-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, FIczuKrS6knsjVOs3TI4r8rcJ4pVkKGpyCVKD6UjdZkawS+RX2D2Jv/Vc9MplK0/ NtSRMz1pmmuhe/ah4RrPOg== 0000950112-94-000876.txt : 19940405 0000950112-94-000876.hdr.sgml : 19940405 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950112-94-000876 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEFC14C PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19940404 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KEMPER CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000055195 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 6311 IRS NUMBER: 366169781 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFC14C SEC ACT: 34 SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10242 FILM NUMBER: 94520246 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE KEMPER DR CITY: LONG GROVE STATE: IL ZIP: 60049 BUSINESS PHONE: 7085402000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE KEMPER DRIVE CITY: LONG GROVE STATE: IL ZIP: 60049 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000040554 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 6172 IRS NUMBER: 131500700 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFC14C BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 260 LONG RIDGE RD CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06927 BUSINESS PHONE: 2033574000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GENERAL ELECTRIC CREDIT CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19871216 DEFC14C 1 LETTER TO KEMPER STOCKHOLDERS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------ SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14A-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 ------------------------ / / Filed by the Registrant X Filed by a Party other than the Registrant Check the appropriate box: / / Preliminary Proxy Statement / / Definitive Proxy Statement X Definitive Additional Materials / / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 KEMPER CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (Check the appropriate box): / / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2). / / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3). / / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: * 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: * Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined. / / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: $ 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: X Filing Fee of $500 was previously paid on March 24, 1994, the date the Preliminary Proxy Statement was filed. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 4, 1994 DEAR KEMPER SHAREHOLDER: On March 2, 1994, GE Capital proposed to the management and Board of your company an offer to pay $55 per share in cash for 100% of Kemper's outstanding common stock -- a $2.2 billion transaction that would represent a premium of almost 40% over the market price of Kemper's common stock on January 26, when we first approached Kemper and expressed our interest. The reason why we can afford to propose $55 per share for a stock that has traded in the $30s for much of the past 18 months is because GE Capital's financial resources, management and long record of success in financial services will strengthen the Kemper franchise. Based on publicly available information, our $55 proposal represents a full and fair price for Kemper and IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY FINANCING CONDITION. AS IMPORTANT, WE BELIEVE WE CAN REACH A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME IF ALLOWED TO DO SO. WHILE MANY KEMPER SHAREHOLDERS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR FAVORABLE INTEREST IN THIS PROPOSAL AND MADE CLEAR THEIR AMAZEMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT AT MANAGEMENT AND THE BOARD'S OUTRIGHT REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE WITH US, THE KEMPER BOARD HAS DEVOTED ITSELF TO ENRICHING MANAGEMENT. ON MARCH 17, 1994, THE SAME DAY IT REJECTED OUR PROPOSAL, THE BOARD GRANTED 13 KEMPER EXECUTIVES LUCRATIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGES KNOWN AS "GOLDEN PARACHUTES" THAT, BASED ON OUR ESTIMATES, WOULD PAY IN EXCESS OF $25 MILLION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL. MR. MATHIS, KEMPER'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ALONE MIGHT RECEIVE AS MUCH AS $7 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AS A RESULT OF THIS ACTION. THE COST OF SUCH LUCRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, MOST OF WHICH MAY WELL BE NON-DEDUCTIBLE, WILL BE BORNE BY YOU -- THE KEMPER SHAREHOLDERS. WE ARE SEEKING YOUR VOTE TO ELECT FOUR DIRECTORS COMMITTED TO A SALE OF KEMPER. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY. FULL AND FAIR VALUE FOR KEMPER SHAREHOLDERS Instead of proceeding in a professional and constructive manner on behalf of shareholders as we had urged, Kemper's management and Board have "stone- walled." They claim that it is not in "the shareholders interest," your interest, to sell Kemper even at a large premium. We believe the Board should submit to you -- Kemper shareholders -- the decision as to whether our proposal represents fair value for your shares. How can a proposed offer at a price higher than Kemper has ever sold for, a premium of 40% over the market price of the stock on January 26, when we first approached Kemper and expressed our interest, be characterized as "low-ball" by a management that refuses to negotiate with us and demonstrate that a still higher offer is warranted? More to the point, ABSENT OUR PROPOSAL, CAN KEMPER SHAREHOLDERS ACHIEVE COMPARABLE OR SUPERIOR VALUE FOR THEIR SHARES IN A TIMELY FASHION? Management and the Board offer only their "conviction" and "confidence" that they can "realize tremendous upside potential" at some unspecified time. Words. But they have shown shareholders no plan, no timetable, no criteria, no measures of management and no alternative. All they offer you and us is "no" and a record that includes the following: . An asset management business that has lagged the industry's growth. . Insurance operations that are hobbled by the poor quality of their real estate assets and the low ratings of the group. . Holding company cash flows that are effectively drained by the need to bail out the insurance operations' real estate assets as they progressively sour. . An underperforming company competing in asset management and insurance industries that are consolidating and leave no room for weak performers. . A stock that has underperformed the S&P 500 as well as indices of stocks of diversified financial services companies and full line insurance companies as indicated in Kemper's proxy statement. . A management that puts itself ahead of its shareholders. The management of Kemper has told you that it desires to remain independent -- MANAGEMENT HAS TOLD US THAT KEMPER IS NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE. YOU ARE THE OWNERS. THE CHOICE IS YOURS: ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS SO, NOW WE BRING THE QUESTION TO YOU, THE ULTIMATE DECISION MAKERS. WHAT DO YOU SAY? DO YOU WANT TO REALIZE FULL CASH VALUE NOW? OR DO YOU PREFER TO RISK WAITING FOR THIS UNDERPERFORMING MANAGEMENT TO TRY AND ACHIEVE SOME HIGHLY SPECULATIVE FUTURE VALUE? WE ARE PREPARED TO RESPECT AND ABIDE BY THE EXPRESSED WILL OF KEMPER SHAREHOLDERS. IS MANAGEMENT? REMEMBER -- THIS IS THE SAME MANAGEMENT THAT DIDN'T EVEN PUT THE SELF ADOPTED "GOLDEN PARACHUTES" TO A VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS. With Kemper's annual meeting now set for May 11, 1994, we are seeking your vote to elect our four Class II nominees as the Class II directors of Kemper. VOTING FOR OUR CLASS II NOMINEES WILL SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE BOARD THAT YOU ARE THE BEST JUDGE OF YOUR OWN INTERESTS IN THIS MATTER. NOT TO VOTE AT ALL IS, IN OUR VIEW, TO SAY THAT YOU APPROVE OF THE INCUMBENT DIRECTORS' ACTIONS. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD TO VOTE FOR OUR CLASS II NOMINEES. A VOTE FOR OUR CLASS II NOMINEES WILL PROVIDE YOU -- AS THE OWNERS OF KEMPER -- WITH REPRESENTATIVES ON THE KEMPER BOARD WHO ARE COMMITTED TO A SALE OR MERGER OF KEMPER FOR A PRICE OF AT LEAST $55 PER KEMPER COMMON SHARE. Sincerely, GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION Gary C. Wendt President and Chief Executive Officer IMPORTANT The enclosed Proxy Statement details the background of our proposal. Please read it carefully. IF, LIKE US, YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF YOUR COMPANY AND REALIZE FULL VALUE FOR YOUR KEMPER SHARES NOW, WE URGE YOU TO MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RETURNED A PROXY CARD TO KEMPER, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR VOTE BY COMPLETING THE BLUE PROXY CARD NOW. ONLY YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY CARD FOR THE MEETING WILL COUNT. IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE CALL D.F. KING & CO., INC., TOLL FREE AT 1-800-859-8511. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----