<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
____________
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
____________
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: _____________
5) Total fee paid: ______________
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid: _____________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: _____________
3) Filing Party: _____________
4) Date Filed: _____________
<PAGE>
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 1997
To the Shareholders of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (the "Company") will be held at Renaissance House,
8-12 East Broadway, Pembroke, Bermuda on May 8, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., Atlantic
daylight savings time, for the following purposes:
1. To fix the number of directors serving on the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") at eleven and to elect eleven members to the Board
to serve until the 1998 annual general meeting of shareholders or until
their successors are duly elected;
2. To consider, and if thought fit, approve amendments to the RenaissanceRe
Holdings Ltd. Second Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Incentive Plan
which would (i) increase the number of authorized shares available for
issuance thereunder by 1,000,000 shares; (ii) increase the number of
shares for which options may be granted to any single participant by
1,000,000 shares; and (iii) adjust the method of calculating the number
of shares available for issuance thereunder by deeming the number of
shares tendered to, or withheld by, the Company in connection with
certain option exercises and in satisfaction of tax withholding
liabilities to be so available;
3. To amend the Company's Bye-laws (i) to create a class of preference
shares; (ii) to empower the Board to issue such preference shares in one
or more series and fix the rights, preference, privileges and
restrictions thereof, without any further shareholder action or vote;
and (iii) to make certain related changes reflecting a capital structure
consisting of preference shares as well as common shares;
4. To appoint independent auditors of the Company for the 1997 fiscal year
to serve until the 1998 annual general meeting of shareholders and to
refer to the Board the determination of the auditors' remuneration;
5. In accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, to vote on a proposal to be
considered by the Company, as the holder of all outstanding capital
shares of Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. ("Reinsurance"), to fix the
number of directors serving on the Board of Directors of Reinsurance
(the "Reinsurance Board") at eleven and to elect eleven members to the
Reinsurance Board to serve until the 1998 annual general meeting of
shareholders of Reinsurance or until their successors are duly elected;
6. In accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, to vote on a proposal to be
considered by the Company, as the holder of all outstanding capital
shares of Reinsurance, to appoint independent auditors of Reinsurance
for the 1997 fiscal year to serve until the 1998 annual general meeting
of shareholders of Reinsurance and to refer to the Reinsurance Board the
determination of the auditors' remuneration; and
7. To receive the report of the Company's independent auditors and the
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996, and to act
upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
<PAGE>
All shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 1997 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
To ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting, you are
urged to complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card promptly in
the enclosed postage paid envelope. Please sign the accompanying proxy card
exactly as your name appears on your share certificate(s). You may revoke your
proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting. If you attend the
Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares in person.
By order of the Board of Directors,
James N. Stanard
Chairman of the Board
March 21, 1997
<PAGE>
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
RENAISSANCE HOUSE
8-12 EAST BROADWAY
PEMBROKE HM 19 BERMUDA
_________________________________
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 8, 1997
_________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of RenaissanceRe
Holdings Ltd. (the "Company") to be voted at the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at Renaissance House, 8-12 East Broadway, Pembroke,
Bermuda on May 8, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., Atlantic daylight savings time, or any
postponement or adjournment thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). This Proxy
Statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting and the accompanying form of proxy are
being first mailed to shareholders on or about March 21, 1997.
As of March 15, 1997, the record date for the determination of persons
entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, there were
issued and outstanding (i) 17,189,886 shares of the Company's common shares, par
value $1.00 per share (the "Full Voting Common Shares"); (ii) 4,199,190 shares
of the Company's Diluted Voting Class I Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share
(the "DVI Shares"); and (iii) 1,454,109 shares of the Company's Diluted Voting
Class II Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "DVII Shares" and
together with the DVI Shares, the "Diluted Voting Shares"). The Full Voting
Common Shares and the Diluted Voting Shares are referred to herein collectively
as the "Common Shares."
Holders of Full Voting Common Shares are entitled to one vote on each matter
to be voted upon by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting for each share held.
Holders of DVI Shares are entitled to a fixed voting interest in the Company of
up to 9.9% of all outstanding voting rights attached to the Common Shares,
inclusive of the percentage interest in the Company represented by Controlled
Common Shares (as defined below), but in no event greater than one vote for each
share held. Holders of DVII Shares are entitled to one-third of a vote for each
share held; provided, that in no event shall a holder of DVII Shares have
greater than 9.9% of all outstanding voting rights attached to the Common
Shares, inclusive of the percentage interest in the Company represented by
Controlled Common Shares. With respect to any holder of DVI Shares or DVII
Shares, "Controlled Common Shares" means Common Shares owned directly,
indirectly or constructively by such holder within the meaning of Section 958 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and applicable rules
and regulations thereunder.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of more than 50% of the
Common Shares outstanding and entitled to vote on the matters to be considered
at the Annual Meeting is required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at the Annual Meeting. Holders of Full Voting Common Shares and
Diluted Voting Shares shall vote together as a single class on all matters
presented for a vote by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
<PAGE>
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to (1) fix the number of
directors serving on the Board at eleven and elect eleven directors (the
"Nominees") to the Board to serve until the 1998 annual general meeting of
shareholders of the Company (the "1998 Annual Meeting") or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified (the "Renaissance Board Proposal");
(2) consider, and if thought fit, approve an amendment to the RenaissanceRe
Holdings Ltd. Second Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Incentive Plan") which would (i) increase the number of authorized shares
available for issuance thereunder by 1,000,000 shares; (ii) increase the number
of shares for which options may be granted to any single participant by
1,000,000 shares; and (iii) adjust the method of calculating the number of
shares available for issuance thereunder by deeming the number of shares
tendered to, or withheld by, the Company in connection with certain option
exercises and in satisfaction of tax withholding liabilities to be so available
(the "Incentive Plan Proposal"); (3) amend the Bye-Laws (i) to create a class of
preference shares of the Company (the "Preference Shares"); (ii) to empower the
Board to issue Preference Shares in one or more series and fix the rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof without any further shareholder
action or vote; and (iii) to make certain related changes reflecting a capital
structure consisting of Preference Shares as well as Common Shares (the
"Preference Shares Proposal"); (4) appoint the firm of Ernst & Young,
independent auditors, to serve as the Company's independent auditors for the
1997 fiscal year until the 1998 Annual Meeting, and refer the determination of
the auditors' remuneration to the Board (the "Renaissance Auditors Proposal");
(5) in accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, vote on a proposal to be
considered by the Company, as the holder of all outstanding capital shares of
Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. ("Reinsurance"), to fix the number of directors
serving on the Board of Directors of Reinsurance at eleven and elect the
Nominees to the Reinsurance Board to serve until the 1998 annual general meeting
of shareholders of Reinsurance or until their successors are duly elected (the
"Reinsurance Board Proposal"); and (6) in accordance with the Company's Bye-
Laws, vote on a proposal to be considered by the Company, as the holder of all
outstanding capital shares of Reinsurance, appoint Ernst & Young as independent
auditors of Reinsurance for the 1997 fiscal year to serve until the 1998 annual
general meeting of shareholders of Reinsurance and refer to the Reinsurance
Board the determination of the auditors' remuneration (collectively, the
"Reinsurance Auditors Proposal"). At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will also
receive the report of the independent auditors and the financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 1996, and may also be asked to consider and take
action with respect to such other matters as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
All of the above Proposals, except for the Preference Shares Proposal, will
be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting rights attaching
to the Common Shares present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. The
Preference Shares Proposal will be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the voting rights attaching to all issued and outstanding Common Shares. A
hand vote will be taken unless a poll is requested pursuant to the Bye-Laws.
Following the Annual Meeting, Reinsurance will hold its annual general
meeting of shareholders, at which meeting the Company, in accordance with its
Bye-Laws, will vote all of the outstanding shares of Reinsurance which it owns
in accordance with and proportional to the vote of the shareholders at the
Annual Meeting on the Reinsurance Board Proposal and the Reinsurance Auditors
Proposal.
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<PAGE>
SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION
PROXIES IN THE FORM ENCLOSED ARE BEING SOLICITED BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE
BOARD. THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM OF PROXY HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED
AS PROXIES BY THE BOARD. Such persons designated as proxies are officers of the
Company. Any shareholder desiring to appoint another person to represent him or
her at the Annual Meeting may do so either by inserting such person's name in
the blank space provided on the accompanying form of proxy, or by completing
another form of proxy and, in either case, delivering an executed proxy to the
Secretary of the Company at the address indicated above, before the time of the
Annual Meeting. It is the responsibility of the shareholder appointing such
other person to represent him or her to inform such person of this appointment.
All Common Shares represented by properly executed proxies which are returned
and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions, if any, given
thereon. If no instructions are provided in an executed proxy, it will be voted
(1) FOR the Renaissance Board Proposal; (2) FOR the Incentive Plan Proposal; (3)
FOR the Preference Shares Proposal; (4) FOR the Renaissance Auditors Proposal;
(5) FOR the Reinsurance Board Proposal; (6) FOR the Reinsurance Auditors
Proposal and in accordance with the proxyholder's best judgment as to any other
business raised at the Annual Meeting. If a shareholder appoints a person other
than the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to represent him or her,
such person will vote the shares in respect of which he or she is appointed
proxyholder in accordance with the directions of the shareholder appointing him
or her. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as shares present
in connection with proposals with respect to which they are not voted. Any
shareholder who executes a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by
delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written statement revoking such
proxy, by executing and delivering a later dated proxy, or by voting in person
at the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting by a shareholder who has
executed and delivered a proxy to the Company shall not in and of itself
constitute a revocation of such proxy.
The Company will bear its own cost of the solicitation of proxies. Proxies
will be solicited initially by mail. Further solicitation may be made by
directors, officers and employees of the Company personally, by telephone or
otherwise, but such persons will not be specifically compensated for such
services. The Company also intends to make, through bankers, brokers or other
persons, a solicitation of proxies of beneficial holders of the Common Shares.
Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks or similar
entities acting as nominees for reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding
copies of the proxy materials relating to the Annual Meeting to the beneficial
owners of Common Shares which such persons hold of record.
-3-
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The table below sets forth the names, ages and titles of the persons who were
directors of the Company and executive officers of the Company as of March 17,
1997.
NAME AGE POSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James N. Stanard........... 48 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Neill A. Currie............ 44 Senior Vice President
David A. Eklund............ 37 Senior Vice President
Keith S. Hynes............. 44 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
William I. Riker........... 37 Senior Vice President
Arthur S. Bahr............. 65 Director
Thomas A. Cooper........... 60 Director
Edmund B. Greene........... 58 Director
Gerald L. Igou............. 62 Director
Kewsong Lee................ 31 Director
John M. Lummis............. 39 Director
Howard H. Newman........... 49 Director
Scott E. Pardee............ 60 Director
John C. Sweeney............ 52 Director
David A. Tanner............ 38 Director
James N. Stanard has served as President and Chief Executive Officer
and as a director of the Company since its formation in June 1993. From 1991
through June 1993, Mr. Stanard served as Executive Vice President of United
States Fidelity & Guaranty Company ("USF&G") and was a member of a three-person
Office of the President. As Executive Vice President of USF&G, he was
responsible for USF&G's underwriting, claims and ceded reinsurance. From October
1983 to 1991, Mr. Stanard was an Executive Vice President of F&G Re, Inc.,
USF&G's start-up reinsurance subsidiary ("F&G Re"). Mr. Stanard was one of two
senior officers primarily responsible for the formation of F&G Re, where he was
responsible for underwriting, pricing and marketing activities of F&G Re during
its first seven years of operations. As Executive Vice President of F&G Re, Mr.
Stanard was personally involved in the design of pricing procedures, contract
terms and analytical underwriting tools for all types of treaty reinsurance,
including both U.S. and international property catastrophe reinsurance.
Neill A. Currie has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since its
formation in June 1993, Mr. Currie served as a director of the Company from
August 1994 through August 1995. From November 1992 through May 1993, Mr. Currie
served as Chief Executive Officer of G.J. Sullivan Co.-Atlanta, a private
domestic reinsurance broker. From 1982 through 1992, Mr. Currie served as Senior
Vice President at R/I and G.L. Hodson, predecessors to Willis Faber.
David A. Eklund has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since
February 1996. Mr. Eklund served as Vice President-Underwriting of the Company
from September 1993 until February 1996. From November 1989 through September
1993, Mr. Eklund held various positions in casualty underwriting at Old Republic
International Reinsurance Group, Inc., where he was responsible for casualty
treaty underwriting and marketing. From March 1988 to November 1989, Mr. Eklund
held
-4-
<PAGE>
various positions in catastrophe reinsurance at Berkshire Hathaway Inc.,
where he was responsible for underwriting and marketing finite risk and property
catastrophe reinsurance.
Keith S. Hynes has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since June 1994. Mr. Hynes was employed by Hartford Steam
Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co. ("Hartford Steam") from January 1983 to
January 1994. From April 1992 to January 1994, he served as Hartford Steam's
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From November 1986 to April
1992, Mr. Hynes worked in Hartford Steam's Underwriting Department, advancing to
Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer, where he managed Hartford
Steam's underwriting and ceded reinsurance activities, from April 1990 to April
1992. From January 1983 to November 1986, Mr. Hynes was Hartford Steam's Chief
Investment Officer. Mr. Hynes held several investment management positions with
Aetna Insurance Company from June 1978 to January 1983.
William I. Riker was appointed Senior Vice President of the Company in March
1995 and served as Vice President-Underwriting of the Company from November 1993
until such time. From March 1993 through October 1993, Mr. Riker served as Vice
President of Applied Insurance Research, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Riker held the
position of Senior Vice President, Director of Underwriting at American Royal
Reinsurance Company ("American Royal"). Mr. Riker was responsible for developing
various analytical underwriting tools while holding various positions at
American Royal from 1984 through 1993.
Arthur S. Bahr has served as a director of the Company since its formation in
June 1993. Mr. Bahr served as Director and Executive Vice President-Equities of
General Electric Investment Corporation ("GEIC"), a subsidiary of General
Electric Company and registered investment adviser, from 1987 until December
1993. Mr. Bahr has served GEIC in various senior investment positions since 1978
and was a Trustee of General Electric Pension Trust from 1976 until December
1993. Mr. Bahr served as Director and Executive Vice President of GE Investment
Management Incorporated, a subsidiary of General Electric Company and a
registered investment adviser, from 1988 until his retirement in December 1993.
From December 1993 until December 1995, Mr. Bahr served as a consultant to GEIC.
Thomas A. Cooper has served as a Director of the Company since August 7,
1996. From August 1993 until August 1996 Mr. Cooper served as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of TAC Bancshares, Inc. and as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Chase Federal Bank FSB. From June 1992 until July 1993,
Mr. Cooper served as principal of TAC Associates, a financial investment
company. From April 1990 until May 1992 Mr. Cooper served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Goldome FSB. From 1986 to April 1990, Mr. Cooper served as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Investment Services of America, one of
the largest full service securities brokerage and investment companies in the
United States. Prior thereto, Mr. Cooper served as President of Bank of America
from February 1983 to April 1986. From 1980 to 1982 Mr. Cooper served as Vice
Chairman of Mellon Bank. From 1978 to 1982, Mr. Cooper was President of Girard
Bank in Philadelphia.
Edmund B. Greene has served as a director of the Company since its formation
in June 1993. Mr. Greene has served as Deputy Treasurer-Insurance of General
Electric Company since March 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Greene was Manager-
Corporate Insurance Operation of General Electric Company since 1985, and
previously served in various financial management assignments since 1962.
Gerald L. Igou has served as a director of the Company since its formation in
June 1993. Mr. Igou has served as a Vice President-Investment Analyst for GEIC
since September 1993. He is a Certified Financial Analyst and has served GEIC in
the capacities of investment analyst and sector
-5-
<PAGE>
portfolio manager since 1968. Prior to joining General Electric, Mr. Igou was an
analyst with the Wall Street firms of Smith Barney Inc. and Dean Witter & Co.
Kewsong Lee has served as a director of the Company since December 1994. Mr.
Lee has served as a Member and Managing Director of E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co.
LLC ("EMW LLC") and a general partner of Warburg, Pincus & Co. ("WP") since
January 1, 1997. Mr. Lee served as a Vice President of Warburg, Pincus
Ventures, Inc. ("WPV") from January 1995 to December 1996, and an associate at
E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., Inc. ("EMW") from 1992 to until December 1994.
Prior to joining EMW, Mr. Lee was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, Inc., a
management consulting company, from 1990 to 1992. Mr. Lee is a director of
Knoll, Inc. and several privately held companies.
John M. Lummis has served as a director of the Company since July 1993. Mr.
Lummis has served as Vice President-Business Development of USF&G Corporation
since 1994 and served as Vice President and Group General Counsel for USF&G
Corporation from 1991 until 1995. USF&G Corporation is the parent company of
USF&G. From 1982 until 1991, Mr. Lummis was engaged in the private practice of
law with the law firm of Shearman & Sterling.
Howard H. Newman has served as a director of the Company since its formation
in June 1993. Mr. Newman has served as a Member and Managing Director of EMW LLC
(and its predecessor) and a general partner of WP since 1987. Mr. Newman is a
director of ADVO, Inc., Newfield Exploration Company, Cox Insurance Holdings
Plc, Comcast UK Cable Partners Limited and several privately held companies.
Scott E. Pardee. Mr. Pardee has served as a director of the Company since
February 1997. Mr. Pardee served as Chairman of Yamaichi International
(America), Inc., a financial services company, from 1989 to 1994. Mr. Pardee
previously served as Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of
Directors of Discount Corporation of New York, a primary dealer in U.S.
government securities, and Senior Vice President and Manager of the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York.
John C. Sweeney has served as a director of the Company since December 1996.
Mr. Sweeney has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of
USF&G since 1992, and as Chairman of Falcon Asset Management since 1992. Prior
thereto, Mr. Sweeney served as Principal and Practice Director of Towers Perrin
Consulting Services from 1985 to 1992, and as Chief Investment Officer of
McM/Occidential Peninsular Insurance Companies from 1981 to 1984. Mr. Sweeney
also serves as a Director of USF&G Pacholder Fund, Inc.
David A. Tanner has served as a director of the Company since December 1996.
Mr. Tanner has served as a Member and Managing Director of EMW LLC (and its
predecessor) and a general partner of WP since January 1, 1993. Mr. Tanner
served as a Vice President of EMW from January 1, 1991 to 1993 and was an
associate at EMW from March 1986 to December 1990. Mr. Tanner is a director of
Golden Books Family Entertainment, Inc., the New York Venture Capital Forum and
several privately held companies. Mr. Tanner previously served as a director of
the Company from December 1994 through May 1996.
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<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS,
MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth information as of March 17, 1997 with respect
to the beneficial ownership of Common Shares and the applicable voting rights
attaching to such share ownership in accordance with the Bye-laws by (i) each
person known by the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding
Common Shares; (ii) each director of the Company; (iii) the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and each of the four remaining most highly compensated
executive officers (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"); and (iv) all
executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) COMMON SHARES(2) VOTING RIGHTS
- -------------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. ("WPI")(3)
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017.................... 7,914,619 42.5%
PT Investments, Inc. ("PT Investments") (4)
3003 Summer Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06904................. 4,199,191 (5) 5.1
GE Investment Private Placement
Partners I -
Insurance, Limited Partnership
("GE Insurance") (4)
3003 Summer Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06904................. 1,454,109 (6) 2.6
United States Fidelity and Guaranty
Company
100 Light Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202................... 2,776,137 14.9
James N. Stanard (7)........................ 825,918 4.4
Neill A. Currie (8)......................... 205,008 1.1
Keith S. Hynes (9).......................... 170,894 *
William I. Riker (10)....................... 103,812 *
David A. Eklund (11)........................ 65,625 *
Arthur S. Bahr.............................. 12,546 *
Thomas A. Cooper............................ 382 *
Edmund B. Greene (12)....................... -- --
Gerald L. Igou (12)......................... -- --
Kewsong Lee (3)............................. -- --
John M. Lummis (13)......................... 2,000 *
Howard H. Newman (3)........................ -- --
Scott E. Pardee............................. 600 *
John C. Sweeney (13)........................ -- --
David A. Tanner (3)......................... -- --
All executive officers and directors of
the Company (12 persons)................... 1,386,785 8.1
- ------------
</TABLE>
* Less than 1%
-7-
<PAGE>
(1) Pursuant to the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"), shares are deemed to be "beneficially owned" by a
person if such person directly or indirectly has or shares the power to
vote or dispose of such shares whether or not such person has any
pecuniary interest in such shares or the right to acquire the power to
vote or dispose of such shares within 60 days, including any right to
acquire through the exercise of any option, warrant or right.
(2) Unless otherwise noted, consists solely of Full Voting Common Shares.
(3) The sole general partner of WPI is WP, a New York general partnership.
EMW LLC, a New York limited liability company, manages WPI. The members
of EMW LLC are substantially the same as the partners of WP. Lionel I.
Pincus is the managing partner of WP and the managing member of EMW LLC,
and may be deemed to control both WP and EMW LLC. WP, as the sole general
partner of WPI, has a 20% interest in the profits of WPI. WP and EMW may
be deemed to beneficially own the Full Voting Common Shares owned by WPI
within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Kewsong Lee, Howard H. Newman, and
David A. Tanner, each a director of the Company, are Managing Directors,
members of EMW LLC and general partners of WP. As such, Messrs. Lee,
Newman and Tanner may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest
(within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) in an
indeterminate portion of the Common Shares beneficially owned by WPI, EMW
and WP. Each of Messrs. Lee, Newman and Tanner disclaims "beneficial
ownership" of the Full Voting Common Shares owned by WPI within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(4) Does not include any Common Shares indirectly held by Trustees of General
Electric Pension Trust ("GE Pension Trust") or GE Investment Private
Placement Partners I, Limited Partnership ("GE Investment") by virtue of
GE Pension Trust's limited partnership interest in WPI or as a result of
GE Pension Trust's or GE Investment's indirect interest in USF&G by
virtue of GE Pension Trust's, GE Investment's and certain of their
affiliates' holdings of 4,442,002 shares of Common Stock of USF&G
Corporation, the parent company of USF&G. GE Investment Management is the
general partner of GE Investment and a wholly owned subsidiary of General
Electric Company. As a result, each of GE Investment Management and
General Electric Company ("GEC") may be deemed to be the beneficial owner
of the Common Shares owned by GE Investment. GEC disclaims such
beneficial ownership, within the meaning of the Exchange Act or
otherwise.
(5) Consists solely of DVI Shares.
(6) Consists solely of DVII Shares.
(7) Includes 165,052 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options
under the Incentive Plan that are vested and presently exercisable.
(8) Includes 43,786 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options under
the Incentive Plan that are vested and presently exercisable.
(9) Includes 22,919 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options under
the Incentive Plan that are vested and presently exercisable.
(10) Includes 37,099 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options under
the Incentive Plan that are vested and presently exercisable.
(11) Includes 23,035 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options under
the Incentive Plan that are vested and presently exercisable.
-8-
<PAGE>
(12) Mr. Greene is the Deputy Treasurer-Insurance of General Electric Company
and Mr. Igou is a Vice President-Investment Analyst for GEIC. Messrs.
Greene and Igou disclaim "beneficial ownership," within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Common Shares owned by PT
Investments and GE Insurance.
(13) Mr. Lummis is the Vice President-Business Development for USF&G
Corporation, the parent company of USF&G, and Mr. Sweeney is the Senior
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for USF&G Corporation.
Messrs. Lummis and Sweeney disclaim "beneficial ownership" within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act of the Full Voting Common
Shares owned by USF&G.
Shareholders Agreement
WPI, PT Investments, GE Insurance and USF&G (collectively, the "Investors")
are parties to an amended and restated shareholders agreement (the "Shareholders
Agreement") among themselves and the Company which provides them with the
ability, if they act in concert, to elect a majority of the members of the Board
and approve or prevent certain actions requiring shareholder approval, including
adopting amendments to the Bye-Laws and approving a merger or consolidation,
liquidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, the number of directors serving on the
Board is fixed at 11.
Pursuant to the terms of the Shareholders Agreement, the Board presently
consists of three members designated by WPI (the "WPI Directors"), one member
designated by PT Investments (the "PT Investments Director"), one member
designated by GE Insurance (the "GE Insurance Director") and one member
designated by USF&G (the "USF&G Director").
At such time as WPI owns less than 3,706,146 Common Shares, but at least
1,853,073 Common Shares, the number of directors that WPI shall be entitled to
nominate shall be reduced to two and, in the event that there are more than two.
At such time as WPI owns less than 1,853,073 Common Shares, but at least 741,229
Common Shares, the number of directors that WPI shall be entitled to nominate
shall be reduced to one. At such time as any one of WPI, PT Investments or
USF&G shall own less than 741,229 Common Shares, then such party shall no longer
be entitled to nominate any director to the Board.
GE Insurance, so long as it owns any Common Shares, shall be entitled to
nominate one director to the Board. At such time as PT Investments and GE
Insurance shall, in the aggregate, own less than 1,853,073 Common Shares, then
PT Investments shall not have any right to nominate a director and GE Insurance
shall have the right to nominate one director. At such time as GE Insurance
shall own no Common Shares and PT Investments shall own at least 741,229 Common
Shares, GE Insurance shall not have the right to nominate a director and PT
Investments shall have the right to nominate one director to the Board.
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<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with USF&G and GEI
The Company has in force several reinsurance treaties with USF&G,
subsidiaries of USF&G and affiliates of PT Investments and GE Insurance
(collectively, "GEI") covering property catastrophe risks in several geographic
zones. The terms of these treaties with USF&G, subsidiaries of USF&G and
affiliates of GEI were determined in arms' length negotiations and the Company
believes that such terms are comparable to terms the Company would expect to
negotiate in similar transactions with unrelated parties. For the year ended
December 31, 1996, the Company received approximately $4.7 million and $23.2
million in reinsurance premiums and deposits from subsidiaries of USF&G and
affiliates of GEI, respectively.
Investment Advisory Agreements
Reinsurance has entered into Investment Advisory Agreements with each of
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors Bermuda ("Counsellors"), an affiliate of WPI, and GE
Investment Management Incorporated ("GE Investment Management"), an affiliate of
GEI. Counsellors and GE Investment Management each manage independently
approximately 40% of Reinsurance's investment portfolio, all subject to
Reinsurance's investment guidelines. The terms of the Investment Advisory
Agreements were determined in arms' length negotiations. The performance of, and
the fees paid to, Counsellors and GE Investment Management under the Investment
Advisory Agreements are reviewed periodically by the Investment Committee of the
Board. Such fees paid to Counsellors and GE Investment Management aggregated
$0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31,
1996.
Loan and Pledge Agreements
In connection with an equity recapitalization of the Company in March 1995
(the "1995 Recapitalization"), the Company amended and restated the Incentive
Plan, issued an aggregate of 787,500 restricted Full Voting Common Shares (the
"Restricted Shares") to Messrs. Stanard, Currie, Hynes, Riker and Eklund
(collectively, "Management") thereunder and entered into loan and pledge
agreements with each of the members of Management to assist them in meeting
their respective income tax obligations relating to their receipt of such Full
Voting Common Shares. As of December 31, 1996, the outstanding principal amount
of each such loan was $2,674,554 for Mr. Stanard, $576,058 for Mr. Currie,
$205,735 for Mr. Eklund, and $329,176 for Mr. Riker. During 1995, Mr. Hynes
repaid the entire amount of the loan provided to him, plus accrued interest to
the repayment date. The loans are nonrecourse and currently bear interest at a
rate of 6.5% per annum. Interest accrues annually and is payable at maturity,
which is the earlier of seven years from the date the loans were made or the
date the executive's employment terminates. Each of such loans is secured by
232,570 Common Shares held by Mr. Stanard; 50,092 Common Shares held by Mr.
Currie; 17,890 Common Shares held by Mr. Eklund and 28,624 Common Shares held by
Mr. Riker, as applicable.
The Repurchase; The Tender Offer
On December 16, 1996, the Company announced a plan to return $100 million of
capital to its shareholders through the Repurchase and the Tender Offer (as
defined below). On December 13, 1996, the Company repurchased for cancellation
an aggregate of 2,085,361 Full Voting Common Shares (the "Repurchase") from WPI,
GE Pension Trust, GE Investment and USF&G on a pro rata basis at a price
-10-
<PAGE>
of $34.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $71.9
million as follows: 1,009,838 shares from WPI; 360,656 shares from GE Pension
Trust; 360,656 shares from GE Investment; and 354,211 shares from USF&G. On
December 23, 1996, the Company commenced an offer to purchase for cancellation
from tendering shareholders an aggregate of up to 813,190 Common Shares (the
"Tender Offer") at a price of $34.50 per share, net to the seller in cash, for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $28.1 million. The Tender Offer
expired as scheduled at midnight, New York City time, on January 22, 1997, and
was oversubscribed. Following the expiration of the Tender Offer and the
determination of the final proration factor, the Company purchased an aggregate
of 813,190 Common Shares for cancellation from tendering shareholders. None of
Management or the Investors participated in the Tender Offer.
The 1996 Recapitalization
On December 23, 1996, the Company held a Special General Meeting of
Shareholders to approve, among other things, an amendment to the Bye-Laws
creating by redesignation of the authorized share capital of the Company and
setting forth the rights and preferences of two new series of capital shares of
the Company consisting of (i) 16,789,776 DVI Shares and (ii) 1,639,641 DVII
Shares, which were issued pursuant to the approval of the Board to certain
shareholders of the Company in exchange for an equal number of Full Voting
Common Shares held by such shareholders on a one-for-one basis (the "1996
Recapitalization").
Registration Rights
The Investors are parties to an amended and restated registration rights
agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") among themselves and the
Company, pursuant to which each Investor has the right to require registration
by the Company on two separate occasions at any time of the Full Voting Common
Shares, Diluted Voting Shares or Full Voting Common Shares issued upon
conversion of Diluted Voting Shares (collectively, the "Registrable Securities")
held by any such person, as the case may be; provided, however, that the Company
is required to honor a demand for registration of Diluted Voting Shares only if
it shall be a condition to the delivery of the Diluted Voting Shares
contemplated by such registration that, immediately following the sale thereof
by such holder, such Diluted Voting Shares shall be converted into Full Voting
Common Shares. The Company has the right once in any twelve-month period to not
effect a demand for registration for up to 120 days if, in the good faith
judgment of the Board, it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its
shareholders to effect such registration. In connection with such registrations,
the Company is required to bear all registration and selling expenses, other
than underwriting fees and commissions. The Company currently does not intend to
list the Diluted Voting Shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Registration
rights under the Registration Rights Agreement are transferable to an assignee
or transferee of Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company has filed a registration statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act (File No. 333-06339) registering for sale an aggregate of
2,312,500 Full Voting Common Shares issued pursuant to the Incentive Plan and
the RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "Non-
Employee Director Plan"). The Company will file, subject to approval of the
Incentive Plan Proposal by the requisite affirmative shareholder vote at the
Annual Meeting, an amended registration statement on Form S-8 registering for
sale under the Securities Act an additional 1,787,500 Full Voting Common Shares
available for issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan, as amended.
-11-
<PAGE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; BOARD COMMITTEES
Board of Directors Meetings; Board Committee Meetings
During 1996, the Board met nine times, the Executive Committee (which no
longer exists) did not meet, the Audit Committee met three times, the Investment
Committee met two times, and the Compensation Committee met two times. Each of
the Company's Directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of
the Board and Committees on which he served, with the exception of Mr. Lee, who
missed four meetings of the Board.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board presently consists of Messrs. Bahr, Cooper,
Lee, Lummis and Pardee and is responsible for meeting with the Company's
independent accountants regarding, among other issues, audits and adequacy of
the Company's accounting and control systems.
Compensation Committee; Compensation Sub-Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board presently consists of Messrs. Bahr,
Cooper, Lummis and Newman, and has the authority to establish compensation
policies and recommend compensation programs to the Board. A sub-committee of
the Compensation Committee (the "Sub-Committee"), which presently consists of
Messrs. Bahr and Cooper, has the authority to grant options ("Options") and
restricted Full Voting Common Shares (the "Restricted Shares") under the
Incentive Plan and to administer the Incentive Plan and the Company's bonus
plan.
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee of the Board presently consists of Messrs. Igou,
Pardee, Stanard, Sweeney and Tanner and has the authority to establish
investment policies and the responsibility for oversight of investment managers
of the Company's investment portfolio.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Under the Exchange Act, the Company's directors and executive officers, and
any persons holding more than 10% of the outstanding Common Shares are required
to report their initial ownership of Common Shares and any subsequent changes in
that ownership to the Commission. Specific due dates for these reports have been
established by the Commission, and the Company is required to disclose in this
Proxy Statement any failure by such persons to file these reports in a timely
manner during the 1996 fiscal year. Based upon the Company's review of copies of
such reports furnished to it, the Company believes that during the 1996 fiscal
year its executive officers and directors and the holders of more than 10% of
the outstanding Common Shares complied with all reporting requirements of
Section 16(a) under the Exchange Act, subject to the exceptions set forth below.
GE Pension Trust and GE Investment did not file Reports of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 4 in connection with the Repurchase
and certain events occurring in connection with the 1996 Recapitalization. Each
of GE Pension Trust and GE Investment filed Annual Statements of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership on Form 5 reporting such events on February 15, 1997.
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<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation Policy. The Company's compensation policy for all of
its executive officers is formulated and administered by the Sub-Committee of
the Board. The Sub-Committee also administers the Incentive Plan, under which
the Sub-Committee periodically grants Options and Restricted Shares to the
executive officers and other employees of the Company. Exercise prices and
vesting terms of Options granted under such Plan are in the sole discretion of
the Sub-Committee.
The Company engaged the services of Sibson & Company, independent consultants
on executive compensation, during 1996 to review the executive compensation
program and make recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the
design and guiding principles of the program.
The primary goals of the Company's compensation policy are to continue to
attract and retain talented executives at the Company's offshore location, to
reward results (i.e., contribution to shareholder value, benchmarked results for
key performance factors and accomplishment of agreed-upon goals) and to
encourage teamwork. The Compensation Committee believes that the total
compensation awarded should be concentrated in equity-based incentives to link
the interests of executives more closely with the interests of the Company's
shareholders. In determining the level of executive compensation, the
Compensation Committee evaluates whether the compensation awarded to an
executive is competitive with compensation awarded to executives holding similar
positions at selected peer companies, combined with an evaluation of the
executive's performance.
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of the Named
Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the base
salary component and cost of living allowances awarded to such executives under
their respective employment agreements. The Sub-Committee may award
discretionary annual cash bonuses.
The Sub-Committee may also grant Options and/or Restricted Shares to such
executives. Generally, Options are granted at a price equal to the fair market
value of the Full Voting Common Shares on the date of the grant. The
Compensation Committee believes that such executives' beneficial ownership
positions in the Company, as a result of their respective personal investments
and the Options and Restricted Shares granted to them, cause their interests to
be well aligned with those of the Company and its shareholders.
Chief Executive Officer's Compensation. The compensation of James N.
Stanard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is determined and
reviewed by the Compensation Committee. In determining Mr. Stanard's
compensation, the Compensation Committee evaluates Mr. Stanard's contributions
toward creation and enhancement of shareholder value, including the achievement
of agreed-upon objectives. The Compensation Committee considers subjective
factors, such as Mr. Stanard's dedication and leadership abilities, as well as
objective factors, such as his impact on the financial and operating performance
of the Company. The Compensation Committee believes that the continuing
development of the Company, the excellent operating results of the Company, the
execution of the Company's capital plan, the success in motivating the employees
of the Company, the articulation of the strategic vision of the Company and the
current market position of the Company were significantly impacted by Mr.
Stanard and members of his management team.
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<PAGE>
Consistent with the Compensation Committee's general compensation philosophy
for the Company's executives, Mr. Stanard's compensation has been weighted
significantly towards equity-based incentives, and Mr. Stanard's annual salary
and cash bonuses have been targeted at the average of cash and bonus
compensation paid to chief executive officers at selected peer companies. The
Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Stanard's beneficial ownership position
in the Company, as a result of his personal investment and the Options and
Restricted Shares granted to him, cause his interests to be well aligned with
the long term interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The Company is not a United States taxpayer, therefore, Section 162(m) of the
Code (which generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for annual
compensation over $1 million paid to the chief executive officer or any of the
four other most highly compensated executive officers) does not apply to the
Company's compensation payments.
Arthur S. Bahr, Chairman
Thomas A. Cooper
John M. Lummis
Howard H. Newman
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative return on the Common Shares
during the fiscal periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 to such return for
the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 Composite Stock Price Index and S&P's
Property-Casualty Industry Group Stock Price Index for the period commencing
with the effective date of the Company's initial public offering of Common
Shares on July 26, 1995 (the "Initial Public Offering") and ending on December
31, 1996, assuming (i) $100 was invested on July 26, 1995 (the effective date of
the Initial Public Offering for which the initial price to the public was $19.50
per Common Share) and (ii) reinvestment of dividends. Each measurement point on
the graph below represents the cumulative shareholder return as measured by the
last sale price at the end of each calendar year during the period from July 26,
1995 through December 31, 1996. As depicted in the graph below, during this
period, the cumulative total return (1) for the Common Shares was 156.7%, (2)
for the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index was 135.4% and (3) for the S&P
Property-Casualty Industry Group Stock Price Index was 151.6%.
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<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
[Comparison Graph Appears Here]
Executive Compensation
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth information concerning
the compensation for services paid to the Named Executive Officers during the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) COMPENSATION AWARDS(4) OPTIONS/SARs COMPENSATION
- --------------------- ---- -------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James N. Stanard, 1996 $370,833 $537,950 $294,349(2) $-- 77,500(5) $30,000
President and Chief 1995 271,875 210,000 281,116(2) 1,629,000 438,750(5) 30,000
Executive Officer... 1994 193,750 200,000 134,283(3) -- -- 30,000
Neill A. Currie, 1996 $242,125 $281,970 $178,738(2) $-- 51,500(5) $30,000
Senior Vice 1995 223,063 150,000 155,146(2) 351,000 125,000(5) 30,000
President .......... 1994 205,625 175,000 150,698(3) -- -- 30,000
David A. Eklund, 1996 $179,793 $207,150 $153,285(2) $-- 57,660(5) $30,000
Senior Vice 1995 148,135 97,500 157,152(2) 125,000 71,250(5) 30,000
President........... 1994 132,925 97,500 140,144(3) -- -- 30,000
Keith S. Hynes,
Senior Vice
President and 1996 $229,167 $207,150 $183,071(2) $-- 51,500(5) $30,000
Chief Financial 1995 207,500 170,000 130,518(2) 125,000 74,750(5) 30,000
Officer............. 1994 114,487 60,000 76,493(3) -- 28,788(6) 30,000
William I. Riker, 1996 $226,910 $214,440 $154,251(2) $-- 58,237(5) $30,000
Senior Vice 1995 192,585 130,000 128,741(2) 200,000 95,000(5) 30,000
President........... 1994 172,850 214,750 132,833(3) -- 46,061(6) 30,000
- ---------------
</TABLE>
Footnotes follow on next page.
-15-
<PAGE>
(1) The 1994 bonus amounts are cash bonuses for the period from July 1, 1993
through June 30, 1994, except the bonus amount shown for Mr. Hynes, and
$100,000 of the 1994 bonus amount shown for Mr. Riker, which were paid
in connection with the respective executive's acceptance of employment
with the Company.
(2) The 1996 amount includes housing expense reimbursements in the amount of
$190,652, $108,000, $105,000, $108,000 and $108,000 for Messrs. Stanard,
Currie, Eklund, Hynes and Riker, respectively. The 1995 amount includes
housing expense reimbursements in the amount of $188,958, $97,500,
$79,500, $100,650 and $75,000 for Messrs. Stanard, Currie, Eklund, Hynes
and Riker, respectively.
(3) For Mr. Stanard, this amount includes $111,559 in housing expense
reimbursement. For Mr. Currie, this amount includes $96,000 in housing
expense reimbursement and $39,598 in moving expense reimbursement. For
Mr. Eklund, this amount includes $78,000 in housing expense
reimbursement and $49,779 in moving expense reimbursement. For Mr.
Hynes, this amount includes $36,000 in housing expense reimbursement and
$34,850 in moving expense reimbursement. For Mr. Riker, this amount
includes $72,410 in housing expense reimbursement and $46,943 in moving
expense reimbursement.
(4) Represents the value of Bonus Shares (based on a value of $11.83 per
share on March 26, 1995, granted to the Named Executive Officers in
connection with the 1995 Recapitalization, including the value of vested
Bonus Shares (based on a value of $11.83 per share on March 26, 1995)
granted to the Named Executive Officers in connection with the 1995
Recapitalization. The value of unvested Bonus Shares (based on a fair
market value of $33.00 per share as of December 31, 1996) held by the
Named Executive Officers on December 31, 1996 was $0 for Mr. Stanard,
$454,781 for Mr. Currie, $162,421 for Mr. Eklund, $162,421 for Mr. Hynes
and $259,875 for Mr. Riker. Dividends on unvested Bonus Shares are paid
currently.
(5) Represents the aggregate number of Full Voting Common Shares subject to
Options granted to the Named Executive Officers during 1995 and
1996, as applicable.
(6) Represents the number of Full Voting Common Shares issuable upon
exercise on March 26, 1995 of all Options granted under the Incentive
Plan prior to the 1995 Recapitalization. See "Aggregate Stock Option
Exercise Table" below.
(7) Represents the amounts contributed to the account of each Named
Executive Officer under the Company's profit sharing retirement plan.
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<PAGE>
STOCK OPTION GRANTS TABLE
The following table sets forth information concerning individual grants of
options to purchase Full Voting Common Shares made to Named Executive Officers
during 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
NUMBER OF VALUE AT ASSUMED
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATES OF
UNDERLYING OPTIONS OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
NAME GRANTED TO EMPLOYEES BASE PRICE DATE OPTION TERM
- ------------------ ------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
5% 10%
----------------------------
James N. Stanard........... 77,500(1) 17.72% $29.45 8/06/06 $1,453,373 $3,637,518
Neill A. Currie............ 51,500(1) 11.78 29.45 8/06/06 953,829 2,417,189
David A. Eklund............ 51,500(1) 11.78 29.45 8/06/06 953,829 2,417,189
2,944(2) 0.67 27.25 3/26/05 44,230 108,940
3,216(2) 0.74 29.55 6/30/05 52,394 129,050
Keith S. Hynes............. 51,500(1) 11.78 29.45 8/06/06 953,829 2,417,189
William I. Riker........... 51,500(1) 11.78 29.45 8/06/06 953,829 2,417,189
2,944(2) 0.67 27.25 3/26/05 44,230 108,940
3,793(2) 0.87 29.55 6/30/05 61,795 152,203
</TABLE>
___________________
(1) These Options granted under the Incentive Plan are Options not qualified
as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code
which vest 15% on each of August 6, 1997, 1998 and 1998 and 55% on
August 6, 1999. See "Proposal 2--The Incentive Plan Proposal" below for
a general description of the Incentive Plan.
(2) Consists solely of "Reload Options" granted under the Incentive Plan.
See "Proposal 2--The Incentive Plan Proposal" below.
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<PAGE>
AGGREGATE STOCK OPTION EXERCISE TABLE
The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of Options
by Named Executive Officers during 1996. The table also shows the number and
value of unexercised Options which were granted to the Named Executive Officers
during 1996. The values of unexercised Options are based on a fair market value
of $33.00 per share on December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
NUMBER OF UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED
SHARES ACQUIRED ON OPTIONS EXERCISABLE/ VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
NAME EXERCISE VALUE REALIZED(1) UNEXERCISABLE OPTIONS EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James N. Stanard -- -- 286,605/229,645 $5,732,100/$3,318,025
Neill A. Currie -- -- 64,960/111,541 1,285,956/1,343,934
David A. Eklund 9,375 $127,110 23,035/96,500 365,523/1,029,736
Keith S. Hynes -- -- 27,125/99,125 522,573/1,075,543
William I. Riker 10,250 139,360 37,099/105,889 637,244/1,210,813
</TABLE>
________________
(1) The values realized are based on a fair market value on the date of
exercise less the Option exercise price.
Director Compensation
The Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, as amended, provides equity
compensation for those directors of the Company (the "Non-Employee Directors")
who are not employees of the Company or the Investors, or any of their
respective affiliates. Such Plan provides for (i) annual grants of Full Voting
Common Shares in such number as the Board may determine; (ii) grants of options
to purchase 6,000 Full Voting Common Shares upon appointment to the Board (or
such later date as the Board may establish) and options to purchase 2,000 Full
Voting Common Shares upon each re-election to the Board, in each case at an
exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Full Voting Common Shares
on the date of grant or as otherwise determined by the Board; (iii) grants of
Full Voting Common Shares from time to time in such number as the Board may
determine; and (iv) grants of options to purchase Full Voting Common Shares from
time to time, at such price and in such number as the Board may determine. Non-
Employee Directors will also receive an annual retainer of $10,000 under such
Plan. Non-Employee Directors also receive a fee of $1,000 for each Board
meeting attended and a fee of $500 for each Board committee meeting attended.
Additionally, the Company provides to all directors reimbursement of all
expenses incurred in connection with service on the Board.
Loan and Pledge Agreements
The Company entered into loan and pledge agreements with Messrs. Stanard,
Currie, Eklund, Hynes and Riker to assist them in meeting income tax obligations
relating to their receipt of Base Shares and Bonus Shares pursuant to the 1995
Recapitalization. During 1995, Mr. Hynes repaid the entire amount of the loan
provided to him, plus accrued interest to the repayment date. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions."
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<PAGE>
Employment Agreements
On March 26, 1995, Reinsurance entered into an Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement with James N. Stanard (the "CEO Employment Agreement"). The
CEO Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Stanard will serve as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company until December 31, 1997, unless terminated earlier as
provided therein.
The CEO Employment Agreement currently provides for a base salary of $400,000
per year. In addition, Mr. Stanard is entitled to certain expense reimbursements
including reasonable housing and relocation expenses in connection with his
moving to and residing in Bermuda, reasonable business-related expenses incurred
by him in connection with the performance of his duties, an automobile, first-
class air travel for himself and his family between Bermuda and the United
States, professional tax and financial planning services and tax reimbursement
for any additional income tax liability of Mr. Stanard attributable to certain
of the foregoing. Mr. Stanard may receive an annual bonus at the discretion of
the Compensation Committee.
The CEO Employment Agreement contains customary provisions relating to
exclusivity of services, non-competition and confidentiality. These provisions
require that Mr. Stanard devote substantially all of his working time to the
business of the Company and Reinsurance, and not engage in business activities
that are competitive with the business of the Company and Reinsurance. As
described below, the non-competition obligation may extend for up to one year
after termination of Mr. Stanard's employment. In addition, Mr. Stanard is
required to maintain in confidence, and not use for his own benefit, any
business secrets or other confidential information concerning the business or
policies of the Company and Reinsurance.
Upon expiration of the CEO Employment Agreement on December 31, 1997, or upon
any termination of Mr. Stanard's employment other than a voluntary termination
without "Good Reason" or a termination for "Cause" (as such terms are defined in
the CEO Employment Agreement), Mr. Stanard shall receive $250,000, payable in 12
equal monthly installments. Reinsurance may terminate the CEO Employment
Agreement at any time for "Cause."
Under the CEO Employment Agreement, "Cause" means Mr. Stanard's (i) willful
and continued failure to substantially perform his duties, (ii) engaging in
willful misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company
or Reinsurance, (iii) commission of an act of fraud or embezzlement against the
Company or Reinsurance, (iv) conviction of a felony or (v) material breach of
his confidentiality or noncompetition obligations. "Good Reason" means (i) an
assignment to Mr. Stanard of duties materially inconsistent with his current
authority, duties or responsibilities, or other material diminution or adverse
change in his current authority, duties or responsibilities without his consent,
(ii) a material breach of the CEO Employment Agreement by Reinsurance, (iii) a
failure by Reinsurance to have any successor be bound by the terms of the CEO
Employment Agreement or (iv) a decision by the Board to effect a winding down
and dissolution of Reinsurance.
The CEO Employment Agreement provides that upon a termination of Mr.
Stanard's employment by Reinsurance for "Cause," or a voluntary termination by
Mr. Stanard without "Good Reason," Mr. Stanard may not engage in business
practices competitive with the business of the Company for a period of one year
from termination. In exchange for this non-competition obligation, Reinsurance
is required to pay Mr. Stanard $400,000 in twelve equal monthly installments.
The Company may, within 14 days of such termination, elect not to enforce the
non-competition obligation, in which case it is not obligated to pay such
amounts.
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<PAGE>
On March 26, 1995, Reinsurance entered into employment agreements with each
of Messrs. Currie, Hynes, Riker and Eklund. These agreements (i) expire on June
30, 1997, (ii) provide for a base salary at a rate to be determined by the Board
in its discretion, bonus and expense reimbursement arrangements for relocation,
housing and automobile expenses and (iii) contain customary provisions relating
to exclusivity of services, non-competition and confidentiality similar to those
contained in the CEO Employment Agreement. Upon termination of an executive's
employment by the Company without "Cause" (as defined therein), the Company will
be required to continue to pay the executive the base salary to which he would
have been entitled had his employment continued until the expiration of the
agreement, in equal monthly installments commencing upon his termination of
employment. For purposes of these agreements, "Cause" means an executive's (i)
failure to substantially perform his duties, (ii) engaging in misconduct which
is injurious to the Company or Reinsurance, (iii) commission of an act of fraud
or embezzlement against the Company or Reinsurance, (iv) the conviction of a
felony or (v) material breach of his confidentiality or noncompetition
obligations.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS TABLE
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 1993 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND POSITION DOLLAR VALUE NUMBER OF UNITS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James N. Stanard, President and Chief * *
Executive Officer......................
Neil A. Currie, Senior Vice President... * *
David A. Eklund, Senior Vice President.. * *
Keith S. Hynes, Senior Vice President * *
and Chief Financial Officer............
William I. Riker, Senior Vice President. * *
Named Executive Officers................ * *
Non-Executive Director Group............ N/A N/A
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group.... * *
</TABLE>
__________________
* Information concerning Options and Restricted Shares awarded to and/or
purchased by Named Executive Officers under the Incentive Plan is set forth
above in the Summary Compensation Table, Stock Option Grants Table and
Aggregate Stock Option Exercise Table above, as well as the general
description of the Incentive Plan. Options for an aggregate of 122,300 Full
Voting Common Shares have been granted to Non-Executive Officer employees
as a group. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, no Options or
Restricted Shares had been granted under the Incentive Plan during 1997.
-20-
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 1 -- THE RENAISSANCE BOARD PROPOSAL
The Board presently consists of 11 directors who are elected to serve until
the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until their successors are
duly elected. The Board has designated the Nominees listed below for election
as directors to the Board to serve until the 1998 Annual Meeting or until their
successors are duly elected. If any Nominee shall, prior to the Annual Meeting,
become unavailable for election as a director, the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy will vote for such other nominee, if any, in their
discretion as may be recommended by the Board.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEES
NAME AGE POSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James N. Stanard........... 48 President and Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman of the Board
Arthur S. Bahr............. 65 Director
Thomas A. Cooper........... 60 Director
Edmund B. Greene........... 58 Director
Gerald L. Igou............. 62 Director
Kewsong Lee................ 31 Director
John M. Lummis............. 39 Director
Howard H. Newman........... 49 Director
Scott E. Pardee............ 60 Director
John C. Sweeney............ 52 Director
David A. Tanner............ 38 Director
</TABLE>
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
Approval of the election of the Nominees to the Board requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting rights attached to the Common
Shares present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES TO
THE BOARD.
PROPOSAL 2 -- THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL
The Board has adopted certain amendments to the Incentive Plan which, among
other things, provide for (i) the issuance of Full Voting Common Shares subject
to such restrictions as shall be determined from time to time by the Sub-
Committee; (ii) the termination of future issuances of certain options
thereunder; (iii) the termination of all transfer restrictions on Full Voting
Common Shares (other than Restricted Shares) acquired thereunder; and (iv) the
issuance of other share-based awards as determined by the Sub-Committee. Subject
to the requisite affirmative shareholder vote at the Annual
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<PAGE>
Meeting, the Board has also adopted amendments to the Incentive Plan which would
(i) increase the number of authorized Full Voting Common Shares available for
issuance thereunder by 1,000,000 shares; (ii) increase the number of shares for
which options may be granted to any single participant by 1,000,000 shares; and
(iii) adjust the method of calculating the number of shares available for
issuance thereunder by deeming the number of shares tendered to, or withheld by,
the Company in connection with certain option exercises and in satisfaction of
tax withholding liabilities to be so available. A general description of the
Incentive Plan, as amended, is set forth below.
The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to provide a means by which the Company
can attract and retain highly qualified individuals to serve in key positions
and to provide equity-based incentives for employees generally. The Company
seeks to achieve this goal through the grant of a combination of Options and
Restricted Shares. The Incentive Plan allows for the grant of both "incentive
stock options" qualified under Section 422 of the Code ("ISOs") and options
which do not so qualify ("NQSOs").
At present, an aggregate of 787,500 Restricted Shares have been issued under
the Incentive Plan. In addition, the Company has issued Options for 1,146,328
Full Voting Common Shares. Subject to the requisite affirmative vote of the
Incentive Plan Proposal at the Annual Meeting, the total number of Full Voting
Common Shares which may be issued under such Plan will be increased from
3,000,000 to 4,000,000, including shares covered by "Reload Options" (discussed
below). The number of shares available for issuance will be increased by the
number of shares tendered to or withheld by the Company in connection with
Option exercises and tax withholding. The maximum number of shares for which
ISOs may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 4,000,000, and the maximum
number of shares for which Options may be granted to any single participant
shall not exceed 4,000,000. As of March 17, 1997, the per share market value of
the Full Voting Common Shares was $40.00.
The Incentive Plan is presently administered by the Sub-Committee. The Sub-
Committee has full discretion to select participants in such Plan, to determine
the number of shares subject to awards granted to each participant and the terms
and conditions of such awards, subject to the express provisions of such Plan.
The Sub-Committee may grant Options at a price below, equal to or above Fair
Market Value (as defined in the Plan) on the date of grant. All employees of
the Company have been granted Options under such Plan.
The Incentive Plan provides that the Sub-Committee may grant "Reload
Options." Reload Options may be granted when a participant exercises an Option
and pays the exercise price by delivering Full Voting Common Shares which have
been held by the participant for at least six months, or in the event a
participant's tax withholding liability upon exercise of Options is satisfied by
having the Company withhold Full Voting Common Shares. Reload Options are
Options to purchase that number of shares equal to the number of Full Voting
Common Shares so delivered to, or withheld by, the Company. The exercise price
applicable to Reload Options is the fair market value per share on the date the
Reload Options are granted. The duration of Reload Options may not extend beyond
ten years from the date of grant of the underlying Options to which the grant of
the Reload Option relates. Reload Options are fully vested and exercisable on
the date of grant.
The Sub-Committee may, at its discretion, approve cash payments to
participants on certain Options. Participants who hold any such Options as of
the date immediately following the record date for a dividend declared in
respect of the Common Shares shall receive a cash payment with respect to such
Options equal to the product of (A) the per share dollar amount of the dividend
so declared and (B) the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of such
Options as of the date immediately following
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<PAGE>
such record date. Such amounts are generally paid at the time dividends are paid
and are not contingent upon the exercise of such Options.
In general, the following provisions apply upon termination of employment. If
a participant is terminated by the Company, with or without Cause, all Options
and Restricted Shares which were not vested on the date of termination are
forfeited, and the participant will have a period of up to 30 days to exercise
vested Options. The same provisions apply to a participant who voluntarily
resigns. In the case of Mr. Stanard only, in the event of termination of his
employment by the Company without Cause (which includes a voluntary termination
by Mr. Stanard for "Good Reason" as defined in the CEO Employment Agreement),
all Options and Restricted Shares which were not vested as of the date of
termination will become immediately vested. In addition, if any participant's
employment is terminated by reason of his death or disability, all Options and
Restricted Shares which were not vested as of the date of termination will
become immediately vested. Options and Restricted Shares may not be sold,
assigned, donated, transferred or otherwise disposed of by a participant other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During a participant's
lifetime, Options may be exercised only by the participant.
The Incentive Plan provides for customary antidilution adjustments in the
event of a change in the Company's capitalization by reason of share dividends,
share splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers and other similar
events. In the event of a "Change in Control" of the Company (as defined
therein), all outstanding awards automatically vest and participants are to be
paid cash for the "in-the-money" value of all such awards, based on the price
paid to the Company's shareholders in connection with the Change in Control.
The Board may at any time amend or terminate the Incentive Plan in any
respect, except that the Board may not cancel or adversely affect outstanding
awards without the express written consent of the affected participant. Also,
the Board may not increase the maximum number of shares issuable under the
Incentive Plan without shareholder approval.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief discussion of the Federal income tax consequences of
transactions under the Incentive Plan based on the Code. The Incentive Plan is
not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code. This discussion is not intended
to be exhaustive and does not describe state or local taxes consequences.
ISOs. No taxable income is realized by a participant upon the grant or
exercise of an ISO. If Full Voting Common Shares are issued to a participant
pursuant to the exercise of an ISO, and if no disqualifying disposition of such
shares is made by such participant within two years after the date of grant or
within one year after the transfer of such shares to such participant, then (i)
upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price will
be taxed to such participant as a long-term capital gain and any loss sustained
will be a long-term capital loss, and (ii) no deduction will be allowed to the
participant's employer for Federal income tax purposes.
If the Full Voting Common Shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are
disposed of prior to the expiration of either holding period described above,
generally (i) the participant will realize ordinary income in the year of
disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value
of such shares at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition
of such shares) over the option price paid for such shares and (ii) the
participant's employer will be entitled to deduct such amount for Federal income
tax purposes if the amount represents an ordinary and necessary business
expense. Any further
-23-
<PAGE>
gain (or loss) realized by the participant will be taxed as short-term or long-
term capital gain (or loss), as the case may be, and will not result in any
deduction by the employer.
Subject to certain exceptions for disability or death, if an ISO is exercised
more than three months following termination of employment, the exercise of the
ISO will generally be taxed as the exercise of a NQSO.
In general, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the exercise of an
ISO will be treated as if it were the exercise of a NQSO. As a result, the rules
of Section 83 of the Code relating to transfers of property, including
restricted property, will apply in determining the participant's alternative
minimum taxable income. Consequently, a participant exercising an ISO with
respect to unrestricted Full Voting Common Shares will have income, for purposes
of determining the base for the application of the alternative minimum tax, in
an amount equal to the spread between the option price paid for the shares and
the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
NQSOs. With respect to NQSOs, (i) no income is realized by the participant at
the time the NQSO is granted; (ii) generally, at exercise, ordinary income is
realized by the participant in an amount equal to the difference between the
fair market value of the Full Voting Common Shares, if unrestricted, on the date
of exercise and the price paid for the shares, and the Company is generally
entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount subject to applicable tax
withholding requirements; and (iii) at sale, appreciation (or depreciation)
after the date of exercise is treated as either short-term or long-term capital
gain (or loss) depending on how long the shares have been held.
Restricted Shares. In general, a participant will not realize income for tax
purposes in respect of the receipt of Restricted Shares prior to the expiration
of the period during which such shares are restricted (the "Forfeiture Period").
A participant generally realizes as ordinary income the fair market value of the
Full Voting Common Shares (less any amounts paid for such shares) determined as
of the expiration of the Forfeiture Period (i.e., the earlier of the time such
restricted Full Voting Common Shares are either transferable or no longer
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 83 of
the Code). Upon the expiration of the Forfeiture Period, a participant's tax
basis in the Full Voting Common Shares is equal to any after-tax amount paid for
such shares plus the amount includible in income with respect to such shares.
With respect to the sale of Full Voting Common Shares after the expiration of
the Forfeiture Period, any gain or loss would generally be treated as long-term
or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period. The company
generally would be entitled to a deduction in the amount of a participant's
income at the time such income is includible as described above, provided that
applicable Federal income tax withholding requirements are satisfied. If a
participant makes a timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, both the
participant and the Company would be subject to the foregoing rules determined
as of the date such Restricted Shares were issued, instead of at the expiration
of the Forfeiture Period.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
Approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the voting rights attaching to the Common Shares present, in person
or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE INCENTIVE
PLAN PROPOSAL.
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<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 3 -- THE PREFERENCE SHARES PROPOSAL
The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and
its shareholders to amend the Bye-Laws (i) to create a class of Preference
Shares; (ii) to empower the Board to issue Preference Shares of the Company in
one or more series and fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
thereof, without any further shareholder vote or action; and (iii) to make
certain related changes reflecting a capital structure consisting of Preference
Shares as well as Common Shares.
If the Preference Shares Proposal is approved by the requisite affirmative
shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting, the Board would be empowered to
authorize the issuance of the Preference Shares from time to time in one or more
series for any proper corporate purpose without the delay and expense of seeking
shareholder approval each time, unless required by applicable laws or
regulations or stock exchange rules. The Board believes that this ability to
issue Preference Shares without any further shareholder vote or action will add
flexibility to the Company's capital structure by allowing the Company to issue
Preference Shares for such purposes as the public or private sale of Preference
Shares for cash as a means of obtaining additional capital for use in the
Company's business and operations, and the issuance of Preference Shares as part
or all of the consideration required to be paid by the Company for acquisitions
of other businesses or properties. The Board believes that this flexibility is
important to the Company's long-term business prospects and shareholder value.
The Company does not currently have any agreements, understandings or
arrangements which would result in the issuance of any Preference Shares.
Although the Board has no present intention of doing so, it could issue
Preference Shares (within the limits imposed by applicable law) that could,
depending on the terms of such series, make more difficult or discourage an
attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer,
proxy contest or other means, and thus make more difficult the removal of
management, even if it may be beneficial to the interests of the shareholders.
For example, when in the judgment of the Board such action would be in the best
interests of the shareholders and the Company, the Board could issue Preference
Shares to purchasers favorable to the Board to create voting or other
impediments to discourage persons seeking to gain control of the Company. In
addition, the Board could authorize holders of a series of Preference Shares to
vote either separately as a class or with the holders of Common Shares, on any
merger, sale or exchange of assets by the Company or any other extraordinary
corporate transaction. The existence of additional authorized Preference Shares
could have the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts. The
issuance of new Preference Shares could also be used to dilute the share
ownership of a person, including shareholders, or entity seeking to obtain
control of the Company should the Board consider the action of such entity or
person not to be in the best interests of the shareholders generally and the
Company. Such issuance of Preference Shares could also have the effect of
diluting the earnings per share and book value per share of the Common Shares.
It is not possible to state the precise effect of the authorization of the
Preference Shares upon the rights of holders of Common Shares until the Board
determines the respective preferences, limitations and relative rights of the
holders of one or more series of the Preference Shares. However, such effect
might include: (i) reduction of the amount otherwise available for payment of
dividends on the Common Shares, to the extent dividends are payable on any
issued Preference Shares, and restrictions on dividends on Common Shares if
dividends on the Preference Shares are in arrears; (ii) dilution of the voting
power of the Common Shares to the extent that the Preference Shares have voting
rights; and (iii) the holders of Common Shares not being entitled to share in
the Company's assets upon liquidation until satisfaction of any liquidation
preference granted to the Preference Shares.
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<PAGE>
Pursuant to the Company's Memorandum of Association, shareholders are not
entitled to preemptive rights to subscribe for Preference Shares.
The Board has approved the amendment and restatement of Bye-Law 43 (b)(2),
Bye-Law 50, Bye-Law 51(a) and Bye-Law 52 as follows:
43. Voting at meetings
------------------
(b) (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bye-laws to the
contrary, the Company may (i) authorize or effect any acquisition or disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) authorize or
effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or (iii) amend,
alter or repeal any provision of this Bye-law 43 in a General Meeting only upon
the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting rights attached to all issued
and outstanding capital shares of the Company entitled to vote thereon in
accordance with these Bye-Laws.
50. Rights of shares
----------------
(a) Subject to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any
existing shares or class of shares, the share capital of the Company shall be
divided into shares of two classes, being 100 million common shares of US$1.00
each (the "Common Shares") and 100 million preference shares of US$1.00 each
(the "Preference Shares"), which shall have the rights, terms, restrictions and
preferences set out in or determined in accordance with these Bye-laws.
(b) The Common Shares shall be divided in 81,570,583 Full Voting Common
Shares; 16,789,776 Diluted Voting Class I Common Shares; and 1,639,641 Diluted
Voting Class II Common Shares. The Diluted Voting Class I Common Shares and the
Diluted Voting Class II Common Shares shall have the rights, terms, restrictions
and preferences as set forth in Schedule A to these Bye-laws, but otherwise the
holders of Common Shares shall:
(i) be entitled to one vote per share;
(ii) be entitled to such dividends as the Board may from time to time
declare;
(iii) in the event of a winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary or for the purpose of a reorganization or
otherwise or upon any distribution of capital, be entitled to the
surplus assets of the Company; and
(iv) generally be entitled to enjoy all of the rights attaching to
shares.
(c) The Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law,
to issue the Preference Shares in one or more series, and to fix the rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including but not limited to
dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption (including
sinking fund provisions), redemption prices and liquidation preferences, and the
number of shares constituting and the designation of any such series, without
further vote or action by the shareholders.
The authority of the Board with respect to each series shall include, but not
be limited to, determination of the following:
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<PAGE>
(i) The distinctive designation of that series and the number of
Preference Shares constituting that series, which number (except as
otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution establishing such
series) may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of
shares of such series then outstanding) from time to time by like
action of the Board;
(ii) The rights in respect of dividends, if any, of such series of
Preference Shares, the extent of the preference or relation, if any,
of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or
classes or any other series of the same or other class or classes of
shares of the Company, and whether such dividends shall be
cumulative or non-cumulative;
(iii) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of any series of
Preference Shares generally or with respect to any particular
matter, which may be less than, equal to or greater than one vote
per share, and which may, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, include the right, voting as a series by itself or
together with the holders of any other series of Preference Shares
or all series of Preference Shares as a class, or together with the
holders of any other class of the capital stock of the Company to
elect one or more directors of the Company (which, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, may include a specified number or
portion of the then-existing number of authorized directorships of
the Company or a specified number or portion of directorships in
addition to the then-existing number of authorized directorships of
the Company), generally or under such specific circumstances and on
such conditions, as shall be provided in the resolution or
resolutions of the Board adopted pursuant hereto;
(iv) Whether the Preference Shares may be redeemed and, if so, the terms
and conditions on which they may be redeemed (including, without
limitation, the dates upon or after which they may be redeemed,
which price or prices may be different in different circumstances or
at different redemption dates), and whether they may be redeemed at
the option of the Company, at the option of the holder, or at the
option of both the Company and the holder;
(v) The right, if any, of the holders of such series of Preference
Shares to convert the same into, or exchange the same for, shares of
any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any
other class or classes of shares of the Company and the terms and
conditions of such conversion or exchange, including, without
limitation, whether or not the number of shares of such other class
or series into which shares of such series may be converted or
exchanged shall be adjusted in the event of any share split, stock
dividend, subdivision, combination, reclassification or other
transaction or series of transactions affecting the class or series
into which such series of Preference Shares may be converted or
exchanged;
(vi) The amounts, if any, payable upon the Preference Shares in the event
of voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company
in preference of shares of any other class or series or in the event
of any merger or consolidation of or sale of assets by the Company;
-27-
<PAGE>
(vii) The terms of any sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if
any, to be provided for shares of such series of Preference Shares;
and
(viii) Any other relative rights, preferences, limitations and powers of
that series.
51. Power to issue shares
---------------------
(a) Subject to these Bye-laws and to any resolution of the Members to
the contrary and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on
the holders of any existing shares or class of shares, the Board shall have
power to issue any unissued shares of the Company on such terms and conditions
as it may determine.
52. Variation of rights and alteration of share capital
---------------------------------------------------
(a) If at any time the share capital is divided into different
classes of shares, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided
by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, whether or not the
Company is being wound-up, be varied with the consent in writing of the holders
of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a
resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a separate General Meeting
of the holders of the shares of the class in accordance with Section 47 (7) of
the Act. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class
issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly
provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be
varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
(b) The Company may from time to time by resolution of the Members
change the currency denomination of, increase, alter or reduce its share capital
in accordance with the provisions of Sections 45 and 46 of the Act. Where, on
any alteration of share capital, fractions of shares or some other difficulty
would arise, the Board may deal with or resolve the same in such manner as it
thinks fit including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
issue to Members, as appropriate, of fractions of shares and/or arranging for
the sale or transfer of the fractions of shares of Members.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
Approval of the Preference Shares Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the voting rights attaching to all issued and outstanding Common
Shares.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PREFERENCE SHARES PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL 4 -- THE RENAISSANCE AUDITORS PROPOSAL
Upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board proposes that the
shareholders appoint the firm of Ernst & Young to serve as the independent
auditors of the Company for the 1997 fiscal year until the 1998 Annual Meeting.
Ernst & Young served as the Company's independent auditors for the 1996 fiscal
year. A representative of Ernst & Young will attend the Annual Meeting, and will
be available to respond to questions and may make a statement if he or she so
desires. Shareholders at the Annual Meeting will also be asked to vote to refer
the determination of the auditors' remuneration to the Board.
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<PAGE>
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
Approval of the Renaissance Auditors Proposal requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the voting rights attaching to the Common Shares present, in
person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE
RENAISSANCE AUDITORS PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL 5 -- THE REINSURANCE BOARD PROPOSAL
In accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, shareholders of the Company are
entitled to vote on proposals to be considered by the Company, as the holder of
all outstanding capital shares of Reinsurance, at all general meetings of
shareholders of Reinsurance. The Reinsurance Board presently consists of 11
directors who are elected to serve until the next annual general meeting of
shareholders or until their successors are duly elected. The Board has
nominated the Nominees set forth below Proposal 1 for election as directors to
the Reinsurance Board. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Board Proposal and in
accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, shareholders will vote to fix the number
of directors serving on the Board of Directors of Reinsurance at 11 and to elect
the Nominees to the Reinsurance Board to serve until the 1998 annual general
meeting of shareholders of Reinsurance or until their successors are duly
elected. If any Nominee shall, prior to the Annual Meeting, become unavailable
for election as a director to the Reinsurance Board, the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy will vote for such other nominee, if any, in their
discretion as may be recommended by the Board.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
Approval of the Reinsurance Board Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the voting rights attaching to the Common Shares present, in person
or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES TO
THE REINSURANCE BOARD.
PROPOSAL 6 -- THE REINSURANCE AUDITORS PROPOSAL
In accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, shareholders of the Company are
entitled to vote on proposals to be considered by the Company, as the holder of
all outstanding capital shares of Reinsurance, at all general meetings of
shareholders of Reinsurance. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Auditors Proposal and
in accordance with the Company's Bye-Laws, shareholders will vote to appoint
Ernst & Young as independent auditors of Reinsurance for the 1997 fiscal year to
serve until the 1998 annual general meeting of shareholders of Reinsurance and
to refer to the Reinsurance Board the determination of the auditors'
remuneration.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
Approval of the Reinsurance Auditors Proposal requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the voting rights attaching to the Common Shares present, in
person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE REINSURANCE
AUDITORS PROPOSAL.
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<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Other Action at the Annual Meeting
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended
December 31, 1996, including financial statements for the year ended December
31, 1996 and the auditors' report thereon, has been sent to all shareholders.
The financial statements and auditor's report will be formally laid before the
Annual Meeting, but no shareholder action is required thereon.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Company has no knowledge of any
business, other than that described herein, which will be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting. In the event any other business is properly
presented at the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the
accompanying proxy will have authority to vote such proxy in accordance with
their judgment on such business.
Shareholder Proposals for 1998 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Shareholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for shareholder
action at the Company's annual general meetings consistent with regulations
adopted by the Commission and the Bye-Laws. Proposals intended for inclusion in
the proxy statement for the 1998 annual general meeting of shareholders must be
received by the Company not later than November 22, 1997. Proposals should be
directed to the attention of the Secretary, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., P.O.
Box HM 2527, Hamilton HM GX Bermuda.
-30-
<PAGE>
DEFINITIVE PROXY CARD
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF RENIASSIANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. IN CONNECTION
WITH ITS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 1997.
The undersigned shareholder of ReniassanceRe Holdings Ltd. (the "Company")
hereby appoints Keith S. Hynes and John D. Nichols, Jr., and each of them, as
proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and authorizes them to
represent and vote as designated in this Proxy, all of the common shares,
diluted voting class I common shares and diluted voting class II common shares,
$1.00 par value each per share (collectively, the "Common Shares"), of the
Company held of record by the undersigned shareholder on March 15, 1997 at the
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on May 8, 1997,
and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with all powers which the
undersigned would possess if personally present, with respect to the matters
listed on this Proxy. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote
such Common Shares upon such other business as may properly come before the
Annual General Meeting.
THE SUBMISSION OF THIS PROXY IF PROPERLY EXECUTED REVOKES ALL PRIOR PROXIES.
IF THIS PROXY IS EXECUTED AND RETURNED BUT NO INDICATION IS MADE AS TO WHAT
ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN, IT WILL BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH
OF THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ON THIS PROXY.
(Continued on reverse side)
[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
For Withhold For All Except
1. To fix the Board of the Company [ ] [ ] [ ]
at 11 Directors and to elect the
11 Nominees listed below to
the Board to serve until the
Company's 1998 shareholder
meeting or until their successors
are duly elected.
If you do not wish your shares voted "FOR" a particular Nominee, mark the
"For All Except" box and strike a line through the Nominee(s) name. Your shares
will be voted for the remaining Nominee(s).
JAMES N. STANARD
ARTHUR S. BAHR
THOMAS A. COOPER
EDMUND B. GREENE
GERALD L. IGOU
KEWSONG LEE
JOHN M. LUMMIS
HOWARD H. NEWMAN
SCOTT E. PARDEE
JOHN C. SWEENEY
DAVID A. TANNER
For Against Abstain
2. To approve amendments to the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Company's Stock Incentive Plan
which would (i) increase shares
available for issuance thereunder
by 1,000,000; (ii) increase shares
for which options may be granted
to any single participant by
1,000,000; and (iii) adjust the
method of calculating the shares
available for issuance thereunder
by deeming shares tendered to
or withheld by the Company in
connection with certain option
exercises and satisfaction of tax
withholding liabilities to be so
available.
<PAGE>
For Against Abstain
3. To amend the Bye-Laws (i) to create [ ] [ ] [ ]
a class of preference shares, (ii)
to empower the Board to issue such
preference shares in one or more
series and fix the rights,
preferences and restrictions
thereof, without any further
shareholder vote or action and (iii)
to make certain changes reflecting a
capital structure consisting of
preference shares as well as
common shares.
For Against Abstain
4. To appoint Ernst & Young to serve [ ] [ ] [ ]
as the independent auditors of the
Company for the 1997 fiscal year
until the Company's 1998 shareholder
meeting and to refer the auditors'
remuneration to the Board.
For Withhold For All Except
5. To fix the Board of Directors of [ ] [ ] [ ]
Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd.
("Reinsurance") at 11 Directors
and to elect the Nominees set
forth below to the Reinsurance
Board to serve until the 1998
shareholder meeting of Reinsurance
or until their successors are
duly elected.
If you do not wish your shares voted "FOR" a particular Nominee, mark the
"For All Except" box and strike a line through the Nominee(s) name. Your shares
will be voted for the remaining Nominee(s).
JAMES N. STANARD
ARTHUR S. BAHR
THOMAS A. COOPER
EDMUND B. GREENE
GERALD L. IGOU
KEWSONG LEE
JOHN M. LUMMIS
HOWARD H. NEWMAN
SCOTT E. PARDEE
JOHN C. SWEENEY
DAVID A. TANNER
For Against Abstain
6. To appoint Ernst & Young to [ ] [ ] [ ]
serve as independent auditors of
Reinsurance for the 1997 fiscal
year until the 1998 shareholder
meeting of Reinsurance and to
refer the auditors' remuneration
to the Reinsurance Board.
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES
AND THE PROPOSALS LISTED ABOVE.
<PAGE>
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Please sign as name appears hereon. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.
- ---------------------------------------------
Signature(s) Signature(s) Date
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