U S TRUST CORP /NY
S-3, 1998-09-18
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 1998
                                                  Registration No. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ----------------------

                             U.S. TRUST CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           NEW YORK                                       13-3818952
 (State or other jurisdiction                          (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or organization)                   identification number)

                              114 WEST 47TH STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
                                 (212) 852-1000
          (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                RICHARD B. GROSS
                      MANAGING DIRECTOR AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                             U.S. TRUST CORPORATION
                              114 WEST 47TH STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
                                 (212) 852-1000
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                             ----------------------

     APPROXIMATE  DATE OF COMMENCEMENT  OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  At such
time or  times as may be  determined  by the  Selling  Shareholders  after  this
Registration Statement becomes effective.
     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this form are being  offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.|_|
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.|X|
     If this form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.|_|
     If this form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering.|_|
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.|_|

                             ----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
========================================================================================================================
           TITLE OF                                     PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM
          SHARES TO                AMOUNT TO BE          OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE OFFERING         AMOUNT OF
      BE REGISTERED (1)           REGISTERED (2)          PER UNIT (3)             PRICE (3)         REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                   <C>                   <C>                    <C>                
Common Shares, par value $1.00        
per share (and associated Rights
to Purchase Series A
Participating Cumulative
Preferred Shares)................     41,127                 $62.625             $2,575,578.4              $760
========================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1)  The  associated  Rights are presently  attached to, and  transferable  only
     with, the Common Shares.  The value  attributable to the Rights (if any) is
     included in the proposed maximum offering price of the Common Shares.
(2)  Represents  an  estimate of the  maximum  number of Common  Shares that the
     Selling  Shareholders may receive in connection with the purchase of assets
     described in this Registration Statement.
(3)  Estimated in accordance  with Rule 457(c) under the  Securities Act of 1933
     solely for  purposes  of  calculating  the  registration  fee (based on the
     average of the high and low prices per U.S. Trust Corporation  Common Share
     as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on September 16, 1998).
</FN>
</TABLE>

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT  SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME  EFFECTIVE  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES  ACT OF  1933 OR  UNTIL  THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE  COMMISSION,  ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY
DETERMINE.
================================================================================


<PAGE>

RED HERRING TEXT

THE  INFORMATION IN THIS  PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.  WE MAY
NOT SELL  THESE  SECURITIES  UNTIL THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED  WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE  SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

<PAGE>


PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Dated September 18, 1998


                             U.S. TRUST CORPORATION

                              41,127 COMMON SHARES
                             (and associated Rights)


This prospectus relates to an offering by certain shareholders of up to 41,127
Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share, of U.S. Trust Corporation (a New York
corporation).


Part of the shares offered by this prospectus have already been acquired by the
selling shareholders in connection with the August 31, 1998 purchase by a
subsidiary of U.S. Trust Corporation of certain assets from MSBMS (a corporation
formerly known as Maier & Siebel, Inc.). The remaining shares may be acquired by
the selling shareholders over time, if certain conditions relating to the
purchase are met. U.S. Trust Corporation will not receive any of the proceeds
from the sale of the shares.


The selling shareholders have advised us that they propose to offer the shares
from time to time and in any of several different ways. These include (1)
through brokers in ordinary brokerage transactions, (2) to underwriters or
dealers in negotiated transactions or (3) by a combination of these methods of
sale. The shares may be offered at fixed prices (which may be changed), at
market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices
or at negotiated prices.


U.S. Trust Corporation's Nasdaq National Market symbol is "USTC". On September
16, 1998, the closing price reported on the Nasdaq National Market was $63 per
share.


Brokers, dealers and underwriters that participate in the distribution of the
shares may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933. Any
discounts or commissions received by them from the selling shareholders (and any
profit on the resale of shares by them) may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The selling shareholders may
be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:                                                                              :
:        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY                :
:        STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF            :
:        THE SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED UNDER THIS PROSPECTUS OR                 :
:        DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ADEQUATE OR ACCURATE. ANY            :
:        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.                 :
:                                                                              :
:        THE SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED UNDER THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT            :
:        SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK           :
:        OR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION AND THEY ARE NOT INSURED BY THE                :
:        FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER                    :
:        GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.                                                  :
:                                                                              :
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS SEPTEMBER   , 1998.




<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
The Corporation.............................................................2
Where You Can Find More Information.........................................2
Selling Shareholders........................................................4
Description of the Rights...................................................5
Plan of Distribution........................................................6
Use of Proceeds.............................................................7
Forward-looking Statements..................................................7
Validity of Common Shares...................................................8
Experts.....................................................................8


                                 THE CORPORATION

U.S. Trust Corporation (the "CORPORATION", "WE" or "OUR") is a bank holding
company subject to the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
Through our subsidiaries, we provide investment and asset management, corporate
fiduciary and private banking services to individuals and institutional
investors. At June 30, 1998, the Corporation had assets under management of $68
billion. Our principal executive office is located at 114 West 47th Street, New
York, New York 10036. Our telephone number is (212) 852-1000, and our Internet
address is www.ustrust.com.

The Corporation's principal subsidiary is United States Trust Company of New
York, a state chartered bank and trust company (the "TRUST COMPANY"). The Trust
Company provides trust and banking services to individuals and institutions,
including investment management, estate and trust administration, financial
planning and corporate trust and agency. The Trust Company is a member bank of
the Federal Reserve System and an insured bank of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.

The Corporation's other banking subsidiaries have offices located in California,
Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Oregon and Texas.


                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The Corporation has filed a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "SECURITIES ACT") that registers the Corporation's Common Shares (and
associated preferred stock purchase Rights) offered by this prospectus. (We
sometimes refer to these Common Shares and associated Rights collectively as the
"SHARES".)

The Registration Statement (including the attached exhibits and schedules) that
we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") contains
additional relevant information about the Corporation and the Shares. The rules
and regulations of the Commission allow us to omit certain information included
in the Registration Statement from this prospectus.



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "EXCHANGE ACT"). You
may read and copy this information at the following locations of the Commission:


 Public Reference Room    New York Regional Office    Chicago Regional Office
 450 Fifth Street, N.W.     7 World Trade Center          Citicorp Center
        Room 1024                Suite 1300           500 West Madison Street
Washington, D.C.  20549   New York, New York 10048          Suite 1400
                                                    Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511

You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the
Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by
calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.

The Commission also maintains an Internet world wide web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, such as the
Corporation, who file electronically with the Commission. The address of that
site is http://www.sec.gov.

THE COMMISSION ALLOWS US TO "INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE" INFORMATION INTO THIS
PROSPECTUS. THIS MEANS THAT WE CAN DISCLOSE IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO YOU BY
REFERRING YOU TO ANOTHER DOCUMENT FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this
prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by other information
included directly in this document.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we
have previously filed with the Commission. They contain important information
about the Corporation and our financial condition.

    o  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

    o  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 
       June 30, 1998.

    o  The description of our Common Shares set forth in our registration
       statement on Form 10, dated February 9, 1995 (filed pursuant to Section
       12 of the Exchange Act), including any amendment or report filed with
       the Commission for the purpose of updating the description.

    o  The description of the Rights associated with our Common Shares set
       forth in our registration statement on Form 8- A, dated September 5, 1995
       (filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act), including any
       amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating
       the description.

This prospectus also incorporates by reference additional documents that we may
file with the Commission between the date of this prospectus and the date that
the offering of the Shares is terminated. These documents include periodic
reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and
Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document
from us or from the Commission through the Commission's web site at the address
described above. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us
without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is
specifically incorporated by reference as an


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



exhibit in this prospectus. You can obtain these documents from us by requesting
them in writing or by telephone at the following address:

                       Corporate Communications Department
                             U.S. Trust Corporation
                              114 West 47th Street
                            New York, New York 10036
                            Telephone: (212) 852-1000

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation
about us or this offering that is different from, or in addition to, that
contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have
incorporated into this document. Therefore, if anyone does give you information
of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where
offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to buy, the securities offered by
this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to
direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does
not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of
the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that
another date applies.


                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

The Shares are being offered by the selling shareholders named below (the
"SELLING SHAREHOLDERS"). A portion of the Shares have already been acquired by
the Selling Shareholders in connection with the August 31, 1998 purchase by a
subsidiary of the Corporation of certain assets from MSBMS, which is a
California corporation and was formerly known as Maier & Siebel, Inc. ("MSBMS").
The rest of the Shares may be acquired by the Selling Shareholders over time, if
certain conditions relating to the purchase are met. Whether the Selling
Shareholders actually will acquire any additional Shares (and the timing of
those acquisitions) is uncertain.

The Selling Shareholders are listed below. Beside the name of each Selling
Shareholder is the number of the Corporation's Common Shares he or she owns as
of September 16, 1998 and the number of those Shares that are being offered by
this prospectus. Each of the Selling Shareholders may also receive additional
Common Shares in connection with the purchase of assets from MSBMS. These Shares
are also being offered by this prospectus, but the amount of such Shares (as
well as the amount to be offered by each Selling Shareholder) is not certain at
this time. Because the Selling Shareholders may receive additional Shares after
the date of this prospectus and because they may not sell all (or even any) of
the Shares by means of this prospectus, the number of Shares each will own after
this offering is complete is unknown.















                                       -4-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         COMMON SHARES
                                                      BENEFICIALLY OWNED            COMMON SHARES
                                                       ON SEPTEMBER 16,            OFFERED BY THIS
                SELLING SHAREHOLDER                          1998                    PROSPECTUS
<S>                                                   <C>                          <C>
Kenneth A. Baber                                             2,202                      2,202

Peter K. Maier, Trustee of the Maier Family                 23,216                      9,951
1993 Trust  (dated April 5, 1993)

Diana Lynn Maier                                               220                        220

Michele Margaret Maier Fisher                                  220                        220

Lawrence A. Mitchell                                        23,784                      2,078

Kenneth F. Siebel                                           37,114                      5,354

Ann K. Stewart, Trustee of the Linsley Family                1,102                      1,102
Trust (dated January 12, 1998)


    TOTAL                                                   87,858                     21,127 1/

- ----------------------
<FN>
     1/   Does not include additional Common Shares that may be acquired after September 16, 1998 
          by the Selling Shareholders in connection with the MSBMS transaction.  These additional 
          Shares are also being offered by this prospectus.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Kenneth A. Baber, Peter K. Maier, Lawrence A. Mitchell, Kenneth F. Siebel and
Ann K. Stewart are officers and directors of MSBMS. Each is also an officer of
U.S. Trust Company, National Association ("USTC NA"), which is a subsidiary of
the Corporation. In addition, Mr. Baber is a director of Fernhill Holding, Inc.
("FERNHILL"), which is an affiliate of the Corporation; Mr. Maier is a director
of USTC NA and a director of Fernhill; and Mr. Siebel is a director of USTC NA
and an officer and director of Fernhill. In connection with the MSBMS
transaction, each of Mr. Baber, Mr. Maier, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Siebel and Ms.
Stewart entered into 5-year employment agreements that were assigned to a
subsidiary of the Corporation.


                            DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS

On August 29, 1995, our Board of Directors declared a dividend granting
shareholders one "RIGHT" for each outstanding Common Share of the Corporation
they owned. We made this distribution to the holders of record of each Common
Share outstanding on September 1, 1995. In addition, we issued and will issue
one Right with each Common Share issued after that date and before the
"DISTRIBUTION DATE" (which is defined below) and with some Common Shares issued
after the Distribution Date.

Each Right is essentially an option that, if it becomes exercisable, gives the
owner (as registered on the Corporation's books) the ability to purchase from
the Corporation one-hundredth (1/100th) of a Series A Participating Cumulative
Preferred Share of the Corporation (a "PREFERRED SHARE") at an initial price of
$150. However, until the Distribution Date, the Rights (1) cannot be exercised,
(2) will be evidenced by the certificates for Common Shares and not by separate
Right Certificates, and


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



(3) will be transferable only with Common Shares. The Rights will expire on
September 1, 2005, and we can redeem them before that time.

     The "DISTRIBUTION DATE" is defined as the earliest date on which one of the
following occurs:

     o   Any person (other than the 401(k) Plan and ESOP of the Corporation and
         certain affiliated companies) or group (including any affiliate or
         associate of such person or group) acquires, or obtains the rights to
         acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Common Shares that
         are then outstanding; or

     o   With respect to the potential acquisition by any person (other than the
         401(k) Plan and ESOP of the Corporation and certain affiliated
         companies) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding
         Common Shares, the tenth day after the date of the earlier to occur of
         (1) notice of approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, (2)
         notice of nondisapproval under the Change in Bank Control Act or (3)
         the expiration, without a notice of disapproval having been issued, of
         the prior notification period under the Change in Bank Control Act with
         respect to a notification thereunder.

     The Rights may have the effect of inhibiting or deterring a takeover of the
Corporation by another entity. You can find a description of the Rights and the
Preferred Shares in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (the "8-A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT") dated September 5, 1995, for the registration of the
Rights pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. This prospectus
incorporates by reference the information contained in the 8-A Registration
Statement.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Selling  Shareholders  have advised us that they propose to offer the Shares
for sale from time to time and in several different ways. For example, they may:

     o   make sales on the Nasdaq Stock Market,

     o   on another interdealer quotation system or stock exchange on which the
         Common Shares are listed at the time, 

     o   through negotiated  transactions or

     o   otherwise at prices related to prevailing market prices or at 
         negotiated prices.

Alternatively, from time to time one or more of the Selling Shareholders may
offer the Shares through brokers, dealers or agents, who may receive
compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from any such Selling
Shareholders, agents and/or the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

If necessary, we will prepare another prospectus to describe the method of sale
in greater detail. We do not know of any arrangements that the Selling
Shareholders have entered into to sell the Shares as of the date of this
prospectus, nor do we know which brokerage firms the Selling Shareholders may
select to sell their Shares. In addition, any of the Shares that qualify for
sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144
rather than by this prospectus.

The Selling Shareholders and any brokers, dealers or agents that participate in
the distribution of the Shares may be considered "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. If the Selling Shareholders are considered
underwriters, any profits on the sale of Shares by them and any associated
discounts or commissions may be considered underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. In addition, if a Selling Shareholder is considered an
underwriter, such Selling


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



Shareholder may be subject to certain statutory liabilities under the Securities
Act, including Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act.

The Selling Shareholders and any other person participating in a sale or
distribution of Shares will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Certain rules and regulations
issued by the Commission under the Exchange Act (including Regulation M and Rule
10b-5) may limit when the Selling Shareholders (or any other person) may sell or
purchase the Shares.

In some jurisdictions, the securities laws require that the Shares must be
offered or sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In
addition, in certain jurisdictions the Shares may not be offered or sold unless
they have been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or an
exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

We will not receive any part of the proceeds from the sale of Shares. We will
bear all expenses incurred by us in connection with the registration of the
Shares under the Securities Act. Each of the Selling Shareholders will pay his
or her own expenses (including brokerage commissions, personal legal fees or
similar expenses) in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of the Shares, but we will bear
certain of the expenses. See "Plan of Distribution."


                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this prospectus we made certain forward-looking statements with respect to
the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Corporation.
These statements may be made directly in this document or may be "incorporated
by reference" to other documents. You can find many of these statements by
looking for words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or
similar expressions.

We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance.
They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.
Among the factors that may cause our actual results to differ from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are the following:

     o   General economic or business conditions may be less favorable than
         expected, resulting in, among other things, a reduced demand for asset
         management or other financial services, a resulting decrease in the
         assets under management and a corresponding decrease in fees.

     o   Competitive pressures in the investment or asset management, corporate
         fiduciary or private banking industries may increase significantly.

     o   Legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect the business in
         which we are engaged.

     o   Necessary technological changes (including changes to address "Year
         2000" data systems issues) may be more difficult or expensive to
         implement than anticipated.



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



                            VALIDITY OF COMMON SHARES

The validity of the Shares being offered hereby has been passed upon for the
Corporation by our General Counsel, Richard B. Gross, Esq. Mr. Gross
beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of the
Corporation.


                                     EXPERTS

The consolidated balance sheets of the Corporation as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997, included in the Corporation's 1997 Annual Report
on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (formerly Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.), independent
accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.





























                                       -8-

<PAGE>



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

     The following table sets forth an itemization of all estimated expenses in
connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered, none of which are payable by the Selling Shareholders (other than
$1,000 of legal fees and expenses which are being paid by the Selling
Shareholders):


     Registration Statement Filing Fee......................   $    760
     Legal Fees and Expenses................................     10,000
     Accounting Fees and Expenses...........................     10,000
     Printing Costs.........................................        N/A
     Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses........................      1,000
                                                               --------
     Total..................................................   $ 21,760
                                                               ========

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Article V of the By-Laws of the Registrant provides as follows:

     "The Corporation shall indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a
     party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, and whether
     or not by or in the right of the Corporation or of any other corporation of
     any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture,
     trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, by reason of the fact
     that such person, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or
     officer of the Corporation or served any other corporation of any type or
     kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust,
     employee benefit plan or other enterprise in any capacity at the request of
     the Corporation, against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and
     reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily
     incurred as a result of such action or proceeding, or any appeal therein,
     provided that (a) no indemnification may be made to or on behalf of any
     person if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such person
     establishes that his acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of
     active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action
     so adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a financial profit or
     other advantage to which he was not legally entitled, (b) no
     indemnification shall be required in connection with the settlement of any
     pending or threatened action or proceeding, or any other disposition
     thereof except a final adjudication, unless the Corporation has consented
     to such settlement or other disposition and (c) the Corporation shall not
     be obligated to indemnify any person by reason of the adoption of this
     Article V if and to the extent such person is entitled to be indemnified
     under a policy of insurance as such policy would apply in the absence of
     the adoption of this Article V.

     Reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in defending any
     action or proceeding, whether threatened or pending, shall be paid or
     reimbursed by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition thereof
     upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of the person seeking
     indemnification to repay such amount to the Corporation to the extent, if
     any, such person is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification.

     Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no repeal of this Article V, or
     amendment hereof or any other corporate action or agreement which prohibits
     or otherwise limits the right of any person to indemnification or
     advancement or reimbursement of expenses hereunder, shall be effective as
     to any person until the 60th day following notice to such person of such
     action, and no such repeal or amendment or other corporate action or
     agreement shall deprive any person of any right hereunder arising out of
     any alleged or actual act or omission occurring prior to such 60th day.

     The Corporation is hereby authorized, but shall not be required, to enter
     into agreements with any of its directors, officers or employees providing
     for rights to indemnification and advancement and reimbursement of
     reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, to the extent permitted by
     law, but the Corporation's failure to do so shall not in any manner affect
     or limit the rights provided for by this Article V or otherwise.

     For purposes of this Article V, the term 'Corporation' shall include any
     legal successor to the Corporation, including any corporation which
     acquires all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation in one
     or more transactions. For

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



     purposes of this Article V, the Corporation shall be deemed to have
     requested a person to serve an employee benefit plan where the performance
     by such person of his duties to the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof
     also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by such person to
     the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan, and excise taxes
     assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to
     applicable law shall be considered fines.

     The rights granted pursuant to or provided by the foregoing provisions of
     this Article V shall be in addition to and shall not be exclusive of any
     other rights to indemnification and expenses to which any person may
     otherwise be entitled under any statute, rule, regulation, certificate of
     incorporation, bylaw, agreement or otherwise."

     The Registrant, as a New York corporation, is subject to the New York
Business Law (the "B.C.L."). Section 721 of the B.C.L. provides that no
indemnification may be made to or on behalf of any director or officer of a
corporation if "a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the director
or officer establishes that his acts were committed in bad faith or were the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of
action so adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a financial profit
or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled." Article V of the
Registrant's By-Laws includes the foregoing statutory language.

     The rights granted under Article V of the By-Laws are in addition to, and
are not exclusive of, any other rights to indemnification and expense to which
any director or officer may otherwise be entitled. Under the B.C.L., a New York
corporation may indemnify any director or officer who is made or threatened to
be made a party to an action by or in the right of such corporation against
"amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees,"
actually and necessarily incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action, or in connection with an appeal therein, if such
director or officer acted, in good faith, for a purpose which he reasonably
believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of (1) a threatened action, or a
pending action which is settled or otherwise disposed of, or (2) any claim,
issue or matter as to which such director or officer shall have been adjudged
liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that a court determines
that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity
(B.C.L. Section 722(c)). A corporation may also indemnify directors and officers
who are parties to their actions or proceedings (including actions or
proceedings by or in the right of any other corporation or other enterprise
which the director or officer served at the request of the corporation) against
"judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including
attorneys' fees," actually or necessarily incurred as a result of such action or
proceedings, or any appeal therein, provided the director or officer acted, in
good faith, for a purpose which he reasonably believed to be in the best
interests of the corporation (or in the case of service to another corporation
or other enterprise at the request of such corporation, not opposed to the best
interests of such corporation) and, in criminal cases, that he also had no
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful (B.C.L. Section
722(a)). Any indemnification under Section 722 may be made only if authorized in
the specific case by disinterested directors, or by the board of directors upon
the opinion in writing of independent legal counsel that indemnification is
proper, or by the shareholders (B.C.L. Section 723(b)), but even without such
authorization, a court may order indemnification in certain circumstances
(B.C.L. Section 724). Further, any director or officer who is "successful, on
the merits or otherwise," in the defense of an action or proceeding is entitled
to indemnification as a matter of right (B.C.L. Section 723(a)).

     A New York corporation may generally purchase insurance, consistent with
the limitations of New York insurance law and regulatory supervision, to
indemnify the corporation for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the
indemnification of directors and officers under the provisions of the B.C.L., so
long as no final adjudication has established that the directors' or officers'
acts of active and deliberate dishonesty were material to the cause of action so
adjudicated or that the directors or officers personally gained in fact a
financial profit or other advantage to which they were not legally entitled
(B.C.L. Section 726). The Registrant has purchased insurance covering
expenditures by it and its subsidiaries which might arise in connection with the
lawful indemnification of directors and officers for certain liabilities and
expenses, and insurance insuring directors and officers of the Registrant and
its subsidiaries against certain other liabilities and expenses.


                                                          II-2

<PAGE>



ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
- ----------                             ----------

4.1               Rights Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1995, between the
                  Corporation and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as
                  Rights Agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the
                  Corporation's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on
                  September 5, 1995 for the registration under Section 12(g) of
                  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of Rights to Purchase the
                  Corporation's Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred
                  Shares (the "8-A").)

4.2               Specimen certificate representing Rights to Purchase the
                  Corporation's Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred
                  Shares. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 1
                  to the 8-A, filed on September 5, 1995.)

5                 Opinion of Richard B. Gross, Esq.

23.1              Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (formerly Coopers &
                  Lybrand L.L.P.).

23.2              Consent of Richard B. Gross, Esq.  (Included in Exhibit 5.)

24                Powers of Attorney. (Included in the signature pages of this
                  Registration Statement.)

ITEM  17.  UNDERTAKINGS

         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
     a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

            (a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
         Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, and together with the rules and
         regulations thereunder, the "SECURITIES ACT");

            (b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
         the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
         post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
         aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
         in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
         increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
         value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
         and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
         offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
         the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
         changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
         in the maximum offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
         Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

            (c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
         distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
         any material change to such information in the registration statement;

     provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) do not apply if the
     registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
     Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, and together with the rules
     and regulations thereunder, the "SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT") that are
     incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
     registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
     offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
     bona fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

         (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
     Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (and, where
     applicable, each filing of

                                      II-3

<PAGE>



     an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
     registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
     securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
     offering thereof.

         (5) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus
     filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
     contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
     424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
     part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared
     effective.

         (6) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
     of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
     to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
     that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
     persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
     otherwise (other than pursuant to insurance), the Registrant has been
     advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
     against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and may,
     therefore, be unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
     against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of
     expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
     the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding
     and other than insurance payments) is asserted by such director, officer or
     controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
     Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
     settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
     jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
     public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
     the final adjudication of such issue.




























                                      II-4

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on September 16,
1998.

                                       U.S. TRUST CORPORATION


                                       By: /s/ Richard S. Brinkmann
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Richard E. Brinkmann
                                          Comptroller and Chief Planning Officer


                               POWERS OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned do hereby make, constitute and appoint H. Marshall Schwarz,
Jeffrey S. Maurer and Richard E. Brinkmann, and each of them acting
individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full power to act
without the other, to execute, deliver and file, for and on his behalf, and in
his name and in his capacity as aforesaid, a Registration Statement on Form S-3
and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such
registration statement for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"SECURITIES ACT"), and any other documents in support thereof, with respect to
the Common Shares of the Corporation, hereby granting to said attorneys-in-fact
and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing whatsoever as said attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact may deem
necessary or advisable to carry out fully the intent of the foregoing as the
undersigned might or could do personally or in the capacity or capacities as
aforesaid, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things which said
attorney or attorneys may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
and on the date indicated.


          SIGNATURE                                TITLE
          ---------                              --------




  /s/ H. Marshall Schwarz
- ----------------------------------      Chairman of the Board and Director
      H. Marshall Schwarz               (Principal Executive Officer)
                      



  /s/ John L. Kirby
- ----------------------------------      Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
      John L. Kirby



 /s/ Richard E. Brinkmann
- ----------------------------------      Comptroller and Chief Planning Officer
     Richard E. Brinkmann







                                      II-5

<PAGE>


          SIGNATURE                                TITLE
          ---------                              --------




 /s/ Eleanor Baum
- ----------------------------------                Director
     Eleanor Baum



 /s/ Samuel C. Butler
- ----------------------------------                Director
     Samuel C. Butler




- ----------------------------------                Director
     Peter O. Crisp



 /s/ Philippe de Montebello
- ----------------------------------                Director
     Philippe de Montebello




- ----------------------------------                Director
     Paul W. Douglas



 /s/ Antonia M. Grumbach
- ----------------------------------                Director
     Antonia M. Grumbach




- ----------------------------------                Director
     Frederic C. Hamilton




- ----------------------------------                Director
     Peter L. Malkin



 /s/ Jeffrey S. Maurer
- ----------------------------------      President, Chief Operating Officer and 
     Jeffrey S. Maurer                  Director




- ----------------------------------                Director
     David A. Olsen



                                      II-6

<PAGE>


          SIGNATURE                                TITLE
          ---------                              --------




 /s/ Maribeth S. Rahe
- ----------------------------------      Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
     Maribeth S. Rahe



- ----------------------------------                Director
     Philip L. Smith



- ----------------------------------                Director
     John Hoyt Stookey


 /s/ Frederick B. Taylor
- ----------------------------------      Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief 
     Frederick B. Taylor                Investment Officer and Director



- ----------------------------------                Director
     Richard F. Tucker



 /s/ Robert N. Wilson
- ----------------------------------                Director
     Robert N. Wilson



 /s/ Ruth A. Wooden
- ----------------------------------                Director
     Ruth A. Wooden



Dated: September 16, 1998



                                      II-7

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NO.                        DESCRIPTION                                          LOCATION
- ----------                         ----------                                           --------
<S>            <C>                                                 <C>
4.1            Rights Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1995,    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the
               between the Corporation and First Chicago Trust     Corporation's  Registration Statement on Form
               Company of New York, as Rights Agent.               8-A  filed  on  September  5,  1995  for  the
                                                                   registration   under  Section  12(g)  of  the
                                                                   Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 of Rights to
                                                                   Purchase   the    Corporation's    Series   A
                                                                   Participating Cumulative Preferred Shares.

4.2            Form of Right Certificate.                          Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit A to
                                                                   Exhibit 1 to the  Corporation's  Registration
                                                                   Statement  on Form 8-A filed on  September 5,
                                                                   1995 for the registration under Section 12(g)
                                                                   of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934 of
                                                                   Right to Purchase the Corporation's  Series A
                                                                   Participating Cumulative Preferred Shares.

5              Opinion of Richard B. Gross, Esq.                   Filed herewith.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP               Filed herewith.
                (formerly Coopers and Lybrand L.L.P.).

23.2           Consent of Richard B. Gross, Esq.                   Included in Exhibit 5.

24             Powers of Attorney.                                 Included   in   signature   pages   of   this
                                                                   Registration Statement.
</TABLE>




























                                                      II-8




                                                                     EXHIBIT (5)

                     [LETTERHEAD OF U.S. TRUST CORPORATION]

September 16, 1998


The Board of Directors
U.S. Trust Corporation
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York  10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am the duly elected General Counsel of U.S. Trust Corporation (the
"Corporation") and I have acted as its counsel in connection with the
preparation of a registration statement (the "Registration Statement") to be
filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating
to the registration of 41,127 Common Shares (the "Securities"), par value $1.00
per share, of the Corporation, and related share purchase rights (the "Rights"),
which were or will be acquired by certain former stockholders of MSBMS (formerly
Maier & Siebel, Inc.) (the "Selling Shareholders") pursuant to the Asset
Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 17, 1998 (the "Agreement"), by and among
U.S. Trust Company, National Association, Maier & Siebel, Inc. and the
stockholders of Maier & Siebel, Inc.

For the purposes of this opinion, I have examined such corporate records,
certificates and other documents, and such questions of law, as I have
considered necessary or appropriate. I have relied as to certain matters on oral
or written statements and representations of other officers of the Corporation
and its affiliates, and other sources believed by me to be responsible.

Based on and subject to the foregoing, and to the other qualifications and
limitations set forth herein, I am of the opinion that:

     (1) The Securities that have been issued and transferred to the Selling
     Shareholders as of the date hereof are, and the Securities to be issued and
     transferred to the Selling Shareholders (when issued and transferred as
     contemplated by the Agreement and the Registration Statement) will be,
     validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     (2) Assuming that the rights agreement relating to the Rights has been duly
     authorized, executed and delivered by the rights agent thereunder, the
     Rights attributable to the Securities have been or will be (as the case may
     be) validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

In connection with the opinion set forth in paragraph (2) above, I note that the
question of whether the Board of Directors of the Corporation might be required
to redeem the Rights at some future time will depend upon the facts and
circumstances existing at that time and, accordingly, is beyond the scope of my
opinion.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the law of the State of New York and the
federal law of the United States.

I hereby consent to the use of my name under the heading "Validity of Common
Shares" in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the
filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving
such consent, I do not thereby admit that I am in the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of
the Commission promulgated thereunder.

This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and I disclaim any undertaking
to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or
of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Richard B. Gross

Richard B. Gross
General Counsel
U.S. Trust Corporation



                                                                  EXHIBIT (23.1)




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  Registration  Statement on
Form S-3 of U.S. Trust Corporation  pertaining to the resale of 41,127 shares by
certain  selling  shareholders,  of our report dated  January 21,  1998,  on our
audits of the consolidated  financial  statements of U.S. Trust  Corporation and
Subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,  and for each of the three years
in the period ended  December  31, 1997,  which report is included in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K.


                                                /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
                                                -------------------------------
                                                PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York
September 18, 1998




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