 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................ 22
8.1. Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements..... 22
8.2. Notices....................................................... 22
8.3. Assignment, Binding Effect.................................... 22
8.4. Entire Agreement.............................................. 22
8.5. Amendment..................................................... 22
8.6. Governing Law................................................. 23
8.7. Counterparts.................................................. 23
8.8. Headings...................................................... 23
8.9. Interpretation................................................ 23
8.10. Waivers....................................................... 23
8.11. Incorporation of Exhibits..................................... 23
8.12. Severability.................................................. 23
8.13. Enforcement of Agreement...................................... 23
8.14. Subsidiaries.................................................. 23
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Agreement"), dated as of February 19,
1997, by and among Allmerica Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Purchaser"), APY Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Purchaser ("Merger Sub") and Allmerica Property &
Casualty Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
RECITALS
1. WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of each of the Purchaser, Merger Sub and
the Company have approved and deem it advisable and in the best interest of
their respective companies and stockholders to consummate the merger provided
for herein, pursuant to which Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the
Company (the "Merger") in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law
(the "DGCL") and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein;
2. WHEREAS, the Company has duly constituted and authorized a special
committee (the "Special Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company,
consisting of James A. Cotter, Jr. (Chairman), Dona Scott Laskey and M Howard
Jacobson, each an independent director the Company; and
3. WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Merger, each share of Company Common
Stock (as defined in Section 2.2(a)) held by the Purchaser and its wholly-
owned subsidiaries shall be exchanged for one share of Class B Common Stock
(as defined in Section 2.2(d)) of the Company; and
4. WHEREAS, the Purchaser, Merger Sub and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
The Merger
1.1 The Merger.
(a) At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2), and subject to and
upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the DGCL, Merger Sub shall
be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of
Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving
corporation. The Company after the Effective Time is hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Surviving Corporation" and sometimes referred to as "the
Company."
(b) Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated and the transactions
herein contemplated shall have been abandoned pursuant to Article 7 and
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6
(other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the
Effective Time), the consummation of the Merger shall take place as promptly
as practicable (and in any event within five business days) after satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, at the offices of Ropes &
Gray, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts, unless another date,
time or place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.
1.2 Effective Time. As promptly as practicable after the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, the Company shall file a duly
executed certificate of merger in form mutually satisfactory to the parties
hereto as contemplated by the DGCL (the "Certificate of Merger"), with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in such form as required by, and
executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of, the DGCL (the time of
such filing being the "Effective Time").
A1-1
<PAGE>
1.3 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger
shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the
applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time all the rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in
the Surviving Corporation. Moreover, at the Effective Time, all of the estate,
property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of each of the Company and
Merger Sub, and all their property, real, personal and mixed, and all the
debts on whatever account to any of them, as well as all stock subscriptions
and other choses in action, belonging to any of them, shall be transferred to,
and shall be vested in, the Surviving Corporation without further act or deed;
and the Surviving Corporation shall be deemed to have assumed, and shall be
liable for, all debts, liabilities and obligations of each of the Company and
Merger Sub in the same manner and to the same extent as if the Surviving
Corporation had itself incurred such debts, liabilities and obligations.
1.4 Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws.
(a) At the Effective Time the certificate of incorporation of the Company,
as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (as amended as provided
for in Section 3.3), shall be the certificate of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law and such
certificate of incorporation.
(b) The by-laws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereinafter amended as provided by the certificate of incorporation, the
Surviving Corporation and such by-laws.
1.5 Directors and Officers. The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation
and the officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, in each case to hold
office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the
Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly
elected or appointed and qualified.
ARTICLE 2
Effect of the Merger on Securities of the Company and Merger Sub;
Recapitalization
2.1 Merger Sub Stock. At the Effective Time, each share of the Common Stock,
$.01 par value, of Merger Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be converted into and shall become one share of common stock, $.01
par value per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
2.2 Conversion of Company Common Stock; Recapitalization.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.5 and subject to Sections
2.2(c), (d) and (e), and Section 2.4, at the Effective Time each issued and
outstanding share of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (the
"Company Common Stock"), shall be converted into, at the election of the
holder thereof, one of the following (as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.5 the
"Merger Consideration"):
(i) for each such share of Company Common Stock (other than shares as to
which a Stock Election or Cash Election (each as defined below) has been
made), the right to receive (x) 0.4 (the "Standard Exchange Ratio") of a
share of the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Purchaser
("Purchaser Common Stock"), and (y) an amount in cash, without interest,
equal to $17.60 (the "Standard Cash Consideration"); provided, however,
that (1) in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00, the
Standard Cash Consideration shall be equal to (A) $32.00 less (B) the
Standard Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price and (2) in
the event the Average Stock Price is greater than $41.00, the Standard Cash
Consideration shall be equal to (A) $34.00 less (B) the Standard Exchange
Ratio multiplied by the Average Stock Price (collectively, the "Standard
Consideration");
(ii) for each such share of Company Common Stock with respect to which an
election to receive solely Purchaser Common Stock has been effectively made
and not revoked or lost pursuant to Section 2.3(c), (d)
A1-2
<PAGE>
and (e), the right to receive 0.85714 (the "Stock Exchange Ratio") of a
share of Purchaser Common Stock (the "Stock Consideration"); provided,
however, that (1) in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00,
the Stock Exchange Ratio shall be equal to $32.00 divided by the Average
Stock Price and (2) that in the event the Average Stock Price is greater
than $41.00, the Stock Exchange Ratio shall be equal to $34.00 divided by
the Average Stock Price; or
(iii) for each such share of Company Common Stock with respect to which
an election to receive solely cash has been effectively made and not
revoked or lost pursuant to Section 2.3(c), (d) or (e), the right to
receive in cash, without interest, an amount equal to $33.00 (the "Cash
Consideration"); provided, however, that (1) in the event the Average Stock
Price is less than $36.00, the Cash Consideration shall be equal to $32.00
and (2) in the event the Average Stock Price is more than $41.00, the Cash
Consideration shall be equal to $34.00.
"Average Stock Price" means the average of the Closing Market Prices (as
hereinafter defined) for the ten consecutive trading days ending on the fifth
trading day prior to the Effective Time. The "Closing Market Prices" for any
trading day means the closing sales price of the Purchaser Common Stock as
reported in the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape (as reported by the
Wall Street Journal or, if not reported thereby, as reported by another source
as mutually agreed by the Purchaser and, with the consent of the Special
Committee, the Company) for that day.
(b) As a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, at the Effective Time and except as provided in Sections
2.2(d) and 2.2(e), all shares of Company Common Stock shall cease to be
outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
each holder of such shares of Company Common Stock shall thereafter cease to
have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock, except
the right to receive, without interest, the Merger Consideration and cash for
fractional shares of Purchaser Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.5(c)
upon the surrender of a certificate representing such shares of Company Common
Stock (a "Company Certificate").
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.2 to the contrary,
each share of Company Common Stock issued and held in the Company's treasury
or any wholly owned subsidiary thereof or by any wholly owned subsidiary of
the Purchaser other than SMA Financial Corp. ("SMA") immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger, be cancelled and retired and
shall cease to exist without payment of any consideration therefor.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.2, immediately
prior to the Effective Time, each share of Company Common Stock held by SMA,
shall be exchanged for one share of Class B Common Stock, $5.00 par value per
share, of the Company ("Class B Common Stock") (the "Recapitalization"). Such
shares of Class B Common Stock shall remain outstanding after the Merger.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, holders of
Company Common Stock that have, as of the Effective Time, complied with all
procedures necessary to assert appraisal rights in accordance with Section 262
of the DGCL, if applicable, shall have such rights, if any, as they may have
pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL and such Company Common Stock shall not be
converted or be exchangeable as provided in this Section 2.2, but such holders
shall be entitled to receive such payment as may be determined to be due to
such holders pursuant to the DGCL; provided, however, that, if such holder
shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost his
right to appraisal and payment under the DGCL, such holder's Company Common
Stock shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted and to have become
exchangeable, as of the Effective Time, into the Merger Consideration. The
Company Common Stock described in this Section 2.2(e) held by holders who
exercise and perfect appraisal rights are referred to herein as "Dissenting
Shares." The Company shall give the Purchaser prompt notice of any demands for
appraisal of shares received by the Company (and shall also give the Purchaser
prompt notice of any withdrawals of such demands for appraisal rights) and
(ii) the Purchaser shall have the opportunity and right to participate in and
direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such demands.
Neither the Company nor the Surviving Corporation, shall, except with the
prior written consent of the Purchaser, make any payment with respect to, or
settle, offer to settle or otherwise negotiate any such demand for appraisal
rights.
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(f) At the Effective Time, each outstanding option or right to purchase
shares of Company Common Stock (a "Company Option") shall be converted into an
option to purchase shares of Purchaser Common Stock, as provided below.
Following the Effective Time, each such Company Option shall be exercisable
upon the same terms and conditions as then are applicable to such Company
Option, except that (i) each such Company Option shall be exercisable for that
number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the
number of shares of Company Common Stock for which such Company Option was
exercisable and (y) the Stock Consideration specified in Section 2.2(a)(ii)
and (ii) the exercise price of such option shall be equal to the exercise
price per share of such option as of the date hereof divided by the Stock
Consideration. It is the intention of the parties that, to the extent that any
such Company Option constituted an "incentive stock option"(within the meaning
of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
immediately prior to the Effective Time, such option continue to qualify as an
incentive stock option to the maximum extent permitted by Section 422 of the
Code, and that the assumption of the Company Stock Options provided by this
Section 2.2(f) satisfy the conditions of Section 424(a) of the Code. From and
after the date of this Agreement, no additional options to purchase shares of
Company Common Stock shall be granted under the Company stock option plans or
otherwise. Except as otherwise agreed to by the parties, no person shall have
any right under any stock option plan (or any option granted thereunder) or
other plan, program or arrangement with respect to, including any right to
acquire, equity securities of the Company following the Effective Time.
2.3 Company Common Stock Elections.
(a) Each person who, at the Effective Time, is a record holder of shares of
Company Common Stock (other than holders of shares of Company Common Stock to
be cancelled as set forth in Section 2.2(c) or of Dissenting Shares, or as
provided in Section 2.2(d)) shall have the right to submit an Election Form
(as defined in Section 2.3(c)) specifying that such person desires to have all
of the shares of Company Common Stock owned by such person converted into the
right to receive either (i) the Standard Consideration (a "Standard Election")
(ii) the Stock Consideration (a "Stock Election"), or (iii) the Cash
Consideration (a "Cash Election").
(b) Promptly after the Allocation Determination (as defined in Section
2.3(d)), (i) the Purchaser shall deposit (or cause to be deposited) with a
bank or trust company to be designated by the Purchaser and reasonably
acceptable to the Company (the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the
holders of shares of Company Common Stock, for exchange in accordance with
this Article 2, cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate cash portion
of the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and (ii) the Purchaser
shall deposit (or cause to be deposited) with the Exchange Agent, for the
benefit of the holders of shares of Company Common Stock, certificates
representing the shares of Purchaser Common Stock ("Purchaser Certificates")
for exchange in accordance with this Article 2 (the cash and certificates
deposited pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) being hereinafter referred to as
the "Exchange Fund").
(c) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent shall mail to each holder of record of Company Common Stock immediately
prior to the Effective Time (excluding any shares of Company Common Stock
which (i) are cancelled pursuant to Section 2.2(c), (ii) are Dissenting Shares
or (iii) are exchanged in the Recapitalization) (A) a letter of transmittal
(the "Company Letter of Transmittal") (which shall specify that delivery shall
be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Company Certificates shall
pass, only upon delivery of such Company Certificates to the Exchange Agent
and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the Purchaser
shall specify), (B) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the
Company Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration with respect to
the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented thereby, and (C) an
election form (the "Election Form") providing for such holders to make the
Standard Election, the Cash Election or the Stock Election. As of the Election
Deadline (as defined in Section 2.3(d)) all holders of Company Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding any shares of Company
Common Stock that (i) are cancelled pursuant to Section 2.2(c) or (ii) are
exchanged in the Recapitalization) that shall not have properly submitted to
the Exchange Agent, or that shall have properly revoked, an effective,
properly completed Election Form shall be deemed to have made a Standard
Election (each a "Deemed Standard Election").
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(d) Any Cash Election, Standard Election, or Stock Election shall have been
validly made only if the Exchange Agent shall have received by 5:00 p.m.
Boston, Massachusetts time on a date (the "Election Deadline") to be mutually
agreed upon by the Purchaser and the Company (with the consent of the Special
Committee) (which date shall not be later than the twentieth business day
after the Effective Time), an Election Form properly completed and executed
(with the signature or signatures thereof guaranteed to the extent required by
the Election Form) by such holder accompanied by such holder's Company
Certificates, or by an appropriate guarantee of delivery of such Company
Certificates from a member of any registered national securities exchange or
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank
or trust company in the United States as set forth in such Election Form. Any
holder of Company Common Stock that has made an election by submitting an
Election Form to the Exchange Agent may at any time prior to the Election
Deadline change such holder's election by submitting a revised Election Form,
properly completed and signed that is received by the Exchange Agent prior to
the Election Deadline. Any holder of Company Common Stock may at any time
prior to the Election Deadline revoke such holder's election and withdraw such
holder's Company Certificates deposited with the Exchange Agent by written
notice to the Exchange Agent received by the close of business on the day
prior to the Election Deadline. As soon as practicable after the Election
Deadline (but in no event later than ten business days after the Election
Deadline), the Exchange Agent shall determine the allocation of the cash
portion of the Merger Consideration and the stock portion of the Merger
Consideration and shall notify the Purchaser of its determined allocation (the
"Allocation Determination").
(e) From and after the Effective Time, each holder of a certificate that
immediately after the Recapitalization and immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock shall, upon
surrender of such certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together
with the Company Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, and such other
documents as the Purchaser or the Exchange Agent shall reasonably request, be
entitled to receive promptly after the Election Deadline in exchange therefor
(A) a check in the amount equal to the cash, if any, which such holder has the
right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article 2 (including any
cash in lieu of fractional shares of Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to
Section 2.5(c)), and (B) a Purchaser Certificate representing that number of
shares of Purchaser Common Stock, if any, which such holder has the right to
receive pursuant to this Article 2 (in each case less the amount of any
required withholding taxes), and the Company Certificate so surrendered shall
forthwith be cancelled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.3,
each Company Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time
to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration with respect
to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented thereby. If any
certificate for shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued in the Merger is
to be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate for shares of
Company Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall
be a condition of such issuance that the person requesting such issuance shall
pay any transfer or other tax required by reason of the issuance of
certificates for such shares of Purchaser Common Stock in a name other than
that of the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Purchaser or its agent that such tax has
been paid or is not applicable.
(f) The Purchaser shall have the right to make rules, not inconsistent with
the terms of this Agreement, governing the validity of the Election Forms, the
manner and extent to which Standard Elections, Cash Elections or Stock
Elections are to be taken into account in making the determinations prescribed
by Section 2.4, the issuance and delivery of certificates for Purchaser Common
Stock into which shares of Company Common Stock are converted in the Merger,
and the payment of cash for shares of Company Common Stock converted into the
right to receive cash in the Merger.
2.4 Proration.
(a) As is more fully set forth below, the maximum number of shares of
Purchaser Common Stock issuable to holders of Company Common Stock (the
"Maximum Number of Purchaser Shares") shall not exceed the product of (x) 0.4
and (y) the number of Outstanding Company Shares (as defined below).
(b) As is more fully set forth below, the aggregate amount of cash to be
paid to holders of Outstanding Company Shares (as defined below) (the "Maximum
Cash Amount") shall not exceed the product of (x) the
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Standard Cash Election and (y) the number of Outstanding Company Shares.
"Outstanding Company Shares" shall mean those shares of Company Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time excluding (a) shares of
Company Common Stock that are cancelled pursuant to Section 2.2(c), (b)
Dissenting Shares (but only for so long as such shares remain Dissenting
Shares), (c) shares exchanged in the Recapitalization and (d) any other shares
of Company Common Stock owned directly or indirectly by the Purchaser.
(c) In the event that the aggregate number of shares of Purchaser Common
Stock issuable pursuant to the Stock Elections received by the Exchange Agent
exceeds an amount equal to the Maximum Number of Purchaser Shares minus the
number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable pursuant to Standard
Elections and Deemed Standard Elections, including any fractional shares of
Purchaser Common Stock for which a cash adjustment shall be paid pursuant to
Section 2.5(c) (such difference, the "Remaining Purchaser Shares"), each
holder making a Stock Election shall receive, for each share of Company Common
Stock held by such holder, (x) a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock
equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Remaining Purchaser Shares
by (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock held by holders
making Stock Elections (the "Stock Election Company Shares"), plus (y) cash in
an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (iii) the Remaining Stock
Election Cash Amount (as defined below) by (iv) the Stock Election Company
Shares. The "Remaining Stock Election Cash Amount" shall be equal to the
Maximum Cash Amount minus the amount of cash payable pursuant to Standard
Elections, Deemed Standard Elections and Cash Elections.
(d) In the event that the aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to Cash
Elections received by the Exchange Agent exceeds the Maximum Cash Amount minus
the aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to Standard Elections and Deemed
Standard Elections (such difference, the "Remaining Cash"), each holder making
a Cash Election shall receive, for each share of Company Common Stock held by
such holder, (x) cash in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing
the (i) Remaining Cash by (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Company
Common Stock held by holders making Cash Elections (the "Cash Election Company
Shares"), plus (y) a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (iii) the Remaining Cash Election Purchaser
Shares (as defined below) by (iv) the Cash Election Company Shares. The
"Remaining Cash Election Purchaser Shares" shall be the number of shares of
Purchaser Common Stock equal to the Maximum Number of Purchaser Shares minus
the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable pursuant to Standard
Elections, Deemed Standard Elections and Stock Elections (including any
fractional shares of Purchaser Common Stock for which a cash adjustment shall
be paid pursuant to Section 2.5(c) in respect of such Standard Elections,
Deemed Standard Elections and Stock Elections).
2.5 Dividends, Fractional Shares, Etc.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no dividends or
other distributions declared after the Effective Time on Purchaser Common
Stock shall be paid with respect to any shares of Company Common Stock
represented by a Company Certificate, until such Company Certificate is
surrendered for exchange as provided herein. Subject to the effect of
applicable laws, following surrender of any such Company Certificate, there
shall be paid to the holder of the Purchaser Certificates issued in exchange
therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore payable with respect to such whole shares of Purchaser Common
Stock and not paid, less the amount of any withholding taxes that may be
required thereon, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
but prior to surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with
respect to such whole shares of Purchaser Common Stock, less the amount of any
withholding taxes that may be required thereon.
(b) At or after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfer on the stock
transfer books of the Company of the shares of Company Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective
Time, certificates representing any such shares are presented to the Surviving
Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for the Merger
Consideration, if any, deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this
Agreement.
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(c) No fractional shares of Purchaser Common Stock shall be issued pursuant
to the Merger. In lieu of the issuance of any fractional share of Purchaser
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, cash adjustments shall be paid to holders
in respect of any fractional share of Purchaser Common Stock that would
otherwise be issuable, and the amount of such cash adjustment shall be equal
to the product of such fractional amount and the Average Stock Price.
(d) Any portion of the Exchange Fund (including the proceeds of any
investments thereof and any shares of Purchaser Common Stock) that remains
unclaimed by the former stockholders of the Company one year after the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the Purchaser. Any former stockholder of
the Company who has not theretofore complied with this Article 2 shall
thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation and the Purchaser for
payment of the applicable Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional
shares and unpaid dividends and distributions on the Purchaser Common Stock
deliverable in respect of each share of Company Common Stock such stockholder
holds as determined pursuant to this Agreement, in each case without any
interest thereon.
(e) None of the Purchaser, the Company, Merger Sub, the Surviving
Corporation, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall be liable to any
former holder of shares of Company Common Stock for any amount properly
delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned or unclaimed
property, escheat or similar laws.
(f) In the event that any Company Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming such Company Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if
required by the Purchaser, the posting by such person of a bond in such
reasonable amount as the Purchaser may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against it with respect to such Company Certificate, the
Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Company Certificate the applicable Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of
fractional shares, and unpaid dividends and distributions on shares of
Purchaser Common Stock, as provided in this Section 2.5, deliverable in
respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
Representations and Warranties of Company
Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered at or prior to the
execution hereof to the Purchaser (the "Company Disclosure Letter") or in the
Company Reports (as defined below), the Company represents and warrants to the
Purchaser and Merger Sub as of the date of this Agreement as follows:
3.1 Existence; Good Standing; Corporate Authority. The Company is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. The Company is duly licensed or
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
under the laws of any other state of the United States in which the character
of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its
business makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so
qualified or to be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect
on the business, results of operations or financial condition or prospects of
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Company Material Adverse
Effect"). The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to own,
operate and lease its properties and carry on its business as now conducted.
Each of the Company's Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 8.14) is
a corporation or partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization,
has the corporate or partnership power and authority to own its properties and
to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified
to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
ownership of its property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, except for jurisdictions in which such failure to be so
qualified or to be in good standing would not individually or in the
aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.2 Authorization, Validity and Effects of Agreements. The Company has the
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and all agreements and documents contemplated hereby.
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Subject only to the approval of this Agreement, the Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, the consummation by the Company of
the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate action. This Agreement constitutes, and all agreements and documents
contemplated hereby (when executed and delivered pursuant hereto for value
received) will constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of the
Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating
to creditors' rights and general principles of equity.
3.3 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
90,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $1.00 par value (the "Company Preferred Stock"). Immediately prior to
the Effective Time and after any action required to be taken by Company
stockholders with respect to the Merger and the Recapitalization, the
authorized capital stock of the Company will be 60,000,000 shares of Company
Common Stock 40,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares
of Company Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 1996, there were 59,649,406
shares of Company Common Stock, and no shares of Company Preferred Stock,
issued and outstanding and 2,246,600 shares of Company Common Stock held in
the Company's treasury. Since such date, (i) no additional shares of capital
stock of the Company have been issued, except pursuant to (a) the
Recapitalization or (b) the terms existing on the date hereof of the Company's
stock option and employee stock purchase plans, pension plans and other
similar employee benefit plans (the "Company Stock Plans") and (ii) no options
or other rights to acquire shares of the Company's capital stock have been
granted. The Company has no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other
obligations, the holders of which have the right to vote (or that are
convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with
the stockholders of the Company on any matter. All issued and outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except for the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, there are not on the date hereof any existing
options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other
rights, agreements or commitments that obligate the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than under the Company Stock Plans).
3.4 Subsidiaries. The Company owns directly or indirectly each of the
outstanding shares of capital stock (or other ownership interests having by
their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of directors or others
performing similar functions with respect to such Company Significant
Subsidiary) of each of the Company's Significant Subsidiaries other than
Citizens Corporation. Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each
of the Company's Significant Subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable, and other than Citizens Corporation is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company. Each of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary of the Company other than
Citizens Corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company free and
clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, claims or other encumbrances
other than liens imposed by law which are not material. As of December 31,
1996, there were outstanding 35,267,300 shares of capital stock of Citizens
Corporation. The Company owns indirectly 29,093,500 shares of capital stock of
Citizens Corporation and such shares are held indirectly by the Company free
and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, claims or other
encumbrances other than liens imposed by law that are not material.
3.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a) The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, (i) conflict with or
violate the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or equivalent
organizational documents of (x) the Company or (y) any Significant Subsidiary,
(ii) subject to making the filings and obtaining the approvals identified in
Section 3.5(b), conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order,
judgment or decree applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary (as
defined in Section 8.14) or by which any property or asset of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to making the
filings and obtaining the approvals identified in Section 3.5(b), result in
any breach of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse
of time or both would become a default) under, result in the loss of a
material benefit under, or
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give to others any right of purchase or sale, or any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration, increased payments or cancellation of, or result in
the creation of a lien or other encumbrance on any property or asset of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a
party or by which the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any property or
asset of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is bound or affected, except,
in the case of clauses (i)(y), (ii) and (iii), for any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences that would not prevent or
delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby in any
material respect, or otherwise prevent the Company from performing its
obligations hereunder in any material respect, and would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company do not, and
the performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not, require any consent, approval,
authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any
governmental or regulatory commission, board or other authority, domestic or
foreign (each a "Governmental Entity"), except (i) for (A) applicable
requirements, if any, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), state securities or "blue sky" laws ("Blue Sky Laws") and state
takeover laws, (B) applicable approvals of the state insurance commissioners
of the States of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New
Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, (C) filing and recordation of
appropriate merger and similar documents as required by Delaware law and (D)
applicable requirements, if any, of the Code and state, local and foreign tax
laws, and (ii) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals,
authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not
prevent or delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby
in any material respect, or otherwise prevent the Company from performing its
obligations under this Agreement in any material respect, and would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.6 Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in
conflict with, or in default or violation of, (i) any law, rule, regulation,
order, judgment or decree applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary
or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is
bound or affected, or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation
to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary or any property or asset of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary is bound or affected, in each case except for any
conflicts, defaults or violations that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its
Subsidiaries have obtained all licenses, permits and other authorizations and
have taken all actions required by applicable law or governmental regulations
in connection with their business as now conducted, where the failure to
obtain any such item or to take any such action would have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.7 SEC Documents. (a) The Company has filed all forms, reports and
documents required to be filed by it with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") since December 31, 1993 (collectively, the "Company
Reports"). As of their respective dates, the Company Reports and any such
reports, forms and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC after the
date of this Agreement (i) complied, or will comply, as to form in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not, or
will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. The representation in clause (ii) of the preceding
sentence shall not apply to any misstatement or omission in any Company Report
filed prior to the date of this Agreement which was superseded by a subsequent
Company Report filed prior to the date of this Agreement.
(b) Each of the consolidated balance sheets of the Company included in or
incorporated by reference into the Company Reports (including the related
notes and schedules) fairly presents the consolidated financial
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position of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of its date, and each
of the consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of
the Company included in or incorporated by reference into the Company Reports
(including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents the results of
operations, retained earnings or cash flows, as the case may be, of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
adjustments that would not be material in amount or effect), in each case in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein.
3.8 Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending against
the Company or the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, at law or in
equity, or before or by any federal or state commission, board, bureau, agency
or instrumentality, that are reasonably likely, individually or in the
aggregate, to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as specifically contemplated by this
Agreement or as disclosed in the Company Reports or the Company Disclosure
Letter, since December 31, 1995, (i) no events or series of events have
occurred, and no circumstances have arisen, that are reasonably likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect, (ii) there has not been any declaration, setting aside or payment of
any dividend or other distribution with respect to its capital stock (other
than regular quarterly cash dividends not in excess of $.05 per share), and
(iii) there has not been any material change in its accounting principles,
practices or methods.
3.10 No Brokers. The Company has not entered into any contract, arrangement
or understanding with any person or firm that may result in the obligation of
the Company or the Purchaser to pay any finder's fees, brokerage or agent's
commissions or other like payments in connection with the negotiations leading
to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
except that the Company has retained Salomon Brothers Inc as its financial
advisor, the arrangements with which have been disclosed in writing to the
Purchaser prior to the date hereof. Other than the foregoing arrangements, the
Company is not aware of any claim for payment of any finder's fees, brokerage
or agent's commissions or other like payments in connection with the
negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
3.11 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Special Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company has received the opinion of Salomon Brothers Inc to
the effect that, as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration is fair to
the holders of the Company Common Stock (other than the Purchaser and its
Subsidiaries) from a financial point of view.
3.12 DGCL Section 203. The business combination restrictions of Section 203
of the DGCL are not applicable to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 4
Representations and Warranties of Purchaser and Merger Sub
Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered at or prior to the
execution hereof to the Company (the "Purchaser Disclosure Letter") or in the
Purchaser Reports (as defined below), each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub
represents and warrants to the Company as of the date of this Agreement as
follows:
4.1 Existence; Good Standing; Corporate Authority. Each of the Purchaser and
Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Each of the
Purchaser and Merger Sub is duly licensed or qualified to do business as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of any other state
of the United States in which the character of the properties owned or leased
by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or to be in good
standing would not have a material adverse
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effect on the business, results of operations or financial condition or
prospects of the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect"). The Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate and lease its properties and carry on its business
as now conducted. Each of the Purchaser's Significant Subsidiaries is a
corporation or partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization,
has the corporate or partnership power and authority to own its properties and
to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified
to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
ownership of its property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, except for jurisdictions in which such failure to be so
qualified or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect. The copies of the
Purchaser's and Merger Sub's certificates of incorporation and Bylaws
previously made available to the Company are true and correct.
4.2 Authorization; Validity and Effect of Agreements. Each of the Purchaser
and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and all agreements and documents contemplated hereby.
The consummation by the Purchaser and Merger Sub of the transactions
contemplated hereby when executed and delivered pursuant hereto for value
received) will constitute, the valid and legally binding obligations of the
Purchaser and Merger Sub, enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other
similar laws relating to creditors' rights and general principles of equity.
4.3 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Purchaser consists
of 300,000,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock, and 20,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $0.01 par value (the "Purchaser Preferred Stock"). As of
December 31, 1996, there were 50,134,651 shares of Purchaser Common Stock, and
no shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock, issued and outstanding and no shares
of Purchaser Common Stock held in the Purchaser's treasury. Since such date,
no additional shares of capital stock of the Purchaser have been issued except
pursuant to the Purchaser's stock option and employee stock purchase plans,
pension plans and other similar employee benefit plans (the "Purchaser Stock
Plans"). The Purchaser has no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other
obligations, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are
convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with
the stockholders of the Purchaser or any matter. All issued and outstanding
shares of Purchaser Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except for (i) Company
Options that will be converted into options to purchase Purchaser Common Stock
pursuant to Section 2.2(f) and (ii) options and securities issued pursuant to
Purchaser Stock Plans, there are not on the date hereof any existing options,
warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other rights,
agreements or commitments that obligate the Purchaser or any of its
Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell any shares of capital stock of the
Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries.
4.4 Subsidiaries. The Purchaser owns directly or indirectly each of the
outstanding shares of capital stock (or other ownership interests having by
their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of directors or others
performing similar functions with respect to such Purchaser Significant
Subsidiary) of each of the Purchaser's Significant Subsidiaries and Merger
Sub. Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the
Purchaser's Significant Subsidiaries and Merger Sub is duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Purchaser. Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of each Significant Subsidiary of the Purchaser and Merger Sub is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Purchaser free and clear of all liens, pledges,
security interests, claims or other encumbrances other than liens imposed by
law that are not material.
4.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a) The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser and Merger Sub do not, and the
consummation by the Purchaser and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not, (i) conflict with or violate the certificate of incorporation
or by-laws or equivalent organizational documents of the Purchaser, Merger
Sub, or any Significant Subsidiary, (ii) subject to making the filings and
obtaining the approvals identified in Section 4.5(b), conflict with or violate
any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the
Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary or by which
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any property or asset of the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary is bound or
affected, or (iii) subject to making the filings and obtaining the approvals
identified in Section 4.5(b), result in any breach of or constitute a default
(or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give to
others any right of purchase or sale, or any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration, increased payments or cancellation of, or result in the creation
of a lien or other encumbrance on any property or asset of the Purchaser or
any Purchaser Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
obligation to which the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary is a party or by
which the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary or any property or asset of
the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary is bound or affected, except, in the
case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), for any such conflicts, violations,
breaches, defaults or other occurrences that would not prevent or delay
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby in any material
respect, or otherwise prevent the Purchaser or Merger Sub from performing its
obligations hereunder in any material respect, and would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser and Merger
Sub do not, and the performance by the Purchaser and Merger Sub of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with
or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except (i) for (A) applicable
requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, Blue Sky Laws
and state takeover laws, (B) applicable approvals of the state insurance
commissioners of the States of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts,
Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, (C) filing and
recordation of appropriate merger and similar documents as required by
Delaware law and (D) applicable requirements, if any, of the Code and state,
local and foreign tax laws, and (ii) where failure to obtain such consents,
approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or
notifications, would not prevent or delay consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated hereby in any material respect, or otherwise prevent
the Purchaser or Merger Sub from performing its obligations hereunder in any
material respect, and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
4.6 Compliance. Neither the Purchaser nor any Purchaser Subsidiary is in
conflict with, or in default or violation of, (i) any law, rule, regulation,
order, judgment or decree applicable to the Purchaser or any Purchaser
Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of the Purchaser or any Purchaser
Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
obligation to which the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary is a party or by
which the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary or any property or asset of
the Purchaser or any Purchaser Subsidiary is bound or affected, in each case
except for any conflicts, defaults or violations that would not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect. The Purchaser
and its Subsidiaries have obtained all licenses, permits and other
authorizations and have taken all actions required by applicable law or
governmental regulations in connection with their business as now conducted,
where the failure to obtain any such item or to take any such action would
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
4.7 SEC Documents. (a) The Purchaser has filed all forms, reports and
documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since October 16, 1995
(collectively, the "Purchaser Reports"). As of their respective dates, the
Purchaser Reports and any such reports, forms and other documents filed by the
Purchaser with the SEC after the date of this Agreement (i) complied, or will
comply, as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder and (ii) did not, or will not, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation
in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall not apply to any misstatement
or omission in any Purchaser Report filed prior to the date of this Agreement
which was superseded by a subsequent Purchaser Report filed prior to the date
of this Agreement.
(b) Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by
reference into the Purchaser Reports (including the related notes and
schedules) fairly presents the consolidated financial position of the
Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries as of its date, and each of the
consolidated statements of income,
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retained earnings and cash flows included in or incorporated by reference into
the Purchaser Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly
presents the results of operations, retained earnings or cash flows, as the
case may be, of the Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries for the periods
set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments that would not be material in amount or effect), in
each case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied during the periods involved, except as may be noted
therein.
4.8 Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending against
the Purchaser or the Purchaser Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the
Purchaser, threatened against the Purchaser or the Purchaser Subsidiaries, at
law or in equity, or before or by any federal or state commission, board,
bureau, agency or instrumentality, that are reasonably likely, individually or
in the aggregate, to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
4.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as specifically contemplated by this
Agreement or as disclosed in the Purchaser Reports or the Purchaser Disclosure
Letter, since December 31, 1995, (i) no event or series of events have
occurred, and no circumstances have arisen, that are reasonably likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Purchaser Material Adverse
Effect, (ii) there has not been any declaration, setting aside or payment of
any dividend or other distribution with respect to its capital stock (other
than regular quarterly cash dividends not in excess of $.05 per share), and
(iii) there has not been any material change in its accounting principles,
practices or methods.
4.10 No Brokers. The Purchaser has not entered into any contract,
arrangement or understanding with any person or firm that may result in the
obligation of the Company or the Purchaser to pay any finder's fees, brokerage
or agent's commissions or other like payments in connection with the
negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby except that the Purchaser has retained Merrill Lynch & Co.
as its financial advisor, the arrangements with which have been disclosed in
writing to the Company prior to the date hereof. Other than the foregoing
arrangements, the Company is not aware of any claim for payment of any
finder's fees, brokerage or agent's commissions or other like payments in
connection with the negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.11 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Purchaser has received the opinion of
Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") to the
effect that, as of the date hereof, the Merger is fair to the Purchaser from a
financial point of view.
4.12 Financing. Immediately following the Effective Time, the Purchaser will
have available all of the funds required to satisfy the portion of the Merger
Consideration to be paid in cash pursuant to the terms hereof.
4.13 No Regulatory Disqualifiers. To the knowledge of the Purchaser, as of
the date hereof, no event has occurred or condition exists in connection with
the Merger that would cause the Purchaser to fail to satisfy any material
applicable statute or written regulation of any applicable insurance
regulatory authority.
4.14 DGCL Section 203. The business combination restrictions of Section 203
of the DGCL are not applicable to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
4.15 Interim Operations of the Sub. The Sub was formed solely for the
purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no
other business activities, had conducted its operations only as contemplated
hereby and will not have a negative net worth as of the Effective Time.
ARTICLE 5
Covenants
5.1 Alternative Proposals. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company agrees
(a) that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall it or any of
its Subsidiaries permit their respective officers, directors, employees,
agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment
banker, attorney or accountant retained
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by it or any of its Subsidiaries) to, (x) initiate, solicit or encourage,
directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making or implementation of any
proposal or offer (including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its
stockholders) with respect to (i) a merger, acquisition, consolidation or
similar transaction involving, or purchase of (A) any assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (other than purchases of securities and other investments
from the Company's investment portfolio consistent with past practice) or (B)
any outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, including any shares not
already owned by the Purchaser or the Purchaser Subsidiaries, (ii) any tender
offer or exchange offer with respect to shares of Company Common Stock, or
(iii) any other transaction the consummation of which could be reasonably
expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the merger or
which could reasonably be expected to dilute materially the benefits to the
Purchaser of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement (any such
proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as an "Alternative Proposal")
or (y) engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential
information or data to, or have any discussions with, any person relating to
an Alternative Proposal (excluding the Merger and the Recapitalization
contemplated by this Agreement), or (z) agree to, recommend or approve any
Alternative Proposal, and (b) that it will notify the Purchaser immediately if
any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such information is
requested from, or any such negotiations or any discussions are sought to be
initiated or continued with, it. Nothing contained in this Section 5.1 shall
prevent the Company or the Special Committee from discussing, for the purpose
of determining the terms and conditions of a bona fide Alternative Proposal
not solicited in violation of this Agreement provided that the Special
Committee determines in good faith, upon the advice of outside counsel, that
failure to do so would likely be a breach of its fiduciary duties.
(b) Except as set forth in this Section 5.2(b), neither the Board of
Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or
modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to the
Purchaser, the approval or recommendation by such Board of Directors (or such
committee) of this Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or
propose to approve or recommend, any Alternative Proposal or (iii) cause the
Company to enter into any agreement with respect to any Alternative Proposal;
provided, however, in the event that prior to the Effective Time the Board of
Directors of the Company or the Special Committee determines in good faith,
upon advice of counsel, that failure to do so would likely be a breach of its
fiduciary duties, the Board of Directors of the Company or the Special
Committee, as the case may be, may withdraw or modify its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement and the Merger as a result of an Alternative
Proposal. The Purchaser shall immediately advise the Company and the Special
Committee orally and in writing of any Alternative Proposals and shall
describe the material terms and conditions of such Alternative Proposal and
the identity of the person making such Alternative Proposal.
5.2 Interim Operations. (a) Prior to the Effective Time, except as set forth
in the Company Disclosure Letter or as contemplated by any other provision of
this Agreement, unless the Purchaser has consented in writing thereto, the
Company:
(i) shall, and shall cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to,
conduct its operations according to their usual, regular and ordinary
course in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted;
(ii) shall not amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or
comparable governing instruments (other than to permit the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);
(iii) shall promptly notify the Purchaser of any breach of any
representation or warranty contained herein or any Company Material Adverse
Effect;
(iv) shall promptly deliver to the Purchaser true and correct copies of
any report, statement or schedule filed with the SEC subsequent to the date
of this Agreement;
(v) shall not (x) except pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants,
conversion rights and other contractual rights existing on the date hereof
and disclosed pursuant to this Agreement, or pursuant to the
Recapitalization issue any shares of its capital stock, effect any stock
split or otherwise change its capitalization as it existed on the date
hereof, (y) grant, confer or award any option, warrant, conversion right or
other right not existing on the date hereof to acquire any shares of its
capital stock, or (z) adopt any
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new employee benefit plan (including any stock option, stock benefit or
stock purchase plan) or amend any existing employee benefit plan in any
material respect;
(vi) shall not (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any
other distribution or payment with respect to any shares of its capital
stock or other ownership interests (other than regular quarterly cash
dividends not in excess of $.05 per share) or (ii) directly or indirectly
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or
capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries, or make any commitment for any
such action;
(vii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell,
lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets (including capital stock of
Subsidiaries) except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice, or to acquire any business or assets, in each case for an
amount exceeding $25,000,000.
(viii) shall not incur any material amount of indebtedness for borrowed
money or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments (other than noncontrolling investments in the ordinary course
of business) in any other person other than a wholly owned Company
Subsidiary, or issue or sell any debt securities, other than borrowings
under existing lines of credit in the ordinary course of business, in each
case in an amount exceeding $35,000,000; and
(ix) shall not make any change to its accounting (including tax
accounting) methods, principles or practices, except as may be required by
generally accepted accounting principles and except, in the case of tax
accounting methods, principles or practices, in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, except as set forth in the Purchaser
Disclosure Letter or as contemplated by this Agreement, unless the Company and
the Special Committee have consented in writing thereto, the Purchaser:
(i) shall not issue any shares of its capital stock at less than fair
market value (other than pursuant to any Purchaser Stock Plans) or effect
any stock split of its capital stock;
(ii) shall promptly notify the Company of any breach of any
representation or warranty contained herein or any Purchaser Material
Adverse Effect;
(iii) shall promptly deliver to the Company true and correct copies of
any report, statement or schedule filed with the SEC subsequent to the date
of this Agreement; and
(iv) shall not declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other
distribution or payment with respect to any shares of its capital stock or
other ownership interests (other than regular quarterly cash dividends not
to exceed $0.05 per share).
5.3 Filings; Other Action. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, the Company and the Purchaser shall: (a) promptly make their
respectively filings and thereafter make any other required submissions under
applicable state insurance laws; (b) use all reasonable efforts to cooperate
with one another in (i) determining which filings are required to be made
prior to the Effective Time with, and which consents, approvals, permits or
authorizations are required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time from,
Governmental Entities in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
(ii) timely making all such filings and timely seeking all such consents,
approvals, permits or authorizations; and (c) use all reasonable efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all other action and do, or cause to be done, all
other things necessary, proper or appropriate to consummate and make effective
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.4 Inspection of Records. From the date hereof to the Effective Time, each
of the Company and the Purchaser shall: (i) allow all designated officers,
attorneys, accountants and other representatives of the other reasonable
access at all reasonable times to the offices, records and files,
correspondence, audits and properties, as well as to all information relating
to commitments, contracts, titles and financial position, or otherwise
pertaining to the business and affairs, of the Company and the Purchaser and
their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, (ii) furnish to the other,
the other's counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized
representatives such financial and operating data and other information as
such persons may reasonably request
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and (iii) instruct the employees, counsel and financial advisors of the
Company or the Purchaser, as the case may be, to cooperate with the other in
the other's investigation of the business of it and its Subsidiaries.
5.5 Publicity. At all times at or before the Effective Time, the Company,
the Purchaser and the Special Committee shall consult with one another before
issuing or making any reports, statements, or release to the public with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall
use good faith efforts to agree on the text of a joint public report,
statement, or release or shall use good faith efforts to obtain the others'
approval of the text of any public report, statement, or release to be made
solely on behalf of any of the other. If the Company, the Purchaser and the
Special Committee are unable to agree on or approve any such public report,
statement, or release and such report, statement, or release is, in the
judgment of legal counsel to the Company, the Purchaser or the Special
Committee, required by or advisable in connection with applicable law or the
rules and regulations of any applicable stock exchange or may be appropriate
in order to discharge its disclosure obligations, then the Company, the
Purchaser or the Special Committee, as the case may be, may make or issue such
report, statement, or release, provided that such report, statement or release
is provided to the others a reasonable period prior to issuance and reasonable
good faith efforts are made to obtain the consent of the others to such
report, statement or release.
5.6 Registration Statement. The Purchaser and the Company shall cooperate
and promptly prepare and the Purchaser shall file with the SEC as soon as
practicable (i) a Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement (the "Transaction
Statement") under the Exchange Act with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) a Registration Statement on Form S-4
(the "Form S-4) under the Securities Act, with respect to the Purchaser Common
Stock issuable in the Merger. A portion of such Registration Statement shall
also serve as an information statement with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger (the "Information
Statement/Prospectus"). Each of the respective parties will cause the
information required to be supplied by such party for inclusion in the
Information Statement/Prospectus, the Form S-4 and the Transaction Statement
to (a) be supplied as promptly as practicable and (b) not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
respective parties shall cause each of the Information Statement/Prospectus,
the Form S-4 and the Transaction Statement to comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable rules and regulations prescribed by the
SEC. If at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event with respect to a
party should occur that is required to be described in an amendment or, or a
supplement to, the Transaction Statement, the Form S-4 or the Information
Statement/Prospectus, such event shall be so described, and such amendment or
supplement shall be promptly filed with the SEC and, as required by law,
disseminated to the stockholders of the Company. Any statement that is made or
incorporated by reference in the Transaction Statement, the Form S-4 or the
Information Statement/Prospectus shall be deemed modified or superseded to the
extent any later filed document incorporated by reference in the Transaction
Statement, Form S-4 or Information Statement/Prospectus or any statement
included in the Transaction Statement, the Form S-4 or the Information
Statement/Prospectus modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. As
promptly as practicable, the Purchaser shall use all reasonable efforts, and
the Company shall cooperate with the Purchaser, to (w) file the Information
Statement/Prospectus, the Form S-4 and the Transaction Statement with the
applicable regulatory authorities, (x) respond to any comments made by such
regulatory authorities with respect to the Information Statement/Prospectus,
the Form S-4 and the Transaction Statement, (y) have the Form S-4 declared
effective by the SEC and kept effective as long as is necessary to consummate
the Merger and (z) mail the Information Statement/Prospectus to the
stockholders of the Company. The Purchaser shall use its best efforts to
obtain prior to the effective date of the Form S-4, all necessary state
securities law or "Blue Sky" permits or approvals required to carry out the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall pay all expenses
incident thereto. The Purchaser shall advise the Company and the Special
Committee, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the
Form S-4 has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed,
the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the
Purchaser Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger for offering or
sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC for amendment of the
Information
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Statement/Prospectus or the Form S-4 or comments thereon and responses thereto
or requests by the SEC for additional information.
5.7 Written Consent. The Purchaser shall cause SMA to execute, as
Stockholder of the Company, a written consent of shareholders (a) adopting of
this Agreement and approving the Merger and (b) approving the amendment to the
certificate of incorporation of the Company to authorize the issuance of the
Class B Common Stock pursuant to the Recapitalization (the "Written Consent").
5.8 Listing Application. The Purchaser shall promptly prepare and submit to
the New York Stock Exchange, (the "NYSE") listing applications covering the
shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable in the Merger, and shall use
reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the Effective Time, approval for the
listing of such Purchaser Common Stock, subject to official notice of
issuance.
5.9 Further Action. Each party hereto shall, subject to the fulfillment of
or before the Effective Time of each of the conditions or performance set
forth herein or the waiver thereof, perform such further acts and execute such
documents as may be reasonably required to effect the Merger and the
Recapitalization.
5.10 Expenses. Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses except
as expressly provided herein and except that (a) the filing fee in connection
with the filing of the Form S-4, the Transaction Statement and the Information
Statement/Prospectus with the SEC and (b) the expenses incurred in connection
with printing and mailing the Form S-4 and the Information
Statement/Prospectus shall be shared equally by the Company and the Purchaser.
5.11 Takeover Statute. If any "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or other form of anti-takeover statute or regulation shall become
applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and the
members of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and
the Board of Directors of the Company shall grant such approvals and take such
actions as are reasonably necessary so that the transactions contemplated
hereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated
hereby and thereby and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of
such statute or regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.
5.12 Indemnification.
(a) In the event of any threatened or actual claim, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative (each, a "Claim"), in
which any of the present or former directors or officers (the "Indemnified
Parties") of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, or is threatened to
be, made a party by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether before the Effective Time,
or arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the Surviving Corporation and the Purchaser shall, jointly and
severally, indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law (and shall also advance expenses incurred to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law) each such Indemnified Party against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any
such Claim. In the event of any such Claim, the Purchaser and the Surviving
Corporation shall proceed at their own expense to defend and dispose of such
Claim in the manner they deem appropriate, provided that the Indemnified Party
shall have the right to employ separate legal counsel and participate in the
defense of such Claim at his or her own expense, unless the interests of such
Indemnified Party in such Claim are materially different from and in conflict
with those of the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation or that he or she
may have defenses that are different from or in addition to and in conflict
with those of the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation, in which case the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by the Purchaser and the
Surviving Corporation. Neither the Company, the Purchaser nor the Surviving
Corporation shall (i) be liable for any settlement effected without its
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prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), (ii)
have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court of
competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination
shall have become final and nonappealable, that indemnification of such
Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by
applicable law. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
this Section 5.12(a), upon learning of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify the Surviving Corporation,
although the failure to so notify shall not relieve the Surviving Corporation
from any liability, except to the extent that such failure prejudices the
Surviving Corporation.
(b) All rights to indemnification (including with respect to the advancement
of expenses) for acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time now
existing in favor of the Indemnified Parties as provided in the certificates
of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall survive
the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with
their terms for a period of six years following the Effective Time (or if the
Merger is not consummated, six years from the date of this Agreement);
provided, however, that all rights to indemnification in respect to any claim
asserted or made within such period shall continue until disposition of such
claim.
(c) The provisions of this Section 5.12 are intended to be for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, each such Indemnified Party and each such
Indemnified Party's heirs and representatives.
(d) The Company shall maintain its existing officers' and directors'
liability insurance or reasonably comparable liability insurance ("D&O
Insurance") for a period of six years following the Effective Time (or if the
Merger is not consummated, six years from the date of this Agreement); so long
as the annual premium therefor is not more than 200% in excess of the last
annual premium paid prior to the date hereof (the "Current Premium");
provided, however, that if the existing D&O Insurance expires, is terminated
or cancelled during such six-year period, the Surviving Corporation shall use
its best efforts to obtain as much D&O Insurance as can be obtained for the
remainder of such period for a premium not in excess (on an annualized basis)
of 200% of the Current Premium.
5.13 Cooperation of the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall take all actions
reasonably necessary to permit the Company to fulfill its obligations under
this Agreement, including using reasonable efforts to cause directors,
officers or employees of the Company who are directors, officers or employees
of the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries to approve or take or refrain from
taking any actions by the Company required (or prohibited, as the case may be)
by this Agreement. The Purchaser shall not willfully interfere with the
Company's performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, any actions or omissions of the Company
that result from a violation by the Purchaser of the preceding sentence shall
not be deemed a breach of this Agreement by the Company.
5.14 Letter of Purchaser's Accountants. Following receipt by Price
Waterhouse LLP, the Purchaser's independent auditors, of (i) an appropriate
request from the Company pursuant to SAS No. 72 and (ii) such additional
information or representations reasonably required by Price Waterhouse LLP,
the Purchaser shall use best efforts to cause to be delivered to the Company a
letter of Price Waterhouse LLP, dated a date within two business days before
the effective date of the S-4, and addressed to the Company, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and customary in scope and
substance for "cold comfort" letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with registration statements and disclosure
statements similar to this S-4 and the Information Statement/Prospectus.
5.15 Letter of Company's Accountants. Following receipt by Price Waterhouse
LLP, the Company's independent auditors, of an appropriate request from the
Purchaser pursuant to SAS No. 72, the Company shall use best efforts to cause
to be delivered to the Purchaser a letter of Price Waterhouse LLP, dated a
date within two business days before the effective date of the S-4, and
addressed to the Purchaser, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Purchaser and customary in scope and substance for "cold comfort" letters
delivered by independent public accountants in connection with registration
statements and disclosure statements similar to the S-4 and the Information
Statement/Prospectus.
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ARTICLE 6
Conditions
6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have
been approved in the manner required by applicable law or by the applicable
regulations of any stock exchange or other regulatory body, as the case may
be, by the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company.
(b) Neither of the parties hereto shall be subject to any order or
injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the
event any such order or injunction shall have been issued, each party
agrees to use its reasonable efforts to have any such injunction lifted.
(c) The Form S-4 shall have become effective and shall be effective at
the Effective Time, and no stop order suspending effectiveness of the Form
S-4 shall have been issued, and the SEC shall not have initiated, or, to
the knowledge of the Purchaser or the Company, threatened to initiate, any
action, suit, proceeding or investigation to suspend the effectiveness
thereof, and all necessary approvals under state securities laws relating
to the issuance or trading of the Purchaser Common Stock to be issued to
the Company stockholders in connection with the Merger shall have been
received.
(d) All orders and approvals of the insurance regulatory authorities
required in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been obtained or made, whether or not any
appeal or request for reconsideration of such order is pending, or whether
the time for filing any appeal or request for reconsideration or for any
action by the insurance regulatory authorities has expired.
(e) All consents, authorizations, orders and approvals of filings or
registrations with) any Governmental Entity (other than the insurance
regulatory authorities) required in connection with the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement shall have been obtained or made, except
for any documents required to be filed after the Effective Time and except
where the failure to have obtained or made any such consent, authorization,
order, approval, filing or registration would not have a material adverse
effect on the business, results of operations or financial condition of the
Purchaser and the Company (and their respective Subsidiaries), taken as a
whole, following the Effective Time.
(f) The Purchaser Common Stock to be issued in the Company stockholders
in connection with the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the
NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance.
(g) The Recapitalization shall have been completed.
6.2 Conditions to Obligation of Company to Effect the Merger. The obligation
of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment at or
prior to the Effective Time of the condition that:
(a) each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub shall have performed in all
material respects its agreements contained in this Agreement required to be
performed on or prior to the Effective Time, the representations and
warranties of the Purchaser and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement and
in any document delivered in connection herewith shall be true and correct
as of the Effective Time, except (i) for changes specifically permitted by
this Agreement and (ii) that those representations and warranties that
address matters only as of a particular date shall remain true and correct
as of such date, and the Company shall have received a certificate of the
President or a Vice President of the Purchaser, dated the Effective Time,
certifying to such effect.
(b) the Company shall have received the fairness opinion of Salomon
Brothers Inc to the effect that, as of the date hereof, the Merger
Consideration is fair to the holders of the Company Common Stock (other
than the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries) from a financial point of view and
such fairness opinion shall not have been withdrawn.
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6.3 Conditions to Obligation of Purchaser to Effect the Merger. The
obligation of the Purchaser to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the condition that:
(a) the Company shall have performed in all material respects its
agreements contained in this Agreement required to be performed on or prior
to the Effective Time, the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement and in any document delivered in connection
herewith shall be true and correct as of the Effective Time, except (i) for
changes specifically permitted by this Agreement and (ii) that those
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular
date shall remain true and correct as of such date, and the Purchaser shall
have received a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the
Company, dated the Effective Time, certifying to such effect; provided,
however, that the existence of any facts, conditions or circumstances that
the Purchaser, in light of its ownership of Company Common Stock and
representation on the Board of Directors of the Company, knew as of the
date hereof shall not be a basis for or give rise to any claim or assertion
that the representations and warranties of the Company are not true and
correct as of the Effective Time.
(b) Purchaser shall have received a fairness opinion of Merrill Lynch to
the effect that, as of the date hereof, the Merger is fair to the Purchaser
from a financial point of view and such fairness opinion shall not have
been withdrawn.
ARTICLE 7
Termination
7.1 Termination by Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or
after the approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company, by
the mutual consent of the Purchaser, Merger Sub and, with the consent of the
Special Committee, the Company.
7.2 Termination by Either Purchaser or Company. This Agreement may be
terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by action of the Board of Directors
of either the Purchaser or (with the consent of the Special Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company) the Company if (a) the Merger shall not
have been consummated by September 30, 1997, or (b) a United States federal or
state court of competent jurisdiction or United States federal or state
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have
become final and nonappealable; provided that the party seeking to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this clause (b) shall have used all reasonable
efforts to remove such injunction, order or decree, and provided, in the case
of a termination pursuant to clause (a) above, that the terminating party
shall not have breached in any material respect its obligations under this
Agreement in any manner that shall have proximately contributed to the failure
to consummate the Merger by September 30, 1997, or (c) insurance regulatory
authorities shall have issued an order or ruling or taken other action denying
approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such order,
ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable.
7.3 Termination by Company. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, by action of the
Board of Directors of the Company (with the consent of the Special Committee)
if, prior to the Effective Time, (a) the Board of Directors determines in good
faith, upon advice of counsel, that notwithstanding a binding commitment to
consummate the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement entered into in the
proper exercise of their fiduciary duties, failure to terminate this Agreement
would likely be a breach of such fiduciary duties by reason of an Alternative
Proposal being made; provided that the Company shall notify the Purchaser
promptly of its intention to terminate this Agreement or to enter into a
definitive agreement with respect to any Alternative Proposal, but in no event
shall such notice be given less than 48 hours prior to the public announcement
of the Company's termination of this Agreement, or (b) there has been a
material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this
Agreement on the part of the
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Purchaser, which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30
days after written notice of such breach is given by the Company to the
Purchaser, or (c) the Board of Directors of the Purchaser shall have withdrawn
or modified in a manner materially adverse to the Company its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger.
7.4 Termination by Special Committee. This Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger may be abandoned by the Special Committee on behalf of the Company
at any time prior to the Effective Time if the Special Committee withdraws or
materially modifies or changes its recommendation of this Agreement or the
Merger and the Special Committee determines in good faith, upon advice of
counsel, that notwithstanding a binding commitment to consummate the Merger
pursuant to the Merger Agreement entered into in the proper exercise of their
fiduciary duties, failure to terminate this Agreement would likely be a breach
of such fiduciary duties by reason of an Alternative Proposal; provided that
the Special Committee shall notify the Company and the Purchaser promptly of
its intention to terminate this Agreement, but in no event shall such notice
be given less than 48 hours prior to the public announcement of such
termination.
7.5 Termination by Purchaser. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or
after the approval by the stockholders of the Company, by action of the Board
of Directors of the Purchaser, if (a) the Board of Directors of the Company
and the Special Committee shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner
materially adverse to the Purchaser its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger, or (b) there has been a breach by the Company of any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which would have or
would be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (c)
there has been a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set
forth in this Agreement on the part of the Company, which breach is not
curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after written notice of
such breach is given by the Purchaser to the Company; provided, however, that
the existence of any facts, conditions or circumstances that the Purchaser, in
light of its ownership of Company Common Stock and representation on the Board
of Directors of the Company, knew as of the date hereof shall not be a basis
for or give rise to any right of Purchaser to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to (b) above due to a breach of a representation or warranty of the
Company.
7.6 Effect of Termination and Abandonment. (a) In the event of termination
of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article
7, all obligations of the parties hereto shall terminate, except the
obligations of the parties pursuant to this Sections 5.10 and 5.12 and except
for the provisions of Article 8. Moreover, in the event of termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 7.3 or Section 7.5, nothing herein shall
prejudice the ability of the nonbreaching party from seeking damages from any
other party for any willful breach of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees and the right to pursue any remedy at law or in
equity.
7.7 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party
hereto, by action taken by its Board of Directors, may, to the extent legally
allowed, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties made to such party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto or (c) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein;
provided, however, that any such action taken by the Board of Directors of the
Company shall require the consent of the Special Committee. Any term or
condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that is
entitled to the benefit thereof; such waiver must be in writing and must be
executed by the President, chief executive officer, chief financial officer,
general counsel, or chief operating officer of such party; provided, however,
that the waiver of any of the terms or conditions by the Company shall require
the consent of the Special Committee. Any agreement on the part of a party
hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party.
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ARTICLE 8
General Provisions
8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All
representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to the extent
expressly provided herein to be conditions to the Merger and shall not survive
the Merger; provided, however, that the agreements contained in Article 2,
Sections 5.10 and 5.12 and this Article 8 shall survive the Merger and Section
7.6 shall survive termination.
8.2 Notices. Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient
if in writing, and sent by facsimile transmission and by courier service (with
proof of service), hand delivery or certified or registered mail (return
receipt requested and first-class postage prepaid), addressed as follows:
If to the Purchaser: If to the Company:
Allmerica Financial Corporation Allmerica Property & Casualty
440 Lincoln Street Companies, Inc
Worcester, MA 01653 440 Lincoln Street
Attention: Edward J. Parry III Worcester, MA 01653
Telecopier No.: (508) 855-4640 Attention: James A. Cotter, Jr.
Telecopier No.: (508) 855-7588
With copies to:
With copies to:
Ropes & Gray
One International Place LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae,
Boston, MA 02110 L.L.P.
Attention: Lauren I. Norton, Esq. 125 West 55th Street
Telecopier No.: (617) 951-7050 New York, NY 10019
Attention: William S. Lamb, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 424-8500
or to such other address as any party shall specify by written notice so
given, and such notice shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date
so telecommunicated, personally delivered or mailed.
8.3 Assignment, Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior
written consent of the other parties; provided, however, that any assignment
of this Agreement shall require the consent of the Special Committee. Subject
to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement to the contrary,
nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any
person other than the parties hereto or their respective heirs, successors,
executors, administrators and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
8.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Exhibits, the Company Disclosure
Letter and the Purchaser Disclosure Letter between the Company and the
Purchaser and any documents delivered by the parties in connection herewith
constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the
parties with respect thereto. No addition to or modification of any provision
of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party hereto unless made in
writing and signed by all parties hereto.
8.5 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, by
action taken by their respective Boards of Directors, at any time before or
after approval of matters presented in connection with the
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Merger by the stockholders of the Company, but after any such stockholder
approval, no amendment shall be made which by law requires the further
approval of stockholders without obtaining such further approval; provided,
however, that any amendment to this Agreement shall require the consent of the
Special Committee. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
8.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its rules
of conflict of laws.
8.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the
same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof
each signed by less than all, but together signed by all of the parties
hereto.
8.8 Headings. Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are
for the convenience of the parties only, and shall be given no substantive or
interpretive effect whatsoever.
8.9 Interpretation. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, words describing the singular number shall include the plural and
vice versa, and words denoting any gender shall include all genders and words
denoting natural persons shall include corporations and partnerships and vice
versa.
8.10 Waivers. Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken pursuant
to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any investigation by or on
behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party
hereto of a breach of any provision hereunder shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of the same or any
other provision hereunder.
8.11 Incorporation of Exhibits. The Company Disclosure Letter, the Purchaser
Disclosure Letter and all Exhibits attached hereto and referred to herein are
hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes as if fully
set forth herein.
8.12 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of
this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be
interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.
8.13 Enforcement of Agreement. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise
breached. It is accordingly agreed that any party hereto shall be entitled to
an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any Delaware Court,
this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party may be entitled
to at law or in equity.
8.14 Subsidiaries. As used in this Agreement, the word "Subsidiary" or in
the plural "Subsidiaries" when used with respect to any party means any
corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of
which such party directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority
of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing
similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization, or
any organization of which such party is a general partner. When a reference is
made in this Agreement to Significant Subsidiaries, the words "Significant
Subsidiaries" shall refer to Subsidiaries (as defined above) which constitute
"significant
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<PAGE>
subsidiaries" under Rule 405 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.
For purposes of this Agreement, each of the Company and each Subsidiary of the
Company shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Purchaser.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement and caused the
same to be duly delivered on their behalf on the day and year first written
above.
ATTEST: ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
/s/ John F. Kelly /s/ John F. O'Brien
By: _________________________________ By: _________________________________
Title: Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST: ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY
COMPANIES, INC.
/s/ John F. Kelly /s/ John F. O'Brien
By: _________________________________ By: _________________________________
Title: Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST: APY ACQUISITION, INC.
/s/ John F. Kelly /s/ Edward J. Parry III
By: _________________________________ By: _________________________________
Title: President
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APPENDIX A-2
FORM OF CHARTER AMENDMENT
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC.
Allmerica Property & Casualty Companies, Inc., a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the corporation is Allmerica Property & Casualty Companies,
Inc. The date of filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the
Secretary of State was August 17, 1992.
2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends and
restates the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation. The foregoing
amendments have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the corporation
at a meeting held on February 19, 1997 and by the holders of at least a
majority of the shares of outstanding Common Stock of the corporation by
written consent dated June 13, 1997, in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 242 and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
3. The text of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is as follows:
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1. The name of this corporation is ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY
COMPANIES, INC.
2. The registered office of this corporation in the State of Delaware is
located at Corporation Trust Center, in the City of Wilmington, County of
New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The
Corporation Trust Company.
3. The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
4. The total number of shares of stock that this corporation shall have
authority to issue is (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (A)
60,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Common
Stock"), and (B) 40,000,000 shares shall be Class B Common Stock, par value
$5.00 per share ("Class B Common Stock") and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock").
5. The board of directors is authorized to issue the Preferred Stock from
time to time in one or more classes or series thereof, each such class or
series to have such voting powers (if any), designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and such
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be determined
by the board of directors and stated and expressed in a resolution thereof
providing for the issue of such Preferred Stock.
6. Subject to the powers, preferences and rights of any Preferred Stock,
including any class or series thereof, having any preference or priority
over, or rights superior to, the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and
except as otherwise provided by law, the holders of the Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock shall have and possess all powers and voting and other
rights pertaining to the stock of this corporation and each share of Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote. Except as
otherwise provided by law which cannot be superseded by the provisions of
this Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of the shares of Common
Stock and the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote
together as a single class on all matters to be voted on by stockholders of
the corporation. Except as required by law which cannot be superseded by
the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, all shares of Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be identical and shall entitle the
holders thereof to the same powers, participating, optional, special or
other rights, preferences and privileges. The holders of Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as from
time to time may be declared by the board of directors.
7. Except as provided to the contrary in the provisions establishing a
class or series of stock, the amount of the authorized stock of this
corporation of any class or classes may be increased or decreased by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this
corporation entitled to vote.
8. The election of directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws
shall so require.
9. In furtherance and not in limitation of the power conferred upon the
board of directors by law, the board of directors shall have power to make,
adopt, alter, amend and repeal from time to time by-laws of this
corporation, subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to vote with
respect thereto to alter and repeal by-laws made by the board of directors.
10. A director of this corporation shall not be liable to the corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except to the extent that exculpation from liability is not
permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as in
effect at the time such liability is determined. No amendment or repeal of
this paragraph 10 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or
alleged liability of any director of the corporation for or with respect to
any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or
repeal.
11. This corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted from time to
time under the law of the State of Delaware, indemnify and upon request
shall advance expenses to any person who is or was a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit,
proceeding or claim, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was or has
agreed to be a director or officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
any corporation, partnership, joint
A2-2
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venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorney's fees and
expenses), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement
incurred in connection with the investigation, preparation to defend or
defense of such action, suit, proceeding or claim; provided, however, that
the foregoing shall not require this corporation to indemnify or advance
expenses to any person in connection with any action, suit, proceeding,
claim or counterclaim initiated by or on behalf of such person. Such
indemnification shall not be exclusive of other indemnification rights
arising under any by-law, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or
otherwise and shall insure to the benefit of the heirs and legal
representatives of such person. Any person seeking indemnification under
this paragraph 11 shall be deemed to have met the standard of conduct
required for such indemnification unless the contrary shall be established.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 11
shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer
of this corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director
or officer occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
12. The books of this corporation may (subject to any statutory
requirements) be kept outside the State of Delaware as may be designated by
the board of directors or in the by-laws of this corporation.
13. The provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware Corporation Law shall
not apply to this corporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ALLMERICA PROPERTY & CASUALTY COMPANIES, INC. has caused
this Certificate to be signed on this day of , 1997 in its name and on its
behalf by its President and attested by its Secretary, pursuant to Section
103(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
_____________________________________
John F. O'Brien
President
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Richard Baker
Secretary
A2-3
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
[LOGO OF MERRILL LYNCH]
June 13, 1997
Board of Directors
Allmerica Financial Corporation
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01653
Members of the Board:
Allmerica Financial Corporation (the "Company"), APY Acquisition, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger Sub"), and Allmerica
Property & Casualty Companies, Inc. (the "Subject Company") have entered into
an agreement and plan of merger dated as of February 19, 1997 (the "Merger
Agreement") pursuant to which (1) each share of the Subject Company's common
stock, par value $1.00 per share (each a "Share" and, collectively, the
"Shares"), held by SMA Financial Corp. (the "Exchange Shares") will be
exchanged (the "Exchange") for one share of the Subject Company's Class B
Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share; and (2) immediately thereafter, the
Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Subject Company in a transaction
(the "Merger") in which each remaining Share will be converted into the right
to receive, at the election of the holder thereof, either (a) 0.40 shares (the
"Option One Exchange Ratio") of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Company Shares"), and $17.60 in cash (the "Option One Cash
Consideration"); provided, however, that (i) in the event that the average
daily closing sales price (the "Average Price") of the Company Shares as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape for the ten consecutive
trading days ending on the fifth trading day prior to the date on which the
Merger is consummated (the "Effective Time") is less than $36.00, the Option
One Cash Consideration will be an amount equal to (A) $32.00 less (B) the
Option One Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average Price and (ii) in the event
that the Average Price is greater than $41.00, the Option One Cash
Consideration will be an amount equal to (A) $34.00 less (B) the Option One
Exchange Ratio multiplied by the Average Price; (b) 0.85714 Company Shares (the
"Option Two Exchange Ratio") (subject to proration, as more fully described in
the Merger Agreement); provided, however, that (i) in the event that the
Average Price is less than $36.00, the Option Two Exchange Ratio will be equal
to $32.00 divided by the Average Price and (ii) in the event that the Average
Price is greater than $41.00, the Option Two Exchange Ratio will be equal to
$34.00 divided by the Average Price; or (c) $33.00 in cash (the "Option Three
Cash Consideration") (subject to proration, as more fully described in the
Merger Agreement); provided, however, that (i) in the event that the Average
Price is less than $36.00, the Option Three Cash Consideration will be $32.00
and (ii) in the event the Average Price is greater than $41.00, the Option
Three Cash Consideration will be $34.00. The Merger Agreement provides that the
maximum number of the Company Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Merger
will not exceed the product of (x) 0.40 and (y) the number of Shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time excluding (A) the Shares
that will be cancelled in accordance with the Merger Agreement, (B) the Shares
with respect to which appraisal rights will have been exercised, (C) the
Exchange Shares and (D) any other Shares owned directly or indirectly by the
Company (the "Outstanding Shares"). The Merger Agreement also provides that the
aggregate amount of cash to be paid by the Company pursuant to the Merger will
not exceed the product of (x) the Option One Cash Consideration and (y) the
number of the Outstanding Shares. The aggregate consideration payable by the
Company pursuant to the elections described above is hereinafter referred to as
the "Consideration".
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[LOGO OF MERRILL LYNCH]
You have asked us whether, in our opinion, the Consideration is fair from a
financial point of view to the Company.
In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other things:
1. Reviewed the Company's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial
information for the four fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, the
Company's Form 10-Q and related unaudited financial information for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 and the Company's press release
dated April 30, 1997 announcing results for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 1997 as well as the Company's statistical supplement
containing certain financial information for the quarter ended March
31, 1997;
2. Reviewed the Subject Company's Annual Reports for the three fiscal
years ended December 31, 1995, the Subject Company's Forms 10-K and
related financial information for the four fiscal years ended December
31, 1996, the Subject Company's Form 10-Q and related unaudited
financial information for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 and
the Subject Company's press release dated April 30, 1997 announcing
results for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 as well as the
Subject Company's statistical supplement containing certain financial
information for the quarter ended March 31, 1997;
3. Reviewed certain statutory financial statements of the insurance
subsidiaries of the Company and the Subject Company for the three
fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1996;
4. Reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, relating to the business,
earnings, cash flow, assets and prospects of the Company and the
Subject Company, furnished to us by or on behalf of the Company and the
Subject Company;
5. Reviewed certain information relating to the cost savings expected to
result from the Merger provided to us by the Company and the Subject
Company and conducted discussions with members of senior management of
the Company and the Subject Company concerning their respective
businesses and prospects as well as such expected cost savings;
6. Analyzed the pro forma effect of the Merger on the Company;
7. Reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity of the
Company Shares and the Shares and compared them with those of certain
publicly traded companies which we deemed to be reasonably similar to
the Company and the Subject Company, respectively;
8. Compared the results of operations of the Company and the Subject
Company with those of certain companies which we deemed to be
reasonably similar to the Company and the Subject Company,
respectively;
9. Compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger with the financial
terms of certain other mergers and acquisitions which we deemed to be
relevant;
10. Reviewed the Merger Agreement;
11. Reviewed an opinion dated February 19, 1997 of Latham & Watkins,
counsel to the Company, with respect to certain tax consequences of the
Exchange;
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[LOGO OF MERRILL LYNCH]
12. Reviewed a certificate dated February 19, 1997 of Edward J. Parry III,
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, with respect
to the financial impact of the Exchange on the Company and the Subject
Company; and
13. Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and performed such
other investigations and took into account such other matters as we
deemed necessary, including our assessment of general economic, market
and monetary conditions.
In preparing our opinion, we have assumed and relied on the accuracy and
completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made available to us by
or on behalf of the Company and the Subject Company or made publicly available
by the Company or the Subject Company, and we have not independently verified
such information or undertaken an independent valuation or appraisal of the
assets or liabilities of the Company or the Subject Company. With respect to
the 1997 financial forecasts furnished to us by or on behalf of the Company
and the Subject Company, we have assumed that they have been reasonably
prepared and reflect the best currently available estimates and judgment of
the management of the Company or the Subject Company as to the expected future
financial performance of the Company or the Subject Company, as the case may
be. We have assumed that the information relating to the cost savings expected
to result from the Merger provided to us by the Company and the Subject
Company has been reasonably prepared and represents the best current estimates
and judgments of the managements of the Company and the Subject Company as to
such cost savings. We are not expressing any opinion as to the prices at which
the Company Shares will actually trade following the consummation of the
Merger or the prices at which the Company Shares or the Shares will trade
between the announcement and the consummation of the Merger. Our opinion is
necessarily based upon market, economic, financial and other conditions as
they exist and can be evaluated as of the date hereof.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
Merger and will receive a fee from the Company for our services, a significant
portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. We have
also, in the past, provided financial advisory and financing services to the
Company and the Subject Company and have received fees for the rendering of
such services. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business, we may
actively trade the securities of the Company and the Subject Company for our
own account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities.
This opinion is addressed to the Board of Directors of the Company and does
not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder.
On the basis of, and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that
the Consideration is fair from a financial point of view to the Company.
Very truly yours,
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER &
SMITH INCORPORATED
B-3
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
LOGO
February 19, 1997
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Allmerica Property & Casualty Companies, Inc.
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01653
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as investment bankers as to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of common stock, par value
$1.00 per share ("Company Common Stock"), of Allmerica Property & Casualty
Companies, Inc. ("Allmerica P&C" or the "Company"), other than Allmerica
Financial Corporation ("AFC") and its subsidiaries, of the consideration to be
received by such stockholders (the "Non-AFC Stockholders") in the proposed
acquisition by AFC of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock owned by
the Non-AFC Stockholders (the "Proposed Merger") pursuant to the Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of February 19, 1997 by and among AFC, APY
Acquisition, Inc. and the Company (the "Agreement").
As set forth more fully in the Agreement, APY Acquisition, Inc., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of AFC, will be merged with and into Allmerica P&C and each
issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock owned by the Non-AFC
Stockholders will be converted into the right to receive 0.4 shares of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share ("AFC Common Stock"), of AFC and, subject to
adjustment in the event the average closing sales price of the AFC Common
Stock for the ten consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day
prior to the consummation of the Proposed Merger (the "Average Stock Price")
is less than $36.00 or greater than $41.00, $17.60 in cash (together, the
"Standard Consideration"). In addition, as set forth more fully in the
Agreement, each Non-AFC Stockholder shall have the right to elect to have all
of such holder's shares converted into (i) all cash at a conversion ratio of
$33.00 for each share of Company Common Stock or (ii) all AFC Common Stock at
an exchange ratio of .85714 of a share of AFC Common Stock for each share of
Company Common Stock, subject in the case of both (i) and (ii) to adjustment
in the event the Average Stock Price is less than $36.00 or greater than
$41.00, and subject in the case of both (i) and (ii) to proration and
substitution of cash or AFC Common Stock, as the case may be, so that the
average per share consideration received by all Non-AFC Stockholders is equal
to the Standard Consideration. As you are aware, we have acted as financial
advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company in
connection with its review of the Proposed Merger. We also acted as co-manager
for AFC's initial public offering of common stock and a companion bond
offering in October 1995. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business,
we may actively trade the debt and equity securities of both the Company and
AFC for our own account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly,
may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
In connection with rendering our opinion, we have reviewed and analyzed
material bearing upon the financial and operating condition and prospects of
the Company and AFC including, among other things, the following: (i) the
Schedule 13D filed by AFC with respect to its ownership of Company Common
Stock, as amended through the date hereof; (ii) the Agreement; (iii) certain
publicly available information concerning the Company and AFC, including the
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the Company and AFC for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994 and the Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for each of the Company and AFC for the quarter ended September 30, 1996;
(iv) the statistical supplements dated December 31, 1996 for each of the
Company and AFC; (v) certain internal information of the Company and AFC,
primarily financial in nature (including projections, and analyses prepared by
or on behalf of the Company's and AFC's managements), concerning the business,
assets, liabilities, operations and prospects of the Company and AFC
C-1
<PAGE>
that were furnished to us by the Company and AFC for purposes of our analysis;
(vi) statutory financial information of the Company's and AFC's insurance
subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994 and
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1996; (vii) certain publicly
available information concerning the trading of, and the trading market for,
the Company Common Stock and AFC Common Stock; (viii) certain publicly
available information with respect to certain publicly traded companies that we
believe to be comparable to the Company and AFC and the trading markets for
certain of such other companies' securities; and (ix) certain publicly
available information concerning the nature and terms of certain other
acquisition transactions and certain transactions involving the acquisition of
minority interests by controlling stockholders that we consider relevant to our
inquiry. We have also met with certain officers and employees of the Company
and AFC to discuss matters we believe relevant to our inquiry including the
past and current business operations, financial condition and prospects of the
Company and AFC. We have also considered such other information, financial
studies, analyses, investigations and financial, economic and market criteria
that we deemed relevant.
In our review and analysis and in arriving at our opinion, we have assumed
and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other
information provided to us or publicly available and have neither attempted
independently to verify nor assumed any responsibility for verifying any of
such information. With respect to financial projections and forecasts, we have
assumed that they were reasonably prepared and reflect the best currently
available estimates and judgment of the Company's and AFC's managements as to
the future financial performance of the Company and AFC and we express no view
with respect to such projections or forecasts or the assumptions on which they
are based. We have not made or obtained or assumed any responsibility for
making or obtaining any independent evaluations or appraisals of any of the
Company's or AFC's assets, properties or facilities, nor have we been furnished
with any such evaluations or appraisals.
In conducting our analysis and arriving at our opinion as expressed herein,
we have considered such financial and other factors as we have deemed
appropriate under the circumstances including, among others, the following: (i)
the historical and current financial position and results of operations of the
Company and AFC; (ii) the business prospects of the Company and AFC; (iii) the
historical and current market for the Company Common Stock and the AFC Common
Stock and for the equity securities of certain other companies that we believe
to be comparable to the Company and AFC; and (iv) the nature and terms of
certain other acquisition transactions and acquisitions of minority interests
by controlling shareholders that we believe to be relevant. We have taken into
consideration the current ownership by AFC of approximately 60% of the
outstanding Company Common Stock and the fact that AFC has stated that it does
not intend to sell such stock. As a result of AFC's position, we have not been
requested to solicit third parties with respect to possible interest in
acquiring the Company or any of its businesses, and we have not attempted to do
so. We have also taken into account our assessment of general economic, market
and financial conditions as well as our experience in connection with similar
transactions and securities valuation generally. Our opinion necessarily is
based upon conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the date hereof and
we assume no responsibility to update or revise our opinion based upon
circumstances or events occurring after the date hereof. Our opinion as
expressed below does not constitute an opinion or imply any conclusion as to
the likely trading range for the AFC Common Stock following consummation of the
Proposed Merger. Our opinion is for the sole benefit of the Special Committee
in its consideration of the Proposed Merger and is, in any event, limited to
the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be
received by the Non-AFC Stockholders in the Proposed Merger and does not
address the Company's underlying business decision to effect the Proposed
Merger or constitute a recommendation of the Proposed Merger to any holder of
Company Common Stock or as to what election any such holder should make with
respect to the conversion of such holder's shares of Company Common Stock.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion as investment
bankers that as of the date hereof, the consideration to be received by the
Non-AFC Stockholders in the Proposed Merger is fair, from a financial point of
view, to the Non-AFC Stockholders.
Very truly yours,
Salomon Brothers Inc
/s/ Salomon Brothers Inc
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APPENDIX D
SECTION 262 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL
CORPORATION LAW
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock
on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to the provisions of subsection
(d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such
shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has
otherwise complied with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section and
who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented
thereto in writing pursuant to Section 228 of this Chapter shall be entitled
to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of his shares of
stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this
Section. As used in this Section, the word "stockholder" means a holder of
record of stock in a stock corporation and also a member of record of a non-
stock corporation; the words "stock" and "share" mean and include what is
ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or membership interest of
a member of a non-stock corporation; and the words "depository receipt" mean a
receipt of other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in
one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation,
which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to
be effected pursuant to Sections 251 (other than a corporation which has in
its certificate of incorporation the provision required by subsection
(g)(7)(i) of Section 251 of this title), 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 or 264 of
this Chapter.
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this Section shall
be available for the shares of any class or series of stock which stock, or
depositary receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to
determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or
designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held
of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no
appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the
constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require
for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation
as provided in subsections (f) or (g) of Section 251 of this Chapter.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this Section,
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of
any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders
thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or
consolidation pursuant to Sections 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of
this Chapter to accept for such stock anything except: (i) shares of stock
of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or
consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof; (ii) shares of
stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof,
which at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either
listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a market system
security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders;
(iii) cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts
described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii); or (iv) any combination of
the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional
shares, or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this subsection.
(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation
party to a merger effected under Section 253 of this Chapter is not owned
by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights
shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a
provision, the procedures of this Section, including those set forth in
subsections (d) and (e), shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
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(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are
provided under this Section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of
stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for
such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are
available pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights
are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations,
and shall include in such notice a copy of this Section. Each stockholder
electing to demand the appraisal of his shares shall deliver to the
corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation,
a written demand for appraisal of his shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
appraisal of his shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or
consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to
take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein
provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or
consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each
stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with the
provisions of this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to
the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation
has become effective; or
(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to (S)228 or
(S)253 of this title, each constituent corporation, either before the
effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days
thereafter, shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of
stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights
of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights
are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of
such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of
this section; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given
by the surviving or resulting corporation to all such holders of any class
or series of stock of a constituent corporation that are entitled to
appraisal rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective
date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders
of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder
entitled to appraisal rights may, within twenty days after the date of
mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting
corporation the appraisal of such holders' shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
appraisal of such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify
stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either
(i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the
effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders
of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are
entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or
consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send
such second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such
effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more
than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice
need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights
and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with
this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of
the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either
notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be
prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied
with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal
rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination
of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger
or consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw his demand
for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or
consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of
subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to
receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the
consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not
voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which
demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number
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<PAGE>
of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the
stockholder within 10 days after his written request for such a statement is
received by the surviving or resulting corporation or, within 10 days after
expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection
(d) hereof, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy
thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall
within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in
Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the
names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their
shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been
reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be
filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be
accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so
ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the
hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or
resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the
addressed therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by one or more
publications at least one week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of
general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such
publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and
by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be
borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
stockholders who have complied with the provisions of this Section and who have
become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who
have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by
certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery
for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any
stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the
proceedings as to such stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court
shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any
element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger
or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid
upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair
value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining
the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors,
including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation
would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding.
Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any
stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may,
in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may
proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the
stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the
list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f)
of this Section and who has submitted his certificates of stock to the Register
in Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings
until it is finally determined that he is not entitled to appraisal rights
under this Section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares,
together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to
the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the
Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the
case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and in the case of holders
of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of
the certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as
other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving
or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any other state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon
the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application
of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred
by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including,
without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the fees and expenses of
experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all of the shares entitled
to an appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no
stockholder who has demanded his appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d)
of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to
receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable
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