-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UhoJ9mLtPypRuGLAcRDPswpqS9lxNX0UK4VFZlqFgvb4napaB6yVXpxa/OZt0XoE wdcit+G9iY7cDvuEL3CUgw== 0000892569-98-000559.txt : 19980309 0000892569-98-000559.hdr.sgml : 19980309 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000892569-98-000559 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19980226 ITEM INFORMATION: ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 19980306 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL INC /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000809398 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TITLE INSURANCE [6361] IRS NUMBER: 860498599 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09396 FILM NUMBER: 98559043 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17911 VON KARMAN AVE STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92614 BUSINESS PHONE: 7148529770 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: MLISS JONES KANE STREET 2: 17911 VON KARMAN AVE STE 300 CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92614 8-K 1 FORM 8-K DATED FEBRUARY 26, 1998 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: February 26, 1998 FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. --------------------------------- (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-9396 86-0498599 - ---------------------------- ---------------- ---------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification Number) 17911 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, California 92614 ------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (714) 622-4333 -------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. Dated: March 6, 1998 /s/ M'Liss Jones Kane ----------------------------------- M'Liss Jones Kane Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary 3 Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets On November 17, 1997, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. ("Fidelity," NYSE:FNF), a leading provider of title insurance and title-related services, signed an Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Merger Agreement") with Granite Financial, Inc. ("Granite," NASDAQ:GFNL), to merge a newly-formed subsidiary of Fidelity with and into Granite. Granite, located in Golden, Colorado, is a rapidly expanding speciality finance company engaged in the business of originating, funding, purchasing, selling, securitizing and servicing equipment leases for a broad range of businesses located throughout the United States. Granite is a prominent consolidator in the $48 billion small-ticket lease finance market with the acquisitions of Global Finance & Leasing in March, 1997; SFR Funding, Inc., in June, 1997; and acquired North Pacific Funding, Inc. (dba C&W Leasing), a privately held corporation based in Seattle, Washington, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, in December, 1997. Under the original terms of the Merger Agreement (as adjusted for Fidelity's recent 10% stock dividend), each share of Granite common stock would be converted into the right to receive .7711 shares of common stock without interest, together with cash in lieu of any fractional share. The exchange ratio was collared between $20.75 and $25.94. The adjustment factor was designed to insure that the average market value of the shares of Fidelity common stock to be issued to the stockholders of Granite is neither less than $16.00 nor more than $20.00 per share of Granite common stock. The market value was determined based on the average closing price of Fidelity common stock during the 20 day trading period ending on the third business day prior to the date of the shareholder meetings to be held to approve the transaction. Below $20.75 Fidelity could make up the difference in additional shares of its common stock at its option and above $25.94 Granite shareholders would have the exchange ratio reduced pro rata. The merger will be treated as a reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and be accounted for as a "pooling-of-interests" for accounting purposes. The shareholders of Granite approved the merger, and the shareholders of Fidelity approved the issuance of shares, at special shareholders' meetings on Tuesday, February 24, 1998. The merger was completed Thursday, February 26, 1998. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, shareholders of Granite Financial, Inc. common stock will receive .702 shares of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common stock for each share of Granite Financial, Inc., with fractional shares to be paid in cash, resulting in the issuance of approximately 4.4 million shares of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common stock. The closing sale price of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $28.69 on February 26, 1998. "Safe Harbor" Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and results could vary materially from the descriptions contained herein and other risks as may be detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. 4 Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired The financial statements required by this Article are not included in this report and will be filed within 75 days of the closing date by Amendment. (b) Pro forma Financial Information The pro forma financial information required by this Article is not included in this report and will be filed within 75 days of the closing date by Amendment. (c) Exhibits 99(A) Press Release - Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and Granite Financial, Inc. Announce Completion of Merger EX-99.A 2 PRESS RELEASE 1 Exhibit 99(A) Contacts: Frank P. Willey William S. Cobb President Senior Vice President Allen D. Meadows Chief Financial Officer Executive Vice President (800) 380-0359 Chief Financial Officer (805) 563-1566 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - --------------------- FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND GRANITE FINANCIAL, INC. ------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF MERGER ----------------------------- Irvine, Calif., February 26, 1998 -- Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF), one of the nation's leading title insurance underwriters and Granite Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:GFNL), an industry consolidator in the $48 billion small-ticket lease financing market, today announced the completion of the previously announced merger of Granite Financial, Inc. into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. The shareholders of both companies resoundingly approved the merger at special shareholders' meetings held on Tuesday, February 24, 1998. The merger was completed today. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Granite Financial, Inc., common stock will receive 0.702 shares of Fidelity National Financial, Inc., common stock with fractional shares to be paid in cash. William P. Foley, II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. said, "We are very pleased to add Granite to our family of companies as we continue our evolution to a diversified financial services company. Granite brings to Fidelity the platform with which to participate in the dynamic and rapidly growing small-ticket leasing business. Granite will also provide greater and more stable earnings to the benefit of Fidelity shareholders. -more- FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND GRANITE FINANCIAL, INC. ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF MERGER 2 Page 2-2-2-2 William W. Wehner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Granite Financial, Inc., stated, "We are very excited to be joining Fidelity Financial and look forward to realizing the benefits of this merger. Fidelity provides Granite with the additional financial resources it needs to continue its role as a consolidator in the leasing business. These resources will also better permit us to provide a broader range of services and products to our customers." Headquartered in Irvine, California, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. is one of the largest national underwriters. Fidelity National Financial is engaged in the business of issuing title insurance and performing other title-related services in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands through its principal underwriting subsidiaries: Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company of New York, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company of Tennessee, Nations Title Insurance of New York Inc., and National Title Insurance of New York Inc. Granite Financial, Inc. headquartered in Golden, Colorado, is an industry consolidator in the $48 billion small-ticket lease finance market. The Granite Financial companies are engaged in the business of originating, purchasing, funding, selling and servicing equipment leases where the original equipment value is less than $150,000 for a broad range of businesses located throughout the United States. # # # -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----