SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 21, 1999
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Chartwell Re Corporation
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 1-12502 41-1652573
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(State or Other (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Identification No.)
Incorporation)
Four Stamford Plaza, P. O. Box 120043, Stamford, CT 06912-0043
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Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 705-2500
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5. - Other Events
Chartwell Re Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Chartwell"), entered
into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 21, 1999 (the
"Merger Agreement") with Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Trenwick"), pursuant to which Chartwell will be merged with and into Trenwick
(the "Merger"). In connection with the Merger Agreement, Trenwick and Chartwell
have entered into a Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1999.
On June 22, 1999, Chartwell and Trenwick issued a joint press release
announcing the Merger, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.2 and which is
incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 21, 1999, between
Trenwick and Chartwell.
99.1 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1999, between Trenwick and
Chartwell
99.2 Press release of Trenwick and Chartwell issued June 22, 1999.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CHARTWELL RE CORPORATION
By: /s/ John V. Del Col
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John V. Del Col
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Dated: June 25, 1999
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description of Exhibit
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2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 21, 1999, between
Trenwick and Chartwell.
99.1 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1999, between Trenwick
and Chartwell
99.2 Press release of Trenwick and Chartwell issued June 22, 1999.
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
AND
CHARTWELL RE CORPORATION
Dated as of June 21, 1999
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Table of Contents
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.1. The Merger.......................................................2
SECTION 1.2. Closing..........................................................2
SECTION 1.3. Effective Time...................................................2
SECTION 1.4. Effects of the Merger............................................2
SECTION 1.5. Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws............................2
SECTION 1.6. Directors and Officers...........................................3
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON SECURITIES
SECTION 2.1. Effect on Capital Stock..........................................3
(a) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Trenwick-Owned
Stock...................................................3
(b) Conversion of Chartwell Common Stock....................3
(c) Conversion Number.......................................4
(d) Cancellation and Retirement of Chartwell Common Stock...4
SECTION 2.2. Exchange of Certificates.........................................4
(a) Exchange Agent..........................................4
(b) Letter of Transmittal...................................4
(c) Exchange Procedures.....................................4
(d) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares........5
(e) No Further Ownership Rights in Chartwell Common Stock...5
(f) No Fractional Shares....................................5
(g) Termination of Exchange Fund and Common Shares Trust....6
(h) No Liability............................................6
(i) Lost Certificates.......................................7
SECTION 2.3. Tax Consequences of Merger.......................................7
SECTION 2.4. Stock Options, Warrants and Stock Purchase Plans.................7
SECTION 2.5. Adjustments......................................................8
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties of Chartwell......................8
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power..............8
(b) Subsidiaries............................................9
(c) Capital Structure.......................................9
(d) Authority; Noncontravention............................10
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Table of Contents
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(continued)
(e) SEC Documents; Financial Statements....................11
(f) Information Supplied...................................13
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events...................13
(h) Benefit Plans..........................................14
(i) Taxes..................................................19
(j) No Excess Parachute Payments; Section 162(m)
of the Code............................................21
(k) Compliance with Applicable Laws........................21
(l) Litigation.............................................21
(m) No Undisclosed Liabilities.............................22
(n) Reserves...............................................22
(o) Insurance Issued.......................................23
(p) Opinion of Financial Advisor...........................23
(q) Voting Requirements....................................23
(r) Rights Agreement; Section 203..........................23
(s) Brokers................................................24
(t) No Default.............................................24
(u) Related Party Transactions.............................24
(v) Title to Property......................................24
(w) Environmental..........................................25
(x) Chartwell Investees....................................25
(y) Reinsurance Contracts, Coverholders and MGAs...........26
(z) Reinsurance Agreement..................................27
SECTION 3.2. Representations and Warranties of Trenwick......................27
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power.............27
(b) Subsidiaries...........................................27
(c) Capital Structure......................................27
(d) Authority; Noncontravention............................28
(e) SEC Documents; Financial Statements....................29
(f) Information Supplied...................................31
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events...................31
(h) Benefit Plans..........................................32
(i) Taxes..................................................36
(j) Compliance with Applicable Laws........................38
(k) Litigation.............................................38
(l) No Undisclosed Liabilities.............................39
(m) Reserves...............................................39
(n) Opinion of Financial Advisor...........................40
(o) Voting Requirements....................................40
(p) Brokers................................................40
(q) No Default.............................................40
(r) Related Party Transactions.............................40
(s) Title to Property......................................41
(t) Environmental..........................................41
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Table of Contents
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(continued)
(u) Reinsurance Contracts, Coverholders and MGAs...........42
(v) Trenwick Investees.....................................42
(w) Insurance Issued.......................................43
(x) Approvals and Permits..................................43
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
SECTION 4.1. Conduct of Business.............................................43
(a) Conduct of Business by Chartwell.......................43
(b) Conduct of Business by Trenwick........................45
(c) Other Actions..........................................48
(d) Advice of Changes......................................48
SECTION 4.2. No Solicitation by Chartwell....................................48
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 5.1. Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement.......50
SECTION 5.2. Stockholder Approval............................................51
SECTION 5.3. Access to Information; Confidentiality..........................51
SECTION 5.4. Commercially Reasonable Efforts.................................52
SECTION 5.5. Benefit Plans...................................................52
SECTION 5.6. Indemnification and Insurance...................................52
SECTION 5.7. Public Announcements............................................53
SECTION 5.8. Consents, Approvals and Filings.................................54
SECTION 5.9. NASDAQ Approval.................................................54
SECTION 5.10. Affiliates and Certain Stockholders............................55
SECTION 5.11. Tax Matters....................................................55
SECTION 5.12. Letters of Accountants.........................................55
SECTION 5.13. Stockholder Litigation.........................................55
SECTION 5.14. Fees and Expenses..............................................55
SECTION 5.15. Reinsurance Agreement..........................................57
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 6.1. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Merger......57
(a) Stockholder Approval...................................57
(b) Governmental, Regulatory and Lloyd's Consents..........57
(c) HSR Act................................................57
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Table of Contents
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(continued)
(d) No Injunctions or Restraints...........................57
(e) Form S-4...............................................58
(f) NASDAQ.................................................58
(g) Third-Party Consents...................................58
SECTION 6.2. Conditions to Obligation of Trenwick............................58
(a) Representations and Warranties.........................58
(b) Performance of Obligations of Chartwell................58
(c) Tax Opinion............................................58
(d) No Material Adverse Change.............................58
(e) Ratings................................................59
(f) Reinsurance Agreement..................................59
(g) Opinion................................................59
SECTION 6.3. Conditions to Obligation of Chartwell...........................59
(a) Representations and Warranties.........................59
(b) Performance of Obligations of Trenwick.................59
(c) Tax Opinion............................................59
(d) Material Adverse Change................................59
(e) Ratings................................................59
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 7.1. Termination.....................................................60
SECTION 7.2. Effect of Termination...........................................61
SECTION 7.3. Amendment.......................................................62
SECTION 7.4. Extension; Waiver...............................................62
SECTION 7.5. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver.......62
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 8.1. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties...................62
SECTION 8.2. Definitions.....................................................62
SECTION 8.3. Notices.........................................................64
SECTION 8.4. Interpretation..................................................65
SECTION 8.5. Counterparts....................................................65
SECTION 8.6. Entire Agreement; No Other Representations; No Third-Party
Beneficiaries...................................................65
SECTION 8.7. Governing Law...................................................66
SECTION 8.8. Assignment......................................................66
SECTION 8.9. Enforcement and Consent to Jurisdiction.........................66
SECTION 8.10. Severability...................................................66
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of June 21, 1999 (the
"Agreement"), between Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Trenwick")
and Chartwell Re Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Chartwell").
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Trenwick and
Chartwell deem it advisable and in the best interest of their respective
companies and stockholders to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which
Chartwell shall be merged with and into Trenwick (the "Merger"), and the
transactions contemplated hereby and have adopted resolutions approving this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;
WHEREAS, as a condition to Trenwick's willingness to execute
and deliver this Agreement, to pay the Merger Consideration to the Chartwell
stockholders and to consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby, Trenwick has required, and Chartwell has agreed, that
Trenwick be indemnified and guaranteed, effective as of the Effective Time (as
defined herein), against certain adverse development in the reserves for losses,
loss adjustment expenses and certain other balance sheet items of Chartwell, and
that such indemnity and guaranty be accomplished through the reinsurance
agreement described in Section 3.1(z) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule (as
defined herein) (the "Reinsurance Agreement") and whereas, such indemnification
and guarantee will be effected through the securing of the Reinsurance
Agreement, which will be effective at the Effective Time and an express
condition to the closing of the Merger and whereas, consummation of the Merger
is predicated upon the Reinsurance Agreement being obtained by Chartwell;
WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that
the Merger will qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368
(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
WHEREAS, subject to and immediately following the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, Chartwell and Trenwick will enter into an
agreement (the "Stock Option Agreement"), pursuant to which Chartwell will grant
Trenwick the option to purchase a number of shares equal to 19.9% of the
outstanding common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Chartwell ("Chartwell
Common Stock"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;
and
WHEREAS, Trenwick and Chartwell desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties
agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.1. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "DGCL"), Chartwell shall be merged with and into Trenwick at the
Effective Time (as hereinafter defined). At the Effective Time, the separate
existence of Chartwell shall cease, and Trenwick shall continue as the surviving
corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").
SECTION 1.2. Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated
pursuant to Section 7.1, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of
the conditions set forth in Article VI, the closing of the Merger (the
"Closing") shall take place at 10:00 a.m. on the date that is the second
business day following the date on which the last to be fulfilled or waived of
the conditions set forth in Section 6.1 shall be fulfilled or waived in
accordance with this Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature
are to be fulfilled on the Closing Date, but subject to the fulfillment or
waiver of those conditions), at the offices of Baker & McKenzie, 805 Third
Avenue, New York, New York, unless another date, time or place is agreed to in
writing by the parties hereto. The actual date and time of the Closing are
herein referred to as the "Closing Date."
SECTION 1.3. Effective Time. The parties hereto will file with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Secretary of State")
on the date of the Closing (or on such other later date as Trenwick and
Chartwell may agree in writing) a certificate of merger or other appropriate
documents, executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and
make all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL in connection with
the Merger. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the certificate
of merger with the Delaware Secretary of State, or at such later time as is
specified in the certificate of merger (the "Effective Time").
SECTION 1.4. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in Section 259 of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the properties,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Chartwell and Trenwick shall vest
in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Chartwell
and Trenwick shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation, all as provided under the DGCL.
SECTION 1.5 Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws. (a) At the Effective
Time and without any further action on the part of Chartwell or Trenwick, the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Trenwick as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter amended as provided therein and under the DGCL.
(b) At the Effective Time and without any further action on
the part of Chartwell or Trenwick, the By-laws of Trenwick shall be the By-laws
of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended or repealed in accordance
with their terms or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation and as provided by law.
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SECTION 1.6. Directors and Officers. (a) The directors of Trenwick at the
Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation; provided,
that at the Effective Time, Trenwick shall increase the size of its Board of
Directors in order to enable the four (4) individuals set forth in Section 1.6
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, or any mutually agreed substitute for any
of such individuals who is unwilling or unable to so serve (the "Designees"),
which Designees shall include any director whose election is provided for
pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of December 13, 1995, among
Chartwell and the security holders named or referenced therein, to be members of
the Trenwick Board of Directors. The Trenwick Board of Directors shall appoint
each of the Designees to the Trenwick Board of Directors as of the Effective
Time, with such Designees to be divided as evenly as possible among the classes
of directors of Trenwick.
(b) The officers of Trenwick at the Effective Time shall, from
and after the Effective Time, be the officers of the Surviving Corporation,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON SECURITIES
SECTION 2.1. Effect on Capital Stock. As of the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders of any shares of
Chartwell Common Stock or any other shares of capital stock of Chartwell or any
shares of capital stock of Trenwick:
(a) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Trenwick-Owned Stock. Each share of
Chartwell Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time that is owned by Trenwick or any subsidiary of Trenwick or by Chartwell or
any subsidiary of Chartwell (together, in each case, with the associated Right
(as defined in Section 3.1(c)) shall automatically be canceled and retired and
shall cease to exist, and no cash or other consideration shall be delivered or
deliverable in exchange therefor.
(b) Conversion of Chartwell Common Stock. Each share of Chartwell Common
Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.1(a)) together with the
associated Right shall be converted into the right to receive that number (the
"Stock Consideration") of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of
common stock, par value $.10 per share, of Trenwick ("Trenwick Common Stock")
which is equal to the Conversion Number (as defined in Section 2.1(c)). The
Stock Consideration and any cash to be paid in accordance with Section 2.2 in
lieu of fractional shares of Chartwell Common Stock are referred to collectively
as the "Merger Consideration."
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(c) Conversion Number. As used herein, "Conversion Number" shall mean
0.825.
(d) Cancellation and Retirement of Chartwell Common Stock. As of the
Effective Time, all shares of Chartwell Common Stock, other than shares to
be canceled in accordance with Section 2.1(a), issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall no longer be outstanding and
shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each
holder of a certificate representing any such shares of Chartwell Common Stock
shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive
the Merger Consideration upon surrender of such certificate in accordance with
Section 2.2, without interest.
SECTION 2.2. Exchange of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. As of the Effective Time, Trenwick shall deposit with a
bank or trust company designated by Trenwick and reasonably satisfactory to
Chartwell (the "Exchange Agent"), certificates representing the shares of
Trenwick Common Stock representing the aggregate Stock Consideration (such
certificates, together with any dividends or distributions with respect to such
certificates, being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund").
(b) Letter of Transmittal. Promptly after the Effective Time (but in no
event more than 5 days thereafter), the Surviving Corporation shall cause the
Exchange Agent to mail to each record holder of certificates that immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Chartwell Common Stock which
have been converted pursuant to Section 2.1, a form of letter of transmittal and
instructions for use in surrendering such certificates and receiving the
consideration to which such holder shall be entitled pursuant to Section 2.1.
(c) Exchange Procedures. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time,
each holder of an outstanding certificate or certificates which prior thereto
represented shares of Chartwell Common Stock shall, upon surrender to the
Exchange Agent of such certificate or certificates and acceptance thereof by the
Exchange Agent, be entitled to a certificate representing that number of whole
shares of Trenwick Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares of
Trenwick Common Stock as contemplated by this Section 2.2) which the aggregate
number of shares of Chartwell Common Stock previously represented by such
certificate or certificates surrendered shall have been converted into the right
to receive pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement. The Exchange Agent
shall accept such certificates upon compliance with such reasonable terms and
conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange
thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices. If the consideration to be
paid in the Merger (or any portion thereof) is to be delivered to any person
other than the person in whose name the certificate representing shares of
Chartwell Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefore is registered, it shall
be a condition to such exchange that the certificate so surrendered shall be
properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the
person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the payment of such consideration to a person
other than the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid
or is not applicable. After the Effective Time, there shall be no further
transfer on the records of Chartwell or its transfer agent of certificates
representing shares of Chartwell Common Stock and if such certificates are
presented to Chartwell for transfer, they shall be canceled against delivery of
the Merger Consideration as hereinabove provided. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 2.2(c), each certificate representing shares of
Chartwell Common Stock (other than certificates representing shares to be
cancelled in accordance with Section 2.1(a)) shall be deemed at any time after
the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender
the Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon, as contemplated by
Section 2.1. No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payable as
Merger Consideration.
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(d) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other
distributions with respect to Trenwick Common Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any certificate that immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Chartwell Common Stock which
have been converted pursuant to Section 2.1, until the surrender for exchange of
such certificate in accordance with this Article II. Following surrender for
exchange of any such certificate, there shall be paid to the holder of such
certificate, 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 paid with respect to the number of whole shares of Trenwick Common
Stock into which the shares of Chartwell Common Stock represented by such
certificate immediately prior to the Effective Time were converted pursuant to
Section 2.1, 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
such surrender, and with a payment date subsequent to such surrender, payable
with respect to such whole shares of Trenwick Common Stock.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights in Chartwell Common Stock. The Merger
Consideration paid upon the surrender for exchange of certificates representing
shares of Chartwell Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Article II
shall be deemed to have been issued and paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to the shares of Chartwell Common Stock theretofore represented by
such certificates, subject, however, to the Surviving Corporation's obligation
(if any) to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date
prior to the Effective Time which may have been declared by Chartwell on such
shares of Chartwell Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time.
(f) No Fractional Shares. (i) No certificates or scrip representing
fractional shares of Trenwick Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender
for exchange of certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented shares of Chartwell Common Stock which have been converted pursuant
to Section 2.1, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner
thereof to vote or to any rights as a stockholder of Trenwick. No Chartwell
stockholder shall be entitled to receive cash in lieu of fractional shares in an
amount greater than the value of one full share of Trenwick Common Stock.
(ii) As promptly as practicable following the Effective
Time, the Exchange Agent shall determine the excess of (x) the number of
shares of Trenwick Common Stock delivered to the Exchange Agent by Trenwick
pursuant to Section 2.2(a) over (y) the aggregate number of whole shares of
Trenwick Common Stock to be distributed to holders of the certificates formerly
representing shares of Chartwell Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.2(c) (such
excess being herein called the "Excess Shares."). As soon after the Effective
Time as practicable, the Exchange Agent, as agent for the holders of the
certificates formerly representing shares of Chartwell Common Stock, shall sell
the Excess Shares at then prevailing prices on the Nasdaq Stock Market National
Market ("NASDAQ") all in the manner provided in paragraph (iii) of this Section
2.2(f).
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(iii) The sale of the Excess Shares by the Exchange
Agent shall be executed on NASDAQ through one or more authorized market
makers and shall be executed in round lots to the extent practicable. Until the
net proceeds of such sale or sales have been distributed to the holders of the
certificates, the Exchange Agent will hold such proceeds in trust for the
holders of the certificates (the "Common Shares Trust"). Trenwick shall pay all
commissions, transfer taxes and other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including
the expenses and compensation of the Exchange Agent, incurred in connection with
such sale of the Excess Shares. The Exchange Agent shall determine the portion
of the Common Shares Trust to which each holder of a certificate shall be
entitled, if any, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate net proceeds
comprising the Common Shares Trust by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
amount of the fractional share interest to which such holder is entitled and the
denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional share interests to
which all holders of the certificates are entitled.
(iv) As soon as practicable after the determination
of the amount of cash, if any, to be paid to holders of the certificates in
lieu of any fractional share interests, the Exchange Agent shall make available
such amounts, without interest, to such holders of the certificates.
(g) Termination of Exchange Fund and Common Shares Trust. Any portion of
the Exchange Fund or Common Shares Trust which remains undistributed to the
holders of the certificates representing shares of Chartwell Common Stock for
180 days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Trenwick, upon demand,
and any holders of shares of Chartwell Common Stock who have not theretofore
complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to Trenwick for payment
of their claim for any Merger Consideration and any dividends or distributions
with respect to Trenwick Common Stock.
(h) No Liability. None of Chartwell, Trenwick or the Exchange Agent
shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares, cash, dividends or
distributions payable from the Exchange Fund or Common Shares Trust delivered to
a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar law. If any certificates representing shares of Chartwell Common Stock
shall not have been surrendered prior to five years after the Effective Time (or
immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger Consideration in
respect of such certificate would otherwise escheat to or become the property of
any Governmental Entity (as defined in Section 3.1(d))), any such shares, cash,
dividends or distributions payable in respect of such certificate shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Surviving
Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled thereto.
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(i) Lost Certificates. If any certificate representing Chartwell Common
Stock shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate to be lost,
stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting
by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation
may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
respect to such certificate, the Exchange Agent will deliver in exchange for
such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the Merger Consideration set forth in
Section 2.1(b) with respect to the shares of Chartwell Common Stock formerly
represented thereby, without any interest thereon.
SECTION 2.3. Tax Consequences of Merger. It is the intent of Chartwell
and Trenwick and the holders of the Chartwell Common Stock and the holders
of the Trenwick Common Stock that the Merger qualify as a reorganization
described in Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, pursuant to which none of the
holders of the Chartwell Common Stock or the holders of the Trenwick Common
Stock will recognize any gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes, except to
the extent of any cash received in lieu of fractional shares.
SECTION 2.4. Stock Options, Warrants and Stock Purchase Plans.
(a) At the Effective Time, each employee and director stock
option to purchase Chartwell Common Stock granted under any of the Stock Option
Plans (as hereinafter defined in Section 3.1(c)) outstanding as of the Effective
Time (each, a "Stock Option"), whether or not then vested or exercisable, shall
be assumed by Trenwick and converted into an option to acquire, on the same
terms and conditions as were applicable under such Stock Option prior to the
Effective Time, the number (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of shares
of Trenwick Common Stock determined by multiplying (x) the number of shares of
Chartwell Common Stock subject to such Stock Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time by (y) the Conversion Number, at a price per share of Trenwick
Common Stock (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the exercise
price per share otherwise purchasable pursuant to such Stock Option divided by
(B) the Conversion Number. At the Effective Time, each then outstanding warrant
to purchase Chartwell Common Stock (each, a "Warrant") shall be assumed by
Trenwick in accordance with its terms.
(b) At the Effective Time, each option to purchase Chartwell
Common Stock under Chartwell's Sharesave Scheme 1997 (each, a "Sharesave Stock
Option") with respect to the 1997, 1998 and 1999 calendar years, but only to the
extent accrued to the Effective Time, whether or not then vested or exercisable,
shall be converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive from the
Surviving Corporation the number (rounded down to the next whole number, with
cash to be paid in lieu of any fractional share eliminated through such
rounding) of shares of Trenwick Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the
number of shares of Chartwell Common Stock that were subject to such Sharesave
Stock Option immediately prior to its conversion pursuant to this Section 2.4
and (ii) the Conversion Number, less the number of shares of Trenwick Common
Stock equal to any U.K. tax required to be withheld by the Surviving
Corporation. The amount of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares pursuant
to this Section 2.4(b) shall be determined as provided in Section 2.2(f) (iii).
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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, prior to the Effective Time Chartwell shall make any amendments to
the Stock Option Plans and Stock Purchase Plans (as hereinafter defined in
Section 3.1(c)) and take such other actions, if any, as are necessary to give
effect to the transactions contemplated by this Section.
(d) Trenwick shall take all corporate action necessary to
reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Trenwick Common Stock for
delivery pursuant to the terms set forth in this Section 2.4. At the Effective
Time, Trenwick shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") a registration statement or statements on Form S-8, or such other
appropriate form as Trenwick may select, with respect to the Trenwick Common
Stock subject to the Stock Options pursuant to this Section 2.4, and shall use
its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration
statement and current status of the prospectus relating thereto, as well as
comply with any applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws, for so long as
such Stock Options remain outstanding. The shares of Trenwick Common Stock to be
issued pursuant to Section 2.4(b) shall be registered under the Form S-4 (as
hereinafter defined).
(e) Chartwell and Trenwick shall take all such steps as may be
required to provide that, with respect to each Section 16 Affiliate (as defined
below), (i) the transactions contemplated by this Article II and (ii) any other
dispositions of Chartwell equity securities (including derivative securities) or
other acquisitions of Trenwick equity securities (including derivative
securities) in connection with this Agreement, shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"). For purposes of this Agreement, "Section 16 Affiliate" shall mean each
individual who (x) immediately prior to the Effective Time is a director or
executive officer of Chartwell or (y) at the Effective Time will become a
director or executive officer of Trenwick.
SECTION 2.5. Adjustments. If at any time during the period between the
date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, any change in the
outstanding shares of capital stock of Trenwick or Chartwell shall occur by
reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split combination,
exchange or readjustment of shares, any stock dividend thereon with a record
date during such period, or any similar transaction, the Merger Consideration
and the adjustments to options and warrants and the payments required to be made
under Section 2.4 shall be appropriately adjusted.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties of Chartwell. Except as
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule delivered by Chartwell to Trenwick at
or prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "Chartwell Disclosure
Schedule") and making reference to the particular subsection of this Agreement
to which exception is being taken, Chartwell represents and warrants to Trenwick
as follows:
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(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of Chartwell and
its subsidiaries (as defined in Section 8.2(d)) is a corporation or other
legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect
to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the laws of the jurisdiction
in which it is organized and has the requisite corporate or other power, as the
case may be, and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted,
except where the failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing or to
have such power individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material
Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.2(h)) on Chartwell. Each of Chartwell
and its subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or
operation of its properties makes such qualification, licensing or good standing
necessary, except for those jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified
or licensed or to be in good standing or to have such power individually or in
the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell. Chartwell
has delivered to Trenwick complete and correct copies of its Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws and the Certificates of Incorporation and By-laws, or
other organizational documents, of its subsidiaries, in each case as amended to
the date of this Agreement.
(b) Subsidiaries. Section 3.1(b) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule
includes all the subsidiaries of Chartwell which as of the date of this
Agreement are Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation
S-X of the SEC). All the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity
interests in, each such Significant Subsidiary have been validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by Chartwell,
free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security
interests of any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens").
(c) Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of Chartwell consists
of 20,000,000 shares of Chartwell Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $1.00 per share. At the close of business on June 18, 1999, (i)
9,641,854 shares of Chartwell Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii)
zero shares of Chartwell Common Stock were held by Chartwell in its treasury;
(iii) 1,471,300 shares of Chartwell Common Stock were reserved for issuance
pursuant to outstanding Stock Options issued under Chartwell's Amended and
Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and 1996
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (collectively, the "Stock Option
Plans"), (iv) 25,045 shares of Chartwell Common Stock were reserved for issuance
pursuant to the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Sharesave Scheme 1997
(collectively, the "Stock Purchase Plans") (including shares of Chartwell Common
Stock that were reserved for issuance pursuant to options granted pursuant to
the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP Stock Options") and Sharesave Stock
Options then outstanding), (v) 334,532 shares of Chartwell Common Stock were
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Warrants listed in Section 3.1(c)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule and (vi) 125,000 shares of Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, were
reserved for issuance in connection with the rights (the "Rights") issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated as of May 22, 1997 (the "Rights
Agreement"), between Chartwell and State Street Bank and Trust Company. Except
as set forth above, at the close of business on June 18, 1999, no shares of
capital stock or other equity securities of Chartwell were issued, reserved for
issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Chartwell
are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plans, the
Stock Purchase Plans or the Warrants will be, when issued, duly authorized,
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validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive
rights. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(c) of the Chartwell Disclosure
Schedule, since January 1, 1999, no shares of the capital stock of Chartwell
have been issued other than pursuant to Stock Options, Warrants, ESPP Stock
Options or Sharesave Stock Options already in existence on such date, and, since
such date, no Stock Options, Warrants, ESPP Stock Options or Sharesave Stock
Options have been granted. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(c) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness
of Chartwell or any subsidiary of Chartwell having the right to vote (or
convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on
any matters on which the stockholders of Chartwell or any subsidiary of
Chartwell may vote are issued or outstanding. Section 3.1(c) of the Chartwell
Disclosure Schedule lists each subsidiary of Chartwell and, except for the
capital stock of such subsidiaries and the other ownership interests listed in
Section 3.1(c) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, Chartwell does not own,
directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other ownership interest in any
corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity other than any
publicly-traded corporation in which Chartwell owns 100 or fewer shares of
common stock. Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(c) of the Chartwell Disclosure
Schedule, all the outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of
Chartwell have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are
owned by Chartwell, by one or more wholly owned subsidiaries of Chartwell or by
Chartwell and one or more such wholly owned subsidiaries, free and clear of all
Liens. Except as set forth above or in Section 3.1(c) of the Chartwell
Disclosure Schedule, there are not any securities, options, warrants, rights,
commitments or agreements of any kind to which Chartwell or any subsidiary is a
party or by which any of them is bound obligating Chartwell or any subsidiary to
issue, sell or deliver, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, shares of
capital stock or other equity or voting securities of any of them or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of
Chartwell, or obligating any of them to issue, sell, deliver, grant, extend or
enter into any such security, option, warrant, right, commitment or agreement.
Except as set forth in Section 3.1(c) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule,
there are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or
understandings to which Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to
which any of them is bound, relating to the voting or disposition of any shares
of capital stock of Chartwell or any subsidiary thereof.
(d) Authority; Noncontravention. Chartwell has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the
Chartwell Stockholder Approval (as defined in Section 3.1(q)), to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Chartwell has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into the Stock Option Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by Chartwell and the consummation
by Chartwell of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of Chartwell, subject to the Chartwell Stockholder Approval. This
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement have been duly executed and delivered
by Chartwell and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by Trenwick, constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of Chartwell, enforceable against Chartwell in
accordance with their respective terms. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement do not, and, subject to the Chartwell
Stockholder Approval with respect to this Agreement, the consummation of the
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transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement and
compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement
will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default (with or
without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or loss of a benefit
under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or
assets of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries under, (i) the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws of Chartwell or the comparable organizational documents
of any of its subsidiaries, (ii) subject to the matters referred to in Section
3.1(d) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule and the matters referred to in the
sentence following the next sentence, any indenture or other material agreement,
permit, franchise, license or instrument to which Chartwell or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or any
of their assets is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the matters referred
to in the sentence following the next sentence, any statute, law, ordinance,
rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award
applicable to Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets, other than, in the case of clause (ii) above, any such
conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that individually or in
the aggregate would not (x) have a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell or (y)
reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of Chartwell to perform
its obligations under this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement. Assuming
the conditions set forth in Section 3.1(d) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule
are met, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not
constitute a "change of control" under the Contingent Interest Notes due June
30, 2006 or the Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995 (the "Contingent Interest
Notes Indenture") between Chartwell, as the successor to Piedmont Management
Company Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as successor to Fleet
National Bank of Connecticut, as Trustee. No consent, approval, order, or
authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or
filing with any federal, state, local or foreign government, any court, tribunal
or administrative, governmental or regulatory authority or agency or commission
or any non-governmental self-regulatory agency, commission or authority (each, a
"Governmental Entity"), or of the Society and Corporation of Lloyd's of London
("Lloyd's"), is required by or with respect to Chartwell or any of its
subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement by Chartwell or the consummation by Chartwell of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for (A) in connection with or in
compliance with the provisions of (1) the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), (2) the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (3) the Exchange Act, (4) the DGCL, (5)
the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE"), (6) any non-United States
competition, antitrust and investment laws, and the securities or "blue sky"
laws of the various states, (7) the approvals, filings and notices required
under the insurance laws of the jurisdictions in which Chartwell transacts the
business of insurance or reinsurance; (8) the filing of the certificate of
merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and appropriate documents with the
relevant authorities of other states in which Chartwell is qualified to do
business, (9) any required consents and waivers of Lloyd's and (B) such other
consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, actions, registrations,
declarations, filings or notices (as may be required) the failure of which to be
made or obtained individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Chartwell.
(e) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. (i) Chartwell has timely filed all
required forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents (including
exhibits and all other information incorporated therein) with the SEC since
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January 1, 1996. Chartwell has delivered or made available to Trenwick all
registration statements, proxy statements, annual reports, quarterly reports and
reports on Form 8-K and other forms, reports and documents, if any, filed by
Chartwell with the SEC since January 1, 1996 (as such documents have been
amended since the time of their filing, collectively, the "Chartwell SEC
Documents"). As of their respective dates or, if amended, as of the date of the
last such amendment, the Chartwell SEC Documents (i) were timely filed and
complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such Chartwell SEC
Documents, and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a 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 consolidated financial statements of
Chartwell included in the Chartwell SEC Documents complied as to form, as of
their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of
the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (except, in the case of unaudited consolidated
quarterly statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a
consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated
financial position of Chartwell and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows
for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly
statements, to normal year-end adjustments).
(ii) Chartwell has previously furnished to Trenwick
true and complete copies of the annual statements for each of the years
ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1998, together with
all exhibits and schedules thereto (collectively, the "Annual Statements"), with
respect to each of Chartwell Reinsurance Company, The Insurance Corporation of
New York, Dakota Specialty Insurance Company and ReCor Insurance Company Inc.
(each, an "Insurer"), in each case as filed with the Governmental Entity charged
with supervision of insurance companies of such Insurer's jurisdiction of
domicile (the "Insurance Regulator"). The Annual Statements were prepared in
conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by such
Insurance Regulator applied on a consistent basis ("SAP") and present fairly, to
the extent required by and in conformity with SAP in all material respects the
statutory financial condition of such Insurer at their respective dates and the
results of operations, changes in capital and surplus and cash flow of such
Insurer for each of the periods then ended. Except as set forth in Section
3.1(e) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, no deficiencies or violations
material to the financial condition of any of the Insurers, individually,
whether or not material in the aggregate, have been asserted in writing by any
Insurance Regulator which have not been cured or otherwise resolved to the
satisfaction of such Insurance Regulator (unless not currently pending).
Chartwell has made available to Trenwick true and complete copies of all
financial examination reports of state insurance departments since January 1,
1996 relating to each Insurer. The quarterly statements of each Insurer for the
quarter ending March 31, 1999 as filed and the quarterly statements of each
Insurer thereafter filed prior to the Closing, when filed with the insurance
regulatory authorities of the applicable states, presented and will present
fairly, to the extent required by and in conformity with SAP in all material
respects the statutory financial condition of such Insurer at their respective
dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in capital and surplus
and cash flow of such Insurer for each of the periods therein specified (subject
to normal year-end adjustments).
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(iii) The Annual Report and Accounts and the Syndicate Quarterly
Reports together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, of each of
Lloyd's Syndicates 44, 270, 544, 741/2741, 839, 947 and 994 (collectively,
"Chartwell Syndicates") as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 1996,
1997 and 1998 and for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 (x) have been prepared in
all material respects in accordance with the applicable requirements of the
Syndicate Accounting Rules of Lloyd's and (y) other than as to Chartwell
Syndicate 947 show a true and fair view in accordance with the foregoing
requirements and standards, in all material respects of the 1996 closed year of
account profit with respect to the Chartwell Syndicates.
(f) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Chartwell for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the
registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by Trenwick in
connection with the issuance of Trenwick Common Stock in the Merger (the "Form
S-4") will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is
amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities
Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading
or (ii) the filing with the SEC of a proxy statement relating to the Chartwell
Stockholder Approval and the proxy statement relating to the Trenwick
Stockholder Approval, in each case as amended or supplemented from time to time,
(the "Joint Proxy Statement") will, at the date it is first mailed to
Chartwell's stockholders or at the time of the Chartwell Stockholders Meeting
(as defined in Section 5.2), 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 are made, not misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to form
in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
representation or warranty is made by Chartwell in this Section 3.1(f) with
respect to information supplied by Trenwick for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Joint Proxy Statement.
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events Except in connection with this
Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
as disclosed in the Chartwell SEC Documents filed and publicly available prior
to the date of this Agreement (the "Filed Chartwell SEC Documents") or in
Section 3.1(g) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most
recent audited financial statements included in the Filed Chartwell SEC
Documents, Chartwell and its subsidiaries have conducted their business in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there has not occurred (i)
any event or change having individually or in the aggregate a Material Adverse
Effect on Chartwell, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect
to any of Chartwell's outstanding capital stock, other than regular quarterly
cash dividends of $.04 per share on the Chartwell Common Stock and dividends
paid by wholly owned subsidiaries, (iii) (A) any granting by Chartwell or any of
its subsidiaries to any current or former director or officer of Chartwell or
its subsidiaries of any increase in compensation, bonus or other benefits,
except for normal increases in the ordinary course of business or as was
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required under any employment agreements or benefit plan listed in Section
3.1(h) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, (B) any granting by Chartwell or
any of its subsidiaries to any such current or former director or officer of any
increase in severance or termination pay except as was required under any
agreement listed in Section 3.1(h) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule or (C)
any entry by Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries into, or any amendments of,
any employment, deferred compensation, consulting, severance, termination or
indemnification agreement with any such current or former director or officer,
(iv) any tax election that individually or in the aggregate would have a
Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell or any of its tax attributes or any
settlement or compromise of any material income tax liability, or (v) any change
in accounting principles or practices by Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries
materially affecting their assets, liabilities or business, except insofar as
may have been required or permitted by a change in applicable accounting
principles (including SAP).
(h) Benefit Plans. (A) (i) Each "employee benefit plan" (as defined in
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), and each other plan, arrangement or policy, whether written or oral,
relating to stock options, stock purchases, stock appreciation rights, profit
sharing, group insurance, vacation pay, leave of absence, dependent care,
cafeteria benefits, workers compensation, consulting, pension, retirement,
compensation, deferred compensation, severance, fringe benefits or other
employee benefits, in each case maintained or contributed to, or required to be
maintained or contributed to, by Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries for the
benefit of any present or former U.S. officer, employee or director of Chartwell
or any of its subsidiaries (all the foregoing collectively referred to
hereinafter as "Chartwell Benefit Plans") has been administered substantially in
accordance with its terms and any related trust agreement or insurance contract
has been administered substantially in accordance with its terms. Chartwell, its
subsidiaries and all the Chartwell Benefit Plans, and any related trust
agreements or insurance contracts, are in substantial compliance with the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, all other applicable laws and all
applicable collective bargaining agreements.
(ii) None of Chartwell or any other person or entity
that together with Chartwell is treated as a single employer under Section
414 of the Code (each a "Chartwell Commonly Controlled Entity") has incurred any
material liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than for the payment of
benefits or the timely payment of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insurance
premiums, in either case in the ordinary course) or under Section 412(f) or
412(n) of the Code, and no condition exists which could reasonably be expected
to present a risk of Chartwell or any Commonly Controlled Entity incurring such
a material liability.
(iii) Neither Chartwell nor any Chartwell Commonly
Controlled Entity is obligated to contribute to any "multiemployer plan"
(as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or has any material
liability, including current or potential withdrawal liability (within the
meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) with respect to any multiemployer plan.
(iv) Except as contemplated by Section 2.4 or as
disclosed in the Filed Chartwell SEC Documents or in Section 3.1(h) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most recent audited
financial statements included in the Filed Chartwell SEC Documents, there has
not been any adoption or amendment by Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries of
any collective bargaining agreement or any Chartwell Benefit Plan. Except as
disclosed in the Filed Chartwell SEC Documents or in Section 3.1(h) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, there exist no employment, consulting, change in
control, severance, termination or indemnification agreements, arrangements or
understandings between Chartwell or any subsidiary and any current or former
employee, officer or director of Chartwell or any subsidiary or any Chartwell
Benefit Plan.
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(v) Except as set forth in Section 3.1(h) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, all material contributions and other payments
required to be made by Chartwell and its subsidiaries to any Chartwell
Benefit Plan prior to the date hereof have been made and all accruals required
to be made under any Chartwell Benefit Plan have been made. There is no claim,
dispute, grievance, charge, complaint, restraining or injunctive order,
litigation or proceeding pending, or, to the knowledge of Chartwell, threatened
or anticipated (other than routine claims for benefits) against or relating to
any Chartwell Benefit Plan or against the assets of any Chartwell Benefit Plan
which could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of any material
liability of Chartwell. Neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries has
communicated generally to employees or specifically to any employee regarding
any future increase of benefit levels (or future creations of new benefits) with
respect to any Chartwell Benefit Plans.
(vi) Each Chartwell Benefit Plan can be terminated or
otherwise discontinued without any liability to Chartwell or any subsidiary
that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. With
respect to each Chartwell Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA and with
respect to each plan of a Chartwell Commonly Controlled Entity subject to Title
IV of ERISA (each a "Defined Benefit Plan") (i) no termination of any Defined
Benefit Plan has occurred pursuant to which all liabilities have not been
satisfied in full, and no event has occurred and no condition exists that could
reasonably be expected to result in Chartwell or any Chartwell Commonly
Controlled Entity incurring liability under Title IV of ERISA or could
constitute grounds for terminating any Defined Benefit Plan; (ii) each Defined
Benefit Plan which is subject to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code, has been maintained in compliance with the minimum
funding standards of ERISA and the Code and no such Defined Benefit Plan has
incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency," as defined in Section 412 of the
Code and Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (iii) neither Chartwell
nor any Chartwell Commonly Controlled Entity has sought or received a waiver of
its funding requirements with respect to any Defined Benefit Plan and all
material contributions payable with respect to each Defined Benefit Plan have
been timely made; (iv) no reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043
of ERISA, and no event described in Section 4062 or 4063 of ERISA, has occurred
with respect to any Defined Benefit Plan; (v) the aggregate accumulated benefit
obligations of each Defined Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (as of the
date of the most recent actuarial valuation prepared for such Defined Benefit
Plan) do not exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Defined Benefit
Plan (as of the date of such valuation); and (vi) no amendment has been made to
any Defined Benefit Plan that has required or would require the provision of
security under ERISA Section 307 or Code Section 401(a)(29).
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(vii) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will not in and of
themselves result in the imposition of any federal excise tax with respect to
any Chartwell Benefit Plan.
(viii) Neither Chartwell nor any subsidiary maintains
or contributes (or has maintained or contributed to) any Chartwell Benefit
Plan which provides,or has a liability to provide, life insurance, medical,
severance, or other employee welfare benefits to any employee upon his
retirement or termination of employment, except as may be required by Section
4980B of the Code.
(ix) Neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries
maintains or contributes to a trust, organization or association described
in any of the Sections 501(c)(9), 501(c)(17) or 501(c)(2) of the Code.
(x) Favorable determination letters have been
received from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Chartwell
Benefit Plan which is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 401(a)
of the Code, and each such Chartwell Benefit Plan complies in form and in
operation in all material respects with the requirements of a "qualified plan"
under Section 401(a) of the Code.
(xi) Neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries,
nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or, to the knowledge
of Chartwell, any other "fiduciary," as such term is defined in Section 3(21)
of ERISA, has any liability for failure to comply with ERISA or the Code for
any action or failure to act in connection with the administration or investment
of the Chartwell Benefit Plans.
(xii) There has been no act or acts which would
result in a disallowance of a deduction or the imposition of a tax pursuant
to Section 4980B, or with regard to plan years beginning before December
31, 1988, Section 162(i) of the Code as in effect immediately prior to the
enactment of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, or any
regulations promulgated thereunder, whether final, temporary or proposed. No
event has occurred with respect to which Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries
could be liable for a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle A of the Code, or
for a civil penalty or other liability under Section 502(c) or Section 501(l) of
ERISA. Each Chartwell Benefit Plan that is a "group health plan" as defined in
Section 607 of ERISA complies in all material respects and has been operated in
substantial compliance in all respects with Part 7 of Title I, Subtitle B of
ERISA and Subtitle K of the Code.
(xiii) With respect to each of the Chartwell Benefit
Plans, Chartwell has delivered to Trenwick true and complete copies of: (a)
the plan documents, including any related trust agreements, insurance contracts
or other funding arrangements, or a written summary of the terms and conditions
of the plan if there is no written plan document; (b) the most recent
determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service; (c) the most
recent IRS Form 5500; (d) the most recent actuarial valuation; (e) the most
recent financial statement; (f) all material correspondence with the Internal
Revenue Service, the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation with respect to the past three plan years other than IRS Form 5500
filings and PBGC premium payments; and (g) the most recent summary plan
description.
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(B) Except as would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on Chartwell and save as disclosed in Section 3.1(h) of the Chartwell
Disclosure Schedule or as previously disclosed in writing to Trenwick and
so far as the senior management of Chartwell UK Holding as hereinafter defined
(and for this purpose the senior management means the following individuals:
Steven Bensinger, Charles Myers, Jeremy Adams, Clive Daniels, Verity Lewis and
David Marshall) are aware:
(i) There is no existing or threatened or pending
industrial or trade dispute involving Chartwell Holding Limited ("Chartwell
UK Holding") or any of its subsidiaries and any of the employees of Chartwell UK
Holding or any of its subsidiaries and there are no facts known or which would
on reasonable inquiry be known to Chartwell UK Holding or any of its
subsidiaries which might indicate that there may be any such dispute (excluding
the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement). There are no
agreements or arrangements (whether oral or in writing or existing by reason of
custom and practice and whether or not legally binding) between Chartwell UK
Holding or any of its subsidiaries and any trade union or other employees'
representatives or organization concerning or affecting the employees of
Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries and there are no trade unions or
other employees' representatives whom Chartwell UK Holding or any of its
subsidiaries recognizes to any extent for collective bargaining purposes nor, so
far as each of Chartwell UK Holding and its subsidiaries is aware, has Chartwell
UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries done any act which might be construed as
recognition.
(ii) Neither Chartwell UK Holding nor its
subsidiaries has given notice of any redundancie to the U.K. Secretary of
State nor started consultations with any independent trade union or employees'
representatives within the preceding period of one year in relation to any of
employees of Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries. No circumstances
have arisen under which Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries is
likely to be required to pay damages for wrongful dismissal or breach of
contract, to make any contractual or statutory redundancy payment or make or pay
any compensation in respect of unfair dismissal, to make any other payment under
any employment protection legislation or to reinstate or re-engage any former
employee. No circumstances have arisen under which Chartwell UK Holding or any
of its subsidiaries is likely to be required to pay damages or compensation, or
suffer any penalty or be required to take corrective action or be subject to any
form of discipline under the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Trade Union and
Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, the Transfer of Undertakings
(Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975,
the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Treaty of Rome or any Directive or recommendation
made pursuant to it, the Race Relations Act 1976 or the Disability
Discrimination Act 1995. So far as each of Chartwell UK Holding and its
subsidiaries is aware, there are no current, pending or threatened claims of any
type against Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries by any existing or
former employees or directors of Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries
or by any existing or former consultants to Chartwell UK Holding or any of its
subsidiaries.
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(iii) There are no existing service or other
agreements or contracts between Chartwell UK Holding or any of its
subsidiaries and any of its directors or executives or employees which cannot be
lawfully terminated by six calendar months' notice or less without giving rise
to any claim for damages or compensation other than a statutory redundancy
payment or a claim for unfair dismissal depending on the circumstances of the
termination. Each of Chartwell UK Holding and its subsidiaries has complied with
all its material obligations under all legislation, regulations and other
requirements having the force of law (including, without limitation, orders and
awards) in connection with its employees, directors and consultants.
(iv) Neither Chartwell UK Holding nor any of its
subsidiaries is involved in negotiations (whether with employees or any
trade union or other employees' representatives) to vary the terms and
conditions of employment or engagement of any of its employees, directors or
consultants and has not made any representations, promises, offers or proposals
to any of its employees, directors or consultants or to any trade union or other
employees' representatives concerning or affecting the terms and conditions of
employment or engagement of any of its employees, directors or consultants.
(v) Each of Chartwell UK Holding and its subsidiaries
has discharged its obligations in full in relation to salary, wages, fees,
commission, bonuses, overtime pay, holiday pay, sick pay and all other benefits
and emoluments relating to its employees, consultants and directors in respect
of all prior periods.
(vi) There are no pension, share option, share
incentive, life assurance, disability or similar schemes, arrangements or
obligations for any employees or directors of Chartwell UK Holding or any of its
subsidiaries, and neither Chartwell UK Holding nor any of its subsidiaries has
obligations (whether legally binding or established by custom) to pay any
pension or make any other payment after retirement or death or otherwise to
provide "relevant benefits" within the meaning of section 612 of the U.K. Income
and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 or to make any payment for the purpose of
providing such "relevant benefits" to or in respect of any person who is now or
has been an officer or employee of Chartwell UK Holding or any of its
subsidiaries and is not a party to any scheme or arrangement having as its
purpose or one of its purposes the making of such payments or the provision of
such benefits.
(vii) All Retirement Benefits Schemes comply with and
have at all times complied with the provisions of the relevant legislation
and the requirements of the Pension Schemes Office and the Contributions Agency
affecting schemes approved under Chapter I of Part XIV of the U.K. Income and
Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Each of Chartwell UK Holding and its subsidiaries
and the trustees of such schemes have duly complied with their respective
obligations under the trust deeds and the rules thereof and under the
aforementioned legislation and requirements, except that the accounts prepared
to 31 December 1997 may not conform to the requirements of the Pensions Act
1995. All amounts due to the trustees thereof or to any insurance company in
connection therewith have been paid.
(viii) Neither Chartwell UK Holding nor any of its
subsidiaries nor the trustees of any pension scheme is engaged in any
litigation or arbitration proceedings in respect of any Retirement Benefits
Scheme or any benefit provided thereunder in relation to the employees or former
employees of Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries and there are no
current submissions or referrals to the Pensions Ombudsman or to the
Occupational Pensions Advisory Service in respect of Chartwell UK Holding or any
of its subsidiaries or any pension scheme.
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(ix) No Retirement Benefits Scheme in which employees
or former employees of Chartwell UK Holding or any of its subsidiaries
participate or have participated has been or is in the process of being (or is
proposed to be) wound up (in whole or in part) or closed to new entrants (in
whole or in part).
(i) Taxes. (i) Chartwell is the common parent of an affiliated
group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code)
eligible to file consolidated federal income tax returns, of which each of the
subsidiaries that is an includible corporation under Section 1504(b) of the Code
is a member;
(ii) except as set forth in Section 3.1(i)(ii) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, Chartwell and each of its subsidiaries have
filed (or joined in the filing of) when due all material tax returns required by
applicable law to be filed with respect to Chartwell or any of the subsidiaries
and all taxes shown to be due on such tax returns have been paid;
(iii) all such tax returns were true, correct and
complete as of the time of such filing;
(iv) all material taxes relating to periods ending on
or before the Effective Time owed by Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries
(whether or not shown on any tax return) or to which Chartwell or any of
its subsidiaries may be liable under Treasury Regulations ss. 1.1502-6 (or
analogous state or foreign provisions) by virtue of having been a member of any
"affiliated group" (or other group filing on a combined or unitary basis) at any
time on or prior to the Effective Time, if required to have been paid, have been
paid (except for taxes which are being contested in good faith);
(v) any liability of Chartwell or any of its
subsidiaries for material taxes not yet due and payable, or which are being
contested in good faith, has been provided for on the financial statements of
Chartwell in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(vi) except as set forth in Section 3.1 (i)(vi)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, there is no action, suit, proceeding,
investigation, audit or claim now pending against, or with respect to, Chartwell
or any of its subsidiaries in respect of any material tax or assessment, nor is
any claim for additional tax or assessment asserted by any tax authority;
(vii) since January 1, 1991, no claim has been made
by any tax authority in a jurisdiction where Chartwell or any of its
subsidiaries does not currently file a tax return that it is or may be subject
to any material tax by such jurisdiction, nor to Chartwell's knowledge is any
such assertion threatened;
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(viii) except as set forth in Section 3.1(i)(viii)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, there is no outstanding request by
Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries for any extension of time within which to
pay any taxes or file any tax returns;
(ix) except as set forth in Section 3.1(i)(ix) of
the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, there has been no waiver or extension of
any applicable statute of limitations for the assessment or collection of any
taxes of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries;
(x) no property of Chartwell or any of its
subsidiaries is "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h)
of the Code;
(xi) neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries is
a party to any lease made pursuant to former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954;
(xii) no excess loss account (within the meaning of
Treasury Regulations ss. 1.1502-19) exists with respect to any of Chartwell's
subsidiaries;
(xiii) neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries
has any deferred gain or loss arising from any intercompany transactions, within
the meaning of Treasury Regulations ss. 1.1502-13;
(xiv) neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries
has filed any agreement or consent under Section 341(f) of the Code;
(xv) except as set forth in Section 3.1(i)(xv) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries
is a party to any agreement, whether written or unwritten, providing for the
payment of taxes, payment for tax losses, entitlements to refunds or similar
tax matters;
(xvi) no ruling with respect to taxes (other than a
request for determination of the status of a qualified pension plan) has been
requested by or on behalf of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries;
(xvii) neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries
has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code;
(xviii) Chartwell and each of its subsidiaries have
withheld and paid all material taxes required to be withheld in connection with
any amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor or
other third party;
(xix) neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries
has taken any action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstance
that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; and
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(xx) As used in this Agreement, "taxes" shall include
all (x) federal, state, local or foreign income, premium, property, sales,
excise and other taxes or similar governmental charges, including any interest,
penalties or additions with respect thereto, (y) liability for the payment
of any amounts of the type described in (x) as a result of being a member of an
affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, and (z) liability for the
payment of any amounts as a result of being party to any tax sharing agreement
or as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other
person with respect to the payment of any amounts of the type described in
clause (x) or (y).
(j) No Excess Parachute Payments; Section 162(m)of the Code. (i)Except
as disclosed in Section 3.1(j) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, none
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall constitute a triggering
event under any employment, severance or termination agreement or other
compensation arrangement or Benefit Plan currently in effect which (either alone
or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event) could reasonably
be expected to result in any payment, acceleration, vesting or increase in
benefits to any current or former officer, employee or director of Chartwell or
any of its subsidiaries and which would constitute an "excess parachute payment"
(as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code); and
(ii) Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(j) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, the disallowance of a deduction under
Section 162(m) of the Code for employee remuneration will not apply to any
amount paid or payable by Chartwell or any subsidiary of Chartwell under any
contract, Chartwell Benefit Plan, program, arrangement or understanding
currently in effect.
(k) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Chartwell and its subsidiaries
have in full force and effect all approvals, authorizations, certificates,
consents, filings, franchises, licenses, notices, permits and rights of all
Governmental Entities (including Insurance Regulators) (collectively, "Permits")
necessary for them to own, lease or operate their respective properties and
assets and to carry on their respective business as now conducted, and there has
occurred no default under any such Permit, except for failures of Permits to be
in full force and effect and for defaults under Permits which individually or in
the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell. Except as
disclosed in the Filed Chartwell SEC Documents, Chartwell and its subsidiaries
are in compliance with all applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules,
regulations and orders of any Governmental Entity, except for such noncompliance
which individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on Chartwell. Chartwell and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all
applicable recommendations and requirements of the Underwriting Agency
Department of Lloyd's, except for such noncompliance which individually or in
the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell.
(l) Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Chartwell SEC Documents or
in Section 3.1(l) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, there is no suit,
action, proceeding or arbitration (excluding those arising in the ordinary
course of business relating to policies of insurance or reinsurance written by
Chartwell and its subsidiaries) pending or, to the knowledge of Chartwell,
threatened against or affecting Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties or assets that individually or in the aggregate
could reasonably be expected to (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell,
(ii) impair the ability of Chartwell to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or (iii) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, nor is there any judgment, writ, decree,
injunction or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against
Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries having, or which could be reasonably
expected to have any such effect.
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(m) No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (i) as disclosed in Section
3.1(m) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, (ii) as disclosed in the Filed
Chartwell SEC Documents, (iii) obligations for losses, loss adjustment expenses,
unearned premiums and reinsurance premiums under reinsurance and insurance
contracts entered into by Chartwell and its subsidiaries and (iv) as a result of
any transaction set forth in Section 4.1 of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule or
which has been approved in writing by Trenwick, none of Chartwell or its
subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether or not
accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due or asserted
or unasserted which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect on Chartwell.
(n) Reserves. (i) All reserves for claims, losses (including,
without limitation, incurred but not reported losses) and loss adjustment
expenses (whether allocated or unallocated) as reflected in the Annual Statement
of each Insurer for each of the years ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1997
and December 31, 1998, together with all exhibits and schedules thereto (a) were
determined in accordance with SAP and commonly accepted actuarial standards and
principles consistently applied and were fairly stated in accordance with sound
actuarial principles specified by the Actuarial Standards Board, (b) meet the
requirements of all applicable insurance laws, rules, and regulations of each
applicable jurisdiction in all material respects, and (c) were based on
actuarial assumptions which were in accordance with those called for in relevant
policy and contract provisions, and such reserves made reasonable provision in
the aggregate to cover the total amount of liabilities under all outstanding
policies and contracts of insurance, reinsurance and retrocession as of the
dates of such statutory statements (it being understood that no representation
or warranty is made in this Agreement to the effect that such reserves were in
fact adequate to cover the actual amount of such liabilities that are eventually
paid after the date thereof). Each Insurer owns assets that qualify as admitted
assets under applicable insurance laws and regulations in an amount at least
equal to all such required reserves plus its minimum statutory capital and
surplus as required under applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations. No
Insurer's reserves have been discounted on either a tabular or non-tabular
basis.
(ii) All net reserves for claims, losses (including
without limitation, incurred but not reported losses) and loss adjustment
expenses (whether allocated or unallocated) held with respect to Chartwell
Syndicates as reflected in the audited financial statements of Chartwell for
each of the years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998 (a) were
determined in accordance with GAAP and commonly accepted actuarial standards and
principles consistently applied and were fairly stated in accordance with sound
actuarial principles specified by the Actuarial Standards Board and (b) were
based on actuarial assumptions which were in accordance with those called for in
relevant policy and contract provisions, and such reserves made reasonable
provision in the aggregate to cover the total amount of liabilities under all
outstanding policies and contracts of insurance, reinsurance and retrocession as
of the dates of such audited financial statements (it being understood that no
representation or warranty is made in this Agreement to the effect that such
reserves were in fact adequate to cover the actual amount of such liabilities
that are eventually paid after the date thereof).
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(o) Insurance Issued. Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(o) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule:
(i) All in-force primary insurance policies issued
by any Insurer are, to the extent required under applicable insurance laws,
rules or regulations, on forms and at rates approved by the insurance regulatory
authority of the jurisdiction where issued or have been filed with and not
objected to by such authority within the period provided for objection, except
as would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chartwell.
(ii) To the knowledge of Chartwell, except as would
not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chartwell, each insurance agent or solicitor, including, without limitation,
salaried employees of Chartwell or any Insurer appointed by any Insurer as an
insurance agent or solicitor, at the time such agent or solicitor wrote, sold,
solicited or produced business for such Insurer since January 1, 1996, was duly
licensed as an insurance agent (for the type of business written, sold,
solicited or produced by such insurance agent or solicitor in the particular
jurisdiction in which such agent or solicitor wrote, sold, solicited or produced
such business).
(p) Opinion of Financial Advisor. Chartwell has received the opinion of
Goldman, Sachs & Co. dated as of the date of this Agreement to the effect
that the Conversion Number is fair to the stockholders of Chartwell from a
financial point of view.
(q) Voting Requirements. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority
of the shares of Chartwell Common Stock (with each share of Chartwell
Common Stock having one vote per share) to approve and adopt this Agreement and
the Merger (the "Chartwell Stockholder Approval") is the only vote of the
holders of any class or series of the capital stock of Chartwell necessary to
approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(r) Rights Agreement; Section 203. Chartwell and its Board of Directors
have amended the Rights Agreement (without redeeming the Rights) so that
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement or
the consummation of the Merger will not (i) cause any of the Rights to become
exercisable, (ii) cause Trenwick to be an Acquiring Person (as defined in the
Rights Agreement) or (iii) trigger other provisions of the Rights Agreement,
including giving rise to a Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights
Agreement), and the Expiration Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the
Rights shall occur immediately prior to the Effective Time. Such amendment shall
be in full force and effect from and after the date hereof. Chartwell has taken
all corporate action necessary to render inapplicable to the Merger, this
Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and the other transactions contemplated
hereby, the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL.
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(s) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
person, other than Goldman, Sachs & Co., the fees and expenses of which
will be paid by Chartwell, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial
advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
Chartwell. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(s) of the Chartwell Disclosure
Schedule, Chartwell has furnished to Trenwick true and complete copies of all
agreements under which any such fees or expenses are payable and all
indemnification and other agreements related to the engagement of the persons to
whom such fees are payable.
(t) No Default. Except as disclosed in the Chartwell SEC Documents, the
business of Chartwell and each of its subsidiaries is not being conducted
in default or violation of any term, condition or provision of (i) its
respective certificate of incorporation or by-laws or similar organizational
documents, or (ii) any company agreement, excluding from the foregoing clause
(ii), defaults or violations that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chartwell or would not materially impair the ability of Chartwell to consummate
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby.
(u) Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(u)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, all transactions, agreements,
arrangements or understandings between Chartwell or any of Chartwell's
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Chartwell's affiliates (other than
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Chartwell) or other Persons, on the other hand,
that are required to be disclosed in the Chartwell SEC Documents in accordance
with Item 404 of Schedule S-K under the Securities Act have been so disclosed.
Since March 31, 1999, there have been no transactions, agreements, arrangements
or understandings between Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand,
and Chartwell's affiliates (other than wholly-owned subsidiaries of Chartwell)
or other Persons, on the other hand, that would be required to be disclosed in
future public filings under the Exchange Act pursuant to such Item which have
not already been disclosed in the Chartwell SEC Documents filed prior to the
date hereof.
(v) Title to Property. (i) Except as set forth in Section 3.1(v)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, Chartwell and its subsidiaries have
good and valid title to, have valid leasehold interests in or valid contractual
rights to use, all of the assets, tangible and intangible, used by or necessary
for the conduct of, their business, except where the failure to have such good
and valid title, valid leasehold interests or such valid contractual rights do
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chartwell.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 3.1(v) of
the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, Chartwell and its subsidiaries:
(a) own and have good and marketable title
in fee simple to the real property owned by such party, free
and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, charges,
encumbrances, defects, security interests, claims, options and
restrictions of all kind except for (y) minor imperfections of
title, easements and rights of way, none of which individually
or in the aggregate, materially detracts from the value of or
impairs the use of the affected property or impairs the
operations of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries and (z)
liens for current taxes not yet due and payable;
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(b) is in peaceful and undisturbed
possession of the space and/or estate under each lease under
which it is a tenant, and there are no material defaults by it
as tenant thereunder; and
(c) has good and valid rights of ingress and
egress to and from all the real property owned or leased by
such party from and to the public street systems for all usual
street, road and utility purposes.
(w) Environmental. (i) Chartwell and its subsidiaries are in material
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(ii) To the knowledge of Chartwell, no facts, event
or conditions with respect to the operation of its business or the business
of its subsidiaries, or the locations of those businesses exist which could
reasonably be expected to interfere with or prevent continued compliance with,
or could give rise to any liability (including, without limitation, liability
for clean up costs, personal injury or property damage) or form the basis for
any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation against or
involving Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses,
under any applicable Environmental Law.
(iii) Chartwell and its subsidiaries have not
received any written notice, report or other information regarding any
actual or alleged violation of, or liability under, Environmental Laws relating
to Chartwell or its subsidiaries, or the locations of the operation of their
businesses, which violation or liability could have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chartwell.
(iv) There is no action, suit, claim, proceeding or
investigation pending, or to the knowledge of Chartwell, threatened against
Chartwell or its subsidiaries that alleges or would allege any violation of
any applicable Environmental Laws.
(v) To the knowledge of Chartwell, neither Chartwell
nor its subsidiaries has ever generated, transported, treated, stored or
disposed of any Hazardous Material at any site, location or facility, and no
such Hazardous Material is present on, in or under any location occupied by
Chartwell or its subsidiaries, including without limitation, containment of such
Hazardous Material by means of any underground storage tank.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.1(w)
does not include any representation or warranty with respect to Chartwell or
any of its subsidiaries arising in their respective capacities as reinsurer
or issuer of any insurance product.
(x) Chartwell Investees. Section 3.1(x) of the Chartwell Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a list of certain corporations and other entities other
than publicly traded companies (collectively, the "Chartwell Investees") in
which Chartwell or a subsidiary has made an equity investment, and indicates the
percentage of the voting equity interests and total ownership interests in such
Chartwell Investees held by Chartwell and its subsidiaries as of the date hereof
(collectively, the "Chartwell Investee Interests"). Except as disclosed in
Section 3.1(x) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of
Chartwell, all Chartwell Investee Interests are fully paid and nonassessable and
are owned by Chartwell, by one or more subsidiaries of Chartwell or by Chartwell
and one or more subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens. Except as disclosed
in Section 3.1(x) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of
Chartwell, neither Chartwell nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or bound
by any agreement, proxy or other arrangement restricting the transfer or
affecting the voting of any Chartwell Investee Interest. Except as disclosed in
Section 3.1(x) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, the executive officers of
Chartwell do not know, without inquiry, of any representation and warranty made
with respect to a subsidiary of Chartwell in Sections 3.1(d), (k) and (l) of
this Agreement which would not be true and correct in all material respects (or,
with respect to those representations and warranties that are qualified as to
materiality, true and correct) if the Chartwell Investees were each considered a
subsidiary of Chartwell for purposes of such representation and warranty, except
for such failures to be true and correct in all material respects (or true and
correct, as applicable) which would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell.
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(y) Reinsurance Contracts, Coverholders and MGAs. (i) Section 3.1(y)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of
all managing general agents of the Insurers (collectively, "MGAs"), coverholders
with respect to the Chartwell Syndicates ("Coverholders") with whom any Insurer
or Chartwell does business and all in force contracts, treaties or arrangements,
regarding ceding of reinsurance, coinsurance, excess insurance, or retrocession,
(collectively, "Reinsurance Contracts") to which any Insurer or Chartwell
Syndicate is a party as the cedent thereunder or by or to which any of them are
bound or subject as the cedent thereunder, as each such Reinsurance Contract may
have been amended, modified or supplemented. Except as would not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell: (i) each of
the foregoing Reinsurance Contracts is valid and binding in accordance with its
terms, and is in full force and effect and (ii) none of the Insurers or Plaza Co
Syndicates nor, to the knowledge of Chartwell any other party thereto, is in
default in any material respect with respect to any such Reinsurance Contract,
nor to the knowledge of Chartwell does any condition exist that with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute such a material default thereunder.
Except as set forth in Section 3.1(y) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, none
of the contracts, treaties or arrangements involving the MGAs or Coverholders
contain "change of control" provisions and no such Reinsurance Contract contains
any provision providing that any such other party thereto may terminate, cancel
or commute the same by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or any other provision which would be altered or otherwise become applicable by
reason of such transactions, and no party has given notice of termination,
cancellation or commutation of any such Reinsurance Contract or that it intends
to terminate, cancel or commute any such Reinsurance Contract as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 3.1(y) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, each of the Insurers is entitled under
applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations to take credit in its statutory
financial statements in accordance with Chapter 22 of the NAIC Accounting
Practices and Procedures Manual for Property and Casualty Insurance Companies as
in effect on the date hereof with respect to the Reinsurance Contracts listed in
Section 3.1(y) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule and all such amounts are
properly reflected in the statutory financial statements of each Insurer. Each
of Chartwell and the Insurers has no knowledge of any disputes as to reinsurance
or retrocessional coverage under, or any terms or provisions of, any such
Reinsurance Contract. To the knowledge of Chartwell and each Insurer, the
financial condition of any other party to any such Reinsurance Contract is not
impaired to the extent that a default thereunder could reasonably be expected to
occur.
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(z) Reinsurance Agreement. Chartwell has obtained on or prior to the date
of this Agreement an underwriting commitment in the form set forth in
Section 3.1(z) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule with respect to the
Reinsurance Agreement.
SECTION 3.2. Representations and Warranties of Trenwick.Except as disclosed
in the Disclosure Schedule delivered by Trenwick to Chartwell at or prior to the
execution of this Agreement (the "Trenwick Disclosure Schedule") and making
reference to the particular subsection of this Agreement to which exception is
being taken, Trenwick represents and warrants to Chartwell as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of Trenwick
and its subsidiaries (as defined in Section 8.2(d)) is a corporation or
other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with
respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the requisite corporate or other
power, as the case may be, and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing or in good
standing or to have such power individually or in the aggregate would not have a
Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.2(h)) on Trenwick. Each of
Trenwick and its subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and
is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept)
in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership,
leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification, licensing or
good standing necessary, except for those jurisdictions where the failure to be
so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing or to have such power
individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Trenwick. Trenwick has delivered to Chartwell complete and correct copies of its
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and the Certificates of Incorporation
and By-laws, or other organizational documents, of its subsidiaries, in each
case as amended to the date of this Agreement.
(b) Subsidiaries. Section 3.2(b) of the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule
includes all the subsidiaries of Trenwick which as of the date of this
Agreement are Significant Subsidiaries. All the outstanding shares of capital
stock of, or other equity interests in, each such Significant Subsidiary have
been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly
or indirectly by Trenwick, free and clear of Liens.
(c) Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of Trenwick consists
of 30,000,000 shares of Trenwick Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $.10 per share. At the close of business on June 18, 1999, (i)
10,630,510 shares of Trenwick Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (i)
1,071,170 shares of Trenwick Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding stock options ("Trenwick Stock Options") issued under Trenwick's
1989 Stock Plan, 1993 Stock Option Plan and 1993 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors all currently in effect (collectively, the "Trenwick
Stock Option Plans"), (ii) zero shares of Trenwick Common Stock were held in
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Trenwick's treasury and (iii) 200,000 shares of Series B Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, were reserved for issuance in connection with the rights issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated as of September 24, 1997 (the "Rights
Agreement"), between Trenwick and First Chicago Trust Company of New York.
Except as set forth above, at the close of business on June 18, 1999, no shares
of capital stock or other equity securities of Trenwick were issued, reserved
for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Trenwick
are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to this Agreement or the
Trenwick Stock Option Plans will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights.
Except as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule, since
January 1, 1999, no shares of the capital stock of Trenwick have been issued
other than pursuant to Trenwick Stock Options already in existence on such date,
and, since such date, no Trenwick Stock Options have been granted. No bonds,
debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Trenwick or any subsidiary of
Trenwick having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for,
securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which the stockholders of
Trenwick or any subsidiary of Trenwick may vote are issued or outstanding.
Section 3.2(b) of the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule lists the Significant
Subsidiaries of Trenwick and, except for the capital stock of such subsidiaries,
Trenwick does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other
ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
entity other than any publicly-traded corporation in which Trenwick owns 100 or
fewer shares of common stock and other than any registered investment company.
All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of Trenwick have
been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by
Trenwick, by one or more wholly owned subsidiaries of Trenwick or by Trenwick
and one or more such wholly owned subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens.
Except as set forth above, there are not any securities, options, warrants,
rights, commitments or agreements of any kind to which Trenwick or any
subsidiary is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating Trenwick or
any subsidiary to issue, sell or deliver, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire, shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities of any of
them or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
securities of Trenwick, or obligating any of them to issue, sell, deliver,
grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, right,
commitment or agreement. There are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or
other agreements or understandings to which Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries
is a party, or to which any of them is bound, relating to the voting or
disposition of any shares of capital stock of Trenwick or any subsidiary
thereof.
(d) Authority; Noncontravention. Trenwick has all requisite corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the
Trenwick Stockholder Approval (as defined in Section 3.2(o)), to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Trenwick has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into the Stock Option Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by Trenwick and the consummation
by Trenwick of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of Trenwick, subject to the Trenwick Stockholder Approval. This
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement have been duly executed and delivered
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<PAGE>
by Trenwick and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by Chartwell constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of Trenwick, enforceable against Trenwick in accordance
with their respective terms. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement do not, and, subject to the Trenwick Stockholder
Approval with respect to this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement and compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement will not,
conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice
or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or loss of a benefit under, or
result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of
Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries under, (i) the Certificate of Incorporation
or By-laws of Trenwick or the comparable organizational documents of any of its
subsidiaries, (ii) subject to the matters referred to in the next sentence, any
indenture or other material agreement, permit, franchise, license or instrument
to which Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Trenwick or
any of its subsidiaries or any of their assets is bound or affected, or (iii)
subject to the matters referred to in the next sentence, any statute, law,
ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree, determination
or award applicable to Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clause (ii) above,
any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate would not (x) have a Material Adverse Effect on
Trenwick or (y) reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of
Trenwick to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement. No consent, approval, order, or authorization of, action by or in
respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with any Governmental Entity,
or of Lloyd's, is required by or with respect to Trenwick or any of its
subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement by Trenwick or the consummation by Trenwick of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for (A) in connection with or in
compliance with the provisions of (1) the HSR Act, (2) the Securities Act, (3)
the Exchange Act, (4) the DGCL, (5) NASDAQ, (6) any non-United States
competition, antitrust and investment laws, and the securities or "blue sky"
laws of the various states, (7) the approvals, filings and notices required
under the insurance laws of the jurisdictions in which Trenwick transacts the
business of reinsurance; (8) the filing of the certificate of merger with the
Delaware Secretary of State and appropriate documents with the relevant
authorities of other states in which Trenwick is qualified to do business, (9)
any required consents and waivers of Lloyd's and (B) such other consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, actions, registrations, declarations, filings
or notices (as may be required) the failure of which to be made or obtained
individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Trenwick.
(e) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. (i) Trenwick has timely filed
all required forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents
(including exhibits and all other information incorporated therein) with
the SEC since January 1, 1996. Trenwick has delivered or made available to
Chartwell all registration statements, proxy statements, annual reports,
quarterly reports and reports on Form 8-K and other forms, reports and
documents, if any, filed by Trenwick with the SEC since January 1, 1996 (as such
documents have been amended since the time of their filing, collectively, the
"Trenwick SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates or, if amended, as of
the date of the last such amendment, the Trenwick SEC Documents (i) were timely
filed and complied as to
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<PAGE>
form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such Trenwick SEC Documents, and
(ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
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 consolidated financial statements of Trenwick included in
the Trenwick SEC Documents complied as to form, as of their respective dates of
filing with the SEC, in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (except, in the case of unaudited consolidated quarterly statements,
as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly
present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Trenwick
and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject,
in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to normal year-end adjustments).
(ii) Trenwick has previously furnished to Chartwell
true and complete copies of the annual statements for each of the years
ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1998, together with
all exhibits and schedules thereto (collectively, the "Annual Statements"), with
respect to Trenwick America Reinsurance Company ("TARCO") as filed with the
appropriate Insurance Regulator. The Annual Statements were prepared in
conformity with SAP and present fairly, to the extent required by and in
conformity with SAP in all material respects the statutory financial condition
of TARCO at their respective dates and the results of operations, changes in
capital and surplus and cash flow of TARCO for each of the periods then ended.
No deficiencies or violations material to the financial condition of TARCO,
individually, whether or not material in the aggregate, have been asserted in
writing by any Insurance Regulator which have not been cured or otherwise
resolved to the satisfaction of such Insurance Regulator (unless not currently
pending). Trenwick has made available to Chartwell true and complete copies of
all financial examination reports of state insurance departments since January
1, 1996 relating to TARCO. The quarterly statements of TARCO for the quarter
ending March 31, 1999 as filed and the quarterly statements of TARCO thereafter
filed prior to the Closing, when filed with the insurance regulatory authorities
of the applicable states, presented and will present fairly, to the extent
required by and in conformity with SAP in all material respects the statutory
financial condition of TARCO at its respective dates indicated and the results
of operations, changes in capital and surplus and cash flow of TARCO for each of
the periods therein specified (subject to normal year-end adjustments).
(iii) Trenwick has previously furnished to Chartwell
true and complete copies of the financial statements of Trenwick
International Limited ("Trenwick International") for each of the years ended
December 31,1996, December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1998, together with all
exhibits and schedules thereto (collectively, the "Trenwick International
Financial Statements"), as filed with the appropriate Insurance Regulator. The
Trenwick International Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance
with the requirements of all relevant statutes and with generally accepted
accounting principles (including to the extent applicable, the Guidance on
Accounting for Insurance Business as published by the Association of British
Insurers) ("U.K. GAAP") and are complete and accurate in all material respects
30
<PAGE>
and show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Trenwick International
and its subsidiaries and the profit of Trenwick International and its
subsidiaries for the financial period ending on their respective dates. No
deficiencies or violations material to the financial condition of Trenwick
International, individually, whether or not material in the aggregate, have been
asserted in writing by any Insurance Regulator which have not been cured or
otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of such Insurance Regulator (unless not
currently pending). Trenwick has made available to Chartwell true and complete
copies of all financial examination reports of applicable insurance regulatory
authorities since January 1, 1996 relating to Trenwick International and its
subsidiaries. The quarterly statements of Trenwick International for the quarter
ending March 31, 1999 and thereafter prior to the Closing, when filed with the
appropriate Insurance Regulators, will have been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of all relevant statutes and with U.K. GAAP and are complete and
accurate in all material respects and show a true and fair view of the state of
affairs of Trenwick International and its subsidiaries and the profit of
Trenwick International and its subsidiaries for the financial period ending on
their respective dates (subject to normal year-end adjustments).
(f) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Trenwick for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the
Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is
amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities
Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of circumstances under which they are made, not misleading or
(ii) the Joint Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to
Trenwick's stockholders or at the time of the Trenwick Stockholders Meeting (as
defined in Section 5.2), 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
are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. The Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
representation or warranty is made by Trenwick in this Section 3.2(f) with
respect to information supplied by Chartwell for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Joint Proxy Statement.
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except in connection with
this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, as disclosed in the Trenwick SEC Documents filed and
publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Filed Trenwick SEC
Documents") since the date of the most recent audited financial statements
included in the Filed Trenwick SEC Documents, Trenwick and its subsidiaries have
conducted their business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice,
and there has not occurred (i) any event or change having individually or in the
aggregate a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick, (ii) any declaration, setting
aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock
or property) with respect to any of Trenwick's outstanding capital stock, other
than regular quarterly cash dividends of $.26 per share on the Trenwick Common
Stock and dividends paid by wholly owned subsidiaries, (iii) (A) any granting by
Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries to any current or former director or officer
of Trenwick or its subsidiaries of any increase in compensation, bonus or other
benefits, except for normal increases in the ordinary course of business, (B)
any granting by Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries to any such current or
former director or officer of any increase in severance or termination pay or
(C) any entry by Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries into, or any amendments of,
any employment, deferred compensation, consulting, severance, termination or
indemnification agreement with any such current or former director or officer,
(iv) any tax election that individually or in the aggregate would have a
Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick or any of its tax attributes or any
settlement or compromise of any material income tax liability, or (v) any change
in accounting methods, principles or practices by Trenwick or any of its
subsidiaries materially affecting their assets, liabilities or business, except
insofar as may have been required or permitted by a change in applicable
accounting principles (including SAP).
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(h) Benefit Plans. (A) (i) Each "employee benefit plan" (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA), and each other plan, arrangement or policy, whether
written or oral, relating to stock options, stock purchases, stock appreciation
rights, profit sharing, group insurance, vacation pay, leave of absence,
dependent care, cafeteria benefits, workers compensation, consulting, pension,
retirement, compensation, deferred compensation, severance, fringe benefits or
other employee benefits, in each case maintained or contributed to, or required
to be maintained or contributed to, by Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries for
the benefit of any present or former U.S. officer, employee or director of
Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries (all the foregoing collectively referred to
hereinafter as "Trenwick Benefit Plans") has been administered substantially in
accordance with its terms and any related trust agreement or insurance contract
has been administered substantially in accordance with its terms. Trenwick, its
subsidiaries and all the Trenwick Benefit Plans, and any related trust
agreements or insurance contracts, are in substantial compliance with the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, all other applicable laws and all
applicable collective bargaining agreements.
(ii) None of Trenwick or any other person or entity
that together with Trenwick is treated as a single employer under Section
414 of the Code (each a "Trenwick Commonly Controlled Entity") has incurred any
material liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than for the payment of
benefits or the timely payment of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insurance
premiums, in either case in the ordinary course) or under Section 412(f) or
412(n) of the Code, and no condition exists which could reasonably be expected
to present a risk of Trenwick or any Commonly Controlled Entity incurring such a
material liability.
(iii) Neither Trenwick nor any Trenwick Commonly
Controlled Entity is obligated to contribute to any "multiemployer plan"
(as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or has any material
liability, including current or potential withdrawal liability (within the
meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) with respect to any multiemployer plan.
(iv) Except as contemplated by Section 2.4 or as
disclosed in the Filed Trenwick SEC Documents or in Section 3.2(h) of the
Trenwick Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most recent audited
financial statements included in the Filed Trenwick SEC Documents, there has not
been any adoption or amendment by Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries of any
collective bargaining agreement or any Trenwick Benefit Plan. Except as
disclosed in the Filed Trenwick SEC Documents or in Section 3.2(h) of the
Trenwick Disclosure Schedule, there exist no employment, consulting, change in
control, severance, termination or indemnification agreements, arrangements or
understandings between Trenwick or any subsidiary and any current or former
employee, officer or director of Trenwick or any subsidiary or any Trenwick
Benefit Plan.
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(v) All material contributions and other payments
required to be made by Trenwick and its subsidiaries to any Trenwick
Benefit Plan prior to the date hereof have been made and all accruals required
to be made under any Trenwick Benefit Plan have been made. There is no claim,
dispute, grievance, charge, complaint, restraining or injunctive order,
litigation or proceeding pending, or, to the knowledge of Trenwick, threatened
or anticipated (other than routine claims for benefits) against or relating to
any Trenwick Benefit Plan or against the assets of any Trenwick Benefit Plan
which could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of any material
liability of Trenwick. Neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries has
communicated generally to employees or specifically to any employee regarding
any future increase of benefit levels (or future creations of new benefits) with
respect to any Trenwick Benefit Plans.
(vi) Each Trenwick Benefit Plan can be terminated or
otherwise discontinued without any liability to Trenwick or any subsidiary
that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. With
respect to each Trenwick Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA and with
respect to each plan of a Trenwick Commonly Controlled Entity subject to Title
IV of ERISA (each a "Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan") Trenwick Defined Benefit
Plan (i) no termination of any Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan has occurred
pursuant to which all liabilities have not been satisfied in full, and no event
has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result
in Trenwick or any Trenwick Commonly Controlled Entity incurring liability under
Title IV of ERISA or could constitute grounds for terminating any Trenwick
Defined Benefit Plan; (ii) each Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan which is subject
to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, has been
maintained in compliance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the
Code and no such Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan has incurred any "accumulated
funding deficiency," as defined in Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of
ERISA, whether or not waived; (iii) neither Trenwick nor any Trenwick Commonly
Controlled Entity has sought or received a waiver of its funding requirements
with respect to any Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan and all material contributions
payable with respect to each Defined Benefit Plan have been timely made; (iv) no
reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, and no event
described in Section 4062 or 4063 of ERISA, has occurred with respect to any
Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan; (v) the aggregate accumulated benefit obligations
of each Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (as of the
date of the most recent actuarial valuation prepared for such Trenwick Defined
Benefit Plan) do not exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Trenwick
Defined Benefit Plan (as of the date of such valuation); and (vi) no amendment
has been made to any Trenwick Defined Benefit Plan that has required or would
require the provision of security under ERISA Section 307 or Code Section
401(a)(29).
(vii) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will not in and of
themselves result in the imposition of any federal excise tax with respect to
any Trenwick Benefit Plan.
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(viii) Neither Trenwick nor any subsidiary maintains
or contributes (or has maintained or contributed to) any Trenwick Benefit
Plan which provides, or has a liability to provide, life insurance, medical,
severance, or other employee welfare benefits to any employee upon his
retirement or termination of employment, except as may be required by Section
4980B of the Code.
(ix) Neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries
maintains or contributes to a trust, organization or association described in
any of the Sections 501(c)(9), 501(c)(17) or 501(c)(2) of the Code.
(x) Favorable determination letters have been
received from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Trenwick
Benefit Plan which is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 401(a)
of the Code, and each such Trenwick Benefit Plan complies in form and in
operation in all material respects with the requirements of a "qualified plan"
under Section 401(a) of the Code.
(xi) Neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries,
nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or, to the
knowledge of Trenwick any other "fiduciary," as such term is defined in Section
3(21) of ERISA, has any liability for failure to comply with ERISA or the Code
for any action or failure to act in connection with the administration or
investment of the Trenwick Benefit Plans.
(xii) There has been no act or acts which would
result in a disallowance of a deduction or the imposition of a tax pursuant
to Section 4980B, or with regard to plan years beginning before December 31,
1988, Section 162(i) of the Code as in effect immediately prior to the enactment
of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, or any regulations
promulgated thereunder, whether final, temporary or proposed. No event has
occurred with respect to which Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries could be
liable for a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle A of the Code, or for a civil
penalty or other liability under Section 502(c) or Section 501(l) of ERISA. Each
Trenwick Benefit Plan that is a "group health plan" as defined in Section 607 of
ERISA complies in all material respects and has been operated in substantial
compliance in all respects with Part 7 of Title I, Subtitle B of ERISA and
Subtitle K of the Code.
(xiii) With respect to each of the Trenwick Benefit
Plans, Trenwick has delivered to Chartwell true and complete copies of: (a)
the plan documents, including any related trust agreements, insurance contracts
or other funding arrangements, or a written summary of the terms and conditions
of the plan if there is no written plan document; (b) the most recent
determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service; (c) the most
recent IRS Form 5500; (d) the most recent actuarial valuation; (e) the most
recent financial statement; (f) all material correspondence with the Internal
Revenue Service, the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation with respect to the past three plan years other than IRS Form 5500
filings and PBGC premium payments; and (g) the most recent summary plan
description.
(B) Except as would not have a Materia Adverse
Effect on Trenwick and so fa r as the senior management of Trenwick
International as hereinafter defined (and for this purpose the senior management
means the following individuals: Pierre D. Croizat and Russell J. English) are
aware:
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(i) There is no existing or threatened or pending
industrial or trade dispute involving Trenwick International and any of the
employees of Trenwick International and there are no facts known or which would
on reasonable inquiry be known to Trenwick International which might indicate
that there may be any such dispute (excluding the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement). There are no agreements or arrangements
(whether oral or in writing or existing by reason of custom and practice and
whether or not legally binding) between Trenwick International and any trade
union or other employees' representatives or organization concerning or
affecting the employees of Trenwick International and there are no trade unions
or other employees' representatives whom Trenwick International recognizes to
any extent for collective bargaining purposes nor, so far as Trenwick
International is aware, has Trenwick International done any act which might be
construed as recognition.
(ii) Trenwick International has given no notice of
any redundancies to the U.K. Secretary of State nor started consultations
with any independent trade union or employees' representatives within the
preceding period of one year in relation to any of employees of Trenwick
International. No circumstances have arisen under which Trenwick International
is likely to be required to pay damages for wrongful dismissal or breach of
contract, to make any contractual or statutory redundancy payment or make or pay
any compensation in respect of unfair dismissal, to make any other payment under
any employment protection legislation or to reinstate or re-engage any former
employee. No circumstances have arisen under which Trenwick International is
likely to be required to pay damages or compensation, or suffer any penalty or
be required to take corrective action or be subject to any form of discipline
under the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Trade Union and Labour Relations
(Consolidation) Act 1992, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of
Employment) Regulations 1981, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Equal Pay Act
1970, the Treaty of Rome or any Directive or recommendation made pursuant to it,
the Race Relations Act 1976 or the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. So far as
Trenwick International is aware, there are no current, pending or threatened
claims of any type against Trenwick International by any existing or former
employees or directors of Trenwick International or by any existing or former
consultants to Trenwick International.
(iii) There are no existing service or other
agreements or contracts between Trenwick International and any of its
directors or executives or employees which cannot be lawfully terminated by six
calendar months' notice or less without giving rise to any claim for damages or
compensation other than a statutory redundancy payment or a claim for unfair
dismissal depending on the circumstances of the termination. Trenwick
International has complied with all its material obligations under all
legislation, regulations and other requirements having the force of law
(including, without limitation, orders and awards) in connection with its
employees, directors and consultants.
(iv) Trenwick International is not involved in
negotiations (whether with employees or any trade union or other employees'
representatives) to vary the terms and conditions of employment or engagement of
any of its employees, directors or consultants and has not made any
representations, promises, offers or proposals to any of its employees,
directors or consultants or to any trade union or other employees'
representatives concerning or affecting the terms and conditions of employment
or engagement of any of its employees, directors or consultants.
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(v) Trenwick International has discharged its
obligations in full in relation to salary, wages, fees, commission,
bonuses, overtime pay, holiday pay, sick pay and all other benefits and
emoluments relating to its employees, consultants and directors in respect of
all prior periods.
(vi) There are no pension, share option, share
incentive, life assurance, disability or similar schemes, arrangements or
obligations for any employees or directors of Trenwick International, and
Trenwick International has no obligations (whether legally binding or
established by custom) to pay any pension or make any other payment after
retirement or death or otherwise to provide "relevant benefits" within the
meaning of section 612 of the U.K. Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 or to
make any payment for the purpose of providing such "relevant benefits" to or in
respect of any person who is now or has been an officer or employee of Trenwick
International and is not a party to any scheme or arrangement having as its
purpose or one of its purposes the making of such payments or the provision of
such benefits.
(vii) All Retirement Benefits Schemes comply with and
have at all time complied with the provisions of the relevant legislation
and the requirements of the Pension Schemes Office and the Contributions Agency
affecting schemes approved under Chapter I of Part XIV of the U.K. Income and
Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Trenwick International and the trustees of such
schemes have duly complied with their respective obligations under the trust
deeds and the rules thereof and under the aforementioned legislation and
requirements. All amounts due to the trustees thereof or to any insurance
company in connection therewith have been paid.
(viii) Neither Trenwick International nor the
trustees of any pension scheme is engaged in any litigation or arbitration
proceedings in respect of any Retirement Benefits Scheme or any benefit provided
thereunder in relation to the employees or former employees of Trenwick
International and there are no current submissions or referrals to the Pensions
Ombudsman or to the Occupational Pensions Advisory Service in respect of
Trenwick International or any pension scheme.
(ix) No Retirement Benefits Scheme in which employees
or former employees of Trenwick International participate or have participated
has been or is in the process of being (or is proposed to be) wound up (in whole
or in part) or closed to new entrants (in whole or in part).
(i) Taxes. (i) Trenwick is the common parent of an affiliated
group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code)
eligible to file consolidated federal income tax returns, of which each of the
subsidiaries that is an includible corporation under Section 1504(b) of the Code
is a member;
(ii) Trenwick and each of its subsidiaries have
filed (or joined in the filing of) when due all material tax returns
required by applicable law to be filed with respect to Trenwick or any of the
subsidiaries and all taxes shown to be due on such tax returns have been paid;
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(iii) all such tax returns were true, correct and
complete as of the time of such filing;
(iv) all material taxes relating to periods ending on
or before the Effective Time owed by Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries
(whether or not shown on any tax return) or to which Trenwick or any of its
subsidiaries may be liable under Treasury Regulations ss. 1.1502-6 (or analogous
state or foreign provisions) by virtue of having been a member of any
"affiliated group" (or other group filing on a combined or unitary basis) at any
time on or prior to the Effective Time, if required to have been paid, have been
paid (except for taxes which are being contested in good faith);
(v) any liability of Trenwick or any of its
subsidiaries for material taxes not yet due and payable, or which are being
contested in good faith, has been provided for on the financial statements of
Trenwick in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(vi) there is no action, suit, proceeding,
investigation, audit or claim now pending against, or with respect to,
Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries in respect of any material tax or
assessment, nor is any claim for additional tax or assessment asserted by any
tax authority;
(vii) since January 1, 1991, no claim has been made
by any tax authority in a jurisdiction where Trenwick or any of its
subsidiaries does not currently file a tax return that it is or may be subject
to material tax by such jurisdiction, nor to Trenwick's knowledge is any such
assertion threatened;
(viii) there is no outstanding request by Trenwick or
any of its subsidiaries for any extension of time within which to pay any
taxes or file any tax returns;
(ix) there has been no waiver or extension of any
applicable statute of limitations for the assessment or collection of any taxes
of Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries;
(x) no property of Trenwick or any of its
subsidiaries is "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h)
of the Code;
(xi) neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries is
a party to any lease made pursuant to former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954;
(xii) no excess loss account (within the meaning of
Treasury Regulations ss. 1.1502-19) exists with respect to any of Trenwick's
subsidiaries;
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(xiii) neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries
has any deferred gain or loss arising from any intercompany transactions, within
the meaning of Treasury Regulations ss. 1.1502-13;
(xiv) neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries
has filed any agreement or consent under Section 341(f) of the Code;
(xv) except as set forth in Section 3.2(i)(xv) of the
Trenwick Disclosure Schedule, neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries is
a party to any agreement, whether written or unwritten, providing for the
payment of taxes, payment for tax losses, entitlements to refunds or similar
tax matters;
(xvi) no ruling with respect to taxes (other than a
request for determination of the status of a qualified pension plan) has been
requested by or on behalf of Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries;
(xvii) neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries
has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code;
(xviii) Trenwick and each of its subsidiaries have
withheld and paid all material taxes required to be withheld in connection with
any amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor or
other third party; and
(xix) neither Trenwick nor any of its subsidiaries
has taken any action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or other
circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from qualifying as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(j) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Trenwick and its subsidiaries
have in full force and effect all Permits necessary for them to own, lease
or operate their respective properties and assets and to carry on their
respective business as now conducted, and there has occurred no default under
any such Permit, except for failures of Permits to be in full force and effect
and for defaults under Permits which individually or in the aggregate would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick. Except as disclosed in the Filed
Trenwick SEC Documents, Trenwick and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all
applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders of any
Governmental Entity, except for such noncompliance which individually or in the
aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick. Trenwick and its
subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable recommendations and
requirements of the Underwriting Agency Department of Lloyd's, except for such
noncompliance which individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Trenwick.
(k) Litigation. There is no suit, action, proceeding or arbitration
(excluding those arising in the ordinary course of business relating to
policies of insurance or reinsurance written by Trenwick and its subsidiaries)
pending or, to the knowledge of Trenwick, threatened against or affecting
Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or
assets that individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to (i)
have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick, (ii) impair the ability of Trenwick
to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (iii) prevent the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor is
there any judgment, writ, decree, injunction or order of any Governmental Entity
or arbitrator outstanding against Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries having, or
which could be reasonably expected to have any such effect.
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(l) No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (i) as disclosed in the Filed
Trenwick SEC Documents, (ii) obligations for losses, loss adjustment
expenses, unearned premiums and reinsurance premiums under reinsurance and
insurance contracts entered into by Trenwick and its subsidiaries and (iii) as a
result of any transaction which has been approved in writing by Chartwell, none
of Trenwick or its subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any
nature, whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to
become due or asserted or unasserted which, individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick.
(m) Reserves. (i) All reserves for claims, losses (including,
without limitation, incurred but not reported losses) and loss adjustment
expenses (whether allocated or unallocated) as reflected in the Annual Statement
of TARCO for each of the years ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1997, and
December 31, 1998, together with all exhibits and schedules thereto (a) were
determined in accordance with SAP and commonly accepted actuarial standards and
principles consistently applied and were fairly stated in accordance with sound
actuarial principles specified by the Actuarial Standards Board, (b) meet the
requirements of all applicable insurance laws, rules, and regulations of each
applicable jurisdiction in all material respects, and (c) were based on
actuarial assumptions which were in accordance with those called for in relevant
policy and contract provisions, and such reserves made reasonable provision in
the aggregate to cover the total amount of liabilities under all outstanding
policies and contracts of insurance, reinsurance and retrocession as of the
dates of such statutory statements (it being understood that no representation
or warranty is made in this Agreement to the effect that such reserves were in
fact adequate to cover the actual amount of such liabilities that are eventually
paid after the date thereof). Each Insurer owns assets that qualify as admitted
assets under applicable insurance laws and regulations in an amount at least
equal to all such required reserves plus its minimum statutory capital and
surplus as required under applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations.
Except as set forth in Section 3.2(m) of the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule,
TARCO's reserves have not been discounted on either a tabular or non-tabular
basis.
(ii) All net reserves for claims, losses (including,
without limitation, incurred but not reported losses) and loss adjustment
expenses (whether allocated or unallocated) of Trenwick International as
reflected in the audited financial statements of Trenwick for each of the years
ended December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998 (a) were determined in accordance
with GAAP and commonly accepted actuarial standards and principles consistently
applied and were fairly stated in accordance with sound actuarial principles
specified by the Actuarial Standards Board and (b) were based on actuarial
assumptions which were in accordance with those called for in relevant policy
and contract provisions, and such reserves made reasonable provision in the
aggregate to cover the total amount of liabilities under all outstanding
policies and contracts of insurance, reinsurance and retrocession as of the
dates of such audited financial statements (it being understood that no
representation or warranty is made in this Agreement to the effect that such
reserves were in fact adequate to cover the actual amount of such liabilities
that are eventually paid after the date thereof).
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(n) Opinion of Financial Advisor. Trenwick has received the
opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation dated as of
the date of this Agreement to the effect that the Conversion Number is fair to
the stockholders of Trenwick from a financial point of view.
(o) Voting Requirements. The affirmative vote of holders of a
majority of the shares of Trenwick Common Stock (with each share of
Trenwick Common Stock having one vote per share) to approve and adopt this
Agreement and the Merger and to authorize the issuance of the Stock
Consideration (the "MetroCo Stockholder Approval") is the only vote of the
holders of any class or series of capital stock of MetroCo necessary to approve
and adopt this Agreement and the Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(p) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or
other person, other than Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Trenwick, is
entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or
commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Trenwick. Trenwick has furnished
to Chartwell true and complete copies of all agreements under which any such
fees or expenses are payable and all indemnification and other agreements
related to the engagement of the persons to whom such fees are payable.
(q) No Default. Except as disclosed in the Trenwick SEC Documents,
the business of Trenwick and each of its subsidiaries is not being
conducted in default or violation of any term, condition or provision of (i) its
respective certificate of incorporation or by-laws or similar organizational
documents, or (ii) any company agreement, excluding from the foregoing clause
(ii), defaults or violations that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Trenwick or would not materially impair the ability of Trenwick to consummate
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby.
(r) Related Party Transactions. All transactions, agreements,
arrangements or understandings between Trenwick or any of Trenwick's
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Trenwick's affiliates (other than
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Trenwick) or other Persons, on the other hand, that
are required to be disclosed in the Trenwick SEC Documents in accordance with
Item 404 of Schedule S-K under the Securities Act have been so disclosed. Since
March 31, 1999, there have been no transactions, agreements, arrangements or
understandings between Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
Trenwick's affiliates (other than wholly-owned subsidiaries of Trenwick) or
other Persons, on the other hand, that would be required to be disclosed in
future public filings under the Exchange Act pursuant to such Item which have
not already been disclosed in the Trenwick SEC Documents filed prior to the date
hereof.
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(s) Title to Property. (i) Trenwick and its subsidiaries have good
and valid title to, have valid leasehold interests in or valid contractual
rights to use, all of the assets, tangible and intangible, used by or necessary
for the conduct of, their business, except where the failure to have such good
and valid title, valid leasehold interests or such valid contractual rights do
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on
Trenwick.
(ii) Trenwick and its subsidiaries:
(a) own and have good and marketable title
in fee simple to the real property owned by such party, free
and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, charges,
encumbrances, defects, security interests, claims, options and
restrictions of all kind except for (y) minor imperfections of
title, easements and rights of way, none of which individually
or in the aggregate, materially detracts from the value of or
impairs the use of the affected property or impairs the
operations of Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries and (z)
liens for current taxes not yet due and payable;
(b) is in peaceful and undisturbed
possession of the space and/or estate under each lease under
which it is a tenant, and there are no material defaults by it
as tenant thereunder; and
(c) has good and valid rights of ingress and
egress to and from all the real property owned or leased by
such party from and to the public street systems for all usual
street, road and utility purposes.
(t) Environmental. (i) Trenwick and its subsidiaries are in material
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(ii) To the knowledge of Trenwick, no facts,
events or conditions with respect to the operation of its business or the
business of its subsidiaries, or the locations of those businesses exist which
could reasonably be expected to interfere with or prevent continued compliance
with, or could give rise to any liability (including, without limitation,
liability for clean up costs, personal injury or property damage) or form the
basis for any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation against
or involving Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses,
under any applicable Environmental Law.
(iii) Trenwick and its subsidiaries have not received
any written notice, report or other information regarding any actual or
alleged violation of, or liability under, Environmental Laws relating to
Trenwick or its subsidiaries, or the locations of the operation of their
businesses, which violation or liability could have a Material Adverse Effect on
Trenwick.
(iv) There is no action, suit, claim, proceeding or
investigation pending, or to the knowledge of
Trenwick, threatened against Trenwick or its subsidiaries that alleges or would
allege any violation of any applicable Environmental Laws.
(v) To the knowledge of Trenwick, neither Trenwick
nor its subsidiaries has ever generated, transported, treated, stored or
disposed of any Hazardous Material at any site, location or facility, and no
such Hazardous Material is present on, in or under any location occupied by
Trenwick or its subsidiaries, including without limitation, containment of such
Hazardous Material by means of any underground storage tank.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.2(t) does not
include any representation or warranty with respect to Trenwick or any of
its subsidiaries arising in their respective capacities as reinsurer or issuer
of any insurance product.
(u) Reinsurance Contracts, Coverholders and MGAs. (i) Section 3.2(u)
of the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of
all MGAs and Coverholders with whom each subsidiary of Trenwick does business
and all Reinsurance Contracts to which each subsidiary of Trenwick is a party as
the cedent thereunder or by or to which each subsidiary of Trenwick is bound or
subject as the cedent thereunder, as each such Reinsurance Contract may have
been amended, modified or supplemented. Except as would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick: (i) each of the
foregoing Reinsurance Contracts is valid and binding in accordance with its
terms, and is in full force and effect and (ii) neither the Subsidiaries of
Trenwick nor, to the knowledge of Trenwick, any other party thereto, is in
default in any material respect with respect to any such Reinsurance Contract,
nor to the knowledge of Trenwick does any condition exist that with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute such a material default thereunder. None
of the contracts, treaties or arrangements involving the MGAs or Coverholders
contain "change of control" provisions and no such Reinsurance Contract contains
any provision providing that any such other party thereto may terminate, cancel
or commute the same by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or any other provision which would be altered or otherwise become applicable by
reason of such transactions, and no party has given notice of termination,
cancellation or commutation of any such Reinsurance Contract or that it intends
to terminate, cancel or commute any such Reinsurance Contract as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 3.2(u) of the
Trenwick Disclosure Schedule, TARCO is entitled under applicable insurance
laws, rules and regulations to take credit in its statutory financial statements
in accordance with Chapter 22 of the NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures
Manual for Property and Casualty Insurance Companies as in effect on the date
hereof, with respect to the Reinsurance Contracts listed in Section 3.2(u) of
the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule and all such amounts are properly reflected in
the statutory financial statements of TARCO. Each of Trenwick and TARCO has no
knowledge of any disputes as to reinsurance or retrocessional coverage under, or
any terms or provisions of, any such Reinsurance Contract. To the knowledge of
Trenwick and TARCO, the financial condition of any other party to any such
Reinsurance Contract is not impaired to the extent that a default thereunder
could reasonably be expected to occur.
(v) Trenwick Investees. Other than its Subsidiaries, any
publicly-traded corporation in which Trenwick owns 100 or fewer shares of
common stock, or investments in registered investment companies, Trenwick does
not have any equity investments or other ownership interest in any corporation
or other entity.
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(w) Insurance Issued. TARCO does not currently issue and has not
issued since January 1, 1991 any primary insurance policies in the United
States.
(x) Approvals and Permits. To the knowledge of Trenwick and without
inquiry, Trenwick has no reason to believe that it and its affiliates will
not be able to promptly obtain all necessary approvals, authorizations, and
consents of Governmental Entities and Lloyd's required to be obtained to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
SECTION 4.1. Conduct of Business.
(a) Conduct of Business by Chartwell. Except as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement (including as
set forth on Section 4.1 of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule), or as may be
required by law, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the
Effective Time, Chartwell shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, carry on
their respective businesses in the ordinary course substantially consistent with
past practice and, to the extent consistent therewith, use all commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business organizations and
their relationships with agents, brokers, insureds, reinsureds and other persons
having business dealings with them. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing (but subject to the above exceptions), during the period from the date
of this Agreement to the Effective Time, or as may be required by law, Chartwell
shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior
written consent of Trenwick:
(i) (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends
on, or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in
respect of, any of its capital stock other than the regular quarterly cash
dividends of $.04 per share with respect to the Chartwell Common Stock, (y)
split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution
for shares of its capital stock or (z) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
shares of outstanding capital stock of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or
any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any
such shares;
(ii) issue, deliver, sell, grant, pledge or otherwise
encumber or subject to any Lien, any shares of its capital stock, any other
voting securities or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or
options to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible securities
(other than (x) the issuance of Chartwell Common Stock upon the exercise of
Stock Options, ESPP Stock Options, Sharesave Stock Options or Warrants, in each
case, outstanding as of the date hereof in accordance with their present terms,
(y) in accordance with the Chartwell Rights Agreement and (z) the issuance of
Chartwell Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement);
(iii) amend its certificate of incorporation, bylaws
or other comparable organizational documents;
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(iv) (x) acquire (by merger, amalgamation,
consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, association or other business
organization or division thereof or (y) make any material investment either by
purchase of stock or securities, contributions or capital property, transfer or
acquisition including by lease of any material amount of assets or properties of
any other individual entity, except acquisitions of investment assets in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with Chartwell's investment guidelines
and consistent with past practice;
(v) sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or
subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets
(including securitizations) (collectively, "Dispositions") except (a)
Dispositions of investment assets in the ordinary course of business in
accordance with Chartwell's investment guidelines and consistent with past
practice and (b) Dispositions of assets other than investment assets in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and in no case
exceeding 1.0 million U.S. dollars;
(vi) (x) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
guarantee or otherwise become responsible for any such indebtedness of
another person other than pursuant to existing line of credit arrangements of
Chartwell or its subsidiaries and letters of credit and related agreements of
Chartwell and its subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice or (y) make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than to Chartwell
or to any direct or indirect subsidiary of Chartwell and customary loans and
advances to employees and as permitted under clause (iv);
(vii) make any tax election or settle or compromise
any income tax liability that would have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chartwell and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(viii) make any change in accounting principles or
practices used by Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries materially affecting
its assets, liabilities or business, including any such change with respect to
establishment of reserves for unearned premiums, losses and loss adjustment
expenses, except for any such change required by reason of a concurrent change
in GAAP or SAP or applicable U.K. accounting rules or principles;
(ix) make any material capital expenditure other than
in the ordinary course of business substantially consistent with past
practice and in each case not exceeding 1.0 million U.S. dollars;
(x) (A) enter into, adopt, amend (except as may be
required by law) or terminate any bonus, profit-sharing, compensation,
severance, termination, change in control, consulting, fringe benefit, stock
option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, performance unit, stock
equivalent, stock purchase agreement, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, employment, severance or other employee benefit agreement, trust,
plan, fund, award or other arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any
director, officer or employee in any manner, or (B) except for (x) merit
increases in salaries of non-officer employees at regularly scheduled times
substantially consistent with past practice and in each case not exceeding a 5%
increase in each individual non-officer employee's current salary and (y) as
required under existing agreements or benefit plans set forth on Section 3.1(h)
of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, increase in any manner the compensation,
employee benefits or fringe benefits of any director, officer or employee;
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(xi) enter into any agreement or arrangement that
limits or otherwise restricts Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or any
successor thereto or that could, after the Effective Time, limit or restrict the
Surviving Corporation and its affiliates (including Trenwick) or any successor
thereto, from engaging or competing in any line of business or in any geographic
area;
(xii) settle or compromise any derivative suit or
other litigation or claim arising out of the transactions contemplated
hereby, or any other litigation or claim involving Chartwell if the settlement
thereof involves payment of in excess of $100,000 (other than claims for
contractual benefits under any insurance or reinsurance contract under which
Chartwell or any subsidiary of Chartwell is the insurer or reinsurer) which, for
purposes of this clause (xii), prior written consent of Trenwick shall not be
unreasonably withheld;
(xiii) take or allow to be taken or fail to take any
action which act or omission would jeopardize qualification of the Merger as a
"reorganization" with the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code;
(xiv) commute any corporate aggregate excess loss
reinsurance contracts or arrangements of Chartwell or any of its Subsidiaries;or
(xv) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any
of, the foregoing actions.
In addition to, and notwithstanding, the foregoing, Chartwell shall
cause the business of the Chartwell Syndicates which are the subject of a
proposal for the merger of Chartwell Syndicates 270, 741, 2741 and 544 into
Chartwell Syndicate 839 for the 2000 Year of Account (set forth in Section
4.1(a) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule, the "Lloyd's Business Plan")
previously submitted to Lloyd's by or on behalf of Chartwell to be conducted
substantially as set forth in the Lloyd's Business Plan, and shall not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of all or any material portion of its interest in
any Chartwell Syndicate without the prior written consent of Trenwick.
(b) Conduct of Business by Trenwick. Except as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement (including as
set forth on Section 4.1 of the Trenwick Disclosure Schedule), or as may be
required by law, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the
Effective Time, Trenwick shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, carry on
their respective businesses in the ordinary course substantially consistent with
past practice and, to the extent consistent therewith, use all commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business organizations and
their relationships with agents, brokers, insureds, reinsureds and other persons
having business dealings with them. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing (but subject to the above exceptions), during the period from the date
of this Agreement to the Effective Time, or as may be required by law, Trenwick
shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior
written consent of Chartwell:
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(i) (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends
on, or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in
respect of, any of its capital stock other than the regular quarterly cash
dividends of $.26 per share with respect to the Trenwick Common Stock, (y)
split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution
for shares of its capital stock or (z) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
shares of outstanding capital stock of Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries or
any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any
such shares;
(ii) issue, deliver, sell, grant, pledge or otherwise
encumber or subject to any Lien, any shares of its capital stock, any other
voting securities or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or
options to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible
securities, (other than (x) the issuance of Trenwick Common Stock upon the
exercise of Trenwick Employee Stock Options outstanding as of the date hereof in
accordance with their present terms and (y) in accordance with the Trenwick
Rights Agreement);
(iii) amend its certificate of incorporation, bylaws
or other comparable organizational documents;
(iv) (x) acquire (by merger, amalgamation,
consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, association or other business
organization or division thereof or (y) make any material investment either by
purchase of stock or securities, contributions or capital property, transfer or
acquisition including by lease of any material amount of assets or properties of
any other individual entity, except acquisitions of investment assets in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with Trenwick's investment guidelines
and consistent with past practice.
(v) sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or
subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets
including securitizations ) (collectively, "Dispositions") except (a)
Dispositions of investment assets in the ordinary course of business in
accordance with Trenwick's investment guidelines and consistent with past
practice and (b) Dispositions of assets other than investment assets in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and in no case
exceeding $1.0 million U.S. dollars;
(vi) (x) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
guarantee or otherwise become responsible for any such indebtedness of another
person other than pursuant to existing line of credit arrangements of Trenwick
or its subsidiaries and letters of credit and related agreements of
Trenwick and its subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice or (y) make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than to Trenwick or
to any direct or indirect subsidiary of Trenwick and customary loans and
advances to employees and as permitted under clause (iv);
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(vii) make any tax election or settle or compromise
any income tax liability that would have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(viii) make any change in accounting principles or
practices used by Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries materially affecting
its assets, liabilities or business, including any such change with respect to
establishment of reserves for unearned premiums, losses and loss adjustment
expenses, except for any such change required by reason of a concurrent change
in GAAP or SAP or applicable U.K. accounting rules or principles;
(ix) make any material capital expenditure other than
in the ordinary course of business substantially consistent with past
practice and in no case exceeding 1.0 million U.S. dollars;
(x) (A) enter into, adopt, amend (except as may be
required by law) or terminate any bonus, profit-sharing, compensation,
severance, termination, change in control, consulting, fringe benefit, stock
option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, performance unit, stock
equivalent, stock purchase agreement, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, employment, severance or other employee benefit agreement, trust,
plan, fund, award or other arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any
director, officer or employee in any manner, or (B) except (x) merit increases
in salaries of non-officer employees at regularly scheduled times substantially
consistent with past practice and (y) as required under existing agreements or
Trenwick Benefit Plans, increase in any manner the compensation, employee
benefits or fringe benefits of any director, officer or employee;
(xi) enter into any agreement or arrangement that
limits or otherwise restricts Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries or any
successor thereto or that could, after the Effective Time, limit or restrict the
Surviving Corporation and its affiliates (including Chartwell) or any successor
thereto, from engaging or competing in any line of business or in any geographic
area;
(xii) settle or compromise any derivative suit or
other litigation or claim arising out of the transactions contemplated
hereby, or any other litigation or claim involving Trenwick if the settlement
thereof involves payment of in excess of $100,000 (other than claims for
contractual benefits under any insurance or reinsurance contract under which
Trenwick or any subsidiary of Trenwick is the insurer or reinsurer) which, for
purposes of this clause (xii), prior written consent of Chartwell shall not be
unreasonably withheld;
(xiii) take or allow to be taken or fail to take any
action which act or omission would jeopardize qualification of the Merger
as a "reorganization" with the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code;
(xiv) commute any corporate aggregate excess of loss
reinsurance contracts or arrangements of Trenwick or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(xv) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take
any of, the foregoing actions.
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(c) Other Actions. Except as required by law, and subject to
Section 4.2(a), Chartwell and Trenwick shall not, and shall not permit any
of their respective subsidiaries to, voluntarily take any action that would, or
that could reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the representations
and warranties of such party set forth in this Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement that are qualified as to materiality being untrue at the Effective
Time, (ii) any of such representations and warranties that are not so qualified
being untrue in any material respect at the Effective Time, or (iii) any of the
conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied.
(d) Advice of Changes. Chartwell and Trenwick shall promptly advise
the other party orally and in writing to the extent it has knowledge of (i)
any representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement or the
Stock Option Agreement that is qualified as to materiality becoming untrue or
inaccurate in any respect or any such representation or warranty that is not so
qualified becoming untrue or inaccurate in any material respect, (ii) the
failure by it to comply in any material respect with or to satisfy in any
material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or
satisfied by it under this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement and (iii) any
change or event having, or which, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen at the
time, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such
party or on the truth of their respective representations and warranties or the
ability to satisfy the conditions set forth in Article VI; provided, however,
that no such notification shall affect the representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements of the parties (or remedies with respect thereto) or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement or the Stock
Option Agreement.
SECTION 4.2. No Solicitation by Chartwell.
(a) Chartwell shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any of its directors, officers
or employees or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant
or other representative retained by it or any of its subsidiaries to, and it
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such persons do not
directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of
furnishing non-public information), or take any other action designed to
facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal which constitutes any
Chartwell Takeover Proposal (as defined below) or (ii) participate in any
discussions or negotiations regarding any Chartwell Takeover Proposal; provided,
however, that if at any time prior to Chartwell Stockholder Approval the Board
of Directors of Chartwell determines in good faith, after consultation with
outside counsel, that it is necessary to do so in order to comply with its
fiduciary duties to Chartwell's stockholders under applicable law, Chartwell
may, in response to a Chartwell Superior Proposal (as defined in Section 4.2(b))
which was not solicited by it or which did not otherwise result from a breach of
this Section 4.2(a), and subject to providing prior written notice of its
decision to take such action to Trenwick and compliance with Section 4.2(c), (x)
furnish information with respect to Chartwell and its subsidiaries to any person
making a Chartwell Superior Proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality
agreement (as determined by Chartwell after consultation with its outside
counsel) and (y) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such
Chartwell Superior Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, "Chartwell Takeover
Proposal" means any inquiry, proposal or offer from any person relating to any
direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business that constitutes 15% or
more of the net revenues, net income or assets of Chartwell and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or 15% or more of any class of equity securities
of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries, any tender offer or exchange offer that
if consummated would result in any person beneficially owning 15% or more of any
class of equity securities of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries, or any
merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation,
dissolution or similar transaction involving Chartwell or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Stock Option Agreement.
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(b) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 4.2, neither
the Board of Directors of Chartwell nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw
or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to
Trenwick, the approval or recommendation by such Board of Directors or such
committee of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii)
approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any Chartwell
Takeover Proposal, or (iii) cause Chartwell to enter into any letter of intent,
agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement (each a
"Chartwell Acquisition Agreement") related to any Chartwell Takeover Proposal.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of Chartwell may terminate
this Agreement (upon payment to Trenwick of the Termination Fee required by
Section 5.14(b)) and concurrently with or after such termination, if it so
chooses, cause Chartwell to enter into any Chartwell Acquisition Agreement with
respect to any Chartwell Superior Proposal, and withdraw its approval and
recommendation to stockholders of the transactions contemplated hereby, but only
at a time that is after the fifth business day following Trenwick's receipt of
written notice advising Trenwick that the Board of Directors of Chartwell is
prepared to accept a Chartwell Superior Proposal, specifying the material terms
and conditions of such Chartwell Superior Proposal and identifying the person
making such Chartwell Superior Proposal, all of which information will be kept
confidential by Trenwick pursuant to the terms of the confidentiality agreement,
dated May 20, 1998 between Trenwick and Chartwell. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Chartwell Superior Proposal" means any proposal made by a third
party to acquire, directly or indirectly, including pursuant to a tender offer,
exchange offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction, for consideration consisting of
cash and/or securities, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the shares
of Chartwell Common Stock then outstanding or all or substantially all the
assets of Chartwell and otherwise on terms which the Board of Directors of
Chartwell determines in its good faith judgment (based on the advice of a
financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to
Chartwell's stockholders than this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby and for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed or
which, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of Chartwell, is
reasonably capable of being obtained by such third party.
(c) In addition to the obligations of Chartwell set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.2, Chartwell shall immediately advise
Trenwick orally and in writing of any request for non-public information or of
any Chartwell Takeover Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such
request or Chartwell Takeover Proposal and the identity of the person making
such request or Chartwell Takeover Proposal. Chartwell will keep Trenwick
reasonably informed of the status and material details (including amendments or
proposed amendments) of any such request or Chartwell Takeover Proposal. Any
such information provided to Trenwick will be kept confidential by Trenwick
pursuant to the terms of the confidentiality agreement dated May 20, 1998
between Trenwick and Chartwell.
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Nothing contained in this Section 4.2 shall prohibit Chartwell from taking and
disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any disclosure to Chartwell's
stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of
Chartwell, after consultation with outside counsel, failure so to disclose would
be inconsistent with its obligations under applicable law.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 5.1. Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy
Statement. As soon as is reasonably practicable following the date of this
Agreement, Chartwell and Trenwick shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint
Proxy Statement and a registration statement of Trenwick on Form S-4 with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Chartwell
and Trenwick shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Joint
Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC under the Exchange Act and the Form S-4
declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after
such filing. Chartwell will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to Chartwell's stockholders, and Trenwick
will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement
to be mailed to Trenwick's stockholders, in each case as promptly as practicable
after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. Trenwick
shall also take any action (other than qualifying to do business in any
jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified or to file a general consent to
service of process) required to be taken under any applicable state securities
laws in connection with the issuance of Trenwick Common Stock in the Merger and
Chartwell shall furnish all information concerning Chartwell and its
stockholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action.
No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy
Statement will be made by Trenwick or Chartwell without providing the other
parties the opportunity to review and comment thereon. Trenwick will advise
Chartwell, 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 Trenwick
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 Joint Proxy
Statement or the Form S-4 or comments thereon or responses thereto or requests
by the SEC for additional information. If at any time prior to the Effective
Time any information relating to Trenwick or Chartwell, or any of their
respective affiliates, officers or directors, should be discovered by Trenwick
or Chartwell which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to any of
the Form S-4 or Joint Proxy Statement, so that any such documents would not
include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovered such
information shall promptly notify the other party hereto and an appropriate
amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with
the SEC and, to the extent required by law, disseminated to the stockholders of
Trenwick and Chartwell.
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SECTION 5.2. Stockholder Approval.
(a) Chartwell, acting through its Board of Directors, shall,
in accordance with applicable law and Chartwell's Certificate of Incorporation
and By-laws, (i) convene a meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable
after the date of this Agreement to consider and vote on the approval of this
Agreement and the Merger (the "Chartwell Stockholders Meeting") and (ii) subject
to the fiduciary duties of its Board of Directors to stockholders under
applicable law, (A) solicit proxies from its stockholders to obtain the approval
of its stockholders with respect to this Agreement and (B) include in the Joint
Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Chartwell that
the stockholders of Chartwell vote in favor of the approval of this Agreement
and the Merger.
(b) Trenwick, acting through its Board of Directors, shall, in
accordance with applicable law and Trenwick's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws, (i) convene a meeting of its stockholders as soon as
practicable after the date of this Agreement to consider and vote on the
approval of the issuance of Trenwick Common Stock in the Merger (the "Trenwick
Stockholders Meeting"), (ii) solicit proxies from its stockholders to obtain the
approval of its stockholders with respect thereto and (iii) include in the Joint
Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Trenwick that
the stockholders of Trenwick vote in favor of such issuance.
(c) Chartwell and Trenwick shall coordinate and cooperate with
respect to the timing of such meetings and shall endeavor to hold such meetings
on the same day and as soon as practicable after the date hereof.
SECTION 5.3. Access to Information; Confidentiality. Each of
Chartwell and Trenwick shall, and shall cause each of its respective
subsidiaries to, afford to the other party and to the officers, employees,
counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of such other party,
reasonable access during normal business hours during the period prior to the
Effective Time to all its respective properties, books, contracts, commitments,
personnel and records and, during such period, each of Chartwell and Trenwick
shall, and shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries to, furnish as
promptly as practicable to the other party (a) a copy of each report, schedule,
registration statement and other document filed by it during such period
pursuant to the requirements of domestic or foreign federal or state securities
or insurance laws and (b) all other information concerning its business,
properties and personnel as such other party may from time to time reasonably
request. Trenwick will hold, and will cause its subsidiaries and each of their
respective directors, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors and other
representatives and affiliates to hold, any non-public information in confidence
to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the provisions of the
existing confidentiality agreement, dated May 20, 1998, between Trenwick and
Chartwell, and Chartwell will hold, and will cause its subsidiaries and each of
their respective directors, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors and
other representatives and affiliates to hold, any non-public information in
confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the provisions of
the confidentiality agreement dated May 26, 1998, between Chartwell and Trenwick
(collectively, the "Confidentiality Agreements").
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SECTION 5.4. Commercially Reasonable Efforts. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions and other agreements set forth in this Agreement,
each of the parties agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take,
or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist
and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner
practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement. Nothing set forth in this Section 5.4
will limit or affect actions permitted to be taken pursuant to Section 4.2.
SECTION 5.5. Benefit Plans.
(a) Trenwick will cause those employees of Chartwell or its
subsidiaries who are employed at the Effective Time by the Surviving Corporation
or its subsidiaries (the "Continuing Employees") to be provided with employee
benefits other than severance benefits which are covered in clause (b) below
which are no less favorable in the aggregate than those benefits provided to
other similar situated employees of Trenwick and its subsidiaries.
For purposes of the employee benefits to be provided to the
Continuing Employees, solely to the extent permissible pursuant to applicable
law, Trenwick will cause the Continuing Employees to receive full credit for
purposes of eligibility and vesting (but not benefit accrual) for such
Continuing Employees' service with Chartwell or its subsidiaries prior to the
Effective Time. Such service also shall apply for purposes of satisfying any
waiting periods, evidence of insurability requirements, or the application of
any preexisting condition limitation.
(b) Trenwick shall provide, or cause the Surviving Corporation
to provide, severance benefits to Continuing Employees whose employment is
terminated without cause by Trenwick or its subsidiaries during the one year
period following the Effective Time, which severance benefits are no less
favorable in the aggregate than those severance benefits provided to other
similarly situated employees of Trenwick or its subsidiaries, giving full credit
to the Continuing Employees for time of service with Chartwell or its
subsidiaries.
SECTION 5.6. Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Trenwick agrees that it
will indemnify and hold harmless each person who is, or has been at any time
prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer
or director of Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties"),
in respect of acts or omissions occurring on or prior to the Effective Time
(including but not limited to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement),
to the same extent provided under the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
of Chartwell or the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of any such
subsidiary as in effect on the date hereof; provided, that such indemnification
shall be subject to any limitation imposed from time to time under applicable
law. The Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to advancement of expenses
provided such Indemnified Party provides Trenwick with an undertaking to
reimburse Trenwick in a form comparable to the undertaking provided for by the
DGCL. Any determination to be made as to whether any Indemnified Party has met
any standard of conduct imposed by law shall be made by legal counsel reasonably
acceptable to such Indemnified Party and the Surviving Corporation, retained at
the Surviving Corporation's expense.
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(b) Trenwick will cause to be maintained in effect for a
period of not less than six years from the Effective Time the current directors'
and officers' liability insurance, fiduciary liability insurance and
indemnification policies maintained by Chartwell and its subsidiaries to the
extent that such policies provide coverage for any matter existing or act or
omission occurring on or prior to the Effective Time (the "D&O Insurance") for
all current or former directors, officers or employees of Chartwell or any
subsidiary on the date of this Agreement, so long as the annual premium therefor
would not be in excess of two hundred percent (200%) of the last annual premium
paid prior to the date of this Agreement (200% of such premium, the "Maximum
Premium"); provided, however, that Trenwick may, in lieu of maintaining such
existing D&O Insurance as provided above, cause no less favorable coverage to be
provided under any policy maintained for the benefit of the directors and
officers of Trenwick or any of its subsidiaries, so long as (i) the insurance
company providing such coverage has an A.M. Best Company rating of A or better
and (ii) the material terms thereof are no less advantageous than the existing
D&O Insurance. If the existing D&O Insurance expires, is terminated or cancelled
or if the annual premium would exceed the Maximum Premium during such six-year
period, Trenwick will use reasonable efforts to cause to be obtained as much D&O
Insurance as can be obtained for the remainder of such period for an annualized
premium not in excess of the Maximum Premium, on terms and conditions no less
advantageous than the existing D&O Insurance to the extent commercially
available. Section 5.6 (b) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule sets forth the
amount of Maximum Premium.
(c) The provisions of this Section 5.6 are in addition to, and
not in substitution for any other rights that an Indemnified Party may have
under the applicable certificate of incorporation or by-laws of or agreements
with Chartwell or any of its subsidiaries or under applicable law. Trenwick
agrees to pay all costs and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel)
that may be incurred by any Indemnified Party in successfully enforcing the
indemnity or other obligations under this Section. The provisions of this
Section shall survive the Merger and are intended to be for the benefit of, and
shall be enforceable by, each of the Indemnified Parties, their heirs and their
representatives.
(d) In the event that Trenwick or any of its successors or
assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and is not the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or
(ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provision will be made so
that the successors and assigns of Trenwick assume the obligations set forth in
this Section 5.6.
SECTION 5.7. Public Announcements. Trenwick and Chartwell will
consult with each other before issuing, and provide each other the
opportunity to review, comment upon, and concur with any press release or other
public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the Merger and the Stock Option Agreement, and shall not
issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation, except as either party may determine is required by applicable
law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any
national securities exchange or authorized interdealer quotation system. The
parties agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement shall
be in the form hereto agreed by the parties.
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SECTION 5.8. Consents, Approvals and Filings. (a) Chartwell and
Trenwick will make and cause their respective subsidiaries to make all
necessary registrations and filings, as promptly as practicable, including those
required under the HSR Act, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, state
securities laws and state insurance laws, in order to facilitate prompt
consummation of the Merger, the Stock Option Agreement and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, Chartwell and Trenwick
will each use their commercially reasonable efforts, and will cooperate fully
with each other (i) to comply as promptly as practicable with all governmental
requirements applicable to the Merger, the Stock Option Agreement and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) to obtain as promptly as
practicable all necessary permits, orders or other consents, approvals or
authorizations from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any Governmental
Entity and consents, approvals or waivers from all third parties (including
Lloyd's) necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Stock
Option Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each
of Chartwell and Trenwick shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
provide such information and communications to Governmental Entities and Lloyd's
as they may reasonably request.
(b) Each of the parties shall provide to the other party
copies of all applications or other communications in advance of filing or
submission of such applications or communications to Governmental Entities or
Lloyd's in connection with this Agreement. Trenwick shall give to Chartwell
prompt written notice if it receives any notice or other communication from any
Insurance Regulator or Lloyd's in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, and, in the case of any such notice or communication which is
in writing, shall promptly furnish Chartwell with a copy thereof. Each of the
parties shall give to the other party reasonable prior written notice of the
time and place when any meetings may be held by it with Insurance Regulators or
Lloyd's in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
the party to whom such notice shall be given shall have the right to have a
representative or representatives present at any such meeting.
(c) Chartwell shall give prompt notice to Trenwick, and
Trenwick shall give prompt notice to Chartwell, of (i) any representation or
warranty made by it contained in this Agreement that is qualified as to
materiality becoming untrue or inaccurate in any respect or any such
representation or warranty that is not so qualified becoming untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect or (ii) the failure by it to comply with or
satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided, however, that
no such notification shall affect the representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements of the parties or the conditions to the obligations of the parties
under this Agreement.
SECTION 5.9. NASDAQ Approval. Trenwick shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause the shares of Trenwick Common Stock to be issued in
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be
approved for listing on the NASDAQ National Market, subject to official notice
of issuance, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof and in any event
prior to the Effective Time.
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SECTION 5.10. Affiliates and Certain Stockholders. Prior to the
Closing Date, Chartwell shall deliver to Trenwick a list identifying all
persons who are, at the time of the Chartwell Stockholders Meeting, "affiliates"
of Chartwell for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act. Chartwell shall
furnish such information and documents as Trenwick may reasonably request for
the purpose of reviewing such list. Chartwell shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause each such person to execute and deliver to Trenwick
on or prior to the Closing Date a written agreement in a form satisfactory to
Trenwick (an "Affiliate Agreement"), that such person will not offer or sell or
otherwise dispose of any of the shares of Trenwick Common Stock issued to such
person pursuant to the Merger in violation of the Securities Act or the rules or
regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder. The certificates representing
Trenwick Common Stock received by such affiliates in the Merger shall bear a
customary legend regarding applicable Securities Act transfer restrictions and
the provisions of this Section 5.10.
SECTION 5.11. Tax Matters. Trenwick and Chartwell shall each use all
reasonable efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under
the provisions of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, and neither shall knowingly
take, nor shall it permit any subsidiary knowingly to take, any action that
would jeopardize such treatment.
SECTION 5.12. Letters of Accountants. (a) Chartwell shall use its
reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Trenwick two letters from
Chartwell's independent accountants, one dated a date within two business days
before the date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and one dated a
date within two business days before the Effective Time, each addressed to
Trenwick, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Trenwick and
customary in scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by independent
public accountants in connection with registration statements similar to the
Form S-4.
(b) Trenwick shall use its reasonable efforts to cause to be
delivered to Chartwell two letters from Trenwick's independent accountants, one
dated a date within two business days before the date on which the Form S-4
shall become effective and one dated a date within two business days before the
Effective Time, each addressed to Chartwell, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Chartwell and customary in scope and substance for comfort
letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.13. Stockholder Litigation. Each of Chartwell and Trenwick
shall (to the extent their interests do not diverge) cooperate in the
defense of any litigation against Chartwell or Trenwick, as applicable, and its
directors and officers relating to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement.
SECTION 5.14. Fees and Expenses. (a) Except as provided in this
Section 5.14, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring
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such fees or expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated, except that
each of Chartwell and Trenwick shall bear and pay one-half of the costs and
expenses incurred in connection with (1) the filing, printing and mailing of the
Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement (including SEC filing fees) and (2) the
filings of the premerger notification and report forms under the HSR Act
(including filing fees). Each of Chartwell and Trenwick shall file any return
with respect to, and shall pay, any state or local taxes (including any
penalties or interest with respect thereto), if any, which are attributable to
the transfer of the beneficial ownership of real property of Chartwell and
Trenwick (collectively, the "Real Estate Transfer Taxes") as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Trenwick and Chartwell shall
cooperate with each other in the filing of such returns, including supplying in
a timely manner a complete list of all real property interests held by it and
any information with respect to such property that is reasonably necessary to
complete such returns. The fair market value of any real property of Trenwick or
Chartwell subject to the Real Estate Transfer Taxes shall be as agreed to
between Chartwell and Trenwick.
(b) In the event that (w) the Board of Directors of Chartwell
shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(ii) hereof, (x) the
Board of Directors of Trenwick shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1(d)(ii), (y) the Board of Directors of Trenwick shall terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(d)(iii) hereof or the Board of Directors of
Chartwell shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(iii) and in
either case there shall have been made or commenced a Chartwell Takeover
Proposal (other than the Merger) with respect to Chartwell, or (z) the Board of
Directors of Trenwick shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(d)(i) and within one year of such termination, Chartwell shall have entered
into a definitive agreement with respect to a Chartwell Superior Proposal, then
Chartwell shall, as a condition precedent to such termination of this Agreement
in the cases of clauses (w), (x), (y) above, and, in the case of (z) above,
within 24 hours of such event, pay to Trenwick $6.5 million U.S. dollars (the
"Termination Fee") in cash by wire transfer of same day funds.
(c) If the Board of Directors of Trenwick shall terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(d)(i) then Chartwell shall pay or cause to be
paid to Trenwick on the date of such termination $2.0 million U.S. dollars in
respect of liquidated damages; provided, however, that such liquidated damages
shall be credited towards any Termination Fee that becomes payable as
contemplated by Section 5.14(b)(z) hereof. If within 1 year of such termination
Chartwell shall have entered into a definitive agreement with respect to a
Chartwell Superior Proposal, such that the Termination Fee contemplated by
Section 5.14(b)(z) shall become payable, the aforementioned $2.0 million U.S.
dollars in liquidated damages shall be allowed as a credit against such
Termination Fee.
(d) Chartwell acknowledges that the agreements contained in
this Section 5.14(b) are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Trenwick would not enter
into this Agreement; accordingly, if Chartwell fails promptly to pay the amount
due pursuant to this Section 5.14, and, in order to obtain such payment,
Trenwick commences a suit which results in a judgment against Chartwell for the
fee set forth in this Section 5.14, Chartwell shall pay to Trenwick its costs
and expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) in connection with such
suit, together with interest on the amount of the fee at the prime rate as
reported in the Wall Street Journal on the date such payment was required to be
made.
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SECTION 5.15. Reinsurance Agreement. Chartwell shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain not later than the Effective Time
the Reinsurance Agreement on the terms set forth in Section 3.1(z) of the
Chartwell Disclosure Schedule.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 6.1. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the
Merger. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is
subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the
following conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. Each of the Chartwell Stockholder Approval
and the Trenwick Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.
(b) Governmental, Regulatory and Lloyd's Consents. All filings
required to be made prior to the Effective Time with, and all consents,
approvals, permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to the
Effective Time from, Governmental Entities or Lloyd's, including, without
limitation, those set forth in Sections 3.1(d) and 3.2(d) of the Disclosure
Schedule, in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Chartwell and
Trenwick shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be); provided,
however, that such consents, approvals, permits and authorizations may be
subject to conditions customarily imposed by insurance regulatory authorities or
Lloyd's and other conditions that are consistent with the parties' obligations
to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(c) HSR Act. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable
to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have
expired.
(d) No Injunctions or Restraints. No preliminary or permanent
injunction, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation, entered, enacted, promulgated, enforced or issued by any court,
arbitrator, Insurance Regulator or any other Government Entity of competent
jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (collectively,
"Restraints") shall be in effect (i) preventing the consummation of the Merger
or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (ii) prohibiting or
limiting the ownership or operation by Trenwick or Chartwell and their
respective subsidiaries of any material portion of the business or assets of
Trenwick or Chartwell and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole, in the
event that the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
is consummated as contemplated hereby, or (iii) compelling Trenwick or Chartwell
and their respective subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate any material
portion of the business or assets of Trenwick or Chartwell and their respective
subsidiaries taken as a whole, in the event that the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement is consummated as contemplated
hereby; provided, however, that the party invoking the condition shall have used
reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of any such Restraints and to appeal as
promptly as possible any such Restraints that may be entered.
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(e) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings
seeking a stop order.
(f) NASDAQ. The shares of Trenwick Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
approved for trading on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance.
(g) Third-Party Consents. All consents and waivers of third parties
(other than Governmental Entities) to the consummation of the Merger and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are set forth in Section
3.1(d) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule and 3.2(d) of the Trenwick
Disclosure Schedule shall have been obtained, other than those which, if not
obtained do not have, and are not likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick or Chartwell.
SECTION 6.2. Conditions to Obligation of Trenwick. The obligation
of Trenwick to effect the Merger is further subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by Trenwick at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of Chartwell set forth herein, shall be true and correct as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as
of the Effective Time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier
date, in which case as of such date), except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect
to any limitation as to "materiality" or "material adverse effect" set forth
therein) does not have, and is not likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chartwell, and Trenwick shall have
received a certificate signed on behalf of Chartwell by an executive officer of
Chartwell to the effect set forth in this paragraph.
(b) Performance of Obligations of Chartwell. Chartwell shall have
performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed
by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and Trenwick shall
have received a certificate signed on behalf of Chartwell by an executive
officer of Chartwell to such effect.
(c) Tax Opinion. Trenwick shall have received an opinion of its
special tax counsel, Baker & McKenzie, in form and substance satisfactory
to Trenwick, dated the Effective Time, to the effect that the Merger will be
treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1) of the Code. In rendering
its opinion pursuant to this Section 6.2(c), Baker & McKenzie shall be entitled
to rely upon representations of officers of Chartwell and Trenwick.
(d) No Material Adverse Change. At any time after the date of this
Agreement there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change
relating to Chartwell; provided, that this condition shall no longer be
applicable following the Chartwell Stockholder Approval.
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(e) Ratings. None of the claims-paying or financial strength ratings
assigned by A.M. Best & Co. or Standard & Poor's Corporation to Chartwell
or its Subsidiaries, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, shall have been
lowered on or prior to the Effective Time (other than as a result of the
announcement or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), and no
such ratings shall have been placed on credit watch with negative implications
(other than as a result of the announcement or consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby) without being reversed on or prior to the Effective Time.
(f) Reinsurance Agreement. Chartwell shall have obtained the
Reinsurance Agreement which shall be effective at the Effective Time.
(g) Opinion.Trenwick shall have received the opinion of LeBoeuf, Lamb,
Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., in the form set forth as Exhibit 6.2(g) hereto, to
the effect that the Merger will not constitute a "change of control" as defined
in the Contingent Interest Notes Indenture.
SECTION 6.3 Conditions to Obligation of Chartwell. The obligation
of Chartwell to effect the Merger is further subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by Chartwell at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of Trenwick set forth herein, shall be true and correct as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as
of the Effective Time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier
date, in which case as of such date) except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect
to any limitation as to "materiality" or "material adverse effect" set forth
therein) does not have, and is not likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick, and Chartwell shall have
received a certificate signed on behalf of Trenwick by an executive officer of
Trenwick to the effect set forth in this paragraph.
(b) Performance of Obligations of Trenwick. Trenwick shall have
performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed
by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and Chartwell shall
have received a certificate signed on behalf of Trenwick by an executive officer
of Trenwick to such effect.
(c) Tax Opinion. Chartwell shall have received an opinion of its
counsel, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., in form and substance
satisfactory to Chartwell, dated the Effective Time, to the effect that the
Merger will be treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1) of the Code.
In giving such opinion, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P. shall be entitled
to rely upon representations of officers of Trenwick and Chartwell.
(d) Material Adverse Change. At any time after the date of this
Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change relating to
Trenwick.
(e) Ratings. None of the claims-paying or financial strength ratings
assigned by A.M. Best & Co. or Standard & Poor's Corporation to Trenwick or
its Subsidiaries, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, shall have been
lowered on or prior to the Effective Time (other than as a result of the
announcement or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), and no
such ratings shall have been placed on credit watch with negative implications
(other than as a result of the announcement or consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby) without being reversed on or prior to the Effective Time.
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ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 7.1. Termination. Anything herein contained or elsewhere to the
contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
contemplated herein may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether before or after the Chartwell Stockholder Approval or the Trenwick
Stockholder Approval:
(a) By the mutual written consent of the Board of Directors
of Trenwick and the Board of Directors of Chartwell;
(b) By the written notice by either of the Board of
Directors of Trenwick or of the Board of Directors of Chartwell:
(i) if the Merger shall not have become effective
on or before December 31, 1999; provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(b)(i) shall not be available to
any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been
the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Merger to occur on or prior to
such date;
(ii) if Trenwick fails to obtain the required
approval of its stockholders at the Trenwick Stockholders
Meeting; or
(iii) if any Governmental Entity shall have issued an
order, decree or ruling or taken any other action (which order, decree,
ruling or other action the parties hereto shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts to lift) in each case 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;
(c) By the Board of Directors of Chartwell:
(i) if Trenwick (x) breaches or fails in any
material respect to perform or comply with any of its material covenants
and agreements contained herein or (y) breaches its representations and
warranties in any material respect and such breach would have or would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Trenwick and its
subsidiaries, in each case such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.1 and
Section 6.3 would not be satisfied; provided, however, that if any breach is
curable by the breaching party through the exercise of the breaching party's
best efforts and for so long as the breaching party shall be so using its best
efforts to cure such breach, Chartwell may not terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 7.1(c)(i);
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(ii) as provided in Section 4.2(b); provided, that
Chartwell shall have given Trenwick forty-eight (48) hours advance notice
of any termination pursuant to this Section 7.1(c)(ii) and that Chartwell shall
have paid Trenwick the Termination Fee required to be paid by Chartwell pursuant
to Section 5.14(b) hereof. Chartwell agrees to notify Trenwick promptly if it is
no longer prepared to accept the Chartwell Superior Proposal referred to in its
notification under Section 4.2(b); or
(iii) if Chartwell fails to obtain the required
approval of its stockholders at the Chartwell Stockholders Meeting and
Chartwell shall have paid Trenwick any Termination Fee required to be paid by
Chartwell pursuant to Section 5.14(b) hereof;
(d) By the Board of Directors of Trenwick:
(i) if Chartwell (x) breaches or fails in any material respect
to perform or comply with any of its material covenants and agreements contained
herein or (y) breaches its representations or warranties in any material respect
and such breach would have or would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Chartwell and its subsidiaries, in each case, such that the
condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) would not be satisfied;
provided, however, that if such breach is curable by Chartwell through the
exercise of Chartwell's best efforts and for so long as Chartwell shall be so
using its best efforts to cure such breach, Trenwick may not terminate this
agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(d)(i); or
(ii) if the Board of Directors of Chartwell shall have
withdrawn or modified or changed its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger in a manner adverse to Trenwick or shall have approved
or recommended a Chartwell Takeover Proposal, (including, without limitation, a
Chartwell Superior Proposal) or Chartwell shall have entered into an agreement
in principle (or similar agreement) or definitive agreement providing for a
Chartwell Takeover Proposal with a person or entity other than Trenwick or any
of its subsidiaries (or the Board of Directors of Chartwell resolves to do any
of the foregoing); or
(iii) if the stockholders of Chartwell do not approve the
Merger at the Chartwell Stockholders Meeting.
SECTION 7.2. Effect of Termination.
(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement by either
Chartwell or Trenwick as provided in Section 7.1, written notice thereof shall
promptly be given to the other party, and this Agreement shall forthwith become
void and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of any party
hereto (or of any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, legal and
financial advisors or other representatives) other than the liabilities and
obligations provided for in Sections 3.1(s) and 3.2(p), the last sentence of
Section 5.3, Section 5.14, this Section 7.2 and Article VIII. Nothing contained
in this section shall relieve any party from any liability resulting from any
willful and material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants
or agreements set forth in this Agreement.
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SECTION 7.3. Amendment. Subject to the applicable provisions of the
DGCL, this Agreement may be amended, modified and supplemented in any and
all respects whether before or after the Trenwick Stockholder Approval or the
Chartwell Stockholder Approval only by written agreement signed by the parties
hereto, pursuant to action taken by respective Boards of Directors with respect
to any of the terms contained herein; provided, however, that after any such
stockholder approval, there shall not be any amendment that by law requires
further approval by the stockholders of Trenwick or Chartwell without the
further approval of such stockholders.
SECTION 7.4. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective
Time, the parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties of the other parties contained in this
Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject
to Section 7.3, waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements
or conditions of the other party contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on
the part of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set
forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of
any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or
otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
SECTION 7.5. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or
Waiver. A termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, an
amendment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.3 or an extension or waiver
pursuant to Section 7.4 shall, in order to be effective, require in the case of
Trenwick or Chartwell, action by its Board of Directors or, with respect to any
amendment to this Agreement, the duly authorized designee of its Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 8.1. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties. None
of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any schedule,
instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive
the Effective Time. This Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement
of the parties which by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective
Time including but not limited to Sections 5.5 and 5.6.
SECTION 8.2. ..Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) an "affiliate" of or a person "affiliated" with, a
specified person, means a person that directly or indirectly, through one or
more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, the person specified;
(b) "control" (including "controlling," "controlled by" and
"under common control with") means the possession, direct or indirect, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.
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(c) "person" means any individual, corporation, estate,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or an agency or
political subdivision thereof or other entity;
(d) a "subsidiary" means with respect to any person, (i) any
corporation at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock (or equity
interest if no voting interest exists) of which is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such person or by one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such
person and one or more of its subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint
venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership
or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such person, or by one or
more of its subsidiaries, or by such person and one or more of its subsidiaries,
(iii) any limited partnership of which such person or any of its subsidiaries is
a general partner and (iv) any statutory business trust formed under the laws of
the State of Delaware all of the beneficial interests (represented by common
securities) of which shall be owned by such person. For the purposes of this
definition, "voting stock" means shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such person having
ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the
equivalent) of such person, other than shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a
contingency; and
(e) "knowledge" of any person which is not an individual means
the knowledge of such person's executive officers after reasonable inquiry.
(f) "Environmental Law" means the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, the
Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the
Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, and analogous state acts, and all
other statutes, rules and regulations relating to pollution or protection of the
environment, each as amended and implemented as of the date of this Agreement.
(g) "Hazardous Material" means (i) hazardous materials,
hazardous substances, extremely hazardous substances or hazardous wastes, as
those terms are defined in applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) petroleum,
including, without limitation, crude oil or any fraction thereof which is liquid
at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (60 degrees Fahrenheit and
14.7 pounds per square inch absolute); (iii) asbestos in any form or condition;
and (iv) any other material, substance or waste to which liability or standards
of conduct may be imposed under any applicable Environmental Law.
(h) "Material Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect"
means, when used in connection with Trenwick or Chartwell, any change, effect,
event, occurrence or state of facts that is or will be materially adverse to the
business, results of operations or financial condition of such party and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole other than any change, effect, event, occurrence
or state of facts relating to (i) the United States or global economy or
securities markets in general, (ii) this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby (including with respect to Chartwell, the items set forth in
Section 8.2(h) of the Chartwell Disclosure Schedule and, with respect to
Trenwick, the items set forth in Section 8.2(h) of the Trenwick Disclosure
Schedule), or the announcement thereof, (iii) any segment of the property and
casualty insurance or reinsurance industry in which such person or any of its
subsidiaries participates in general, and not specifically relating to Trenwick
or Chartwell or their respective subsidiaries, (iv) any decrease in the value of
portfolio investments resulting from an increase in prevailing market interest
rates or (v) any losses under insurance, reinsurance or retrocessional
agreements (other than where a subsidiary of Chartwell or Trenwick is the
cedent) in respect of any event that is designated to be a "catastrophe" by the
Property Claims Services Division of the American Insurance Services Group, Inc.
after the date hereof.
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SECTION 8.3. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally, sent by facsimile (which is confirmed) or
sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):
(a) if to Trenwick, to
Alan L. Hunte
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Trenwick Group Inc.
One Canterbury Green
Stamford, CT 06901
Fax: (203) 353-5557
with a copy to:
Baker & McKenzie
805 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attention: James R. Cameron
Fax: (212) 891-3835
(b) if to Chartwell, to
President
Chartwell Re Corporation
Four Stamford Plaza
107 Elm Street
Stamford CT 06902
Fax: (203) 705-2710
with a copy to:
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Robert S. Rachofsky
Fax: (212) 424-8500
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SECTION 8.4. Interpretation. When a reference is made in this
Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall
be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation." The phrase "made available" in this
Agreement shall mean that the information referred to has been made available if
requested by the party to whom such information is to be made available. The
words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words or similar import when used
in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement
shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document
made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The
definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well
as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the
feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute
defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred
to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time
amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or
instruments) by wavier or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of
comparable successor statutes. References to a person are also to its permitted
successors and assigns.
SECTION 8.5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when
one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered
to the other party.
SECTION 8.6. Entire Agreement; No Other Representations; No
Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (including any exhibits and
schedules hereto), the Stock Option Agreement, and the Confidentiality
Agreements constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior agreements,
understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the
parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Trenwick
acknowledges that neither Chartwell nor any affiliate or officer, director,
employee, representative or advisor of any of them makes or has made any
representation or warranty, express or implied, to Trenwick except as
specifically made in this Agreement or in any certificate or other document
delivered pursuant hereto. This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies except as set forth
in Section 5.6(c).
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SECTION 8.7. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
SECTION 8.8. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in
whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by either of the parties
hereto without the prior written consent of the other party. Any assignment in
violation of the preceding sentence shall be void. Subject to the preceding two
sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 8.9. Enforcement and Consent to Jurisdiction. The parties
agree that irreparable damage would occur and that the parties would not
have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement in any
court of the United States located in the State of Delaware or in Delaware state
court (any such federal or state court, a "Delaware Court"), in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition, each
of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction
of any Delaware Court in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (b) agrees that it
will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction or venue by motion
or other request for leave from any such Delaware Court, and (c) agrees that it
will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than any Delaware Court.
SECTION 8.10. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction
or other authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against its regulatory
or public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Upon any determination that any
term, provision, covenant or restriction is invalid, void, unenforceable or
against its regulatory or public policy, the parties hereto shall negotiate in
good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the
parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law
in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are
fulfilled to the extent possible.
66
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
date first written above.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By: /s/ James F. Billett, Jr.
----------------------------------
Name: James F. Billett, Jr.
Title: Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
CHARTWELL RE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Richard E. Cole
-----------------------------------
Name: Richard E. Cole
Title: Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 6.2(g)
_____________, 1999
Trenwick Group Inc.
One Canterbury Green
Stamford, CT 06901
Re: Chartwell
Dear Sirs:
We have acted as special counsel to Chartwell Re Corporation
("Chartwell") in connection with the execution and delivery by Chartwell of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 21, 1999 (the "Merger
Agreement"), between Chartwell and Trenwick Group Inc. ("Trenwick"), pursuant to
which Chartwell shall be merged with and into Trenwick on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (the "Merger"). This opinion
is being rendered to you pursuant to Section 6.2(g) of the Merger Agreement.
For purpose of rendering this opinion we have examined and
relied upon the following: (i) the Merger Agreement; and (ii) the Indenture,
dated as of December 1, 1995, between Chartwell, as the successor to Piedmont
Management Company Inc. and Fleet National Bank of Connecticut, as Trustee, for
the Contingent Interest Notes due June 30, 2006, and the First Supplemental
Indenture thereto, dated as of December 13, 1995, among Piedmont Management
Company Inc., Chartwell and Fleet National Bank of Connecticut, as Trustee (as
so supplemented, the "Indenture"). In addition, as special counsel for
Chartwell, we have examined originals (or copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction) of such instruments, certificates and documents
and have reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. In such examination we have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents
of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to any facts material to our
opinion, we have, when relevant facts were not independently established by us,
relied upon the aforesaid instruments, certificates and documents.
In addition, in rendering this opinion, we have assumed that:
(i) as a result of the Merger, no "person" or "group" (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act") and Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) will
become the direct or indirect "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), of greater than 50% of the total voting power (as defined in
the definition of "Change of Control" set forth in Section 1.1. of the
Indenture) entitled to vote in the election of directors of Trenwick; and
(ii) prior to the time that the Common Stock, par value $.01
per share, of Chartwell ceases to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
Trenwick will have executed and delivered to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture and succeeded to the rights, powers and obligations of Chartwell under
the Indenture pursuant to and in accordance with Article 5 thereof.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications
stated herein, we are of the opinion that the consummation of the Merger will
not constitute a "Change of Control" as defined in Section 1.1 of the Indenture.
We express no opinion with respect to any laws other than the
laws of the State of New York. This opinion is delivered solely to you pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, and it may not be delivered to or relied upon in any
manner by any other person or entity, or in connection with any other
transaction or matter, without our express prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of June 21, 1999 (the
"Agreement") by and between Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Trenwick"), and Chartwell Re Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Chartwell"
or the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Trenwick and Chartwell are entering into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), which provides,
among other things, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, for
the merger of Chartwell with and into Trenwick, with Trenwick as the surviving
corporation (the "Merger"); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Trenwick's willingness to enter
into the Merger Agreement, Trenwick has requested that Chartwell agree, and
Chartwell has so agreed, to grant to Trenwick an option to purchase up to
1,918,729 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Chartwell
("Chartwell Common Stock") in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, to induce Trenwick to enter into the Merger
Agreement, and in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger
Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, Chartwell hereby grants to Trenwick an irrevocable option
(the "Chartwell Option") to purchase up to 1,918,729 (as adjusted as set forth
herein) shares (the "Option Shares") of Chartwell Common Stock (such number of
Option Shares representing 19.9% of the number of shares of Chartwell Common
Stock issued and outstanding on the date hereof) in the manner set forth below
at a price (the "Exercise Price") of $23.82 per Option Share (which price per
share is equal to the product of the Conversion Number (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) and the closing price per share of Trenwick common stock, par value
$.01 per share, on the Nasdaq Stock Market National Market on the date hereof),
payable in cash in accordance with Section 4 hereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall the number of Option Shares for which the Chartwell
Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the number of issued and outstanding
shares of Chartwell Common Stock. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined
herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement.
2. Exercise of Option. The Chartwell Option may be exercised by
Trenwick, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time after the
Merger Agreement becomes terminable by Trenwick under circumstances which would
or could entitle Trenwick to receive the Termination Fee pursuant to Section
5.14(b) of the Merger Agreement (a "Trigger Event") (regardless of whether the
Merger Agreement is actually terminated or whether there occurs a closing
involving Chartwell); provided, that a Trigger Event shall not occur in the
circumstances contemplated by Section 5.14(b)(z) of the Merger Agreement unless
and until a Termination Fee shall be payable pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(z) of
the Merger Agreement. In the event Trenwick wishes to exercise the Chartwell
<PAGE>
Option, Trenwick shall deliver to Chartwell a written notice (an "Exercise
Notice") specifying the total number of Option Shares it wishes to purchase.
Each closing of a purchase of Option Shares (an "Option Closing") shall occur,
but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section
3 hereof, at a place, on a date and at a time designated by Trenwick in an
Exercise Notice delivered at least two business days prior to the date of the
Option Closing. The Chartwell Option shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i)
the Effective Time; (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement other than
under circumstances which also constitute a Trigger Event; or (iii) the 180th
day following a Trigger Event (or if, at the expiration of such 180 day period
the Chartwell Option cannot be exercised by reason of any applicable judgment,
decree, order, law or regulation, 10 business days after such impediment to
exercise shall have been removed or shall have become final and not subject to
appeal, but in no event under this clause (iii) later than the 365th day
following such Trigger Event). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chartwell
Option may not be exercised if Trenwick is in material breach of any of its
representations or warranties, or in material breach of any of its covenants or
agreements, contained in this Agreement or in the Merger Agreement. Upon the
giving by Trenwick to Chartwell of the Exercise Notice and the tender of the
applicable aggregate Exercise Price, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof, Trenwick shall be deemed to be
the holder of record of the Option Shares issuable upon such exercise,
notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Chartwell shall then be closed
or that certificates representing such Option Shares shall not then be actually
delivered to Trenwick.
3. Conditions to Closing. The obligation of Chartwell to issue
the Option Shares to Trenwick hereunder is subject to the conditions, which
(other than the conditions described in clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) below) may
be waived by Chartwell in its sole discretion, that (i) all waiting periods, if
any, under the HSR Act, applicable to the issuance of the Option Shares
hereunder shall have expired or have been terminated; (ii) the Option Shares
shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE upon official notice of
issuance; (iii) all consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, or
registrations, declarations or filings with, any federal, state or local
administrative agency or commission or other federal, state or local
Governmental Entity, if any, required in connection with the issuance of the
Option Shares hereunder shall have been obtained or made, as the case may be
including, without limitation, by Trenwick; and (iv) no preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order or decree by any court of competent jurisdiction, law
or regulation prohibiting or otherwise restraining such issuance shall be in
effect.
4. Payment and Delivery of Certificates.
(a) At any Option Closing, Trenwick shall pay to Chartwell
the aggregate purchase price (equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by the
number of Option Shares to be purchased at such Option Closing) for the shares
of Chartwell Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Chartwell
Option in immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank account
designated in writing by Chartwell; provided, however, that failure or refusal
of Chartwell to designate such account shall not preclude Trenwick from
exercising the Chartwell Option.
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<PAGE>
(b) At any Option Closing, simultaneously with the delivery
of immediately available funds as provided in Section 4(a), Chartwell will
deliver to Trenwick a certificate or certificates representing the number of
Option Shares to be purchased by Trenwick at such Option Closing, which Option
Shares will be free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of
any kind whatsoever and if the option is exercised in part only, Chartwell shall
deliver a new option evidencing the rights of Trenwick thereof to purchase the
balance of the shares purchasable hereunder and (ii) Trenwick will deliver to
Chartwell a copy of this Agreement and a letter agreeing that Trenwick will not
offer to sell or otherwise dispose of such shares in violation of applicable law
or the provisions of this Agreement. If at the time of issuance of Option Shares
pursuant to an exercise of the option hereunder, Chartwell shall not have
redeemed the Chartwell Rights, or shall have issued any similar securities, then
each Option Share issued pursuant to such exercise will also represent such a
corresponding Chartwell Right or new rights with terms substantially the same as
and at least as favorable to Trenwick as are provided in the Chartwell Rights
Agreement or similar agreement then in effect. Chartwell shall pay all expenses,
and any and all United States federal, state and local taxes and other charges
that may be payable in connection with the preparation, issue and delivery of
stock certificates under this Section 4 in the name of Trenwick or its designee.
5. Representations and Warranties of Chartwell. Chartwell hereby
represents and warrants to Trenwick that (a) Chartwell is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has the corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement, (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Chartwell and the
consummation by Chartwell of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Chartwell and no
other corporate proceedings on the part of Chartwell are necessary to authorize
this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) this
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Chartwell, constitutes a valid
and binding obligation of Chartwell and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of Trenwick, is enforceable against Chartwell in
accordance with its terms, (d) Chartwell has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize and reserve for issuance and to permit it to issue, upon
exercise of the Chartwell Option, and at all times from the date hereof through
the expiration of the Chartwell Option will have reserved, 1,918,729 authorized
and unissued Option Shares, such amount being subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 9, all of which, upon their issuance and delivery in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, (e) upon delivery of the Option Shares to Trenwick upon the
exercise of the Chartwell Option, Trenwick will acquire the Option Shares free
and clear of all claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests of
any nature whatsoever, and (f) none of Chartwell, any of its affiliates or
anyone acting on its or their behalf has issued, sold or offered any security of
Chartwell to any person under circumstances that would cause the issuance and
sale of the Option Shares, as contemplated by this Agreement, to be subject to
the registration requirements of the Securities Act as in effect on the date
hereof and, assuming the representations of Trenwick contained in Section 6(d)
are true and correct and based on Trenwick's commitment in its letter referred
to in Section 4 hereof, the issuance, sale and delivery of the Option Shares
hereunder would be exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, as in effect on the date hereof (and
Chartwell shall not take any action which would cause the issuance, sale and
delivery of the Option Shares hereunder not to be exempt from such
requirements).
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<PAGE>
6. Representations and Warranties of Trenwick. Trenwick
represents and warrants to Chartwell that (a) Trenwick is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has the corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder, (b) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Trenwick and the consummation by Trenwick of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Trenwick and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of Trenwick are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Trenwick and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Trenwick, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Chartwell, is enforceable against Trenwick in accordance with its
terms, and (d) any Option Shares acquired upon exercise of the Chartwell Option
will be acquired for Trenwick's own account, for investment purposes only and
will not be, and the Chartwell Option is not being, acquired by Trenwick with a
view to the public distribution thereof in violation of any applicable provision
of the Securities Act.
7. Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) Restrictions on Transfer. Prior to the first anniversary
of the date on which Trenwick purchases any Option Shares hereunder (the
"Expiration Date"), Trenwick shall not, directly or indirectly, by operation of
law or otherwise, sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any
Option Shares acquired by Trenwick pursuant to this Agreement ("Restricted
Shares") beneficially owned by it, other than in accordance with Section 7(b) or
Section 8. Subsequent to the Expiration Date, Trenwick shall not, directly or
indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, sell, assign, pledge or otherwise
dispose of or transfer any Restricted Shares beneficially owned by it to any
purchaser, assignee, pledgee or other transferee who would, immediately after
such sale, assignment, pledge, disposition or transfer, beneficially own more
than 4.9% of the then outstanding voting power of the issuer of the Restricted
Shares, except in accordance with Section 7(b) or Section 8 and other than in
market transactions at prevailing prices.
(b) Permitted Sales. Following the termination of the Merger
Agreement, Trenwick shall be permitted to sell or transfer any Restricted
Shares beneficially owned by it if such sale is made pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer or merger that has been approved or recommended, or otherwise
determined to be fair to and in the best interests of the shareholders of
Chartwell, by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Chartwell
(which majority shall include a majority of directors who were directors prior
to the announcement of such tender or exchange offer or merger).
-4-
<PAGE>
8. Registration Rights. Following the termination of the Merger
Agreement, but not later than the second anniversary of the last date that
Trenwick acquired Option Shares under this Agreement, Trenwick (a "Designated
Holder") may by written notice (the "Registration Notice") to Chartwell (the
"Registrant") request the Registrant to register under the Securities Act all or
any part of the Restricted Shares beneficially owned by the Designated Holder
(the "Registrable Securities") pursuant to a bona fide firm commitment
underwritten public offering in which the Designated Holder and the underwriters
shall effect as wide a distribution of such Registrable Securities as is
reasonably practicable and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to
prevent any person (including any Group (as used in Rule 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act)) and its affiliates from purchasing through such offering
Restricted Shares representing more than 1% of the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Registrant on a fully diluted basis (a "Permitted Offering"). The
Registration Notice shall include a certificate executed by the Designated
Holder and its proposed managing underwriter, which underwriter shall be an
investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing (the "Manager"),
stating that (i) they have a good faith intention to commence promptly a
Permitted Offering and (ii) the Manager in good faith believes that, based on
the then prevailing market conditions, it will be able to sell the Registrable
Securities at a per share price equal to at least 80% of the then Fair Market
Value (as defined below) of such shares. The Registrant (and/or any person
designated by the Registrant) shall thereupon have the option exercisable by
written notice delivered to the Designated Holder within 10 business days after
the receipt of the Registration Notice, irrevocably to agree to purchase all or
any part of the Registrable Securities proposed to be so sold for cash at a
price (the "Option Price") equal to the product of (i) the number of Registrable
Securities to be so purchased by the Registrant and (ii) the then Fair Market
Value of such shares. Any such purchase of Registrable Securities by the
Registrant (or its designee) hereunder shall take place at a closing to be held
at the principal executive offices of the Registrant or at the offices of its
counsel at any reasonable date and time designated by the Registrant and/or such
designee in such notice within 20 business days after delivery of such notice.
Any payment for the shares to be purchased shall be made by delivery at the time
of such closing of the Option Price in immediately available funds. As used
herein, the "Fair Market Value" of any share shall be the average of the daily
closing sales price for such share on the NYSE during the 10 NYSE trading days
prior to the fifth NYSE trading day preceding the date such Fair Market Value is
to be determined.
If the Registrant does not elect to exercise its option
pursuant to this Section 8 with respect to all Registrable Securities, it shall
use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect, as promptly as practicable,
the registration under the Securities Act of the unpurchased Registrable
Securities proposed to be so sold; provided, however, that (i) Trenwick shall
not be entitled to more than an aggregate of two effective registration
statements hereunder and (ii) the Registrant will not be required to file any
such registration statement during any period of time (not to exceed 90 days
after such request in the case of clauses (A), (B) or (C) below) when (A) the
Registrant is in possession of material non-public information which it
reasonably believes would be detrimental to be disclosed at such time and, in
the opinion of counsel to the Registrant, such information would have to be
disclosed if a registration statement were filed at that time; (B) the
Registrant is required under the Securities Act to include audited financial
statements for any period in such registration statement and such financial
statements are not yet available for inclusion in such registration statement;
or (C) the Registrant determines, in its reasonable judgment, that such
registration would interfere with any financing, acquisition or other material
transaction involving the Registrant or any of its affiliates. The Registrant
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any Registrable Securities
registered pursuant to this Section 8 to be qualified for sale under the
securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Designated Holder may
reasonably request and shall continue such registration or qualification in
effect in such jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Registrant shall not be
required to qualify to do business in, or consent to general service of process
in, any jurisdiction by reason of this provision.
-5-
<PAGE>
The registration rights set forth in this Section 8 are
subject to the condition that the Designated Holder shall provide the Registrant
with such information with respect to such holder's Registrable Securities, the
plans for the distribution thereof, and such other information with respect to
such holder as, in the reasonable judgment of counsel for the Registrant, is
necessary to enable the Registrant to include in such registration statement all
material facts required to be disclosed with respect to a registration
thereunder.
A registration effected under this Section 8 shall be effected
at the Registrant's expense, except for underwriting discounts and commissions
and the fees and the expenses of counsel to the Designated Holder, and the
Registrant shall provide to the underwriters such documentation (including
certificates, opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters from auditors) as are
customary in connection with underwritten public offerings as such underwriters
may reasonably require. In connection with any such registration, the parties
agree (i) to indemnify each other and the underwriters in the customary manner
(provided that the Designated Holder shall only be required to indemnify other
parties to such underwriting agreement for information relating to such
Designated Holder and supplied by it for inclusion in such registration
statement), (ii) to enter into an underwriting agreement in form and substance
customary for transactions of such type with the Manager and the other
underwriters participating in such offering and (iii) to take all further
actions which shall be reasonably necessary to effect such registration and sale
(including, if the Manager deems it necessary, participating in road show
presentations).
The Registrant shall be entitled to include (at its expense)
additional shares of its common stock in a registration effected pursuant to
this Section 8 only if and to the extent the Manager determines that such
inclusion will not adversely affect the prospects for success of such offering.
9. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization. Without
limitation to any restriction on Chartwell contained in this Agreement or
in the Merger Agreement, in the event of any change in Chartwell Common Stock by
reason of stock dividends, split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, subdivisions,
conversions, combinations, exchange of shares or the like, the type and number
of shares or securities subject to the Chartwell Option, and the Exercise Price
per Option Share provided in Section 1, shall be adjusted appropriately to
restore to Trenwick its rights hereunder, including the right to purchase from
the Chartwell (or its successors) shares of Chartwell Common Stock representing
19.9% of the outstanding Chartwell Common Stock for the aggregate Exercise Price
calculated as of the date of this Agreement as provided in Section 1.
-6-
<PAGE>
10. Restrictive Legends. Each certificate representing shares
of Chartwell Common Stock issued to Trenwick at a Closing will have typed
or printed thereon a restrictive legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE
NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND
MAY BE REOFFERED OR SOLD ONLY IF SO REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION FROM
SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. SUCH SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JUNE 21, 1999, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED
FROM THE ISSUER UPON REQUEST.
It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the
resale restrictions of the Securities Act in the above legend shall be removed
by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference if such Option
Shares have been registered pursuant to the Securities Act, such Option Shares
have been sold in reliance on and in accordance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or Trenwick has delivered to Chartwell a copy of a letter from
the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or an opinion of counsel,
in form and substance satisfactory to Chartwell and its counsel, to the effect
that such legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act; (ii) the
reference to restrictions pursuant to this Agreement in the above legend shall
be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference if
the Option Shares evidenced by certificate(s) containing such reference have
been sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and
under circumstances that do not require the retention of such reference; and
(iii) the legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the
preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such
certificate(s) shall bear any other legend as may be required by law.
Certificates representing shares sold in a registered public offering pursuant
to Section 8 shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in this Section
10.
11. Profit Limitation.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
or the Merger Agreement, in no event shall Trenwick's Total Profit (as
hereinafter defined) exceed $9.0 million (such amount, the "Profit Limit") and,
if it would otherwise exceed such amount, Trenwick, at its sole election, shall,
within five business days, either (i) deliver to the Issuer for cancellation
Option Shares (valued, for purposes of this Section 11, at their Fair Market
Value on the date of such delivery), (ii) pay cash to the Issuer or refund in
cash any Termination Fee previously paid to Trenwick or reduce or waive the
amount of any Termination Fee payable to Trenwick pursuant to Section 5.14(b) of
the Merger Agreement, or (iii) undertake any combination thereof, so that
Trenwick's Total Profit shall not exceed the Profit Limit after taking into
account the foregoing actions. As used herein, "Total Profit" means the
aggregate amount (before taxes) of (i) the amount of Termination Fee received by
Trenwick pursuant to Section 5.14(b) of the Merger Agreement and any fee
received by Trenwick pursuant to Section 5.14(c) of the Merger Agreement and
(ii) (x) the net cash amounts received by Trenwick pursuant to the sale of
Option Shares (or any other securities into which such Option Shares are
converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, less (y) Trenwick's purchase
price for such Option Shares.
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<PAGE>
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
or the Merger Agreement, the Chartwell Option may not be exercised for a
number of Option Shares that would, as of the date of the Exercise Notice,
result in a Notional Total Profit (as hereinafter defined) of more than the
Profit Limit and, if exercise of the Chartwell Option otherwise would exceed the
Profit Limit, Trenwick, at its discretion, may increase the Exercise Price for
that number of Option Shares set forth in the Exercise Notice so that the
Notional Total Profit shall not exceed the Profit Limit; provided, that nothing
in this sentence shall restrict any exercise of the Chartwell Option permitted
hereby on any subsequent date at the Exercise Price set forth in Section 1
hereof. As used herein, the term "Notional Total Profit" with respect to any
number of Option Shares as to which Trenwick may propose to exercise the
Chartwell Option shall be the Total Profit determined as of the date of the
Exercise Notice assuming that the Chartwell Option were exercised on such date
for such number of Option Shares and assuming that such Option Shares, together
with all other shares of Chartwell Common Stock held by Trenwick and its
subsidiaries as of such date, were sold for cash at the closing market price for
the Chartwell Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape at the close of business
on the preceding trading day (less customary brokerage commissions).
12. Binding Effect; No Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither
this Agreement nor the rights or the obligations of either party hereto are
assignable, except by operation of law, or with the written consent of the other
party. Nothing contained in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto and their respective
permitted assigns any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever by reason of
this Agreement. Any Restricted Shares sold by a party in compliance with the
provisions of Section 8 shall, upon consummation of such sale, be free of the
restrictions imposed with respect to such shares by this Agreement, unless and
until such party shall repurchase or otherwise become the beneficial owner of
such shares, and any transferee of such shares shall not be entitled to the
registration rights of such party.
13. Specific Performance. The parties recognize and agree that if
for any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and
irreparable harm or injury would be caused for which money damages would not be
an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each party agrees that, in addition to other
remedies, the other party shall be entitled to an injunction restraining any
violation or threatened violation of the provisions of this Agreement. In the
event that any action should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of
the Agreement, neither party will allege, and each party hereby waives the
defense, that there is adequate remedy at law.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement
(including any exhibits and schedules thereto) and the Confidentiality
Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
15. Further Assurances. Each party will execute and deliver
all such further documents and instruments and take all such further action
as may be necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
16. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect. In the event any court or other competent authority holds any provisions
of this Agreement to be null, void or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith the execution and delivery of an amendment to this
Agreement in order, as nearly as possible, to effectuate, to the extent
permitted by law, the intent of the parties hereto with respect to such
provision and the economic effects thereof. If for any reason any such court or
regulatory agency determines that Trenwick is not permitted to acquire the full
number of shares of Chartwell Common Stock provided in Section 1 hereof (as the
same may be adjusted), it is the express intention of Chartwell to allow
Trenwick to acquire such lesser number of shares as may be permissible, without
any amendment or modification hereof. Each party agrees that, should any court
or other competent authority hold any provision of this Agreement or part hereof
to be null, void or unenforceable, or order any party to take any action
inconsistent herewith, or not take any action required herein, the other party
shall not be entitled to specific performance of such provision or part hereof
or to any other remedy, including but not limited to money damages, for breach
hereof or of any other provision of this Agreement or part hereof as the result
of such holding or order.
17. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given if (i) delivered, personally, or (ii) sent by overnight courier service
(providing proof of delivery), or (iii) telecopied (which is confirmed), or (iv)
five days after being mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to Trenwick:
Alan L. Hunte
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Trenwick Group Inc.
One Canterbury Green
Stamford, CT 06901
Fax: (203) 353-5544
with a copy to:
Baker & Mc Kenzie
805 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: James R. Cameron
Fax: (212) 891-3835
-9-
<PAGE>
If to Chartwell, to:
President
Chartwell Re Corporation
Four Stamford Plaza
107 Elm Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Fax: (203) 705-2710
with a copy to:
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Robert S. Rachofsky
Fax: (212) 424-8500
18. Governing Law; Choice of Forum. This Agreement shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof. Each of the
parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of any
federal court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court in
the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or
defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any
such court and (c) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court
other than a federal court sitting in the state of Delaware or a Delaware state
court.
19. Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement
to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are
used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words
"without limitation." The descriptive headings herein are inserted for
convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but both of
which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein
or in the Merger Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party
incurring such expenses.
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<PAGE>
22. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, except by
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.
23. Extension; Waiver. Any agreement on the part of a party
to waive any provision of this Agreement, or to extend the time for
performance, will be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed
on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert
any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise will not constitute a waiver
of such rights.
24. Loss or Mutilation. Upon receipt by Chartwell of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of
reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of
this Agreement, if mutilated, Chartwell will execute and deliver to Trenwick a
new Agreement of like tenor and date. Any such new Agreement executed and
delivered will constitute an additional contractual obligation on the part of
Chartwell, whether or not the Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated
shall at any time be enforceable by anyone.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the
date first above written.
TRENWICK GROUP INC.
By: /s/ James F. Billett, Jr.
----------------------------------
Name: James F. Billett, Jr.
Title: Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
CHARTWELL RE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Richard E. Cole
----------------------------------
Name: Richard E. Cole
Title: Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
Alan L. Hunte, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
Trenwick Group Inc., (NASDAQ National Market: TREN)
(203) 353-5500
Steven J. Bensinger, President, Chartwell Re Corporation
(NYSE: CWL) (203) 705-2520; 011-44-171-369-3000
TRENWICK GROUP INC. TO ACQUIRE CHARTWELL RE CORPORATION THROUGH A MERGER
Stamford Connecticut, June 22, 1999 . . .
Trenwick Group Inc. ("Trenwick") and Chartwell Re Corporation
("Chartwell") announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement
for Trenwick to acquire Chartwell. James F. Billett, Jr. will continue as
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trenwick, and Richard E.
Cole, Chartwell's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will join Trenwick
as Vice Chairman and a member of its Board of Directors. Three of
Chartwell's independent directors will be invited to join Trenwick's Board.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, shareholders of Chartwell will
receive 0.825 Trenwick shares for each Chartwell share in a tax-free
transaction. Based on Trenwick's closing price of $28.88 per share on
Monday, June 21, each Chartwell share would be valued at $23.82, and the
total consideration for the acquisition, including the assumption of
Chartwell's debt and the planned purchase by Chartwell of reserve
protection, would be approximately $368 million. The equity consideration
plus the cost of the reserve protection is approximately equal to 0.9 times
Chartwell's book value at March 31, 1999.
The transaction is subject to the approval of the respective companies'
shareholders, expiration of the applicable waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, regulatory approvals and
other customary closing conditions.
On a combined basis, the new Trenwick would have had assets in excess of $3
billion, shareholders' equity of $517 million and total capitalization of
$806 million as of March 31, 1999. Based on current projections, combined
gross written premiums for 1999 are expected to approximate $891 million.
At closing, the combination of Trenwick and Chartwell will result in the
second largest independent reinsurer in the U.S., as measured by surplus.
The company would have placed within the top ten domestic reinsurers as
ranked by surplus on the Reinsurance Association of America's March 31,
1999 report.
The companies believe that the transaction provides a cost-effective means
of augmenting capital, accelerating premium growth and adding structural
platforms for further expansion. The addition of Chartwell's U.S.
reinsurance business, its admitted and non-admitted U.S. insurance
companies and its operations at Lloyd's continues
Trenwick's strategy of entering new markets and product lines that began
with Trenwick's acquisition of Trenwick International (formerly Sorema
U.K.) in 1998. Trenwick expects that consolidating the two companies will
generate substantial economies and financial benefits and will produce a
transaction that will be immediately accretive to Trenwick's shareholders.
The combination is expected to produce $15 million and $25 million in
expense savings in 2000 and 2001, respectively.
As part of the transaction, Chartwell will purchase $100 million in reserve
protection. The coverage will apply to all of Chartwell's business,
including its operations at Lloyd's, underwritten prior to closing. This
reinsurance insulates the future results of the combined companies from any
unanticipated problems which may arise from Chartwell's past operations.
Trenwick Group Inc. is a holding company with two principal operating
subsidiaries, Trenwick America Re, which provides treaty and facultative
reinsurance to insurers of property and casualty risks in the United
States, and Trenwick International, which underwrites treaty and
facultative reinsurance as well as specialty insurance on a worldwide
basis. Trenwick America Re is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and
is assigned a claims-paying ability rating of A+ by Standard & Poor's.
Trenwick International is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and has
also been assigned a claims-paying ability rating of A+ by Standard &
Poor's.
Chartwell is an insurance holding company with global underwriting and
service operations, conducting its business in the United States and in the
Lloyd's market through its principal operating subsidiaries, Chartwell
Reinsurance Company, INSCORP and Chartwell Managing Agents Limited ("CMA").
Chartwell Reinsurance Company underwrites treaty reinsurance through
reinsurance brokers for casualty and, to a lesser extent, property risks as
well as for marine and aviation risks. INSCORP writes property and casualty
insurance through specialty program administrators. Chartwell Reinsurance
Company and INSCORP are rated A (Excellent) and A- (Excellent),
respectively, by A.M. Best Company and are assigned an A- claims-paying
ability rating by Standard & Poor's. CMA manages seven Lloyd's syndicates
with a total underwriting capacity for 1999 of approximately (pound)300
million ($500 million). All of CMA's syndicates enjoy the benefit of the
ratings of Lloyd's, which is rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and
has an A+ claims-paying ability rating from Standard & Poor's.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation acted as financial
advisor to Trenwick for the transaction and Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as
financial advisor to Chartwell.
* * *
This press release contains forward looking statements of management's
beliefs, estimates, projections and assumptions for the financial
condition, results of operations business and prospects of Trenwick after
the transaction, including anticipated cost savings and potential for
premium growth and business expansion that will result. These forward
looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including those
detailed from time to time in Trenwick's and Chartwell's reports and
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional factors
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated
by such forward looking statements include, among others, that expected
cost savings may not be fully realized within the anticipated time frame,
that difficulties related to the integration of the businesses of Trenwick
and Chartwell are greater than expected or that expectations for growth may
not be realizable.
June 22, 1999
