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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-7850
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CALIFORNIA 88-0085720
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
5241 SPRING MOUNTAIN ROAD
POST OFFICE BOX 98510 89193-8510
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (702) 876-7237
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF SUCH EXCHANGE
TITLE OF EACH CLASS ON WHICH REGISTERED
------------------- --------------------
<S> <C>
Common Stock, $1 par value New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc.
</TABLE>
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
9% DEBENTURES, SERIES A, DUE 2011 9 3/8% DEBENTURES, SERIES D, DUE 2017
9% DEBENTURES, SERIES B, DUE 2011 10% DEBENTURES, SERIES E, DUE 2013
8 3/4% DEBENTURES, SERIES C, DUE 2011 9 3/4% DEBENTURES, SERIES F, DUE 2002
</TABLE>
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No .
---- ----
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. / /
AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK HELD BY NONAFFILIATES OF THE
REGISTRANT:
$321,428,580 at March 3, 1995
THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF COMMON STOCK:
Common Stock, $1 Par Value 21,428,572 shares as of March 3, 1995
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION PART INTO WHICH INCORPORATED
----------- ----------------------------
<S> <C>
Proxy Statement dated March 1995 III
</TABLE>
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.................................................................. 1
Natural Gas Operations.................................................... 1
General Description..................................................... 1
Properties.............................................................. 2
Rates and Regulation.................................................... 4
Competition............................................................. 4
Demand for Natural Gas.................................................. 5
Natural Gas Supply...................................................... 5
Environmental Matters................................................... 6
Employees............................................................... 6
Financial Services Activities............................................. 7
General Description..................................................... 7
Lending Activities...................................................... 7
Asset Quality........................................................... 11
Real Estate Development Activities...................................... 14
Investment Activities................................................... 14
Deposit Activities...................................................... 16
Borrowings.............................................................. 17
Employees............................................................... 18
Competition............................................................. 18
Properties.............................................................. 18
Regulation.............................................................. 18
Holding Company Matters................................................... 24
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES................................................................ 25
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS......................................................... 25
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS....................... 25
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS................................................................... 25
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA................................................... 26
Consolidated Selected Financial Statistics................................ 26
Segment Data.............................................................. 27
Natural Gas Operations.................................................. 27
Financial Services...................................................... 28
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS................................................................ 29
Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity.............................. 29
Results of Consolidated Operations........................................ 30
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements................................. 30
Natural Gas Operations Segment............................................ 31
Capital Resources and Liquidity......................................... 31
Results of Natural Gas Operations....................................... 32
Rates and Regulatory Proceedings........................................ 35
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
Financial Services Segment................................................ 36
Financial and Regulatory Capital........................................ 36
Capital Resources and Liquidity......................................... 36
Risk Management......................................................... 38
Results of Financial Services Operations................................ 44
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA............................... 50
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position............................. 50
Consolidated Statements of Income......................................... 51
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows..................................... 52
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity........................... 53
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................ 54
Note 1 -- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies................... 54
Note 2 -- Summarized Financial Statement Data.......................... 58
Note 3 -- Debt Securities.............................................. 64
Note 4 -- Loans Receivable............................................. 66
Note 5 -- Allowances and Reserves...................................... 68
Note 6 -- Property, Plant, and Equipment............................... 69
Note 7 -- Deposits..................................................... 70
Note 8 -- Cash Equivalents and Securities Sold Under Repurchase
Agreements................................................... 71
Note 9 -- Commitments and Contingencies................................ 72
Note 10 -- Short-term Debt.............................................. 72
Note 11 -- Long-term Debt............................................... 73
Note 12 -- Preferred and Preference Stocks.............................. 75
Note 13 -- Employee Postretirement Benefits............................. 76
Note 14 -- Income Taxes................................................. 79
Note 15 -- Segment Information.......................................... 82
Note 16 -- Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)......................... 83
Note 17 -- Interest Rate Risk Management................................ 84
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................................. 88
ITEM 9. DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE...................... 89
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT........................ 89
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.................................................... 90
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT............ 90
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS............................ 90
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K........... 90
List of Exhibits.......................................................... 91
SIGNATURES.......................................................................... 94
GLOSSARY OF TERMS................................................................... 96
</TABLE>
ii
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
The registrant, Southwest Gas Corporation (the Company), is incorporated
under the laws of the State of California effective March 1931, and is comprised
of two segments: natural gas operations and financial services. The natural gas
operations segment (gas segment) includes natural gas transmission and
distribution operations in Arizona, Nevada and California. The financial
services segment consists of PriMerit Bank (the Bank), a wholly owned
subsidiary, which operates principally in the thrift industry. See Selected
Financial Data for financial information related to each business segment.
The executive offices of the Company are located at 5241 Spring Mountain
Road, P.O. Box 98510, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8510, telephone number (702)
876-7237.
NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Company is subject to regulation by the Arizona Corporation Commission
(ACC), the Public Service Commission of Nevada (PSCN) and the California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC). These commissions regulate public utility rates,
practices, facilities and service territories in their respective states. The
service areas certificated to the Company by the respective regulatory
commissions having jurisdiction over it are exclusive. They remain exclusive
unless the Company defaults on its obligations to provide adequate service and
another utility can be found that is willing and able to supply the service. The
CPUC also regulates the issuance of all securities by the Company, with the
exception of short-term borrowings. Certain of the Company's accounting
practices, transmission facilities and rates are subject to regulation by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The Company purchases, transports and distributes natural gas to
approximately 980,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in
geographically diverse portions of Arizona, Nevada and California. There were
48,000 customers added to the system during 1994. See Natural Gas Operations
Segment - Capital Resources and Liquidity of Management's Discussion and
Analysis (MD&A) for discussion of capital requirements to meet the Company's
expected future growth.
The table below lists the Company's percentage of operating margin
(operating revenues less net cost of gas) by major customer class for the years
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ELECTRIC
GENERATION,
FOR THE RESIDENTIAL AND LARGE COMMERCIAL, RESALE AND
YEAR ENDED SMALL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION
---------- ---------------- -------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1994................ 79% 7% 14%
December 31, 1993................ 79% 7% 14%
December 31, 1992................ 80% 8% 12%
</TABLE>
The volume of sales and transportation activity for electric utility
generating plants varies greatly according to demand for electricity and the
availability of alternative energy sources; however, it is not material in
relation to the Company's earnings. In addition, the Company is not dependent on
any one or a few customers to the extent that the loss of any one or several
would have a significant adverse impact on the Company.
Transportation of customer-secured gas to end-users on the Company's system
continues to have a significant impact on the Company's throughput, accounting
for 51 percent of total system throughput in 1994. Although the volumes were
significant, these customers provide a much smaller proportionate share of the
Company's operating margin as indicated in the table above. In 1994, customers
who utilized this service transported 915 million therms.
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The demand for natural gas is seasonal, and it is management's opinion that
comparisons of earnings for interim periods do not reliably reflect overall
trends and changes in the Company's operations. Also, earnings for interim
periods can be significantly affected by the timing of general rate relief.
PROPERTIES
The plant investment of the Company consists primarily of transmission and
distribution mains, compressor stations, peak shaving/storage plants, service
lines, meters and regulators which comprise the pipeline systems and facilities
located in and around the communities served. The Company also includes other
properties such as land, buildings, furnishings, work equipment and vehicles in
plant investment. The Company's northern Nevada and northern California
properties are referred to as the northern system; the Arizona, southern Nevada
and southern California properties are referred to as the southern system.
Several properties are leased by the Company, including a Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) storage plant on its northern Nevada system and a portion of the corporate
headquarters office complex located in Las Vegas, Nevada. See Note 6 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding
these leases. Total gas plant, exclusive of leased property, at December 31,
1994, was $1.5 billion, including construction work in progress. It is the
opinion of management that the properties of the Company are suitable and
adequate for its purposes.
Substantially all of the Company's gas mains and service lines are
constructed across property owned by others under right-of-way grants obtained
from the record owners thereof, on the streets and grounds of municipalities
under authority conferred by franchises or otherwise, or on public highways or
public lands under authority of various federal and state statutes. None of the
Company's numerous county and municipal franchises are exclusive, and some are
of limited duration. These franchises are renewed regularly as they expire, and
the Company anticipates no serious difficulties in obtaining future renewals.
With respect to the right-of-way grants, the Company has had continuous and
uninterrupted possession and use of all such rights-of-way, and the associated
gas mains and service lines, commencing with the initial stages of the
construction of such facilities. Permits have been obtained from public
authorities in certain instances to cross, or to lay facilities along, roads and
highways. These permits typically are revocable at the election of the grantor,
and the Company occasionally must relocate its facilities when requested to do
so by the grantor. Permits have also been obtained from railroad companies to
cross over or under railroad lands or rights-of-way, which in some instances
require annual or other periodic payments and are revocable at the grantors'
elections.
The Company operates two major pipeline transmission systems: (i) a system
owned by Paiute Pipeline Company (Paiute), a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, extending from the Idaho-Nevada border to the Reno, Sparks and Carson
City areas and communities in the Lake Tahoe area in both California and Nevada
and other communities in northern and western Nevada; and (ii) a system
extending from the Colorado River at the southern tip of Nevada to the Las Vegas
distribution area.
The Company also owns a 35,000 acre site in northern Arizona which was
acquired for the purpose of constructing an underground natural gas storage
facility, known as the Pataya Gas Storage Project (Pataya), to serve its
southern system. Based upon current studies and the continued restructuring of
the utility industry, the Company believes that it will need an underground
natural gas storage facility, such as Pataya, in the future to meet the needs of
its customers on the southern system. In addition to the gas storage facility,
the Company is considering other opportunities for other portions of the site,
such as the partial sale of its water rights. Other potential uses for the land
include sites for solar generating facilities, cogeneration facilities and
various other business ventures. Project costs of $11.1 million have been
capitalized through December 1994 and include land acquisition and related
development costs.
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The map below shows the locations of the Company's major facilities and
major transmission lines, and principal communities to which the Company
supplies gas either as a wholesaler or distributor. The map also shows major
supplier transmission lines that are interconnected with the Company's systems.
[MAP]
[DESCRIPTION: Map of Arizona, Nevada, and southern California indicating the
location of the Company's service areas. Service areas in Arizona include most
of the central and southern areas of the state including Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma
and surrounding communities. Service areas in northern Nevada include Carson
City, Yerington, Fallon, Lovelock, Winnemucca and Elko. Service areas in
southern Nevada include the Las Vegas valley (including Henderson and Boulder
City), and Laughlin. Service areas in southern California include Barstow, Big
Bear, Needles and Victorville. Service areas in northern California include the
north shore of Lake Tahoe. Companies providing gas transportation services for
the Company are indicated by showing the location of their pipelines. Major
transporters include El Paso Natural Gas Company, Northwest Pipeline Corporation
and Southern California Gas Company. The location of Paiute Pipeline Company's
transmission pipeline (extending from the Idaho/Nevada border to the Reno/Tahoe
area) and the Company's pipeline (extending from Laughlin/Bullhead City to the
Las Vegas valley) are indicated. The LNG facility is located near Lovelock,
Nevada. The liquefied petroleum gas facility is located near Reno, Nevada.]
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RATES AND REGULATION
Rates that the Company is authorized to charge its distribution system
customers are determined by the ACC, CPUC and PSCN in general rate cases and are
derived using rate base, cost of service and cost of capital experienced in a
historical test year, as adjusted in Arizona and Nevada, and projected for a
future test year in California. The FERC regulates the northern Nevada
transmission and LNG storage facilities of Paiute and the rates it charges for
transportation of gas directly to certain end-users and to various local
distribution companies (LDCs). The LDCs transporting on Paiute's system are:
Sierra Pacific Power Company (Reno and Sparks, Nevada), Washington Water Power
Company (South Lake Tahoe, California) and Southwest Gas Corporation (North Lake
Tahoe, California and various locations throughout northern Nevada).
Rates charged to customers vary according to customer class and are fixed
at levels allowing for the recovery of all prudently incurred costs, including a
return on rate base sufficient to pay interest on debt, preferred dividends, and
a reasonable return on common equity. The Company's rate base consists generally
of the original cost of utility plant in service, plus certain other assets such
as working capital and inventories, less accumulated depreciation on utility
plant in service, net deferred income tax liabilities, and certain other
deductions. The Company's rate schedules in all of its service areas contain
purchased gas adjustment (PGA) clauses which permit the Company to adjust its
rates as the cost of purchased gas changes. Generally, the Company's tariffs
provide for annual adjustment dates for changes in purchased gas costs. However,
the Company may request to adjust its rates more often than once each year, if
conditions warrant. These changes have no significant impact on the Company's
profit margin.
The table below lists the docketed rate filings initiated and/or completed
within each ratemaking area in 1994 and the first quarter of 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONTH
MONTH FINAL RATES
RATEMAKING AREA TYPE OF FILING FILED EFFECTIVE
--------------- -------------- ----- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Arizona:
Southern......................... General rate case October 1993 July 1994
California:
Northern & Southern.............. General rate case January 1994 January 1995
Northern & Southern.............. Attrition November 1993 January 1994
Nevada:
Northern & Southern.............. General rate case March 1993 November 1993(1)
FERC:
Paiute........................... General rate case October 1992 April 1993(2)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) See Natural Gas Operations Segment - Rates and Regulatory Proceedings of
MD&A for a discussion on the final order by the PSCN of certain rate case
issues.
(2) Interim rates reflecting the increased revenues became effective in April
1993. The rates were subject to refund until a final order was issued in
January 1995.
See Natural Gas Operations Segment -- Rates and Regulatory Proceedings of
MD&A for a discussion of the financial impact of recent general rate cases.
COMPETITION
Electric utilities are the Company's principal competitors for the
residential and small commercial markets throughout the Company's service areas.
Competition for space heating, general household and small commercial energy
needs generally occurs at the initial installation phase when the customer
typically makes the decision as to which type of equipment to install and
operate. The customer will generally continue to use the chosen energy source
for the life of the equipment due to its relatively high replacement cost. As a
result of
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its success in these markets, the Company has experienced consistent growth
among the residential and small commercial customer classes.
Unlike residential and small commercial customers, certain large
commercial, industrial and electric generation customers have the capability to
switch to alternative energy sources. Rates for these customers are set at
levels competitive with alternative energy sources such as fuel oils and coal.
The Company has been able to maintain the maximum allowable prices for most of
its alternate fuel capable customers. As a result, management does not
anticipate any material adverse impact on its operating margin. The Company
maintains no backlog on its orders for gas service.
The Company continues to compete with interstate transmission pipeline
companies, such as El Paso Natural Gas Company (El Paso), Kern River Gas
Transmission Company (Kern River), and the proposed Tuscarora pipeline, to
provide service to end-users. End-use customers located in close proximity to
these interstate pipelines pose a potential bypass threat and, therefore,
require the Company to monitor closely each customer's situation and provide
competitive service in order to retain the customer. The Company has experienced
no significant financial impact to date from the threat of bypass. However,
industry restructuring as a result of the capacity release provisions of FERC
Order No. 636, whereby shippers can release available pipeline capacity on a
temporary or permanent basis, could increase the viability of end-use customer
bypass directly to interstate pipeline companies.
DEMAND FOR NATURAL GAS
Deliveries of natural gas by the Company are made under a priority system
established by each regulatory commission having jurisdiction over the Company.
The priority system is intended to ensure that the gas requirements of
higher-priority customers, primarily residential customers and nonresidential
customers who use 50,000 cubic feet of gas per day or less, are fully satisfied
on a daily basis before lower-priority customers, primarily electric utility and
large industrial customers able to use alternative fuels, are provided any
quantity of gas or capacity.
Demand for natural gas is greatly affected by temperature. On cold days,
use of gas by residential and commercial customers may be as much as eight times
greater than on warm days because of increased use of gas for space heating. To
fully satisfy this increased high-priority demand, gas is withdrawn from
storage, or peaking supplies are purchased from suppliers. If necessary, service
to interruptible lower-priority customers may also be curtailed to provide the
needed delivery system capacity.
NATURAL GAS SUPPLY
The Company believes that natural gas supplies will remain plentiful and
readily available. The Company primarily obtains its gas supplies for its
southern system from producing regions in New Mexico (San Juan basin), Texas
(Permian basin) and Oklahoma (Anadarko basin). For its northern system, the
Company primarily obtains gas from Rocky Mountain producing areas and from
Canada. The Company arranges for transportation of gas to its Arizona, Nevada
and California service territories through the pipeline systems of El Paso, Kern
River, Northwest Pipeline Corporation and Southern California Gas Company
(SoCal). The Company continually monitors supply availability on both short-term
and long-term bases to ensure the continued reliability of service to its
customers.
The Company's primary objective with respect to gas supply is to ensure
that adequate, as well as economical, supplies of natural gas are available from
reliable sources. The Company acquires its gas from a wide variety of sources,
including suppliers on the spot market and those who provide firm supplies over
short-term and longer-term durations. Balancing firm supply assurances against
the associated costs dictate a continually changing natural gas purchasing mix
within the Company's supply portfolio. The Company believes its portfolio
provides security as well as the operating flexibility needed to meet changing
market conditions. During 1994, the Company acquired gas supplies from nearly 60
suppliers.
The purchase of natural gas at the wellhead is not regulated. During 1991,
price ceilings on wells drilled after July 1989 were abolished and the remaining
price ceilings on existing wells were abolished in
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January 1993. The elimination of price ceilings has had no direct impact on the
Company because natural gas is selling well below the previous regulatory
ceilings, and supplies are adequate. The last few years have generally
demonstrated seasonal volatility in the price of natural gas, with higher prices
in the heating season and lower prices during the summer or off-peak consumption
period.
Natural Gas Industry Changes. In 1992, FERC Order No. 636 required
open-access interstate pipelines to significantly restructure their services
prior to the 1993/94 winter heating season. Interstate pipelines discontinued
their traditional role of gas supplier and began offering unbundled common
carrier services, such as transportation, storage, and capacity release.
Additionally, pipelines were required to implement a new method of rate design
and to provide the information necessary for natural gas buyers and sellers to
arrange transportation service on a more flexible basis. As a result of the new
method of rate design, the Company is experiencing higher costs, which are
currently being recovered through its PGA provisions.
Because of these and other utility industry changes, the Company continues
to evaluate natural gas storage as an option to enable the Company to take
advantage of seasonal price differentials and to otherwise protect the Company
from the uncertainties associated with spot market purchases and the Company's
need to obtain natural gas from a variety of sources to meet the growing demand
of its customers.
In order to increase its options concerning gas supplies, the Company
signed an agreement with SoCal in November 1992 to use a portion of SoCal's
underground storage facilities. The agreement had many significant precedent
conditions, all of which needed to be satisfied before the agreement could be
implemented. Many of these conditions have not been satisfied and management now
believes it is doubtful that all of the issues can be satisfactorily resolved.
The Company continues to research and review other options concerning gas
supplies, including other gas storage possibilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of
materials into the environment have had little direct impact upon either the
Company or its subsidiaries. Environmental efforts, with respect to matters such
as protection of endangered species and archeological finds, have resulted in
the Company spending a greater amount of time in obtaining pipeline
rights-of-way and sites for other facilities. However, increased environmental
legislation and regulation are also perceived to be beneficial to the natural
gas industry. Because natural gas is one of the most environmentally safe fuels
currently available, its use will allow energy users to comply with stricter
environmental standards. For example, management is of the opinion that
legislation, such as the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the Energy Policy
Act of 1992, has a positive effect on natural gas demand, including provisions
encouraging the use of natural gas vehicles, cogeneration and independent power
production.
EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 1994, the natural gas operations segment had 2,359 regular
full-time employees. The Company believes it has a good relationship with its
employees. No employees are represented by a union.
Reference is hereby made to Item 10 in Part III of this report on Form 10-K
for information relative to the executive officers of the Company.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank conducting business
through branch offices in Nevada. The Bank was organized in 1955 as Nevada
Savings and Loan Association which, in 1988, changed its name to PriMerit Bank
and its charter from a state chartered stock savings and loan association to a
federally chartered stock savings bank. Deposit accounts are insured to the
maximum extent permitted by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) through the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF). The Bank is
regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the FDIC, and is a
member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system.
The Bank's principal business is to attract deposits from the general
public and make loans secured by real estate and other collateral to enable
borrowers to purchase, refinance, construct or improve such property. Revenues
are derived from interest on real estate loans and debt securities and, to a
lesser extent, from interest on nonmortgage loans, gains on sales of loans and
debt securities, and fees received in connection with loans and deposits. The
Bank's major expense is the interest it pays on savings deposits and borrowings.
Since December 31, 1990, total assets have declined from $2.7 billion to
$1.8 billion at December 31, 1994 as management restructured the balance sheet
to more effectively operate under the guidelines of the Financial Institutions
Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). The decrease is also part of a
long-term Strategic Business Plan "right size-right structure" strategy to
optimize the Bank's size and earnings potential under the strict capital
requirements of FIRREA.
The rising interest rate environment during 1994 has slowed prepayments
within the loan and debt security portfolios, and has put pressure on the cost
of funds. Net interest margin increased in 1994 despite this environment, in
large part due to the ability to lag increases in rates paid on deposits versus
increases in the wholesale market.
The following table sets forth certain ratios for the Bank for each of the
periods stated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
---- ---- ---- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Return on average assets (net income divided by
average total assets)......................... 0.4% 0.3% (0.5)% (1.2)% 0.4%
Return on average equity (net income divided by
average stockholder's equity)................. 4.4% 4.0% (6.0)% (17.2)% 5.8%
Equity-to-assets ratio (average stockholder's
equity divided by average total assets)....... 10.1% 8.2% 7.5 % 6.7 % 6.1%
</TABLE>
LENDING ACTIVITIES
The Bank's loan portfolio totaled $938 million at December 31, 1994,
representing 52 percent of total assets at that date. The loan portfolio
consists principally of intermediate-term and long-term real estate loans and,
to a lesser extent, secured and unsecured commercial loans, and consumer loans
including: home improvement, recreational vehicle, mobile home, marine and auto
loans. The contractual maturity of loans secured by single-family dwellings has
historically been 30 years, although in recent years the Bank has made a number
of loans with maturities of 23 years or less. In January 1994, the Bank sold its
credit card portfolio and entered into an agent bank relationship with the
purchaser to issue credit cards to the Bank's customers. The Bank recognized a
gain of $1.7 million ($1.1 million net of charge-offs).
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The following table sets forth the composition of the loan portfolio by
type of loan at the dates indicated (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Loans collateralized by real estate:
Conventional single-family residential... $490,157 $436,853 $395,976 $497,448 $ 624,414
FHA and VA insured single-family
residential........................... 35,429 25,051 24,670 35,563 25,221
Commercial mortgage...................... 178,076 192,046 198,235 212,518 195,118
Construction and land (1)................ 90,992 82,638 91,344 120,776 174,068
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
794,654 736,588 710,225 866,305 1,018,821
Commercial secured......................... 40,349 25,443 30,137 26,736 24,469
Commercial unsecured....................... 2,317 354 384 3,966 6,339
Consumer installment....................... 119,460 93,431 42,444 53,537 87,475
Consumer unsecured......................... 6,570 19,309 18,371 16,568 13,445
Equity and property improvement loans...... 26,054 21,061 16,712 14,287 11,012
Deposit accounts........................... 2,659 2,944 4,248 5,122 5,589
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
992,063 899,130 822,521 986,521 1,167,150
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Undisbursed proceeds....................... (41,702) (48,251) (44,937) (44,544) (64,465)
Allowance for estimated credit losses...... (17,659) (16,251) (17,228) (12,061) (3,646)
Premiums (discounts)....................... 5,969 3,270 (125) (1,294) (1,285)
Deferred fees.............................. (4,999) (4,782) (4,406) (6,678) (6,232)
Accrued interest........................... 4,479 4,214 4,586 6,358 8,619
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
(53,912) (61,800) (62,110) (58,219) (67,009)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Loans receivable........................... $938,151 $837,330 $760,411 $928,302 $1,100,141
======== ======== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Bank's portfolio of construction and land loans is generally due in one
year or less.
Loan Origination and Credit Risk
One of the Bank's primary businesses is to make and acquire loans secured
by real estate and other collateral to enable borrowers to purchase, refinance,
construct and improve such property. These activities entail potential credit
losses, the size of which depends on a variety of economic factors affecting
borrowers and the real estate collateral. While the Bank has adopted
underwriting guidelines and credit review procedures to minimize credit losses,
some losses will inevitably occur. Therefore, periodic reviews are made of the
assets in an attempt to identify and deal appropriately with potential credit
losses.
The Bank originates both fixed- and adjustable-rate loans in the
single-family residential, commercial mortgage, and consumer home equity
portfolios. The Bank's adjustable-rate loans in these portfolios are based on
various indices, including the prime rate, the one-year constant maturity
Treasury, six-month London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR), and to a lesser
extent the 11th District cost of funds. Other consumer loans are generally
fixed-rate, while construction and non-real estate commercial loans are
generally adjustable-rate prime-based loans.
The Bank currently originates single-family residential (SFR)
adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) which generally have an initial interest rate
below the current market rate and adjust to the applicable index plus a defined
spread, subject to caps, after the first year. The Bank's ARM generally provide
that the maximum rate that can be charged cannot exceed the initial rate by more
than six percentage points. The annual interest rate adjustment on the Bank's
ARM loans is generally limited to two percentage points.
Many of the other adjustable-rate loans contain limitations as to both the
amount and the interest rate change at each repricing date (periodic caps) and
the maximum rates the loan can be repriced over the life of
8
<PAGE> 12
the loan (lifetime caps). At December 31, 1994, periodic caps in the adjustable
loan portfolio ranged from 25 to 800 basis points. Lifetime caps ranged from
9.75 to 22 percent.
See Financial Services Segment -- Risk Management -- Interest Rate Risk
Management of MD&A for the static gap table which includes the maturity and
repricing sensitivity of the Bank's loan portfolio.
The Bank's loan policies and underwriting standards are the primary means
used to reduce credit risk exposure. The loan approval process is intended to
assess both: (i) the borrower's ability to repay the loan by determining whether
the borrower meets the established underwriting criteria; and (ii) the adequacy
of the proposed collateral by determining whether the appraised value of (and,
if applicable, the cash flow from) the collateral property is sufficient for the
proposed loan. Under OTS regulations, management is held responsible for
developing, implementing and maintaining prudent appraisal policies.
The Bank reviews adherence to approved lending policies and procedures,
including proper approvals, timely completion of quarterly asset reviews, early
identification of problem loans, reviewing the quality of underwriting and
appraisals, tracking trends in asset quality and evaluating the adequacy of the
allowance for credit losses. To further control its credit risk, the Bank
monitors and manages its credit exposure in portfolio concentrations. Portfolio
concentrations, including collateral types, industry groups, geographic
locations, and loan types are assessed and the exposure is managed through the
establishment of limitations of aggregate exposures.
The Bank maintains a comprehensive risk-rating system used in determining
classified assets and allowances for estimated credit losses. The system
involves an ongoing review of all assets containing an element of credit risk
including loans, real estate and investment securities. The review process
assigns a risk rating to each asset reviewed based upon various credit criteria.
If the review indicates that it is probable that some portion of an asset will
result in a loss, the asset is written down to its expected recovery value. An
allocated general valuation allowance is established for each asset reviewed
which has been assigned a risk classification. The allowance is determined,
subject to certain minimum percentages, based upon probability of default (in
the case of loans), estimated ranges of recovery, and probability of each
estimate of recovery value. An allowance for estimated credit losses on
classified assets not subject to a detailed review is established by multiplying
a percentage by the aggregate balances of the assets outstanding in each risk
category. The percentages assigned increase based on the degree of risk and
reflect management's estimate of potential future losses from assets in a
specific risk category. With respect to loans not subject to specific reviews,
principally single-family residential and consumer loans, the allowance is
established based upon historical loss experience. Additionally, an unallocated
allowance is established to reflect economic and other conditions that may
negatively affect the portfolio in the aggregate.
As part of the regular asset review process, management reviews factors
relating to the possibility and magnitude of prospective loan and real estate
losses, including historical loss experience, prevailing market conditions and
classified asset levels. The Bank is required to classify assets and establish
prudent valuation allowances in accordance with OTS regulations.
Each loan portfolio contains unique credit risks for which the Bank has
developed policies and procedures to manage as follows:
Single-Family Residential Lending. SFR mortgage loans comprise 56 percent
of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1994 compared to 55 percent at December
31, 1993. This portfolio represents the largest lending component and is the
component which contains the least credit risk.
It is the general policy of the Bank not to make SFR loans which have a
loan-to-value ratio in excess of 80 percent unless insured by private mortgage
insurance, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) insurance, or guaranteed by the
Veterans Administration (VA). Single-family loans are generally underwritten to
underwriting guidelines established by FHA, VA, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or preapproved
private investors. On its SFR ARM offered with initial below market rates, the
Bank qualifies the applicants using the fully indexed rate.
9
<PAGE> 13
The Bank requires title insurance on all loans secured by liens on real
property. The Bank also requires fire and other hazard insurance be maintained
in amounts at least equal to the replacement cost of improvements on all
properties securing its loans. Earthquake insurance, however, is not required.
Consumer Lending. Consumer loans include installment loans secured by
recreational vehicles, boats, autos and mobile homes, home equity loans, and
loans secured by deposit accounts. Approximately 96 percent of the consumer loan
portfolio is collateralized at December 31, 1994. The credit risk of the
consumer loan portfolio is managed through both the origination function and the
collection process. All consumer loan origination and collection efforts, except
those secured by deposits, are performed at a central location in order to
provide greater control in the process and a more uniform application of credit
standards.
The Bank originates a majority of its installment loans through automobile,
recreational vehicle and marine vehicle dealers. These loans are subject to
underwriting by Bank personnel. Additionally, credit reviews of the dealers are
performed on a periodic basis. The Bank pays dealers a fee for these loans based
upon the excess of the contractual interest rate of the loan over the Bank's
stated rate schedule.
The Bank utilizes a credit scoring model to assist in the analysis of loan
applications and credit reports. Additionally, as a follow up to the application
process, a review of selected originations is performed to monitor adherence to
credit standards.
Commercial and Construction. The commercial and construction portfolios
consist of amortizing mortgage loans on multi-family residential and
nonresidential real estate, construction and development loans secured by real
estate, and commercial loans secured by collateral other than real estate.
Residential tract construction loans are generally underwritten with a
discounted loan-to-value ratio of less than 85 percent, while commercial income
property loans are generally underwritten with a ratio less than 75 percent.
Construction loans involve risks different from completed project lending
because loan funds are advanced upon the security of the project under
construction, and if the loan goes into default, additional funds may have to be
advanced to complete the project before it can be sold. Moreover, construction
projects are subject to uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs,
potential delays in construction time, market demand and the accuracy of the
estimate of value upon completion.
The Bank manages its risk in these portfolios through its credit
evaluation, approval and monitoring processes. In addition to obtaining
appraisals on real estate collateral-based loans, a review of actual and
forecasted financial statements and cash flow analyses is performed. After such
loans are funded, they are monitored by obtaining and analyzing current
financial and cash flow information on a periodic basis.
To further control its credit risk in this portfolio, the Bank monitors and
manages credit exposure on portfolio concentrations. The Bank regularly monitors
portfolio concentrations by collateral types, industry groups, loan types, and
individual and related borrowers. Such concentrations are assessed and exposures
managed through establishment of limitations of aggregate exposures. The Bank no
longer originates new construction and commercial loans in California and
Arizona. At December 31, 1994, 48 percent or $19.5 million of the Bank's
outstanding commercial secured loan portfolio consisted of loans to borrowers in
the gaming industry, with additional unfunded commitments of $11.5 million.
These loans are generally secured by real estate and equipment. The Bank's
portfolio of loans, collateralized by real estate, consists principally of real
estate located in Nevada, California and Arizona. Collectibility is, therefore,
somewhat dependent on the economies and real estate values of these areas and
industries. Construction loans and commercial real estate loans (including
multi-family) generally have higher default rates than single-family residential
loans. See Financial Services Segment -- Risk Management -- Credit Risk
Management of MD&A for a table that sets forth the amounts of classified assets
by type of loan.
Origination, Purchase and Sale of Loans
The Bank originates the majority of its loans within the state of Nevada;
however, under current laws and regulations, the Bank may also originate and
purchase loans or purchase participating interests in loans without regard to
the location of the secured property. During 1994, the Bank originated $466
million in new loans, virtually all of which were secured by property located in
Nevada. In the first quarter of 1994, the Bank
10
<PAGE> 14
purchased $41.9 million of single-family residential whole loans. During 1993,
the Bank originated $500 million in new loans, of which 90 percent were secured
by property located in Nevada, 8 percent were secured by property located in
Arizona, and 2 percent were secured by property in California. As of December
31, 1994, 82 percent of the loan portfolio was secured by property located in
Nevada, 12 percent secured by property located in California and 6 percent
secured by property located in Arizona. The Bank originates real estate and
commercial loans principally through its in-house personnel.
Secondary Marketing Activity
The Bank has been involved in secondary mortgage market transactions
through the sale of whole loans. In accordance with the Bank's Accounting
Policy, fixed-rate residential loans with maturities greater than 25 years have
been designated as held for sale. At December 31, 1994, $2.1 million of
residential loans are designated as held for sale. See Note 4 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion relating to such
loans.
Under its loan participation and whole loan sale agreements, the Bank may
continue to service the loans and collect payments on the loans as they become
due. The amount of loans serviced for others was $415 million at December 31,
1994, compared to $477 million at year-end 1993, including $68 million and $93
million, respectively, of loans serviced for mortgage-backed securities (MBS)
originated and owned by the Bank. The Bank pays the participating lender, under
the terms of the participation agreement, a yield on the participant's portion
of the loan, which is usually less than the interest agreed to be paid by the
borrower. The difference is retained by the Bank as servicing income.
In connection with mortgage loan sales, the Bank makes representations and
warranties customary in the industry relating to, among other things, compliance
with laws, regulations and program standards and accuracy of information. In the
event of a breach of these representations and warranties, or under certain
limited circumstances, regardless of whether there has been such a breach, the
Bank may be required to repurchase such mortgage loans. Typically, any
documentation defects with respect to these mortgage loans that caused them to
be repurchased, are corrected and the mortgage loans are resold. Certain
repurchased mortgage loans may remain in the Bank's loan portfolio and, in some
cases, repurchased mortgage loans are foreclosed and the acquired real estate
sold.
Loan Fees
The Bank receives loan origination fees for originating loans and
commitment fees for making commitments to originate construction, income
property and multi-family residential loans. It also receives loan fees and
charges related to existing loans, including prepayment charges, late charges
and assumption fees. The amount of loan origination fees, commitment fees and
discounts received varies with loan volumes, loan types, purchase commitments
made, and competitive and economic conditions. Loan origination and commitment
fees, offset by certain direct loan origination costs, are being deferred and
recognized over the contractual life of such loans as yield adjustments.
ASSET QUALITY
Nonperforming Assets. Nonperforming assets may be comprised of nonaccrual
assets, restructured loans and real estate acquired through foreclosure.
Nonaccrual assets are those on which management believes the timely collection
of interest is doubtful. Assets are transferred to nonaccrual status when
payments of interest or principal are 90 days past due or if, in management's
opinion, the accrual of interest should be ceased sooner. There are no assets on
accrual status which are over 90 days delinquent or past maturity.
Nonaccrual assets are restored to accrual status when, in the opinion of
management, the financial condition of the borrower and/or debt service capacity
of the security property has improved to the extent that collectibility of
interest and principal appears assured and interest payments sufficient to bring
the asset current are received.
11
<PAGE> 15
Restructured loans represent loans for which the borrower is complying with
the terms of a loan modified as to rate, maturity, or payment amount.
The following table summarizes nonperforming assets as of the dates
indicated (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual loans past due 90 days or
more:
Mortgage loans:
Construction and land............... $ 576 $ 1,233 $ 8,514 $ 8,904 $ 6,599
Permanent single-family
residences........................ 5,517 6,636 4,667 7,737 4,467
Other mortgage loans................ 5,696 6,728 3,736 10,388 9,405
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
11,789 14,597 16,917 27,029 20,471
Nonmortgage loans...................... 904 184 2,164 87 331
Restructured loans....................... 16,768 2,842 1,190 1,229 1,385
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonperforming loans...... 29,461 17,623 20,271 28,345 22,187
Real estate acquired through
foreclosure............................ 7,631 9,707 24,488 14,875 10,363
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonperforming assets..... $37,092 $27,330 $44,759 $43,220 $32,550
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Allowance for estimated credit losses.... $17,659 $16,251 $17,228 $12,061 $ 3,646
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Allowance for estimated credit losses as
a percentage of nonperforming loans.... 59.94% 92.21% 84.99% 42.55% 16.43%
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Allowance for estimated credit losses as
a percentage of nonperforming assets... 47.61% 59.46% 38.49% 27.91% 11.20%
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The increase in restructured loans in 1994 is a result of the
classification of $13.9 million of single-family residential loan modifications
made for borrowers with earthquake-related damage in California. Federal
agencies encouraged financial institutions to modify loan terms for certain
borrowers who were affected by the earthquake which occurred in January 1994.
The terms of these modifications were generally three- to six-month payment
extensions with no negative credit reporting regarding the borrower. These loans
were on a nonaccrual basis during the extension period. Current interpretation
by the OTS concerning the modifications made requires the loans to be classified
as "troubled debt restructured" until they mature, are paid off, or are sold.
The Bank reviewed the earthquake-related loans and classified $3.1 million as
special mention and $677,000 as substandard and considered all of the loans in
the overall general valuation analysis. The remainder of the earthquake-related
loans are not classified and are deemed to have adequate reserves as they carry
no more risk than any other SFR loan.
At December 31, 1994, all nonaccrual loans and real estate acquired through
foreclosure are classified substandard. Additionally, $2.3 million of the
restructured loans are classified substandard.
The amount of interest income that would have been recorded on the
nonaccrual and restructured assets if they had been current under their original
terms was $2.1 million for 1994. Actual interest income recognized on these
assets was $970,000, resulting in $1.1 million of interest income foregone for
the year. See further discussion below in Provision and Allowance for Credit
Losses.
Classified Assets. OTS regulations require the Bank to classify certain
assets and establish prudent valuation allowances. Classified assets fall in one
of three categories --"substandard," "doubtful," and "loss." In addition, the
Bank can designate an asset as "special mention."
Assets classified as "substandard" are inadequately protected by the
current net worth or paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged,
if any. Assets which are designated as "special mention" possess weaknesses or
deficiencies deserving close attention, but do not currently warrant
classification as "substandard." See Financial Services Segment -- Risk
Management -- Credit Risk Management of MD&A for the amounts of the Bank's
classified assets and ratio of classified assets to total assets, net of
charge-offs.
12
<PAGE> 16
Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses
is dependent upon management's evaluation as to the amount needed to maintain
the allowance for losses at a level considered appropriate to the perceived risk
of future losses. A number of factors are weighed by management in determining
the adequacy of the allowance, including internal analyses of portfolio quality
measures and trends, specific economic and market conditions affecting valuation
of the security properties and certain other factors. In addition, the OTS
considers the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses and the net carrying
value of real estate owned in connection with periodic examinations of the Bank.
The OTS has the ability to require the Bank to recognize additions to the
allowance or reductions in the net carrying value of real estate owned based on
their judgement at the time of such examinations. In connection with the 1993
examination by the OTS, no additional reserves were required to be recorded by
the Bank. The OTS commenced their 1994 examination of the Bank in February 1995.
Activity in the allowances for credit losses on loans and real estate is
summarized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REAL REAL
ESTATE ESTATE
CONSTRUCTION NON- ACQUIRED HELD FOR
MORTGAGE & LAND MORTGAGE TOTAL THROUGH SALE OR
LOANS LOANS LOANS LOANS FORECLOSURE DEVELOPMENT TOTAL RATIO*
-------- ------------ -------- ------- ----------- ----------- -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at 12/31/89............ $ 2,235 $ 900 $ 1,249 $ 4,384 $ 3,175 $ 2,275 $ 9,834
Provisions for estimated
losses....................... 1,201 399 1,669 3,269 2,500 2,000 7,769
Charge-offs, net of
recoveries................... (657) -- (1,166) (1,823) (3,233) (117) (5,173) 0.43%
Transfers...................... (1,645) -- (539) (2,184) 1,645 -- (539)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/90............ 1,134 1,299 1,213 3,646 4,087 4,158 11,891
Provisions for estimated
losses....................... 5,835 2,643 3,580 12,058 1,686 49,010 62,754
Charge-offs, net of
recoveries................... (394) (1,121) (1,545) (3,060) (6,595) (49,529) (59,184) 5.85%
Transfers...................... (583) -- -- (583) 822 -- 239
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/91............ 5,992 2,821 3,248 12,061 -- 3,639 15,700
Provisions for estimated
losses....................... 1,903 6,460 5,766 14,129 -- 18,309 32,438
Charge-offs, net of
recoveries................... (515) (3,765) (4,682) (8,962) -- (20,485) (29,447) 3.29%
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/92............ 7,380 5,516 4,332 17,228 -- 1,463 18,691
Provisions for estimated
losses....................... 4,634 172 1,406 6,212 -- 1,010 7,222
Charge-offs, net of
recoveries................... (3,191) (2,248) (1,750) (7,189) -- (1,538) (8,727) 1.07%
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/93............ 8,823 3,440 3,988 16,251 -- 935 17,186
Provisions for estimated
losses....................... 2,954 71 4,205 7,230 -- 163 7,393
Charge-offs, net of
recoveries................... (1,786) (1,297) (2,739) (5,822) -- (622) (6,444) 0.72%
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/94............ $ 9,991 $ 2,214 $ 5,454 $17,659 $ -- $ 476 $ 18,135
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Ratio = Net charge-offs to average loans and real estate outstanding
Included in net charge-offs are $1.7 million, $1.4 million, $1.9 million,
$2.6 million and $2.6 million of recoveries from 1990 through 1994,
respectively.
The real estate write-downs for 1992 were primarily the result of a
decrease in the net realizable value and slower sales activity of five
California single-family real estate development projects. The largest of these
involved write-downs of $9.3 million as a result of an appraisal reflecting the
continuing market decline in the California market and difficulty in obtaining
third party construction financing.
13
<PAGE> 17
Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses. The following is a breakdown of
allocated loan loss allowance amounts by major categories. However, in
management's opinion, the allowance must be viewed in its entirety.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT
OF OF OF OF OF
LOANS LOANS LOANS LOANS LOANS
TO TO TO TO TO
ALLOWANCE TOTAL ALLOWANCE TOTAL ALLOWANCE TOTAL ALLOWANCE TOTAL ALLOWANCE TOTAL
AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS
--------- ------- --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- -------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
LOANS BY TYPE
Real estate....... $ 9,991 73.6 $ 8,823 76.9 $ 7,380 81.2 $ 5,992 82.4 $1,134 84.4
Construction and
land............ 2,214 5.1 3,440 4.0 5,516 4.3 2,821 4.8 1,299 4.9
Nonmortgage....... 5,454 21.3 3,988 19.1 4,332 14.5 3,248 12.8 1,213 10.7
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- ----- ------- ----- ------ -----
Total........... $17,659 100.0 $16,251 100.0 $17,228 100.0 $12,061 100.0 $3,646 100.0
======= ===== ======= ===== ======= ===== ======= ===== ====== =====
</TABLE>
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The Bank's investment in real estate held for development, net of allowance
for estimated losses, excluding real estate acquired through foreclosure,
decreased from $28.1 million at December 31, 1991 to $771,000 at December 31,
1994. The Bank's pretax loss from real estate operations was $612,000 in 1994,
$910,000 in 1993, and $15.3 million in 1992.
The Bank and its subsidiaries have ceased making investments in new real
estate development activities as a result of legislative and regulatory actions
which have placed certain restrictions on the Bank's ability to invest in real
estate. See Regulation -- General herein for additional discussion. The Bank and
its subsidiaries are continuing the sale and wind down of remaining real estate
investments.
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES
Federal regulations require thrifts to maintain certain levels of liquidity
and to invest in various types of liquid assets. The Bank invests in a variety
of securities, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, U.S.
government and U.S. agency obligations, short-term corporate debt, municipal
bonds, repurchase agreements and federal funds. The Bank also invests in longer
term investments such as MBS and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO) to
supplement its loan production and to provide liquidity to meet unforeseen cash
outlays. Income from cash equivalents and debt securities provides a significant
source of revenue for the Bank, constituting 43 percent, 41 percent and 32
percent of total revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993
and 1994, respectively.
The Bank's activities in derivatives are limited to investments in CMO,
interest rate swaps, and forward sale commitments. CMO are discussed in the
following tables. Interest rate swaps and forward sale commitments are discussed
in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and in Risk
Management -- Interest Rate Risk Management of MD&A.
In order to mitigate the interest rate risk (IRR) and credit risk exposure
in the debt security portfolio, the Bank has established guidelines within its
Investment Portfolio Policy for maximum duration, credit quality, concentration
limits per issuer, and counterparty capital requirements. The Investment
Portfolio Policy also sets forth the types of permissible investment securities
and unsuitable investment activities.
Additionally, the debt security portfolio is subject to the Asset
Classification Policy of the Bank based on credit risk as determined by private
rating firms, such as Standard and Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investors
Services.
On December 31, 1993, the Bank adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities." In conjunction with adoption, the Bank designated the vast majority
of its debt security portfolio as available for sale. At December 31, 1993
14
<PAGE> 18
and 1994, no securities were designated as "trading securities." See Note 2 of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
The following tables present the composition of the debt security
portfolios as of the dates indicated. See Financial Services Segment -- Capital
Resources and Liquidity of MD&A and Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for further discussion of the portfolios:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
-------- ------- ----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DEBT SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY
GNMA -- MBS................................................ $ -- $ -- $ 12,222
FHLMC -- MBS............................................... -- -- 629,225
FNMA -- MBS................................................ -- -- 217,391
CMO........................................................ -- -- 37,722
Corporate issue MBS........................................ 60,922 69,660 229,303
Money market instruments................................... -- -- 100
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
U.S. Government corporations and agencies................ 40,958 -- 15,996
Medium-term notes.......................................... -- -- 17,018
-------- ------- ----------
Total............................................ $101,880 $69,660 $1,158,977
======== ======= ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- -------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DEBT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
GNMA -- MBS................................................. $ 6,397 $ 9,672 $ 6,780
FHLMC -- MBS................................................ 300,896 379,786 --
FNMA -- MBS................................................. 109,108 119,657 --
CMO......................................................... 88,380 47,249 --
Corporate issue MBS......................................... 19,517 24,106 --
Money market instruments.................................... -- 10,036 --
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
U.S. Government corporations and agencies................. 5,102 5,220 --
-------- -------- -------
Total............................................. $529,400 $595,726 $ 6,780
======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
The following schedule of the expected maturity of debt securities held to
maturity is based upon dealer prepayment expectations and historical prepayment
activity (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED/CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER AFTER AFTER
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
BUT BUT BUT
WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN AFTER TOTAL
ONE FIVE TEN TWENTY TWENTY AMORTIZED
DECEMBER 31, 1994 YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS COST YIELD
- ----------------- ------- -------- ---------- --------- ------ --------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate issue MBS... $15,593 $31,603 $8,883 $4,574 $269 $ 60,922 7.25%
U.S. Treasury
securities and
obligations of U.S.
Government
corporations and
agencies............ 20,822 20,136 -- -- -- 40,958 8.01%
------- ------- ------ ------ ---- -------- ----
Total....... $36,415 $51,739 $8,883 $4,574 $269 $101,880 7.55%
======= ======= ====== ====== ==== ======== ====
Yield................. 7.62% 7.58% 7.40% 6.69% 6.46% 7.55%
======= ======= ====== ====== ==== ========
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE> 19
The expected maturities of MBS and CMO are based upon dealer prepayment
expectations and historical prepayment activity. The following schedule reflects
the expected maturities of MBS and CMO and the contractual maturity of all other
debt securities available for sale (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED/CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER AFTER AFTER
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
BUT BUT BUT TOTAL
WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN AFTER ESTIMATED
ONE FIVE TEN TWENTY TWENTY FAIR
DECEMBER 31, 1994 YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS VALUE YEAR(1)
- ---------------------- -------- -------- ---------- --------- ------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GNMA -- MBS........... $ 1,595 $ 4,091 $ 711 $ -- $ -- $ 6,397 8.29%
FHLMC -- MBS.......... 57,237 167,998 37,894 29,991 7,776 300,896 6.64%
FNMA -- MBS........... 15,879 49,915 20,241 20,030 3,043 109,108 7.11%
CMO................... 48,692 38,236 819 606 27 88,380 5.92%
Corporate issue MBS... 3,295 11,283 4,056 778 105 19,517 7.24%
U.S. Treasury
securities
and obligations of
U.S. Government
corporations and
agencies............ 5,102 -- -- -- -- 5,102 5.83%
-------- -------- ---------- --------- ------- --------- ----
Total....... $131,800 $271,523 $ 63,721 $51,405 $10,951 $ 529,400 6.65%
======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== ====
Yield(1).............. 6.43% 6.67% 6.84% 6.83% 6.78% 6.65%
======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The yields are completed based on amortized cost.
DEPOSIT ACTIVITIES
Deposit accounts are the Bank's primary source of funds constituting 75
percent of the Bank's total liabilities at December 31, 1994. The Bank solicits
both short-term and long-term deposits in the form of transaction related and
certificate of deposit accounts.
The Bank's average retail deposit base has remained steady during the past
three years, despite the effect of the sale of Arizona-based deposit liabilities
(Arizona sale) in 1993. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for further discussion of the Arizona sale. Average retail deposits,
as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities, were 80 percent in
1994, compared to 79 percent in 1993 and 83 percent in 1992. The Bank has
emphasized retail deposits over wholesale funding sources in an effort to reduce
the volatility of its cost of funds. Additionally, the Bank has emphasized
growth in transaction based accounts versus term accounts in order to reduce its
overall cost of funds.
The Bank's deposits increased $32 million during 1994. Due to the rising
interest rate environment, many customers moved their transaction deposits into
higher-yielding certificate of deposit accounts. The growth in retail deposits
has been achieved through marketing programs, increased emphasis on customer
service and strong population growth in southern Nevada.
At December 31, 1994, the Bank maintained over $291 million in collateral,
at market value, which could be borrowed against or sold to offset any run-offs
which could occur in retail deposits in a declining or low interest rate
environment. The Bank considers this level of excess collateral to be adequate
and considers the likelihood of substantial run-offs occurring to be remote.
16
<PAGE> 20
The average balances in and average rates paid on deposit accounts for the
years indicated are summarized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992
------------------- -------------------- ---------------------
BALANCE YIELD BALANCE YIELD BALANCE YIELD
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits...................... $ 66,339 -- $ 77,144 -- $ 74,245 --
Interest-bearing demand
deposits...................... 325,885 2.68 % 329,785 2.60 % 279,793 3.19 %
Savings deposits................ 84,584 2.52 % 83,935 2.81 % 71,548 2.49 %
Certificates of deposit......... 751,572 4.42 % 952,764 4.90 % 1,263,298 5.96 %
---------- ----- ---------- ---- ---------- ----
$1,228,380 3.59 % $1,443,628 3.99 % $1,688,884 5.09 %
========== ==== ========== ==== ========== ====
</TABLE>
See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further
discussion.
Certificates of deposit include approximately $169 million, $152 million,
and $223 million in time certificates of deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more
at December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992, respectively. The following table
represents time certificates of deposits, none of which are brokered, in amounts
of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 1994
(thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LESS THAN 3 MONTHS - 6 MONTHS - GREATER THAN
3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 1 YEAR
- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$52,452 $ 27,055 $ 37,597 $ 51,854
======= ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
BORROWINGS
Sources of funds other than deposits have included advances from the FHLB,
reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings.
FHLB Advances. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank may obtain advances
from the FHLB pursuant to various credit programs offered from time to time. The
Bank borrows these funds from the FHLB principally on the security of certain of
its mortgage loans. See Regulation -- Federal Home Loan Bank System herein for
additional discussion. Such advances are made on a limited basis to supplement
the Bank's supply of lendable funds, to meet deposit withdrawal requirements and
to lengthen the maturities of its borrowings. See Note 11 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements. The Bank sells securities
under agreements to repurchase (reverse repurchase agreements). Reverse
repurchase agreements involve the Bank's sale of debt securities to a
broker/dealer with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the same debt
securities on a specified date at a specified price. The initial price paid to
the Bank under reverse repurchase agreements is less than the fair market value
of the debt securities sold, and the Bank may be required to pledge additional
collateral if the fair market value of the debt securities sold declines below
the price paid to the Bank for these debt securities. See Note 8 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of the terms and
description of the reverse repurchase agreements.
Reverse repurchase agreements are summarized as follows (thousands of
dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at year end........................... $281,935 $259,041 $376,859
Accrued interest payable at year end.......... 3,335 3,871 3,717
Daily average amount outstanding during
year........................................ 222,620 305,123 204,222
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end... 281,935 367,859 376,859
Weighted-average interest rate during the
year........................................ 4.95% 4.30% 5.98%
Weighted-average interest rate on year-end
balances.................................... 6.37% 4.31% 4.54%
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1994, the balance of reverse repurchase agreements included
$19.7 million in long-term fixed-rate flexible reverse repurchase agreements
with a weighted average interest rate of 8.70 percent.
17
<PAGE> 21
EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 1994 the Bank had 586 full-time equivalent employees. No
employees are represented by any union or collective bargaining group and the
Bank considers its relations with its employees to be good.
COMPETITION
The Bank experiences substantial competition in attracting and retaining
deposit accounts and in making mortgage and other loans. The primary factors in
competing for deposit accounts are interest rates paid on deposits, the range of
financial services offered, the quality of service, convenience of office
locations and the financial strength of an institution. Direct competition for
deposit accounts comes from savings and loan associations, commercial banks,
money market mutual funds, credit unions and insurance companies. During 1993,
the Bank experienced deposit outflows from certificate of deposit accounts as
customers sought higher yielding alternative investments in a low interest rate
environment. The Bank has sought to retain relationships with these customers by
establishing an agreement with a third party broker to offer uninsured
investment alternatives in the Bank's branches. With the rising interest rate
environment and the mediocre and poor performance of many stock and bond mutual
funds in 1994, many investors have returned to certificates of deposits as a
safe investment vehicle.
The primary factors in competing for loans are interest rates, loan
origination fees, quality of service and the range of lending services offered.
Competition for origination of first mortgage loans normally comes from savings
and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, commercial banks, insurance
companies, real estate investment trusts and other lending institutions.
PROPERTIES
The Bank occupies facilities at 25 locations in Nevada, of which 12 are
owned. The Bank leases the remaining facilities. The Bank may add branches in
the future in order to achieve the deposit goals set forth in the Bank's
Strategic Plan. The Bank intends to build three new branches in metropolitan Las
Vegas and one in Reno. During 1994, specific strategic areas were identified:
Northwest Las Vegas, Green Valley, the Lakes and Reno. The Lakes site is
currently under construction. See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a schedule of net future minimum rental payments that have
initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of
December 31, 1994.
REGULATION
General
In August 1989, FIRREA was enacted into law. FIRREA had and will continue
to have a significant impact on the thrift industry including, among other
things, imposing significantly higher capital requirements and providing funding
for the liquidation of insolvent thrifts. In December 1991, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) was enacted into law.
This legislation included changes in the qualified thrift lender test, deposit
insurance assessments and capital standards.
Regulatory Infrastructure. The Bank's principal supervisory agency is the
OTS, an agency reporting to the U.S. Treasury Department. The OTS is responsible
for the examination and regulation of all thrifts and for the organization,
incorporation, examination and regulation of federally chartered thrifts.
The FDIC is the Bank's secondary regulator and is the administrator of the
SAIF which generally insures the deposits of thrifts.
Deposit Insurance Premiums. Deposit accounts are insured to the maximum
extent permitted by law by the FDIC through the SAIF. During 1993, the FDIC
implemented a risk-based deposit insurance premium assessment. Under the
regulation, annual deposit insurance premiums ranging from 23 to 31 basis points
(bp) are imposed on institutions based upon the institution's level of capital
and a supervisory risk assessment. In February 1995, the FDIC proposed a
significant reduction in the premiums banks pay to the Bank Insurance Fund
(BIF). The amended rate schedule will be changed from the current range of 23 bp
to 31 bp to a
18
<PAGE> 22
proposed range of 4 bp to 31 bp; thereby substantially reducing the premiums
that well-capitalized, low risk-rated institutions will pay. However, the FDIC
is proposing to retain the current SAIF premium schedule until the SAIF is
recapitalized.
Capital Standards. Effective December 1989, the OTS issued the minimum
regulatory capital regulations (capital regulations) required by FIRREA.
The capital regulations require that all thrifts meet three separate
capital standards as follows:
1. A tangible capital requirement equal to at least 1.5 percent of
adjusted total assets (as defined).
2. A core capital requirement equal to at least three percent of
adjusted total assets (as defined).
3. A risk-based capital requirement equal to at least eight percent of
risk-weighted assets (as defined).
The OTS may establish, on a case by case basis, individual minimum capital
requirements for a thrift institution which may vary from the requirements which
would otherwise be applicable under the capital regulations. The OTS has not
established such minimum capital requirements for the Bank.
A thrift institution which fails to meet one or more of the applicable
capital requirements is subject to various regulatory limitations and sanctions,
including a prohibition on growth and the issuance of a capital directive by the
OTS requiring the following: an increase in capital, a reduction of rates paid
on savings accounts, cessation of or limitations on deposit taking and lending,
limitations on operational expenditures, an increase in liquidity, and such
other actions as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the OTS. In addition, a
conservator or receiver may be appointed under certain circumstances.
FDICIA requires federal banking regulators to take prompt corrective action
if an institution fails to satisfy minimum capital requirements. Under FDICIA,
capital requirements include a leverage limit, a risk-based capital requirement,
and any other measure of capital deemed appropriate by the federal banking
regulators for measuring the capital adequacy of an insured depository
institution. All institutions, regardless of their capital levels, are
restricted from making any capital distribution or paying management fees which
are not in capital requirement compliance or if such payment would cause the
institution to fail to satisfy minimum levels for any of its capital
requirements.
Insured institutions are divided into five capital categories -- (1) well
capitalized, (2) adequately capitalized, (3) undercapitalized, (4) significantly
undercapitalized, and (5) critically undercapitalized. The categories are
defined as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RISK-BASED CORE CAPITAL TO CORE
CATEGORY CAPITAL RATIO RISK-BASED ASSETS CAPITAL RATIO
- --------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Well capitalized............................. >=10% >=6% >=5%
Adequately capitalized....................... >=8%<10% >=4%<6% >=4%<5%
Undercapitalized............................. >=6%<8% >=3%<4% >=3%<4%
Significantly undercapitalized............... <6% <3% <3%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Critically undercapitalized if tangible equity to total assets ratio 2%
Institutions must meet all three capital ratios in order to qualify for a
given category. At December 31, 1994, the Bank was classified as "well
capitalized." At December 31, 1994, under fully phased-in capital rules
applicable to the Bank at July 1, 1996, the Bank would have exceeded the
"adequately capitalized" fully phased-in total risk-based, tier 1 risk-based,
and tier 1 leverage ratios by $46.7 million, $72.8 million, and $38.7 million,
respectively. See Financial Services Segment -- Financial and Regulatory Capital
of MD&A for further discussion.
In January 1993, the OTS issued a Thrift Bulletin limiting the amount of
deferred tax assets that can be used to meet capital requirements. Under the
bulletin, for purposes of calculating regulatory capital, net deferred tax
assets are limited to the amount which could be theoretically realized from
carryback potential
19
<PAGE> 23
plus the lesser of the tax on one year's projected earnings or ten percent of
core capital. Transitional provisions apply to deferred tax assets existing at
December 31, 1992 which are not subject to the limitation. At December 31, 1994
the Bank's net deferred tax asset is less than this limitation. Management does
not anticipate this regulation will impact the Bank's compliance with capital
standards in the foreseeable future.
In November 1994, the OTS announced its decision to reverse immediately its
1993 interim policy requiring associations to include unrealized gains and
losses, net of income taxes, on available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities in
regulatory capital. Under the revised OTS policy, associations exclude any
unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, on a prospective basis, on AFS
debt securities reported as a separate component of equity capital pursuant to
SFAS No. 115.
The capital regulations specify that only the following elements may be
included in tangible capital: stockholder's equity, noncumulative perpetual
preferred stock, retained earnings and minority interests in the equity accounts
of fully consolidated subsidiaries. Further, goodwill and investments in and
loans to subsidiaries engaged in activities not permitted by national banks must
be deducted from assets and capital. See Regulation -- General -- Separate
Capitalization of Nonpermissible Activities herein for additional discussion.
In calculating adjusted total assets under the capital regulations, certain
adjustments are made to give effect to the exclusion of certain assets from
tangible capital and to appropriately account for the investments in and assets
of both includable and nonincludable activities.
Core capital under the current regulations may include only tangible
capital, plus certain intangible assets up to a limit of 25 percent of core
capital, provided such assets are: (i) separable from the thrift's assets; (ii)
valued at an established market value through an identifiable stream of cash
flows with a high degree of certainty that the asset will hold this market value
notwithstanding the prospects of the thrift and (iii) salable in a market that
is liquid. In addition, prior to January 1, 1995, certain qualifying
"supervisory" goodwill was includable as core capital. At December 31, 1994,
$6.6 million of supervisory goodwill is includable in core capital. Under the
regulation, on January 1, 1995, none of the Bank's supervisory goodwill is
includable in core capital.
Regarding the risk-based capital requirement, under the capital
regulations, assets are assigned to one of four "risk-weighted" categories (zero
percent, 20 percent, 50 percent or 100 percent) based upon the degree of
perceived risk associated with the asset. The total amount of a thrift's
risk-weighted assets is determined by multiplying the amount of each of its
assets by the risk weight assigned to it, and totaling the resulting amounts.
The capital regulation also establishes the concept of "total capital" for
the risk-based capital requirement. As defined, total capital consists of core
capital and supplementary capital. Supplementary capital includes: (i) permanent
capital instruments such as cumulative perpetual preferred stock, perpetual
subordinated debt and mandatory convertible subordinated debt (capital notes),
(ii) maturing capital instruments such as subordinated debt, intermediate-term
preferred stock, mandatory convertible subordinated debt (commitment notes) and
mandatory redeemable preferred stock, subject to an amortization schedule and
(iii) general valuation loan and lease loss allowances up to 1.25 percent of
risk-weighted assets.
The OTS issued a regulation which added a component to an institution's
risk-based capital calculation in 1994. The regulation requires a reduction of
an institution's risk-based capital by 50 percent of the decline in the
institution's net portfolio value (NPV) exceeding two percent of assets under a
hypothetical 200 basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates.
Based on the OTS's measurement of the Bank's September 30, 1994 and December 31,
1994 IRR, the Bank may be required to reduce its risk-based capital by
approximately $1.5 million on June 30, 1995 and $1.9 million on September 30,
1995, in the absence of corrective action to reduce the Bank's IRR exposure or
significant change in market interest rates in the interim. As of December 31,
1994, the Bank has sufficient risk-based capital to allow it to continue to be
classified as "well capitalized" under FDICIA capital requirements after such
reduction for IRR exposure. Management is currently reviewing possible
strategies for reducing the Bank's IRR exposure.
20
<PAGE> 24
See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the
calculation of the Bank's regulatory capital and related excesses as of December
31, 1994 and 1993.
Separate Capitalization of Nonpermissible Activities. For purposes of
determining a thrift's capital under all three capital requirements, its entire
investment in and loans to any subsidiary engaged in an activity not permissible
for a national bank must be deducted from the capital of the thrift. The capital
regulations provide for a transition period with respect to this provision.
During the transition period, a thrift is permitted to include in its
calculation the applicable percentage (as provided below) of the lesser of the
thrift's investments in and loans to such subsidiaries on: (i) April 12, 1989 or
(ii) the date on which the thrift's capital is being determined, unless the FDIC
determines with respect to any particular thrift that a lesser percentage should
be applied in the interest of safety and soundness.
In July 1992, legislation was enacted which delayed the increased
transitional deduction from capital for real estate investments, and allowed
thrifts to apply to the OTS for use of a delayed schedule. The Bank applied for
and received approval for use of the delayed phase-out schedule. The Bank had
$1.6 million in investments in and loans to nonpermissible activities at
December 31, 1994. These investments, which fall under this section of FIRREA,
will be deductible from capital by 60 percent from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996
and thereafter, totally deductible. Included in this amount are investments in
real estate, land loans and certain foreclosed real estate.
Lending Activities. FIRREA limits the amount of commercial real estate
loans that a federally chartered thrift may make to four times its capital (as
defined). Based on core capital of $117 million at December 31, 1994, the Bank's
commercial real estate lending limit was $468 million. At December 31, 1994, the
Bank had $178 million invested in commercial real estate loans; therefore, this
limitation should not unduly restrict the Bank's ability to engage in commercial
real estate loans.
FIRREA conformed thrifts' loans-to-one-borrower limitations to those
applicable to national banks. After December 31, 1991 thrifts generally are not
permitted to make loans to a single borrower in excess of 15 percent to 25
percent of the thrift's unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus (depending
upon whether the loan is collateralized and the type of collateral), except that
a thrift may make loans to one borrower in excess of such limits under one of
the following circumstances: (i) for any purpose, in any amount not to exceed
$500,000 and (ii) to develop domestic residential housing units, in an amount
not to exceed the lesser of $30 million, or 30 percent, of the thrift's
unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, provided the thrift meets fully
phased-in capital requirements and certain other conditions are satisfied. The
Bank was in compliance with the loans-to-one-borrower limitation of $17.1
million at December 31, 1994. This limitation is not expected to materially
affect the operations of the Bank.
In December 1992, the OTS issued a regulation (Real Estate Lending
Standards) as mandated by FDICIA, which became effective in March 1993. The
regulation requires insured depository institutions to adopt and maintain
comprehensive written real estate lending policies which include: prudent
underwriting standards; loan administration procedures; portfolio
diversification standards; and documentation, approval and reporting
requirements. The policies must be reviewed and approved annually to ensure
appropriateness for current market conditions. The regulation also provides
supervisory loan-to-value limits for various types of real estate based loans.
Loans may be originated in excess of these limitations up to a maximum of 100
percent of total regulatory capital. The regulation has not made a material
impact on the Bank's lending operations.
In August 1993, the OTS issued revised guidance for the classification of
assets and a new policy on the classification of collateral-dependent loans
(where proceeds from repayment can be expected to come only from the operation
and sale of the collateral). With limited exceptions, effective September 1993,
for troubled collateral-dependent loans where it is probable that the lender
will be unable to collect all amounts due, an institution must classify as
"loss" any excess of the recorded investment in the loan over its "value," and
classify the remainder as "substandard." The "value" of a loan is either the
present value of the expected future cash flows, the loan's observable market
price or the fair value of the collateral. The policy did not materially impact
the Bank.
21
<PAGE> 25
The federal agencies regulating financial institutions issued a joint
policy statement in December 1993 providing quantitative guidance and
qualitative factors to consider in determining the appropriate level of general
valuation allowances that institutions should maintain against various asset
portfolios. The policy statement also requires institutions to maintain
effective asset review systems and to document the institution's process for
evaluating and determining the level of its general valuation allowance.
Management believes the Bank's current policies and procedures regarding general
valuation allowances and asset review procedures are consistent with the policy
statement.
FDICIA amended the Qualified Thrift Lender (QTL) test prescribed by FIRREA
by reducing the qualified percentage to 65 percent and adding certain
investments as qualifying investments. A savings institution must meet the
percentage in at least 9 of every 12 months. At December 31, 1994, the Bank's
QTL ratio was approximately 80 percent. A thrift that fails to meet the QTL test
must either become a commercial bank or be subject to a series of restrictions.
Safety and Soundness Standards. Pursuant to statutory requirements, the OTS
issued a proposed rule in November 1993, that prescribes certain "safety and
soundness standards." The standards are intended to enable the OTS to address
problems at savings associations before the problems cause significant
deterioration in the financial condition of the association. The proposed
regulation provides operational and managerial standards for internal controls
and information systems, loan documentation, internal audit systems, credit
underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and
benefits. The proposed regulation also requires a savings association to
maintain a ratio of classified assets to total capital and ineligible allowances
that is no greater than 1.0. A minimum earnings standard is also included in the
proposed regulation requiring earnings sufficient to absorb losses without
impairing capital. Earnings would be sufficient under the proposed regulation if
the institution meets applicable capital requirements and would remain in
capital compliance if its net income or loss over the last four quarters of
earnings continued over the next four quarters of earnings. An institution that
fails to meet any of the standards must submit a compliance plan. Failure to
submit an acceptable compliance plan or to implement the plan could result in an
OTS order or other enforcement action against the association. The Bank's level
of adversely classified assets is less than its total capital plus ineligible
allowances at December 31, 1994 as defined under the proposed rule. This
proposed rule has not been issued as final as of March 1995.
Federal Home Loan Bank System
The FHLB system consists of 12 regional FHLB banks, which provide a central
credit facility primarily for member institutions. The Bank, as a member of the
FHLB of San Francisco, is required to own capital stock in that institution in
an amount at least equal to: one percent of the aggregate outstanding balance at
the beginning of the year of its outstanding residential mortgage loans, home
purchase contracts and similar obligations; 0.3 percent of total assets; or five
percent of its advances from the FHLB, whichever is greater. The Bank is in
compliance with this requirement, with an investment in FHLB stock at December
31, 1994 of $17.3 million.
Liquidity
The Bank is required to maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets
equal to at least five percent of its liquidity base (as defined in the
Regulation) during the preceding calendar month. The Bank is also required to
maintain an average daily balance of short-term liquid assets equal to at least
one percent of its liquidity base. The Bank has complied with these regulatory
requirements. For the month of December 1994, the Bank's liquidity ratios were
13.4 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. See Financial Services Segment --
Capital Resources and Liquidity of MD&A for additional discussion.
Investments
A Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council Supervisory Policy
Statement on Securities Activities (Policy Statement): (1) addresses the
selection of securities dealers, (2) requires depository institutions to
establish prudent policies and strategies for securities transactions, (3)
defines securities trading or sales practices that are viewed by the agencies as
being unsuitable when conducted in an investment
22
<PAGE> 26
portfolio, (4) indicates characteristics of loans held for sale or trading, and
(5) establishes a framework for identifying when certain mortgage derivative
products are high-risk mortgage securities which must be held either in a
trading or held for sale account. Management believes that items (1) through (4)
have not unduly restricted the operating strategies of the Bank. Item (5) has
not affected the Bank's treatment of its $1 million investment in CMO residuals
since the Policy Statement includes a grandfathering provision whereby any
mortgage derivative owned prior to the date of adoption by the OTS is exempt
from the tests. However, the Bank will have to apply the specified tests to any
mortgage derivative product, including CMO, Real Estate Mortgage Investment
Conduits (REMIC), CMO and REMIC residuals and stripped MBS purchases in the
future.
Insurance of Deposits
The Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC through the SAIF up to the
maximum amount permitted by law, currently $100,000 per insured depositor. The
SAIF requires quarterly insurance premium payments in 1995 instead of
semi-annual payments as in prior years. See Regulation -- General -- Deposit
Insurance Premiums herein for additional discussion of insurance premiums to be
paid by SAIF members.
Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC, after notice and
hearing, upon a finding by the FDIC that a thrift has engaged in unsafe or
unsound practices, or is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue
operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or
condition imposed by the OTS and FDIC. Management of the Bank is not aware of
any practice, condition, or violation that might lead to termination of its
deposit insurance.
Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA) and regulations promulgated
under the act encourage savings associations to help meet the credit needs of
the communities they do business in, particularly the credit needs of low and
moderate income neighborhoods. The OTS periodically evaluates the Bank's
performance under CRA. This evaluation is taken into account in determining
whether to grant approval for new branches, relocations, mergers, acquisitions
and dispositions. The Bank received a "satisfactory" evaluation in its most
recent examination.
Federal Reserve System
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve)
has adopted regulations that require depository institutions to maintain
noninterest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily
negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW), demand deposit accounts, and Super NOW
accounts) and nonpersonal money market deposit accounts. These regulations
generally require that reserves of three percent be maintained against aggregate
transaction accounts in an institution, up to $49.8 million, and an initial
reserve of ten percent be maintained against that portion of total transaction
accounts in excess of such amount. In addition, an initial reserve of three
percent must be maintained on nonpersonal money market deposit accounts (which
include borrowings with maturities of less than four years). These accounts and
percentages are subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve. The balances
maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve may
be used to satisfy liquidity requirements which may be imposed by the OTS. At
December 31, 1994, the Bank was required to maintain approximately $1.6 million
in noninterest earning reserves and was in compliance with this requirement.
As a creditor and financial institution, the Bank is subject to various
additional regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve, including, without
limitation, Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity Act), Regulation E
(Electronic Funds Transfer Act), Regulation F (Interbank Liabilities),
Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending Act), Regulation CC (Expedited Funds Availability
Act), Regulation O (Insider Lending) and Regulation DD (Truth-in-Savings Act).
23
<PAGE> 27
HOLDING COMPANY MATTERS
The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As a unitary savings
bank holding company, the Company is subject to certain OTS regulation,
examination, supervision and reporting requirements. The Bank is generally
prohibited from engaging in certain transactions with the Company and is subject
to certain OTS restrictions on the payment of dividends to the Company.
In 1990, the OTS issued a regulation governing limitations of capital
distributions, including dividends. Under the regulation, a tiered system keyed
to capital is imposed on capital distributions. Insured thrifts fall under one
of three tiers.
1. Tier 1 includes those thrifts with net capital exceeding fully
phased-in requirements and with Capital, Assets, Management, Earnings
and Liquidity (CAMEL) ratings of 1 or 2. (The CAMEL system was
established by the FDIC and adopted by the OTS to comprehensively and
uniformly grade all thrifts with regard to financial condition,
compliance with laws and regulations, and overall operating soundness.)
2. Tier 2 includes those thrifts having net capital above their regulatory
capital requirement, but below the fully phased-in requirement.
3. Tier 3 includes those thrifts with net capital below the current
regulatory requirement.
Under the regulation, insured thrifts are permitted to make dividend
payments as follows:
1. Tier 1 thrifts are permitted to make (without application but with
notification) capital distributions of half their surplus capital (as
defined) at the beginning of a calendar year plus 100 percent of their
earnings to date for the year.
2. Tier 2 thrifts can make (without application but with notification)
capital distributions ranging from 25 to 75 percent of their net income
over the most recent four quarter period, depending upon their level of
capital in relation to the fully phased-in requirements.
3. Tier 3 thrifts are prohibited from making any capital distributions
without prior supervisory approval.
Based upon these regulations, the Bank is currently restricted to paying no
more than 75 percent of its net income over the last four quarters in dividends
to its parent. The Bank did not pay any cash dividends during the past three
years.
In December 1994, the OTS proposed an amendment to the capital
distributions regulation to conform to the FDICIA prompt corrective action
system. Under the proposal, a savings association that is not held by a savings
and loan holding company and that has a CAMEL rating of "1" or "2" need not
notify the OTS before making a capital distribution. Other institutions that
remain adequately capitalized after making a capital distribution would be
required to provide notice to the OTS. Troubled and undercapitalized
institutions must file and receive approval from the OTS prior to making capital
distributions. This proposed regulation will have no material impact on the
Bank.
Generally transactions between a savings and loan association and its
affiliates are required to be on terms as favorable to the association as
comparable transactions with nonaffiliates. In addition, certain of these
transactions are restricted to a percentage of the association's capital.
Affiliates of the Bank include the Company. In addition, a savings and loan
association may not lend to any affiliate engaged in activities not permissible
for a bank holding company or acquire the securities of such affiliates. It is
not permissible for bank holding companies to operate a gas utility. Therefore,
loans by the Bank to the Company and purchases of the Company's securities by
the Bank are prohibited.
The Company, at the time that it acquired the Bank, agreed to assist the
Bank in maintaining levels of net worth required by the regulations in effect at
the time or as they were thereafter in effect so long as it controlled the Bank.
The enforceability of a net worth maintenance agreement of this type is
uncertain. However, under current regulations, a holding company that has
executed a capital maintenance obligation of this type may not divest control of
a thrift if the thrift has a capital deficiency, unless the holding company
24
<PAGE> 28
either provides the OTS with an agreement to infuse sufficient capital into the
thrift to remedy the deficiency or the deficiency is satisfied.
The Company is prohibited from issuing any bond, note, lien, guarantee or
indebtedness of any kind pledging its utility assets or credit for or on behalf
of a subsidiary which is not engaged in or does not support the business of the
regulated public utility. As a result, there are limitations on the Company's
ability to assist the Bank in maintaining levels of capital required by
applicable regulations.
The Company also stipulated in connection with the acquisition of the Bank
that dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would not exceed 50 percent of
the Bank's cumulative net income after the date of acquisition, without approval
of the regulators. In addition, the Company agreed that the Bank would not at
any time declare a dividend that would reduce the Bank's regulatory net worth
below minimum regulatory requirements in effect at the time of the acquisition
or thereafter. Since the acquisition, the Bank's cumulative net income is $37.1
million, resulting in maximum dividends payable of $18.6 million as of December
31, 1994. Since the acquisition, the Bank has paid the Company $1.8 million in
capital distributions, net of $20 million of capital contributions received from
the Company.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The information appearing in Part I, Item 1, pages 2 and 18 in this report
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The principal market in which the common stock of the Company is traded is
the New York Stock Exchange. At March 3, 1995, there were 20,730 holders of
record of common stock. The market price of the common stock was $15.00 as of
March 3, 1995. Prices shown are those as quoted by the Dow Jones News Retrieval
Service.
COMMON STOCK PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIVIDENDS
1994 1993 PAID
--------------- --------------- -------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW 1994 1993
------ ------ ------ ------ ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fiscal Quarter
First...................................... $19.38 $15.75 $17.88 $13.38 $.195 $.175
Second..................................... 18.63 15.00 18.50 16.75 .195 .175
Third...................................... 18.25 17.50 17.38 16.13 .205 .195
Fourth..................................... 17.63 13.75 18.50 15.50 .205 .195
----- -----
$.800 $.740
===== =====
</TABLE>
See Holding Company Matters and Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a discussion of limitations on the Bank's ability to
make capital distributions to the Company.
25
<PAGE> 29
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL STATISTICS
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues.................. $ 728,169 $ 689,841 $ 718,483 $ 794,791 $ 867,671
Operating expenses.................. 625,415 602,263 642,635 765,688 761,244
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income.................... 102,754 87,578 75,848 29,103 106,427
Other income and (expenses)......... (1,396) (14,252) (599) 1,824 1,808
Net interest and amortization of
debt discount and expenses........ (57,335) (49,706) (43,115) (44,461) (45,441)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes... 44,023 23,620 32,134 (13,534) 62,794
Income taxes........................ 17,722 11,259 14,473 641 25,623
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss) before cumulative
effect of accounting change....... 26,301 12,361 17,661 (14,175) 37,171
Cumulative effect of change in
method of accounting.............. -- 3,045 -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss)................... $ 26,301 $ 15,406 $ 17,661 $ (14,175) $ 37,171
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Net income (loss) applicable to
common stock...................... $ 25,791 $ 14,665 $ 16,610 $ (15,500) $ 35,576
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Contribution to consolidated
net income (loss)
Gas operations.................... $ 23,524 $ 13,751 $ 32,214 $ 18,291 $ 30,981
Financial services................ 2,777 1,655 (14,553) (32,466) 6,190
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ 26,301 $ 15,406 $ 17,661 $ (14,175) $ 37,171
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total assets at year end............ $3,089,993 $2,943,949 $3,341,528 $3,462,974 $3,764,260
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Construction expenditures........... $ 144,642 $ 115,424 $ 105,595 $ 81,063 $ 104,419
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Cash flow, net
From operating activities......... $ 112,933 $ 89,491 $ 86,441 $ 112,958 $ 73,985
From investing activities......... (245,670) 343,823 36,045 219,715 (33,502)
From financing activities......... 141,393 (444,613) (102,560) (290,353) (29,948)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net change in cash.................. $ 8,656 $ (11,299) $ 19,926 $ 42,320 $ 10,535
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Capitalization at year end
Common equity..................... $ 339,089 $ 343,878 $ 329,444 $ 327,149 $ 353,254
Preferred and preference stocks... 4,000 8,058 15,316 22,574 29,832
Long-term debt.................... 790,798 692,865 654,523 674,330 842,572
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$1,133,887 $1,044,801 $ 999,283 $1,024,053 $1,225,658
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Common stock data
Return on average common equity... 7.6% 4.4% 5.1% (4.6)% 10.3%
Earnings (loss) per share......... $ 1.22 $ 0.71 $ 0.81 $ (0.76) $ 1.81
Dividends paid per share.......... $ 0.80 $ 0.74 $ 0.70 $ 1.05 $ 1.40
Payout ratio...................... 66% 104% 86% N/A 77%
Book value per share at year
end............................ $ 15.93 $ 16.38 $ 15.99 $ 15.88 $ 17.63
Market value per share at year
end............................ $ 14.13 $ 16.00 $ 13.75 $ 10.63 $ 13.13
Market value per share to book
value per share................ 89% 98% 86% 67% 74%
Common shares outstanding at
year end (000)................. 21,282 20,997 20,598 20,598 20,036
Number of common shareholders at
year end....................... 20,765 21,851 22,943 24,396 24,510
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE> 30
SEGMENT DATA
NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales........................ $ 560,207 $ 503,789 $ 506,937 $ 493,647 $ 503,961
Transportation............... 39,061 34,361 27,190 21,201 15,008
Other........................ 285 955 263 50,162 69,973
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenue................ 599,553 539,105 534,390 565,010 588,942
Net cost of gas purchased.... 249,922 212,290 214,293 276,954 294,597
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating margin............. 349,631 326,815 320,097 288,056 294,345
Expenses
Operations and
maintenance............. 178,310 169,921 159,954 154,370 144,809
Depreciation and
amortization............ 57,284 55,088 52,277 47,140 43,979
Other...................... 25,347 24,124 22,291 20,289 19,246
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income............. $ 88,690 $ 77,682 $ 85,575 $ 66,257 $ 86,311
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Contribution to consolidated
net income................. $ 23,524 $ 13,751 $ 32,214 $ 18,291 $ 30,981
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total assets at year end..... $1,277,727 $1,194,679 $1,103,794 $1,106,917 $1,051,698
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Net gas plant at year end.... $1,035,916 $ 954,488 $ 906,420 $ 854,254 $ 806,960
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Construction expenditures.... $ 141,390 $ 113,903 $ 102,517 $ 76,871 $ 99,634
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Cash flow, net
From operating
activities.............. $ 87,364 $ 50,628 $ 81,457 $ 93,925 $ 55,188
From investing
activities.............. (141,547) (116,246) (103,065) (96,588) (91,527)
From financing
activities.............. 58,132 67,297 (7,792) 27,351 39,363
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net change in cash........... $ 3,949 $ 1,679 $ (29,400) $ 24,688 $ 3,024
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total throughput (thousands
of therms)
Sales...................... 881,868 850,557 825,521 885,255 908,836
Transportation............. 914,791 725,023 651,141 509,478 459,303
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total throughput........... 1,796,659 1,575,580 1,476,662 1,394,733 1,368,139
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted average cost of gas
purchased ($/therm)........ $ 0.30 $ 0.29 $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.26
Customers at year end........ 980,000 932,000 897,000 870,000 828,000
Employees at year end........ 2,359 2,318 2,285 2,243 2,217
Degree days -- actual........ 2,427 2,470 2,261 2,470 2,448
Degree days -- ten year
average.................... 2,387 2,401 2,375 2,419 2,356
</TABLE>
27
<PAGE> 31
SEGMENT DATA
FINANCIAL SERVICES
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income.............. $ 118,434 $ 132,325 $ 165,678 $ 213,991 $ 255,907
Interest expense............. 59,790 75,076 111,917 158,788 208,236
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income.......... 58,644 57,249 53,761 55,203 47,671
Provision for credit
losses..................... (7,230) (6,212) (14,129) (12,058) (3,269)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income after
credit loss provision...... 51,414 51,037 39,632 43,145 44,402
Net income (loss) from real
estate operations.......... (612) (910) (15,286) (50,477) 5,676
Loan fees.................... 1,165 1,025 2,280 3,428 3,164
Other income, net............ 9,466 11,024 13,112 12,143 9,482
General and administrative
expenses................... (43,508) (48,296) (45,309) (41,237) (38,452)
Amortization of cost in
excess of net assets
acquired................... (3,861) (3,984) (4,156) (4,156) (4,156)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income (loss)...... $ 14,064 $ 9,896 $ (9,727) $ (37,154) $ 20,116
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Contribution to consolidated
net income (loss).......... $ 2,777 $ 1,655 $ (14,553) $ (32,466) $ 6,190
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total assets at year end..... $1,816,321 $1,751,419 $2,237,734 $2,356,057 $2,712,562
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Interest-earning assets at
year end................... $1,675,368 $1,582,720 $2,022,121 $2,152,494 $2,450,629
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Interest-bearing liabilities
at year end................ $1,629,419 $1,546,158 $2,058,663 $2,164,402 $2,494,111
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Cash flow, net
From operating
activities.............. $ 25,569 $ 38,863 $ 4,984 $ 19,033 $ 18,797
From investing
activities.............. (104,123) 460,069 139,110 316,303 58,025
From financing
activities.............. 83,261 (511,910) (94,768) (317,704) (69,311)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net change in cash........... $ 4,707 $ (12,978) $ 49,326 $ 17,632 $ 7,511
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Average yield on loans....... 8.58% 9.25% 10.14% 10.95% 11.06%
Average yield on debt
securities................. 6.20 5.93 7.15 8.74 9.05
Average yield on cash
equivalents................ 4.31 3.09 3.54 5.60 4.81
Average earning asset
yield...................... 7.45 7.28 8.32 9.56 10.02
Average cost of deposits..... 3.59 3.99 5.09 6.77 7.74
Average cost of borrowings... 5.00 4.69 6.95 7.35 8.71
Average cost of funds (net of
capitalized and transferred
interest and cost of
hedging activities)........ 3.90 4.14 5.58 7.03 7.89
Interest rate spread......... 3.55 3.14 2.74 2.53 2.13
Net yield on interest-earning
assets..................... 3.69 3.15 2.70 2.47 1.87
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE> 32
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The Company is comprised of two business segments; natural gas operations
and financial services. The gas segment purchases, transports and distributes
natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in
geographically diverse portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. The
financial services segment (the Bank) is engaged in retail and commercial
banking. The Bank's principal business is to attract deposits from the general
public and make consumer and commercial loans secured by real estate and other
collateral. During 1994, the gas segment contributed $23.5 million and the
financial services segment contributed $2.8 million towards consolidated net
income of $26.3 million.
CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The capital requirements and resources of the Company generally are
determined independently for the natural gas operations and financial services
segments. Each business segment is generally responsible for securing its own
financing sources.
Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate
amounts of cash to meet its cash requirements. General factors that could affect
consolidated capital resources and liquidity significantly in future years
include inflation, growth in the economy and changes in income tax laws. In
addition, other factors specific to the two operating segments of the Company
include: the level of natural gas prices, interest rates, and changes in the
ratemaking policies of regulatory commissions for the gas segment; and new
banking regulations, interest rate sensitivity, credit risk, and competition for
the financial services segment.
Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers
averaged 2.7 percent in 1994, 2.7 percent in 1993 and 2.9 percent in 1992. See
separate discussions of each business segment for impact of inflation on
operations.
In May 1994, the Company's Board of Directors (the Board) declared a
quarterly common stock dividend of 20.5 cents per share payable September 1,
1994, a 1 cent, or five percent, increase from the previous level. The increase
was established in accordance with the Company's dividend policy which states
that the Company will pay common stock dividends at a prudent level that is
within the normal dividend payout range for its respective businesses, and that
the dividend will be established at a level considered sustainable in order to
minimize business risk and maintain a strong capital structure throughout all
economic cycles.
The Board continues to review the Company's investment in the Bank with an
emphasis on the Bank's capital position relative to its capital requirements.
The Company presently does not anticipate having to contribute additional
capital to the Bank.
The Bank's capital position has continued to improve. Accordingly, it now
has the ability to pay cash dividends to the Company, subject to regulatory
limitations. During 1994, the Company did not receive any dividends from the
Bank. The Bank's Board of Directors (the BOD) will determine the amount of
dividends, if any, the Bank will pay to the Company in 1995.
Consolidated cash and cash equivalents increased $8.7 million during 1994,
the result of increased cash flow from the gas segment of $4 million and from
the financial services segment of $4.7 million. The increase from the gas
segment is mainly attributable to the proceeds from the issuance of notes
payable, offset by increased construction expenditures. The increase from the
financial services segment is primarily due to deposit inflows.
In November 1994, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. upgraded the Company's
unsecured debt rating from Ba1 to Baa3. In February 1995, Standard and Poor's
Ratings Group reaffirmed the unsecured long-term debt rating at BBB- (triple B
minus). Duff and Phelps Credit Rating Company's unsecured debt rating remained
unchanged at BB+ (double B plus).
See Capital Resources and Liquidity for separate discussions of each
business segment.
29
<PAGE> 33
RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRIBUTION TO
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Natural gas operations segment................................ $23,524 $13,751 $32,214
Financial services segment.................................... 2,777 (1,390) (14,553)
Financial services segment cumulative effect of accounting
change...................................................... -- 3,045 --
------- ------- -------
Consolidated net income....................................... $26,301 $15,406 $17,661
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
1994 vs. 1993
Consolidated net income increased $10.9 million compared to consolidated
net income from the same period a year ago. The increase resulted from a $9.8
million increase in net income contributed by the gas segment, and a $1.1
million improvement in net income contributed by the financial services segment.
See separate discussions of each business segment for an analysis of these
changes.
Earnings per share increased 51 cents to $1.22 per share in 1994. Dividends
paid increased 6 cents to 80 cents per share, the result of the Board's two
decisions to increase quarterly dividends. Average shares outstanding increased
by 349,000 shares.
1993 vs. 1992
Consolidated net income decreased $2.3 million compared to consolidated net
income from the prior year. The decrease resulted from an $18.5 million decrease
in net income contributed by the gas segment, offset by a $16.2 million
improvement in net income contributed by the financial services segment ($13.2
million before cumulative effect of accounting change). See separate discussions
of each business segment for an analysis of these changes.
In January 1993, the Company adopted SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes," and applied the provisions prospectively. The cumulative effect of this
change in method of accounting was an increase in net income of $3 million. See
Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
discussion.
Earnings per share decreased 10 cents to 71 cents per share in 1993.
Dividends paid increased 4 cents to 74 cents per share, the result of the
Board's decision to increase the quarterly dividend in May 1993. Average shares
outstanding increased by 131,000 shares.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan." This statement is
applicable to all creditors and to all loans, uncollateralized as well as
collateralized, except for large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans
that are collectively evaluated for impairment, loans that are measured at fair
value or at lower of cost or fair value, leases, and debt securities as defined
in SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities." SFAS No. 114 requires that an impaired loan be measured at the
present value of expected future cash flows by discounting those cash flows at
the loan's effective interest rate or, in the case of a collateral dependent
loan such as a mortgage loan, at the fair value of the collateral. A loan is
considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is
probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to
the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The statement amends SFAS No. 15,
"Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings," to
require a creditor to account for a troubled debt restructuring involving a
modification of terms at fair value as of the date of the restructuring. The
statement also amends SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies," to clarify
that a creditor should evaluate the collectibility of both contractual interest
and principal of a receivable when
30
<PAGE> 34
assessing the need for a loss accrual. The provisions of the statement apply to
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1994,
with earlier application permitted. Retroactive restatement of previously issued
annual financial statements is not permitted. In October 1994, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan -- Income
Recognition and Disclosures." The Statement amends SFAS No. 114 to allow a
creditor to use existing methods for recognizing interest income on impaired
loans. The statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1994. The Company will adopt these statements
on January 1, 1995 and does not anticipate a material impact on results of
operations as a result of implementation.
In October 1994, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 119, "Disclosure about
Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments." The
statement was adopted by the Company as of December 31, 1994. See Note 17 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.
NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS SEGMENT
The Company is engaged in the business of purchasing, transporting, and
distributing natural gas in portions of Arizona, Nevada and California. Its
service areas are geographically as well as economically diverse. The Company is
the largest distributor in Arizona, selling and transporting gas in most of
southern, central and northwestern Arizona. The Company is also the largest
distributor and transporter of natural gas in Nevada. The Company also
distributes and transports gas in portions of California, including the Lake
Tahoe area and high desert and mountain areas in San Bernardino County.
As of December 31, 1994, the Company had approximately 980,000 residential,
commercial, industrial and other customers, of which 583,000 customers were
located in Arizona, 292,000 in Nevada and 105,000 in California. Residential and
commercial customers represented over 99 percent of the Company's customer base.
During 1994, the Company added 48,000 customers, a five percent increase, of
which 20,000 customers were added in Arizona, 26,000 in Nevada, and 2,000 in
California. These additions are largely attributable to continued population
growth in the Company's service areas. Customer growth over the past three years
averaged four percent annually. Based on current commitments from builders, the
Company expects to add approximately 60,000 customers by the end of 1995. During
1994, 57 percent of operating margin was earned in Arizona, 32 percent in
Nevada, and 11 percent in California. This pattern is consistent with prior
years and is expected to continue.
The Company's total gas plant in service increased from $1.2 billion to
$1.4 billion, or at an annual rate of seven percent, during the three-year
period ended December 31, 1994, reflecting continued customer growth within the
Company's service territories.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The growth of the gas segment during the last several years has required
capital resources in excess of the amount of cash flow generated from operating
activities (net of dividends paid). During 1994, the gas segment's capital
expenditures were $141 million. Cash flow from operating activities (net of
dividends) provided $70 million, or approximately 50 percent, of the required
capital resources pertaining to these construction expenditures. The remainder
was provided from net external financing activities. The Company received no
dividends from the Bank during 1994 and is not dependent upon such dividends to
meet the gas segment's cash requirements.
The Company currently estimates that construction expenditures for its gas
segment during 1995 through 1997 will be approximately $410 million, and debt
maturities and repayments, and other cash requirements are expected to
approximate $15 million. In January 1995, term loan facilities totaling $165
million were refinanced with a new $200 million term loan facility which does
not mature until 1998. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for further discussion. It is currently estimated that cash flow from operating
activities (net of dividends) will generate approximately one-half of the gas
segment's total financing requirements during 1995 through 1997. A portion of
the remaining financing requirements will be provided by $83 million of funds
held in trust from the 1993 Clark County, Nevada, Series A issue and 1993
31
<PAGE> 35
City of Big Bear Lake, California, Series A issue industrial development revenue
bonds (IDRB). The remaining cash requirements are expected to be provided by
external financing sources. The timing, types, and amounts of these additional
external financings will be dependent on a number of factors, including
conditions in the capital markets, timing and amounts of rate relief, and growth
factors in the Company's service areas. These external financings may include
the issuance of both debt and equity securities, bank and other short-term
borrowings, and other forms of financing.
In September 1994, the Company filed a shelf registration statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shelf registration allows the
Company to offer from time to time, in one or more series, its unsecured debt
securities, shares of preferred stock, $50 par value, and shares of its common
stock, $1 par value. These securities will have a maximum aggregate offering
price of $300 million and will be offered on terms to be determined at the time
of the sale.
The gas segment's costs of natural gas, labor and construction are the
categories most significantly impacted by inflation. Changes to the Company's
cost of gas are generally recovered through PGA mechanisms and do not
significantly impact net earnings. Labor is a component of the cost of service,
and construction costs are the primary component of rate base. In order to
recover increased costs, and earn a fair return on rate base, general rate cases
are filed by the Company, when deemed necessary, for review and approval by its
regulatory authorities. Regulatory lag, that is, the time between the date
increased costs are incurred and the time such increases are recovered through
the ratemaking process, can impact earnings. See Rates and Regulatory
Proceedings for discussion of recent rate case proceedings.
RESULTS OF NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gas operating revenues..................................... $599,553 $539,105 $534,390
Net cost of gas............................................ 249,922 212,290 214,293
-------- -------- --------
Operating margin......................................... 349,631 326,815 320,097
Operations and maintenance expense......................... 178,310 169,921 159,954
Depreciation and amortization.............................. 57,284 55,088 52,277
Taxes other than income taxes.............................. 25,347 24,124 22,291
-------- -------- --------
Operating income......................................... 88,690 77,682 85,575
Other income (expense), net................................ (1,396) (14,252) (599)
-------- -------- --------
Income before interest and income taxes.................. 87,294 63,430 84,976
Net interest deductions.................................... 57,335 49,706 43,115
Income tax expense......................................... 11,331 4,914 14,382
-------- -------- --------
Net income before allocation to the Bank................. 18,628 8,810 27,479
Carrying costs allocated to the Bank, net of tax........... 4,896 4,941 4,735
-------- -------- --------
Contribution to consolidated net income.................. $ 23,524 $ 13,751 $ 32,214
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
1994 vs. 1993
Contribution to consolidated net income was $23.5 million, an increase of
$9.8 million from 1993, the result of increased operating margin, partially
offset by increased operations and maintenance expenses, depreciation expense
and general taxes. The recognition of the Arizona pipe replacement program
disallowances during 1993 also contributed to the change.
Operating margin increased $22.8 million, or seven percent, during 1994
compared to 1993. This increase was primarily due to annualized rate relief
totaling $9.5 million in the Arizona, southern California, and federal rate
jurisdictions. The balance of the increase in margin is attributed to customer
growth and weather. Increased demand for natural gas, through the addition of
48,000 customers, directly benefitted margin. Differences in heating demand
between periods also positively impacted the change in margin, since weather
more closely approximated normal in 1994 compared to 1993's warmer than normal
conditions.
32
<PAGE> 36
Operations and maintenance expenses increased $8.4 million, or five
percent, reflecting a general increase in labor costs, increased costs of
materials and contractor services related to maintenance and other operating
expenses. These increases are attributable to the incremental costs of providing
service to the Company's steadily growing customer base.
Depreciation expense and taxes other than income taxes increased $3.4
million, or four percent, primarily due to an increase in average gas plant in
service of $80 million, or six percent. This is attributable to capital
expenditures for the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion
of the system to accommodate customer growth.
Other expenses for 1993 include the Arizona pipe replacement program
disallowances. See Arizona Pipe Replacement Program Disallowances herein for
additional information.
Net interest deductions increased $7.6 million, or 15 percent, in 1994.
Average debt outstanding during 1994 increased 13 percent compared to 1993, and
consisted of a $38 million increase in average long-term debt, net of funds held
in trust, and a $41 million increase in average short-term debt. The increase in
debt is attributed primarily to borrowings for construction expenditures and
operating activities as well as the drawdown of the IDRB funds previously held
in trust. Higher interest rates on the variable-rate term loan facilities and
short-term debt accounted for $2.7 million of the increase in net interest
deductions.
Carrying costs allocated to the Bank consist primarily of costs associated
with the Company's investment in the Bank (principally interest) net of taxes.
1993 vs. 1992
Contribution to consolidated net income was $13.7 million, a decrease of
$18.5 million from 1992, the result of increased operations and maintenance
expenses, depreciation expense and general taxes partially offset by increased
operating margin. An increase in net interest deductions and the recognition of
the Arizona pipe replacement program disallowances also contributed to the
decrease in net income.
Operating margin during 1993 increased $6.7 million, or two percent,
compared to 1992. This increase was primarily due to increased transportation
volumes, and continued customer growth in all of the Company's service areas,
combined with annualized rate relief of $1.4 million effective January 1993 in
its southern California jurisdiction, rate relief in its FERC jurisdiction
(subject to refund) effective April 1993, and $6.5 million in its central
Arizona jurisdiction effective September 1993. Weather also had a significant
impact on margin.
Operating margin from weather-sensitive customers increased $1.3 million
due to the rate relief in Arizona and California, and the addition of 35,000
customers system-wide during the 12-month period. However, differences in
heating demand between periods negatively impacted operating margin from these
customers largely offsetting the favorable occurrences.
Operating margin from other customers, primarily transportation, increased
$5.4 million. Transportation volumes increased by 11 percent over 1992 as
cogeneration and electric generation customers increased throughput.
Operations and maintenance expenses increased $10 million, or six percent,
reflecting a general increase in labor costs, increased costs of materials and
contractor services related to maintenance and other operating expenses. These
increases are attributable to the incremental costs of providing service to the
Company's steadily growing customer base.
Depreciation expense and other operating expenses (primarily property
taxes) increased $4.6 million, or six percent. During 1993, average gas plant in
service increased $105 million, or nine percent. This is attributable to capital
expenditures for the continued upgrade of existing operating facilities and the
expansion of the system to accommodate substantial customer growth, including
the capacity expansion project on Paiute's pipeline system.
33
<PAGE> 37
Net interest deductions increased $6.6 million, or 15 percent, in 1993.
Higher average outstanding long-term debt balances with associated higher
average interest rates are the primary reasons for the increased interest
expense. The increase in the average long-term debt balance is attributable to
the net impact of the issuances of $100 million in Series F Debentures and $130
million in tax-exempt IDRB during the second half of 1992. The Company used $80
million from the sale of the fixed-rate Series F Debentures to retire existing
variable-rate indebtedness, which included $40 million of short-term borrowings.
The remaining $20 million was used for general corporate purposes, including the
planned expansion and replacement of utility plant. The Company used $80 million
from the sale of the fixed-rate IDRB to retire existing variable-rate IDRB. The
remaining $50 million was used to finance qualifying construction expenditures
in the Company's Southern Nevada Division. The Company replaced the
variable-rate long-term debt instruments with fixed-rate debt instruments in
order to take advantage of the low interest rate environment. While interest
costs have increased in the short term, the Company believes that it will
achieve overall interest costs savings in the long term.
Arizona Pipe Replacement Program Disallowances. In August 1990, the ACC
issued its opinion and order (Decision No. 57075) on the Company's 1989 general
rate increase requests applicable to the Company's Central and Southern Arizona
Divisions. Among other things, the order stated that $16.7 million of the total
capital expenditures incurred as part of the Company's Central Arizona Division
pipe replacement program were disallowed for ratemaking purposes and all costs
incurred as part of the Company's Southern Arizona Division pipe replacement
program were excluded from the rate case and rate consideration was deferred to
the Company's next general rate application, which was filed in November 1990.
In October 1990, the Company filed a Complaint in the Superior Court of the
State of Arizona, against the ACC, to seek a judgement modifying or setting
aside this decision. In February 1991, the Company filed a Motion for Summary
Judgement in the Superior Court to seek a judgement summarily determining that
Decision No. 57075 of the ACC is unreasonable and unlawful and, in accordance
with that determination, modifying or setting aside Decision No. 57075 and
allowing the Company to establish and collect reasonable, temporary rates under
bond, pending the establishment of reasonable and lawful rates by the
Commission. In June 1991, the Court affirmed the ACC's rate order without
explanation or opinion. In August 1991, the Company appealed to the Arizona
Court of Appeals from the Superior Court's judgement. In April 1993, Division
Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals issued a Memorandum Decision affirming the
ACC's opinion and order. Based on this decision, the Company filed a Motion for
Reconsideration in the Court of Appeals in May 1993. The Motion for
Reconsideration was denied and the Company, in July 1993, filed a Petition for
Review with the Arizona Supreme Court. In February 1994, immediately following
the denial of the Petition for Review by the Arizona Supreme Court, the Court of
Appeals issued its Mandate ordering the Company to comply with its April 1993
Memorandum Decision.
As a result of the Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two Mandate, the
Company wrote off in December 1993 $15.9 million in gross plant related to the
central and southern Arizona pipe replacement program disallowances. The impact
of these disallowances, net of accumulated depreciation, tax benefits and other
related items, was a noncash reduction to 1993 net income of $9.3 million, or
$0.44 per share.
In addition, as part of the southern Arizona settlement (see Rates and
Regulatory Proceedings -- Arizona below for further information), the Company
agreed to write off $3.2 million of gross plant in service related to southern
Arizona pipe replacement programs in addition to the $1.3 million disallowance
previously written off in December 1993. The settlement also established a
disallowance formula to be used in future rate cases for expenditures related to
defective materials and/or installation. Cumulatively, the Company has written
off $19.1 million in gross plant related to both central and southern Arizona
pipe replacement programs. The impact of these disallowances, net of accumulated
depreciation, tax benefits and other related items, was a noncash reduction to
net income of $9.6 million, or $0.45 per share, $9.3 million of which was
recognized in December 1993. The Company believes this settlement effectively
resolves all financial issues associated with currently challenged Arizona pipe
replacement programs, that it has adequately provided for future disallowances
and does not anticipate further material effects on results of operations as a
result of gross plant disallowances related to these pipe replacement programs.
34
<PAGE> 38
RATES AND REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS
California
Effective January 1994, the Company received approval of an attrition
allowance to increase annual margin by $1.5 million for its southern and
northern California rate jurisdictions. Pursuant to the CPUC rate case
processing plan, the Company filed a general rate application in January 1994 to
increase annual margin by $1.1 million for its southern and northern California
rate jurisdictions effective January 1995. In December 1994, the CPUC approved a
settlement agreement effective January 1995 authorizing a $1.1 million increase
in margin. The settlement, which is in effect through 1998, suspends the supply
adjustment mechanism (SAM) previously utilized in California. SAM is a mechanism
by which actual margin is adjusted to the margin authorized in the Company's
current tariff. The Company is now able to retain excess margin generated from
additional volumes sold, but is also at risk for reductions in margin resulting
from lower than projected sales volumes. In addition, the settlement suspends
required annual attrition filings for southern California, but retains attrition
adjustments in northern California for certain safety-related improvements.
Nevada
In March 1993, the Company filed general rate cases with the PSCN seeking
approval to increase revenues by $9.4 million, or eight percent, annually for
its southern Nevada rate jurisdiction and $3.3 million, or nine percent,
annually for its northern Nevada rate jurisdiction. The Company's last general
rate cases were September 1987 for southern Nevada and December 1988 for
northern Nevada. Since that time, general rate cases had not been necessary in
these jurisdictions primarily because of ongoing customer growth and Company
initiated cost containment measures. The Company was seeking recovery of
increased operating costs in these ratemaking areas and the restructuring of its
tariffs and rates to reflect current changes within the natural gas industry.
The PSCN issued its rate order in October 1993 and ordered the Company to reduce
general rates by $648,000 in southern Nevada and authorized a $799,000 increase
in northern Nevada. The primary reasons for the difference between the Company's
requested annual revenue increases and the amounts authorized by the PSCN
included lower authorized returns on rate base and lower authorized depreciation
expenses. The Company filed a motion for reconsideration and rehearing on
several issues following the issuance of the rate order. In January 1994, the
PSCN granted the rehearing of certain rate case issues. In December 1994, the
PSCN modified its previous decision and authorized the Company to increase rates
in Nevada by approximately $250,000.
Arizona
In October 1993, the Company filed a rate application with the ACC seeking
approval to increase annual revenues by $10 million, or 9.3 percent, for its
southern Arizona jurisdiction. The Company sought to recover increased operating
costs and obtain a return on construction expenditures, and had proposed tariff
restructurings which would be consistent with the tariff modifications
authorized by the ACC in its August 1993 central Arizona decision. In July 1994,
the ACC approved a settlement agreement of the southern Arizona general rate
case. The agreement was reached through negotiations between the Company, the
ACC staff, and the Residential Utility Consumer Office. The agreement specifies
a $4.3 million, or 3.9 percent, rate increase which became effective July 1994.
The Company also agreed not to file another general rate request for its
southern Arizona jurisdiction before November 1996.
FERC
In October 1992, Paiute filed a general rate case with the FERC requesting
approval to increase revenues by $6.8 million annually. Paiute sought recovery
of increased costs associated with its capacity expansion project that was
placed into service in February 1993. Interim rates reflecting the increased
revenues became effective in April 1993, which were subject to refund until a
final order was issued. In January 1995, the FERC approved a settlement
authorizing a $4.3 million increase in revenue. Refunds of approximately $5
million, including interest, were made to customers in March 1995. These refunds
were fully reserved as of December 31, 1994.
35
<PAGE> 39
FINANCIAL SERVICES SEGMENT
The Bank recorded net income of $7.7 million for the year ended December
31, 1994 compared to net income of $6.6 million and a net loss of $9.8 million
for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively. The Bank's 1994
net income is comprised of $11.3 million from core banking operations compared
to $7.9 million in 1993. The growth in the 1994 income was attributable to an
increased net interest margin along with increased operational efficiency.
FINANCIAL AND REGULATORY CAPITAL
At December 31, 1994, stockholder's equity totaled $166 million.
Stockholder's equity decreased $10.6 million compared to December 31, 1993, as a
result of the decline in unrealized gains, after tax, on debt securities
available for sale partially offset by net income of $7.7 million. The Bank has
not paid any cash dividends to the Company since 1989. The Bank may pay cash
dividends to the Company of 50 percent of cumulative net income. Cash dividends
in excess of this amount require regulatory approval. In addition, under OTS
regulations, the Bank is restricted to paying no more than 75 percent of its net
income over the preceding four quarters to the Company.
During 1994, the Bank's regulatory capital levels and ratios decreased
under each of the three fully phased-in FDICIA capital standards. OTS
regulations effective in 1993 included unrealized gains, net of tax, on debt
securities in regulatory capital for all three capital measures. In 1994, the
OTS and other federal banking regulators issued regulations excluding this
component from regulatory capital. Other factors contributing to the change in
regulatory capital levels include a decrease in the amount of includable
goodwill and real estate investments.
As discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Bank exceeded all three fully phased-in
minimum capital requirements under the regulatory capital regulations issued
under FDICIA.
During 1993, the Bank achieved "well capitalized" status through a
combination of increased capital from net income and unrealized gains from debt
securities, and the reduction of assets and goodwill through the Arizona sale.
It is management's intent to maintain and improve the level of capital through
earnings and the stabilization of the asset base. The Bank maintained its "well
capitalized" status throughout 1994.
The Bank is subject to an OTS regulation requiring institutions with IRR
exposure classified as "above normal" to reduce their risk-based capital by 50
percent of the amount by which the IRR exposure exceeds a specified "normal"
threshold. Based on the OTS's measurement of the Bank's September 30, 1994 and
December 31, 1994 IRR, the Bank may be required to reduce its risk-based capital
by approximately $1.5 million on June 30, 1995 and $1.9 million on September 30,
1995, in the absence of corrective action to reduce the Bank's IRR exposure or a
significant change in market interest rates in the interim. As of December 31,
1994, the Bank has sufficient risk-based capital to allow it to continue to be
classified as "well capitalized" under FDICIA capital requirements after such a
reduction for IRR exposure. Management is currently reviewing possible
strategies for reducing the Bank's IRR exposure to a "normal" level or below.
Under SFAS No. 115, unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on securities
available for sale are recorded as an adjustment to stockholder's equity. Under
OTS regulations in 1993, this component of equity was included as regulatory
capital under all three capital measures. In 1994, OTS and other federal banking
regulators issued regulations excluding this component from regulatory capital.
Approximately $8.8 million of unrealized gain was includable in capital for
1993, whereas in 1994 no such gain (or loss) was included.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Liquidity is defined as the Bank's ability to have sufficient cash reserves
on hand and unencumbered assets, which can be sold or utilized as collateral for
borrowings at a reasonable cost, or with minimal losses. The Bank's debt
security portfolio provides the Bank with adequate levels of liquidity so that
the Bank is able to meet any unforeseeable cash outlays and regulatory liquidity
requirements.
36
<PAGE> 40
Potential liquidity demands may include funding loan commitments, deposit
withdrawals, and other funding needs. In order to achieve sufficient liquidity
for the Bank without taking a large liquid or illiquid position and avoiding
funding concentrations, the Bank has taken the following actions: 1) maintaining
lines of credit with authorized brokers/dealers; 2) managing the debt security
portfolio to ensure that maturities meet liquidity needs; 3) limiting investment
or lending activities at certain times and 4) establishing maximum borrowing
limits for meeting liquidity needs.
The OTS has issued regulations regarding liquidity requirements which state
that the Bank is required to maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets
equal to at least five percent of its liquidity base (as defined in the OTS
Regulations) during the preceding calendar month. The Bank is also required to
maintain an average daily balance of short-term liquid assets equal to at least
one percent of its liquidity base as defined in the regulations. Throughout
1994, the Bank exceeded both regulatory liquidity requirements. For the month of
December the Bank's liquidity ratios were 13.4 percent and 8.3 percent,
respectively. The Bank's liquidity ratio is substantially higher than the
regulatory requirement due to the Bank's increasing level of transaction
accounts. The regulatory requirement is aimed at a more traditional savings
institution which has a higher level of certificate of deposit accounts versus
transaction accounts.
Borrowings, in the form of reverse repurchase agreements, increased from
$259 million at December 31, 1993 to $282 million at December 31, 1994. During
1994, the Bank repaid $29.4 million in long-term fixed-rate borrowings while
increasing short-term borrowings by $52.3 million.
The Bank has adequate levels of liquidity and unencumbered assets to meet
its day-to-day operational needs and to meet the regulatory requirements for
liquidity. The daily operational liquidity needs of the Bank in 1994 were
primarily met through $603 million of repayments on loans and debt securities,
$28.4 million of borrowings from the FHLB, $46.1 million of loan sales, and
$32.1 million in deposit growth.
The Bank's borrowing capacity is a function of the availability of its
readily marketable, unencumbered assets and the Bank's financial condition.
Secured borrowings may be obtained from the FHLB in the form of advances and
from authorized broker/dealers in the form of reverse repurchase agreements. At
December 31, 1994, the Bank maintained in excess of $319 million of unencumbered
assets, with a market value of $311 million, which could be borrowed against, or
sold, to increase liquidity levels.
The primary management objective of the investment portfolio is to invest
the excess funds of the Bank. This includes ensuring that the Bank maintains
adequate levels of liquidity so it is able to meet any unforeseeable cash
outlays. This task is accomplished by active investment in securities that
provide the greatest return, for a given price and credit risk, in order to
maximize the total return to the Bank.
The secondary management objective of the investment portfolio is to serve
as the Bank's primary short-term tool to manage the IRR exposure of the
institution. The Bank's asset/liability management objective generally requires
a trade-off between achieving the highest profitability in terms of net interest
income, while maintaining acceptable levels of IRR. To accomplish these
objectives, management can change the composition of the investment portfolio
allowing management to quickly adjust the IRR exposure of the Bank, and take
advantage of interest rate changes in the markets. The tables in Note 3 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements depict the amortized cost, estimated
fair values, contractual maturity, and yields of the debt security portfolios.
As of December 31, 1994, the Bank's debt security portfolio was composed of
securities with a fair value of $629 million (amortized cost of $646 million)
with a yield of 6.79 percent compared to a debt security portfolio with a fair
value of $664 million (amortized cost of $652 million) yielding 6.17 percent at
December 31, 1993.
During 1994, the debt security portfolio balance declined by $34 million.
Purchases of debt securities and poolings of loans into debt securities
approximated the total of sales, maturities, and prepayments during 1994. The
decline in the portfolio is primarily the result of a $28 million decline in the
unrealized gain in debt securities available for sale. Debt securities available
for sale included a $13.5 million unrealized gain at December 31, 1993, which
declined to a $14.5 million unrealized loss at December 31, 1994 as a result of
increases in interest rates during the period.
37
<PAGE> 41
The Bank's assets and liabilities consist primarily of monetary assets
(cash, cash equivalents, debt securities and loans receivable) and liabilities
(savings deposits and borrowings) which are, or will be converted into a fixed
amount of dollars in the ordinary course of business regardless of changes in
prices. Monetary assets lose purchasing power due to inflation, but this is
offset by gains in the purchasing power of liabilities, as these obligations are
repaid with inflated dollars.
The level and movement of interest rates is of much greater significance.
Inflation is but one factor that can cause interest rate volatility and changes
in interest levels. The results of operations of the Bank are dependent upon its
ability to manage such movements. See Risk Management -- Interest Rate Risk
Management herein for additional discussion.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The financial services industry has certain risks. In order to be
successful and profitable, in an increasingly volatile and competitive
marketplace, the Bank must accept some forms of risk and manage these risks in a
safe and sound manner. Generally, transactions that the Bank enters into require
the Bank to accept some measure of credit risk and IRR, and utilize equity
capital. The Bank has established certain guidelines in order to manage the
Bank's assets and liabilities. These guidelines will help ensure that the risks
taken and consumption of capital are optimized to achieve maximum profitability,
while minimizing risks to equity and the federal deposit insurance fund. See
Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of
Interest Rate Risk Management.
Interest Rate Risk (IRR) Management
The Bank has established certain guidelines to manage the exposure of the
Bank's net interest income, net income, and net portfolio value (NPV) to
interest rate fluctuations. NPV represents a theoretical estimate of the market
value of the Bank's stockholder's equity, calculated as the net present value of
expected cash flows from financial assets and liabilities, plus the book values
of all nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The guidelines establish acceptable
activities and instruments to manage IRR and include limits on overall IRR
exposure, methods of accountability and specific reports to be provided by
management for periodic review.
The Bank maintains an IRR simulation model which enables management to
measure the Bank's IRR exposure using various assumptions and interest rate
scenarios, and to incorporate alternative strategies for the reduction of IRR
exposure. The Bank measures its IRR using several methods to provide a
comprehensive view of its IRR from various perspectives. These methods include
projection of current NPV and future periods' net interest income after rapid
and sustained interest rate movements, static analysis of repricing and maturity
mismatches, or gaps, between assets and liabilities, and analysis of the size
and sources of basis risk.
Static gap analysis measures the difference between financial assets and
financial liabilities scheduled and expected to mature or reprice within a
specified time period. The gap is positive when repricing and maturing assets
exceed repricing and maturing liabilities, where as the gap is negative when
repricing and maturing liabilities exceed repricing and maturing assets. A
positive or negative cumulative gap indicates in a general way how the Bank's
net interest income should respond to interest rate fluctuations. A positive
cumulative gap for a period generally means that rising interest rates would be
reflected sooner in financial assets than in financial liabilities, thereby
increasing net interest income over that period. A negative cumulative gap for a
period would produce an increase in net interest income over that period if
interest rates declined.
38
<PAGE> 42
At December 31, 1994, the Bank had financial assets of $1.7 billion with a
weighted average yield of 7.26 percent, and financial liabilities of $1.6
billion with a weighted average rate of 4.10 percent. The Bank's cumulative
one-year static gap was a negative $145 million, or eight percent of financial
assets. The Bank's financial assets and financial liabilities are presented
according to their frequency of repricing, and scheduled or expected maturities
in the following table (thousands of dollars):
STATIC GAP AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REPRICING SENSITIVITY AT
DECEMBER 31, 1994
----------------------------------
PERCENT OF TOTAL YIELD/ WITHIN 1 - 5 OVER 5
TOTAL BALANCE RATE 1 YEAR YEARS YEARS
---------- ---------- ------ ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents(1).... 7.2% $ 123,922 4.29% $ 123,922 $ -- $ --
Debt securities available for
sale(2) ...................... 30.7 529,400 6.65 405,276 114,108 10,016
Debt securities held to
maturity(2)................... 5.9 101,880 7.55 69,273 29,722 2,885
Loans receivable:
Loans receivable held for
sale....................... 0.1 2,114 8.20 2,114 -- --
Adjustable-rate real estate(3)
Construction and land...... 2.8 47,971 10.23 46,492 1,045 434
Other real estate.......... 13.9 238,897 6.56 238,131 766 --
Fixed-rate real estate(4)..... 26.9 464,028 8.06 55,497 192,847 215,684
Consumer, commercial and all
other(4)................... 11.5 197,351 9.17 103,699 77,496 16,156
FHLB stock(5)................... 1.0 17,277 3.50 17,277 -- --
----- ---------- ----- ---------- -------- --------
Total financial assets.......... 100.0% 1,722,840 7.26% 1,061,681 415,984 245,175
===== =====
---------- -------- --------
Nonfinancial assets............. 93,481
----------
Total assets.................. $1,816,321
==========
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand and
money market deposits(6)... 19.3% $ 313,949 3.11% 313,949 -- --
Certificates of deposit(1).... 47.7 777,830 4.81 523,438 229,037 25,355
Savings deposits(6)........... 4.8 78,876 2.56 78,876 -- --
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits(7)................ 4.3 69,294 -- 26,671 7,687 34,936
Borrowings:
Advances from FHLB(1)......... 6.1 99,400 4.70 50,000 46,000 3,400
Securities sold under
agreements to
repurchase(8).............. 17.3 281,935 4.31 277,996 3,939 --
Other(10).................. 0.5 8,135 8.91 8,135 -- --
----- ---------- ----- ---------- -------- --------
Total financial liabilities..... 100.0% 1,629,419 4.10% 1,279,065 286,663 63,691
===== =====
---------- -------- --------
Impact of hedging-fixed(9)...... -- 72,450 (45,400) (27,050)
---------- -------- --------
Nonfinancial liabilities........ 20,514
Stockholder's equity.......... 166,388
----------
Total liabilities and
stockholder's equity..... $1,816,321
==========
Maturity gap.................... $ (144,934) $ 83,921 $154,434
========== ======== ========
Cumulative gap.................. $ (144,934) $(61,013) $ 93,421
========== ======== ========
Cumulative gap as a percent of
financial assets.............. (8.4)% (3.5)% 5.4%
========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Note: Loans receivable exclude allowance for credit losses, discount reserves,
deferred loan fees, loans in process, and accrued interest on loans.
39
<PAGE> 43
STATIC GAP ASSUMPTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994
(1) Based on the contractual maturity or term to next repricing of the
instrument(s).
(2) Maturity sensitivity is based upon characteristics of underlying loans.
Portions represented by adjustable-rate certificates are included in the
"Within 1 Year" category, as underlying loans are subject to interest rate
adjustment at least semiannually or annually. Portions represented by
fixed-rate loans are based on contractual maturity, and projected
repayments and prepayments of principal.
(3) Adjustable-rate loans are included in each respective category depending on
the term to next repricing and projected repayments and prepayments of
principal.
(4) Maturity sensitivity is based upon contractual maturity, and projected
repayments and prepayments of principal.
(5) FHLB stock has no contractual maturity. The Bank receives quarterly
dividends on all shares owned and the balance is therefore included in the
"Within 1 Year" category. The amount of such dividends is not fixed, and
varies quarterly.
(6) Interest-bearing demand, money market deposits, and savings deposits may be
subject to daily interest rate adjustment and withdrawal on demand, and are
therefore included in the "Within 1 Year" category.
(7) Noninterest-bearing demand deposits have no contractual maturity, and are
included in each repricing category based on the Bank's historical
attrition of such accounts.
(8) Floating-rate reverse repurchase agreements are included in the "Within 1
Year" category. Principal repayments of flexible reverse repurchase
agreements are based on the projected timing of construction or funding of
the underlying project.
(9) Hedging consisted of fixed rate interest rate swaps as of December 31,
1994.
(10) Based on expected maturity.
While the static gap analysis is a useful asset/liability management tool,
it does not fully assess IRR. Static gap analysis does not address the effects
of customer options (such as early withdrawal of time deposits, withdrawal of
deposits with no stated maturity, and mortgagors' options to prepay loans) and
Bank strategies (such as delaying increases in interest rates paid on certain
interest-bearing demand and money market deposit accounts) on the Bank's net
interest income, net income, and NPV. In addition, the static gap analysis
assumes no changes in the spread relationships between market rates on
interest-sensitive financial instruments (basis risk), or in yield curve
relationships. Therefore, a static gap analysis is only one tool with which to
analyze IRR, and must be reviewed in conjunction with other asset/liability
management reports.
Credit Risk Management
Management has also established certain guidelines and criteria in order to
manage the credit risk of the Bank's debt security portfolios, including
concentration limits, credit rating and geographic distribution requirements.
The following table presents the credit quality of the debt security portfolios:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1994 AT DECEMBER 31, 1993
RATING: PERCENTAGE OF PORTFOLIO PERCENTAGE OF PORTFOLIO
------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
AAA.................................. 91.2% 87.6%
AA................................... 2.7 5.9
A.................................... 1.0 1.8
BBB.................................. 1.3 0.2
Other................................ 3.8 4.5
----- -----
Total................................ 100.0% 100.0%
===== =====
</TABLE>
The other category primarily includes the Bank's investment in the
privately issued MBS classified as substandard, as further explained in this
section.
OTS regulations require the Bank to classify certain assets into one of
three categories -- "substandard," "doubtful" and "loss." An asset which does
not currently warrant classification as substandard but which
40
<PAGE> 44
possesses weaknesses or deficiencies deserving close attention is considered a
criticized asset and is designated as "special mention." The Bank designated
$32.2 million of its assets as "special mention" at December 31, 1994.
The following table sets forth the amounts of the Bank's classified assets
and ratio of classified assets to total assets, net of specific reserves and
charge-offs, as of the dates indicated (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
------- ------- ------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Substandard assets:
Loans................................. $29,591 $37,886 $55,727 $ 66,839 $25,965
Foreclosed real estate (net).......... 7,631 9,707 24,488 14,875 10,363
Loans to facilitate................... -- -- 80 760 357
Real estate held for investment....... 1,191 2,166 1,616 24,587 3,111
Investment............................ 21,972 29,509 -- -- 17,857
Doubtful assets......................... -- -- -- -- --
Loss assets............................. -- -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Total................................... $60,385 $79,268 $81,911 $107,061 $57,653
======= ======= ======= ======== =======
Ratio of classified assets to total
assets................................ 3.32% 4.53% 3.66% 4.54% 2.13%
======= ======= ======= ======== =======
</TABLE>
The Bank's "substandard" assets decreased from $79 million at December 31,
1993 to $60 million at December 31, 1994, primarily as a result of upgrade of
loans to special mention, payoffs of real estate loans, repayments on the
classified investment security, and disposition of foreclosed real estate.
Assets classified as "substandard" are inadequately protected by the current net
worth or paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged, if any.
Foreclosed real estate decreased $2.1 million during 1994, principally as a
result of partial sales on insubstance foreclosures of $1.8 million and other
sales and write-downs. It is the Bank's practice to charge off all assets which
it considers to be "loss." As a result, none of the Bank's assets, net of
charge-offs, were classified as "loss" at December 31, 1994.
The investment classified as substandard represents a privately issued MBS
collateralized by apartments, office buildings, town homes, shopping centers and
day care centers located in various states along the southeastern seaboard which
is supported by a credit enhancement feature. The single A credit rating of this
security was withdrawn by the rating agency in January 1993, due to the
delinquency of a large number of the loans underlying the security. Because of
the limited number of owners of the security, no quoted market value is
available on the MBS. Therefore, the Bank's management performed a credit review
of the loans underlying the MBS to determine the appropriate fair value of the
security. Based on such reviews, the Bank determined that only a portion of the
underlying loans met the criteria for substandard classification. However, the
entire investment security is classified as substandard because the OTS does not
have a policy for the "split rating" of a security.
The current level of the Bank's classified assets reflects significant
improvement from the prior two years. Aggressive management of the resolution of
these assets along with some stabilization within the economy contributed to the
success in reducing the classified asset portfolio. Although progress has been
positive, the Bank is unable to predict at this time what level, if any, of
these assets may subsequently be charged off or may result in actual losses. The
rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on both the level
of classified assets and the level of charge-offs on interest rate sensitive
assets.
As a result of the Bank's internal review process, the general allowance
for estimated credit losses increased to $17.7 million at December 31, 1994,
from $16.3 million at December 31, 1993. During 1994, the Bank established
provisions for estimated credit losses totaling $7.4 million, of which $7.2
million related to the Bank's loan, foreclosed real estate, and debt security
portfolio and $200,000 was related to its real estate investment portfolio. In
1993, the Bank established provisions for estimated credit losses totaling $7.2
million, of which $1 million related to the Bank's real estate investment
portfolio and $6.2 million related to its loan, foreclosed real estate
portfolio, and debt security portfolio.
41
<PAGE> 45
The Bank's loan portfolio is concentrated primarily in Nevada, California
and Arizona. The following table summarizes the geographic concentrations of the
Bank's loan portfolios at December 31, 1994 (thousands of dollars):
LOANS BY REGION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE CONSUMER AND LAND COMMERCIAL TOTAL
----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nevada.......................... $384,757 $159,955 $139,370 $45,974 $43,329 $773,385
California...................... 105,347 2,107 1,286 172 -- 108,912
Arizona......................... 35,281 4,592 15,285 -- 110 55,268
Other........................... 349 -- 237 -- -- 586
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Total........................... $525,734 $166,654 $156,178 $46,146 $43,439 $938,151
======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1994, 48 percent or $19.5 million of the Bank's outstanding
commercial secured loan portfolio consisted of loans to borrowers in the gaming
industry, with additional unfunded commitments of $11.5 million. These loans are
generally secured by real estate and equipment. The Bank's portfolio of loans,
collateralized by real estate, consists principally of real estate located in
Nevada, California and Arizona. Collectibility is, therefore, somewhat dependent
on the economies and real estate values of these areas and industries.
The following table sets forth by geographic location the amount of
classified assets at December 31, 1994 (thousands of dollars):
CLASSIFIED ASSETS BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSTRUCTION NON- INVESTMENTS
MORTGAGE AND LAND MORTGAGE FORECLOSED IN
LOANS LOANS LOANS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE TOTAL
-------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nevada............................ $22,469 $ 8 $1,297 $2,086 $ 330 $26,190
California........................ 4,330 607 -- 5,248 -- 10,185
Arizona........................... 880 -- -- 297 861 2,038
Other............................. 21,972 -- -- -- -- 21,972
------- ---- ------ ------ ------ -------
Total............................. $49,651 $615 $1,297 $7,631 $1,191 $60,385
======= ==== ====== ====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
The mortgage loans of $22 million in other states represents the classified
MBS collateralized by loans in states along the southeastern seaboard.
Classified construction and land loans include committed but undisbursed loan
amounts.
The following table sets forth by type of collateral, the amount of
classified assets at December 31, 1994 (thousands of dollars):
CLASSIFIED ASSETS BY TYPE OF LOAN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORECLOSED INVESTMENTS DEBT
LOANS REAL ESTATE IN REAL ESTATE SECURITY
------- ------------ -------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Single-family residential........................ $ 6,882 $1,549 $ -- $ --
Commercial and multi-family mortgage............. 20,797 3,257 861 21,972
Construction/land................................ 615 2,722 330 --
Consumer......................................... 1,297 103 -- --
Other............................................ -- -- -- --
------- ------ ------ -------
Total............................................ $29,591 $7,631 $1,191 $21,972
======= ====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
The largest substandard loan at December 31, 1994 was an $8.2 million
multi-family real estate loan in Nevada. In addition, the Bank had three other
substandard loans at December 31, 1994 in excess of $1 million: two hotel loans
and one multi-family loan, all located in Nevada.
42
<PAGE> 46
The largest parcel of foreclosed real estate owned by the Bank at December
31, 1994, was a $1.4 million land parcel located in California. The Bank also
owns two parcels of foreclosed real estate at December 31, 1994 with book values
in excess of $1 million: one apartment complex located in Nevada and a
single-family construction property located in California.
Substandard real estate held for investment includes an $860,000 Arizona
branch facility not included as part of the Arizona sale. This branch facility
was formerly included in premises and equipment. See Note 2 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
The following table presents the Bank's net charge-off experience for loans
receivable and real estate acquired through foreclosure by loan type (thousands
of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET CHARGE-OFFS
----------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Single-family residential................................ $ 827 $ 916 $ 422
Commercial and multi-family mortgage..................... 959 2,275 93
Construction/land........................................ 1,297 2,248 3,765
Nonmortgage.............................................. 2,739 1,750 4,682
------ ------ ------
Net charge-offs................................ $5,822 $7,189 $8,962
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
The $959,000 of commercial mortgage charge-offs for the year ended December
31, 1994 were comprised principally of two apartment complex properties totaling
$765,000, both located in Nevada. Construction and land losses in 1994 consisted
primarily of two California loans totaling $747,000 and one land parcel in
Nevada for $145,000. Nonmortgage loan charge-offs were principally comprised of
$1.4 million of losses in installment loans, $558,000 of credit card
charge-offs, and $432,000 in charge-offs from the merchant services portfolio in
1994. SFR charge-offs for 1994 and 1993 consist primarily of California-based
loans and real estate acquired through foreclosure.
43
<PAGE> 47
RESULTS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OPERATIONS
The Bank's net income depends in large part on the difference, or interest
rate spread, between the yield it earns from its loan and debt security
portfolios and the rates it pays on deposits and borrowings.
The following table reflects, for the periods indicated, the components of
net interest income of the Bank, setting forth average assets, liabilities and
equity; interest income on interest-earning assets and interest expense on
interest-bearing liabilities; average yields on interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities; and net interest income (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------------------------------- ------------------------------- -------------------------------
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
BALANCE INTEREST YIELD BALANCE INTEREST YIELD BALANCE INTEREST YIELD
---------- -------- ------- ---------- -------- ------- ---------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assets
Interest-earning assets
Cash equivalents........ $ 56,380 $ 2,432 4.31% $ 42,787 $ 1,321 3.09% $ 38,107 $ 1,349 3.54%
Debt securities held to
maturity.............. 73,520 4,919 6.69 425,141 26,909 6.33 1,065,593 75,955 7.13
Debt securities
available for sale.... 556,781 34,165 6.14 542,264 30,395 5.61 12,029 1,043 8.67
Loans receivable........ 886,702 76,080 8.58 790,082 73,106 9.25 858,360 87,038 10.14
FHLB stock.............. 16,916 838 4.95 16,475 594 3.61 17,392 293 1.68
---------- -------- ---- ---------- -------- ---- ---------- -------- -----
Total interest-earning
assets.................. 1,590,299 118,434 7.45 1,816,749 132,325 7.28 1,991,481 165,678 8.32
-------- ---- -------- ---- -------- -----
Noninterest-earning assets
Real estate held for
sale or development... 10,785 26,132 36,947
Premises and equipment,
net................... 22,236 28,807 32,846
Other assets............ 39,502 56,443 57,107
Excess of cost over net
assets acquired....... 67,632 73,972 81,620
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets.............. $1,730,454 $2,002,103 $2,200,001
========== ========== ==========
Liabilities and
Stockholder's Equity
Interest-bearing
liabilities
Deposits................ $1,229,515 44,116 3.59 $1,443,628 57,643 3.99 $1,688,884 85,974 5.09
Securities sold under
agreements to
repurchase............ 222,620 11,024 4.95 305,123 13,132 4.30 204,222 12,213 5.98
Advances from FHLB...... 73,510 3,543 4.82 38,897 2,147 5.52 40,639 3,389 8.34
Bonds payable........... -- -- -- -- -- -- 29,102 3,015 10.36
Notes payable........... 8,203 635 7.74 14,229 1,170 8.22 19,448 1,623 8.35
Unsecured senior
notes................. -- -- -- 13,777 1,021 7.41 25,000 1,881 7.52
---------- -------- ---- ---------- -------- ---- ---------- -------- -----
Total interest-bearing
liabilities............. 1,533,848 59,318 3.87 1,815,654 75,113 4.14 2,007,295 108,095 5.39
Cost of hedging
activities.............. 485 .03 24 -- 4,794 .24
-------- ---- -------- ---- -------- -----
Cost of funds............. 59,803 3.90 75,137 4.14 112,889 5.63
-------- ---- -------- ---- -------- -----
Noninterest-bearing
liabilities and
stockholder's equity
Other liabilities and
accrued expenses...... 21,625 22,914 28,558
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities......... 1,555,473 1,838,568 2,035,853
Total stockholder's
equity.................. 174,981 163,535 164,148
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and
equity.................. $1,730,454 $2,002,103 $2,200,001
========== ========== ==========
Capitalized and
transferred interest.... 13 -- 61 -- 972 .05
-------- ---- -------- ---- -------- -----
Net interest income....... $ 58,644 3.55% $ 57,249 3.14% $ 53,761 2.74%
======== ==== ======== ==== ======== =====
Net yield on
interest-earning
assets.................. 3.69% 3.15% 2.70%
==== ==== =====
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Note: Loans receivable include accrued interest and loans on nonaccrual, and are
net of undisbursed funds, valuation allowances, discounts and deferred
loan fees.
44
<PAGE> 48
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the effects of the
two primary determinants of the Bank's net interest income: interest rate spread
and the relative amounts of interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. The table
also shows the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the
volumes of interest sensitive assets and liabilities have affected the Bank's
interest income and expense for the periods indicated. Changes from period to
period are attributed to: (i) changes in rate (change in weighted average
interest rate multiplied by prior period average portfolio balance); (ii)
changes in volume (change in average portfolio balance multiplied by prior
period rate); and (iii) net or combined changes in rate and volume. Any changes
attributable to both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been
allocated proportionately between the two factors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1994 COMPARED TO 1993 1993 COMPARED TO 1992
INCREASE (DECREASE) INCREASE (DECREASE)
DUE TO CHANGES IN DUE TO CHANGES IN
----------------------------- ------------------------------
VOLUME RATE NET VOLUME RATE NET
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME ON:
Cash equivalents.................... $ 496 $ 615 $ 1,111 $ 623 $ (651) $ (28)
Debt securities held to maturity.... (23,620) 1,630 (21,990) (41,340) (7,706) (49,046)
Debt securities available for
sale.............................. 831 2,939 3,770 29,589 (237) 29,352
Loans receivable.................... 7,336 (4,362) 2,974 (6,635) (7,297) (13,932)
Dividends on FHLB stock............. 16 228 244 (15) 316 301
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total interest income.......... (14,941) 1,050 (13,891) (17,778) (15,575) (33,353)
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
INTEREST EXPENSE ON:
Deposits............................ (8,035) (5,492) (13,527) (11,402) (16,929) (28,331)
Securities sold under agreements to
repurchase........................ (4,755) 2,647 (2,108) 2,124 (1,205) 919
Advances from FHLB.................. 1,628 (232) 1,396 (140) (1,102) (1,242)
Bonds payable....................... -- -- -- (1,508) (1,507) (3,015)
Notes payable....................... (470) (65) (535) (430) (23) (453)
Unsecured senior notes.............. (1,021) -- (1,021) (832) (28) (860)
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total interest expense......... (12,653) (3,142) (15,795) (12,188) (20,794) (32,982)
Cost (benefit) of hedging
activity.......................... 730 (269) 461 (3,364) (1,406) (4,770)
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Cost of funds....................... (11,923) (3,411) (15,334) (15,552) (22,200) (37,752)
Capitalized and transferred
interest.......................... (12) (36) (48) (502) (409) (911)
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income............ $ (3,030) $ 4,425 $ 1,395 $ (2,728) $ 6,216 $ 3,488
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
1994 vs. 1993
The Bank recorded net income of $7.7 million for the year ended December
31, 1994, compared to net income of $6.6 million for the year ended December 31,
1993. The increase in net income was principally due to an improved net interest
margin, along with increased operational efficiency.
The lower interest-earning asset base is the result of the Bank's strategy
of reducing its total asset size. The increase in the average yield on
interest-earning assets is the result of the repricing of interest sensitive
loans and debt securities, repayment of lower yielding loans and debt
securities, and the replacement of such loans and debt securities with higher
yielding originations and purchases.
The following summarizes the significant effects of these factors:
(i) Interest on cash equivalents increased due to the higher yield which
was a result of the higher interest rates, and increased volume
during the year.
(ii) Debt securities, in total, decreased principally as a result of the
sale of $334 million to fund the transfer of the Arizona-based
deposit liabilities in 1993 (Arizona sale) and paydowns within the
45
<PAGE> 49
portfolio, offset partially by purchases of $296 million. The
decrease in average balance of debt securities also resulted in a
decrease of the interest on debt securities. As the Arizona sale did
not occur until the last half of 1993, the average balance of the
debt securities was higher in 1993. The increase in the yield was
due to sales of lower coupon securities in 1993 and to the purchase
of higher yielding debt securities in 1994.
(iii) The average loans receivable portfolio increased principally due to
a decrease in loan payoffs from 1994 compared to 1993, partially
offset by decreased loan originations. Total loan originations for
1994 were $466 million compared to originations of $500 million for
1993. The decline in loan originations for 1994 was due to the
rising interest rate environment and the corresponding decline in
refinance activity. The rise in interest rates also slowed down the
prepayments within the Bank's mortgage loan portfolio. The average
yield on loans declined as a result of lower interest rates on newly
funded adjustable-rate mortgage loans.
(iv) Dividends on FHLB stock increased as a result of a higher declared
dividend rate in 1994.
(v) The average balance for deposits decreased as a result of the
Arizona sale of $321 million in 1993. The average balance of
deposits was higher in 1993 because the sale occurred in the last
half of the year. The decrease in the cost of savings was due to the
lower interest rate environment.
(vi) The decrease in interest on securities sold under agreements to
repurchase was due to net repayments of borrowings during the year,
partially offset by an increase in the cost.
(vii) The increase in the average balance for FHLB advances was due to the
new borrowings during the year, partially offset by repayment of
advances. The decrease in the cost of these advances was due to
lower interest rates on the new borrowings versus the higher rates
on these advances paid off.
(viii) Interest on notes payable declined primarily as a result of the
repayment of $10.4 million in the third quarter of 1993.
(ix) Interest on unsecured senior notes declined as a result of the
pay-off of the $25 million balance in the third quarter of 1993.
The Bank's cost of hedging activities increased principally as a result of
the Bank entering into interest rate swaps of $72.5 million (notional amount) in
1994 compared to $7.5 million (notional amount) of interest rate swaps in 1993.
See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further
discussion.
Provisions for estimated credit losses increased in 1994 versus 1993 as a
result of management's evaluation of the adequacy of the allowances for
estimated credit losses. See Risk Management -- Credit Risk Management herein
and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further
discussion.
The net gain on sale of loans decreased $1.5 million from $1.7 million in
1993 to $247,000 in 1994, due to a decrease in the amount of loans sold from $78
million in 1993 to $46 million in 1994. Net gains on the sale of debt securities
decreased from a net gain of $8 million in 1993 to a net gain of $34,000 in
1994, primarily due to the sale in 1993 of $361 million in debt securities, of
which $334 million were sold to fund the sale of the Arizona-based deposit
liabilities. In January 1994, the Bank sold its credit card portfolio and
recognized a gain of $1.7 million ($1.1 million net of charge-offs). Other
income decreased principally due to a legal settlement of $1.2 million received
in 1993, while legal fees of $810,000 were incurred in 1994 associated with a
Las Vegas apartment complex which the Bank built.
General and administrative expenses decreased $4.8 million, or 10 percent,
in 1994. This decrease was due to the general and administrative expenses
associated with the Arizona operations which were incurred in 1993 until the
sale in the third quarter of that year, which were not incurred in 1994 along
with increases in efficiency and focus on cost reduction.
The Bank's effective tax rate was 45.4 percent in 1994 primarily as a
result of goodwill amortization.
46
<PAGE> 50
1993 vs. 1992
The Bank recorded net income of $6.6 million for the year ended December
31, 1993 compared to a net loss of $9.8 million for the year ended December 31,
1992. The increase in net income was principally due to the decrease in
provisions for estimated credit losses, the gain recorded on the sale of debt
securities in connection with the Arizona sale, the cumulative effect of change
in method for accounting for income taxes and an improved net interest margin,
offset partially by the write-off of goodwill as the result of the Arizona sale
as described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The lower interest-earning asset base is the result of the Bank's strategy
of reducing its total asset size. The decline in the average yield on
interest-earning assets is the result of the repricing of interest sensitive
loans and debt securities, repayment of higher yielding loans and debt
securities and the replacement of such loans and debt securities with lower
yielding originations and purchases.
The following summarizes the significant effects of these factors:
(i) Interest on cash equivalents decreased due to the lower yield
which was a result of the lower interest rates during the year.
(ii) Interest on debt securities, in total, decreased principally as
a result of $294 million of payoffs and principal amortization in
the portfolio and the third quarter effect of the sale of $334
million to fund the transfer of the Arizona-based deposit
liabilities, offset partially by $113 million in debt security
purchases. The decrease in debt securities held to maturity was
the result of the reclassification of the majority of the
portfolio to debt securities available for sale category during
the second quarter. This resulted in the increase in debt
securities available for sale offset partially by the sale of $334
million to fund the sale of the Arizona-based deposit liabilities.
The decrease in yield was due to sales of higher coupon securities
in 1992 and 1993 and to repricing of adjustable-rate debt
securities, repayments, and purchase of lower yielding debt
securities.
(iii) The average loans receivable portfolio decreased principally
due to payoffs exceeding originations of loans held for
investment. The average yield on loans declined as a result of
lower interest rates on newly funded loans, repricing of
adjustable loans, and payoffs of higher yielding loans.
(iv) Dividends on FHLB stock increased as a result of a higher
declared dividend rate in 1993.
(v) The average balance for deposits decreased as a result of the
Arizona sale of $321 million. The decrease in the cost of savings
was due to the Arizona sale, the lower interest rates, and the
disintermediation of certificates of deposit accounts to
transaction accounts.
(vi) The increase in interest on securities sold under agreements to
repurchase was due to new borrowings during the first part of
1993, partially offset by a decrease in the cost.
(vii) The decrease in the average balance for FHLB advances was due
to the repayment of advances in the early part of 1993 somewhat
offset by new borrowings later in the year. The decrease in the
cost of these advances was due to lower interest rates on the new
borrowings versus the higher rates on these advances which paid
off.
(viii) The decrease in interest on bonds payable was the result of the
payoff of mortgage-backed bonds during the second quarter of 1992.
The bonds were called on June 30, 1992.
(ix) Interest on notes payable declined as a result of the repayment
of $10.4 million in the third quarter of 1993.
(x) Interest on unsecured senior notes declined as a result of the
pay-off of the $25 million balance in the third quarter of 1993.
The Bank's cost of hedging activities decreased principally as a result of
the cancellation of $300 million (notional amount) of interest rate swaps
outstanding during the second and third quarters of 1992 and only $7.5 million
(notional amount) of interest rate swaps were entered into in late 1993.
47
<PAGE> 51
Provisions for estimated credit losses decreased in 1993 versus 1992 as a
result of management's evaluation of the adequacy of the allowances for
estimated credit losses. See Risk Management -- Credit Risk Management herein
and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further
discussion.
The net gain on sale of loans decreased $2.9 million from $4.6 million in
1992 to $1.7 million in 1993 due to a decrease in the amount of loans sold from
$240 million in 1992 to $78 million in 1993. The gain on sale of mortgage loan
servicing decreased $1.9 million in 1993, as there were no sales of mortgage
loan servicing in 1993. Net gains on the sale of debt securities, including the
interest rate swap loss, increased from a net loss of $809,000 in 1992 to a net
gain of $8 million in 1993, primarily due to the sale of $361 million in debt
securities, of which $334 million were sold to fund the sale of the
Arizona-based deposit liabilities. The net loss on the termination of the
interest rate swaps in 1992 was $14.1 million. No similar activity occurred in
1993. The net loss on the termination of the interest rate swaps was related to
the cancellation of $300 million (notional amount) of interest rate swaps which
hedged loans and debt securities sold during 1992 as part of the balance sheet
restructuring. Loan related fees decreased $1.3 million due to the decrease in
loan servicing volume. Deposit fees increased $984,000 due to an increase in the
fee structure. Other income increased principally due to a legal settlement
received of $1.2 million.
General and administrative expenses increased $3 million, or seven percent,
in 1993. This increase was due to the reinstatement of employee merit increases
and incentive awards during 1993, a scheduled rent increase on office space, and
increased professional services fees from legal efforts related to California
real estate development projects.
The Bank's effective tax rate was 64.1 percent in 1993 primarily as a
result of goodwill amortization and goodwill write-offs not deductible for tax
purposes.
48
<PAGE> 52
(This page intentionally left blank)
49
<PAGE> 53
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1994 1993
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 8).................................. $ 129,998 $ 121,342
Debt securities available for sale (Notes 3 and 8).................. 529,400 595,726
Debt securities held to maturity (fair value of $99,403 and $68,738)
(Note 3).......................................................... 101,880 69,660
Loans receivable, net of allowance for estimated credit losses of
$17,659 and $16,251 (Notes 4 and 5)............................... 936,037 817,279
Loans receivable held for sale (fair value of $2,135 and $22,019)
(Note 4).......................................................... 2,114 20,051
Receivables, less reserves for uncollectibles of $1,553 and $1,683
(Note 5).......................................................... 105,438 98,265
Gas utility property, net of accumulated depreciation of $433,429
and $399,155 (Note 6)............................................. 1,035,916 954,488
Other property, net of accumulated depreciation of $28,175 and
$25,229........................................................... 35,605 36,495
Excess of cost over net assets acquired............................. 65,640 69,501
Other assets........................................................ 147,965 161,142
---------- ----------
Total assets.............................................. $3,089,993 $2,943,949
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits (Note 7)................................................... $1,239,949 $1,207,852
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (Note 8)............. 281,935 259,041
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net (Note 14)................ 133,531 151,558
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities...................... 208,691 194,697
Short-term debt (Note 10)........................................... 92,000 86,000
Long-term debt, including current maturities (Note 11).............. 790,798 692,865
---------- ----------
Total liabilities......................................... 2,746,904 2,592,013
---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Preferred and preference stocks, including current maturities (Note
12)............................................................... 4,000 8,058
---------- ----------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock --
Authorized -- 30,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding -- 21,281,717 shares and 20,997,319
shares........................................................ 22,912 22,627
Additional paid-in capital........................................ 278,898 274,410
Capital stock expense............................................. (5,681) (5,685)
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax, on debt securities available
for sale (Note 3).............................................. (9,467) 8,761
Retained earnings................................................. 52,427 43,765
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity................................ 339,089 343,878
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity................ $3,089,993 $2,943,949
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
50
<PAGE> 54
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues:
Gas operating revenues................................... $599,553 $539,105 $534,390
Financial services interest income....................... 118,434 132,325 165,678
Other.................................................... 10,182 18,411 18,415
-------- -------- --------
Total (Notes 15 and 16).......................... 728,169 689,841 718,483
-------- -------- --------
Operating expenses:
Net cost of gas purchased................................ 249,922 212,290 214,293
Financial services interest expense, net................. 59,790 75,076 111,917
Operating expense (Note 13).............................. 169,893 165,150 155,654
Maintenance expense...................................... 30,198 28,337 26,842
Provision for estimated credit losses (Note 5)........... 7,393 7,222 32,438
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (Note 15)....... 65,063 63,583 60,668
Taxes other than income taxes............................ 25,751 24,760 22,940
Other.................................................... 17,405 25,845 17,883
-------- -------- --------
Total............................................ 625,415 602,263 642,635
-------- -------- --------
Operating income (Notes 15 and 16)......................... 102,754 87,578 75,848
-------- -------- --------
Other income and (expenses):
Other income............................................. 1,823 1,549 5,336
Interest and amortization of debt discount and expense... (57,335) (49,706) (43,115)
Other expenses........................................... (3,219) (15,801) (5,935)
-------- -------- --------
Total............................................ (58,731) (63,958) (43,714)
-------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes................................. 44,023 23,620 32,134
Income taxes (Note 14)..................................... 17,722 11,259 14,473
-------- -------- --------
Net income before cumulative effect of accounting change... 26,301 12,361 17,661
Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting (Note
14)...................................................... -- 3,045 --
-------- -------- --------
Net income (Note 16)....................................... 26,301 15,406 17,661
Preferred/preference stock dividend requirements (Note
12)...................................................... 510 741 1,051
-------- -------- --------
Net income applicable to common stock (Note 16)............ $ 25,791 $ 14,665 $ 16,610
======== ======== ========
Earnings per share before cumulative effect of accounting
change................................................... $ 1.22 $ 0.56 $ 0.81
Earnings per share from cumulative effect of change in
method of accounting..................................... -- 0.15 --
-------- -------- --------
Earnings per share of common stock (Note 16)............... $ 1.22 $ 0.71 $ 0.81
======== ======== ========
Average number of common shares outstanding................ 21,078 20,729 20,598
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
51
<PAGE> 55
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
--------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income............................................. $ 26,301 $ 15,406 $ 17,661
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization.......... 65,063 63,583 60,668
Provision for estimated losses.................... 7,393 7,222 32,438
Deferred income taxes............................. (8,212) 27,201 (16,256)
Unrecovered purchased gas costs................... 9,014 (33,571) 24,353
Net gain on sales of loans........................ (1,936) (1,751) (6,563)
Net gain on sales of debt securities.............. (34) (7,973) (13,278)
Loss on sale of Arizona assets and services....... -- 6,262 --
Cumulative effect of change in method of
accounting for income taxes.................... -- (3,045) --
Other............................................. 15,344 16,157 (12,582)
--------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities...... 112,933 89,491 86,441
--------- ----------- -----------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Construction expenditures.............................. (144,642) (115,424) (105,595)
Loan originations, net of repayments................... (155,024) (186,609) (190,511)
Sales of loans and loan servicing rights............... 46,090 78,353 240,605
Purchases of debt securities........................... (296,349) (113,078) (545,706)
Proceeds from sales of debt securities................. 5,074 360,853 274,802
Proceeds from maturities and repayments of debt
securities.......................................... 291,747 293,788 348,603
Proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale or
development......................................... 4,294 1,926 11,003
Proceeds from sale of real estate acquired through
foreclosure......................................... 4,048 22,916 18,030
Additions to real estate held for development.......... (1,140) (3,211) (4,246)
Termination of interest rate swaps..................... -- -- (14,087)
Proceeds from sale of Arizona assets and services...... -- 6,718 --
Other.................................................. 232 (2,409) 3,147
--------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities................................... (245,670) 343,823 36,045
--------- ----------- -----------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock............................... 4,773 6,790 --
Reacquisition of preferred stock....................... (4,058) (7,258) (7,258)
Dividends paid......................................... (17,411) (16,139) (15,497)
Issuance of long-term debt............................. 104,900 86,909 211,943
Retirement of long-term debt........................... (6,967) (48,567) (231,750)
Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt................ 6,000 66,000 (60,000)
Net change in deposit accounts......................... 32,097 (92,815) (111,446)
Sale and assumption of Arizona deposit liabilities..... -- (320,902) --
Proceeds from repos/other borrowings................... 281,333 1,499,893 1,448,546
Repayment of repos/other borrowings.................... (258,439) (1,617,711) (1,336,220)
Other.................................................. (835) (813) (878)
--------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities................................... 141,393 (444,613) (102,560)
--------- ----------- -----------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents........ 8,656 (11,299) 19,926
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period....... 121,342 132,641 112,715
--------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period............. $ 129,998 $ 121,342 $ 132,641
========= =========== ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized................ $ 69,688 $ 66,885 $ 73,513
Income taxes, net of refunds........................ 2,132 10,982 13,293
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
52
<PAGE> 56
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
---------------- PAID-IN STOCK UNREALIZED RETAINED
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL EXPENSE GAIN (LOSS) EARNINGS TOTAL
------ ------- ---------- ------- ----------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1991........... 20,598 $22,228 $267,917 $(5,685) $ -- $ 42,689 $327,149
Common stock issuances...... 64 64
Net income.................. 17,661 17,661
Dividends declared
Preferred: $9.50 per
share.................. (589) (589)
Second preference: $3.00
per share.............. (422) (422)
Common: $0.70 per share... (14,419) (14,419)
------ ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- --------
DECEMBER 31, 1992........... 20,598 22,228 267,981 (5,685) -- 44,920 329,444
Common stock issuances...... 399 399 6,429 6,828
Net income.................. 15,406 15,406
Dividends declared
Preferred: $9.50 per
share.................. (513) (513)
Second preference: $3.00
per share.............. (228) (228)
Common: $0.76 per share... (15,820) (15,820)
Unrealized gain............. 8,761 8,761
------ ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- --------
DECEMBER 31, 1993........... 20,997 22,627 274,410 (5,685) 8,761 43,765 343,878
Common stock issuances...... 285 285 4,488 4,773
Net income.................. 26,301 26,301
Dividends declared
Preferred: $9.50 per
share.................. (437) (437)
Second preference: $3.00
per share.............. (73) (73)
Common: $0.81 per share... (17,125) (17,125)
Unrealized loss............. (18,228) (18,228)
Redemption of second
preference stock.......... 4 (4) --
------ ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- --------
DECEMBER 31, 1994........... 21,282 $22,912 $278,898 $(5,681) $ (9,467) $ 52,427 $339,089
====== ======= ======== ======= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
53
<PAGE> 57
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General
Basis of Presentation -- The Company follows generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) in all of its businesses. Accounting for the Company's gas
utility operations conforms with GAAP as applied to regulated companies and as
prescribed by federal agencies and the commissions of the various states in
which the utility operates.
Consolidation -- The accompanying financial statements are presented on a
consolidated basis and include the accounts of the Company, including the Bank.
Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Cash Flows -- For purposes of reporting consolidated cash flows, cash and
cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds
sold and other financial instruments with a maturity of three months or less.
Excess of Cost Over Net Assets Acquired -- The Company amortizes excess of
cost over net assets acquired on a straight-line basis over 25 years.
Income Taxes -- Effective January 1993, the Company adopted SFAS No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes," which required a change from the deferred method
of accounting for income taxes to the asset and liability method of accounting
for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. Under SFAS No. 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes
the enactment date.
For years prior to 1993, deferred income taxes were recognized for income
and expense items that were reported in different years for financial reporting
purposes and income tax purposes using the tax rate applicable for the year of
the calculation. Under the deferred method, deferred taxes were not adjusted for
subsequent changes in tax rates.
Investment tax credits (ITC) related to gas utility operations are deferred
and amortized over the life of related fixed assets.
Earnings Per Common Share -- Earnings per common share are calculated based
on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
Reclassifications -- Certain reclassifications have been made to prior
years' amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
Gas Utility
Gas Utility Property, Net -- Gas utility property, net includes gas plant
at original cost, less the accumulated provision for depreciation and
amortization, plus the unamortized balance of acquisition adjustments. Original
cost includes contracted services, material, payroll and related costs such as
taxes and benefits, general and administrative expenses, and an allowance for
funds used during construction less contributions in aid of construction.
Depreciation and Amortization -- Depreciation is computed on the
straight-line remaining life method at composite rates considered sufficient to
amortize costs over estimated service lives. Acquisition adjustments are
amortized as ordered by regulatory bodies at the date of acquisition, which
periods approximate the
54
<PAGE> 58
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 1 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
remaining estimated life of the acquired properties. Costs related to refunding
utility debt and debt issuance expenses are deferred and amortized over the
weighted average lives of the new issues.
Deferred Gas Costs -- The Company is authorized by the various regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction to adjust its billing rates for changes in the
cost of gas purchased. The difference between the current cost of gas purchased
and the cost of gas recovered in billed rates is deferred. Generally, these
deferred amounts are recovered or refunded within one year.
Utility Revenues -- Gas revenues are accrued from the date the customer was
last billed to the end of the accounting period. In California, through 1994,
the Company was authorized to adjust gas revenues to reflect changes in
operating margins from authorized levels related to all customer classes. This
mechanism was discontinued effective January 1995.
Capitalization of Interest -- The Company capitalized $653,000, $381,000
and $934,000 of interest expense and a portion of the cost of equity funds
related to natural gas utility operations for each of the years ended December
31, 1994, 1993 and 1992. The cost of equity funds used to finance the
construction of utility plant is reported net within the consolidated statements
of income as a reduction of interest charges. Utility plant construction costs,
including cost of equity funds, are recovered in authorized rates through
depreciation when completed projects are placed into operation.
Financial Services
Debt Securities -- On December 31, 1993, the Bank adopted SFAS No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." The
statement requires classification of investments in debt and equity securities
into one of three categories: held to maturity, available for sale, or trading.
At the time of purchase, the Bank designates a security into one of these three
categories.
Debt securities classified as held to maturity are those which the Bank has
the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. These securities are
carried at cost adjusted for the amortization of the related premiums or
accretion of the related discounts into interest income using methods
approximating the level-yield method or a method based on principal repayments
over the actual lives of the underlying loans. The Bank has the ability and it
is its policy to hold the debt securities so designated until maturity. The
Bank's current accounting policy is that no security with a remaining maturity
greater than 25 years may be designated as held to maturity.
Securities classified as available for sale are those which the Bank
intends to hold for an indefinite period and which may be sold in response to
changes in market interest rates, changes in the security's prepayment risk, the
Bank's need for liquidity, changes in the availability and yield of alternative
investments, and other asset/liability management needs. Securities classified
as available for sale are stated at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position. Changes in fair value are reported net of tax as a separate
component of stockholders' equity, but are not included in net income. Realized
gains or losses are recorded into income when sold.
Trading securities are those which are bought and held principally for the
purpose of selling in the near term. Trading securities include MBS held for
sale in conjunction with mortgage banking activities. Trading securities are
measured at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. At
December 31, 1994 and 1993, no securities were designated as "trading
securities."
Loans Receivable -- Real estate loans are recorded at cost, net of the
undisbursed loan funds, loan discounts, unearned interest, deferred loan fees
and provisions for estimated losses. Interest on loans receivable is credited to
income when earned. Generally, if a loan becomes 90 days contractually
delinquent, the accrual
55
<PAGE> 59
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 1 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
of interest is ceased and all previously accrued, but uncollected, interest
income is reversed. Interest income on loans placed on nonaccrual status is
generally recognized on a cash basis.
Fees are charged for originating and in some cases, for committing to
originate loans. Loan origination and commitment fees, offset by certain direct
origination costs, are deferred, and the net amounts amortized as an adjustment
of the related loans' yields over the contractual lives thereof. Unamortized
fees are recognized as income upon the sale or payoff of the loan.
Unearned interest, premiums and discounts on consumer installment, equity
and property improvement loans are amortized to income over the expected lives
of the loans using a method which approximates the level-yield method.
Mortgage Banking Activities -- The Bank's accounting policy is to designate
all fixed-rate interest-sensitive assets with maturities greater than or equal
to 25 years (which possess normal qualifying characteristics required for sale)
as held for sale or available for sale, along with single-family residential
loans originated for specific sales commitments. Fixed-rate interest-sensitive
assets with maturities less than 25 years, and all adjustable-rate
interest-sensitive assets continue to be held for investment unless designated
as held for sale at time of origination.
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair
value as determined by outstanding investor commitments or, in the absence of
such commitments, current investor yield requirements calculated on an aggregate
basis. Valuation adjustments are charged against gain (loss) on sale of loans.
Gains and losses on loan and MBS sales are determined using the specific
identification method. Gains and losses are recognized to the extent that sales
proceeds exceed or are less than the carrying value of the loans and MBS. Loans
sold with servicing retained include a normal servicing fee to be earned by the
Bank as income over the life of the loan. Loans held for sale may be securitized
into MBS and designated as trading securities and recorded at fair value.
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure -- Real estate acquired through
foreclosure is stated at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell.
Included in real estate acquired through foreclosure is $2.9 million and $5.5
million of loans foreclosed in-substance at December 31, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Write downs to fair value, disposition gains and losses, and
operating income and costs are charged to the allowance for estimated credit
losses.
Loans foreclosed in-substance consist of loans accounted for as foreclosed
property even though actual foreclosure has not occurred. Although the
collateral underlying these loans has not been repossessed, the borrower has
little or no equity in the collateral at its current estimated fair value.
Proceeds for repayment are expected to come only from the operation or sale of
the collateral, and it is doubtful the borrower will rebuild equity in the
collateral or repay the loan by other means in the foreseeable future. The
amounts ultimately recovered from loans foreclosed in-substance could differ
from the amounts used in arriving at the net carrying value of the assets
because of future market factors beyond management's control or changes in
strategy for recovering the investment.
Allowance for Estimated Credit Losses -- On a routine basis, management
evaluates the adequacy of the allowances for estimated losses on loans,
investments and real estate, and establishes additions to the allowances through
provisions to expense. The Bank utilizes a comprehensive internal asset review
system and general valuation allowance methodology. General valuation allowances
are established for each of the loan, investment and real estate portfolios for
unforeseen losses. A number of factors are taken into account in determining the
adequacy of the level of allowances including management's review of the extent
of existing risks in the portfolios, prevailing and anticipated economic
conditions, actual loss experience, delinquencies, regular reviews of the
quality of the loan and real estate portfolios and examinations by regulatory
authorities.
56
<PAGE> 60
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 1 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
Charge-offs are recorded on particular assets when it is determined that
the fair or net realizable value of an asset is below the carrying value. When a
loan is foreclosed, the asset is written down to fair value based on a current
appraisal of the subject property.
While management uses currently available information to evaluate the
adequacy of allowances and estimate identified losses for charge off, ultimate
losses may vary from current estimates. Adjustments to estimates are charged to
earnings in the period in which they become known.
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements -- The Bank uses interest rate swaps and
interest rate collars to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk. These
instruments are used only to hedge asset and liability portfolios and are not
used for speculative purposes. Premiums, discounts and fees associated with
these interest rate exchange agreements are amortized to expense on a
straight-line basis over the lives of the agreements. The net interest received
or paid is included in interest expense as a cost of hedging. Gains or losses
resulting from the cancellation of agreements hedging assets and liabilities
which remain outstanding are deferred and amortized over the remaining contract
lives. Gains or losses are recognized in the current period if the hedged asset
or liability is retired.
57
<PAGE> 61
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA
Summarized consolidated financial statement data for the Bank is as
follows. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform presentations for
prior years with the current year's presentation:
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income.................................... $118,434 $132,325 $165,678
Interest expense................................... 59,790 75,076 111,917
-------- -------- --------
Net interest income...................... 58,644 57,249 53,761
Provision for estimated credit losses.............. (7,230) (6,212) (14,129)
-------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision for
credit losses.......................... 51,414 51,037 39,632
-------- -------- --------
Net loss from real estate operations............... (612) (910) (15,286)
-------- -------- --------
Gain on sale of loans.............................. 598 1,835 5,676
Loss on sale of loans.............................. (351) (84) (1,043)
Gain on sale of debt securities.................... 56 8,317 13,649
Loss on sale of debt securities.................... (22) (344) (371)
Gain (loss) on secondary marketing hedging
activities....................................... 389 (968) --
Gain on sale of mortgage loan servicing............ -- -- 1,930
Loss on cancellation of interest rate swaps........ -- -- (14,087)
Loss on sale -- Arizona branches................... -- (6,262) --
Gain on sale of credit cards....................... 1,689 -- --
Loan related fees.................................. 1,165 1,025 2,280
Deposit related fees............................... 6,788 6,397 5,413
Other income....................................... 319 2,133 1,945
-------- -------- --------
Total noninterest income................. 10,631 12,049 15,392
-------- -------- --------
General and administrative expenses................ 43,508 48,296 45,309
Amortization of cost in excess of net assets
acquired......................................... 3,861 3,984 4,156
-------- -------- --------
Total noninterest expense................ 47,369 52,280 49,465
-------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes.................. 14,064 9,896 (9,727)
Income tax expense................................. 6,391 6,345 91
-------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change................................ 7,673 3,551 (9,818)
Cumulative effect of change in method of
accounting....................................... -- 3,045 --
-------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)........................ $ 7,673 $ 6,596 $ (9,818)
======== ======== ========
Contribution to consolidated net
income(1).............................. $ 2,777 $ 1,655 $(14,553)
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes after-tax allocation of costs from parent.
58
<PAGE> 62
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA -- (CONTINUED)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
1994 1994 1993 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks................. $ 35,262 $ 35,262 $ 55,712 $ 55,712
Cash equivalents........................ 88,660 88,660 63,503 63,503
Debt securities available for sale...... 529,400 529,400 595,726 595,726
Debt securities held to maturity........ 101,880 99,403 69,660 68,738
Loans receivable held for sale.......... 2,114 2,135 20,051 22,305
Loans receivable, net of allowance for
estimated credit losses of $17,659 and
$16,251............................... 936,037 897,723 817,279 841,127
Real estate acquired through
foreclosure........................... 7,631 * 9,707 *
Real estate held for sale or
development, net of allowance for
estimated losses of $476 and $935..... 771 * 4,088 *
FHLB stock, at cost..................... 17,277 17,277 16,501 16,501
Other assets............................ 31,649 * 29,691 *
Excess of cost over net assets
acquired.............................. 65,640 * 69,501 *
---------- ----------
$1,816,321 $1,751,419
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Deposits................................ $1,239,949 $1,229,893 $1,207,852 $1,217,225
Securities sold under agreements to
repurchase............................ 281,935 282,155 259,041 261,625
Advances from FHLB...................... 99,400 97,565 71,000 71,281
Notes payable........................... 8,135 8,174 8,265 8,647
Other liabilities....................... 20,514 * 28,318 *
---------- ----------
1,649,933 1,574,476
Stockholder's equity.................... 166,388 * 176,943 *
---------- ----------
$1,816,321 $1,751,419
========== ==========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* These items are not comprised of financial instruments subject to fair value
disclosure under SFAS No. 107. See SFAS No. 107 discussion herein.
59
<PAGE> 63
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1994 1993
-------------------- --------------------
FAIR FAIR
COMMITMENT VALUE COMMITMENT VALUE
---------- ------ ---------- ------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Outstanding commitments to originate
loans..................................... $ 46,387 $ (420) $ 47,903 $ 53
Commercial and other letters of credit...... 707 6 1,169 12
Interest rate swaps......................... 72,450 2,986 7,500 169
Loan servicing rights....................... 415,097 4,958 476,835 4,451
Outstanding firm commitments to sell loans
and MBS................................... 2,544 (2) 25,905 21
Outstanding master commitments to sell
loans..................................... 116,097 (14) 217,393 (11)
Outstanding commitments to purchase loans
and MBS................................... -- -- 51,500 3
Outstanding commitments to builders......... 10,543 (33) -- --
</TABLE>
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments,"
requires that the Bank disclose estimated fair values for its financial
instruments.
The fair value estimates were made at a discrete point in time based on
relevant market information and other information about the financial
instruments. Because no active market exists for a significant portion of the
Bank's financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgements
regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial
instruments, prepayment assumptions, future expected loss experience and other
factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and
matters of significant judgement and therefore cannot be determined with
precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
In addition, the fair value estimates were based on existing on-balance
sheet and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate
the value of existing and anticipated future customer relationships and the
value of assets and liabilities that were not considered financial instruments.
Significant assets and liabilities that were not considered financial assets or
liabilities include the Bank's retail branch network, deferred tax assets and
liabilities, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and goodwill.
Additionally, the Bank intends to hold a significant portion of its assets
and liabilities to their stated maturities. Therefore, the Bank does not intend
to realize any significant differences between carrying value and fair value
through sale or other disposition. No attempt should be made to adjust equity to
reflect the fair value disclosures.
60
<PAGE> 64
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA -- (CONTINUED)
Methods and assumptions used to determine estimated fair values are set
forth below for the Bank's financial instruments as of December 31, 1994 and
1993.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED TO ESTIMATE FAIR VALUE
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Cash, due from banks and cash Carrying value was used as the estimate of fair value
equivalents based upon the short-term nature of the instruments.
Debt securities available for sale, Fair value was estimated using quoted market prices and
debt securities held to maturity dealer quotes, with the exception of privately issued
and loans receivable held for debt securities and CMO residuals. Privately issued debt
sale securities were valued based on the estimated fair value
of the underlying loans. CMO residuals were valued using
the discounted estimated future cash flows from these
investments.
Loans receivable, net Fair values were estimated for portfolios of loans with
similar financial characteristics. Loans were segregated
by type, such as commercial, commercial real estate,
residential mortgage, credit card and other consumer.
Each loan category was further segregated into fixed and
adjustable-rate interest terms. Fair value for
single-family residential loans was estimated by
discounting the estimated future cash flows from these
instruments using quoted market rates and dealer
prepayment assumptions. Fair value for commercial
mortgage, construction, land and other commercial loans
was derived by discounting the estimated future cash
flows from these instruments using the rates at which
loans with similar maturity and underwriting
characteristics would be made on December 31, 1994 or
1993, as applicable. Fair value for consumer loans was
estimated using dealer quotes for securities backed by
similar collateral. The book value for the allowance for
estimated credit losses was used as the fair value
estimate for credit losses within the entire loan
portfolio.
FHLB stock Carrying value was used as the estimate for fair value
since it represents the price at which the FHLB will
redeem the stock.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES
- -----------------------------------
<S> <C>
Deposits The fair value of demand deposits, savings deposits and
money market deposits was estimated to be the book value
reported in the financial statements since it represents
the amount payable on demand. The fair value of fixed
maturity deposits was estimated using the rates
currently offered by the Bank for deposits with similar
remaining maturities. The fair value of deposits does
not include an estimate of the long-term relationship
value of the Bank's deposit customers or the benefit
that results from the low cost funding provided by
deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing
funds in the market.
Securities sold under agreements to Fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash
repurchase and notes payable flows using market and dealer quoted rates for debt with
the same remaining maturities and characteristics.
Advances from FHLB Fair value was estimated using the quoted cost to prepay
the advance.
</TABLE>
61
<PAGE> 65
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ITEMS METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED TO ESTIMATE FAIR VALUE
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Commitments to originate loans and The fair value of commitments was estimated by
builder commitments calculating a theoretical gain or loss on the sale of a
funded loan considering the difference between current
levels of interest rates and the committed loan rates.
Letters of credit The fair value of letters of credit was based on fees
currently charged for similar agreements.
Interest rate swaps The fair value of interest rate swaps was determined by
various dealer quotes.
Loan servicing rights The fair value for loan servicing rights was estimated
based upon market and dealer quotes for the incremental
price paid for a loan sold servicing released, adjusted
for the age of the portfolio.
Outstanding firm and master The fair value of these commitments are estimated based
commitments to purchase and sell on the market and dealer quotes to terminate or fill the
loans and MBS commitments.
</TABLE>
REGULATORY CAPITAL
The Bank is subject to various capital adequacy requirements under a
uniform framework by federal banking agencies. Specific capital guidelines
require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as set forth below.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA)
required the federal banking agencies to adopt regulations implementing a system
of progressive constraints as capital levels decline at banks and savings
institutions. Federal banking agencies have enacted uniform "prompt corrective
action" rules which classify banks and savings institutions into one of five
categories based upon capital adequacy, ranging from "well capitalized" to
"critically undercapitalized." Banks become subject to prompt corrective action
when their ratios fall below "adequately capitalized" status. A reconciliation
of stockholder's equity, as shown in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position, to the FDICIA capital standards and the Bank's resulting
ratios are set forth in the table below (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1994 DECEMBER 31, 1993
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
TOTAL TIER 1 TIER 1 TOTAL TIER 1 TIER 1
RISK-BASED RISK-BASED LEVERAGE RISK-BASED RISK-BASED LEVERAGE
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stockholder's equity....................... $166,388 $166,388 $ 166,388 $176,943 $176,943 $ 176,943
Capital adjustments:
Nonsupervisory goodwill.................. (40,376) (40,376) (40,376) (42,464) (42,464) (42,464)
Supervisory goodwill..................... (18,661) (18,661) (18,661) (14,422) (14,422) (14,422)
Real estate investments.................. (1,325) (194) (194) (478) -- --
Unrealized loss, net of tax, on debt
securities available for sale.......... 9,467 9,467 9,467 -- -- --
General loan loss reserves............... 11,512 -- -- 11,008 -- --
-------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Regulatory capital......................... $127,005 $116,624 $ 116,624 $130,587 $120,057 $ 120,057
======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Regulatory capital ratio................... 13.88% 12.75% 6.62% 14.92% 13.71% 7.14%
Adequately capitalized required ratio...... 8.00 4.00 4.00 8.00 4.00 4.00
-------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Excess..................................... 5.88% 8.75% 2.62% 6.92% 9.71% 3.14%
======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Asset base................................. $914,812 $914,812 $1,760,801 $875,387 $875,387 $1,681,952
======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, PriMerit Bank exceeded the adequately
capitalized ratios and was categorized as "well capitalized."
62
<PAGE> 66
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA -- (CONTINUED)
The regulatory capital standards contain certain phase-in requirements
concerning the amount of supervisory goodwill which is includable in tier 1 and
risk-based capital as well as the amount of real estate investments which are
required to be deducted from capital under all three standards. On January 1,
1995, all supervisory goodwill must be deducted from regulatory capital. Based
upon this limitation, the Bank's risk-based and tier 1 capital levels declined
by $6.6 million on January 1, 1995.
The decline in the Bank's capital ratios over prior year-end is principally
the result of the change in the allowable supervisory goodwill and the inclusion
of $8.8 million of unrealized gain, net of tax, on debt securities available for
sale in regulatory capital for 1993; partially offset by year-to-date net income
of $7.7 million. At December 31, 1994, under fully phased-in capital rules
applicable at July 1, 1996, the Bank would have exceeded the "adequately
capitalized" fully phased-in, total risk-based, tier 1 risk-based, and tier 1
leverage ratios by $46.7 million, $72.8 million and $38.7 million, respectively.
The Bank is subject to an OTS regulation requiring institutions with IRR
exposure classified as "above normal" to reduce their risk-based capital by 50
percent of the amount by which the IRR exposure exceeds a specified "normal"
threshold. The normal IRR threshold is defined as a two percent decline of an
institution's net portfolio value as a percentage of its market value of assets
after a hypothetical 200 basis point immediate and sustained increase or
decrease in market interest rates. The reduction of an institution's risk-based
capital resulting from its exceeding the IRR threshold becomes effective at the
end of the third calendar quarter after the measurement date, unless the
institution's IRR exposure returns to a "normal" level or below in the interim.
Based on the OTS's measurement of the Bank's September 30, 1994 and
December 31, 1994 IRR, the Bank may be required to reduce its risk-based capital
by approximately $1.5 million on June 30, 1995 and $1.9 million on September 30,
1995, in the absence of corrective action to reduce the Bank's IRR exposure or a
significant change in market interest rates in the interim. As of December 31,
1994, the Bank has sufficient risk-based capital to allow it to continue to be
classified as "well capitalized" under FDICIA capital requirements after such a
reduction for IRR exposure. Management is currently reviewing possible
strategies for reducing the Bank's IRR exposure to a "normal" level or below.
OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS
In conjunction with the acquisition of the Bank in 1986, the Company agreed
that as long as it controls the Bank, adequate capital as required by applicable
regulations, will be maintained at the Bank and if required, the Company will
infuse additional capital into the Bank to assure compliance with such
requirements. The Company presently does not anticipate having to contribute
additional capital to the Bank.
The Company also stipulated in connection with the acquisition of the Bank
that dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would not exceed 50 percent of
the Bank's cumulative net income after the date of acquisition without approval
of the regulators. Since the acquisition, the Bank's cumulative net income is
$37.1 million, resulting in maximum dividends payable of $18.6 million as of
December 31, 1994. Since the acquisition, the Bank has paid the Company $1.8
million in capital distributions, net of $20 million in capital contributions
received from the Company in 1991 and 1992.
Capital distributions, including dividends, are also governed by an OTS
regulation which limits distributions by applying a tiered system based on
capital levels. Under the regulation, the Bank is restricted to paying no more
than 75 percent of its net income over the preceding four quarters to the
Company. The Bank did not pay any dividends to the Company during the last three
years.
63
<PAGE> 67
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 -- SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA -- (CONTINUED)
SALE OF ARIZONA BRANCH OPERATIONS
In May 1993, the Bank signed a Definitive Agreement with World Savings and
Loan Association (World) of Oakland, California, whereby World agreed to acquire
the Bank's Arizona branch operations, including all related deposit liabilities
of approximately $321 million. The transaction was approved by the appropriate
regulatory authorities and closed in August 1993. During 1993, the Bank recorded
a $6.3 million loss, which included a write-off of $5.9 million in goodwill
(excess of cost over net assets acquired) and $367,000 of other related net
costs. The Bank sold $334 million of MBS to effect the sale of the Bank's
Arizona-based deposit liabilities to World and to maintain the Bank's interest
rate risk position. The sale of the securities resulted in a gain of $7.4
million ($4.9 million after tax) included in gain on sale of debt securities in
the Consolidated Statements of Income. The final disposition resulted in an
after-tax loss of approximately $1 million.
NOTE 3 -- DEBT SECURITIES
Debt securities held to maturity are stated at amortized cost. The yields
on these securities are computed based upon amortized cost. The amortized cost,
estimated fair values and yields of debt securities held to maturity are as
follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL TOTAL ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
DECEMBER 31, 1994 COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE YIELD
----------------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate issue MBS...................... $ 60,922 $50 $2,292 $58,680 7.25%
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies.............. 40,958 -- 235 40,723 8.01%
-------- --- ------ ------- ----
Total.......................... $101,880 $50 $2,527 $99,403 7.55%
======== === ====== ======= ====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1993
-----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate issue MBS...................... $69,660 $403 $1,325 $68,738 6.85%
======= ==== ====== ======= ====
</TABLE>
The following schedule of the expected maturity of debt securities held to
maturity is based upon dealer prepayment expectations and historical prepayment
activity (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED/CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
----------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER AFTER AFTER
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
BUT BUT BUT
WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN AFTER TOTAL
ONE FIVE TEN TWENTY TWENTY AMORTIZED
DECEMBER 31, 1994 YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS COST
----------------- ------- -------- ---------- --------- ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate issue MBS............. $15,593 $31,603 $8,883 $4,574 $269 $ 60,922
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies..... 20,822 20,136 -- -- -- 40,958
------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------
Total................. $36,415 $51,739 $8,883 $4,574 $269 $101,880
======= ======= ====== ====== ==== ========
</TABLE>
64
<PAGE> 68
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 3 -- DEBT SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
Debt securities available for sale are stated at fair value. The yields on
these securities are computed based upon amortized cost. The amortized cost,
estimated fair values and yields of debt securities available for sale are as
follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL TOTAL ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
DECEMBER 31, 1994 COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE YIELD
----------------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GNMA - MBS...................... $ 6,564 $ 70 $ 237 $ 6,397 8.29%
FHLMC - MBS..................... 307,082 745 6,931 300,896 6.64%
FNMA - MBS...................... 112,892 154 3,938 109,108 7.11%
CMO............................. 92,097 928 4,645 88,380 5.92%
Corporate issue MBS............. 20,225 11 719 19,517 7.24%
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies..... 5,105 -- 3 5,102 5.83%
-------- ------- ------- -------- ----
Total................. $543,965 $ 1,908 $16,473 $529,400 6.65%
======== ======= ======= ======== ====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1993
-----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GNMA - MBS...................... $ 9,081 $ 591 $ -- $ 9,672 8.41%
FHLMC - MBS..................... 368,436 11,518 168 379,786 6.12%
FNMA - MBS...................... 119,208 1,144 695 119,657 6.60%
CMO............................. 45,733 1,516 -- 47,249 4.82%
Corporate issue MBS............. 24,644 159 697 24,106 5.81%
Money market instruments........ 10,036 -- -- 10,036 3.37%
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies..... 5,110 110 -- 5,220 5.93%
-------- -------- ------ -------- ----
Total................. $582,248 $15,038 $1,560 $595,726 6.09%
======== ======= ====== ======== ====
</TABLE>
The following schedule reflects the expected maturity of MBS and CMO and
the contractual maturity of all other debt securities available for sale. The
expected maturity of MBS and CMO are based upon dealer prepayment expectations
and historical prepayment activity (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED/CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER AFTER AFTER
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
BUT BUT BUT
WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN AFTER TOTAL
ONE FIVE TEN TWENTY TWENTY AMORTIZED
DECEMBER 31, 1994 YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS COST
----------------- -------- -------- ---------- --------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GNMA - MBS.................. $ 1,595 $ 4,091 $ 711 $ -- $ -- $ 6,397
FHLMC - MBS................. 57,237 167,998 37,894 29,991 7,776 300,896
FNMA - MBS.................. 15,879 49,915 20,241 20,030 3,043 109,108
CMO......................... 48,692 38,236 819 606 27 88,380
Corporate issue MBS......... 3,295 11,283 4,056 778 105 19,517
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S.
Government corporations
and agencies.............. 5,102 -- -- -- -- 5,102
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Total............. $131,800 $271,523 $63,721 $51,405 $10,951 $529,400
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
65
<PAGE> 69
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 4 -- LOANS RECEIVABLE
Loans receivable held for investment, recorded at amortized cost, are
summarized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Loans collateralized by real estate:
Conventional single-family residential....................... $489,649 $431,854
FHA and VA insured single-family residential................. 33,823 21,491
Commercial mortgage.......................................... 178,076 192,046
Construction and land........................................ 90,992 82,638
-------- --------
792,540 728,029
Commercial secured (other than real estate).................... 40,349 25,443
Commercial unsecured........................................... 2,317 354
Consumer installment........................................... 119,460 93,431
Consumer unsecured............................................. 6,570 7,817
Equity and property improvement loans.......................... 26,054 21,061
Deposit accounts............................................... 2,659 2,944
-------- --------
989,949 879,079
-------- --------
Undisbursed proceeds........................................... (41,702) (48,251)
Allowance for estimated credit losses.......................... (17,659) (16,251)
Premiums....................................................... 5,969 3,270
Deferred fees.................................................. (4,999) (4,782)
Accrued interest............................................... 4,479 4,214
-------- --------
(53,912) (61,800)
-------- --------
Loans receivable held for investment........................... $936,037 $817,279
======== ========
</TABLE>
Loans receivable held for sale, recorded at lower of aggregate cost or
market, are summarized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1994 1993
------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Loans collateralized by single-family residential real estate:
Conventional................................................... $ 508 $ 4,999
FHA and VA insured............................................. 1,606 3,560
------ -------
2,114 8,559
Credit cards..................................................... -- 11,492
------ -------
Loans receivable held for sale................................... $2,114 $20,051
====== =======
</TABLE>
66
<PAGE> 70
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 4 -- LOANS RECEIVABLE -- (CONTINUED)
Additional loan information (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Average portfolio yield at end of year................. 8.11% 8.12%
Principal balance of loans serviced for others
(including $67,871 and $92,658 of loans serviced for
MBS owned by the Bank)............................... $415,097 $476,835
Adjustable-rate real estate loans...................... 286,868 233,133
Outstanding commitments to originate loans............. 46,387 47,903
Unused lines of credit................................. 57,180 79,472
Standby letters of credit.............................. 707 1,004
Outstanding commitments to builders.................... 10,543 --
</TABLE>
Outstanding commitments to originate loans represent agreements to
originate real estate secured loans to customers at specified rates of interest.
Commitments generally expire in 30 to 60 days and may require payment of a fee.
Some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon,
therefore the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash
requirements.
The Bank has designated portions of its portfolio of residential real
estate loans and credit card accounts as held for sale. These loans are carried
at the lower of aggregate cost, market or sales commitment price. In January
1994, the Bank sold its credit card portfolio held for sale and recognized a
gain of approximately $1.7 million ($1.1 million net of charge-offs).
At December 31, 1994, 48 percent, or $19.5 million, of the Bank's
outstanding commercial secured loan portfolio consisted of loans to borrowers in
the gaming industry, with additional unfunded commitments of $11.5 million.
These loans are generally secured by real estate, machinery and equipment. The
Bank's portfolio of loans, collateralized by real estate, consists principally
of real estate located in Nevada, California, and Arizona. Collectibility is,
therefore, somewhat dependent on the economies and real estate values of these
areas and industries.
The Bank's loan approval process is intended to assess both: (i) the
borrower's ability to repay the loan by determining whether the borrower meets
the Bank's established underwriting criteria, and (ii) the adequacy of the
proposed security by determining whether the appraised value of the security
property is sufficient for the proposed loan.
It is the general policy of the Bank not to make single-family residential
loans when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80 percent unless the loans are
insured by private mortgage insurance, FHA insurance or VA guarantee.
Residential tract construction loans are generally underwritten with the
discounted loan-to-value ratio less than 85 percent, while commercial/income
property loans are generally underwritten with a ratio of less than 75 percent.
Management considers the above mentioned factors when evaluating the
adequacy of the allowance for estimated credit losses.
Many of the Bank's adjustable-rate loans contain limitations as to both the
amount the interest rate can change at each repricing date (periodic caps) and
the maximum rates the loan can be repriced to over the life of the loan
(lifetime caps). At December 31, 1994, periodic caps in the adjustable loan
portfolio ranged from 25 to 800 basis points. Lifetime caps ranged from 9.75 to
22 percent.
67
<PAGE> 71
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 5 -- ALLOWANCES AND RESERVES
Activity in the allowances for losses on loans and real estate held for
sale or development is summarized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REAL
ESTATE
CONSTRUCTION NON- HELD FOR
MORTGAGE AND LAND MORTGAGE TOTAL SALE OR
LOANS LOANS LOANS LOANS DEVELOPMENT TOTAL
-------- ------------ -------- -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at 12/31/91...................... $ 5,992 $ 2,821 $ 3,248 $12,061 $ 3,639 $ 15,700
Provisions for estimated losses........ 1,903 6,460 5,766 14,129 18,309 32,438
Charge-offs, net of recovery........... (515) (3,765) (4,682) (8,962) (20,485) (29,447)
------ ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Balance at 12/31/92...................... 7,380 5,516 4,332 17,228 1,463 18,691
Provisions for estimated losses........ 4,634 172 1,406 6,212 1,010 7,222
Charge-offs, net of recovery........... (3,191) (2,248) (1,750) (7,189) (1,538) (8,727)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/93...................... 8,823 3,440 3,988 16,251 935 17,186
Provisions for estimated losses........ 2,954 71 4,205 7,230 163 7,393
Charge-offs, net of recovery........... (1,786) (1,297) (2,739) (5,822) (622) (6,444)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Balance at 12/31/94...................... $ 9,991 $ 2,214 $ 5,454 $17,659 $ 476 $ 18,135
======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
The Bank establishes allowances for estimated credit losses by portfolio
through charges to expense. On a regular basis, management reviews the level of
loss allowances which have been provided against the portfolios. Adjustments are
made thereto in light of the level of problem loans and current economic
conditions. Included in net charge-offs are $1.9 million, $2.6 million and $2.6
million of recoveries for 1992, 1993, and 1994, respectively. Write-downs to
fair value, disposition gains and losses, and operating income and costs
affiliated with real estate acquired through foreclosure are charged to the
allowance for estimated credit losses.
The Company's business activity with respect to gas utility operations is
conducted with customers located within the three state region of Arizona,
Nevada and California. Any credit risk the Company is exposed to related to
utility operations is minimized by the taking of security deposits. Provisions
for uncollectible accounts are recorded monthly and are recovered from customers
through billed rates. Activity in the reserve for uncollectibles is summarized
as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RESERVE FOR
UNCOLLECTIBLES
--------------
<S> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1991.............................. $ 1,373
Additions charged to income........................... 1,667
Accounts written off, less recoveries................. (1,533)
-------
Balance, December 31, 1992.............................. 1,507
Additions charged to income........................... 1,460
Accounts written off, less recoveries................. (1,284)
-------
Balance, December 31, 1993.............................. 1,683
Additions charged to income........................... 1,445
Accounts written off, less recoveries................. (1,575)
-------
Balance, December 31, 1994.............................. $ 1,553
=======
</TABLE>
68
<PAGE> 72
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 6 -- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Gas utility property as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 was as follows
(thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1993
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Plant in Service:
Production, gathering and storage................. $ 14,252 $ 13,960
Transmission...................................... 140,281 139,262
Distribution...................................... 1,077,425 989,021
General........................................... 164,018 150,482
Other............................................. 32,756 33,000
---------- ----------
1,428,732 1,325,725
Less: accumulated depreciation...................... (433,429) (399,155)
Construction work in progress....................... 33,675 20,758
Acquisition adjustment, net......................... 6,729 7,160
Gas plant held for future use....................... 209 --
---------- ----------
Net gas utility property.................. $1,035,916 $ 954,488
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Depreciation expense on gas utility property was $56.5 million, $54 million
and $51.3 million during the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992,
respectively.
Leases and Rentals. The Company leases a portion of its corporate
headquarters office complex in Las Vegas and the LNG facilities on its northern
Nevada system. The leases provide for initial terms which expire in 1997 and
2003, respectively, with optional renewal terms available at the expiration
dates. The rental payments are $3.1 million annually, and $7.7 million in the
aggregate over the remaining initial term for the Las Vegas facility, and $6.7
million annually and $56.6 million in the aggregate for the LNG facilities.
Rentals included in operating expenses with respect to these leases
amounted to $9.8 million in each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1994. Both of these leases are accounted for as operating leases and are
treated as such for regulatory purposes. Other operating leases of the Company
are immaterial individually and in the aggregate.
The Bank leases certain of its facilities under noncancelable operating
lease agreements. The more significant of these leases expire between 1995 and
2029 and provide for renewals subject to certain escalation clauses. Net rental
expense for the Bank was $2.7 million in 1994, $3.1 million in 1993 and $3
million in 1992.
The following is a schedule of net future minimum rental payments for the
Bank under various operating lease agreements that have initial or remaining
noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 1994
(thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL TOTAL NET
MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM
LEASE SUBLEASE LEASE
PAYMENTS RECEIPTS PAYMENTS
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ending December 31:
1995.............................................. $ 5,026 $ 2,664 $ 2,362
1996.............................................. 4,988 2,580 2,408
1997.............................................. 4,950 2,213 2,737
1998.............................................. 4,602 1,926 2,676
1999.............................................. 3,969 1,613 2,356
Thereafter........................................ 46,608 2,275 44,333
------- ------- -------
$70,143 $13,271 $56,872
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
69
<PAGE> 73
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 7 -- DEPOSITS
Deposits are summarized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1993
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Interest-bearing demand and money market deposits... $ 313,949 $ 324,011
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits................. 69,294 64,797
Savings deposits.................................... 78,876 86,781
---------- ----------
Total transaction accounts................ 462,119 475,589
---------- ----------
Certificates of deposit:
<$100,000........................................ 608,872 580,018
>=$100,000........................................ 168,958 152,245
---------- ----------
Total certificates of deposit............. 777,830 732,263
---------- ----------
$1,239,949 $1,207,852
========== ==========
Average annual interest rate at year-end............ 3.97% 3.56%
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The above balance includes $5.8 million deposited by the State of Nevada
that is collateralized by real estate loans and debt securities with a fair
value of approximately $8.5 million at December 31, 1994. There were no brokered
deposits at December 31, 1994 or December 31, 1993.
Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, is summarized
as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest-bearing demand and money market
deposits.................................... $ 8,740 $ 8,578 $ 8,915
Savings deposits.............................. 2,135 2,364 1,779
Certificates of deposit....................... 33,241 46,701 75,280
------- ------- -------
Total deposit interest expense...... $44,116 $57,643 $85,974
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Certificates of deposit maturity schedule (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CERTIFICATES MATURING ON OR PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST RATE CATEGORY 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 THEREAFTER
---------------------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2.99% and lower............... $ 3,793 $ 88 $ 14 $ 13 $ 8 $ 9
3.00% to 3.99%................ 298,360 7,253 93 -- -- 27
4.00% to 4.99%................ 171,177 23,046 9,141 2,140 5 --
5.00% to 5.99%................ 14,679 22,828 16,086 19,897 10,182 13,498
6.00% to 6.99%................ 909 2,698 39,614 360 19,641 11,484
7.00% to 7.99%................ 2,398 34,484 5,756 14 15,163 203
8.00% to 8.99%................ 32,069 79 -- -- -- 136
9.00% and over................ 53 -- 33 399 -- --
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
$523,438 $90,476 $70,737 $22,823 $44,999 $25,357
======== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
70
<PAGE> 74
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 8 -- CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, and
include the following (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1994 1993
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Securities purchased under resale agreements............. $77,657 $55,102
Federal funds sold....................................... 11,003 8,401
------- -------
$88,660 $63,503
======= =======
</TABLE>
Securities purchased under resale agreements at December 31, 1994 and at
December 31, 1993 matured within 11 days and 24 days, respectively, and called
for delivery of the same securities. The collateral for these agreements
consisted of debt securities which at December 31, 1994 and 1993 were held on
the Bank's behalf by its safekeeping agents and safekeeping agents for various
broker/dealers. The securities purchased under resale agreements represented 47
percent of the Bank's stockholder's equity at December 31, 1994 and 31 percent
at December 31, 1993.
The average amount of securities purchased under resale agreements
outstanding during the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 were $36.2 million
and $26.6 million, respectively. The maximum amount of resale agreements
outstanding at any month end was $77.7 million during 1994 and $60 million
during 1993.
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
The Bank sells securities under agreements to repurchase (reverse
repurchase agreements). Reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings
and are reflected as liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position. Reverse repurchase agreements are summarized as follows
(thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at year end.................................... $281,935 $259,041
Accrued interest payable at year end................... 3,335 3,871
Daily average amount outstanding during year........... 222,620 305,123
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end............ 281,935 367,859
Weighted average interest rate during the year......... 4.95% 4.30%
Weighted average interest rate on year-end balances.... 6.37% 4.31%
</TABLE>
All agreements are collateralized by MBS and U.S. Treasury notes and
require the Bank to repurchase identical securities as those which were sold.
The MBS collateralizing the agreements are reflected as assets with a carrying
value of $17 million in excess of borrowing amount and a weighted average
maturity of 1.35 years. Agreements were transacted with the following dealers:
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.; Lehman Brothers; and Bear Stearns. Reverse
repurchase agreements are collateralized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1994 1993
--------------------- ---------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MBS............................. $258,477 $258,477 $280,928 $280,928
U.S. Treasury notes............. 40,428 40,191 -- --
-------- -------- -------- --------
$298,905 $298,668 $280,928 $280,928
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
71
<PAGE> 75
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 8 -- CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE
AGREEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 1994, borrowings of $144 million were in accordance with a
long-term agreement executed with Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated (primary
dealer). The agreement, which allows for a maximum borrowing of $300 million
with no minimum, matures in July 1997. The interest rate on the borrowings is
adjusted monthly based upon a spread over or under the one month London
Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR), dependent upon the underlying collateral.
The Bank is also party to two separate flexible reverse repurchase
agreements (flex repos) totaling $19.7 million at December 31, 1994. A flex repo
represents a long-term fixed-rate contract to borrow funds through the primary
dealer, collateralized by MBS with a flexible repayment schedule. The principal
balance of the Bank's flex repo agreements will decline over the stated maturity
period based upon the counterparty's need for the funds.
Principal payments on flex repos at December 31, 1994 are projected as
follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FLEX FLEX
PROJECTED REPAYMENT REPO-1 REPO-2
------------------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
12 months............................................ $ 500 $ 15,222
24 months............................................ 3,939 --
--------- ---------
$ 4,439 $ 15,222
======== =========
Maturity date........................................ July 1996 June 1995
Interest rate........................................ 8.86% 8.65%
======== =========
</TABLE>
Actual principal payments may differ from those shown above due to the
actual timing of the funding being faster or slower than originally projected.
NOTE 9 -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings. The Company has been named as defendant in various legal
proceedings. The ultimate dispositions of these proceedings are not presently
determinable; however, it is the opinion of management that no litigation to
which the Company is subject will have a material adverse impact on its
financial position or results of operations.
NOTE 10 -- SHORT-TERM DEBT
The Company has an agreement with several banks for committed credit lines
which aggregate $150 million at December 31, 1994. The agreement provides for
the payment of interest at competitive market rates. The lines of credit also
require the payment of a facility fee based on the long-term debt rating of the
Company. The committed credit lines have no compensating balance requirements
and expire in July 1995. Short-term borrowings at December 31, 1994 and 1993
were $92 million and $86 million, respectively. The weighted average interest
rates on these borrowings were 6.36 percent and 3.80 percent.
72
<PAGE> 76
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 11 -- LONG-TERM DEBT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1994 1994 1993 1993
CARRYING MARKET CARRYING MARKET
AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
-------- -------- -------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Southwest Gas Corporation
Debentures--
9% Series A, due 2011.................... $ 27,557 $ 26,386 $ 27,688 $ 28,795
9% Series B, due 2011.................... 31,913 30,557 31,944 33,222
8 3/4% Series C, due 2011................ 19,261 18,587 19,699 20,487
9 3/8% Series D, due 2017................ 120,000 118,650 120,000 126,826
10% Series E, due 2013................... 23,079 23,541 23,127 24,283
9 3/4% Series F, due 2002................ 100,000 102,897 100,000 116,596
Unamortized discount..................... (6,723) -- (7,220) --
-------- -------- -------- --------
315,087 320,618 315,238 350,209
-------- -------- -------- --------
Term loan facilities and other debt......... 200,000 165,000
-------- --------
Industrial development revenue bonds--
Variable rate bonds
Series due 2028........................ 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000
Less funds held in trust............... (38,510) -- (44,055) --
-------- --------
11,490 5,945
-------- --------
Fixed-rate bonds
7.30% 1992 Series A, due 2027.......... 30,000 30,338 30,000 33,450
7.50% 1992 Series B, due 2032.......... 100,000 102,550 100,000 112,000
6.50% 1993 Series A, due 2033.......... 75,000 71,807 75,000 79,500
Unamortized discount................... (3,865) -- (3,969) --
Less funds held in trust............... (44,449) -- (73,614) --
-------- --------
156,686 127,417
-------- --------
683,263 613,600
-------- --------
PriMerit Bank
Advances from FHLB....................... 99,400 97,565 71,000 71,281
Notes payable............................ 8,135 8,174 8,265 8,647
-------- --------
107,535 79,265
-------- --------
$790,798 $692,865
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company had two term loan facilities totaling $165 million as of
December 31, 1994. The first term loan facility was a Restated and Amended
Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) dated April 1990 in the amount of $125
million. During 1994 and 1993, the average cost of this facility was 4.99
percent and 3.89 percent, respectively. The second term loan was a $40 million
Bridge Term Loan Facility (Bridge Loan) which was used to refinance the $40
million Amended and Restated Domestic Credit Agreement in August 1994. During
1994, the average interest rate for the Bridge Loan and the Amended and Restated
Domestic Credit Agreement was 5.26 percent.
In January 1995, the Company closed a new $200 million term-loan facility
with a group of banks. This new facility was utilized to refinance the existing
$125 million Credit Agreement and the $40 million Bridge Loan which were to
mature in April 1995. In addition to refinancing $165 million of term loans, $35
million of
73
<PAGE> 77
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 11 -- LONG-TERM DEBT -- (CONTINUED)
short-term notes payable were refinanced with the proceeds from this new
facility, and are classified as long-term debt at December 31, 1994. The $200
million facility provides for a revolving period through January 1998 at which
time any amounts borrowed under the agreement become payable on demand. Direct
borrowing options provide for the payment of interest at either the prime rate,
LIBOR, or certificate of deposit rate plus a margin based on the Company's
credit rating. In addition to direct borrowing options, a letter of credit is
available to provide credit support for the issuance of commercial paper.
In December 1993, the Company borrowed $75 million in Clark County, Nevada,
tax-exempt IDRB. The IDRB have an annual coupon rate of 6.50 percent, are
noncallable for 10 years and have a final maturity in December 2033. The
proceeds from the sale of the IDRB will be used to finance certain additions and
improvements to the Company's natural gas distribution and transmission system
in Clark County, Nevada.
In December 1993, the City of Big Bear Lake, California sold $50 million of
tax-exempt IDRB which are secured as to the payment of principal and interest by
the Company. The net proceeds from these sales were placed with a trustee and
will be drawn down as required to finance certain additions and improvements to
the Company's natural gas distribution and transmission system in San Bernardino
County, California. The interest rate on the bonds is established on a weekly
basis and averaged 3.85 percent during 1994 and 3.53 percent for December 1993.
At the option of the Company, the interest period can be converted from a weekly
rate to a daily term or variable term rate.
The fair value of the term loan facilities approximates carrying value.
Market values for debentures and fixed-rate bonds of the Company, excluding the
Bank, were determined based on dealer quotes using trading records for December
31, 1994 and 1993, as applicable, and other secondary sources which are
customarily consulted for data of this kind. The carrying value of the IDRB
Series due 2028 was used as the estimate of fair value based upon the variable
interest rate of the bonds.
Requirements to retire long-term debt, excluding those of the Bank, at
December 31, 1994 for the next five years are expected to be $5 million, $5
million, $5 million, $211 million and $11 million, respectively.
Principal payments on Bank borrowings at December 31, 1994 are due as
follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADVANCES
FROM NOTES
MATURITY INTEREST RATE FHLB PAYABLE
-------- ------------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12 months................................ 4.30% - 8.20% $50,000 $ 140
24 months................................ 4.40% - 8.50% 10,000 7,995
36 months................................ 8.23% 6,000 --
48 months................................ 5.01% 5,000 --
60 months................................ 8.23% 25,000 --
84 months................................ 7.52% 3,400 --
------- ------
$99,400 $8,135
======= ======
</TABLE>
Coupon interest rates on Bank borrowings are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1994 1993
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Advances from FHLB........................... 4.30% - 8.23% 4.30% - 8.23%
Notes payable................................ 8.20% - 8.50% 8.00% - 8.50%
</TABLE>
The effective rate of the advances from the FHLB at December 31, 1994 was
5.68 percent.
74
<PAGE> 78
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 11 -- LONG-TERM DEBT -- (CONTINUED)
In 1994, the FHLB established a Financing Availability for the Bank which
is currently 25 percent of the Bank's assets with terms up to 360 months. All
borrowings from the FHLB must be collateralized by mortgages or securities. The
Bank also has the capability of borrowing up to $5 million in federal funds from
Bank of America. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, there were no outstanding draws
from this line of credit which expires in August 1995.
Bank borrowings are collateralized as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1994 1993
--------------------- --------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
-------- -------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MBS...................................... $ 13,971 $ 13,971 $ 14,797 $14,797
Real estate loans........................ 140,000 99,400 98,860 71,000
-------- -------- -------- -------
$153,971 $113,371 $113,657 $85,797
======== ======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
NOTE 12 -- PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCKS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE
PREFERRED SECOND PREFERENCE STOCK
STOCK ---------------------------
9.5% FIRST SECOND THIRD
SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
---------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NUMBER OF SHARES (In thousands):
Balance, December 31, 1991.................... 64 20 44 98
Redemptions................................... (8) (10) (22) (33)
------ ------- ------- -------
Balance, December 31, 1992.................... 56 10 22 65
Redemptions................................... (8) (10) (22) (33)
------ ------- ------- -------
Balance, December 31, 1993.................... 48 -- -- 32
Redemptions................................... (8) -- -- (32)
------ ------- ------- -------
Balance, December 31, 1994.................... 40 -- -- --
====== ======= ======= =======
AMOUNT (In thousands):
Balance, December 31, 1991.................... $6,400 $ 2,000 $ 4,400 $ 9,774
Redemptions................................... (800) (1,000) (2,200) (3,258)
------ ------- ------- -------
Balance, December 31, 1992.................... 5,600 1,000 2,200 6,516
Redemptions................................... (800) (1,000) (2,200) (3,258)
------ ------- ------- -------
Balance, December 31, 1993.................... 4,800 -- -- 3,258
Redemptions................................... (800) -- -- (3,258)
------ ------- ------- -------
Balance, December 31, 1994.................... $4,000 $ -- $ -- $ --
====== ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The Company is authorized to issue up to 500,000 shares each of its
Cumulative Preferred and Second Preference Stock, respectively. The Company is
required to redeem 8,000 shares, or $800,000 annually, through 1999, of the $100
Cumulative Preferred Stock, 9.5 Percent Series. All outstanding Cumulative
Preferred shares are redeemable at the option of the Company at any time upon 30
days notice at par plus accrued dividends and a percentage premium equal to the
dividend rate in the first year commencing December 1979, and declining ratably
each year thereafter to par value in 1999.
The estimated fair value of the Company's Cumulative Preferred Stock at
December 31, 1994 and 1993 was $4 million and $5 million, respectively. These
figures were based on a yield-to-maturity of 9.05 percent
75
<PAGE> 79
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 12 -- PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCKS -- (CONTINUED)
and 8.14 percent, respectively, and a required redemption of 8,000 shares per
year. Since this issue is not traded, yield-to-maturity was estimated based on
the weighted average yield-to-maturity of the Company's outstanding debentures,
adjusted for historical spreads between Moody's Baa rated utility debt and Baa
utility preferred stock issues.
During 1994, the Company redeemed, as required, the remaining shares of its
Second Preference Stock, Third Series. The dividend rate on Second Preference
Stock was cumulative and varied from 3 to 16 percent, based on a formula tied to
operating results with respect to the gas distribution system purchased from
Arizona Public Service Company. During each of the last three years, the
dividend rate was three percent.
The Articles of Incorporation provide that in the event of involuntary
liquidation, before distributions may be made to holders of any other class of
stock, holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock are entitled to payment at par
value, together with any accumulated and unpaid dividends.
NOTE 13 -- EMPLOYEE POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company has a qualified retirement plan covering the employees of its
natural gas operations segment. The plan is noncontributory with defined
benefits, and covers substantially all employees. It is the Company's policy to
fund the plan at not less than the minimum required contribution nor more than
the tax deductible limit. Plan assets are held in a master trust whose
investments consist of common stock, corporate bonds, government obligations,
real estate, an insurance company contract and cash or cash equivalents.
The plan covering the natural gas operations provides that an employee may
earn benefits for a period of up to 30 years and will be vested after 5 years of
service. Retirement plan costs were $7.8 million, $6.6 million, and $6.1 million
for each of the three years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992,
respectively.
The following table sets forth, for the gas segment, the plan's funded
status and amounts recognized on the Company's consolidated statements of
financial position and statements of income. The Bank has a separate retirement
plan whose cost and liability are not significant.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1994 1993
--------- ---------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Accumulated benefit obligation, including vested
benefits of $(86,800) and $(90,267),
respectively....................................... $ (93,225) $ (98,926)
========= =========
Projected benefit obligation for service rendered to
date............................................... $(136,157) $(141,694)
Market value of plan assets.......................... 130,497 126,433
--------- ---------
Projected benefit obligation in excess of assets..... (5,660) (15,261)
Unrecognized net transition obligation being
amortized through 2004............................. 7,489 8,326
Unrecognized net loss (gain)......................... (2,010) 6,389
Unrecognized prior service cost...................... 523 903
--------- ---------
Prepaid retirement plan asset included in the
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position...... $ 342 $ 357
========= =========
Assumptions used to develop pension obligations were:
Discount rate...................................... 8.25% 7.25%
Long-term rate of return on assets................. 8.75% 8.75%
Rate of increase in compensation levels............ 5.50% 4.75%
</TABLE>
76
<PAGE> 80
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 13 -- EMPLOYEE POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
-------- ------- -------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net retirement plan costs include the
following components:
Service cost............................... $ 7,805 $ 6,339 $ 5,111
Interest cost.............................. 10,164 9,213 8,585
Actual return on plan assets............... 254 (8,853) (6,406)
Net amortization and deferrals............. (10,440) (67) (1,174)
-------- ------- -------
Net periodic retirement plan cost............ $ 7,783 $ 6,632 $ 6,116
======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
In addition to the basic retirement plans, the Company has separate
unfunded supplemental retirement plans for its natural gas operations and
financial services segments, which are limited to certain officers. The gas
segment's plan is noncontributory with defined benefits. Senior officers who
retire with ten years or more of service with the Company are eligible to
receive benefits. Other officers who retire with 20 years or more of service
with the Company are eligible to receive benefits. Plan costs were $2 million,
$1.5 million and $1.5 million for each of the three years ended December 31,
1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation of the
plan was $13.3 million, including vested benefits of $12.4 million, at December
31, 1994. The cost and liability of the financial services supplemental
retirement plan are not significant. The Company also has an unfunded retirement
plan for directors not covered by the employee retirement plan. The cost and
liability for this plan are not significant.
The Company has a deferred compensation plan for all officers and members
of the Board. The plan provides the opportunity to defer from a minimum of
$2,000 up to 50 percent of annual compensation. The Company matches one-half of
amounts deferred up to six percent of an officer's annual salary. Payments of
compensation deferred, plus interest, commence upon the participant's retirement
in equal monthly installments over 10, 15 or 20 years, as determined by the
Company. Deferred compensation earns interest at a rate determined each January.
The interest rate represents 150 percent of Moody's Seasoned Corporate Bond
Index.
The Employees' Investment Plan (401k) provides for purchases of the
Company's common stock or certain other investments by eligible gas segment
employees through deductions of up to 16 percent of base compensation, subject
to IRS limitations. The Company matches one-half of amounts deferred up to six
percent of an employee's annual compensation. The cost of the plan was $2.6
million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million for each of the three years ended
December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. The Bank has a separate 401k
plan which provides for purchases of certain securities by eligible employees
through deductions of up to 15 percent of base compensation, subject to IRS
limitations. The Bank matches 100 percent of amounts deferred up to six percent
of employee base compensation. The cost of this plan is not significant.
At December 31, 1994, 464,050 common shares were reserved for issuance
under provisions of the Employee Investment Plan and the Company's Dividend
Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.
The Company provides postretirement benefits other than pensions (PBOP) to
its qualified gas segment retirees for health care, dental and life insurance.
The Bank does not provide PBOP to its retirees. In December 1990, the FASB
issued SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other
Than Pensions." The statement requires the Company to account for PBOP on an
accrual basis rather than reporting these benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The
Company adopted SFAS No. 106 in January 1993. The PSCN, CPUC and FERC have
approved the use of SFAS No. 106 for ratemaking purposes, subject to certain
77
<PAGE> 81
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 13 -- EMPLOYEE POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS -- (CONTINUED)
conditions, including funding. The Company did not receive approval to recover
PBOP costs on an accrual basis in its Arizona rate jurisdictions, but was
authorized to continue to recover the pay-as-you-go costs for ratemaking
purposes. The Company began funding the non-Arizona portion of the PBOP
liability in 1994. Plan assets are combined with the pension plan assets in the
master trust.
The following table sets forth, for the gas segment, the PBOP funded status
and amounts recognized on the Company's consolidated statements of financial
position and statements of income.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation (APBO)
Retirees............................. $(13,348) $(14,035)
Fully eligible actives............... (1,639) (1,649)
Other active participants............ (4,524) (5,164)
-------- --------
Total........................ (19,511) (20,848)
Market value of plan assets............ 697 --
-------- --------
APBO in excess of plan assets.......... (18,814) (20,848)
Unrecognized transition obligation..... 15,605 16,472
Unrecognized prior service cost........ -- --
Unrecognized loss...................... 175 2,659
-------- --------
Accrued postretirement benefit
liability............................ $ (3,034) $ (1,717)
======== ========
Assumptions used to develop
postretirement benefit obligations
were:
Discount rate........................ 8.25% 7.25%
Medical inflation.................... 10% graded to 5% 11% graded to 5%
Salary increases..................... 5.50% 4.75%
Net periodic postretirement benefit
costs include the following
components:
Service cost......................... $ 473 $ 346
Interest cost........................ 1,472 1,394
Actual return on plan assets......... -- --
Net amortization and deferrals....... 911 867
-------- --------
Net periodic postretirement benefit
cost................................. $ 2,856 $ 2,607
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company makes fixed contributions, based on age and years of service,
to retiree spending accounts for the medical and dental costs of employees who
retire after 1988. The Company pays up to 100 percent of the medical coverage
costs for employees who retired prior to 1989. The medical inflation assumption
in the table above applies to the benefit obligations for pre-1989 retirees
only. This inflation assumption was estimated at ten percent in 1995 and
decreases one percent per year until 1997 and one-half of one percent per year
until 2003, at which time the annual increase is projected to be five percent. A
one percent increase in these assumptions would change the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $1 million and $1.1 million
for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The 1995 and 1994
annual benefit cost would increase $90,000 and $160,000, respectively.
78
<PAGE> 82
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 14 -- INCOME TAXES
The Company adopted SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," in January
1993. That statement requires the use of the asset and liability approach for
financial reporting of income taxes. As permitted under SFAS No. 109, the prior
year's (1992) financial statements were not restated. The cumulative effect of
this change in accounting method was an increase in net income of $3 million,
which was reported in the year of adoption.
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following (thousands of
dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal............................................. $19,100 $ (402) $13,879
State............................................... 2,110 700 1,982
------- ------- -------
21,210 298 15,861
------- ------- -------
Deferred:
Federal............................................. (3,444) 10,128 (1,350)
State............................................... (44) 833 (38)
------- ------- -------
(3,488) 10,961 (1,388)
------- ------- -------
Total income tax expense.................... $17,722 $11,259 $14,473
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following significant
components (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Deferred federal and state:
Real estate/loan loss provisions.................... $ 345 $11,912 $(5,667)
Property-related items.............................. 2,021 552 393
Energy cost adjustments............................. (5,531) 3,804 (132)
Loan fees and discounted interest................... 976 425 (1,030)
Unearned revenues................................... -- (865) --
Self insurance...................................... 1,161 (691) 444
CMO................................................. 473 827 (544)
Customer refunds.................................... -- -- 5,275
All other deferred.................................. (2,057) (4,154) 706
------- ------- -------
Total deferred federal and state............ (2,612) 11,810 (555)
------- ------- -------
Deferred investment tax credit, net................... (876) (849) (833)
------- ------- -------
Total deferred income tax expense
(benefit)................................. $(3,488) $10,961 $(1,388)
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
79
<PAGE> 83
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 14 -- INCOME TAXES -- (CONTINUED)
The consolidated effective income tax rate for the period ended December
31, 1994 and the two prior periods differs from the federal statutory income tax
rate. The sources of these differences and the effect of each are summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal statutory income tax rate.......................... 35.0% 35.0% 34.0%
Net state tax liability.................................. 2.7 3.9 5.8
Property-related items................................... 1.8 4.8 4.0
Bad debt deduction....................................... -- -- (7.7)
Purchase accounting adjustments.......................... -- -- (0.3)
Goodwill amortization.................................... 3.1 14.6 4.4
Provision for estimated loan loss........................ -- -- 14.9
Tax credits.............................................. (2.0) (3.6) (2.7)
Tax exempt interest...................................... -- (0.7) (0.3)
Effect of Internal Revenue Service examination........... -- (4.8) --
All other differences.................................... (0.3) (1.5) (7.1)
---- ---- ----
Consolidated effective income tax rate..................... 40.3% 47.7% 45.0%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (thousands of
dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred income taxes for future amortization of
ITC............................................... $ 13,784 $ 14,312
Allowance for estimated loan losses.................. 6,198 5,785
Real estate held for sale............................ 5,267 4,865
Employee benefits.................................... 2,813 3,699
Securities available for sale........................ 5,098 --
Other................................................ 8,561 5,974
Valuation allowance.................................. -- --
-------- --------
41,721 34,635
-------- --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property-related items, including accelerated
depreciation...................................... 96,089 90,652
Property-related items previously flowed-through..... 28,775 31,083
Unamortized ITC...................................... 20,741 22,992
Regulatory balancing accounts........................ 9,048 20,218
Securities available for sale........................ -- 4,717
Loan fees............................................ 5,188 2,933
Debt-related costs................................... 4,941 4,396
Other................................................ 10,470 9,202
-------- --------
175,252 186,193
-------- --------
Net deferred tax liabilities........................... $133,531 $151,558
======== ========
</TABLE>
80
<PAGE> 84
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 14 -- INCOME TAXES -- (CONTINUED)
Prior to 1981, federal income tax expense for the gas segment was reduced
to reflect additional depreciation and other deductions claimed for income tax
purposes (flow-through method). Subsequently, deferred taxes have been provided
for all differences between book and taxable income (normalization method) in
all jurisdictions. The various utility regulatory authorities have consistently
allowed the recovery of previously flowed-through income tax benefits on
property related items by means of increased federal income tax expense in
determining cost of service for ratemaking purposes. Pursuant to SFAS No. 109, a
deferred tax liability and corresponding regulatory asset of approximately $28.8
million are included in the financial statements at December 31, 1994 to reflect
the expected recovery of income tax benefits previously flowed-through.
For regulatory and financial reporting purposes, the Company has deferred
recognition of investment tax credits (ITC) by amortizing the benefit over the
depreciable lives of the related properties. Pursuant to SFAS No. 109, a
deferred tax asset and corresponding regulatory liability of approximately $13.8
million are included in the financial statements at December 31, 1994 to reflect
the Company's expected reduction to future income tax expense that will result
from the amortization of ITC through utility rates.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Bank is allowed a special bad debt
deduction (unrelated to the amount of losses charged to earnings) based on a
percentage of taxable income (currently eight percent). Under SFAS No. 109, no
deferred taxes are provided on bad debt reserves arising prior to December 31,
1987, unless it becomes apparent that these differences will reverse in the
foreseeable future. At December 31, 1994, the portion of tax bad debt reserves
not expected to reverse is $14.3 million, which results in a retained earnings
benefit of $5 million, recognized in years prior to 1988.
81
<PAGE> 85
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 15 -- SEGMENT INFORMATION
The financial information pertaining to the Company's gas and financial
services segments for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1994, is as follows (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994
----------------------------------------
GAS FINANCIAL
OPERATIONS SERVICES TOTAL
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues....................................... $ 599,553 $ 128,616 $ 728,169
Operating expenses excluding income taxes...... 510,863 114,552 625,415
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income............................... $ 88,690 $ 14,064 $ 102,754
========== ========== ==========
Depreciation, depletion and amortization....... $ 57,284 $ 7,779 $ 65,063
========== ========== ==========
Construction expenditures...................... $ 141,390 $ 3,252 $ 144,642
========== ========== ==========
Identifiable assets............................ $1,277,727 $1,816,321 $3,094,048*
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1993
----------------------------------------
GAS FINANCIAL
OPERATIONS SERVICES TOTAL
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues....................................... $ 539,105 $ 150,736 $ 689,841
Operating expenses excluding income taxes...... 461,423 140,840 602,263
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income............................... $ 77,682 $ 9,896 $ 87,578
========== ========== ==========
Depreciation, depletion and amortization....... $ 55,088 $ 8,495 $ 63,583
========== ========== ==========
Construction expenditures...................... $ 113,903 $ 1,521 $ 115,424
========== ========== ==========
Identifiable assets............................ $1,194,679 $1,751,419 $2,946,098*
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1992
----------------------------------------
GAS FINANCIAL
OPERATIONS SERVICES TOTAL
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues....................................... $ 534,390 $ 184,093 $ 718,483
Operating expenses excluding income taxes...... 448,815 193,820 642,635
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income (loss)........................ $ 85,575 $ (9,727) $ 75,848
========== ========== ==========
Depreciation, depletion and amortization....... $ 52,277 $ 8,391 $ 60,668
========== ========== ==========
Construction expenditures...................... $ 102,517 $ 3,078 $ 105,595
========== ========== ==========
Identifiable assets............................ $1,103,794 $2,237,734 $3,341,528
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Combined assets of the business segments do not equal consolidated assets as
certain reclassifications were made during consolidation.
82
<PAGE> 86
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 16 -- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER ENDED:
------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
-------- -------- ------------ -----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1994
Operating revenues........................ $239,155 $140,177 $124,295 $224,542
Operating income (loss)................... 51,454 (327) (4,699) 56,326
Net income (loss)......................... 22,710 (9,781) (11,165) 24,537
Net income (loss) applicable to common
stock................................... 22,571 (9,919) (11,303) 24,442
Earnings (loss) per common share*......... 1.07 (.47) (.54) 1.15
1993
Operating revenues........................ $220,561 $137,971 $126,244 $205,065
Operating income (loss)................... 35,937 (5,401) (257) 57,299
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect
of accounting change.................... 14,081 (13,072) (7,344) 18,696
Net income (loss)......................... 17,126 (13,072) (7,344) 18,696
Net income (loss) applicable to common
stock................................... 16,920 (13,275) (7,538) 18,558
Earnings (loss) per share before
cumulative effect of accounting
change.................................. .67 (.64) (.37) .90
Earnings (loss) per common share*......... .82 (.64) (.37) .90
1992
Operating revenues........................ $240,646 $144,291 $125,229 $208,317
Operating income (loss)................... 36,868 (5,107) (5,628) 49,715
Net income (loss)......................... 14,808 (10,447) (11,395) 24,695
Net income (loss) applicable to common
stock................................... 14,535 (10,718) (11,656) 24,449
Earnings (loss) per common share*......... .71 (.52) (.57) 1.19
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* The sum of quarterly earnings (loss) per average common share may not equal
the annual earnings (loss) per share due to the ongoing change in the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding.
The demand for natural gas is seasonal, and it is management's opinion that
comparisons of earnings for the interim periods do not reliably reflect overall
trends and changes in the Company's operations. Also, the timing of general rate
relief can have a significant impact on earnings for interim periods. See MD&A
for additional discussion of the Company's operating results.
83
<PAGE> 87
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 16 -- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
BANK QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER ENDED:
-----------------------------------------------
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
-------- ------- ------------ -----------
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1994
Interest income............................. $28,045 $29,124 $29,894 $31,371
Interest expense............................ 14,049 14,200 14,867 16,674
Provision for estimated losses.............. 1,848 1,908 1,498 2,139
Net income.................................. 2,189 2,176 1,977 1,331
1993
Interest income............................. $35,997 $34,976 $31,881 $29,471
Interest expense............................ 22,240 20,906 17,267 14,663
Provision for estimated losses.............. 1,361 1,397 2,782 1,682
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect
of accounting change...................... 609 (4,717) 5,341 2,318
Net income (loss)........................... 3,654 (4,717) 5,341 2,318
1992
Interest income............................. $47,552 $44,910 $37,818 $35,398
Interest expense............................ 33,041 30,933 25,315 22,628
Provision for estimated losses.............. 14,277 8,625 5,240 4,296
Net income (loss)........................... (4,897) (3,890) (1,557) 526
</TABLE>
NOTE 17 -- INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
The Bank is exposed to interest rate risk (IRR) resulting from (a) timing
differences in the maturity and/or repricing of the Bank's assets, liabilities,
and off-balance sheet contracts; (b) the exercise of options embedded in the
Bank's financial instruments and accounts, such as prepayments of loans before
scheduled maturity, caps on the amounts of interest rate movement permitted for
adjustable-rate loans, and withdrawals of funds on deposit with and without
stated terms to maturity; and (c) differences in the behavior of lending and
funding rates, referred to as basis risk. The role of the Bank's asset/liability
management function is to prevent the erosion of the Bank's earnings and equity
capital due to interest rate fluctuations. Changes in the Bank's IRR exposure
affect the current market values of the Bank's loan, debt securities, deposit
and borrowing portfolios, as well as the Bank's future earnings. The level of
IRR exposure can also adversely affect the Bank's regulatory capital.
The Bank's Board of Directors (BOD) has established certain guidelines to
manage the exposure of the Bank's net interest income, net income, and net
portfolio value (NPV) to interest rate fluctuations. NPV represents a
theoretical estimate of the market value of the Bank's stockholder's equity,
calculated as the net present value of expected cash flows from financial assets
and liabilities, plus the book values of all non-financial assets and
liabilities. The guidelines include limits on overall IRR exposure, methods of
accountability and specific reports to be provided to the BOD by management for
periodic review, and established acceptable activities and instruments to manage
IRR.
The Bank maintains an IRR simulation model which enables the Bank to
measure IRR exposure using various assumptions and interest rate scenarios, and
to incorporate alternative strategies for the reduction of IRR exposure. The
Bank measures its IRR using several methods to provide a comprehensive view of
its IRR from various perspectives. These methods include projection of current
NPV and future periods' net interest
84
<PAGE> 88
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 17 -- INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT -- (CONTINUED)
income after rapid and sustained interest rate movements, static analysis of
repricing and maturity mismatches, or gaps, between assets and liabilities, and
analysis of the size and sources of basis risk.
Using the Bank's IRR simulation model, the following table presents
management's estimate of the Bank's NPV after a hypothetical, instantaneous 200
basis points (bp) change in the market interest rates at December 31, 1994 and
1993 (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHANGE IN ESTIMATED NPV ESTIMATED NPV
INTEREST RATES DECEMBER 31, 1994 DECEMBER 31, 1993
- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
+200 bp $ 102,192 $ 113,128
0 $ 143,020 $ 132,827
-200 bp $ 155,585 $ 123,742
</TABLE>
As shown above, the Bank's estimated NPV increased from December 31, 1993
to December 31, 1994 by $10.2 million and $31.8 million under assumed changes in
market interest rates of zero bp and -200 bp, respectively. Over the same
period, however, the Bank's estimated NPV declined by $10.9 million under an
assumed change in market rates of +200 bp.
During 1994, market interest rates generally increased. Although the Bank's
estimated NPV had been expected to decline in a rising rate environment in IRR
simulations run as of December 31, 1993, the opposite actually occurred as a
result of actions taken by management. During 1994, the intangible value of the
Bank's core deposits increased as the Bank was able to lag increases in the
interest rates it pays on such deposits relative to increases in market interest
rates. During 1994, management also acted to acquire long-term deposits and
borrowings at historically low interest rates, and implemented several
off-balance sheet hedges to effectively convert certain fixed-rate loans to
adjustable-rate loans. These actions had a net effect of outweighing other
declines in the estimated market values of the Bank's assets, resulting in a net
increase in the Bank's estimated NPV as of December 31, 1994. These actions also
benefited the Bank's net interest margin and resulted in an increase in the net
yield of the Bank's interest-earning assets from 3.15 percent in 1993 to 3.69
percent in 1994.
Management also measures the Bank's IRR using static gap analysis to
further identify sources of IRR and its potential impact on net interest income.
Static gap analysis measures the difference between financial assets and
financial liabilities scheduled and expected to mature or reprice within a
specified time period. The gap for that period is positive when repricing and
maturing assets exceed repricing and maturing liabilities. The gap for that
period is negative when repricing and maturing liabilities exceed repricing and
maturing assets. A positive or negative cumulative gap indicates in a general
way how the Bank's net interest income should respond to interest rate
fluctuations. A positive cumulative gap for a period generally means that rising
interest rates would be reflected sooner in financial assets than in financial
costing liabilities, thereby increasing net interest income over that period. A
negative cumulative gap for a period would produce an increase in net interest
income over that period if interest rates declined.
At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Bank's cumulative one-year static gap
was $(145) million and $(39.4) million, respectively, or negative eight percent
and negative two percent of financial assets.
The financial instruments approved by the BOD to manage the Bank's IRR
exposure in its balance sheet include the Bank's debt security portfolio,
interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate collars, interest rate
futures, and put and call options. These financial instruments provide effective
methods of reducing the impact of changes in interest rates on the market values
of and earnings provided by the Bank's assets and liabilities. The Bank also
actively manages its retail and wholesale funding sources to minimize its cost
of funds and provide stable funding sources for its loan and investment
portfolios. Management's use of particular financial instruments is based on a
complete analysis of current IRR exposure and the projected effect of any
85
<PAGE> 89
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 17 -- INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT -- (CONTINUED)
proposed strategy. In addition, to manage the IRR exposure associated with the
Bank's held for sale loan portfolio, the Bank utilizes forward sale commitments.
At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Bank utilized interest rate swap
agreements as a hedge to convert permanent fixed-rate loans into adjustable-rate
loans. The agreements require the Bank to make fixed-rate payments and in turn,
the Bank receives floating interest payments based on the six month LIBOR.
The following table presents the notional amount of interest rate swaps
outstanding, unrealized gains and losses of the swaps, the weighted average
interest rates payable and receivable, and the remaining term (thousands of
dollars).
DECEMBER 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED RATE VARIABLE RATE NOTIONAL UNREALIZED UNREALIZED
MATURITY PAID RECEIVED AMOUNT GAIN LOSS
-------- ---------- ------------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 - 3 Years................ 6.70% 5.56% $21,400 $ 652 $
3 - 5 Years................ 7.22 5.66 26,150 833 --
5 - 10 Years............... 6.88 5.76 24,900 1,506 (5)
---- ---- ------- ------ ----
6.95% 5.66% $72,450 $2,991 $ (5)
==== ==== ======= ====== ====
</TABLE>
DECEMBER 31, 1993
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED RATE VARIABLE RATE NOTIONAL UNREALIZED UNREALIZED
MATURITY PAID RECEIVED AMOUNT GAIN LOSS
-------- ---------- ------------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
5 - 10 Years............... 5.45% 3.55% $7,500 $ 169 $ --
==== ==== ======= ====== ====
</TABLE>
The notional amount of interest rate swaps do not represent amounts
exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of the Bank's exposure
through its use of derivatives. The amounts exchanged are determined by
reference to the notional amounts and the interest rates.
The Bank is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance
by counterparties to financial instruments but does not expect any
counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. The Bank deals only with
highly rated broker/dealers. The current credit exposure of derivatives is
represented by the fair value of contracts with a positive fair value
(unrealized gain) at the reporting date.
During 1992, in conjunction with the restructuring of the Bank's balance
sheet and the sale of long-term fixed-rate assets, $300 million (notional
amount) of interest rate swaps hedging such assets were canceled at a cost of
$14.1 million, which is included as an expense in the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Income. In addition, $35 million (notional amount) of interest
rate swaps matured during 1992. No interest rate swaps matured or were
terminated during 1993 and 1994. The interest rate swap agreements at December
31, 1994 are collateralized with MBS with a fair value of $2.7 million. The net
expense on interest rate swaps of $485,000, $24,000 and $4.8 million in 1994,
1993 and 1992, respectively, are included in interest expense as a cost of
hedging activities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Bank is also exposed to IRR through the issuance of fixed-rate loan
commitments and builder loan commitments. Fixed-rate loan commitments represent
firm commitments to originate loans secured by real estate to specific borrowers
at a specified rate of interest. Builder commitments represent agreements to
home builders for the Bank to provide loans secured by real estate to
unspecified qualified customers of the builder at interest rates not to exceed
specified levels. Fixed-rate loan commitments generally expire in 30 to 60 days
and builder commitments generally expire within 6 to 12 months. The Bank
generally receives a fee for both of these types of commitments. Many of the
commitments are expected to expire without fully being drawn upon and therefore,
the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
86
<PAGE> 90
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 17 -- INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT -- (CONTINUED)
The Bank hedges IRR on fixed-rate loan commitments expected to be sold in
the secondary market and the inventory of loans held for sale through a
combination of commitments from permanent investors, optional delivery
commitments, and mandatory forward contracts. Outstanding firm commitments to
sell loans represent agreements to sell loans to a third party at a specified
price on a specified date. These commitments are used to hedge loans for sale
and to hedge outstanding commitments to originate loans. Outstanding master
commitments to sell loans represent agreements to sell a stated volume of loans
to a third party within a specified period of time without regard to price.
Master commitments are entered in order to ensure availability of a buyer for
loans meeting specified underwriting criteria and to maximize the sales price at
the time a firm commitment is executed. Related hedging gains and losses are
recognized at the time gains and losses are recognized on the related loans. See
Note 2 for commitments outstanding and their estimated fair value.
87
<PAGE> 91
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders,
Southwest Gas Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial
position of Southwest Gas Corporation (a California corporation, hereinafter
referred to as the Company) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993,
and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1994 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in notes 1, 13 and 14 of the notes to consolidated financial
statements, and as required by generally accepted accounting principles, the
Company changed its methods of accounting for investments in certain debt and
equity securities, postretirement benefits other than pensions and income taxes
in 1993.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
February 8, 1995
88
<PAGE> 92
ITEM 9. DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
(a) Identification of Directors. Information with respect to Directors is
set forth under the heading "Election of Directors" in the Company's
definitive Proxy Statement dated March 1995, which by this reference is
incorporated herein.
(b) Identification of Executive Officers. The name, age, position and
period position held during the last five years for each of the
Executive Officers of the Company are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD
POSITION
NAME AGE POSITION HELD
---- --- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Michael O. Maffie 47 President and Chief Executive Officer 1993-Present
President and Chief Operating Officer 1990-1993
Dan J. Cheever 39 President and Chief Executive Officer/PriMerit Bank 1992-Present
President and Chief Operating Officer/PriMerit Bank 1991-1992
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer/PriMerit Bank 1990-1991
George C. Biehl 47 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 1990-Present
James F. Lowman 48 Senior Vice President/Central Arizona Division 1990-Present
Dudley J. Sondeno 42 Senior Vice President/Staff Operations 1993-Present
Vice President/Engineering and Operations Support 1990-1993
L. Keith Stewart 54 Senior Vice President/Operations 1993-Present
Senior Vice President/Southern Arizona Division 1992-1993
Senior Vice President/Nevada-California Region 1990-1992
Thomas J. Trimble 63 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary 1990-Present
</TABLE>
(c) Identification of Certain Significant Employees.
None.
(d) Family Relationships. None of the Company's Directors or Executive
Officers are related to any other either by blood, marriage or
adoption.
(e) Business Experience. Information with respect to Directors is set forth
under the heading "Election of Directors" in the Company's definitive
Proxy Statement dated March 1995, which by this reference is
incorporated herein. All Executive Officers have held responsible
positions with the Company for at least five years as described in (b)
above.
(f) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings.
None.
(g) Item 405 Review. Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more
than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity
securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York Stock
Exchange. Officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten
percent of any class of equity securities are required by SEC
regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file.
The Company has adopted procedures to assist its directors and
executive officers in complying with Section 16(a) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, which includes assisting in the preparation
of forms for filing. For 1994, all the required reports were filed
timely. In addition, amended Form 5s for 1992 and 1993 were filed for
Lloyd T. Dyer to reflect dividend reinvestment plan holdings that,
through an oversight, were omitted from the original Form 5 filings.
89
<PAGE> 93
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information with respect to executive compensation is set forth under the
heading "Executive Compensation and Benefits" in the Company's definitive Proxy
Statement dated March 1995, which by this reference is incorporated herein.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Information with respect to security ownership of management is set
forth under the heading "Securities Ownership by Nominees and Executive
Officers" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement dated March 1995,
which by this reference is incorporated herein.
(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions
is set forth under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions"
in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement dated March 1995, which by this
reference is incorporated herein.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report on Form 10-K:
(1) The following are included in Part II, Item 8 of this form:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGES
-----
<S> <C>
Consolidated statements of financial position............................. 50
Consolidated statements of income......................................... 51
Consolidated statements of cash flows..................................... 52
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity........................... 53
Notes to consolidated financial statements................................ 54
Report of independent public accountants.................................. 88
</TABLE>
(2) None
(3) See list of exhibits.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company filed a Form 8-K, dated February 9, 1995, reporting summary
financial information for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(c) See Exhibits.
90
<PAGE> 94
LIST OF EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
2.01 Not applicable.
3.01(3) Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
3.02(12) Amended Bylaws of Southwest Gas Corporation.
4.01(1) Certificate of Determination establishing Cumulative Preferred Stock, 9.5%
Dividend Series, effective December 11, 1979.
4.02(4) Indenture between the Company and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific National Bank as
Trustee, dated August 1, 1986, with respect to the Company's 9% Series A and
Series B and 8 3/4% Series C Debentures.
4.03(5) First Supplemental Indenture of the Company to Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific
National Bank as Trustee, dated as of October 1, 1986, supplementing and
amending the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1986, with respect to the
Company's 9% Debentures, Series A, due 2011.
4.04(5) Second Supplemental Indenture of the Company to Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific
National Bank as Trustee, dated as of November 1, 1986, supplementing and
amending the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1986, with respect to the
Company's 9% Debentures, Series B, due 2011.
4.05(6) Third Supplemental Indenture of the Company to Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific
National Bank as Trustee, dated as of December 1, 1986, supplementing and
amending the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1986, with respect to the
Company's 8 3/4% Debentures, Series C, due 2011.
4.06(6) Fourth Supplemental Indenture of the Company to Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific
National Bank as Trustee, dated as of February 1, 1987, supplementing and
amending the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1986, with respect to the
Company's 10% Debentures, Series D, due 2017.
4.07(7) Fifth Supplemental Indenture of the Company to Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific
National Bank as Trustee, dated as of August 1, 1988, supplementing and
amending the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1986, with respect to the
Company's 9 3/8% Debentures, Series E, due 2013.
4.08(8) Sixth Supplemental Indenture of the Company to Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as successor by merger to Security Pacific
National Bank as Trustee, dated as of June 16, 1992, supplementing and
amending the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1986, with respect to the
Company's 9 3/4% Debentures, Series F, due 2002.
4.09(9) Indenture between Clark County, Nevada, and Bank of America Nevada as
Trustee, dated September 1, 1992, with respect to the issuance of
$130,000,000 Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (Southwest Gas
Corporation), $30,000,000 1992 Series A and $100,000,000 1992 Series B.
4.10(11) Indenture between Clark County, Nevada, and Harris Trust and Savings Bank as
Trustee, dated December 1, 1993, with respect to the issuance of $75,000,000
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (Southwest Gas Corporation), 1993
Series A, due 2033.
4.11(11) Indenture between City of Big Bear Lake, California, and Harris Trust and
Savings Bank as Trustee, dated December 1, 1993, with respect to the
issuance of $50,000,000 Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (Southwest Gas
Corporation Project), 1993 Series A, due 2028.
4.12(13) Form of Deposit Agreement.
4.13(13) Form of Depositary Receipt (attached as Exhibit A to Deposit Agreement
included as Exhibit 4.12 hereto).
4.14(13) Form of Indenture relating to the Debt Securities.
</TABLE>
91
<PAGE> 95
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
4.15 The Company hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC, upon request, a copy of any
instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt issued by
Southwest Gas Corporation or its subsidiaries.
9.01 Not applicable.
10.01(2) Participation Agreement among the Company and General Electric Credit
Corporation, Prudential Insurance Company of America, Aetna Life Insurance
Company, Merrill Lynch Interfunding, Bank of America through purchase of
Valley Bank of Nevada, Bankers Trust Company and First Interstate Bank of
Nevada, dated as of July 1, 1982.
10.02(2) Lease and Agreement between the Company and Spring Mountain Road Associates,
dated as of June 15, 1982 and amended as of July 1, 1982.
10.03(11) Financing Agreement between the Company and Clark County, Nevada, dated
September 1, 1992.
10.04(11) Financing Agreement between the Company and Clark County, Nevada, dated as
of December 1, 1993.
10.05(11) Project Agreement between the Company and City of Big Bear Lake, California,
dated as of December 1, 1993.
10.06(12) Southwest Gas Corporation Executive Deferral Plan, amended and restated May
10, 1994.
10.07(10) Southwest Gas Corporation Directors Deferral Plan, as amended October 29,
1992.
10.08(11) Southwest Gas Corporation Board of Directors Retirement Plan, amended and
restated effective October 1, 1993.
10.09(12) Southwest Gas Corporation Management Incentive Plan, amended and restated
May 10, 1994.
10.10(12) Southwest Gas Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan, amended and restated
as of May 10, 1994.
10.11(11) Agreements between PriMerit Bank and World Savings and Loan Association
regarding sale of Arizona assets and assumption of related liabilities.
10.12 Management Contract with PriMerit Bank officer.
10.13 $200 million Credit Agreement between the Company, Union Bank of
Switzerland, et al., dated as of January 27, 1995.
11.01 Not applicable.
12.01 Not applicable.
13.01 Not applicable.
16.01 Not applicable.
18.01 Not applicable.
21.01 List of subsidiaries of Southwest Gas Corporation.
22.01 Not applicable.
23.01 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants.
24.01 Not applicable.
27.01 Financial Data Schedule (filed electronically only).
28.01 Not applicable.
99.01 PriMerit Bank 1994 Financial Statement Package.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-16, No. 2-68833.
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1982.
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-2, No. 2-92938.
(4) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-3, No. 33-7931.
92
<PAGE> 96
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1986.
(6) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 1987.
(7) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 8-K dated
August 23, 1988.
(8) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 1992.
(9) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 1992.
(10) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1992.
(11) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1993.
(12) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 1994.
(13) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-3, No. 33-55621.
93
<PAGE> 97
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
By MICHAEL O. MAFFIE
----------------------------------
Michael O. Maffie, President
(Chief Executive Officer)
Date: March 6, 1995
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
GEORGE C. BIEHL Senior Vice President March 6, 1995
----------------------------- (Chief Financial Officer)
(George C. Biehl)
EDWARD A. JANOV Controller March 6, 1995
----------------------------- (Chief Accounting Officer)
(Edward A. Janov)
</TABLE>
94
<PAGE> 98
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
RALPH C. BATASTINI Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Ralph C. Batastini)
MANUEL J. CORTEZ Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Manuel J. Cortez)
LLOYD T. DYER Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Lloyd T. Dyer)
KENNY C. GUINN Chairman of the Board
------------------------------- of Directors March 6, 1995
(Kenny C. Guinn)
THOMAS Y. HARTLEY Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Thomas Y. Hartley)
MICHAEL B. JAGER Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Michael B. Jager)
------------------------------- Director
(Leonard R. Judd)
JAMES R. LINCICOME Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(James R. Lincicome)
MICHAEL O. MAFFIE President and Director
------------------------------- (Chief Executive Officer) March 6, 1995
(Michael O. Maffie)
CAROLYN M. SPARKS Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Carolyn M. Sparks)
ROBERT S. SUNDT Director March 6, 1995
-------------------------------
(Robert S. Sundt)
</TABLE>
95
<PAGE> 99
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
401k -- The Employees' Investment Plan
ACC -- Arizona Corporation Commission
AFS -- Available-For-Sale
ARM -- Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
the Bank -- PriMerit Bank
the Board -- Southwest Gas Corporation Board of Directors
BOD -- The Bank's Board of Directors
CAMEL -- Capital, Assets, Management, Earnings and Liquidity
CMO -- Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
the Company -- Southwest Gas Corporation
CPUC -- California Public Utilities Commission
CRA -- Community Reinvestment Act of 1977
Credit Agreement -- Restated and Amended Credit Agreement
El Paso -- El Paso Natural Gas Company
FASB -- Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDIC -- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FDICIA -- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
FERC -- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FHA -- Federal Housing Authority
FHLB -- Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC -- Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FIRREA -- Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act
flex repos -- Flexible Reverse Repurchase Agreements
FNMA -- Federal National Mortgage Association
GAAP -- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
gas segment -- Natural Gas Operations Segment
GNMA -- Government National Mortgage Association
IDRB -- Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
IRR -- Interest Rate Risk
ITC -- Investment Tax Credit
Kern River -- Kern River Gas Transmission Company
LDC -- Local Distribution Company
LIBOR -- London Interbank Offering Rate
LNG -- Liquefied Natural Gas
MBS -- Mortgage-Backed Securities
MD&A -- Management's Discussion and Analysis
NOW -- Negotiable Order of Withdrawal
NPV -- Net Portfolio Value
OTS -- Office of Thrift Supervision
Paiute -- Paiute Pipeline Company
Pataya -- Pataya Gas Storage Project
PBOP -- Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
PGA -- Purchased Gas Adjustment
PSCN -- Public Service Commission of Nevada
REMIC -- Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
SAIF -- Savings Association Insurance Fund
SAM -- Supply Adjustment Mechanism
SEC -- Securities and Exchange Commission
SFAS -- Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
SFR -- Single-Family Residential
SoCal -- Southern California Gas Company
VA -- Veterans Administration
</TABLE>
96
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.12
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made the 31st day of May, 1994, is between PRIMERIT
BANK, F.S.B. (the "Bank") whose address is 3300 West Sahara, Las Vegas, Nevada
89102, and Dan J. Cheever, President/Chief Executive Officer (the "Employee"),
whose address is 1515 Red Rock Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Bank considers the establishment and maintenance of a sound
and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best
interests of the Bank and its shareholder, and
WHEREAS, the Bank recognizes that, as is the case with many corporations,
the possibility of a change in control exists and that such possibility, and
the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result
in the departure or distraction of key management personnel to the detriment
of the Bank and its shareholder. Accordingly, the Bank's Board of Directors
has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to inspire the loyalty
and reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of certain
members of the Bank's management to their assigned duties without distraction
in the face of the personal career risks and other unsettling circumstances
which would accompany a change in control of the Bank.
NOW, THEREFORE, this agreement (the "Agreement") sets forth the "success"
and "deferred compensation" benefits which the Bank agrees will be provided to
Employee, as set forth herein, in the event Employee continues his employment
with the Bank until a successful change in control of the Bank has been
completed (success benefit) and Employee's employment with the Bank is
substantially changed or terminated after a change in control of the Bank under
the circumstances described herein (deferred compensation benefit).
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set
forth herein unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning is
required:
"ADMINISTRATOR" ("PLAN ADMINISTRATOR") shall mean the Board.
"AGREEMENT" shall mean this document which shall be known as the Special
Compensation Plan for Key Executive Mr. Dan J. Cheever.
"ANNUAL BASE SALARY" shall mean Base Salary paid to Employee by the Bank in
a calendar year.
"BANK" shall mean PriMerit Bank, F.S.B.
"BASE SALARY" shall mean compensation paid by the Bank to Employee,
including salary deferrals, but excluding bonuses, incentives, commissions,
overtime, monetary or nonmonetary awards for employment service to the Bank, or
payments or Bank contributions to or from any Bank retirement or deferred
compensation or similar plans.
"BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Bank.
"CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean a change whereby Southwest Gas Corporation
is replaced by any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as the beneficial owner of securities of
the Bank representing fifty-one percent or more of the combined voting power of
the Bank's then outstanding securities ordinarily (and apart from rights
accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote at elections of
directors.
"DATE OF TERMINATION" shall mean:
(i) if Employee gives Notice of Termination of Employee's employment
for Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given; and
<PAGE> 2
(ii) if Employee's employment is terminated for any other reason, the
date on which a Notice of Termination is given.
"DISABILITY" shall mean a physical and/or mental incapacity of such a
nature that it causes Employee to be absent from his duties with the Bank on a
full-time basis for six calendar months.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"FOR CAUSE" shall mean the Bank's decision to terminate Employee's
employment with the Bank due to any of the following:
(i) Employee's incompetence or willful misconduct and continued
failure to substantially perform his duties with the Bank (other than any
such failure resulting from Employee's incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after the Bank's Board causes to be delivered to Employee a
demand for substantial performance which specifically identifies the manner
in which the Board believes that Employee has not substantially performed
his duties; or
(ii) Employee's willfully engaging in misconduct materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Bank; provided, however, that no act or
failure to act on Employee's part shall be considered "willful" unless
Employee's action or failure to take action was in bad faith and in
circumstances under which Employee knew or reasonably should have known
that Employee's action or failure to take action was contrary to the best
interest of the Bank; or
(iii) Employee's personal dishonesty, incompetence, breach of
fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform
stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than
traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order; or
(iv) Employee's breach of any provision of this Agreement.
"GOOD REASON" shall mean Employee's substantial change in, or termination
of, employment with the Bank within twelve (12) calendar months after the date
of a Change in Control due to:
(i) the assignment to Employee, without Employee's express written
consent, of any duties not substantially equivalent with Employee's
position, duties, responsibilities, and status with the Bank immediately
prior to a Change in Control;
(ii) a change, without Employee's express written consent, in
Employee's title or office which is not substantially equivalent to those
held by Employee immediately prior to a Change in Control;
(iii) any removal of Employee from, or any failure to reelect Employee
to, any of the titles or offices specified in the foregoing clause (ii),
except in connection with the termination of Employee's employment For
Cause, Disability, or Retirement, or as a result of Employee's death, or by
Employee due to reasons other than those listed in clauses (i), (ii), (iv),
(v) and (vi) hereof;
(iv) any relocation of the office at which Employee is expected to
regularly perform Employee's duties if such relocation is more than 30
miles from the present principal executive offices of the Bank in Las
Vegas, Nevada, unless the principal executive offices of the Bank are
themselves moved to a different city located within the State of Nevada;
(v) a reduction by the Bank of Employee's Base Salary as in effect on
the date this Agreement is signed or as the same may be increased from time
to time; or
(vi) the termination of Employee's employment which is not effected
pursuant to a Notice of Termination.
"NOTICE OF TERMINATION" shall mean a notice which shall identify the
specific termination provision of this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of Employee's employment under the provision so identified. Any
termination by the Bank For Cause or by Employee for Good Reason shall be
communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
"RETIREMENT" shall mean any termination of Employee's employment with the
Bank that is due to Employee's retirement from employment with the Bank on or
after the date Employee could retire from employment from the Bank and receive
early, normal, or late retirement benefits under the PriMerit Bank, Federal
Savings Bank Retirement Income Plan.
ARTICLE II
TERM
The term of this Agreement shall be for a period which shall terminate upon
the earlier of (i) the expiration of one year commencing on the date specified
on the first page hereof or (ii) termination of employment for other than Good
Reason; provided however that on each anniversary date of this Agreement,
commencing with the anniversary date in 1995, the period specified in clause (i)
shall be extended with Board approval and justification for an additional year
on a continuing basis unless either party shall give the other written notice of
its intention not to so extend at least three months prior to the next following
anniversary date.
ARTICLE III
EMPLOYEE NOTICE
Employee confirms that it is Employee's present intention to remain in the
employ of the Bank. Employee agrees that until such time, if ever, that a Change
in Control occurs, Employee shall give the Bank at least three months' prior
written notice should Employee elect to terminate his employment with the Bank.
ARTICLE IV
SUCCESS BENEFIT
If a Change in Control shall occur, and Employee still is employed by the
Bank on the day the Change in Control is totally and legally completed, the Bank
shall pay to Employee in a lump sum (less all tax and other withholdings) a
success benefit of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000). Payment of such
amount shall occur not later than the fifth business day following the date of
such completed Change in Control.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL
If Employee's employment with the Bank terminates within twelve (12)
calendar months after a Change in Control occurs, Employee shall be entitled to
the deferred compensation benefit provided in Article VI of this Agreement
unless (i) such termination results from Employee's death, Disability, or
Retirement, (ii) the Bank terminates Employee's employment For Cause, or (iii)
Employee terminates his employment with the Bank for other than Good Reason.
ARTICLE VI
DEFERRED COMPENSATION BENEFIT
If the requirements of Article V have been satisfied, Bank shall pay to
Employee in a lump sum (less all tax and other withholdings) a deferred
compensation benefit that shall equal the sum of the following amounts:
(i) Employee's Base Salary through the Date of Termination at the rate
in effect at the time Notice of Termination was given; plus
-3-
<PAGE> 4
(ii) an amount equal to the product of the sum of Employee's Annual
Base Salary at the rate in effect at the Date of Termination multiplied by
two hundred percent (200%).
Payment of such deferred compensation benefit shall occur not later than the
fifth business day following Employee's Date of Termination. Employee shall not
be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Article
VI by seeking other employment, or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any
payment provided for in this Article VI be reduced by any compensation earned by
Employee as a result of employment by another employer or otherwise after the
Date of Termination.
ARTICLE VII
GROSS-UP PAYMENT
If any payments under Articles IV and VI (the "Agreement Payments") will be
subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Bank shall pay Employee the
following amounts at the time specified in the last paragraph of this Article
VII:
(i) a payment (the "Excise Tax Payment") equaling the Excise Tax on
Agreement Payments, plus
(ii) a payment (the "Reimbursement Payment") equaling the Excise Tax,
federal income tax, and state income tax attributable to the Excise Tax
Payment and this Reimbursement Payment -- calculation of taxes generated by
the Reimbursement Payment shall cease once the incremental increase in the
amount of such tax is below one hundred dollars ($100).
For purposes of determining whether any of the Agreement Payments will be
subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (i) all Agreement
Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of Code
Section 280G(b), and all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Code
Section 280G(b)(1) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel selected by the Bank's independent auditors and
acceptable to Employee, such Agreement Payments (in whole or in part) do not
constitute parachute payments, or such excess parachute payments (in whole or in
part) represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within
the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(4) in excess of the base amount within the
meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(3), or are otherwise not subject to the Excise
Tax, (ii) the amount of the Agreement Payments which shall be treated as subject
to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (a) the total amount of the
Agreement Payments or (b) the amount of excess parachute payments within the
meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(1) after applying clause (i) above, and (iii)
the value of any deferred payment shall be determined by the Bank's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of Code Section 280G(d)(4). For
purposes of determining the amount of the Excise Tax Payment and Reimbursement
Payment, Employee shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at Employee's
highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which
the Excise Tax Payment and Reimbursement Payment are to be made and state income
taxes at Employee's highest marginal rate of taxation in the state of Employee's
residence on the Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal
income taxes that could be obtained from the deduction of such state taxes.
In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be less than
the amount taken into account hereunder at the time of termination of Employee's
employment with the Bank, Employee shall repay to the Bank, at the time that the
amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the reduction in
the amount of the Excise Tax Payment and Reimbursement Payment that is
attributable to such reduction plus interest on the amount of such repayment at
the rate provided in Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B) (the "Applicable Rate").
In the event that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken
into account hereunder at the time of the termination of Employee's employment
(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Excise Tax Payment and Reimbursement Payment), the
Bank shall make an additional payment in respect of such excess (plus any
interest payable with respect to such excess at the Applicable Rate) at the time
that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
-4-
<PAGE> 5
The Excise Tax Payment and Reimbursement Payment provided for in the first
paragraph of this Article VII shall be made not later than the thirtieth day
following the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the amount of such
payment cannot be finally determined on or before such day, the Bank shall pay
to Employee on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Bank, of
the minimum amount of such payment and shall pay the remainder of such payment
as soon as the amount thereof can be determined. In the event that the amount of
the estimated payment exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been
due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Bank to Employee, payable on the
thirtieth day after demand by the Bank (together with interest at the Applicable
Rate).
ARTICLE VIII
ENFORCEMENT BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Employee's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Employee should die
while any amounts would still be payable to Employee hereunder if Employee had
continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Employee's devisee,
legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to Employee's
estate.
ARTICLE IX
NOTICE
For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses
set forth on the first page of this Agreement. All notices to the Bank shall be
directed to the attention of the Plan Administrator in care of the Chairman of
the Board. Either party may inform the other of any change in address in writing
in accordance herewith, but notices of changes in address shall be effective
only upon receipt.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or
discharged unless such amendment, waiver, modification, or discharge is agreed
to in writing signed by Employee and the Chairman of the Board or such officer
as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto
at any time of any breach or failure to comply with any condition or provision
of this Agreement by the other party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent
time. No agreements or representations with respect to the subject matter
hereof, oral or otherwise, express or implied, have been made by either party
which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
SEPARABILITY OF PROVISIONS
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions
of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.
-5-
<PAGE> 6
ARTICLE XII
COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one
and the same instrument.
ARTICLE XIII
THIS AGREEMENT UNFUNDED
This Agreement shall not be funded. Neither the Bank nor the Board shall be
required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by benefits
subject to this Agreement. Neither the Bank nor the Board shall be deemed to be
a trustee of any amounts to be paid pursuant to this Agreement. Any liability of
the Bank to Employee with respect to any benefit shall be based solely upon
contractual obligations created by this Agreement, and no such obligation shall
be deemed to be secured by any pledge or any encumbrance on any property of the
Bank.
ARTICLE XIV
ARBITRATION
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement that is not resolved through the Article XVI Benefit Claims Procedure
shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Las Vegas, Nevada, in accordance
with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment
may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction. In
the event of arbitration or litigation the prevailing party shall be entitled to
attorney's fees and costs as determined by the arbitrator or judge.
ARTICLE XV
THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
As a named fiduciary, the Administrator may engage agents to assist in
carrying out the Administrator's functions hereunder.
The primary responsibility of the Administrator is to administer the
Agreement subject to the specific terms of the Agreement. The Administrator
shall administer the Agreement and shall construe the Agreement and determine
all questions of interpretation or policy in a manner not inconsistent with this
Agreement and the Administrator's construction or determination in good faith
shall be final and conclusive. The Administrator may correct any defect, supply
any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in such manner and to such extent
as shall be deemed necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of this
Agreement. The Administrator shall have all powers necessary or appropriate to
accomplish the Administrator's duties under this Agreement.
The Administrator's duties shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
(a) to determine all factual and non-factual questions relating to the
eligibility of Employee to receive benefits provided by this Agreement;
(b) to compute, certify, and direct the amount and kind of benefits to
which Employee shall be entitled hereunder;
(c) to maintain all the necessary records for the administration of
the Agreement; (d) to interpret the provisions of the Agreement and to make
and publish such rules and regulations as are not inconsistent with the
terms hereof;
(e) to establish and administer a claims procedure; and
(f) to prepare and file such annual disclosure reports and tax forms
as may be required from time to time by the Secretary of Labor or the
Secretary of the Treasury.
The Bank shall be the designated agent for service of legal process under
this Agreement.
-6-
<PAGE> 7
ARTICLE XVI
BENEFIT CLAIMS PROCEDURE
Any claim for benefits under the Agreement shall be made in writing to the
Administrator in care of the Chairman of the Board. If such claim for benefits
is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator shall, within thirty (30) days
after receipt of the claim, notify the Employee or beneficiary of the denial of
the claim. Such notice of denial (i) shall be in writing, (ii) shall be written
in a manner calculated to be understood by the Employee or beneficiary, and
(iii) shall contain (A) the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim,
(B) a specific reference to the pertinent Agreement provisions upon which the
denial is based, (C) a description of any additional material or information
necessary to perfect the claim, along with an explanation of why such material
or information is necessary, and (D) an explanation of the claim review
procedure. The thirty-day period may, under special circumstances, be extended
up to an additional thirty days upon written notice of such extension to the
claimant which notice shall specify the extraordinary circumstances and the
extended date of the decision. Notice of extension must be given prior to
expiration of the initial thirty-day period. If no notice of decision is given
within the periods specified above, the claim shall be deemed to have been
denied and the Employee may file a request for review as provided in the next
paragraph.
Within sixty (60) days after the receipt by the Employee or beneficiary,
the Employee or beneficiary may file a written request with the Administrator
that it conduct a full and fair review of the denial of the claim for benefits.
The claimant or his duly authorized representative may review pertinent
documents and submit issues and comments in writing to the Administrator in
connection with the review.
The Administrator shall deliver to the Employee or beneficiary a written
decision on the review of the denial within thirty (30) days after the receipt
of the aforesaid request for review, except that if there are special
circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing if necessary) which require an
extension of time for processing, the Employee or beneficiary shall be extended
an additional thirty (30) days. Such decision shall (i) be written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the Employee or beneficiary, (ii) include the
specific reason or reasons for the decision, and (iii) contain a specific
reference to the pertinent Agreement provisions upon which the decision is
based. If the decision on review is not delivered to the Employee or beneficiary
within the period specified, the claim shall be considered denied on review.
Upon Employee or a beneficiary filing a claim, the Administrator shall
notify the party filing of the claim and review procedure including the time
periods involved.
ARTICLE XVII
APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement shall be construed, regulated, interpreted, and administered
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, except to the
extent such laws are preempted by ERISA.
ARTICLE XVIII
STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed (i) to give to Employee the right
to be retained in the employ of Bank; (ii) to affect the right of Bank to
discipline or discharge Employee; (iii) to give Bank the right to require
Employee to remain in its employ; or (iv) to affect Employee's right to
terminate his employment at any time.
ARTICLE XIX
REQUIRED PROVISIONS
(1) The Bank's Board of Directors may terminate Employee's employment at
any time, but any termination by the Bank's Board of Directors other than
termination for cause, shall not prejudice Employee's right to compensation or
other benefits under this Agreement. Employee shall have no right to receive
compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for cause.
Termination for cause shall include
-7-
<PAGE> 8
termination because of Employee's personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful
misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional
failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, or
regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final
cease-and-desist order, or material breach of any provision of this Agreement.
(2) If Employee is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice served under
section 8(e)(3) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12, U.S.C.
1818(e)(3) and (g)(1)) the Bank's obligations under this Agreement shall be
suspended as of the date of service unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If
the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank may in its discretion (i) pay
Employee all or part of the compensation withheld while its contract obligations
were suspended and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of its obligations
which were suspended.
(3) If Employee is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating
in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under section 8(e)(4) or
(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(4) or (g)(1)),
all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the
effective date of the order, but vested rights of the contracting parties shall
not be affected.
(4) If the Bank is in default (as defined in section 3(x)(1) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as
of the date of default, but this paragraph (4) shall not affect any vested
rights of the contracting parties.
(5) All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the
extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary for the
continued operation of the Bank:
(i) by the Director or his or her designee, at the time the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Resolution Trust Corporation enters
into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under
the authority contained in section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act; or
(ii) by the Director or his or her designee, at the time the Director
or his or her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems
related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the
Director to be in an unsafe or unsound condition.
Any rights of the parties that have already vested, however, shall not be
affected by such action. (6) Any payments made to the Employee pursuant to this
Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance
with 12 USC Section 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(7) This Paragraph XIX is intended to comply with Federal Regulations and
in the event of any conflict between this paragraph and any other provisions of
this Agreement this Paragraph XIX shall govern.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed as of the date set forth above.
PRIMERIT BANK, F.S.B.
By /s/ KENNY C. GUINN
-----------------------------------
Its Chairman of the Board
--------------------------------
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ DAN J. CHEEVER
--------------------------------------
Dan J. Cheever
-8-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.13
S&C Draft of January 31, 1995
================================================================================
CREDIT AGREEMENT
____________________
Dated as of January 27, 1995
Among
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION,
THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
and
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
as Agent Bank and as Issuing Bank,
and
SOCIETE GENERALE
as Co-Agent
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
------- ----
<S> <C>
RECITALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
I. DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SECTION 1.1. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 2.1. Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
III. THE CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.1. The Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.2. Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 3.3. Interest on Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 3.4. Provisions Applicable to Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SECTION 3.5. The Letter of Credit and Commercial Paper Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 3.6. Taxes, Duties, Fees and Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 3.7. Interest on Late Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 3.8. Reduction of the Total Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 3.9. No Setoff Against Amounts Payable Hereunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 3.10. Application of Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
IV. OTHER CREDIT TERMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 4.1. Change in Circumstances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 4.2. Capital Adequacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 4.3. Change in Legality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 4.4. Responsibility of Affected Lender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 4.5. Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 4.6. Commercial Paper Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
SECTION 4.7. Attachments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
SECTION 4.8. Authorized Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
SECTION 4.9. Letter of Credit Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
SECTION 4.10. Right of Setoff, Additional Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
SECTION 4.11. Payment of Drawings under Letter ofCredit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
V. CONDITIONS OF LENDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
SECTION 5.1. Conditions Precedent to the Initial Credit Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
</TABLE>
____________________
* The Table of Contents is not part of this instrument.
-i-
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
SECTION 5.2. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
SECTION 5.3. Notice to Lenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SECTION 5.4. Representations and Warranties with Respect to Credit Events . . . . . . . . 55
VI. COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SECTION 6.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SECTION 6.2. Information Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SECTION 6.3. Inspection of Property and Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
SECTION 6.4. Maintenance of Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
SECTION 6.5. Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
SECTION 6.6. Payment of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
SECTION 6.7. Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
SECTION 6.8. Preservation of Corporate Existence, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
SECTION 6.9. Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 6.10. Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 6.11. Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 6.12. Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 6.13. Leverage Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 6.14. Interest Coverage Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
SECTION 6.15. Consolidations and Mergers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
SECTION 6.16. Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 6.17. Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 6.18. Compliance with ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 6.19. Lease Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 6.20. Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 6.21. Change in Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 6.22. Independence of Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
VII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SECTION 7.1. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SECTION 7.2. Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
VIII. THE AGENT BANK AND THE ISSUING BANK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
SECTION 8.1. The Agent Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
SECTION 8.2. The Issuing Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
IX. MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
SECTION 9.1. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
SECTION 9.2. Term of Agreement; Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
SECTION 9.3. Copies of Certificates, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
SECTION 9.4. No Waivers; Rights Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
</TABLE>
-ii-
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
SECTION 9.5. Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
SECTION 9.6. Changes, Waivers, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
SECTION 9.7. Sharing of Setoffs and Other Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
SECTION 9.8. Separability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
SECTION 9.9. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
SECTION 9.10. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
SECTION 9.11. Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
SECTION 9.12. Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 9.13. Applicable Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 9.14. Counterparts; Effective Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 9.15. Survival of Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 9.16. Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
</TABLE>
Schedule I - Interest Coverage Ratio
Schedule II - Subsidiaries
Exhibits
A - Form of Commercial Paper Notes
B - Form of Note
C - Form of Loan Notice
D - Form of Letter of Credit
E - Form of opinion of General Counsel for the Borrower
F-1 - Form of opinion of special counsel for the Lenders
F-2 - Form of opinion of general counsel for UBS
G - Form of opinion of special counsel for the Borrower
H - Form of Assignment
I - Form of Depositary Agreement
-iii-
<PAGE> 5
CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 27, 1995, among
Southwest Gas Corporation, a California corporation (the "Borrower"), the
lenders named on the signature pages hereof (individually, a "Lender" and
collectively, the "Lenders") and Union Bank of Switzerland, by its Los Angeles
Branch, as agent (the "Agent Bank") and as the issuing bank (the "Issuing
Bank") and Societe Generale, as Co-Agent (the "Co-Agent").
RECITALS:
A. The Borrower proposes to issue in the commercial paper market its
promissory notes in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the
"Commercial Paper Notes") to finance the working capital needs of the
Borrower.
B. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, the
Issuing Bank is willing to issue to the Depositary an irrevocable
letter of credit for the benefit of the holders of the Commercial Paper
Notes (the "Letter of Credit") and each Lender is willing, to the
extent of its Commitment, to purchase participations in payments made
by the Issuing Bank under said letter of credit and/or to make
revolving credit loans (the "Loans") from time to time to the Borrower.
C. As provided herein, at no time shall the aggregate Face Value (as
defined herein) of outstanding Commercial Paper Notes issued in
accordance with this Credit Agreement plus the Loans outstanding
hereunder plus unreimbursed disbursements under the Letter of Credit
exceed the Total Commitment, which initially shall be $200 million.
D. The Borrower acknowledges that concurrently with the execution hereof,
all commitments under the Restated and Amended Credit Agreement, dated
as of April 11, 1990, among the Borrower, the lenders named therein and
Union Bank of Switzerland, by its Los Angeles Branch, as agent and as
issuing bank, were terminated and the letter of credit issued
thereunder has been cancelled.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions. As used herein, the following
terms have the following respective meanings:
<PAGE> 6
"Affiliate" means, when used with reference to any Person, a
Person (other than a Subsidiary) which directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such other Person. For
purposes of this definition, "control" (including with correlative meanings,
the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as
applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or
otherwise.
"Assessment Rate" for any calendar year means in respect of
any Lender the net annual assessment rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to
the next higher 1/100 of 1%) actually paid by such Lender to the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (or any successor) for insurance by such
Corporation (or such successor) of time deposits made in dollars at such
Lender's United States offices during the immediately preceding calendar year.
The Assessment Rate for any year shall take effect on February 1 of such year
and remain in effect through January 31 of the immediately following year.
"Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the
higher of (a) the rate of interest as is publicly announced by the Agent Bank
by its principal United States office as its prime rate in effect on such day
and (b) the sum of the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2%.
"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan based on the Base Rate in
accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof.
"Business Day" means a day of the year on which banks are not
required or authorized by law to close in New York City and, if the applicable
Business Day relates to any LIBOR Loan or LIBOR Interest Period, on which
dealings in dollar deposits are carried on in the London Interbank Market.
"Calendar Quarter" means a calendar quarter ending on the last
day of any March, June, September or December.
"Capital Lease" means, as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(except PriMerit Bank), a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to
use) real and/or personal Property, the obligations with respect to which are
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance
sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (except PriMerit Bank) under
GAAP (including Statement of
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<PAGE> 7
Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 of the Financial Accounting Standards
Board).
"Capital Lease Obligations" means, as to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (except PriMerit Bank), the obligations of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries (except PriMerit Bank) to pay rent or other amounts under a
Capital Lease and, for purposes of this Credit Agreement, the amount of such
obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance
with GAAP (including Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board).
"CD Base Rate" for any CD Interest Period with respect to a CD
Loan means the average (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%), as
determined by the Agent Bank, of the bid rates quoted at 10:00 A.M., New York
City time (or as soon thereafter as is practicable), on the first day of such
CD Interest Period by two or more New York certificate of deposit dealers of
recognized standing, selected by the Agent Bank, for the purchase at face value
from each of the Reference Banks of its certificates of deposit, with a
maturity equal to the maturity of the relevant CD Interest Period, in an amount
approximately equal to the CD Loan of such Reference Bank.
"CD Interest Period" in relation to each CD Loan means a
period of 30, 60, 90 or 180 days' duration as specified in the Loan Notice
relating to such CD Loan commencing: (A) on and including the date such CD
Loan was made or (B) forthwith upon the expiration of the preceding CD Interest
Period relating to such CD Loan or (C) for any portion of a CD Loan resulting
from the conversion of a LIBOR Loan to a CD Loan, forthwith upon the expiration
of the preceding Interest Period relating to such converted Loan.
Each CD Interest Period shall be of a duration selected by the
Borrower in accordance with this definition; provided, however, that
(A) no CD Interest Period shall extend beyond the Expiration
Date;
(B) if the Borrower fails to select the duration of a CD
Interest Period, such CD Interest Period shall be for a period of 30
days or in the circumstances described in (A) above, shall end on the
Expiration Date;
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<PAGE> 8
(C) the Borrower and all the Lenders may, from time to time,
agree to use CD Interest Periods of different duration; and
(D) if the last day of a CD Interest Period falls on a
non-Business Day, then the CD Interest Period shall be deemed to
terminate on the next succeeding Business Day or, if such date is
beyond the Expiration Date, on the next preceding Business Day.
"CD Loan" means any Loan based on the CD Rate in accordance
with the provisions of Article III hereof.
"CD Margin", in the case of a CD Loan, means the percentage
set forth below opposite the highest Rating category in effect on the last day
of the Calendar Quarter preceding the date the relevant CD Interest Period
commences:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Rating Margin
------ ------
<S> <C>
BBB/Baa2 or higher 0.550%
BBB-/Baa3 0.675%
BB+/Ba1 0.925%
BB/Ba2 or lower 1.275%
</TABLE>
"CD Rate" means with respect to any CD Interest Period for a
CD Loan the rate per annum determined pursuant to the following formula, which
rate shall change during such Interest Period as and when the Assessment Rate
or the Reserve Percentage shall change:
CD Rate = [ CDBR ] + AR.
------------
[ 1 - RP ]
CDBR = CD Base Rate for such Interest Period
AR = Assessment Rate
RP = Reserve Percentage
"CERCLA" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Environmental Laws."
"Change in Control" means the occurrence of either of the
following conditions: (a) any Person or group of associated Persons acting in
concert shall have acquired an aggregate of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of voting stock of the Borrower, or (b) individuals who constitute the
board of directors of the Borrower on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board")
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that
any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Borrower's shareholders, was approved by a vote
of at least three
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<PAGE> 9
quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific
vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Borrower in which such person
is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall
be, for purposes of this clause (b), considered as though such person were a
member of the Incumbent Board.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commercial Paper Account" means a special purpose restricted
deposit account established pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.6 by the
Borrower with the Depositary at its banking office in The City of New York and
identified as Account No. 4808237.
"Commercial Paper Notes" means promissory notes of the
Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto which are issued in
accordance with this Credit Agreement and the Depositary Agreement.
"Commitment Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.4(e)(ii) hereof.
"Commitment Letter" means the letter from the Agent Bank and
Issuing Bank to the Borrower dated November 18, 1994, relating to the payment
of specified fees by Borrower, among other things.
"Commitment Percentage" means a Lender's Commitment expressed
as a percentage of the Total Commitment; provided, however, that in the event
that the Commitment of any Lender is terminated pursuant to the provisions of
Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 hereof, the Commitment Percentage of each other
Lender shall be automatically adjusted to reflect such Lender's Commitment as a
percentage of the resulting reduced aggregate amount of all Commitments.
"Commitments" means the Lenders' agreement to extend the
Credits specified in Section 3.1(a) and set forth on the signature pages
hereof, as such Commitments may be reduced upon a reduction of the Total
Commitment pursuant to Section 3.8 or otherwise.
"Contingent Obligation" means, for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (except PriMerit Bank), any direct or indirect Contractual
Obligation with respect to any Debt, lease, dividend, letter of credit or other
obligation (the "primary obligations") of another Person (the "primary
obligor"), including, without limitation, any obligation of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary (except PriMerit Bank),
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<PAGE> 10
whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire
such primary obligations or any Property constituting direct or indirect
security therefor, or (b) to advance or provide funds (i) for the payment or
discharge of any such primary obligation, or (ii) to maintain working capital
or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth
or solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition
of the primary obligor, other than PriMerit Bank, prior to such obligation
being a stated or determinable amount, or (c) to purchase Property, securities
or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary
obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such
primary obligation, or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of
any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any
Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or
determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such
Contingent Obligation is made or, if not stated or if indeterminable, the
maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, except as
specified in clause (b)(ii) above.
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any
provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement,
undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument,
document or agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of
its Property is bound.
"Controlled Group" means the Borrower and all Persons (whether
or not incorporated) under common control or treated as a single employer with
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 414(b), (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code.
"Credit Agreement" means this Credit Agreement as originally
executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented, amended or restated by
one or more agreements supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the
applicable provisions hereof.
"Credit Event" means each borrowing hereunder, including,
without limitation, each borrowing in connection with a Letter of Credit
Disbursement, the issuance of the Letter of Credit, each issuance of a
Commercial Paper Note and each continuation or conversion of an existing Loan.
"Credits" (in the singular, "Credit") means the credits to be
extended by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant
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<PAGE> 11
to this Credit Agreement, consisting of the Loans and the Letter of Credit.
"Debt" means, with respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (except PriMerit Bank), (a) all obligations for borrowed money,
including interest or fees of any nature related to the borrowing of money
accrued but unpaid, (b) all obligations under letters of credit, bills of
exchange or bankers acceptances, (c) all obligations representing the deferred
purchase price of Property or services which in accordance with GAAP would be
shown on the balance sheet as a liability, (d) all obligations, whether or not
assumed by or with recourse to such Person, secured by Liens upon, or payable
out of the proceeds or production from, assets owned by such Person, (e) all
Capital Lease Obligations, and (f) all Contingent Obligations.
"Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice,
or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Depositary" means the Bank of Montreal Trust Company.
"Depositary Agreement" means the Depositary Agreement, dated
as of January 27, 1995, among the Borrower, the Depositary and the Agent Bank
and the Issuing Bank for the benefit of the Lenders, substantially in the form
of Exhibit I hereto, as the same may at any time be further amended or modified
and in effect.
"Deposited Funds" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(b)
hereof.
"Dollars", "dollars" and "$" means the lawful currency from
time to time of the United States of America.
"Effective Date" means the date determined in accordance with
Section 9.14 hereof.
"Environmental Claim" means all claims, however asserted, by
any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law or for release or injury
to the environment or threat to public health, personal injury (including
sickness, disease or death), property damage, natural resources damage, or
otherwise alleging liability or responsibility for damages (punitive or
otherwise), cleanup, removal, remedial or response costs, restitution, civil or
criminal penalties, injunctive relief, or other type of relief, resulting from
or based upon (a) the presence,
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<PAGE> 12
placement, discharge, emission or release (including intentional and
unintentional, negligent and non-negligent, sudden or non- sudden, accidental
or non-accidental placement, spills, leaks, discharges, emissions or releases)
of any Hazardous Material at, in or from Property, whether or not owned by the
Borrower, or (b) any other circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or
alleged violation, of any Environmental Law.
"Environmental Laws" means all federal, state or local laws,
statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together
with all administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental
Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and land
use matters; including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act of 1972, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Federal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and any applicable regulation promulgated
thereunder.
"ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a
Qualified Plan or a Multi-employer Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any member of the
Controlled Group from a Qualified Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during
a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA); (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by any member of the
Controlled Group from a Multi-employer Plan; (d) the filing of a notice of
intent to terminate, the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination under
Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC
to terminate a Qualified Plan or Multi-employer Plan subject to Title IV of
ERISA; (e) a failure to make required contributions to a Qualified Plan or
Multi-employer Plan; (f) an event or condition which might reasonably be
expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Qualified Plan or
Multi-employer Plan; (g) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of
ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of
ERISA, upon any member of the Controlled Group; (h) an application for a
funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section
412 of the Code with respect to any Qualified Plan; (i) any member of the
Controlled Group engages in or otherwise becomes liable for a non-exempt
prohibited
-8-
<PAGE> 13
transaction; or (j) a violation of the applicable requirements of Section 404
or 405 of ERISA or the exclusive benefit rule under Section 401(a) of the Code
by any fiduciary with respect to any Qualified Plan for which the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries may be directly or indirectly liable.
"Event of Default" means any one or more of the events set
forth in Section 7.1 hereof.
"Expiration Date" means January 27, 1998 as it may be extended
from time to time in accordance with Section 9.2 hereof.
"Face Value" means, at the time any determination thereof is
to be made, the sum of the aggregate face amount at maturity (if issued on a
discount basis) and the aggregate principal amount (if issued on an
interest-bearing basis), together with the aggregate amount of interest to the
stated maturity date of interest-bearing Commercial Paper Notes, of all
Commercial Paper Notes outstanding (or of such Commercial Paper Note or
Commercial Paper Notes with reference to which the term Face Value is employed
herein or in the Depositary Agreement), excluding matured Commercial Paper
Notes no longer entitled to the benefit of the Letter of Credit.
"Federal Funds Rate" means the weighted average of the rates
on overnight Federal funds transactions, with members of the Federal Reserve
System only, arranged by Federal funds brokers. The Federal Funds Rate shall
be determined by the Agent Bank on the basis of reports by Federal funds
brokers to, and published daily by, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the
Composite Closing Quotations for U.S. Government Securities. If such
publication is unavailable or the Federal Funds Rate is not set forth therein,
the Federal Funds Rate shall be determined on the basis of any other source
reasonably selected by the Agent Bank. The Federal Funds Rate applicable each
day shall be the Federal Funds Rate reported as applicable to Federal funds
transactions on that date. In the case of Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday,
the Federal Funds Rate shall be the rate applicable to Federal funds
transactions on the immediately preceding day for which the Federal Funds Rate
is reported.
"Funded Debt" means, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(except PriMerit Bank), (a) all obligations for borrowed money, (b) the
deferred purchase price of Property or services in accordance with GAAP which
would be shown on a balance sheet of such Person as a liability, (c) all
obligations, whether or not assumed by or with recourse to
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<PAGE> 14
such Person, secured by Liens upon, or payable out of the proceeds or
production from, assets owned by such Person, (d) all rental obligations under
Capital Leases, (e) all Contingent Obligations, (f) mandatory redeemable
preferred stock issued prior to November 30, 1994, and (g) preferred stock
issued subsequent to November 30, 1994 with a weighted average life of less
than five years from the date of issuance or with call or put features within
five years from the date of issuance.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect from time to time, which shall include the official interpretations
thereof by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any
state or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar
monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.
"Hazardous Materials" means all those substances which are
regulated by, or which may form the basis of liability under, any Environmental
Law, including all substances identified under any Environmental Law as a
pollutant, contaminant, waste, solid waste, hazardous waste, hazardous
constituent, special waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, or toxic
substance, or petroleum or petroleum derived substance or waste.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated August 1, 1986 between
the Borrower and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as successor trustee.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means, for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (but excluding PriMerit Bank), for each 12- month period preceding
the applicable date of calculation, the ratio as defined and calculated as set
forth in Schedule I hereto.
"Interest Payment Date" means the last day of each Interest
Period and, in the case of an 180-day CD Interest Period or a 6-month LIBOR
Interest Period, the date 90 days or 3 months, as the case may be, after the
first day of such Interest Period.
"Interest Period" means any CD Interest Period and any LIBOR
Interest Period.
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<PAGE> 15
"Investments" means any direct or indirect purchase or
acquisition, or any commitment therefor, of any capital stock, equity interest,
assets, obligations or other securities of or any interest in, any Person, or
any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to, or any other
investment in, any Person including, without limitation, any Affiliates of such
Person.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, or any successor
thereto.
"Issuing Bank Fee" has the meaning specified in Section 3.5(i)
hereof.
"Lenders" means the Lenders hereunder and any assignees or
transferees thereof, if any, collectively and, as applicable, the Issuing Bank.
"Letter of Credit" has the meaning set forth in Recital B
hereof.
"Letter of Credit Account" means a special purpose account
established pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.9 by the Issuing Bank with
the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office in The City of New York and
identified as Account No. 4808210.
"Letter of Credit Disbursement" means each transfer to, or
deposit by the Issuing Bank of funds in, the Letter of Credit Account as
contemplated by Section 4.9 or Section 7.2(v).
"Letter of Credit Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.5(e) hereof.
"LIBOR" means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, for each LIBOR
Interest Period the rate per annum equal to the arithmetic average of the
interest rates at which Eurodollar deposits equal or comparable to the
principal amount of each Reference Bank's share of such LIBOR Loan are offered
to the Reference Banks by prime banks for a period equal to the duration of
such LIBOR Interest Period in the London Interbank Market, at 11:00 a.m.
(London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
Period, rounded up to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent (1/16%). If any
of the Reference Banks shall fail to notify the Agent Bank of such rates by
10:00 a.m. (New York time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of the
relevant LIBOR Interest Period, "LIBOR" shall be determined on the basis of the
rate or rates notified by the remaining Reference Banks or Bank.
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<PAGE> 16
"LIBOR Interest Period" in relation to each LIBOR Loan means
each period specified in the Loan Notice relating to such LIBOR Loan
commencing: (A) on and including the date such LIBOR Loan was made or (B)
forthwith upon the expiration of the preceding LIBOR Interest Period relating
to such LIBOR Loan or (C) for any portion of a LIBOR Loan resulting from the
conversion of a CD Loan to a LIBOR Loan, forthwith upon the expiration of the
preceding Interest Period relating to such converted Loan.
LIBOR Interest Periods shall be 1, 2, 3 or 6 months' duration.
Each LIBOR Interest Period shall be of a duration selected by
the Borrower in accordance with this definition; provided, however, that
(A) no LIBOR Interest Period shall extend beyond the
Expiration Date;
(B) if the Borrower fails to select the duration of a LIBOR
Interest Period, such LIBOR Interest Period shall be for a period of
one month or in the circumstances described in (A) above, shall end on
the Expiration Date;
(C) if any LIBOR Interest Period would end on a day which is
not a Business Day, such LIBOR Interest Period shall be extended to
the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business
Day falls in the next calendar month or is beyond the Expiration Date,
in which event such LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the next
preceding Business Day unless otherwise determined by the Agent Bank
in accordance with customary practice from time to time in effect in
the London Interbank Market; and
(D) the Borrower and all the Lenders may, from time to time,
agree to use LIBOR Interest Periods of different duration.
"LIBOR Loan" means any Loan based on LIBOR in accordance with
the provisions of Article III hereof.
"LIBOR Margin", in the case of any LIBOR Loan, means the
percentage set forth below opposite the highest Rating category in effect on
the last day of the Calendar
-12-
<PAGE> 17
Quarter preceding the date the relevant LIBOR Interest Period commences:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Rating Margin
------ ------
<S> <C>
BBB/Baa2 or higher 0.425%
BBB-/Baa3 0.550%
BB+/Ba1 0.800%
BB/Ba2 or lower 1.150%.
</TABLE>
"LIBOR Rate" means with respect to any LIBOR Interest Period
for a LIBOR Loan the rate per annum determined pursuant to the following
formula, which rate shall change during such Interest Period as and when the
LIBOR Reserve Percentage shall change:
LIBOR
LIBOR Rate = -----
1-LRP
LRP: LIBOR Reserve Percentage
"LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means for any day that percentage
(expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for
determining the maximum reserve requirement for a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding five billion dollars in
respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" (or in respect of any other category of
liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on
LIBOR Loans is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other
assets which includes loans by a non- United States office of any Lender to
United States residents). The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted automatically on
and as of the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.
"Lien" means any voluntary or involuntary mortgage,
assignment, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, claim or charge of
any kind on or with respect to, or any preferential arrangement with respect to
the payment of any obligations with the proceeds or from the production of, any
asset of any kind, including, without limitation, any agreement to give any of
the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any
lease in the nature thereof.
"Loan" means any CD Loan, Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan
hereunder.
"Loan Notice" means a notice received by the Agent Bank from
the Borrower at least three Business Days prior to the date of the requested
Loan, or, in the case of a Base
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<PAGE> 18
Rate Loan, on the Business Day before the date of the requested Loan, prior to
11:00 A.M. (New York time) specifying:
(i) whether the Loan then being requested is to be (or
the extent to which it is to be) a CD Loan, Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR
Loan;
(ii) the date of such Loan (which shall be a Business Day);
(iii) the aggregate principal amount of such Loan (which
shall be $5,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof);
(iv) in the case of a CD Loan or a LIBOR Loan, the
Interest Period with respect to such Loan;
(v) if applicable, that such Loan results from the
continuation or conversion of an existing Loan; and
(vi) if applicable, that the proceeds of such Loan are to
be used to reimburse a Letter of Credit Disbursement.
Each Loan Notice shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C. Subject to
the provisions of Article III, the Borrower in its Loan Notice may continue or
convert any CD Loan or any LIBOR Loan as of the end of the current Interest
Period applicable to the CD Loan or LIBOR Loan, as the case may be, and each
such continuance or conversion shall be deemed a drawdown of a Loan hereunder.
In the event that the Borrower shall fail to give a timely Loan Notice with
respect to its election to convert or continue any CD Loan or LIBOR Loan as
provided in the immediately preceding sentence, such CD Loan or LIBOR Loan, as
the case may be, shall be automatically continued at the end of the current
Interest Period with respect to such Loan, unless such continuation shall be
prohibited by the terms of this Credit Agreement, into a new Interest Period.
"Majority Lenders" means Lenders having in the aggregate more
than 66 2/3% of the Commitments.
"Margin" means any CD Margin or LIBOR Margin.
"Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
Regulation G, T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.
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<PAGE> 19
"Material Adverse Effect" means a change, or announcement of a
change, which could reasonably be expected, immediately or with the passage of
time, to result in a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect
upon, any of (a) the operations, business, Properties, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole or the rights of the Lenders under this Credit Agreement, the
Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper Notes; (b) the ability
of the Borrower to perform under this Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper Notes; or (c) the legality,
validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Credit Agreement, the
Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper Notes.
"Multi-employer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" (within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) and to which any member of the
Controlled Group makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions or has
made, or been obligated to make, contributions.
"Net Worth" means the amount of the Borrower's common
shareholders' equity determined in accordance with GAAP, plus preferred and
preference stock, excluding (a) mandatory redeemable preferred or preference
stock issued prior to November 30, 1994, and (b) preferred or preference stock
issued subsequent to November 30, 1994 with a weighted average life of less
than five years from the date of issuance or with call or put features within
five years from the date of issuance.
"Note" means, with respect to any Lender hereunder a note
issued by the Borrower payable to the order of such Lender in the amount equal
to such Lender's Commitment pursuant to this Credit Agreement and substantially
in the form of Exhibit B; collectively the "Notes".
"Notice of Lien" means any "notice of lien" or similar
document filed or recorded with any court, registry, recorder's office, central
filing office or Governmental Authority for the purpose of evidencing,
creating, perfecting or preserving the priority of a Lien securing obligations
owing to a Governmental Authority.
"Obligations" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 4.6(c).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established under ERISA, or any successor thereto.
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<PAGE> 20
"Permitted Investments" means Investments made by the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business as presently conducted
(which shall include the acquisition of gas utility assets and the acquisition
of other assets incidental thereto); provided that the Borrower may only make
cash Investments in (a) marketable direct obligations of the United States of
America or any agency thereof, marketable obligations directly and fully
guaranteed by the United States of America, commercial paper rated either A1 by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or P1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and
certificates of deposit issued by, and overnight repurchase agreements which
are secured or backed by securities issued by the United States of America
from, any bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
State thereof with deposits rated either A1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation or
P1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; provided, however, that such
obligations, commercial paper and certificates of deposit have a maturity of
two years or less from the date of purchase by such Person; (b) Investments
directed by the Borrower in conjunction with industrial development revenue
bonds, and (c) Subsidiaries.
"Permitted Liens" means
(a) Any Lien existing on the Property of the Borrower or
its Subsidiaries on the date hereof;
(b) Any Lien securing, prior to or concurrently with the
creation of such Lien, the Obligations equally and ratably with (or prior to)
such Lien pursuant to documentation satisfactory in form and substance to the
Majority Banks;
(c) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other
governmental charges which are not delinquent or remain payable without
penalty, or to the extent that non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.6,
provided that no Notice of Lien has been filed or recorded;
(d) Carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords',
materialmen's, repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty
and which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
(e) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) on the
Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred, or pledges or
deposits required, in connection with
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workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
legislation;
(f) Liens on the Property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries securing (i) the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than
for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, and (ii) obligations on
surety and appeal bonds, and (iii) other obligations of a like nature incurred
in the ordinary course of business;
(g) Easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other
similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case
materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or interfere
with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries;
(h) Liens on assets of corporations which become
Subsidiaries after the date of this Credit Agreement; provided, however, that
such Liens existed at the time the respective corporations became Subsidiaries
and were not created in anticipation thereof;
(i) Liens on the Property of a Subsidiary other than a
Significant Subsidiary which could not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(j) Liens on property or the creation of a security interest
in the proceeds resulting from the issuance of industrial development revenue
bonds;
(k) Any attachment or judgement Lien not constituting an
Event of Default under Section 7.1(e);
(l) Leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in
any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower
and the UCC financing statements relating solely thereto;
(m) Liens arising from, or in connection with, the net worth
maintenance covenant by the Borrower with respect to PriMerit Bank not
otherwise causing a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) Liens on any property acquired, constructed or improved
by the Borrower after the date of this Credit Agreement which are created or
assumed contemporaneously with, or within 120 days after, such acquisition or
completion of the construction or improvement, or within six months thereafter
pursuant to a firm commitment for financing
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arranged with a lender or investor within such 120 day period, to secure or
provide for the payment of the purchase price of such property or the cost of
such construction or improvement incurred after the date of this Credit
Agreement or Liens on any property existing at the time of acquisition thereof,
provided that any such Lien must secure indebtedness in an amount that does not
exceed 80% of the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement, and
provided further that the Liens shall not apply to any property theretofore
owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than, in the case of any such
construction or improvement, any theretofore unimproved property on which the
property so constructed or the improvement is located;
(o) existing Liens on any property or indebtedness of a
corporation which is merged with or into or consolidated with the Borrower or
any Subsidiary provided that the Liens shall not apply to any property
theretofore owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(p) Liens on moneys of U.S. Government Obligations deposited
with the Trustee under the Indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 405
of the Indenture; and
(q) Liens for the sole purposes of extending, renewing or
replacing, in whole or in part, Liens securing Debt of the type referred to in
the foregoing clauses (a) through (p), inclusive, or this clause (q); provided,
however, that the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such
extension, renewal or replacement shall not be increased, and that such
extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or part of the
property or indebtedness which secured the Lien so extended, renewed or
replaced (plus improvements on such property).
"Person" means any corporation, partnership, trust, estate,
individual, unincorporated business entity or government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA) which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
sponsors or maintains or to which the Borrower or member of the Controlled
group makes or is obligated to make contributions, and includes any
Multi-employer Plan or Qualified Plan.
"PriMerit Bank" means PriMerit Bank, a federal savings bank, a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, and the Subsidiaries of PriMerit Bank.
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"Property" means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property.
"Qualified Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA) intended to be tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code
and which any member of the Controlled Group sponsors, maintains, or to which
it makes or is obligated to make contributions, or in the case of a multiple
employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions
at any time during the immediately preceding period covering at least five (5)
plan years, but excluding any Multi-employer Plan.
"Rating" means the higher of the senior unsecured long-term
debt rating of the Borrower issued by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). If there is a split
rating as between Moody's and S&P, the higher rating will apply except where
the difference between the ratings is greater than one rating level, in which
case the average of the two ratings will apply.
"Reference Banks" means Union Bank of Switzerland, Bank of
Montreal and Bank of America, N.T. & S.A.
"Reportable Event" means any event set forth in Section
4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, a withdrawal from a Plan
described in Section 4063 of ERISA, or a cessation of operations described in
Section 4062(e) of ERISA.
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law
(statutory or common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or of a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or
binding upon the Person or any of its Property or to which the Person or any of
its Property is subject.
"Reserve Percentage" for any day means that percentage,
expressed as a decimal, which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for
determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any
marginal, supplemental or emergency reserve requirements) for a member bank of
the Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one billion
dollars in respect of new non-personal time deposits in dollars in New York
City having a maturity comparable to the related Interest Period and in an
amount of $100,000 or more.
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<PAGE> 24
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor agency thereto.
"Secured Parties" means the Lenders hereunder.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower
having 10% or more of the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis or generating 10% or more of the income of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation, association, partnership,
joint venture or other business entity of which the Borrower and/or any
subsidiary of the Borrower either (a) in respect of a corporation, owns more
than 50% of the outstanding stock having ordinary voting power to elect a
majority of the board of directors or similar managing body, irrespective of
whether or not at the time the stock of any class or classes shall or might
have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency, or (b) in
respect of an association, partnership, joint venture or other business entity,
is the sole general partner or is entitled to share in more than 50% of the
profits, however determined.
"Total Capitalization" means Funded Debt plus Net Worth.
"Total Commitment" means the sum of the Commitments.
"Unfunded Pension Liabilities" means the excess of a Plan's
accrued benefits, as defined in Section 3(23) of ERISA, over the current value
of that Plan's assets, as defined in Section 3(26) of ERISA.
"Unsecured Debt" means all Debt which has not been secured by
a pledge of any Property.
II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 2.1. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower
represents and warrants to the Lenders and to the Agent Bank that:
(a) Corporate Existence.
(i) The Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has
been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.
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<PAGE> 25
(ii) The Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries
has the corporate power and authority and all necessary governmental
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals material to the
ownership of its assets and the carrying on of its business;
(iii) The Borrower has the power and authority and all
governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Credit
Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial
Paper Notes; and
(iv) The Borrower is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation, licensed and in good standing under the laws of each
jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification.
(b) Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Credit Agreement,
the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes, have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not:
(i) contravene the terms of the Borrower's
articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational document, if
any;
(ii) conflict with or result in any breach or
contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, any indenture,
agreement, lease, instrument, Contractual Obligation, injunction,
order, decree or undertaking to which the Borrower is a party; or
(iii) violate any Requirement of Law.
(c) Governmental Authorization. The California Public
Utilities Commission ("CPUC") has duly issued an order which sets forth any and
all CPUC approvals and authorizations required for the Borrower to enter into
this Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial
Paper Notes and to take all actions contemplated hereby or in connection
herewith, such order remains in full force and effect in the form issued, and
all such CPUC approvals and authorizations have been obtained, and no other
consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency
or body is required for due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower
of this Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the
Commercial Paper Notes.
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<PAGE> 26
(d) Binding Effect. This Credit Agreement and the Depositary
Agreement are, and the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes when delivered
hereunder will be, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights or to general equity principles.
(e) Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings,
claims or disputes pending, or to the best knowledge of the Borrower,
threatened at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental
Authority, against the Borrower, or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
Properties which:
(i) purport to affect or pertain to this Credit
Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper
Notes, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or
(ii) if determined adversely to the Borrower, or its
Subsidiaries, might have a Material Adverse Effect.
No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has
been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin
or restrain the execution, delivery and performance of this Credit Agreement,
the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes, or
directing that the transactions provided for herein or therein not be
consummated as herein or therein provided.
(f) No Default. No Default or Event of Default exists or
would result from the incurring of obligations by the Borrower under this
Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper
Notes. Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries, is in
default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation which, individually
or together with all such defaults, could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) ERISA Compliance.
(i) Each Qualified Plan is in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other
Federal or state law, including all requirements under the Code or
ERISA for filing reports (which are true and correct in all material
respects as of the date filed), and benefits
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<PAGE> 27
have been paid in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
(ii) Each Qualified Plan has been determined by the IRS to
qualify under Section 401 of the Code, the IRS has not determined that
any amendment to any Qualified Plan does not qualify under Section 401
of the Code, and the trusts created thereunder have been determined to
be exempt from tax under the provisions of Section 501 of the Code,
and to the best knowledge of the Borrower nothing has occurred which
would cause the loss of such qualification or tax-exempt status.
(iii) There is no outstanding liability of the Borrower or
a member of its Controlled Group under Title IV of ERISA with respect
to any Plan.
(iv) None of the Qualified Plans subject to Title VI of
ERISA has any Unfunded Pension Liability as to which the Borrower is
or may be liable.
(v) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected
to occur with respect to any Plan maintained or sponsored by the
Borrower or to which the Borrower is obligated to contribute.
(vi) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, other than routine
claims for benefits in the usual and ordinary course, asserted or
instituted against (a) any Plan maintained or sponsored by the
Borrower or its assets, (b) any member of the Controlled Group with
respect to any Qualified Plan of the Borrower, or (c) any fiduciary
with respect to any Plan for which the Borrower may be directly or
indirectly liable, through indemnification obligations or otherwise.
(vii) The Borrower has not incurred nor reasonably expects
to incur (a) any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the
giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such
liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a
Multi-employer Plan or (b) any liability under Title IV of ERISA
(other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of
ERISA) with respect to a Plan.
(viii) The Borrower has not transferred any Unfunded Pension
Liability outside of the Controlled Group or otherwise engaged in a
transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
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(ix) The Borrower has not engaged, directly or indirectly,
in a non-exempt prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 4975 of
the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) in connection with any Plan which
could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) Margin Regulations. The Borrower is not engaged in the
business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin
Stock and no proceeds of any Loan or the Commercial Paper Notes will be used,
directly or indirectly, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock or (ii) to repay
or otherwise refinance indebtedness of the Borrower or others incurred to
purchase or carry Margin Stock, or (iii) to extend credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No proceeds of any Loan will be used
to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject to Section 13 or 14
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(i) Title to Properties. Each of the Borrower and each of
its Significant Subsidiaries has good, record and marketable title to all of
its Property and interests therein except for such defects in title as could
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The
Property of the Borrower and each of its Significant Subsidiaries is free and
clear of all Liens or rights of others, except Permitted Liens.
(j) Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all
Federal and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed and
have paid all Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their Properties, income or
assets otherwise due and payable except (i) those which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
provided in accordance with GAAP and no Notice of Lien has been filed or
recorded, and (ii) those levied or imposed on Subsidiaries other than
Significant Subsidiaries the nonpayment of which could not, in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Borrower, there
is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
which would, if the assessment were made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(k) Financial Condition.
(i) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower as of December 31, 1993, and the unaudited consolidated
balance sheets of the Borrower as of September 30, 1994, and the
related consolidated
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statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows
for, each of the respective periods then ended, copies of which have
been furnished to the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, fairly present the
Borrower's financial condition as of, and the results of its
operations and cash flows for, each of the respective periods then
ended, applied on a consistent basis. Such financial statements were
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the
period covered thereby, are complete and accurate, and show all
material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof
(including liabilities for taxes and material commitments).
(ii) The unaudited unconsolidated balance sheets of the
Borrower as of December 31, 1993, and as of September 30, 1994 and the
related unconsolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity and cash flows for the period then ended, copies of which have
been furnished to the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, fairly present the
financial position of the Borrower as of, and the results of its
operations and cash flows for, each of the respective periods then
ended, applied on a consistent basis.
(iii) Since September 30, 1994, there has been no Material
Adverse Effect.
(l) Environmental Matters.
(i) The operations of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries comply with all Environmental Laws except where such
noncompliance could not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has
obtained all licenses, permits, authorizations and registrations
required under any Environmental Law ("Environmental Permits")
necessary for its operations, and all such Environmental Permits are
in good standing, and the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in
compliance with all terms and conditions of such Environmental
Permits, except where the failure to so obtain, be in good standing or
be in compliance could not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iii) None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their present Property or operations is subject to any outstanding
written order from or
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<PAGE> 30
agreement with any Governmental Authority or other Person, nor subject
to any judicial or docketed administrative proceeding, respecting any
Environmental Law, Environmental Claim or Hazardous Material which
could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iv) There are no conditions or circumstances which may
give rise to any Environmental Claim arising from the operations of
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries which could have a Material Adverse
Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing (A) neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any underground storage
tanks (1) that are not properly registered or permitted under
applicable Environmental Laws or (2) that are leaking or disposing of
Hazardous Materials and (B) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have
notified all of their employees of the existence, if any, of any
health hazard arising from the conditions of their employment and have
met all notification requirements under Title III of CERCLA or any
other Environmental Law, except where the failure to so notify could
not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Regulated Entities. Neither the Borrower nor any Person
controlling the Borrower is (i) an "Investment Company" within the meaning of
the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (ii) subject to regulation under the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or any regulation thereunder limiting its ability to
incur Debt.
(n) Labor Relations. There are no strikes, lockouts or other
labor disputes against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best
of the Borrower's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries which could have a Material Adverse Effect, and no
significant unfair labor practice complaint is pending against the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened
against any of them before any Governmental Authority which could have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(o) Subsidiaries. As of the date hereof, the Borrower has no
Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule II hereto. All Significant
Subsidiaries, as of the date hereof, are identified as such on such Schedule.
(p) Insurance. The Properties of the Borrower and its
Significant Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such
risks as is
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customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning
similar Properties in localities where the Borrower or such Subsidiary
operates.
(q) Full Disclosure. None of the representations or
warranties made by the Borrower in this Credit Agreement as of the date of such
representations and warranties, and none of the statements contained in any
certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with this
Credit Agreement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.
(r) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any judgment, order, writ,
injunction, decree or decision of any Governmental Authority which default
would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and each Subsidiary is
complying in all material respects with all applicable statutes and
regulations, including ERISA and applicable occupational, safety and health and
other labor laws, of all Governmental Authorities, a violation of which could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(s) Ranking. Obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under
the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes will rank senior to or pari passu with
all other Unsecured Debt of the Borrower.
III. THE CREDITS
SECTION 3.1. The Commitments.
(a) Loan Commitments and Commitment Percentages. The
respective amounts of each Lender's Commitment and Commitment Percentage with
respect to Loans made hereunder and the Letter of Credit issued hereunder shall
be as set forth next to such Lender's name on the signature pages hereof.
(b) Amounts of Loans. Subject to all the terms and
provisions hereof, each Lender will lend to the Borrower its Commitment
Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Loans requested in any Loan Notice.
(c) Compliance with Agreement. Neither the Agent Bank nor
any Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitments of any other
Lender hereunder, nor will the failure of any Lender to comply with the terms
of this Credit
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<PAGE> 32
Agreement relieve any other Lender or the Borrower of their respective
obligations under this Credit Agreement.
SECTION 3.2. Loans.
(a) Loans.
(i) Making of Loans. Each Lender severally agrees, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Credit Agreement, to make
revolving credit loans to the Borrower (the "Loans" and individually a "Loan")
from time to time from the date hereof to and including the Expiration Date in
accordance with the terms hereof, in each case in an amount which, when added
to (A) the aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Loans then outstanding,
plus (B) the product obtained by multiplying such Lender's Commitment
Percentage by the sum of the aggregate Face Value of all outstanding Commercial
Paper Notes and the amount of unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements
(other than Letter of Credit Disbursements which will be reimbursed from the
proceeds of such Loan and other Loans made in connection therewith), will not
exceed the Commitment of such Lender as described in Section 3.1(a) after
giving effect to any reduction thereof pursuant to Section 3.8.
(ii) Revolving Credit. During the period from the Effective Date
to and including the Expiration Date, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and
reborrow in accordance with Section 3.2(a)(i) and Section 3.4, subject to all
the terms and provisions hereof.
(iii) Loan Notice. The Borrower shall give the Agent Bank a Loan
Notice of any requested Loan. The giving of such Loan Notice by the Borrower
shall irrevocably commit the Borrower to make the Loan borrowing in accordance
with the terms hereof and of such Loan Notice. The Agent Bank shall
communicate the information contained in each Loan Notice to the other Lenders
on the date of its receipt.
(iv) Notes. On or before the date of the initial Loans, the
Borrower shall issue and deliver to the Agent Bank for delivery to each Lender
a Note (the "Note" and collectively the "Notes"), duly executed and delivered
by the Borrower, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B,
payable to the order of such Lender, dated such date, and in a principal amount
equal to such Lender's Commitment. Each Lender is hereby authorized and
directed by the Borrower to endorse on the grid on the reverse side of such
Note an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each Loan, the
date and amount of each payment or prepayment of principal thereon, and the
other information
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<PAGE> 33
provided thereon; provided that neither the failure of any Lender to so endorse
such grid nor any error in endorsement shall limit or affect the obligations of
the Borrower hereunder or under such Note; provided further that, in the case
of any such failure of any Lender to endorse such grid or any error in
endorsement with respect to any Loan the terms of this Agreement shall govern
the terms of any such Loan. Each Lender may, by notice to the Borrower and the
Agent Bank, request that its Loans of a particular type be evidenced by a
separate Note in an amount equal to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
such Loans. Each such Note shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit B
hereto with appropriate modifications to reflect the fact that it evidences
solely Loans of the relevant type. Each reference in this Agreement to a
"Note" or the "Notes" of such Lender shall be deemed to refer to and include
any or all of such Notes, as the context may require.
(v) Maturity of the Loans. All Loans outstanding shall
become due and payable in full on the Expiration Date.
SECTION 3.3. Interest on Loans.
(a) Loans. The Loans may consist of one or more of Base Rate
Loans, CD Loans and LIBOR Loans as specified in the Loan Notices given by the
Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.2(a)(iii) of this Credit
Agreement.
(b) Interest on Base Rate Loans.
(i) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount from time to time outstanding on each Base Rate Loan at a rate per annum
equal to the Base Rate in effect from time to time, which rate shall change as
and when said Base Rate shall change. Each change in the Base Rate shall be
effective as of the opening of business on the date of any change in the Base
Rate.
(ii) Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears
on the last day of each Calendar Quarter commencing with the first such date
after the date hereof.
(c) Interest on CD Loans.
(i) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount from time to time outstanding on each CD Loan, in each case for each CD
Interest Period, at a rate per annum equal to the CD Rate plus the CD Margin.
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(ii) Interest on each CD Loan shall be payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date applicable to such CD Loan.
(iii) Promptly after the Agent Bank's determination of the
interest rate to be applicable during each CD Interest Period, the Agent Bank
shall notify the Borrower and each Lender of such rate.
(iv) If on the first day of any CD Interest Period, the Agent
Bank shall reasonably have determined (which determination shall be conclusive
and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the
CD Market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the rate
of interest applicable during such CD Interest Period pursuant to this Section
3.3(c), the Agent Bank shall as soon as practicable give notice thereof to the
Borrower and to the Lenders, whereupon the Base Rate shall apply during such CD
Interest Period, unless within such CD Interest Period the Borrower and all of
the Lenders shall agree in writing upon an alternative mutually satisfactory
basis for determining the interest rate applicable to such CD Interest Period.
During any CD Interest Period while a rate of interest ascertained under this
Section 3.3(c)(iv) applies to the Loans, the Borrower may, on giving not less
than three Business Days' prior notice to the Agent Bank, prepay the affected
Loans in whole or in part without penalty or premium, together with accrued
interest on the amount thereof through the date of such prepayment at the rate
of interest ascertained under this Section 3.3(c)(iv).
(d) Interest on LIBOR Loans.
(i) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount from time to time outstanding on each LIBOR Loan, in each case for each
LIBOR Interest Period, at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the
LIBOR Margin.
(ii) Interest on each LIBOR Loan shall be payable in arrears on
each Interest Payment Date applicable to such LIBOR Loan.
(iii) Promptly after the Agent Bank's determination of the
interest rate to be applicable during each LIBOR Interest Period, the Agent
Bank shall notify the Borrower and each Lender of such rate.
(iv) In the event, and on each occasion, that on the day two
Business Days before the beginning of any LIBOR Interest Period, the Agent Bank
shall reasonably have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and
binding
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upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the Eurodollar
market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the rate of
interest applicable during such LIBOR Interest Period pursuant to this Section
3.3(d), the Agent Bank shall as soon as practicable give notice of such
determination to the Borrower and to the Lenders whereupon the Base Rate shall
apply during such LIBOR Interest Period, unless within such LIBOR Interest
Period the Borrower and all of the Lenders shall agree in writing upon an
alternative mutually satisfactory basis for determining the interest rate
applicable to such LIBOR Interest Period. During any LIBOR Interest Period
while a rate of interest ascertained under this Section 3.3(d)(iv) applies to
the Loans, the Borrower may, on giving not less than three Business Days' prior
notice to the Agent Bank, prepay the affected Loans in whole or in part without
penalty or premium, together with accrued interest on the amount thereof
through the date of such prepayment at the rate of interest ascertained under
this Section 3.3(d)(iv).
SECTION 3.4. Provisions Applicable to Loans.
(a) Prepayments. The Borrower may, upon not less than three
Business Days' irrevocable notice to the Agent Bank, in minimum amounts of
$5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, prepay
any Loans in full or from time to time in part at any time, upon payment of
accrued interest to the date of prepayment on such Loan or Loans or portions
thereof prepaid. The prepayment of CD Loans and LIBOR Loans on a date other
than the last day of the applicable Interest Period shall also be subject to
any required payments pursuant to Section 3.4(d).
(b) Payments. Each Loan made by each Lender hereunder shall
be made by transferring immediately available funds prior to 1:00 p.m. (New
York time) on the date of such Loan in the amount of such Loan to the account
of the Agent Bank at Union Bank of Switzerland, New York Branch, ABA No.
026008439, attention: Loan Servicing, ref: Southwest Gas for retransfer (in
immediately available funds) to the account of the Borrower at Bank of America
N.T. & S.A., North American Division, Corporate Services, 1850 Gateway
Boulevard, Concord, California 94520 (account name: Southwest Gas Corporation,
account number: 12359- 04038). Subject to Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, all
payments and prepayments of principal of, and all payments of interest on, each
Loan shall be made by the Borrower in immediately available funds prior to 1:00
p.m. (New York time) on the date of payment to the account of the Agent Bank as
specified in the immediately preceding sentence for the accounts of the holders
of the relevant Notes, pro rata in accordance with the respective
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<PAGE> 36
principal amounts thereof held by them (in the case of any payment or
prepayment of principal) and pro rata in accordance with the respective amounts
of accrued but unpaid interest on the Notes held by them (in the case of any
payment of interest). Payments received by the Agent Bank for the account of
the Lenders shall be applied in accordance with the priorities set forth in
Section 3.10 hereof. The Agent Bank will make each payment made to it for the
account of any Lender available promptly to such Lender in immediately
available funds in accordance with such Lender's standing credit instructions
to the Agent Bank.
(c) Computation of Interest. Interest hereunder shall be
computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for CD Loans and LIBOR Loans and
365 or 366 days, as the case may be (based on the actual number of days in the
applicable year), for Base Rate Loans and interest shall be paid for the actual
number of days for which due. Except as otherwise provided herein, any payment
due hereunder or under the Notes which is due on a date which is not a Business
Day shall be paid on the next day which is a Business Day, with interest from
such due date to such date of payment.
(d) Reemployment of Funds. If the Borrower shall elect to
prepay a Loan or portion thereof pursuant to Sections 3.4(a), 4.1 or 4.2, or if
any Lender requires prepayment of a Loan or portion thereof pursuant to Section
4.3, on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period, the Borrower shall
reimburse the Lenders for any costs incurred by them in respect of the
reemployment of funds and the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any
loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of
liquidating or employing deposits from third parties acquired to effect or
maintain any Loan or part thereof. If the Borrower shall fail to borrow in
accordance with any notice pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(iii), the Borrower shall
reimburse the Lenders for any costs, including expenses, incurred by them as a
result of such failure. All costs referred to in the two preceding sentences,
which each Lender shall exercise its reasonable efforts to minimize, shall be
certified to the Borrower by notice of such Lender, and such notice shall,
subject to correction for manifest error on the part of such Lender, be binding
and conclusive on the Borrower.
(e) Fees.
(i) General. All payments of fees hereunder shall be made in
immediately available funds to the account of the Agent Bank specified in the
first sentence of Section 3.4(b) hereof for the accounts of the Lenders, pro
rata in
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accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. The Agent Bank will
make fees paid to it for the account of any Lender available promptly to such
Lender in accordance with Section 3.4(b).
(ii) Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender
its pro rata share of a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") payable for each
Calendar Quarter for the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the
Expiration Date payable quarterly (computed on the basis of the actual number
of days in such Calendar Quarter or shorter period, as appropriate, over a year
of 360 days), in arrears on the daily average unused amount of the Commitments
after deducting the sum of (I) all outstanding Loans plus (II) the aggregate
Face Value of all outstanding Commercial Paper Notes plus (III) all
unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements plus (IV) the amount of any
reduction in the Total Commitment allocated in accordance with Section 3.8 to
the Commitments effective during such Calendar Quarter or shorter period on the
basis of the number of days such Commitments were actually effective during
such Calendar Quarter or shorter period. The Commitment Fee shall be equal to
the percentage per annum set forth below opposite the highest Rating category
in effect on the date of the payment of such Commitment Fee:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Rating Percentage
------ ----------
<S> <C>
BBB/Baa2 or higher .1875%
BBB-/Baa3 .2500%
BB+/Ba1 .3750%
BB/Ba2 or lower .6000%.
</TABLE>
Payment of the Commitment Fee shall be made in the manner set forth in Section
3.4(b) for the accounts of the Lenders, payable in arrears on the last day of
each Calendar Quarter and on the Expiration Date. All payments of the
Commitment Fee hereunder shall be payable pro rata to the Lenders in accordance
with their respective Commitment Percentage and shall be made available to such
Lenders as set forth in Section 3.4(b).
SECTION 3.5. The Letter of Credit and Commercial Paper
Operations.
(a) Issuing the Letter of Credit.
(i) The Issuing Bank agrees, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions contained in this Credit Agreement, to deliver to the Depositary
pursuant to the Depositary Agreement the Letter of Credit substantially in the
form included in Exhibit D hereto.
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(ii) No Commercial Paper Note shall be issued by the Borrower
except through the Depositary and in accordance with the terms of this Credit
Agreement and the Depositary Agreement. The Borrower shall not at any time
issue Commercial Paper Notes if (i) the Face Value of all Commercial Paper
Notes outstanding plus the Face Value of all Commercial Paper Notes to be
issued will exceed (x) the Total Commitment minus, (y) the sum of (A) the
aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding on such date plus (B) the
aggregate amount on such date of all unreimbursed Letter of Credit
Disbursements, plus (z) the proceeds of such Commercial Paper Notes to be
deposited, on the same day as the day of such issuance, in the Commercial Paper
Account for the purpose of contemporaneously repaying or prepaying outstanding
Loans and/or reimbursing Letter of Credit Disbursements relating to matured and
concurrently maturing Commercial Paper Notes (whether or not presented for
payment) plus the amount deposited by the Borrower in the Commercial Paper
Account to pay the discount or interest on such matured and concurrently
maturing Commercial Paper Notes, or (ii) there shall fail to be credited to the
Letter of Credit Account, by way of a credit advice, the funds required by the
Depositary to pay holders of all Commercial Paper Notes maturing on such day
all principal and interest due and owing with respect to such Commercial Paper
Notes.
(b) Issuance of Commercial Paper Notes.
(i) The Borrower, by entering into the Depositary Agreement,
authorized and directed the Depositary to act as its agent for the issuance and
delivery of Commercial Paper Notes. Commercial Paper Notes may be issued by
the Borrower from time to time in accordance with this Section 3.5 and the
Depositary Agreement.
(ii) The Borrower shall not have the right to issue and sell
Commercial Paper Notes in accordance with this Credit Agreement and the
Depositary Agreement if one of the following events shall have occurred: (A)
an Event of Default or a Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) the
conditions precedent specified in Article V with respect to the issuance of
Commercial Paper Notes have not been satisfied, (C) the Commitments or the
obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue the Letter of Credit pursuant hereto
have terminated or have ceased for any reason whatsoever including, without
limitation, by reason of the operation of Section 3.5(j) or Section 4.2, (D)
the issuance of Commercial Paper Notes is prohibited by the provisions of
Section 4.7, (E) the initial Issuing Bank shall have been removed in accordance
with Section 8.2 hereof and a successor Issuing Bank shall not yet have been
appointed, or (F) the issuance
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<PAGE> 39
or the maintenance of the Letter of Credit shall be or become illegal and any
applicable period of grace or other "grandfather rights" shall have expired;
provided, however, that, so long as the Depositary is not in receipt of
instructions then in effect from the Agent Bank given in accordance with this
Section 3.5(b) and the Depositary Agreement not to issue or deliver Commercial
Paper Notes, any Commercial Paper Notes issued pursuant to the terms hereof and
of the Depositary Agreement shall be valid notwithstanding the occurrence of
any event specified in clauses (A) through (F) above. The Agent Bank may, in
its own discretion and shall, if directed by the Majority Lenders, direct the
Borrower and the Depositary not to issue or deliver Commercial Paper Notes upon
the occurrence of any event specified in clause (A) through (F) above. Any
instructions from the Agent Bank to the Borrower and the Depositary in
accordance with this Section 3.5(b) shall specify one or more of the events
described in clauses (A) through (F) as the reason(s) to cease issuing and
delivering Commercial Paper Notes. If the Agent Bank in its own discretion or
on behalf of the Lenders shall, as permitted by this Section 3.5(b) and the
Depositary Agreement, instruct the Borrower and the Depositary not to issue or
deliver Commercial Paper Notes, the Borrower shall not instruct the Depositary
to authenticate, issue or deliver any Commercial Paper Notes in respect of
agreements concluded by any dealer after the time such instructions are first
received by the Depositary, except to the extent that such issuance and
delivery occurs within one Business Day of the receipt of such notice by the
Depositary and is required in respect of agreements concluded by such dealer
prior to the time such dealer has received notice from the Agent Bank, the
Depositary or the Borrower of the giving by the Agent Bank of instructions not
to issue or deliver Commercial Paper Notes. The Borrower shall not under any
circumstances sell or offer, agree or commit to sell or offer any Commercial
Paper Notes to or through any dealer after having received instructions
hereunder not to issue or deliver Commercial Paper Notes. For purposes of this
Section 3.5(b), an agreement with respect to Commercial Paper Notes shall be
deemed concluded when it has become a final agreement in accordance with the
customary practice of commercial paper dealers in The City of New York.
Concurrently with the giving of any such instructions to the Borrower and the
Depositary, the Agent Bank shall on behalf of the Lenders give notice thereof
to each dealer and each agency which provides an investment rating with respect
to the Commercial Paper Notes, but failure to do so shall not impair the effect
of such instructions, except to the extent set forth in the third preceding
sentence. Any instruction given pursuant to this Section 3.5(b) to the
Borrower and the Depositary not to
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<PAGE> 40
issue or deliver Commercial Paper Notes may be revised or revoked by the Agent
Bank.
(iii) Each Commercial Paper Note shall (A) be in the form included
in Exhibit A hereto and completed in accordance with this Credit Agreement and
the Depositary Agreement, (B) be dated the date of issuance thereof (which
shall be a Business Day), (C) be made payable to the order of bearer or a
specified payee, (D) have a stated maturity date (which shall be a day on which
Banks are open in The City of New York), which shall not be later than the
earlier to occur of (x) the 270th day next succeeding the date of its issuance
and (y) the first Business Day prior to the Expiration Date, and (E) have a
Face Value of not less than $100,000, which, when added to the Face Value of
all other Commercial Paper Notes issued or to be issued on the same day, will
not exceed the aggregate amount available for issuance of Commercial Paper
Notes pursuant to Section 3.5(a)(ii). No Commercial Paper Note shall be
subject to automatic renewal, extension or roll-over. Subject to the
provisions of the Depositary Agreement, all Commercial Paper Notes shall be
delivered and issued against payment therefor in collected funds which are
immediately available in The City of New York on the date of issuance, and
otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement and the
Depositary Agreement.
(c) Participations; Unconditional Obligations.
(i) By the issuance of the Letter of Credit and without any
further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or any of the Lenders in respect
thereof, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each other Lender and each other
Lender hereby agrees to acquire from the Issuing Bank a participation in the
Letter of Credit, effective upon the issuance thereof, equal to such other
Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Letter of Credit. In consideration and
in furtherance of the foregoing, each other Lender hereby absolutely and
unconditionally agrees to pay to the Issuing Bank, in accordance with Section
3.5(g), such Lender's Commitment Percentage of each Letter of Credit
Disbursement.
(ii) Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to
acquire participations pursuant to Section 3.5(c)(i) and Section 3.5(g) in
respect of each Letter of Credit Disbursement is absolute and unconditional and
shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without
limitation, the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default or a Default,
and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement,
withholding or reduction whatsoever. The Borrower agrees that, subject to
Section 4.10, each Lender so purchasing a participation
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<PAGE> 41
from the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) and Section 3.5(g) may
exercise all its rights to payment against the Borrower, including the right of
setoff, with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the
direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(iii) The Issuing Bank agrees with each Lender that it shall
transfer to such Lender its proportionate share of any repayment including,
subject to the proviso below, interest paid to the Issuing Bank pursuant to
Section 3.5(d) based upon the proportion that the payments made by such Lender
pursuant to Section 3.5(g) bears to the total of payments made by the Issuing
Bank under the Letter of Credit; provided that each Lender shall receive
interest on its participation in a Letter of Credit Disbursement from the date
on which the amount of its participation is received by or on behalf of the
Issuing Bank and not from the date on which the Issuing Bank makes such Letter
of Credit Disbursement, unless such dates are the same.
(d) Agreement to Reimburse Letter of Credit Disbursements.
(i) To induce the Issuing Bank to issue the Letter of Credit
and the Lenders to acquire participations therein, the Borrower unconditionally
and irrevocably agrees to pay to the Agent Bank for the account of the Issuing
Bank, which subject to Section 3.5(c)(iii) in turn shall transfer to the
Lenders in accordance with their respective interests, an amount equal to any
Letter of Credit Disbursement, on the date such Letter of Credit Disbursement
is made (but such reimbursement shall not be made prior to 1:00 p.m., New York
City time, on such date). The Agent Bank, at the request of the Borrower,
shall notify the Borrower of any amounts owed hereunder by the Borrower in
respect of any Letter of Credit Disbursement on the date of such Letter of
Credit Disbursement. The Borrower also agrees to pay the Agent Bank, on behalf
of the Issuing Bank which in turn shall transfer to the Lenders in accordance
with their respective interests, interest on each outstanding Letter of Credit
Disbursement at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2.0% (computed on
the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360-day year); provided,
however, that if such Letter of Credit Disbursement shall be reimbursed to the
Agent Bank on behalf of the Issuing Bank or converted into Loans in accordance
with Section 3.2(a)(i) on the date such Letter of Credit Disbursement is made,
such Letter of Credit Disbursement shall not bear interest. Promptly upon
reimbursement in full being made to the Agent Bank for the account of the
Issuing Bank in respect of a Letter of
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<PAGE> 42
Credit Disbursement (plus accrued interest if any) or the conversion of such
Letter of Credit Disbursement into a Loan in accordance with Section 3.2(a)(i),
the Agent Bank shall transmit the Commercial Paper Note to which such Letter of
Credit Disbursement relates to the Borrower. Nothing in this paragraph shall
impair or otherwise affect the Agent Bank's right to effect reimbursements of
Letter of Credit Disbursements, and interest thereon, on behalf of the Issuing
Bank, pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.6(a).
(ii) The Borrower's obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank
under this Section 3.5(d) for the amount of all Letter of Credit Disbursements
(plus accrued interest if any) to the extent such unreimbursed Letter of Credit
Disbursements have not been converted into a Loan in accordance with Section
3.2 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the
Borrower may have or have had against the Agent Bank, the Issuing Bank or any
Lender, including, without limitation, any defense based on the failure of any
drawing to conform to the terms of the Letter of Credit, any failure of the
Borrower to receive all or any part of the proceeds of the sale of Commercial
Paper Notes with respect to which such Letter of Credit Disbursement was made
or any nonapplication or misapplication of the proceeds of such sale or the
legality, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Letter of Credit.
(e) Letter of Credit Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay a
Letter of Credit fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") payable for each Calendar
Quarter for the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the
Expiration Date payable quarterly (computed in each case on the basis of the
actual number of days in such Calendar Quarter or shorter period, as
appropriate, over a year of 360 days), on the average daily balance of
Commercial Paper Notes outstanding under the Letter of Credit in the percentage
set forth below opposite the highest Rating category in effect on the last day
of the Calendar Quarter preceding the date the relevant Letter of Credit Fee is
payable:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Rating Percentage
------ ----------
<S> <C>
BBB/Baa2 or higher 0.425%
BBB-/Baa3 0.550%
BB+/Ba1 0.800%
BB/Ba2 or lower 1.150%.
</TABLE>
The Letter of Credit Fee shall accrue from and include the date of issuance of
the Letter of Credit, and shall cease to accrue on the date on which no Letter
of Credit is outstanding.
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The Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last day of each
Calendar Quarter and on the last day of the last period during which a Letter
of Credit Fee accrues. All payments of Letter of Credit Fees shall be made in
the manner set forth in Section 3.4(b) for the accounts of the Lenders, pro
rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentage and shall be
made available to such Lenders as set forth in Section 3.4(b).
(f) Letter of Credit Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Issuing Bank and each Lender from and
against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses
whatsoever which the Issuing Bank and each Lender may incur (or which may be
claimed against the Issuing Bank and each Lender) by reason of or in connection
with the execution and delivery or assignment of, or payment under, the Letter
of Credit, or purchase of any participation by any Lender in any Letter of
Credit, unless, and with the sole exception that any such claim, damage, loss,
liability, cost or expense shall be caused by the wilful misconduct or gross
negligence of the Issuing Bank or any Lender, as the case may be, in performing
its obligations under this Credit Agreement or in making payment under the
Letter of Credit, whether or not any document presented pursuant to the Letter
of Credit proves to be insufficient in any respect and whether or not any other
statement or any other document presented pursuant to the Letter of Credit
proves to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement
therein proves to be inaccurate or untrue in any respect whatsoever.
(g) The Lenders' Commitment to the Issuing Bank. The Agent
Bank shall give the Lenders prompt notice of any Letter of Credit Disbursement
that is not reimbursed in full on the date when made and may give the Lenders
notice on or before 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any day, of any Letter of
Credit Disbursement made that day which has not been reimbursed in full by 1:30
p.m., New York City time, if the Agent Bank, for any reason, believes in good
faith that such Letter of Credit Disbursement will not be reimbursed on such
day. Any such notice shall specify the date of such Letter of Credit
Disbursement and the amount thereof. As promptly as possible, but no later
than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of receipt of such notice,
provided such notice is received prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, and no
later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day following the
date of receipt of such notice if such notice is received after 2:00 p.m., New
York City time, each Lender shall pay to the Issuing Bank such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of the unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursement.
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(h) Letter of Credit Operations. The Depositary shall, as
soon as practicable after the opening of business on the Business Day next
preceding the maturity date of any Commercial Paper Note, in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Depositary Agreement, make a demand of the
Issuing Bank for payment under the Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the
aggregate amount required to pay the Commercial Paper Notes maturing on such
date.
Upon receipt by the Depositary of a written notice from the
Agent Bank to the effect that an Event of Default has occurred hereunder, the
Depositary shall, in accordance with the Depositary Agreement, make a demand
for payment under the Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the aggregate
amount required to pay all of the Commercial Paper Notes then outstanding upon
their maturity.
(i) Issuing Bank Fee. As further consideration to the
Issuing Bank for issuing the Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees to pay the
Issuing Bank for its own account for each Calendar Quarter a fee (the "Issuing
Bank Fee") equal to 0.150% per annum (computed in each case on the basis of the
actual number of days in such Calendar Quarter or shorter period, as
appropriate, over a year of 360 days) on the Total Commitment. The Issuing
Bank Fee shall be payable on the same terms and at the same times as the Letter
of Credit Fee.
(j) Termination of Letter of Credit and Commercial Paper
Operations. The Borrower may, upon not less than five Business Days'
irrevocable notice to the Agent Bank and the Depositary, terminate as of a
specific date (the "CP/Letter of Credit Termination Date") both its right under
this Section 3.5 and under the Depositary Agreement to issue Commercial Paper
Notes and the obligation of the Issuing Bank under this Section 3.5 and the
Depositary Agreement to provide the Letter of Credit to the Depositary,
provided that such termination shall be effective only if on such CP/Letter of
Credit Termination Date (i) the Depositary returns the Letter of Credit to the
Issuing Bank for cancellation and (ii) no Commercial Paper Notes are
outstanding. The Depositary may not return the Letter of Credit to the Issuing
Bank unless at such time no Commercial Paper Notes are outstanding and the
Depositary has received the notice referred to above. The Agent Bank shall
promptly notify the Lenders upon the receipt of any such notice and upon the
return of the Letter of Credit to the Issuing Bank. The termination
contemplated by this Section 3.5(j) shall in no way affect the obligation of
the Borrower to repay any unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements or other
fees or
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expenses owing as of such CP/Letter of Credit Termination Date.
SECTION 3.6. Taxes, Duties, Fees and Charges.
(a) The Borrower may, to the extent required by applicable
United States laws (including tax treaties), withhold all or any portion of any
interest payments or other fees and payments subject to withholding pursuant to
the tax laws of the United States. Each Lender which is not a bank organized
under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof shall
deliver to the Agent Bank for delivery to the Borrower copies, completed and
executed as required, of Form 1001 or Form 4224, as the case may be,
promulgated under the Code. If, due to any change after the date hereof in
applicable law, regulation or interpretation thereof by any authority charged
with interpretation thereof, including, without limitation, the unavailability
of Form 4224 to any Lender which is not a bank organized under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof or the loss by any Lender of
exemption from U.S. withholding taxes, the Borrower is required to withhold all
or any portion of any payment specified above, then the amount of interest or
other fees and payments subject to such withholding payable to such affected
Lender under this Agreement will be increased to the amount which, after
deduction from such increased amount of all taxes required to be withheld or
deducted therefrom, will yield to such Lender the amount stated to be payable
under this Agreement. If any of the taxes specified in this subsection are
paid by any Lender, the Borrower will, upon notification by such Lender
pursuant to Section 4.1, reimburse such Lender for such payments, together with
any interest and penalties which may be imposed by the governmental agency or
taxing authority.
(b) If the Borrower shall pay any tax or charge as provided
herein or shall make any deduction or withholding from amounts payable
hereunder, within 10 days of the date of such payment, deduction or withholding
the Borrower shall forward to the Agent Bank for delivery to the affected
Lender or Lenders official receipts or other evidence acceptable to the Agent
Bank establishing payment, deduction or withholding of such amounts.
(c) The Borrower shall promptly pay all taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges and governmental fees levied in connection with
this Credit Agreement or the Notes.
SECTION 3.7. Interest on Late Payments. If the Borrower
defaults in the payment of the principal of any
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Loan, interest thereon or any other sums payable pursuant to this Credit
Agreement or the Notes, whether of fees, expenses or otherwise, the Borrower
shall pay interest on such defaulted amounts (to the extent permitted by law)
up to the date of actual payment (after as well as before judgment) on the last
day of each Calendar Quarter in arrears (computed in each case on the basis of
the actual number of days in such Calendar Quarter, over a year of 360 days) at
a rate equal to 2.0% in excess of the Base Rate.
SECTION 3.8. Reduction of the Total Commitment. The Borrower
may on the last day of any Interest Period, upon not less than 5 Business Days'
prior notice to the Agent Bank (or such shorter period as the Agent Bank, in
its sole discretion, may determine), permanently terminate in whole or
permanently reduce in part the unused portion of the Total Commitment, provided
that each partial reduction shall be in the amount of $5,000,000 or an integral
multiple thereof, and provided further that upon or prior to such reduction of
the Total Commitment, the Letter of Credit shall be amended to an amount equal
to the Total Commitment as so reduced. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the sum of (i) the Face Value of any Commercial Paper Notes
outstanding, (ii) any Loans outstanding and (iii) any unreimbursed Letter of
Credit Disbursements may not exceed the Total Commitment, and the Stated Amount
(as defined in the Letter of Credit) of the Letter of Credit shall be equal to
the Total Commitment.
SECTION 3.9. No Setoff Against Amounts Payable Hereunder.
All sums payable by the Borrower hereunder or under the Notes, whether of
principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise, shall be paid in full without
any right of setoff on the part of the Borrower.
SECTION 3.10. Application of Payments. All payments to the
Lenders under this Credit Agreement or the Notes (other than payments pursuant
to Section 4.1, Section 4.2 or Section 4.3) will be applied pro rata among the
Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitment Percentages in the
following order of priority: (a) to any Commitment Fee then due and payable,
(b) to any Letter of Credit Fee then due and payable, (c) to the reimbursement
of any unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursement, (d) to any other amounts not
otherwise listed in this paragraph then due and payable under this Credit
Agreement, (e) to the accrued interest then due and payable on the principal
amount of the Notes, (f) to the principal amount of the Notes then due and
payable and (g) to the prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of
this Credit Agreement.
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<PAGE> 47
IV. OTHER CREDIT TERMS
SECTION 4.1. Change in Circumstances. In the event that the
introduction of, or any change in, applicable law, regulation, condition or
directive, or interpretation or administration thereof (including any request,
guideline or policy whether or not having the force of law) by any authority
charged with the administration or interpretation thereof:
(a) subjects any Lender (which shall for the purpose of this
Section 4.1 include any assignee of such Lender permitted by Section 9.9
hereof) to any tax with respect to any Loan, its obligation in respect of the
Letter of Credit or its Commitment (other than any tax on or measured by the
overall net income of such Lender); or
(b) changes the basis of taxation of payments to any Lender
of principal of, or interest on, any Loan made by such Lender (including
withholding taxes imposed on interest payments on any such Loan due to any such
change after the date hereof), with respect to its Commitment or its obligation
in respect of the Letter of Credit or of other amounts payable hereunder, or
any combination of the foregoing (other than any tax on or measured by the
overall net income of such Lender); or
(c) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
deposit or similar requirement against any assets held by, deposits with or for
the account of, or loans or commitments by, an office of any Lender in
connection with any Loan or its obligations in respect of the Letter of Credit
(including, without limitation, the Assessment Rate); or
(d) imposes upon any Lender any other condition with respect
to any Loan, its participation in, or in the case of the Issuing Bank its
obligation under, the Letter of Credit or this Credit Agreement; and the result
of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making,
funding or maintaining any Loan, its obligation in respect of the Letter of
Credit or its Commitment hereunder, as the case may be, or to reduce the amount
of any payment (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) received or
receivable by such Lender or to require such Lender to make any payment on or
calculated by reference to any sum received by it, in each case by an amount
which such Lender in its sole judgment deems material after conducting the
review required by Section 4.4 hereof, then and in any such case:
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(i) such Lender shall within 60 Business Days of becoming
aware of the happening of any such event give notice thereof to the
Borrower and the Agent Bank;
(ii) such Lender shall contemporaneously therewith or promptly
thereafter deliver to the Borrower and the Agent Bank a certificate
stating the change which has occurred or the reserve requirements or
other conditions which have been imposed or the request, direction or
requirement with which the affected Lender has complied or will
comply, together with the date thereof, the amount of such increased
costs, reduction or payment, the way in which such amount has been
calculated and the location and identifying number of a bank account
specified by such Lender to which the Borrower should direct any
payments made to such Lender pursuant to this Section 4.1; and
(iii) the Borrower shall pay to such affected Lender (and provide
notice of such payment to the Agent Bank), as soon as possible and in
any event no later than 15 days after delivery of the certificate
referred to in clause (ii) above and to the account specified therein,
such an amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such
additional cost, reduction or payment.
The certificate of the affected Lender as to the additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 4.1 delivered to the Borrower shall, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive evidence of the amount thereof. The protection
of this Section 4.1 shall be available to the affected Lender regardless of any
possible contention of invalidity or inapplicability of the law, regulation or
condition which has been imposed. No failure on the part of any Lender to
demand compensation under this Section 4.1 shall constitute a waiver of its
right to demand such compensation on any other occasion.
SECTION 4.2. Capital Adequacy. If any Lender (which for
purposes of this Section 4.2 shall include any holding company parent of such
Lender) shall have determined that the adoption of any applicable law, rule or
regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in
the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, (including any such adoption or change made prior to
the date hereof but not effective until after the date hereof) or compliance by
any Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or
not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable
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agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such
Lender's capital as a consequence of its obligations under this Credit
Agreement to a level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for
such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Bank's
policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time, upon
written demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Agent Bank), the Borrower
shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate
such Lender for such reduction. Each Lender, upon determining in good faith
that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 4.2, will,
within 60 Business Days of such determination, give prompt written notice
thereof to the Borrower and the Agent Bank, which notice shall show the
identifying number of a bank account specified by such Lender to which the
Borrower should direct any payments made to such Lender hereunder and the basis
for calculation of such additional amounts, although the failure to give any
such notice shall not release or diminish any of the Borrower's obligations to
pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.2. The Borrower shall pay to
such affected Lender (and provide notice of such payment to the Agent Bank), as
soon as possible and in any event no later than 15 days after receipt of the
notice referred to above, to the account specified in such notice.
If the Borrower shall be required to make any payment or
reimbursement under Section 3.6, Section 4.1 or under this Section 4.2 or
otherwise to compensate any Lender hereunder, the Borrower shall be free at any
time after notification of a withholding obligation under Section 3.6 or the
receipt of the certificate or demand of the affected Lender, (A) to terminate
such Lender's Commitment and proportionately reduce the Commitment Fee, or (B)
to prepay the affected portion of any Loan in whole (plus all amounts payable
pursuant to Section 4.1(d)(iii) and this Section 4.2 to compensate such
affected Lender for additional costs, reductions or payments with respect to
the period prior to prepayment) without penalty or premium (but subject to
Section 3.4(d)), together with accrued interest on the amount thereof through
the date of such prepayment, and otherwise as provided in Sections 4.1 and 4.2;
provided, however, that the Borrower may not terminate the Commitment of any
Lender unless the Borrower has, with the assistance of the Agent Bank, selected
a satisfactory substitute bank or banks (which may be one or more of the
Lenders) to purchase the Note of such Lender and assume the Commitment and
Letter of Credit participation of such Lender.
SECTION 4.3. Change in Legality. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein contained, if the introduction
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of, or any change in, law or regulation or in the interpretation thereof by any
governmental authority charged with the administration thereof shall make it
unlawful for any Lender (which shall for the purpose of this Section 4.3
include any assignee of such Lender permitted by Section 9.9 hereof) to make,
fund or maintain any CD Loan or LIBOR Loan hereunder, then by notice to the
Borrower upon the request of such Lender (which request shall specify the
location and identifying number of a bank account specified by such Lender to
which the Borrower should make payments to such Lender pursuant to this Section
4.3), the Agent Bank shall (a) require prepayment without penalty or premium
(but subject to Section 3.4(d)) on the last day of the then effective Interest
Period or on such earlier date as required by such law or regulation of all
amounts due hereunder with respect to such Lender's CD Loans or LIBOR Loans, as
the case may be, whereupon all such amounts shall be due and payable on such
date by the Borrower to such Lender at the account specified in such Lender's
request described above, or (b) convert such CD Loans or LIBOR Loans, as the
case may be, to Base Rate Loans.
SECTION 4.4. Responsibility of Affected Lender. Upon the
occurrence of any change in tax laws pursuant to Section 3.6 hereof, any change
in circumstances pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, any change in regulation
regarding capital adequacy pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof or any change in
legality pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof, and subject to the provisions of
Section 3.6, Section 4.1, Section 4.2 and Section 4.3 hereof, the Lender
affected by such change shall use its reasonable efforts to conduct a review of
alternative courses of action which may mitigate or eliminate the increased
cost to the Lender of making, funding or maintaining any Loan made by it, its
obligations in respect of the Letter of Credit or its Commitment hereunder, and
shall use its reasonable efforts to engage in any such alternative course of
action which is reasonable under the circumstances as they shall exist at such
time, provided such alternative course of action will not result in any
reduction of the amount of any principal or interest or other payment
receivable by such Lender under other provisions of this Credit Agreement.
SECTION 4.5. Indemnification. The Borrower shall indemnify
each Lender against any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur
as a consequence of any default in the payment of the principal amount of any
Loan or any part thereof or interest accrued thereon as and when due and
payable (at the due date thereof or otherwise), or in respect of any payment to
be made pursuant to Section 3.5(c)(iii), as and when due and payable (at the
due
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date thereof or otherwise), or the occurrence of any Event of Default,
including but not limited to any loss or reasonable expense sustained or
incurred in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties acquired to
effect or maintain such Loan or any part thereof. Each Lender shall provide to
the Borrower a statement, supported where applicable by documentary evidence,
explaining the amount of any such loss or expense, which statements shall,
subject to correction for manifest error on the part of such Lender, be
conclusive with respect to the parties hereto.
SECTION 4.6. Commercial Paper Account. (a)
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery by the Borrower of the
Depositary Agreement, the Borrower shall establish with the Depositary at the
Depositary's Corporate Trust Office at 77 Water Street, New York, New York
10005, a special purpose restricted deposit account, identified as Account No.
4808237 (the "Commercial Paper Account"), over which the Agent Bank shall have
exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal. All proceeds from the sale of
Commercial Paper Notes will initially be deposited by the Depositary in the
Commercial Paper Account. The Depositary shall, if authorized in writing by
the Agent Bank, transfer to such account of the Borrower specified in writing
by the Borrower funds in the Commercial Paper Account representing proceeds
from the sale of Commercial Paper Notes on any day in excess of the amount of
such proceeds which, when added to other collected funds then on deposit in the
Commercial Paper Account (other than any funds subject to any writ, order,
judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process), are equal to
the aggregate amount payable (including interest, to the extent provided for
herein) or that would be payable on such day by the Borrower to the Agent Bank
for the account of the Issuing Bank in respect of Letter of Credit
Disbursements relating to matured Commercial Paper Notes and Commercial Paper
Notes maturing on such day (calculated on the assumption that drawings are made
on such day under the Letter of Credit relating to all such Commercial Paper
Notes as to which drawings have not then been made and that the Agent Bank
makes demand for reimbursement hereunder on such day in respect of all such
drawings). In addition, there shall be deposited in the Commercial Paper
Account such amounts as the Borrower shall from time to time be required
hereunder or otherwise elect to deposit therein for the purpose of providing
for the reimbursement of Letter of Credit Disbursements and interest thereon.
The Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that the Agent Bank may, in accordance
with the terms of the Depositary Agreement, without demand or notice of any
kind, at any time and from time to time, but not prior to the later of 1:00
p.m., New York City time or the time that the Letter
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of Credit Account is debited in accordance with the provisions hereof and of
the Depositary Agreement, on the date of any Letter of Credit Disbursement,
cause the Depositary to debit the Commercial Paper Account for the amount of
such Letter of Credit Disbursement and interest thereon due and owing to the
Agent Bank for the account of the Issuing Bank at such account specified in
writing by the Agent Bank to the Depositary. So long as the Agent Bank has not
given the Borrower and the Depositary notice that an Event of Default or a
Default has occurred and is continuing and that the Borrower is to cease
issuing Commercial Paper Notes, any funds remaining on deposit in the
Commercial Paper Account on the date of any Letter of Credit Disbursement,
after the Commercial Paper Account is debited for the amount of such Letter of
Credit Disbursement and interest thereon as aforesaid, shall be transferred by
the Depositary to such account of the Borrower as the Borrower shall have
specified by notice to the Agent Bank and the Depositary.
(b) In order to secure and to provide for the repayment of
the Obligations (as hereinafter defined), the Borrower hereby assigns, pledges,
transfers and sets over unto the Agent Bank, as collateral agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants the Agent Bank, as
collateral agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security
interest in, the net proceeds from the sale of Commercial Paper Notes, the
Commercial Paper Account and all funds at any time and from time to time on
deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the Commercial Paper Account (all
such proceeds and funds being herein called the "Deposited Funds") and all
claims of the Borrower in and to the Deposited Funds. Throughout the term of
this Credit Agreement and as long as any amounts payable to any of the Lenders
hereunder remain unpaid, the Agent Bank, as collateral agent, shall be a
pledgee in possession of the Deposited Funds and shall have the sole and
exclusive right to withdraw or order a transfer of Deposited Funds from the
Commercial Paper Account and the Borrower hereby appoints the Agent Bank the
true and lawful attorney of the Borrower, with full power of substitution, for
the purpose of directing the Depositary to make any such withdrawal or order
any such transfer of Deposited Funds from the Commercial Paper Account, which
appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default or Default, all
rights of the Borrower to request the Agent Bank to cause the Depositary to
withdraw, or order the transfer of, Deposited Funds from the Commercial Paper
Account shall cease, and the Agent Bank shall have the right at any time and
from time to time, to appropriate and apply the funds then, or at any time
thereafter, on deposit in the Commercial Paper Account to the
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payment or prepayment in full of all outstanding Obligations, whether or not
then due, in the order of priority specified in paragraph (c) of this Section
4.6. The Agent Bank shall, in addition to the rights and powers provided for
herein, be entitled to exercise from time to time any rights and remedies
available to it under applicable law as a secured party in respect of the
Deposited Funds. The Agent Bank shall not be liable to any Person for any
incorrect or improper payment made pursuant to this Section 4.6 in the absence
of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct or that of its officers,
directors, employees, agents or representatives.
(c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent
Bank may direct the Depositary to withdraw amounts from the Commercial Paper
Account for application as provided below. Such amounts shall be applied to
provide for the repayment of the following indebtedness and liabilities of the
Borrower (such indebtedness and liabilities being herein called the
"Obligations") in the order of priority indicated:
(i) First, to the payment of all costs and expenses at any
time and from time to time incurred by the Agent Bank or any of the Lenders in
connection with the administration and/or enforcement of this Credit Agreement
or any related document (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses
of counsel employed by the Agent Bank or any of the Lenders in connection
therewith) and the payment of all indemnities at any time and from time to time
payable to the Agent Bank or any of the Lenders, under or in connection with
this Credit Agreement or any related document; and
(ii) Second, to the payment of the following Obligations (except
for such Obligations which shall have been paid pursuant to item First of this
paragraph (c)), ratably according to the then unpaid amounts thereof, without
preference or priority of any kind among such various Obligations: all
indebtedness and liabilities, whether absolute, fixed or contingent, at any
time and from time to time owing by the Borrower to the Agent Bank or any of
the Lenders under or in connection with this Credit Agreement, the Letter of
Credit, the Loans, the Notes or any document relating to any of the foregoing,
including, without limitation, all amounts at any time and from time to time
owing by the Borrower to the Issuing Bank in respect of Letter of Credit
Disbursements, with interest thereon, and all other amounts at any time and
from time to time owing by the Borrower to the Issuing Bank or the Agent Bank
or any of the Lenders under or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any
related document on account of fees, costs, expenses and taxes, but in any
event not including at any time any amounts in respect of the
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Letter of Credit as to which disbursement or payment has not theretofore been
made by or on behalf of the Issuing Bank.
(iii) The balance, if any, of the Deposited Funds remaining after
payment in full of the foregoing items shall be paid to the Borrower or as a
court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.
(d) In accordance with the provisions of the Depositary
Agreement, the Depositary shall keep accurate records of the date and time of
each deposit in the Commercial Paper Account and of each disbursement
therefrom.
SECTION 4.7. Attachments. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Borrower shall not be permitted to issue or sell
Commercial Paper Notes at any time after it or the Depositary has received
notice that the Commercial Paper Account or any funds on deposit in, or
otherwise to the credit of, the Commercial Paper Account are then subject to
any writ, order, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process,
except to the extent that such issuance and sale is required in respect of
agreements concluded by a dealer prior to the time such dealer has received
notice from the Agent Bank, the Depositary or the Borrower of the termination
or suspension pursuant hereto of the Borrower's right to issue Commercial Paper
Notes. The Borrower shall not under any circumstances sell or offer, agree or
commit to sell Commercial Paper Notes to or through any dealer after having
received notice under this Section 4.7.
SECTION 4.8. Authorized Signature. In case any authorized
officer of the Borrower whose signature shall appear on any Commercial Paper
Note shall cease to have such authority before the issuance of such Commercial
Paper Note, the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under such Commercial
Paper Note shall nevertheless be valid for all purposes as if such authority
had remained in force until such issuance.
SECTION 4.9. Letter of Credit Account. Contemporaneously
with the execution and delivery by the Agent Bank of the Depositary Agreement,
the Issuing Bank shall establish at the Corporate Trust Office in The City of
New York of the Depositary a special purpose account, identified as Account No.
4808210 (the "Letter of Credit Account"). Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the Business Day immediately succeeding the Business Day of receipt of
a drawing request under the Letter of Credit (and subject to such drawing
request having been properly made in accordance with the Letter of Credit), in
order to make payment of the
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amount of such drawing, the Issuing Bank will cause to be credited, by way of
wire transfer, which shall not be revoked, to the Depositary's Account at
Chemical Bank New York, ABA No. 021000128, Bank of Montreal Trust Company, No.
400-046075 for immediate deposit in the Letter of Credit Account an amount
equal to the amount of such drawing, in accordance with the terms of the Letter
of Credit. The amounts on deposit in the Letter of Credit Account shall be
subject to withdrawal by the Depositary solely for the purpose of effecting
payment of Commercial Paper Notes until the Commercial Paper Notes have been
paid in full. The Borrower shall have no legal, equitable or beneficial
interest in the Letter of Credit Account or the moneys on deposit therein. In
accordance with the provisions of the Depositary Agreement, the Depositary will
record the date of each wire transfer by or on behalf of the Issuing Bank to
the Letter of Credit Account and keep accurate records of each disbursement
therefrom for at least three years.
SECTION 4.10. Right of Setoff, Additional Security. (a) In
addition to any other right or remedy that any Lender may have by operation of
law or otherwise, each Lender shall be entitled to exercise its banker's lien
or right of setoff (including without limitation the right of setoff in
connection with such Lender's participation in the Letter of Credit); provided,
however, that each Lender hereby irrevocably waives any such right, or any
other right that it may have at law or otherwise to exercise such banker's lien
or right of setoff, in order to appropriate and apply to the payment of unpaid
Letter of Credit Disbursements (or participations therein) and Loans resulting
from the conversion of a Letter of Credit Disbursement into a Loan in
accordance with Section 3.2 hereof, and interest thereon, any balances,
credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of the Borrower, at any time with such
Lender when and if there shall be a drawing under the Letter of Credit during
the pendency of any proceeding by or against the Borrower, seeking relief in
respect of the Borrower under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now
constituted or hereafter amended.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the waiver by each Lender
specified in paragraph (a) above shall cease to be operative and be of no force
and effect and all rights waived by the Lenders in such paragraph shall be
reinstated, if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such
reinstatement would not lead to such Lender's being released, prevented or
restrained from or delayed in fulfilling its obligations under the Letter of
Credit.
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SECTION 4.11. Payment of Drawings under Letter of Credit.
The Issuing Bank agrees that all Letter of Credit Disbursements (and
participations therein) shall be paid out of its general funds and that
payments under the Letter of Credit shall not in any manner be contingent upon
or drawn from amounts on deposit in the Commercial Paper Account or amounts on
deposit in any other account maintained by the Borrower with the Depositary,
the Issuing Bank, the Agent Bank or any Lender.
V . CONDITIONS OF LENDING
SECTION 5.1. Conditions Precedent to the Initial Credit
Event. The obligations of the Lenders and of the Issuing Bank with respect to
the initial Credit Event shall be subject to the conditions precedent that, on
the date of such Credit Event, the Restated and Amended Credit Agreement
referred to in Recital D hereof shall have been terminated and the Agent Bank
shall have received the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent Bank with sufficient copies for each Lender:
(a) certified copies, dated the date of such Credit Event, of
(i) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving the
execution, delivery and performance of this Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes by the Borrower, and (ii)
all documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental
approvals, if any, with respect to this Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes;
(b) a certificate, dated the date of such Credit Event, of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower certifying the names
and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this
Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper
Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder;
(c) The articles of incorporation of the Borrower as in
effect on the date of such Credit Event, certified by the Secretary of State of
California as of a recent date and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
the Borrower as of the date of such Credit Event and the bylaws of the Borrower
as in effect on the date of such Credit Event, certified by the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of the Borrower as of the date of such Credit Event;
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(d) Certificates of good standing for the Borrower from each
of the Secretary of State of California and the Secretaries of State of the
States where the Borrower conducts its principal operations, certifying that
the Borrower is in good standing in such States, such certificates to be dated
reasonably near the date of such Credit Event;
(e) Originals (or copies certified to be true copies by an
appropriate officer of the Borrower) of all governmental and regulatory
approvals (including, without limitation, approvals or orders of the California
Public Utilities Commission) necessary for the Borrower with respect to this
Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper
Notes and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(f) a favorable opinion of Robert M. Johnson, Associate
General Counsel for the Borrower, dated the date of such Credit Event, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E;
(g) a favorable opinion of (i) Sullivan & Cromwell,
special counsel for the Lenders, in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit F-1 and (ii) the general counsel of UBS, in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit F-2;
(h) a favorable opinion of O'Melveny & Myers, special counsel
for the Borrower, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G;
(i) a certified copy of the Depositary Agreement duly
executed on behalf of the Borrower and the Depositary; and
(j) The Issuing Bank shall have received the financial
statements referred to in Sections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b) and a certificate signed
by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Accounting Officer or Treasurer showing compliance with the covenants set forth
in Sections 6.12, 6.13 and 6.14, as of the date of such Credit Event and the
calculations supporting such certification.
SECTION 5.2. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events.
(a) The obligations of the Lenders to make each Loan and of
the Issuing Bank to issue the Letter of Credit and not to object to the
issuance of Commercial Paper Notes
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and the obligation of the Depositary to authenticate and issue Commercial Paper
Notes upon the direction of the Borrower shall be subject to the further
conditions precedent that on the date of such Loan or Letter of Credit or
Commercial Paper Note issuance, as the case may be:
(i) the representations and warranties contained in
Section 2.1 are correct on and as of the date of such Loan or Letter
of Credit or Commercial Paper Note issuance, as the case may be, as
though made on and as of such date;
(ii) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would
result from such Loan or Letter of Credit or Commercial Paper Note
issuance, as the case may be, which constitutes an Event of Default or
a Default;
(iii) since September 30, 1994, neither the Borrower nor
its Subsidiaries have entered into or consummated any transaction or
transactions, and there has occurred no change, affecting the
business, credit, operations, financial condition or prospects of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which could have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) no litigation, proceeding or inquiry before or by any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is continuing or, to the best of
the Borrower's knowledge, threatened which could have a Material
Adverse Effect;
(v) the Agent Bank shall have received copies of such
other approvals, opinions, certificates or documents as the Agent
Bank, Issuing Bank or any of the Lenders may reasonably request; and
(vi) the Borrower shall have paid to the Issuing Bank, for
the account of the Lenders, if applicable, and the Agent Bank such
fees as are required to be paid on or prior to such date including,
without limitation, the closing and participation fees due the Issuing
Bank and the Lenders and the Agent Bank pursuant to the Commitment
Letter.
(b) The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans shall be
subject to the further condition precedent that the Agent Bank shall have
received on behalf of the Lenders on or before the day thereof, the Notes, each
in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(c) The delivery by the Agent Bank of an executed counterpart
of this Agreement to any rating agency shall be
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conclusive evidence that each of the conditions precedent to the initial Credit
Event has either been satisfied or waived.
SECTION 5.3. Notice to Lenders. Promptly after the Agent
Bank receives all the documents the receipt of which is required under Sections
5.1 and 5.2 hereof as a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to
make any Loan or the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue the Letter of
Credit or to not object to the issuance of Commercial Paper Notes, the Agent
Bank shall give notice to the Lenders that it has received all such documents
and, as promptly as practicable thereafter, shall send copies of such documents
to the Lenders hereunder.
SECTION 5.4. Representations and Warranties with Respect to
Credit Events. Each Credit Event shall be deemed a representation and warranty
by the Borrower that the conditions precedent to such Credit Event (including
without limitation the condition that no Event of Default or Default shall have
occurred), unless otherwise waived in accordance herewith, shall have been
satisfied.
VI. COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER
SECTION 6.1. General. As long as any Note shall remain
unpaid or the Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding or any Letter of Credit
Disbursement shall remain unreimbursed or the Lenders shall have any
Commitments hereunder, the Borrower shall, unless the Majority Lenders shall
otherwise consent in writing, comply with the provisions of Sections 6.2
through 6.22.
SECTION 6.2. Information Covenants.
(a) Annual Financial Statements. The Borrower will furnish
to each Lender, as soon as available, but not later than 120 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Borrower, (i) the audited, consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such fiscal year and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash
flows for such fiscal year, certified by Arthur Andersen & Co. or other
independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing, and
(ii) the unaudited unconsolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end
of such fiscal year and the related unaudited unconsolidated statements of
income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, in
each case setting forth comparative figures for the preceding fiscal year, all
in reasonable detail, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower
or such other executive
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officer of the Borrower who was involved in the preparation of the financial
statements referred to herein; and
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. The Borrower will
furnish to each Lender, as soon as available, but not later than 60 days after
the end of each of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal
year of the Borrower, (i) the unaudited unconsolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower as of the end of such quarterly period and the related unaudited
unconsolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash
flows, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of
the end of such quarterly period and the related unaudited consolidated
statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the
elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly
period. Such statements shall be in reasonable detail and certified by the
Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower or such other executive officer of the
Borrower who was involved in the preparation of the financial statements
referred to herein.
(c) Officer's Certificates. The Borrower will furnish to
each Lender, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in Section 6.2(a) and (b) above, a certificate of the Chief
Financial Officer, the Controller, the Chief Accounting Officer or the
Treasurer of the Borrower (A) stating that, to the best of such officer's
knowledge after reasonable investigation, the Borrower, during such period, has
observed or performed all of its covenants and other agreements in all material
respects, and satisfied every condition contained in this Credit Agreement to
be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such officer has obtained
no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as specified in such
certificate, and (B) showing in detail the calculations supporting such
statement in respect of Sections 6.12, 6.13 and 6.14.
(d) Budgets. The Borrower will furnish to each Lender, as
soon as available but not later than February 1 of each fiscal year, a
comprehensive budget that has been reviewed by the Board of Directors of the
Borrower for such fiscal year (including pro forma unconsolidated projected
balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, capital financing
plans, and other statements, in each case for the current budget year),
together with an explanation of key assumptions, all in the form such budget
has previously been delivered to the Issuing Bank.
(e) Notices. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Issuing
Bank (who shall notify each Lender):
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(i) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
and of the occurrence or existence of any event or circumstance that
foreseeably will become a Default or Event of Default;
(ii) of any (A) breach or non-performance of, or any
default under any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries which could result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (B)
dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may
exist at any time between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and
any Governmental Authority which could result in a Material Adverse
Effect;
(iii) of the commencement of, or any material development
in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any
Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, could have a Material
Adverse Effect;
(iv) of any other litigation or proceeding affecting the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which the Borrower would be
required to report to the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, within four days after reporting the same to the SEC;
(v) of any ERISA Event affecting the Borrower or any
member of its Controlled Group (but in no event more than ten days
after such ERISA Event) together with (i) a copy of any notice with
respect to such ERISA Event that may be required to be filed with the
PBGC and (ii) any notice delivered by the PBGC to the Borrower or any
member of its Controlled Group with respect to such ERISA Event;
(vi) upon becoming aware thereof, of any Material Adverse
Effect;
(vii) upon becoming aware thereof, of any change in the
ratings of the Borrower's Debt by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation;
(viii) following any change in accounting policies or
financial reporting practices; and
(ix) upon becoming aware thereof, of any labor controversy
resulting in or threatening to result in any strike, work stoppage,
boycott, shutdown or other labor disruption against or involving the
Borrower or any Subsidiary and which could have a Material Adverse
Effect.
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Each notice pursuant to this subsection (e) shall be
accompanied by a written statement by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower
setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein.
(f) SEC Filings. The Borrower will furnish to each Lender,
promptly, copies of all reports, if any, on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K
(or any form substituted therefor) which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall file with the SEC or any governmental agencies substituted
therefor.
(g) Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to each
Lender, from time to time, and promptly upon each request, such other
information or documents as any Lender may reasonably request, including
without limitation any reports filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
with the SEC or any other governmental agency.
SECTION 6.3. Inspection of Property and Books and Records.
The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to
maintain, books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries
in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial
transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower and
such Subsidiaries. To the extent permitted by applicable law, and subject to
Section 9.10 of this Credit Agreement, the Borrower will permit, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to permit, representatives of the Agent Bank to visit
and inspect any of their respective Properties, to examine their respective
corporate, financial and operating records and make copies thereof or abstracts
therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with
their respective directors, officers, employees and independent public
accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon
reasonable advance notice to the Borrower.
SECTION 6.4. Maintenance of Property. The Borrower shall
maintain, and shall cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to maintain, and
preserve all its Property which is used or useful in its business in good
working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
SECTION 6.5. Insurance. The Borrower shall maintain, and
shall cause each Significant Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and
reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its Properties and business
against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons
engaged in the same or similar business, of such
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types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar
circumstances by such other Persons, including workers' compensation insurance,
public liability and property and casualty insurance.
SECTION 6.6. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower shall, and
shall cause its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due
and payable, all material obligations and liabilities, including:
(i) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental
charges or levies upon it or its Properties or assets, unless (x) the
same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary or (y) the same are levied or imposed on
Subsidiaries other than Significant Subsidiaries and the nonpayment of
which could not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(ii) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, might by law
become a Lien other than a Permitted Lien upon its Property.
SECTION 6.7. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower shall
comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material
respects with all Requirements of Law of any Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction over it or its business, except such as may be contested in good
faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist or where such noncompliance
could not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.8. Preservation of Corporate Existence, etc. The
Company shall and shall cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to:
(i) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its
corporate existence and good standing under the laws of its state or
jurisdiction of incorporation;
(ii) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all
rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises
material in the normal conduct of its business;
(iii) use its reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course
and consistent with past practice, to preserve its business
organization and preserve the goodwill and business of the customers,
suppliers and others having business relations with it; and
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(iv) preserve or renew all of its registered trademarks,
trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.9. Environmental Laws. The Borrower shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct its operations and keep and
maintain its Property in compliance with all Environmental Laws, the failure to
so comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION 6.10. Further Assurances. The Borrower shall ensure
that all written information, exhibits and reports furnished to the Issuing
Bank and the Lenders do not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact and do not and will not omit to state any material fact or any
fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light
of the circumstances in which made, and will promptly disclose to the Issuing
Bank and the Lenders and correct any defect or error that may be discovered
therein or in the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper Notes
or in the execution, acknowledgement or recordation thereof.
SECTION 6.11. Liens. The Borrower shall not create or suffer
to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create of suffer to exist, any
Lien upon or with respect to any of its Property except Permitted Liens.
SECTION 6.12. Net Worth. The Borrower shall not permit its
Net Worth at any time to be less than an amount equal to the sum of (i)
$305,000,000 plus (ii) 50% of the sum of all amounts realized (after the costs
of sale) from the sale by the Borrower of any shares of capital stock or any
other equity securities of the Borrower (except redeemable preferred stock)
issued after November 30, 1994 (or with respect to such equity securities sold
during any period of time when the Borrower's senior unsecured debt is rated
Baa3 or higher by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and BBB- or higher by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group 25% of such amounts realized) plus (iii)
investments in excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate made in PriMerit Bank
after October 31, 1991 minus (iv) after-tax losses related to the sale of
PriMerit Bank up to $40,000,000.
SECTION 6.13. Leverage Ratio. The Borrower shall not permit
the ratio of Funded Debt to Total Capitalization at any time during the
quarterly periods ending September 30, 1994, December 31, 1994, September 30,
1995 and December 31, 1995 to exceed 72 percent, nor shall the Borrower permit
such
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ratio to exceed 70 percent at any time during any quarter of any fiscal year
other than those quarters specifically enumerated in the preceding clause of
this Section 6.13. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the
Borrower issues new equity securities (excluding proceeds from the Borrower's
Employee Investment Plan and the Borrower's Dividend Reinvestment Program) the
net proceeds of which (after the costs of sale) equal or exceed $30 million,
then subsequent to the date of such issuance, the Borrower shall not permit the
ratio of Funded Debt to its Capitalization to exceed 70 percent. Furthermore,
in the event that the Borrower sells, conveys, transfers or otherwise disposes
of all or substantially all of the equity securities or the business of
PriMerit Bank, the Borrower shall not permit the ratio of Funded Debt to Total
Capitalization to exceed 70 percent on or after the date ninety days after the
receipt of the proceeds from such sale.
SECTION 6.14. Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrower shall
not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of any quarter of any
fiscal year to be less than 1.5 to 1.0.
SECTION 6.15. Consolidations and Mergers. The Borrower shall
not merge, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise
dispose of, or permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries (excluding in any
case PriMerit Bank) to merge, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of
transactions), all or substantially all of its assets other than PriMerit Bank
(whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or enter into, or permit any of its
Significant Subsidiaries to enter into, any joint venture or partnership with,
any Person except:
(i) any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge,
consolidate or combine with or into, or transfer assets to the
Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation) or with, into or to any one or more Significant
Subsidiaries of the Borrower provided that if any transaction shall be
between a Significant Subsidiary and a wholly-owned Significant
Subsidiary, the wholly-owned Significant Subsidiary shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation);
(ii) any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower may sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon
voluntary liquidation or otherwise), to the Borrower or
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another wholly-owned Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower, if
immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of
Default would exist;
(iii) the Borrower may merge, consolidate or combine with
another entity if (a) the Borrower is the corporation surviving the
merger, and (b) immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or
Event of Default would exist; and
(iv) the Borrower and any Subsidiary may enter into joint
ventures and partnerships in the ordinary course of business as
presently conducted.
SECTION 6.16. Investments. The Borrower shall not make, or
permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to make, any Investments except for
Permitted Investments and as required by any Governmental Authority.
SECTION 6.17. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower
shall not enter into, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, any
transaction with any Affiliate of the Borrower or of any such Subsidiary except
as contemplated by this Credit Agreement or in the ordinary course of business
and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of the Borrower or
such Subsidiary and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the
Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.
SECTION 6.18. Compliance with ERISA. The Borrower shall not
directly or indirectly, or permit any member of its Controlled Group to
directly or indirectly (i) terminate any Qualified Plan subject to Title IV of
ERISA so as to result in any material (in the opinion of the Majority Banks)
liability to the Borrower or any member of its Controlled Group, (ii) permit to
exist any ERISA Event or any other event or condition, which presents the risk
of a material (in the opinion of the Majority Banks) liability of the Borrower
or any member of its Controlled Group, or (iii) make a complete or partial
withdrawal (within the meaning of ERISA Section 4201) from any Multi-employer
Plan so as to result in any material (in the opinion of the Majority Banks)
liability to the Borrower or any member of its Controlled Group, (iv) enter
into any new Plan or modify any existing Plan so as to increase its obligations
thereunder except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice which could result in any material (in the opinion of the Majority
Banks) liability to the Borrower or any member of
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its Controlled Group, or (v) permit the present value of all nonforfeitable
accrued benefits under each Plan (using the actuarial assumptions utilized by
the PBGC upon termination of a Plan) materially (in the opinion of the Majority
Banks) to exceed the fair market value of Plan assets allocable to such
benefits, all determined as of the most recent valuation date for each such
Plan.
SECTION 6.19. Lease Obligations. The Borrower shall not
create or suffer to exist, or permit any Significant Subsidiary to create or
suffer to exist, any obligations for the payment of rent for any Property under
lease or agreement to lease, except for
(a) leases of the Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries in existence on the date hereof and any arms' length
renewal, extension or refinancing thereof; and
(b) after the date hereof, any leases entered into by the
Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in the ordinary course
of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past
practice.
SECTION 6.20. Restricted Payments. The Borrower shall not
declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets,
Properties, cash, rights obligations or securities on account of any shares of
any class of its capital stock or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for
value (or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so) any shares of its capital
stock or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such shares, now or
hereafter outstanding if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would result therefrom.
SECTION 6.21. Change in Business. The Borrower shall not
engage, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage, in any material line of
business substantially different from those lines of business carried on by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on the date hereof.
SECTION 6.22. Independence of Covenants. All covenants
hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or
condition is not permitted by any such covenant, the fact that it would be
permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of,
another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default if such action is
taken or condition exists.
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VII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 7.1. Events of Default. Any of the following events
which shall occur and be continuing are events of default ("Events of
Default"):
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any installment of
principal of, or interest on, any Note when due or (ii) any principal amount of
a Letter of Credit Disbursement plus accrued interest thereon if any, when due
or (iii) any other amounts payable under this Credit Agreement or any Note when
due; or
(b) any representation or warranty made by the Borrower in
this Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, any amendment to this Credit
Agreement or to the Depositary Agreement, any Note or any Commercial Paper Note
or any statement or representation made in any certificate, report or opinion
delivered in connection therewith shall prove to have been incorrect or
misleading in any material respect when made or when deemed to have been made
pursuant to Section 5.5; or
(c) the Borrower shall default in the due observance or
performance by the Borrower of any other term, covenant, or agreement contained
in this Credit Agreement or any Note; or
(d) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to pay any of
its obligations (excluding (i) any obligation in a principal amount of less
than $10,000,000 and (ii) any obligation under any natural gas purchase or
transportation contract of less than $10,000,000) or any interest or premium
thereon, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand or otherwise), or any other default or event under any
agreement or instrument relating to any such obligation shall occur and shall
continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement
or instrument, or if the maturity of such obligation is accelerated, or any
such obligation shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be
prepaid prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(e) one or more judgments against the Borrower or attachments
against its Property, which in the aggregate exceed $10,000,000 not covered by
insurance, or the operation or result of which would interfere materially and
adversely with the conduct of the business of the Borrower, remain unpaid,
unstayed on appeal, undischarged, unbonded and undismissed for a period of 30
days or more; or any Person
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shall have filed any suit, action or proceeding based in whole, or in part, on
such allegation which in either event results in the granting of any form of
injunction or restraining order, temporary or otherwise, the compliance with
which would have a Material Adverse Effect, and which injunction or restraining
order is not dissolved (or otherwise terminated) or modified within 30 days so
as to eliminate that portion of such injunction or restraining order which
would have such Material Adverse Effect; or
(f) any order, writ, warrant, garnishment or other process of
any court attaching, garnishing, distraining or otherwise freezing assets of
the Borrower in an amount equal to $10,000,000 or more in value in the
aggregate for all such orders, writs, warrants, garnishments and such order,
writ, warrant, garnishment, or other process remains unstayed on appeal,
undischarged or undismissed for a period of 30 days or more; or
(g) any action which could have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(h) any of the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the
Commercial Paper Notes cease to be in full force and effect; or
(i) (i) the Borrower shall commence any case, proceeding or
other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic
or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of
debts, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or
seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or
other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower shall make a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the
Borrower any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause
(i) above and such case, proceeding or action shall not have been vacated,
discharged or stayed within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iii) there
shall be commenced against the Borrower any case, proceeding or other action
seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar
process against all or any substantial part of its assets, which results in the
entry of any order for any such relief which shall not have been vacated,
discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry
thereof; or (iv) the Borrower shall consent to the institution of, or fail to
controvert in
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a timely and appropriate manner, any case, proceeding or other action of a
nature referred to above; or (v) the Borrower shall file an answer admitting
the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any case, proceeding
or other of a nature referred to above; or (vi) the Borrower shall generally
not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its
debts as they become due; or (vii) the Borrower shall take corporate action for
the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
(j) (i) the Borrower or a member of its Controlled Group
shall fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace
period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under
a Multi-employer Plan; (ii) the Borrower or a member of its Controlled Group
shall fail to satisfy its contribution requirements under Section 412(c)(11) of
the Code, whether or not it has sought a waiver under Section 412(d) of the
Code; (iii) the Unfunded Pension Liabilities of the relevant Plan or Plans
exceed $50,000,000; (iv) a Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code shall lose its qualification, and the loss can reasonably be
expected to impose on the Borrower or a member of its Controlled Group
liability (for additional taxes, to Plan participants, or otherwise) in the
aggregate amount of $50,000,000 or more; (v) the commencement or increase of
contributions to, the adoption of, or the amendment of a Plan by, the Borrower
or a member of its Controlled Group shall result in a net increase in unfunded
liabilities to the Borrower or a member of its Controlled Group in excess of
$50,000,000; or (vi) the occurrence of any combination of events listed in
clauses (iii) through (vi) that involves a net increase in aggregate Unfunded
Pension Liabilities and unfunded liabilities in excess of $50,000,000; or
(k) all, or such as in the opinion of the Issuing Bank
constitutes substantially all, of the Property of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries is condemned, seized or appropriated, excluding Property of a
Subsidiary other than a Significant Subsidiary the condemnation, seizure or
appropriation of which could not have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(l) any Governmental Authority shall revoke or fail to renew
any license, permit or franchise of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall for any reason lose any license,
permit or franchise, if such revocation, non-renewal or loss could have a
Material Adverse Effect; or
(m) a Change in Control.
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SECTION 7.2. Remedies. In the case of any such event
specified in Section 7.1(i) above, the Commitments and the right of the
Borrower to issue Commercial Paper Notes shall forthwith terminate and the
Notes then outstanding, all principal thereof and interest thereon and all
other amounts payable under this Credit Agreement shall become and be forthwith
due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, and, in the case of
any other such event specified in Section 7.1 above, at any time thereafter
during the continuance of any such event, the Agent Bank may in its sole
discretion, and upon the written request of the Majority Lenders shall, by
notice to the Borrower and to the Depositary, take any one or more of the
following actions, at the same or different times: (i) instruct the Borrower
and the Depositary to cease issuing Commercial Paper Notes (if such
instructions have not theretofore been given and are not then in effect), or
(ii) declare the Lenders' obligation to make Loans to be terminated, whereupon
the same shall forthwith terminate, or (iii) declare any Note then outstanding,
all principal thereof and interest thereon and all other amounts payable under
this Credit Agreement and the Notes to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon
such Note, all such principal and interest and all such amounts due and owing
hereunder or thereunder shall become and be forthwith due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived by the Borrower or (iv) direct the Depositary to make a
drawing under the Letter of Credit in an amount required to pay in full all
outstanding Commercial Paper Notes upon maturity and require from the Borrower
immediate reimbursement for the Letter of Credit Disbursements pursuant to such
drawing or (v) in the event that in the sole discretion of the Lenders, the
Issuing Bank with the consent of the Majority Lenders deposits in the Letter of
Credit Account an amount equal to the aggregate amount necessary to pay in full
all outstanding Commercial Paper Notes upon maturity, demand that the Borrower
provide to the Agent Bank, for the accounts of the Issuing Bank and the
Lenders, and the Borrower upon such demand hereby agrees so to provide, cash
collateral in an amount equal to such outstanding Commercial Paper Notes, such
cash collateral to be deposited in a special cash collateral account to be held
by the Agent Bank for the equal and ratable benefit of the Lenders for payment
of the Obligations. Promptly following the making of any such declaration
specified above, the Agent Bank shall give notice thereof to the Borrower, the
Depositary and each dealer in Commercial Paper Notes, but failure to do so
shall not impair the effect of such declaration. Anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, no termination or declaration of
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termination of the Total Commitment or the obligation of the Issuing Bank to
issue the Letter of Credit pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Article
VII shall affect the obligation of the Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit
with respect to Commercial Paper Notes issued, authenticated and delivered by
the Depositary under the Depositary Agreement prior to receipt by the
Depositary of instructions from the Agent Bank or the Issuing Bank to cease
issuing, authenticating and delivering Commercial Paper Notes.
VIII. THE AGENT BANK AND THE ISSUING BANK
SECTION 8.1. The Agent Bank. Each of the Lenders, and each
subsequent holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof, irrevocably authorizes
the Agent Bank to take such action, including without limitation executing the
Depositary Agreement for the benefit of the Lenders, on its behalf and to
exercise such powers hereunder as are specifically delegated to the Agent Bank
by the terms hereof together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Neither the Agent Bank nor any of its directors, officers or
employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or
them hereunder or in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of
the requisite Lenders, the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Notes or Lenders having in the aggregate the
requisite percentage of the Total Commitment pursuant to the terms hereof, in
the absence of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct or that of its
directors, officers or employees. Each Lender acknowledges that it has decided
to enter into this Credit Agreement and to extend the Credits hereunder based
on its own analysis of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and agrees that the
Agent Bank shall bear no responsibility for such creditworthiness.
The Agent Bank shall not be responsible in any manner to any
of the Lenders for the effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or
due execution of this Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or
the Commercial Paper Notes or any other agreements or any certificates,
requests, financial statements, notices or opinions of counsel or for any
recitals, statements, warranties or representations contained herein or in any
such instrument or be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants,
conditions, agreements or obligations of this Credit Agreement or any other
agreements on the part of the Borrower and, without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Agent Bank shall, in the absence of knowledge to the
contrary, be entitled to accept any certificate
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furnished pursuant to this Credit Agreement as conclusive evidence of the facts
stated therein and shall be entitled to rely on any note, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, teletype message, statement, order or
other document which it reasonably believes to be genuine and correct and to
have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons. It is understood and
agreed that the Agent Bank may exercise its rights and powers under other
agreements and instructions to which it is or may be a party, and engage in
other transactions with the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower, as
though it were not the Agent Bank of the Lenders hereunder.
The Agent Bank shall promptly give notice to the other Lenders
of the receipt of any notice pursuant to this Credit Agreement.
The Agent Bank may consult with legal counsel selected by it
and any action taken or suffered in good faith by it in accordance with the
opinion of such counsel shall be full justification and protection to it.
The Agent Bank and the Borrower may treat the payee of any
Note as the holder thereof until written notice of transfer shall have been
delivered to the Agent Bank. The Agent Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower
of any such notice received by it.
The Lenders shall, pro rata in accordance with their
respective Commitment Percentages, indemnify the Agent Bank in its capacity as
such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to the terms
hereof, and without limiting the obligations of the Borrower to do so) against
any cost, expense (including counsel fees and disbursements), claim, demand,
action, loss or liability (except such as results from the Agent Bank's gross
negligence or wilful misconduct or the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of
the Agent Bank's officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives)
that the Agent Bank may suffer or incur in connection with this Credit
Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Agent Bank hereunder.
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent
Bank as provided below, the Agent Bank may resign at any time by notifying the
Lenders and the Borrower, and the Lenders (other than the Agent Bank) having in
the aggregate more than 66-2/3% of the remaining Commitments after deducting
the Commitment of the Agent Bank may remove the Agent Bank at any time with or
without cause by notifying the Agent Bank. Upon any such resignation or
removal, the Lenders referred to in the preceding sentence shall have the
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right to appoint a successor Agent Bank, subject to the approval of the
Borrower, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If no successor
Agent Bank shall have been so appointed by such Lenders and shall have accepted
such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent Bank's giving of
notice of resignation or the removal of the retiring Agent Bank, then the
retiring Agent Bank may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent
Bank which shall be a bank with an office (or an affiliate with an office) in
New York, New York, and in London, England, having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Agent Bank hereunder by a successor Agent Bank, such successor Agent Bank shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring Agent Bank, and the retiring Agent Bank shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations as Agent Bank hereunder. After any
retiring Agent Bank's resignation or removal hereunder as Agent Bank, the
provisions of this Section 8.1 shall continue in effect for its benefit in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting
as Agent Bank.
The Co-Agent shall not be deemed to be an agent and, except in
its capacity as one of the Lenders, shall have no duties or obligations under
this Agreement.
SECTION 8.2. The Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank hereby
agrees promptly to notify the Borrower if it is informed by either Standard &
Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Services, Inc. that such agency plans
to reduce the rating of the Commercial Paper Notes below such agency's highest
level. In the event that the rating of the Commercial Paper Notes is revised
by Standard & Poor's Corporation to a rating below A-1+ or is revised by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc., to a rating below P-1, the Issuing Bank may be
immediately removed by the Borrower and the Borrower may with the approval of
the Majority Lenders, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld,
appoint a successor Issuing Bank hereunder upon the condition precedent that if
the successor Issuing Bank is not a Lender hereunder, such successor Issuing
Bank shall become a party to this Credit Agreement and shall expressly agree to
be bound by the terms and conditions contained in this Credit Agreement
relating to the issuance of the Letter of Credit hereunder. In the event that
the initial Issuing Bank is removed by the Borrower pursuant to the preceding
sentence, the Agent Bank shall notify the Depositary, as soon as practicable,
that it is to cease authenticating and delivering Commercial Paper Notes and
the Depositary shall not authenticate and deliver Commercial Paper Notes until
it has been notified to do so by
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<PAGE> 75
the Agent Bank. Upon the appointment of a successor Issuing Bank, the initial
Issuing Bank shall continue to carry out its obligations hereunder with respect
to all Commercial Paper Notes outstanding at such date under the existing
Letter of Credit.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1. Notices. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be given to the parties hereto at the following addresses:
(i) if to the Borrower, at 5241 Spring Mountain Road,
Post Office Box 98510, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8510, attention:
Treasurer; telecopy no. (702) 876-7037;
(ii) if to any Lender, at its address as set forth on the
signature pages hereof;
(iii) if to the Agent Bank and Issuing Bank, c/o Union Bank
of Switzerland, New York Branch, 299 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10171, attention: Clemencia Stewart; telecopy no. (212) 821-3259
(iv) if to Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., at 3 World
Financial Center, New York, New York 10285, attention: Commercial
Paper Product Management; telecopy no. (212) 528-6925; and
(v) if to Bank of Montreal Trust Company, at the
addresses specified in accordance with Section 14 of the Depositary
Agreement;
or in any of the foregoing cases at such other address and/or to such other
person as the Borrower, any Lender, the Agent Bank or the Issuing Bank may
hereafter specify for the purpose by written notice to the Borrower and the
Agent Bank. Such notices and other communications will be effective only if
and when given in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Depositary
Agreement or in writing, signed by an authorized officer and delivered at the
address specified above, or sent by telex or telecopy (if promptly confirmed in
writing).
SECTION 9.2. Term of Agreement; Extension. (a) Subject to
the foregoing and to clause (b) of this Section 9.2, the term of this Credit
Agreement shall be until the later of (i) the termination of the Total
Commitment or (ii) the Expiration Date, in either case, together with the
payment in full of all amounts due hereunder to the Lenders
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<PAGE> 76
or the payment in full of the Notes and all other amounts due hereunder to the
Lenders.
(b) At least 90 but no more than 120 days before each
December 31, commencing December 31, 1995, the Borrower may request the Lenders
and the Issuing Bank in writing to extend for one year the Expiration Date,
specifying the terms and conditions, including fees, to be applicable to such
extension, provided, however, that the Lenders and the Issuing Bank shall not
be obligated to consider any request to extend such Expiration Date unless the
Borrower shall have obtained all requisite governmental consents (if any are
required) for such extension, including without limitation, approval from the
California Public Utilities Commission. The Lenders and the Issuing Bank agree
to consider each such request in good faith in accordance with their respective
applicable credit standards and policies with respect to such matters, as
applied by each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in its sole judgment. No
later than 30 days before such December 31 as to which a request has been
received, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower in
writing, with a copy to the Agent Bank, of its consent to or refusal of such
extension request, and if any of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank shall give no
such notice, such party shall be deemed to have refused such extension request.
The consent of each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank shall be required in
order for such extension request to be granted. Each consent shall be
conditional upon the preparation, execution and delivery of legal documentation
in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank and
their special counsel incorporating substantially the terms and conditions
contained in the extension request.
SECTION 9.3. Copies of Certificates, etc. Whenever the
Borrower is required to deliver notices, certificates, opinions, statements or
other information hereunder to the Agent Bank or to the Agent Bank for delivery
to any Lender, it shall do so in such number of copies as the Agent Bank shall
reasonably specify.
SECTION 9.4. No Waivers; Rights Cumulative. No failure or
delay by the Agent Bank, any Lender or the holder of any Note in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights
and remedies in this Credit Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies provided by law.
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<PAGE> 77
SECTION 9.5. Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (a) the fees
and disbursements of special counsel to the Lenders in connection with the
preparation, execution and administration of this Credit Agreement and the
Depositary Agreement or any waiver or amendment of any provision hereof or
thereof, (b) all documentary taxes, assessments or other similar charges or
levies of any governmental authority which are incurred by or made against any
Lender in connection with this Credit Agreement or the Notes or any waiver or
amendment hereof or thereof and (c) if there is an Event of Default, all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent Bank, the Issuing Bank or any of
the Lenders, including fees and disbursements of counsel, in connection with
such Event of Default.
SECTION 9.6. Changes, Waivers, etc.
(a) Subject to the express provisions of subsection (b) of
this Section 9.6, neither this Credit Agreement, nor the Notes, nor any
provision hereof or thereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated
orally, but only by a statement in writing signed by the party against which
enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
(b) Any of the provisions of this Credit Agreement or of the
Notes may be modified or amended by an agreement or agreements in writing
entered into by the Borrower and the Majority Lenders; provided, however, that
no such agreement shall (i) change the principal amount of, or extend or
advance the maturity of or the date for the payment or required prepayment of
principal of, or the payment of interest on, any Note or reduce the rate of
interest on any Note or the amount of any fee due hereunder or change the
method of computing interest or any fee payable hereunder, without the written
consent of each Lender, and of the holder of each Note, affected thereby, (ii)
change the principal amount of, or extend or advance the Expiration Date of or
the date for repayment of amounts drawn under the Letter of Credit without the
consent of each Lender, (iii) change the requirement that payments and
prepayments of principal of, and payments of interest on, the Notes shall be
made pro rata in accordance with the Commitment Percentages, without the
written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change the requirement
that all borrowings hereunder shall be from the Lenders, pro rata in accordance
with their respective Commitments, without the written consent of each Lender,
(v) change the Issuing Bank's obligation to make transfers of repayments of
amounts drawn under the Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 3.5(c)(iii), (vi)
modify or amend the provisions of this Section 9.6(b) or Section 9.9 or the
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<PAGE> 78
definition of Majority Lenders, without the written consent of each Lender,
(vii) expressly provide for discrimination between Lenders except in a manner
consistent with the existing terms of this Credit Agreement or with the consent
of each Lender, (viii) provide for any change in the Commitment of any Lender
hereunder, other than a voluntary reduction of any Commitment or of the Total
Commitment provided for under this Credit Agreement or (ix) provide for any
change in the conditions for a drawing under the Letter of Credit. Each Lender
and each holder of any Note then or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by
any modification or amendment authorized by this Section 9.6(b), whether or not
such Note is marked to make reference thereto, and any consent by any holder of
any Note pursuant to this Section 9.6(b) shall bind any subsequent holder of
such Note, whether or not such Note is so marked. In addition, no amendment,
waiver or consent to or under this Agreement which could reasonably be expected
to affect adversely the rights of the holders of Commercial Paper Notes will
become effective unless Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's
Corporation have confirmed that such amendment, waiver or consent will not
cause their rating of the Commercial Paper Notes to be lowered or withdrawn.
SECTION 9.7. Sharing of Setoffs and Other Payments. Each
Lender agrees that if it shall, whether through the exercise of a right of
banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim against the Borrower or otherwise, obtain
payment (except as expressly permitted by the terms of this Credit Agreement)
of a proportion of the aggregate indebtedness of the Borrower to it under the
Notes or under Section 3.5(d) which is greater than the proportion of the
aggregate indebtedness, if any, of the Borrower under the Notes or under
Section 3.5(d) to any other Lender being paid simultaneously to such other
Lender, (a) it shall be deemed to have purchased from such other Lender an
interest in such indebtedness held by such other Lender so that the aggregate
unpaid amount of such indebtedness and interest therein held by each Lender
shall be proportionate to the aggregate indebtedness owing to it by the
Borrower under the Notes and under Section 3.5(d) immediately prior to such
payment, and (b) such other adjustments shall be made from time to time as
shall be equitable to ensure that such Lender shares such payment pro rata;
provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall in any way affect the
right of any Lender to obtain payment (whether by exercise of right of banker's
lien, setoff or counterclaim or otherwise) of indebtedness other than
indebtedness under the Notes, as the case may be, or under Section 3.5(d). The
Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any
holder of any such interest or other participation in any such indebtedness,
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whether or not acquired pursuant to the foregoing arrangement, may exercise any
and all rights of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim as fully as if such
holder were a holder of such indebtedness in the amount of such interest or
other participation.
SECTION 9.8. Separability. In case any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Credit Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.
SECTION 9.9. Successors and Assigns.
(a) This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the Borrower, the Agent Bank, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and
the Depositary and their respective successors and assigns, except that the
Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its duties
hereunder, without the prior written consent of each of the Lenders.
(b) Any Lender, with the prior written consent of (i) the
Borrower (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld) and, as long as the
Letter of Credit is outstanding, (ii) the Issuing Bank, may assign to any
Lender, any affiliate thereof and one or more additional banks or financial
institutions (each an "Assignee") all or any part of its rights and obligations
under this Credit Agreement pursuant to an instrument of assignment (an
"Assignment") in form and substance substantially as set forth in Exhibit H
hereto pursuant to which the Assignee assumes the obligations of the transfer
or Lender hereunder to the extent of the interest so assigned; provided,
however, that no such consent shall be required for the assignment of such
rights to a Federal Reserve Bank. Other than an assignment to a Federal
Reserve Bank, there shall be an assignment fee of $2,500.00 payable to the
Agent Bank upon any such Assignment. Upon delivery of a copy of such
Assignment and such assignment fee to the Agent Bank, the Assignee shall have
the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder with a Commitment as set forth
therein, and the transferor Lender shall, to the extent provided in such
Assignment, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement and,
in the case of an Assignment covering all or the remaining portion of a
transferor's rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, such
transferor shall cease to be a party hereto. The Borrower agrees, in the event
of any assignment made in accordance with this Section 9.9, to execute and
deliver to such Assignee Notes, completed in the name of such Assignee, to
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<PAGE> 80
represent any Loans assumed by such Assignee under such Assignment.
(c) Any Lender may subparticipate any portion of its
Commitment hereunder without the consent of the Borrower, the Agent Bank or the
Issuing Bank; provided, however, that no such subparticipation shall modify the
Commitments set forth in Section 3.1 hereunder nor shall any such
subparticipation result in liability for or the payment of any fees from the
Borrower, the Agent Bank or the Issuing Bank to such subparticipant.
SECTION 9.10. Confidentiality. Each Lender agrees to take
normal and reasonable precautions and exercise due care to maintain the
confidentiality of all non-public information provided to it by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower or by the Issuing Bank on the Borrower's or any
Subsidiary's behalf in connection with this Agreement and neither it nor any of
its Affiliates shall use any such information for any purpose or in any manner
other than pursuant to the terms contemplated by this Credit Agreement, except
to the extent such information (i) was or becomes generally available to the
public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Issuing Bank or one of the
participating Lenders, or (ii) was or becomes available on a non-confidential
basis from a source other than the Borrower, provided that such source is not
bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Borrower known to the individual
participating Lenders; provided, further, however, that any Lender may disclose
such information (A) at the request of any bank regulatory authority or in
connection with an examination of such Lender by any such authority; (B)
pursuant to subpoena or other court process; (C) when required to do so in
accordance with the provisions of any applicable law; (D) at the express
direction of any other agency of any State of the United States of America or
of any other jurisdiction in which such Lender conducts its business and (E) to
such Lenders' independent auditors and other professional advisors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company authorizes each Lender to disclose
to any Assignee and any prospective Assignee such financial and other
information in such Lender's possession concerning the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries which has been delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement
or which has been delivered to the Lenders by the Borrower in connection with
the Lenders' credit evaluation of the Borrower prior to entering into this
Agreement; provided that such Assignee agrees in writing to such Lender to keep
such information confidential to the same extent required of the Lenders
hereunder.
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<PAGE> 81
SECTION 9.11. Jurisdiction. In consideration of the
agreement of the Lenders to make and maintain the Loans hereunder, the Borrower
agrees that any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this Credit
Agreement or the borrowings hereunder may be brought in the Courts of the
United States of America for the Southern District of New York or the State of
New York, as the case may be, and by execution and delivery of this Credit
Agreement the Borrower irrevocably submits to each such jurisdiction for that
purpose; and in the case of New York, the Borrower hereby irrevocably
designates, appoints and empowers O'Melveny & Myers, Citicorp Center, 153 East
53rd Street, New York, New York 10022 (or, in its absence, such other Person in
The City of New York as shall be appointed by the Borrower or, in default
thereof, such firm of lawyers in New York as the Agent Bank shall designate by
notice to the Borrower), to receive for and on behalf of it service of process
in any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or the
borrowings hereunder, a copy of
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such process to be sent in each instance via registered mail, return receipt
requested, to the Borrower.
SECTION 9.12. Headings. The headings of articles and
sections herein are inserted for convenience only and form no part of this
Credit Agreement.
SECTION 9.13. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE
NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY
WITHIN THAT STATE.
SECTION 9.14. Counterparts; Effective Date. This Credit
Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as
if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This
Credit Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof when the Agent
Bank shall receive counterparts hereof signed by all of the parties hereto (or,
in the case of any party as to which an executed counterpart shall not have
been received, the Agent Bank shall have received telex, telecopy or other
written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart hereof by
such party).
SECTION 9.15. Survival of Representations. All
representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Credit
Agreement shall survive delivery of the Notes, the making of the Loans and the
issuance of the Letter of Credit and of the Commercial Paper Notes herein
contemplated.
SECTION 9.16. Entire Agreement. This Credit Agreement and
the Exhibits hereto embody the entire agreement and understanding among the
Borrower, the Agent Bank, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings among them relating to the subject matter
hereof and thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Credit Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION,
Jeffrey W. Shaw
Vice President and Treasurer
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<PAGE> 83
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
LOS ANGELES BRANCH,
(Agent Bank)
By /s/ Patrick J. McKenna
------------------------
Patrick J. McKenna
Title: Vice President
By /s/L. Scott Sommers
------------------------
L. Scott Sommers
Title: Vice President
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
LOS ANGELES BRANCH,
(Issuing Bank)
By /s/Patrick J. Mckenna
------------------------
Patrick J. McKenna
Title: Vice President
By /s/L. Scott Sommers
------------------------
L. Scott Sommers
Title: Vice President
SOCIETE GENERALE
(Co-Agent)
By /s/George Chen
------------------------
George Chen
Title: Vice President
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<PAGE> 84
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lenders:
-------
<S> <C>
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
LOS ANGELES BRANCH
444 South Flower Street
Commitment: $38,000,000 Suite 4600
Commitment Percentage: 19% Los Angeles, CA 90071
By: /s/ Patrick J. Mckenna
-----------------------------
Patrick J. McKenna
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ L. Scott Sommers
----------------------------
L. Scott Sommers
Title: Vice President
SOCIETE GENERALE,
2029 Century Park East
Commitment: $33,000,000 Suite 2900
Commitment Percentage: 16.5% Los Angeles, CA 90067
By: /s/ George Chen
-----------------------------
George Chen
Title: Vice President
DRESDNER BANK AG
LOS ANGELES AGENCY AND
GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH
725 S. Figueroa Street
Commitment: $23,000,000 Suite 3950
Commitment Percentage: 11.5% Los Angeles, CA 90017
By: /s/ Jon M. Bland
-----------------------------
Jon M. Bland
Title: Senior Vice President
By: /s/ Barbara J. Readick
-----------------------------
Barbara J. Readick
Title: Vice President
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 85
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
BANK OF MONTREAL
601 S. Figueroa Street
Commitment: $21,000,000 Suite 4900
Commitment Percentage: 10.5% Los Angeles, CA 90017
By: /s/ Warren R.l Wimmer
----------------------------
Warren R. Wimmer
Title: Director
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE
Commitment: $21,000,000 1211 Avenue of the Americas
Commitment Percentage: 10.5% New York, NY 10036
By: /s/ Salvatore Battinelli
----------------------------
Salvatore Battinelli
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Karen E. Hoplock
----------------------------
Karen E. Hoplock
Title: Vice President
UNION BANK
Commitment: $16,000,000 445 S. Figueroa Street
Commitment Percentage: 8% Los Angeles, CA 90071
By: /s/ John M. Edmonston
----------------------------
John M. Edmonston
Title: Vice President
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
LIMITED, LOS ANGELES AGENCY
350 S. Grand Avenue
Commitment: $12,000,000 Suite 1500
Commitment Percentage: 6% Los Angeles, CA 90071
By: /s/ Masatake Yashiro
----------------------------
Masatake Yashiro
Title: General Manager
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 86
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
THE MITSUBISHI TRUST & BANKING
CORPORATION, LOS ANGELES
AGENCY
801 S. Figueroa Street
Commitment: $12,000,000 Suite 2400
Commitment Percentage: 6% Los Angeles, CA 90017
By /s/ S. Chad Schumacher
---------------------------
S. Chad Schumacher
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Manager
BANK OF AMERICA, N.T. & S.A.
555 S. Flower Street
Commitment: $8,000,000 49th Floor
Commitment Percentage: 4% Los Angeles, CA 90071
By /s/ Michael J. McCutchin
---------------------------
Title: Michael J. McCutchin
Vice President
BANK OF AMERICA NEVADA
300 South 4th Street
Commitment: $8,000,000 Second Floor
Commitment Percentage: 4% Las Vegas, NV 89101
By /s/ Israel Carmeli
---------------------------
Israel Carmeli
Title: Vice President
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
222 Broadway
Commitment: $8,000,000 11th Floor
Commitment Percentage: 4% New York, NY 10038
By /s/ Vijay Rajguru
---------------------------
Vijay Rajguru
Title: Associate Director
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 87
SCHEDULE I
INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GAS OPERATION SEGMENT
---------------------
<S> <C>
Operating Margin $
---------------------
Less: ---------------------
Operations ---------------------
Maintenance ---------------------
Depreciation ---------------------
General Taxes =====================
(A) OPERATING INCOME
(excluding earnings and losses of PriMerit Bank) $
=====================
(B) INTEREST EXPENSE
(excluding interest expenses allocated to PriMerit Bank for
carrying costs) $
=====================
INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO
RATIO OF (A) TO (B) = ______ TO 1
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 88
EXHIBIT A
Form of Commercial Paper Note
PROMISSORY NOTE
(NOTE NUMBER)
$ (FACE AMOUNT OF NOTE) (DATE ISSUED), 19
For value received, Southwest Gas Corporation (the "Company") promises to pay
[Bearer]* the sum of (FACE AMOUNT OF NOTE) US Dollars [plus interest in the
amount of US Dollars]** on (MATURITY DATE), 19__ payable in immediately
available funds at or before the close of business on the date of presentation
(if presentation is made prior to or at 2:30 p.m. New York time) or at or
before the close of business on the next succeeding business day (if
presentation is made after 2:30 p.m. New York time) at Bank of Montreal Trust
Company, 77 Water Street, New York, New York 10005 (the "Depositary").
This Note has been issued in accordance with a Credit Agreement (the "Credit
Agreement"), dated as of January 27, 1995, among the Company, Union Bank of
Switzerland, as issuing bank (the "Issuing Bank") and as agent (the "Agent")
for the Lenders named therein and a Depositary Agreement (the "Depositary
Agreement"), dated as of January 27, 1995 among the Company, the Depositary,
the Issuing Bank and the Agent. The Depositary, for the benefit of the holder
hereof, is entitled to the benefit of an Irrevocable Letter of Credit, issued
by Union Bank of Switzerland, as Issuing Bank.
A copy of the Credit Agreement, as amended from time to time, is on file with
the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Department at 77 Water Street, 4th Floor,
New York, New York 10005, and reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a
____________________
* If to be issued to the order of a specified payee, strike the word "Bearer"
and insert the name of such payee.
** In any Promissory Note issued on an interest-bearing basis, insert
applicable amount of interest.
<PAGE> 89
statement of the procedure governing drawings under the Letter of Credit by the
Depositary.
This Note is issued in and shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
THIS NOTE IS NOT VALID FOR ANY PURPOSE UNLESS COUNTERSIGNED BY
_____________________________________________________ AS ISSUING AGENT.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION,
By:___________________________
Authorized Signature
By:___________________________
Authorized Signature
COUNTERSIGNED FOR
AUTHENTICATION ONLY:
BANK OF MONTREAL TRUST COMPANY
By: _________________________
Authorized Signature
of the Depositary as
Issuing Agent
<PAGE> 90
EXHIBIT B
PROMISSORY NOTE
$_______ January __, 1995
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION, a California corporation (the
"Borrower"), DOES HEREBY PROMISE to pay to the order of _______________ (the
"Bank"), in the lawful money of the United States of America the principal
amount of ____________ ($_________) or, if less than such principal amount, the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans made by the Bank to the
Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement referred to below, on the Expiration
Date provided, or as otherwise provided, in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower
promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Loan on
the dates and at the rate or rates provided for in the Credit Agreement. All
such payments of principal and interest shall be made in lawful money of the
United States in Federal or other immediately available funds to the account of
Union Bank of Switzerland--Los Angeles Branch, at Union Bank of
Switzerland--New York Branch, 299 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10171- 0026, in
favor of UBS-LA Account No. 40064502 ref Southwest Gas.
All Loans made by the Bank, the respective types and maturities thereof and
all repayments of the principal thereof shall be recorded by the Bank and,
prior to any transfer hereof, appropriate notations to evidence the foregoing
information with respect to each such Loan then outstanding shall be endorsed
by the Bank on the schedule attached hereto, or on a continuation of such
schedule attached to and made a part hereof; provided that the failure of the
Bank to make any such recordation or endorsement shall not affect the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as
of January 27, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders listed on the signature
pages thereof and Union Bank of Switzerland as issuing bank and as agent bank
for the Lenders (as the same may be amended from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the
same meanings. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for provisions for
the prepayment hereof and the acceleration of the maturity hereof.
This Note is secured by certain collateral described in the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE> 91
This Note may not be assigned or otherwise transferred except as set forth
in the Credit Agreement.
This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
By_______________________
- 2 -
<PAGE> 92
Schedule to
Promissory Note dated
as of
January , 1995
Loans
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount Rate of Amount of
of Interest Principal Notation Maturity
Date Loan On Loan Paid Made By Date
- ---- ------ -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 93
EXHIBIT C
Form of Loan Notice
Union Bank of Switzerland
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10071-0026
Attention: _________________
Re: $200,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1995,
among Southwest Gas Corporation, the Lenders named
therein and Union Bank of Switzerland
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(iii) of the above-referenced credit
agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), the Borrower hereby requests [a
[CD/LIBOR/Base Rate] Loan] [the continuation/ conversion of an existing
CD/LIBOR/Base Rate Loan] in the aggregate amount of $______________* to be
disbursed on __________, 19__.**
[Of the aggregate amount, [$__________ shall be in the form of
a CD Loan,] [and] [$__________ shall be in the form of a Base Rate Loan,] [and
$__________ shall be in the form of a LIBOR Loan].]***
____________________
* Must be $5,000,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof.
** Date of requested Loan must be at least three Business Days
after date of Notice for LIBOR and CD Loans and at least one
Business Day after date of Notice for Base Rate Loans (which
Notice must be given prior to 11:00 A.M. New York time).
*** This paragraph is necessary only where more than one
category of Loan is being requested.
<PAGE> 94
[The Interest Period with respect to this Loan shall
be __________].*
[The proceeds of this Loan will be used to reimburse a Letter
of Credit Disbursement.]
The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the
Lenders that:
a) the representations and warranties contained in
Section 2.1 of the Credit Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date
hereof, as though made on and as of the date hereof;
b) no event has occurred and is continuing or would
result from the Loan requested hereunder, which constitutes an Event of Default
or Default.
c) since September 30, 1994, neither the Borrower nor
its Subsidiaries have entered into or consummated any transaction or
transactions, and there has occurred no change, affecting the business, credit,
operations, financial condition or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which could have a Material Adverse Effect; and
d) no litigation, proceeding or inquiry before or by any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is continuing or, to the best of the
Borrower's knowledge, threatened which could have a Material Adverse Effect.
____________________
* Use for CD Loans and LIBOR Loans only.
- 2 -
<PAGE> 95
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
- 3 -
<PAGE> 96
EXHIBIT D
IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND, LOS ANGELES BRANCH
c/o Union Bank of Switzerland, New York Branch
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10171-0026
Letter of Credit No. L/C003722
January __, 1995
To: Bank of Montreal Trust Company
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
The undersigned bank (the "Bank"), hereby establishes in your
favor, in trust for the holders from time to time of Commercial Paper Notes (as
hereinafter defined) of Southwest Gas Corporation (the "Company"), to the
extent necessary for payment of such Notes at their maturity, and for the
account of the Company, this irrevocable Letter of Credit for an aggregate
amount not to exceed $200,000,000 (as such amount may be reduced and reinstated
pursuant to the terms hereof the "Stated Amount") available from time to time
in amounts equal to the Face Value (as hereinafter defined) of certain
promissory notes of the Company authenticated and delivered by you (the
"Commercial Paper Notes") pursuant to the Depositary Agreement (the "Depositary
Agreement"), dated as of January 27, 1995 among the Company, Union Bank of
Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch, as issuing bank (the "Issuing Bank") and as
agent bank (the "Agent Bank") for the lenders which are parties to the Credit
Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and you (the "Depositary"). "Face Value"
means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the sum of the
aggregate face amount at maturity (if issued on a discount basis) and the
aggregate principal amount (if issued on an interest-bearing basis), together
with the aggregate amount of interest to the stated maturity date of
interest-bearing Commercial Paper Notes, of all Commercial Paper Notes
outstanding, excluding matured Commercial Paper Notes no longer entitled to the
benefit of the Letter of Credit.
<PAGE> 97
Demands for payment hereunder may be made by you (i) on or
after the first Business Day (as hereinafter defined) preceding the maturity
date of any Commercial Paper Note and prior to the expiration of this Letter of
Credit as herein provided or (ii) upon receipt of a notice from the Agent Bank
stating that an "Event of Default" has occurred under the Credit Agreement (the
"Credit Agreement"), dated as of January 27, 1995, among the Company, the
lenders named therein, the Issuing Bank and the Agent Bank. Such demand shall
be made by presentation or by facsimile transmission of a demand notice
executed by you in the form of Annex 1 hereto, with blanks appropriately
completed and signed by your authorized employee to the New York Branch of the
Issuing Bank, Attention: Letter of Credit Department, Facsimile (212)
821-3259. If such demand is made by facsimile transmission, then such
transmission shall be confirmed immediately thereafter by telephone at (212)
821-3249; provided that the failure of the Depositary to make such confirmation
shall not affect the obligation of the Bank hereunder.
The Bank hereby agrees to honor each such demand drawn under
and in compliance with this Letter of Credit, provided that such demand is
delivered to the Issuing Bank not later than 4:00 P.M. New York City time on
the day of such demand, by causing the transfer (through the Issuing Bank)
after your opening of business but not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the first Business Day following the day of such demand, in
immediately available funds the amount demanded to the "Letter of Credit
Account," maintained by you pursuant to the Depositary Agreement, in trust for
the holders of the Commercial Paper Notes for which such demand is made and to
be applied to the payment of such Commercial Paper Notes. Upon such payment,
the Stated Amount of this Letter of Credit shall be reduced in an amount equal
to such drawing. The Issuing Bank will make its payments hereunder out of its
own funds and in any event not out of funds of the Company on deposit with it.
The Stated Amount of this Letter of Credit (i) shall be
automatically increased concurrently with the issuance of Commercial Paper
Notes on any day by an amount equal to the Face Value of the Commercial Paper
Notes issued on such day and (ii) shall be automatically decreased as soon as
the Issuing Bank honors the Letter of Credit pursuant to a drawing hereunder by
an amount equal to the amount of such drawing, provided that the Stated Amount
shall never exceed $200,000,000.
It is understood and agreed that the provisions of this Letter
of Credit are intended to provide for payment of
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<PAGE> 98
the Commercial Paper Notes at their maturity. Accordingly, the Bank
specifically acknowledges that in actions taken by you as beneficiary of this
Letter of Credit you shall not be acting as an agent of the Company but shall
be acting on behalf of the holders of Commercial Paper Notes.
This Letter of Credit shall expire with respect to each
Commercial Paper Note authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Depositary
Agreement at such time as the Issuing Bank honors the Depositary's drawing
under the Letter of Credit with respect to such Commercial Paper Note. In no
event shall this Letter of Credit remain in effect after the later of (x) the
close of business on January 27, 1998 and (y) such later date as the Company
and the Bank shall agree to in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement.
Demands for payment hereunder honored by the Issuing Bank
shall not exceed the Stated Amount, as the Stated Amount may be reduced and
increased as aforesaid. Subject to the preceding sentence, each demand for
payment honored for payment by the Issuing Bank hereunder shall pro tanto
reduce the amount available under this Letter of Credit.
This Letter of Credit sets forth in full the terms of our
undertaking, and this undertaking shall not in any way be modified, amended or
amplified by reference to any document, instrument or agreement referred to
herein or to which this Letter of Credit relates, and any such reference shall
not be deemed to incorporate by reference any such document, instrument or
agreement.
As used herein, "Business Day" means any day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York
are authorized or required by law to close.
This Letter of Credit is not negotiable, assignable or
transferable and, except as otherwise expressly stated herein, is subject to
the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision),
International Chamber of Commerce, Publication No. 500 (the "Uniform Customs").
This Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of
the State of New York and shall, as to matters not governed by the
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<PAGE> 99
Uniform Customs, be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of said
State.
Very truly yours,
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
By: __________________________
Authorized Signature
By: __________________________
Authorized Signature
-4-
<PAGE> 100
Annex 1
This Annex Forms An Integral Part of
Letter of Credit No. L/C003722
DRAWING UNDER LETTER OF CREDIT NO. L/C003722
___________, 19__
TO: UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND, LOS ANGELES BRANCH
c/o Union Bank of Switzerland, New York Branch
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10171-0026
Telecopy No: (212) 821-3891
Attention: Letter of Credit Department
1. The undersigned, acting on behalf of the holder or holders
of the below-mentioned Commercial Paper Note or Commercial Paper Notes of
Southwest Gas Corporation, hereby makes demand for payment under the
above-captioned Letter of Credit (the "Letter of Credit") to pay the Face Value
of such Commercial Paper Note or Commercial Paper Notes.
2. The note number, Face Value, date of issuance and maturity
date of each such Commercial Paper Note is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date of Maturity
Note Number Face Value Issuance Date
- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
3. Each such Commercial Paper Note was authenticated and
delivered by us pursuant to our authority under the Depositary Agreement.
4. The aggregate amount required to be drawn under the Letter
of Credit to pay in full the Face Value of each such Commercial Paper Note
specified in paragraph 2 hereof is $___________.
5. All terms used herein which are defined in the Letter of
Credit have the same meanings when used herein.
Very truly yours,
______________________________
By: __________________________
<PAGE> 101
EXHIBIT E
[Letterhead of Robert M. Johnson, Esq.
Associate General Counsel to the Borrower]
January __, 1995
Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch
as Agent Bank and Issuing Bank
The Lenders Under the Credit Agreement
c/o Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch
444 S. Flower Street, Suite 4600
Los Angeles, California 90071
Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to Section 5.1(c) of the Credit
Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of January 27, 1995, among
Southwest Gas Corporation, a California corporation (the "Borrower"), the
Lenders named therein and Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch, as
Agent Bank and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein
shall have the same meanings as in the Agreement.
I am Associate General Counsel of the Borrower and have acted as counsel for
the Borrower in connection with its authorization, execution and delivery of
the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. I am familiar
with the proceedings taken by the Borrower in connection with the foregoing and
have inspected executed counterparts of the Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the form of Letter of Credit, the forms of Notes, and the forms of
Commercial Paper Notes. I have also made such other investigation and have
examined such other records and documents, including the Restated Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws with all amendments thereto of the Borrower and
copies of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Borrower on
___________ __, 1994 authorizing the execution and delivery of the Credit
Agreement and the Depositary Agreement and the issuance, execution and delivery
of the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes by the Borrower, as I thought
appropriate. I have examined such other statutes, decisions and matters of
laws as I deemed necessary to express the following opinions.
<PAGE> 102
Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
1. The Borrower is duly qualified and is in good standing as a
foreign corporation in the States of Arizona and Nevada and is
so qualified or otherwise appropriately licensed in each other
jurisdiction where the conduct of its business or the
ownership of its properties requires such qualification or
licensing.
2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the
Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the
Commercial Paper Notes have been duly authorized by all proper
and necessary corporate action, and do not and will not (i)
violate any provision of any law, rule, regulation, order,
writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award
currently in effect applicable to the Borrower or (ii) result
in the breach of or constitute a default under any indenture,
loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or
instrument, including, without limitation, the Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, to which the Borrower or
any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be
bound or affected.
3. Each of the Credit Agreement and the Depositary Agreement is,
and each Note and Commercial Paper Note when hereafter
executed and delivered hereunder will be, a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the
Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.
4. Neither the Agent Bank nor any Lender will be subject to
regulation by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of
California solely by reason of the transactions contemplated
by the Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes
and the Letter of Credit.
5. All of the outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary of the
Borrower is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and
the shares thereof owned by the Borrower, directly or
indirectly, are owned free and clear of all liens, claims, and
encumbrances and security interests. Each Subsidiary is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
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<PAGE> 103
incorporation, is duly qualified or licensed to do business
and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each other
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the
ownership of its properties requires such qualification or
licensing, and has all requisite power and authority,
corporate or otherwise, to conduct its business and own
its properties.
6. There is no pending or, to the best of my knowledge,
threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation affecting
the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof before any court,
governmental agency, or arbitrator or other authority,
domestic or foreign, which could materially, adversely affect
the financial position, properties or operations of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or which
affects the Borrower's obligations under or purports to affect
the legality, validity or enforceability of the Credit
Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the
Commercial Paper Notes.
7. The obligations of the Borrower to pay principal, interest and
all other sums payable under the Credit Agreement, the Notes
and the Commercial Paper Notes will rank at least pari passu
with all other unsecured Debt of the Borrower.
8. The Borrower is not a "holding company," or an "affiliate" or a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company," as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended (the "1935 Act") and is not subject to regulation
under the 1935 Act and is not an "investment company" or
company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Lenders will not be required to register with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 5 of
the 1935 Act as a result of extending the Letter of Credit
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and will not be subject to
regulation by the Public Service Corporation Commission of the
State of Nevada or the Arizona Corporation Commission under
the current laws of those states and will not be subject to
regulation under any current federal laws governing public
utilities, natural gas companies, insurance companies or the
storage of gas solely by reason of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement,
-3-
<PAGE> 104
the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper
Notes.
9. None of the transactions contemplated in the Credit Agreement,
the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper
Notes will violate or result in a violation of Section 7 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
regulations issued pursuant thereto, or Regulations U and X of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12
C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.
The opinion expressed in paragraph 8 hereof that the Lenders
will not be required to register with the Arizona Corporation Commission as a
result of extending the Credits pursuant to the Agreement is based upon the
Opinion and Order of the Arizona Corporation Commission dated May 18, 1983
which is in full force and effect on the date hereof.
The foregoing opinions are based upon and are limited in all
respects, except for the references to Arizona law set forth in paragraphs 1
and 8 hereof, to applicable laws of the United States and the State of Nevada.
Insofar as the foregoing opinion relates to matters of New York law, I have,
with your approval, relied on the opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell, special
counsel for the Issuing Bank, dated of even date herewith and addressed to you.
Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard &
Poor's Corporation may rely on this opinion as if it were addressed to them.
Respectfully submitted,
-4-
<PAGE> 105
EXHIBIT F-2
[DRAFT]
o Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
99 Church Street
New York, New York 10007
o Standard & Poor's Ratings Group,
a division of McGraw-Hill Inc.
25 Broadway
New York, New York 10004
o Union Bank of Switzerland
Los Angeles Branch
444 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
o Sullivan & Cromwell
444 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
o Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc.
3 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285-1200
January __, 1995
Dear Sirs:
As General Counsel of Union Bank of Switzerland (the "Bank"), I am rendering
the following opinion in connection with the Irrevocable Letter of Credit No.
L/C003722 (the "Letter of Credit") issued by the Bank, acting through its Los
Angeles Branch (the "Branch"), in favor of Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as
depositary for the holders from time to time of Commercial Paper Notes (as
defined in the Depositary Agreement) (the "Depositary"), pursuant to the
Depositary Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1995, among Southwest Gas
Corporation (as borrower), Bank of Montreal (as depositary) and the Bank,
acting through the Branch (as agent).
In this connection, I have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to my satisfaction, of such instruments, documents and records and
such questions of Swiss law as I have deemed relevant and necessary for
<PAGE> 106
purposes of my opinion hereinafter set forth. As to certain factual matters
involved in this opinion which were not independently established, I have
relied, to the extent I have deemed such reliance proper, on certificates or
other documents obtained from public officials or officers of the Bank setting
forth such matters.
In my examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the due
authority of the parties (other than the Bank) executing such documents and the
authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, and the conformity
with originals of all documents submitted to me as copies thereof. I have
further assumed for the purpose of my opinion hereinafter expressed that the
Letter of Credit will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Bank under New York law by which it is governed.
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
1. The Bank has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation as well as a bank under the laws of Switzerland and has
full power and authority under the laws of Switzerland to maintain its
Branch.
2. The Bank has all requisite corporate power to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under the Letter of Credit.
3. The Letter of Credit has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Bank and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Bank, enforceable against the Bank acting through the Branch in
accordance with its terms under the laws of Switzerland, except as
such enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, liquidation, readjustment of debt or other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or
equitable principles of general applicability, that may be applicable
in the event the Bank is subject to such a proceeding or (ii) the
effect of any moratorium or similar occurrence affecting the Bank.
4. The Letter of Credit is enforceable in accordance with its terms
against the Bank's Head Office in Switzerland under the laws of
Switzerland (taking a legal action in the commercial court of the
Canton of Zurich, which has jurisdiction over the Bank's Head Office),
if the Branch defaults in its obligations thereunder or the Branch
ceases to exist, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, readjustment of
debt and
-2-
<PAGE> 107
other similar laws and equitable principles relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, that may be applicable
in the event the Bank is subject to such a proceeding, or (ii) the
effect of any moratorium or similar occurrence affecting the Bank.
5. No license, consent or approval of, or registration with, any
governmental or regulatory authority of Switzerland is required in
connection with the execution, delivery or performance of the Letter
of Credit by the Bank.
6. Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Bank of the
Letter of Credit, nor compliance by the Bank with the terms and
provisions thereof, will (i) contravene any provision of any law of
Switzerland or any applicable rules or regulations thereunder, (ii)
violate any provision of the charter of the Bank, (iii) violate the
provisions of any order, decree or judgment known to me of any court
or governmental agency or (iv) result in the breach of, or constitute
a default under, any indenture, agreement or instrument known to me to
which the Bank is a party or by which the Bank or its property may be
bound.
7. The choice of the laws of the State of New York and the Uniform
Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision),
International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500 (the "Uniform
Customs"), to govern the Letter of Credit is valid under the laws of
Switzerland and would be given effect in any proceedings brought
against the Bank in the courts of Switzerland.
8. Any judgment of a federal court sitting in the State of California or
a court of the State of California in respect of any suit, action or
other proceeding against the Branch for the enforcement of the
Agreement will be recognized and, on petition by the interested party,
declared enforceable against the Bank by the competent courts of
Switzerland, (i) if jurisdiction lay with such United States court or
such court of the State of California, (ii) if no ordinary judicial
remedy can any longer be brought against such judgment or if such
judgment is final, and (iii) if none of the following grounds for
non-recognition exists. Such judgment will not be recognized in
Switzerland (i) if its recognition is clearly incompatible with Swiss
public policy (ordre public) or (ii) if a party proves (a) that the
party was not properly served with process, unless the party entered
an unconditional appearance in the proceedings;
-3-
<PAGE> 108
(b) that the judgment was rendered in violation of essential
principles of Swiss procedural law, especially, that the party was
denied the right to be heard; (c) that a lawsuit between the same
parties concerning the same case was first commenced or decided in
Switzerland, or was first decided in a third country, provided that
the prerequisites for the recognition of that decision are met. In no
other respects may the foreign decision be reviewed on the merits. As
a general rule it can be stated that judgments of federal courts
sitting in the State of California and of courts of the State of
California are recognized and declared enforceable in Switzerland.
9. A court of Switzerland would recognize the obligations of the Bank
under the Letter of Credit as ranking at least equally with the
obligations of the Bank to pay unsecured indebtedness for borrowed
money and to pay general depositors not expressly privileged by law.
The opinions set forth in paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 above are subject to the
limitation that the choice of law, enforceability of judgment or both may be
denied under Swiss law, if any terms of the Letter of Credit or any provisions
of New York law or the Uniform Customs applicable to the Letter of Credit
violate the fundamental principles of the Swiss legal system (ordre public) or
such judgment is rendered in violation of such principles. In this regard, I
have no reason to believe that a money judgment against the Bank with respect
to its obligations under the Letter of Credit would be considered contrary to
fundamental principles of the Swiss legal system (ordre public).
I express no opinion as to any matters governed by any laws other than the laws
of Switzerland (as in effect on the date hereof) or the Uniform Customs.
This opinion may not be used or relied upon by or copied, published or
communicated to any party other than the addressees for any purpose whatsoever
without my prior written approval in each instance. I have no obligation to
advise the addressees hereof (or any other third party) of any changes of law
or fact that may occur after the date hereof, notwithstanding that such changes
may affect the legal analysis, a legal conclusion or an informational
confirmation contained herein.
Very truly yours,
Dr. Urs P. Roth
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<PAGE> 109
EXHIBIT G
[Letterhead of Borrower's Counsel]
___________, 1995
Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch
As Agent Bank and Issuing Bank
The Lenders Under the Credit Agreement
c/o Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch
444 South Flower Street, Suite 4600
Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Re: Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1995,
among Southwest Gas Corporation, the Lenders Named
therein and Union Bank of Switzerland, as Agent Bank
and Issuing Bank
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Southwest Gas Corporation,
a California corporation (the "Borrower"), in connection with the Credit
Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1995, among the Borrower, the Lenders named
therein and Union Bank of Switzerland, as Agent Bank and Issuing Bank (the
"Credit Agreement").
This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to the provisions of
Section 5.1(h) of the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used in this
opinion and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
thereto in the Credit Agreement.
In our capacity as special counsel to the Borrower, we have
examined, among other things, originals or copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction as being true copies of the Credit Agreement,
the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes and such
<PAGE> 110
corporate records of the Borrower, certificates of public officials and
officers of the Borrower and such other documents as we have deemed necessary
for the purpose of this opinion.
On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon and on
our consideration of such other matters of fact and questions of law as we have
deemed relevant under the circumstances and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
(i). The Borrower has been duly incorporated and is
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State
of California with the corporate power to execute, deliver and
perform all of its obligations under the Credit Agreement, the
Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper
Notes.
(ii). The Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement,
the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
the Borrower, and no stockholder approval is required.
(iii). Each of the Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes provides
that it is to be governed by, and construed and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. We
express no opinion as to the laws of the State of New York, or
of their applicability to the matters covered hereby, nor do
we express any opinion as to whether or not California law is
applicable to any such documents. We are of the opinion,
however, that if the Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial Paper Notes were
governed by the laws of the State of California (without
reference to choice of law principles thereunder), the Credit
Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes and the
Commercial Paper Notes, when executed and delivered, will be
legally valid and binding obligations of the Borrower,
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their
respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally. We advise you that the
enforceability of the Credit Agreement, the Depositary
Agreement, the Notes and the Commercial
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Paper Notes are subject to the effect of general principles
of equity including, without limitation, concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and
the possible unavailability of specific performance or
injunctive relief, regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding at law or in equity.
(iv). Neither the execution and delivery of the
Credit Agreement, the Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the
Commercial Paper Notes nor the payment of the Notes or the
Commercial Paper Notes or reimbursement of the Issuing Bank
for any draws under the Letters of Credit will (x), to the
best of our actual knowledge, conflict with or result in a
breach by the Borrower of any present California statute, rule
or regulation binding on the Borrower, or (y) conflict with
any of the Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the
Company as presently in effect.
(v). No order, consent or approval of any California
governmental authority is required on the part of the Company
for the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement, the
Depositary Agreement, the Notes or the Commercial Paper Notes,
other than the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of
the State of California, which has been obtained.
(vi). The Lenders, the Agent Bank and the Issuing
Bank will not be subject to regulation by the Public Utilities
Commission of the State of California solely by reason of the
transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement and the
Depositary Agreement.
We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
authenticity of all items submitted to us as originals and the conformity with
the originals of all items submitted to us as copies or specimens thereof and
the due authority of all persons executing the same. We have further assumed
that the Credit Agreement and the Depositary Agreement have been duly executed
and delivered by the Lenders and are each enforceable against the Lenders.
In addition to the foregoing assumptions, we express no
opinion as to the substantive laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
California or the
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effect of public policy on the enforceability of indemnification
provisions.
This opinion is furnished by us as special counsel to the
Borrower and is solely for your benefit and may not be relied on by, nor may
copies be delivered to, any other person without our prior written consent,
except that Sullivan & Cromwell, in rendering their opinion of even date
herewith in connection with the subject transactions, may rely upon this
opinion as to the legal conclusions affected by California law, and except that
each of Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and
Standard & Poor's Corporation may rely on this opinion as if it were addressed
to them.
Respectfully submitted,
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EXHIBIT H
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of ____________________, 199_ among
[ASSIGNOR] (the "Assignor"), [ASSIGNEE] (the "Assignee"), _________________
(the "Borrower") and Union Bank of Switzerland as the issuer of a letter of
credit (the "Issuing Bank").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, this Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the
"Agreement") relates to the Credit Agreement dated as of January 27, 1995 (the
"Credit Agreement") among the Borrower, the Assignor, the other Banks party
thereto, as Banks, and Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch, as Agent
Bank and as Issuing Bank;
WHEREAS, as provided under the Credit Agreement, the Assignor
has a Commitment to make Loans and participate in a Letter of Credit in an
aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $___________;
WHEREAS, Loans made by the Assignor under the Credit Agreement
in the aggregate principal amount of $____________ and participations by the
Assignor in the Letter of Credit in an aggregate face amount of $_________ are
outstanding at the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, the Assignor proposes to assign to the Assignee all
of the rights of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement in respect of a
portion of its Commitment thereunder in an amount equal to $__________ (the
"Assigned Amount"), together with a corresponding portion of its outstanding
Loans and participations in Letters of Credit, and the Assignee proposes to
accept assignment of such rights and assume the corresponding obligations from
the Assignor on such terms;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. All capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit
Agreement.
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SECTION 2. Assignment. The Assignor hereby assigns and sells
to the Assignee all of the right of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement to
the extent of the Assigned Amount, and the Assignee hereby accepts such
assignment from the Assignor and assumes all of the obligations of the Assignor
under the Credit Agreement to the extent of the Assigned Amount. Upon the
execution and delivery hereof by the Assignor, the Assignee, the Borrower and
the Issuing Bank and the payment of the amounts specified in Section 3 required
to be paid on the date hereof (i) the Assignee shall, as of the date hereof,
succeed to the rights and be obligated to perform the obligations of a Bank
under the Credit Agreement with a Commitment in an amount equal to the Assigned
Amount, and (ii) the Commitment of the Assignor shall, as of the date hereof,
be reduced by a like amount and the Assignor released from its obligations
under the Credit Agreement to the extent such obligations have been assumed by
the Assignee. The assignment provided for herein shall be without recourse to
the Assignor.
SECTION 3. Payments. As consideration for the assignment and
sale contemplated in Section 2 hereof, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor
on the date hereof in Federal funds an amount equal to $_________*. It is
understood that commitment fees accrued to the date hereof are for the account
of the Assignor and such fees accruing from and including the date hereof are
for the account of the Assignee. Each of the Assignor and the Assignee hereby
agrees that if it receives any amount under the Credit Agreement which is for
the account of the other party hereto, it shall receive the same for the
account of such other party to the extent of such other party's interest
therein and shall promptly pay the same to such other party.
SECTION 4. Consent of the Borrower and the Issuing Bank.
This Agreement is conditioned upon the consent of the Borrower and the Issuing
Bank pursuant to Section 9.9 of the Credit Agreement. The execution of this
Agreement by the Borrower and the Issuing Bank is evidence of this consent.
Pursuant to Section 9.9 the Borrower agrees to execute and deliver a Note
payable to the order of
____________________
* Amount should combine principal and face together with
accrued interest and breakage compensation, if any, to be
paid by the Assignee, net of any portion of any upfront fee
to be paid by the Assignor to the Assignee. It may be
preferable in an appropriate case to specify these amounts
generically or by formula rather than as a fixed sum.
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the Assignee to evidence the assignment and assumption provided
for herein.
SECTION 5. Non-Reliance on Assignor. The Assignor makes no
representation or warranty in connection with, and shall have no responsibility
with respect to, the solvency, financial condition, or statements of the
Borrower, or the validity and enforceability of the obligations of the Borrower
in respect of the Credit Agreement or any Note. The Assignee acknowledges that
it has, independently and without reliance on the Assignor, and based on such
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and will continue to be
responsible for making its own independent appraisal of the business, affairs
and financial condition of the Borrower.
SECTION 6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to
be executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date
first above written.
[ASSIGNOR]
By____________________________
Title:
[ASSIGNEE]
By____________________________
Title:
SOUTHWEST GAS COMPANY
By____________________________
Title:
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UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
as Issuing Bank
By____________________________
Title:
By____________________________
Title:
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EXHIBIT I
DEPOSITARY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of January 27, 1995,
among SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION, a California corporation (the "Borrower"),
BANK OF MONTREAL TRUST COMPANY, as Depositary (the "Depositary"), and UNION
BANK OF SWITZERLAND by its Los Angeles Branch, as agent (the "Agent Bank") for
the benefit of the Lenders as hereinafter defined and as the issuing bank (the
"Issuing Bank").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Borrower proposes to incur indebtedness pursuant
to the terms of a Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Credit
Agreement") with the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank and the lenders named
therein (the "Lenders") by issuing its promissory notes in substantially the
form attached as Exhibit A to the Credit Agreement (the "Certificated
Commercial Paper Notes") or in the form of book-entry notes, (the "Book-Entry
Commercial Paper Notes" and together with the Certificated Commercial Paper
Notes, the "Commercial Paper Notes") represented by a global note delivered to
the Depositary, to be offered in the commercial paper market;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement the Issuing Bank has
agreed to issue a non-transferable, irrevocable Letter of Credit, substantially
in the form of Exhibit D to the Credit Agreement (the "Letter of Credit")
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with respect to Commercial Paper Notes sold by the Borrower, to be held by the
Depositary for the benefit of the holders of Commercial Paper Notes to be drawn
on to pay matured Commercial Paper Notes, in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Letter of Credit and the Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested the Depositary to act on
the Borrower's behalf as a depositary for the safekeeping of Commercial Paper
Notes and as issuing and paying agent in connection with the sale and payment
from time to time of Commercial Paper Notes, and to undertake certain
fiduciary obligations on behalf of the holders of the Commercial Paper Notes;
WHEREAS, the Issuing Bank has also requested the Depositary to
act as its agent as issuing agent and paying agent under the Letter of Credit;
and
WHEREAS, the Depositary has agreed to act in such capacities,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement
and, if the book-entry system of the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") is used
for the Commercial Paper Notes, the Letter of Representations, dated as of the
date hereof (the "Letter of Representations") from the Issuer and the
Depositary to DTC delivered in connection herewith.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the
mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
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SECTION 1. Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined,
capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Credit Agreement.
SECTION 2. Establishment of Accounts; Proceeds of Commercial
Paper Notes.
(a) Prior to or contemporaneously with the execution and
delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement, and for the purposes of this
Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Depositary shall establish, on behalf
of the Borrower, a special purpose restricted deposit account (said account
being referred to herein and in the Credit Agreement as the "Commercial Paper
Account" and being identified as Account No. 480 8237), over which the Agent
Bank shall have exclusive control and the sole right of withdrawal. All
proceeds from the sale of Commercial Paper Notes issued by the Borrower
pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall be deposited by the Depositary in the
Commercial Paper Account. In addition, there shall be deposited in the
Commercial Paper Account such other amounts as the Borrower may from time to
time furnish to the Depositary to provide for the reimbursement of amounts
disbursed under the Letter of Credit and interest thereon. Withdrawals or
other applications of funds on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the
Commercial Paper Account must be made in accordance with the instructions from
the Agent Bank to the Depositary, acting as the agent of the Agent Bank, or
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otherwise as provided in the Credit Agreement. The Depositary shall keep
accurate records of the date and amount of each deposit in the Commercial Paper
Account and each disbursement therefrom for a period of three years following
the date of such deposit or disbursement. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
acknowledges and agrees that the Agent Bank shall have complete and absolute
control over the Commercial Paper Account and any and all funds on deposit in,
or otherwise to the credit of, the Commercial Paper Account, subject, however,
to the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Depositary agrees to
give the Borrower and the Agent Bank immediate notice if the Commercial Paper
Account or any funds on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the
Commercial Paper Account shall become subject to any writ, judgment, warrant of
attachment, execution or similar process. Should the Borrower or the
Depositary receive notice that the Commercial Paper Account or any funds on
deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the Commercial Paper Account are
subject to any writ, order, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or
similar process, the Borrower shall not be permitted to issue or sell
Commercial Paper Notes, except as specified in the Credit Agreement.
So long as the Agent Bank has not given the Borrower and the
Depositary written notice that an Event of Default or Default has occurred and
is continuing and that
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the Borrower is to cease issuing Commercial Paper Notes, any funds remaining on
deposit in the Commercial Paper Account on the date of any Letter of Credit
Disbursement, after the Commercial Paper Account is debited for the amount of
such Letter of Credit Disbursement and interest thereon as aforesaid, shall be
transferred by the Depositary to such account of the Borrower as the Borrower
shall have specified by written notice to the Agent Bank and the Depositary.
(b) Prior to or contemporaneously with the execution and
delivery by the Issuing Bank of this Agreement, and for the purposes of this
Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Issuing Bank shall establish for the
benefit of the holders of the Commercial Paper Notes at the Corporate Trust
Office in The City of New York of the Depositary a segregated special purpose
account (said account being referred to herein and in the Credit Agreement as
the "Letter of Credit Account" and being identified as Account No. 480 8210).
Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately
succeeding the Business Day of receipt of a drawing request under the Letter of
Credit (and subject to such drawing request having been properly made in
accordance with the Letter of Credit), the Issuing Bank will cause to be
credited, by way of a wire transfer, which shall not be revoked, to the
Depositary's account at Chemical Bank New York, ABA No. 021000128, Bank of
Montreal Trust Company No. 400-046075 for immediate
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deposit in the Letter of Credit Account an amount equal to the amount of such
drawing. The amounts on deposit in the Letter of Credit Account may be
withdrawn by the Depositary only to effect payment of Commercial Paper Notes
until such time as the Commercial Paper Notes have been paid in full. The
Depositary shall not authenticate and deliver any Commercial Paper Note before
12:30 p.m., New York City time, on any day. In addition, the Depositary shall
neither give issuance instructions to DTC nor authenticate and deliver any
Commercial Paper Note at any time, if the amount required by this paragraph (b)
with respect to Commercial Paper Notes maturing on such day has not been
properly credited, by way of wire transfer by the Issuing Bank, to the Letter
of Credit Account or, if the Borrower has not deposited in the Commercial Paper
Account funds sufficient, when added to the amount of all proceeds of
Commercial Paper Notes to be deposited on such day in the Commercial Paper
Account, to reimburse the Issuing Bank in full for all Letter of Credit
Disbursements made in respect of Commercial Paper Notes maturing on or prior to
such day. The Depositary shall record the date of each wire transfer by the
Issuing Bank to, and maintain accurate records of each disbursement from, the
Letter of Credit Account, in each case for a period of three years following
the date of such wire transfer or disbursement.
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SECTION 3. Notes Delivered for Safekeeping and Book-Entry.
(a) From time to time during the term of this Agreement, the
Borrower may deliver to an officer or employee in the Corporate Trust
Department of the Depositary who shall be authorized to act for the Depositary
hereunder and whom the Depositary shall designate by appropriate certificates
of designation delivered to the Borrower, the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank,
Certificated Commercial Paper Notes (as defined in Section 4(b) hereof)
substantially in the form included in Exhibit A of the Credit Agreement, which
shall be numbered consecutively and bear such other identification as the
Borrower may deem appropriate and shall be signed manually on behalf of the
Borrower by the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or other
authorized officer of the Borrower (an "Authorized Officer"), or signed in
facsimile by one of such persons, but shall not otherwise be completed. Prior
to the initial issuance of the Commercial Paper Notes and, from time to time
thereafter, the Borrower shall provide the Depositary with incumbency
certificates with respect to all Authorized Officers, together with specimen
signatures of such Officers. Any Commercial Paper Note bearing the signature
of an individual authorized to sign such Note on the date such a signature was
affixed shall bind the Borrower notwithstanding that such individual has ceased
to hold
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office prior to delivery of such Note or did not hold such office at the date
of such Note. Each Commercial Paper Note, or group of Commercial Paper Notes,
at one time delivered to the Depositary shall be accompanied by a letter from
the Borrower identifying the Commercial Paper Note or Commercial Paper Notes
transmitted therewith, and the Depositary shall acknowledge receipt of such
Commercial Paper Note or Commercial Paper Notes on the copy of such letter or
some other form of written receipt deemed appropriate by the Depositary at the
time of delivery to the Depositary of such Commercial Paper Note or Commercial
Paper Notes. Pending the issuance of Commercial Paper Notes as provided in
Section 4 hereof, all Commercial Paper Notes delivered to the Depositary shall
be held by the Depositary's Corporate Trust Department for the account of the
Borrower for safekeeping.
(b) In the event the DTC book-entry system is used from
time to time for the Commercial Paper Notes, the Borrower will deliver to the
Depositary a Master Commercial Paper Note (as defined in Section 4(b) hereof),
manually executed by an Authorized Officer, evidencing the aggregate face
amount (to the extent issued on a discount basis) or principal amount (to the
extent issued on an interest-bearing basis) of Book-Entry Commercial Paper
Notes (as defined in Section 4(b) hereof) to be sold via DTC's book-entry
system.
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Such Master Commercial Paper Note shall be registered in the
name of Cede & Co., as DTC's nominee, and held by the Depositary as custodian
and agent on DTC's behalf. As long as Cede & Co. is the registered owner of
the Master Commercial Paper Note, the beneficial ownership interest therein
shall be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof shall be effected
through, entries in the books maintained by DTC and the books of its direct and
indirect participants. The Depositary shall not be responsible for sending
transaction statements to DTC's participants or to beneficial owners or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing the records of DTC or its participants.
The Master Commercial Paper Note and Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes shall be
subject to DTC's rules and procedures in effect at the time of the issuance of
such Notes and as the same may be amended from time to time. The Borrower
shall cooperate with the Depositary in assuring compliance with such rules and
procedures.
(c) Prior to the initial issuance of Commercial Paper Notes
and, from time to time thereafter, the Agent Bank will furnish the Depositary
with incumbency certificates and specimen signatures with respect to those
individuals who are authorized to act for the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank
in connection with this Agreement and with the Credit Agreement (an "Authorized
Agent Officer"). The Depositary may rely upon the most recent incumbency
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certificate received from the Agent Bank. All notices, instructions and
communications delivered to the Depositary by the Agent Bank or the Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, are valid only if received from an Authorized Agent
Officer. For purposes of this Agreement, any two Authorized Agent Officers
whose signatures are set forth in incumbency certificates to be delivered by
the Agent Bank and/or the Issuing Bank shall be authorized to act, and to give
instructions and notices on behalf of the Agent Bank and/or the Issuing Bank
hereunder, and the Depositary shall be entitled to rely on any writing, paper
or notice purporting to be signed, sent or given by any such officers unless
the Depositary's Corporate Trust Department shall have actual knowledge that
the particular writing, paper or notice was not signed, sent or given by such
officers. The Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Depositary to act as its
agent for the purpose of making payments on behalf of the Issuing Bank in
connection with drawings under the Letter of Credit in accordance with the
provisions hereof and of the Credit Agreement.
(d) The Depositary shall deliver to the Borrower and the
Agent Bank prior to receipt of the Commercial Paper Notes or of the Letter of
Credit appropriate certificates of designation specifying the names of its
officers and employees who are authorized to authenticate the Commercial Paper
Notes and to disburse a receipt for, complete and
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deliver such Notes and to act on behalf of the Depositary in connection with
this Agreement and with the Credit Agreement (a "Designated Employee").
SECTION 4. Delivery of the Letter of Credit and Issuance of Commercial
Paper Notes; Instructions.
(a) Prior to the initial issuance of the Commercial Paper Notes, the
Issuing Bank shall deliver the Letter of Credit to the Depositary, for the
benefit of the holders of the Commercial Paper Notes.
(b) The Commercial Paper Notes may be represented by either (i) a
global security ("Master Commercial Paper Note") delivered to the Depositary as
custodian and agent for DTC evidencing notes recorded in the book-entry system
maintained by DTC (each, a "Book- Entry Commercial Paper Note") or (ii) a
certificate issued in definitive form substantially in the form of Exhibit A of
the Credit Agreement (each, a "Certificated Commercial Paper Note") delivered
to the Depositary.
(c) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, on any Business Day and at
a mutually agreed upon time, upon receipt of instructions by a Designated
Employee, not later than 12:30 p.m., New York City time, by means of the
electronic timesharing facility known as the Bank of Montreal Trust Company CP
System (the "CP System"), from any Authorized Officer or any employee of an
appropriate dealer who has been designated to the Depositary in writing by an
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Authorized Officer as a person authorized to give issuing instructions
hereunder ("Designated Dealer Employee"), which instructions shall provide each
Certificated Commercial Paper Note's date of issue, maturity date, face amount,
interest rate and amount of interest payable at maturity (if applicable),
discount rate and amount of discount from face amount (if applicable), the
total purchase price, the name, address and tax identification number of the
person to whom the Certificated Commercial Paper Note is to be payable if such
Certificated Commercial Paper Note is not payable to bearer, in the case of
Certificated Commercial Paper Notes, the party to whom delivery of such
Certificated Commercial Paper Note is to be made together with an address and
instruction as to manner of delivery and, in the case of Book-Entry Commercial
Paper Notes, the appropriate DTC instrument code, and which instructions shall
direct the Depositary to complete, authenticate and deliver Certificated
Commercial Paper Notes, a Designated Employee shall withdraw the necessary
number of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes from safekeeping, if applicable,
and, in accordance with such instructions:
(i) In the case of Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes, enter
an issuance instruction in DTC's book-entry system in accordance
with the Letter of Representations and applicable DTC procedures,
which issuance instruction shall include a book-entry
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delivery versus payment order to debit the account of the Depositary
with DTC. Upon confirmation of receipt of funds the Depositary shall
transfer the amount so received to the Commercial Paper Account as
hereinafter provided. The Depositary shall maintain a record of each
change in the face amount (to the extent such changes relate to
Commercial Paper Notes issued on a discount basis) or principal amount
(to the extent such changes relate to Commercial Paper Notes issued on
an interest-bearing basis) of outstanding Book-Entry Commercial Paper
Notes and the maturity dates thereof (which maturity date, for any
Book-Entry Commercial Paper Note, shall be a day on which banks are
open in the City of New York and shall not be later than the earliest
to occur of (1) the 270th day next succeeding the date of issuance
thereof and (2) the first Business Day prior to the Expiration Date).
(ii) In the case of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes:
(A) date each such Certificated Commercial Paper Note the
date of issuance thereof (which shall be a Business Day) and insert
the maturity date thereof (which shall be a day on which banks are
open in the City of New York and which shall not be later than the
earliest to occur of (1) the 270th day next succeeding the date of
issuance thereof and (2) the first Business
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Day prior to the Expiration Date), and, in words and figures, the face
amount (if issued on a discount basis) and the principal amount (if
issued on an interest-bearing basis) and amount of interest to the
stated maturity date, but in no case shall the face amount or the
principal amount, as the case may be, be less than $100,000;
(B) authenticate each such Certificated Commercial Paper Note
in the appropriate space provided thereon by manually countersigning
the same;
(C) insert the word "Bearer" or the name of a specified payee
with respect to such Certificated Commercial Paper Note, as the case
may be, in the space provided on such Certificated Commercial Paper
Note;
(D) deliver each such Certificated Commercial Paper Note to
the appropriate dealer (designated by such Authorized Officer), or the
consignee, if any, designated by such dealer for the account of the
dealer, but not before 12:30 p.m. on any day, against payment as
provided in Section 5 hereof (provided that the Depositary shall be
instructed and required to deliver Certificated Commercial Paper Notes
only to offices located in the financial district of The City of New
York); and
(E) send a copy of each such Certificated Commercial Paper
Note to the Borrower and, if the
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Issuing Bank so requests, to the Issuing Bank on or within one
Business Day of the date of issuance thereof.
In the event that the CP System is inoperative, issuance
instructions with respect to Certificated Commercial Paper Notes shall be given
to a Designated Employee by an Authorized Officer or Designated Dealer Employee
by telephone, confirmed in writing within 24 hours, or by facsimile transmission
or in writing. The Depositary shall immediately repeat back all issuance
instructions to the party giving such instructions to confirm that such
instructions were correctly understood. In the event that a discrepancy exists
between the telephone instructions and the written confirmation, the telephone
instructions will be deemed to be controlling and proper instructions.
Each delivery of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes shall be
subject to the rules of the New York Clearing House in effect at the time of
the delivery and each issuance of Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes shall be
subject to the rules of the New York Clearing House and the rules and
regulations of DTC in effect at the time of the issuance.
Unless the Authorized Agent Officers and an Authorized Officer
shall each otherwise inform the Depositary in writing, the Depositary shall be
entitled
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conclusively to assume that the Expiration Date with respect to the Letter of
Credit is January 27, 1998.
Instructions given via the CP System shall be entered as
prescribed in the user documentation provided by the Depositary and all
instructions, whether via the CP System, by telephone or in writing, must be
entered into the CP System or received by the Depositary as the case may be,
not later than 12:30 p.m. New York City time for same-day delivery.
(d) Notwithstanding any instructions received by the
Depositary from an Authorized Officer, if the Depositary shall receive, prior
to the time of delivery of the relevant Commercial Paper Notes to the
appropriate dealer (or to its designated consignee), written instructions or
telephonic instructions (confirmed promptly thereafter in writing in accordance
with Section 14 hereof) from the Agent Bank not to issue or deliver Commercial
Paper Notes in accordance with Section 3.5(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement,
which instructions may be specific with respect to a particular issue of
Commercial Paper Notes or may be general and applicable to all Commercial Paper
Notes issued or delivered, after receipt of such instructions, until such
instructions are revoked or superseded by further instructions from the Agent
Bank, the Depositary shall neither give issuance instructions to DTC nor issue
or deliver Commercial Paper Notes; provided, however, that the
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Depositary shall be required for a period not to exceed one Business Day from
the receipt of such notice to give issuance instructions to DTC or deliver
Commercial Paper Notes, as the case may be, in respect of agreements concluded
by any dealer prior to receipt of notice of such instructions. For purposes of
this paragraph (c), the Depositary may rely on written notice given or
delivered to it by the Authorized Agent Officers as to whether any particular
Commercial Paper Note is to be issued in respect of any agreement concluded by
a dealer, and the Depositary shall have no obligation to make any other or
further investigation.
(e) Notwithstanding any instructions received by the
Depositary from an Authorized Officer, the Depositary shall neither give
issuance instructions to DTC with respect to Commercial Paper Notes nor issue
or deliver Commercial Paper Notes if (i) the Face Value of all Commercial Paper
Notes outstanding plus the Face Value of all Commercial Paper Notes to be
issued, will exceed (A) the Total Commitment minus the sum of (x) the aggregate
principal amount of all Loans outstanding on such date plus (y) the aggregate
amount on such date of all unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements, plus
(B) the proceeds of such Commercial Paper Notes to be deposited, on the same
day as the day of such issuance, in the Commercial Paper Account for the
purpose of contemporaneously repaying or prepaying
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outstanding Loans and/or reimbursing Letter of Credit Disbursements relating to
matured and concurrently maturing Commercial Paper Notes (whether or not
presented for payment) plus the amount deposited by the Borrower in the
Commercial Paper Account for the purpose of reimbursing such Letter of Credit
Disbursements to the extent such Letter of Credit Disbursement exceed such
proceeds or (ii) there shall fail to be credited, by way of a credit advice, to
the Letter of Credit Account the funds required by Section 2(b) hereof to be
credited to the Letter of Credit Account for the payment of all Commercial
Paper Notes maturing on such day. An Authorized Agent Officer shall advise a
Designated Employee in writing or by telephone (confirmed in writing within 24
hours thereafter), as promptly as practicable and, if possible, one Business
Day prior to the proposed issuance of any Commercial Paper Notes, of each
change in the Total Commitment that may at any time be utilized by the Borrower
to issue Commercial Paper Notes and of each change in the Unused Total
Commitment. For purposes of the foregoing calculations, the Depositary may
rely upon the telephonic instructions or written notices given or delivered to
the Depositary by any Authorized Agent Officer pursuant to the preceding
sentence, and the Depositary shall have no obligation to make any other or
further investigation.
(f) The Depositary agrees that it will cause its Corporate
Trust Office specified in the Commercial Paper
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Notes issued by the Depositary hereunder as the place of payment of such
Commercial Paper Notes, to be open for business whenever the Depositary is open
to the public for the purpose of carrying on substantially all of its banking
functions.
SECTION 5. Delivery of Commercial Paper Notes; Deposit of
Proceeds; Outstanding Commercial Paper Notes.
(a) No Certificated Commercial Paper Note shall be delivered
by the Depositary nor shall issuance instructions to DTC with respect to any
Book-Entry Commercial Paper Note be given by the Depositary except against
payment therefor as herein provided. The parties understand that when the
Depositary is instructed to deliver Certificated Commercial Paper Notes, the
delivery thereof and the receipt of payment therefor may not necessarily be
simultaneous. The Depositary is hereby authorized to follow the prevailing
custom in the commercial paper market, which is currently that the Depositary
receives a receipt for delivery from the purchaser of such Certificated
Commercial Paper Notes, in customary form (it being understood that the
Depositary is not responsible for the form and content of any such receipt
other than to ascertain that the receipt adequately and accurately describes
the Certificated Commercial Paper Notes to which such receipt relates), for
each delivery of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes and, before the close of
business on the day of delivery, the
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Depositary receives the purchase price of such Certificated Commercial Paper
Notes in immediately available funds from such purchaser by means of a credit
to the Depositary's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The
Depositary shall have no responsibility or liability for credit risks involved
in or arising from its delivery of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes against
payment therefor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement to persons
designated by an Authorized Officer or Designated Dealer Employee, for delay by
or the failure of such persons to effectuate payment therefor in whole or in
part as herein contemplated, for delay by or the failure of any DTC participant
purchasing a Book-Entry Commercial Paper Note in settling its balance with DTC
or for failure by DTC to perform in any respect as herein contemplated.
(b) Payment of the proceeds of the sale of all Commercial
Paper Notes shall be credited upon receipt by the Depositary to the Commercial
Paper Account. The Borrower and the Agent Bank acknowledge that, with respect
to Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes, the crediting of funds in connection
therewith shall be contingent upon the occurrence of net settlement by DTC in
accordance with its net settlement procedures.
(c) (i) Prior to the close of each Business Day, unless
otherwise instructed by the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank or unless no sale
or issuance or payment of any
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Commercial Paper Note had occurred on the preceding Business Day, the
Depositary shall make available to the Agent Bank, the Issuing Bank and the
Borrower by means of the CP System a statement showing the aggregate face
amount (if issued on a discount basis) and aggregate principal amount (if
issued on an interest-bearing basis) together with the aggregate amount of
interest to the stated maturity of interest-bearing Commercial Paper Notes, of
all Commercial Paper Notes outstanding at the close of the next preceding
Business Day, which statement shall include the serial numbers, issue dates,
maturity dates and face amounts (if issued on a discount basis) and principal
amount (if issued on an interest-bearing basis) and amount of interest to the
stated maturity thereof.
If on any Business Day on which Commercial Paper Notes are
issued or mature, the CP System should be inoperative, at the close of such
Business Day the Depositary shall prepare a written statement showing the
aggregate face amount of all Commercial Paper Notes outstanding at the close of
such Business Day, which statement shall include the note number, face amount,
payee if other than Bearer, date of issue and maturity date of each Commercial
Paper Note issued on such date. Each such statement shall be sent to the
Borrower, the Issuing Bank and the Agent Bank by facsimile transmission, and
confirmed immediately thereafter by telephone. In all other cases,
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the Depositary shall not be obligated to provide the aforementioned daily
statements.
SECTION 6. Payment of Commercial Paper Notes at Maturity;
Drawings Under the Letter of Credit and Reimbursement of the Issuing Bank.
(a) The Certificated Commercial Paper Notes by their terms
are payable by the Borrower at the offices of Bank of Montreal Trust Company,
77 Water Street, New York, New York 10005, and the Book-Entry Commercial Paper
Notes are payable by transferring amounts payable to DTC, in accordance with
the following procedures:
(i) As soon as practicable after the opening of business on
the Business Day next preceding the maturity date of any Commercial
Paper Note and in any event before 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on
such Business Day, the Depositary shall make a demand for payment
under the Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the aggregate amount
required to pay the Commercial Paper Notes maturing on such date; or,
upon receipt of a notice from the Agent Bank that an Event of Default
has occurred, the Depositary shall make a demand for payment under the
Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the aggregate amount required
to pay all of the Commercial Paper Notes then outstanding upon their
maturity. If such demand is by facsimile transmission,
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the Depositary shall immediately after such transmission confirm such
transmission by telephone.
(ii) Holders of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes shall be
paid on the day of presentment of such matured Commercial Paper Notes
at or after such time as is specified in the Notes. The Depositary
shall pay each Certificated Commercial Paper Note in accordance with
the provisions of the Code, as the same may be amended from time to
time. The Depositary shall pay each Book-Entry Commercial Paper Note
at the maturity thereof by transferring amounts payable to its account
with DTC.
(iii) Upon presentment of a Certificated Commercial Paper
Note to the Depositary on or after its maturity and payment thereof as
provided herein, the Depositary will mark such Commercial Paper Note
"Paid by Depositary". Not later than one Business Day after such
payment or the issuance of any Commercial Paper Note, the Depositary
will deliver to the Borrower, and if the Issuing Bank so requests, to
the Issuing Bank, each such paid Certificated Commercial Paper Note
and will make available to the Issuing Bank and the Borrower by means
of the CP System a statement reflecting all outstanding Commercial
Paper Notes as of such Business Day.
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(iv) On any day on whichvCommercial Paper Notes are to be
issued and either (A) a Letter of Credit Disbursement has been made or
(B) the Borrower has instructed the Depositary that a specified amount
of the proceeds of the Commercial Paper Notes are to be paid to the
Agent Bank, the Depositary shall, but not earlier than 1:00 p.m., New
York City time, on such day, pay by wire transfer to the Issuing Bank
or to the Agent Bank, for the benefit of the Lenders, at Union Bank of
Switzerland, New York Branch, 299 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10005, for credit to Union Bank of Switzerland, New York Branch, ABA
No. 026008439, for further credit to Union Bank of Switzerland, Los
Angeles Branch, Account No. 40064502, ref: Southwest Gas Corp., in
order to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the Letter of Credit
Disbursements made on such day or to effect payment to the Lenders as
directed by the Borrower, as the case may be, an amount from the
Commercial Paper Account (to the extent there are immediately
available funds on deposit therein) equal to the amount of such Letter
of Credit Disbursement or such payment, and until such payment is
made, no other payment out of the Commercial Paper Account may be
made. Additionally, (and subject to any such wire transfer to the
Agent Bank or the Issuing Bank having been made, as aforesaid), the
Depositary will make and
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provide the Borrower and the Agent Bank, as the case may be, on a
monthly basis, and preserve for at least three years thereafter, as
the case may be, a record showing the date of each payment hereunder.
(b) Upon deposit by the Issuing Bank of its Letter of Credit
Disbursement to the Letter of Credit Account in an amount sufficient to pay all
of the Commercial Paper Notes then outstanding as a result of the occurrence of
an Event of Default, the Depositary shall hold such funds in trust and
uninvested for the benefit of the holders of the Certificated Commercial Paper
Notes and the beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes and
shall pay the holders of Certificated Commercial Paper Notes the face amount of
the Certificated Commercial Paper Notes together with any interest due and
owing with respect to such Certificated Commercial Paper Notes upon presentment
of such matured Certificated Commercial Paper Notes and shall pay the holders
of Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes, through DTC, the face amount of the
Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes together with any interest due and owing with
respect to such Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes at or after such time as is
specified in the Notes.
(c) After the opening of business of the Depositary but at or
before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately
succeeding the Business Day of receipt of a drawing request under the Letter of
Credit
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(and subject to such drawing request having been properly made in accordance
with the Letter of Credit), in order to make payment of the amount of such
drawing, the Issuing Bank will transfer to the Depositary for deposit in the
Letter of Credit Account funds sufficient for the payment of the amount of such
drawing (such transfer or deposit on any one day being herein called a "Letter
of Credit Disbursement"). The Depositary will make and preserve for at least
three years thereafter (or, if an event described in Section 7.1(i) of the
Credit Agreement shall have occurred, the period during which such an event
shall be continuing) a record showing the date of the receipt of such funds in
the Letter of Credit Account.
SECTION 7. Inspection of Documents by Commercial Paper
Noteholders. The Depositary shall keep a fully executed, or conformed, copy of
this Agreement (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements,
waivers and consents made or given with respect thereto), on file at the
Depositary's Corporate Trust Office specified in the Commercial Paper Notes
issued by the Depositary pursuant hereto. The Depositary shall permit
reasonable inspection (and limited copying) to be made of this Agreement by the
holder of any Certificated Commercial Paper Note or the beneficial owner of any
Book-Entry Commercial Paper Note or by any officer, employee or agent of such
holder or beneficial owner, provided that the person purporting to be such
holder
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or beneficial owner establishes to the Depositary's satisfaction that he is in
fact a holder or beneficial owner of such Commercial Paper Note or Notes and,
in cases where inspection is sought to be made by a person purporting to be an
officer, employee or agent of such holder or beneficial owner, that such person
submits evidence satisfactory to the Depositary of his authority to make such
inspection on behalf of the holder or beneficial owner of such Commercial Paper
Note. The Borrower shall deliver to the Depositary and to each dealer in the
Commercial Paper Notes a fully executed, or conformed copy of the Credit
Agreement and shall promptly advise the Depositary and each such dealer of any
amendment, modification, waiver or consent made or given with respect to the
Credit Agreement and, promptly after the effectiveness thereof, shall furnish
the Depositary and each such dealer with a fully executed or conformed copy of
such amendment, modification, waiver or consent.
SECTION 8. Fees; Payment of Expenses and Taxes; Indemnity.
(a) For the services rendered hereunder by the Depositary,
the Borrower agrees to pay to the Depositary such fees as shall be agreed upon
in writing from time to time by the Borrower and the Depositary.
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay all out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Depositary (including the fees and out-of-pocket expenses of
counsel to the Depositary and all
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fees and charges assessed by DTC against the Depositary in connection with
Book-Entry Commercial Paper Notes) in connection with the preparation of this
Agreement, the issuance and payment of the Commercial Paper Notes, and the
making of any drawings under the Letter of Credit, or in connection with any
modification or amendment to, any waiver or consent under or in respect of, and
the enforcement of this Agreement, the Commercial Paper Notes and the Letter of
Credit. The Borrower also agrees to pay all fees, taxes and expenses in
connection with the recording or filing, and all stamp and other taxes, fees
and exercises, if any, including any interest and penalties which may be or are
determined to be payable in connection with the issue and/or sale of the
Commercial Paper Notes or the Letter of Credit.
(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Depositary and its shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents from
and against any and all losses, liabilities (including liabilities for
penalties), actions, suits, judgments, demands, damages, costs and expenses
(including, without limitation, interest and attorneys' fees) resulting from
the exercise of the Depositary's rights and/or the performance of its duties
hereunder, including the exercise of its rights and/or the performance of its
duties in connection with payment under the Letter of Credit, or resulting from
any delay in paying all stamp and other taxes, if any, which may be payable or
determined to
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be payable in connection with the execution, delivery and enforcement of this
Agreement, the Commercial Paper Notes and the Letter of Credit or any
modification hereof or thereof; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not
be liable to indemnify or pay the Depositary with respect to any loss,
liability, action, suit, judgment, demand, damage, cost or expense resulting
from or attributable to the Depositary's gross negligence or wilful misconduct
or that of its officers, employees or agents (including, but not limited to,
any Designated Employee). The foregoing indemnity includes, but is not limited
to, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Depositary upon telephonic
instructions (if, and to the extent, authorized herein) received by the
Depositary from, or believed by the Depositary reasonably and in good faith to
have been given by, the proper person or persons; provided that any such person
properly identifies himself or herself according to a prearranged procedure.
(d) Neither the Depositary nor any of its officers, employees
or agents shall be liable to the Borrower or the Agent Bank and/or the Issuing
Bank for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Depositary or any of
them hereunder or in connection with the Letter of Credit except for gross
negligence or wilful misconduct, it being understood that, subject to the
provisions of Section 4(c) hereof, wilful misconduct shall include (but not be
limited
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to) any case in which the Depositary issues Commercial Paper Notes contrary to
a direction from an Authorized Agent Officer or an Authorized Officer not to do
so. The Depositary shall not be responsible for any act or omission, or for
the solvency, of DTC.
(e) The Borrower further hereby absolutely and irrevocably
agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Agent Bank and/or the Issuing Bank
and its shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents, from and
against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, causes of action, losses,
costs, expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel)
and all other liabilities whatsoever at any time and from time to time arising
from the Agent Bank's and/or the Issuing Bank's performance of its duties or
exercise of its rights under the Letter of Credit in accordance with the
provisions of the Letter of Credit, the Credit Agreement and this Agreement,
except, as to the Agent Bank, those which arise or are incurred as a result of
the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Agent Bank and except, as to
the Issuing Bank, those which arise or are incurred as a result of the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of the Issuing Bank.
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SECTION 9. Additional Representation and Warranties of the
Borrower.
(a) In addition to any other representations and warranties
on the part of the Borrower contained herein, the Borrower hereby represents
and warrants to the Depositary, the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank that its
entry into this Agreement, and the appointment by the Borrower of the
Depositary, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of the Borrower and will not violate, breach or contravene any law, rule,
regulation, order, contract or agreement binding upon the Borrower.
(b) The Borrower hereby represents and warrants (which shall
be a continuing representation and warranty) to the Depositary, the Agent Bank
and the Issuing Bank that all Commercial Paper Notes delivered to the
Depositary pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized and executed by
the Borrower.
(c) Any instructions given to the Depositary by an Authorized
Officer to issue, authenticate and deliver a Commercial Paper Note shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that such instructions
are in conformity with the terms hereof and of the Credit Agreement. The
Borrower hereby acknowledges to the Depositary that the Agent Bank, the Issuing
Bank and the other Lenders are relying on the representation and warranty
contained in the preceding sentence.
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SECTION 10. Term and Termination.
(a) The term of this Agreement (except for the provisions of
Sections 8 and 9, which shall survive indefinitely) shall extend from the date
hereof and shall end at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date
or, if earlier, the date of the termination provided in paragraph (b) below.
Any Commercial Paper Notes issued and sold in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and outstanding on the date of termination of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain valid obligations of the Borrower and shall be entitled to
the benefits of the Letter of Credit to the extent provided therein, and the
provisions of this Agreement shall continue to be applicable with respect to
Commercial Paper Notes to the same extent as if this Agreement had not
terminated.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of
paragraph (a) of this Section 10, this Agreement may be terminated at any time
by the Borrower or the Depositary upon 30 days' prior written notice to DTC,
the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank and the other party not terminating this
Agreement.
(c) On the date of termination of this Agreement, the
Depositary shall redeliver to the Borrower all Commercial Paper Notes then held
by the Depositary hereunder for the Borrower's account for safekeeping, against
receipt by the Borrower, and shall deposit in such accounts as may be
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designated by the Borrower (unless otherwise advised by the Agent Bank) all
funds, if any, then on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the
Commercial Paper Account in excess of that amount which is equal to the Face
Value of all outstanding Commercial Paper Notes theretofore issued in
accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 11. Concerning the Depositary.
(a) In actions undertaken by the Depositary, in holding funds
on deposit in the Letter of Credit Account and in debiting the Letter of Credit
Account to make payments to the holders of Commercial Paper Notes, the
Depositary shall not be acting as an agent of the Borrower, the Agent Bank or
the Issuing Bank, but shall be acting on behalf of the holders of the
Commercial Paper Notes, and the Depositary shall hold such funds in trust for
such holders.
(b) The Depositary undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the
Depositary.
(c) The Depositary may rely conclusively, as to the truth of
the statements and correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon
certificates or opinions furnished to the Depositary by or on behalf of any
party hereto.
(d) The Depositary shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by one of its officers, unless the Depositary was
negligent in ascertaining the
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pertinent facts or acting thereon. No provision of this Agreement shall
require the Depositary to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in
the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Depositary shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate
indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(e) The Depositary may rely and shall be protected in acting
or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
Commercial Paper Note or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The
Depositary shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or
matters stated in any such resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, Commercial Paper
Note or other paper or document furnished to the Depositary.
(f) Any request or direction of the Borrower, the Agent Bank
and/or the Issuing Bank mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by any
written or oral communication (confirmed in writing promptly thereafter) from
an Authorized Agent Officer or an Authorized Officer.
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(g) Whenever in the administration of this Agreement the
Depositary shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior
to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Depositary (unless
other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad
faith on its part, rely upon a certificate of an Authorized Agent Officer or an
Authorized Officer and such certificates shall be full warranty to the
Depositary for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions
of this Agreement.
(h) The Depositary may consult with counsel, and the written
advice of such counsel or any opinion of counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(i) The Depositary shall be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers with respect to the Letter of Credit or any
proceeds of a drawing or demand thereunder at the request or direction of any
holder or holders of Commercial Paper Notes entitled to the benefit of such
Letter of Credit, unless each such holder shall have offered to the Depositary
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
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(j) The Depositary may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents or attorneys.
(k) The recitals contained herein and in the Commercial Paper
Notes, except the Depositary's certificate of authentication, shall be taken as
the statements of the Borrower, and the Depositary assumes no responsibility
for their correctness. The Depositary makes no representations as to the
validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or of the Commercial Paper Notes.
The Depositary shall not be accountable for the use or application by the
Borrower of the Commercial Paper Notes or the proceeds thereof.
(l) The Depositary or any agent thereof, in its individual or
in any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of the Commercial Paper
Notes and may otherwise deal with the Borrower with the same rights it would
have if it were not the Depositary or such agent.
(m) Money held by the Depositary in trust hereunder need not
be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law, by the
Credit Agreement or herein. The Depositary shall be under no liability for
interest on any money received by it hereunder.
SECTION 12. Resignation or Removal of Depositary.
Subject to the further provisions of this Section 12, the Depositary may resign
at any time as Depositary hereunder by delivery to the Borrower, the Agent Bank
and the Issuing
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Bank of written notice of resignation, and may be removed by the Borrower as
such Depositary at any time, with or without cause, by written notice of
removal delivered to the Depositary, the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank, and
upon any such resignation or removal the Borrower may, without other formality
than appointment and designation in writing, appoint a successor Depositary
hereunder, provided that such successor is approved by a majority of the
Lenders under the Credit Agreement. Any such appointment and designation of a
successor Depositary delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 12
shall be effective only if accompanied by the written consents of the Agent
Bank and of the Issuing Bank concurring with such action. Upon acceptance by a
qualified successor Depositary of its appointment hereunder, the Depositary
shall deliver to the Issuing Bank all unissued Commercial Paper Notes as well
as the Letter of Credit then held by it hereunder for the Borrower's and the
Issuing Bank's accounts for safekeeping, against receipt therefor by the
Issuing Bank, and shall transmit to its successor for deposit in the Commercial
Paper Account and Letter of Credit Account established by such successor, all
funds, if any, then on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the
Commercial Paper Account or the Letter of Credit Account, in excess of that
amount which is equal to the Face Value of all outstanding Commercial Paper
Notes theretofore issued by it hereunder. No Commercial Paper
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Notes shall be delivered to the Depositary by the Borrower for safekeeping or
issuance hereunder at or any time following the time of transmission to the
Depositary of the Borrower's written notice of removal or the time of the
Borrower's receipt of the Depositary's written notice of resignation, nor shall
any Commercial Paper Notes be issued or delivered by the Depositary after
transmission by it of written notice of resignation or the time of its receipt
of the Borrower's written notice of removal. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Depositary shall not be discharged from its duties or
obligations hereunder following resignation or removal until a successor
Depositary has been appointed by the Borrower with the approval of the Agent
Bank and the Issuing Bank and such successor has accepted its appointment
hereunder, a new Commercial Paper Account and a new Letter of Credit Account
have been established by such successor for purposes of this Agreement and the
Credit Agreement, all Commercial Paper Notes then held hereunder for the
Borrower's, the Agent Bank's and the Issuing Bank's accounts for safekeeping
have been delivered to the Agent Bank and all funds, if any, on deposit in, or
otherwise to the credit of, the Commercial Paper Account and Letter of Credit
Account maintained by the Depositary, in excess of that amount necessary to pay
the Face Value of outstanding Commercial Paper Notes in full, shall have been
transferred to the successor Depositary for
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deposit in the Commercial Paper Account and the Letter of Credit Account
established by the successor Depositary. The Depositary shall continue to
perform its obligations hereunder with respect to all Commercial Paper Notes
outstanding on the date of its resignation or removal.
SECTION 13. Amendments and Modifications. No amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by all of the parties
hereto (including the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank). No such amendment,
modification, termination or waiver shall affect adversely the rights of the
holder or holders of any Commercial Paper Note outstanding at the time of such
amendment, modification, termination or waiver unless consented to in writing
by such holder or holders. In addition, no amendment, waiver or consent to or
under this Agreement which could reasonably be expected to affect adversely the
rights of the holders of Commercial Paper Notes will become effective unless
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Corporation have
confirmed that such amendment, waiver or consent will not cause their rating of
the Commercial Paper Notes to be lowered or withdrawn.
SECTION 14. Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or
upon any of the following parties shall be deemed to have been duly given or
made when received and
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shall be given to each party at its address set forth as follows (or to such
other address for any party as may be hereafter designated in writing by such
party to the other parties):
Depositary:
Bank of Montreal Trust Company
77 Water Street, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Therese Gaballah
Telephone: (212) 701-7652
Telecopy: (212) 701-7684
Borrower: Southwest Gas Corporation
5241 Spring Mountain Road
Post Office Box 98510
Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8510
Attention: Treasurer
Telephone: (702) 876-7246
Telecopy: (702) 876-7037
Agent Bank: Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch
444 S. Flower Street
New York, New York 10171-0026
Attention: L. Scott Sommers
Telephone: (213) 489-0648
Telecopy: (213) 489-0697
Issuing Bank: Union Bank of Switzerland, Los Angeles Branch
c/o Union Bank of Switzerland, New York Branch
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10171-0026
Attention: Clemencia Stewart
Telephone: (212) 821-3249
Telecopy: (212) 821-3259
Any notices, requests or demands required hereunder to be sent
to Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., as dealer in the Commercial Paper Notes,
shall be given in accordance
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with the provisions of this Section 14 to the following address (or to such
other address as may hereafter be designated in writing by such dealer to the
parties hereto):
Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc.
3 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285
Attention: Commercial Paper Product Management
Telephone: (212) 526-2069
Telecopy: (212) 528-6925
The Borrower may, with the written consent of the Agent Bank
and the Issuing Bank, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, appoint
a successor or additional dealer in the Commercial Paper Notes; provided that
such successor or additional dealer shall designate in writing to the parties
hereto an address where all notices, requests or demands required hereunder are
to be sent.
SECTION 15. Binding Effect, Assignment. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that no party hereto may
assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder except with the prior written
consent of all parties hereto.
SECTION 16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to
be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of said State,
without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
-41-
<PAGE> 158
SECTION 17. Acknowledgement of Receipt of Documents. The
Depositary hereby acknowledges receipt of a fully executed counterpart of the
Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the provisions of the Credit Agreement
for the terms upon which Commercial Paper Notes may be issued and sold by the
Borrower. The Depositary shall have no obligation to the Borrower or any other
Person, however, for the performance of any of the terms of the Credit
Agreement except as specifically required by this Agreement.
SECTION 18. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on
separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and
delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts,
taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Sections headings
used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction of this Agreement.
SECTION 19. Rights of Agent Bank and Issuing Bank. Whenever
the word "party" is used herein, it shall include the Agent Bank and the
Issuing Bank, each of which has joined in this Agreement as a consenting party,
unless the context indicates otherwise. The Borrower and the Depositary
further agree that the Agent Bank and the Issuing Bank shall be entitled to
enforce for the benefit of the
-42-
<PAGE> 159
Lenders the respective obligations of the Borrower and the Depositary
hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Depositary Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
By:______________________________
Title:
BANK OF MONTREAL TRUST
COMPANY, as Depositary
By:______________________________
Title:
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
LOS ANGELES BRANCH, AGENT BANK
By:______________________________
Title:
By:______________________________
Title:
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
LOS ANGELES BRANCH, ISSUING BANK
By:______________________________
Title:
By:______________________________
Title:
-43-
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 21.01
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
AT DECEMBER 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATE OF INCORPORATION
SUBSIDIARY NAME OR ORGANIZATION TYPE
- --------------- --------------------
<S> <C>
The Southwest Companies Nevada
PriMerit Bank Federally chartered stock
savings bank
Paiute Pipeline Company Nevada
Carson Water Company Nevada
Southwest Gas Transmission Company Partnership between
Southwest Gas Corporation
and Utility Financial Corp.
Utility Financial Corp. Nevada
LNG Energy, Inc. Nevada
</TABLE>
PRIMERIT BANK
SUBSIDIARIES
AT DECEMBER 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
First Nevada, Ltd. Nevada
Home Trustee, Inc. Nevada
Nevada Vistas Corporation Nevada
Nevada High Country II Corporation Nevada
Trans-Pacific Funding Corp. California
Nevada Karmlco California
Nevada Los Colinas Nevada
Nevada Verdemont California
First Nevada Company Nevada
Nevada Equities, Ltd. Nevada
BSF Trustee, Inc. Nevada
Nevada Laurel Corporation Nevada
Nevada Capital, Ltd. California
PriMerit Investor Services Nevada
Nevada Victorville Corporation California
Nevada Esinore Corporation California
Nevada La Cresta Corporation California
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.01
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report dated February 8, 1995 included in this Form 10-K, into Southwest
Gas Corporation's previously filed registration statements on Form S-3 (File
No. 33-35636), Form S-8 (File No. 33-35637), Form S-8 (File No. 33-35737) and
Form S-3 (File No. 33-55621).
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 14, 1995
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SOUTHWEST
GAS CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1994
<CASH> 35,262<F1>
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 77,657<F1>
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 11,003<F1>
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 529,400<F1>
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 101,880<F1>
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 99,403<F1>
<LOANS> 955,810<F1>
<ALLOWANCE> 17,659<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,089,993<F2><F3>
<DEPOSITS> 1,239,949<F1>
<SHORT-TERM> 281,935<F1>
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 342,222<F4>
<LONG-TERM> 790,798<F2>
<COMMON> 22,912<F2>
4,000<F2>
0
<OTHER-SE> 316,177<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 3,089,993<F2>
<INTEREST-LOAN> 76,080<F1>
<INTEREST-INVEST> 39,084<F1>
<INTEREST-OTHER> 3,270<F1>
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 118,434<F1>
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 44,116<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 59,790<F1>
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 58,644<F1>
<LOAN-LOSSES> 7,230<F1>
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 34<F1>
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 47,981<F5>
<INCOME-PRETAX> 44,023<F2>
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 26,301<F2>
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 26,301<F2>
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.22<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.22<F2>
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 3.69<F1>
<LOANS-NON> 12,693<F1>
<LOANS-PAST> 0<F1>
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 16,768<F1>
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 32,200<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 16,251<F1>
<CHARGE-OFFS> 8,422<F1>
<RECOVERIES> 2,600<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 17,659<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 17,659<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0<F1>
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE SPECIFIC TO FINANCIAL SERVICES SEGMENT
<F2>CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT BALANCE
<F3>INCLUDES GAS PLANT IN SERVICE, NET $1,035,916
<F4>BALANCE INCLUDES CONSOLIDATED DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND
OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES
<F5>BANK SPECIFIC ITEMS INCLUDING GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE, GOODWILL
AMORTIZATION AND LOSS (INCOME) FROM REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.01
PRIMERIT BANK
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1993
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks............................................. $ 35,262 $ 55,712
Cash equivalents.................................................... 88,660 63,503
Debt securities available for sale, at fair value................... 529,400 595,726
Debt securities held to maturity (fair value of $99,403 in 1994
and $68,738 in 1993).............................................. 101,880 69,660
Loans receivable held for sale (fair value of $2,135 in 1994 and
$22,019 in 1993).................................................. 2,114 20,051
Loans receivable, net of allowance for estimated credit losses of
$17,659 in 1994 and $16,251 in 1993............................... 936,037 817,279
Real estate acquired through foreclosure............................ 7,631 9,707
Real estate held for sale or development, net of allowance for
estimated losses
of $476 in 1994 and $935 in 1993.................................. 771 4,088
Premises and equipment, net......................................... 21,666 22,326
FHLB stock, at cost................................................. 17,277 16,501
Income tax benefit.................................................. 4,055 2,149
Other assets........................................................ 5,928 5,216
Excess of cost over net assets acquired............................. 65,640 69,501
---------- ----------
$1,816,321 $1,751,419
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Deposits............................................................ $1,239,949 $1,207,852
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase...................... 281,935 259,041
Advances from FHLB.................................................. 99,400 71,000
Notes payable....................................................... 8,135 8,265
Other liabilities and accrued expenses.............................. 20,514 28,318
---------- ----------
Total liabilities.............................................. 1,649,933 1,574,476
---------- ----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
Common stock: $1.00 par value; authorized: 100,000 shares; issued
and outstanding: 56,629 shares in 1994 and 1993................ 57 57
Additional paid-in capital........................................ 160,442 160,442
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax, on debt securities available
for sale....................................................... (9,467) 8,761
Retained earnings................................................. 15,356 7,683
---------- ----------
Total stockholder's equity..................................... 166,388 176,943
---------- ----------
$1,816,321 $1,751,419
========= =========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
1
<PAGE> 2
PRIMERIT BANK
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income on:
Loans receivable......................................... $ 76,080 $ 73,106 $ 87,038
Debt securities available for sale....................... 34,165 30,395 1,043
Debt securities held to maturity......................... 4,919 26,909 75,955
Cash equivalents......................................... 2,432 1,321 1,349
Dividends on FHLB stock.................................... 838 594 293
-------- -------- --------
Total interest income............................ 118,434 132,325 165,678
-------- -------- --------
Interest expense on:
Deposits................................................. 44,116 57,643 85,974
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase........... 11,024 13,132 12,213
Borrowings............................................... 4,178 4,338 9,908
Cost of hedging activities................................. 485 24 4,794
Less capitalized and transferred interest.................. (13) (61) (972)
-------- -------- --------
Total interest expense........................... 59,790 75,076 111,917
-------- -------- --------
Net interest income........................................ 58,644 57,249 53,761
Provision for estimated credit losses...................... (7,230) (6,212) (14,129)
-------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision for estimated credit
losses................................................... 51,414 51,037 39,632
Net loss from real estate operations....................... (612) (910) (15,286)
Non-interest income (loss):
Gain on sale of loans.................................... 598 1,835 5,676
Loss on sale of loans.................................... (351) (84) (1,043)
Gain on sale of debt securities.......................... 56 8,317 13,649
Loss on sale of debt securities.......................... (22) (344) (371)
Gain (loss) on secondary marketing hedging activities.... 389 (968) --
Gain on sale of mortgage loan servicing.................. -- -- 1,930
Loss on cancellation of interest rate swaps.............. -- -- (14,087)
Loss on sale -- Arizona branches......................... -- (6,262) --
Loan related fees........................................ 1,165 1,025 2,280
Deposit related fees..................................... 6,788 6,397 5,413
Gain on sale of credit card receivables.................. 1,689 -- --
Other income............................................. 319 2,133 1,945
-------- -------- --------
Total non-interest income........................ 10,631 12,049 15,392
General and administrative expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits....................... 21,781 23,566 22,542
Office occupancy......................................... 6,197 6,189 5,717
Furniture, fixtures and equipment........................ 4,078 4,799 4,921
Deposit insurance premiums............................... 3,310 3,744 3,638
Marketing................................................ 1,295 1,637 2,115
Data processing and communications....................... 2,623 2,831 2,556
Other.................................................... 4,224 5,530 3,820
-------- -------- --------
Total general and administrative expenses........ 43,508 48,296 45,309
Amortization of excess of cost over net assets acquired.... 3,861 3,984 4,156
-------- -------- --------
Earnings (loss) before provision for income taxes.......... 14,064 9,896 (9,727)
Provision for income taxes................................. 6,391 6,345 91
-------- -------- --------
Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting
change................................................... 7,673 3,551 (9,818)
Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for
income taxes............................................. -- 3,045 --
-------- -------- --------
Net earnings (loss)........................................ $ 7,673 $ 6,596 $ (9,818)
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
2
<PAGE> 3
PRIMERIT BANK
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)................................. $ 7,673 $ 6,596 $ (9,818)
Adjustments to net earnings (loss) to reconcile to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Cumulative effect of change in method of
accounting for income taxes.................... -- (3,045) --
Depreciation and amortization.................... 3,918 4,511 4,235
Provisions for estimated losses.................. 7,393 7,222 32,438
Net gains on sales of loans, servicing, and
credit card receivables........................ (1,936) (1,751) (6,563)
Net gains on sales of debt securities............ (34) (7,973) (13,278)
Loss (gain) on secondary marketing hedging
activities..................................... (389) 968 --
Cancellation of interest rate swaps.............. -- -- 14,087
Dividends on FHLB stock.......................... (838) (594) (494)
Amortization of deferred fees.................... (4,194) (3,424) (3,087)
Amortization of premiums, discounts and deferred
gains.......................................... 2,265 3,291 2,868
Amortization of excess of cost over net assets
acquired....................................... 3,861 3,984 4,156
Loss on sale of Arizona branches................. -- 6,262 --
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable...... 6,837 (2,013) (2,110)
Deferred income taxes (benefit).................. 1,098 12,478 (6,982)
Decrease (increase) in other assets.............. (650) 1,964 1,745
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities......... 565 10,387 (12,213)
--------- --------- ---------
Total adjustments........................... 17,896 32,267 14,802
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities... 25,569 38,863 4,984
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of
debt securities.................................. 291,747 293,788 348,603
Purchases of debt securities........................ (296,349) (113,078) (545,706)
Proceeds from sales of debt securities.............. 5,074 360,853 274,802
Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock.............. -- 902 3,695
Principal repayments of loans....................... 311,236 330,033 326,920
Loan originations................................... (466,260) (516,642) (517,431)
Proceeds from sales of loans, loan servicing rights,
and credit card receivables...................... 46,090 78,353 240,605
Proceeds (payment) for termination of secondary
marketing hedges................................. 389 (968) --
Termination of interest rate swaps.................. -- -- (14,087)
Proceeds from sales of real estate held for
development...................................... 4,294 1,926 11,003
Acquisition of real estate held for development..... (1,140) (3,211) (4,246)
Proceeds from sales of real estate acquired through
foreclosure...................................... 4,048 22,916 18,030
Proceeds from sale of Arizona assets and services... -- 6,718 --
Net change to premises and equipment................ (3,252) (1,521) (3,078)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities................................ (104,123) 460,069 139,110
--------- --------- ---------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
<PAGE> 4
PRIMERIT BANK
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from deposits.......................... $ 4,872,023 $ 9,933,585 $ 8,245,167
Sale and assumption of Arizona deposit
liabilities.................................. -- (320,902) --
Payments for maturing deposits.................. (4,839,926) (10,026,400) (8,356,613)
Proceeds from securities sold under agreements
to repurchase................................ 281,333 1,499,893 1,448,546
Repayment of securities sold under agreements to
repurchase................................... (258,439) (1,617,711) (1,336,220)
Proceeds from other borrowings.................. 31,900 65,000 1,244
Repayment of other borrowings................... (3,630) (45,375) (106,892)
Proceeds from capital contribution by
Southwest.................................... -- -- 10,000
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities............................ 83,261 (511,910) (94,768)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents..................................... 4,707 (12,978) 49,326
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year............................................ 119,215 132,193 82,867
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31.......... $ 123,922 $ 119,215 $ 132,193
========== ========== ==========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest, net of amount capitalized............. $ 14,521 $ 18,291 $ 33,843
Income taxes, net............................... $ (1,517) $ (4,103) $ 9,332
</TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONAL TOTAL
COMMON PAID-IN UNREALIZED RETAINED STOCKHOLDER'S
STOCK CAPITAL GAIN (LOSS) EARNINGS EQUITY
------ ---------- ----------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1992............ $53 $150,446 $ -- $10,905 $161,404
Capital contribution................ 4 9,996 -- -- 10,000
Net loss............................ -- -- -- (9,818) (9,818)
--- -------- --------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1992.......... 57 160,442 -- 1,087 161,586
Unrealized gain, net of tax, on debt
securities available for sale..... -- -- 8,761 -- 8,761
Net earnings........................ -- -- -- 6,596 6,596
--- -------- --------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1993.......... 57 160,442 8,761 7,683 176,943
Unrealized loss, net of tax, on debt
securities available for sale..... -- -- (18,228) -- (18,228)
Net earnings........................ -- -- -- 7,673 7,673
--- -------- --------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1994.......... $57 $160,442 $ (9,467) $15,356 $166,388
=== ======== ========= ======= ========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
<PAGE> 5
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NOTE 1 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BUSINESS
PriMerit Bank and subsidiaries (the Bank), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Southwest Gas Corporation (Southwest), operates in the thrift industry as a
federal savings bank with membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)
system. The Bank's deposit accounts are insured by the Savings Association
Insurance Fund, a division of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, up to
the maximum permitted by law.
SALE OF ARIZONA BRANCH OPERATIONS
In May 1993, the Bank signed a Definitive Agreement with World Savings and
Loan Association (World) of Oakland, California, whereby World agreed to acquire
the Bank's Arizona branch operations, including all related deposit liabilities
of approximately $321 million (Arizona sale). The transaction was approved by
the appropriate regulatory authorities and closed in August 1993. During 1993,
the Bank recorded a write-off of $5.9 million in goodwill (excess of cost over
net assets acquired) which resulted from a 1988 acquisition of an Arizona
thrift, and $367 in other net costs related to the Bank's Arizona operations
included in Loss on sale -- Arizona branches in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations. The Bank sold $334 million of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) to
effect the sale of the Bank's Arizona-based deposit liabilities to World and to
maintain the Bank's interest rate risk (IRR) position. The sale of the
securities resulted in a gain of $7.4 million ($4.9 million after tax) included
in Gain on sale of debt securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
for 1993. The final disposition of the Bank's Arizona branch operations and sale
of MBS resulted in an after-tax loss of approximately $1 million.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The accompanying financial statements consolidate the accounts of the Bank
and all of its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and accounts
have been eliminated. The Bank's investments in real estate ventures are
accounted for on the equity method.
PRINCIPLES OF STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include
cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal
funds are sold for one business day. In addition, the Bank considers all debt
securities with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The
statement of cash flows present gross cash receipts and disbursements from
lending and deposit gathering activities.
DEBT SECURITIES
On December 31, 1993, the Bank adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities." The statement requires classification of investments in debt and
equity securities into one of three categories: held to maturity, available for
sale, or trading. At the time of purchase, the Bank designates a security into
one of these three categories.
Debt securities classified as held to maturity are those which the Bank has
the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. These securities are
carried at cost adjusted for the amortization of the related premiums or
accretion of the related discounts into interest income using methods
approximating the level-yield method or a method based on principal repayments
over the actual lives of the underlying loans. The Bank has the ability and it
is its policy to hold the debt securities so designated until maturity. The
Bank's current accounting policy states that no security with a remaining
maturity greater than 25 years may be designated as held to maturity.
5
<PAGE> 6
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Securities classified as available for sale are those which the Bank
intends to hold for an indefinite period and may be sold in response to changes
in market interest rates, changes in the security's prepayment risk, the Bank's
need for liquidity, changes in the availability and yield of alternative
investments, and other asset/liability management needs.
Securities classified as available for sale are stated at fair value in the
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Changes in fair value are
reported net of tax as a separate component of stockholder's equity. At December
31, 1994, the Bank recorded a $9.5 million unrealized loss, net of tax, on
$529.4 million of debt securities available for sale. Subsequent realized gains
or losses are recorded into income when these securities are sold.
Trading securities are those which are bought and held principally for the
purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities include MBS held
for sale in conjunction with mortgage banking activities. Trading securities are
measured at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. At
December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993, no securities were designated as
trading securities.
LOANS RECEIVABLE
Real estate loans are recorded at cost, net of the undisbursed loan funds,
loan discounts, unearned interest, deferred loan fees and provisions for
estimated credit losses. Interest on loans receivable is credited to income when
earned. Generally, when a loan becomes 90 days contractually delinquent, the
accrual of interest is ceased and all previously accrued, but uncollected,
interest income is reversed. Interest income on loans placed on non-accrual
status is generally recognized on a cash basis.
Fees are charged for originating and in some cases, for committing to
originate loans. In accordance with SFAS No. 91, "Accounting for Non-refundable
Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct
Costs of Leases," loan origination and commitment fees, offset by certain direct
origination costs, are being deferred, and the net amounts amortized as an
adjustment of the related loans' yields over the contractual lives thereof.
Unamortized fees are recognized as income upon the sale or payoff of the loan.
Unearned interest, premiums and discounts on consumer installment, equity
and property improvement loans are amortized to income over the expected lives
of the loans using a method which approximates the level-yield method.
MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES
The Bank began execution of a strategy to restructure its balance sheet,
and changed its accounting policy with regard to loans held for investment
versus held for sale as a result of a review of the Bank's asset size, mix and
IRR in 1992. The Bank's balance sheet restructuring involved the sale of all
fixed-rate single-family residential loans and MBS with remaining maturities
greater than or equal to 25 years (which possess normal qualifying
characteristics required for sale), canceling interest rate swaps which hedged
the IRR of such assets, and reinvesting the proceeds of the sales in
adjustable-rate and five-year fixed-rate balloon MBS.
The Bank's accounting policy was amended to designate all fixed-rate
interest-sensitive assets with maturities greater than or equal to 25 years
(which possess normal qualifying characteristics required for sale) as held for
sale or available for sale, along with single-family residential loans
originated for specific sales commitments. Fixed-rate interest-sensitive assets
with maturities less than 25 years, and all adjustable-rate interest-sensitive
assets continue to be held for investment unless designated as held for sale or
available for sale at time of origination or purchase.
In conjunction with this balance sheet restructuring, in 1992, the Bank
sold $152 million of fixed-rate single-family residential loans, $241 million of
fixed-rate MBS, and canceled $300 million (notional amount) of interest rate
swaps hedging these assets. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of
amortized cost or market value as determined by outstanding investor commitments
or, in the absence of such commitments, current investor yield requirements
calculated on an aggregate basis. Valuation adjustments are charged against loss
on sale of loans in the Consolidated Statements of
6
<PAGE> 7
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Operations. Gains and losses on loan and MBS sales are determined using the
specific identification method. Gains and losses are recognized to the extent
that sales proceeds exceed or are less than the carrying value of the loans and
MBS. Loans sold with servicing retained include a normal servicing fee to be
earned by the Bank as income over the life of the loan. Loans held for sale may
be securitized into MBS and designated as trading securities.
REAL ESTATE ACQUIRED THROUGH FORECLOSURE
Real estate acquired through foreclosure is stated at the lower of cost or
fair value less costs to sell. Included in real estate acquired through
foreclosure is $2.9 million and $5.5 million of loans foreclosed in-substance at
December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Write downs to fair value, disposition
gains and losses, and operating income and costs are charged to the allowance
for estimated credit losses.
Loans foreclosed in-substance consist of loans accounted for as foreclosed
property even though actual foreclosure has not occurred. Although the
collateral underlying these loans has not been repossessed, the borrower has
little or no equity in the collateral at its current estimated fair value.
Proceeds for repayment are expected to come only from the operation or sale of
the collateral, and it is doubtful the borrower will rebuild equity in the
collateral or repay the loan by other means in the foreseeable future. The
amounts ultimately recovered from loans foreclosed in substance could differ
from the amounts used in arriving at the net carrying value of the assets
because of future market factors beyond management's control or changes in
strategy for recovering the investment.
ALLOWANCE FOR ESTIMATED CREDIT LOSSES
On a routine basis, management evaluates the adequacy of the allowances for
estimated losses on loans, investments, and real estate and establishes
additions to the allowances through provisions to expense. The Bank utilizes a
comprehensive internal asset review system and general valuation allowance
methodology. General valuation allowances are established for each of the loan,
investment, and real estate portfolios for unforeseen losses. A number of
factors are taken into account in determining the adequacy of the level of
allowances including management's review of the extent of existing risks in the
portfolios and of prevailing and anticipated economic conditions, actual loss
experience, delinquencies, regular reviews of the quality of the Bank's loan,
investment, and real estate portfolios by the Risk Management Committee and
examinations by regulatory authorities.
Charge-offs are recorded on particular assets when it is determined that
the fair or net realizable value of an asset is below the carrying value. When a
loan is foreclosed, the asset is written down to fair value based on a current
appraisal of the subject property.
While management uses currently available information to evaluate the
adequacy of allowances and estimate identified losses for charge off, ultimate
losses may vary from current estimates. Adjustments to estimates are charged to
earnings in the period in which they become known.
In May, 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 114,
"Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," which was amended by SFAS
No. 118, in October, 1994. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current
information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect
all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. These
statements are applicable to all creditors and to all loans, uncollateralized as
well as collateralized, except for large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous
loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, loans that are measured at
fair value or at lower of cost or fair value, leases, and debt securities as
defined in SFAS No. 115. The statements require that impaired loans be measured
at the present value of expected future cash flows by discounting those cash
flows at the loan's effective interest rate or, in the case of collateral
dependent loans such as mortgage loans, at the fair value of the collateral. The
statements also amend SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies," to clarify
that a creditor should evaluate the collectibility of both contractual interest
and principal of a receivable when assessing the need for a loss accrual.
7
<PAGE> 8
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The provisions of the statements apply to financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1994, with earlier application
permitted. Retroactive restatement of previously issued annual financial
statements is not permitted. The initial adoption of these statements on January
1, 1995 did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of
operations.
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment are provided using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes
of assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major
expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over
their estimated useful lives.
INTEREST RATE EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS
The financial instruments approved for the Bank to use include: interest
rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate collars, interest rate futures,
and put and call options to hedge its exposure to IRR. These instruments are
used only to hedge asset and liability portfolios and are not used for
speculative purposes. Premiums, discounts, and fees associated with interest
rate exchange agreements are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over
the lives of the agreements. The net interest received or paid is reflected as
interest expense as a cost of hedging. Gains or losses resulting from the
cancellation of agreements hedging assets and liabilities which remain
outstanding are deferred and amortized over the remaining contract lives. Gains
or losses are recognized in the current period if the hedged asset or liability
is retired.
INCOME TAXES
The Bank files a consolidated federal income tax return with Southwest.
Income taxes for the Bank are provided for on a separate return basis.
The provision for income taxes is based on earnings before income taxes
reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations after giving effect to
applicable income tax laws. Prior to 1993, the Bank utilized the deferred method
of accounting for income taxes under Accounting Principle Bulletin Opinion No.
11 (APB No. 11). The provision for income taxes includes deferred income taxes,
which result from reporting items of income and expense for financial statement
purposes in different accounting periods than for income tax purposes.
On January 1, 1993, the Bank adopted SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes." SFAS No. 109 supersedes APB No. 11 and SFAS No. 96. The statement
utilizes the liability method for recognition and measurement of income taxes
and allows recognition of deferred tax assets. SFAS No. 109 generally eliminates
on a prospective basis, Accounting Principle Bulletin Opinion No. 23 (APB No.
23) exceptions, including the tax bad debt reserve of savings and loan
institutions. Under SFAS No. 109, no deferred taxes are provided on bad debt
reserves arising prior to December 31, 1987, unless it becomes apparent that
those differences will reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred taxes are
provided on bad debt reserves arising after December 31, 1987. The Bank adopted
SFAS No. 109 on a prospective basis, with the cumulative effect of this
accounting change amounting to a reduction of financial statement tax liability
of $3,045 in 1993.
PENSION PLAN
The Bank has utilized SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions"
since 1987. It is the policy of the Bank to reflect in the projected benefit
obligation all benefit improvements to which the Bank is committed as of the
current valuation date. The Bank is amortizing the initial net transition
liability as of January 1, 1987 (the effective date of this statement) over a
period of 15 years utilizing the straight-line method. The Bank uses the market
value of assets to determine pension expense and amortizes the increases in
prior service costs over the expected future service of active participants as
of the date such costs are first recognized.
8
<PAGE> 9
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED
Excess of cost over net assets acquired arose from Southwest's acquisition
of the Bank in 1986 and from the Bank's acquisition of a thrift institution in
1982. The excess of cost over net assets acquired which arose from the
acquisition of a thrift institution in 1988 was written-off in conjunction with
the Arizona sale in 1993. Excess of cost over net assets acquired is amortized
to expense over a 25 year period using the straight-line method.
POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
On January 1, 1994, the Bank adopted SFAS No. 112, "Employer's Accounting
for Postemployment Benefits." The statement requires an employer to recognize
the cost of benefits provided to former or inactive employees after employment
but before retirement on an accrual basis as employees perform services to earn
the benefit. Postemployment benefits include disability benefits, salary
continuation, severance benefits and continuation of benefits such as health
care and life insurance coverage. Adoption has had an immaterial impact on the
Bank's financial position and results of operations.
SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than
Pensions," was adopted in 1993, but had no impact on the Bank's financial
position or results of operations.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior years with
the current year presentation.
NOTE 2 -- FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments,"
requires that the Bank disclose estimated fair values for its financial
instruments.
The fair value estimates were made at a discreet point in time based on
relevant market information and other information about the financial
instruments. Because no active market exists for a significant portion of the
Bank's financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgments
regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial
instruments, prepayment assumptions, future expected loss experience, and such
other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve
uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be
determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the
estimates.
In addition, the fair value estimates were based on existing on and
off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value
of existing and anticipated future customer relationships and the value of
assets and liabilities that were not considered financial instruments.
Significant assets and liabilities that were not considered financial assets or
liabilities include the Bank's retail branch network, deferred tax assets and
liabilities, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and goodwill.
Additionally, the Bank intends to hold a significant portion of its assets
and liabilities to their stated maturities. Therefore, the Bank does not intend
to realize any significant differences between carrying value and fair value
through sale or other disposition. No attempt should be made to adjust
stockholder's equity to reflect the following fair value disclosures.
9
<PAGE> 10
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below for the
Bank's financial instruments as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
----------------------- -----------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks................. $ 35,262 $ 35,262 $ 55,712 $ 55,712
Cash equivalents........................ 88,660 88,660 63,503 63,503
Debt securities available for sale...... 529,400 529,400 595,726 595,726
Debt securities held to maturity........ 101,880 99,403 69,660 68,738
Loans receivable held for sale.......... 2,114 2,135 20,051 22,305
Loans receivable, net................... 936,037 897,723 817,279 841,127
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock............ 17,277 17,277 16,501 16,501
LIABILITIES
Deposits................................ 1,239,949 1,229,893 1,207,852 1,217,225
Securities sold under agreements to
repurchase............................ 281,935 282,155 259,041 261,625
Advances from FHLB...................... 99,400 97,565 71,000 71,281
Notes payable........................... 8,135 8,174 8,265 8,647
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
----------------------- -----------------------
COMMITMENT FAIR VALUE COMMITMENT FAIR VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OFF-BALANCE SHEET
Outstanding commitments to originate
loans................................ $ 46,387 $ (420) $ 47,903 $ 53
Commercial and other letters of
credit............................... 707 6 1,169 12
Interest rate swaps.................... 72,450 2,986 7,500 169
Loan servicing rights.................. 415,097 4,958 476,835 4,451
Outstanding firm commitments to sell
loans and MBS........................ 2,544 (2) 25,905 21
Outstanding master commitments to sell
loans................................ 116,097 (14) 217,393 (11)
Outstanding commitments to purchase
loans and MBS........................ -- -- 51,500 3
Outstanding commitments to builders.... 10,543 (33) -- --
</TABLE>
The fair value of cash and due from banks, cash equivalents, and FHLB stock
was estimated as the carrying value. This is based upon the short term nature of
the instruments and in the case of FHLB stock, the book value represents the
price at which the FHLB will redeem the stock. The fair value of debt securities
held to maturity, debt securities available for sale, and loans receivable held
for sale was estimated using quoted market prices and dealer quotes, with the
exception of privately issued debt securities and collateralized mortgage
obligation (CMO) residuals. Privately issued debt securities were valued based
on the estimated fair value of the underlying loans. CMO residuals were valued
using the discounted estimated future cash flows from these investments. The
fair value for securities sold under agreements to repurchase and notes payable
was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market and dealer
quoted rates available to the Bank for debt with the same remaining maturities
and characteristics. The fair value for advances from FHLB was estimated using
the quoted cost to prepay the advances.
Fair values for loans receivable were estimated for portfolios of loans
with similar financial characteristics. Loans were segregated by type, such as
commercial, commercial real estate, single-family residential, credit card, and
other consumer.
10
<PAGE> 11
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Each loan category was further segregated into fixed and adjustable-rate
interest terms. Fair value for single-family residential loans was estimated by
discounting the estimated future cash flows from these instruments using quoted
market rates and dealer prepayment assumptions. Fair value for commercial
mortgage, construction, land, and other commercial loans was derived by
discounting the estimated future cash flows from these instruments using the
rate that loans with similar maturity and underwriting characteristics would be
made on December 31, 1994 or December 31, 1993 as applicable. Fair value for
consumer loans was estimated using dealer quotes for securities backed by
similar collateral. The book value for the allowance for estimated credit losses
was used as the fair value estimate for credit losses within the entire loan
portfolio.
The fair value of commitments to originate loans and builder commitments
was estimated by calculating a theoretical gain or loss on the sale of a funded
loan considering the difference between current levels of interest rates and the
committed loan rates. Letters of credit were valued based on fees currently
charged for similar agreements. The fair value of interest rate swaps was
determined by using various dealer quotes. The fair value for loan servicing
rights was estimated based upon dealer and market quotes for the incremental
price paid for loans sold servicing released, adjusted for the age of the
portfolio. Outstanding firm and master commitments to purchase and sell loans
and debt securities were valued based on the market and dealer quotes to
terminate or fill the commitments.
The fair value of demand deposits, savings deposits and money market
deposits was estimated at book value as reported in the financial statements
since it represents the amount payable on demand. The fair value of fixed
maturity deposits was estimated using the rates currently offered by the Bank
for deposits with similar remaining maturities. The fair value of deposits does
not include an estimate of the long term relationship value of the Bank's
deposit customers or the benefit that results from the low cost funding provided
by deposit liabilities compared to the cost of wholesale borrowings.
NOTE 3 -- CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, and
include the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Securities purchased under resale agreements............. $77,657 $55,102
Federal funds sold....................................... 11,003 8,401
-------- --------
$88,660 $63,503
======= =======
</TABLE>
Securities purchased under resale agreements of $77,657 at December 31,
1994 and $55,102 at December 31, 1993 matured within 11 days and 24 days,
respectively, and called for delivery of the same securities. The collateral for
these agreements consisted of debt securities which at December 31, 1994 and
1993 were held on the Bank's behalf by its safekeeping agents for various
broker/dealers. The securities purchased under resale agreements represented
46.7% of the Bank's stockholder's equity at December 31, 1994 and 31.1% at
December 31, 1993.
The average amount of securities purchased under resale agreements
outstanding during the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 were $36,214 and
$26,599, respectively. The maximum amount of resale agreements outstanding at
any month end was $77,657 during 1994 and $60,018 during 1993.
11
<PAGE> 12
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NOTE 4 -- DEBT SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY AND DEBT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR
SALE
Debt securities held to maturity are stated at amortized cost. The yields
are computed based upon amortized cost. The amortized cost, estimated fair
values and yields of debt securities held to maturity are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL TOTAL ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE YIELD
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
Corporate Issue MBS......... $ 60,922 $ 50 $2,292 $ 58,680 7.25%
U.S. Treasury Securities.... 40,958 -- 235 40,723 8.01
-------- ---- ------ -------- -----
Total............. $101,880 $ 50 $2,527 $ 99,403 7.55%
======== ==== ====== ======== =====
DECEMBER 31, 1993
Corporate Issue MBS......... $ 69,660 $403 $1,325 $ 68,738 6.85%
-------- ---- ------ -------- -----
Total............. $ 69,660 $403 $1,325 $ 68,738 6.85%
======== ==== ====== ======== =====
</TABLE>
The following schedule of the expected maturity of debt securities held to
maturity is based upon dealer prepayment expectations and historical prepayment
activity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED/CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER AFTER AFTER
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS AFTER TOTAL
WITHIN BUT WITHIN BUT WITHIN BUT WITHIN TWENTY AMORTIZED
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS TWENTY YEARS YEARS COST
-------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
Corporate Issue MBS........ $15,593 $ 31,603 $8,883 $4,574 $269 $ 60,922
U.S. Treasury Securities... 20,822 20,136 -- -- -- 40,958
------- -------- -------- ------ ---- --------
Total............ $36,415 $ 51,739 $8,883 $4,574 $269 $101,880
======= ======== ======== ====== ==== ========
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE> 13
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Debt securities available for sale are stated at fair value. The yields are
computed based upon amortized cost. The amortized cost, estimated fair values
and yields of debt securities available for sale are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL TOTAL ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE YIELD
--------- ---------- ---------- --------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
GNMA -- MBS............................. $ 6,564 $ 70 $ 237 $ 6,397 8.29%
FHLMC -- MBS............................ 307,082 745 6,931 300,896 6.64
FNMA -- MBS............................. 112,892 154 3,938 109,108 7.11
CMOs.................................... 92,097 928 4,645 88,380 5.92
Corporate Issue MBS..................... 20,225 11 719 19,517 7.24
Obligations of U.S. Government
Corporations
and Agencies.......................... 5,105 -- 3 5,102 5.83
-------- ------- ------- -------- ----
Total................................... $543,965 $ 1,908 $16,473 $529,400 6.65%
======== ======= ======= ======== ====
DECEMBER 31, 1993
GNMA -- MBS............................. $ 9,081 $ 591 $ -- $ 9,672 8.41%
FHLMC -- MBS............................ 368,436 11,518 168 379,786 6.12
FNMA -- MBS............................. 119,208 1,144 695 119,657 6.60
CMOs.................................... 45,733 1,516 -- 47,249 4.82
Corporate Issue MBS..................... 24,644 159 697 24,106 5.81
Commercial paper........................ 10,036 -- -- 10,036 3.37
Obligations of U.S. Government
Corporations
and Agencies.......................... 5,110 110 -- 5,220 5.93
-------- ------- ------- -------- ----
Total......................... $582,248 $15,038 $ 1,560 $595,726 6.09%
======== ======= ======= ======== ====
</TABLE>
The following table reflects the expected maturity of MBS and CMOs and the
contractual maturity of all other debt securities available for sale. The
expected maturity of MBS and CMOs are based upon dealer prepayment expectations
and historical prepayment activity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED/CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ONE AFTER FIVE AFTER TEN
YEAR BUT YEARS BUT YEARS BUT AFTER TOTAL
WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN WITHIN TWENTY ESTIMATED
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS TWENTY YEARS YEARS FAIR VALUE
-------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
GNMA -- MBS............... $ 1,595 $ 4,091 $ 711 $ -- $ -- $ 6,397
FHLMC -- MBS.............. 57,237 167,998 37,894 29,991 7,776 300,896
FNMA -- MBS............... 15,879 49,915 20,241 20,030 3,043 109,108
CMOs...................... 48,692 38,236 819 606 27 88,380
Corporate Issue MBS....... 3,295 11,283 4,056 778 105 19,517
Obligations of U.S.
Government Corporations
and Agencies............ 5,102 -- -- -- -- 5,102
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Total........... $131,800 $271,523 $63,721 $51,405 $10,951 $529,400
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE> 14
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NOTE 5 -- LOANS RECEIVABLE AND LOANS RECEIVABLE HELD FOR SALE
Loans receivable held for investment at amortized cost are summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Loans collateralized by real estate:
Conventional single-family residential............... $489,649 $431,854
FHA and VA insured single-family residential......... 33,823 21,491
Commercial mortgage.................................. 178,076 192,046
Construction and land................................ 90,992 82,638
-------- --------
792,540 728,029
Commercial secured..................................... 40,349 25,443
Commercial unsecured................................... 2,317 354
Consumer installment................................... 119,460 93,431
Consumer unsecured..................................... 6,570 7,817
Equity and property improvement loans.................. 26,054 21,061
Deposit accounts....................................... 2,659 2,944
-------- --------
989,949 879,079
Undisbursed proceeds................................... (41,702) (48,251)
Allowance for estimated credit losses.................. (17,659) (16,251)
Premiums............................................... 5,969 3,270
Deferred fees.......................................... (4,999) (4,782)
Accrued interest....................................... 4,479 4,214
-------- --------
(53,912) (61,800)
-------- --------
Loans receivable held for investment................... $936,037 $817,279
======== ========
</TABLE>
Loans receivable held for sale are stated at the lower of aggregate cost or
market and are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Loans collateralized by single-family residential real
estate:
Conventional............................................ $ 508 $ 4,999
FHA and VA insured...................................... 1,606 3,560
------ -------
2,114 8,559
Credit card receivables................................... -- 11,492
------ -------
Loans receivable held for sale............................ $2,114 $20,051
====== =======
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE> 15
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Additional loan information:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Average portfolio yield at end of year................. 8.11% 8.12%
Principal balance of loans serviced for others
(including $67,871 and $92,658 in 1994 and 1993 of
loans serviced for MBS owned by the Bank)............ $415,097 $476,835
Adjustable-rate real estate loans...................... $286,868 $233,133
Outstanding commitments to originate loans............. $ 46,387 $ 47,903
Unused lines of credit................................. $ 57,180 $ 79,472
Standby letters of credit.............................. $ 707 $ 1,004
Outstanding commitments to builders.................... $ 10,543 $ --
</TABLE>
Outstanding commitments to originate loans represent agreements to
originate real estate secured loans to customers at specified rates of interest.
Commitments generally expire in 30 to 60 days and may require payment of a fee.
Builder commitments represent agreements to home builders for the Bank to
provide loans secured by real estate to unspecified qualified customers of the
builder at interest rates not to exceed specified levels. Some of the
commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, therefore the total
commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The Bank has designated portions of its portfolio of residential real
estate loans and credit card receivables as held for sale. These loans are
carried at the lower of aggregate cost, market or sales commitment price. On
January 3, 1994, the Bank sold its credit card portfolio held for sale and a
gain of approximately $1.7 million was recorded.
At December 31, 1994, 48% or $19.5 million of the Bank's outstanding
commercial secured loan portfolio consisted of loans to borrowers in the gaming
industry, with additional unfunded commitments of $11.5 million. These loans are
generally secured by real estate, machinery and equipment. The Bank's portfolio
of loans, collateralized by real estate, consists principally of real estate
located in Nevada, California and Arizona. Collectibility is, therefore,
somewhat dependent on the economies and real estate values of these industries
and areas.
The Bank's loan approval process is intended to assess both: (i) the
borrower's ability to repay the loan by determining whether the borrower meets
the Bank's established underwriting criteria, and (ii) the adequacy of the
proposed security by determining whether the appraised value of the security
property is sufficient for the proposed loan.
It is the general policy of the Bank not to make single-family residential
loans when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80% unless the loans are insured by
private mortgage insurance, FHA insurance or VA guarantee. Residential tract
construction loans are generally underwritten with the discounted loan-to-value
ratio less than 85% while commercial/income property loans are generally
underwritten with a ratio less than 75%.
Management considers the above mentioned factors when evaluating the
adequacy of the allowance for estimated credit losses.
Many of the Bank's adjustable-rate loans contain limitations as to both the
amount the interest rate can change at each repricing date (periodic caps) and
the maximum rate the loan can be repriced to over the lifetime of the loan
(lifetime caps). At December 31, 1994, periodic caps in the adjustable-rate loan
portfolio ranged from 25 basis points to 800 basis points. Lifetime caps ranged
from 9.75% to 22%.
15
<PAGE> 16
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NOTE 6 -- ALLOWANCES FOR ESTIMATED CREDIT LOSSES
Activity in the allowances for losses on loans and real estate held for
sale or development is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REAL ESTATE
CONSTRUCTION HELD FOR
MORTGAGE AND NON-MORTGAGE TOTAL SALE OR
LOANS LAND LOANS LOANS LOANS DEVELOPMENT TOTAL
-------- ------------ ------------ -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
1991........................ $ 5,992 $ 2,821 $ 3,248 $12,061 $ 3,639 $ 15,700
Provisions for estimated
losses................... 1,903 6,460 5,766 14,129 18,309 32,438
Charge-offs, net of
recovery................. (515) (3,765) (4,682) (8,962) (20,485) (29,447)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
1992........................ 7,380 5,516 4,332 17,228 1,463 18,691
Provisions for estimated
losses................... 4,634 172 1,406 6,212 1,010 7,222
Charge-offs, net of
recovery................. (3,191) (2,248) (1,750) (7,189) (1,538) (8,727)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
1993........................ 8,823 3,440 3,988 16,251 935 17,186
Provisions for estimated
losses................... 2,954 71 4,205 7,230 163 7,393
Charge-offs, net of
recovery................. (1,786) (1,297) (2,739) (5,822) (622) (6,444)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1994..... $ 9,991 $ 2,214 $ 5,454 $17,659 $ 476 $ 18,135
======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
The Bank establishes allowances for estimated credit losses by portfolio
through charges to expense. On a regular basis, management reviews the level of
allowances which have been provided against the portfolios. Adjustments are made
thereto in light of the level of problem loans and current economic conditions.
Included in net charge-offs are $1,859, $2,623 and $2,554 of recoveries for
1992, 1993, and 1994, respectively.
Write-downs to fair value, disposition gains and losses, and operating
income and costs affiliated with real estate acquired through foreclosure are
charged to the allowance for estimated credit losses. See Note 1 of Consolidated
Financial Statements for further discussion.
NOTE 7 -- REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE OR DEVELOPMENT
Real estate held for sale or development includes the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------
1994 1993
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Real estate held for sale, development or investment....... $ 997 $4,216
Investments in and loans to real estate ventures........... 250 807
------ ------
1,247 5,023
Allowance for estimated real estate losses................. (476) (935)
------ ------
$ 771 $4,088
====== ======
</TABLE>
The net realizable value of the investments is dependent upon real estate
values, the local economies, and real estate sales activity. Management
evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for estimated real estate losses by
incorporating these factors.
16
<PAGE> 17
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Pre-tax loss from real estate operations (excluding interest income on
loans to real estate ventures) is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------ ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gross profit from real estate operations............... $1,165 $ 491 $ 5,020
Less expenses allocated(1):
General and administration........................... 546 243 1,053
Legal costs and settlement........................... 1,055 87 24
Interest............................................. 13 61 920
Provisions for estimated real estate losses.......... 163 1,010 18,309
------ ------ --------
Net loss from real estate operations................... $ (612) $ (910) $(15,286)
====== ====== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Allocated general and administrative expenses are based on personnel and
other costs incurred in the Bank's real estate operations. Interest is
allocated based upon the Bank's average cost of funds devoted to such
operations.
Summarized below is condensed financial information for the Bank's real
estate ventures:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1994 1993
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Cash..................................................... $ 171 $1,606
Development costs........................................ 1,142 1,142
Other assets............................................. 52 1,490
------ ------
$1,365 $4,238
====== ======
LIABILITIES:
Total liabilities........................................ $ 975 $3,267
====== ======
EQUITY:
PriMerit Bank............................................ 250 807
Other investors.......................................... 140 164
------ ------
390 971
------ ------
$1,365 $4,238
====== ======
</TABLE>
NOTE 8 -- PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1994 1993
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Land..................................................... $ 4,066 $ 4,057
Buildings and leasehold improvements..................... 18,381 16,872
Furniture, fixtures and equipment........................ 26,970 26,289
------- -------
49,417 47,218
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization.......... 27,751 24,892
------- -------
$21,666 $22,326
======= =======
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE> 18
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Bank leases certain of its facilities under noncancelable operating
lease agreements. The more significant of these leases have terms expiring
between 1994 and 2029 and provide for renewals subject to certain escalation
clauses. The following is a schedule of net future minimum rental payments under
various operating lease agreements that have initial or remaining noncancelable
lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 1994:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL TOTAL NET
MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM
YEAR ENDING LEASE SUBLEASE LEASE
DECEMBER 31, PAYMENTS RECEIPTS PAYMENTS
------------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1995.................................. $ 5,026 $ 2,664 $ 2,362
1996.................................. 4,988 2,580 2,408
1997.................................. 4,950 2,213 2,737
1998.................................. 4,602 1,926 2,676
1999.................................. 3,969 1,613 2,356
Thereafter............................... 46,608 2,275 44,333
------- ------- -------
$70,143 $13,271 $56,872
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Net rental expense was approximately $2,737 in 1994, $3,099 in 1993, and $2,964
in 1992.
NOTE 9 -- DEPOSITS
Deposits are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1993
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Interest bearing demand and money market deposits... $ 313,949 $ 324,011
Non-interest bearing demand deposits................ 69,294 64,797
Savings deposits.................................... 78,876 86,781
---------- ----------
Total transaction accounts.......................... 462,119 475,589
Certificates of deposit:
< $100,000........................................ 608,872 580,018
> $100,000........................................ 168,958 152,245
- ---------- ----------
Total certificates of deposit....................... 777,830 732,263
---------- ----------
$1,239,949 $1,207,852
========== ==========
Average annual interest rate at end of year......... 3.97% 3.56%
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The above balance includes $5.8 million deposited by the State of Nevada
that is collateralized by single-family residential loans and debt securities
with a fair value of approximately $8.5 million at December 31, 1994. There were
no brokered deposits at December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993.
Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, is summarized
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest bearing demand and money market
deposits.................................... $ 8,740 $ 8,578 $ 8,915
Savings deposits.............................. 2,135 2,364 1,779
Certificates of deposit....................... 33,241 46,701 75,280
------- ------- -------
Total deposit interest expense................ $44,116 $57,643 $85,974
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE> 19
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Certificates of deposit maturity schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CERTIFICATES MATURING ON OR PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31,
INTEREST RATE -------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 THEREAFTER
----------------------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2.99% and lower........ $ 3,793 $ 88 $ 14 $ 13 $ 8 $ 9
3.00% to 3.99%......... 298,360 7,253 93 -- -- 27
4.00% to 4.99%......... 171,177 23,046 9,141 2,140 5 --
5.00% to 5.99%......... 14,679 22,828 16,086 19,897 10,182 13,498
6.00% to 6.99%......... 909 2,698 39,614 360 19,641 11,484
7.00% to 7.99%......... 2,398 34,484 5,756 14 15,163 203
8.00% to 8.99%......... 32,069 79 -- -- -- 136
9.00% and over......... 53 -- 33 399 -- --
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------
$523,438 $90,476 $70,737 $22,823 $44,999 $ 25,357
======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
NOTE 10 -- SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE
The Bank sells securities under agreements to repurchase (reverse
repurchase agreements). Reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings
and are reflected as liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Financial Condition. Reverse repurchase agreements are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at year end.................................... $281,935 $259,041
Accrued interest payable at year end................... 3,335 3,871
Daily average amount outstanding during year........... 222,620 305,123
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end............ 281,935 367,859
Weighted average interest rate during the year......... 4.95% 4.30%
Weighted average interest rate on year end balances.... 6.37% 4.31%
</TABLE>
All agreements are collateralized by MBS and U.S. Treasury Notes and
require the Bank to repurchase identical securities as those which were sold.
The MBS collateralizing the agreements are reflected as assets with a carrying
value of $16,970 in excess of borrowing amount and a weighted average maturity
of 1.35 years. Agreements were transacted with the following dealers: Morgan
Stanley & Co., Inc., Lehman Brothers, and Bear Stearns. Reverse repurchase
agreements are collateralized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1994 1993
--------------------- ---------------------
BOOK FAIR BOOK FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MBS..................................... $258,477 $258,477 $280,928 $280,928
U.S. Treasury Notes..................... 40,428 40,191 -- --
-------- -------- -------- --------
$298,905 $298,668 $280,928 $280,928
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1994, outstanding borrowings of $144,438 were in accordance
with a long-term agreement executed with one dealer. The agreement, which allows
for a maximum borrowing of $300,000 with no minimum, matures in July 1997. The
interest rate on the borrowings is adjusted monthly based upon a spread over or
under the one month London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR), dependent upon the
underlying collateral.
19
<PAGE> 20
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Bank is also party to two separate flexible reverse repurchase
agreements (flex repos) totaling $19,661 at December 31, 1994. A flex repo
represents a long-term fixed-rate contract to borrow funds through a primary
dealer, collateralized by MBS with a flexible repayment schedule. The principal
balance of the Bank's flex repo agreements will decline over the stated maturity
period based upon the counterparty's need for the funds.
Principal payments on flex repos at December 31, 1994 are projected as
follows. Actual principal payments may differ from those shown below due to the
actual timing of the funding being faster or slower than originally projected.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FLEX FLEX
PROJECTED REPAYMENT REPO-1 REPO-2
------------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
12 months............................................. $ 500 $15,222
24 months............................................. 3,939 --
--------- ---------
$4,439 $15,222
========= =========
Maturity date......................................... July 1996 June 1995
Interest rate......................................... 8.86% 8.65%
========= =========
</TABLE>
NOTE 11 -- BORROWINGS
Borrowings are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
1994 1993
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Advances from FHLB...................................... $ 99,400 $71,000
Notes payable........................................... 8,135 8,265
-------- -------
$107,535 $79,265
======== =======
</TABLE>
Borrowings coupon interest rates are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Advances from FHLB.............................. 4.30%-8.23% 4.30%-8.23%
Notes payable................................... 8.20%-8.50% 8.00%-8.50%
</TABLE>
Principal payments on borrowings at December 31, 1994 are due as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADVANCES
INTEREST FROM NOTES
RATE FHLB PAYABLE
------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12 months.................................. 4.30%-8.20% $50,000 $ 140
24 months.................................. 4.40%-8.50% 10,000 7,995
36 months.................................. 8.23% 6,000 --
48 months.................................. 5.01% 5,000 --
60 months.................................. 8.23% 25,000 --
84 months.................................. 7.52% 3,400 --
------- ------
$99,400 $8,135
======= ======
Weighted average interest rate........................... 5.682% 7.795%
======= ======
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE> 21
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Borrowings are collateralized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
--------------------- --------------------
BOOK FAIR BOOK FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
-------- -------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MBS...................................... $ 13,971 $ 13,971 $ 14,797 $14,797
Real estate loans........................ 140,000 99,400 98,860 71,000
-------- -------- -------- -------
$153,971 $113,371 $113,657 $85,797
======== ======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
In 1994, the FHLB approved a Financing Availability for the Bank which
currently totals 25 percent of the Bank's assets with terms up to 360 months.
All borrowings from the FHLB must be collateralized by mortgages or securities.
The Bank also has the capability of borrowing up to $5,000 in federal funds from
Bank of America. On December 31, 1994 and 1993, there were no outstanding draws
from this line of credit which expires August, 1995.
NOTE 12 -- INCOME TAXES
The Bank utilizes the accrual basis of accounting for tax purposes. Under
the Internal Revenue Code, the Bank is allowed a special bad debt deduction
(unrelated to the amount of losses charged to earnings) based on a percentage of
taxable income (currently eight percent). Under SFAS No. 109, no deferred taxes
are provided on tax bad debt reserves arising prior to December 31, 1987 unless
it becomes apparent that these differences will reverse in the foreseeable
future. At December 31, 1994, the tax bad debt reserves not expected to be
reversed are $14,300, resulting in a retained earnings benefit of $5,000.
The following is a summary of the provision for income tax expense
(benefit):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current
Federal............................................. $5,276 $ (6,051) $ 6,923
State............................................... 17 (82) 150
------ -------- -------
5,293 (6,133) 7,073
------ -------- -------
Deferred
Federal............................................. 997 12,632 (6,970)
State............................................... 101 210 (12)
Tax rate change..................................... -- (364) --
------ -------- -------
1,098 12,478 (6,982)
------ -------- -------
$6,391 $ 6,345 $ 91
====== ======== =======
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE> 22
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The components of the net deferred income tax provision (benefit) resulting
from timing differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for financial
reporting purposes in different accounting periods than for income tax purposes
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------ ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Deferred loan fees/costs............................... $1,068 $ (186) $ (676)
Installment sales revenue.............................. (503) (288) (352)
Provisions for loan losses............................. (31) (934) --
Book versus tax real estate income..................... 376 12,846 (4,069)
Book versus tax depreciation........................... (420) (263) (116)
Collateralized mortgage obligations -- principal
amortization......................................... 473 827 (544)
Delinquent interest.................................... (92) 611 (354)
FHLB stock dividends................................... 251 54 (587)
Other deferred income.................................. 18 169 205
Other expense and loss provisions not deductible until
paid................................................. (42) 6 (489)
Tax rate change........................................ -- (364) --
------ ------- -------
Deferred income tax expense (benefit).................. $1,098 $12,478 $(6,982)
====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
The income tax benefit reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition include the following asset (liability) components at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal................................................. $ 452 $ 7,197
State................................................... 16 214
------ -------
468 7,411
------ -------
Deferred:
Federal................................................. 3,587 (5,305)
State................................................... -- 43
------ -------
3,587 (5,262)
------ -------
$4,055 $ 2,149
====== =======
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE> 23
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
At December 31, the net deferred tax asset (liability) is comprised of the
following items:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for estimated loan losses.................. $ 6,198 $ 5,785
Securities available for sale (SFAS 115)............. 5,098 --
Real estate held for sale............................ 5,267 4,865
Delinquent interest.................................. 1,038 960
Compensation/Pension................................. 483 447
Collateralized mortgage obligations.................. 351 390
Other................................................ 260 164
-------- --------
18,695 12,611
-------- --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax bad debt reserve................................. (2,887) (2,381)
Securities available for sale (SFAS 115)............. -- (4,717)
Loan fees/costs...................................... (5,188) (2,933)
Installment sales.................................... (1,441) (1,973)
Depreciation......................................... (1,063) (1,914)
FHLB stock........................................... (2,087) (1,644)
Other................................................ (2,442) (2,311)
-------- --------
(15,108) (17,873)
-------- --------
$ 3,587 $ (5,262)
======== ========
</TABLE>
No valuation allowance has been recorded for deferred tax assets as all
assets are expected to be realized through terms of the tax sharing agreement
with Southwest.
The effective tax rates in 1994, 1993 and 1992 differ from the federal
statutory tax rate of 35% in 1994 and 1993 and 34% in 1992. The sources of these
differences and the effect of each are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1994 1993 1992
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Computed "expected" tax provision
(benefit)................................ 35.0% 35.0% (34.0)%
Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting
from:
Bad debt deduction....................... -- -- (25.3)
Goodwill amortization and write-offs..... 9.6 34.9 14.5
Provisions for estimated credit losses... -- -- 49.4
Gain on sale of real estate.............. -- -- (6.0)
Tax rate change.......................... -- (3.7) --
Other.................................... .8 (2.1) 2.3
----- ----- -----
Effective tax rate (benefit)............... 45.4% 64.1% 0.9%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
The provisions for income taxes related to the gain on sale of loans and
debt securities were $98 in 1994, $3,403 in 1993, and $6,089 in 1992.
23
<PAGE> 24
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NOTE 13 -- REGULATORY MATTERS
Regulatory Capital
The Bank is subject to various capital adequacy requirements under a
uniform framework by the federal banking agencies. Specific capital guidelines
require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as set forth below.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA)
required the federal banking agencies to adopt regulations implementing a system
of progressive constraints as capital levels decline at banks and savings
institutions. The federal banking agencies have enacted uniform "prompt
corrective action" rules which classify banks and savings institutions into one
of five categories based upon capital adequacy, ranging from "well capitalized"
to "critically undercapitalized." Banks become subject to prompt corrective
action when their ratios fall below "adequately capitalized" status. A
reconciliation of stockholder's equity, as shown in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, to the FDICIA capital standards
and the Bank's resulting ratios are set forth in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1994 DECEMBER 31, 1993
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
TOTAL TIER 1 TIER 1 TOTAL TIER 1 TIER 1
RISK-BASED RISK-BASED LEVERAGE RISK-BASED RISK-BASED LEVERAGE
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stockholder's equity........... $166,388 $166,388 $ 166,388 $176,943 $176,943 $ 176,943
Capital adjustments:
Nonsupervisory goodwill...... (40,376) (40,376) $ (40,376) (42,464) (42,464) (42,464)
Supervisory goodwill......... (18,661) (18,661) (18,661) (14,422) (14,422) (14,422)
Real estate investment....... (1,325) (194) (194) (478) -- --
Unrealized loss, net of tax,
on debt securities
available for sale........ 9,467 9,467 9,467 -- -- --
General loan loss reserves... 11,512 -- -- 11,008 -- --
-------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Regulatory capital............. $127,005 $116,624 $ 116,624 $130,587 $120,057 $ 120,057
======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Regulatory capital ratio....... 13.88% 12.75% 6.62% 14.92% 13.71% 7.14%
Adequately capitalized required
ratio........................ 8.00 4.00 4.00 8.00 4.00 4.00
-------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Excess......................... 5.88% 8.75% 2.62% 6.92% 9.71% 3.14%
======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Asset base..................... $914,812 $914,812 $1,760,801 $875,387 $875,387 $1,681,952
======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Bank exceeded the adequately
capitalized ratios and was categorized as "well capitalized."
The regulatory capital standards contain certain phase-in requirements
concerning the amount of supervisory goodwill which is includable in tier 1 and
risk-based capital as well as the amount of real estate investments which are
required to be deducted from capital under all three standards. On January 1,
1995, all supervisory goodwill must be deducted from regulatory capital. Based
upon this limitation, the Bank's risk-based and tier 1 capital levels declined
by $6.6 million on January 1, 1995.
The decline in the Bank's capital ratios over prior year-end is principally
the result of the change in the allowable supervisory goodwill and the inclusion
of $8.8 million of unrealized gain, net of tax, on debt securities available for
sale in regulatory capital for 1993 versus the exclusion of such unrealized gain
(loss) for 1994; partially offset by year-to-date net income of $7.7 million. At
December 31, 1994, under fully phased-in capital rules applicable at July 1,
1996, the Bank would have exceeded the "adequately capitalized" fully phased-in,
total risk-based, tier 1 risk-based, and tier 1 leverage ratios by $46.7
million, $72.8 million and $38.7 million, respectively.
The Bank is subject to an Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) regulation
requiring institutions with IRR exposure classified as "above normal" to reduce
their risk-based capital by 50 percent of the amount by which the IRR exposure
24
<PAGE> 25
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
exceeds a specified "normal" threshold. The normal IRR threshold is defined as a
two percent decline of an institution's net portfolio value as a percentage of
its market value of assets after a hypothetical 200 basis point immediate and
sustained increase or decrease in market interest rates. The reduction of an
institution's risk-based capital resulting from its exceeding the IRR threshold
becomes effective at the end of the third calendar quarter after the measurement
date, unless the institution's IRR exposure returns to a "normal" level or below
in the interim.
Based on the OTS's measurement of the Bank's IRR as of September 30, 1994
and as of December 31, 1994 the Bank may be required to reduce its risk-based
capital by approximately $1.5 million on June 30, 1995 and $1.9 million on
September 30, 1995, in the absence of corrective action to reduce the Bank's IRR
exposure or significant change in market interest rates in the interim. As of
December 31, 1994, the Bank has sufficient risk-based capital to allow it to
continue to be classified as "well capitalized" under FDICIA capital
requirements after such a reduction for IRR exposure. Management is currently
reviewing possible strategies for reducing the Bank's IRR exposure to a "normal"
level or below.
Other Regulatory Matters
In conjunction with the acquisition of the Bank in 1986, Southwest agreed
that as long as it controls the Bank, adequate capital as required by applicable
regulations, will be maintained at the Bank and if required, Southwest will
infuse additional capital into the Bank to assure compliance with such
requirements. Even though the Bank met all existing regulatory capital
requirements, on October 16, 1991, Southwest committed to make an additional $20
million capital contribution to the Bank in order to further improve the Bank's
capital position. Under this commitment, Southwest contributed $10 million in
1991 and $10 million in 1992 in exchange for common stock of the Bank. Southwest
does not anticipate making future capital contributions to the Bank.
Pursuant to the acquisition of the Bank by Southwest, the OTS stipulated
that dividends paid by the Bank to Southwest could not exceed 50 percent of the
Bank's cumulative net earnings after the date of acquisition. Since the
acquisition, the Bank's cumulative net earnings are $37,132, resulting in
maximum dividends of $18,566 as of December 31, 1994. Since the acquisition, the
Bank has paid Southwest $1,776 in capital distributions, net of the $20 million
capital contribution received from Southwest.
Capital distributions, including dividends, are also governed by an OTS
regulation which limits distributions by applying a tiered system based on
capital levels. Under the regulation, the Bank is restricted to paying no more
than 75 percent of its net income over the preceding 4 quarters to Southwest.
The Bank did not pay any dividends to Southwest during 1994, 1993 or 1992.
NOTE 14 -- EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Pension Plan
The Bank maintains a defined benefit pension plan for substantially all of
its employees. The Bank's policy is to fund the pension expense accrued for each
year but not less than the minimum required contribution nor more than the tax
deductible limit. Pension expense was $119 in 1994, $478 in 1993, and $524 in
1992. The terms of the pension plan are the same for the years ended December
31, 1993 and 1992. In 1994, the Board of Directors approved the curtailment of
the defined benefit pension plan effective April 1, 1994. Under the terms of the
curtailment, employees that have not satisfied the eligibility requirements
under the plan will not be eligible to participate in the plan. Except for
vesting purposes, credited service accruals will cease for all participants, but
future compensation will continue to be used
25
<PAGE> 26
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
when calculating final benefits upon termination, disability, death or
retirement. Net periodic pension expense included the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1993 1992
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost....................................... $ -- $ 458 $ 493
Interest cost...................................... 288 291 290
Actual return on plan assets....................... 64 (186) (122)
Net amortization and deferral...................... (233) (85) (137)
----- ----- -----
Net periodic pension expense....................... $ 119 $ 478 $ 524
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
Accumulated plan benefit information estimated by consulting actuaries and
net assets of the Bank's defined benefit pension plan are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------
1994 1993
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits:
Vested................................................... $ 777 $2,235
Nonvested................................................ 253 609
------ ------
$1,030 $2,844
------ ------
Market value of plan assets................................ $2,412 $3,537
====== ======
</TABLE>
The assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of the
accumulated plan benefit obligation at December 31, 1994 and 1993 are as
follows: The weighted average discount rate used was 8.5% for 1994 and 7.5% for
1993. The rate of increase in future compensation levels used in determining the
actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation was 5.0% and the
expected long-term rate of return on assets used was 8.0% for both years.
The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in the Bank's
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------
1994 1993
------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Projected benefit obligation.............................. $2,349 $ 4,613
Market value of plan assets............................... 2,412 3,537
------ -------
Unfunded (overfunded) projected benefit obligation........ (63) 1,076
Net transition liability.................................. 356 407
Unrecognized prior service cost........................... (82) (103)
Unrecognized net loss..................................... (336) (1,373)
------ -------
Pension liability/(Prepaid pension asset)................. $ (125) $ 7
====== =======
</TABLE>
Employees' 401K Plan
Effective January 1, 1988, the Bank offered to all its eligible employees
participation in the Employees' 401K Plan of PriMerit Bank (Plan). The Plan
provides for purchases of certain investment vehicles by eligible employees
through annual payroll deductions of up to 15% of base compensation, with a
statutory limitation of $9.2. In 1994, the Bank contributed annual amounts of up
to 6.0% of an employee's base compensation up to a maximum of $9.0. These
contributions are used by the Plan to purchase Southwest common stock. During
1992 and 1993, the Bank contributed
26
<PAGE> 27
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
annual amounts of up to 1.5% for 1992 and 3.0% for 1993 of an employee's base
compensation up to a maximum of $2.2 and $4.5, respectively.
NOTE 15 -- INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
The Bank is exposed to IRR resulting from (a) timing differences in the
maturity and/or repricing of the Bank's assets, liabilities, and off-balance
sheet contracts; (b) the exercise of options embedded in the Bank's financial
instruments and accounts, such as prepayments of loans before scheduled
maturity, caps on the amounts of interest rate movement permitted for
adjustable-rate loans, and withdrawals of funds on deposit with and without
stated terms to maturity; and (c) differences in the behavior of lending and
funding rates, referred to as basis risk. The role of the Bank's asset/liability
management function is to prevent the erosion of the Bank's earnings and equity
capital due to interest rate fluctuations. Changes in the Bank's IRR exposure
affect the current market values of the Bank's loan, debt securities, deposit
and borrowing portfolios, as well as the Bank's future earnings. The level of
the Bank's IRR exposure can also adversely affect the Bank's regulatory capital.
The Bank's Board of Directors (BOD) has established certain guidelines to
manage the exposure of the Bank's net interest income, net income, and net
portfolio value (NPV) to interest rate fluctuations. NPV represents a
theoretical estimate of the market value of the Bank's stockholder's equity,
calculated as the net present value of expected cash flows from financial assets
and liabilities, plus the book values of all non-financial assets and
liabilities. The guidelines include limits on the Bank's overall IRR exposure,
methods of accountability and specific reports to be provided to the BOD by
management for periodic review, and establishes acceptable activities and
instruments to manage IRR.
The Bank maintains an IRR simulation model which enables the Bank to
measure IRR exposure using various assumptions and interest rate scenarios, and
to incorporate alternative strategies for the reduction of IRR exposure. The
Bank measures its IRR using several methods to provide a comprehensive view of
its IRR from various perspectives. These methods include projection of current
NPV and future periods' net interest income after rapid and sustained interest
rate movements, static analysis of repricing and maturity mismatches, or gaps,
between assets and liabilities, and analysis of the size and sources of basis
risk.
Using the Bank's IRR simulation model, the following table presents
management's estimate of the Bank's NPV after a hypothetical, instantaneous 200
basis points (bps) change in the market interest rates at December 31, 1994 and
1993:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHANGE IN ESTIMATED NPV ESTIMATED NPV
INTEREST RATES DECEMBER 31, 1994 DECEMBER 31, 1993
--------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
+200 bps............................... $ 102,192 $ 113,128
0.................................... $ 143,020 $ 132,827
-200 bps............................... $ 155,585 $ 123,742
</TABLE>
As shown above, the Bank's estimated NPV increased from December 31, 1993
to December 31, 1994 by $10.2 million and $31.8 million under assumed changes in
market interest rates of zero bps and -200 bps, respectively. Over the same
period, however, the Bank's estimated NPV declined by $10.9 million under an
assumed change in market rates of +200 bps.
During 1994, market interest rates generally increased. Although the Bank's
estimated NPV had been expected to decline in a rising rate environment in IRR
simulations as of December 31, 1993, the opposite actually occurred as a result
of actions taken by management. During 1994, the intangible value of the Bank's
core deposits increased as the Bank was able to lag increases in the interest
rates it pays on such deposits relative to increases in market interest rates.
During 1994, management also acted to acquire long-term deposits and borrowings
at historically low interest rates, and implemented several off-balance sheet
hedges to effectively convert certain fixed-rate loans to adjustable-rate loans.
These
27
<PAGE> 28
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
actions had a net effect of outweighing other declines in the estimated market
values of the Bank's assets, resulting in a net increase in the Bank's estimated
NPV as of December 31, 1994. These actions also benefited the Bank's net
interest margin and resulted in an increase in the net yield of the Bank's
interest-earning assets from 3.15% in 1993 to 3.69% in 1994.
Management also measures the Bank's IRR using static gap analysis to
further identify sources of IRR and its potential impact on the Bank's net
interest income. Static gap analysis measures the difference between financial
assets and financial liabilities scheduled and expected to mature or reprice
within a specified time period. The gap for that period is positive when
repricing and maturing assets exceed repricing and maturing liabilities. The gap
for that period is negative when repricing and maturing liabilities exceed
repricing and maturing assets. A positive or negative cumulative gap indicates
in a general way how the Bank's net interest income should respond to interest
rate fluctuations. A positive cumulative gap for a period generally means that
rising interest rates would be reflected sooner in financial assets than in
financial costing liabilities, thereby increasing net interest income over that
period. A negative cumulative gap for a period would produce an increase in net
interest income over that period if interest rates declined.
At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Bank's cumulative one-year static gap
was ($144.9) million and ($39.4) million, respectively, or eight percent and two
percent of financial assets.
The financial instruments approved by the BOD to manage the Bank's IRR
exposure in its balance sheet include the Bank's debt security portfolio,
interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate collars, interest rate
futures, and put and call options. These financial instruments provide effective
methods of reducing the impact of changes in interest rates on the market values
of and earnings provided by the Bank's financial assets and liabilities. The
Bank also actively manages its retail and wholesale funding sources to minimize
its cost of funds and provide stable funding sources for its loan and investment
portfolios. Management's use of particular financial instruments is based on a
complete analysis of the Bank's current IRR exposure and the projected effect of
any proposed strategy on the Bank's IRR exposure. In addition, to manage the IRR
exposure associated with the Bank's held for sale loan portfolio, the Bank
utilizes forward sale commitments.
At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Bank utilized interest rate swap
agreements as a hedge to convert fixed-rate loans into adjustable-rate loans.
The agreements require the Bank to make fixed-rate payments and in turn, the
Bank receives floating rate payments based on the six month LIBOR.
The following table presents the notional amount of interest rate swaps
outstanding, unrealized gains and losses of the swaps, the weighted average
interest rates payable and receivable, and the remaining term.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED-RATE VARIABLE RATE NOTIONAL UNREALIZED UNREALIZED
MATURITY PAID RECEIVED AMOUNT GAIN LOSS
------------------- ---------- ------------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1-3 Years.......... 6.70% 5.56% $21,400 $ 652 $ --
3-5 Years.......... 7.22 5.66 26,150 833 --
5-10 Years......... 6.88 5.76 24,900 1,506 (5)
---- ---- ------- ------ ---
6.95% 5.66% $72,450 $2,991 $(5)
==== ==== ======= ====== ===
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED-RATE VARIABLE RATE NOTIONAL UNREALIZED UNREALIZED
MATURITY PAID RECEIVED AMOUNT GAIN LOSS
------------------- ---------- ------------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
5-10 Years......... 5.45% 3.55% $7,500 $169 $--
==== ==== ====== ==== ===
</TABLE>
The notional amount of interest rate swaps do not represent amounts
exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of the Bank's exposure
through its use of derivatives. The amounts exchanged are determined by
reference to the notional amounts and the interest rates.
28
<PAGE> 29
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Bank is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance
by counterparties to financial instruments but does not expect any
counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. The Bank deals only with
highly rated broker/dealers. The current credit exposure of derivatives is
represented by the fair value of contracts with a positive fair value
(unrealized gain) at the reporting date.
During 1992, in conjunction with the restructuring of the Bank's balance
sheet, through the sale of long term fixed-rate assets, $300 million (notional
amount) of interest rate swaps hedging such assets were cancelled at a cost of
$14,087, which is included as an expense in the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Operations. In addition, $35 million (notional amount) of interest
rate swaps matured during 1992. No interest rate swaps matured or were
terminated during 1993 and 1994. The interest rate swap agreements at December
31, 1994 are collateralized with MBS with a fair value of $2,723. The net
expense on interest rate swaps of $485, $24 and $4,794 in 1994, 1993 and 1992,
respectively, are included in interest expense as a cost of hedging activities
in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Bank is also exposed to IRR through the issuance of fixed-rate loan
commitments and builder loan commitments. Fixed-rate loan commitments represent
firm commitments to originate loans secured by real estate to specific borrowers
at a specified rate of interest. Builder commitments represent agreements to
home builders for the Bank to provide loans secured by real estate to
unspecified qualified customers of the builder at interest rates not to exceed
specified levels. Fixed-rate loan commitments generally expire in 30 to 60 days
and builder commitments generally expire within 6 to 12 months. The Bank
generally receives a fee for both of these types of commitments. Many of the
commitments are expected to expire without fully being drawn upon; therefore,
the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The Bank hedges IRR on fixed-rate loan commitments expected to be sold in
the secondary market and the inventory of loans held for sale through a
combination of commitments from permanent investors, optional delivery
commitments, and mandatory forward contracts. Outstanding firm commitments to
sell loans represent agreements to sell loans to a third party at a specified
price on a specified date. These commitments are used to hedge loans for sale
and to hedge outstanding commitments to originate loans. Outstanding master
commitments to sell loans represent agreements to sell a stated volume of loans
to a third party within a specified period of time without regard to price.
Master commitments are entered in order to ensure availability of a buyer for
loans meeting specified underwriting criteria and to maximize the sales price at
the time a firm commitment is executed. Related hedging gains and losses are
recognized at the time gains and losses are recognized on the related loans. See
Note 2 -- "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" for commitments outstanding and
their estimated fair value.
NOTE 16 -- LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Bank has been named as defendant in various legal proceedings. The
ultimate dispositions of these proceedings are not presently determinable;
however, it is the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel, that
no litigation to which the Bank or any of its subsidiaries is subject will have
a material adverse impact on the Bank's financial condition or results of
operations.
29
<PAGE> 30
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NOTE 17 -- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31 YEAR ENDED
--------- -------- ------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1994
Interest income........ $ 28,045 $ 29,124 $ 29,894 $ 31,371 $118,434
Interest expense....... (14,049) (14,200) (14,867) (16,674) (59,790)
Provision for estimated
credit losses........ (1,434) (2,275) (1,493) (2,028) (7,230)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income
after provisions for
estimated credit
losses............... 12,562 12,649 13,534 12,669 51,414
Net income (loss) from
real estate
operations........... (485) 595 (108) (614) (612)
Other income........... 3,812 2,418 2,259 2,142 10,631
Other expenses......... (11,954) (11,738) (12,081) (11,596) (47,369)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before
provision for income
taxes................ 3,935 3,924 3,604 2,601 14,064
Provision for income
taxes................ 1,746 1,748 1,627 1,270 6,391
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings........... $ 2,189 $ 2,176 $ 1,977 $ 1,331 $ 7,673
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
1993
Interest income........ $ 35,997 $ 34,976 $ 31,881 $ 29,471 $132,325
Interest expense....... (22,240) (20,906) (17,267) (14,663) (75,076)
Provision for estimated
credit losses........ (1,123) (1,180) (2,742) (1,167) (6,212)
Net interest income
after provisions for
estimated credit
losses............... 12,634 12,890 11,872 13,641 51,037
Net income (loss) from
real estate
operations........... (163) (206) 57 (598) (910)
Other income (loss).... 2,040 (3,482) 9,335 4,156 12,049
Other expenses......... (13,028) (13,200) (12,986) (13,066) (52,280)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings (loss) before
provision for income
taxes................ 1,483 (3,998) 8,278 4,133 9,896
Provision for income
taxes................ 874 719 2,937 1,815 6,345
Cumulative effect of
change in method of
accounting for income
taxes................ 3,045 -- -- -- 3,045
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings (loss).... $ 3,654 $ (4,717) $ 5,341 $ 2,318 $ 6,596
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE> 31
PRIMERIT BANK
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31 YEAR ENDED
--------- -------- ------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1992
Interest income........ $ 47,552 $ 44,910 $ 37,818 $ 35,398 $ 165,678
Interest expense....... (33,041) (30,933) (25,315) (22,628) (111,917)
Provision for estimated
credit losses........ (8,590) (2,242) (1,016) (2,281) (14,129)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net interest income
after provisions for
estimated credit
losses............... 5,921 11,735 11,487 10,489 39,632
Net loss from real
estate operations.... (2,773) (6,769) (3,906) (1,838) (15,286)
Other income........... 2,509 3,306 3,807 5,770 15,392
Other expenses......... (10,644) (12,779) (12,699) (13,343) (49,465)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Earnings (loss) before
provision for income
taxes................ (4,987) (4,507) (1,311) 1,078 (9,727)
Provision for income
taxes (benefit)...... (90) (617) 246 552 91
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net earnings (loss).... $ (4,897) $ (3,890) $ (1,557) $ 526 $ (9,818)
======== ======== ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
31
<PAGE> 32
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial
condition of PriMerit Bank (a federal savings bank and wholly-owned subsidiary
of Southwest Gas Corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's equity and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Bank's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial condition of PriMerit Bank and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1994 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Notes 1, 4, and 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, and as required by generally accepted accounting principles, the
Bank changed its methods of accounting for debt securities and income taxes in
1993.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
February 8, 1995
32
