-----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, LwcUyX8HFCqIxWLFOc4yQb5+KlMu/n7BluK+a4HI3TIxNhJVF0mdVneec93wKckw TBDB0XLX2F4oIkAKIoG5Og== 0001104659-04-006321.txt : 20040303 0001104659-04-006321.hdr.sgml : 20040303 20040303113449 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-04-006321 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040303 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ST PAUL COMPANIES INC /MN/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000086312 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 410518860 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10898 FILM NUMBER: 04645026 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 385 WASHINGTON ST CITY: SAINT PAUL STATE: MN ZIP: 55102 BUSINESS PHONE: 6123107911 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ST PAUL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO/MD DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990219 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ST PAUL COMPANIES INC/MN/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990219 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SAINT PAUL COMPANIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19900730 10-K 1 a04-2923_210k.htm 10-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission file number 001-10898

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota

 

41-0518860

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN

 

55102

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code

 

651-310-7911

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock (without par value)

 

New York Stock Exchange

(Title of class)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Guarantee with respect to the 7.6% Trust Preferred
Securities of St. Paul Capital Trust I

 

New York Stock Exchange

(Title of class)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Equity Units

 

New York Stock Exchange

(Title of class)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

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 o

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.   o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Yes x   No o

The aggregate market value of the outstanding Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on February 24, 2004, was $9,618,402,076.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at February 24, 2004, was 229,105,421.

An Exhibit Index is set forth at page 220 of this report.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

 



 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

For Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003


Table of Contents

Item
Number

 

 

 

Description

 

Page

 

 

Part I

 

 

1.

 

Business

 

3

2.

 

Properties

 

27

3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

27

4.

 

Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders

 

29

 

 

Part II

 

 

5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

30

6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

31

 

 

Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure and Certain Risks

 

32

7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations

 

34

7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

108

8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

112

9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

185

9A.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

185

 

 

Part III

 

 

10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

185

11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

190

12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

199

13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

202

14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

203

 

 

Part IV

 

 

15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

 

204

 

 

Signatures

 

208

 

 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules

 

211

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

220

 

2



PART I

Item 1.  Business.

General Description

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (“The St. Paul” or the “Company”) is incorporated as a general business corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota. The St. Paul and its subsidiaries constitute one of the oldest insurance organizations in the United States, dating back to 1853. We are a management company principally engaged, through our subsidiaries, in providing commercial property-liability insurance products and services. We also have a presence in the asset management industry through our 79% majority ownership of Nuveen Investments, Inc. As a management company, we oversee the operations of our subsidiaries and provide them with capital, management and administrative services. At February 1, 2004, The St. Paul and its subsidiaries employed approximately 9,300 persons. Our Internet website address is stpaul.com. We make available, free of charge, on or through our website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our website address is an inactive textual reference only and the contents of the website are not part of this report.

On November 17, 2003, The St. Paul and Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (“Travelers”) announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement that will create The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (“St. Paul Travelers”), which would be the nation’s second largest property-casualty insurer based on 2002 A.M. Best data concerning direct premiums written. The merger agreement is filed as an exhibit to this report. The Board of Directors of each company unanimously agreed to the tax-free, stock-for-stock merger (the “Proposed Merger” or the “merger”). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Adams Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul, will merge into Travelers, resulting in Travelers becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul, and holders of Travelers Class A and Class B common stock will receive 0.4334 common share of The St. Paul for each Travelers share. The St. Paul expects to issue approximately 437 million shares of its common stock in the Proposed Merger. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval by shareholders of both companies as well as certain regulatory approvals. Special shareholder meetings to vote on the Proposed Merger are scheduled for March 19, 2004 in St. Paul, MN and Hartford, CT. The Amended Registration Statement on Form S-4 related to the Proposed Merger was declared effective by the SEC on February 13, 2004. On December 23, 2003, the Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in connection with the Proposed Merger. The companies are seeking approval of the merger in 11 states and from various foreign regulatory authorities. As of the date of this report, we have received approvals from a number of these regulatory authorities, including the lead domiciliary states of Connecticut and Minnesota, and public hearings have occurred in all states which require hearings to approve the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2004.

All information included in the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in this report reflects only the results of The St. Paul, and does not reflect any impact of the Proposed Merger.

Narrative Description of Business

Property-Liability Insurance

Our property-liability insurance operations underwrite insurance and provide insurance-related products and services to commercial and professional customers throughout the United States and in selected international markets. Our largest insurance underwriting subsidiary is St. Paul Fire and Marine

3




Insurance Company (“Fire and Marine”). The primary sources of property-liability revenues are premiums earned from insurance policies, income earned from the investment portfolio and net realized gains from sales of investments. According to the most recent industry statistics published in “Best’s Review” with respect to commercial lines property-liability insurers doing business in the United States, our property-liability underwriting operations ranked as the sixth-largest on the basis of 2002 direct written premiums.

Principal Departments and Products

In general, our property-liability insurance operations underwrite the following types, or “lines,” of insurance coverages.

·  general liability, which provides coverage for liability exposures including personal injury and property damage arising from general business operations, products sold and completed work;

·       liability coverages for corporations and nonprofit organizations, including their directors and officers, and for a variety of professionals such as lawyers, insurance agents and real estate agents;

·       property insurance, which insures tangible property for loss, damage or loss of use;

·       commercial multi-peril, which provides a combination of property coverage (for damages such as those caused by fire, wind, hail, water, theft, and vandalism) and liability coverage (for third-party liability from accidents occurring on the insureds’ premises or arising out of their operations);

·       commercial auto, which provides coverage for businesses against losses resulting from their ownership, maintenance or use of automobiles and trucks, including losses resulting from bodily injury to third parties, physical damage to an insured’s vehicle and property damage to other vehicles and other property;

·       workers’ compensation, which provides coverage for employers for specified benefits payable under state or federal law for workplace injuries, disabilities or death to employees, without regard to fault;

·       inland marine, which provides coverage for property which is generally mobile in nature, such as contractors’ equipment or cargo being shipped by truck or rail, as well as instrumentalities of transportation or communication such as bridges, tunnels and computers, and certain property risks such as builders’ risk;

·       aviation and ocean marine insurance;

·       contract surety bonds and commercial surety bonds; and

·       umbrella coverages, which provide specified layers of coverage on accounts where we do not provide the primary liability coverage.

Further information about these lines of business, including types of coverage that are specific to an operating segment, are included in the segment descriptions that follow this section.

Through one or more lines underwritten by our business segments, including property and general liability, we are exposed to losses from environmental claims and mold claims. Environmental claims include claims of liability for alleged damage from hazardous or toxic materials. The majority of our general liability policies include an absolute pollution exclusion; however, in several business centers, particularly Oil and Gas and Umbrella/Excess & Surplus Lines in our Specialty Commercial segment, we continue to underwrite new business with limited pollution coverage. In addition, most business that we underwrite in the United Kingdom and Ireland do not normally include absolute pollution exclusions. Under certain policies we underwrite, we are exposed to losses from claims of mold and moisture infiltration, which can cause personal injury and damage to property. Certain policyholders have submitted claims to us under their property and general liability polices that include damages related to the presence

4




of mold. Predominantly, these mold claims are for property damage submitted under a first-party property policy, or for construction defect third-party liability submitted under a general liability policy. Few personal injury claims related to mold under workers’ compensation or general liability policies have been submitted to us. The cause and type of damage of each property damage or bodily injury incident involving mold determines whether the claim may be a covered loss under a property policy or if there is a duty to defend and/or indemnify an insured in a third-party claim. In addition, we have exposure to claims arising from the use of asbestos in building materials and construction. The “Environmental and Asbestos Claims” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in this report provides additional information regarding our historical exposure to and losses from asbestos and environmental claims.

Property-Liability Underwriting Segments

In the first quarter of 2003, we revised our property-liability insurance business segment reporting structure to reflect the manner in which those businesses are managed. Our property-liability underwriting operations consist of two segments constituting our ongoing operations (Specialty Commercial and Commercial Lines), and one segment predominantly comprised of our runoff operations (Other). The composition of those respective segments is described in greater detail in the following discussion. The following is a summary of changes made to our segments in the first quarter of 2003.

·       Our Surety & Construction operations, previously reported together as a separate specialty segment, are now separate components of our Specialty Commercial segment.

·       Our ongoing International operations and our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, previously reported together as a separate specialty segment, are now separate components of our Specialty Commercial segment.

·       Our Health Care, Reinsurance and Other operations, each previously reported as a separate runoff business segment, have been combined into a single Other runoff segment and are under common management. “Runoff” means that we have ceased or plan to cease underwriting business as soon as possible.

·       The results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998), previously included in our Commercial Lines segment, are now included in the Other segment. In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business includes the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures. The oversight of these exposures is the responsibility of the same management team responsible for oversight of the other components of the Other segment.

In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2003, our Specialty Programs business center, previously reported in our Specialty Commercial segment, was moved to our Commercial Lines segment to more accurately reflect the manner in which this business is underwritten and managed. All data for 2002 and 2001 in this report were restated to be consistent with the changes made to our segment reporting structure in the first and fourth quarters of 2003. The following discussion describes the composition of our three property-liability underwriting segments.

Specialty Commercial.    This segment includes business centers that we have designated specialty commercial operations because each provides dedicated underwriting, claim and risk control services that require specialized expertise, and each focuses exclusively on the respective customers it serves. Insurance coverage in these business centers is often provided on proprietary insurance forms. This segment also includes our ongoing specialty international operations, and our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s. The Specialty Commercial segment collectively generated $4.50 billion of net earned premiums in 2003 (accounting for 64% of our consolidated earned premium volume). The following discussion describes the operations that comprise our Specialty Commercial segment.

5




The Surety business center underwrites surety bonds, which are agreements under which one party (the surety) guarantees to another party (the owner or obligee) that a third party (the contractor or principal) will perform in accordance with contractual or legal obligations. The surety is responsible for evaluating the risk to be covered and for determining if the principal meets the underwriting requirements for the bond. The premium charged will reflect the size and type of the obligation. By offering a bond, the surety is offering assurance that its customer will meet its obligations as specified under the bond.

According to data published by the Surety Association of America, our domestic Surety operations were the second-largest in the United States based on 2002 direct premiums written. In addition to its U.S. operations, our Surety business center also includes Afianzadora Insurgentes, the leading surety underwriter in Mexico, and our Canadian operations, St. Paul Guarantee, the largest surety bond underwriter in Canada.

For Contract Surety, we provide bid, performance and payment bonds to a broad spectrum of clients specializing in general contracting, highway and bridge construction, asphalt paving, underground and pipeline construction, manufacturing, civil and heavy engineering, and mechanical and electrical construction. Bid bonds provide financial assurance that bids have been submitted in good faith and that the contractor intends to enter into the contract at the price bid and provide the required performance and payment bonds. Performance bonds require us to fulfill the contractor’s obligations to the obligee should the contractor fail to perform under the contract. Payment bonds guarantee that the contractor will pay certain subcontractor, labor and material bills associated with a project.

For Commercial Surety, which comprises bonds covering obligations often required by law, the bonds that we currently underwrite are as follows.

·       license and permit bonds, which are required by statutes or regulations for a number of purposes, including guaranteeing the payment of certain taxes and fees and providing consumer protection as a condition to granting licenses related to selling real estate, including tax and customs bonds;

·       reclamation bonds, which cover reclamation costs for mining and other industrial companies;

·       fiduciary bonds, which are required by statutes, courts or contracts for the protection of those on whose behalf a fiduciary (such as an executor of an estate or a guardian of a minor) acts, including probate bonds and depository bonds;

·       court bonds, which are bonds that may be required of either a plaintiff or a defendant in a lawsuit;

·       public official bonds, which are required by statutes and regulations to guarantee the lawful and faithful performance of the duties of office by public officials;

·       indemnity bonds, which are obligations to hold a third party harmless of damages related to an underlying obligation to perform, maintain or pay;

·       workers’ compensation self-insurer bonds, which are required by statutes and regulations to guarantee the payment of workers’ compensation benefits to injured workers of companies that wish to self-insure those obligations;

·       transfer agent indemnity bonds, which protect the issuer of securities and the transfer agent against the possibility that a lost share certificate may be presented later by an innocent purchaser for value; and

·       other miscellaneous bonds.

Like contract surety bonds, commercial surety bonds expose us to the risk that the principal (e.g., the fiduciary in a fiduciary bond or the mining company in a reclamation bond) will not perform the duties required by the contract, applicable law or regulation. Accordingly, we underwrite and price these products by analyzing, among other things, the principal’s creditworthiness and ability to perform.

6




Certain sectors of our commercial surety business tend to be characterized by low frequency but potentially high severity losses. In October 2000, we made a strategic decision to significantly reduce the exposures in these sectors. Since that time, we had reduced our total commercial surety gross open bond exposure by over 56% by December 31, 2003.

Within these sectors of our commercial surety business, we have exposures related to a small number of accounts, which are in various stages of bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, certain other accounts have experienced deterioration in creditworthiness since we issued bonds to them. Given the current economic climate and its impact on these companies, we may experience an increase in claims and, possibly, incur high severity losses. Such losses would be recognized in the period in which the claims are filed and determined to be a valid loss under the provisions of the surety bond issued.

We continue to exit the segments of the commercial surety market that are characterized by low frequency but potentially high severity bonds by ceasing to write new business and, where possible, terminating the outstanding bonds. We continue to be a market for traditional commercial surety business, which includes low-limit business such as license and permit, probate, public official, and customs bonds.

Our Construction business center offers a variety of products and services, including traditional insurance, consisting of workers’ compensation, general liability and commercial auto coverages, and other risk management solutions, to a broad range of contractors and parties responsible for construction projects.

Financial & Professional Services provides property and liability coverages for financial institutions, professional liability and management liability coverages for corporations and nonprofit organizations against losses caused by the negligence or misconduct of named directors and officers, and errors and omissions coverages for a variety of professionals such as lawyers, insurance agents and real estate agents for liability from errors and omissions committed in the course of professional conduct or practice. Although we have not observed any notable increase in directors and officers claims in this business center, in view of recent allegations of corporate malfeasance and professional misconduct, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to that law), the frequency and severity of such claims could increase.

Technology offers a portfolio of specialty products and services to companies involved in telecommunications, information technology, health sciences and electronics manufacturing.  These products include property, commercial auto, general liability, workers’ compensation, umbrella, Internet liability, and technology errors and omissions coverages. The services provided by this business center include dedicated underwriting, risk control and specialized claim handling.

The Umbrella/Excess and Surplus Lines Group consists of two distinct business units. Specialty Excess and Umbrella focuses on umbrella and excess liability business for retail agents and brokers, where other insurance companies are providing the primary coverage. The coverages underwritten are typically commercial auto, general liability and product liability. Umbrella coverage may also be underwritten over a company that retains risk or has a self-insured retention, instead of a scheduled underlying policy. The Excess & Surplus Lines unit underwrites non-admitted individual risk business for established wholesale distributors. The coverages typically underwritten include commercial auto, general liability and product liability.

The E&S Underwriting Facilities business center underwrites liability and property facilities produced by wholesalers and managing general agents, which are licensed insurance agents that manage all or part of an insurer’s customers with unique requirements—primarily those with moderate to high hazard exposures requiring expertise in the surplus lines marketplace and the ability to use policy forms not subject to regulatory requirements. Coverages include property, commercial auto, general liability and a small amount of umbrella.

7




Public Sector Services markets insurance products and services to municipalities, counties, Indian Nation gaming and selected special government districts, including water and sewer utilities, and non-rail transit authorities. The policies written by this business center typically cover property, commercial auto, general liability, workers’ compensation and errors and omissions exposures.

Discover Re, which principally provides commercial auto liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property coverages, serves retail brokers and insureds that are committed to the alternative risk transfer market. Alternative risk transfer techniques are typically utilized by sophisticated insureds that are financially able to assume a substantial portion of their own losses. Discover Re is organized in two underwriting units, each of which underwrites primary insurance in connection with arrangements that involve the client or a captive insurer agreeing to bear much of the covered risk. The individual risk unit markets products to individual insureds that are comfortable retaining the more predictable layer of their expected losses through either large deductible or true self-insured retention programs. Under a large deductible structure, we are exposed not only to the risk of loss under the policy but also to the risk of the insured’s inability or unwillingness to pay its obligations under the terms of the agreement. We mitigate the latter risk by collateralizing all or a portion of the expected losses in the insured’s retained layer. The second underwriting unit is the captive/program unit, which focuses on captive business. Similar to the individual risk accounts, the captives retain the more predictable frequency layer of expected losses, with Discover Re providing excess coverage above the captives’ retention. In some instances the captive/program unit may retain little or no risk, but earns revenues primarily from fees collected for providing access to policies from an admitted insurance company.

Oil and Gas provides specialized property and liability products for customers involved in the exploration and production of oil and gas including operators, drillers and servicing contractors. The policies written by this business center insure drilling rigs, natural gas facilities, pipelines, production and gathering platforms, and cover risks including physical damage, liability and business interruption.

Ocean Marine underwrites a diverse portfolio of coverages for all forms of marine transportation and the companies that serve them, as well as other businesses involved in international trade. Our product offerings fall under four main coverage categories:  marine liability; cargo; hull and machinery, protection and indemnity; and marine property-liability.

Personal Catastrophe Risk underwrites personal property coverages in certain states exposed to earthquakes and hurricanes, including principally California, Texas and Florida. As with our commercial catastrophe risk coverages underwritten in our Commercial Lines segment, a single loss event may produce heavy losses under a number of policies. We attempt to manage the risk to which we are exposed through natural catastrophe reinsurance coverage. The “Natural Catastrophe Risk Management” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in this report, which includes a discussion of our natural catastrophe risk management procedures, is incorporated herein by reference.

Our International & Lloyd’s operation consists of the following components: our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, and our ongoing specialty commercial operations outside of the United States, including our Global Accounts business center (collectively referred to hereafter as “international specialties”).

Lloyd’s is a subscription insurance market in which member individuals and firms participate to provide insurance to customers seeking coverage for a variety of risks. The members of Lloyd’s are organized into “syndicates” consisting of one or more members. The members provide underwriting capacity with which the syndicate makes coverage available to particular customers. Syndicates are operated by managing agencies that receive fees in respect of the services they provide in both underwriting and claims administration. Coverage is placed by insurance brokers acting on behalf of insureds.

In 2003 at Lloyd’s, we underwrote four principal lines of business—aviation, marine, global property and personal lines—through a single syndicate for which we provide 100% of the capital. This syndicate

8




was established in 1996 as Syndicate 1211 and re-branded as Syndicate 5000 in November 2002. Aviation underwrites a broad spectrum of international airline, manufacturer, airport and general aviation business. Marine underwrites energy, cargo and hull coverages. Global property underwrites property coverages worldwide. Personal lines provides specialized accident and health coverages for international clients, including personal accident, kidnap and ransom, and payment protection insurance. Prior to 2003, the aviation and personal lines businesses were underwritten through other syndicates that we managed and in which we participated with other members of Lloyd’s. We do not provide Syndicate 5000 with direct capital contributions, but rather obtain bank letters of credit to support the syndicate’s insurance exposure. We are liable, however, if these letters of credit are called upon to cover any losses of the syndicate and must reimburse the banks that issue the letters of credit for any amounts they pay on our behalf.

In addition to the property-liability business we underwrite at Lloyd’s, we also manage, and have made a commitment to provide 13% of the capacity of, Syndicate 779 at Lloyd’s, which underwrites specialty term life insurance to individuals primarily in the United Kingdom and other European countries.

In December 2003, we completed the sale of Camperdown UK Limited, one of our Lloyd’s corporate names and the vehicle for our participation on the 2003 and prior years of account, to Foltus Investments Limited. We recognized a $2 million pretax gain on this transaction. In 2003, Fire and Marine entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement directly with Syndicate 5000 that in effect transferred Syndicate 5000’s underwriting results for the 2003 year of account to Fire and Marine. In order to continue our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, we activated two corporate names that will be used for 2004 and future years of account to underwrite Syndicate 5000 business.

Our ongoing international specialties are located in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland, where we offer specialized insurance and risk management services to a variety of industry sectors. Our ongoing international operations primarily underwrite employers’ liability (similar to workers’ compensation coverage in the U.S.), public and product liability (the equivalent of general liability), professional indemnity (similar to directors and officers or errors and omissions coverage), motor (similar to automobile coverage in the United States) and property. The Global Underwriting business center underwrites “home-foreign” business, representing coverage for a U.S. organization’s property-liability exposures in a foreign country, and “reverse-flow” business, which involves coverage of a foreign organization’s property or liability exposures located in the United States, as part of a global program.

Commercial Lines.    This segment generated $2.22 billion of net earned premiums in 2003, accounting for 31% of our consolidated net earned premium volume. The Commercial Lines segment includes our Small Commercial, Middle Market Commercial and Property Solutions business centers, as well as the results of our limited involvement in insurance pools. The Small Commercial business center services commercial firms that typically have between one and fifty employees through its proprietary St. Paul Mainstreet(SM) and St. Paul Advantage(SM) products, with a particular focus on offices, wholesalers, retailers, artisan contractors and other service risks.

The Middle Market Commercial business center offers comprehensive insurance coverages for a wide variety of manufacturing, wholesale, service and retail enterprises for which annual insurance costs typically range from $75,000 to $1 million, as well as programs for selected industries that are national in scope and have similar risk characteristics such as franchises and associations. The majority of these programs were formerly classified as a separate “Specialty Programs” business center in our Specialty Commercial segment but were reclassified in 2003 to our Middle Market Commercial business center in the Commercial Lines segment to more accurately reflect the manner in which this business is underwritten and managed. Specific lines of insurance underwritten through these programs include property, commercial auto, general liability, workers’ compensation, inland marine, errors and omissions, umbrella and fidelity. Underwriting guidelines, premiums and policy forms issued vary by program and by jurisdiction because of local market conditions and legal requirements. Coverage may be on a primary or an excess basis, depending on how the coverage is structured for a particular insured. Because of the

9




national scope of the programs underwritten, we may be exposed to unusually large losses if a single industry whose members are insured through an association is adversely affected by a major event or development, to the extent that the event or development causes losses throughout the industry. The Middle Market Commercial business center also offers loss-sensitive casualty programs, including significant deductible and self-insured retention options, for the higher end of the middle market sector.

The Property Solutions business center combines our Large Account Property business with the commercial portion of our catastrophe risk business and allows us to take a unified approach to large commercial property risks. Large Accounts are typically those with property premiums greater than $100,000. This business center focuses on underwriting property coverages for real properties exposed to light to moderate hazards, such as hotels and office buildings, rather than high hazard properties such as petrochemical, mining and other basic process industries. Many of the products underwritten by this business center are structured products, in which we write coverage for a specified layer of risk and other insurers underwrite other layers. Some of the policies underwritten by this business center expose us to catastrophe risk, principally earthquake and hurricane, in which a single loss event can produce heavy losses under a number of policies. The structuring, or layering, of risk as described above results in our being less exposed (before the effect of reinsurance) to such catastrophe risk than if we wrote traditional full limits property policies. To further manage our risk, we purchase reinsurance coverage for catastrophe exposures. Our efforts to manage the risk to which we are exposed from natural catastrophe coverage are described in the “Natural Catastrophe Risk Management” section of this report.

Results from our participation in involuntary insurance pools and associations are also included in the Commercial Lines segment. State insurance laws and regulations require us to participate in mandatory property-liability pooling arrangements that provide insurance coverage to individuals or others who otherwise are unable to purchase coverage voluntarily provided by private insurers. We limit our participation in these pools and associations to the extent possible.

Other.    This segment includes the results of the lines of business we placed in runoff in late 2001 and early 2002, including our former Health Care and Reinsurance segments, and the results of the following international operations: our runoff operations at Lloyd’s, including our participation in the insuring of the Lloyd’s Central Fund; Unionamerica, the London-based underwriting unit acquired as part of our purchase of MMI in 2000; and various international operations we decided to exit at the end of 2001. We have a management team in place for these operations, seeking to ensure that our outstanding claim obligations are settled in an expeditious and economical manner. This segment also includes the results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998). In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business includes the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures. The oversight of these exposures is the responsibility of the same management team responsible for oversight of the other components of the Other segment.

Our Health Care operation historically provided a wide range of medical liability insurance products and services for health care providers throughout the entire health care delivery system, including individual physicians, physician groups, hospitals, managed care organizations and long-term care facilities, as well as certain traditional medical care coverages. Products include coverages for healthcare professionals (physicians and surgeons, dental professionals and nurses); individual healthcare facilities (including hospitals, long-term care facilities and other facilities such as laboratories); and entire systems, such as hospital networks and managed care systems. Typically our Health Care operation underwrote coverages on the basis of an entire clinic, hospital or other organization, so that we are exposed to losses from the malpractice of any one practitioner on the staff of, or with privileges at, the organization. Policies written by this segment are subject to high severity of claims. In the fourth quarter of 2001, we announced our intention to exit the medical liability insurance market, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.

10




In the years prior to 2002, our Reinsurance operation (formerly known as “St. Paul Re”) generally underwrote treaty and facultative reinsurance for property, liability, ocean marine, surety, certain specialty classes of coverage, and “nontraditional” reinsurance, which provided limited traditional underwriting risk protection combined with financial risk protection. In late 2001, we announced our intention to cease underwriting certain types of reinsurance coverages and narrow our geographic presence in 2002. In November 2002, we transferred our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”) while retaining liabilities generally for reinsurance contracts incepting prior to January 1, 2002, as well as all liabilities relating to the flooding in Europe in August 2002.

Our remaining in-force pre-2002 reinsurance exposures are principally in the following areas:

·       North American Casualty, which offered customers with exposures in the United States and Canada the following types of casualty reinsurance coverages: general, workers’ compensation, auto, non-medical professional, directors and officers, employment practices, surplus lines, umbrella and environmental impairment as well as accident and health reinsurance coverages;

·       International, which underwrote property and casualty reinsurance for customers domiciled outside of North America and marine and aerospace reinsurance for customers located throughout the world;

·       Finite Risk, which underwrote non-traditional reinsurance treaties including multi-year excess-of-loss treaties, aggregate stop loss treaties, finite quota share treaties, loss portfolio transfers, and adverse loss development covers; and

·       Certain bond, credit and financial risk coverages.

The Other component of this segment includes the results of the following insurance operations.

·       Runoff operations at Lloyd’s, primarily consisting of the following lines of business written through four syndicates, across which our ownership ranged from 54% to 100% and which ceased underwriting in 2001 or the first quarter of 2002. These syndicates underwrote the following business (both U.S. and non-U.S. coverages): casualty insurance and reinsurance, non-marine reinsurance, professional liability insurance (particularly for financial institutions, and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance) and our participation in the insuring of the Lloyd’s Central Fund.

·       Unionamerica, the London-based underwriting unit acquired as part of our purchase of MMI in 2000. Unionamerica underwrote liability and property coverages, including medical malpractice and other professional liability and directors’ and officers’ liability, both inside and outside of Lloyd’s, on both an insurance and excess-of-loss reinsurance basis.

·       All other international runoff lines of business we decided to exit at the end of 2001, consisting of health care business in the United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland, as well as our underwriting operations in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Argentina, Mexico (excluding surety business), Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Botswana and South Africa. In late 2002, we sold our operations in Argentina, Mexico and Spain. In 2003, we sold our operations in Botswana.

·       The results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998). In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business includes the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures.

We have a management team in place for the operations comprising this category, to ensure that our outstanding claim obligations are settled in an expeditious and economical manner.

11




Product Information

The following table summarizes premiums earned by major product line for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. Our earned premiums related to our foreign operations are presented in total in the table, as those operations do not classify their business using the same product line definitions as our domestic operations.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Other liability

 

$

1,537

 

$

1,325

 

$

1,082

 

Special property

 

834

 

759

 

600

 

Commercial auto liability

 

813

 

776

 

624

 

Workers compensation

 

792

 

670

 

609

 

Commercial multiple peril

 

555

 

542

 

456

 

Fidelity and surety

 

396

 

353

 

395

 

Products liability

 

386

 

321

 

246

 

Medical malpractice

 

55

 

343

 

600

 

Reinsurance—nonproportional assumed property

 

18

 

250

 

485

 

Other

 

693

 

656

 

640

 

Total earned premium from domestic operations

 

6,079

 

5,995

 

5,737

 

Earned premium from foreign operations and other

 

960

 

1,507

 

1,672

 

Total earned premium

 

$

7,039

 

$

7,502

 

$

7,409

 

 

Principal Markets and Methods of Distribution 

Our insurance operations in the United States are licensed to transact business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. At least five percent of Fire and Marine’s 2003 direct written premiums were produced in each of California, New York, Texas and Florida.

Our insurance business in the United States is produced primarily through over 5,000 independent insurance agencies and insurance brokers. The needs of agents, brokers and policyholders are addressed through approximately 115 offices located throughout the United States. Discover Re, a component of our Specialty Commercial segment, underwrites alternative risk transfer business from its Farmington, CT headquarters and from regional offices in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Houston and San Francisco.

Our international operations are headquartered in London and underwrite insurance primarily through domestic operations in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. We also underwrite surety business in Mexico.

Through our involvement at Lloyd’s, we have access to insurance markets in virtually every country in the world. At our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, we underwrite property-liability business through a single syndicate (Syndicate 5000) and specialty life insurance through our 13% participation in Syndicate 779. Our managing agency, operating under the name St. Paul Syndicate Management Ltd., underwrites business for these syndicates, which represent approximately 2% of Lloyd’s total capacity.

Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

General Information.    When claims are made by or against policyholders, any amounts that our underwriting operations pay or expect to pay to the claimant are referred to as losses. The costs of investigating, resolving and processing these claims are referred to as loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). Our loss reserves reflect estimates of total losses and LAE we will ultimately have to pay under insurance policies, surety bonds and reinsurance agreements. The reserves for unpaid losses and LAE at December 31, 2003 cover claims that were incurred not only in 2003 but also in prior years. They include estimates of the total cost of claims that have already been reported but not yet settled (“case” reserves),

12




and those that have been incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR” reserves). Loss reserves are reduced for estimates of salvage and subrogation.

Loss reserves for tabular workers’ compensation business and certain assumed reinsurance contracts are discounted to present value. Tabular workers’ compensation reserves are indemnity reserves that are calculated using discounts determined with reference to actuarial tables that incorporate interest and contingencies such as mortality, remarriage, inflation or recovery from disability applied to a reasonably determinable payment stream. Reserves for medical costs associated with the work place injury and reserves for loss adjustment expenses are not discounted. Additional information about these discounted liabilities is set forth in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report. During 2003, $2 million of discount was amortized and $5 million of additional discount was accrued.

Because many of the coverages we offer involve claims that may not ultimately be settled for many years after they are incurred, subjective judgments as to our ultimate exposure to losses are an integral and necessary component of our loss reserving process. We record our reserves by considering a range of estimates bounded by a high and low point. Within that range, we record our best estimate. We continually review our reserves, using a variety of statistical and actuarial techniques to analyze current claim costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social and legal factors. We adjust reserves established in prior years as loss experience develops and new information becomes available. Adjustments to previously estimated reserves are reflected in results in the year in which they are made.

While we believe our reported reserves make a reasonable provision for all of our unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense obligations, it should be noted that the process of estimating required reserves does, by its very nature, involve uncertainty. The level of uncertainty can be influenced by such factors as the existence of long-tail coverages (which we consider to be business in which the majority of coverages involve average loss payment lags of three years or more beyond the expiration of the policy), and changes in claim handling practices. Many of our insurance subsidiaries have underwritten long-tail coverages, and the primary lines of business fitting that criterion are general liability, workers’ compensation and casualty excess reinsurance. In addition, claim handling practices change and evolve over the years. For example, new initiatives are commenced, claim offices are reorganized and relocated, claim handling responsibilities of individual adjusters are changed, use of a call center is increased, use of technology is increased, caseload issues and case reserving practices are monitored more frequently, etc. Furthermore, establishing reserves for our reinsurance and retrocessional business is influenced by our need to rely on the ceding insurers and reinsurers for information regarding reported claims. However, all of the above factors are sources of uncertainty that we have recognized in establishing our reserves.

The “Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Item 7 of this report includes more information about our loss reserves, including an analysis of our long-tail exposures.

Ten-year Development.    The table that follows presents a development of net loss and LAE reserve liabilities and payments for the years 1993 through 2003. The top line on the table shows the estimated liability for unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoverables, recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the years indicated.

The table excludes the reserves and activity of Economy Fire and Casualty Company and its subsidiaries (“Economy”), which were included in the sale of our standard personal insurance operations to Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“Metropolitan”) in 1999. The table does, however, include reserves and activity for the non-Economy standard personal insurance business that was sold to Metropolitan, since we remain liable for claims on non-Economy standard personal insurance policies that result from losses occurring prior to Sept. 30, 1999 (the closing date of the sale). The “Reconciliation of Loss Reserves” table in Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this

13




report includes the reserve activity related to the non-Economy claims, as “Activity on reserves of discontinued operations.”

In December 2003, we completed the sale of Camperdown UK Limited, one of our Lloyd’s corporate names and the vehicle for our participation on the 2003 and prior years of account, to Foltus Investments Limited. The $944 million of net reserves transferred as part of the sale are excluded from net reserves for the year ended December 31, 2003 in the following table. Years prior to 2003 in the table include the Camperdown UK Limited reserves, as well as loss development and payments related to those reserves.

When we acquire an insurance underwriting company, we include loss development for the acquired company in the following table beginning with the date of acquisition; however, that development includes activity from periods prior to our acquisition.

The upper portion of the table, which shows the re-estimated amounts relating to the previously recorded liabilities, is based upon experience as of the end of each succeeding year. These estimates are either increased or decreased as further information becomes known about individual claims and as changes in the trend of claim frequency and severity become apparent.

The “Cumulative redundancy (deficiency)” line on the table for any given year represents the aggregate change in the estimates for all years subsequent to the year the reserves were initially established. For example, the 1994 net reserve of $12,997 million developed to $12,227 million, or a $770 million redundancy, by the end of 1996. By the end of 2003, the 1994 reserve had developed a redundancy of $1,812 million. The changes in the estimate of 1994 loss reserves were reflected in operations during the past nine years. Likewise, the deficiency that developed with respect to year-end 2001 reserves (primarily related to our medical liability business) was reflected in our results of operations for 2003 and 2002.

The middle portion of the table represents a reconciliation between the net reserve liability as shown on the top line of the table and the gross reserve liability as shown on our balance sheet. This portion of the table also presents the gross re-estimated reserve liability as of the end of the latest re-estimation period (December 31, 2003) and the related re-estimated reinsurance recoverable.

The lower portion of the table presents the cumulative amounts paid with respect to the previously recorded liability as of the end of each succeeding year. For example, as of December 31, 2003, $9,640 million of the currently estimated $11,185 million of net losses and LAE that have been incurred for the years up to and including 1994 have been paid. Thus, as of December 31, 2003, it is estimated that $1,545 million of net incurred losses and LAE have yet to be paid for the years up to and including 1994.

Caution should be exercised in evaluating the information shown in this table. It should be noted that each amount includes the effects of all changes in amounts for prior periods. For example, the portion of the development shown for year-end 1999 reserves that relates to 1994 losses is included in the cumulative redundancy (deficiency) for the years 1994 through 1999.

In addition, the table presents calendar year data. It does not present accident or policy year development data, which some readers may be more accustomed to analyzing. The social, economic and legal conditions and other trends which have had an impact on the changes in the estimated liability in the past are not necessarily indicative of the future. Accordingly, readers are cautioned against extrapolating any conclusions about future results from the information presented in this table.

For additional information regarding our loss reserve liabilities, see Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report, which includes a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss reserve liabilities for each of the years 2003, 2002 and 2001. In addition, see the “Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves,” “Environmental and Asbestos Claims” and “Other” sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Item 7 of this report.

14



 

Analysis of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (LAE) Development
(In millions)

Year ended
December 31

 

 

 

1993

 

1994

 

1995

 

1996

 

1997

 

1998

 

1999

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

Net liability for unpaid losses and LAE

 

$

12,970

 

12,997

 

13,464

 

14,689

 

14,704

 

14,813

 

14,042

 

13,545

 

15,253

 

14,849

 

13,275

 

Liability re-estimated as of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

 

12,601

 

12,665

 

12,995

 

13,929

 

14,534

 

14,822

 

13,315

 

14,139

 

16,252

 

15,495

 

 

 

Two years later

 

12,227

 

12,227

 

12,289

 

13,703

 

14,534

 

14,097

 

13,183

 

15,050

 

17,347

 

 

 

 

 

Three years later

 

11,929

 

11,770

 

12,141

 

13,791

 

13,917

 

13,821

 

13,805

 

15,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

11,567

 

11,621

 

12,195

 

13,395

 

13,502

 

14,165

 

14,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

11,454

 

11,580

 

11,683

 

12,967

 

13,787

 

14,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

11,404

 

11,197

 

11,316

 

13,224

 

13,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

11,112

 

10,876

 

11,547

 

13,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

10,843

 

11,104

 

11,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

 

11,087

 

11,185

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten years later

 

11,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative redundancy
(deficiency)

 

$

1,904

 

1,812

 

1,802

 

1,284

 

720

 

341

 

(112

)

(2,168

)

(2,094

)

(646

)

 

 

Net liability for unpaid losses and LAE

 

$

12,970

 

12,997

 

13,464

 

14,689

 

14,704

 

14,813

 

14,042

 

13,545

 

15,253

 

14,849

 

13,275

 

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

2,581

 

2,533

 

2,824

 

2,864

 

3,051

 

3,199

 

3,678

 

4,651

 

6,848

 

7,777

 

6,151

 

Gross liability

 

15,551

 

15,530

 

16,288

 

17,553

 

17,755

 

18,012

 

17,720

 

18,196

 

22,101

 

22,626

 

19,426

 

Gross re-estimated liability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

 

15,157

 

15,620

 

15,844

 

17,024

 

17,725

 

17,840

 

17,011

 

19,576

 

24,536

 

23,399

 

 

 

Two years later

 

15,181

 

15,257

 

15,105

 

16,787

 

17,466

 

16,813

 

17,111

 

21,988

 

25,601

 

 

 

 

 

Three years later

 

14,968

 

14,666

 

14,985

 

16,669

 

16,559

 

16,777

 

18,795

 

22,738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

14,500

 

14,675

 

14,743

 

15,881

 

16,259

 

17,956

 

19,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

14,530

 

14,350

 

13,883

 

15,583

 

17,321

 

18,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

14,234

 

13,688

 

13,576

 

16,610

 

17,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

13,813

 

13,375

 

14,781

 

16,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

13,501

 

14,570

 

14,960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

 

14,711

 

14,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten years later

 

14,673

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross cumulative redundancy (deficiency)

 

$

878

 

847

 

1,328

 

708

 

127

 

(297

)

(1,572

)

(4,542

)

(3,500

)

(773

)

 

 

Cumulative amount of net liability paid through:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

 

$

2,723

 

2,641

 

2,893

 

3,335

 

3,518

 

3,950

 

3,769

 

4,574

 

5,416

 

5,146

 

 

 

Two years later

 

4,506

 

4,491

 

4,827

 

5,657

 

6,144

 

6,476

 

6,589

 

8,282

 

9,605

 

 

 

 

 

Three years later

 

5,778

 

5,817

 

6,309

 

7,444

 

7,906

 

8,354

 

8,941

 

11,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

6,693

 

6,851

 

7,390

 

8,698

 

9,147

 

9,852

 

10,967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

7,423

 

7,648

 

7,857

 

9,465

 

10,205

 

11,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

8,020

 

7,940

 

8,360

 

10,244

 

11,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

8,247

 

8,305

 

8,949

 

11,355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

8,540

 

8,793

 

9,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

 

8,976

 

9,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten years later

 

9,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative amount of gross liability paid through:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year later

 

3,316

 

3,241

 

3,408

 

3,702

 

3,943

 

4,392

 

4,297

 

5,619

 

7,029

 

6,711

 

 

 

Two years later

 

5,489

 

5,491

 

5,386

 

6,310

 

6,796

 

7,170

 

7,632

 

10,235

 

12,806

 

 

 

 

 

Three years later

 

7,054

 

6,842

 

7,074

 

8,316

 

8,657

 

9,428

 

10,573

 

14,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four years later

 

7,989

 

8,034

 

8,289

 

9,559

 

10,168

 

11,329

 

13,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five years later

 

8,831

 

8,942

 

8,870

 

10,486

 

11,509

 

13,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years later

 

9,540

 

9,311

 

9,478

 

11,519

 

13,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven years later

 

9,866

 

9,758

 

10,290

 

13,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight years later

 

10,231

 

10,454

 

11,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine years later

 

10,871

 

11,783

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten years later

 

12,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15



NATURAL CATASTROPHE RISK MANAGEMENT

Our property-liability insurance operations expose us to claims arising out of natural catastrophes, as well as terrorism. Natural catastrophes can be caused by various events, but losses are principally driven by hurricanes and earthquakes. The incidence and severity of natural catastrophes and terrorist attacks are inherently unpredictable and may materially reduce our profitability in a given period or even harm our financial condition. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the affected area and the severity of the event.

Most catastrophes are restricted to small geographic areas; however, hurricanes and earthquakes may produce significant damage, especially in areas that are heavily populated. Most of the catastrophe-related claims in our ongoing businesses in the past five years have related to commercial property coverages in the United States. The geographic distribution of our business subjects us to natural catastrophe exposure principally from hurricanes in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Gulf coast regions, as well as earthquakes in California, along the New Madrid fault line and in the Pacific Northwest region.

We attempt to estimate the impact of certain catastrophic events using catastrophe models developed by outside vendors. Models are applied to evaluate our exposure to losses arising from individual contracts and in the aggregate. Underwriting controls and systems exist to ensure that individual contracts conform to our risk tolerance, fit within our existing exposure portfolio, and are priced at appropriate levels.

We rely significantly on reinsurance to limit our exposure to natural catastrophes. Reinsurance exists both at an account level and at the portfolio level, where we purchase a specific natural catastrophe reinsurance treaty. In the event that reinsurance capacity providing natural catastrophe protection becomes limited, we would adjust our direct exposures accordingly.

There can be no assurance that our underwriting risk management procedures and our reinsurance programs will limit actual losses to a level consistent with our risk tolerance. Losses from an individual catastrophe, or a series of catastrophes, may materially exceed such amount. Actual results may vary from the expectations developed in our catastrophe modeling, and such variances could negatively impact our reinsurers and the related reinsurance recoverables.

CEDED REINSURANCE

Purpose.   When we purchase reinsurance or “cede” insurance premiums and risks, other insurers or reinsurers agree to share certain risks that we have underwritten. The primary purpose of reinsurance is to limit a ceding insurer’s maximum net loss from individually large or aggregate risks as well as to provide protection against catastrophes. Our reinsurance program is generally managed from a corporate risk-tolerance perspective. Reinsurance contracts addressing specific business center risks are utilized on a limited basis to cover unique exposures as necessary. Our reinsurance program addresses risk through a combination of per-risk reinsurance and reinsurance contracts protecting against the aggregation of risk exposures. Facultative reinsurance, which covers specific risks, is also used to supplement our reinsurance program. Until the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum in November 2002, we underwrote assumed reinsurance coverages on a worldwide basis.

Price increases and pressures on contract terms and conditions continue in the reinsurance market. Despite these constraints, our reinsurance program continues to support our primary underwriting reinsurance needs, particularly as increases in rates and reductions in limits also continue in the reinsurance market.

Creditworthiness of Reinsurers.   Approximately 94% of our reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2003 were with reinsurance companies having financial strength ratings of A- or higher by A.M Best or Standard & Poors, were from state sponsored facilities or reinsurance pools, or were collateralized reinsurance programs associated with certain of our insurance operations. We have an

16




internal credit security committee, which uses a comprehensive credit risk review process in selecting our reinsurers. This process considers such factors as ratings by major ratings agencies, financial condition, parental support, operating practices, and market news and developments. The credit security committee convenes quarterly to evaluate these factors and take action on our approved list of reinsurers, as necessary.

We maintain an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance, which is evaluated and adjusted on a regular basis to reflect disputed coverages and changing market and credit conditions. Our allowance for uncollectible reinsurance as a percentage of total reinsurance recoverable balances was 1.9% and 1.5% as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

In 2001, we entered into two aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance treaties. One of these treaties was corporate-wide, with coverage triggered when our insurance losses and LAE across all lines of business reached a certain level, as prescribed by terms of the treaty (the “corporate program”). We did not enter into such a treaty in 2002 or 2003. Additionally, our Reinsurance operation was impacted by cessions made under a separate treaty in 2001 and 2002 unrelated to the corporate treaty. The combined impact of these treaties (together, the “reinsurance treaties”) is included in the table that follows.

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Ceded written premiums

 

$

 

$

(1

)

$

128

 

Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

(35

)

253

 

Ceded earned premiums

 

 

(1

)

128

 

Net pretax benefit (detriment)

 

$

 

$

(34

)

$

125

 

 

The $35 million of negative losses and loss adjustment expenses ceded in 2002 was related to the reinsurance segment treaty and primarily resulted from a commutation of a portion of that treaty. Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report provides a schedule of ceded reinsurance and additional information about the reinsurance treaties.

Until the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”) in November 2002, we underwrote assumed reinsurance coverages on a worldwide basis. We remain liable on all reinsurance contracts with inception dates prior to January 1, 2002, as well as on certain 2002 contracts that were not transferred to Platinum. Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report provides more information about the transfer of operations to Platinum.

TERRORISM RISK AND LEGISLATION

On November 26, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (“TRIA”). TRIA established a temporary federal program which requires U.S. and other insurers to offer coverage in their commercial property and casualty policies for losses resulting from terrorists’ acts committed by foreign persons or interests in the United States or with respect to specified U.S. air carriers, vessels or missions abroad. The coverage offered may not differ materially from the terms, amounts and other coverage limitations applicable to other policy coverages. These requirements terminate at the end of 2004 unless the Secretary of the Treasury extends them to 2005.

Under TRIA, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury determines whether an act is a covered terrorist act, and if it is covered, losses resulting from that act ultimately are shared among insurers, the federal government and policyholders. Generally, insurers pay all losses to policyholders, retaining a defined “deductible” and 10% of losses above that deductible. The federal government will reimburse insurers for 90% of losses above the deductible and, under certain circumstances, the federal government will require insurers to levy surcharges on policyholders to recoup for the federal government its reimbursements paid.

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An insurer’s deductible in 2003 was 7% of the insurer’s 2002 direct earned premiums, and rises to 10% of 2003 direct earned premiums in 2004 and, if the program continues in 2005, 15% of 2004 direct earned premiums in 2005. Federal reimbursement of the insurance industry is limited to $100 billion in each of 2003, 2004 and 2005, and no insurer that has met its deductible shall be liable for the payment of its portion of the aggregate industry insured loss that exceeds $100 billion, thereby capping the insurance industry’s and each insurer’s ultimate exposure to terrorist acts covered by TRIA.

TRIA voided terrorist exclusions in policies in-force on November 26, 2002 to the extent of the TRIA coverage required to be offered and imposed requirements on insurers to offer the TRIA coverage to policyholders at rates chosen by the insurers on policies in-force on November 26, 2002 and all policies renewed or newly offered thereafter. Policyholders may accept or decline coverage at the offered rate and, with respect to policies in-force on November 26, 2002, TRIA coverage remains in effect until the policyholder fails to purchase the coverage within a specified period following the insurer’s rate quotation for the TRIA coverage. We have fully implemented our long-term rating plans in all states.

We continue to monitor TRIA’s impact on the insurance industry generally and on us specifically. Our domestic insurance subsidiaries and certain business we underwrite through Lloyd’s are subject to TRIA and, in the event of a terrorist act covered by TRIA, coverage would attach after losses of approximately $690 million (calculated based on 10% of our TRIA-qualifying calendar year 2003 direct earned premium total). Accordingly, TRIA’s federal reimbursement provisions alone do not protect us from losses from foreign terrorist acts that could be material to our results of operations or financial condition. Furthermore, there is substantial uncertainty in determining the appropriate rates for offering TRIA coverage (and coverage for terrorist acts generally), and our quoted rates could be too low and attract poor risks or, alternatively, could be higher than our competitors and result in the loss of business. There are numerous interpretive issues in connection with TRIA’s implementation by the Secretary of the Treasury that remain to be resolved, including the timing of federal reimbursement for TRIA losses, the standards for obtaining the federal reimbursement and the mechanisms for allocating losses exceeding insurers’ deductibles. We currently have property reinsurance that would cover only a portion of our deductible. In April 2003, we renewed our terrorism reinsurance coverage, as described in the following discussion. There can be no assurance TRIA will achieve its objective of creating a viable private insurance market for terrorism coverage prior to TRIA’s expiration, and rates and forms used by us and our competitors may vary widely in the future.

Regardless of TRIA, some state insurance regulators do not permit terrorism exclusions in various coverages we write, and currently, we have not excluded coverage for terrorist acts by domestic terrorists (e.g., the Oklahoma bombing) in our domestic coverages, or resulting from terrorist acts occurring outside the United States from our international coverages. Accordingly, our exposure to losses from terrorist acts is not limited to TRIA coverages. Losses from terrorists’ acts, whether arising under TRIA coverages or otherwise, could be material to our results of operations and financial condition.

PURCHASE OF TERRORISM COVERAGE AND EXPOSURE TO FUTURE TERRORIST EVENTS

After the terrorist attacks in September 2001, reinsurers, in general, specifically excluded terrorism coverage from property reinsurance treaties that subsequently renewed. As a result, in the second quarter of 2002, we purchased limited specific terrorism coverage in the form of two separate property reinsurance treaties. Those treaties expired on April 1, 2003, on which date we renewed our coverage in the form of a combined per-risk and catastrophe terrorism occurrence treaty. The treaty provides both certified and non-certified TRIA coverage. (To be TRIA certified, the terrorist act must be sponsored by an international group or state and damage caused must exceed a financial threshold, whereas non-certified coverage refers to acts of domestic terrorism). In addition, we secured non-certified TRIA terrorism coverage in our standard property reinsurance treaty renewals in April 2003 as part of our overall ceded reinsurance program. We renewed the majority of our reinsurance treaties covering workers’

18




compensation in July 2003, and the majority of treaties covering general liability business in August 2003; those renewals included both certified and non-certified TRIA coverage. Generally, our reinsurance treaties do not cover acts of terrorism involving nuclear, biological or chemical events. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure terrorism reinsurance coverage on expiring treaties each year.

PROPERTY-LIABILITY INVESTMENT OPERATIONS SEGMENT

Our board of directors approves the overall investment plan for the companies within The St. Paul’s property-liability operations. Each subsidiary develops its own specific investment policy tailored to comply with domestic laws and regulations and the overall corporate investment plan. The primary objectives of those plans are to ensure our ability to meet our liabilities, primarily consisting of insurance claim payments, and, having done that, to increase our shareholders’ equity. The funds we invest are generated by underwriting cash flows, consisting of the premiums collected less losses and expenses paid, and by investment cash flows, consisting of income received on existing investments and proceeds from sales, redemptions and maturities of investments.

The majority of funds available for investment are deployed in a widely diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable U.S. government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds, and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. We also invest much smaller amounts in equity securities, venture capital and real estate. The latter three investment classes have the potential for higher returns but also involve varying degrees of risk, including less stable rates of return and less liquidity.

The following discussion provides more information on each of our invested asset classes.

Fixed Income Securities.   Our portfolio of fixed income securities constituted 71% (at cost) of our property-liability insurance operations’ investment portfolio at December 31, 2003. The portfolio is primarily composed of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable U.S. government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds, and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. The following table presents information about the fixed maturity portfolio for the years 2001 through 2003 (dollars in millions).

Year

 

 

 

Amortized Cost at
Year-end

 

Estimated Fair
Value at Year-end

 

Weighted Average
Pre-tax Yield

 

Weighted Average
After-tax Yield

 

2003

 

 

$

15,585

 

 

 

$

16,447

 

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

4.1

%

 

2002

 

 

$

16,126

 

 

 

$

17,135

 

 

 

6.2

%

 

 

4.5

%

 

2001

 

 

$

15,194

 

 

 

$

15,756

 

 

 

6.6

%

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

We participate in a securities lending program whereby certain securities from our fixed income portfolio are loaned to other institutions. We require collateral equal to 102 percent of the fair value of the loaned securities. We maintain full ownership rights to the securities loaned, and continue to earn interest on them. In addition, we have the ability to sell the securities while they are on loan. We have an indemnification agreement with the lending agents in the event a borrower becomes insolvent or fails to return securities. We record securities lending collateral as a liability and pay the borrower an agreed upon interest rate. The proceeds from the collateral are invested in short-term investments and are reported as “Securities on Loan” on the balance sheet. We share a portion of the interest earned on these short-term investments with the lending agent. The fair value of the securities on loan is removed from fixed income securities on the balance sheet and shown as a separate investment asset.

We manage our bond portfolio conservatively to provide reasonable returns while limiting exposure to risks. At December 31, 2003, approximately 96% of our fixed income portfolio (comprised of fixed income securities, the fixed income portion of our securities on loan and short-term investments), was rated investment grade. Approximately 3% consisted of non-investment grade securities and 1% were non-rated securities.

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Real Estate and Mortgage Loans.   Our real estate holdings consist of a diversified portfolio of commercial office and warehouse properties that we own directly or have partial interest in through joint ventures. The properties are geographically distributed throughout the United States and had an overall occupancy rate of 89.7% at December 31, 2003. We also have a portfolio of real estate mortgage loans acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998. The real estate and mortgage loan portfolio produced $67 million of pretax investment income in 2003 and generated $4 million of pretax realized gains.

Venture Capital.   Securities of small- to medium-sized companies spanning a variety of industries comprise our venture capital holdings, which accounted for 2% of property-liability investments (at cost) at December 31, 2003. The $535 million carrying value of venture capital investments at December 31, 2003 included $24 million of pretax unrealized appreciation. Venture capital investments generated pretax realized investment gains of$51 million in 2003 and losses of $200 million in 2002.

In our venture capital portfolio, the sale of a large portion of one of our investment holdings generated a pretax gain of $171 million in 2003, which was largely offset by impairment realized losses totaling $143 million related to 38 of our investment holdings. Fourteen of those holdings were impaired due to a merger or sale at a value less than our cost. Eleven holdings experienced fundamental economic deterioration (characterized by gross margins being less than expected, product pricing not meeting initial projections due to market conditions, and greater than expected manufacturing expenses). Six holdings were written down because the entities’ progress was substantially less than planned and additional financing was required at values less than our cost. An additional six holdings were impaired due to cessation of operations of the entity. Finally, one holding was impaired because market demand for its product was less than expected.

In 2002, realized losses in our venture capital portfolio included $56 million of losses resulting from the sale of the majority of our partnership investment holdings, and impairment write-downs in 25 of our holdings totaling $122 million. These holdings were impaired for the same general reasons noted above for the 2003 impairments: seven holdings were impaired because market demand for their products was less than expected; seven holdings were written down because the entities’ progress was less than planned and additional financing would be required; five holdings were impaired due to fundamental economic deterioration (as defined above); four holdings were impaired due to a merger or sale at less than our cost; and two holdings were impaired due to cessation of operations.

Equities.   Our equity holdings consist of a diversified portfolio of public common stock, comprising less than 1% of total property-liability investments (at cost) at year-end 2003. In mid-2002, we began reducing our equity investments. Our decision to reduce our public equity holdings was prompted by several factors, including our opinion as to the near-term direction of equity prices, a comprehensive evaluation of our aggregate equity exposure (including venture capital and equities held by our pension fund), and a change in our opinion as to the level of public equity investments that is appropriate for publicly held insurance companies in light of increasing equity market volatility. By the end of 2003, we had reduced our equity investments by $953 million (at cost) since year-end 2001.

Short-Term and Other Investments.   Our portfolio also includes short-term securities and other miscellaneous investments (including our 14% equity ownership stake in Platinum and our warrants to purchase up to six million additional common shares of Platinum), which in the aggregate comprised 15% of property-liability investments at December 31, 2003. Also included in “Other investments” at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was a long-term interest-bearing security from a highly rated entity, supporting a series of insurance transactions. The carrying value of that security on those dates was $359 million and $386 million, respectively.

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Derivatives.   Our property-liability investment operations have had limited involvement with derivative financial instruments, primarily for purposes of hedging against fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Effective January. 1, 2001, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Standards (SFAS) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, which required the recognition of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report, which provides more information regarding the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133.

In addition to Note 7, see Notes 1, 5 and 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report, which provide additional information about our investment portfolio.

Asset Management

Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen Investments,” formerly The John Nuveen Company) is our asset management subsidiary. The St. Paul and its largest property-liability insurance subsidiary, Fire and Marine) hold a combined 79% interest in Nuveen Investments.

Nuveen Investments’ core businesses are asset management and related research, as well as the development, marketing and distribution of investment products and services for the affluent, high net worth and institutional market segments. Nuveen Investments distributes its investment products and services, including individually managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, to the affluent and high net worth market segments through unaffiliated intermediary firms including broker/dealers, commercial banks, affiliates of insurance providers, financial planners, accountants, consultants and investment advisors. Nuveen Investments also provides managed account services, including privately offered partnerships, to several institutional market segments and channels.

Nuveen Investments’ primary business activities generate three principal sources of revenue: (1) advisory fees earned on assets under management, including exchange-traded funds, separately managed accounts and mutual funds; (2) underwriting and distribution revenues earned upon the sale of certain investment products and (3) performance fees earned on certain institutional accounts based on the performance of such accounts. Advisory fees accounted for 90% of Nuveen Investments’ total revenues in 2003.

Operations of Nuveen Investments are organized around its principle advisory subsidiaries, which are registered investment advisors under The Investment Advisors Act of 1940:  Nuveen Advisory Corp. (“NAC”) and Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp (“NIAC”) manage various Nuveen mutual funds and exchange-traded funds; Nuveen Asset Management (“NAM”), Rittenhouse Asset Management (“Rittenhouse”), NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ”), and Symphony Asset Management (“Symphony”) principally provide investment management services for individual and institutional managed accounts.

Additionally, Nuveen Investments, LLC, a registered broker and dealer in securities under The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, provides investment product distribution and related services for the Company’s managed funds and, through March of 2002, sponsored and distributed the Company’s defined portfolios.

At December 31, 2003, Nuveen Investments’ assets under management totaled $95.4 billion, consisting of $47.1 billion of exchange-traded funds, $25.7 billion of retail managed accounts, $10.3 billion of institutional managed accounts, and $12.3 billion of mutual funds.

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Competition

Property-Liability Insurance

The property-liability insurance industry is highly competitive in the areas of price, service, product offerings, technology and agent relationships. Ratings issued by independent ratings agencies are also a competitive factor in the insurance business. Increasing the competitive pressure is the current low interest rate environment that is impacting investment returns and making underwriting decisions even more critical. Our domestic and international insurance subsidiaries compete with other stock companies, mutual companies, alternative risk sharing groups and other underwriting organizations. Competitors in this market are primarily national property-liability insurance companies willing to write most classes of business using traditional products and pricing and, to a lesser extent, regional insurance companies and companies that have developed niche programs for specific industry segments. In addition, many large commercial customers self-insure their risks or utilize large deductibles on purchased insurance. There are approximately 3,400 property and liability insurance companies in the United States operating independently or in groups, and no single company or group is dominant. According to A.M. Best, we are the sixth-largest United States commercial lines property and liability insurance group based on 2002 direct premiums written. Some of our competitors are larger and have greater access to capital. In various markets, we also compete based on ratings and several of our competitors are more highly rated.

In addition, the financial services industry in general continues to be affected by an intensifying competitive environment, as demonstrated by consolidation through mergers and acquisitions and competition from new entrants, as well as established competitors using new technologies, including the Internet, to establish or expand their businesses. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, passed in 1999, which repealed U.S. laws that separated commercial banking, investment banking and insurance activities, together with changes to the industry resulting from previous reforms, has increased the number of companies competing for a similar customer base.

Our competitors in the Specialty Commercial and Commercial Lines segments include American International Group, The Chubb Corporation, CNA Financial Corporation, Hartford Insurance Group, SAFECO Corporation and Travelers Property Casualty Corp.

Our competitors in the Surety & Construction segment include CNA Surety Corporation, American International Group, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., and Zurich North America. In our International and Lloyd’s segment, our international specialties compete with numerous insurers in the United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland while competitors in Lloyd’s markets in which we are active include various insurance companies and other members of Lloyd’s.

Our subsidiaries compete principally by attempting to offer a combination of superior products, underwriting expertise and services at a competitive, yet profitable, price. Additionally, our relatively large size and underwriting capacity provide us with opportunities not available to smaller companies.

Asset Management

Nuveen Investments is subject to substantial competition in all aspects of its business. The registered representatives that distribute Nuveen Investments’ investment products also distribute numerous competing products, often including products sponsored by the retail distribution firms where they are employed. There are relatively few barriers to entry for new investment management firms. Nuveen Investments’ managed account business is also subject to substantial competition from other investment management firms seeking to be approved as managers in the various “wrap-fee” programs. The sponsor firms have a limited number of approved managers at the highest and most attractive levels of their programs and closely monitor the investment performance and customer service aspects of such firms on an on-going basis as they evaluate which firms are eligible for continued participation in these programs.

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Nuveen Investments is also subject to competition in obtaining the commitment of underwriters to underwrite its exchange traded fund offerings. To the extent the increased competition for underwriting and distribution causes higher distribution costs, Nuveen Investments’ net revenue and earnings will be reduced.

Investment products are sold to the public by broker/dealers, banks, insurance companies and others, and many competing investment product sponsors offer a broader array of investment products. Many of these institutions have substantially greater resources than Nuveen. In addition, continuing consolidation in the financial services industry and the recent bear market environment are altering the landscape in which Nuveen Investments’ distributors compete and the economics of many of the products they offer. The effect that these continuing changes in the brokerage and investment management industries will have on Nuveen Investments and its competitors cannot be predicted. Nuveen Investments competes with other providers of products primarily on the basis of the range of products offered, the investment performance of such products, quality of service, fees charged, the level and type of broker compensation, the manner in which such products are marketed and distributed, and the services provided to registered representatives and investors.

Regulation

Property-Liability Insurance

Insurance Holding Company Regulation.   The St. Paul and our domestic insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation as an insurance holding company system in states where our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, which currently include Minnesota, Maryland, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Iowa, Illinois, California, Delaware, Indiana, Vermont and New York. Such regulation generally provides that transactions between companies within the holding company system must be fair and equitable. Transfers of assets among such affiliated companies, certain dividend payments from insurance subsidiaries and certain material transactions between companies within the system may be subject to prior notice to, or prior approval by, state regulatory authorities. Such regulations also require the insurance holding company and each insurance subsidiary to register with the insurance department in the insurance subsidiary’s state of domicile and to furnish annually financial and other information about the operations of companies within the holding company system.

Payment of Dividends.   Fire and Marine is our lead U.S. property-liability underwriting subsidiary, and its dividend paying capacity is regulated by the laws of Minnesota, its state of domicile. Minnesota insurance law provides that, except in the case of extraordinary dividends or distributions, all dividends or distributions paid by Fire and Marine may be declared or paid only from earned surplus, or unassigned funds, as determined pursuant to statutory accounting principles. As of December 31, 2003, Fire and Marine’s earned surplus was $2.2 billion. Fire and Marine also must notify the Minnesota insurance regulator of its intent to pay a dividend if the dividend, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, would exceed a specified statutory limit, and may not pay such dividend until either 30 days after the Minnesota insurance regulator has received notice of it and has not within that period disapproved it, or the regulator has approved the payment. The current statutory limitation applicable to Minnesota property-liability insurers generally is the greater of:

(1)         10% of such insurer’s surplus as regards policyholders as of the December 31 next preceding the date of the proposed dividend or distribution; or

(2)         the net income of such insurer, not including realized investment gains, for the 12-month period ending the December 31 next preceding the date of the proposed dividend or distribution,

in each case determined under statutory accounting principles. Statutory accounting principles differ from GAAP primarily in relation to deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred taxes and certain other assets,

23




and reserve calculation assumptions. The Minnesota insurance regulator is also required to review at least annually the dividends paid by a Minnesota domestic insurer to determine if the dividends are reasonable based upon (1) the adequacy of surplus as regards policyholders remaining after the dividend payments and (2) the quality of the insurer’s earnings and extent to which the required earnings include extraordinary items.

Other states and foreign jurisdictions have similar regulations to those of Minnesota that affect the ability of our other insurance subsidiaries, most of which are subsidiaries of Fire and Marine, to pay dividends. The laws regulating dividends of the other states and foreign jurisdictions where our other insurance subsidiaries are domiciled are similar, but not identical, to Minnesota’s, and may be more restrictive. In addition, many of our insurance subsidiaries are held by other insurance subsidiaries, and only indirectly by us. Therefore, the ability of these indirectly-held subsidiaries to pay dividends to their direct parents, and our ability to receive these dividends from those intermediate subsidiaries, will be subject to the respective ability of all such subsidiaries to meet financial and regulatory requirements applicable to them.

Approximately $774 million will be available to us from payment of ordinary dividends by Fire and Marine in 2004. Any dividend payments beyond the $774 million limitation are subject to prior approval of the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce. Business and regulatory considerations may impact the amount of dividends actually paid. In 2003, we received dividends in the form of cash and securities totaling $625 million from our U.S. underwriting subsidiaries. We received no cash dividends from our U.S. property-liability underwriting subsidiaries in 2002. In 2001, we received dividends in the form of cash and securities of $827 million from Fire and Marine.

Change of Control.   Most states, including the states in which our domestic insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, have insurance laws that require regulatory approval of a change of control of an insurer or an insurer’s holding company. Laws such as these that apply to us prevent any person from acquiring control of The St. Paul or of our insurance subsidiaries unless that person has filed a statement with specified information with the insurance regulators and has obtained their prior approval. Under most states’ statutes, acquiring 10% or more of the voting stock of an insurance company or its parent company is presumptively considered a change of control, although such presumption may be rebutted. Accordingly, any person who acquires 10% or more of the voting securities of The St. Paul without the prior approval of the insurance regulators of the states in which our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled will be in violation of these states’ laws and may be subject to injunctive action requiring the disposition or seizure of those securities by the relevant insurance regulator or prohibiting the voting of those securities and to other actions determined by the relevant insurance regulator.

In addition, many state insurance laws require prior notification of state insurance departments of a change in control of a non-domiciliary insurance company doing business in that state. While these pre-notification statutes do not authorize the state insurance departments to disapprove the change in control, they authorize regulatory action in the affected state if particular conditions exist such as undue market concentration. Any future transactions that would constitute a change in control of The St. Paul may require prior notification in those states that have adopted pre-acquisition notification laws.

Change of control laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control of The St. Paul, including through transactions, and in particular unsolicited transactions, that some or all of our shareholders might consider to be desirable.

State Regulation of Insurance Operations.   Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to licensing and supervision by government regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions in which they do business. The nature and extent of such regulation vary but generally have their source in statutes that delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers to insurance regulators, which in the U.S. are state authorities. Such regulation, supervision and administration of the insurance subsidiaries may relate, among other things, to

24




the standards of solvency which must be met and maintained; the licensing of insurers and their agents; the nature of and limitations on investments; restrictions on the size of risk which may be insured under a single policy; deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; regulation of policy forms and premium rates; periodic examination of the affairs of insurance companies; annual and other reports required to be filed on the financial condition of insurers or for other purposes; requirements regarding reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other matters; the nature of and limitations on dividends to policyholders and shareholders; the nature and extent of required participation in insurance guaranty funds; and the involuntary assumption of hard-to-place or high-risk insurance business, primarily in workers’ compensation insurance lines.

Loss ratio trends in property-liability insurance underwriting experience may be improved by, among other things, changing the kinds of coverages provided by policies, providing loss prevention and risk management services, increasing premium rates, purchasing reinsurance or by a combination of these factors. The ability of our insurance subsidiaries to meet emerging adverse underwriting trends may be delayed, from time to time, by the effects of laws which require prior approval by insurance regulatory authorities of changes in policy forms and premium rates. Our U.S. underwriting operations do business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A number of these jurisdictions require prior approval of most or all premium rates.

Risk-Based Capital Requirements.   In order to enhance the regulation of insurer solvency, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC”) has adopted a formula and model law to implement risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements for most property and casualty insurance companies, which is designed to determine minimum capital requirements and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholder obligations. The RBC formula for property and casualty insurance companies measures three major areas of risk facing property and casualty insurers: underwriting, which encompasses the risk of adverse loss developments and inadequate pricing; declines in asset values arising from market and/or credit risk; and off-balance sheet risk arising from adverse experience from non-controlled assets, guarantees for affiliates or other contingent liabilities and excessive premium growth.

Under laws adopted by individual states, insurers having less total adjusted capital than that required by the RBC calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy. The RBC ratios for each of our insurance subsidiaries currently are above the ranges that would require any regulatory or corrective action.

IRIS Tests.   The NAIC has developed a set of financial relationships or tests known as the Insurance Regulatory Information System to assist state regulators in monitoring the financial condition of insurance companies and identifying companies that require special attention or action by insurance regulatory authorities. Insurance companies generally submit data annually to the NAIC, which in turn analyzes the data using prescribed financial data ratios, each with defined “usual ranges.”  Generally, regulators will begin to investigate or monitor an insurance company if its ratios fall outside the usual ranges for four or more of the ratios. If an insurance company has insufficient capital, regulators may act to reduce the amount of insurance it can issue. We are not aware that any of our insurance companies are currently subject to regulatory scrutiny based on these ratios.

Insurance Reserves.   State and provincial insurance laws require us to analyze the adequacy of our reserves annually. Our actuaries must submit an opinion that our reserves, when considered in light of the assets we hold with respect to those reserves, make adequate provision for our contractual obligations and related expenses.

Shared Market and Similar Arrangements.   State insurance laws and regulations require us to participate in mandatory property-liability “shared market,” “pooling” or similar arrangements that provide insurance coverage to individuals or others who otherwise are unable to purchase coverage

25




voluntarily provided by private insurers. Shared market mechanisms include assigned risk plans; fair access to insurance requirement or “FAIR” plans; and reinsurance facilities for covering catastrophic risk. In addition, some states require insurers to participate in reinsurance pools for claims that exceed specified amounts. Our participation in these mandatory shared market or pooling mechanisms generally is related to the amounts of our direct writings for the type of coverage written by the specific arrangement in the applicable state. We cannot predict the financial impact of our participation in these arrangements.

Insurance Guaranty Association Assessments.   Each state has insurance guaranty association laws under which life and property and casualty insurers doing business in the state may be assessed by state insurance guaranty associations for certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants. Typically, states assess each member insurer in an amount related to the member insurer’s proportionate share of the business written by all member insurers in the state. For the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, we incurred net expense of $10 million and $13 million, respectively, pursuant to state insurance guaranty association laws. While we cannot predict the amount and timing of any future assessments on our insurance companies under these laws, we have established reserves that we believe are adequate for assessments relating to insurance companies that are currently subject to insolvency proceedings.

Federal Regulation of Insurance Operations.   On November 26, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, or “TRIA.”  A discussion of TRIA’s principal provisions can be found in the “Terrorism Risk and Legislation” section of this report.

Our domestic insurance subsidiaries are subject to TRIA, although TRIA does not apply to all of the coverages they write. TRIA does apply to most of our coverages written, including property, commercial multi-peril, fire, ocean marine, inland marine, liability, commercial auto, aircraft, surety and workers’ compensation.

International Regulation of Insurance Operations.   Our insurance underwriting operations in the United Kingdom are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA’s principal objectives are to maintain market confidence, promote public understanding of the financial system, protect consumers, and to fight financial crime. In Canada, the conduct of insurance business is regulated under provisions of the Insurance Companies Act of 1992, which requires insurance companies to maintain certain levels of capital depending on the type and amount of insurance policies in force. The Lloyd’s operation is also regulated by the FSA, which has delegated certain regulatory responsibilities to the Council of Lloyd’s. We are also subject to regulations in the other countries and jurisdictions in which we underwrite insurance business. The terms and conditions of our plans to cease underwriting operations in selected foreign countries were subject to regulatory approval in several of those countries.

Asset Management

One of Nuveen Investments’ subsidiaries is registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), NASD Regulation, Inc. and other federal and state agencies and self-regulatory organizations. The securities industry is one of the most highly regulated in the United States, and failure to comply with related laws and regulations can result in the revocation of broker/dealer licenses, the imposition of censures or fines, and the suspension or expulsion of a firm and/or its employees from the securities business.

26



Each of Nuveen Investments’ investment adviser subsidiaries is registered with the Commission under the Investment Advisers Act. Virtually all aspects of Nuveen Investments’ investment management business are subject to various federal and state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to benefit the investment product holder and generally grant supervisory agencies and bodies broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict Nuveen from carrying on its investment management business in the event that it fails to comply with such laws and regulations. In such event, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include the suspension of individual employees, limitations on Nuveen Investments’ engaging in the investment management business for specified periods of time, the revocation of its advisory subsidiaries’ registrations as investment advisers or other censures and fines.

Nuveen Investments has responded and continues to respond to various requests and inquiries from regulatory and governmental officials that are related to recent well-publicized alleged incidents of inappropriate and illegal trading within the asset management industry. These incidents could result in increased regulation of all asset managers, including Nuveen Investments. Such regulation could have an adverse effect on Nuveen Investments’ profitability.

Item 2.                  Properties.

Fire and Marine owns our corporate headquarters buildings, located at 385 Washington Street and 130 West Sixth Street, St. Paul, MN. These buildings are adjacent to one another and consist of approximately 1.1 million square feet of gross floor space. Fire and Marine also owns property in Woodbury, MN where its Administrative Services Building and off-site computer processing operations are located.

We own a building in London, England, which houses a portion of our U.K. operations. We retained ownership of another building in London subsequent to the sale of Minet Holdings plc to Aon Corporation in 1997, which is being leased to an outside party. In a transaction completed in March 2001, we sold a 50% interest in this building. In April 2003, we completed the sale of our 68-acre office campus in Baltimore, MD that we acquired as part of our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998. As part of the sale agreement, we agreed to lease a portion of the office space on the campus until September 2004. In August 2003, we sold a parking ramp we owned in downtown St. Paul, MN for total proceeds of approximately $5 million.

Fire and Marine and its subsidiary, St. Paul Properties, Inc., own a portfolio of income-producing properties in various locations across the United States that they have purchased for investment. Included in this portfolio are four office buildings in which we hold a 50% ownership interest located on Manhattan Island in New York, NY which collectively accounted for approximately 7% of the carrying value of the property portfolio at December 31, 2003.

Our operating subsidiaries rent or lease office space in most cities in which they operate.

Management considers the currently owned and leased office facilities of The St. Paul and its subsidiaries adequate for the current and anticipated future level of operations.

Item 3.                  Legal Proceedings.

Legal MattersIn the ordinary course of conducting business, we (and certain of our subsidiaries) have been named as defendants in various lawsuits. Some of these lawsuits attempt to establish liability under insurance contracts issued by our underwriting operations, including liability under environmental protection laws and for injury caused by exposure to asbestos products. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits are seeking money damages that in some cases are substantial or extra contractual in nature or are seeking to have the court direct the activities of our operations in certain ways.

27




Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable, it is possible that the resolution of one or more matters may be material to our results of operations; however, we do not believe that the total amounts that we and our subsidiaries will ultimately have to pay in all of these lawsuits will have a material effect on our liquidity or overall financial position.

The following is a summary of certain litigation matters with contingencies:

·       Asbestos Settlement Agreement—On June 3, 2002, we announced that we and certain of our subsidiaries had entered into an agreement settling all existing and future claims arising from any insuring relationship of United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and their affiliates and subsidiaries, including us, with any of MacArthur Company, Western MacArthur Company, and Western Asbestos Company. In January 2004, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California issued an order approving the settlement agreement and confirming the MacArthur Companies’ proposed plan of reorganization. See further discussion in Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report. In the first quarter of 2003, we made a payment of $747 million, (which included $7 million interest), related to the Western MacArthur settlement agreement. That amount, along with $60 million of an initial $235 million payment made in the second quarter of 2002, is being held in escrow pending final confirmation of the bankruptcy court approval of the settlement agreement and the MacArthur Companies’ plan of reorganization. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2003, these payments were recorded in the amounts of $807 million in both “Other Assets” and “Other Liabilities.”

·       Petrobras Oil Rig Construction—In September 2002, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a judgment in the amount of approximately $370 million to Petrobras, an energy company that is majority-owned by the government of Brazil, in a claim related to the construction of two oil rigs. One of our subsidiaries provided a portion of the surety coverage for that construction. As a result, we recorded a pretax loss of $34 million ($22 million after-tax) in 2002 in our Surety & Construction business segment. The loss recorded was net of reinsurance and previously established case reserves for this exposure, and prior to any possible recoveries related to indemnity. We continue to actively pursue an appeal of this judgment.

·       Purported Class Action Shareholder Lawsuits—In the fourth quarter of 2002, several purported class action lawsuits were filed against our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer, and us. In the first quarter of 2003, the lawsuits were consolidated into a single action, which makes various allegations relating to the adequacy of our previous public disclosures and reserves relating to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, and seeks unspecified damages and other relief. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we agreed in principle to a settlement, which is subject to certain customary conditions and subject to court approval. If the settlement is consummated, it will result in our payment of an amount that is not material to our results of operations.

·       Boson v. Union Carbide Corp., et al; Abernathy v. Ace American Ins. Co—In 2003, lawsuits were filed in Texas and Ohio against certain of our subsidiaries, and other insurers and non-insurer corporate defendants, asserting liability for failing to warn of the dangers of asbestos. It is difficult to predict the outcome for financial exposure represented by this type of litigation in light of the broad nature of the relief requested and the novel theories asserted. We believe, however, that the cases are without merit and we intend to contest them vigorously. In this regard, we filed special exceptions in all of the Texas cases. In October 2003, a court ruled on the special exceptions in 11 of those cases, dismissing the cases with prejudice. Subsequently, the court dismissed another case on the same grounds. We view these as significant rulings in our favor. The special exceptions in the remaining 50 cases have not yet been ruled upon. We intend to file similar motions to dismiss in the Ohio cases.

28




·       World Trade Center Litigation—In 2002, we and certain other insurers obtained a summary judgment ruling that the World Trade Center (“WTC”) property loss on September 11, 2001 was a single occurrence. Certain insureds, including the WTC’s leaseholder, appealed that ruling, asking the court to determine that the property loss constituted two separate occurrences rather than one. In September 2003, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that under terms of the policy form we used to underwrite property coverage for the WTC, the terrorist attack constituted one occurrence.

·       Farina v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et al—A purported class action was recently filed in Connecticut state court against Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and its board of directors alleging that they breached their fiduciary duties to Travelers’ shareholders in connection with the adoption of the merger and the merger agreement with the Company. The complaint seeks injunctive relief as well as unspecified monetary damages. The complaint also names the Company and its subsidiary, Adams Acquisition Corp., as defendants, alleging that they aided and abetted the alleged breach of fiduciary duty. We believe this suit is wholly without merit and intend to vigorously defend against it.

In 1990, at the direction of the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), five insurance underwriting subsidiaries of London United Investments PLC (LUI) suspended underwriting new insurance business. At the same time, four of those subsidiaries, being insolvent, suspended payment of claims and have since been placed in provisional liquidation. The fifth subsidiary, Walbrook Insurance Company, continued paying claims until May of 1992 when it was also placed in provisional insolvent liquidation. Weavers Underwriting Agency (Weavers), an LUI subsidiary, managed these insurers. Minet, a former insurance brokerage subsidiary of ours, had brokered business to and from Weavers for many years. From 1973 through 1980, our UK-based underwriting operations, now called St. Paul International Insurance Company Ltd. (SPI), had accepted business from Weavers. A portion of that business was ceded by SPI to reinsurers. Certain of those reinsurers have challenged the validity of certain reinsurance contracts (or the amount of recovery thereunder) relating to the Weavers pool, of which SPI was a member, in an attempt to avoid liability under those contracts. SPI and other members of the Weavers pool are seeking enforcement of the reinsurance contracts. Minet may also become the subject of legal proceedings arising from its role as one of the major brokers for Weavers. When we sold Minet in May 1997, we agreed to indemnify the purchaser for most of Minet’s then existing liabilities, including liabilities relating to the Weavers matter. We will vigorously contest any proceedings relating to the Weavers matter. We recognize that the final outcome of these proceedings, if adverse to us, may materially impact the results of operations in the period in which that outcome occurs. We believe that such an adverse outcome, however, will not have a materially adverse effect on our liquidity or overall financial position.

Item 4.                  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

29




PART II

Item 5.                  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, where it is assigned the symbol SPC. The number of holders of record, including individual owners, of our common stock was 16,848 as of February 24, 2004. The following table sets forth the amount of cash dividends declared per share and the high and low closing sales prices of our common stock for each quarter during the last two years.

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Cash Dividend
Declared

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

36.66

 

$

29.33

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

Second Quarter

 

38.02

 

32.32

 

 

0.29

 

 

Third Quarter

 

38.49

 

34.30

 

 

0.29

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

39.65

 

35.15

 

 

0.29

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

49.41

 

$

39.50

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

Second Quarter

 

50.12

 

38.34

 

 

0.29

 

 

Third Quarter

 

37.88

 

24.20

 

 

0.29

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

37.24

 

27.05

 

 

0.29

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per share in 2003 and 2002 were $1.16 and $1.15, respectively.

30



Item 6.                  Selected Financial Data.

SIX-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The St. Paul Companies

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 

(In millions, except ratios and per share data)

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from continuing operations

 

$

8,854

 

$

9,030

 

$

9,032

 

$

7,946

 

$

7,149

 

$

7,315

 

After-tax income (loss) from continuing operations

 

678

 

243

 

(1,009

)

970

 

705

 

187

 

Investment Activity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

1,120

 

1,169

 

1,217

 

1,262

 

1,259

 

1,295

 

Pretax realized investment gains (losses)

 

73

 

(165

)

(94

)

632

 

286

 

203

 

Other Selected Financial Data (as of December 31)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals assets

 

39,563

 

39,959

 

38,321

 

35,502

 

33,418

 

33,211

 

Debt

 

3,750

 

2,713

 

2,130

 

1,647

 

1,466

 

1,260

 

Redeemable preferred securities

 

 

889

 

893

 

337

 

425

 

503

 

Common shareholders’ equity

 

6,150

 

5,681

 

5,056

 

7,178

 

6,448

 

6,621

 

Common shares outstanding

 

228.4

 

226.8

 

207.6

 

218.3

 

224.8

 

233.7

 

Per Common Share Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations (diluted)

 

2.79

 

1.03

 

(4.84

)

4.14

 

2.89

 

0.73

 

Year-end book value

 

26.93

 

25.05

 

24.35

 

32.88

 

28.68

 

28.32

 

Year-end market price

 

39.65

 

34.05

 

43.97

 

54.31

 

33.69

 

34.81

 

Cash dividends declared

 

1.16

 

1.16

 

1.12

 

1.08

 

1.04

 

1.00

 

Property-Liability Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

7,540

 

7,137

 

7,895

 

5,884

 

5,112

 

5,276

 

Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations

 

889

 

243

 

(1,400

)

1,467

 

971

 

298

 

Statutory combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

73.4

 

79.9

 

100.9

 

70.0

 

72.9

 

82.2

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

29.1

 

29.7

 

29.3

 

34.8

 

35.0

 

35.2

 

Combined ratio

 

102.5

 

109.6

 

130.2

 

104.8

 

107.9

 

117.4

 

 

31



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLOSURE AND CERTAIN RISKS

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks” or “estimates,” or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning:

·       market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, pricing, revenues, earnings, cash flow and investment income;

·       price increases, improved loss experience, and expense savings resulting from the restructuring and other actions and initiatives announced in recent years;

·       statements concerning the anticipated bankruptcy court approval of the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement;

·       statements concerning our expectations in our Health Care operation as we settle claims in a runoff environment;

·       statements concerning claims made on surety bonds and the amounts we may ultimately pay with respect to these claims; and

·       statements concerning our estimated maximum exposure in respect of a contract surety customer.

In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in future projections, many of which are beyond our control, actual results could differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. These statements should not be regarded as a representation that anticipated events will occur or that expected objectives will be achieved. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

·       changes in the demand for, pricing of, or supply of our products;

·       our ability to effectively implement price increases;

·       general economic conditions, including changes in interest rates and the performance of financial markets;

·       additional statement of operations charges if our loss reserves are insufficient;

·       our exposure to natural catastrophic events, which are unpredictable, with a frequency or severity exceeding our estimates, resulting in material losses;

·       the possibility that claims cost trends that we anticipate in our businesses may not develop as we expect;

·       the impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and the ensuing global war on terrorism on the insurance industry in general, the implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and potential further intervention in the insurance and reinsurance markets to make available insurance coverage for acts of terrorism;

·       risks relating to our potential exposure to losses arising from acts of terrorism and sabotage;

·       risks relating to our continuing ability to obtain reinsurance covering catastrophe, surety and other exposures at appropriate prices and/or in sufficient amounts;

·       risks relating to the collectibility of reinsurance and adequacy of reinsurance to protect us against losses;

32




·       risks relating to actual and potential credit exposures, including to derivatives counterparties, reinsurers, and related to co-surety arrangements;

·       risks and uncertainties relating to international political developments, including the possibility of warfare, and their potential effect on economic conditions;

·       changes in domestic and foreign laws, tax laws and changes in the regulation of our businesses, which affect our profitability and our growth, including risks relating to possible Federal legislation regarding asbestos-related claims;

·       the possibility of downgrades in our ratings significantly adversely affecting us, including, but not limited to, reducing the number of insurance policies we write, generally, or causing clients who require an insurer with a certain rating level to use higher-rated insurers or causing us to borrow at higher interest rates;

·       the risk that our investment portfolio suffers reduced returns or investment losses, which could reduce our profitability;

·       the effect of financial market and interest rate conditions on pension plan assumptions, asset valuations and contribution levels;

·       the impact of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements;

·       risks related to the business underwritten on our policy forms on behalf of Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”) and fully reinsured to Platinum pursuant to the quota share reinsurance agreements entered into in connection with the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum in 2002;

·       loss of significant customers;

·       changes in our estimate of insurance industry losses resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack;

·       unfavorable developments in non-Western MacArthur related asbestos litigation (including claims that certain asbestos-related insurance policies are not subject to aggregate limits);

·       unfavorable developments in environmental litigation involving policy coverage and liability issues;

·       in the case of a large contract surety exposure, risks relating to the implementation of the customer’s restructuring plan;

·       the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business, including developments relating to issues such as mold conditions, construction defects and changes in interpretation of the named insured provision with respect to the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in commercial automobile policies;

·       the growing trend of plaintiffs targeting property-liability insurers, including us, in purported class action litigation relating to claim-handling and other practices;

·       the risk that our subsidiaries may be unable to pay dividends to us in sufficient amounts to enable us to meet our obligations and pay future dividends;

·       the cyclicality of the property-liability insurance industry causing fluctuations in our results;

·       risks relating to our asset management business, including the risk of material reductions to assets under management from a significant rise in interest rates, declining equity markets or poor

33




investment performance and risks associated with failure to comply with various governmental regulations;

·       our dependence on the business provided to us by agents and brokers;

·       our implementation of new strategies and initiatives;

·       risks related to our ability to consummate the Proposed Merger in a timely fashion, including the possibility of delays resulting from shareholder or regulatory approvals and other matters beyond our control and potentially adverse consequences, including announced rating agency downgrades, in the event the transaction is not consummated;

·       risks related to our ability to efficiently and effectively integrate the Company’s businesses with the businesses of Travelers in a timely manner following the Proposed Merger, including those arising from the diversion of management resources to the integration process and potential business disruptions resulting from employee uncertainty and lack of focus;

·       risks related to our ability to realize the cost savings and synergies that we expect to achieve in the Proposed Merger;

·       our ability to retain key employees after the Proposed Merger; and

·       various other matters.

Item 7.                  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
December 31, 2003

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (“The St. Paul” or the “Company”) is incorporated as a general business corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota. The St. Paul and its subsidiaries constitute one of the oldest insurance organizations in the United States, dating back to 1853. We are a management company principally engaged, through our subsidiaries, in providing commercial property-liability insurance products and services. We also have a presence in the asset management industry through our 79% majority ownership of Nuveen Investments, Inc. As a management company, we oversee the operations of our subsidiaries and provide them with capital, management and administrative services. Our Internet website address is stpaul.com. We make available, free of charge, on or through our website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our website address is an inactive textual reference only and the contents of the website are not part of this report.

OVERVIEW

The company generates its return on capital primarily by taking in premiums, net of the expenses to generate those premiums as well as other expenses, and investing them, predominantly in fixed income securities, until the company pays out losses related to the insurance coverage provided. The primary factors impacting returns which are monitored regularly by the company include:

·       the adequacy of premiums charged relative to the risks assumed;

·       investment returns on the premium cash flows;

34




·       efficiency of the Company’s operations and ability of management to control expenses; and

·       the amount and timing of paid losses.

Adequacy of premiums

The company experienced its fifth consecutive year of generally increasing prices in 2003. These increases exceeded increases in our estimated loss trends, resulting in improved margins and cash flow. Average price increases during 2003 were 20% in our specialty commercial segment and 11% in our commercial lines segment. While the overall absolute level of price increases in 2003 slowed from 2002 levels, we expect overall price increases in 2004 to continue to exceed overall increases in estimated loss trends. However, the property and casualty insurance industry has historically been highly cyclical, and price competition in the years leading up to 1999 generally resulted in declining profitability in the industry. The company has implemented internal management reporting to monitor pricing and profitability, allowing the company to take actions to maximize profitability as pricing or premium adequacy trends change.

Investment returns

Investment returns are a major component of the company’s revenue and profitability. At December 31, 2003, nearly 90% of the company’s investment portfolio consisted of fixed income securities, securities on loan and short-term investments. Lower rates of return on new money invested in recent years have required higher premium levels to generate the same returns on capital. The Company believes that decreasing interest rates since the beginning of 2000 have been one of the factors causing property-liability insurance prices to increase. Likewise, increases in new money investment rates will increase investment income, but may result in increased price competition in the industry as companies could generate the same return on equity at lower premium levels. However, if new money investment rates increase, the value of our fixed income portfolio will decrease.

During 2003, the Company’s average new money investment rate was 4.5% for taxable bonds and 3.1% for tax-exempts, which reduced the average imbedded pre-tax yield in our long-term fixed income portfolio to 5.7% at December 31, 2003, down from 6.2% a year earlier.

The Company’s fixed income portfolio maintains a very high credit quality with an average rating at AA+ and a relatively short duration of 3.8 years which mitigates the risks of increasing interest rates and widening credit spreads. During 2003, duration lengthened slightly, from 3.3 years.

Efficiency of the operations

The property-liability industry generally measures expenses as a percentage of written premiums, a component of revenue. Management uses a variety of measures, including the statutory expense ratio, to evaluate its success in controlling expenses. Expenses consist of variable components, such as taxes, fees and commissions that are calculated as a percentage of premium, and fixed components such as salaries, benefits, rent and system costs. The statutory expense ratio for the year ended December 31, 2003 was 29.1, an improvement over the comparable 2002 statutory expense ratio of 29.7. While the Company experienced increases in variable costs in the second half of 2003 as premiums grew, the statutory expense ratio declined. A significant portion of the increase in premiums was driven by price increases and not unit or policy increases, and generally did not require commensurate increases in fixed expenses to manage the business. Significant decreases in premiums written in our runoff businesses, combined with continuing expenses to manage those businesses, prevented further improvement in our consolidated expense ratio in 2003. We expect to manage our business in 2004 with a general objective of keeping expenses level, except for variable expenses that vary with premium production, such as premium taxes and commissions.

35




Accordingly, absent unfavorable developments in the pricing environment, we expect our statutory expense ratio to generally remain stable or improve in 2004.

The amount and timing of paid losses

Management estimates the amount it expects to pay claimants for insured losses and the cost of investigating, resolving and processing those claims. Given the inherent uncertainty in the reserving process and that many of the coverages we offer involve claims that may not ultimately be settled for many years after they are incurred, our estimates may be materially different from the amounts we ultimately pay or incur with respect to insured losses. If our estimates change, we make adjustments to our reserves and these adjustments are reflected in our income statements for the current period. One measure management uses to assess our profitability is our statutory combined ratio, which reflects the sum of the statutory loss ratio (incurred losses as a percentage of earned premium) and the statutory expense ratio described above. Our loss ratio improved from 79.9 in 2002 to 73.4 in 2003. Over the past two years, increasing pricing has significantly improved the combined ratio in our ongoing segments, which dropped from 108.6 in 2001 to 95.8 in 2002 and 91.7 in 2003.

Proposed Merger with Travelers

Management believes that the Proposed Merger with Travelers Property Casualty Corp., announced on November 17, 2003, will be a transforming event for The St. Paul. Management believes that the Proposed Merger will create a premier property and casualty insurance company that will be well positioned for long-term success and the creation of superior shareholder value in the highly competitive property and casualty insurance industry. Management believes that the combined company will have significant product breadth and geographic reach and will be uniquely positioned as the property casualty insurer of choice for agents, brokers and customers across the United States. Management believes that The St. Paul will benefit from the combined financial resources, management and personnel of the two companies and will be better able to capitalize on opportunities in the insurance industry. In addition, management believes that the Proposed Merger will permit The St. Paul to derive significant advantages from the more efficient utilization of the assets, management and personnel of two companies. These significant opportunities do not come without risks. In particular, it will be a significant challenge to integrate the businesses of The St. Paul and Travelers in an efficient and effective manner. Furthermore, since the risks and uncertainties facing each of The St. Paul and Travelers differ, the results of operations, financial condition and liquidity of the combined company may be affected by risks and uncertainties different from those currently effecting each of The St. Paul and Travelers on a stand-alone basis. We currently expect the Proposed Merger to close in the second quarter of 2004.

36




CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW OF THE ST. PAUL’S RESULTS

The following table summarizes our results for each of the last three years.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions, except per
share data)

 

Pretax income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance

 

$

889

 

$

244

 

$

(1,400

)

Asset management

 

187

 

162

 

142

 

Parent company and other operations

 

(240

)

(230

)

(173

)

Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations

 

836

 

176

 

(1,431

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

137

 

(73

)

(422

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

699

 

249

 

(1,009

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(21

)

(6

)

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

678

 

243

 

(1,009

)

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

(17

)

(25

)

(79

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

661

 

$

218

 

$

(1,088

)

Net income (loss) per share (diluted)

 

$

2.72

 

$

0.92

 

$

(5.22

)

 

Our pretax income from continuing operations of $836 million in 2003 was significantly higher than the 2002 total of $176 million, due to strong improvement in results produced by our ongoing property-liability underwriting segments. Our 2003 result included a total of $646 million in pretax loss provisions to strengthen prior-year loss reserves, of which $350 million was recorded in our runoff Health Care operation and $260 million was recorded in our other runoff operations. Our majority-owned asset management subsidiary, Nuveen Investments, Inc., achieved its ninth consecutive year of record results in 2003, driven by a significant increase in assets under management. In 2002, our pretax results included a $472 million loss provision, net of reinsurance, related to a settlement agreement we entered into with respect to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation (described in more detail later in this discussion). Our pretax loss of $1.43 billion in 2001 was dominated by $941 million of pretax losses resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and pretax provisions totaling $735 million to strengthen prior-year loss reserves in our Health Care business center. The 2003 and 2002 pretax losses in the “Parent company and other operations” category (which primarily consists of management, administrative and debt service expenses at the holding company level) were significantly higher than comparable loss in 2001 primarily due to an increase in distributions related to preferred securities issued in the fourth quarter of 2001.

Our effective tax rate on pretax earnings was 16% in 2003, primarily reflecting the benefit of investment income from tax-exempt fixed income securities in our property-liability investment operations segment. In 2002, our income tax benefit of $73 million on pretax income of $176 million included $124 million of tax benefits associated with net realized investment losses. That $124 million reflected a $207 million benefit related to the sale of certain of our international operations and all other net realized gains and losses, and $83 million of tax expense related to the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance operations (discussed in more detail later in this discussion). In 2002, we substantially completed the refocusing of our international property-liability underwriting operations. As part of that effort, we sold certain of those operations in the fourth quarter of 2002, resulting in a net after-tax realized gain of $132 million that was predominantly comprised of the aforementioned tax benefits. The pretax impact on our results in 2002 from those sales was nominal, as significant operating losses had previously been reflected in our reported results for these operations prior to their divestiture.

37




As a result of implementing the provisions of a new accounting pronouncement in 2002 (discussed in more detail later in this discussion), we did not record any goodwill amortization expense in 2003 or 2002. In 2001, expenses related to goodwill totaled $114 million, which included $73 million of goodwill write-downs related to businesses we decided to exit. Amortization expense related to other intangible assets totaled $31 million in 2003, compared with $18 million in 2002 and $2 million in 2001.

CONSOLIDATED REVENUES

The following table summarizes the sources of our consolidated revenues from continuing operations for the last three years.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums earned

 

$

7,039

 

$

7,502

 

$

7,409

 

Net investment income

 

1,120

 

1,169

 

1,217

 

Asset management

 

453

 

398

 

375

 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

73

 

(165

)

(94

)

Other

 

169

 

126

 

125

 

Total revenues

 

$

8,854

 

$

9,030

 

$

9,032

 

 

2003 vs. 2002—The 6% decline in insurance premiums earned in 2003 was centered in our runoff Other segment, reflecting the impact of our decision to withdraw from lines of business included in that segment. In our ongoing property-liability underwriting segments, earned premiums of $6.71 billion were 22% higher than comparable 2002 earned premiums of $5.52 billion, due to a combination of new business, higher business retention levels and price increases. The $49 million decline in net investment income in 2003 was primarily due to a decline in investment yields on new investments, and a reduced amount of invested assets during 2003 resulting from the first-quarter payment of $747 million related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement agreement. Asset management revenues grew 14% over 2002, driven by a significant increase in investment advisory fees resulting from a $15.6 billion increase in assets under management. Realized investment gains in 2003 were driven by sales of certain venture capital and equity holdings. The increase in Other revenues in 2003 over 2002 was largely due to foreign currency exchange gains.

2002 vs. 2001—Earned premiums in 2002 grew 1% over 2001, as the positive impacts of significant price increases in 2001 and 2002 and new business in many of our ongoing operations were largely offset by our withdrawal from several lines of business and the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum. Earned premiums of $5.52 billion generated by our two ongoing property-liability underwriting segments in 2002 grew 24% over comparable 2001 earned premiums of $4.44 billion, whereas earned premiums produced by our runoff segment in 2002 declined 33% compared with 2001. Net investment income declined 4% from 2001, primarily due to reduced yields on new investments. Realized investment losses in 2002 were concentrated in our venture capital and equity portfolios and included losses originating from sales of investments, as well as impairment write-downs. The majority of our Other revenues consisted of risk management consulting fees and claim servicing fees in our insurance underwriting operations and foreign exchange gains and losses.

REVISIONS TO BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING STRUCTURE

In the first quarter of 2003, we revised our property-liability insurance business segment reporting structure to reflect the manner in which those businesses are managed. Our property-liability underwriting operations consist of two segments constituting our ongoing operations (Specialty Commercial and

38




Commercial Lines), and one segment comprising our runoff operations (Other). The composition of those respective segments is described in greater detail in the analysis of their results later in this discussion. The following is a summary of changes made to our segments in the first quarter of 2003.

·       Our Surety & Construction operations, previously reported together as a separate specialty segment, are now separate components of our Specialty Commercial segment.

·       Our ongoing International operations and our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, previously reported together as a separate specialty segment, are now separate components of our Specialty Commercial segment.

·       Our Health Care, Reinsurance and Other operations, each previously reported as a separate runoff business segment, have been combined into a single Other runoff segment and are under common management. “Runoff” means that we have ceased or plan to cease underwriting business as soon as possible.

·       The results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998), previously included in our Commercial Lines segment, are now included in the Other segment. In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business included the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures. The oversight of these exposures is the responsibility of the same management team responsible for oversight of the other components of the Other segment.

In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2003, our Specialty Programs business center, previously reported in our Specialty Commercial segment, was moved to our Commercial Lines segment to more accurately reflect the manner in which this business is underwritten and managed. See the “Commercial Lines” segment discussion below for a further description of the Specialty Programs business center. All data for 2002 and 2001 included in this report were restated to be consistent with the changes made to our segment reporting structure in the first and fourth quarters of 2003.

In accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” since Surety & Construction, International & Lloyd’s, Health Care, and Reinsurance were reported as separate segments during 2002 and are considered to be of continuing significance in analyzing the results of our operations, we continue to separately present and discuss (as appropriate) in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, information about those businesses in 2003 and the corresponding periods of 2002 and 2001.

Our operations in runoff do not qualify as “discontinued operations” for accounting purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2003, these runoff operations collectively accounted for $327 million, or 5%, of our net earned premiums, and generated underwriting losses totaling $762 million (an amount that does not include investment income from the assets maintained to support these operations). For the year ended December 31, 2002, these runoff operations collectively accounted for $1.98 billion, or 26%, of our net earned premiums, and generated underwriting losses totaling $874 million, an amount that included a $585 million pretax loss provision related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2001, these runoff operations collectively accounted for $2.97 billion, or 40%, of our net earned premiums, and generated underwriting losses totaling $1.87 billion, an amount that included a $735 million pretax loss provision to strengthen prior-year loss reserves in our Health Care operation and $662 million of pretax losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

Our consolidated net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of $13.3 billion at December 31, 2003 and $14.8 billion at December 31, 2002 included approximately $5.6 billion and $8.0 billion, respectively, of net reserves related to our runoff segment. The payment of claims from these reserves will negatively impact our investment income in future periods as the invested assets related to these reserves decline.

39




TRANSFER OF ONGOING REINSURANCE OPERATIONS TO PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS, LTD.

On November 1, 2002, we completed the transfer of our continuing reinsurance business (previously operating under the name “St. Paul Re”) and certain related assets, including renewal rights, to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”), a Bermuda company formed in 2002 that underwrites property and casualty reinsurance on a worldwide basis.

As part of this transaction, we contributed $122 million of cash to Platinum and transferred $349 million in assets relating to the insurance reserves that we also transferred. In exchange, we acquired six million common shares, representing a 14% equity ownership interest in Platinum, and a ten-year option to buy up to six million additional common shares at an exercise price of $27 per share, which represents 120% of the initial public offering price of Platinum’s shares.

In conjunction with the transfer of our continuing reinsurance business to Platinum, we entered into various agreements with Platinum and its subsidiaries, including quota share reinsurance agreements by which Platinum reinsured substantially all of the reinsurance contracts entered into by St. Paul Re on or after January 1, 2002. This transfer (based on September 30, 2002 balances) included $125 million of unearned premium reserves (net of ceding commissions), $200 million of existing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and $24 million of other reinsurance-related liabilities. The transfer of unearned premium reserves to Platinum was accounted for as prospective reinsurance, while the transfer of existing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves was accounted for as retroactive reinsurance.

As noted above, the transfer of reserves to Platinum at the inception of the quota share reinsurance agreements was based on the September 30, 2002 balances. In March 2003, we transferred to Platinum $137 million of additional insurance reserves, consisting of $72 million in unearned premiums (net of ceding commissions) and $65 million in existing reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. We also transferred cash and other assets having a value equal to the additional insurance reserves transferred. This transfer of additional assets and liabilities reflected business activity between September 30, 2002 and the November 2, 2002 inception date of the quota share reinsurance agreements, and our estimate of amounts due under the adjustment provisions of the quota share reinsurance agreements. Our insurance reserves at December 31, 2002 included our estimate, at that time, of amounts due to Platinum under the quota share reinsurance agreements, which totaled $54 million. The $83 million increase in our estimate of amounts due to Platinum under the quota share reinsurance agreements resulted in a pretax underwriting loss of $6 million in the first quarter of 2003. During the second quarter of 2003, we reached final agreement with Platinum regarding the adjustment provisions of the quota share reinsurance agreements and no further adjustments to the transferred assets and liabilities will occur.

For business underwritten in the United States and the United Kingdom, until October 31, 2003 Platinum had the right to underwrite specified reinsurance business on our behalf in cases where Platinum was unable to underwrite that business because it had yet to obtain necessary regulatory licenses or approval to do so, or Platinum had not yet been approved as a reinsurer by the ceding company. We entered into this agreement solely as a means to accommodate Platinum through a transition period. Any business written by Platinum on our policy forms during this transition period was fully ceded to Platinum under the quota share reinsurance agreements.

The transaction resulted in a pretax gain of $29 million and an after-tax loss of $54 million in the year ended December 31, 2002. The after-tax loss was driven by the write-off of approximately $73 million in deferred tax assets associated with previously incurred losses related to St. Paul Re’s United Kingdom-based operations, as well as approximately $10 million in taxes associated with the pretax gain.

Our investment in Platinum is included in “Other investments.”  The estimated income from our 14% proportionate equity ownership in Platinum is included in our statement of operations as a component of

40




“Net investment income.”  Our option to purchase additional Platinum shares is carried at market value ($65 million and $61 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively), with changes in its fair value recorded as other realized gains or losses in our statement of operations. In 2003 and 2002, we recorded net pretax realized gains of $4 million and $7 million, respectively, related to this option.

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

In December 2003, we completed the sale of Camperdown UK Limited, one of our Lloyd’s corporate names and the vehicle for our participation on the 2003 and prior years of account, to Foltus Investments Limited. We recognized a $2 million pretax gain on this transaction. At Lloyd’s, we underwrite business through a single syndicate (“Syndicate 5000”) for which we provide 100% of the capital. In 2003, Fire and Marine entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement directly with Syndicate 5000 that in effect transferred Syndicate 5000’s underwriting results for the 2003 year of account to Fire and Marine. In order to continue our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, we activated two corporate names that will be used for 2004 and future years of account to underwrite Syndicate 5000 business.

In November 2003, The St. Paul and Travelers Property Casualty Corp. announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement. See Item 1 in this report for further discussion of the Proposed Merger.

In October 2003, we sold our subsidiary, Octagon Risk Services, Inc., a claim management and consulting services company, for proceeds of approximately $30 million. We recorded a pretax gain of $5 million on the sale.

In the third quarter of 2003, we sold our subsidiary Botswana Insurance Company Ltd. for total proceeds of $11 million, and recorded a pretax loss of less than $1 million.

In May 2003, we purchased the right to seek renewal of several lines of insurance business previously underwritten by Kemper Insurance Companies. The initial payment for this right was recorded as an intangible asset (characterized as renewal rights) and is being amortized on an accelerated basis over four years. The portfolio of business involved in this transaction included the following lines: technology, small commercial, middle market commercial, inland and ocean marine, and architects’ and engineers’ professional liability. We did not assume any past liabilities with this purchase; however, we may be obligated to make an additional payment in June 2004 based on the amount of premium volume we ultimately renew during the twelve month period subsequent to this purchase. We believe it is unlikely that any additional payment would exceed $30 million. At December 31, 2003, we had accrued $10 million toward this additional obligation, recorded in “Other liabilities.”  Our consolidated gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2003 included approximately $280 million attributable to business underwritten as a result of this purchase of renewal rights, the majority of which were included in our Commercial Lines segment.

In December 2002, we acquired the right to seek to renew the Professional and Financial Risk Practice business previously underwritten by Royal & SunAlliance in the United States, without assuming past liabilities. That business generated approximately $80 million in written premiums in 2003. The nominal cost of this acquisition was accounted for as an intangible asset and is being amortized over four years.

In December 2002, we sold our insurance operations in Spain and Argentina and all of our operations in Mexico except our surety business. Proceeds from these sales totaled $29 million, and we recorded a pretax gain of $4 million related to the sales.

In March 2002, we completed our acquisition of London Guarantee Insurance Company (“London Guarantee,” now operating under the name “St. Paul Guarantee”), a specialty property-liability insurance company focused on providing surety products and management liability, bond, and professional indemnity products. The total cost of the acquisition was approximately $80 million, of which approximately $18

41




million represented goodwill and $37 million represented other intangible assets. The purchase price was funded through internally generated funds.

In December 2001, we purchased the right to seek to renew surety bond business previously underwritten by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (“Fireman’s Fund”), without assuming past liabilities. We paid Fireman’s Fund $10 million in consideration, which we recorded as an intangible asset and which we expect to amortize over nine years. Based on the volume of business renewed during 2002, we made a modest additional payment to Fireman’s Fund in the first quarter of 2003. That amount was also recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized on an accelerated basis over the remaining life of the intangible asset.

In January 2001, we acquired the right to seek to renew a book of municipality insurance business from Penco, a program administrator for Willis North America Inc., for a total consideration of $3.5 million. The cost was recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized over five years.

In addition, Nuveen Investments made strategic acquisitions in both 2002 and 2001, which are discussed in greater detail in the “Asset Management” section of this discussion.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

LIFE INSURANCE—In September 2001, we completed the sale of our life insurance company, Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company and its subsidiary, Thomas Jefferson Life (together, “F&G Life”) to Old Mutual plc (“Old Mutual”), for $335 million in cash and $300 million in ordinary shares of Old Mutual. In June 2002, we sold all of the Old Mutual shares we were holding for a total net consideration of $287 million, resulting in a pretax realized loss of $13 million that was recorded as a component of discontinued operations on our statement of operations in 2002. At the time of the sale of the Old Mutual shares, there was a derivative “collar” agreement in place that would have determined any possible adjustment to the original F&G Life sale price one year after the closing date.  The collar was recorded on our balance sheet as an asset and had a fair value of $12 million when we sold our Old Mutual shares. We agreed to terminate the collar at no value as part of the sale of our Old Mutual shares. That $12 million pretax loss was also included in discontinued operations on our statement of operations in 2002.

At the time of the sale of F&G Life in 2001, we recorded a net after-tax loss of $74 million on the sale proceeds. That loss was combined with F&G Life’s results of operations prior to sale for an after-tax loss of $55 million and was included in the reported loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.

STANDARD PERSONAL INSURANCE—In 1999, we sold our standard personal insurance operations to Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“Metropolitan”). Metropolitan purchased Economy Fire & Casualty Company and subsidiaries (“Economy”), and the rights and interests in those non-Economy policies constituting the remainder of our standard personal insurance operations. Those rights and interests were transferred to Metropolitan by way of a reinsurance and facility agreement. We guaranteed the adequacy of Economy’s loss and loss expense reserves, and we remain liable for claims on non-Economy policies that result from losses occurring prior to the September 30, 1999 closing date. Under the reserve-related agreements, we agreed to pay for any deficiencies in those reserves and would share in any redundancies that developed by September 30, 2002. Any losses incurred by us under these agreements were reflected in discontinued operations in the period during which they were incurred. At December 31, 2002, our analysis indicated that we owed Metropolitan $13 million related to the reserve agreements, which was paid in April 2003. We have no other contingent liabilities related to this sale.

42




NONSTANDARD AUTO INSURANCE—In 1999, Prudential purchased our nonstandard auto insurance business marketed under the Victoria Financial and Titan Auto brands for $175 million in cash (net of a $25 million dividend paid by these operations to our property-liability insurance operations prior to closing). We recorded an estimated after-tax loss of $83 million on the sale, representing the estimated excess of carrying value of these entities at closing date over proceeds to be received from the sale, plus estimated income through the disposal date. This excess primarily consisted of goodwill. We recorded an after-tax loss on disposal of $9 million in 2000, primarily representing additional losses incurred through the disposal date in May, and an additional after-tax loss on disposal of $5 million in 2001, primarily representing tax adjustments made to the sale transaction.

MINET—In 1997, we sold our insurance brokerage operation, Minet Holdings plc (“Minet”) to Aon Corporation. We recorded expenses in discontinued operations in each of the last three years related to the Minet sale. In 2003, we recorded expense primarily related to an adjustment to the tax provision on the sale, whereas the expenses recorded in 2002 and 2001 primarily represented additional funds due Aon pursuant to provisions of the sale agreement.

Our operations in runoff do not qualify as “discontinued operations” for accounting purposes.

The following table presents the components of discontinued operations reported in our consolidated statement of operations for each of the last three years.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

 2003 

 

 2002 

 

 2001 

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

F&G Life:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income, net of taxes

 

$

 

$

 

$

19

 

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

 

 

(12

)

(74

)

Total F&G Life

 

 

(12

)

(55

)

Standard Personal Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

 

(7

)

(7

)

(13

)

Total Standard Personal Insurance

 

(7

)

(7

)

(13

)

Nonstandard Auto Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

 

 

(3

)

(5

)

Total Nonstandard Auto Insurance

 

 

(3

)

(5

)

Minet Holdings plc:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

 

(10

)

(3

)

(6

)

Total Minet Holdings plc

 

(10

)

(3

)

(6

)

Total discontinued operations

 

(17

)

$

(25

)

$

(79

)

 

ASBESTOS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

On June 3, 2002, we announced that we and certain of our subsidiaries had entered into an agreement settling all existing and future claims arising from any insuring relationship of United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (“USF&G”), St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and their affiliates and subsidiaries, including us (collectively, the “USF&G Parties”) with any of MacArthur Company, Western MacArthur Company (“Western MacArthur”), and Western Asbestos Company (“Western Asbestos”) (together, the “MacArthur Companies”).

43



Pursuant to the provisions of the settlement agreement, on November 22, 2002, the MacArthur Companies filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to permit the channeling of all current and future asbestos-related claims solely to a trust to be established pursuant to Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Consummation of most elements of the settlement agreement was contingent upon bankruptcy court approval of the settlement agreement as part of a broader plan for the reorganization of the MacArthur Companies (the “Plan”). In January 2004, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California issued an order approving the settlement agreement with the MacArthur Companies and confirming the MacArthur Companies’ proposed plan of reorganization.  We are awaiting final confirmation of the Bankruptcy Court order.

The plan of reorganization includes an injunction in favor of The St. Paul against any direct or indirect liability for asbestos-related claims against the MacArthur Companies. Under the injunction, all current and future asbestos-related claims of the MacArthur Companies will be channeled to, and paid solely from, the trust established by the plan. The MacArthur Companies will release the USF&G Parties from any and all asbestos-related claims for personal injury, and all other claims in excess of $1 million in the aggregate, that may be asserted relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any alleged coverage provided by any of the USF&G Parties to any of the MacArthur Companies, including any claim for extra contractual relief.

The St. Paul has completed its funding obligations under the 2002 settlement agreement, consisting of payments of $235 million during the second quarter of 2002, and $747 million on January 16, 2003 (including interest). Following final confirmation of the Bankruptcy Court ruling, the escrowed funds will be released to the trust established by the plan for the payment of the MacArthur Companies’ asbestos related claims. The settlement agreement also provided for the USF&G Parties to pay $13 million (which was paid in the second quarter of 2002) and to advance certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the settlement, bankruptcy proceedings, finalization of the Plan and efforts to achieve approval of the Plan, subject to a right of reimbursement in certain circumstances of amounts advanced.  Up to $175 million of the initial $235 million payment will be paid to counsel for the MacArthur Companies, and persons holding judgments against the MacArthur Companies as of June 3, 2002 and their counsel, and the USF&G Parties will be released from claims by such holders to the extent of $110 million paid to such holders. At least $60 million from the initial payment and the $747 million paid in 2003 would be returned to us if final confirmation of the Bankruptcy Court ruling does not occur. At December 31, 2003, those payments of $807 million were recorded in both “Other Assets” and “Other Liabilities.” 

The $312 million after-tax impact to our net income in 2002 was calculated as follows.

 

 

Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Total cost of settlement

 

 

$

995

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Utilization of IBNR loss reserves

 

 

(153

)

 

Net reinsurance recoverables

 

 

(370

)

 

Net pretax loss

 

 

472

 

 

Tax benefit

 

 

160

 

 

Net after-tax loss

 

 

$

312

 

 

 

44




The following table represents a rollforward of asbestos reserve activity in 2002 related to the Western MacArthur matter.

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net reserve balance related to Western MacArthur at Dec. 31, 2001

 

 

 

$

6

 

Announced cost of settlement:

 

 

 

 

 

Utilization of existing asbestos IBNR reserves

 

$

153

 

 

 

Gross incurred impact of settlement during second quarter of 2002

 

835

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

988

 

Less: originally estimated net reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

 

 

(250

)

Adjustments subsequent to announcement:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimate of loss adjustment expenses

 

7

 

 

 

Change in estimate of net reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

(120

)

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

(113

)

Payments, net of $75 million of estimated reinsurance recoverables on paid losses

 

 

 

(189

)

Net reserve balance related to Western MacArthur at Dec. 31, 2002

 

 

 

$

442

 

 

Our gross asbestos reserves at December 31, 2002 included $740 million of reserves related to Western MacArthur ($442 million of net reserves after consideration of $295 million of estimated net reinsurance recoverables and $3 million of bankruptcy fees recoverable from others). On January 16, 2003, pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, we paid the remaining $740 million settlement amount, plus interest, to the bankruptcy trustee in respect of this matter. As a result, at December 31, 2003 our gross asbestos reserves included no amount related to Western MacArthur.

(See further discussion of asbestos reserves in the “Environmental and Asbestos Claims” section of this discussion).

POSSIBLE ASBESTOS LEGISLATION

From time to time asbestos reform bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress. Some of these proposed laws seek to reduce or eliminate current personal injury litigation by replacing it with a statutory compensation program funded by contributions from a variety of sources which may include companies that formerly manufactured, distributed or sold asbestos products and insurers that underwrote certain asbestos risks. Many of these reform efforts would not cover asbestos property damage claims and other categories of asbestos exposure including future personal injury claims if the compensation fund ultimately proves insufficient. The prospects for the passage of an asbestos reform bill remain uncertain and the effect of any such future asbestos legislative reform on us would depend upon a variety of factors including the total size of any compensation fund, the portions allocated to various commercial groups and the formula for allocating contributions among insurers. If any asbestos litigation reform is enacted in the future, our contribution allocation could be significantly larger than our current asbestos reserve.

45




SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 TERRORIST ATTACK

In 2001, we recorded estimated net pretax losses totaling $941 million related to the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001, consisting of the following components.

 

 

Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Gross pretax loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

2,299

 

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

 

(1,231

)

 

Provision for uncollectible reinsurance

 

 

47

 

 

Additional and reinstatement premiums

 

 

(83

)

 

Reduction in reinsurance contingent commission expense

 

 

(91

)

 

Total estimated pretax operating loss

 

 

$

941

 

 

 

Our estimate of losses was based on a variety of actuarial techniques, coverage interpretation and claims estimation methodologies, and include an estimate of losses incurred but not reported, as well as estimated costs related to the settlement of claims. Our estimate of losses was originally based on our belief that property-liability insurance losses from the terrorist attack will total between $30 billion and $35 billion for the insurance industry. In 2003 and 2002, our estimate of ultimate losses was supplemented by our ongoing analysis of both paid and reported claims related to the attack. Our estimate of losses remains subject to significant uncertainties and may change over time as additional information becomes available.

We regularly evaluate the adequacy of our estimated net losses related to the terrorist attack, weighing all factors that may impact the total net losses we will ultimately incur. Based on the results of those regular evaluations, we changed our estimate of losses among our property-liability segments in 2003 and 2002. In addition, in 2003 we recorded a reduction of $46 million in estimated losses related to the attack. In 2002, we recorded an additional loss provision of $20 million and a $33 million reduction in our estimated provision for uncollectible reinsurance related to the attack.

In 2002, we and other insurers obtained a summary judgment ruling that the World Trade Center property loss was a single occurrence. Certain insureds, including the World Trade Center’s leaseholder, appealed that ruling, asking the court to determine that the property loss constituted two separate occurrences rather than one. In September 2003, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that under terms of the policy form we used to underwrite property coverage for the World Trade Center, the terrorist attack constituted one occurrence. Additionally, through separate litigation, the aviation losses could be deemed four separate events rather than three, for purposes of insurance and reinsurance coverage. Even if the courts ultimately rule against us regarding the number of occurrences or events, we believe the additional amount of estimated after-tax losses, net of reinsurance, that we would record would not be material to our results of operations.

46




The (benefits) detriments on our business segments related to the terrorist attack for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003 are shown in the following table.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

$

(8

)

$

8

 

51

 

Surety & Construction

 

(1

)

 

2

 

International & Lloyd’s

 

(3

)

(16

)

90

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

(12

)

(8

)

143

 

Commercial Lines

 

(24

)

(30

)

136

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

(1

)

 

5

 

Reinsurance

 

(8

)

23

 

556

 

Other Runoff

 

(1

)

2

 

101

 

Total Other

 

(10

)

25

 

662

 

Total expense (benefit)

 

$

(46

)

$

(13

)

$

941

 

 

Through December 31, 2003, we paid a total of $512 million in net losses related to the terrorist attack since it occurred, including $205 million during the year ended December 31, 2003.

CERTAIN LITIGATION MATTERS

Refer to Item 3 of this report for a discussion of the status of certain litigation matters involving The St. Paul.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS*

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than
one year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than
five years

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

3,428

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

488

 

$

1,465

 

 

$

1,420

 

 

Operating lease obligations

 

507

 

 

113

 

 

165

 

127

 

 

102

 

 

Venture capital investment funding obligations

 

792

 

 

208

 

 

372

 

185

 

 

27

 

 

Total

 

$

4,727

 

 

$

376

 

 

$

1,025

 

$

1,777

 

 

$

1,549

 

 


*                    For more information regarding our contractual obligations, see Notes 10 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report.

 

We did not include claims to be paid out of our insurance reserves in the foregoing table, because of the significant uncertainty involved in trying to project payments related to those reserves into the future.

47



OFF- BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have entered into certain off-balance-sheet arrangements in the course of conducting our insurance operations, and from the sale of businesses.  These arrangements are typically related to transactions involving guarantees, derivative instruments, or variable interest entities.  We have disclosed the effects of these arrangements in our footnotes to the consolidated financial statements, specifically Notes 7, 10, 12 and 16 included in Item 8 of this report.  Management does not believe that these arrangements have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Overview

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. is a holding company with subsidiaries operating in the property-liability insurance industry and the asset management industry. We combine our financial statements with those of our subsidiaries and present them on a consolidated basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. Our significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. The following is a summary of the critical accounting policies related to accounting estimates that 1) require us to make assumptions about highly uncertain matters and 2) could materially impact our consolidated financial statements if we made different assumptions. After the Proposed Merger, management of the combined company will make decisions regarding the integration of claims handling practices, actuarial practices and other operational procedures. These decisions may impact management’s estimate of insurance loss and loss adjustment expense reserves.

Loss Reserves

The most significant estimates relate to our reserves for property-liability insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). We establish reserves for the estimated total unpaid cost of losses and LAE, which cover events that have already occurred. These reserves reflect our estimates of the total cost of claims that were reported to us, but not yet paid (“case” reserves), and the cost of claims “incurred but not yet reported” to us (“IBNR” reserves). For reported losses, we establish case reserves within the parameters of coverage provided in the insurance policy, surety bond or reinsurance agreement. For IBNR losses, we estimate reserves taking into account various statistical and actuarial projection techniques as well as other influencing factors. We continually review our reserves, using a variety of statistical and actuarial techniques to analyze current claim costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social and legal factors. We also take into consideration other variables such as past loss experience, changes in legislative conditions, changes in judicial interpretation of legal liability and policy coverages, changes in claims handling practices and inflation. We consider not only monetary increases in the cost of what we insure, but also changes in societal factors that influence jury verdicts and case law, our approach to claim resolution, and, in turn, claim costs.

For certain catastrophic events, there is considerable uncertainty underlying the assumptions and associated estimated reserves for losses and LAE. Reserves are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and additional information becomes known, including revised industry estimates of the magnitude of a catastrophe, the reserves are adjusted as we deem necessary.

Because many of the coverages we offer involve claims that may not ultimately be settled for many years after they are incurred, subjective judgments as to our ultimate exposure to losses are an integral and necessary component of our loss reserving process. We analyze our reserves by considering a range of estimates bounded by a high and low point, and record our best estimate within that range. We adjust reserves established in prior years as loss experience develops and new information becomes available.

48




Adjustments to previously estimated reserves, both positive and negative, are reflected in our financial results in the periods in which they are made, and are referred to as prior period development. Because of the high level of uncertainty involved in these estimates, revisions to our estimated reserves could have a material impact on our results of operations in the period recognized, and ultimate actual payments for claims and LAE could turn out to be significantly different from our estimates.

Environmental and Asbestos Reserves.   Reserves for environmental and asbestos exposures cannot be estimated solely with the traditional loss reserving techniques described above, which rely on historical accident year development factors and take into consideration the previously mentioned variables. Environmental and asbestos reserves are more difficult to estimate than our other loss reserves because of legal issues, societal factors and difficulty in determining the parties who may ultimately be held liable. Therefore, in addition to taking into consideration the traditional variables that are utilized to arrive at our other loss reserve amounts, we also look at the length of time necessary to clean up polluted sites, controversies surrounding the identity of the responsible party, the degree of remediation deemed to be necessary, the estimated time period for litigation expenses, judicial expansions of coverage, medical complications arising with asbestos claimants’ advanced age, case law, and the history of prior claim development. We also consider the impact of changes in the legal environment, including our experience in the Western MacArthur matter, in establishing our reserves for other asbestos and environmental cases. Generally, case reserves and loss adjustment expense reserves are established where sufficient information has been obtained to indicate coverage under a specific insurance policy. We also consider end of period reserves in relation to paid losses in a period. Furthermore, IBNR reserves are established to cover additional estimated exposures related to policyholders that haven’t as yet asserted any claims as well as development on reserves assumed from other entities. These reserves are continually reviewed and updated as additional information is acquired.

Our historical methodology (through first quarter 2002) for reviewing the adequacy of environmental and asbestos reserves utilized a survival ratio metric, which considered ending reserves in relation to calendar year paid losses. When the environmental reserve analyses were completed in the second quarter of 2002, we supplemented our survival ratio diagnostics with the detailed additional analyses referred to above, and concluded that our environmental reserves were redundant by approximately $150 million. Based on our additional analyses, we released approximately $150 million of environmental reserves in the second quarter of 2002. Had we continued to rely solely on our analysis of survival ratio, we would have recorded no adjustment to our environmental reserves through the six months ended June 30, 2002.

In the second quarter of 2002, we also supplemented our survival ratio analysis of asbestos reserves with a detailed claims analysis. We determined that, excluding the impact of the Western MacArthur settlement, our asbestos reserves were adequate; however, including that impact, we determined that our asbestos reserves were inadequate. As a result, gross and net asbestos reserves were increased $150 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we updated our detailed actuarial analysis for both asbestos and environmental reserves pertaining to our exposure from direct policyholders and utilized these analyses in determining the adequacy of our reserve provision for the remaining unreported losses. For non-workers’ compensation asbestos claims, we supplemented this detailed analysis with an additional analysis to determine an estimate of reserves specifically for policyholders who have not as yet tendered their first asbestos claim. As a result of these studies, we increased net asbestos reserves by $77 million ($44 million in our ongoing operations and $33 million in our runoff operations) and net environmental reserves by $14 million (all in our ongoing operations). In addition, reviews of assumed and non-domestic exposures caused us to increase net asbestos reserves by $13 million and reduce net environmental reserves by $1 million (all of which was recorded in our runoff operations).

Health Care Reserves.   During 2002, we concluded that the impact of settling claims in a runoff environment in our Health Care operation was causing abnormal effects on our average paid claims,

49




average outstanding claims, and the amount of average case reserves established for new claims - all of which are traditional statistics used by our actuaries to develop indicated ranges of expected loss. Taking these changing statistics into account, we developed varying interpretations of our data, which implied added uncertainty in our evaluation of these reserves. In the fourth quarter of 2002, we established specific tools and indicators to more explicitly monitor and validate our key assumptions supporting our Health Care reserve conclusions since our traditional statistics and reserving methods needed to be supplemented in order to provide a more meaningful analysis. The tools that were developed tracked the three primary indicators which influenced our expectations and included: a) newly reported claims, b) reserve development on known claims and c) the “redundancy ratio,” comparing the cost of resolving claims to the reserve established for that individual claim. Various actuarial techniques can be used to estimate Health Care reserves. While certain actuarial techniques could suggest a need for materially different levels of reserves, management believes the techniques it utilizes are the most appropriate under the circumstances.

For a detailed discussion about loss development related to our Health Care reserves in 2003, refer to the “Health Care” section of this discussion.

Reinsurance

Our reported written premiums, earned premiums and losses and LAE reflect the net effects of assumed and ceded reinsurance. Premiums are recorded at the inception of each policy, based on information received from ceding companies and their brokers. For excess-of-loss contracts, the amount of premium is usually contractually documented at inception, and no management judgment is necessary in accounting for this. Premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over the coverage period. For proportional treaties, the amount of premium is normally estimated at inception by the ceding company. We account for such premium using the initial estimates, and adjust them once a sufficient period for actual premium reporting has elapsed. Reinstatement and additional premiums are written at the time a loss event occurs where coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. Reinstatement premiums are the premiums charged for the restoration of the reinsurance limit of a catastrophe contract to its full amount after payment by the reinsurer of losses as a result of an occurrence. These premiums relate to the future coverage obtained during the remainder of the initial policy term, and are earned over the remaining policy term. Additional premiums are premiums charged after coverage has expired that are related to experience during the policy term, which are earned immediately.

Reinsurance accounting is followed for assumed and ceded transactions when risk transfer requirements have been met. These requirements involve significant assumptions being made relating to the amount and timing of expected cash flows, as well as the interpretation of underlying contract terms. Reinsurance contracts that do not transfer significant insurance risk are considered financing transactions and are required to be accounted for as deposits.

We estimate and record an allowance for reinsurance amounts that may not be collectible, due to credit issues, disputes over coverage, or other considerations.

Investments

We continually monitor the difference between our cost and the estimated fair value of investments, which involves uncertainty as to whether declines in value are temporary in nature. If we believe a decline in the value of a particular investment is temporary, we record the decline as an unrealized loss in our common shareholders’ equity. If we believe the decline is “other than temporary,” we write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss on our statement of operations. Our assessment of a decline in value includes our current judgment as to the financial position and future prospects of the entity that issued the investment security. If that judgment changes in the future, we may ultimately record a realized loss after having originally concluded that the decline in value was temporary. The following

50




table summarizes the total pretax gross unrealized loss recorded in our common shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2003 and 2002, by invested asset class.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income (including securities on loan):

 

$

51

 

$

52

 

Equities

 

4

 

37

 

Venture capital

 

74

 

119

 

Total unrealized loss

 

$

129

 

$

208

 

 

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the carrying value of our consolidated invested asset portfolio included $0.95 billion and $1.03 billion of net pretax unrealized appreciation, respectively. Included in those net amounts were gross pretax unrealized losses of $129 million and $208 million, respectively. The following tables summarize, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2003 and 2002, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. The cost of these investments represented approximately 16% of our investment portfolio (at cost) at December 31, 2003. The majority of unrealized losses related to fixed income securities are issuer-specific rather than interest rate-related.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Up to 12 months

 

Greater than 12 months

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
  Value  

 

Gross
  Unrealized  
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government

 

$

348

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

$

8

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

356

 

 

$

5

 

 

State and political subdivisions

 

114

 

 

3

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

3

 

 

Foreign governments

 

287

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

287

 

 

2

 

 

Corporate securities

 

1,112

 

 

23

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

2

 

 

1,169

 

 

25

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

54

 

 

1

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

8

 

 

127

 

 

9

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

412

 

 

7

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

413

 

 

7

 

 

Total fixed income

 

2,327

 

 

41

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

10

 

 

2,483

 

 

51

 

 

Equities

 

22

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

4

 

 

Venture capital

 

53

 

 

29

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

45

 

 

107

 

 

74

 

 

Total

 

2,402

 

 

$

74

 

 

 

$

213

 

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

2,615

 

 

$

129

 

 

 

51




 

 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 

Up to 12 months

 

Greater than 12 months

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
  Value  

 

Gross
  Unrealized  
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government

 

$

236

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

237

 

 

$

2

 

 

State and political subdivisions

 

107

 

 

3

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

117

 

 

3

 

 

Foreign governments

 

126

 

 

2

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

132

 

 

2

 

 

Corporate securities

 

323

 

 

16

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

12

 

 

457

 

 

28

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

59

 

 

13

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

4

 

 

103

 

 

17

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

Total fixed income

 

871

 

 

36

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

16

 

 

1,069

 

 

52

 

 

Equities

 

224

 

 

35

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

228

 

 

37

 

 

Venture capital

 

99

 

 

74

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

143

 

 

119

 

 

Total

 

$

1,194

 

 

$

145

 

 

 

$

246

 

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

1,440

 

 

$

208

 

 

 

The following two tables provide additional information regarding our venture capital investment holdings in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The tables indicate the period of time the securities had been in an unrealized loss position and the amount of unrealized loss as a percentage of our investment in the holding.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

0-20% Loss

 

>20% <50% Loss

 

50% or Greater Loss

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
 Value 

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

0-6 months

 

 

$

13

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

19

 

 

 

$

11

 

 

 

$

6

 

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

38

 

 

$

24

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

15

 

 

5

 

 

13-24 months

 

 

9

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

25

 

 

43

 

 

38

 

 

Greater than 24 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

7

 

 

Total

 

 

$

31

 

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

$

55

 

 

 

$

33

 

 

 

$

21

 

 

 

$

39

 

 

$

107

 

 

$

74

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 

0-20% Loss

 

>20% <50% Loss

 

50% or Greater Loss

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
 Value 

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

0-6 months

 

 

$

11

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

39

 

 

 

$

26

 

 

 

$

10

 

 

 

$

22

 

 

$

60

 

 

$

49

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

13

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

16

 

 

39

 

 

25

 

 

13-24 months

 

 

13

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

34

 

 

39

 

 

42

 

 

Greater than 24 months

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

5

 

 

3

 

 

Total

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

$

70

 

 

 

$

42

 

 

 

$

35

 

 

 

$

74

 

 

$

143

 

 

$

119

 

 

 

In our venture capital portfolio, the sale of a large portion of one of our investment holdings generated a pretax gain of $171 million in 2003, which was largely offset by impairment realized losses totaling $143 million related to 38 of our investment holdings. Fourteen of those holdings were impaired due to a merger or sale at a value less than our cost. Eleven holdings experienced fundamental economic deterioration (characterized by gross margins being less than expected, product pricing not meeting initial projections due to market conditions, and greater than expected manufacturing expenses). Six holdings

52




were written down because the entities’ progress was substantially less than planned and additional financing was required at values less than our cost. An additional six holdings were impaired due to cessation of operations of the entity. Finally, one holding was impaired because market demand for its product was less than expected.

Realized losses in our venture capital portfolio in 2002 included $56 million of losses resulting from the sale of the majority of our partnership investment holdings, and impairment write-downs in 25 of our holdings totaling $122 million. These holdings were impaired for the same general reasons noted above for the 2003 impairments: seven holdings were impaired because market demand for their products was less than expected; seven holdings were written down because the entities’ progress was less than planned and additional financing would be required; five holdings were impaired due to fundamental economic deterioration (as defined above); four holdings were impaired due to a merger or sale at less than our cost; and two holdings were impaired due to cessation of operations.

At December 31, 2003, non-investment grade securities comprised less than 2% of our consolidated fixed income investment portfolio, and nonrated securities comprised less than one half of one percent of that portfolio. Included in those categories at that date were securities in an unrealized loss position that, in the aggregate, had an amortized cost of $59 million and a fair value of $56 million, resulting in a net pretax unrealized loss of $3 million. These securities represented less than 1% of the total amortized cost and fair value of the fixed income portfolio at December 31, 2003, and accounted for 6% of the total pretax unrealized loss in the fixed income portfolio. Included in those categories at December 31, 2002 were securities in an unrealized loss position that, in the aggregate, had an amortized cost of $160 million and a fair value of $140 million, resulting in a net pretax unrealized loss of $20 million. These securities represented 1% of the total amortized cost and fair value of the fixed income portfolio at Dec. 31, 2002, and accounted for 38% of the total pretax unrealized loss in the fixed income portfolio.

The following table presents information regarding those fixed income investments, by remaining period to maturity date, that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2003.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Remaining period to maturity date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year or less

 

 

$

112

 

 

 

$

111

 

 

Over one year through five years

 

 

473

 

 

 

469

 

 

Over five years through ten years

 

 

905

 

 

 

886

 

 

Over ten years

 

 

488

 

 

 

477

 

 

Asset/mortgage-backed securities with various maturities

 

 

556

 

 

 

540

 

 

Total

 

 

$

2,534

 

 

 

$

2,483

 

 

 

Our investment portfolio also includes non-publicly traded securities, the vast majority of which are held in our venture capital and real estate portfolios. Our venture capital investments represent ownership interests in small- to medium-sized companies, which are carried at estimated fair value. Fair values are based on an estimate determined by an internal valuation committee for securities for which there is no public market. The internal valuation committee reviews such factors as recent financings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth, and other business and market sector fundamental statistics in estimating fair values of specific investments. For our real estate joint ventures, we use the equity method of accounting, meaning that we carry these investments at cost, adjusted for our share of earnings or losses, and reduced by cash distributions from the partnerships and valuation adjustments. Due to time constraints in obtaining financial results from the partnerships, the results of these operations are recorded

53




on a one-month lag. If events occur during the lag period which are material to our consolidated results, the impact is included in current period results.

The following discussion summarizes our process of reviewing our investments for possible impairment.

Fixed Income and Securities on LoanOn a monthly basis, these investments are reviewed by portfolio managers for impairment. In general, the managers focus their attention on those fixed income securities whose market value was less than 80% of their amortized cost for at least one month in the previous nine months. Factors considered in evaluating potential impairment include the following.

·       the degree to which any appearance of impairment is attributable to an overall change in market conditions (e.g., interest rates) rather than changes in the individual factual circumstances and risk profile of the issuer;

·       the degree to which an issuer is current or in arrears in making principal and interest payments on the debt securities in question;

·       the issuer’s fixed-charge ratio at the date of acquisition and date of evaluation;

·       the issuer’s current financial condition and its ability to make future scheduled principal and interest payments on a timely basis;

·       the independent auditors’ report on the issuer’s recent financial statements;

·       buy/hold/sell recommendations of outside investment advisors and analysts;

·       relevant rating history, analysis and guidance provided by rating agencies and analysts; and

·       whether or not we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery, enabling us to receive value equal to or greater than our cost.

EquitiesOn a monthly basis, these investments are reviewed by portfolio managers for impairment. In general, the managers focus their attention on those equity securities whose market value was less than 80% of their cost for six consecutive months. Factors considered in evaluating potential impairment include the following.

·       whether the decline appears to be related to general market or industry conditions or is issuer-specific;

·       the relationship of market prices per share to book value per share at date of acquisition and date of evaluation;

·       the price-earnings ratio at the time of acquisition and date of evaluation;

·       our ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in the market value;

·       the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events that may influence the issuer’s operations;

·       the recent income or loss of the issuer;

·       the independent auditors’ report on the issuer’s financial statements;

·       the dividend policy of the issuer at date of acquisition and date of evaluation;

·       any buy/hold/sell recommendations of investment advisors;

·       rating agency announcements; and

54




·       price projections of investment analysts.

Venture Capital

Publicly traded.   On a monthly basis, individual public investments are analyzed for impairment by portfolio managers as well as an internal valuation committee. In general, attention is focused on those marketable (public equity) securities whose market value has been less than cost for six consecutive months. Factors considered are the same as those enumerated above for our equity investments.

Non-publicly traded   Our non-publicly traded venture capital portfolio generally consists of investments in early-stage venture capital companies, historically with a holding period of four to seven years. These investments have primarily been made in the health care, software and computer services, and networking and information technologies infrastructures industries. We typically are involved with venture capital companies early in their formation, as they are developing and determining the viability of, and market demand for, their product. We generally do not expect these venture capital companies to record revenues in the early stages of their development, which can often take three to four years, and do not generally expect them to become profitable for an even longer period of time. As such, our impairment analysis for these non-publicly traded venture capital investments differs from that performed for both our equity investment portfolio and our publicly-traded venture capital investments. With respect to our valuation of such non-publicly traded venture capital investments, on a quarterly basis, the portfolio managers as well as the internal valuation committee review and consider a variety of factors in determining the potential for loss impairment. Factors considered include the following.

·       the issuer’s most recent financing events;

·       an analysis of whether fundamental deterioration has occurred;

·       whether or not the issuer’s progress has been substantially less than expected;

·       whether or not the valuations have declined significantly in the entity’s market sector;

·       whether or not the internal valuation committee believes there is a 50% probability that the issuer will need financing within six months at a lower price than our carrying value; and

·       whether or not we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery, enabling us to receive value equal to or greater than our cost.

The quarterly (or monthly) valuation procedures described above are in addition to the portfolio managers’ ongoing responsibility to frequently monitor developments affecting those invested assets, paying particular attention to events that might give rise to impairment write-downs.

The size of our investment portfolio allows our portfolio managers a degree of flexibility in determining which individual investments should be sold to achieve our primary investment goals of assuring our ability to meet our commitments to policyholders and other creditors and maximizing our investment returns. In order to meet the objective of maintaining a flexible portfolio that can achieve these goals, our fixed income and equity portfolios are classified as “available-for-sale.” We continually evaluate these portfolios, and our purchases and sales of investments are based on our cash requirements, the characteristics of our insurance liabilities, and current market conditions. At the time we determine an “other than temporary” impairment in the value of a particular investment to have occurred, we consider the current facts and circumstances and make a decision to either record a write-down in the carrying value of the security or sell the security; in either case, recognizing a realized loss.

With respect to our venture capital portfolio, we manage our portfolio to maximize return, evaluating current market conditions and the future outlook for the entities in which we have invested. Because this portfolio primarily consists of privately-held, early-stage venture investments, events giving rise to

55




impairment can occur in a brief period of time (e.g., the entity has been unsuccessful in securing additional financing, other investors decide to withdraw their support, complications arise in the product development process, etc.), and decisions are made at that point in time, based on the specific facts and circumstances, with respect to a recognition of “other than temporary” impairment, or sale of the investment.

ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 106-1—On January 12, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (“FSP 106-1”).  This pronouncement provides companies with the option to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the Medicare Act referenced in its title (“the Act”).  We have decided to defer accounting for the Act under FSP 106-1 and have made the required disclosures in Note 13—“Retirement Plans” to the consolidated financial statements.  The final accounting guidance could require changes to previously reported information.  We will monitor the FASB deliberations and account for the Act based on the pronouncement expected to be issued.

FIN 46(R)—In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which was replaced in December 2003 (“FIN 46(R)”). FIN 46(R), along with its related interpretations, requires consolidation of all “variable interest entities” (“VIE”) by the “primary beneficiary,” as these terms are defined in FIN 46(R). We began applying the consolidation requirements for new VIEs in the first quarter of 2003. For VIEs created before January 31, 2003, the effective date of adoption was deferred until the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003 (for us, the first quarter of 2004), but early and partial adoption were permitted.

We chose to partially adopt FIN 46(R) under the early adoption provisions in 2003, which resulted in us consolidating certain entities (summarized below) that we had not previously consolidated. We are still evaluating the implications of FIN 46(R) on our participation in various Lloyd’s underwriting syndicates. Upon partial adoption, we recorded a loss of $21 million (net of a deferred tax benefit of $3 million) in our consolidated statement of operations in 2003, classified as a “cumulative effect of accounting change” and representing the cumulative impact of FIN 46(R) on periods prior to the July 1, 2003 date of partial adoption.

The entities that we consolidated (or deconsolidated, with respect to the preferred securities of trusts) under our partial adoption of FIN 46(R) were as follows.

·       Investment—We hold an investment in an insurance company that provides insurance coverage to markets in Baltimore and Washington D.C. Our investment includes a substantial majority of the company’s convertible preferred stock, but none of its voting common stock. As a result of our economic interest in the entity, we have the majority exposure to variability through our preferred stock ownership and a loan to the company, both of which are considered variable interests as defined in FIN 46(R). Accordingly, we began consolidating this entity in the third quarter. The carrying value of this investment at December 31, 2003 was approximately $4 million.

·       Municipal Trusts—We own interests in various municipal trusts that were formed for the purpose of allowing us to more flexibly generate investment income in a manner consistent with our investment objectives and tax position. As of September 30, 2003, there were 36 such trusts, which held a combined total of $450 million in municipal securities, of which eight had not been included in our consolidated financial statements prior to our adoption of FIN 46(R) because we did not hold majority ownership in them. However, we do have the majority exposure to variability for these trusts. Therefore, we consolidated these eight trusts in 2003. The combined carrying value of these trusts at December 31, 2003 was $366 million.

56



·       Venture Capital Entities—In our venture capital investment portfolio, we have numerous investments in small- to medium-sized companies, in which we have variable interests through stock ownership and, in some cases, loans. All of these investments are held for the purpose of generating investment returns, and the companies in which we invest span a variety of business sectors, including technology, telecommunications and healthcare. As a result of our review of this portfolio, we identified three entities that were required to be consolidated under the provisions of FIN 46(R). The combined carrying value of these entities at December 31, 2003 was $(5) million.

·       Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the company (“Preferred Securities”)—These securities had a carrying value of $897 million, and prior to September 30, 2003 were classified as a separate line on our balance sheet between liabilities and shareholders’ equity. These securities were issued by five separate trusts that were established for the sole purpose of issuing the securities to investors, and the securities were fully guaranteed by us. At September 30, 2003, we reclassified these securities to “Debt” in the liability section of our Consolidated Balance Sheet, as newly required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, which generally required that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). In the fourth quarter of 2003, we determined that the provisions of FIN 46(R) applied to the trusts that issued these securities, and as a result we deconsolidated the trusts for financial reporting purposes. The debt we issued to these trusts, previously eliminated in the consolidation of our financial results, is now included in the “Debt” section of liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The net impact of de-consolidating these trusts was to increase our reported debt liabilities outstanding by $928 million and eliminate the $897 million of Preferred Securities issued by the trusts from our consolidated balance sheet. The difference between the two amounts was comprised of the $31 million combined equity interests we held in the deconsolidated trusts.

The consolidation/deconsolidation of the foregoing entities had the net impact of increasing (decreasing) the balance sheet and statement of operations’ captions by the amounts indicated in the following table.

 

 

Investment

 

Municipal
Trust

 

Preferred
Securities

 

Venture
Capital

 

Total

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Assets

 

 

$

(14

)

 

 

$

84

 

 

 

$

31

 

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

100

 

Liabilities

 

 

3

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

3

 

 

121

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

$

(17

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(21

)

Premiums earned

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

Other revenue

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

5

 

Operating and administrative expenses

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

7

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

In addition to the foregoing entities that were consolidated pursuant to FIN 46(R), we also hold significant interests in other variable interest entities for which we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary, as follows.

·       We have a significant variable interest in two real estate entities, but we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary. The total carrying value of these entities was approximately $48 million as of September 30, 2003, which also represents our maximum exposure to loss. The purpose of our involvement in these entities is to generate investment returns.

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·       We also have certain remaining variable interests in Camperdown UK Limited, an entity that we sold in 2003. We utilized this entity as one of our corporate names and the vehicle for our participation at Lloyd’s for 2003 and prior years of account through a single syndicate (“Syndicate 5000”). Our variable interest results from an agreement to indemnify the purchaser in the event a specified reserve deficiency develops, a reserve-related foreign exchange impact occurs, or a foreign tax adjustment is imposed on a pre-sale reporting period. The maximum amount of this indemnification obligation is $203 million. In addition, in 2003 we entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement with Syndicate 5000 that in effect transferred Syndicate 5000’s underwriting results for the 2003 year of account to us.

SFAS No. 150—As noted above, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 150 in the third quarter of 2003 with respect to our Preferred Securities, our only financial instruments that fell within the scope of SFAS No. 150. Upon the application of the provisions of FIN 46(R) in the fourth quarter of 2003 to trusts that issued these securities, we no longer have any financial instruments to which SFAS No. 150 applies.

SFAS No. 141—In 2002, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” which established financial accounting and reporting standards for business combinations. (Nuveen Investments had applied the relevant provisions of this statement to its 2001 acquisition of Symphony Asset Management LLC). The statement requires all business combinations initiated subsequent to June 30, 2001 to be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. In addition, this statement required that intangible assets that can be identified and meet certain criteria be recognized as assets apart from goodwill.

SFAS No. 142—In 2002, we implemented the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, which established financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. The statement changed prior accounting requirements relating to the method by which intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, including goodwill, are tested for impairment on an annual basis. It also required that those assets meeting the criteria for classification as intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized to expense over those lives, while intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and goodwill are not to be amortized. As a result of implementing the provisions of this statement, we did not record any goodwill amortization expense in 2003 or 2002. In 2001, goodwill amortization expense totaled $114 million. Amortization expense associated with intangible assets totaled $31 million in 2003, compared with $18 million in 2002 and $2 million 2001.

In connection with our reclassification of certain assets previously accounted for as goodwill to other intangible assets upon our adoption of SFAS No. 142 in 2002, we established a deferred tax liability of $6 million in the second quarter of 2002. That provision was classified as a cumulative effect of accounting change effective as of January 1, 2002. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we restated our results for the first quarter of 2002, reducing net income for that period from the reported $139 million, or $0.63 per common share (diluted) to $133 million, or $0.60 per common share (diluted).

SFAS No. 144—During 2002, we also implemented the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”. As a result of implementation, we monitor the recoverability of the value of our long-lived assets to be held and used based on our estimate of the future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of each asset and its eventual disposition considering any events or changes in circumstances which indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We monitor the value of our long-lived assets to be disposed of and report them at the lower of carrying value or fair value less our estimated cost to sell. We had no impairment adjustments related to our long-lived assets in 2002.

SFAS No. 133—On January 1, 2001, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS Nos. 137 and 138. Provisions of SFAS No. 133 require the recognition of derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and

58




the measurement of those instruments at fair value. We have limited involvement with derivative instruments, primarily for purposes of hedging against fluctuations in market indices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We also have entered into a variety of other financial instruments considered to be derivatives, but which are not designated as hedges, that we utilize to minimize the potential impact of market movements in certain investment portfolios. Our adoption of SFAS No 133, as amended, did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of continuing operations.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

At December 31, 2003, our goodwill and intangible assets totaled $1.07 billion, compared with $1.01 billion at December 31, 2002. Our asset management subsidiary, Nuveen Investments, Inc., accounted for the majority of the $52 million increase, primarily resulting from additional goodwill recorded at The St. Paul parent company resulting from Nuveen Investments’ repurchase of common shares from its minority shareholders. Our acquisition of the right to renew certain business from Kemper Insurance Company in 2003 also contributed to the increase in goodwill and intangible assets over 2002. In the second quarter of 2003, we completed the annual evaluation of our recorded goodwill for impairment in accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 142. That evaluation concluded that none of our goodwill was impaired. See Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report for a schedule of goodwill and acquired intangible assets.

ELIMINATION OF ONE-QUARTER REPORTING LAGS

In the first quarter of 2003, we eliminated the one-quarter reporting lag for our underwriting operations at Lloyd’s to coincide with the timing of reporting for all of our other international operations. As a result, our consolidated results for 2003 included the results of those operations for the fourth quarter of 2002 and all quarters of 2003. The incremental impact on our property-liability operations of eliminating the reporting lag, consisting of the results of these operations for the three months ended December 31, 2003, was as follows.

 

 

Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

 

$

67

 

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

 

39

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

 

106

 

 

Incurred losses and underwriting expenses

 

 

(155

)

 

Net investment income

 

 

5

 

 

Other income

 

 

10

 

 

Total pretax loss

 

 

$

(34

)

 

 

Of the total net written premiums and underwriting result in the foregoing table, $64 million and $(1) million, respectively, was recorded in our ongoing Specialty Commercial segment, and $3 million and $(48) million, respectively, was recorded in our runoff Other segment.

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In 2001, we eliminated the one-quarter reporting lag for our primary underwriting operations in foreign countries (not including our operations at Lloyd’s). As a result, our consolidated results for 2001 include their results for the fourth quarter of 2000 and all quarters of 2001. The incremental impact on our property-liability operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 of eliminating the reporting lag, which consists of the results of these operations for the three months ended December 31, 2001, was as follows.

 

 

Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

 

$

71

 

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

 

15

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

 

86

 

 

Incurred losses and underwriting expenses

 

 

(131

)

 

Net investment income

 

 

14

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

Total pretax loss

 

 

$

(31

)

 

 

RECLASSIFICATION OF LLOYD’S COMMISSION EXPENSES

In 2003, we reclassified certain commission expenses related to our operations at Lloyd’s. In prior years, we determined commission expense based on premiums reported by the Lloyd’s market (net of commissions) using an estimated average commission rate. Until recently, gross premiums (prior to reduction for commissions) were not readily available from the Lloyd’s market. In 2003, we began recording actual commission expense for our Lloyd’s business. We reclassified prior period results to record actual commission expense on a basis consistent with that implemented in 2003. There was no impact to net income or shareholders’ equity as previously reported for any prior periods, because the reclassification had the impact of increasing previously reported premiums and commission expense in equal and offsetting amounts. For the year ended December 31, 2003, this reclassification had the impact of increasing both net earned premiums and policy acquisition costs by $81 million compared with what would have been recorded under our prior method of estimation. In addition, net written premiums increased by $116 million in 2003 (a portion of which was due to the elimination of the one-quarter reporting lag). For the year ended December 31, 2002, the impact was an increase to both net earned premiums and policy acquisition costs of $112 million and an increase to net written premiums of $91 million. For the year ended December 31, 2001, the impact was an increase to both net earned premiums and policy acquisition costs of $112 million and an increase to net written premiums of $132 million.

PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BASED ON STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Our U.S. property-liability insurance operations comprise the majority of our business. These operations are required under applicable state insurance legislation and regulations to publicly report information on the basis of Statutory Accounting Principles (“SAP”), including net written premiums, statutory loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, and statutory underwriting expense ratio information. We provide in this report selected SAP information for all of our property-liability underwriting operations, as well as certain GAAP information for such operations. The types of SAP information included herein are common measures of the performance of a property-liability insurer, and we believe the inclusion of such information will aid investors in comparing our results with those of our peers in the industry. In addition, management uses this SAP information to monitor our financial performance. Definitions of the statutory information included herein are included in the “Definitions of Certain Statutory Accounting Terms” section of this discussion.

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PROPERTY-LIABILITY OPERATIONS

Underwriting Results by Segment

Underwriting result is a common measurement of a property-liability insurer’s performance, representing earned premiums less losses incurred and underwriting expenses. In accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” we have designated “underwriting result” as the measure we use to evaluate the performance of our property-liability underwriting segments. The statutory combined ratio, representing the sum of the statutory loss ratio and the statutory expense ratio, is also a common measure of underwriting performance. The statutory loss ratio measures insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred as a percentage of earned premiums. The statutory expense ratio measures underwriting expenses as a percentage of premiums written. The lower the ratio, the better the result. The following table summarizes net written premiums, underwriting results and combined ratios for each of our property-liability underwriting business segments for the last three years (underwriting results are presented on a GAAP basis; combined ratios are presented on a statutory accounting basis). All data for 2002 and 2001 were reclassified to conform to our new segment reporting format implemented in 2003. Following the table are an overview of our property-liability operations and detailed analyses of our results by segment.

 

 

% of 2003

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

Written Premiums

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

SPECIALTY COMMERCIAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

 

64

%

 

$

4,864

 

$

3,972

 

$

3,164

 

Underwriting result

 

 

 

 

 

$

288

 

$

24

 

$

(273

)

Combined ratio

 

 

 

 

 

93.3

 

97.8

 

108.6

 

COMMERCIAL LINES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

 

33

%

 

$

2,461

 

$

1,955

 

$

1,697

 

Underwriting result

 

 

 

 

 

$

235

 

$

141

 

$

(153

)

Combined ratio

 

 

 

 

 

88.3

 

91.7

 

108.3

 

OTHER*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

 

3

%

 

$

215

 

$

1,210

 

$

3,034

 

Underwriting result

 

 

 

 

 

$

(762

)

$

(874

)

$

(1,868

)


*                    Statutory ratios are not meaningful in a runoff environment because the Company has generally ceased underwriting new business in these operations.

In discussions that follow, we sometimes use the term “prior-year loss development,” which refers to the income statement impact of changes in the provision for losses and LAE in a given year for claims incurred in periods prior to the year of the income statement impact. Similarly, we sometimes refer to “current-year loss development” or “current accident year loss activity,” which refers to the income statement impact of recording the provision for losses and LAE in a given year for losses incurred in that year.

Property-Liability Insurance Overview

As described earlier in this discussion, we revised our segment reporting structure in 2003. Our ongoing operations are reported in two segments—Specialty Commercial and Commercial Lines. Those operations which are in runoff are reported in the Other segment. Premium growth of 24% in our ongoing segments in 2003 was driven by strong business retention levels, price increases, as well as new business (including premium volume resulting from our acquisition of the right to renew certain business previously

61




underwritten by the Kemper Insurance Companies). Both ongoing segments recorded strong premium increases in 2002 over 2001, with the most notable growth occurring in our Surety and Construction operations (primarily due to strong price increases in Construction, as well as acquisition-related premium growth in Surety), and in the Specialty category of the Specialty Commercial segment (due to significant price increases and new business volume in the majority of business centers comprising that category). Our consolidated net written premiums in 2001 included a reduction of $128 million for premiums ceded under specific reinsurance treaties described below.

Net written premium volume of $215 million in our runoff segment in 2003 consisted primarily of prior-year premium adjustments in our reinsurance operations and reporting endorsements (as defined in the “Health Care” section of this report) in our Health Care operation. In our runoff segment, 2002 premiums of $1.21 billion were 60% below the 2001 total of $3.03 billion, reflecting our decision at the end of 2001 to exit those lines of business.

The strong improvement in underwriting results in our ongoing segments in both 2003 and 2002 reflected the impact of significant price increases over the last several years and the success of our efforts to improve the quality of our book of business. Our ongoing segments’ underwriting results in 2001 included $279 million of losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

The underwriting loss for our runoff segment in 2003 included a $350 million provision to strengthen prior-year loss reserves in our Health Care operation, and additional prior-year provisions totaling $260 million in certain other operations in runoff as described in more detail in the “Other” section of this discussion. In 2002, the underwriting loss for our runoff segment included a $472 million pretax loss related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement, and significant provisions to strengthen prior-year loss reserves in certain of our operations in runoff. In 2001, the $1.87 billion underwriting loss in our runoff segment was driven by the $735 million of prior-year loss reserves in our Health Care operation, and $662 million of losses related to the terrorist attack.

Our ongoing segments’ expense ratios improved in both 2003 and 2002, reflecting the combined effect of significant premium growth in both years, as well as efficiencies realized throughout our underwriting operations as a result of our expense reduction initiatives over the last three years. The magnitude of improvement in 2002 over 2001 was mitigated somewhat by the impact of written premiums ceded for terrorism coverage. Expense reduction efforts in recent years included the consolidation of field office locations, the streamlining of our claim organization, the restructuring of several of our business segments, and the combined elimination of approximately 1,200 employee positions since our strategic initiatives announced in December 2001. As a result of those and other expense management initiatives, we were able to reduce our fixed expenses in both 2003 and 2002.

Reinsurance treaties.   In 2001, we entered into two aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance treaties. Under the terms of the reinsurance treaties, we transferred, or “ceded,” insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses to our reinsurers, along with the related written and earned premiums. One of these treaties was corporate-wide, with coverage triggered when our insurance losses and LAE across all lines of business reached a certain level, as prescribed by terms of the treaty. We did not cede any losses to the corporate treaty in 2001, but we recorded a $34 million net detriment in 2001 related to a similar treaty we were party to in 2000, primarily due to adjustments for cessions made in 2000. We did not enter into such a treaty in 2003 or 2002. Our reinsurance operation was party to a separate aggregate excess-of-loss treaty in 2002 and 2001. The results of our reinsurance operation in 2002 and 2001 included a $34 million detriment and a $159 million benefit, respectively, related to those treaties. The detriment in 2002 primarily resulted from the commutation of a portion of the 2001 treaty. We did not cede any losses to our reinsurance operations’ 2002 excess-of-loss treaty. The 2001 benefit resulted from losses ceded to the 2001 treaty.

Catastrophe losses.   Effective January 1, 2003, we changed our disclosure regarding catastrophe losses. We no longer classify all losses from Insurance Services Office (ISO)-defined catastrophes as

62




“catastrophe losses.” We revised our definition of losses reported as “catastrophes” to include only those events that we believe generate losses beyond a level normally expected in our business. This revised definition has no impact on our recorded results for any period included in this report. Catastrophe losses reported in prior periods have been revised to conform to our new definition. In 2003, we did not experience any significant catastrophe losses, as newly defined; however, we recorded a net $55 million reduction in the provision for catastrophes incurred in prior years, nearly all of which was related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

Catastrophe losses in 2002 totaled $31 million, primarily resulting from several storms across the United States throughout the year. Catastrophe losses totaled $1.27 billion in 2001, of which $941 million was due to the September 11th terrorist attack. The majority of the remaining catastrophe losses in 2001 largely resulted from of a variety of storms throughout the year in the United States and the explosion of a chemical manufacturing plant in Toulouse, France. Since catastrophe losses are not recognized until an event occurs, the occurrence of a catastrophic event can have a material impact on our results of operations during the period incurred. Subsequent changes to our estimate of catastrophic losses, based on better information, can also materially impact our results of operations during that period.

Specialty Commercial

The business centers comprising this segment are designated specialty commercial operations because each provides dedicated underwriting, claim and risk control services that require specialized expertise, and each focuses exclusively on the respective customers it serves. Insurance coverage is often provided on proprietary insurance forms. This segment includes our Surety and Construction operations, our ongoing International & Lloyd’s operations and eight other specialty business centers collectively referred to as “Specialty.”

We consider our Surety and Construction business centers to be specialty operations, because each business requires specialized underwriting, risk management and claim expertise. Our Surety business center underwrites surety bonds, which are agreements under which one party (the surety) guarantees to another party (the owner or obligee) that a third party (the contractor or principal) will perform in accordance with contractual obligations. For Contract Surety, we provide bid, performance and payment bonds, to a broad spectrum of clients specializing in general contracting, highway and bridge construction, asphalt paving, underground and pipeline construction, manufacturing, civil and heavy engineering, and mechanical and electrical construction. Bid bonds provide financial assurance that the bid has been submitted in good faith and that the contractor intends to enter into the contract at the price bid and provide the required performance and payment bonds. Performance bonds require us to fulfill the contractor’s obligations to the obligee should the contractor fail to perform under the contract. Payment bonds guarantee that the contractor will pay certain subcontractor, labor and material bills associated with a project. For Commercial Surety, we currently offer license and permit bonds, reclamation bonds, fiduciary bonds, court bonds, public official bonds, indemnity bonds, workers’ compensation self-insurer bonds, transfer agent indemnity bonds, depository bonds, and other miscellaneous bonds. In addition to its U.S. operations, our Surety business center includes our Mexican subsidiary, Afianzadora Insurgentes, the largest surety bond underwriter in Mexico, and our Canadian operation St. Paul Guarantee, the largest surety bond underwriter in Canada. In total, based on 2002 premium volume, our surety operations are the largest in North America. The Construction business center offers a variety of products and services, including traditional insurance and risk management solutions, to a broad range of contractors and parties responsible for construction projects.

Our International & Lloyd’s operation consists of the following components: our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, and our ongoing specialty commercial operations outside of the United States, including our Global Accounts business center (collectively referred to hereafter as “international specialties”). Through a single syndicate at Lloyd’s (for which we provide 100% of the capital), we underwrite insurance in four

63




principal lines of business: Aviation, Marine, Global Property and Personal Lines. Aviation underwrites a broad spectrum of international airline, manufacturer, airport and general aviation business. Marine underwrites energy, cargo and hull coverages. Global Property underwrites property coverages worldwide. Personal Lines provides specialized accident and health coverages for international clients, including personal accident, kidnap and ransom, and payment protection insurance. Our ongoing international specialties (other than Global Accounts) are located in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland, where we offer specialized insurance and risk management services to a variety of industry sectors. Our Global Accounts business center is based in the United States.

The following nine specialty business centers comprise the remainder of the Specialty Commercial segment and are collectively referred to as “Specialty” in the following table. Financial & Professional Services provides coverages for financial institutions, including property, liability, professional liability and management liability coverages for corporations and nonprofit organizations; and errors and omissions coverages for a variety of professionals such as lawyers, insurance agents and real estate agents. Technology offers a comprehensive portfolio of specialty products and services to companies involved in telecommunications, information technology, health sciences and electronics manufacturing. Umbrella/Excess & Surplus Lines provides insurance coverage in two distinct markets. The Specialty Excess and Umbrella unit focuses on umbrella and excess liability business for retail and wholesale distribution sources, where other insurance companies provide the primary coverage. The Excess & Surplus Lines unit underwrites non-admitted program and individual risk business for established wholesale distributors. The Excess and Surplus Lines Underwriting Facilities business center underwrites liability and property facilities produced by wholesalers and managing general agents. Public Sector Services markets insurance products and services to municipalities, counties, Indian Nation gaming and selected special government districts, including water and sewer utilities, and non-rail transit authorities. Discover Re provides insurance programs principally involving property, liability and workers’ compensation coverages, serving retail brokers and insureds who are committed to the alternative risk transfer market. Alternative risk transfer techniques are typically utilized by insureds who are financially able to assume a substantial portion of their own losses. Oil and Gas provides specialized property and liability products for customers involved in the exploration and production of oil and gas. Ocean Marine provides insurance coverage internationally for ocean and inland waterways traffic. Personal Catastrophe Risk underwrites personal property coverages in certain states exposed to earthquakes and hurricanes.

64



The following table summarizes results for this segment for the last three years. In accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” since our Surety and Construction business centers were combined and reported as a separate segment in 2002, and our International & Lloyd’s operations were reported as a separate segment in 2002, we continue to separately present and discuss their results for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003 because they are considered to be of continuing significance in analyzing the results of our operations.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Specialty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

2,298

 

$

1,825

 

$

1,474

 

Percentage increase over prior year

 

26

%

24

%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

371

 

$

189

 

$

1

 

Statutory combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

59.3

 

65.2

 

74.4

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

22.4

 

22.7

 

24.6

 

Combined ratio

 

81.7

 

87.9

 

99.0

 

International & Lloyd’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

1,332

 

$

881

 

$

717

 

Percentage increase over prior year

 

51

%

23

%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

78

 

$

56

 

$

(235

)

Statutory combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

61.3

 

59.9

 

105.4

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

32.3

 

30.2

 

31.7

 

Combined ratio

 

93.6

 

90.1

 

137.1

 

Surety and Construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

1,234

 

$

1,266

 

$

973

 

Percentage change from prior year

 

(3

)%

30

%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

(161

)

$

(221

)

$

(39

)

Statutory combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

77.7

 

83.2

 

66.3

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

35.0

 

34.6

 

37.1

 

Combined ratio

 

112.7

 

117.8

 

103.4

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

4,864

 

$

3,972

 

$

3,164

 

Percentage increase over prior year

 

22

%

26

%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

288

 

$

24

 

$

(273

)

Statutory combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

65.0

 

69.6

 

78.6

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

28.3

 

28.2

 

30.0

 

Combined ratio

 

93.3

 

97.8

 

108.6

 

 

65



Specialty

2003 vs. 2002—All business centers in this category contributed to the strong premium growth over 2002. Financial and Professional Services’ premium volume of $624 million in 2003 was 56% higher than comparable 2002 premiums of $400 million, driven by price increases and new business principally generated by our December 2002 acquisition of the right to seek to renew the professional and financial risk practice business of Royal and SunAlliance, and the May 2003 acquisition of the right to seek to renew architects’ and engineers’ professional liability business from Kemper Insurance Companies. Technology’s net written premiums of $426 million in 2003 grew 15% over 2002 premium volume of $372 million, primarily due to price increases and new business. Personal Catastrophe Risk premium volume of $131 million in 2003 was more than double the 2002 total of $61 million, due to a change in our reinsurance program related to this operation that resulted in less business being ceded to reinsurers. Price increases averaged 20% across the Specialty category in 2003 (excluding Discover Re and Personal Catastrophe Risk, whose premium structures differ somewhat from the remaining business centers in this category), compared with 29% in 2002.

Virtually all business centers in the Specialty category contributed to the $182 million increase in underwriting profitability in 2003. The most notable improvements over 2002 were achieved by the Technology business center, with a $99 million increase in underwriting profit, and Financial & Professional Services, with a $39 million increase in underwriting profit. The Technology result in 2003 included $74 million of favorable prior-year loss development. Improved underwriting discipline with respect to risk selection, significant price increases in recent years and the addition of profitable new business through acquisitions have contributed to increased profitability in the Specialty category.

2002 vs. 2001—The 22% increase in net written premium volume in 2002 over 2001 was driven by price increases and new business in several business centers. Virtually every business center in this segment achieved an increase in premium volume over 2001. In Financial & Professional Services, premium volume of $400 million grew 21% over 2001 due to strong price increases, particularly in the Directors and Officers line of business. Umbrella/Excess & Surplus Lines’ written premiums of $253 million were more than double comparable 2001 volume of $116 million, driven by a new commercial umbrella operation launched in 2002. Technology premiums of $372 million in 2002 were slightly higher than the 2001 total of $366 million, reflecting the effects of the economic weakness in the technology market sector.

The success of our underwriting and pricing actions throughout this category were reflected in the $188 million improvement in profitability over 2001. Underwriting profits in Financial & Professional Services in 2002 were $74 million higher than in 2001. Personal Catastrophe Risk achieved a $37 million increase in profitability over 2001. All of our operations in the Specialty category benefited in 2002 from strong price increases and the relative lack of catastrophe losses. Underwriting results in 2001 included $51 million of losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

International & Lloyd’ s

2003 vs. 2002—Net written premium volume of $1.33 billion in 2003 included $64 million of incremental premiums from the elimination of the one-quarter reporting lag at our operations at Lloyd’s (the remaining $3 million of incremental premiums described earlier in this discussion were recorded in our runoff Other segment). Excluding that additional $64 million, premium volume in 2003 of $1.27 billion was still 44% higher than in 2002. We experienced strong growth in our operations at Lloyd’s due to price increases, new business, favorable foreign currency exchange impacts and our increased participation in Lloyd’s following the consolidation of most of our Lloyd’s operations into one wholly-owned syndicate in 2003. Our total Lloyd’s premium volume in 2003 was $705 million (including the impact of the elimination of the one quarter reporting lag), compared with $398 million in 2002. In our international specialty operations, premium volume of $627 million was 30% higher than comparable 2002 premiums of $483

66




million. Price increases, new business and strong renewal retention rates all contributed to the strong growth over 2002. New business volume was particularly strong in Canada.

The improvement in underwriting results in 2003 was concentrated in our international specialty operations, particularly in Canada and the United Kingdom. The underwriting profit at our operations at Lloyd’s was down slightly from 2002, primarily due to $24 million of prior year losses in the personal lines business unit at Lloyd’s.

2002 vs. 2001At Lloyd’s, 2002 premium volume of $398 million grew 24% over comparable 2001 premiums of $320 million, primarily driven by strong price increases and new business in certain classes of our Personal Lines business. In addition, Aviation premiums increased significantly due to our increased participation in that coverage in 2002. In our international specialty operations, premium volume of $483 million was 22% higher than the 2001 total of $397 million, driven by price increases and new business throughout these operations. The 2001 total included approximately $44 million of incremental premiums from the elimination of the one-quarter reporting lag.

Our international specialty operations and our operations at Lloyd’s both contributed to the $291 million improvement in underwriting results in 2002 compared with 2001. Price increases and the absence of significant weather-related losses were factors in the improvement over 2001. Underwriting results in 2001 included $90 million of losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

Surety and Construction

2003 vs. 2002—Net written premiums generated by our Surety business center totaled $475 million in 2003, down 1% compared with premiums of $480 million in 2002. The decline was primarily due to the closing of certain field offices, the impact of underwriting actions to improve the risk profile of our book of business, and increased reinsurance costs. In our Construction operation, net written premium volume in 2003 of $759 million was 3% less than premiums of $786 million in 2002, as the impact of price increases in 2003 was offset by a reduction in new business.

The Surety underwriting loss totaled $168 million in 2003, compared with an underwriting loss of $111 million in 2002. Surety’s 2003 underwriting loss included an $59 million pretax loss provision (net of reinsurance) related to one of our accounts that was in bankruptcy and unable to perform its bonded obligations. In April 2003, a bankruptcy court approved the sale of substantially all of the assets of the account. Following that approval, we received claim notices with respect to approximately $120 million of bonds securing certain workers’ compensation and retiree health benefit obligations of the account. We originally recorded a net pretax loss provision of $89 million when the claim notices were received and determined to be valid. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we re-estimated the amount of reinsurance recoverable related to that pretax loss, and recorded a $27 million reduction in our net loss. Conversely, in the fourth quarter of 2003, we recorded a $27 million provision to strengthen our Surety operation’s prior-year loss reserves, primarily related to a re-estimation of reinsurance recoverable related to losses incurred in 2002 associated with Enron Corporation’s bankruptcy. The 2002 Surety underwriting loss included a $34 million loss provision recorded after a judicial decision regarding surety bonds issued in connection with the construction of two large Brazilian oil rigs.

The Construction underwriting profit of $7 million in 2003 represented a significant improvement over the 2002 underwriting loss of $110 million, which included significant charges to strengthen prior-year reserves, as discussed in more detail below. The improvement over 2002 reflected the impact of significant price increases and our efforts to improve the quality of our book of business through the nonrenewal of underperforming accounts and the selective addition of new business.

67




In our Surety operation, we continued to experience an increase in the frequency of reported losses in 2003. Certain segments of our surety business tend to be characterized by low frequency but potentially high severity losses.

Within our commercial surety segments, we have exposures related to a small number of accounts, which are now in various stages of bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, certain other accounts have experienced deterioration in creditworthiness since we issued bonds to them. Given the current economic climate and its impact on these companies, we may experience an increase in claims and, possibly, incur high severity losses. Such losses would be recognized in the period in which the claims are filed and determined to be a valid loss under the provisions of the surety bond issued.

With regard to commercial surety bonds issued on behalf of companies operating in the energy trading sector, our aggregate pretax exposure, net of facultative reinsurance, is with five companies for a total of approximately $367 million ($305 million of which is from gas supply bonds), an amount that will decline over the contract periods. The largest individual exposure approximates $181 million (pretax). These companies all continue to perform their bonded obligations and, therefore, no claims have been filed.

In addition to our largest exposure discussed above with respect to energy trading companies, our commercial surety business as of December 31, 2003 included seven accounts with gross pretax bond exposures greater than $100 million each, before reinsurance. The majority of these accounts have investment grade ratings, and all accounts continue to perform their bonded obligations.

In 2003, we secured excess of loss reinsurance coverage for our commercial surety exposures in the form of two new treaties providing $500 million of aggregate loss limits over a five-year period, with a maximum recovery of $100 million per principal for gas supply bonds and $150 million per principal for other bonds. The reinsurance program does not extend coverage to the small number of commercial surety accounts which were in bankruptcy at the inception of the reinsurance treaties.

We continue with our intention to exit the segments of the commercial surety market discussed above by ceasing to write new business and, where possible, terminating the outstanding bonds. Since October 2000, when we made a strategic decision to significantly reduce the exposures in these segments, our total commercial surety gross open bond exposure has decreased by over 56% as of December 31, 2003. We will continue to be a market for traditional commercial surety business, which includes low-limit business such as license and permit, probate, public official, and customs bonds.

In the contract surety business, creditworthiness is a primary underwriting consideration and the underwriting process involves a number of factors, including consideration of a contractor’s financial condition, business prospects, experience and management. The risk in respect of a contract surety bond changes over time. Such risk tends to decrease as the related construction project is completed, but may increase to the extent the financial condition of the contractor deteriorates or difficulties arise during the course of the project. Losses in the contract surety business can occur as a result of a contractor’s failure to complete its bonded obligations in accordance with the contract terms. Such losses, if any, would be estimated by estimating the cost to complete the remaining work (which may include amounts advanced to the contractor by the surety) and the contractor’s unpaid bills, offset by monies due to the contractor, reinsurance and the estimated net realizable value of collateral. While our contract surety business typically has not been characterized by high severity losses, it is possible, given the current economic climate, that significant losses could occur.

Some of our contract surety business, particularly with respect to larger accounts, is written on a co-surety basis with other surety underwriters in order to manage and limit our aggregate exposure. Certain of these sureties have experienced, and may continue to experience, deterioration in their financial condition and financial strength ratings. If a loss is incurred and one of our co-sureties fails to meet its obligations

68




under a bond, we and any other co-surety or co-sureties on the bond typically are jointly and severally liable for such obligations. As a result, our losses could significantly increase to the extent such an event or events occur.

In the third quarter of 2003, we made collateralized advances to a construction contractor that had failed to make payments under certain of its debt obligations. These third quarter advances did not impact our results of operations because the loss incurred was offset by our estimated recoverable.

In recent months, the contractor has completed a restructuring of its finances and entered into revised credit agreements with its lenders. As part of our strategy to mitigate our ultimate exposure to this account by facilitating the contractor’s efforts to complete bonded projects, we made additional advances for which we recorded an after-tax loss, net of estimated reinsurance and co-surety participation, of approximately $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. In February and early March 2004, we made or committed to make additional advances for which we recorded a net after-tax loss of approximately $15 million. We have not changed our estimate of the recoverable from that established at the end of the third quarter of 2003. Any future changes in our estimate of the recoverable, whether positive or negative, will affect our results of operations. We may make further advances and, subject to our underwriting criteria, we may also decide to issue bonds for new projects undertaken by this contractor.

If the contractor were to fail to complete its bonded projects, we estimate that our aggregate additional loss, net of estimated collateral, reinsurance recoveries and participation by co-sureties (one of which has experienced ratings downgrades and is in runoff), would likely not exceed $75 million on an after-tax basis, assuming a 35% statutory tax rate. Given the uncertainties relating to the contractor’s business and other factors, there is no assurance that our estimate and our potential exposure will not increase.

2002 vs. 2001Total combined premium volume for our Surety and Construction operations increased by $293 million over 2001, primarily driven by $220 million of premium growth in Construction, where price increases averaged 30% in 2002. In the Surety business center, premium volume was $73 million higher than in 2001, primarily due to the combined $100 million contributed by St. Paul Guarantee in Canada (formerly London Guarantee), acquired in March 2002, and our acquisition in late 2001 of the right to seek to renew surety business previously underwritten by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (see the “Acquisitions and Divestitures” section of this discussion for further details about these acquisitions). Excluding the impact of the two acquisitions, Surety’s net premium volume in 2002 was slightly below comparable 2001 levels, reflecting the tightened underwriting standards instituted in recent years, particularly with respect to our commercial surety business, and an increase in domestic reinsurance costs in 2002.

69




Both business centers contributed to the $182 million deterioration in underwriting results compared with 2001. The Construction underwriting loss of $110 million was $75 million worse than the comparable 2001 loss of $35 million, driven by adverse prior-year loss development that prompted a $113 million fourth-quarter provision to strengthen loss reserves in our general liability and workers’ compensation coverages. The 2002 current accident year loss ratio for Construction, however, was much improved over the same 2001 ratio, reflecting the impact of strong underwriting initiatives, price increases and the shift to a larger-sized account profile. Approximately $93 million of Construction’s $113 million adverse prior year development was concentrated in general liability coverages. The table below allocates the general liability coverage portion of our reserve charge in 2002, by accident year, within our Construction business center.

 

 

2002

 

Accident Year

 

 

 

Beginning
Reserve

 

Reserve
Charge

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

2001

 

 

$

150

 

 

 

$

13

 

 

2000

 

 

74

 

 

 

64

 

 

1999

 

 

90

 

 

 

35

 

 

Prior

 

 

255

 

 

 

(19

)

 

Total

 

 

$

569

 

 

 

$

93

 

 

 

Our analysis of trends for our general liability coverages in 2002 revealed case reserve strengthening occurring throughout the year. In addition, actual loss development during the year continued to exceed our expectations. The average paid closed claim trend had exceeded the average case reserve trend in the recent development. The average outstanding case reserve increased from $54,000 at year-end 2001 to $66,000 at year-end 2002. The average paid claim increased from $18,000 at year-end 2001 to $28,000 at year-end 2002. While the average paid claim was still below the average case reserve, this development in the data caused us to revise our trends and increase our estimate of ultimate losses. We increased our estimate of required loss reserves and recorded a $93 million increase to loss reserves. However, no changes were made to any other underlying assumptions.

The remaining reserve charge of $20 million related to workers’ compensation coverages (with beginning 2002 reserves of $363 million), primarily from the 2001 accident year. This charge resulted from a comprehensive claim review which focused on, among other data, a better estimate of our life-time benefit obligations. As a result of this review, we increased the number of claims identified as receiving life-time benefits and, accordingly, increased the related loss reserves. No changes were made to our underlying assumptions.

Surety’s 2002 underwriting loss was $111 million, compared with a loss of $4 million in 2001. The 2002 results reflected prior-year reserve charges of $104 million, which included $34 million related to the judgment regarding the Petrobras oil rig construction related to a 1996 incident, and $7 million for the settlement of litigation related to surety contracts issued on behalf of Enron Corporation related to a 2001 reported incident. Surety’s underwriting results in 2002 were also negatively impacted by reinstatement premiums paid for contract surety reinsurance, which reduced our net earned premiums, as well as an increase in losses in our contract surety business where we have experienced a higher than normal level of loss frequency.

In addition to the Petrobras and Enron events referred to above, we experienced an increase in the frequency of losses in 2002, with much of this increase being tied to the economic downturn in North America. Included in the $104 million of prior-year development for 2002 was a fourth-quarter provision totaling $63 million in our domestic surety operations as detailed in the following table. The entire Surety business center prior year reserve charge was driven by development on specific claims. Since surety losses are not recognized until the period a claim is filed, no changes were made to assumptions. The insurance

70




concept of “accident year” is not meaningful to surety business. The yearly information in the following table represents the year in which we determined that an incident had occurred, which might give rise to a possible claim.

 

 

2002

 

Accident Year

 

 

 

Beginning
Reserve

 

Reserve
Charge

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

2001

 

 

$

77

 

 

 

$

25

 

 

2000

 

 

27

 

 

 

23

 

 

1999

 

 

4

 

 

 

7

 

 

Prior

 

 

44

 

 

 

8

 

 

Total

 

 

$

152

 

 

 

$

63

 

 

 

Commercial Lines

The Commercial Lines segment includes our Small Commercial, Middle Market Commercial and Property Solutions business centers, as well as the results of our limited involvement in involuntary insurance pools. The Small Commercial business center services commercial firms that typically have between one and fifty employees through its proprietary St. Paul Mainstreet(SM) and St. Paul Advantage(SM) products, with a particular focus on offices, wholesalers, retailers, artisan contractors and other service risks. The Middle Market Commercial business center offers comprehensive insurance coverages for a wide variety of manufacturing, wholesale, service and retail exposures, as well as programs for selected industries that are national in scope and have similar risk characteristics such as franchises and associations. The majority of these programs were formerly classified as a separate “Specialty Programs” business center in our Specialty Commercial segment but were reclassified in 2003 to our Middle Market Commercial business center in the Commercial Lines segment to more accurately reflect the manner in which this business is underwritten and managed. This business center also offers loss-sensitive casualty programs, including significant deductible and self-insured retention options, for the higher end of the middle market sector. The Property Solutions business center combines our Large Accounts Property business with the commercial portion of our catastrophe risk business and allows us to take a unified approach to large property risks.

The following table summarizes key financial data for each of the last three years in the Commercial Lines segment.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

$

2,461

 

$

1,955

 

$

1,697

 

Percentage increase over prior year

 

26

%

15

%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

235

 

$

141

 

$

(153

)

Statutory combined ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

58.9

 

61.4

 

76.0

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

29.4

 

30.3

 

32.3

 

Combined ratio

 

88.3

 

91.7

 

108.3

 

 

2003 vs. 2002The 26% increase in net written premium volume in 2003 over 2002 was driven by a combination of higher customer retention, continued price increases, and significant new business generated by our acquisition of the right to renew certain business previously underwritten by Kemper Insurance Companies (described in more detail earlier in this discussion). After several years of significant

71




price increases and selective re-underwriting of our book of business in this segment, our focus in 2003 was on retaining the quality new business developed in recent years. Although the pace of price increases began to slow in 2003, continued favorable market conditions and our strong presence in the marketplace provided us with the opportunity to achieve further price increases, where appropriate. Price increases across the entire segment averaged 11% for the year. Throughout the Commercial Lines segment in 2003, we continued to nonrenew underperforming classes of business and utilize our distribution network to capitalize on new business opportunities. The Kemper renewal rights transaction provided an influx of quality exposures that augmented the solid base of business we have built in recent years.

In our Middle Market Commercial business center, net written premium volume of $1.61 billion was 31% higher than comparable 2002 premiums of $1.23 billion. In the Small Commercial business center, written premiums of $741 million grew 19% over 2002 premiums of $622 million. After extensive efforts in 2002 to build our capability to serve the small commercial marketplace, we turned our focus in 2003 to launching our insurance products tailored to meet the needs of this market sector. In the Property Solutions business center, 2003 premium volume of $73 million was 31% higher than 2002 premiums of $56 million, primarily due to new business volume and a reduction in the amount of business ceded to reinsurers.

The Commercial Lines’ underwriting profit of $235 million in 2003 was over 65% higher than the comparable 2002 profit of $141 million, primarily driven by strong improvement in current accident year results in each business center comprising the segment. The growth in profitability in 2003 was achieved despite a significant increase in weather-related losses in 2003 compared with 2002, primarily resulting from storms throughout the United States during the year. Results in 2003 also benefited from $30 million of favorable development on prior-year loss reserves. The 2003 underwriting profit reflects the success of our stringent underwriting principles and aggressive risk control efforts, as well as the significant impact of price increases achieved in 2002 and 2003. In addition, in 2003 we accelerated our focus on expense discipline, which resulted in an over one-point improvement in our statutory expense ratio for the year. As we continue to emphasize productivity enhancements, including increased use of automation and processing improvement initiatives, we expect further improvements in our expense ratio going forward.

2002 vs. 2001Premium growth of 15% in 2002 was primarily due to price increases, the impacts of which were offset somewhat by a decline in business retention levels resulting from our efforts to increase profitability. We capitalized on favorable market conditions in 2002 by implementing significant price increases, rejecting new and renewal business where we could not achieve appropriate price increases, and selectively adding new business that met our pricing and underwriting criteria. Price increases across the entire segment averaged 23% in 2002. Middle Market Commercial net written premiums totaled $1.23 billion in 2002, 9% higher than 2001 premiums of $1.12 billion. Our focus in 2002 was to maximize the quality and profitability of our middle market book of business; as a result, the impact of significant rate increases was substantially offset by reductions in business retention rates and new business levels. Small Commercial premium volume of $622 million in 2002 grew 7% over 2001 premiums of $575 million. We greatly expanded our involvement in the small commercial marketplace in 2002 through the development of products to serve particular sectors of the market, and through investments in technology to enable easy access to those products by agents, brokers and insureds.

The Commercial Lines segment total underwriting profit in 2002 of $141 million was significantly improved over the 2001 underwriting loss of $153 million, which included $136 million of losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Current accident-year results in 2002 in all three business centers in this segment improved over 2001, with the most notable improvement occurring in Middle Market Commercial. The $158 million improvement in underwriting results from 2001 to 2002 (after excluding losses from the terrorist attack in 2001) reflected the impact of price increases and the improvement in the quality of our book of business, as well as a decline in weather-related losses. In 2001, reported results would have been significantly worse if not for the benefit of a $128 million reduction in prior-year loss reserves, of which $93 million related to certain business written prior to 1988.

72




PROPERTY-LIABILITY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

Other

This segment includes the results of the lines of business we placed in runoff in late 2001 and early 2002, including our former Health Care and Reinsurance segments, and the results of the following international operations: our runoff operations at Lloyd’s, including our participation in the insuring of the Lloyd’s Central Fund; Unionamerica, the London-based underwriting unit acquired as part of our purchase of MMI in 2000; and international operations we decided to exit at the end of 2001. We have a management team in place for these operations, seeking to ensure that our outstanding claim obligations are settled in an expeditious and economical manner. This segment also includes the results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998). In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business includes the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures. The oversight of these exposures is the responsibility of the same management team responsible for oversight of the other components of the Other segment. Our Health Care operation historically provided a wide range of medical liability insurance products and services throughout the entire health care delivery system. Our Reinsurance operations historically underwrote treaty and facultative reinsurance for a wide variety of property and liability exposures.

The following table summarizes key financial data for each of the last three years in this segment. The table excludes statutory ratios, which are not meaningful in a runoff environment because the Company has generally ceased underwriting new business in these operations.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Health Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

23

 

$

172

 

$

661

 

Percentage decline from prior year

 

(87

)%

(74

)%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

(391

)

$

(165

)

$

(935

)

Reinsurance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

132

 

$

751

 

$

1,677

 

Percentage decline from prior year

 

(82

)%

(55

)%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

3

 

$

(22

)

$

(726

)

Other Runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

60

 

$

287

 

696

 

Percentage decline from prior year

 

(79

)%

(59

)%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

(374

)

$

(687

)

(207

)

Total Other Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

215

 

$

1,210

 

3,034

 

Percentage change from prior year

 

(82

)%

(60

)%

 

 

Underwriting result

 

$

(762

)

$

(874

)

(1,868

)

 

73



Health Care

2003 vs. 2002—Written premiums in 2003 primarily consisted of extended reporting endorsements and a small amount of professional liability coverage for other professionals such as dentists, nurse anesthetists, and other healthcare professionals who are not physicians or surgeons. These “Other Professional” policies were part of three-year policies that we had committed to prior to our exit from the Health Care lines of business in 2001. Additionally, we are required to offer reporting endorsements to claims-made policy holders at the time their policies are not renewed. These endorsements cover losses that occurred in prior periods that have not yet been reported. Unlike typical policies, premiums on these endorsements are fully earned, and the expected losses are fully reserved, at the time the endorsement is written. The vast majority of reporting endorsements underwritten in 2003 pertained to physicians’ and surgeons’ liability coverage.

The 2003 underwriting loss included a $350 million provision recorded in the fourth quarter to increase net prior accident year loss reserves. The majority of remaining underwriting losses in 2003 consisted of current-year loss provisions related to reporting endorsements. Further information regarding the $350 million prior-year loss provision is included in the following table.

 

 

 

 

2003

 

Accident Year

 

 

 

Beginning
Reserve

 

Allocation
Of Charge

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

2002

 

 

$

450

 

 

 

$

58

 

 

2001

 

 

456

 

 

 

117

 

 

2000

 

 

370

 

 

 

79

 

 

1999

 

 

268

 

 

 

14

 

 

Prior

 

 

532

 

 

 

82

 

 

Total

 

 

$

2,076

 

 

 

$

350

 

 

 

The significant allocation to the three most recent incurred years is consistent with the nature of the claims-made insurance product. The average payment date on this book of reserves is approximately two years, meaning that 50% of the losses will be settled within two years. Accordingly, the change in assumptions that resulted in the $350 million charge in 2003 significantly impacted the most recent incurred years, as expected.

2002 vs. 2001Written premiums in 2002 were generated by extended reporting endorsements and professional liability coverages underwritten primarily in the first quarter of the year prior to our non-renewal notifications becoming effective in several states. The majority of reporting endorsements underwritten in 2002 pertained to physicians’ and surgeons’ liability coverage.

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The 2002 underwriting loss included $85 million in provisions to increase net prior accident year loss reserves, comprised specifically of a $97 million charge in the second quarter of the year, and reductions totaling $12 million throughout the year resulting primarily from reinsurance contract commutations. The majority of remaining losses in 2002 consisted of current-year loss provisions related to reporting endorsements. Details regarding the $97 million prior-year loss provision recorded in the second quarter of 2002 are included in the following table.

 

 

 

 

2002

 

Accident Year

 

 

 

Beginning
Reserve

 

Allocation
Of Charge

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

2001

 

 

$

607

 

 

 

$

100

 

 

2000

 

 

572

 

 

 

13

 

 

1999

 

 

480

 

 

 

(16

)

 

1998

 

 

328

 

 

 

(1

)

 

Prior

 

 

590

 

 

 

1

 

 

Total

 

 

$

2,577

 

 

 

$

97

 

 

 

Analysis of Loss Provisions Recorded.   In the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, we recorded net provisions of $350 million, $85 million and $735 million, respectively, to strengthen prior accident year loss reserves in our Health Care operation. The following table presents a rollforward of loss activity for the Health Care operation for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. This information includes loss amounts and claim data for our entire domestic Health Care operation, whereas tables presented elsewhere in this discussion relate only to our domestic medical malpractice line of business.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Reserves for losses and allocated LAE at beginning of period

 

$

2,076

 

$

2,577

 

$

2,204

 

Losses and allocated LAE incurred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve strengthening

 

350

 

85

 

735

 

Other incurred

 

74

 

494

 

672

 

Losses and allocated LAE paid

 

(881

)

(1,080

)

(1,034

)

Reserve for losses and allocated LAE at end of period

 

$

1,619

 

$

2,076

 

$

2,577

 

Number of claims paid during period

 

8,250

 

16,446

 

20,963

 

Number of claims pending at end of period

 

10,284

 

15,002

 

18,945

 

 

The following presents a summary of trends we observed within our Health Care operation, by quarter, for the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. The discussion focuses on our Medical Malpractice line of business, since 99% of the reserve adjustments related to this business. Our Medical Malpractice business includes all medical liability coverage within our Health Care operation, and comprised approximately 93% of our total Health Care segment reserves at December 31, 2003; the remaining business included in this operation is represented by claims arising out of ancillary business (such as automobile and property coverage for our Medical Malpractice customers). There were no offsetting increases or decreases in reserves of different lines within our Health Care operation. Of the Medical Malpractice reserve adjustments recorded in 2003, approximately 17% related to 2002 incurred losses; approximately 33% to 2001 incurred losses; approximately 23% to 2000 incurred losses; approximately 4% to 1999 incurred losses; and the remainder of 23% to incurred losses in 1998 and prior years. Of the Medical Malpractice reserve adjustments recorded in 2002, approximately 88% related to

75




2001 incurred losses; approximately 50% to 2000 incurred losses; approximately (7)% to 1999 incurred losses; approximately 6% to 1998 incurred losses; and the remainder of (37)% to incurred losses in 1997 and prior years. Of the Medical Malpractice reserve adjustments recorded in 2001, approximately 29% related to 2000 incurred losses; approximately 30% to 1999 incurred losses; approximately 15% to 1998 incurred losses; approximately 10% to 1997 incurred losses; and the remaining 16% to incurred losses in 1996 and prior years.

In general, the reserve increases discussed below have primarily resulted from claim payments being greater than anticipated due to the recent escalation of large jury awards, which included substantially higher than expected pain and suffering awards. This affected our view of not only those cases going to trial, but also our view of all cases where settlements are negotiated and the threat of a large jury verdict aids the plaintiff bar in the negotiation process. The recent escalation in claim costs in the periods noted below that resulted from these developments was significantly higher than originally projected trends (which had not forecasted the change in the judicial environment), and has now been considered in our actuarial analysis and the projection of ultimate loss costs. In addition, a portion of the reserve increase in the fourth quarter of 2001 resulted from information obtained from the work of a Health Care Claims Task Force, created during the first half of 2001, which focused resolution efforts on our largest claims with the intent of lowering our ultimate loss costs.

The following table summarizes, for each quarter of 2003, 2002 and 2001, our ending net reserves for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses for our Health Care segment, any prior-period reserve strengthening recorded in the quarter (all related to the Medical Malpractice portion of the segment), and the percentage such reserve strengthening represented in relation to beginning of period total loss liability.

 

 

Ending Reserves

 

Reserve
Adjustment*

 

Percent of Prior
Quarter
Reserves

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

2001:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st quarter

 

 

$

2,195

 

 

 

$

90

 

 

 

4

%

 

2nd quarter

 

 

$

2,195

 

 

 

$

105

 

 

 

5

%

 

3rd quarter

 

 

$

2,226

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

4th quarter

 

 

$

2,577

 

 

 

$

540

 

 

 

24

%

 

2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st quarter

 

 

$

2,439

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

2nd quarter

 

 

$

2,377

 

 

 

$

97

 

 

 

4

%

 

3rd quarter

 

 

$

2,291

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

4th quarter

 

 

$

2,076

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st quarter

 

 

$

1,863

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

2nd quarter

 

 

$

1,680

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

3rd quarter

 

 

$

1,505

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

4th quarter

 

 

$

1,619

 

 

 

$

350

 

 

 

23

%

 


*                    The insurance loss reserving process involves judgment by actuaries and management, including evaluation not only of underlying data, but also of changes in legal, economic and societal factors that are generally not quantifiable. Such application of judgment includes an analysis of trends that develop over time and which make it difficult to directly correlate specific data points (as discussed previously) with a specific reserving decision.

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2001

In the first quarter, we determined that trends that had begun to appear in the third and fourth quarters of 2000 with respect to the book of business of ACIC were outside of expected trends, resulting in increases to our expected average case reserve outstanding and average paid claims. Within the Fire & Marine book of business, we also observed a continuation of the increase in the average outstanding case reserve levels and in the average paid claims. We believe the principal cause of these increases was the judicial trend noted above. We revised our estimate of ultimate losses and made a reserve addition of $90 million. In the second quarter, we determined that the sharp increases in average paid claims and outstanding case reserve levels during the prior quarters and the second quarter of 2001 indicated a need to increase our actuarial estimate of required reserves (without changing our projected trends) in light of the adverse judicial awards noted above, and we made a reserve addition of $105 million. In the third quarter, while case reserve levels increased, the average paid claims were within an expected level. Certain of our models indicated a need for increased reserves, while other methods, including the results of stress testing the underlying assumptions (primarily the level of case reserves and paid activity), indicated that reserves were appropriate in total for our Health Care segment. Management considered all available information and determined that reserves were appropriate as of September 30, 2001.

In the fourth quarter of 2001, we revised certain actuarial assumptions based on the adverse trends observed in the prior three quarters. Average case reserve levels increased significantly due to our efforts to identify cases that could be expected to have a significant impact and manage them to closure more actively. Based on the evolving trends we had observed emerging in prior quarters, as well as escalating claim payments observed in the fourth quarter of 2001, we concluded that average payments were not only at a new sustained and higher level, but that they could also increase beyond those average payments, and/or at a rate faster than inflation. We thus concluded it was appropriate at that time to change the actuarial assumptions we had been using in our development pattern to consider higher loss severities and a faster rate of growth for losses. Specifically, during the fourth quarter of 2001, we adjusted our assumptions with respect to the expected ultimate incurred and paid losses at each 12-month period from the reported loss date. These assumptions increased the expected ultimate incurred loss from a 2% increase over our estimated incurred at 108 months following the reported date, to a 24% increase over estimated incurred at 12 months following the reported date. Similarly, we increased our expected ultimate paid loss assumption from a 3% increase over our paid losses at 108 months following the reported date to a 46% increase over our assumption of the paid losses at 12 months following the reported date. After careful analysis and determination of development patterns and the resulting revision of our actuarial assumptions described above, a charge to reserves of $540 million was determined to be necessary and was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2001.

2002

Following the cumulative prior-year reserve charges of $735 million in 2001, activity in the first quarter of 2002 developed according to projections. Average paid claims for the full year of 2001 for medical malpractice lines had been $117,000, including a fourth quarter average of $124,000. The phrase “average paid claims” as used herein excludes claims which were settled or closed for which no loss or loss expense was paid. In the first quarter of 2002, the average paid loss was down to $111,000. We interpreted this as a positive sign that prior year reserve charges up to this point had been adequate. The average outstanding case reserve increased slightly from $141,000 in the fourth quarter of 2001 to $144,000 in the first quarter of 2002, but this was interpreted as a relatively benign change, given inflation and the promising decrease in average payment amounts. No additional reserve action was taken.

In the second quarter of 2002, average paid claims for medical malpractice lines were again somewhat above expectations, rising to $130,000 for the quarter. This, coupled with an additional increase in the

77




average outstanding case reserve to $148,000, prompted management to reflect these new increased averages in its reserve analysis and record a reserve increase of $97 million.

Throughout 2002, we initiated significant changes to our Health Care claims organization and resolution process. During the third quarter of 2002, we began to see the results of executing this strategy. Specifically, case loads per adjuster had begun to decline substantially and the process for providing oversight on high exposure cases had been streamlined, enabling a more expeditious approach to our handling of these medical malpractice claims—including the establishment of stronger case reserves. We also added staff with expertise in high exposure litigation management to assist claim handlers in aggressively pursuing appropriate resolutions on a file-by-file basis. This allowed us to establish more effective resolution strategies to either resolve claims prior to going to trial or, for those claims deemed as non-meritorious, maintain an aggressive defense. We also became more selective in determining which cases are taken to trial and more willing to make use of our right to select defense counsel in those instances that we decide to litigate. This caused our ratio of defense verdicts to plaintiff verdicts to improve over prior years. We began to more effectively manage our claim disposition strategies to limit the number of catastrophic verdicts. We believe that executing this strategy increased our ability to reduce our ultimate indemnity losses.

As noted above, as part of our focus on claim resolution, we increased our emphasis on routinely reviewing our case reserves and put in place a process where managers actively review each adjuster’s entire inventory of pending files to assure, among other things, that case reserves are adequate to support settlement values. In addition, as we moved further into runoff, our mix of paid and outstanding claims changed and we expected that our statistical data would reflect fewer new claims. We expected our claim counts to go down and the average size of our outstanding and paid claims to go up since newly reported claims are often settled at minimal loss or loss expense cost.

In the third quarter of 2002, although our average paid claim decreased slightly to $126,000, our average outstanding claim reserve increased to $166,000. We believed that increases in the average outstanding claim reserve was due to both the claim mix and case strengthening as described above and was not unexpected in a runoff environment. Accordingly, we did not record any reserve charge given the favorable effects we anticipate realizing in future ultimate payments.

In the fourth quarter of 2002, the average paid claim increased to $153,000 and the average outstanding case reserve increased to $181,000, which we believe was attributable to the previously described observations and was reasonable relative to our expectations. Also during the fourth quarter, we determined that our claim inventory had been reduced considerably and had matured to a level at which we appropriately began to consider other more relevant data and statistics suitable for evaluating reserves in a runoff environment.

During 2002, and as described above, we concluded that the impact of settling claims in a runoff environment was causing abnormal effects on our average paid claims, average outstanding claims, and the amount of average case reserves established for new claims—all of which are traditional statistics used by our actuaries to develop indicated ranges of expected loss. Taking these changing statistics into account, we developed varying interpretations of our data which implied added uncertainty to our evaluation of these reserves. It is our belief that this data, when appropriately evaluated in light of the impact of our migration to a runoff environment, supports our view that we will realize significant savings on our ultimate claim costs.

In the fourth quarter of 2002, we established specific tools and metrics to more explicitly monitor and validate our key assumptions supporting our reserve conclusions since we believe that our traditional statistics and reserving methods needed to be supplemented in order to provide a more meaningful analysis. The tools we developed track the three primary indicators which are influencing our expectations

78




and include: a) newly reported claims, b) reserve development on known claims and c) the “redundancy ratio,” comparing the cost of resolving claims to the reserve established for that individual claim.

Emergence of newly reported claimsOur Health Care book of business was put into runoff at the end of 2001 and our outstanding exposure rapidly dropped, as expected. Since the majority of coverage we offered was on a claims-made basis, and notification of the claim must be made within the policy period, the potential for unreported claims decreased significantly. We expected that the emergence of newly reported medical malpractice claims, with incurred years of 2002 or prior, would not exceed 40% of our current outstanding case reserve amount.

Development on known claimsAs part of executing our runoff claims strategy, the inventory of claim-specific case reserves was reviewed during 2002 in an effort to reserve each claim as appropriately as possible. This effort was in its advanced stages at the end of 2002, and our expectations for additional reserve strengthening on known claims was considered to be minimal. We did not expect additional case development on medical malpractice claims to exceed 3% of existing case reserves.

Case redundancyWhile there were claims settlements which exceeded the claim-specific reserve that had been established, on the whole, claims were being settled at a level significantly less than the individual case reserve previously carried. During 2001, the amount of excess reserves above settled amounts as a percentage of previously established reserves (referred to as a redundancy ratio) were in the range of 25% to 30%. By the end of 2002, the redundancy ratio had increased to between 35% and 40%. We expected this ratio to stay within this range to support our best estimate of a reasonable provision for our loss reserves.

2003

In 2003, we evaluated the adequacy of our previously established medical malpractice reserves in the context of the three indicators described above. The dollar amount of newly reported claims in the first quarter totaled $118 million, approximately 25% less than we anticipated in our original estimate of the required level of redundancy at year-end 2002. With regard to development on known claims, loss activity in the first quarter of 2003 was within our expectations. Case development on incurred years 2001 and prior was minimal, and case development on the 2002 incurred year totaled $39 million, within our year-end 2002 estimate of no more than 3% of development. For the first quarter of 2003, our redundancy ratio was within our expected range of between 35% and 40%.

In the second quarter of 2003, the dollar amount of newly reported claims totaled $127 million, approximately 5% higher than we anticipated in our original estimate of the required level of reserves at year-end 2002. Nevertheless, through the first half of 2003, the dollar amount of newly reported claims was approximately 12% lower than we anticipated. Loss development on known claims during the second quarter of 2003 was negative, but not as negative as we anticipated. Our actual redundancy ratio continued to improve in the second quarter of 2003; however, since newly reported claims and loss development on known claims did not improve as much as we expected in the second quarter, the required reserve redundancy had increased modestly from the previously estimated range of 35% to 40%.

In the third quarter of 2003, the dollar amount of newly reported claims totaled $108 million, approximately 10% higher than we anticipated in our original estimate of the required level of reserves at year-end 2002. However, through the first nine months of 2003, the dollar amount of newly reported claims was approximately 7% lower than we anticipated due to the positive variance in the first quarter. Loss development on known claims during the third quarter of 2003 was worse than anticipated. Our actual redundancy ratio continued to improve in the third quarter of 2003; however, since newly reported claims and loss development on known claims again did not improve as much as we expected in the third quarter, the required reserve redundancy had increased from the previously estimated range of 35% to 40% to approximately 45%.

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In the fourth quarter of 2003, the dollar amount of newly reported claims totaled $65 million, approximately 24% better than we anticipated in our original estimate of the required level of reserves at year-end 2002. The dollar amount of newly reported claims for the year ended December 31, 2003 was approximately 10% better than our original expectation. We consider the assumptions we made at the end of 2002 for newly reported claims to be appropriate and we have made no changes to those assumptions. Loss development on known claims during the fourth quarter of 2003 was only slightly worse than anticipated. However, through all of 2003, the cumulative development was considerably worse than expected. Through the third quarter, this adverse development on known claims was offset by continued improvement on the actual redundancy ratio experienced and no adjustment had been needed. However, our actual redundancy ratio, which had continually improved during the first nine months of 2003, took an adverse turn during November and December, causing the required reserve redundancy to increase above our level of tolerance. The view that the redundancy ratio would not only fail to continue to improve, but could likely decay over time caused us to make an adjustment to the reserve levels. The new required redundancy ratio, after the $350 million of reserve strengthening recorded in the fourth quarter, is in the range of 30% to 35%.

The three indicators described above are related such that if one deteriorates, additional improvement on another is necessary for us to conclude that further reserve strengthening is not necessary. The results of these indicators support our current view that we have recorded a reasonable provision for our medical malpractice exposures as of December 31, 2003 and our analysis continues to support our belief that we will realize favorable effects in our ultimate costs and that our current loss reserves will prove to be a reasonable provision.

Reinsurance

In the years prior to 2002, our Reinsurance segment (“St. Paul Re”) generally underwrote treaty and facultative reinsurance for property, liability, ocean marine, surety, certain specialty classes of coverage, and “nontraditional” reinsurance, which provided limited traditional underwriting risk protection combined with financial risk protection. In late 2001, we announced our intention to cease underwriting certain types of reinsurance coverages and narrow our geographic presence in 2002, as described in more detail earlier in this discussion. As a result, in January 2002, St. Paul Re began focusing almost exclusively on the following types of reinsurance coverage: property catastrophe, excess-of-loss casualty, marine and traditional finite. St. Paul Re conducted its business through four business centers: North American Casualty, North American Property, International and Finite Risk. As discussed in more detail earlier in this report, in November 2002, we transferred our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”) while retaining liabilities generally for reinsurance contracts incepting prior to January 1, 2002. Reported results for our Reinsurance operation in 2003 represent premium adjustments and loss development on reinsurance business underwritten prior to the transfer of business to Platinum. Reported results for 2002 include those elements, as well as activity from the period January 1, 2002 up to the date of transfer to Platinum.

2003—The underwriting profit of $3 million in 2003 was driven by $8 million of favorable development on prior-year loss reserves related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Results in 2003 also included a $6 million underwriting loss related to the transfer of additional assets and reserves to Platinum pursuant to an adjustment mechanism as described in more detail earlier in this report.

2002 vs. 2001The significant decline in written premium volume in 2002 compared with 2001 was primarily due to reduced volume from the lines of business targeted for exit at the end of 2001. Also contributing to the decline in premium volume in 2002 was the rescission of several large reinsurance contracts, which reduced written premiums by $137 million. In addition, St. Paul Re ceded written premiums of $158 million in the fourth quarter related to the transfer of business to Platinum, representing unearned premiums as of the date of transfer on business incepting subsequent to January 1, 2002. These

80




reductions in premiums were partially offset by significant price increases on the narrowed lines of business underwritten in 2002 prior to the transfer to Platinum, and new business in the accident and health reinsurance market.

St. Paul Re’s underwriting loss of $22 million in 2002 included a $40 million detriment from aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance treaties, primarily related to the commutation of a portion of one aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance treaty that was exclusive to our reinsurance operations. The 2002 result also included $23 million of losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, which were partially offset by favorable loss experience on business underwritten in 2002, driven by significant price increases and benefits derived from exiting unprofitable lines of business. Catastrophe and other weather-related losses in 2002 totaled $31 million, comprised primarily of losses associated with flooding in Europe in August. The underwriting loss of $726 million in 2001 was dominated by $556 million of losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Other catastrophe and weather-related losses of $66 million in 2001 were driven by losses from the explosion of a chemical plant in France and tropical storm Allison in the United States. The remainder of underwriting losses in 2001 were concentrated in North American casualty and property reinsurance business.

Other Runoff

This category includes the results of the following international insurance operations: 1) our runoff operations at Lloyd’s, primarily consisting of the following lines of business written through four syndicates, across which our ownership ranged from 54% to 100% and which ceased underwriting in 2001 or the first quarter of 2002: casualty insurance and reinsurance, non-marine reinsurance, professional liability insurance (particularly for financial customers, and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance) and our participation in the insuring of the Lloyd’s Central Fund; 2) Unionamerica, the London-based underwriting unit acquired as part of our purchase of MMI in 2000. Unionamerica underwrote liability and property coverages, including medical malpractice and other professional liability and directors’ and officers’ liability, both inside and outside of Lloyd’s, on both an insurance and excess-of-loss reinsurance basis; 3) all other international runoff lines of business we decided to exit at the end of 2001, consisting of health care business in the United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland, as well as our underwriting operations in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Argentina, Mexico (excluding surety business), Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Botswana and South Africa. (In 2003, we sold our operations in Botswana, and in 2002, we sold our operations in Argentina, Mexico and Spain); and 4) the results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998). We have a management team in place for the operations comprising this category to ensure that our outstanding claim obligations are settled in an expeditious and economical manner.

2003 vs. 2002—Despite placing all of the operations in this category in runoff at the beginning of 2002, we continue to underwrite business in selected markets while we attempt to sell certain of those operations, accounting for the $60 million of premium volume in 2003. The $374 million underwriting loss included $285 million in provisions to strengthen prior-year loss reserves and $89 million of current year losses and underwriting expenses.

Lloyd’s accounted for $159 million of the underwriting loss in 2003, driven by $108 million of adverse loss development on business written in prior years and poor current-year results from North American liability business, and financial and professional business, as well as an increase in the provision for uncollectible reinsurance. (The elimination of the one-quarter reporting lag for our operations at Lloyd’s accounted for $48 million of our reported underwriting loss for Lloyd’s in this category in 2003). Unionamerica’s underwriting loss in 2003 of $104 million included $67 million of adverse prior year loss development and a $21 million increase in the provision for uncollectible reinsurance, with the remainder reflecting current year losses related to strengthened loss assumptions on contracts still in effect in 2003.

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These current year losses are centered in three lines of business underwritten through the Lloyd’s market that are now managed by Unionamerica: insurance of non-U.S. medical malpractice, excess-of-loss reinsurance of directors’ and officers’ liability business, and U.S. surplus lines business. All other international runoff lines of business accounted for $58 million of underwriting losses in 2003, compared with $56 million of losses in 2002. The underwriting loss on domestic lines underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998) was $53 million, the majority of which was comprised of $46 million of adverse prior year development primarily attributable to an increase in asbestos reserves during the fourth quarter of 2003. Adverse prior-year reserve development of $43 million in our other international lines occurred throughout the year in various lines of business and in various increments.

The following table summarizes prior year reserve charges in 2003 by line of business or operation.

 

 

2003

 

Line of business or operation:

 

 

 

Beginning
Reserve

 

Reserve
Charge

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Lloyd’s:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Institutions and Professional

 

 

$

109

 

 

 

$

31

 

 

North American and Other Casualty

 

 

221

 

 

 

57

 

 

Other Lloyd’s runoff lines

 

 

166

 

 

 

20

 

 

Subtotal—Lloyd’s

 

 

496

 

 

 

108

 

 

Unionamerica

 

 

304

 

 

 

88

 

 

Other international lines

 

 

346

 

 

 

43

 

 

Other domestic lines

 

 

1,560

 

 

 

46

 

 

Total

 

 

$

2,706

 

 

 

$

285

 

 

 

Business underwritten through our Lloyd’s syndicates, including the majority of Unionamerica’s business, is done in a subscription market, in which parties participate in portions of policies and/or groups of policies. As a result, the concepts of claim frequency and claim size trend for specific syndicates and/or shares of syndicates are neither available nor pertinent.

2002 vs. 2001—The significant decline in written premium volume in 2002 reflected the impact of our decision to place these businesses in runoff. International runoff lines of business accounted for $110 million of written premium volume in 2002, down 54% from $240 million in 2001. We continued to underwrite business in selected markets while we attempted to sell certain of our operations. Our Lloyd’s runoff premium totaled $114 million in 2002, compared with $253 million in 2001. Unionamerica syndicate premium volume totaled $18 million in 2002, down significantly from 2001 premiums of $99 million.

Lloyd’s accounted for $99 million of the underwriting loss in 2002, driven by adverse loss development on business written in prior years and poor current-year results from North American liability and reinsurance business. Unionamerica’s underwriting loss in 2002 of $60 million included $27 million of adverse prior year loss development, with the remainder reflecting current year losses related to strengthened loss assumptions related to contracts still in effect in 2002. These losses are centered in three lines of business underwritten through Lloyd’s syndicates that are now managed by Unionamerica: excess-of-loss reinsurance on U.S. medical malpractice, directors’ and officers’ liability business, and U.S. surplus lines business. All other international runoff lines of business accounted for $56 million of underwriting losses in 2002, compared with $94 million of losses in 2001. Losses in 2002 were centered in the Netherlands and Spain, whereas in 2001 losses were concentrated in health care business and construction coverages offered in the United Kingdom. The decline in these other international runoff losses in 2002 reflected the impact of our decision to withdraw from those markets.

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The following table summarizes prior year reserve charges in 2002 by line of business or operation.

 

 

2002

 

Line of business or operation:

 

 

 

Beginning
Reserve

 

Reserve
Charge

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Lloyd’s:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Institutions and Professional

 

 

$

78

 

 

 

$

46

 

 

North American and Other Casualty

 

 

154

 

 

 

75

 

 

Other Lloyd’s runoff lines

 

 

239

 

 

 

14

 

 

Subtotal—Lloyd’s

 

 

471

 

 

 

135

 

 

Unionamerica

 

 

445

 

 

 

27

 

 

Other international lines

 

 

333

 

 

 

6

 

 

Total

 

 

$

1,249

 

 

 

$

168

 

 

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY INSURANCE

Investment Operations

The following table summarizes the composition and carrying value of our property-liability investment segment’s portfolio at the end of 2003 and 2002. More information on each investment class follows the table.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income securities

 

$

16,447

 

$

17,135

 

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

838

 

873

 

Venture capital

 

535

 

581

 

Equities

 

122

 

355

 

Securities on loan

 

1,584

 

806

 

Short-term investments

 

2,513

 

2,070

 

Other investments

 

760

 

657

 

Total investments

 

$

22,799

 

$

22,477

 

 

FIXED INCOME SECURITIESOur portfolio of fixed income investments is primarily composed of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable U.S. government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds, and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. We manage this portfolio conservatively, investing almost exclusively in investment-grade securities.

At December 31, 2003, approximately 96% of our fixed income portfolio, comprised of our fixed income securities, the securities on loan and short-term investments, was rated investment grade. Approximately 3% consisted of non-investment grade securities and 1% were non-rated securities.

We participate in a securities lending program whereby certain fixed income securities from our portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. We receive a fee from the borrower in return. We require collateral equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities, and we record the cash collateral received as a liability. The collateral is invested in short-term investments and reported as such on our balance sheet. The carrying value of the securities on loan is removed from fixed income securities on the balance sheet and shown as a separate investment asset. We continue to earn interest on the securities on loan, and earn a portion of the interest related to the short-term investments.

At the end of 2003, the reported amortized cost of our fixed income portfolio was $15.6 billion, compared with $16.1 billion at the end of 2002. The decline was primarily due to our increased

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participation in the securities lending program described above and the resulting reclassification of those securities to a separate balance sheet caption. We carry these securities on our balance sheet at fair value, with the appreciation or depreciation recorded in shareholders’ equity, net of taxes. The fair values of our bonds fluctuate with changes in market interest rates, changes in yield differentials between fixed income asset classes and changes in the perceived creditworthiness of corporate obligors. At the end of 2003, the pretax unrealized appreciation of our fixed income portfolio was $862 million, compared with unrealized appreciation of $1.0 billion at the end of 2002, with the decline due to higher market interest rates in 2003. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 43 basis points during 2003. In 2002, by contrast, that same U.S. Treasury yield declined by 123 basis points, causing a significant increase in the unrealized appreciation of the portfolio over year-end 2001.  

Our decision whether to purchase taxable or tax-exempt securities is driven by corporate tax considerations, and the relationship between taxable and tax-exempt yields at the time of purchase. In recent years, the availability of corporate Net Operating Loss carryforwards and Alternative Minimum Tax carryforwards has increased our ability to benefit from taxable investment income. Accordingly, a significant majority of our new fixed income purchases in recent years have consisted of taxable bonds. The average yield on taxable bonds purchased in 2003 was 4.5%, compared with 5.3% in 2002 and 6.5% in 2001. The decline of these average investment yields in both 2003 and 2002 reflected the impact of the Federal Reserve rate actions and general economic weakness. Taxable bonds accounted for 77% of our fixed income portfolio at year-end 2003, compared with 75% at the end of 2002. The bond portfolio in total carried a weighted average pretax yield of 5.7% at December 31, 2003, compared with 6.2% at the end of 2002.

Pretax investment income generated by our fixed income securities, securities on loan and short-term investments in 2003 totaled $1.02 billion, down 7% from 2002 investment income of $1.09 billion. Our investment income in 2003 was negatively impacted by yields on new investments purchased during the last several years, which were significantly lower than yields on investments that matured in those years. In addition, significant loss and loss adjustment expense payments, including payments related to our runoff operations and the $747 million Western MacArthur asbestos settlement payment, prevented significant growth in our invested asset base during 2003. In 2002, pretax investment income from fixed income investments was 1% below 2001 income of $1.11 billion. The effect of the decline in yields available on new investments in 2002 was substantially offset by an increase in funds invested, largely due to the capital infusion and sales of equity investments.

Additional information regarding our fixed income portfolio is disclosed in the Critical Accounting Policies section of this discussion.

REAL ESTATE AND MORTGAGE LOANS—Real estate ($775 million) and mortgage loans ($63 million) accounted for 4% of our total property-liability investments at the end of 2003. Our real estate holdings primarily consist of commercial office and warehouse properties that we own directly or in which we have a partial interest through joint ventures. Our properties are geographically distributed throughout the United States and had an occupancy rate of 89.7% at year-end 2003, compared with 89.9% in 2002. Real estate investments produced pretax investment income of $61 million in 2003, compared with $67 million in 2002. Our real estate investment cash flows of $106 million in 2003 were slightly higher than cash flows of $105 million in 2002. These cash flows equated to cash yields of 10.8% and 10.4% for 2003 and 2002, respectively. We made no significant real estate purchases in 2003 or 2002.

We acquired our portfolio of mortgage loans in the 1998 merger with USF&G. The loans, which are collateralized by income-producing real estate, produced investment income of $6 million in 2003 and $10 million in 2002. Net pay downs and repayments of the loans totaled $19 million in 2003 and $52 million in 2002. We did not originate any new loans in either of the last two years.

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VENTURE CAPITAL—Venture capital comprised 2% of our property-liability invested assets (at cost) at the end of 2003. These private investments span a variety of industries but are concentrated in telecommunications, information technology, health care and consumer products. In 2003, we invested $134 million in this asset class, compared with $138 million in 2002. Our total return on average net venture capital investments (encompassing dividend income, realized gains and losses, and the change in unrealized appreciation) was 12.3% in 2003, (41.0%) in 2002 and (41.5%) in 2001. The positive return in 2003 was driven by net pretax realized investment gains of $51 million, the components of which are described in more detail below. Venture capital returns in 2002 and 2001 were negatively impacted by significant declines in the unrealized appreciation of our investments. Additionally in 2002, losses from investments sales and impairment write-downs were significant, as described in more detail below. The carrying value of the venture capital portfolio at year-end 2003 and 2002 included unrealized appreciation of $24 million and $4 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2003, we had long-term commitments to fund venture capital investments totaling $792 million which are subject to certain termination provisions as further described in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report.

EQUITIESOur equity holdings consist of a diversified portfolio of public common stock, comprising less than 1% of total property-liability investments (at cost) at year-end 2003. In mid-2002, we began to reduce our level of equity investments. Our decision was prompted by several factors, including our opinion as to the near-term direction of equity prices, a comprehensive evaluation of our aggregate equity exposure (including venture capital and equities held by our pension fund), and our opinion as to the level of public equity investments that is appropriate for publicly held insurance companies. By the end of 2003, we had reduced our equity investments by $953 million (at cost) since year-end 2001.

The total return on our combined domestic and international equity portfolio was 32% in 2003, compared with (19.4%) in 2002 and (20.7%) in 2001. At the end of 2003, the market value of our remaining portfolio of $105 million exceeded its cost by $17 million. By comparison, at the end of 2002, the $375 million cost of our equity holdings exceeded its market value by $20 million.

OTHER INVESTMENTSOur 14% equity ownership stake in Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., with a carrying value of $146 million and $129 million, at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, is included in this category, as is a long-term interest-bearing security from a highly-rated entity, supporting a series of insurance transactions, with a carrying value of $359 million and $386 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The carrying value of this security is expected to continue to decline in proportion to the reduction in the amount of insurance which it supports. Also included in “Other Investments” are our warrants to purchase additional Platinum shares, which are carried at their market value ($65 million and $61 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively).

REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES—The following table summarizes our property-liability operations’ pretax realized gains and losses by investment class for each of the last three years.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income

 

$

7

 

$

94

 

$

(77

)

Equities

 

40

 

(58

)

(4

)

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

4

 

2

 

4

 

Venture capital

 

51

 

(200

)

(43

)

Other investments

 

(4

)

42

 

50

 

Subtotal

 

98

 

(120

)

(70

)

Investment expenses

 

(39

)

(42

)

(56

)

Net pretax gains (losses)

 

$

59

 

$

(162

)

$

(126

)

 

85




 

2003.

During 2003, we sold fixed income securities with a cumulative amortized cost of $940 million, generating gross pretax gains of $39 million. These gains were partially offset by impairment write-downs totaling $17 million, including $9 million related to asset/mortgage backed securities and $4 million related to Healthsouth Corporation. We recorded additional impairment write-downs totaling $4 million in our fixed income portfolio during 2003 related to nine other issuers. Each of these write-downs was carried out by writing our stated book value down to our estimate of net realizable value. We continued to reduce our equity investment holdings in 2003, and sales of those investments in a rebounding market environment resulted in net pretax gains of $40 million for the year. Impairment write-downs in our equity portfolio totaled $6 million in 2003. In our venture capital portfolio, the sale of a large portion of one of our investment holdings generated a pretax gain of $171 million in 2003, which was largely offset by impairment realized losses totaling $143 million related to 38 of our investment holdings. Fourteen of those holdings were impaired due to a merger or sale at a value less than our cost. Eleven holdings experienced fundamental economic deterioration (characterized by gross margins being less than expected, product pricing not meeting initial projections due to market conditions, and greater than expected manufacturing expenses). Six holdings were written down because the entities’ progress was substantially less than planned and additional financing was required at values less than our cost. An additional six holdings were impaired due to cessation of operations of the entity. Finally, one holding was impaired because market demand for its product was less than expected.

2002.

During 2002, we sold fixed income securities with a cumulative amortized cost of $2.5 billion, generating gross pretax gains of $185 million. These gains were partially offset by impairment write-downs totaling $74 million, including $15 million related to our investment in debt securities issued by WorldCom Corporation, $13 million related to TXU Eastern Funding and $10 million related to NRG Energy. We recorded additional impairment write-downs totaling $36 million in our fixed income portfolio during 2002 related to 22 other issuers. Those write-downs resulted from bankruptcy filings or substantial deterioration in the financial condition of those issuers.  Realized losses from our equity portfolio in 2002 primarily consisted of those resulting from sales following the strategic decision to re-allocate funds to the fixed maturity portfolio, and impairment write-downs totaling $26 million.

In our venture capital portfolio, realized losses in 2002 included $56 million of losses resulting from the sale of the majority of our partnership investment holdings, and impairment write-downs in 25 of our holdings totaling $122 million. These holdings were impaired for the same general reasons noted above for the 2003 impairments: seven holdings were impaired because market demand for their products was less than expected; seven holdings were written down because the entities’ progress was less than planned and additional financing would be required; five holdings were impaired due to fundamental economic deterioration (as defined above); four holdings were impaired due to a merger or sale at less than our cost; and two holdings were impaired due to cessation of operations.

2001.

Pretax realized losses in the fixed income category in 2001 were driven by write-downs in the carrying value of certain of our bond holdings, including a $20 million write-down of various Argentina government and corporate bonds following economic upheaval in that country, and a $19 million write-down in debt securities issued by Enron Corporation following that company’s bankruptcy filing. We recorded additional impairment write-downs totaling $38 million in our fixed income portfolio during 2001 related to 19 other issuers. We did not record any impairment write-downs in our equity portfolio in 2001. Realized losses in our venture capital portfolio primarily resulted from impairment write-downs, which in the aggregate

86




totaled $88 million, related to 31 of our direct venture capital investments. These holdings were impaired for the same reasons described above for 2003 and 2002.

For publicly-traded securities in our venture capital portfolio in each year, the amounts of write-downs were determined by writing our investments down to quoted market prices. For non-publicly-traded securities, the write-downs to estimated net realizable value were reviewed and approved by our internal valuation committee, which, on a quarterly basis, evaluates recent financings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth, and other business and sector fundamentals in determining fair values of the specific investments. On an ongoing basis, our venture capital portfolio managers monitor the activities of both our publicly-traded and non-publicly-traded securities, keeping in mind developments that might give rise to necessary valuation adjustments. These managers may report any such developments to the internal valuation committee.

A significant amount of additional information regarding procedures employed to evaluate other than temporary impairments in the carrying value of any of our investments is contained in the Critical Accounting Policies section of this discussion.

PROPERTY-LIABILITY UNDERWRITING

LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES

Our loss reserves reflect estimates of total losses and loss adjustment expenses we will ultimately have to pay under insurance policies, surety bonds and reinsurance agreements. These include losses that have been reported but not settled, and losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to us (“IBNR”). Loss reserves for certain workers’ compensation business and certain assumed reinsurance contracts are discounted to present value. We reduce our loss reserves for estimates of salvage and subrogation.

For reported losses, we establish reserves on a “case” basis within the parameters of coverage provided in the insurance policy, surety bond or reinsurance agreement. For IBNR losses, we estimate reserves using established actuarial methods. Our case and IBNR reserve estimates consider such variables as past loss experience, changes in legislative conditions, changes in judicial interpretation of legal liability and policy coverages, and inflation. We consider not only monetary increases in the cost of what we insure, but also changes in societal factors that influence jury verdicts and case law and, in turn, claim costs.

Because many of the coverages we offer involve claims that may not ultimately be settled for many years after they are incurred, subjective judgments as to our ultimate exposure to losses are an integral and necessary component of our loss reserving process. We record our reserves by considering a range of estimates bounded by a high and low point. Within that range, we record our best estimate. We continually review our reserves, using a variety of statistical and actuarial techniques to analyze current claim costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social and legal factors. We adjust reserves established in prior years as loss experience develops and new information becomes available. Adjustments to previously estimated reserves are reflected in our financial results in the periods in which they are made.

While our reported reserves make a reasonable provision for all of our unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense obligations, it is important to note that the process of estimating required reserves does, by its very nature, involve uncertainty. The level of uncertainty can be influenced by such factors as the existence of long tail coverage forms and changes in claim handling practices. Many of our insurance subsidiaries have written long-tail coverages such as medical professional liability, large deductible workers’ compensation and assumed reinsurance. In addition, claim handling practices change and evolve over the years. For example, new initiatives are commenced, claim offices are reorganized and relocated, claim handling responsibilities of individual adjusters are changed, use of a call center is increased, use of technology is increased, caseload issues and case reserving practices are monitored more frequently, etc.

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However, these are sources of uncertainty that we have recognized and for which we have appropriately reserved.

The following table summarizes the composition of our gross and net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by major product line as of December 31, 2003 and 2002. Our loss and LAE reserves related to our foreign operations are presented in total in the table, as those operations do not classify their business using the same product line definitions as our domestic operations.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Other liability

 

$

4,181

 

$

3,119

 

$

3,748

 

$

2,667

 

Workers’ compensation

 

3,203

 

2,090

 

2,895

 

1,927

 

Medical malpractice

 

1,788

 

1,433

 

2,321

 

1,733

 

Commercial auto liability

 

1,533

 

1,014

 

1,382

 

978

 

Reinsurance—nonproportional assumed liability

 

1,505

 

952

 

2,007

 

1,484

 

Products liability

 

905

 

737

 

1,552

 

1,133

 

Commercial multiple peril

 

656

 

520

 

927

 

630

 

Reinsurance—nonproportional assumed property

 

406

 

316

 

797

 

723

 

Other

 

2,118

 

1,156

 

2,144

 

905

 

Total loss and LAE reserves—domestic operations

 

16,295

 

11,337

 

17,773

 

12,180

 

Retroactive reinsurance

 

 

(118

)

 

(152

)

Loss and LAE reserves—foreign operations

 

3,131

 

2,056

 

4,853

 

2,821

 

Total loss and LAE reserves

 

$

19,426

 

$

13,275

 

$

22,626

 

$

14,849

 

 

Analysis of Our Long-Tail Exposures

We consider “long-tail” exposures to include those lines of business in which the majority of coverage involves average loss payment lags of three years or more beyond the expiration of the policy and, accordingly, can cause an increased level of uncertainty in estimating loss reserves. The primary lines of our business fitting those criteria are general liability, workers’ compensation, and casualty excess reinsurance. For the medical malpractice business we underwrote prior to our exit from that line of business, reserves do not exceed a three-year average life, but do involve a high degree of uncertainty. We analyze these reserves in accordance with our accounting policy as further described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this discussion.

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The following table provides additional statistics on our long tail and medical malpractice exposures and is followed by discussion on known trends, events, or uncertainties that may affect our future results of operations or financial condition. We also further describe the nature of the underlying claims, including relevant information of the claimant population. For our general liability and workers’ compensation lines of business, we have reported separately our exposures to possible environmental and asbestos (“E&A”) obligations. For our non-E&A general liability, workers’ compensation, and medical malpractice coverages, we have included data only for our primary domestic insurance operations, excluding alternative risk transfer insurance products. The coverages in the table represented approximately 65% of our total net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at December 31, 2003.

 

 

Number of Claims / Supplements(1)

 

in millions

 

Line of Business

 

 

 

Pending as of
Dec. 31

 

Reported

 

Dismissed
Settled, or

Resolved

 

Paid
Losses on

Settled
Claims

 

Costs to
Administer

 

Losses
Paid on
Pools and

Related

 

General LiabilityNon E & A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

37,732

 

 

58,752

 

 

59,237

 

 

 

$

513

 

 

 

$

293

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2002

 

 

38,217

 

 

68,807

 

 

70,802

 

 

 

$

643

 

 

 

$

263

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2001

 

 

40,212

 

 

70,540

 

 

68,384

 

 

 

$

526

 

 

 

$

234

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

Workers’ Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

33,720

 

 

40,916

 

 

42,927

 

 

 

$

368

 

 

 

$

59

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2002

 

 

35,731

 

 

51,604

 

 

54,300

 

 

 

$

381

 

 

 

$

57

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2001

 

 

38,427

 

 

56,084

 

 

55,368

 

 

 

$

374

 

 

 

$

57

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

Medical Malpractice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

9,432

 

 

4,284

 

 

7,714

 

 

 

$

687

 

 

 

$

166

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2002

 

 

12,862

 

 

8,271

 

 

10,635

 

 

 

$

831

 

 

 

$

190

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2001

 

 

15,226

 

 

18,706

 

 

18,897

 

 

 

$

834

 

 

 

$

206

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

Environmental(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

1,226

 

 

471

 

 

520

 

 

 

$

47

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

 

$

11

 

 

2002

 

 

1,275

 

 

449

 

 

633

 

 

 

$

34

 

 

 

$

15

 

 

 

$

9

 

 

2001

 

 

1,459

 

 

390

 

 

1,317

 

 

 

$

34

 

 

 

$

11

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

Asbestos(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

4,464

 

 

1,892

 

 

1,351

 

 

 

$

516

 

 

 

$

19

 

 

 

$

13

 

 

2002

 

 

3,923

 

 

1,757

 

 

1,093

 

 

 

$

187

 

 

 

$

31

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

2001

 

 

3,259

 

 

1,096

 

 

929

 

 

 

$

13

 

 

 

$

22

 

 

 

$

10

 

 

Assumed Reinsurance(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

905

 

 

 

$

44

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2002

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

1,150

 

 

 

$

44

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

2001

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

$

825

 

 

 

$

29

 

 

 

N/A

 

 


(1)          The claim counts included in this table represent counts of “supplements,” which are extracted from our actuarial databases. A claim supplement is the finest level of detail recorded in our statistical systems. For example, two claimants for a single general liability bodily injury occurrence would be counted as two separate supplements. Our claim department manages claims on a policyholder basis, while the data in this table is presented on a claim count basis. For environmental and asbestos claims, a claim supplement count does not reflect the number of claimants involved on the account. For asbestos claims, supplements are generally created based on the number of policy years potentially implicated on the account. For environmental claims, supplements are generally created to track the number of sites involved on the account.

(2)          The environmental and asbestos claim count information includes only losses on direct written business whereas the paid loss data on assumed business, presented separately, includes loss and

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defense and cost containment expenses. Claim count data is not shown on losses assumed from other companies and/or insurance pools because we are often either covering a very small portion of any one claim, or a number of claims which are compiled together as one for reporting purposes and, therefore, such statistics would not be meaningful. Also, the costs to administer these claims do not include adjusting and other related payments.

(3)          Includes property and casualty loss experience since casualty only is not available. Also, claim counts are not available on assumed reinsurance. Loss settlement amounts include defense and cost containment expenses whereas costs to administer include only adjusting and other related payments.

General Liability (Non-E&A)—Includes insurance coverage protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Claims on these coverages are usually paid to third party claimants. While we offer coverage that may result in low-frequency, high-severity claims (i.e. excess umbrella, large accounts), the majority of the non-E&A general liability business is generally stable and predictable due to the volume of business written. Although the cost of administering these claims comprises a large portion of the overall claim cost, the actual average loss payment per claim is generally low. The most significant risk for this line is unexpected increases in inflation, either economic or social. The number of newly reported claims continued to decline in 2003 driven by an underlying decrease in our exposure to loss. Premiums have increased in the last several years due to pricing, but the actual number of exposures insured has dropped. Paid losses and closed claims declined in 2003 due to a decrease in reported claims in recent years. The increase in paid dollars in 2002 was the result of closing more claims in 2002 than we did in 2001.

Workers’ Compensation—Includes insurance which covers an employers’ liability for injuries, disability or death to persons in their employment, without regard to fault.  The coverage provided under the workers’ compensation policies is based on state-specific schedules for wage replacement and medical payments for injured workers. While the largest portion of the workers insured under our policies generate a very low severity body of claims, a portion of our premium volume is generated in our Construction business center, where there is an increased possibility of permanent and total disability requiring lifetime payments. Although each state government can make changes in coverage, the changes happen after considerable public deliberation and very seldom will impact policies that have been sold in the past. The number of newly reported claims continued to decline in 2003, driven by an underlying decrease in our exposure to loss. Premiums have increased in the last several years due to pricing, but the actual number of exposures insured has dropped. The number of claims closed in 2003 declined due to a steadily decreasing number of reported claims in recent years. We closed roughly as many claims in 2002 as in 2001, driving the number of pending claims down.

Medical Malpractice—Includes insurance protecting a licensed health care provider or health care facility against legal liability resulting from death or injury of any person due to the insured’s misconduct, negligence, or incompetence in rendering professional services. Medical malpractice claims are volatile in nature. While a large number are closed without a loss payment, those with payments may be very large depending on the circumstances and judicial climate. Significant cost is expended in the settlement of these claims, often with favorable outcomes. Since this book of business is in runoff, the pending inventory is decreasing and will begin to distort some of the statistics. As the runoff matures, there will be fewer small claims and fewer meritless claims that can be quickly dismissed. The single largest risk in this line of business is associated with social trends in jury verdicts which is described in further detail in our Health Care segment discussion in this report. As reported in the Health Care discussion referenced above, newly reported claim counts are dropping quickly as we exit this business segment. As we execute our runoff strategy, we will continue to see a drop in the inventory of pending claims. The unusually high number of claims “reported” and “dismissed, settled or resolved” in 2001 in the foregoing table was due to the impact of the MMI integration.

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Environmental—This exposure relates to general liability coverage on policies which may be interpreted to cover environmental-related exposures. The information presented above represents business reported as “Not underwritten” Environmental losses as described in the following section of this report. Payment totals for these coverages are driven by a few very large claims, accompanied by a large number of very small claims. While the number of new reported claims appears to increase, they are primarily matters for which there is no expectation of claim payment, or for policies that have not been identified as cases where the underwriter intended coverage. A significant portion of the cost of administering these claims relates to claims that are eventually settled without payment. Changes in social, judicial, legislative and economic conditions could result in future unforeseen developments and require reserve adjustments.

Asbestos—This exposure relates to general liability and workers’ compensation coverages on policies which can be interpreted to cover asbestos-related exposures. This portion of business is defined as that which is reported as “Asbestos losses” as described in more detail in the following section of this report. Amounts are driven by a few very large claims, accompanied by a large number of very small claims or claims made with no payment. A significant portion of the cost of administering the claims is spent on those claims that are eventually settled without payment. Social, judicial, legislative and economic changes could result in future unforeseen developments and require reserve adjustments. Western MacArthur accounted for the majority of paid losses on settled claims in 2003 ($453 million) and 2002 ($173 million), as well as the majority of costs to administer in 2002 ($12 million), with the remainder relating to claims made in prior years. Approximately 32% and 25% of the pending general liability asbestos claim supplements as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, came from policyholders who tendered their first asbestos claim within three years of those respective dates. The increase in newly reported claims arise from policyholders who tendered their first claim to us within the last three years. For example, approximately 73% of the general liability claim supplements reported during 2003 came from policyholders who tendered their first claim after January 1, 2001. These claims are generally relatively small and have, to date, presented minimal exposure.  

Assumed Reinsurance—This portion of our business represents our reported Reinsurance segment and includes property and liability loss exposures assumed on both a proportional and excess of loss basis. There are both low frequency, high severity exposures as well as some event-driven high-severity exposures. A significant portion of the high exposure business was catastrophe related. As of November 2, 2002, we were no longer significantly exposed to subsequent events due to the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. Although our property exposure (included in this data) is not considered long tail, our casualty exposure is considered long tail and—similar to our primary general liability exposures—is sensitive to the risk of unexpected increases in inflation. The larger loss settlement amounts from 2001 through 2003 were primarily due to losses resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

Prior-Year Loss Development

Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements includes a reconciliation of our beginning and ending loss and loss adjustment expense reserves for each of the years 2003, 2002 and 2001. That reconciliation shows that we recorded an increase in the loss provision from continuing operations for claims incurred in prior years totaling $646 million in 2003, $1.0 billion in 2002 and $577 million in 2001.

Our runoff Health Care operation accounted for $350 million of the total 2003 prior-year provision, and our “Other runoff” operations accounted for $285 million of the prior-year provision. We recorded $25 million of favorable prior-year loss development in our runoff reinsurance operations. Of the 2002 total, $472 million resulted from the settlement of the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, as described in more detail earlier in this discussion. The majority of the remaining 2002 prior year development was concentrated in our Health Care, Surety, Construction, and Other operations. The increase in prior-year

91




loss provisions in 2001 was driven by additional losses in our Health Care operation. That development in all three years is discussed in detail in the respective segment sections included herein.

The following table summarizes the composition of our gross and net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, and the net unfavorable (favorable) prior-year loss development by segment as of December 31, 2003.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Loss
Development(1)

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Ongoing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

$

3,902

 

$

2,267

 

 

$

5

 

 

Surety & Construction

 

2,051

 

1,563

 

 

37

 

 

International and Lloyd’s

 

1,720

 

1,076

 

 

24

 

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

7,673

 

4,906

 

 

66

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

3,296

 

2,749

 

 

(30

)

 

Total ongoing operations

 

10,969

 

7,655

 

 

36

 

 

Runoff operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

1,892

 

1,540

 

 

350

 

 

Reinsurance

 

3,994

 

2,319

 

 

(25

)

 

Other runoff

 

2,571

 

1,761

 

 

285

 

 

Total Other

 

8,457

 

5,620

 

 

610

 

 

Total Underwriting

 

$

19,426

 

$

13,275

 

 

$

646

 

 


(1)          Net unfavorable (favorable) prior-year loss development during 2003.

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY UNDERWRITING

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ASBESTOS CLAIMS

We continue to receive claims, including through lawsuits, alleging injury or damage from environmental pollution or seeking payment for the cost to clean up polluted sites. We also receive asbestos injury claims, including through lawsuits, arising out of coverages under general liability policies. Most of these claims arise from policies written many years ago. Significant legal issues, primarily pertaining to the scope of coverage, complicate the determination of our alleged liability for both environmental and asbestos claims. In our opinion, court decisions in certain jurisdictions have tended to broaden insurance coverage for both environmental and asbestos matters beyond the intent of the original insurance policies.

Our ultimate liability for environmental claims is difficult to estimate because of these legal issues. Insured parties have submitted claims for losses that in our view are not covered in their respective insurance policies, and the final resolution of these claims may be subject to lengthy litigation, making it difficult to estimate our potential liability. In addition, variables such as the length of time necessary to clean up a polluted site, and controversies surrounding the identity of the responsible party and the degree of remediation deemed necessary, make it difficult to estimate the total cost of an environmental claim.

Estimating our ultimate liability for asbestos claims is also very difficult. The primary factors influencing our estimate of the total cost of these claims are case law and a history of prior claim

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development, both of which continue to evolve and are complicated by aggressive litigation against insurers, including us. Estimating ultimate liability is also complicated by the difficulty of assessing what rights, if any, we may have to seek contribution from other insurers of any policyholder.

Late in 2001, we hired a new Executive Vice President of Claims, with extensive experience with environmental and asbestos claims handling and environmental and asbestos reserves, who conducted a summary level review of our environmental and asbestos reserves. As a result of observations made in this review, we undertook more detailed actuarial and claims analyses of environmental reserves. No adjustment to reserves was made in the fourth quarter of 2001, since management did not have a sufficient basis for making an adjustment until such supplemental analyses were completed, and we believed our environmental and asbestos reserves were adequate as of December 31, 2001.

Our historical methodology (through first quarter 2002) for reviewing the adequacy of environmental and asbestos reserves utilized a survival ratio metric, which considers ending reserves in relation to calendar year paid losses. When the environmental reserve analyses were completed in the second quarter of 2002, we supplemented our survival ratio diagnostics with the detailed additional analyses referred to above, and concluded that our environmental reserves were redundant by approximately $150 million. Based on our additional analyses, we released approximately $150 million of environmental reserves in the second quarter of 2002. Had we continued to rely solely on our analysis of survival ratio, we would have recorded no adjustment to our environmental reserves through the six months ended June 30, 2002.

In the second quarter of 2002, we also supplemented our survival ratio analysis of asbestos reserves with a detailed claims analysis. We determined that, excluding the impact of the Western MacArthur settlement, our asbestos reserves were adequate; however, including that impact, we determined that our asbestos reserves were inadequate.

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we updated our detailed actuarial analysis for both asbestos and environmental reserves pertaining to our exposure from direct policyholders and relied more heavily on these analyses in determining the adequacy of our reserve provision for the remaining unreported losses. For non-workers’ compensation asbestos claims we supplemented this detailed analysis with an additional analysis to determine an estimate of reserves specifically for policyholders who have not as yet tendered their first asbestos claim. As a result of these studies we increased net asbestos reserves by $77 million ($44 million in our ongoing operations and $33 million in our runoff operations) and net environmental reserves by $14 million (all in our ongoing operations). In addition, reviews of assumed and non-domestic exposures caused us to increase net asbestos reserves by $13 million and reduce net environmental reserves by $1 million (all of which was recorded in our runoff operations).

As a result of developments in the asbestos litigation environment generally, we determined in the first quarter of 2002 that it would be desirable to seek earlier and ultimately less costly resolutions of certain pending asbestos-related litigations. As a result, we have decided where possible to seek to resolve these matters while continuing to vigorously assert defenses in pending litigations. We are taking a similar approach to environmental litigations. As discussed in more detail earlier in this report, in the second quarter of 2002 we entered into a definitive agreement to settle asbestos claims for a total gross cost of $995 million arising from any insuring relationship we and certain of our subsidiaries may have had with MacArthur Company, Western MacArthur Company or Western Asbestos Company.

The table below represents a reconciliation of total gross and net environmental reserve development for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. Amounts in the “net” column are reduced by reinsurance recoverables. The disclosure of environmental reserve development includes all claims related to environmental exposures. Additional disclosure has been provided to separately identify loss payments and reserve amounts related to policies that were specifically underwritten to cover environmental exposures, referred to as “Underwritten,” as well as amounts related to environmental exposures that were not specifically underwritten, referred to as “Not Underwritten.”  In 1988, we

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completed our implementation of a pollution exclusion in our commercial general liability policies; therefore, activity related to accident years after 1988 generally relates to policies underwritten to include environmental exposures.

The amounts presented for paid losses in the following table as “Underwritten” include primarily exposures related to accident years after 1988 for policies which the underwriter contemplated providing environmental coverage. In addition, certain pre-1988 exposures, primarily first party losses, are included since, they too, were contemplated by the underwriter to include environmental coverage. “Not Underwritten” primarily represents exposures related to accident years 1988 and prior for policies which were not contemplated by the underwriter to include environmental coverage.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Environmental

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning reserves

 

$

370

 

298

 

$

604

 

$

519

 

$

684

 

$

573

 

Incurred losses

 

41

 

13

 

(2

)

(3

)

6

 

21

 

Reserve reduction*

 

 

 

(150

)

(150

)

 

 

Paid losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not underwritten

 

(109

)

(66

)

(70

)

(56

)

(74

)

(63

)

Underwritten

 

(19

)

(19

)

(12

)

(12

)

(12

)

(12

)

Ending reserves

 

$

283

 

226

 

$

370

 

$

298

 

$

604

 

$

519

 


*                    The $150 million reduction of environmental reserves discussed previously was included in both the gross and net incurred losses for 2002.

 

For the year 2001, the gross and net environmental “underwritten” reserves at the beginning of the year totaled $27 million and $26 million, respectively, and at the end of the year both totaled $28 million. For 2002, the year-end gross and net environmental “underwritten” reserves were both $36 million, and at December 31, 2003 the gross reserves were $37 million and net reserves were $36 million. These reserves relate to policies that were specifically underwritten to include environmental exposures. These “underwritten” reserve amounts are included in the total reserve amounts in the preceding table.

The following table represents a reconciliation of total gross and net reserve development for asbestos claims for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. No policies have been underwritten to specifically include asbestos exposure.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Asbestos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning reserves

 

$

1,245

 

778

 

$

577

 

$

387

 

$

471

 

$

315

 

Incurred losses

 

164

 

90

 

846

 

482

 

167

 

116

 

Reserve increase

 

 

 

150

 

150

 

 

 

Paid losses

 

(889

)

(543

)

(328

)

(241

)

(61

)

(44

)

Ending reserves

 

$

520

 

325

 

$

1,245

 

$

778

 

$

577

 

387

 

 

Gross paid losses in 2003 include the $747 million payment, inclusive of $7 million in interest, made in the first quarter pursuant to the Western MacArthur litigation settlement agreement. Western MacArthur accounted for $9 million of gross incurred losses in 2003. Included in gross incurred losses in 2002 (including the $150 million reserve increase) were $995 million of losses related to the Western MacArthur agreement. Also included in the gross and net incurred losses for the year ended December 31, 2002, but

94



reported separately in the above table, was a $150 million increase in asbestos reserves. Gross paid losses include the $248 million Western MacArthur payment made in June 2002.

Our reserves for environmental and asbestos losses at December 31, 2003 represent our best estimate of our ultimate liability for such losses, based on all information currently available. Because of the inherent difficulty in estimating such losses, however, we cannot give assurances that our ultimate liability for environmental and asbestos losses will, in fact, match current reserves. We continue to evaluate new information and developing loss patterns, as well as the potential impact of our determination to seek earlier and ultimately less costly resolutions of certain pending asbestos and environmental related litigations. Future changes in our estimates of our ultimate liability for environmental and asbestos claims may be material to our results of operations, but we do not believe they will materially impact our liquidity or overall financial position.

Total gross environmental and asbestos reserves at December 31, 2003, of $803 million represented approximately 4% of gross consolidated reserves of $19.4 billion.

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Nuveen Investments, Inc.

We hold a 79% interest in Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen Investments”), which constitutes our asset management segment. Nuveen Investments’ core businesses are asset management and related research, as well as the development, marketing and distribution of investment products and services for the affluent, high-net-worth and institutional market segments. Nuveen Investments distributes its investment products and services, including individually managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, to the affluent and high-net-worth market segments through unaffiliated intermediary firms including broker/dealers, commercial banks, affiliates of insurance providers, financial planners, accountants, consultants and investment advisors. Nuveen Investments also provides managed account services to several institutional market segments and channels. The company markets its capabilities under four distinct brands: NWQ, a leader in value-style equities; Nuveen Investments, a leader in tax-free investments; Rittenhouse, a leader in growth-style equities; and Symphony, a leading institutional manager of market-neutral alternative investment portfolios. Nuveen Investments is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “JNC.”

The following table summarizes Nuveen Investments’ key financial data for the last three years.

 

 

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Revenues

 

$

453

 

$

398

 

$

375

 

Expenses

 

218

 

191

 

187

 

Pretax income

 

235

 

207

 

188

 

Minority interest

 

(48

)

(45

)

(46

)

The St. Paul’s share of pretax income

 

$

187

 

$

162

 

$

142

 

Assets under management

 

$

95,356

 

$

79,719

 

$

68,485

 

 

Nuveen Investments’ primary business activities generate three principal sources of revenue: (1) advisory fees earned on assets under management, including separately managed accounts, exchange-traded funds and mutual funds; (2) underwriting and distribution revenues earned upon the sale of certain investment products and (3) performance fees earned on certain institutional accounts based on the performance of such accounts. Advisory fees accounted for 90%, 90% and 88% of Nuveen Investments’ total revenues in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

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ACQUISITIONSIn August 2002, Nuveen Investments acquired NWQ Investment Management Company, Inc. (“NWQ”), an asset management firm based in Los Angeles with approximately $6.9 billion of assets under management in both retail and institutional managed accounts at the time of the acquisition. NWQ specializes in value-oriented equity investments and has significant relationships among institutions and financial advisors. The NWQ purchase price included up to an additional $20 million payable to the seller over a five-year period under terms of a strategic alliance agreement, of which $2.5 million was paid in 2003. The purchase price was funded through a combination of available cash and borrowings under an intercompany credit facility between The St. Paul and Nuveen Investments.

In July 2001, Nuveen Investments acquired Symphony Asset Management LLC (“Symphony”), an institutional investment manager based in San Francisco with approximately $4 billion in assets under management at the time of the acquisition. The acquisition of Symphony expanded Nuveen Investment’s product offerings to include managed accounts and funds designed to reduce risk through market-neutral and other strategies for institutional investors.

2003 vs. 2002—Gross investment product sales in 2003 totaled a record $18.1 billion, 16% higher than 2002 product sales of $15.6 billion. Net flows (equal to the sum of sales, reinvestments and exchanges, less redemptions) were $9.4 billion in 2003, over $2 billion higher than 2002 net flows of $7.3 billion. Net flows were positive across all product lines—managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded products and mutual funds. Investor demand in 2003 continued to be strong for municipal investments and high-quality taxable income-oriented investments. Nuveen Investments raised $5.7 billion during the year through new closed-end exchange-traded funds that blend various stock and bond investment strategies. With the rebound of equity markets and investors’ renewed interest in equity investing, Nuveen Investments’ equity sales grew 45% over 2002 to $6.4 billion. The success Nuveen Investments has achieved over the last several years in broadening its business beyond municipal securities enabled Nuveen Investments to participate in the recovery of equity markets through both positive net flows and market appreciation.

Assets under management at the end of 2003 totaled $95.4 billion, 20% higher than the year-end 2002 total of $79.7 billion. The increase was driven by the strong net flows during the year, as well as $6.2 billion of equity and bond market appreciation. Managed assets at the end of the year were comprised of $47.1 billion of exchange-traded funds, $25.7 billion of retail managed accounts, $10.3 billion of institutional managed accounts, and $12.3 billion of mutual funds.

Investment advisory revenue totaled $405 million in 2003, 14% higher than 2002 revenue of $355 million. The increase in assets under management as well as the NWQ acquisition in August 2002 accounted for a portion of the higher revenues in 2003. Performance fee revenues of $34 million grew 48% over comparable 2002 fees of $23 million, due to continued strong fixed income performance at Symphony. The 15% increase in operating expenses in 2003 compared with 2002 was primarily due to the inclusion of NWQ in Nuveen Investments’ results for an entire year.

2002 vs. 2001Gross sales of investment products of $15.6 billion in 2002 grew 10% over sales of $14.2 billion in 2001. The increase over 2001 was driven by an increase in exchange-traded fund sales. Municipal mutual fund sales and institutional managed account sales also increased over 2001. Sales of retail managed accounts declined, as the addition of NWQ value accounts was more than offset by a reduction in equity growth account sales. Defined portfolio sales also declined in 2002, due to Nuveen Investments’ decision to exit this product line in 2002. Net flows of $7.3 billion in 2002 were down 5% from comparable 2001 net flows of $7.7 billion. Net flows were positive across all product categories in 2002managed accounts, exchange-traded funds and mutual funds. Nuveen Investments introduced 18 municipal closed-end exchange-traded funds in 2002, which, combined with municipal mutual funds and managed accounts, raised $4.8 billion in net new assets for the year. In addition, Nuveen Investments launched the first Preferred Stock closed-end exchange-traded fund in the industry, generating approximately $4 billion in new assets.

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Assets under management at the end of 2002 of $79.7 billion, were 16% higher than the year-end 2001 total of $68.5 billion. The NWQ acquisition accounted for approximately $7 billion of the increase, with the remainder due to strong net flows that more than offset equity market declines. Managed assets at the end of the year were comprised of $39.9 billion of exchange-traded funds, $19.4 billion of retail managed accounts, $8.5 billion of institutional managed accounts, and $11.9 billion of mutual funds.

Investment advisory revenue of $355 million in 2002 grew 8% over 2001 revenues of $331 million. A full year of Symphony and the addition of NWQ accounted for approximately 6% of the increase, while exchange-traded funds and other fixed-income products drove the remainder. Revenues on exchange-traded funds grew 10% due to an increase in average assets under management as a result of both positive net flows and market appreciation. This increase was partially offset by a decline in advisory revenue related to equity growth accounts, where assets under management declined due to market depreciation and withdrawals.

SHARE REPURCHASESNuveen Investments repurchased common shares from minority shareholders in 2003, 2002 and 2001 for total costs of $42 million, $151 million and $172 million, respectively. No shares were repurchased from The St. Paul in those years. Our percentage ownership in Nuveen Investments grew from 78% at the end of  2000 to 79% at the end of 2003, as the share repurchases were substantially offset by Nuveen Investments’ issuance of additional shares under various stock option and incentive plans and the issuance of common shares upon the conversion of a portion of its preferred stock. As part of a new share repurchase program approved in August 2002, Nuveen Investments had authority from its board of directors to purchase up to 7.0 million shares of its common stock. At December 31, 2003, there were 4.2 million shares remaining under the new share repurchase program.

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES

Capital Resources

Capital resources consist of funds deployed or available to be deployed to support our business operations. The following table summarizes the components of our capital resources at the end of each of the last three years.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock and retained earnings

 

$

5,529

 

$

5,079

 

$

4,692

 

Unrealized appreciation of investments and other

 

621

 

602

 

364

 

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

6,150

 

5,681

 

5,056

 

Preferred shareholders’ equity

 

75

 

65

 

58

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

6,225

 

5,746

 

5,114

 

Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent company

 

3,448

 

2,658

 

1,947

 

Nuveen Investments, Inc.

 

302

 

55

 

183

 

Total debt

 

3,750

 

2,713

 

2,130

 

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries or trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the company(1)

 

 

889

 

893

 

Total capitalization

 

$

9,975

 

$

9,348

 

$

8,137

 

Ratio of total debt obligations to total capitalization*

 

38

%

29

%

26

%


*                    Debt obligations and total capitalization exclude the fair value of interest rate swap agreements in each year.

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(1)          In 2003, we deconsolidated the five business trusts that issued mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to investors. See further information in the following discussion. In accordance with accounting rules, prior years were not restated to conform to the 2003 presentation.

COMMON EQUITYIn 2003, the 8% increase in common shareholders’ equity was driven by our net income of $661 million for the year. In 2002, our issuance of new common shares through a public offering and our net income of $218 million were the primary factors contributing to the 12% increase in common equity over year-end 2001. The following summarizes the major factors impacting our common shareholders’ equity in each of the last three years.

·       Common dividends.   We declared common dividends totaling $264 million in 2003, $252 million in 2002 and $235 million in 2001. In February 2004, The St. Paul’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share payable April 16, 2004, level with the 2003 quarterly rate.

·       Common share issuance.   In July 2002, we issued 17.8 million common shares at $24.20 per share in a public offering that generated net proceeds of $413 million. The majority of proceeds were contributed as capital to our insurance underwriting subsidiaries.

·       Common share repurchases.   In 2003 and 2002, we made no significant repurchases of our common shares. In 2001, we repurchased and retired 13.0 million of our common shares for a total cost of $589 million, or approximately $45 per share. The share repurchases in 2001 occurred prior to September 11 and represented 6% of our total shares outstanding at the beginning of the year. The share repurchases in 2001 were financed through a combination of internally generated funds and new debt issuances.

·       Unrealized appreciation of investments.   The net after-tax appreciation on our fixed income investment portfolio declined by $114 million from year-end 2002, reflecting a decline in the market value of that portfolio due to an increase in market interest rates in 2003. In 2002, the net after-tax appreciation on our fixed income portfolio grew by $300 million over year-end 2001, reflecting the significant decline in interest rates during the year.

PREFERRED EQUITY—Preferred shareholders’ equity consisted of the par value of the Series B preferred shares we issued to our Stock Ownership Plan (SOP) Trust, less the remaining principal balance of the SOP Trust debt. During 2003, 2002 and 2001, the trust made principal payments of $18 million, $13 million and $14 million, respectively, on the Trust debt.

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DEBTOur consolidated debt outstanding at the end of the last three years consisted of the following components.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

5.75% senior notes

 

$

499

 

$

499

 

$

 

Medium-term notes

 

455

 

523

 

571

 

5.25% senior notes

 

443

 

443

 

 

Commercial paper

 

322

 

379

 

606

 

Nuveen Investments’ third-party debt

 

302

 

55

 

183

 

7.875% senior notes

 

250

 

249

 

249

 

8.125% senior notes

 

249

 

249

 

249

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

112

 

107

 

103

 

7.125% senior notes

 

80

 

80

 

80

 

Variable rate borrowings

 

64

 

64

 

64

 

Real estate mortgages

 

 

 

2

 

Subtotal

 

2,776

 

2,648

 

2,107

 

Debt related to company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of The St. Paul:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.6% St. Paul Capital Trust I

 

593

 

 

 

7.625% MMI Capital Trust I

 

125

 

 

 

8.5% USF&G Capital Trust I

 

56

 

 

 

8.47% USF&G Capital Trust II

 

81

 

 

 

8.312% USF&G Capital Trust III

 

73

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

928

 

 

 

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements

 

46

 

65

 

23

 

Total reported debt

 

$

3,750

 

$

2,713

 

$

2,130

 

 

2003 vs. 2002   As discussed in more detail in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, in the fourth quarter of 2003 we concluded that the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”(as revised) (“FIN 46(R)”) applied to the five business trusts that issued mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to investors which were fully guaranteed by us. As a result, we “de-consolidated” these trusts, and now report our borrowings from these trusts as debt on our consolidated balance sheet. In years prior to 2003, the preferred securities issued by these trusts and guaranteed by us were reported in our balance sheet as a separate line item between total liabilities and shareholders’ equity, and referred to as “company-obligated mandatorily redeemable securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the company.”  Prior to 2003, the debt issued by us to the trusts was eliminated in consolidation. The following is a summary of the provisions of the five business trusts, each of which was formed for the sole purpose of issuing those securities.

·       St. Paul Capital Trust I issued 23,000,000 preferred securities generating gross proceeds of $575 million, the proceeds of which were used to purchase subordinated debentures issued by us. We make quarterly interest payments at a rate of 7.6% on the debentures, which have a mandatory redemption date of October 15, 2050. The preferred securities issued by the trust in turn pay a quarterly distribution at an annual rate of 7.6%. We can redeem the debentures on or after November 13, 2006. The proceeds of such redemption would be used by the trust to redeem a like amount of its preferred securities.

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·       MMI Capital Trust I issued $125 million of preferred securities in 1997, the proceeds of which were used to purchase subordinated debentures issued by MMI Corporation. We assumed the liability for these debentures upon our acquisition of MMI in 2000. We make semi-annual interest payments at a rate of 7.625% on the debentures, which have a mandatory redemption date of December 15, 2027. The preferred securities in turn pay a preferred distribution of 7.625% semi-annually in arrears. In 2002, we repurchased and retired $4 million of the MMI trust preferred securities in an open market transaction.

·       USF&G Capital Trusts I, II and III each issued $100 million of preferred securities in 1997 and 1996, the proceeds of which were used to purchase subordinated debentures issued by USF&G Corporation, which made semi-annual interest payments at rates of 8.5%, 8.47% and 8.312%, respectively. We assumed the liability for these debentures upon our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998. Since the merger, we have repurchased and retired securities from each trust from time to time in open market transactions. The debentures related to the USF&G Capital Trust I, II and III have mandatory redemption dates of December 15, 2045, January 10, 2027 and July 1, 2046, respectively. Debentures related to each trust may, however, be redeemed earlier under certain conditions that vary among the three trusts. The proceeds of such redemptions would be used to redeem a like amount of each trust’s preferred securities.

In the third quarter of 2003, Nuveen Investments issued $300 million of 4.22% notes due in September 2008 in a private placement.  A portion of the proceeds was used to refinance existing debt and repay a $105 million loan from The St. Paul. The remainder will be used for Nuveen Investments’ general corporate purposes. During 2003, $67 million of The St. Paul’s medium-term notes matured, which were funded through a combination of internally-generated funds and the issuance of commercial paper.

2002 vs. 2001The $541 million net increase in reported debt obligations in 2002 over 2001 was primarily due to new debt issuances to fund capital contributions and loans to our operating subsidiaries. In March 2002, we issued $500 million of 5.75% senior notes that mature in 2007, the proceeds of which were primarily used to repay a like amount of our commercial paper outstanding at the time. In July 2002, we sold 17.8 million of our common shares in a public offering for gross consideration of $431 million, or $24.20 per share. In a separate concurrent public offering, we sold 8.9 million equity units, each having a stated amount of $50, for gross consideration of $443 million. Each equity unit initially consists of a three-year forward purchase contract for our common stock and our unsecured $50 senior note due in August 2007. Total annual distributions on the equity units are at the rate of 9.00%, consisting of interest on the note at a rate of 5.25% and fee payments under the forward contract of 3.75%. The forward contract requires the investor to purchase, for $50, a variable number of shares of our common stock on the settlement date of August 16, 2005. The $46 million present value of the forward contract fee payments was recorded as a reduction to our reported common shareholders’ equity. The number of shares to be purchased will be determined based on a formula that considers the average trading price of the stock immediately prior to the time of settlement in relation to the $24.20 per share price at the time of the offering. Had the settlement date been December 31, 2003 or 2002, we would have issued approximately 15 million common shares based on the average trading price of our common stock immediately prior to that date. The combined net proceeds of these offerings, after underwriting commissions and other fees and expenses, were approximately $842 million, of which $750 million was contributed as capital to our insurance underwriting subsidiaries.

Throughout 2002, medium-term notes totaling $49 million matured, and their repayment was funded through internally generated funds. In July 2002, Nuveen Investments entered into and fully drew down a $250 million revolving line of credit with The St. Paul. Nuveen Investments used a portion of the proceeds to reduce the amount of debt outstanding on its revolving bank line of credit from $183 million at the end of June 2002 to $55 million at December 31, 2002.

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INTEREST EXPENSE—Net interest expense on debt totaled $187 million in 2003, compared with $112 million in 2002. The 2003 total included $72 million of interest expense related to the debt associated with the five business trusts described above. At the end of 2003 and 2002, we were party to a number of interest rate swap agreements related to several of our debt securities outstanding. The notional amount of these swaps totaled $730 million at both dates, and their aggregate fair value was $46 million and $65 million at year-end 2003 and 2002, respectively. The fair value of the swap agreements is recorded as an asset, with a corresponding increase to reported debt. These swap agreements had the effect of reducing our interest expense by $32 million and $21 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIESAs noted above, these securities were issued by five business trusts that were fully guaranteed by The St. Paul. Prior to the adoption of the provisions of FIN 46(R) with respect to these trusts in 2003, the trusts were included in our consolidated financial statements and the securities they issued were included in our balance sheet as a separate line between liabilities and shareholders’ equity. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we did not restate prior year financial statements upon our adoption of FIN 46(R).

Our total distribution expense related to the preferred securities was $70 million in 2002 and $33 million in 2001. The increase in 2002 was due to the $575 million, 7.6% securities issued by St. Paul Capital Trust I in November 2001. In 2003, subsequent to the de-consolidation of these trusts, the expense related to these trusts ($72 million) was included in our total interest expense.

MAJOR ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURESIn March 2002, we completed our acquisition of London Guarantee (now St. Paul Guarantee) for a total cost of approximately $80 million, financed with internally generated funds.

In September 2001, we sold our life insurance subsidiary, F&G Life, to Old Mutual plc, for $335 million in cash and 190.4 million Old Mutual ordinary shares (valued at $300 million at closing). The cash proceeds received were used for general corporate purposes. In June 2002, we sold all of the Old Mutual shares we were holding for total net proceeds of $287 million, which were also used for general corporate purposes.

CAPITAL COMMITMENTSWe made no major capital improvements during any of the last three years, and none are anticipated in 2004.

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES

Liquidity

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short- and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our underwriting operations’ short-term cash needs primarily consist of paying insurance loss and loss adjustment expenses and day-to-day operating expenses. Those needs are met through cash receipts from operations, which consist primarily of insurance premiums collected and investment income. Our investment portfolio is also a source of additional liquidity, through the sale of readily marketable fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments, as well as longer-term investments such as real estate and venture capital holdings. After satisfying our cash requirements, excess cash flows from these underwriting and investment activities are used to build the investment portfolio and thereby increase future investment income.

Net cash flows provided by continuing operations totaled $133 million in 2003, compared with cash provided by continuing operations of $129 million in 2002 and $884 million in 2001. Operational cash flows in 2003 were negatively impacted by the January 2003 payment of $747 million related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement, which accounted for a significant portion of the net $1.2 billion decline in insurance reserves disclosed on our consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended

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December 31, 2003. The additional decline in insurance reserves was primarily due to loss and loss adjustment expense payments related to our other operations that were placed in runoff at the end of 2001, which included our Health Care and Reinsurance operations, as well as several of our international underwriting operations. We have ceased underwriting new business in these operations, and as expected, the payments out of previously established reserves have exceeded new loss and loss adjustment expense reserve provisions, resulting in a decline in our total reserve balance. Our cash flows from operations improved during the second half of 2003, however, reflecting the impact of price increases and continuing improvement in the quality of our book of business in our ongoing underwriting segments.

Our operational cash flows in 2002 were negatively impacted by the $248 million payment made in June related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement, net payments of $289 million associated with our transfer of unearned premium balances and other reinsurance-related balances to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. in November, loss payments totaling $242 million related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and contributions to our pension plans totaling $158 million in December. Loss and loss adjustment expense payments from our other business segments in runoff, where our written premium volume was significantly less than in 2001, also negatively impacted our consolidated operating cash flows.

We believe our financial strength continues to provide us with the flexibility and capacity to obtain funds externally through debt or equity financings on both a short-term and long-term basis. We continue to maintain an $800 million commercial paper program with $600 million of back-up liquidity, consisting entirely of bank credit agreements. In January 2003, we established a program providing for the offering of up to $500 million of medium-term notes. As of February 27, 2004, we had not issued any notes under this program. The consummation of the Proposed Merger would trigger a technical event of default under certain of our credit agreements; however, the lenders have agreed to waive the technical event of default, contingent upon the consummation of the Proposed Merger.

We primarily depend on dividends from our subsidiaries to pay dividends to our shareholders, service our debt, and pay expenses. St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (“Fire and Marine”) is our lead U.S. property-liability underwriting subsidiary and its dividend paying capacity is limited by the laws of Minnesota, its state of domicile. Fire and Marine’s ability to receive dividends from its direct and indirect subsidiaries is also subject to restrictions of their respective states or other jurisdictions of domicile. Business and regulatory considerations may impact the amount of dividends actually paid. Approximately $774 million will be available to us from payment of ordinary dividends by Fire and Marine in 2004. Any dividend payments beyond the $774 million limitation are subject to prior approval of the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce. In 2003, we received dividends in the form of cash and securities totaling $625 million from our U.S. underwriting subsidiaries. We received no cash dividends from our U.S. property-liability underwriting subsidiaries in 2002. In 2001, we received dividends in the form of cash and securities of $827 million from Fire and Marine.

We are not aware of any current recommendations by regulatory authorities that, if implemented, might have a material impact on our liquidity, capital resources or operations.

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES

Independent Ratings

Ratings with respect to claims paying ability and financial strength are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies and will also impact the cost and availability of capital to an insurance company. We compete with other insurance companies, financial intermediaries and financial institutions on the basis of a number of factors, including the ratings assigned by internationally-recognized rating organizations. Ratings represent an important consideration in maintaining customer confidence in our ability to market insurance products. Rating organizations

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regularly analyze the financial performance and condition of insurers. Any ratings downgrades, or the potential for ratings downgrades, could adversely affect our ability to market and distribute products and services, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In April 2003, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. lowered certain of our financial ratings and those of our insurance underwriting subsidiaries and established a stable outlook on the ratings going forward. In June 2003, A.M. Best Co. also lowered certain of our financial ratings while affirming those of our insurance underwriting subsidiaries and maintaining stable outlooks for both sets of ratings going forward.

In connection with the announcement of the Proposed Merger in November 2003, A.M. Best, Moody’s Investor Service (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) announced the following rating actions:

·       A.M. Best: Placed our financial strength and debt ratings under review with positive implications.

·       Moody’s: Confirmed the financial strength and debt ratings; raised the financial strength rating outlook from stable to positive; confirmed the stable outlook for debt ratings.

·       S&P: Placed the financial strength and debt ratings on CreditWatch with positive implications and indicated that the ratings could be affirmed or raised by one notch.

·       Fitch: Placed the debt ratings on Rating Watch positive and indicated that the long term debt rating could be upgraded by one or two notches.

Subsequent to these initial announcements, A.M. Best, S&P and Fitch announced the following:

·       A.M. Best: Revised the implications of its review of our financial strength and debt ratings from positive to developing, following our announcement of a $350 million pretax charge in the 2003 fourth quarter to increase reserves for our Health Care business, which is in runoff.

·       S&P: Revised the CreditWatch status of our financial strength and debt ratings from positive to developing, following our announcement of the $350 million pretax charge, and subsequently revised the CreditWatch status from developing to negative, following its latest assessment of us on a stand-alone basis. It indicated that, subject to the completion of the Proposed Merger, it expects to affirm our current A+ financial strength rating and BBB+ senior unsecured debt rating, which would align the ratings with those of Travelers post-close of the Proposed Merger. It also indicated that if the Proposed Merger were not completed, it would expect to downgrade us to an A financial strength rating and a BBB senior unsecured debt rating.

·       Fitch: Revised the Rating Watch status of our debt ratings from positive to evolving, following our announcement of the $350 million pretax charge, and subsequently lowered our senior unsecured debt rating from BBB+ to BBB, following its latest assessment of us on a stand-alone basis. Fitch simultaneously revised the Rating Watch status from evolving to positive and indicated its belief that it will likely upgrade our ratings upon the close of the Proposed Merger with Travelers.

Ratings are not in any way a measure of protection afforded to investors and should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

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THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES

PENSION PLANS

Due to the long-term nature of obligations under our pension plans, the accounting for such plans is complex and reflects various actuarial assumptions. Management’s selection of plan assumptions, primarily the discount rate used to calculate the projected benefit obligation and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (“LTROR”), can have a significant impact on our resulting estimated projected benefit obligation and pension cost, and thus on our consolidated results of operations. Such plan assumptions are determined annually, subject to revision if significant events occur during the year, such as plan mergers and significant plan amendments.

Our pension plan measurement date for purposes of our consolidated financial statements is December 31. The market-related value of plan assets is determined based on their fair value at the measurement date. The projected benefit obligation is determined based on the present value of projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate. The discount rate used reflects the rate at which we believe the pension plan obligations could be effectively settled at the measurement date, as though the pension benefits of all plan participants were determined as of that date. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the discount rates used to calculate our projected benefit obligation were 6.00% and 6.50%, respectively, for our consolidated pension plans, which encompass our U.S. plan (including Nuveen Investments’ plan), our Canada plan and our U.K. plans. For our U.S. plan, which constituted 94% of our consolidated pension plan assets at December 31, 2003, such rates were determined based on the Moody’s Investor Services AA Long-Term Industrial December Average Bond yield with a duration of approximately 11 to 13 years (which correlates to the expected duration of our pension obligations), rounded up to the nearest quarter percent.

Total pension cost encompasses the cost of service, interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and amortization of actuarial gains and losses, adjusted for curtailment gains or losses, if any. Actuarial gains and losses include the impact of unrecognized gains and losses that are deferred and amortized over the expected future service period of active employees. Any unrecognized gains or losses related to changes in the amount of the projected benefit obligation or plan assets resulting from experience that differs from the expected returns and from changes in assumptions are deferred. To the extent an unrecognized gain or loss exceeds 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets (“10 percent corridor”), the excess is recognized over the expected future service periods of active employees. At December 31, 2003, the accumulated unrecognized loss for our consolidated pension plans subject to minimum amortization approximated $305 million, which exceeded the 10 percent corridor, and will be amortized over 12 years. As a result, pension cost in 2004 is expected to include approximately $25 million of amortization. The amount of the unrecognized gain or loss that is less than the 10% corridor, and is therefore not subject to minimum amortization in 2004, was approximately $117 million at December 31, 2003.

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The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is estimated based on the plan’s actual historical return results, the expected allocation of plan assets by investment class, market conditions and other relevant factors. We evaluate only whether the actual allocation has fallen within an expected range, and we then evaluate actual asset returns in total, rather than by asset class, giving consideration to the fact that our equity investments have a higher volatility than our other investment classes, which is consistent with the market in general. The following table presents the actual allocation of plan assets in comparison with the expected allocation range, both expressed as a percentage of total plan assets, on a consolidated basis as of December 31, 2003 and for our U.S. plan only as of December 31, 2002. Our U.S. plan accounted for 95% of our consolidated pension plan assets as of December 31, 2002.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Asset Class

 

 

 

Actual

 

Expected

 

Actual

 

Expected

 

Cash*

 

 

9

%

 

0 – 10

%

 

22

%

 

0 – 10

%

Fixed maturities

 

 

27

%

 

30 – 70

%

 

31

%

 

30 – 70

%

Equities

 

 

62

%

 

30 – 70

%

 

45

%

 

30 – 70

%

Other

 

 

2

%

 

0 – 10

%

 

2

%

 

0 – 10

%

Total

 

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

 


*                    The high level of cash at year-end 2002 resulted from a significant contribution we made to the plan in December 2002.

 

The following table presents our consolidated weighted average pension plan assumptions.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Discount rate

 

6.00

%

6.50

%

7.00

%

Expected long-term rate of return

 

8.50

%

8.50

%

10.00

%

Expected rate of compensation increase

 

4.00

%

4.00

%

4.00

%

 

At December 31, 2000, our discount rate assumption was determined based on a weighted average of the rates expected to be used to settle our obligations, considering the portion of our obligation expected to be settled by annuity payments and the portion expected to be settled by lump sum payments. At December 31, 2001, considering the impact of the plan design change to add a cash balance formula, we determined that the vast majority of the participants electing to remain under the traditional pension formula would select the annuity payment option. As such, we determined our projected benefit obligation was more appropriately calculated using strictly the rate at which we believed we could settle the annuity obligations. Based on our assumption that the vast majority of the participants electing to remain under the traditional pension formula would select the annuity payment option, we eliminated from our discount rate determination the lower rate that we assume would otherwise be used to settle lump sum payments, and thereby increased our discount rate as of December 31, 2001. In 2002, the declining interest rate environment caused us to reduce our discount rate and LTROR as of December 31, 2002. In 2003, the declining interest rate environment caused us to reduce our discount rate as of December 31, 2003. The LTROR remained the same.

As discussed above, investment and funding decisions and pension plan assumptions can materially impact our consolidated financial results of operations. Consequently, our Benefit Plans’  Investment Committee regularly evaluates investment returns, asset allocation strategies, possible plan contributions, and plan assumptions. Regardless of the extent of our analysis of such factors, plan assumptions reflect judgments and are subject to changes in economic factors. There can be no assurance that our assumptions will prove to be correct or that they will not be subject to significant adjustments over time. For purposes

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of comparison, for the six-year period and 20-year period ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, our arithmetic average actual returns on our U.S. plan assets were 6.70% and 12.56%, respectively, for 2003 and 7.71% and 12.48%, respectively, for 2002. Funding decisions are made based on a number of factors, including the minimum regulatory funding requirements, the maximum tax-deductible contributions, the estimated market value of plan assets in relation to our accumulated benefit obligation, current market conditions and other business factors. During 2002, we made contributions to the U.S. plan and the United Kingdom plans of approximately $149 million and $9 million, respectively, that were primarily necessitated by the significant decline in market value of equity investments held by the plans, which was consistent with general market trends during 2002. During 2003, we made contributions to the U.S. plan and the foreign plans of approximately $30 million and $6 million, respectively.

The following table presents the impact of consolidated net pension cost (income) on our results of operations (before and after the impact of a curtailment loss resulting from plan design changes in 2001) for the years 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net periodic pension cost (income)

 

$

32

 

$

17

 

$

(20

)

Curtailment loss (gain)

 

(2

)

9

 

17

 

Net impact after curtailment gain or loss

 

$

30

 

$

26

 

$

(3

)

 

Because of the subjective nature of certain plan assumptions, the following table presents, for the U.S. plan only, a sensitivity analysis to hypothetical changes in the LTROR (in 50 basis point increments) and the discount rate (in 25 basis point increments) on net income for the year ended December 31, 2003. The results presented in the tables assume that only the LTROR or discount rate assumption, as applicable for each table, is changed and that all other assumptions remain constant.

 

 

Base

 

LTROR

 

 

 

7.50%

 

8.00%

 

8.50%

 

9.00%

 

9.50%

 

10.00%

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Incremental benefit (cost)

 

$

(10

)

 

$

(5

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

$

10

 

 

 

$

15

 

 

Percent of 2003 net income

 

2

%

 

1

%

 

 

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

 

 

Base

 

Discount Rate

 

 

 

6.00%

 

6.25%

 

6.50%

 

6.75%

 

7.00%

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Incremental benefit (cost)

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

(2

)

$

 

$

2

 

 

$

3

 

 

Percent of 2003 net income

 

 

1

%

 

%

%

%

 

1

%

 

 

It is estimated that the December 31, 2003 assumptions will result in a consolidated 2004 pension cost of approximately $15 million.

Postretirement Benefits Plan Assumptions

The following table presents our postretirement benefits plan assumptions as of December 31.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Discount rate

 

6.00

%

6.50

%

7.00

%

Expected long-term rate of return

 

6.00

%

6.00

%

7.00

%

Expected rate of compensation increase

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

4.00

%

 

Our expected long-term rate of return for our postretirement benefits plan differs from that used for our pension plan due to differences in the funded assets (fixed maturity investments in our postretirement

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benefits plan compared with various investment classes in our pension plan) used to fund certain of the related obligations.

The following table presents the impact of postretirement expense (income) on our results of operations (before and after the impact of curtailment gains resulting from plan design changes in 2002 and 2001) for the years 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

 

$

19

 

$

24

 

$

17

 

Curtailment gain

 

 

(9

)

(17

)

Net impact after curtailment

 

$

19

 

$

15

 

$

 

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES

IMPACT OF ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS TO BE ADOPTED IN THE FUTURE

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure,” which provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This statement requires additional disclosures in the event of a voluntary change. It also no longer permits the use of the original prospective method of transition for changes to the fair value based method for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003. We currently account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, using the intrinsic value method, and have not made a determination regarding any change to the fair value method.

As discussed in more detail in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in December 2003, the FASB issued a revised version of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46(R)”), which again deferred the effective date for certain provisions of FIN 46(R) until the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2003, which for us would be the period ended March 31, 2004. Under the partial adoption provisions of FIN 46(R), we early-adopted the consolidation and disclosure provisions of this interpretation in 2003. Our partial adoption specifically excluded the following item.

·       Lloyd’s Syndicates—We participate in various Lloyd’s syndicates at varying levels. We continue to evaluate the implications of FIN 46(R) with respect to these syndicates, and at this time we are not able to quantify the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 12, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (“FSP 106-1”). This pronouncement provides companies with the option to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the Medicare Act referenced in its title (“the Act”). We have decided to defer accounting for the Act under FSP 106-1 and have made the required disclosures in Note 13—“Retirement Plans” to the consolidated financial statements. The final accounting guidance could require changes to previously reported information. We will monitor the FASB deliberations and account for the Act based on the pronouncement expected to be issued.

DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN STATUTORY ACCOUNTING TERMS

Statutory Expense Ratio (a statutory financial measure):   The company uses the statutory definition of expenses in calculating expense ratios disclosed. Expenses are divided by net written premiums to arrive at the expense ratio. “Statutory” expenses differ from “GAAP” expenses primarily with regard to policy acquisition costs, which are not deferred and amortized for statutory purposes, but rather recognized as

107




incurred. In addition, the GAAP expense ratio uses net earned premiums rather than net written premiums as the denominator.

Statutory Loss Ratio (a statutory financial measure):   The company uses the statutory definition of loss ratio. This ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred by net earned premiums. Net earned premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses, are both GAAP and statutory measures.

Statutory Combined Ratio (a statutory financial measure):   The sum of the statutory expense ratio and the statutory loss ratio.

Net Written Premiums(a statutory financial measure) and Net Earned Premiums (a GAAP financial measure):   Net written premiums are a statutory measure of premium volume that differs from the net earned premiums reported in our GAAP statement of operations. Written premiums for a period can be reconciled to earned premiums by adding or subtracting the change in unearned premium reserves in the period.

Underwriting Results By Segment (a GAAP financial measure):   Our reported underwriting results are our best measure of profitability for our property-liability underwriting segments and accordingly are disclosed in the footnotes to our financial statements required by SFAS No.131 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Underwriting results are calculated by subtracting incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses (as adjusted for items such as the impact of deferred policy acquisition costs) from net earned premiums. We do not allocate net investment income to our respective underwriting segments.

Item 7A.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES

EXPOSURES TO MARKET RISK

Market risk can be described as the risk of change in fair value of a financial instrument due to changes in interest rates, equity prices, creditworthiness, foreign exchange rates or other factors. We seek to mitigate that risk by a number of actions, as described below. Our policies to address these risks in 2003 were unchanged from 2002. In 2002, the only significant changes to our market risk from 2001 were a reduced allocation of assets to our equity investment portfolio, and a reduction in the estimated duration of our fixed income investment portfolio, which includes our consolidated holdings of fixed income securities, securities on loan and short-term investments.

As discussed in more detail in the Critical Accounting Policies section of this discussion, there are risks and uncertainties related to our assessment of “other than temporary” impairments in our investment portfolio.

INTEREST RATE RISK—Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates is concentrated in our investment portfolio, and to a lesser extent, our debt obligations. However, changes in investment values attributable to interest rate changes are mitigated by corresponding and partially offsetting changes in the economic value of our insurance reserves and debt obligations. We monitor this exposure through periodic reviews of our asset and liability positions. Our estimates of cash flows, as well as the impact of interest rate fluctuations relating to our investment portfolio and insurance reserves, are modeled and reviewed quarterly. At December 31, 2003, the estimated duration of our fixed income investment portfolio (consolidated holdings of fixed income securities, securities on loan and short term investments) was 3.8 years, compared with 3.3 years at December 31, 2002. It should be noted that during the quarter ending September 30, 2003 new modeling capabilities for estimating the effective duration of municipal bonds were introduced to replace previous estimates based on the “market yield-to-worst”. The effect of

108




this change was to increase the estimate of overall duration by approximately 0.3 years over and above what would have resulted from the application of previous estimation procedures.

The following table provides principal cash flow estimates by year for our December 31, 2003 and 2002 holdings of interest-sensitive investment assets considered to be other than trading. Those holdings consist of our consolidated fixed income securities, securities on loan, short-term investments, mortgage loans and certain securities issued as part of a series of insurance transactions. Also provided are the weighted-average interest rates associated with each year’s cash flows. Principal cash flow projections for collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities were prepared using third-party prepayment models and estimates. Cash flow estimates for mortgage pass-throughs were prepared using consensus prepayment forecasts obtainable from a third-party provider. Principal cash flow estimates for callable bonds are either to maturity or to the next call date depending on whether the call was projected to be “in-the-money” assuming no change in interest rates. No projection of the impact of reinvesting the estimated cash flows is included in the table, regardless of whether the cash flow source is a short-term or long-term fixed maturity security. Our fixed income investments are primarily held to pay liabilities inherent in our insurance reserves. The composition of our portfolio’s estimated principal and interest runoff helps ensure that adequate financial resources will be available to fund each year’s estimated insurance liability payments, as such payments become due.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

Interest-sensitive Investment Assets

 

 

 

Principal Cash
Flows

 

Weighted
Average Interest
Rate

 

Principal Cash
Flows

 

Weighted
Average Interest
Rate

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Period from balance sheet date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year

 

 

$

6,206

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

$

5,988

 

 

 

3.3

%

 

Two years

 

 

2,045

 

 

 

6.2

%

 

 

2,348

 

 

 

6.7

%

 

Three years

 

 

2,230

 

 

 

5.9

%

 

 

2,070

 

 

 

5.9

%

 

Four years

 

 

1,761

 

 

 

5.4

%

 

 

1,950

 

 

 

6.0

%

 

Five years

 

 

1,387

 

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

1,668

 

 

 

5.1

%

 

Thereafter

 

 

7,059

 

 

 

5.9

%

 

 

6,638

 

 

 

5.8

%

 

Total

 

 

$

20,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

 

$

21,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table provides principal runoff estimates by year for our December 31, 2003 and 2002 inventories of interest-sensitive debt obligations and related weighted average interest rates by stated maturity dates.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

Medium-term Notes,
Zero Coupon Notes and Senior Notes

 

 

 

Principal Cash
Flows

 

Weighted
Average Interest
Rate

 

Principal Cash
Flows

 

Weighted
Average Interest
Rate

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Period from balance sheet date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year

 

 

$

55

 

 

 

7.1

%

 

 

$

67

 

 

 

6.5

%

 

Two years

 

 

429

 

 

 

7.5

%

 

 

55

 

 

 

7.1

%

 

Three years

 

 

59

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

429

 

 

 

7.5

%

 

Four years

 

 

1,015

 

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

59

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

Five years

 

 

452

 

 

 

6.4

%

 

 

1,015

 

 

 

5.6

%

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,340

 

 

 

7.5

%

 

 

562

 

 

 

6.7

%

 

Total

 

 

$

3,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value

 

 

$

3,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

109




To mitigate a portion of the interest rate risk related to certain of our fixed rate medium-term and senior notes, we have entered into a number of pay-floating, receive-fixed interest rate swap agreements that, in the aggregate, have a notional amount of $730 million. Of the total notional amount of the swaps, $330 million mature in 2005, $150 million mature in 2008 and $250 million mature in 2010, with a weighted average pay rate of 3.19% and a weighted average receive rate of 7.57%. These swaps had a fair value of $46 million and $65 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

In 2003, we included debt owed to five business trusts that have issued mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to investors, the obligations of which have been fully guaranteed by us. As discussed in further detail in the “Adoption of Accounting Standards” section of this report, in 2003 we adopted the provisions of FIN46(R), which resulted in the deconsolidation of these trusts from our consolidated financial statements. As a result, the debt we issued to these trusts (previously eliminated in consolidation) is now shown in our consolidated debt outstanding, whereas the preferred securities, which were previously included in our consolidated balance sheet between liabilities and shareholders’ equity, are no longer included in our balance sheet. The weighted average interest rate on the debt owed to the five trusts was 7.8 % at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The fair value of these securities was $1.03 billion and $959 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Approximately $575 million of the securities are callable at the Company’s option after November 13, 2006. An additional $78 million are callable at the Company’s option between 2007 and their maturity in 2027.

CREDIT RISK—Our portfolios of fixed income securities, mortgage loans and to a lesser extent short-term and other investments are subject to credit risk. This risk is defined as the potential loss in market value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. Our objective is to earn competitive relative returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities. We manage this risk by up-front, stringent underwriting analysis, reviews by a credit committee and regular meetings to review credit developments. Watchlists are maintained for exposures requiring additional review, and all credit exposures are reviewed at least annually. At December 31, 2003, approximately 98% of our fixed income portfolio was rated investment grade.

In certain of our operations, we underwrite certain business for sophisticated insurance purchasers, and reinsure a substantial portion of that risk with traditional reinsurers or captive insurance entities. Although these transactions are highly collateralized, there is a degree of credit risk associated with these transactions. We perform credit reviews of the underlying financial stability of the insured and/or assuming reinsurance entity as part of our program to manage this risk.

We also have other receivable amounts subject to credit risk. The most significant of these are reinsurance recoverables. To mitigate the risk of these counterparties’ nonpayment of amounts due, we establish business and financial standards for reinsurer approval, incorporating ratings by major rating agencies and considering current market information.

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXPOSURE—Our exposure to market risk for changes in foreign exchange rates is concentrated in our invested assets, and insurance reserves, denominated in foreign currencies. Cash flows from our foreign operations are the primary source of funds for our purchase of investments denominated in foreign currencies. We purchase these investments primarily to hedge insurance reserves and other liabilities denominated in the same currency, effectively reducing our foreign currency exchange rate exposure. For those foreign insurance operations that were identified at the end of 2001 as businesses to be exited, we intend to continue to closely match the foreign currency-denominated liabilities with assets in the same currency. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, approximately 13% of our invested assets were denominated in foreign currencies. Invested assets denominated in the British Pound Sterling comprised approximately 7% of our total invested assets at December 31, 2003. We have determined that a hypothetical 10% reduction in the value of the Pound Sterling would have an approximate $165 million reduction in the value of our assets, although there would be a similar offsetting

110




change in the value of the related insurance reserves. No other individual foreign currency accounts for more than 4% of our invested assets.

We have also entered into foreign currency forwards with a U.S. dollar equivalent notional amount of $203.5 million as of December 31, 2003 to hedge our foreign currency exposure on certain contracts. Of this total, 78% are denominated in British Pound Sterling, 12% are denominated in the Australian dollar, and 10% are denominated in the Canadian dollar.

EQUITY PRICE RISK—Our portfolio of marketable equity securities, which we carry on our balance sheet at market value, has exposure to price risk. This risk is defined as the potential loss in market value resulting from an adverse change in prices. Our objective is to earn competitive relative returns by investing in a diverse portfolio of high-quality, liquid securities. Portfolio characteristics are analyzed regularly and market risk is actively managed through a variety of modeling techniques. Our holdings are diversified across industries, and concentrations in any one company or industry are limited by parameters established by senior management, as well as by statutory requirements.

Included in our Other investments at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was our 14% equity ownership in Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”), received as partial consideration from the transfer of our ongoing reinsurance business to Platinum. We account for our investment in Platinum using the equity method of accounting. Therefore, changes in Platinum’s stock price do not impact our balance sheet or statement of operations, unless our investment in Platinum was deemed to be impaired. Also included in our Other investments are stock purchase warrants for Platinum. The warrants had a value of $65 million and  $61 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The warrants are considered derivatives and are marked to market quarterly, with changes in fair value being recognized as realized gains or losses in our statement of operations. The warrants are valued using the Roll-Geske-Whaley valuation model and as such are impacted by the market price of Platinum stock.

Our portfolio of venture capital investments also has exposure to market risks, primarily relating to the viability of the various entities in which we have invested. These investments, primarily in early-stage companies, involve more risk than other investments, and we actively manage our market risk in a variety of ways. First, we allocate a comparatively small amount of funds to venture capital. At the end of 2003, the cost of these investments accounted for only 2% of total invested assets. Second, the investments are diversified to avoid excessive concentration of risk in a particular industry. Third, we perform extensive research prior to investing in a new venture to gauge prospects for success. Fourth, we regularly monitor the operational results of the entities in which we have invested. Finally, we generally sell our holdings in these firms soon after they become publicly traded when we are legally able to do so, thereby reducing exposure to further market risk.

At December 31, 2003, our marketable equity securities were recorded at their fair value of $171 million. A hypothetical 10% decline in each stock’s price would have resulted in a $17 million impact on fair value.

At December 31, 2003, our venture capital investments were recorded at their fair value of $535 million. A hypothetical 10% decline in each investment’s fair value would have resulted in a $54 million impact on fair value.

CATASTROPHE RISK—We manage and monitor our aggregate property catastrophe exposure through various methods, including purchasing catastrophe reinsurance, establishing underwriting restrictions and applying a dedicated catastrophe pricing model. See Item 1 of this report for further information about our management of catastrophe risk.

111




Item 8.                  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Management’s Responsibility for Consolidated Financial Statements

Scope of ResponsibilityManagement prepares the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related information and is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. These consolidated financial statements include amounts that are based on management’s estimates and judgments, particularly our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. We believe that these statements present fairly the company’s financial position and results of operations and that the other information contained in this annual report is consistent with the consolidated financial statements.

Internal ControlsWe maintain and rely on systems of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and transactions are properly authorized and recorded. We continually monitor these internal accounting controls, modifying and improving them as business conditions and operations change. Our internal audit department also independently reviews and evaluates these controls. We recognize the inherent limitations in all internal control systems and believe that our systems provide an appropriate balance between the costs and benefits desired. We believe our systems of internal accounting controls provide reasonable assurance that errors or irregularities that would be material to the consolidated financial statements are prevented or detected in the normal course of business.

Independent AuditorsOur independent auditors, KPMG LLP, have audited the consolidated financial statements. Their audit was conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which includes the consideration of our internal controls to the extent necessary to form an independent opinion on the consolidated financial statements prepared by management.

Audit CommitteeThe audit committee of the Board of Directors, composed solely of independent directors, assists the Board of Directors in overseeing management’s discharge of its financial reporting responsibilities. The committee meets with management, our director of internal audit and representatives of KPMG LLP to discuss significant changes to financial reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures proposed or contemplated by management, our internal auditors or KPMG LLP. Additionally, the committee undertakes on behalf of the Board of Directors the selection, evaluation and, if applicable, replacement of our independent auditors; and in the evaluation of the independence of the independent auditors. Both internal audit and KPMG LLP have access to the audit committee without management’s presence.

Code of ConductWe recognize our responsibility for maintaining a strong ethical climate. This responsibility is addressed in the company’s written code of conduct.

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

Thomas A. Bradley

 

Jay S. Fishman

 

Thomas A. Bradley

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

112



 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in 2001 the Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and, as also described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in 2002 the Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” and the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and, as also described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in 2003 the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.”

KPMG LLP

 

 

KPMG LLP

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 29, 2004

113



Consolidated Statements of Operations
The St. Paul Companies

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

 

$

7,039

 

$

7,502

 

$

7,409

 

Net investment income

 

1,120

 

1,169

 

1,217

 

Asset management

 

453

 

398

 

375

 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

73

 

(165

)

(94

)

Other

 

169

 

126

 

125

 

Total revenues

 

8,854

 

9,030

 

9,032

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

5,188

 

5,995

 

7,479

 

Policy acquisition expenses

 

1,564

 

1,675

 

1,702

 

Operating and administrative expenses

 

1,266

 

1,184

 

1,282

 

Total expenses

 

8,018

 

8,854

 

10,463

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

836

 

176

 

(1,431

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

137

 

(73

)

(422

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

699

 

249

 

(1,009

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(21

)

(6

)

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

678

 

243

 

(1,009

)

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income, net of taxes

 

 

 

19

 

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

 

(17

)

(25

)

(98

)

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(17

)

(25

)

(79

)

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

661

 

$

218

 

$

(1,088

)

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect

 

$

3.00

 

$

1.09

 

$

(4.84

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(0.09

)

(0.03

)

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

(0.07

)

(0.12

)

(0.38

)

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

2.84

 

$

0.94

 

$

(5.22

)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect

 

$

2.88

 

$

1.06

 

$

(4.84

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(0.09

)

(0.03

)

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

(0.07

)

(0.11

)

(0.38

)

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

2.72

 

$

0.92

 

$

(5.22

)

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

114



Consolidated Balance Sheets
The St. Paul Companies

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income

 

$

16,456

 

$

17,188

 

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

838

 

874

 

Venture capital

 

535

 

581

 

Equities

 

171

 

394

 

Securities on loan

 

1,584

 

806

 

Other investments

 

887

 

738

 

Short-term investments

 

2,709

 

2,152

 

Total investments

 

23,180

 

22,733

 

Cash

 

150

 

315

 

Reinsurance recoverables:

 

 

 

 

 

Unpaid losses

 

6,151

 

7,777

 

Paid losses

 

973

 

523

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

651

 

813

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting premiums

 

2,442

 

2,711

 

Interest and dividends

 

248

 

247

 

Other

 

226

 

218

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

695

 

532

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,285

 

1,267

 

Office properties and equipment

 

343

 

459

 

Goodwill

 

926

 

874

 

Intangible assets

 

139

 

139

 

Other assets

 

2,154

 

1,351

 

Total Assets

 

$

39,563

 

$

39,959

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

19,426

 

$

22,626

 

Unearned premiums

 

4,204

 

3,802

 

Total insurance reserves

 

23,630

 

26,428

 

Debt

 

3,750

 

2,713

 

Payables:

 

 

 

 

 

Reinsurance premiums

 

769

 

1,010

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

1,035

 

963

 

Securities lending collateral

 

1,616

 

822

 

Other liabilities

 

2,538

 

1,388

 

Total Liabilities

 

33,338

 

33,324

 

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the company

 

 

889

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Ownership Plan—convertible preferred stock

 

98

 

105

 

Guaranteed obligation-Stock Ownership Plan

 

(23

)

(40

)

Total Preferred Shareholders’ Equity

 

75

 

65

 

Common:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

2,655

 

2,606

 

Retained earnings

 

2,874

 

2,473

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation on investments

 

619

 

671

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation

 

11

 

(68

)

Unrealized loss on derivatives

 

(5

)

(1

)

Minimum pension liability adjustment

 

(4

)

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income

 

621

 

602

 

Total Common Shareholders’ Equity

 

6,150

 

5,681

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

6,225

 

5,746

 

Total Liabilities, Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities, and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

39,563

 

$

39,959

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

115



Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
The St Paul Companies

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Preferred Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Ownership Plan—convertible preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

$

105

 

$

111

 

$

117

 

Redemptions during the year

 

(7

)

(6

)

(6

)

End of year

 

98

 

105

 

111

 

Guaranteed obligation—Stock Ownership Plan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

(40

)

(53

)

(68

)

Principal payments

 

17

 

13

 

15

 

End of year

 

(23

)

(40

)

(53

)

Total Preferred Shareholders’ Equity

 

75

 

65

 

58

 

Common Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

2,606

 

2,192

 

2,238

 

Stock issued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from stock offering

 

 

413

 

 

Stock incentive plans

 

33

 

32

 

67

 

Present value of equity unit forward purchase contracts

 

 

(46

)

 

Preferred shares redeemed

 

15

 

13

 

13

 

Reacquired common shares

 

(1

)

 

(135

)

Other

 

2

 

2

 

9

 

End of year

 

2,655

 

2,606

 

2,192

 

Retained earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

2,473

 

2,500

 

4,243

 

Net income (loss)

 

661

 

218

 

(1,088

)

Dividends declared on common stock

 

(264

)

(252

)

(235

)

Dividends declared on preferred stock, net of taxes

 

(8

)

(9

)

(9

)

Reacquired common shares

 

(1

)

 

(454

)

Deferred compensation—restricted stock

 

(1

)

(5

)

 

Tax benefit on employee stock options, and other changes

 

21

 

28

 

51

 

Premium on preferred shares redeemed

 

(7

)

(7

)

(8

)

End of year

 

2,874

 

2,473

 

2,500

 

Unrealized appreciation on investments, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

671

 

442

 

765

 

Change for the year

 

(52

)

229

 

(323

)

End of year

 

619

 

671

 

442

 

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

(68

)

(76

)

(68

)

Currency translation adjustments

 

79

 

8

 

(8

)

End of year

 

11

 

(68

)

(76

)

Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

(1

)

(2

)

 

Change during the period

 

(4

)

1

 

(2

)

End of year

 

(5

)

(1

)

(2

)

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

 

 

 

Change during the period

 

(4

)

 

 

End of year

 

(4

)

 

 

Total Common Shareholders’ Equity

 

6,150

 

5,681

 

5,056

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

6,225

 

$

5,746

 

$

5,114

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

116



Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

661

 

$

218

 

$

(1,088

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

(52

)

229

 

(323

)

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation

 

79

 

8

 

(8

)

Change in minimum pension liability

 

(4

)

 

 

Change in unrealized loss on derivatives

 

(4

)

1

 

(2

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

19

 

238

 

(333

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

680

 

$

456

 

$

(1,421

)

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
The St. Paul Companies

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

661

 

$

218

 

$

(1,088

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

17

 

25

 

79

 

Change in property-liability insurance reserves

 

(1,204

)

33

 

4,399

 

Change in reinsurance reserves

 

659

 

(970

)

(2,109

)

Change in deferred acquisition costs

 

(171

)

81

 

(53

)

Change in insurance premiums receivable

 

163

 

501

 

(198

)

Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

2

 

(6

)

(87

)

Change in income taxes payable/refundable

 

105

 

183

 

(212

)

Realized investment (gains) losses

 

(73

)

165

 

94

 

Provision for federal deferred tax benefit

 

(53

)

(141

)

(81

)

Depreciation, amortization and goodwill write-downs

 

100

 

97

 

180

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

21

 

6

 

 

Other

 

(94

)

(63

)

(40

)

Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operations

 

133

 

129

 

884

 

Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations

 

 

 

103

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

133

 

129

 

987

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales (purchases) of short-term investments

 

(100

)

43

 

(256

)

Purchases of other investments

 

(5,545

)

(7,578

)

(7,033

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of other investments

 

5,563

 

7,199

 

6,281

 

Net proceeds from sale of subsidiaries

 

30

 

23

 

362

 

Change in open security transactions

 

11

 

(141

)

177

 

Venture capital distributions

 

4

 

78

 

52

 

Proceeds from repayment of note receivable

 

 

70

 

 

Purchase of office property and equipment

 

(48

)

(65

)

(70

)

Sales of office property and equipment

 

79

 

18

 

9

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(111

)

(216

)

(208

)

Other

 

(7

)

20

 

(25

)

Net Cash Used by Continuing Operations

 

(124

)

(549

)

(711

)

Net Cash Used by Discontinued Operations

 

(19

)

(5

)

(583

)

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities

 

(143

)

(554

)

(1,294

)

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid on common and preferred stock

 

(272

)

(253

)

(245

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

300

 

941

 

650

 

Net proceeds from issuance of common shares

 

 

413

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred securities

 

 

 

575

 

Repayment of debt

 

(179

)

(405

)

(196

)

Retirement of preferred securities

 

 

(4

)

(40

)

Repurchase of common shares

 

(2

)

 

(589

)

Subsidiary’s repurchase of common shares

 

(42

)

(151

)

(172

)

Stock options exercised and other

 

26

 

35

 

84

 

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Continuing Operations

 

(169

)

576

 

67

 

Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations

 

 

 

343

 

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities

 

(169

)

576

 

410

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

14

 

13

 

(4

)

Increase (Decrease) in Cash

 

(165

)

164

 

99

 

Cash at beginning of year

 

315

 

151

 

52

 

Cash at End of Year

 

$

150

 

$

315

 

$

151

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

118



 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
The St. Paul Companies

1   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting PrinciplesWe prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We follow the accounting standards established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”).

ConsolidationWe combine our financial statements with those of our subsidiaries and present them on a consolidated basis. The consolidated financial statements do not include the results of material transactions between our subsidiaries and us or among our subsidiaries. Certain of our foreign underwriting operations’ results, and the results of certain of our investments in partnerships, are recorded on a one-month to one-quarter lag due to time constraints in obtaining and analyzing such results for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements on a current basis. In the event that significant events occur during the lag period, the impact is included in the current period results.

In the first quarter of 2003, we eliminated the one-quarter reporting lag for our operations at Lloyd’s. The effect of reporting those operations on a current basis was a $34 million reduction to our 2003 pretax income from continuing operations. During 2001, we eliminated the one-quarter reporting lag for certain of our primary underwriting operations in foreign countries. The effect of reporting those operations on a current basis was a $31 million increase to our 2001 pretax loss from continuing operations.

Related Party TransactionsThe following summarizes our related party transactions:

Indebtedness of ManagementWe have made loans to certain current and former executive officers for their purchase of our common stock in the open market. These are full-recourse loans, further secured by a pledge of the stock purchased with the proceeds. The loans accrue interest at the applicable federal rate for loans of such maturity. Loans to former executive officers are being repaid in accordance with agreed-upon terms. The total amount receivable under this program, included in “Other Assets”, was $1 million and $7 million on December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This program was terminated effective March 20, 2002; consequently, no new loans were made after that date.

Indebtedness of Venture Capital Management—We have made loans to certain members of management of our Venture Capital investment operation. The loans are secured by each individual’s ownership interest in the limited liability companies that hold most of our venture capital investments, and accrue interest at the applicable federal rate for loans of such maturity. The total amount receivable under this program, included in “Other Assets” at December 31, 2003 and 2002, was $7 million.

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, LTD. (“Platinum”)—See Note 19 in this report for a summary of related-party transactions with Platinum.

Discontinued OperationsSee Note 17 in this report for a summary of our discontinued operations.

ReclassificationsWe reclassified certain amounts in our 2002 and 2001 consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to the 2003 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income, or common or preferred shareholders’ equity, as previously reported for those years.

Use of EstimatesWe make estimates and assumptions that have an effect on the amounts that we report in our consolidated financial statements. Our most significant estimates are those relating to our

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reserves for property-liability losses and loss adjustment expenses. We continually review our estimates and make adjustments as necessary, but actual results could turn out to be significantly different from what we expected when we made these estimates.

Accounting for Our Property-Liability Underwriting Operations

Premiums EarnedPremiums on insurance policies are our largest source of revenue. For all of our non-Lloyd’s business, we recognize premiums as revenues evenly over the policy terms using the daily pro rata method. In 2003, we changed the method by which we recognize premium revenue at our operations at Lloyd’s. Prior to 2003, such revenue was recognized using the “one-eighths” method, whereby we converted Lloyd’s syndicate accounts to U.S. GAAP on a quarterly basis. Since Lloyd’s accounting does not recognize the concept of earned premium, we calculated earned premium as part of the conversion to GAAP, assuming business was written at the middle of each quarter, effectively breaking the calendar year into earnings periods of eighths. In 2003, we began recognizing Lloyd’s premium revenue in a manner that more accurately reflects the underlying policy terms and exposures and is more consistent with the method by which we recognize premium revenue in our non-Lloyd’s business. This change did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Revenues in our Health Care operation include premiums generated from extended reporting endorsements. Our medical liability claims-made policies gave our insureds the right to purchase a reporting endorsement, which is also referred to as “tail coverage,” at the time their policies expired. This endorsement protected an insured against any claims that arise from a medical incident that occurred while the claims-made policy was in force, but which had not yet been reported by the time the policy expired. Premiums on these endorsements are fully earned as revenue, and the expected losses are reserved, at the time the endorsement is written.

We record premiums that we have not yet recognized as revenues as unearned premiums on our balance sheet. Assumed reinsurance premiums are recognized as revenues proportionately over the contract period. Premiums earned are recorded in our statement of operations, net of our cost to purchase reinsurance.

Insurance Losses and Loss Adjustment ExpensesLosses represent the amounts we paid or expect to pay to claimants for events that have occurred. The costs of investigating, resolving and processing these claims are known as loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). We record these items on our statement of operations net of reinsurance, meaning that we reduce our gross losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred by the amounts we have recovered or expect to recover under reinsurance contracts.

Reinsurance—Written premiums, earned premiums and incurred insurance losses and LAE all reflect the net effects of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Assumed reinsurance refers to our acceptance of certain insurance risks that other insurance companies have underwritten. Assumed reinsurance has, for the most part, been written through our St. Paul Re operation. During 2002, we transferred our ongoing business previously written through St. Paul Re to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. See Note 19 for a more detailed discussion of this transfer. Ceded reinsurance means other insurance companies have agreed to share certain risks with us. Reinsurance accounting is followed for assumed and ceded transactions when risk transfer requirements have been met. These requirements involve significant assumptions being made related to the amount and timing of expected cash flows, as well as the interpretation of underlying contract terms.

Insurance Reserves We establish reserves for the estimated total unpaid cost of losses and LAE, which cover events that occurred in 2003 and prior years. These reserves reflect our estimates of the total cost of claims that were reported to us (“case” reserves), but not yet paid, and the cost of claims incurred but not yet reported to us (“IBNR”). We reduce our loss reserves for estimated amounts of salvage and

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subrogation recoveries. Estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers on paid and unpaid losses and LAE, net of an allowance for estimated unrecoverable amounts, are reflected as assets.

For reported losses, we establish reserves on a “case” basis within the parameters of coverage provided in the insurance policy or reinsurance agreement. For IBNR losses, we estimate reserves using established actuarial methods. Our case and IBNR reserve estimates consider such variables as past loss experience, changes in legislative conditions, changes in judicial interpretation of legal liability and policy coverages, and inflation. We consider not only monetary increases in the cost of what we insure, but also changes in societal factors that influence jury verdicts and case law and, in turn, claim costs.

Because many of the coverages we offer involve claims that may not ultimately be settled for many years after they are incurred, subjective judgments as to our ultimate exposure to losses are an integral and necessary component of our loss reserving process. We record our reserves by considering a range of estimates bounded by a high and low point. Within that range, we record management’s best estimate. We continually review our reserves, using a variety of statistical and actuarial techniques to analyze current claim costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social and legal factors. We adjust reserves established in prior years as loss experience develops and new information becomes available. Adjustments to previously estimated reserves are reflected in our financial results in the periods in which the changes in estimate are made.

Reserves for environmental and asbestos exposures cannot be estimated solely with the traditional loss reserving techniques described above, which rely on historical accident year development factors and take into consideration the previously mentioned variables. Environmental and asbestos reserves are more difficult to estimate than our other loss reserves because of legal issues, societal factors and difficulty in determining the parties who may ultimately be held liable. Therefore, in addition to taking into consideration the traditional variables that are utilized to arrive at our other loss reserve amounts, we also look at the length of time necessary to clean up polluted sites, controversies surrounding the identity of the responsible party, the degree of remediation deemed to be necessary, the estimated time period for litigation expenses, judicial expansions of coverage, medical complications arising with asbestos claimants’ advanced age, case law, and the history of prior claim development. We also consider the impact of changes in the legal environment, including our experience in the Western MacArthur matter, in establishing our reserves for other asbestos and environmental cases. Generally, case reserves and loss adjustment expense reserves are established where sufficient information has been obtained to indicate coverage under a specific insurance policy. We also consider end of period reserves in relation to paid losses in a period. Furthermore, IBNR reserves are established to cover additional estimated exposures related to policyholders that haven’t as yet asserted any claims as well as development on reserves assumed from other entities. These reserves are continually reviewed and updated as additional information is acquired.

While our reported reserves make a reasonable provision for our unpaid loss and LAE obligations, it should be noted that the process of estimating required reserves, by its very nature, involves substantial uncertainty. The level of uncertainty can be influenced by factors such as the existence of coverage with long duration payment patterns and changes in claim handling practices, as well as the factors noted above. Ultimate actual payments for claims and LAE could turn out to be significantly different from our estimates.

Our liabilities for unpaid losses and LAE related to tabular workers’ compensation and certain assumed reinsurance coverage are discounted to the present value of estimated future payments. Prior to discounting, these liabilities totaled $875 million and $887 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The total discounted liability reflected on our balance sheet was $710 million and $718 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The liability for workers’ compensation was discounted using rates of up to 3.5%. The liability for certain assumed reinsurance coverage was discounted using rates up

121




 

to 7.5%, based on our return on invested assets or, in many cases, on yields contractually guaranteed to us on funds held by the ceding company, as permitted by the state of domicile. Tabular workers’ compensation reserves are indemnity reserves that are calculated using discounts determined with reference to actuarial tables that incorporate interest and contingencies such as mortality, remarriage, inflation or recovery from disability applied to a reasonably determinable payment stream. Reserves for medical costs associated with the work place injury and reserves for loss adjustment expenses are not discounted.

Lloyd’sWe participate in Lloyd’s as the owner of a managing agency and the provider of capital to the syndicates managed by that managing agency. Lloyd’s syndicates determine their underwriting results on an underwriting year basis with results being declared only after three years. In converting from Lloyd’s accounting to U.S. GAAP the most significant adjustments relate to the earning of premiums and the recognition of losses on an accident year basis. Where we do not provide 100% of the capital to a syndicate we record our pro rata share of syndicate assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. (Also see discussion under “Premiums Earned” above.)

Policy Acquisition ExpensesThe costs directly related to writing an insurance policy are referred to as policy acquisition expenses and consist of commissions, state premium taxes and other direct underwriting expenses. Although these expenses are incurred when we issue a policy, we defer and amortize them over the same period as the corresponding premiums are recorded as revenues. On a regular basis, we perform a recoverability analysis of the deferred policy acquisition costs in relation to the expected recognition of revenues, including anticipated investment income, and reflect adjustments, if any, as period costs. Should the analysis indicate that the acquisition costs are unrecoverable, further analyses are performed to determine if a reserve is required to provide for losses, which may exceed the related unearned premiums.

Allowance for Doubtful AccountsOur allowance for doubtful accounts for premiums and deductibles receivable is calculated by applying an estimated bad debt percentage to an aging of receivables segmented by business unit to determine general collectibility. Specific collection issues are highlighted separately, and a comparison of prior year write-offs with year-to-date results is made to determine reasonableness. We also have an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables that is calculated based on the outstanding balances, taking into consideration the status of the reinsurer, the nature of the balance and whether or not the amount is in dispute. The establishment of our allowance for doubtful accounts involves judgment and therefore creates a degree of uncertainty as to adequacy at each reporting date.

Guarantee Fund and Other Insurance-Related AssessmentsWe establish an accrual related to estimated future guarantee fund payments and other insurance-related assessments, primarily second injury funds. Guarantee fund payments are based on our historical experience as well as for specific known events or insolvencies. Loss-based second injury fund assessments are accrued based on our total loss reserves for the relevant states and lines of business. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, we carried an accrual of $44 million and $43 million, respectively, for these payments, which are expected to be disbursed as assessed during a period of up to 30 years. We also establish assets related to the recovery of these costs when appropriate. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, we carried assets of $17 million and $15 million for premium tax offsets, respectively, and $4 million and $11 million for policy surcharges, respectively. This accrual is subject to change following revisions to assessments that may be enacted by any of the states where we write business.

Accounting for Our Asset Management Operations

We hold a 79% interest in Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen Investments,” formerly The John Nuveen Company), which constitutes our asset management segment. Nuveen Investments’ core businesses are asset management and related research, as well as the development, marketing and distribution of investment products and services for the affluent, high-net-worth and institutional market

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segments. Nuveen Investments distributes its investment products and services, including individually managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, to the affluent and high-net-worth market segments through unaffiliated intermediary firms including broker/dealers, commercial banks, affiliates of insurance providers, financial planners, accountants, consultants and investment advisors. Nuveen Investments also provides managed account services to several institutional market segments and channels.

In August 2002, Nuveen Investments purchased NWQ Investment Management Company, Inc. (“NWQ”), an asset management firm based in Los Angeles with approximately $6.9 billion of assets under management at the time of acquisition in both retail and institutional managed accounts. NWQ specializes in value-oriented equity investments with significant relationships among institutions and financial advisors serving high-net-worth investors.

In July 2001, Nuveen Investments acquired Symphony Asset Management, LLC (“Symphony”), an institutional investment manager, with approximately $4 billion in assets under management at the time of acquisition. As a result of the acquisition, Nuveen Investments’ product offerings were expanded to include managed accounts and funds designed to reduce risk through market-neutral and other strategies in several equity and fixed-income asset classes for institutional investors.

Nuveen Investments has three principal sources of revenue: advisory fees on assets under management, including separately managed accounts, closed-end exchange-traded funds and mutual funds; underwriting and distribution revenues earned upon the sale of certain investment products; and performance fees earned on certain institutional accounts based on the performance of such accounts.

Advisory revenue accounted for 90% of Nuveen Investments’ consolidated revenues in 2003. Total advisory fee income earned during any period is directly related to the market value of the assets managed. Advisory fee income increases or decreases with a rise or fall, respectively, in the level of assets under management. Investment advisory fees are recognized as services are provided. With respect to funds, Nuveen Investments receives fees based either on each fund’s average daily net assets or on a combination of the average daily net assets and gross interest income. With respect to managed accounts, Nuveen Investments generally earns fees, on a quarterly basis, based on the value of the assets managed on a particular date, such as the last calendar day of a quarter, or on the average asset value for the period.

Nuveen Investments’ distribution revenues are earned as mutual fund productsare sold to the public through financial advisors, and prior to the second quarter of 2002, the sale of defined portfolios. Distribution revenues will rise and fall commensurate with the level of sales of these products. In March 2002, Nuveen Investments ceased offering defined portfolio products. Underwriting fees are earned on the initial public offering of Nuveen Investments’ exchange-traded funds.

Through its subsidiary, Symphony, which manages equity and fixed-income market-neutral accounts and funds for institutional investors, Nuveen Investments earns performance fees for investment performance above specifically defined benchmarks. These fees are recognized as revenue only at the performance measurement date contained in the individual account management agreement. Currently, approximately 80% of such measurement dates fall in the second half of the calendar year.

We consolidate 100% of Nuveen Investments’ assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, with reductions on the balance sheet and statement of operations for the minority shareholders’ proportionate interest in Nuveen Investments’ equity and earnings. Minority interest of $96 million and $80 million was recorded in other liabilities at the end of 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Nuveen Investments repurchased and retired 1.7 million and 5.7 million of its common shares from minority shareholders in 2003 and 2002, respectively, for a total cost of $42 million in 2003 and $151 million in 2002. No shares were repurchased from The St. Paul in those years. Our percentage ownership remained at 79% in 2003 as the effect of Nuveen Investments’ repurchases were partially offset by Nuveen

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Investments’ issuance of additional shares under various stock option and incentive plans and, in 2002, the issuance of common shares upon the conversion of a portion of its preferred stock.

Accounting for Our Investments

Fixed IncomeOur fixed income portfolio is composed primarily of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable U.S. government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds, and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. Our entire fixed income investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. Accordingly, we carry that portfolio on our balance sheet at estimated fair value. Fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available, from a third-party pricing service. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated using values obtained from independent pricing services or a cash flow estimate is used.

Real Estate and Mortgage LoansOur real estate investments include warehouses and office buildings and other commercial land and properties that we own directly or in which we have a partial interest through joint ventures with other investors. Our mortgage loan investments consist of fixed-rate loans collateralized by apartment, warehouse and office properties.

For direct real estate investments, we carry land at cost and buildings at cost less accumulated depreciation and valuation adjustments. We depreciate real estate assets on a straight-line basis over 40 years. Tenant improvements are amortized over the term of the corresponding lease. The accumulated depreciation of our real estate investments was $189 million and $169 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

We use the equity method of accounting for our real estate joint ventures, which means we carry these investments at cost, adjusted for our share of undistributed earnings or losses, and reduced by cash distributions from the joint ventures and valuation adjustments. Due to time constraints in obtaining financial results, the results of these joint venture operations are recorded on a one-month lag. If events occur during the lag period that are significant to our consolidated results, the impact is included in the current period results.

We carry our mortgage loans at the unpaid principal balances less any valuation adjustments, which approximates fair value. Valuation allowances are recognized for loans with deterioration in collateral performance that is deemed other than temporary. The estimated fair value of mortgage loans was $63 million and $82 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Venture CapitalOur venture capital investments represent ownership interests in small- to medium-sized companies. These investments are made through limited partnerships or direct ownership. The limited partnerships are carried at our equity in the estimated market value of the investments held by these limited partnerships. The investments we own directly are carried at estimated fair value. Fair values are based on quoted market prices obtained from third-party pricing services for publicly traded stock, or an estimate of value as determined by an internal valuation committee for privately-held securities. Due to time constraints in obtaining financial results, the operations of the limited partnerships are recorded on a one-quarter lag. If security-specific events occur during the lag period that are significant to our consolidated results, the impact is included in the current period results.

EquitiesOur equity securities are also classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value, which is based on quoted market prices obtained from a third-party pricing service.

Securities on LoanWe participate in a securities lending program whereby certain securities from our fixed income portfolio are loaned to other institutions. We require collateral equal to 102 percent of the fair value of the loaned securities. We maintain full ownership rights to the securities loaned, and continue to earn interest on them. In addition, we have the ability to sell the securities while they are on loan. We have an indemnification agreement with the lending agents in the event a borrower becomes insolvent or fails to return securities. We record securities lending collateral as a liability and pay the

124




 

borrower an agreed upon interest rate. The proceeds from the collateral are invested in short-term investments and are reported on the balance sheet. We share a portion of the interest earned on these short-term investments with the lending agent. The fair value of the securities on loan is removed from fixed income securities on the balance sheet and shown as a separate investment asset.

Realized Investment Gains and LossesWe record the cost of each individual investment so that when we sell an investment, we are able to identify and record that transaction’s gain or loss on our statement of operations.

The size of our investment portfolio allows our portfolio managers a degree of flexibility in determining which individual investments should be sold to achieve our primary investment goals of assuring our ability to meet our commitments to policyholders and other creditors and maximizing our investment returns. In order to meet the objective of maintaining a flexible portfolio that can achieve these goals, our fixed income and equity portfolios are classified as “available-for-sale.” We continually evaluate these portfolios, and our purchases and sales of investments are based on our cash requirements, the characteristics of our insurance liabilities, and current market conditions. We also monitor the difference between our cost and the estimated fair value of investments, which involves uncertainty as to whether declines in value are temporary in nature. At the time we determine an “other than temporary” impairment in the value of a particular investment to have occurred, we consider the current facts and circumstances, including the financial position and future prospects of the entity that issued the investment security, and make a decision to either record a write-down in the carrying value of the security or sell the security; in either case, recognizing a realized loss.

With respect to our venture capital portfolio, we manage our portfolio to maximize return, evaluating current market conditions and the future outlook for the entities in which we have invested. Because this portfolio primarily consists of privately-held, early-stage venture investments, events giving rise to impairment can occur in a brief period of time (e.g., the entity has been unsuccessful in securing additional financing, other investors decide to withdraw their support, complications arise in the product development process, etc.), and decisions are made at that point in time, based on the specific facts and circumstances, with respect to a recognition of “other than temporary” impairment, or sale of the investment.

Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation on InvestmentsFor investments we carry at estimated fair value, we record the difference between cost and fair value, net of deferred taxes, as a part of common shareholders’ equity. This difference is referred to as unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. The change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation during the year is a component of other comprehensive income.

Derivative Financial InstrumentsWe record all derivative financial instruments on our balance sheet at fair value. The accounting treatment for the gain or loss due to changes in the fair value of these instruments is dependent on whether the derivative qualifies as a hedge. If the derivative does not qualify as a hedge, the gains or losses are included in our statement of operations as a realized gain or losswhen they occur. If the derivative qualifies as a hedge, the accounting treatment varies based on the type of risk being hedged. Generally, however, the portion of the hedge deemed effective is recorded on the balance sheet at fair value, and the portion deemed ineffective is recorded in the statement of operations as a realized gain or loss. To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the hedging relationship is formally documented at the inception of the hedge detailing the risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking the hedge. In addition, we assess both at the inception of the hedge and on a quarterly basis, whether the derivative is highly effective in accomplishing the risk management objectives. If it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective, hedge accounting treatment is discontinued and any gains and losses associated with the hedge’s ineffectiveness are recognized as a realized gain or loss in the

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statement of operations. Fair value for our derivatives is based on quoted market rates or models obtained from third party pricing services.

See Note 7 for further information regarding the types of derivative financial instruments that we hold.

Cash Restrictions

Lloyd’s solvency requirements call for certain of our funds to be held in trust in amounts sufficient to meet claims. These funds amounted to $30 million and $167 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In the first quarter of 2002, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141”) and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” (“SFAS No. 142”). In a business combination, the excess of the amount we paid over the fair value of the acquired company’s tangible net assets is recorded as either an intangible asset, if it meets certain criteria, or goodwill. Intangible assets with a finite useful life (generally over four to 20 years) are amortized to expense over their estimated life, on a basis expected to be consistent with their estimated future cash flows. Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life and goodwill, which represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible and intangible assets, are no longer amortized, effective January 1, 2002, but remain subject to tests for impairment. Prior to our adoption of SFAS Nos. 141 and 142, we amortized goodwill and intangible assets over periods of up to 40 years, generally on a straight-line basis. See Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included herein for further information regarding goodwill and intangible assets included in our consolidated balance sheet.

We evaluate our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. If an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, we will test for impairment between annual tests.

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets

We monitor the recoverability of the value of our long-lived assets to be held and used based on our estimate of the future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition considering any events or changes in circumstances which indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We monitor the value of our long-lived assets to be disposed of and report them at the lower of carrying value or fair value less our estimated cost to sell. We had no impairment adjustments related to our long-lived assets in 2003, 2002 or 2001.

Office Properties and Equipment

We carry office properties and equipment at depreciated cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The accumulated depreciation for office properties and equipment was $517 million and $504 million at the end of 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Internally Developed Software Costs

We capitalize certain internally developed software costs incurred during the application development stage of a project. These costs include external direct costs associated with the project and payroll and related costs for employees who devote time to the project. We begin to amortize costs once the software is ready for its intended use, and amortize them over the software’s expected useful life, generally five years.

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At December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, we had $73 million and $69 million of unamortized internally developed computer softwarecosts. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, we recorded $18 million, $13 million and $7 million of amortization expense, respectively.

Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial and income tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities based on enacted tax rates and laws. The deferred income tax provision or benefit generally reflects the net change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year. The current income tax provision generally reflects the tax consequences of revenues and expenses currently taxable or deductible on income tax returns.

Foreign Currency Translation

We assign functional currencies to our foreign operations, which are generally the currencies of the local operating environment. Foreign currency amounts are remeasured to the functional currency, and the resulting foreign exchange gains or losses are reflected in the statement of operations. Functional currency amounts are then translated into U.S. dollars. The unrealized gain or loss from this translation, net of tax, is recorded as a part of common shareholders’ equity. The change in unrealized foreign currency translation gain or loss during the year, net of tax, is a component of comprehensive income. Both the remeasurement and translation are calculated using current exchange rates for the balance sheets and average exchange rates for the statements of operations.

Stock Option Accounting

We follow the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), FASB Interpretation 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions involving Stock Compensation (an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25),” and other related interpretations in accounting for our stock option plans utilizing the “intrinsic value method” described in that literature. We also follow the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” for our option plans, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure; an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123”. These require pro forma net income and earnings per share information, which is calculated assuming we had accounted for our stock option plans under the “fair value method” described in those Statements.

127




 

Had we calculated compensation expense on a combined basis for our stock option grants based on the “fair value method” described in SFAS No. 123, our net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts as indicated.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

    2003    

 

    2002    

 

    2001    

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported*

 

 

$

661

 

 

 

$

218

 

 

$

(1,088

)

Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(37

)

 

(25

)

Pro forma

 

 

$

622

 

 

 

$

181

 

 

$

(1,113

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

$

2.84

 

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

$

(5.22

)

Pro forma

 

 

$

2.66

 

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

$

(5.33

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

$

2.72

 

 

 

$

0.92

 

 

$

(5.22

)

Pro forma

 

 

$

2.59

 

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

$

(5.33

)


*                    As reported net income or loss included $5 million, $8 million, and $5 million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, in stock-based compensation expenses, net of related tax benefits.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Interest and Income Taxes PaidWe paid interest on debt and distributions on redeemable preferred securities of trusts of $179 million in 2003, $167 million in 2002 and $133 million in 2001. We paid net federal income taxes of $62 million in 2003, and received refunds of $100 million in 2002 and $54 million in 2001.

Non-cash Investing and Financing ActivitiesIn July 2002, we issued 8.9 million equity units, each having a stated amount of $50. Each equity unit included a forward purchase contract on our common stock. Related to these contracts, we established a $46 million liability, with a corresponding reduction to shareholders’ equity.

In November 2002, concurrent with the transfer of our continuing reinsurance operations as described in Note 19, we received warrants to purchase up to six million additional common shares of Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. as partial consideration for the transferred business. We carry the warrants as an asset on our balance sheet at their market value, which was $65 million and $61 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

In September 2001, we received approximately 190 million Old Mutual plc ordinary shares as partial consideration for the sale of our life insurance subsidiary to Old Mutual. The shares were valued at $300 million at the time of closing.

128



2   Merger Agreement With The Travelers Property Casualty Corp.

On November 17, 2003, The St. Paul and Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (“Travelers”) announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement that will create The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (“St. Paul Travelers”), which would be the nation’s second largest property-casualty insurer based on 2002 A.M. Best data concerning direct premiums written. The merger agreement is filed as an exhibit to this report. The Board of Directors of each company unanimously agreed to the tax-free, stock-for-stock merger (the “Proposed Merger” or the “merger”). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Adams Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul, will merge into Travelers, resulting in Travelers becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul, and holders of Travelers Class A and Class B common stock will receive 0.4334 common share of The St. Paul for each Travelers share. The St. Paul expects to issue approximately 437 million shares of its common stock in the Proposed Merger. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval by shareholders of both companies as well as certain regulatory approvals. Special shareholder meetings to vote on the Proposed Merger are scheduled for March 19, 2004 in St. Paul, MN and Hartford, CT. On December 23, 2003, the Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in connection with the Proposed Merger. The companies are seeking approval of the merger in 11 states and from various foreign regulatory authorities. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2004.

All information included in the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in this report reflects only the results of The St. Paul, and does not reflect any impact of the Proposed Merger.

The consummation of the merger would trigger a technical event of default under certain of our credit agreements; however, the lenders have agreed to waive the technical event of default, contingent upon the consummation of the merger.

3   Segment Information

In the first quarter of 2003, we revised our property-liability insurance business segment reporting structure to reflect the manner in which those businesses are managed. Our property-liability underwriting operations consist of two segments constituting our ongoing operations (Specialty Commercial and Commercial Lines), and one segment comprising our runoff operations (Other). The composition of those respective segments is described in greater detail below. The following is a summary of changes made to our segments in the first quarter of 2003.

·       Our Surety & Construction operations, previously reported together as a separate specialty segment, are now separate components of our Specialty Commercial segment.

·       Our ongoing International operations and our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, previously reported together as a separate specialty segment, are now separate components of our Specialty Commercial segment.

·       Our Health Care, Reinsurance and Other operations, each previously reported as a separate runoff business segment, have been combined into a single Other runoff segment and are under common management. “Runoff” means that we have ceased or plan to cease underwriting business as soon as possible.

·       The results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998), previously included in our Commercial Lines segment, are now included in the Other segment. In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business included the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures. The oversight

129




of these exposures is the responsibility of the same management team responsible for oversight of the other components of the Other segment.

In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2003, our Specialty Programs business center, previously reported in our Specialty Commercial segment, was moved to our Commercial Lines segment to more accurately reflect the manner in which this business is underwritten and managed. All data for 2002 and 2001 included in this report were restated to be consistent with the changes made to our segment reporting structure in 2003.

In accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” since Surety & Construction, International & Lloyd’s, Health Care, and Reinsurance were reported as separate segments during 2002 and are considered to be of continuing significance in analyzing the results of our operations, we continue to separately present and discuss (as appropriate) in this report information about those businesses for all years covered by this report.

Our operations in runoff do not qualify as “discontinued operations” for accounting purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2003, these runoff operations collectively accounted for $327 million, or 5%, of our net earned premiums, and generated underwriting losses totaling $762 million (an amount that does not include investment income from the assets maintained to support these operations). For the year ended December 31, 2002, these runoff operations collectively accounted for $1.98 billion, or 26%, of our net earned premiums, and generated underwriting losses totaling $874 million, an amount that included a $585 million pretax loss provision related to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2001, these runoff operations collectively accounted for $2.97 billion, or 40%, of our net earned premiums, and generated underwriting losses totaling $1.87 billion, an amount that included a $735 million pretax loss provision to strengthen prior-year loss reserves in our Health Care operation and $662 million of pretax losses related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

In addition to our property-liability business segment, we also have aproperty-liability investment operation segment, as well as an asset management segment, consisting of our majority ownership in Nuveen Investments.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of this report. We evaluate performance based on underwriting results for our property-liability insurance segments, investment income and realized gains for our investment operations, and on pretax operating results for the asset management segment. Property-liability underwriting assets are reviewed in total by management for purposes of decision-making. We do not allocate assets to these specific underwriting segments. Assets are specifically identified for our asset management segment.

Segment InformationAfter the revisions to our segment structure described above, our reportable segments in our property-liability operations consisted of the following:

The Specialty Commercial segment includes our Surety and Construction operations, our ongoing International & Lloyd’s operations, and the following nine specialty business centers that in total comprise the “Specialty” component of this segment: Technology, Financial and Professional Services, Marine, Personal Catastrophe Risk, Public Sector Services, Discover Re, Umbrella/Excess & Surplus Lines, Excess and Surplus Lines Underwriting Facilities and Oil & Gas. These business centers are considered specialty operations because each provides dedicated underwriting, claim and risk control services that require specialized expertise and focuses exclusively on the respective customers it serves. Our Surety business center underwrites surety bonds, which are agreements under which one party (the surety) guarantees to another party (the owner or obligee) that a third party (the contractor or principal) will perform in accordance with contractual or legal obligations. The Construction business center offers a variety of products and services, including traditional insurance consisting of workers’ compensation, general liability

130




and commercial auto coverages, and risk management solutions, to a broad range of contractors and parties responsible for construction projects. Our ongoing International operations consist of our specialty underwriting operations in the United Kingdom, Canada (other than Surety) and the Republic of Ireland, and the international exposures of most U.S. underwriting business. At Lloyd’s, our ongoing operations are comprised of the following types of insurance coverage we underwrite mostly through a single wholly-owned syndicate: Aviation, Marine, Global Property and Personal Lines.

The Commercial Lines segment focuses on commercial clientele, and although we targetcertain commercial customer groups and industries, we do not have underwriting, claim or risk service personnel with specialized expertise dedicated exclusively to these groups or industries. Accordingly, the business centers within Commercial Lines are not considered “specialty” businesses. The Commercial Lines segment includes our Small Commercial, Middle Market Commercial and Property Solutions business centers, as well as the results of our limited involvement in involuntary insurance pools. The Small Commercial business center services commercial firms that typically have between one and fifty employees through its proprietary St. Paul Mainstreet (SM) and St. Paul Advantage (SM) products, with a particular focus on offices, wholesalers, retailers, artisan contractors and other service risks. The Middle Market Commercial business center offers comprehensive insurance coverages for a wide variety of manufacturing, wholesale, service and retail exposures, as well as programs for selected industries that are national in scope and have similar risk characteristics such as franchises and associations. The majority of these programs were formerly classified as a separate “Specialty Programs” business center in our Specialty Commercial segment but were reclassified in 2003 to our Middle Market Commercial business center in the Commercial Lines segment to more accurately reflect the manner in which this business is underwritten and managed. This business center also offers loss-sensitive casualty programs, including significant deductible and self-insured retention options, for the higher end of the middle market sector. The Property Solutions business center combines our Large Accounts Property business with the commercial portion of our catastrophe risk business and allows us to take a unified approach to large property risks.

The Other segment includes the results of the lines of business we placed in runoff in late 2001 and early 2002, including our former Health Care and Reinsurance segments, and the results of the following international operations: our runoff operations at Lloyd’s, including our participation in the insuring of the Lloyd’s Central Fund; Unionamerica, the London-based underwriting unit acquired as part of our purchase of MMI in 2000; and international operations we decided to exit at the end of 2001. This segment also includes the results of our participation in voluntary insurance pools, as well as loss development on business underwritten prior to 1980 (prior to 1988 for business acquired in our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998). In addition to our participation in voluntary insurance pools, this prior year business includes the majority of our environmental and asbestos liability exposures. Our Health Care operation historically provided a wide range of medical liability insurance products and services throughout the entire health care delivery system. Our Reinsurance operations historically underwrote treaty and facultative reinsurance for a wide variety of property and liability exposures. As described in more detail in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements herein, in November 2002 we transferred our ongoing reinsurance operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

In 2001, we sold our life insurance operations. Those operations are accounted for as discontinued operations and are not included in our segment data.

131




The summary below presents revenues and pretax income from continuing operations for our reportable segments. The revenues of our asset management segment include investment income and realized investment gains. Revenues reported for our insurance underwriting segments represent earned premiums in those segments. The table also presents identifiable assets for our property-liability underwriting operation in total, and our asset management segment.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Revenues from Continuing Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

$

2,103

 

$

1,719

 

$

1,327

 

Surety and Construction

 

1,248

 

1,141

 

926

 

International & Lloyd’s

 

1,145

 

806

 

637

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

4,496

 

3,666

 

2,890

 

Commercial Lines

 

2,216

 

1,857

 

1,551

 

Total ongoing insurance operations

 

6,712

 

5,523

 

4,441

 

Runoff Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

62

 

474

 

693

 

Reinsurance

 

190

 

1,070

 

1,593

 

Other

 

75

 

435

 

682

 

Total Other

 

327

 

1,979

 

2,968

 

Total Underwriting

 

7,039

 

7,502

 

7,409

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

1,115

 

1,161

 

1,199

 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

59

 

(162

)

(126

)

Total investment operations

 

1,174

 

999

 

1,073

 

Other

 

166

 

116

 

119

 

Total property-liability insurance

 

8,379

 

8,617

 

8,601

 

Asset management

 

453

 

398

 

375

 

Total reportable segments

 

8,832

 

9,015

 

8,976

 

Parent company, other operations and consolidating eliminations

 

22

 

15

 

56

 

Total revenues from continuing operations

 

$

8,854

 

$

9,030

 

$

9,032

 

132




 

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting result:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

$

371

 

$

189

 

$

1

 

Surety and Construction

 

(161

)

(221

)

(39

)

International & Lloyd’s

 

78

 

56

 

(235

)

Total Specialty Commercial

 

288

 

24

 

(273

)

Commercial Lines

 

235

 

141

 

(153

)

Total ongoing insurance operations

 

523

 

165

 

(426

)

Runoff Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

(391

)

(165

)

(935

)

Reinsurance

 

3

 

(22

)

(726

)

Other

 

(374

)

(687

)

(207

)

Total Other

 

(762

)

(874

)

(1,868

)

Total Underwriting result

 

(239

)

(709

)

(2,294

)

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

1,115

 

1,161

 

1,199

 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

59

 

(162

)

(126

)

Total investment operations

 

1,174

 

999

 

1,073

 

Other

 

(46

)

(46

)

(179

)

Total property-liability insurance

 

889

 

244

 

(1,400

)

Asset management

 

187

 

162

 

142

 

Total reportable segments

 

1,076

 

406

 

(1,258

)

Parent company, other operations and consolidating eliminations

 

(240

)

(230

)

(173

)

Total income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

836

 

$

176

 

$

(1,431

)

 

Geographic AreasThe following summary presents financial data of our continuing operations based on their location.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

7,426

 

$

7,275

 

$

7,250

 

Non-U.S.

 

1,428

 

1,755

 

1,782

 

Total revenues

 

$

8,854

 

$

9,030

 

$

9,032

 

 

133




 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Identifiable Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance

 

$

37,653

 

$

38,372

 

Asset management

 

1,218

 

1,081

 

Total reportable segments

 

38,871

 

39,453

 

Parent company, other operations, consolidating eliminations and discontinued operations

 

692

 

506

 

Total assets

 

$

39,563

 

$

39,959

 

 

Note 18, “Restructuring and Other Charges,” describes charges we recorded during 2001 and where they are included in the foregoing tables.

The following table summarizes premiums earned by major product line for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. Our earned premiums related to our foreign operations are presented in total in the table, as those operations do not classify their business using the same product line definitions as our domestic operations.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Other liability

 

$

1,537

 

$

1,325

 

$

1,082

 

Special property

 

834

 

759

 

600

 

Commercial auto liability

 

813

 

776

 

624

 

Workers compensation

 

792

 

670

 

609

 

Commercial multiple peril

 

555

 

542

 

456

 

Fidelity and surety

 

396

 

353

 

395

 

Products liability

 

386

 

321

 

246

 

Medical malpractice

 

55

 

343

 

600

 

Reinsurance—nonproportional assumed property

 

18

 

250

 

485

 

Other

 

693

 

656

 

640

 

Total earned premium from domestic operations

 

6,079

 

5,995

 

5,737

 

Earned premium from foreign operations

 

960

 

1,507

 

1,672

 

Total earned premium

 

$

7,039

 

$

7,502

 

$

7,409

 

 

134




Elimination of One-Quarter Reporting LagsIn the first quarter of 2003, we eliminated the one-quarter reporting lag for our underwriting operations at Lloyd’s to coincide with the timing of reporting for all of our other international operations. As a result, our consolidated results for 2003 included the results of those operations for the fourth quarter of 2002 and all quarters of 2003. The incremental impact on our property-liability operations of eliminating the reporting lag, consisting of the results of these operations for the three months ended December 31, 2003, was as follows.

 

 

Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

 

$

67

 

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

 

39

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

 

106

 

 

Incurred losses and underwriting expenses

 

 

155

 

 

Underwriting result

 

 

(49

)

 

Net investment income

 

 

5

 

 

Other income

 

 

10

 

 

Total pretax loss

 

 

$

(34

)

 

 

Of the total net written premiums and underwriting result in the foregoing table, $64 million and $(1) million, respectively, was recorded in our ongoing Specialty Commercial segment, and $3 million and $(48) million, respectively, was recorded in our runoff Other segment.

In 2001, we eliminated the one-quarter reporting lag for our primary underwriting operations in foreign countries (not including our operations at Lloyd’s). As a result, our consolidated results for 2001 include their results for the fourth quarter of 2000 and all quarters of 2001. The incremental impact on our property-liability operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 of eliminating the reporting lag, which consists of the results of these operations for the three months ended December 31, 2001, was as follows.

 

 

Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

 

$

71

 

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

 

15

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

 

86

 

 

Incurred losses and underwriting expenses

 

 

131

 

 

Underwriting result

 

 

(45

)

 

Net investment income

 

 

14

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

Total pretax loss

 

 

$

(31

)

 

 

135



Reclassification of Lloyd’s Commission ExpensesIn 2003, we reclassified certain commission expenses related to our operations at Lloyd’s. In prior years, we determined commission expense based on premiums reported by the Lloyd’s market (net of commissions) using an estimated average commission rate. Until recently, gross premiums (prior to reduction for commissions) were not readily available from the Lloyd’s market. In 2003, we began recording actual commission expense for our Lloyd’s business. We reclassified prior period results to record actual commission expense on a basis consistent with that implemented in 2003. There was no impact to net income or shareholders’ equity as previously reported for any prior periods, because the reclassification had the impact of increasing previously reported premiums and commission expense in equal and offsetting amounts. For the year ended December 31, 2003, this reclassification had the impact of increasing both net earned premiums and policy acquisition costs by $81 million compared with what would have been recorded under our prior method of estimation. In addition, net written premiums increased by $116 million in 2003, (a portion of which was due to the elimination of the one-quarter reporting lag). For the year ended December 31, 2002, the impact was an increase to both net earned premiums and policy acquisition costs of $112 million and an increase to net written premiums of $91 million. For the year ended December 31, 2001, the impact was an increase to both net earned premiums and policy acquisition costs of $112 million and an increase to net written premiums of $132 million.

4   Earnings Per Common Share

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

      2003      

 

      2002      

 

      2001      

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss), as reported

 

 

$

661

 

 

 

$

218

 

 

 

$

(1,088

)

 

Preferred stock dividends, net of taxes

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(9

)

 

Premium on preferred shares redeemed

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(8

)

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

 

$

646

 

 

 

$

202

 

 

 

$

(1,105

)

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

 

$

646

 

 

 

$

202

 

 

 

$

(1,105

)

 

Dilutive effect of affiliates

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

 

$

652

 

 

 

$

209

 

 

 

$

(1,105

)

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

228

 

 

 

216

 

 

 

212

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

228

 

 

 

216

 

 

 

212

 

 

Weighted average effects of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Equity unit stock purchase contracts

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

240

 

 

 

227

 

 

 

212

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

$

2.84

 

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

$

(5.22

)

 

Diluted

 

 

$

2.72

 

 

 

$

0.92

 

 

 

$

(5.22

)

 

 

136




The assumed conversion of preferred stock and zero coupon notes were each anti-dilutive to our net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2001, and therefore not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.

5   Investments

Valuation of InvestmentsThe following presents the cost, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and estimated fair value of our investments in fixed income securities, equities, venture capital and securities on loan.

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation

 

Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government

 

$

738

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

774

 

State and political subdivisions

 

3,911

 

 

318

 

 

 

(4

)

 

4,225

 

Foreign governments

 

1,694

 

 

62

 

 

 

(2

)

 

1,754

 

Corporate securities

 

5,960

 

 

369

 

 

 

(22

)

 

6,307

 

Asset-backed securities

 

673

 

 

39

 

 

 

(9

)

 

703

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,616

 

 

82

 

 

 

(5

)

 

2,693

 

Total fixed income

 

15,592

 

 

908

 

 

 

(44

)

 

16,456

 

Equities

 

146

 

 

29

 

 

 

(4

)

 

171

 

Venture capital

 

511

 

 

98

 

 

 

(74

)

 

535

 

Securities on loan

 

1,551

 

 

40

 

 

 

(7

)

 

1,584

 

Total

 

$

17,800

 

 

$

1,075

 

 

 

$

(129

)

 

$

18,746

 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation

 

Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government

 

$

1,054

 

 

$

73

 

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

1,125

 

State and political subdivisions

 

4,263

 

 

350

 

 

 

(4

)

 

4,609

 

Foreign governments

 

1,779

 

 

71

 

 

 

(2

)

 

1,848

 

Corporate securities

 

6,482

 

 

433

 

 

 

(22

)

 

6,893

 

Asset-backed securities

 

660

 

 

40

 

 

 

(17

)

 

683

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

1,940

 

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

2,030

 

Total fixed income

 

16,178

 

 

1,057

 

 

 

(47

)

 

17,188

 

Equities

 

416

 

 

15

 

 

 

(37

)

 

394

 

Venture capital

 

577

 

 

123

 

 

 

(119

)

 

581

 

Securities on loan

 

764

 

 

47

 

 

 

(5

)

 

806

 

Total

 

$

17,935

 

 

$

1,242

 

 

 

$

(208

)

 

$

18,969

 

 

We continually monitor the difference between our cost and the estimated fair value of investments, which involves uncertainty as to whether declines in value are temporary in nature. If we believe a decline in the value of a particular investment is temporary, we record the decline as an unrealized loss in our common shareholders’ equity. If we believe the decline is “other than temporary,” we write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss on our statement of operations. Our assessment of a decline in value includes our current judgment as to the financial position and future prospects of the entity that issued the investment security. If that judgment changes in the future, we may ultimately record a realized loss after having originally concluded that the decline in value was temporary.

137



At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the carrying value of our consolidated invested asset portfolio included $0.95 billion and $1.03 billion of net pretax unrealized appreciation, respectively. Included in those net amounts were gross pretax unrealized losses of $129 million and $208 million, respectively. The following tables summarize, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2003 and 2002, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. The cost of these investments represented approximately 16% of our investment portfolio (at cost) at December 31, 2003. The majority of unrealized losses related to fixed income securities are issuer-specific rather than interest rate-related.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Up to 12 months

 

Greater than 12 months

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
  Value  

 

Gross
  Unrealized  
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government

 

$

348

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

$

8

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

356

 

 

$

5

 

 

State and political subdivisions

 

114

 

 

3

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

3

 

 

Foreign governments

 

287

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

287

 

 

2

 

 

Corporate securities

 

1,112

 

 

23

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

2

 

 

1,169

 

 

25

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

54

 

 

1

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

8

 

 

127

 

 

9

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

412

 

 

7

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

413

 

 

7

 

 

Total fixed income

 

2,327

 

 

41

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

10

 

 

2,483

 

 

51

 

 

Equities

 

22

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

4

 

 

Venture capital

 

53

 

 

29

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

45

 

 

107

 

 

74

 

 

Total

 

2,402

 

 

$

74

 

 

 

$

213

 

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

2,615

 

 

$

129

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 

Up to 12 months

 

Greater than 12 months

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair
  Value  

 

Gross
  Unrealized  
Loss

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government

 

$

236

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

237

 

 

$

2

 

 

State and political subdivisions

 

107

 

 

3

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

117

 

 

3

 

 

Foreign governments

 

126

 

 

2

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

132

 

 

2

 

 

Corporate securities

 

323

 

 

16

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

12

 

 

457

 

 

28

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

59

 

 

13

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

4

 

 

103

 

 

17

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

Total fixed income

 

871

 

 

36

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

16

 

 

1,069

 

 

52

 

 

Equities

 

224

 

 

35

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

228

 

 

37

 

 

Venture capital

 

99

 

 

74

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

143

 

 

119

 

 

Total

 

$

1,194

 

 

$

145

 

 

 

$

246

 

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

1,440

 

 

$

208

 

 

 

Statutory DepositsAt December 31,2003, our property-liability operation had fixed income investments with an estimated fair value of $1.13 billion on deposit with regulatory authorities as required by law.

Restricted InvestmentsOur subsidiaries Unionamerica and St. Paul Re-U.K., are required, as accredited U.S. reinsurers, to hold certain investments in trust in the United States. These trust funds had a fair value of $434 million at December 31, 2003. Additionally, Unionamerica has funds deposited with third parties to be used as collateral to secure various liabilities on behalf of insureds, cedants and other creditors. These funds had a fair value of $41 million at December 31, 2003. We also have $359 million of

138



other investments being used as collateral to secure our obligations under a series of insurance transactions.

Fixed Income by Maturity DateThe following table presents the breakdown of our fixed income securities by years to maturity. Actual maturities may differ from those stated as a result of calls and prepayments.

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

One year or less

 

$

1,243

 

$

1,271

 

Over one year through five years

 

4,033

 

4,277

 

Over five years through 10 years

 

4,383

 

4,685

 

Over 10 years

 

2,644

 

2,827

 

Asset-backed securities with various maturities

 

673

 

703

 

Mortgage-backed securities with various maturities

 

2,616

 

2,693

 

Total

 

$

15,592

 

$

16,456

 

 

6   Investment Transactions

Investment ActivityFollowing is a summary of our investment purchases, sales and maturities.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income

 

$

4,795

 

$

6,019

 

$

4,959

 

Equities

 

485

 

776

 

1,737

 

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

 

3

 

27

 

Venture capital

 

178

 

192

 

287

 

Other investments

 

87

 

588

 

23

 

Total purchases

 

5,545

 

7,578

 

7,033

 

Proceeds from Sales and Maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

1,329

 

3,215

 

2,035

 

Maturities and redemptions

 

3,126

 

2,131

 

2,200

 

Equities

 

791

 

1,705

 

1,732

 

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

28

 

76

 

100

 

Venture capital

 

249

 

64

 

50

 

Other investments

 

40

 

8

 

164

 

Total sales and maturities

 

5,563

 

7,199

 

6,281

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

$

(18

)

$

379

 

$

752

 

 

139




Net Investment IncomeFollowing is a summary of our net investment income.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Fixed income

 

$

996

 

$

1,068

 

$

1,069

 

Equities

 

11

 

11

 

16

 

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

67

 

77

 

115

 

Venture capital

 

(3

)

(2

)

(4

)

Securities on loan

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

Other investments

 

43

 

5

 

3

 

Short-term investments

 

23

 

33

 

55

 

Total

 

1,138

 

1,193

 

1,256

 

Investment expenses

 

(18

)

(24

)

(39

)

Net investment income

 

$

1,120

 

$

1,169

 

$

1,217

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)The following summarizes our pretax realized investment gains and losses, and the change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments recorded in common shareholders’ equity and in comprehensive income.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Pretax Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

 

$

39

 

$

191

 

$

28

 

Gross realized losses

 

(31

)

(91

)

(105

)

Total fixed income

 

8

 

100

 

(77

)

Equities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

 

87

 

116

 

276

 

Gross realized losses

 

(40

)

(184

)

(280

)

Total equities

 

47

 

(68

)

(4

)

Real estate and mortgage loans

 

4

 

2

 

12

 

Venture capital

 

51

 

(200

)

(43

)

Other investments

 

(37

)

1

 

18

 

Total pretax realized investment gains (losses)

 

$

73

 

$

(165

)

$

(94

)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income

 

$

(147

)

$

446

 

$

187

 

Equities

 

47

 

(17

)

(347

)

Venture capital

 

20

 

(36

)

(204

)

Other

 

18

 

(44

)

(190

)

Total change in pretax unrealized appreciation on continuing operations

 

(62

)

349

 

(554

)

Change in deferred taxes

 

10

 

(120

)

214

 

Total change in unrealized appreciation on continuing operations, net of taxes

 

(52

)

229

 

(340

)

Change in pretax unrealized appreciation on discontinued operations

 

 

 

26

 

Change in deferred taxes

 

 

 

(9

)

Total change in unrealized appreciation on discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

 

17

 

Total change in unrealized appreciation, net of taxes

 

$

(52

)

$

229

 

$

(323

)

 

140



Included in gross realized losses for our fixed income portfolio in 2003, 2002 and 2001 were impairment write-downs totaling $17 million, $74 million and $77 million, respectively. Gross realized losses in our equity portfolio in 2003 and 2002 included impairment write-downs of $6 million and $26 million, respectively. No such write-downs occurred in 2001. In our venture capital portfolio, impairment write-downs totaled $143 million, $122 million and $88 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. See Note 1 for additional information regarding our accounting policy for other-than-temporary investment impairments.

7   Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments include futures, forward, swap and option contracts and other financial instruments with similar characteristics. We have had limited involvement with these instruments, primarily for purposes of hedging against fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. All investments, investment techniques and risk management strategies, including the use of derivative instruments, have some degree of market and credit risk associated with them. We believe our derivatives’ market risk substantially offsets the market risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and market prices. We seek to reduce our credit risk exposure by conducting derivative transactions only with reputable, investment-grade counterparties, and by seeking to avoid concentrations of exposure individually or with related parties.

Effective January 1, 2001, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended (“SFAS No. 133”). The statement requires the recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet, carried at fair value. In accordance with the statement, derivatives are specifically designated into one of three categories based on their intended use, and the applicable category dictates the accounting for each derivative. We have held the following derivatives, by category.

Fair Value HedgesFor the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, we have several pay-floating, receive-fixed interest rate swaps, with notional amounts totaling $730 million, $730 million and $230 million, respectively. They are designated as fair value hedges for a portion of our medium-term and senior notes, which we have entered into for the purpose of managing the effect of interest rate fluctuations on this debt. The terms of the swaps match those of the debt instruments, and the swaps are therefore considered 100% effective. The balance sheet impact for year ended December 31, 2003, was a decrease of $19 million in the fair value of the swaps and the related debt on the balance sheet, with the statement of operations impacts offsetting. The impact for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 from movements in interest rates were increases of $42 million and $8 million, respectively, in the fair value of the swaps and the related debt on the balance sheet, with the statement of operations impacts offsetting.

In 2003, Nuveen Investments entered into a series of interest rate swap transactions as hedges against changes in a portion of the fair value of private placement debt. All of the interest rate swap transactions were designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the changes in fair value of the hedged portion of the private placement debt. Certain of these interest rate swap transactions were terminated. The cancellation of these interest rate swap transactions resulted in a total gain of approximately $4 million, which will be amortized over the term of the private placement debt. At December 31, 2003, the remaining open interest rate swap transaction had a notional amount of $50 million and had a fair value of less than $100,000.

Cash Flow HedgesWe have purchased forward foreign currency contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges. They are utilized to minimize our exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from our expected foreign currency payments, and settlement of our foreign currency payables and receivables. For the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 we recognized a loss of $4 million and a gain of $1 million, respectively, on the cash flow hedges, which is included in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”). The

141




comparable amount for the year ended December 31, 2001 was a $2 million loss. The amounts included in OCI will be realized into earnings concurrent with the timing of the hedged cash flows. We anticipate that a loss of approximately $1 million will be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 we recognized a gain of less than $1 million, neither a gain nor a loss, and a loss of less than $1 million, respectively, in the statement of operations representing the portion of the forward contracts deemed ineffective.

In 2003, Nuveen Investments, in anticipation of the private placement debt issuance, entered into two treasury rate lock transactions with an aggregate notional amount of $100 million. These treasury rate locks were designated as cash-flow hedges. The treasury rate locks were settled for $1 million. We have deferred this loss in OCI as the treasury rate locks were considered highly effective in eliminating the interest rate risk on the forecasted debt issuance. Amounts accumulated in OCI will be reclassified into earnings commensurate with the recognition of the interest expense on the newly issued debt.

The accumulated changes in OCI as a result of cash flow hedges for 2003 (net of taxes) are summarized as follows.

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Beginning balance

 

 

$

(1

)

 

Net losses from cash flow hedges

 

 

(4

)

 

Ending balance

 

 

$

(5

)

 

 

Non-Hedge DerivativesWe have other financial instruments that are considered to be derivatives, but which are not designated as hedges. These include our investment in stock purchase warrants of Platinum, received as partial consideration from the sale of our reinsurance business (see Note 19), stock warrants in our venture capital business and foreign exchange forward contracts. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 we recorded $7 million, $13 million and $3 million, respectively, of realized gains in continuing operations related to those non-hedge derivatives. Income from discontinued operations relating to non-hedge derivatives associated with the sale of our life insurance business included a loss of $22 million and a gain of $17 million for the periods ending December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

142




8   Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Reconciliation of Loss ReservesThe following table represents a reconciliation of beginning and ending consolidated property-liability insurance loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves for each of the last three years.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Loss and LAE reserves at beginning of year, as reported

 

$

22,626

 

$

22,101

 

$

18,196

 

Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses at beginning of year

 

(7,777

)

(6,848

)

(4,651

)

Net loss and LAE reserves at beginning of year

 

14,849

 

15,253

 

13,545

 

Activity on reserves of discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses incurred

 

 

7

 

17

 

Losses paid

 

(39

)

(67

)

(131

)

Net activity

 

(39

)

(60

)

(114

)

Net reserves of acquired companies

 

 

57

 

 

Provision for losses and LAE for claims incurred on continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

4,542

 

4,996

 

6,902

 

Prior years

 

646

 

999

 

577

 

Total incurred

 

5,188

 

5,995

 

7,479

 

Losses and LAE payments for claims incurred on continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

(1,014

)

(1,043

)

(1,125

)

Prior years

 

(5,107

)

(5,349

)

(4,443

)

Total paid

 

(6,121

)

(6,392

)

(5,568

)

Loss reserves sold

 

(955

)

 

 

Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

353

 

(4

)

(89

)

Net loss and LAE reserves at end of year

 

13,275

 

14,849

 

15,253

 

Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses at end of year

 

6,151

 

7,777

 

6,848

 

Loss and LAE reserves at end of year, as reported

 

$

19,426

 

$

22,626

 

$

22,101

 

 

In 2003, the total of $646 million in provisions for losses and LAE for claims incurred in prior years included $350 million in our Health Care operation, $108 in our runoff operations at Lloyd’s and $88 million in our runoff Unionamerica operation. In 2002, the total of $999 million in provisions for losses and LAE for claims incurred in prior years included $472 million in our runoff Other segment related to the Western MacArthur asbestos settlement agreement, $217 million in our Surety and Construction operations in our Specialty Commercial segment, $135 million in our runoff operations at Lloyd’s and $97 million in our runoff Health Care operation. In 2001, the $577 million provision to increase prior-year loss reserves was driven by a $735 million provision recorded in our Health Care operation.

The $955 million of “Loss reserves sold” shown in the table consist of $944 million of reserves related to our sale of Camperdown UK, Limited, and $11 million of reserves related to the sale of our insurance operations in Botswana. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding these transactions.

Health Care Exposures.   At the end of 2001, we announced our intention to exit, on a global basis, all business underwritten in our Health Care operation through ceasing to write new business and the non-renewal of business upon policy expiration, in accordance with regulatory requirements. In 2001, loss activity in this operation continued to increase not only for the years 1995 through 1997, but also 1998, and early activity on claims incurred in 1999 through 2001 indicated an increase in severity for those years. Those factors led to a much different view of loss development in the Health Care operation, and resulted in a $735 million provision to increase prior-year loss reserves.

143




During 2002, we concluded that the impact of settling claims in a runoff environment in our Health Care segment was causing abnormal effects on our average paid claims, average outstanding claims, and the amount of average case reserves established for new claims—all of which are traditional statistics used by our actuaries to develop indicated ranges of expected loss. Taking these changing statistics into account, we developed varying interpretations of our data, which implied added uncertainty in our evaluation of these reserves.

In the fourth quarter of 2002, we established specific tools and indicators to more explicitly monitor and validate our key assumptions supporting our Health Care reserve conclusions since our traditional statistics and reserving methods needed to be supplemented in order to provide a more meaningful analysis. The tools that were developed tracked three primary indicators which are influencing our expectations and include: a) newly reported claims, b) reserve development on known claims and c) the “redundancy ratio,” comparing the cost of resolving claims to the reserve established for that individual claim. These three indicators are related such that if one deteriorates, additional improvement on another is necessary for us to conclude that further reserve strengthening is not necessary.

During the first three quarters of 2003 we tracked these three indicators. Newly reported claims were better than expected, reserve development on known claims was worse than expected and the redundancy ratio was better than expected. Not only was the redundancy ratio better than expected, it improved in each of the first three quarters continually offsetting any adverse reserve development on known claims. The combined impact of these three indicators offset one another, and reserve levels were deemed appropriate.

In the fourth quarter of 2003, the dollar amount of newly reported claims totaled $65 million, approximately 24% better than we anticipated in our original estimate of the required level of reserves at year-end 2002. The dollar amount of newly reported claims for the year ended December 31, 2003 was approximately 10% better than our original expectation. We consider the assumptions we made at the end of 2002 for newly reported claims to be appropriate and we have made no changes to those assumptions. Loss development on known claims during the fourth quarter of 2003 was only slightly worse than anticipated. However, through all of 2003, the cumulative development was considerably worse than expected. Through the third quarter, this adverse development on known claims was offset by continued improvement on the actual redundancy ratio experienced and no adjustment had been needed. However, our actual redundancy ratio, which had continually improved during the first nine months of 2003, took an adverse turn during November and December, causing the required reserve redundancy to increase above our level of tolerance. The view that the redundancy ratio would not only fail to continue to improve, but could likely decay over time, caused us to record a $350 million increase to reserve levels. The new required redundancy ratio after the $350 million of reserve strengthening recorded in the fourth quarter is in the range of 30% to 35% and allows for future inflationary effects.

The three indicators described above are related such that if one deteriorates, additional improvement on another is necessary for us to conclude that further reserve strengthening is not necessary.  The results of these indicators support our current view that we have recorded a reasonable provision for our medical malpractice exposures as of December 31, 2003 and our analysis continues to support our belief that we will realize favorable effects in our ultimate costs and that our current loss reserves will prove to be a reasonable provision.

Surety Exposures.   Within our surety operations, we have exposures related to a small number of accounts which are in various stages of bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, certain other accounts have experienced deterioration in creditworthiness since we issued bonds to them. Given the current economic climate and its impact on these companies, we may experience an increase in claims and, possibly, incur high severity losses. Such losses would be recognized in the period in which the claims are filed and determined to be a valid loss under the provisions of the surety bond issued.

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With regard to commercial surety bonds issued on behalf of companies operating in the energy trading sector, our aggregate pretax exposure, net of facultative reinsurance, is with five companies for a total of approximately $367 million ($305 million of which is from gas supply bonds), an amount that will decline over the contract periods. The largest individual exposure approximates $181 million (pretax). These companies all continue to perform their bonded obligations and, therefore, no claims have been filed.

In addition to the exposures discussed above with respect to energy trading companies and companies in bankruptcy, our commercial surety business as of December 31, 2003 included seven accounts with gross pretax bond exposures greater than $100 million each, before reinsurance. The majority of these accounts have investment grade ratings, and all accounts continue to perform their bonded obligations.

In 2003, we recorded a $59 million pretax loss provision (net of reinsurance) related to one of our accounts that was in bankruptcy and unable to perform its bonded obligations. In April 2003, a bankruptcy court approved the sale of substantially all of the assets of the account. Following that approval, we received claim notices with respect to approximately $120 million of bonds securing certain workers’ compensation and retiree health benefit obligations of the account. We originally recorded a net pretax loss provision of $89 million when the claim notices were received. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we re-estimated the amount of reinsurance recoverable related to that pretax loss, and recorded a $27 million reduction in our net loss. Conversely, in the fourth quarter of 2003, we recorded a $27 million provision to strengthen our Surety operation’s prior-year loss reserves, primarily related to a re-estimation of reinsurance recoverable related to losses incurred in 2002 associated with Enron Corporation’s bankruptcy.

In the third quarter of 2003, we made collateralized advances to a construction contractor that had failed to make payments under certain of its debt obligations. These third quarter advances did not impact our results of operations because the loss incurred was offset by our estimated recoverable.

In recent months, the contractor has completed a restructuring of its finances and entered into revised credit agreements with its lenders. As part of our strategy to mitigate our ultimate exposure to this account by facilitating the contractor’s efforts to complete bonded projects, we made additional advances for which we recorded an after-tax loss, net of estimated reinsurance and co-surety participation, of approximately $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. We have not changed our estimate of the recoverable from that established at the end of the third quarter of 2003. Any future changes in our estimate of the recoverable, whether positive or negative, will affect our results of operations. We may make further advances and, subject to our underwriting criteria, we may also decide to issue bonds for new projects undertaken by this contractor.

If the contractor were to fail to complete its bonded projects, we currently estimate that our aggregate additional loss, net of estimated collateral, reinsurance recoveries and participation by co-sureties (one of which has experienced ratings downgrades and is in runoff), would likely not exceed $75 million on an after-tax basis, assuming a 35% statutory tax rate. Given the uncertainties relating to the contractor’s business and other factors, there is no assurance that our estimate and our potential exposure will not increase.

In 2003, we secured excess of loss reinsurance coverage for our commercial surety exposures in the form of two new treaties providing $500 million of aggregate loss limits over a five-year period, with a maximum recovery of $100 million per principal for gas supply bonds and $150 million per principal for other bonds. The reinsurance program does not extend coverage to the small number of commercial surety accounts which were in bankruptcy at the inception of the reinsurance treaties.

Discontinued Operations.   The “activity on reserves of discontinued operations” represents certain activity related to the 1999 sale of our standard personal insurance business. The reserve balances

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associated with certain portions of the business sold are included in our total reserves, but the related incurred losses are excluded from continuing operations in our statements of operations for all periods presented, and included in discontinued operations. See Note 17 for a discussion of reserve guarantees we made related to this sale.

Environmental and Asbestos ReservesOur underwriting operations continue to receive claims under policies written many years ago alleging injury or damage from environmental pollution or seeking payment for the cost to clean up polluted sites. We have also received asbestos injury claims tendered under general liability policies.

The following table summarizes the environmental and asbestos reserves reflected in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 and 2002. Amounts in the “net” column represent gross amounts reduced by consolidated reinsurance recoverables. See Note 20 for a discussion of a significant asbestos litigation settlement agreement.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

December 31

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Environmental

 

$

283

 

$

226

 

$

370

 

$

298

 

Asbestos

 

520

 

325

 

1,245

 

778

 

Total environmental and asbestos reserves

 

$

803

 

$

551

 

$

1,615

 

$

1,076

 

 

Our historical methodology (through first quarter 2002) for reviewing the adequacy of environmental and asbestos reserves utilized a survival ratio metric, which considers ending reserves in relation to calendar year paid losses. When the environmental reserve analyses were completed in the second quarter of 2002, we supplemented our survival ratio diagnostics with additional detailed analyses, and concluded that our environmental reserves were redundant by approximately $150 million. Based on our additional analyses, we released approximately $150 million of environmental reserves in the second quarter of 2002. Had we continued to rely solely on our analysis of survival ratio, we would have recorded no adjustment to our environmental reserves through the six months ended June 30, 2002.

In the second quarter of 2002, we also supplemented our survival ratio analysis of asbestos reserves with a detailed claims analysis. We determined that, excluding the impact of the Western MacArthur settlement, our asbestos reserves were adequate; however, including that impact, we determined that our asbestos reserves were inadequate. As a result, gross and net asbestos reserves were increased $150 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we updated our detailed actuarial analysis for both asbestos and environmental reserves pertaining to our exposure from direct policyholders and relied more heavily on these analyses in determining the adequacy of our reserve provision for the remaining unreported losses. For non-workers’ compensation asbestos claims we supplemented this detailed analysis with an additional analysis to determine an estimate of reserves specifically for policyholders who have not as yet tendered their first asbestos claim. As a result of these studies we increased net asbestos reserves by $77 million and net environmental reserves by $14 million. In addition, reviews of assumed and non-domestic exposures caused us to increase net asbestos reserves by $13 million and reduce net environmental reserves by $1 million.

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9   Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)Income tax expenses or benefits are recorded in various places in our consolidated financial statements. A summary of the amounts and places follows.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense (benefit) on continuing operations

 

$

137

 

$

(73

)

$

(422

)

Expense (benefit) on cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(3

)

6

 

 

Expense (benefit) on gain or loss on disposal of discontinued operations

 

6

 

(17

)

37

 

Total income tax expense (benefit) included in consolidated statements of operations

 

140

 

(84

)

(385

)

Common Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense (benefit) relating to stock-based compensation, other comprehensive income and the change in unrealized appreciation on investments, unrealized loss on foreign exchange and unrealized loss on derivatives

 

(14

)

117

 

(218

)

Total income tax expense (benefit) included in consolidated financial statements 

 

$

126

 

$

33

 

$

(603

)

 

Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)The components of income tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations are as follows.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Federal current tax expense (benefit)

 

$

160

 

$

7

 

$

(303

)

Federal deferred tax benefit

 

(53

)

(141

)

(81

)

Total federal income tax expense (benefit)

 

107

 

(134

)

(384

)

Foreign income tax expense (benefit)

 

18

 

55

 

(48

)

State income tax expense

 

12

 

6

 

10

 

Total income tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations

 

$

137

 

$

(73

)

$

(422

)

 

Our Tax Rate is Different from the Statutory RateOur total income tax expense (benefit) on income (loss) from continuing operations differs from the statutory rate of 35% of income from continuing operations before income taxes as shown in the following table.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Federal income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate

 

$

293

 

$

62

 

$

(501

)

Increase (decrease) attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nontaxable investment income

 

(65

)

(76

)

(85

)

Valuation allowance

 

(19

)

27

 

74

 

Foreign operations

 

(41

)

(89

)

44

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

30

 

Audit settlements

 

(32

)

 

 

Employee stock ownership plan

 

(4

)

(4

)

(4

)

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

8

 

4

 

7

 

Other

 

(3

)

3

 

13

 

Total income tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations

 

$

137

 

$

(73

)

$

(422

)

Effective tax rate on continuing operations

 

16.4

%

N.M.

*

29.5

%


*                    Not meaningful.

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Major Components of Deferred Income Taxes on Our Balance SheetDifferences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years are called temporary differences. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented in the following table.

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Deferred Tax Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Loss reserves

 

$

612

 

$

715

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

224

 

182

 

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards

 

85

 

79

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

974

 

909

 

Deferred compensation

 

117

 

114

 

Other

 

336

 

514

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

 

2,348

 

2,513

 

Less valuation allowance

 

(123

)

(133

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

2,225

 

2,380

 

Deferred Tax Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation of investments

 

316

 

326

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

233

 

178

 

Real estate

 

64

 

102

 

Prepaid compensation

 

144

 

141

 

Other

 

183

 

366

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

 

940

 

1,113

 

Total deferred income taxes

 

$

1,285

 

$

1,267

 

 

If we believe that any of our deferred tax assets will not result in future tax benefits, we must establish a valuation allowance for the portion of these assets that we think will not be realized. The net change in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was a decrease of $10 million in 2003, and an increase of $27 million in 2002, both relating to our foreign operations. Based predominantly upon a review of our anticipated future earnings, but also including all other available evidence, both positive and negative, we have concluded it is “more likely than not” that our net deferred tax assets will be realized.

Net Operating Loss (“NOL”) and Foreign Tax Credit (“FTC”) CarryforwardsFor tax return purposes, as of December 31, 2003, we had NOL carryforwards that expire, if unused, in 2005-2022 and FTC carryforwards that expire, if unused, in 2005-2008. The amount and timing of realizing the benefits of NOL and FTC carryforwards depend on future taxable income and limitations imposed by tax laws. The approximate amounts of those NOLs on a regular tax basis and an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) basis were $2.78 billion and $988 million, respectively. The approximate amounts of the FTCs both on a regular tax basis and an AMT basis were $27 million. The benefits of the NOL and FTC carryforwards have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements.

Undistributed Earnings of SubsidiariesU.S. income taxes have not been provided on $75 million of our foreign operations’ undistributed earnings as of December 31, 2003, as such earnings are intended to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Furthermore, any taxes paid to foreign governments on these earnings may be used as credits against the U.S. tax on any dividend distributions from such earnings.

We have not provided taxes on approximately $483 million of undistributed earnings related to our majority ownership of Nuveen Investments as of December 31, 2003, because we currently do not expect those earnings to become taxable to us.

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IRS ExaminationsThe Internal Revenue Service has examined our consolidated returns through 2000 and is currently examining the years 2001 through 2002. We believe that any additional taxes assessed as a result of these examinations would not materially affect our overall financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

10   Capital Structure

The following summarizes our capital structure, including debt, preferred securities, and equity instruments.

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Debt

 

$

3,750

 

$

2,713

 

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the Company

 

 

889

 

Preferred shareholders’ equity

 

75

 

65

 

Common shareholders’ equity

 

6,150

 

5,681

 

Total capital

 

$

9,975

 

$

9,348

 

Ratio of debt to total capital

 

38

%

29

%

 

Debt consisted of the following components at December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

December 31

 

 

 

Book
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Book
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

5.75% senior notes

 

$

499

 

$

539

 

$

499

 

$

515

 

Medium-term notes

 

455

 

496

 

523

 

559

 

5.25% senior notes

 

443

 

465

 

443

 

461

 

Commercial paper

 

322

 

322

 

379

 

379

 

Nuveen Investments’ third-party debt

 

302

 

299

 

55

 

55

 

7.875% senior notes

 

250

 

269

 

249

 

274

 

8.125% senior notes

 

249

 

297

 

249

 

280

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

112

 

114

 

107

 

110

 

7.125% senior notes

 

80

 

86

 

80

 

87

 

Variable rate borrowings

 

64

 

64

 

64

 

64

 

Subtotal

 

2,776

 

2,951

 

2,648

 

2,784

 

Debt related to company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of The St. Paul:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.6% St. Paul Capital Trust I

 

593

 

638

 

 

 

7.625% MMI Capital Trust I

 

125

 

142

 

 

 

8.5% USF&G Capital Trust I

 

56

 

71

 

 

 

8.47% USF&G Capital Trust II

 

81

 

87

 

 

 

8.312% USF&G Capital Trust III

 

73

 

90

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

928

 

1,028

 

 

 

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements

 

46

 

46

 

65

 

65

 

Total reported debt

 

$

3,750

 

$

4,025

 

$

2,713

 

$

2,849

 

 

As discussed in more detail in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, in the fourth quarter of 2003 we concluded that the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable

149




Interest Entities”(as revised) (“FIN 46(R)”) applied to the five business trusts that issued mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to investors which were fully guaranteed by us. As a result, we deconsolidated these trusts, and now report our borrowings from these trusts as debt on our consolidated balance sheet. In years prior to 2003, the preferred securities issued by these trusts and guaranteed by us were reported in our balance sheet as a separate line item between total liabilities and shareholders’ equity, and referred to as “company-obligated mandatorily redeemable securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the company.” Prior to 2003, the debt issued by us to the trusts was eliminated in consolidation. The following is a summary of the provisions of the five business trusts, each of which was formed for the sole purpose of issuing those securities.

·       St. Paul Capital Trust I issued 23,000,000 preferred securities generating gross proceeds of $575 million, the proceeds of which were used to purchase subordinated debentures issued by us. We make quarterly interest payments at a rate of 7.6% on the debentures, which have a mandatory redemption date of October 15, 2050. The preferred securities issued by the trust in turn pay a quarterly distribution at an annual rate of 7.6%. We can redeem the debentures on or after November 13, 2006. The proceeds of such redemption would be used by the trust to redeem a like amount of its preferred securities.

·       MMI Capital Trust I issued $125 million of preferred securities in 1997, the proceeds of which were used to purchase subordinated debentures issued by MMI Corporation. We assumed the liability for these debentures upon our acquisition of MMI in 2000. We make semi-annual interest payments at a rate of 7.625% on the debentures, which have a mandatory redemption date of December 15, 2027. The preferred securities in turn pay a preferred distribution of 7.625% semi-annually in arrears. In 2002, we repurchased and retired $4 million of the MMI trust preferred securities in an open market transaction.

·       USF&G Capital Trusts I, II and III each issued $100 million of preferred securities in 1997 and 1996, the proceeds of which were used to purchase subordinated debentures issued by USF&G Corporation, which made semi-annual interest payments at rates of 8.5%, 8.47% and 8.312%, respectively. We assumed the liability for these debentures upon our merger with USF&G Corporation in 1998. Since the merger, we have repurchased and retired securities from each trust from time to time in open market transactions. The debentures related to the USF&G Capital Trust I, II and III have mandatory redemption dates of December 15, 2045, January 10, 2027 and July 1, 2046, respectively. Debentures related to each trust may, however, be redeemed earlier under certain conditions that vary among the three trusts. The proceeds of such redemptions would be used to redeem a like amount of each trust’s preferred securities.

Our total distribution expense related to all of these preferred securities prior to deconsolidation was $70 million in 2002 and $33 million in 2001. In 2003, our interest expense related to our debt to these trusts totaled $72 million.

Description of Other Debt Securities

5.75% Senior NotesIn March 2002, we issued $500 million of senior notes due in 2007. Proceeds from the issuance were primarily used to repay a portion of our commercial paper outstanding.

Medium-Term NotesThe medium-term notes outstanding at December 31, 2003 bear interest rates ranging from 6.3% to 7.4%, with a weighted average rate of 6.8%. Maturities range from five to 15 years after the issuance dates. During 2003 and 2002, medium-term notes having a par value of $67 million and $49 million, respectively, matured, and payments at maturity were funded with internally generated funds.

5.25% Senior NotesIn July 2002, concurrent with the issuance of 17.8 million of our common shares in a public offering, we issued 8.9 million equity units, each having a stated amount of $50, for gross

150




consideration of $443 million. Each equity unit initially consists of a forward purchase contract for the company’s common stock (maturing in 2005), and an unsecured $50 senior note of the company (maturing in 2007). Total annual distributions on the equity units are at the rate of 9.00%, consisting of interest on the note at a rate of 5.25% and fee payments under the forward contract of 3.75%. The forward contract requires the investor to purchase, for $50, a variable number of shares of our common stock on the settlement date of August 16, 2005. The $46 million present value of the forward contract fee payments was recorded as a reduction to our reported common shareholders’ equity in 2002. The number of shares to be purchased will be determined based on a formula that considers the average trading price of the stock immediately prior to the time of settlement in relation to the $24.20 per share price at the time of the offering. Had the settlement date been December 31, 2003, we would have issued approximately 15 million common shares based on the average trading price of our common stock immediately prior to that date. The majority of proceeds from the offering were contributed as capital to our insurance underwriting subsidiaries, with the balance being used for general corporate purposes.

Commercial PaperWe maintain an $800 million commercial paper program with $600 million of back-up liquidity, consisting entirely of bank credit agreements. Interest rates on commercial paper issued in 2003 ranged from 1.1% to 1.5%, in 2002 the range was 1.4% to 2.1%; and in 2001 the range was 1.1% to 6.7%.

Nuveen Investments’ DebtIn September 2003, Nuveen Investments issued $300 million of 4.22% notes in a private placement. The notes mature in 2008. A portion of the proceeds was used to refinance existing debt and repay a $105 million loan from The St. Paul. The remainder will be used for Nuveen Investments’ general corporate purposes. The $302 million carrying value of Nuveen Investments’ newly-issued debt in the foregoing table included the unamortized gains from the cancellation of prior interest rate swap transactions in connection with the private placement, as well as unamortized private placement debt issue costs. Nuveen Investments’ debt at December 31, 2002 consisted of borrowings outstanding under its revolving bank line of credit. At December 31, 2002, the weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding under the bank line of credit was approximately 2.0%.

7.875% Senior NotesIn April 2000, we issued $250 million of senior notes due April 15, 2005. Proceeds were used to repay commercial paper debt and for general corporate purposes.

8.125% Senior NotesAlso in April 2000, we issued $250 million of senior notes due April 15, 2010. Proceeds were used to repay commercial paper debt and for general corporate purposes.

Zero Coupon Convertible NotesThe zero coupon convertible notes mature in 2009, but were redeemable beginning in 1999 for an amount equal to the original issue price plus accreted original issue discount. In addition, on March 3, 1999 and March 3, 2004, the holders of the zero coupon convertible notes had/have the right to require us to purchase their notes for the price of $640.82 and $800.51, respectively, per $1,000 of principal amount due at maturity.

71¤8% Senior NotesThe 71¤8% senior notes mature on June 1, 2005.

Variable Rate BorrowingsA number of our real estate entities are parties to variable rate loan agreements aggregating $64 million. The borrowings mature in the year 2030, with principal paydowns starting in the year 2006. The interest rate is set weekly by a third party, and was 1.65% at December 31, 2003 and 2.05% at December 31, 2002.

Interest Rate Swap AgreementsAt December 31, 2003 and 2002, we were party to a number of interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $730 million related to several of our outstanding debt issues. The net effect of the swaps was to reduce our interest expense in 2003 and 2002 by $32 million and $21 million, respectively. The aggregate fair values of these swap agreements at December 31, 2003 and 2002 were assets of $46 million and $65 million, respectively. The fair value of

151




these swap agreements is recorded on our balance sheet as an increase to other assets and a corresponding increase to debt, with the statement of operations impacts offsetting.

Interest ExpenseOur net interest expense on debt was $187 million in 2003, $112 million in 2002 and $110 million in 2001. The 2003 total included interest expense on the debt related to the five preferred security trusts no longer included in our consolidated financial statements.

MaturitiesThe amount of debt obligations, other than commercial paper, that become due in each of the next five years is as follows: 2004, $55 million; 2005, $429 million; 2006, $59 million; 2007, $1,015 million; and 2008, $450 million.

Debt Covenant ComplianceWe were in compliance with all provisions of our debt covenants as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.

Fair Value of Debt ObligationsThe fair value of our commercial paper approximated its book value because of its short-term nature. The fair value of our variable rate borrowings approximated their book values due to the floating interest rates of these instruments. For our other debt, which has longer terms and fixed interest rates, our fair value estimate was based on current interest rates available on debt securities in the market that have terms similar to ours.

Preferred Shareholders’ Equity

The preferred shareholders’ equity on our balance sheet represents the par value of preferred shares outstanding that we issued to our Stock Ownership Plan (“SOP”) Trust, less the remaining principal balance on the SOP Trust debt. The SOP Trust borrowed funds from a U.S. underwriting subsidiary to finance the purchase of the preferred shares, and we guaranteed the SOP debt.

The SOP Trust may at any time convert any or all of the preferred shares into shares of our common stock at a rate of eight shares of common stock for each preferred share. Our Board of Directors has reserved a sufficient number of our authorized common shares to satisfy the conversion of all preferred shares issued to the SOP Trust and the redemption of preferred shares to meet employee distribution requirements. Upon the redemption of preferred shares, we will issue shares of our common stock to the trust to fulfill the redemption obligations.

Common Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock and Reacquired SharesWe are governed by the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. All authorized shares of voting common stock have no par value. Shares of common stock reacquired are considered unissued shares. The number of authorized shares of the company is 480 million.

We reacquired approximately 13 million of our common shares in 2001 for a total cost of $589 million. We reduced our capital stock account and retained earnings for the cost of these repurchases. Share repurchases in 2003 and 2002 were minimal, primarily related to stock incentive plans.

Issuance of Common SharesIn July 2002, we sold 17.8 million of our common shares in a public offering for gross consideration of $431 million, or $24.20 per share.

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A summary of our common stock activity for the last three years is as follows.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Shares outstanding at beginning of year

 

226,798,457

 

207,624,375

 

218,308,016

 

Shares issued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public offering

 

 

17,825,000

 

 

Stock incentive plans and other

 

1,209,409

 

1,035,326

 

2,012,533

 

Conversion of preferred stock

 

430,480

 

331,513

 

287,442

 

Reacquired shares

 

(45,132

)

(17,757

)

(12,983,616

)

Shares outstanding at end of year

 

228,393,214

 

226,798,457

 

207,624,375

 

 

Undesignated SharesOur articles of incorporation allow us to issue five million undesignated shares. The Board of Directors may designate the type of shares and set the terms thereof. The Board designated 1,450,000 shares as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in connection with the formation of our Stock Ownership Plan.

Dividend RestrictionsWe primarily depend on dividends from our subsidiaries to pay dividends to our shareholders, service our debt, and pay expenses. St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (“Fire and Marine”) is our lead U.S. property-liability underwriting subsidiary and its dividend paying capacity is limited by the laws of Minnesota, its state of domicile. Business and regulatory considerations may impact the amount of dividends actually paid. Approximately $774 million will be available to us from payment of ordinary dividends by Fire and Marine in 2004. Any dividend payments beyond the $774 million limitation would require prior approval of the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce. Fire and Marine’s ability to receive dividends from its direct and indirect underwriting subsidiaries is subject to restrictions under the laws of their respective states or other jurisdictions of domicile. During 2003, we received dividends in the form of cash and securities of $625 million from our U.S. underwriting subsidiaries. We received no cash dividends from our U.S. property-liability underwriting subsidiaries in 2002. In 2001, we received dividends in the form of cash and securities of $827 million from Fire and Marine.

11   Acquisitions & Divestitures

Acquisitions

In May 2003, we purchased the right to seek renewal of several lines of insurance business previously underwritten by Kemper Insurance Companies. The initial payment for this right was recorded as an intangible asset (characterized as renewal rights) and is being amortized on an accelerated basis over four years. The portfolio of business involved in this transaction included the following lines: technology, small commercial, middle market commercial, inland and ocean marine, and architects’ and engineers’ professional liability. We did not assume any past liabilities with this purchase; however, we will be obligated to make an additional payment in June 2004 based on the amount of premium volume we ultimately renew during the twelve month period subsequent to this purchase. We believe it is unlikely that any additional payment would exceed $30 million. At December 31, 2003, we had accrued $10 million toward this additional obligation, recorded in “Other liabilities.”  Our consolidated gross written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2003 included approximately $280 million attributable to business underwritten as a result of this purchase of renewal rights, the majority of which were included in our Commercial Lines segment.

Professional and Financial Risk Practice (“ProFin”) BusinessIn December 2002, we purchased the right to seek renewal of the financial and professional services business previously underwritten by Royal & SunAlliance (“RSA”), without assuming past liabilities. This business represents approximately $125 million in expiring premium. The nominal cost of the acquisition was recorded as an intangible asset (characterized as renewal rights) and will be amortized on an accelerated basis over four years.

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St. Paul GuaranteeIn March 2002, we completed our acquisition of London Guarantee Insurance Company (now operating under the name “St. Paul Guarantee”), a Canadian specialty property-liability insurance company focused on providing surety products and management liability, bond, and professional indemnity products. The total cost of the acquisition was approximately $80 million. The preliminary allocation of this purchase price resulted in $20 million of goodwill and $37 million of other intangible assets. We recorded $13 million of the goodwill and $26 million of the intangible assets (characterized as present value of future profits) in our Surety & Construction segment, with the remaining $7 million of goodwill and $11 million of the intangible assets in our International and Lloyd’s segment. The intangible asset is being amortized on an accelerated basis over eight years. The acquisition was funded through internally generated funds.

St. Paul Guarantee’s assets and liabilities were included in our consolidated balance sheet beginning June 30, 2002, and the results of their operations since the acquisition date were included in our consolidated statements of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002. St. Paul Guarantee produced net written premiums of $57 million and an underwriting loss of $6 million since the acquisition date. In the fourth quarter of 2002 we made a purchase accounting adjustment related to our deferred tax assumptions, which decreased goodwill by $2 million.

Fireman’s Fund Surety BusinessIn December 2001, we purchased the right to seek to renew surety bond business previously underwritten by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (“Fireman’s Fund”), without assuming past liabilities. We paid Fireman’s Fund $10 million in 2001 for this right, which we recorded as an intangible asset and which we are amortizing on an accelerated basis over nine years. Based on the volume of business renewed during 2002, we made a modest additional payment to Fireman’s Fund in the first quarter of 2003. That amount was also recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized on an accelerated basis over the remaining life of the intangible asset.

PencoIn January 2001, we acquired the right to seek to renew a book of municipality insurance business from Penco, a program administrator for Willis North America Inc., for total consideration of $3.5 million, without assuming past liabilities. We recorded that amount as an intangible asset and are amortizing it on an accelerated basis over five years.

NWQ Investment Management Company, Inc.—In August 2002, Nuveen Investments purchased NWQ Investment Management Company, Inc. (“NWQ”), a Los Angeles-based equity management firm, with approximately $6.9 billion in assets under management at the time of acquisition. The cost of the acquisition consisted of $120 million paid at closing and up to an additional $20 million payable over five years. As of December 31, 2003, Nuveen Investments had $133 million recorded for goodwill and $19 million for the intangible asset, net of accumulated amortization, related to NWQ. The intangible asset relates to customer relationships and is being amortized over nine years.

Symphony Asset Management—In July 2001, Nuveen Investments purchased Symphony Asset Management, LLC (“Symphony”), an institutional investment manager based in San Francisco, with approximately $4 billion in assets under management at the time of acquisition. The 2001 preliminary allocation of the $208 million purchase price resulted in $151 million recorded as goodwill and $53 million recorded as other intangible assets. In 2002, Nuveen Investments made a purchase accounting adjustment due to a revision in the valuation of Symphony, which resulted in a $9 million decrease in the intangible recorded and a corresponding increase in the goodwill recorded. As of December 31, 2003, Nuveen Investments had $158 million recorded for goodwill and $39 million for net intangibles related to Symphony. The majority of the intangible assets related to customer relationships that are being amortized over approximately 20 years.

154




Divestitures

In December 2003, we completed the sale of Camperdown UK Limited, one of our Lloyd’s corporate names and the vehicle for our participation on the 2003 and prior year of account, to Foltus Investments Limited. We recognized a $2 million pretax gain on this transaction. At Lloyd’s, we underwrite business through a single syndicate (“Syndicate 5000”) for which we provide 100% of the capital. In 2003, Fire and Marine entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement directly with Syndicate 5000 that in effect transferred Syndicate 5000’s underwriting results for the 2003 year of account to Fire and Marine. In order to continue our ongoing operations at Lloyd’s, we activated two corporate names that will be used for 2004 and future years of account to underwrite Syndicate 5000 business.

In October 2003, we sold our subsidiary, Octagon Risk Services, Inc., a claim management and consulting services company, for proceeds of approximately $30 million. We recorded a pretax gain of $5 million on the sale.

In the third quarter of 2003, we sold our subsidiary Botswana Insurance Company Ltd. for total proceeds of $11 million, and recorded a pretax loss of less than $1 million.

In 2002, we sold our insurance operations in Spain, Argentina and, in Mexico, all of our operations except our surety business. Proceeds from these sales totaled $29 million and we recorded a pretax gain of $4 million related to the sales.

Material guarantees or indemnifications provided as part of these sales are discussed in Note 16 Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees.

12   Variable Interest Entities

FIN 46(R)In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which was replaced in December 2003 (“FIN 46(R)”). FIN 46(R), along with its related interpretations, requires consolidation of all “variable interest entities” (“VIE”) by the “primary beneficiary,” as these terms are defined in FIN 46(R). We began applying the consolidation requirements for new VIEs in the first quarter of 2003. For VIEs created before January 31, 2003, the effective date of adoption was deferred until the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003 (for us, the first quarter of 2004), but early and partial adoption were permitted.

We chose to partially adopt FIN 46(R) under the early adoption provisions in 2003, which resulted in us consolidating certain entities (summarized below) that we had not previously consolidated. We are still evaluating the implications of FIN 46(R) on our participation in various Lloyd’s underwriting syndicates. Upon partial adoption, we recorded a loss of $21 million (net of a deferred tax benefit of $3 million) in our consolidated statement of operations in 2003, classified as a “cumulative effect of accounting change” and representing the cumulative impact of FIN 46(R) on periods prior to the July 1, 2003 date of partial adoption.

The entities that we consolidated (or deconsolidated, with respect to the preferred securities of trusts) under our partial adoption of FIN 46(R) were as follows.

·       Investment—We hold an investment in an insurance company that provides insurance coverage to markets in Baltimore and Washington D.C. Our investment includes a substantial majority of the company’s convertible preferred stock, but none of its voting common stock. As a result of our economic interest in the entity, we have the majority exposure to variability through our preferred stock ownership and a loan to the company, both of which are considered variable interests as defined in FIN 46(R). Accordingly, we began consolidating this entity in the third quarter. The carrying value of this investment at December 31, 2003 was approximately $4 million.

155




·       Municipal Trusts—We own interests in various municipal trusts that were formed for the purpose of allowing us to more flexibly generate investment income in a manner consistent with our investment objectives and tax position. As of September 30, 2003, there were 36 such trusts, which held a combined total of $450 million in municipal securities, of which eight had not been included in our consolidated financial statements prior to our adoption of FIN 46(R) because we did not hold majority ownership in them. However, we do have the majority exposure to variability for these trusts. Therefore, we consolidated these eight trusts in 2003. The combined carrying value of these trusts at December 31, 2003 was $366 million.

·       Venture Capital Entities—In our venture capital investment portfolio, we have numerous investments in small- to medium-sized companies, in which we have variable interests through stock ownership and, in some cases, loans. All of these investments are held for the purpose of generating investment returns, and the companies in which we invest span a variety of business sectors, including technology, telecommunications and healthcare. As a result of our review of this portfolio, we identified three entities that we are now consolidating under the provisions of FIN 46(R). The combined carrying value of these entities at December 31, 2003 was $(5) million.

·       Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of the company (“Preferred Securities”)—These securities had a carrying value of $897 million, and prior to September 30, 2003 were classified as a separate line on our balance sheet between liabilities and shareholders’ equity. These securities were issued by five separate trusts that were established for the sole purpose of issuing the securities to investors, and the securities were fully guaranteed by us. At September 30, 2003, we reclassified these securities to “Debt” in the liability section of our Consolidated Balance Sheet, as newly required under SFAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, which generally required that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). In the fourth quarter of 2003, we determined that the provisions of FIN 46(R) applied to the trusts that issued these securities, and as a result we deconsolidated the trusts for financial reporting purposes. The debt we issued to these trusts, previously eliminated in the consolidation of our financial results, is now included in the “Debt” section of liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The net impact of de-consolidating these trusts was to increase our reported debt liabilities outstanding by $928 million and eliminate the $897 million of Preferred Securities issued by the trusts from our consolidated balance sheet. The difference between the two amounts was comprised of the $31 million combined equity interests we held in the deconsolidated trusts.

156




The consolidation/deconsolidation of the foregoing entities had the net impact of increasing (decreasing) the balance sheet and statement of operations’ captions by the amounts indicated in the following table.

 

 

Investment

 

Municipal
Trust

 

Preferred
Securities

 

Venture Capital

 

Total

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Impact of Adoption

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

$

(14

)

 

 

$

84

 

 

 

$

31

 

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

100

 

Liabilities

 

 

3

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

3

 

 

121

 

Cumulative effect of accounting
change

 

 

$

(17

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(21

)

Impact on Results of Operations after Adoption

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

Other revenue

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

5

 

Operating and administrative expenses

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

7

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

In addition to the foregoing entities that were consolidated pursuant to FIN 46(R), we also hold significant interests in other variable interest entities for which we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary, as follows.  

·       We have a significant variable interest in two real estate entities, but we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary. The total carrying value of these entities was approximately $48 million as of September 30, 2003, which also represents our maximum exposure to loss. The purpose of our involvement in these entities is to generate investment returns.

·       We also have certain remaining variable interests in Camperdown UK Limited, an entity that we sold in 2003. We utilized this entity as one of our corporate names and the vehicle for our participation at Lloyd’s for 2003 and prior years of account through a single syndicate (“Syndicate 5000”). Our variable interest results from an agreement to indemnify the purchaser for losses arising out of adverse changes in underwriting, foreign exchange and foreign tax results. The maximum amount of this indemnification obligation is $203 million. In addition, in 2003 we entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement with Syndicate 5000 that in effect transferred Syndicate 5000’s underwriting results for the 2003 year of account to us.

13   Retirement Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans—We maintain funded defined benefit pension plans for most of our employees. These plans provide benefits under three retirement benefit formulas: a traditional pension formula, a cash balance pension formula and a cash balance retiree health formula. For those employees who are in the traditional pension formula, benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation while employed by the company. Pension benefits generally vest after five years of service.

For those employees covered under the cash balance pension formula, we maintain a cash balance pension account to measure the amount of benefits payable to an employee. For each plan year an employee is an active participant, the cash balance pension account is increased for pay credits and interest credits. Pay credits are calculated based on age, vesting service and actual pensionable earnings, and added to the account on the first day of the next plan year. Interest credits are added at the end of each calendar quarter. These benefits vest after five years of service. If an employee is vested under the cash balance

157




formula when their employment with us ends, they are eligible to receive the formula amount in their cash balance pension account.

The traditional pension plan and cash balance pension formulas were amended effective January 1, 2003, which reduced the projected benefit obligation by $84 million at December 31, 2002. In addition, the postretirement medical plan was amended effective January 1, 2003. As a result, postretirement life insurance coverage was eliminated for active employees, and employees who were not within five years of retirement eligibility were switched to the cash balance retiree health formula from the traditional postretirement healthcare benefit plan. These actions reduced the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $22 million.

Our pension plans are noncontributory. This means that employees do not pay anything into the plans. Our funding policy is to contribute amounts at least sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. This may result in no contribution being made in a particular year.

Our pension plan measurement date is December 31.

We maintain noncontributory, unfunded pension plans to provide certain company employees with pension benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law. These unqualified pension plans are not material and are not included in the tables that follow.

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions—We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees (and their eligible dependents), who are in the traditional formula. We currently anticipate that most covered employees will become eligible for these benefits if they retire while working for us. The cost of these benefits is shared with the retiree. The benefits are generally provided through our employee benefit trust, to which periodic contributions are made to cover benefits paid during the year. We accrue postretirement benefits expense during the period of the employee’s service.

For those employees covered under the cash balance retiree health formula, we maintain a cash balance retiree health account (“health account”) to measure the amount of benefits payable to an employee. For each plan year an employee is an active participant, the health account is increased for pay credits and interest credits. Pay credits are calculated based on pensionable earnings up to the Social Security taxable wage base for the plan year and added to the health account on the first day of the next plan year. Interest credits are added at the end of each calendar quarter.

These benefits vest after five years of service. If an employee is vested under the cash balance formula when their employment with us ends, they are eligible to receive the amount in their health account. Our obligations under this plan are accounted for under, and included in the 2003 results of, the defined benefit pension plan.

158




The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ portion of the SPC Plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of assets over the two-year period ending December 31, 2003, and a statement of the funded status as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Change in benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

1,018

 

$

1,013

 

$

232

 

$

211

 

Service cost

 

25

 

39

 

2

 

5

 

Interest cost

 

67

 

69

 

17

 

18

 

Plan amendment

 

 

(84

)

(3

)

(22

)

Actuarial loss

 

90

 

48

 

53

 

45

 

Foreign currency exchange rate change

 

6

 

4

 

 

 

Benefits paid

 

(109

)

(79

)

(17

)

(16

)

Curtailment loss (gain)

 

(2

)

8

 

 

(9

)

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

1,095

 

$

1,018

 

$

284

 

$

232

 

Change in plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of Year

 

$

1,045

 

$

1,048

 

$

27

 

$

24

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

189

 

(86

)

1

 

3

 

Foreign currency exchange rate change

 

6

 

4

 

 

 

Employer contribution

 

36

 

158

 

17

 

16

 

Benefits paid

 

(109

)

(79

)

(17

)

(16

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

1,167

 

$

1,045

 

$

28

 

$

27

 

Funded status (at December 31)

 

$

72

 

$

26

 

$

(256

)

$

(205

)

Unrecognized prior service benefit

 

(75

)

(83

)

(19

)

(20

)

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

 

421

 

468

 

105

 

57

 

Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost

 

$

418

 

$

411

 

$

(170

)

$

(168

)

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1.08 billion and $994 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The following table provides the components of our net periodic benefit cost for the years 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

25

 

$

39

 

$

35

 

$

2

 

$

5

 

$

4

 

Interest cost

 

67

 

69

 

67

 

17

 

18

 

15

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(88

)

(104

)

(122

)

(2

)

(2

)

(2

)

Amortization of transition asset

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service benefit

 

(8

)

 

(3

)

(4

)

 

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

36

 

13

 

4

 

6

 

3

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

 

32

 

17

 

(20

)

19

 

24

 

17

 

Curtailment loss (gain)

 

(2

)

9

 

17

 

 

(9

)

(17

)

Net periodic benefit cost (income) after curtailment

 

$

30

 

$

26

 

$

(3

)

$

19

 

$

15

 

$

 

 

159




Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 are as follows:

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Discount rate

 

6.00

%

6.50

%

6.00

%

6.50

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

4.00

%

4.00

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Discount rate

 

6.50

%

7.00

%

6.75

%

6.50

%

7.00

%

7.25

%

Expected long-term return on plan assets

 

8.50

%

10.00

%

10.00

%

6.00

%

7.00

%

7.00

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

4.00

%

4.00

%

4.00

%

N/A

 

4.00

%

4.00

%

 

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our U.S. plans only, is estimated based on the plan’s actual historical return results, the expected allocation of plan assets by investment class, market conditions and other relevant factors. We evaluate only whether the actual allocation has fallen within an expected range, and we then evaluate actual asset returns in total, rather than by asset class, giving consideration to the fact that our equity investments have a higher volatility than our other investment classes, which is consistent with the market in general.

A health care inflation rate of 8.00% in 2003 was assumed to remain the same in 2004, decrease one percent annually to 5% in 2007 and then remain at that level. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

 

1-Percentage-
Point Increase

 

1-Percentage-
Point Decrease

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

(1

)

 

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

 

 

25

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

Our U.S. and foreign pension plans weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2003, and our U.S. pension plans only at December 31, 2002 by asset category are as follows:

 

 

Plan Assets at
December 31

 

Asset Category

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Equity securities

 

 

62

%

 

 

45

%

 

Debt securities

 

 

27

%

 

 

31

%

 

Cash

 

 

9

%

 

 

22

%

 

Other

 

 

2

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

Our U.S. pension plan assets are invested in a prudent manner for the exclusive benefit of the plan participants and beneficiaries. The investment horizon is long-term; therefore the assets of the plan are intended, over time, to satisfy the benefit obligations under the plan. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The asset mix guidelines have been established and are reviewed quarterly. These guidelines are intended to serve as tools to facilitate the investment of plan assets to maximize long-term total return and the ongoing oversight of the plan’s investment performance. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed-income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and

160




non-U.S. stocks. Other assets such as partnerships and real estate are used judiciously to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through daily and monthly investment portfolio review, annual liability measurements, and periodic asset/liability studies.

Our U.S. pension plans’ weighted-average target asset allocations at December 31, 2003, and 2002, by asset category are as follows:

 

 

Plan Assets at
December 31

 

Asset Category

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Equity securities

 

30-70

%

30-70

%

Debt securities

 

30-70

%

30-70

%

Cash

 

0-10

%

0-10

%

Other

 

0-10

%

0-10

%

 

Equity securities include 804,035 shares of our common stock with a market value of $32 million and $27 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Our U.S. pension plans total fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 are $1.096 billion and $992 million, respectively. Our U.S. pension plans 2003 expected long-term rate of return on assets is 8.50%.

Our other postretirement benefit plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2003, and 2002, by asset category are as follows:

 

 

Plan Assets at
December 31

 

Asset Category

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Debt securities

 

 

97

%

 

 

88

%

 

Cash

 

 

3

%

 

 

12

%

 

 

We do not expect to contribute to our pension plan or our postretirement benefit plan in 2004.

Our unqualified pension plan had a pretax accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the recorded accrued pension cost totaling $6 million at December 31, 2003. As a result, we accrued an additional minimum liability of $4 million (after-tax) in the fourth quarter, with an offsetting reduction to other comprehensive income in common shareholders’ equity.

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) was signed into law. This act introduces prescription drug coverage under Medicare for Medicare-eligible retirees beginning in 2006 as well as a federal subsidy to certain sponsors of retiree health care plans. We anticipate that the benefits we pay after 2006 will be lower as a result of the new Medicare provisions. However, the retiree medical obligations reported at December 31, 2003 do not reflect the impact of this legislation. Deferring the recognition of the new Medicare provisions’ impact is permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position 106-1 as a result of open questions about some of the new Medicare provisions and a lack of authoritative accounting guidance about certain matters. We chose to defer the implementation of the Act pending the issuance of final accounting guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board. The final accounting guidance could require changes to previously reported information. We will monitor the FASB deliberations and account for the Act based on the pronouncement expected to be issued.

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Stock Ownership Plan

As of January 1, 1998, the Preferred Stock Ownership Plan (“PSOP”) and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) were merged into The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Stock Ownership Plan (“SOP”). The plan allocates preferred shares semiannually to those employees participating in our Savings Plus Plan. Under the SOP, we match 100% of employees’ contributions up to a maximum of 6% of their salary. We also allocate preferred shares equal to the value of dividends on previously allocated shares.

To finance the preferred stock purchase for future allocation to qualified employees, the SOP (formerly the PSOP) borrowed $150 million at 9.4% from our primary U.S. underwriting subsidiary. As the principal and interest of the trust’s loan is paid, a pro rata amount of our preferred stock is released for allocation to participating employees. Each share of preferred stock pays a dividend of $11.72 annually and is currently convertible into eight shares of our common stock. Preferred stock dividends on all shares held by the trust are used to pay a portion of this SOP obligation. In addition to dividends paid to the trust, we make additional cash contributions to the SOP as necessary in order to meet the SOP’s debt obligation.

The SOP (formerly the ESOP) borrowed funds to finance the purchase of common stock for future allocation to qualified participating U.S. employees. The final principal payment on the trust’s loan was made in 1998. As the principal of the trust loan was paid, a pro rata amount of our common stock was released for allocation to eligible participants. Common stock dividends on shares allocated under the former ESOP are paid directly to participants.

All common shares and the common stock equivalent of all preferred shares held by the SOP are considered outstanding for diluted EPS computations and dividends paid on all shares are charged to retained earnings.

We follow the provisions of Statement of Position 76-3, “Accounting Practices for Certain Employee Stock Ownership Plans,” and related interpretations in accounting for this plan. We recorded expense of $13.8 million, $7.4 million and $0.5 million for the years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

The following table details the shares held in the SOP.

December 31

 

2003

 

2002

 

(Shares)

 

 

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

Common

 

Preferred

 

Allocated

 

4,211,672

 

563,203

 

4,753,221

 

524,233

 

Committed to be released

 

 

37,961

 

 

35,157

 

Unallocated

 

 

76,455

 

 

171,702

 

Total

 

4,211,672

 

677,619

 

4,753,221

 

731,092

 

 

The SOP allocated 95,246 preferred shares in 2003, 82,383 preferred shares in 2002, and 55,578 preferred shares in 2001. Unallocated preferred shares had a fair market value of $24 million and $47 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The remaining unallocated preferred shares at December 31, 2003 will be released for allocation annually through January 31, 2005.

Any unvested balances under the Plan will immediately vest upon consummation of the Proposed Merger, which constitutes a Change of Control as defined by the Plan.

14   Stock Incentive Plans

We have made fixed stock option grants to certain U.S. and non-U.S.-based employees, as well as outside directors. These grants were considered “fixed” because the measurement date for determining compensation costs was fixed on the date of grant. In the past we have also made variable stock option grants to certain company executives. These were considered “variable” grants because the measurement date was contingent upon future increases in the market price of our common stock. No variable stock options are currently outstanding.

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Since the exercise price of our fixed grants equals the market price of our stock on the day they are granted, there generally is no related compensation expense for financial reporting purposes. However, during 2002 and 2001, certain executives’ outstanding options became subject to accelerated vesting and an extended life, under the terms of the Senior Executive Severance Policy or employment agreements, and we recorded compensation cost of $4 million and $16 million, respectively. We have also recorded compensation expense (benefit) associated with our variable options and restricted stock awards of $7 million, $9 million and $(8) million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Fixed Option Grants

U.S.-Based Plans—Our fixed option grants for certain U.S.-based employees and outside directors give these individuals the right, once those grants are vested, to buy our stock at the market price on the day the options were granted. Fixed stock options granted under the stock incentive plan adopted by our shareholders in May 1994 (as subsequently amended and restated) become exercisable no less than one year after the date of grant and may be exercised up to ten years after grant date. Options granted under our option plan in effect prior to May 1994 may be exercised at any time up to 10 years after the grant date. At the end of 2003, approximately 8.9 million shares remained available for grant under our stock incentive plan.

Non-U.S. Plans—In the past we had separate stock option plans for certain employees of our non-U.S. based operations. The options granted under these plans were priced at the market price of our common stock on the grant date. Generally, they can be exercised from three to 10 years after the grant date.

Global Stock Option Plan (“GSOP”)—In the past, we had a separate fixed stock option plan for employees who were not eligible to participate in the U.S. and non-U.S. plans previously described. Options granted to eligible employees under the GSOP were contingent upon the company achieving threshold levels of profitability, and the level of profitability achieved determined the number of options granted. Generally, options granted under this plan can be exercised from three to 10 years after the grant date. Although options were granted under this plan in 2001 and 2000, the company no longer expects to issue grants under this plan.

The following table summarizes the activity for our fixed option plans for the last three years. All grants were made at the market price on the date of grant.

 

 

Option
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding Jan. 1, 2001

 

14,310,382

 

 

$

33.04

 

 

Granted

 

7,333,445

 

 

47.29

 

 

Exercised

 

(1,545,214

)

 

31.22

 

 

Canceled

 

(1,824,580

)

 

38.56

 

 

Outstanding Dec. 31, 2001

 

18,274,033

 

 

38.36

 

 

Granted

 

4,410,689

 

 

43.49

 

 

Exercised

 

(968,813

)

 

29.12

 

 

Canceled

 

(2,694,906

)

 

41.18

 

 

Outstanding Dec. 31, 2002

 

19,021,003

 

 

39.62

 

 

Granted

 

3,616,450

 

 

31.23

 

 

Exercised

 

(795,086

)

 

27.88

 

 

Canceled

 

(1,105,267

)

 

40.15

 

 

Outstanding Dec. 31, 2003

 

20,737,100

 

 

$

38.58

 

 

 

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The following tables summarize the status of fixed stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2003.

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

$18.43-30.48

 

 

3,384,165

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

$

28.44

 

 

30.94-31.97

 

 

3,495,502

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

31.01

 

 

32.19-39.88

 

 

3,658,948

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

35.02

 

 

40.10-44.21

 

 

4,032,251

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

43.79

 

 

44.35-48.04

 

 

3,073,722

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

45.79

 

 

48.39-50.44

 

 

3,092,512

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

48.49

 

 

$18.43-50.44

 

 

20,737,100

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

$

38.58

 

 

 

 

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

$18.43-30.48

 

 

3,218,084

 

 

$

28.38

 

 

30.94-31.97

 

 

333,002

 

 

31.63

 

 

32.19-39.88

 

 

2,865,985

 

 

35.14

 

 

40.10-44.21

 

 

1,483,164

 

 

43.21

 

 

44.35-48.04

 

 

1,500,572

 

 

45.51

 

 

48.39-50.44

 

 

1,844,352

 

 

48.50

 

 

$18.43-50.44

 

 

11,245,159

 

 

$

37.74

 

 

 

For our fixed option plans the following table summarizes the options exercisable at the end of the last three years and the weighted average fair value of options granted during those years:

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Options exercisable at year-end

 

11,245,159

 

7,889,360

 

5,982,799

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

 

$

9.78

 

$

14.02

 

$

14.94

 

 

The fair value effect of stock options reported in Note 1 is derived by application of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The significant assumptions used during the year in estimating the fair value on the date of the grants are as follows:

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Dividend yield assumption

 

2.9

%

2.9

%

3.0

%

Expected volatility assumption

 

35.9

%

34.2

%

33.8

%

Risk-free interest rate assumption

 

3.7

%

4.9

%

5.0

%

Expected life assumption (in years)

 

7.0

 

6.9

 

6.8

 

 

All outstanding unvested options granted in 2003 and prior under our U.S. plans will immediately vest upon consummation of the Proposed Merger, which constitutes a Change in Control as defined by those plans.

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Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Awards

Up to 20% of the 33.4 million shares authorized under our 1994 Stock Incentive Plan may be granted as restricted stock awards. The stock for this type of award is restricted because recipients receive the stock only upon completing a specified objective or period of employment, generally one to five years. The shares are considered issued when awarded, but the recipient does not own and cannot sell the shares during the restriction period. During the restriction period, the recipient receives compensation in an amount equivalent to the dividends paid on such shares. Up to 5.3 million shares were available for restricted stock awards at December 31, 2003.

In 2002 we implemented the Capital Accumulation Plan. Under this plan eligible employees may receive up to 25% of their annual bonus in the form of restricted stock of the company. The company provides a matching contribution of restricted stock at a 10 percent discount from the market price on the date of grant. The restricted stock is generally subject to a two-year vesting period. Participation in this program is voluntary unless an employee’s annualized base pay is greater than $100,000, is not retirement-eligible and will not become retirement-eligible within two years of the date the bonus was paid. The “performance year” to be measured is the current year, with expense being recognized over the subsequent two years. For the 2003 performance year grants, $10.2 million of expense will be recognized over the two-year vesting period, beginning in 2004. For the 2002 performance year grants, $4.4 million of expense will be recognized in 2004.

We also have a Deferred Stock Award Plan for stock awards to non-U.S. employees. Deferred stock awards are the same as restricted stock awards, except that shares granted under the deferred plan are not issued until the vesting conditions specified in the award are fulfilled. Up to 3,000 shares were available for deferred stock awards at December 31, 2003.

Any outstanding unvested restricted shares granted in 2003 and prior under our U.S. Plan will immediately vest upon consummation of the Proposed Merger, which constitutes a Change in Control as defined by the Plan.

Please refer to Note 1 for the Pro Forma information on stock option grants based on the “fair value” method as described in SFAS No. 123.

15   Reinsurance

The primary purpose of our ceded reinsurance program, including the aggregate excess-of-loss coverages discussed below, is to protect us from potential losses in excess of what we are prepared to accept. We expect the companies to which we have ceded reinsurance to honor their obligations. In the event these companies are unable to honor their obligations to us, we will pay these amounts. We have established allowances for possible nonpayment of amounts due to us. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, our provision for uncollectible reinsurance totaled $134 million and $122 million, respectively.

We report balances pertaining to reinsurance transactions “gross” on the balance sheet, meaning that reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and ceded unearned premiums are not deducted from insurance reserves but are recorded as assets.

The largest concentration of our total reinsurance recoverables and ceded unearned premiums at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was with General Reinsurance Corporation (“Gen Re”). Gen Re (with approximately 17% and 19% of our recoverables at the end of 2003 and 2002, respectively) is rated “A+ +” by A.M. Best, “Aaa” by Moody’s and “AAA” by Standard & Poor’s for its financial strength. Approximately 6% of our reinsurance recoverables and ceded unearned premiums at December 31, 2003 were with Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

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Approximately 94% of our domestic reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2003 were with reinsurance companies having financial strength ratings of A- or higher by A.M Best or Standard & Poor’s, were from state sponsored facilities or reinsurance pools, or were collateralized reinsurance programs associated with certain of our insurance operations. We have an internal credit security committee, which uses a comprehensive credit risk review process in selecting our reinsurers. This process considers such factors as ratings by major ratings agencies, financial condition, parental support, operating practices, and market news and developments. The credit security committee convenes quarterly to evaluate these factors and take action on our approved list of reinsurers, as necessary.

Aggregate Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaties—In 2001, we entered into two aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance treaties. Under the terms of the reinsurance treaties, we transferred, or “ceded,” insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses to our reinsurers, along with the related written and earned premiums. One of these treaties was corporate-wide, with coverage triggered when our insurance losses and LAE across all lines of business reached a certain level, as prescribed by terms of the treaty. We did not cede any losses to the corporate treaty in 2001, but we recorded a $34 million net detriment in 2001 related to a similar treaty we were party to in 2000, primarily due to adjustments for cessions made in 2000.  We were not party to such a treaty in 2003 or 2002. Our reinsurance operation was party to a separate aggregate excess-of-loss treaty in 2002 and 2001. The results of our reinsurance operation in 2002 and 2001 included a $34 million detriment and a $159 million benefit, respectively, related to those treaties. The detriment in 2002 primarily resulted from the commutation of a portion of the 2001 treaty. We did not cede any losses to our reinsurance operations’ 2002 excess-of-loss treaty. The 2001 benefit resulted from losses ceded to the 2001 treaty.

The effect of assumed and ceded reinsurance on premiums written, premiums earned and insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses is as follows (including the impact of the reinsurance treaties).

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Premiums Written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

8,394

 

$

7,585

 

$

7,135

 

Assumed

 

1,495

 

2,117

 

2,874

 

Ceded

 

(2,349

)

(2,565

)

(2,114

)

Net premiums written

 

$

7,540

 

$

7,137

 

$

7,895

 

Premiums Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

7,978

 

$

7,569

 

$

6,656

 

Assumed

 

1,515

 

2,321

 

2,851

 

Ceded

 

(2,454

)

(2,388

)

(2,098

)

Net premiums earned

 

$

7,039

 

$

7,502

 

$

7,409

 

Insurance Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

5,329

 

$

6,955

 

$

6,876

 

Assumed

 

1,076

 

1,354

 

3,952

 

Ceded

 

(1,217

)

(2,314

)

(3,349

)

Net insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

5,188

 

$

5,995

 

$

7,479

 

 

16   Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Commitments

Investment Commitments—We have long-term commitments to fund venture capital investments totaling $792 million as of December 31, 2003. Of that amount, approximately $501 million of commitments are to fund investments in St. Paul Venture Capital VI, LLC (“Fund VI”), one of our

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venture capital investment subsidiaries. Additional amounts have been committed to fund new and existing investments in partnerships and certain other venture capital entities. Our future obligations as of December 31, 2003 are estimated as follows.

Year

 

 

 

Fund VI

 

New
Partnerships

 

Existing
Partnerships

 

Total

 

2004

 

 

$

165

 

 

 

$

20

 

 

 

$23

 

 

$208

 

2005

 

 

150

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

17

 

 

227

 

2006

 

 

80

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

15

 

 

145

 

2007

 

 

50

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

11

 

 

111

 

2008

 

 

40

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

4

 

 

74

 

Thereafter

 

 

16

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

1

 

 

27

 

Total

 

 

$

501

 

 

 

$

220

 

 

 

$71

 

 

$792

 

 

Generally, we expect that our obligations to make the capital contributions listed in the table above will be largely funded by distributions we receive from our venture capital investments. The maximum amount of new capital we are obligated to contribute to satisfy those obligations to Fund VI in any calendar year without receiving any offsetting distributions from our venture capital operation is $250 million and, on a cumulative basis over the life of Fund VI, no more than $325 million. In addition, we can elect to discontinue funding Fund VI at any time. If we do so, we must contribute $250 million (not reflected in the table above) to a termination fund and pay certain termination and management fees. Alternatively, once 70% of the Fund VI capital has been committed, we must elect either to commit a material amount of additional capital to a new venture capital fund or agree to contribute an additional $150 million (not reflected in the table above) to Fund VI.

Letters of Credit—In the normal course of business, we enter into letters of credit as collateral, as required in certain of our operations. As of December 31, 2003, we had entered into letters of credit with an aggregate face value of $944 million.

Lease Commitments—A portion of our business activities is conducted in rented premises. We also enter into leases for equipment, such as office machines and computers. Our total rental expense was $96 million in 2003, $86 million in 2002 and $83 million in 2001. Certain leases are noncancelable, and we would remain responsible for payment even if we stopped using the space or equipment. On December 31, 2003, the minimum rents for which we would be liable under these types of leases are as follows: $113 million in 2004, $89 million in 2005, $76 million in 2006, $67 million in 2007, $60 million in 2008 and $102 million thereafter. We are also the lessor under various subleases on our office facilities. The minimum rentals to be received under noncancelable subleases are as follows:  $19 million in 2004, $16 million in 2005, $15 million in 2006, $12 million in 2007, $12 million in 2008 and $14 million thereafter.

Acquisition of Symphony—As of December 31, 2003, our asset management subsidiary, Nuveen Investments, Inc., may be required to make additional payments of up to $121 million related to their acquisition of Symphony, based on Symphony reaching specified performance and growth targets. Any future payments will be recorded as additional goodwill.

Acquisition of Renewal Rights—In May 2003, we entered into a contingent consideration agreement as part of our purchase price of the right to seek to renew certain business from Kemper Insurance Companies (“Kemper”). We are obligated to make an additional payment in June 2004 based on the amount of premium volume we ultimately renew during the twelve months subsequent to this purchase. We believe it is highly unlikely that any additional payment would exceed $30 million. At December 31, 2003, we had accrued $10 million toward this additional obligation, recorded in “Other liabilities.”

Sale of Minet—In May 1997, we completed the sale of our insurance brokerage operation, Minet, to Aon Corporation. We agreed to indemnify Aon against any future claims for professional liability and

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other specified events that occurred or existed prior to the sale. We monitor our exposure under these claims on a regular basis. We believe reserves for reported claims are adequate, but we do not have information on unreported claims to estimate a range of additional liability. We purchased insurance to cover a portion of our exposure to such claims. Under the sale agreement, we also committed to pay Aon commissions representing a minimum level of annual reinsurance brokerage business through 2012. The maximum annual amount payable to Aon related to that commitment is $20 million. We also have commitments under lease agreements through 2015 for vacated space (included in our lease commitment totals above), as well as a commitment to make payments to a former Minet executive.

Sale of Camperdown UK—In December 2003, we sold our London subsidiary, Camperdown UK. As part of that sale, we have agreed to indemnify the purchaser in the event a specified reserve deficiency develops, a reserve-related foreign exchange impact occurs, or a foreign tax adjustment is imposed on a pre-sale reporting period. The maximum amount of this indemnification obligation is $203 million, and is included in the total “sales of business entities” reported below. We recorded a fair value of $24 million in “Other liabilities” for this indemnification. All other guarantees related to this sale are also included in the total “sales of business entities” reported below. At Lloyd’s, we underwrite business through a single syndicate (“Syndicate 5000”) for which we provide 100% of the capital. In 2003, Fire and Marine entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement directly with Syndicate 5000 that in effect transferred Syndicate 5000’s underwriting results for the 2003 year of account to Fire and Marine.

Joint Ventures—Our subsidiary, Fire and Marine, is a party to five separate joint ventures, in each of which Fire and Marine is a 50% owner of various real estate holdings and does not exercise control over the joint ventures, financed by non-recourse mortgage notes. Because we own only 50% of the holdings, we do not consolidate these entities and the joint venture debt does not appear on our balance sheet. Our maximum exposure under each of these joint ventures, in the event of foreclosure of a property, is limited to our carrying value in the joint venture, ranging individually from $6 million to $27 million, and cumulatively totaling $58 million at December 31, 2003.

Structured Settlements—Certain settlements of claims under workers’ compensation and other liability policies involve periodic payments to a claimant for a number of years, usually funded through the purchase of an annuity from a third party. As our primary obligation to pay has been transferred to a third party, our historical practice has been to treat all structured settlements as extinguishing our liability to the policyholder, although in some cases we remain contingently liable in the event of any defaults by the companies issuing the annuities. As of December 31, 2003, the outstanding balance of structured settlements for which we remain contingently liable was approximately $1.59 billion.

Legal Matters—In the ordinary course of conducting business, we (and certain of our subsidiaries) have been named as defendants in various lawsuits. Some of these lawsuits attempt to establish liability under insurance contracts issued by our underwriting operations, including liability under environmental protection laws and for injury caused by exposure to asbestos products. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits are seeking money damages that in some cases are substantial or extra contractual in nature or are seeking to have the court direct the activities of our operations in certain ways.

Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable, it is possible that the resolution of one or more matters may be material to our results of operations; however, we do not believe that the total amounts that we and our subsidiaries will ultimately have to pay in all of these lawsuits will have a material effect on our liquidity or overall financial position.

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The following is a summary of certain litigation matters with contingencies:

·       Asbestos Settlement Agreement—On June 3, 2002, we announced that we and certain of our subsidiaries had entered into an agreement settling all existing and future claims arising from any insuring relationship of United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and their affiliates and subsidiaries, including us, with any of MacArthur Company, Western MacArthur Company, and Western Asbestos Company. In January 2004, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California issued an order approving the settlement agreement with the MacArthur Companies, and confirming the MacArthur Companies’ proposed plan of reorganization.  See discussion in Note 20.

·       Petrobras Oil Rig Construction—In September 2002, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a judgment in the amount of approximately $370 million to Petrobras, an energy company that is majority-owned by the government of Brazil, in a claim related to the construction of two oil rigs. One of our subsidiaries provided a portion of the surety coverage for that construction. As a result, we recorded a pretax loss of $34 million ($22 million after-tax) in 2002 in our Surety & Construction business segment. The loss recorded was net of reinsurance and previously established case reserves for this exposure, and prior to any possible recoveries related to indemnity. We continue to actively pursue an appeal of this judgment.

·       Purported Class Action Shareholder Lawsuits—In the fourth quarter of 2002, several purported class action lawsuits were filed against our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer, and us. In the first quarter of 2003, the lawsuits were consolidated into a single action, which makes various allegations relating to the adequacy of our previous public disclosures and reserves relating to the Western MacArthur asbestos litigation, and seeks unspecified damages and other relief. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we agreed in principle to a settlement, which is subject to certain customary conditions and subject to court approval. If the settlement is consummated, it will result in our payment of an amount that is not material to our results of operations.

·       Boson v. Union Carbide Corp., et al; Abernathy v. Ace American Ins. Co—In 2003, lawsuits were filed in Texas and Ohio against certain of our subsidiaries, and other insurers and non-insurer corporate defendants, asserting liability for failing to warn of the dangers of asbestos. It is difficult to predict the outcome for financial exposure represented by this type of litigation in light of the broad nature of the relief requested and the novel theories asserted. We believe, however, that the cases are without merit and we intend to contest them vigorously. In this regard, we filed special exceptions in all of the Texas cases. In October 2003, a court ruled on the special exceptions in 11 of those cases, dismissing the cases with prejudice. Subsequently, the court dismissed another case on the same grounds. We view these as significant rulings in our favor. The special exceptions in the remaining 50 cases have not yet been ruled upon. We intend to file similar motions to dismiss in the Ohio cases.

·       World Trade Center Litigation—In 2002, we and certain other insurers obtained a summary judgment ruling that the World Trade Center (“WTC”) property loss on September 11, 2001 was a single occurrence. Certain insureds, including the WTC’s leaseholder, appealed that ruling, asking the court to determine that the property loss constituted two separate occurrences rather than one. In September 2003, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that under terms of the policy form we used to underwrite property coverage for the WTC, the terrorist attack constituted one occurrence.

·       Farina v. Travelers Property Casualty Corp., et alA purported class action was recently filed in Connecticut state court against Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and its board of directors alleging that they breached their fiduciary duties to Travelers’ shareholders in connection with the adoption of the merger and the merger agreement with the Company. The complaint seeks injunctive relief

169




as well as unspecified monetary damages. The complaint also names the Company and its subsidiary Adams Acquisition Corp. as defendants, alleging that they aided and abetted the alleged breach of fiduciary duty. We believe this suit is wholly without merit and intend to vigorously defend against it.

Guarantees

Agency LoansWe have provided guarantees for certain agency loans in order to enhance the business operations and opportunities of several of the insurance agencies with which we do business. As of December 31, 2003, these loans had an aggregate outstanding balance of approximately $6 million. We have guaranteed the lending institutions that we will pay up to the entire principal amount outstanding in case of any agency defaults, plus any reasonable costs associated with the default. There are varying terms on the loans, and the guarantees are in place until the loans are paid in full.

Corporate SecuritiesThrough the issuance of our debt securities, we have guaranteed to indemnify the financial institutions against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense, including taxes that may arise out of the administration of the debt arrangement. There are no contractual monetary limits placed on these guarantees, and they survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire.

Venture CapitalOur subsidiary, St. Paul Venture Capital VI, LLC has guaranteed third party loans in the aggregate amount of approximately $1 million. In the event that the borrower would default, St. Paul Venture Capital has guaranteed payment up to the aforementioned limits, plus any costs, fees, and expenses that the lending institution might incur in the administration of the default on the loans. These guarantees are in place until the loans are paid in full.

Swap AgreementsWe are party to a number of interest rate swaps. Each party to a standard swap agreement agrees to indemnify the other for tax liabilities that may arise out of the swap transactions. We have no way to value the potential liability or asset that may arise due to these tax issues, and there are no contractual monetary limits placed on these indemnifications.

Platinum TransactionIn connection with the Platinum transaction, (see Note 19) we entered into a series of servicing agreements with Platinum relating to the transfer of our 2002 reinsurance business. Such agreements provide general indemnification obligations on each of the parties with respect to representations, warranties and covenants made under the terms of each of the agreements. Generally, the indemnification obligations of each party are capped at the aggregate of all fees received by each party. These indemnifications survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire. In addition, we agreed to provide indemnification to Platinum and its subsidiaries, directors and employees for losses incurred due to inaccurate or omitted information in certain sections of the Platinum Registration Statements and Prospectuses used in connection with Platinum’s initial public offering of securities, or the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection with Platinum’s private offering of securities to Renaissance Reinsurance. We also agreed to make certain payments to the underwriters of the Platinum public offerings if Platinum fails to satisfy certain indemnification obligations to them in specified circumstances. Our obligations pursuant to these indemnities have an aggregate limit of $400 million, which amount will be reduced by any payments we make to investors in the public or private offerings. The obligation to indemnify Platinum and its subsidiaries, directors and employees expires on November 1, 2004.

Sales of Business EntitiesIn the ordinary course of selling business entities to third parties, we have agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representations and warranties with respect to the business entities being sold, covenants and obligations of us and/or our subsidiaries following the closing, and in certain cases obligations arising from undisclosed liabilities, adverse reserve development, premium deficiencies or certain named litigation. Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from 12 months following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation, or in some cases agreed upon term limitations. As of December 31, 2003,

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the aggregate amount of our quantifiable indemnification obligations in effect for sales of business entities was $2.2 billion, with a deductible amount of $72 million. The deductible amount represents an aggregate minimum threshold which our obligations must exceed before we would be obligated to make any payments.

In addition, we have agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of December 31, 2003, we had outstanding unlimited indemnification obligations in connection with the sales of certain of our business entities for tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity, losses arising out of employee matters relating to acts or omissions of such business entity or us prior to the closing, losses resulting out of such sold business entities being deemed part of The St. Paul group prior to their respective sales to third parties for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 412 or Title IV of ERISA, and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. These indemnification obligations survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.

OtherWe have guaranteed to indemnify the holders of the mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities in the event those trusts default. The entire amount of that obligation is included in our consolidated debt obligations.

17   Discontinued Operations

Life InsuranceIn September 2001, we completed the sale of our life insurance company, Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company and its subsidiary, Thomas Jefferson Life (together, “F&G Life”) to Old Mutual plc (“Old Mutual”), for $335 million in cash and $300 million in ordinary shares of Old Mutual. In June 2002, we sold all of the Old Mutual shares we were holding for a total net consideration of $287 million, resulting in a pretax realized loss of $13 million that was recorded as a component of discontinued operations on our statement of operations in 2002. At the time of the sale of the Old Mutual shares, there was a derivative “collar” agreement in place that would have determined any possible adjustment to the original F&G Life sale price one year after the closing date.  The collar was recorded on our balance sheet as an asset and had a fair value of $12 million when we sold our Old Mutual shares. We agreed to terminate the collar at no value as part of the sale of our Old Mutual shares. That $12 million pretax loss was also included in discontinued operations on our statement of operations in 2002.

At the time of the sale of F&G Life in 2001, we recorded a net after-tax loss of $74 million on the sale proceeds. That loss was combined with F&G Life’s results of operations prior to sale for an after-tax loss of $55 million and was included in the reported loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.

In September 2001, we sold American Continental Life Insurance Company, a small life insurance company we had acquired as part of our MMI purchase, to CNA Financial Corporation. We received cash proceeds of $21 million, and recorded a net after-tax loss on the sale of $1 million.

Standard Personal InsuranceIn 1999, we sold our standard personal insurance operations to Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“Metropolitan”). Metropolitan purchased Economy Fire & Casualty Company and subsidiaries (“Economy”), and the rights and interests in those non-Economy policies constituting the remainder of our standard personal insurance operations. Those rights and interests were transferred to Metropolitan by way of a reinsurance and facility agreement. We guaranteed the adequacy of Economy’s loss and loss expense reserves, and we remain liable for claims on non-Economy policies that result from losses occurring prior to the September 30, 1999 closing date. Under the reserve-related agreements, we agreed to pay for any deficiencies in those reserves and would share in any redundancies that developed by September 30, 2002. Any losses incurred by us under these agreements were reflected in discontinued operations in the period during which they were incurred. At

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December 31, 2002, our analysis indicated that we owed Metropolitan $13 million related to the reserve agreements, which was paid in April 2003. We have no other contingent liabilities related to this sale.

Nonstandard Auto InsurancePrudential purchased our nonstandard auto insurance business marketed under the Victoria Financial and Titan Auto brands for $175 million in cash (net of a $25 million dividend paid by these operations to our property-liability insurance operations prior to closing). We recorded an estimated after-tax loss of $83 million on the sale in 1999, representing the estimated excess of carrying value of these entities at closing date over proceeds to be received from the sale, plus estimated income through the disposal date. This excess primarily consisted of goodwill. We recorded an after-tax loss on disposal of $9 million in 2000, primarily representing additional losses incurred through the disposal date in May, and an additional after-tax loss on disposal of $5 million in 2001, primarily representing tax adjustments made to the sale transaction.

MinetIn 1997, we sold our insurance brokerage operation, Minet Holdings plc (“Minet”) to Aon Corporation. We recorded expenses in discontinued operations in each of the last three years related to the Minet sale. In 2003, the expense recorded primarily represented an adjustment to the tax provision on the sale, whereas the expenses recorded in 2002 and 2001 primarily represented additional funds due Aon pursuant to provisions of the sale agreement.

The following table summarizes our discontinued operations, including our life insurance business, our standard personal insurance business, our nonstandard auto business and our insurance brokerage business, Minet (sold in 1997), for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Operating income, before income taxes

 

$

 

$

 

$

19

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

Operating income, net of taxes

 

 

 

19

 

Loss on disposal, before income taxes

 

(11

)

(42

)

(61

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

6

 

(17

)

37

 

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

 

(17

)

(25

)

(98

)

Loss from discontinued operations

 

$

(17

)

$

(25

)

$

(79

)

 

The following table summarizes our total loss from discontinued operations, for each operation sold, for the three-year period ended December 31, 2003.

Years ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Life insurance

 

$

 

$

(12

)

$

(55

)

Standard personal insurance

 

(7

)

(7

)

(13

)

Nonstandard auto insurance

 

 

(3

)

(5

)

Insurance brokerage

 

(10

)

(3

)

(6

)

Loss from discontinued operations

 

$

(17

)

$

(25

)

$

(79

)

 

18   Restructuring and Other Charges

December 2001 Strategic Review—In December 2001, we announced the results of a strategic review of all of our operations, which included a decision to exit all business underwritten in our Health Care operations, narrow the product offerings of our reinsurance operation, exit certain business at Lloyd’s and cease to underwrite business in several countries where we were unlikely to achieve competitive scale. Related to this strategic review, we wrote off $73 million of goodwill, and we recorded a pretax charge of $62 million, including $46 million of employee-related costs, $9 million of occupancy-related costs,

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$4 million of equipment charges and $3 million of legal costs. The $62 million pretax charge was included in “Operating and administrative expenses” in our 2001 statement of operations; with $42 million included in “Property-liability insurance—other” and $20 million included in “Parent company, other operations and consolidating eliminations” in the table titled “Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change” in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

The employee-related costs represent severance and related benefits such as outplacement services to be paid to, or incurred on behalf of, employees to be terminated by the end of 2002. We estimated that a total of approximately 1,200 employees would ultimately be terminated under this action, with approximately 800 employees expected to be terminated by the end of 2002. The remaining 400 employees were not included in the restructuring charge since they would either be terminated after 2002 or were part of one of the operations that was to be sold. Of the total, approximately 650 worked in offices outside the U.S. (some of which have now been closed), approximately 300 worked in our Health Care business (which was exited), and the remaining 250 were spread throughout our domestic operations. A total of 713 of the estimated 800 positions were eliminated. The remaining 87 positions represented employees who found alternate positions within the company or external employment before termination.

The occupancy-related cost represents excess space created by the terminations, calculated by determining the anticipated excess space, by location, as a result of the terminations. The percentage of excess space in relation to the total leased space was then applied to the current lease costs over the remaining lease period. The amounts payable under the existing leases were not discounted, and sublease income was included in the calculation only for those locations where sublease agreements were in place. The equipment costs represent the net book value of computer and other equipment that will no longer be used following the termination of employees and closing of offices. The legal costs represented our estimate of fees to be paid to outside legal counsel to obtain regulatory approval to exit certain states or countries.

The following presents a rollforward of activity related to this accrual.

Charges to earnings:

 

 

 

Original Pre-
Tax Charge

 

Reserve at 
Dec. 31, 2002

 

Payments

 

Adjustments

 

Reserve at
Dec. 31, 2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Employee-related

 

 

$

46

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

 

$

(4

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

10

 

 

Occupancy-related

 

 

9

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

Equipment charges

 

 

4

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

Legal costs

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

62

 

 

 

$

22

 

 

 

$

(7

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

15

 

 

 

Other Restructuring Charges—Since 1997, we have recorded in continuing operations four other restructuring charges related to actions taken to improve our operations.

Related to our April 2000 purchase of MMI, we recorded a charge of $28 million, including $4 million of employee-related costs and $24 million of occupancy-related costs. The employee-related costs represented severance and related benefits such as outplacement counseling to be paid to, or incurred on behalf of, terminated employees. We estimated that approximately 130 employee positions would be eliminated, at all levels throughout MMI, and 119 employees were terminated. The occupancy-related cost represented excess space created by the terminations, calculated by determining the percentage of anticipated excess space, by location, and the current lease costs over the remaining lease period. The amounts payable under the existing leases were not discounted, and sublease income was included in the calculation only for those locations where sublease agreements were in place.

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In August 1999, we announced a cost reduction program designed to enhance our efficiency and effectiveness in a highly competitive environment. In the third quarter of 1999, we recorded a pretax charge of $60 million related to this program, including $25 million in employee-related charges related to the termination of approximately 590 employees, $33 million in occupancy-related charges and $2 million in equipment charges.

Late in the fourth quarter of 1998, we recorded a pretax restructuring charge of $34 million. The majority of the charge, $26 million, related to the termination of approximately 500 employees, primarily in our commercial insurance operations. The remaining charge of $8 million related to costs to be incurred to exit lease obligations.

In connection with our merger with USF&G, in the second quarter of 1998 we recorded a pretax charge to net income of $292 million, primarily consisting of severance and other employee-related costs related to the termination of approximately 2,200 positions, facilities exit costs, asset impairments and transaction costs.

All actions have been taken and all obligations have been met regarding these other restructuring charges, with the exception of certain remaining lease commitments. The lease commitment charges related to excess space created by the cost reduction actions. The charge was calculated by determining the percentage of anticipated excess space, by location, and the current lease costs over the remaining lease period. The amounts payable under the existing leases were not discounted, and sublease income was included in the calculation only for those locations where sublease agreements were in place.

We expect to be obligated under certain lease commitments for approximately six years. The following presents a rollforward of activity related to these commitments.

 

 

Pre-tax Charge

 

Reserve 
At Dec. 31,
2002

 

2003 
Payments

 

2003 
Adjustments

 

Reserve 
At Dec. 31, 
2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Lease commitments previously charged to earnings

 

 

$

91

 

 

 

$

24

 

 

 

$

(9

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

15

 

 

 

19   Transfer of Ongoing Reinsurance Operations to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

On November 1, 2002, we completed the transfer of our continuing reinsurance business (previously operating under the name “St. Paul Re”) and certain related assets, including renewal rights, to Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum”), a Bermuda company formed in 2002 that underwrites property and casualty reinsurance on a worldwide basis.

As part of this transaction, we contributed $122 million of cash to Platinum and transferred $349 million in assets relating to the insurance reserves that we also transferred. In exchange, we acquired six million common shares, representing a 14% equity ownership interest in Platinum, and a ten-year option to buy up to six million additional common shares at an exercise price of $27 per share, which represents 120% of the initial public offering price of Platinum’s shares.

In conjunction with the transfer of our continuing reinsurance business to Platinum, we entered into various agreements with Platinum and its subsidiaries, including quota share reinsurance agreements by which Platinum reinsured substantially all of the reinsurance contracts entered into by St. Paul Re on or after January 1, 2002. This transfer (based on September 30, 2002 balances) included $125 million of unearned premium reserves (net of ceding commissions), $200 million of existing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and $24 million of other reinsurance-related liabilities. The transfer of unearned premium reserves to Platinum was accounted for as prospective reinsurance, while the transfer of existing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves was accounted for as retroactive reinsurance.

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As noted above, the transfer of reserves to Platinum at the inception of the quota share reinsurance agreements was based on the September 30, 2002 balances. In March 2003, we transferred to Platinum $137 million of additional insurance reserves, consisting of $72 million in unearned premiums (net of ceding commissions) and $65 million in existing reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. We also transferred cash and other assets having a value equal to the additional insurance reserves transferred. This transfer of additional assets and liabilities reflected business activity between September 30, 2002 and the November 2, 2002 inception date of the quota share reinsurance agreements, and our estimate of amounts due under the adjustment provisions of the quota share reinsurance agreements. Our insurance reserves at December 31, 2002 included our estimate, at that time, of amounts due to Platinum under the quota share reinsurance agreements, which totaled $54 million. The $83 million increase in our estimate of amounts due to Platinum under the quota share reinsurance agreements resulted in a pretax underwriting loss of $6 million in the first quarter of 2003. During the second quarter of 2003, we reached final agreement with Platinum regarding the adjustment provisions of the quota share reinsurance agreements and no further adjustments to the transferred assets and liabilities will occur.

For business underwritten in the United States and the United Kingdom, until October 31, 2003, Platinum had the right to underwrite specified reinsurance business on our behalf in cases where Platinum was unable to underwrite that business because it had yet to obtain necessary regulatory licenses or approval to do so, or Platinum had not yet been approved as a reinsurer by the ceding company. We entered into this agreement solely as a means to accommodate Platinum through a transition period. Any business written by Platinum on our policy forms during this transition period was fully ceded to Platinum under the quota share reinsurance agreements.

Under the quota share reinsurance agreements with Platinum, we ceded the following amounts to Platinum in 2003.

 

 

Year ended
December 31, 2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

 

$

365

 

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

 

(86

)

 

Net earned premiums

 

 

451

 

 

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

296

 

 

Underwriting expenses

 

 

106

 

 

Net ceded result

 

 

$

49

 

 

 

The following Platinum-related balances were included in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Reinsurance recoverable—paid losses

 

 

$

45

 

 

Reinsurance recoverable—unpaid losses

 

 

487

 

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

 

74

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Funds held for reinsurers

 

 

15

 

 

Ceded premiums payable

 

 

164

 

 

 

The transaction resulted in a pretax gain of $29 million and an after-tax loss of $54 million in the year ended December 31, 2002. The after-tax loss was driven by the write-off of approximately $73 million in

175




deferred tax assets associated with previously incurred losses related to St. Paul Re’s United Kingdom-based operations, as well as approximately $10 million in taxes associated with the pretax gain.

Our investment in Platinum is included in “Other Investments.”  The income from our 14% proportionate equity ownership in Platinum is included in our statement of operations as a component of “Net investment income” from the date of closing. Our warrants to purchase additional Platinum shares are carried at their market value ($65 million and $61 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively), with changes in their fair value recorded as other realized gains or losses in our statement of operations. In 2003 and 2002, we recorded net pretax realized gains of $4 million and $7 million, respectively, related to this option.

20   Asbestos Settlement Agreement

On June 3, 2002, we announced that we and certain of our subsidiaries had entered into an agreement settling all existing and future claims arising from any insuring relationship of United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (“USF&G”), St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and their affiliates and subsidiaries, including us (collectively, the “USF&G Parties”) with any of MacArthur Company, Western MacArthur Company (“Western MacArthur”), and Western Asbestos Company (“Western Asbestos”) (together, the “MacArthur Companies”).

On March 26, 2002, a trial commenced in the Western MacArthur litigation which was planned to occur in three phases over the course of approximately one year, and which involved complex questions of fact and law. Among the issues to be addressed in the first phase of the trial were the standing of Western MacArthur to recover under Western Asbestos’ policies issued by USF&G (USF&G never insured Western MacArthur and disputed Western Asbestos’ purported assignment of its insurance rights to Western MacArthur) and the existence and terms and conditions of the policies, including the issue of whether the policies contained products hazard coverage and, if so, whether the policies included aggregate limits for products hazard liability. USF&G believed it had, and continues to believe that it has, meritorious defenses to the purported assignments of insurance rights by Western Asbestos to Western MacArthur, which Western MacArthur alleged occurred in the 1967-1970 time period and in 1997, and which were allegedly ratified in 1999. USF&G also believed that it had a strong position that the policies did not contain products hazard coverage, but that even if they did the coveragewas subject to products hazard aggregates, which limited the USF&G Parties’ exposure. As the trial began, the Company believed that it could resolve the case by litigation or settlement within the existing asbestos reserves (gross asbestos reserve totaled $478 million as of December 31, 2001) on the basis of the foregoing defenses, a belief supported by Western MacArthur’s November 1999 settlement of a similar claim brought against another defendant insurer for $26 million. Given the facts and circumstances known by management at the time we filed our annual report on Form 10-K, we believed that our best estimate of aggregate asbestos reserves as of December 31, 2001 made a reasonable provision for Western MacArthur and all other asbestos claims.

The first phase of the trial began on March 26, 2002. During the second quarter of 2002, developments in the trial caused us to reassess our exposure based on the increased possibility of an adverse outcome in the first phase of the litigation. Among the significant developments in the trial between April 1 and May 15, 2002 were evidentiary decisions by the trial judge to exclude evidence favorable to USF&G regarding the assignment issue and to allow into evidence unfavorable evidence regarding other insurers’ policies on the aggregate limits issue, and unexpected adverse testimony on the aggregate limits issue. These developments led us to believe that there was an increased risk that the jury could find that USF&G’s policies did not contain aggregate limits for products hazard claims.

These developments at trial, coupled with general changes in the legal environment affecting the potential liability of insurers for asbestos claims, caused us to engage in more intense settlement discussions at the end of April, in May, and early June of 2002.

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As of May 15, 2002, the date on which we filed our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, the trial and settlement discussions were ongoing, but the parties to the settlement discussions had been unable to reach agreement on structure, amount and other significant terms. At that time, we were prepared to end settlement discussions based on our continued belief that we could litigate our position and possibly reach a more favorable outcome than a negotiated settlement would provide. In such circumstances, we perceived the possible outcomes as ranging from minimal amounts well within our existing asbestos reserves to unknown higher amounts (potentially higher than the amount in the final settlement agreement, discussed below). Accordingly, we believed that we could not estimate a reasonable range of potential loss for the Western MacArthur claim, and therefore could make no disclosure of such a range. However, at the time we filed such report on Form 10-Q, we believed, based on various adverse developments during the course of the first phase of the trial through May 15, that although the ultimate outcome of the Western MacArthur case was not determinable at that time, it was possible that its resolution could be material to our results of operations, and we made disclosure of this fact in such report. We did not disclose a range of possible outcomes, as we were unable to do so at the time of the filing.

Subsequent to May 15, 2002, there were additional adverse developments at the trial. USF&G’s motions for nonsuit and for reconsideration of prior evidentiary rulings were denied. In light of continued adverse trial developments, the fact that jury deliberations on the first phase of the trial were expected to commence as soon as the second week of June, and in an effort to put its largest known asbestos exposure behind us, we began negotiating a single lump-sum payment settlement with the plaintiffs. Negotiations were intense and ultimately the Company achieved a comprehensive agreement on June 3, 2002, before the completion of the first phase of the jury trial. Importantly, this agreement (which was subject to bankruptcy court approval) not only settled pending claims, it also settled, with possible minor exceptions, all claims that Western MacArthur and its affiliates could possibly have against us and USF&G, including but not limited to the claims made in the pending lawsuit, for a pre-tax liability then estimated at $988 million as described below. The settlement agreement was filed as an exhibit to our Report on Form 8-K dated July 23, 2002. That document includes more detailed information about the settlement agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of the settlement agreement, on November 22, 2002, the MacArthur Companies filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to permit the channeling of all current and future asbestos-related claims solely to a trust to be established pursuant to Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Consummation of most elements of the settlement agreement was contingent upon bankruptcy court approval of the settlement agreement as part of a broader plan for the reorganization of the MacArthur Companies (the “Plan”). In January 2004, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California issued an order approving the settlement agreement with the MacArthur Companies, and confirming the MacArthur Companies’ proposed plan of reorganization. We are awaiting final confirmation of the Bankruptcy Court order. Final approval of the Plan involves substantial uncertainties that include the resolution of various appeals from the Bankruptcy Court’s order.

The plan of reorganization includes an injunction in favor of The St. Paul against any direct or indirect liability for asbestos-related claims against the MacArthur Companies. Under the injunction, all current and future asbestos-related claims of the MacArthur Companies will be channeled to, and paid solely from, the trust established by the plan. The MacArthur Companies will release the USF&G Parties from any and all asbestos-related claims for personal injury, and all other claims in excess of $1 million in the aggregate, that may be asserted relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any alleged coverage provided by any of the USF&G Parties to any of the MacArthur Companies, including any claim for extra contractual relief.

The St. Paul has completed its funding obligations under the 2002 settlement agreement, consisting of payments of $235 million during the second quarter of 2002, and $747 million on January 16, 2003 (including interest). Following final confirmation of the Bankruptcy Court ruling, the escrowed funds will

177




be released to the trust established by the plan for the payment of the MacArthur Companies’ asbestos related claims. The settlement agreement also provided for the USF&G Parties to pay $13 million (which was paid in the second quarter of 2002) and to advance certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the settlement, bankruptcy proceedings, finalization of the Plan and efforts to achieve approval of the Plan, subject to a right of reimbursement in certain circumstances of amounts advanced.  Up to $175 million of the initial $235 million payment will be paid to counsel for the MacArthur Companies, and persons holding judgments against the MacArthur Companies as of June 3, 2002 and their counsel, and the USF&G Parties will be released from claims by such holders to the extent of $110 million paid to such holders. At least $60 million from the initial payment and the $747 million paid in 2003 would be returned to us if final confirmation of the bankruptcy court ruling does not occur. At December 31, 2003, those payments of $807 million were recorded in both “Other Assets” and “Other Liabilities.”

The $312 million after-tax impact to our net income in 2002 was calculated as follows.

 

 

Year ended
December 31, 2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Total cost of settlement

 

 

$

995

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Utilization of existing IBNR loss reserves

 

 

(153

)

 

Net reinsurance recoverables

 

 

(370

)

 

Net pretax loss

 

 

472

 

 

Tax benefit

 

 

160

 

 

Net after-tax loss

 

 

$

312

 

 

 

The following table represents a rollforward of asbestos reserve activity in 2002 related to the Western MacArthur matter.

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net reserve balance related to Western MacArthur at Dec. 31, 2001

 

 

 

$

6

 

Announced cost of settlement:

 

 

 

 

 

Utilization of existing asbestos IBNR reserves

 

$

153

 

 

 

Gross incurred impact of settlement during second quarter of 2002

 

835

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

988

 

Less: originally estimated net reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

 

 

(250

)

Adjustments subsequent to announcement:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimate of loss adjustment expenses

 

7

 

 

 

Change in estimate of net reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

(120

)

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

(113

)

Payments, net of $75 million of estimated reinsurance
recoverables on paid losses

 

 

 

(189

)

Net reserve balance related to Western MacArthur at Dec. 31, 2002

 

 

 

$

442

 

 

Our gross asbestos reserves at December 31, 2002 included $740 million of reserves related to Western MacArthur ($442 million of net reserves after consideration of $295 million of estimated net reinsurance recoverables and $3 million of bankruptcy fees recoverable from others). On January 16, 2003, pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, we paid the remaining $740 million settlement amount, plus interest, to the bankruptcy trustee in respect of this matter. At December 31, 2003 our gross asbestos reserves included no material amount related to Western MacArthur.

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21   September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack

As of December 31, 2001, our estimated gross pretax losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred as a result of the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001 totaled $2.3 billion, with an estimated net pretax operating loss of $941 million. These estimated losses were based on a variety of actuarial techniques, coverage interpretation and claims estimation methodologies, and included an estimate of losses incurred but not reported, as well as estimated costs related to the settlement of claims. Our estimate of losses was originally based on our belief that property-liability insurance losses from the terrorist attack will total between $30 billion and $35 billion for the insurance industry. In 2002, our estimate of ultimate losses was supplemented by our ongoing analysis of both paid and reported claims related to the attack. Our estimate of losses remains subject to significant uncertainties and may change over time as additional information becomes available.

We regularly evaluate the adequacy of our estimated net losses related to the terrorist attack, weighing all factors that may impact the total net losses we will ultimately incur. Based on the results of those regular evaluations, we reallocated certain estimated losses among our property-liability segments in 2003 and 2002. In addition, in 2003, we recorded a $46 million reduction in estimated losses related to the attack. In 2002, we recorded an additional loss provision of $20 million and a $33 million reduction in our estimated provision for uncollectible reinsurance related to the attack.

In 2002, we and other insurers obtained a summary judgment ruling that the World Trade Center property loss was a single occurrence. Certain insureds, including the World Trade Center’s leaseholder, appealed that ruling, asking the court to determine that the property loss constituted two separate occurrences rather than one. In September 2003, the U.S Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that under terms of the policy form we used to underwrite property coverage for the World Trade Center, the terrorist attack constituted one occurrence. Additionally, through separate litigation, the aviation losses could be deemed four separate events rather than three, for purposes of insurance and reinsurance coverage. Even if the courts ultimately rule against us regarding the number of events, we believe the additional amount of estimated after-tax losses, net of reinsurance, that we would record would not be material to our results of operations.

The original estimated losses in 2001 and the adjustments recorded in 2002 and 2003 impacted our statements of operations as follows. The tax expense or benefit was calculated at the statutory rate of 35%.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Premiums earned

 

$

(5

)

$

 

$

83

 

Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

51

 

13

 

(1,115

)

Operating and administrative expenses

 

 

 

91

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes

 

46

 

13

 

(941

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

16

 

5

 

(329

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

30

 

$

8

 

$

(612

)

 

179



The (benefit) detriment on our business segments of the estimated net pretax operating loss of $941 million recorded in 2001, the $13 million net reduction in and reallocation of losses among segments in 2002, and the $46 million reduction in losses in 2003 are shown in the following table.

 

 

Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

$

(8

)

$

8

 

51

 

Surety & Construction

 

(1

)

 

2

 

International & Lloyd’s

 

(3

)

(16

)

90

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

(12

)

(8

)

143

 

Commercial Lines

 

(24

)

(30

)

136

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

(1

)

 

5

 

Reinsurance

 

(8

)

23

 

556

 

Other Runoff

 

(1

)

2

 

101

 

Total Other

 

(10

)

25

 

662

 

Total pretax expense (benefit)

 

$

(46

)

$

(13

)

$

941

 

 

Through December 31, 2003, we paid a total of $512 million in net losses related to the terrorist attack since it occurred, including $205 million during the year ended December 31, 2003.

The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 was signed into law in November 2002. This temporary legislation remains in effect until December 31, 2005, and requires insurers to offer coverage for certain types of terrorist acts in their commercial property and liability insurance policies, and establishes a federal program to reimburse insurers for a portion of losses so insured.

22   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

In 2002, we implemented the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which established financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. The statement changed prior accounting practice in the way intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, including goodwill, are tested for impairment on an annual basis. Generally, it also required that those assets meeting the criteria for classification as intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized to expense over those lives, while intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and goodwill are not to be amortized. We also reviewed the amortization method and useful lives of existing intangible assets, and adjusted as appropriate. Generally, amortization was accelerated and useful lives shortened. As a result of implementing the provisions of SFAS No. 142, we did not record any goodwill amortization expense in 2003 or 2002. For the year of 2001, our goodwill amortization expense totaled $114 million. Amortization expense associated with intangible assets totaled $31 million, $18 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2003, we completed our annual evaluation of our recorded goodwill for impairment in accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 142, which concluded that none of our goodwill was impaired.

In connection with our reclassification of certain assets previously accounted for as goodwill to other intangible assets in 2002, we established a deferred tax liability of $6 million in the second quarter of 2002. That provision was classified as a cumulative effect of accounting change effective as of January 1, 2002.

180




The following presents a summary of our acquired intangible assets.

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

Amortizable intangible assets

 

 

 

Gross Carrying 
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Foreign
Exchange Effects

 

Net
Amount

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Customer relationships

 

 

$

67

 

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

58

 

 

Present value of future profits

 

 

67

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

43

 

 

Renewal rights

 

 

53

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

Internal use software

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Total

 

 

$

189

 

 

 

$

51

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

 

$

139

 

 

 

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2003 sheet were as follows.

Goodwill by Segment

 

 

 

Balance at
Dec. 31, 2002

 

Goodwill
acquired

 

Impairment
losses

 

Balance at
Dec. 31, 2003

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Specialty Commercial

 

 

$

80

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

85

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

Asset Management

 

 

752

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

798

 

 

Property-Liability Investment Operations

 

 

9

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

Total

 

 

$

874

 

 

 

$

52

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

926

 

 

 

The increase in goodwill in our Asset Management segment resulted from Nuveen Investments’ purchase of shares from minority shareholders.

At December 31, 2003, our estimated intangible asset amortization expense for the next five years was as follows.

 

 

(In millions)

 

2004

 

 

$

23

 

 

2005

 

 

20

 

 

2006

 

 

16

 

 

2007

 

 

12

 

 

2008

 

 

11

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

57

 

 

Total

 

 

$

139

 

 

 

23   Statutory Accounting Practices

Our underwriting operations are required to file financial statements with state and foreign regulatory authorities. The accounting principles used to prepare these statutory financial statements follow prescribed or permitted accounting principles, which differ from GAAP. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include state laws, regulations and general administrative rules issued by the state of domicile as well as a variety of publications and manuals of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed, but allowed by the state of domicile. Beginning in 2001, Fire and Marine was granted a permitted practice regarding the valuation of certain investments in affiliated limited liability companies, allowing it to value these investments at their audited GAAP equity. Since these investments were not required to be valued on a statutory basis, Fire and Marine is not able to determine the impact on statutory surplus.

181




On a statutory accounting basis, our property-liability underwriting operations’ estimated net income for 2003 was $795 million. In 2002, actual net income on a statutory accounting basis was $550 million, and in 2001, those operations’ actual net loss on a statutory accounting basis was $1.13 billion. The estimated statutory surplus (shareholder’s equity) of our property-liability underwriting operations was $5.75 billion as of December 31, 2003. The actual statutory surplus as of December 31, 2002 was $5.22 billion.

The NAIC published revised statutory accounting practices in connection with its codification project, which became effective January 1, 2001. The cumulative effect to our property-liability insurance operations of the adoption of these practices was to increase statutory surplus by $126 million, primarily related to the treatment of deferred taxes.

24   Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income is defined as any change in our equity from transactions and other events originating from non-owner sources. In our case, those changes are comprised of our reported net income, changes in unrealized appreciation of investments, changes in the unrealized gain or loss on foreign currency translation adjustments and derivatives, and changes in the minimum pension liability adjustment for our unqualified pension plan. The following summaries present the components of our other comprehensive income, other than net income, for the last three years.

 

 

Income Tax

 

Year ended December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Pretax

 

Effect

 

After-tax

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Unrealized appreciation on investments arising during period

 

$

44

 

$

7

 

 

$

37

 

 

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income

 

106

 

17

 

 

89

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

(62

)

(10

)

 

(52

)

 

Net change in unrealized gain on foreign currency translation

 

88

 

9

 

 

79

 

 

Net change in unrealized loss on derivatives

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

 

Net change in minimum pension liability adjustment

 

(6

)

(2

)

 

(4

)

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

$

16

 

$

(3

)

 

$

19

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax

 

Year ended December 31, 2002

 

 

 

Pretax

 

Effect

 

After-tax

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Unrealized appreciation on investments arising during period

 

$

181

 

$

61

 

 

$

120

 

 

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net loss

 

(168

)

(59

)

 

(109

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

349

 

120

 

 

229

 

 

Net change in unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

 

9

 

1

 

 

8

 

 

Net change in unrealized loss on derivatives

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

$

359

 

$

121

 

 

$

238

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax

 

Year ended December 31, 2001

 

 

 

Pretax

 

Effect

 

After-tax

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Unrealized depreciation on investments arising during period

 

$

(652

)

$

(248

)

 

$

(404

)

 

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income

 

(124

)

(43

)

 

(81

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

(528

)

(205

)

 

(323

)

 

Net change in unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

 

(12

)

(4

)

 

(8

)

 

Net change in unrealized loss on derivatives

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

Total other comprehensive loss

 

$

(542

)

$

(209

)

 

$

(333

)

 

 

182




25   Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is an unaudited summary of our quarterly results for the last two years.

2003

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Revenues

 

$

2,113

 

$

2,171

 

$

2,246

 

$

2,324

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

181

 

$

215

 

$

237

 

$

66

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

 

 

(21

)

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

(1

)

(2

)

(14

)

Net income

 

$

181

 

$

214

 

$

214

 

$

52

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.94

 

$

1.02

 

$

0.27

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

 

 

(0.09

)

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

(0.06

)

Net income

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.93

 

$

0.92

 

$

0.21

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.89

 

$

0.98

 

$

0.26

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

 

 

(0.09

)

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(0.05

)

Net income

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.89

 

$

0.88

 

$

0.21

 

 

183




 

2002

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Revenues

 

$

2,334

 

$

2,344

 

$

2,297

 

$

2,055

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

148

 

$

(218

)

$

69

 

$

250

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

(9

)

(5

)

(5

)

(6

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

133

 

$

(223

)

$

64

 

$

244

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

0.69

 

$

(1.07

)

$

0.29

 

$

1.09

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(0.03

)

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.04

)

(0.02

)

(0.02

)

(0.03

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.62

 

$

(1.09

)

$

0.27

 

$

1.06

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

0.67

 

$

(1.07

)

$

0.29

 

$

1.05

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

 

(0.03

)

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.04

)

(0.02

)

(0.02

)

(0.03

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.60

 

$

(1.09

)

$

0.27

 

$

1.02

 

 

Included in fourth quarter 2003 net income were $57 million of net after-tax realized gains, including after-tax gains of $40 million from the sale of shares of a public company held in our venture capital portfolio, after-tax impairment write-downs of $29 million, and after-tax net realized investment gains of $46 million. Fourth quarter 2003 pretax underwriting losses of $367 million were comprised of profits of $182 million from ongoing business segments and losses of $549 million from segments that are being exited. Runoff underwriting results included a $350 million reserve charge in Health Care, current period underwriting losses of $26 million, an increase in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables of $37 million, a $45 million loss provision for incurred but not reported asbestos claims, and prior period reserve increases in other runoff businesses.

26   Impact of Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in the Future

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure,” which provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This statement requires additional disclosures in the event of a voluntary change. It also no longer permits the use of the original prospective method of transition for changes to the fair value based method for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003. We currently account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, using the intrinsic value method, and have not made a determination regarding any change to the fair value method.

184



As discussed in more detail in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in December 2003, the FASB issued a revised version of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46(R)”), which again deferred the effective date for certain provisions of FIN 46(R) until the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2003, which for us would be the period ended March 31, 2004. Under the partial adoption provisions of FIN 46(R), we early-adopted the consolidation and disclosure provisions of this interpretation in 2003. Our partial adoption specifically excluded the following item.

·       Lloyd’s Syndicates—We participate in various Lloyd’s syndicates at varying levels. We continue to evaluate the implications of FIN 46(R) with respect to these syndicates, and at this time we are not able to quantify the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 12, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (“FSP 106-1”). This pronouncement provides companies with the option to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the Medicare Act referenced in its title (“the Act”). We have decided to defer accounting for the Act under FSP 106-1 and have made the required disclosures in Note 13—“Retirement Plans” to the consolidated financial statements. The final accounting guidance could require changes to previously reported information. We will monitor the FASB deliberations and account for the Act based on the pronouncement expected to be issued.

Item 9.                  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A.          Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The St. Paul has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as those terms are defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The St. Paul, and Thomas A. Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The St. Paul, have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2003. Based on their evaluations, Messrs. Fishman and Bradley have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by SEC rules and forms.

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls after the date of their evaluations. There were no deficiencies or material weaknesses, and therefore there were no corrective actions taken.

Part III

Item 10.           Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders has been tentatively rescheduled for July 15, 2004 due to the pending merger with Travelers. The Company currently expects that 23 directors will be elected at that meeting, including 11 individuals who were directors of the Company before the merger, and 12 individuals who were directors of Travelers before the merger. The Company currently expects that a proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be provided to shareholders after the consummation of the merger, which is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2004.

In the event that the merger is not consummated or is substantially delayed, the Company may hold its 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders prior to the consummation of the merger. In that event, the

185




Company expects to nominate the following individuals for election as directors. All of the nominees are currently directors of the Company and were elected at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Nominees for Directors

Name

 

 

 

Age

 

Present Principal
Occupation(a)

 

Director
Since

 

Other Public Corporation
Directorships

Carolyn H. Byrd

 

55

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GlobalTech Financial, LLC (financial services company)

 

5-1-01

 

GlobalTech Financial, LLC(d); RARE Hospitality International; AFC Enterprises; Circuit City Stores, Inc.

John H. Dasburg

 

61

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ASTAR Air Cargo Inc.

 

2-2-94

 

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.; ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc. (d)

Janet M. Dolan

 

54

 

Chief Executive Officer and President, Tennant Company (manufacturer of nonresidential floor maintenance equipment and products)

 

5-1-01

 

Tennant Company; Donaldson Company, Inc.

Kenneth M. Duberstein(b)

 

59

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Duberstein Group (strategic advisory and consulting firm)

 

5-5-98

 

The Boeing Company; ConocoPhillips; Fannie Mae

Jay S. Fishman

 

51

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, The St. Paul Companies, Inc.

 

10-10-01

 

Nuveen Investments, Inc.; Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

Lawrence G. Graev

 

59

 

Chief Executive Officer and President, The GlenRock Group, LLC (merchant banking firm); Of Counsel, King & Spalding (law firm)

 

5-7-02

 

International Surface Preparation Corporation (d); Ab Initio Software Corporation(d)

Thomas R. Hodgson

 

62

 

Retired, formerly President and Chief Operating Officer, Abbott Laboratories (global diversified health care company)

 

8-11-97

 

Intermune, Inc.; MACLEAN-FOGG Corporation(d); Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc.(d)

William H. Kling(c)

 

61

 

President, American Public Media Group; President, Minnesota Public Radio, Inc.; President, Greenspring Company (diversified media and catalog marketing)

 

11-7-89

 

Irwin Financial Corporation; Wenger Corporation(d)

186




 

James A. Lawrence

 

51

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, General Mills, Inc. (manufacturer and marketer of consumer food products)

 

5-6-03

 

Avnet, Inc.

John A. MacColl

 

55

 

Vice Chairman and General Counsel, The St. Paul Companies, Inc.

 

5-7-02

 

None

Glen D. Nelson, M.D.

 

66

 

Retired, formerly Vice Chairman, Medtronic, Inc. (manufacturer of biomedical devices)

 

5-5-92

 

Carlson Holdings, Inc.(d)

Gordon M. Sprenger

 

66

 

Retired, formerly Chief Executive Officer and President, Allina Health System (not-for-profit integrated health care system)

 

5-2-95

 

Medtronic, Inc.


(a)    Principal employment of nominees in the past five years. Prior to assuming her current responsibilities in 2000, Ms. Byrd served in a number of senior executive positions with The Coca-Cola Company from 1977 until September 2000. Effective March 31, 2001, Mr. Dasburg resigned from the offices of Chief Executive Officer and President of Northwest Airlines, Inc., after serving in those roles for 12 years. He served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Burger King Corporation from April 2001 through January 2003, and as Chairman of Burger King from April 2001 to March 2003. Prior to assuming her current duties as Chief Executive Officer and President of Tennant Company, Ms. Dolan served in a number of senior executive positions with Tennant Company since joining it in 1986. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities on October 11, 2001, Mr. Fishman served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Travelers Insurance Group and as Chief Operating Officer-Finance and Risk, of Citigroup Inc. He held various executive positions with Citigroup and its predecessor since 1989 and with Travelers since 1993. Mr. Graev assumed his current position with the GlenRock Group on December 1, 2000, and he has been Of Counsel to King & Spalding since June 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Graev was a partner of the O’Sullivan Graev & Karabell law firm from 1973 until June 2001. Mr. Hodgson retired from Abbott Laboratories at the end of December 1998. Mr. Lawrence has served in his current position with General Mills since October of 1998. Before assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. MacColl served in a number of executive offices of the Company and of USF&G Corporation (“USF&G”) since 1990. Dr. Nelson served as Vice Chairman of Medtronic for fourteen years prior to his retirement in March 2002. Mr. Sprenger retired from Allina Health System in September 2001 after serving as its Chief Executive Officer and President since August 1994. All other nominees have been employed during the past five years as they presently are employed. None of the entities listed under “Other Public Corporation Directorships” is an affiliate of the Company, except Nuveen Investments, Inc., which is 79% owned by the Company. The Company has a 14% ownership interest in and certain other relationships with Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

(b)   Mr. Duberstein formerly served as a director of USF&G, which merged with a subsidiary of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. in April of 1998. He joined the Board of Directors of USF&G on September 25, 1996.

187




(c)    Mr. Kling is also a director of The Capital Group, American Funds, including the New Perspective Fund, Inc., the New World Fund, the EuroPacific Growth Fund, and the SMALLCAP World Fund, and a trustee of the New Economy Fund.

(d)   A privately held corporation.

The Board of Directors has designated Mr. Dasburg, who is the current chairman of the audit committee and an independent director, to be the Company’s audit committee financial expert.

Executive Officers Of The St. Paul

All of the following persons are regarded as executive officers of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. because of their responsibilities and duties as elected officers of The St. Paul or Fire and Marine. The officers listed in the chart below, except Jay S. Fishman, William H. Heyman, Andy F. Bessette, Timothy M. Yessman and Samuel G. Liss have held positions with The St. Paul or one or more of its subsidiaries for more than five years, and have been employees of The St. Paul or a subsidiary for more than five years.

Jay S. Fishman joined The St. Paul in October 2001. Prior to that date, Mr. Fishman was employed as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Travelers Insurance Group and as Chief Operating Officer-Finance and Risk of Citigroup, Inc. Mr. Fishman held various executive positions with Citigroup and its predecessor since 1989 and with Travelers since 1993. William H. Heyman joined The St. Paul in April 2002. For more than five years prior to that date, Mr. Heyman was employed by Citigroup, Inc., most recently in the position of Chairman of Citigroup Investments. Andy F. Bessette joined The St. Paul in January 2002. For more than five years prior to that date, Mr. Bessette held various positions in corporate real estate and corporate services at Travelers Insurance Company, including the position of vice president since 1999. Timothy M. Yessman joined The St. Paul in November 2001. For more than five years prior to that date, Mr. Yessman was employed in various capacities at Travelers Property Casualty Company, including most recently in the position of Senior Vice President of Travelers Specialty Liability Group. Samuel G. Liss joined The St. Paul in February 2003. Mr. Liss was most recently

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employed as an independent financial consultant. For the period 1994 to 2001, Mr. Liss was employed as a Managing Director at Credit Suisse First Boston.

Name

 

 

 

Age

 

Positions Presently Held

 

Term of Office and Period of
Service

Jay S. Fishman

 

51

 

Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from October 2001.

Thomas A. Bradley

 

46

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from July 2002.

William H. Heyman

 

55

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Investment Officer
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from April 2002.

John A. MacColl

 

55

 

Vice Chairman and General Counsel
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from May 2002.

Andy F. Bessette

 

50

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from July 2002.

Timothy M. Yessman

 

44

 

Executive Vice President, Claim
(Fire and Marine)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from November 2001.

Marita Zuraitis

 

43

 

Executive Vice President—
Commercial Lines
(Fire and Marine)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from July 2001.

T. Michael Miller

 

45

 

Executive Vice President—
Specialty Commercial
(Fire and Marine)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from July 2001.

Kent D. Urness

 

55

 

Executive Vice President—
International Insurance Operations
(Fire and Marine)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from July 2001.

Samuel G. Liss

 

47

 

Executive Vice President—
Business Development
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from February 2003.

Bruce A. Backberg

 

55

 

Senior Vice President and
Corporate Secretary
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from November 1997.

John P. Clifford

 

48

 

Senior Vice President—Human Resources
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the
Board from March 2002.

John C. Treacy

 

40

 

Vice President and Corporate Controller
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from March 2001.

Laura C. Gagnon

 

42

 

Vice President—Finance and
Investor Relations
(The St. Paul Companies, Inc.)

 

Serving at the pleasure of the Board from July 1999.

 

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There is no family relationship between any director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen to become a director or executive officer, and there are no arrangements or understandings between any of these officers and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected as an officer.

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines and charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Risk Committee and the Governance Committee. Such corporate governance guidelines and charters are available on the Company’s Internet website, stpaul.com, and are also available in print to any shareholders who request it in writing to the Company’s corporate secretary at the Company’s principal executive offices.

The Company has adopted an Employee Code of Conduct that applies to all employees, officers and directors of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. A portion of this code comprises the Company’s code of ethics for its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions within the meaning of paragraph (b) of Item 406 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Employee Code of Conduct is available on the Company’s Internet website, stpaul.com and is also available in print to any shareholders who request it in writing to the Company’s corporate secretary at the Company’s principal executive offices.

The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of Form 8-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of its Employee Code of Conduct that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the code of ethics enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 406 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by posting such information on the Company’s Internet website, stpaul.com.

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Executive officers, directors and beneficial owners with more than 10% of the Company’s common stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on the Company’s review of copies of such reports and written representations from the Company’s executive officers and directors, the Company believes that its executive officers and directors complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during 2003, except as follows:

On February 3, 2003, Messrs. Bessette, Heyman and Yessman received stock option grants through the Company’s 1994 Stock Incentive Plan of 50,000, 100,000 and 100,000 shares, respectively. The Form 4s reporting these transactions were filed with the SEC on April 7, 2003 for Messrs. Bessette and Yessman and on April 8, 2003 for Mr. Heyman. On November 4, 2003, Ms. Byrd and Ms. Dolan and Messrs. Dasburg, Duberstein, Graev, Hodgson, Kling, Lawrence, Nelson and Sprenger received stock option grants through the Company’s 1994 Stock Incentive Plan of 6,000 shares each. The Form 4s reporting these transactions were filed with the SEC on November 13, 2003.

Item 11.           Executive Compensation.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION

The value of the director compensation program and the importance and appropriateness of each of its components are reviewed annually by the governance committee, which considers, among other things, the results of independent surveys and director compensation programs of peer companies. The objectives of the program are to establish and maintain a program designed to closely align the interests of directors with shareholders and to attract and retain highly qualified directors with total pay opportunity ranking at

190




least in the second quartile of comparable companies. The governance committee reports to the Board of Directors, which considers and approves the program.

The Board of Directors has established a target for ownership of the Company’s common stock for outside directors at a value of five times the directors’ annual retainer (currently $22,500 per year). Each new director will be asked to meet or exceed that target within five years of election to the Board. The Board has also adopted a policy that the Company not hire a director or a director’s firm to provide professional or financial services, except with the consent of the board governance committee.

Under the Company’s current director compensation program, outside directors are entitled to compensation comprised of a $22,500 annual retainer, a $1,000 meeting fee in respect of each board and committee meeting attended, an annual stock option award of 6,000 shares of Company common stock, and participation in the Directors’ Charitable Award Program and the Deferred Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Deferred Stock Plan”). Also, outside directors who chair a committee receive an annual fee of $4,000. The components of the compensation program are described in the following paragraphs.

Annual Retainer, Meeting Fees and Committee Chair Fees.   Directors may elect to have all or any portion of their annual retainer, their meeting fees, and any committee chair fees paid in cash or deferred through the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and “invested” in a phantom Company common stock fund and/or nine phantom investment funds. Although no shares of the Company’s common stock are purchased for or held in the phantom Company stock fund, any director who elects to have any of his or her fees directed into that fund will be deemed to have purchased shares on the date the fees would otherwise have been paid in cash. The value of that fund rises or falls as the price of Company common stock fluctuates in the market. Also, dividends on those phantom shares are “reinvested” in additional phantom shares. Cash distributions are made from the phantom Company stock fund and from the other investment funds on pre-designated dates, usually following termination of service as a director, at the closing price of the common stock and the investment funds on the date of distribution. Currently, ten outside directors have deferred at least a portion of their fees into the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, and seven of those directors have all or a portion of their plan interest “invested” in the phantom Company common stock fund.

Stock Options.   Under the Company’s Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (“Stock Incentive Plan”), annual non-qualified stock option grants covering 6,000 common shares are made to each outside director at the regular meeting of the Board following the end of the Company’s third quarter. Such options are granted at the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and become exercisable in 25% increments on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. Under that plan, options terminate at the earliest of 10 years after the date of grant, immediately if directorship is terminated for cause, 90 days after any voluntary termination of service as a director other than by retirement (but the option in this case may be exercised only to the extent it was exercisable on the date of such termination), or any earlier time set by the compensation committee at the time of option grant. A director’s retirement will not accelerate the termination of options granted after 1998. Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan prior to 1999 will terminate three years after retirement or earlier under certain circumstances. Special provisions apply in the case of death of an optionee or in the case of a Change of Control, as defined below. If an option was not fully exercisable at the time of occurrence of a Change of Control, all portions of the option immediately would become exercisable in full.

“Change of Control” is defined in the Stock Incentive Plan to mean a change of control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), with such Change of Control to be deemed to have occurred when (a) any person, as defined in the Exchange Act, other than the Company or a Company subsidiary or one of their employee benefit plans, is or becomes the beneficial

191




owner of 50 percent or more of the Company’s common stock or (b) members of the Board of Directors on May 3, 1994 (the “Incumbent Board”) cease to constitute a majority thereof (provided that persons subsequently becoming directors with the approval of directors comprising at least three-quarters of the Incumbent Board shall be considered as members of the Incumbent Board). All current directors are considered members of the Incumbent Board. The consummation of the Proposed Merger would constitute a Change in Control for these purposes, and director options will immediately vest at that time.

Director Tenure Program.   A Board policy provides that each director with 15 or more years of service and each director who will be at least 70 years old on or before the date of the next shareholders’ meeting shall tender his or her resignation to the chair of the governance committee by November 20 of each year indicating his or her intent not to stand for re-election at the subsequent annual meeting of the shareholders. Additionally, upon a substantial change in principal employment, a director should tender his or her resignation. If, however, upon review, the governance committee determines that there is a continuing need on the Board of Directors for the type of qualifications the resigning director provides, then such director may be asked to become a candidate for re-election.

Deferred Stock Plan.   The Deferred Stock Plan is intended to further align the non-employee directors’ interests with those of the shareholders of the Company. Under the Deferred Stock Plan, participating non-employee directors receive, in an account in the director’s name, an annual credit of $25,000 which is deemed invested, on the business day immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders, in the Company’s common stock based on the closing price of common stock on the date credited. Dividends on the accumulated shares are deemed reinvested in additional shares. The Deferred Stock Plan provides that upon a director’s cessation of service for any reason, the accumulated shares in that director’s account will be distributed in the form of shares of the Company’s common stock, all at once or in installments, depending upon the participating director’s election.

Directors’ Charitable Award Program.   As part of the Company’s policy of providing support for charitable institutions and in order to retain and attract qualified directors, the Board of Directors established the Directors’ Charitable Award Program, which is funded by life insurance on the lives of the members of the Board of Directors. The Company intends to make charitable contributions of $1 million per director, paid out over a period of 10 years following the death of the director. Each director is able to recommend up to four charities to receive contributions from the Company. Directors become vested in this program in $200,000 annual increments starting with their first anniversary of election as a director. Directors are fully vested upon the earliest of the fifth anniversary of their election as a director, death, disability, or retirement at or after age 70 or upon a Change of Control (generally defined in the same manner as in the Stock Incentive Plan described above). The consummation of the Proposed Merger would constitute a Change of Control for these purposes. Beneficiary organizations designated under this program must be tax-exempt, and donations ultimately paid by the Company should be deductible against federal and other income taxes payable by the Company in accordance with the tax laws applicable at the time. Directors derive no financial benefit from the program, since all insurance proceeds and charitable deductions accrue solely to the Company.

Grantor Trust.   The Company has transferred funds to a grantor trust created for the purpose of implementing benefits under various non-qualified plans of deferred compensation, including the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and the Directors’ Retirement Plan (the “Implemented Plans”). Following a Change of Control no portion of the trust assets may be returned to the Company or any subsidiary unless the trustee determines that such portion of the assets and future earnings on it never will be required to pay benefits and if a majority of the participants of the Implemented Plans consent to the return of the assets. The consummation of the Proposed Merger would not constitute a Change of Control for these purposes. Unlike assets held in the trusts created to implement benefits under the Company’s tax-qualified plans, assets held in the grantor trust remain subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors.

192



If the Company becomes insolvent, the trustee will be required to cease payment of benefits under all Implemented Plans and dispose of trust assets pursuant to the direction of a court of competent jurisdiction.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each of the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Fishman, who joined the Company in mid-October 2001, and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company for 2003.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Compensation

 

Awards

 

Payouts

 

 

 

Name and
Principal Position

 

 

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Bonus
($)(1)

 

Other Annual
Compensation
($)
(2)

 

Restricted
Stock
Award(s)
($)(3)

 

Securities
Underlying
Options/

SARs
(#)

 

Long-Term
Incentive Plan
Payouts

 

All Other
Compensation
($)
(4)

 

J.S. Fishman

 

2003

 

$

1,000,000

 

$

2,000,000

 

 

$

404,106

 

 

$

740,666

 

 

600,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

60,000

 

 

Chairman, President and

 

2002

 

$

1,000,000

 

$

1,125,000

 

 

$

186,342

 

 

$

416,605

 

 

12,245

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

40,000

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2001

 

$

203,846

 

$

0

 

 

$

236,482

 

 

$

6,819,350

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,508,154

 

 

T.M. Miller

 

2003

 

$

513,077

 

$

626,250

 

 

$

9,569

 

 

$

231,895

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,785

 

 

Executive Vice President—

 

2002

 

$

450,000

 

$

412,500

 

 

$

3,588

 

 

$

152,772

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,000

 

 

Specialty Commercial

 

2001

 

$

382,731

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

743,400

 

 

80,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

15,309

 

 

M. Zuraitis

 

2003

 

$

513,077

 

$

626,250

 

 

$

7,049

 

 

$

231,895

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,785

 

 

Executive Vice President—

 

2002

 

$

440,388

 

$

412,500

 

 

$

1,295

 

 

$

152,772

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,616

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

2001

 

$

322,124

 

$

0

 

 

$

789

 

 

$

723,557

 

 

55,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,885

 

 

T.A. Bradley

 

2003

 

$

500,000

 

$

562,500

 

 

$

9,884

 

 

$

208,311

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,000

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

2002

 

$

500,000

 

$

375,000

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

138,868

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,000

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2001

 

$

373,077

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

1,191,159

 

 

44,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,923

 

 

W.H. Heyman

 

2003

 

$

500,000

 

$

562,500

 

 

$

128,363

 

 

$

208,311

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,000

 

 

Executive Vice President—

 

2002

 

$

317,308

 

$

375,000

 

 

$

104,970

 

 

$

138,868

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11,000

 

 

Chief Investment Officer

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)              The amounts shown were earned in the year indicated and paid under the bonus program in the following year. Because of the Company’s financial losses resulting from the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and from other events and actions in 2001, management urged the compensation committee to refrain from paying bonuses to any executive officers for 2001. Pursuant to his recruitment and hiring arrangement, Mr. Fishman was guaranteed a payment of $227,397 in February 2002. However, considering the events of September 11, 2001 and other 2001 losses, he volunteered to forego receipt of that payment. In lieu thereof, 12,245 stock options having a Black-Scholes value equal to that guaranteed payment were awarded to Mr. Fishman. Mr. Heyman, who joined the Company in May 2002, was paid $500,000 for 2002 in February 2003 pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement.

(2)              Included in Mr. Fishman’s “Other Annual Compensation” in 2003 is $326,637 representing certain travel expenses and $55,340 representing tax reimbursements. These amounts relate primarily to Mr. Fishman’s use of corporate travel resources as required under the Company’s security policy. Included in Mr. Heyman’s 2003 “Other Annual Compensation” is $59,848 representing tax reimbursements. Also included are $39,035 and $24,000 representing certain travel and lodging expenses, respectively. Tax reimbursements were also paid to Messrs. Bradley, Miller and Ms. Zuraitis for $9,884, $9,569 and $7,049, respectively.

(3)              As of December 31, 2003, Messrs. Fishman, Miller, Bradley and Heyman and Ms. Zuraitis (collectively the “Named Executives”) held 12,795, 13,692, 18,265, 4,265 and 13,692 restricted shares of Company common stock, respectively, having market values on that date of $507,322, $542,888, $724,207, $169,107 and $542,888, respectively. Mr. Fishman’s restricted shares were received in 2003 as part of the Company’s Capital Accumulation Plan that pays 25% of the bonus in the form of restricted stock. All 12,795 shares will vest in February 2005. Mr. Miller received a grant under the Company’s Capital Accumulation Plan of 4,692 restricted shares in February 2003 and an additional grant of 15,000 shares of restricted stock in February 2001. Under the terms of the award, the 2003 grant will all vest in February 2005. Of the 15,000 shares granted in 2001, 6,000 shares vested in 2003, and 9,000 vested in 2004. Mr. Bradley received grants of restricted shares under the Company’s Capital Accumulation Plan in February 2003, and he also received grants in February and August 2001. All of the 4,265 shares granted in February 2003 will vest in February 2005. Of the 15,000 granted in February 2001, 6,000 vested in February 2003 and 9,000 vested in February 2004. Mr. Bradley’s August 2001 grant of 10,000 restricted shares vests in 2,500 share increments in each of 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Mr. Heyman received 4,265 restricted shares in February 2003 under the

193




Company’s Capital Accumulation Plan, all of which vest in February 2005. Ms. Zuraitis received a grant of 4,692 restricted shares in 2003 under the Company’s Capital Accumulation Plan. She also received two grants of restricted shares in 2001. The restricted shares awarded in 2003 all vest in February 2005. Of the 10,000 shares granted in February 2001, 4,000 vested in February 2003 and 6,000 vested in February 2004. Of the 5,000 restricted shares granted to Ms. Zuraitis in August 2001, 2,000 vested in August 2003 and 3,000 will vest in August 2004. In addition to the foregoing, all restrictions applicable to the restricted shares of Company common stock referenced in this paragraph will lapse upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan described above) or upon termination of employment by the Company without cause or by the employee for good reason pursuant to the Senior Executive Severance Policy described below. The consummation of the Proposed Merger would constitute a Change of Control for these purposes.

                           On February 2, 2004, Messrs. Fishman, Miller, Bradley and Heyman, and Ms. Zuraitis, were granted 17,273, 5,408, 4,858, 4,858, and 5,408 shares of restricted stock, respectively, representing 25% of their bonus for 2003. The restrictions on these shares will lapse on February 2, 2006. In addition to the foregoing, all restrictions applicable to the restricted shares of Company common stock referenced in this paragraph will lapse upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan described above), other than consummation of the Proposed Merger, or upon termination of employment by the Company without cause or by the employee for good reason pursuant to the Senior Executive Severance Policy described below.

(4)              Contributions (in the form of Series B convertible preferred stock and preferred stock equivalents, under the Company’s qualified and non-qualified savings plans) were made in the following amounts for each Named Executive in 2003: Mr. Fishman, $60,000; Mr. Miller, $30,785; Ms. Zuraitis, $30,785, Mr. Bradley, $30,000; and Mr. Heyman, $30,000.

The following two tables summarize option grants and exercises during 2003 to or by the Named Executives and the value of the options held by such persons at December 31, 2003. No stock appreciation rights were granted to the Named Executives during 2003, nor were any stock appreciation rights outstanding as of December 31, 2003.

OPTION GRANTS IN 2003

Individual Grants

Name

 

 

 

Securities Underlying
Options
Granted (Number)

 

% of Total
Options
Granted to
Employees
in 2003

 

Exercise or
Base Price
($/Share)

 

Expiration
Date

 

Grant Date
Present Value
($)

 

J.S. Fishman

 

 

600,000

(1)

 

 

16.8

%

 

 

$

30.94

 

 

02/03/2013

 

$

6,297,240

(2)

T.M. Miller

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M. Zuraitis

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.A. Bradley

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W.H. Heyman

 

 

100,000

(1)

 

 

2.8

%

 

 

$

30.94

 

 

02/03/2013

 

$

1,049,540

(2)


(1)          Options were granted on February 4, 2003. Messrs. Fishman and Heyman’s options vest in 25% increments on the first four anniversaries of that grant. All options will become immediately vested and exercisable in full upon a Change of Control (as defined in the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan described above). The consummation of the Proposed Merger would constitute a Change of Control for these purposes. In a letter of understanding that Mr. Fishman entered into with the Company in connection with the Proposed Merger, Mr. Fishman has agreed that so long as he remains employed as the chief executive officer by the Company or the combined company (if the Proposed Merger is completed), and he becomes the chairman of the board of directors of the combined company on January 1, 2006, he would not intend to exercise any of the options that will vest in connection with the consummation of the Proposed Merger until after they would have been exercisable in accordance with their terms and vesting schedules in effect on November 16, 2003.

(2)          The options granted on February 4, 2003 were valued at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: expected volatility of 35.89%, dividend yield 2.88%; risk-free rate of return of 3.72%; and the maximum exercise period at the time of grant which was 10 years.

194



AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2003 AND
12-31-03 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

Name

 

 

 

Shares
Acquired
on Exercise (#)

 

Value
Realized ($)

 

Number of
Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
at 12/31/03 (#)
Exercisable (ex)/
Unexercisable (unex)

 

Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options
at 12/31/03 ($)
Exercisable (ex)/
Unexercisable (unex)

 

J.S. Fishman

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

753,062

(ex)

 

 

$

0

(ex)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,359,183

(unex)

 

 

$

5,226,000

(unex)

 

T.M. Miller

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

95,670

(ex)

 

 

$

412,348

(ex)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,809

(unex)

 

 

$

182,674

(unex)

 

M. Zuraitis

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

76,273

(ex)

 

 

$

427,989

(ex)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

236,543

(unex)

 

 

$

92,531

(unex)

 

T.A. Bradley

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

65,301

(ex)

 

 

$

398,398

(ex)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

234,235

(unex)

 

 

$

125,477

(unex)

 

W.H. Heyman

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

50,000

(ex)

 

 

$

0

(ex)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,000

(unex)

 

 

$

871,000

(unex)

 

 

Pension

All of the Named Executives participate in the Company’s pension plans. The amount of their remuneration which is covered by a qualified plan for 2003 is the amount set forth in the salary, bonus and restricted stock award (granted pursuant to the Capital Accumulation Plan) columns of the Summary Compensation Table up to the qualified plan compensation limit. Any remuneration exceeding that limit is covered under the Company’s nonqualified pension plan.

Effective January 1, 2001, the pension plan was amended to provide a cash balance benefit formula. This formula applies to all employees hired on or after January 1, 2001. Employees hired prior to January 1, 2001, were given a choice in the year 2000 of remaining under the prior defined benefit formula (the “traditional formula”) or converting to the cash balance formula. Both Messrs. Fishman and Heyman were hired after January 1, 2001, and will have their benefits determined under the cash balance formula. Messrs. Miller and Bradley and Ms. Zuraitis elected to have their benefit calculated under the cash balance formula. As a result, none of the Named Executives have their benefits determined under the traditional formula. Retirement benefits for Messrs. Miller and Bradley and Ms. Zuraitis are fully vested.

The cash balance benefit is expressed in the form of a hypothetical account balance. For periods between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002, benefit credits accrued annually at a rate between 6% and 10%. For periods after January 1, 2003, benefit credits will accrue annually at a rate between 3% and 5%. A participant’s individual rate will increase with age and service. Interest credits are applied quarterly to the prior quarter’s balance; these interest credits are based on the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds. Although the normal form of benefit is an annuity, the hypothetical account balance is also payable as a single lump sum.

195




The estimated annual benefit provided in total by the cash balance formula described above, expressed in the form of a single life annuity, is as follows:

Executive

 

 

 

Complete
Years
of Service
Through 2003

 

Estimated Annual
Benefit Payable
at Age 65

 

J.S. Fishman

 

 

2

 

 

 

$

169,669

 

 

T.M. Miller

 

 

9

 

 

 

$

167,026

 

 

M. Zuraitis

 

 

11

 

 

 

$

180,478

 

 

T.A. Bradley

 

 

11

 

 

 

$

143,098

 

 

W.H. Heyman

 

 

2

 

 

 

$

53,539

 

 

 

These estimates are based on the following assumptions:

·       The benefit is determined as of age 65 and assumes employment until such age.

·       Pay is assumed to remain at 2003 levels, while bonuses are assumed to be 100% of base pay.

·       The average interest-crediting rate for the cash balance plan for 2003 (3.91%) remains constant.

·       The interest rate used to convert hypothetical account balances to annual annuities in 2003 (4.76%) remains constant.

·       The mortality table used to convert hypothetical account balances to annual annuities in 2003 (table prescribed in Revenue Ruling 2001-62) is used.

Amended and Restated Special (Change of Control) Severance Policy

Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy (“Policy”), severance benefits would be provided to eligible employees of the Company, including all of the Named Executives, in the event their employment terminates under certain conditions within two years following a Change of Control (as defined in the Policy). If the employment of any Named Executive is terminated within two years after a Change of Control by the employer other than for Cause, or by the employee for Good Reason, or if the employment of the Named Executive terminates for any reason during the 30-day period commencing on the anniversary of the Change of Control, the Named Executive would become entitled to certain benefits. The consummation of the Proposed Merger would constitute a Change of Control under this Policy.

Under the Policy, for Named Executives, the term “Cause” is generally defined as willfully engaging in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its affiliates or willful and continued failure to perform substantially his or her duties after a written demand is delivered by the Company’s board of directors. “Good Reason” is defined to include such situations as a change in duties or responsibilities that is inconsistent in any materially adverse respect with the Named Executive’s positions, duties, responsibilities or status prior to the Change of Control, a materially adverse change in the Named Executive’s titles and offices (including, if applicable, membership on the Board of Directors) as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control, a reduction in the Named Executive’s rate of base salary or annual target bonus opportunity, job relocations of a certain type and failure to maintain benefits that are substantially the same as are in effect when the Change of Control occurs.

The following is a summary of the severance benefits provided to Named Executives under the Policy:

1.     A Named Executive will receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to three times the sum of (i) the highest annual base salary rate payable to the Named Executive during the 12-month period immediately prior to termination and (ii) the Named Executive’s target bonus for the year of termination.

196




2.     Participation will be continued for three years in those medical, dental, disability and life insurance programs in which the Named Executive participated on the date employment terminated.

3.     Outplacement assistance will be provided which is no less favorable than under the terms of the outplacement assistance plan applicable to the Named Executive at the time of the Change of Control, unless the Named Executive elects to receive a lump cash payment in lieu thereof.

4.     If the payments to the Named Executives would be subject to the excise tax on “excess parachute payments” imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the Company will reimburse the Named Executive for the amount of such excise tax (and the income and excise taxes on such reimbursement), subject to certain limitations.

The Policy is subject to amendment or termination at any time prior to a Change of Control unless the amendment or termination is approved within 12 months of the Change of Control and would adversely affect the rights (or potential rights) of the Named Executive. After a Change of Control, no amendment or termination of the Policy may adversely affect the rights (or potential rights) of the Named Executive with respect to such a Change of Control.

Employment Contracts

J.S. Fishman—Mr. Fishman has an employment agreement with the Company for a five-year term which began October 10, 2001. The agreement provides that Mr. Fishman will serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for a base annual salary of at least $1,000,000 and participation in the Company’s bonus plan, under which he will have a target bonus opportunity of 100% of his base salary and a maximum bonus of 200% of his base salary. The agreement also provides for a pro rated portion of the target bonus for 2001, a minimum bonus for 2002 equal to the target bonus, and a one-time special bonus of $2,500,000, which he received in 2001. Mr. Fishman received an initial grant of 1,500,000 stock options in 2001 and will receive in 2003 and each year thereafter an option grant with a value equal to at least 250% of the sum of his prior year’s base salary and target bonus, all such options being subject to four year pro rata vesting. Mr. Fishman also received 145,000 shares of restricted stock that vested on various dates through January 1, 2003.

If Mr. Fishman’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason” (each as defined in the agreement), he will receive a payment equal to three times the sum of his base salary and the greater of his target bonus or his bonus for the preceding year, up to three years of medical and dental coverage and immediate vesting of all stock options and restricted stock. In addition, all outstanding options will remain exercisable for the lesser of five years or the remainder of their term. In the event of a Change of Control, Mr. Fishman will be entitled to the benefits described above under the Company’s Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy, if his employment is terminated under circumstances described in that Policy. In the event Mr. Fishman is subject to excise tax on any payments to him under the agreement, the Company will make a gross-up payment to compensate him for such tax liability. Mr. Fishman is subject to certain confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation provisions under the agreement.

In connection with the Proposed Merger, Mr. Fishman entered into a letter of understanding with the Company pursuant to which he will enter into a new employment agreement with the combined company, to be effective upon the consummation of the Proposed Merger, that will have a five-year term and will be substantially the same as his existing employment agreement, subject to certain differences, such as his agreement not to exercise his stock options under certain circumstances, as described in further detail under “Option Grants in 2003.”

W.H. Heyman—Mr. Heyman’s agreement, which became effective on May 6, 2002, has a three-year term and states that Mr. Heyman will serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer,

197




reporting directly to Mr. Fishman. The agreement provides that Mr. Heyman will receive an annual base salary of at least $500,000 and a minimum guaranteed bonus of at least $500,000, paid in February 2003. Mr. Heyman participates in the Company’s bonus plan, under which he has a target bonus opportunity of 100% of his base salary. Mr. Heyman received an initial grant of 200,000 stock options in 2002, which vest in 25% increments on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, and he is eligible to receive future stock option grants.

T.A. Bradley and M. Zuraitis—Pursuant to arrangements with Mr. Bradley and Ms. Zuraitis, each is expected to receive a retention bonus of $750,000 if they stay with the Company or the combined company (if the Proposed Merger is completed) through December 31, 2004. In addition, they will each receive a bonus for 2004 equal to at least their 2002 annual bonus, and they will remain entitled to any other severance or similar payments or benefits to which they otherwise may be entitled.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No current or former officer or other employee of the Company served as a member of the Compensation Committee or as a member of the compensation committee on the board of any other entity where an executive officer of such company is a member of the Compensation Committee.

198



Item 12.           Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The following table sets forth information as of February 20, 2004 (except as set forth below) regarding the beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Company by each person known to own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Company’s capital stock, each director and director nominee of the Company, each of the executive officers of the Company included in the Summary Compensation Table, and all directors, director nominees and executive officers of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment powers with respect to the capital stock owned by them.

Beneficial Owner

 

 

 

Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership of
Common Stock

 

Percent of
Class
of Common
Stock

 

Percent of Class
of Series B
Convertible Preferred
Stock(5)

 

Dodge & Cox
1 Sansome Street, 35th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94194

 

 

20,680,244

(1)

 

 

9.1

(1)

 

 

0

 

 

Wellington Management Company LLP
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109

 

 

19,974,994

(2)

 

 

8.8

(2)

 

 

0

 

 

Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

 

16,883,080

(3)

 

 

7.4

(3)

 

 

0

 

 

Citigroup, Inc.
425 Park Avenue 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10043

 

 

14,872,045

(4)

 

 

6.5

(4)

 

 

0

 

 

Fidelity Management Trust Company
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109

 

 

 

(5)*

 

 

 

(5)*

 

 

100

(5)

 

J.S. Fishman

 

 

1,085,778

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

T.A. Bradley

 

 

220,798

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

W.H. Heyman

 

 

109,695

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.M. Miller

 

 

256,723

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

M. Zuraitis

 

 

226,329

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

C.H. Byrd

 

 

4,500

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

J.H. Dasburg

 

 

80,238

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

J.M. Dolan

 

 

4,610

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

K.M. Duberstein

 

 

26,818

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

L.G. Graev

 

 

3,800

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

T.R. Hodgson

 

 

29,836

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

W.H. Kling

 

 

40,025

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

J.A. Lawrence

 

 

1,600

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

J.A. MacColl

 

 

499,227

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

G.D. Nelson, M.D.

 

 

118,257

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

G.M. Sprenger

 

 

31,238

(6)

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

 

 

All Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a Group (24 Persons)

 

 

3,657,502

(6)

 

 

1.60

%

 

 

0

 

 


*                    Indicates ownership of less than 1% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

199




(1)          In a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 17, 2004, Dodge & Cox, Investment Managers (“Dodge & Cox”), disclosed that Dodge & Cox had sole power to direct the vote of 19,397,624 shares, shared power to direct the vote of 212,900 shares, and had sole power to direct the disposition of 20,680,244 shares.

(2)          In a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2004, Wellington Management Company, LLP (“Wellington”), disclosed that, as of December 31, 2003, Wellington had sole power to direct the vote of 0 shares, shared power to direct the vote of 14,285,407 shares, had sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 0 shares and had shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 19,974,994 shares.

(3)          In a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2004, Capital Research and Management Company (“Capital Research”), disclosed that, as of December 31, 2003, Capital Research had sole power to direct the vote of 0 shares, shared power to direct the vote of 0 shares, had sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 16,883,080 shares and had shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 0 shares.

(4)          On February 11, 2004, Citigroup, Inc., filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC disclosing that it had shared voting power with respect to 7,964,658 shares and shared power to direct the disposition of 12,714,929 shares.

(5)          As trustee under The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Stock Ownership Plan, Fidelity Management Trust Company holds 100% of the 669,848 outstanding shares of Series B convertible preferred stock as of February 20, 2004.

(6)          Under the Company’s stock option plan, the named executive officers and directors have the right to acquire beneficial ownership of the following number of shares within 60 calendar days: Messrs. Fishman, Bradley, Heyman, Miller, and Ms. Zuraitis each respectively 906,123, 188,487, 75,000, 230,910, and 196,520; Messrs. Dasburg, Duberstein, Graev, Hodgson, Kling, Lawrence, MacColl, Nelson, Sprenger and Ms. Byrd and Ms. Dolan, each respectively 30,000, 22,692, 1,500, 24,000, 30,000, 0, 466,339, 30,000, 28,000, 4,500, and 4,500; and all directors and executive officers as a group 3,010,603. These shares are included in the totals shown for each individual and the group of all directors, director nominees and executive officers.

                           The following number of restricted shares are held by the Company under its stock incentive plan and non-employee director stock retainer plan, for the named executive officers and directors or director nominees: Mr. Fishman 30,068; Mr. Bradley 14,123; Mr. Heyman 9,123; Mr. Miller 10,100; Ms. Zuraitis 13,100; Messrs. Dasburg, Duberstein, Hodgson, Kling, Nelson and Sprenger 1,250 each. The number of shares of restricted stock held by all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group is 124,744. Those directors and executive officers have sole voting power and no investment power with respect to those shares. These shares are included in the totals shown for each individual and the group of all directors, director nominees and executive officers.

                           Under the Company’s Stock Ownership Plan, the following number of shares of common stock have been allocated to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) accounts of the following executive officers: Mr. Miller 1,339; and all executive officers as a group 22,119. Employees (including executive officers) have sole voting power over shares allocated to their ESOP accounts. While investments generally are in the Company’s common stock, all employees are allowed to diversify into other investment options. These shares are included in the totals shown for each individual and the group of all directors, director nominees and executive officers.

                           Under the Company’s Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, participating non-employee directors are eligible to defer directors’ fees to, among others, a Company common stock equivalent account. Directors electing common stock equivalents have their deferred accounts credited with the number

200




of common shares of the Company which could have been purchased with the fees on the date they were deferred. This is a “phantom” arrangement, and no common shares are actually purchased or held for any director’s account. However, dividends on phantom shares are credited to participating directors’ accounts, and the value of a participating director’s common stock account fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Company’s common stock. The following directors had the following number of phantom shares of common stock allocated to their deferred compensation accounts: Ms. Byrd 1,155; Mr. Dasburg 4,724; Mr. Duberstein 5,656; Mr. Graev 783; Mr. Hodgson 428; Mr. Kling 7,155; Mr. Lawrence 1,105; Mr. Nelson 5,671; and Mr. Sprenger 1,253. These phantom shares are not included in the totals shown above.

                           Under the Company’s Directors’ Deferred Stock Plan, non-employee directors receive an annual credit of $25,000 that is deemed invested, on the business day immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders, in the Company’s common stock based on the closing price of common stock on the date credited. In addition, all current non-employee directors serving on February 5, 2001 elected to transfer the value of their benefits under the Directors’ Retirement Plan to the Deferred Stock Plan, effective May 1, 2001. Dividends on the accumulated shares are deemed reinvested in additional shares. This is a “phantom” arrangement, and no common shares are actually held for any director’s account. Upon a director’s cessation of service, the accumulated shares in that director’s account will be distributed in the form of shares of the Company’s common stock. The following directors had the following number of phantom shares of common stock allocated to their Deferred Stock Plan accounts: Mr. Dasburg 25,052 shares; Ms. Dolan 1,903 shares; Mr. Duberstein 12,104 shares; Mr. Graev 1,299 shares; Mr. Hodgson 14,621 shares; Mr. Kling 35,229 shares; Mr. Lawrence 747 shares; Mr. Nelson 29,541 shares; Mr. Sprenger 21,562 shares. These phantom shares are not included in the totals shown above.

(7)          Under the Company’s Stock Ownership Plan, the following number of Series B convertible preferred shares have been allocated to the Preferred Stock Fund accounts of the following executive officers: Mr. Fishman 73; Mr. Bradley 187; Mr. Heyman 71; Mr. Miller 256; and Ms. Zuraitis 187; and all executive officers as a group 3,190 shares. Each share of Series B preferred stock is convertible into and votes as if it were eight shares of the Company’s common stock. These shares, as if converted to common stock, are included in the totals shown for each executive officer and for all executive officers as a group. Employees (including executive officers) have sole voting power and no investment power over shares allocated to their Preferred Stock accounts, except that a participant may, for a period of six years following the year in which the participant attains age 55, elect to diversify a portion of his/her Preferred Stock account into other investment options.

201




Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table presents information related to securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights pursuant to equity compensation plans that have been approved by shareholders, as well as plans that have not been approved by shareholders, as of December 31, 2003.

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Plan category

 

 

 

Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities in column (a))

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

19,512,662

 

 

 

$

38.57

 

 

 

8,905,599

(1)

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)

 

 

629,107

 

 

 

$

39.36

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

20,141,769

 

 

 

$

38.60

 

 

 

8,905,599

 

 


(1)          Of the 8,905,599 shares remaining available at December 31, 2003, up to 5,258,306 could be issued as restricted stock.

(2)          The St. Paul International 1988 Stock Option Plan and The St. Paul Holdings 1996 Stock Option Plan were established to grant options to certain eligible employees of our U.K. operations. The options granted under these plans were priced at the market price of our common stock on the date of grant and were eligible for exercise at any time from three to ten years after the date of grant.

In April 1998, the Company merged with USF&G Corporation (“USF&G”), and the outstanding options on USF&G stock were converted into options on the Company’s stock. At December 31, 2003, 595,331 stock options were outstanding pursuant to that conversion, of which 567,374 (with a weighted average exercise price of $38.64) related to plans approved by USF&G shareholders prior to the merger, and 27,957 (with a weighted average exercise price of $24.39) related to plans that had not been approved by USF&G shareholders prior to the merger. No additional options could be granted under those plans subsequent to the April 1998 merger. These options are not included in the preceding table.

Item 13.           Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

None.

202




Item 14.           Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by KPMG for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for 2003 and 2002, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG in those years.

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Audit services(1)

 

$

6,145,156

 

$

5,624,470

 

Audit related services(2)

 

$

1,506,158

 

$

2,138,034

 

Tax services(3)

 

$

1,027,446

 

$

1,052,910

 

All other services(4)

 

$

59,494

 

$

0

 


(1)          Both years include fees for audit of financial statements, reviews of quarterly financial statements and related reports, and reviews of registration statements and certain periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(2)          In 2003, primarily consists of fees for Sarbanes-Oxley Act documentation assistance, consultation related to financial accounting and reporting standards, review of regulatory filings, consultation on proposed transactions and audit work on benefit plans and funds, and other attestation and certification services. In 2002, consists primarily of fees for accounting consultation and audit work in connection with the Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. transaction and also includes fees for review of regulatory filings, work on proposed transactions and audit work on benefit plans and funds, and other attestation and certification services.

(3)          Both years include fees related to domestic and international tax planning, tax return preparation and assistance.

(4)          The audit committee of the Board of Directors considered whether providing the non-audit services shown in this table is compatible with maintaining KPMG’s independence.

The charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides that the committee is responsible for pre-approving, or adopting appropriate procedures to pre-approve, all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor. The committee has delegated the authority to grant such pre-approvals to the committee chair, which approvals are then reviewed by the full committee at its next regular meeting. Typically, however, the committee itself reviews the matters to be approved. The procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditor include the committee reviewing, on a quarterly basis, a list of the specific categories of audit and audit-related services, tax services and other services that the independent auditor may provide and approving the provision of the described services by the independent auditor within specified dollar limits. Committee approval would be required to exceed the specified dollar limit for a particular category of services or to engage the independent auditor for any services not included in the pre-approved list of services. The committee periodically monitors the services rendered by and actual fees paid to the independent auditor to ensure that such services are within the parameters approved by the committee.

203



Part IV

Item 15.           Exhibits, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)    Filed documents. The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

1.

Financial Statements.

 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets—December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Independent Auditors’ Report

 

 

2.

Financial Statement Schedules.

 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

Independent Auditors’ Report on Financial Statement Schedules

 

I.

Summary of Investments—Other than Investments in Related Parties

 

II.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

 

III.

Supplementary Insurance Information

 

IV.

Reinsurance

 

V.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

 

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information is included elsewhere in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

3.

Exhibits. An Exhibit Index is included on page 220 this document.

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

 

 

(2)

 

The Formation and Separation Agreement between The St. Paul and Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., dated as of October 28, 2002, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.’s October 23, 2002 amendment to its Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-86906).

(3)

(a)

The current articles of incorporation of The St. Paul are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

(b)

The current bylaws of The St. Paul are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of The St. Paul filed on February 13, 2004.

204




 

(4)

(a)

A specimen certificate of The St. Paul’s common stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

 

There are no long-term debt instruments in which the total amount of securities authorized exceeds 10% of the total assets of The St. Paul and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The St. Paul agrees to furnish a copy of any of its long-term debt instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

(10)

(a)

The Senior Executive Performance Plan is filed herewith.

 

(b)

The Employment Agreement dated October 10, 2001 between The St. Paul and Mr. Jay S. Fishman is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) of the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001.

 

(c)

The Employment Agreement dated November 5, 2001 between The St. Paul and Timothy M. Yessman is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

(d)

The Retention Incentive Agreement dated May 20, 2002 between The St. Paul and John A. MacColl is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) of the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

 

(e)

The Deferred Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

(f)

The Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

(g)

The Directors’ Charitable Award Program, as Amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

(h)

The Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

(i)

The Amendment to the Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

(j)

The 1988 Stock Option Plan as in effect for options granted prior to June 1994, as amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

(k)

The Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

(l)

The Annual Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement relating to the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders that was held on May 4, 1999.

 

(m)

The Deferred Management Incentive Awards Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

(n)

The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

(o)

The Benefit Equalization Plan—1995 Revision is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

(p)

First Amendment to Benefit Equalization Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

205




 

 

(q)

Executive Post-Retirement Life Insurance Plan—Summary Plan Description is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

(r)

Executive Long-Term Disability Plan—Summary Plan Description is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

(s)

The St. Paul Re Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to the Form S-8 Registration Statement filed March 17, 1998 (Commission File No. 333-48121).

 

(t)

Agreement and Plan of Merger effective as of November 16, 2003 among The St. Paul, Adams Acquisition Corp. and Travelers Property Casualty Corp is filed herewith.

 

(u)

The Employment Agreement dated April 18, 2002 between The St. Paul and William H. Heyman is filed herewith.

(11)

 

A statement regarding the computation of per share earnings is filed herewith.

(12)

 

A statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is filed herewith.

(21)

 

List of subsidiaries of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. is filed herewith.

(23)

 

Consent of independent auditors to incorporation by reference of certain reports into Registration Statements on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 33-23948, No. 33-24220, No. 33-24575, No. 33-26923, No. 33-49273, No. 33-56987, No. 333-01065, No. 333-22329, No. 333-25203, No. 333-28915, No. 333-48121, No. 333-50941, No. 333-50943, No. 333-67983, No. 333-63114, No. 333-63118, No. 333-65726, No. 333-65728, No. 333-107698 and No. 333-107699), Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-92466, No. 333-92466-01, No. 333-98525 and No. 333-98525-01) and Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-111072) is filed herewith.

(24)

 

Power of attorney is filed herewith.

(31)

(a)

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification by Jay S. Fishman is filed herewith.

 

(b)

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Thomas A. Bradley is filed herewith.

(32)

(a)

Section 1350 certification by Jay S. Fishman is filed herewith.

 

(b)

Section 1350 certification by Thomas A. Bradley is filed herewith.

 

(b)          Reports on Form 8-K.

(1)         A Form 8-K Current Report dated October 30, 2003 was furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission related to announcement of The St. Paul’s consolidated financial results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003.

(2)         A Form 8-K Current Report dated November 17, 2003 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the announcement of The St. Paul’s proposed merger with Travelers Property Casualty Corp.

(3)         A Form 8-K Current Report dated January 23, 2004 was furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the pre-announcement of The St. Paul’s financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2003, including the disclosure of a $350 million pretax charge related to Health Care reserves.

206




(4)         A Form 8-K Current Report dated January 28, 2004 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the announcement of a U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s approval of The St. Paul’s Western MacArthur asbestos litigation settlement agreement.

(5)         A Form 8-K Current Report dated January 29, 2004 was furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the announcement of The St. Paul’s financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2003.

207



Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The St. Paul Companies, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Bruce A. Backberg

 

 

Bruce A. Backberg

 

 

Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

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 St. Paul Companies, Inc. and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

Jay S. Fishman, Director, Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and President

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Thomas A. Bradley

 

 

Thomas A. Bradley, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

John C. Treacy

 

 

John C. Treacy, Vice President and Corporate
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Carolyn H. Byrd

 

 

Carolyn H. Byrd*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

John H. Dasburg

 

 

John H. Dasburg*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Janet M. Dolan

 

 

Janet M. Dolan*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Kenneth M. Duberstein

 

 

Kenneth M. Duberstein*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Lawrence G. Graev

 

 

Lawrence G. Graev*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Thomas R. Hodgson

 

 

Thomas R. Hodgson*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

William H. Kling

 

 

William H. Kling*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

James A. Lawrence

 

 

James A. Lawrence*, Director

208




 

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

John A. MacColl

 

 

John A. MacColl*, Director, Vice Chairman
And General Counsel

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Glen D. Nelson, M.D.

 

 

Glen D. Nelson*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By

Gordon M. Sprenger

 

 

Gordon M. Sprenger*, Director

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

*By

Bruce A. Backberg

 

 

Bruce A. Backberg, Attorney-in-fact

 

209



 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
The St. Paul Companies, Inc.:

Under date of January 29, 2004, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements and our report thereon are included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements we also have audited the related financial statement schedules I through V, as listed in the index in Item 15(a)2 of said Form 10-K. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits.

In our opinion, such financial statement schedules I through V, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in 2001 the Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and, as also described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in 2002 the Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” and the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and, as also described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in 2003 the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.”

Minneapolis, Minnesota

KPMG LLP

January 29, 2004

KPMG LLP

 

210



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE I—SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES

December 31, 2003
(In millions)

 

 

2003

 

 

 

Cost*

 

Value*

 

Amount at
which shown
in the
balance sheet

 

Type of investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

738

 

$

774

 

 

$

774

 

 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

3,911

 

4,225

 

 

4,225

 

 

Foreign governments

 

1,694

 

1,754

 

 

1,754

 

 

Corporate securities

 

5,960

 

6,307

 

 

6,307

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

673

 

703

 

 

703

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,616

 

2,693

 

 

2,693

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

15,592

 

16,456

 

 

16,456

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public utilities

 

1

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

Banks, trusts and insurance companies

 

15

 

18

 

 

18

 

 

Industrial, miscellaneous and all other

 

130

 

152

 

 

152

 

 

Total equity securities

 

146

 

171

 

 

171

 

 

Venture capital

 

511

 

535

 

 

535

 

 

Real estate and mortgage loans**

 

844

 

 

 

 

838

 

 

Securities on loan

 

1,551

 

1,584

 

 

1,584

 

 

Other investments

 

887

 

 

 

 

887

 

 

Short-term investments

 

2,709

 

 

 

 

2,709

 

 

Total investments

 

$

22,240

 

 

 

 

$

23,180

 

 


*                    See Notes 1, 5, 6 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

**             The cost of real estate represents the cost of properties before valuation provisions. (See Schedule V herein).

211



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)
SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
December 31, 2003 and 2002
(In millions)

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

$

9,140

 

$

8,800

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

33

 

99

 

Equity securities

 

50

 

39

 

Short-term investments

 

44

 

26

 

Other investments

 

56

 

52

 

Cash

 

 

2

 

Deferred income taxes

 

381

 

386

 

Refundable income taxes

 

140

 

70

 

Intercompany loans receivable

 

160

 

376

 

Dividend receivable from affiliate

 

150

 

 

Other assets

 

174

 

216

 

Total assets

 

$

10,328

 

$

10,066

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Debt

 

$

3,642

 

$

3,866

 

Dividends payable to shareholders

 

66

 

66

 

Other liabilities

 

395

 

388

 

Total liabilities

 

4,103

 

4,320

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred:

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

98

 

105

 

Guaranteed obligation—PSOP

 

(23

)

(40

)

Total preferred shareholders’ equity

 

75

 

65

 

Common:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, authorized 480 shares; issued 228 shares (227 in 2002)

 

2,655

 

2,606

 

Retained earnings

 

2,874

 

2,473

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation of investments

 

619

 

671

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation

 

11

 

(68

)

Unrealized loss on derivatives

 

(5

)

(1

)

Minimum pension liability adjustment

 

(4

)

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income

 

621

 

602

 

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

6,150

 

5,681

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

6,225

 

5,746

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

10,328

 

$

10,066

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed financial information.

212



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)
SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(In millions)

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$

8

 

$

20

 

$

26

 

Realized investment gains (losses)

 

14

 

(7

)

24

 

Other

 

14

 

15

 

8

 

Total revenues

 

36

 

28

 

58

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

193

 

190

 

152

 

Administrative and other expenses

 

83

 

69

 

92

 

Total expenses

 

276

 

259

 

244

 

Loss before income tax benefit

 

(240

)

(231

)

(186

)

Income tax benefit

 

(159

)

(237

)

(58

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations—parent company only

 

(81

)

6

 

(128

)

Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries

 

780

 

243

 

(881

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

699

 

249

 

(1,009

)

Cumulative effect of accounting change (net of taxes)

 

(21

)

(6

)

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

678

 

243

 

(1,009

)

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations (net of taxes)

 

(17

)

(25

)

(79

)

Consolidated net income (loss)

 

$

661

 

$

218

 

$

(1,088

)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed financial information.

213



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)
SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(In millions)

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)—parent only

 

$

(81

)

$

6

 

$

(128

)

Cash dividends from subsidiaries

 

619

 

39

 

513

 

Net tax payments from (to) subsidiaries

 

82

 

(191

)

305

 

Net federal income tax refund

 

2

 

142

 

111

 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretax realized investment (gains) losses

 

(14

)

7

 

(24

)

Provision for federal deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

7

 

(93

)

168

 

Other changes in income taxes payable/refundable

 

(153

)

(141

)

(213

)

Other

 

(30

)

48

 

18

 

Cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

432

 

(183

)

750

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of investments

 

(80

)

(94

)

(155

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

 

175

 

466

 

169

 

Capital contributions and repayment of loans to subsidiaries

 

(179

)

(1,168

)

(821

)

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries

 

30

 

18

 

 

Proceeds from payment of note receivable

 

 

70

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

(6

)

(6

)

(6

)

Other

 

(5

)

57

 

39

 

Cash used by investing activities

 

(65

)

(657

)

(774

)

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(272

)

(253

)

(245

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

 

941

 

467

 

Proceeds from issuance of company stock

 

 

413

 

 

Repayment and maturities of debt and preferred securities

 

(124

)

(279

)

(216

)

Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities

 

 

 

575

 

Repurchase of common shares

 

(2

)

(1

)

(589

)

Stock options exercised and other

 

29

 

14

 

39

 

Cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

(369

)

835

 

31

 

Change in cash

 

(2

)

(5

)

7

 

Cash at beginning of year

 

2

 

7

 

 

Cash at end of year

 

 

$

2

 

$

7

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed financial information.

214



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Only)
SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1.                 The accompanying condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 8 of this report.

Some data in the accompanying condensed financial information for the years 2002 and 2001 were reclassified to conform to the 2003 presentation.

2.                 Debt of the parent company consisted of the following (in millions):

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

External:

 

 

 

 

 

5.75% senior notes

 

$

499

 

$

499

 

Medium-term notes

 

455

 

523

 

5.25% senior notes

 

443

 

443

 

Commercial paper

 

322

 

379

 

7.875% senior notes

 

250

 

249

 

8.125% senior notes

 

249

 

249

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

112

 

107

 

7.125% senior notes

 

80

 

80

 

Variable rate borrowings

 

64

 

64

 

Subtotal

 

2,474

 

2,593

 

Debt related to company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of trusts holding solely subordinated debentures of The St. Paul(1):

 

 

 

 

 

7.6% St. Paul Capital Trust I

 

593

 

 

7.625% MMI Capital Trust I

 

125

 

 

8.5% USF&G Capital Trust I

 

56

 

 

8.47% USF&G Capital Trust II

 

81

 

 

8.312% USF&G Capital Trust III

 

73

 

 

Subtotal

 

928

 

 

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements

 

46

 

65

 

Subtotal—external debt

 

3,448

 

2,658

 

Intercompany (eliminated in consolidation):

 

 

 

 

 

Subordinated debentures

 

 

928

 

Guaranteed Preferred Stock Ownership Plan debt

 

23

 

40

 

Notes payable to subsidiaries

 

171

 

240

 

Subtotal—intercompany debt

 

194

 

1,208

 

Total debt

 

$

3,642

 

$

3,866

 


(1)          Prior to 2003, this debt was eliminated in consolidation. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report for further information on debt outstanding at December 31, 2003, including a discussion of the de-consolidation of five business trusts that issued mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to investors.

The amount of debt, other than commercial paper and debt eliminated in consolidation, that becomes due during each of the next five years is as follows: 2004; $55 million; 2005, $429 million; 2006, $59 million; 2007, $1,015 million; and 2008, $450 million.

215



 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
(In millions)

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

Deferred
policy
acquisition
expenses

 

Gross loss and
loss adjustment
expense reserves

 

Gross
unearned
premiums

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

 

$

166

 

 

 

$

3,902

 

 

 

$

1,368

 

 

Surety and Construction

 

 

141

 

 

 

2,051

 

 

 

754

 

 

International and Lloyd’s

 

 

173

 

 

 

1,720

 

 

 

762

 

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

 

480

 

 

 

7,673

 

 

 

2,884

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

211

 

 

 

3,296

 

 

 

1,193

 

 

Total Ongoing Insurance Operations

 

 

691

 

 

 

10,969

 

 

 

4,077

 

 

Runoff operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,892

 

 

 

7

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

1

 

 

 

3,994

 

 

 

83

 

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

2,396

 

 

 

37

 

 

Total Other

 

 

4

 

 

 

8,282

 

 

 

127

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

695

 

 

 

$

19,426

 

 

 

$

4,204

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

 

$

143

 

 

 

$

3,511

 

 

 

$

1,176

 

 

Surety and Construction

 

 

153

 

 

 

2,055

 

 

 

751

 

 

International and Lloyd’s

 

 

49

 

 

 

2,152

 

 

 

559

 

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

 

345

 

 

 

7,718

 

 

 

2,486

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

162

 

 

 

3,889

 

 

 

1,030

 

 

Total Ongoing Insurance Operations

 

 

507

 

 

 

11,607

 

 

 

3,516

 

 

Runoff operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

 

4

 

 

 

2,521

 

 

 

47

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

16

 

 

 

4,337

 

 

 

231

 

 

Other

 

 

5

 

 

 

3,811

 

 

 

8

 

 

Total Other

 

 

25

 

 

 

10,669

 

 

 

286

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

350

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

532

 

 

 

$

22,626

 

 

 

$

3,802

 

 

 

216



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
(In millions)

 

 

Premiums
earned

 

Net
investment
income

 

Insurance
losses, loss
adjustment
expenses

 

Amortization
of policy
acquisition
expenses

 

Other
operating
expenses

 

Premiums
written

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

 

$

2,103

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

1,248

 

 

 

$

377

 

 

 

$

149

 

 

 

$

2,298

 

 

Surety and Construction

 

 

1,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

971

 

 

 

335

 

 

 

149

 

 

 

1,234

 

 

International and Lloyd’s

 

 

1,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

702

 

 

 

263

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

1,332

 

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

 

4,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,921

 

 

 

975

 

 

 

443

 

 

 

4,864

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

2,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,306

 

 

 

473

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

2,461

 

 

Total Ongoing Insurance Operations

 

 

6,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,227

 

 

 

1,448

 

 

 

692

 

 

 

7,325

 

 

Runoff Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

23

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

190

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

132

 

 

Other

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

399

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

60

 

 

Total Other

 

 

327

 

 

 

 

 

 

961

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

215

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

1,115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

7,039

 

 

 

$

1,115

 

 

 

$

5,188

 

 

 

$

1,564

 

 

 

$

738

 

 

 

$

7,540

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

 

$

1,719

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

1,121

 

 

 

$

313

 

 

 

$

127

 

 

 

$

1,825

 

 

Surety and Construction

 

 

1,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

949

 

 

 

365

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

1,266

 

 

International and Lloyd’s

 

 

806

 

 

 

 

 

 

483

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

881

 

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

 

3,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,553

 

 

 

895

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

3,972

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

1,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,140

 

 

 

527

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

1,955

 

 

Total Ongoing Insurance Operations

 

 

5,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,693

 

 

 

1,422

 

 

 

387

 

 

 

5,927

 

 

Runoff Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

 

474

 

 

 

 

 

 

554

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

172

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

1,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

771

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

751

 

 

Other

 

 

435

 

 

 

 

 

 

977

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

287

 

 

Total Other

 

 

1,979

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,302

 

 

 

253

 

 

 

316

 

 

 

1,210

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

1,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

7,502

 

 

 

$

1,161

 

 

 

$

5,995

 

 

 

$

1,675

 

 

 

$

703

 

 

 

$

7,137

 

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty

 

 

$

1,327

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

987

 

 

 

$

206

 

 

 

$

157

 

 

 

$

1,474

 

 

Surety and Construction

 

 

926

 

 

 

 

 

 

614

 

 

 

296

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

973

 

 

International and Lloyd’s

 

 

637

 

 

 

 

 

 

672

 

 

 

170

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

717

 

 

Total Specialty Commercial

 

 

2,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,273

 

 

 

672

 

 

 

405

 

 

 

3,164

 

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

1,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,179

 

 

 

411

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

1,697

 

 

Total Ongoing Insurance Operations

 

 

4,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,452

 

 

 

1,083

 

 

 

580

 

 

 

4,861

 

 

Runoff Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care

 

 

693

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,457

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

661

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

1,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,922

 

 

 

347

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

1,677

 

 

Other

 

 

682

 

 

 

 

 

 

648

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

696

 

 

Total Other

 

 

2,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,027

 

 

 

619

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

3,034

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

1,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

7,409

 

 

 

$

1,199

 

 

 

$

7,479

 

 

 

$

1,702

 

 

 

$

820

 

 

 

$

7,895

 

 

 

217



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE IV
—REINSURANCE
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(In millions)

 

 

Gross
amount

 

Ceded to
other
companies

 

Assumed
from other
companies

 

Net
amount

 

Percentage
of amount
assumed to
net

 

Property-liability insurance premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

$

7,978

 

 

$

2,454

 

 

 

$

1,515

 

 

$

7,039

 

 

21.5

%

 

2002

 

$

7,569

 

 

$

2,388

 

 

 

$

2,321

 

 

$

7,502

 

 

30.9

%

 

2001

 

$

6,656

 

 

$

2,098

 

 

 

$

2,851

 

 

$

7,409

 

 

38.5

%

 

 

218



THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE V—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(In millions)

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

 

Balance at
beginning
of year

 

Charged to
costs and
expenses

 

Charged
to other
accounts

 

Deductions(1)

 

Balance
at end
of year

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate valuation adjustment

 

 

$

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency loans

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2

 

 

Premiums receivable from underwriting activities

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

10

 

 

 

$

34

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

$

122

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

$

134

 

 

Deductibles

 

 

$

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

$

35

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate valuation adjustment

 

 

$

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency loans

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

$

2

 

 

Premiums receivable from underwriting activities

 

 

$

44

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

$

38

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

$

100

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

$

122

 

 

Deductibles

 

 

$

30

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

37

 

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate valuation adjustment

 

 

$

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency loans

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3

 

 

Premiums receivable from underwriting activities

 

 

$

37

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

$

44

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

$

31

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

100

 

 

Deductibles

 

 

$

21

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30

 

 


(1)          Deductions include write-offs of amounts determined to be uncollectible, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses and, for certain properties in real estate, a reduction in the valuation allowance for properties sold during the year.

219



 

EXHIBIT INDEX*

Exhibit

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Formation and Separation Agreement between The St. Paul and Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., dated October 23, 2002***

(3)

 

Articles of incorporation and by-laws

 

 

 

(a)     Articles of Incorporation***

 

 

 

(b)    By-laws***

(4)

 

Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures

 

 

 

(a)     Specimen Common Stock Certificate***

(9)

 

Voting trust agreements**

(10)

 

Material contracts

 

 

 

(a)     The Senior Executive Performance Plan*

(1)

 

 

 

(b)    Employment Agreement dated October 10, 2001 between The St. Paul and Mr. Jay S. Fishman***

 

 

 

 

(c)     Employment Agreement dated November 5, 2001 between The St. Paul and Mr. Timothy M. Yessman***

 

 

 

 

(d)    Retention Incentive Agreement dated May 20, 2002 between The St. Paul and John A. MacColl***

 

 

 

 

(e)     Deferred Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors***

 

 

 

 

(f)     The Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan***

 

 

 

 

(g)     The Directors’ Charitable Award Program, as Amended***

 

 

 

 

(h)    The Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy***

 

 

 

 

(i)     Amendment to the Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy***

 

 

 

 

(j)     1988 Stock Option Plan***

 

 

 

 

(k)    Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer Plan***

 

 

 

 

(l)     The Annual Incentive Plan***

 

 

 

 

(m)   The Deferred Management Incentive Awards Plan***

 

 

 

 

(n)    The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan***

 

 

 

 

(o)    Benefit Equalization Plan—1995 Revision***.

 

 

 

 

(p)    First Amendment to Benefit Equalization Plan—1995 Revision***

 

 

 

 

(q)    Executive Post-Retirement Life Insurance Plan—Summary Plan Description***.

 

 

 

 

(r)     Executive Long-Term Disability Plan—Summary Plan Description***

 

 

 

 

(s)     The St. Paul Re Long-Term Incentive Plan***

 

 

 

 

(t)     Agreement and Plan of Merger effective as of November 16, 2003 among The St. Paul, Adams Acquisition Corp. and Travelers Property Casualty Corp.*

(1)

 

 

 

(u)    The Employment Agreement dated April 18, 2002 between The St. Paul and William H. Heyman*

(1)

(11)

 

Statements re computation of per share earnings*

(1)

(12)

 

Statements re computation of ratios*

(1)

(13)

 

Annual report to security holders**

 

(16)

 

Letter re change in certifying accountant**

 

(18)

 

Letter re change in accounting principles**

 

(21)

 

Subsidiaries of The St. Paul*

(1)

(22)

 

Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders**

 

(23)

 

Consents of experts and counsel

 

 

 

 

(a)     Consent of KPMG LLP*

(1)

(24)

 

Power of attorney*

(1)

(31)

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certifications

 

 

 

(a)     Certification by Jay S. Fishman*

(1)

 

 

 

(b)    Certification by Thomas A. Bradley*

(1)

(32)

 

Section 1350 certifications

 

 

 

(a)     Certification by Jay S. Fishman*

(1)

 

 

 

(b)    Certification by Thomas A. Bradley*

(1)

(99)

 

Additional exhibits**


*       The exhibits are included only with the copies of this report that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, copies of the exhibits may be obtained from The St. Paul for a reasonable fee by writing to the Corporate Secretary, The St. Paul Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.

**     These items are not applicable.

***   These items are incorporated by reference as described in Item 15(a)(3) of this report.

(1)    Filed herewith.

220



EX-10.A 3 a04-2923_2ex10da.htm EX-10.A

 

Exhibit 10(A)

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE PLAN

1.               PURPOSE

The purpose of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Senior Executive Performance Plan is to permit The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (the “Company”), through awards of annual incentive compensation which satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, to attract and retain executives and to motivate these executives to promote the profitability and growth of the Company.

2.               DEFINITIONS

“AFTER-TAX OPERATING EARNINGS” shall mean, for each Performance Period, the Company’s net income from continuing operations as reported in the Company’s income statement for the Performance Period, adjusted to eliminate the after-tax effects of net realized investment gains or losses in the fixed maturities and real estate portfolios, extraordinary items, and the cumulative effect of accounting changes, each as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  This amount will be further adjusted to eliminate the after-tax impact of any restructuring charges (as reported in the footnotes to the Company’s financial statements), losses from catastrophes (as designated by the Insurance Service Office’s Property Claims Service Group, the Lloyd’s Claim Office, Swiss Reinsurance Company’s sigma report, or a comparable report or organization generally recognized by the insurance industry) in the Company’s “ongoing” businesses (as reported in press releases announcing its financial results), and underwriting results of all businesses (except “voluntary pools and other”) included in the Company’s “Other” segment in those press releases.

 “AWARD” shall mean the amount granted to a Participant by the Committee for a Performance Period.

“BEGINNING TOTAL COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY” shall mean, for each Performance Period, the Company’s total common stockholders’ equity as reported in the Company’s balance sheet for the beginning of the Performance Period, excluding net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments.

“BOARD” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

“CODE” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.



 

“COMMITTEE” shall mean the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board or any subcommittee thereof which meets the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

“EXCHANGE ACT” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“EXECUTIVE” shall mean any covered employee as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code and, in the discretion of the Committee, any other executive officer of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 “PARTICIPANT” shall mean, for each Performance Period, each Executive who is a “covered employee” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) for that Performance Period, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

“PERFORMANCE PERIOD” shall mean the Company’s fiscal year or any other period designated by the Committee with respect to which an Award may be granted.

“PLAN” shall mean The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Senior Executive Performance Plan, as amended from time to time.

“RETURN ON EQUITY” shall mean, for each Performance Period, the percentage equivalent to the fraction resulting from dividing After-Tax Operating Earnings by Beginning Total Common Stockholders’ Equity.

“STOCK PLANS” shall mean The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and/or any prior and successor stock plans adopted or assumed by the Company.

“SUBSIDIARY” shall mean any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity, in which the Company has at least a 50% equity interest.

3.               ADMINISTRATION

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have full authority to interpret the Plan, to establish rules and regulations relating to the operation of the Plan, to select Participants, to determine the maximum Awards and the amounts of any Awards and to make all determinations and take all other actions necessary or appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan.  Before any payments are made under the Plan, the Committee shall certify in writing that the Return on Equity required by Section 4(b) has been met.  The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, and all actions taken within the scope of its authority, shall be final and binding on the Company, its stockholders and Participants, Executives, former Executives and their respective successors and assigns.  No member of the Committee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

2



 

4.               DETERMINATION OF AWARDS

(a)   Prior to the beginning of each Performance Period, or at such later time as may be permitted by applicable provisions of the Code, the Committee shall establish for each Participant a maximum Award, expressed as a percentage of the incentive pool for the Performance Period pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, provided that the maximum percentage for any single Participant shall not exceed 50%.

(b)   If the Return on Equity for a Performance Period is greater than 8%, the incentive pool for the Performance Period shall be equal to 1.5% of After-Tax Operating Earnings.  If the Return on Equity for a Performance Period is equal to or less than 8%, the incentive pool shall be $0.

(c)   Following the end of each Performance Period, the Committee may determine to grant to any Participant an Award, which may not exceed the maximum amount specified in paragraph (a) of this section for such Participant.  The aggregate amount of all Awards under the Plan for any Performance Period shall not exceed 100% of the incentive pool pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.

5.               PAYMENT OF AWARDS

Each Participant shall be eligible to receive, as soon as practicable after the amount of such Participant’s Award for a Performance Period has been determined, payment of all or a portion of that Award.  Awards may be paid in cash, stock, restricted stock, options, other stock-based or stock-denominated units or any combination thereof determined by the Committee.  Equity or equity-based awards may be granted under the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Plan.  Payment of the award may be deferred in accordance with a written election by the Participant pursuant to procedures established by the Committee.

6.               AMENDMENTS

The Committee may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time, provided that no such amendment that would require the consent of the stockholders of the Company pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code or the Exchange Act, or any other applicable law, rule or regulation, shall be effective without such consent.  No such amendment which adversely affects a Participant’s rights to, or interest in, an Award granted prior to the date of the amendment shall be effective unless the Participant shall have agreed thereto in writing.

7.               TERMINATION

The Committee may terminate this Plan at any time.  In such event, and notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, payment of deferred amounts plus any earnings may be accelerated with respect to any affected Participant in the discretion of the Committee and paid as soon as practicable; but in no event shall the termination of the Plan adversely affect the rights of any Participant to deferred amounts previously awarded such Participant, plus any earnings thereon.

3



 

8.               OTHER PROVISIONS

        (a)   No Executive or other person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under this Plan until such Award is actually granted.  Neither the establishment of this Plan, nor any action taken hereunder, shall be construed as giving any Executive any right to be retained in the employ of the Company.  Nothing contained in this Plan shall limit the ability of the Company to make payments or awards to Executives under any other plan, agreement or arrangement.

        (b)   The rights and benefits of a Participant hereunder are personal to the Participant and, except for payments made following a Participant’s death, shall not be subject to any voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment, pledge, transfer, encumbrance, attachment, garnishment or other disposition.

        (c)   Awards under this Plan shall not constitute compensation for the purpose of determining participation or benefits under any other plan of the Company unless specifically included as compensation in such plan.

        (d)   The Company shall have the right to deduct from Awards any taxes or other amounts required to be withheld by law.

        (e)   All questions pertaining to the construction, regulation, validity and effect of the provisions of the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

        (f)    If any provision of this Plan would cause Awards not to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, that provision shall be severed from, and shall be deemed not to be a part of, the Plan, but the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

 

        (g)   No member of the Committee or the Board, and no officer, employee or agent of the Company shall be liable for any act or action hereunder, whether of commission or omission, taken by any other member, or by any officer, agent, or employee, or, except in circumstances involving bad faith, for anything done or omitted to be done in the administration of the Plan.

 

9.               EFFECTIVE DATE

The Plan shall be effective as of January 1, 2002, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code.

4


EX-10.T 4 a04-2923_2ex10dt.htm EX-10.T

Exhibit 10(T)

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER*

 

effective as of

 

November 16, 2003

 

among

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.

 

TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CORP.

 

and

 

ADAMS ACQUISITION CORP.

 


* This document reflects technical changes and corrections effected by the Amendment Agreement dated as of February 12, 2004, by and among the parties hereto.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Article 1

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01. 

Definitions

 

 

 

 

 

Article 2

 

 

THE MERGER

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01. 

The Merger

 

Section 2.02. 

Certificate of Incorporation

 

Section 2.03. 

Bylaws

 

Section 2.04. 

Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation

 

Section 2.05. 

Closing

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

 

 

CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01. 

Conversion of Securities

 

Section 3.02. 

Certain Adjustments

 

Section 3.03. 

Company Stock Options and Other Equity-based Awards

 

Section 3.04. 

Surrender and Payment

 

Section 3.05. 

No Fractional Shares of Parent Common Stock

 

Section 3.06. 

Lost Certificates

 

Section 3.07. 

Withholding Rights

 

Section 3.08. 

Further Assurances

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4

 

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01. 

Corporate Existence and Power

 

Section 4.02. 

Corporate Authorization

 

Section 4.03. 

Governmental Authorization

 

Section 4.04. 

Non-Contravention

 

Section 4.05. 

Capitalization

 

Section 4.06. 

Subsidiaries

 

Section 4.07. 

Insurance Subsidiaries

 

Section 4.08. 

SEC Filings

 

Section 4.09. 

Nuveen SEC Filings

 

Section 4.10. 

Parent SAP Statements

 

Section 4.11. 

Financial Statements

 

Section 4.12. 

Information Supplied

 

Section 4.13. 

Absence of Certain Changes

 

Section 4.14. 

No Undisclosed Material Liabilities

 

 

i



 

Section 4.15. 

Compliance with Laws and Court Orders

 

Section 4.16. 

Litigation

 

Section 4.17. 

Insurance Matters

 

Section 4.18. 

Liabilities and Reserves

 

Section 4.19. 

Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters.

 

Section 4.20. 

Finders’ Fees

 

Section 4.21. 

Opinion of Financial Advisors

 

Section 4.22. 

Taxes.

 

Section 4.23. 

Employee Benefit Plans

 

Section 4.24. 

Labor Matters

 

Section 4.25. 

Environmental Matters

 

Section 4.26. 

Intellectual Property

 

Section 4.27. 

Material Contracts

 

Section 4.28. 

Tax Treatment

 

Section 4.29. 

Antitakeover Statutes and Rights Plans

 

Section 4.30. 

Financial Controls

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01. 

Corporate Existence and Power

 

Section 5.02. 

Corporate Authorization

 

Section 5.03. 

Governmental Authorization

 

Section 5.04. 

Non-Contravention

 

Section 5.05. 

Capitalization

 

Section 5.06. 

Subsidiaries

 

Section 5.07. 

Insurance Subsidiaries

 

Section 5.08. 

SEC Filings

 

Section 5.09. 

Company SAP Statements

 

Section 5.10. 

Financial Statements

 

Section 5.11. 

Information Supplied

 

Section 5.12. 

Absence of Certain Changes

 

Section 5.13. 

No Undisclosed Material Liabilities

 

Section 5.14. 

Compliance with Laws and Court Orders

 

Section 5.15. 

Litigation

 

Section 5.16. 

Insurance Matters

 

Section 5.17. 

Liabilities and Reserves

 

Section 5.18. 

Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters

 

Section 5.19. 

Finders’ Fees

 

Section 5.20. 

Opinions of Financial Advisors

 

Section 5.21. 

Taxes

 

Section 5.22. 

Employee Benefit Plans

 

Section 5.23. 

Labor Matters

 

Section 5.24. 

Environmental Matters

 

Section 5.25. 

Intellectual Property

 

Section 5.26. 

Material Contracts

 

 

ii



 

Section 5.27. 

Tax Treatment

 

Section 5.28. 

Antitakeover Statutes and Rights Plans

 

Section 5.29. 

Financial Controls

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

 

INTERIM OPERATIONS COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01. 

Interim Operations of Parent

 

Section 6.02. 

Interim Operations of the Company

 

Section 6.03. 

Control of Other Party’s Business

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01. 

Preparation of Proxy Statement; Shareholders’ Meetings

 

Section 7.02. 

Parent Organizational Documents; Governance Matters; Headquarters.

 

Section 7.03. 

Access to Information

 

Section 7.04. 

Reasonable Best Efforts

 

Section 7.05. 

Acquisition Proposals

 

Section 7.06. 

Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance

 

Section 7.07. 

Employee Benefits

 

Section 7.08. 

Public Announcements

 

Section 7.09. 

Listing of Shares of Parent Common Stock

 

Section 7.10. 

Rights Agreements

 

Section 7.11. 

Affiliates

 

Section 7.12. 

Section 16 Matters

 

Section 7.13. 

Dividends

 

Section 7.14. 

Company Convertible Securities

 

Section 7.15. 

Limited Disclosure Authorization

 

Section 7.16. 

Tax Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01. 

Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations to Effect the Merger

 

Section 8.02. 

Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company

 

Section 8.03. 

Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub

 

 

 

 

 

Article 9

 

 

TERMINATION

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01. 

Termination

 

Section 9.02. 

Effect of Termination

 

 

iii



 

 

Article 10

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01. 

Notices

 

Section 10.02. 

Survival of Representations and Warranties

 

Section 10.03. 

Amendments and Waivers

 

Section 10.04. 

Expenses

 

Section 10.05. 

Binding Effect; Assignment

 

Section 10.06. 

Governing Law

 

Section 10.07. 

Jurisdiction

 

Section 10.08. 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

Section 10.09. 

Counterparts; Effectiveness

 

Section 10.10. 

Entire Agreement

 

Section 10.11. 

Severability

 

Section 10.12. 

Specific Performance

 

Section 10.13. 

Schedules

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A-1

Form of Parent Charter (if Parent Shareholder Charter Approval Received)

 

Exhibit A-2

Form of Parent Charter (if Parent Shareholder Charter Approval Not Received)

 

Exhibit B

Form of Parent Bylaws

 

Exhibit C

Form of Affiliate Agreement

 

 

 

Company Disclosure Schedule

Parent Disclosure Schedule

 

iv



 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of November 16, 2003 (the “Agreement”) among The St. Paul Companies, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“Parent”), Travelers Property Casualty Corp., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), and Adams Acquisition Corp., a Connecticut corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”).

 

WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of each of Parent, the Company and Merger Sub have approved this Agreement and deem it advisable and in the best interests of their respective shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, it is intended that, for United States federal income tax purposes (i) the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and (ii) this Agreement shall constitute a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

Definitions

 

Section 1.01Definitions.  (a) The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person.

 

Business Day” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

 

CBCA” means the Connecticut Business Corporation Act.

 

Company Balance Sheet” means the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2002, and the notes thereto, set forth in the Company 10-K.

 

Company Balance Sheet Date” means December 31, 2002.

 



 

Company Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

 

Company Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

 

Company Common Stock” means the Company Class A Common Stock together with the Company Class B Common Stock.

 

Company Convertible Notes” means the Convertible Junior Subordinated Notes due 2032 of the Company.

 

Company Disclosure Schedule” means the Company disclosure schedule delivered to Parent concurrently herewith.

 

Company Employee Plan” means any Employee Plan that is maintained, administered, sponsored by or contributed to by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability.

 

Company Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of March 27, 2002, between Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 2002, between Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and The Bank of New York,  as trustee.

 

Company International Plan” means any International Plan that is maintained, administered, sponsored by or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability.

 

Company 10-K” means the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof.

 

DOJ” means the United States Department of Justice.

 

Employee Plan” means any “employee benefit plan”, as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA; any employment, severance or similar service agreement, plan, arrangement or policy; any other plan or arrangement providing for compensation, bonuses, profit-sharing, stock option or other equity-related rights or other forms of incentive or deferred compensation, vacation benefits, insurance (including any self-insured arrangements), medical, dental or vision benefits, disability or sick leave benefits, life insurance, employee assistance program, workers’ compensation, supplemental unemployment benefits, severance benefits and post-employment or retirement benefits (including compensation, pension

 

2



 

or insurance benefits); or any loan; in each case covering or extended to any current or former director, employee or independent contractor; provided, however, that any International Plan (and any plan or program that would otherwise constitute an International Plan, but for the proviso in the definition of such term) shall not constitute an Employee Plan.

 

Environmental Laws” means any federal, state, local or foreign law (including common law), treaty, judicial decision, regulation, rule, judgment, order, decree, injunction, permit or governmental restriction or requirement or any agreement with any Governmental Authority or other third party, relating to human health and safety, the environment or to pollutants, contaminants, wastes or chemicals or any toxic, radioactive, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous substances, wastes or materials.

 

Environmental Permits” means, with respect to any Person, all permits, licenses, franchises, certificates, approvals and other similar authorizations of governmental authorities relating to or required by Environmental Laws and affecting, or relating in any way to, the business of such Person or any of such Person’s Subsidiaries, as currently conducted.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate” of any entity means any other entity that, together with such entity, would be treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

FTC” means the United States Federal Trade Commission.

 

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

 

International Plan” means, whether or not statutorily required, any employment, severance or similar service agreement, plan, arrangement or policy; any other plan or arrangement providing for compensation, bonuses, profit-sharing, stock option or other equity-related rights or other forms of incentive or deferred compensation, vacation benefits, insurance (including any self-insured arrangements), medical, dental or vision benefits, disability or sick leave benefits, life insurance, employee assistance program, workers’ compensation, supplemental unemployment benefits, severance benefits and post-employment or retirement benefits (including compensation, pension or insurance benefits); or any loan; in each case covering or extended to any current or former director, employee or independent contractor, where such individuals are located exclusively outside of the United States; provided, however, that a plan or program sponsored or operated by a governmental authority (including the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan, any provincial health plan in Canada and the State

 

3



 

Earnings Related Pension Scheme in the United Kingdom) shall not constitute an International Plan.

 

knowledge” means (A) with respect to Parent, the knowledge of the individuals named on Section 1.01 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, after reasonable inquiry, and (B) with respect to the Company, the knowledge of the individuals named on Section 1.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, after reasonable inquiry.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, encumbrance or other adverse claim of any kind in respect of such property or asset.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property or asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such property or asset.

 

Nuveen” means Nuveen Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Nuveen Credit Facilities” means the Three-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2003, among Nuveen, Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Bank One, N.A. and the 364 – Day Credit Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2003, among Nuveen, Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Bank One, N.A.

 

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Parent Balance Sheet” means the consolidated balance sheet of Parent as of December 31, 2002, and the notes thereto, set forth in the Parent 10-K.

 

Parent Balance Sheet Date” means December 31, 2002.

 

Parent Common Stock” means the common stock, without designated par value, of Parent.

 

Parent Convertible Notes” means the Zero Coupon Convertible Notes due 2009 of Parent.

 

Parent Disclosure Schedule” means the Parent disclosure schedule delivered to the Company concurrently herewith.

 

4



 

Parent Employee Plan” means any Employee Plan that is maintained, administered, sponsored by or contributed to by Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability.

 

Parent Equity Unit” means a Corporate Unit or a Treasury Unit, each as defined in the Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2002, between Parent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as purchase contract agent.

 

Parent International Plan” means any International Plan that is maintained, administered, sponsored by or contributed to by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability.

 

Parent Preferred Stock” means the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Parent.

 

Parent Trust Securities” means the 7.6% Trust Preferred Securities of St. Paul Capital Trust I, the 7 5/8 Series B Capital Securities of MMI Capital Trust I, the 8.5% Series A Capital Securities of USF&G Capital I, the 8.47% Series B Capital Securities of USF&G Capital II and the 8.312% Series C Capital Securities of USF&G Capital III.

 

Parent 10-K” means Parent’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning specified in Regulation S-X under the 1934 Act.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at any time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

 

Third Party” means any Person, as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, other than Parent or any Affiliate of Parent.

 

(b)      Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

5



 

Term

 

Section

 

 

 

Acquisition Proposal

 

7.05(a)

Advisers Act

 

4.03

Agreement

 

Preamble

Applicable Party

 

7.05

CEA

 

4.19(a)

Certificates

 

3.04(a)

CFTC

 

4.19(a)

Change in Recommendation

 

7.05(b)

Client

 

7.04(e)

Closing

 

2.05

Code

 

Recitals

Company

 

Preamble

Company Actuarial Analyses

 

5.16(c)

Company Employees

 

7.07

Company Insurance Subsidiaries

 

5.07

Company Intellectual Property Rights

 

5.25(b)(ii)

Company Material Adverse Effect

 

5.01(b)

Company Necessary Consents

 

5.03

Company Permits

 

5.01(a)

Company Rights

 

5.28(b)

Company Rights Agreement

 

5.28(b)

Company SAP Statements

 

5.09

Company SEC Documents

 

5.08(a)

Company Securities

 

5.05(b)

Company Shareholder Approval

 

5.02

Company Shareholder Meeting

 

7.01(b)

Company Stock Option

 

3.03

Company Stock Plan

 

3.03

Company Stock-Based Award

 

3.03(b)

Company Subsidiary Securities

 

5.06(b)

Company Termination Fee

 

10.04(b)

Confidentiality Agreement

 

7.03

Effective Time

 

2.01(b)

End Date

 

9.01(b)

Exchange Agent

 

3.04(a)

Existing Plans

 

7.07(a)

Exchange Ratio

 

3.01(b)

GAAP

 

4.11

Governmental Authority

 

4.03

Insurance Laws

 

4.14(a)

Investment Advisory Laws

 

4.14(a)

Investment Company

 

4.15(b)

Joint Proxy Statement

 

4.12

 

6



 

Laws

 

4.15(d)

Merger

 

2.01

Merger Certificate

 

2.01(b)

Merger Consideration

 

3.01(b)

Merger Sub

 

Preamble

Multiemployer Plan

 

4.23(c)

Necessary Consents

 

5.03

1940 Act

 

4.03

New Plans

 

7.07(b)

Nuveen SEC Documents

 

4.09(a)

Parent

 

Preamble

Parent Actuarial Analyses

 

4.17(c)

Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries

 

4.14(a)

Parent Insurance Subsidiaries

 

4.07

Parent Intellectual Property Rights

 

4.26

Parent Material Adverse Effect

 

4.01(b)

Parent Necessary Consents

 

4.03

Parent Permits

 

4.01(a)

Parent SAP Statements

 

4.10

Parent SEC Documents

 

4.08(a)

Parent Securities

 

4.05(b)

Parent Shareholder Approval

 

4.02(a)

Parent Shareholder Charter Approval

 

4.02(a)

Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval

 

4.02(a)

Parent Shareholder Meeting

 

7.01(c)

Parent Stock-Based Award

 

3.03(b)

Parent Stock Option

 

3.03

Parent Stock Plan

 

4.05(a)

Parent Subsidiary Securities

 

4.06(b)

Parent Termination Fee

 

10.04(c)

Proprietary Funds

 

4.15(b)

Registration Statement

 

4.12

Required Approvals

 

7.04

SAP

 

4.10

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

4.08(e)

Shareholder Meeting

 

7.01(c)

Superior Proposal

 

7.05(c)

Surviving Corporation

 

2.01

Tax

 

4.22(g)

Tax Asset

 

4.22(g)

Tax Return

 

4.22(g)

Tax Sharing Agreements

 

4.22(g)

Taxing Authority

 

4.22(g)

 

7



 

Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights

 

4.26(b)(i)

Uncertificated Shares

 

3.04(a)

WARN Act

 

4.24(b)

 

(c)        When a reference is made in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of or Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.  Any reference in this Agreement to a statute shall be to such statute as amended from time to time, and to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 2
The Merger

 

Section 2.01.  The Merger.  (a) At the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”) in accordance with the CBCA, and upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall be the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) and shall continue its existence under the laws of the State of Connecticut.  As a result of the Merger, the Company shall become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

 

(b)        As soon as practicable (and, in any event, within five Business Days) after satisfaction or, to the extent permitted hereunder, waiver of all conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 8, other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Effective Time and will in fact be satisfied at the Effective Time, a certificate of merger shall be duly prepared, executed and acknowledged by Merger Sub and the Company and thereafter delivered to and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut pursuant to the CBCA (the “Merger Certificate”) and all other filings or records required under the CBCA shall be made.  The Merger shall become effective at the Effective Time.  As used herein, the term “Effective Time” means such time as is mutually agreeable to the Company and Parent on the date of filing of the Articles of Merger, or on such other subsequent date or time as may be agreed by the Company and Parent.

 

(c)        The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 33-820 of the CBCA.

 

8



 

Section 2.02.  Certificate of Incorporation.  The certificate of incorporation of the Company in effect at the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

 

Section 2.03.  Bylaws.  At the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Company shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

 

Section 2.04.  Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.  From and after the Effective Time, until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable law, (a) the directors of Merger Sub at the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation and (b) the officers of the Company at the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.

 

Section 2.05.  Closing.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, including the conditions set forth in Article 8 and the termination rights set forth in Article 9, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take place on the date on which the Effective Time occurs, unless this Agreement has been theretofore terminated pursuant to its terms or unless another time or date is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.  The Closing shall be held at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, 10017, unless another place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

 

ARTICLE 3
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 3.01.  Conversion of Securities.  At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or any holder of any shares of Company Common Stock:

 

(a)        All shares of Company Common Stock that are held by the Company as treasury stock or that are owned by Parent, the Company or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time (and in each case that are not held on behalf of or as fiduciary for third parties) shall cease to be outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist.

 

(b)        Subject to Section 3.01(a) and Section 3.05, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock (together with the Company Rights attached thereto) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive 0.4334 (the “Exchange Ratio”) of a fully paid and nonassessable share of Parent Common Stock (together with any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.05, the “Merger

 

9



 

Consideration”).  All of such shares of Parent Common Stock shall be duly authorized and validly issued and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof.

 

(c)        Each share of Merger Sub common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into one share of Class A common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

 

Section 3.02.  Certain Adjustments.  If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, there is a reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, split-up, stock dividend, combination or exchange of shares with respect to, or rights issued in respect of, the capital stock of Parent or the Company, the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted accordingly to provide to the holders of Company Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event.

 

Section 3.03.  Company Stock Options and Other Equity-based Awards. (a) Each option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock (a “Company Stock Option”) granted under an equity compensation plan of the Company (a “Company Stock Plan”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to represent a right to acquire shares of Company Common Stock and shall be converted, at the Effective Time, into an option to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (a “Parent Stock Option”) on the same terms and conditions (including any option reload features relating to any Company Stock Option outstanding on the date hereof or granted after the date hereof; provided that any hereafter granted Company Stock Option is granted in accordance with Section 6.02(s)) as were applicable under such Company Stock Option (but taking into account any changes thereto, including any acceleration thereof, provided for in the relevant Company Stock Plan, or in the related award document by reason of the transactions contemplated hereby).  The number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each such Parent Stock Option shall be equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each such Company Stock Option multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole share of Parent Common Stock, and such Parent Stock Option shall have an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest one-hundredth of a dollar) equal to the per share exercise price specified in such Company Stock Option divided by the Exchange Ratio; provided, however, that in the case of any Company Stock Option to which Section 421 of the Code applies as of the Effective Time (after taking into account the effect of any accelerated vesting thereof, if applicable) by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code, the exercise price, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option and any related stock appreciation right shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

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(b)        At the Effective Time, each right of any kind, contingent or accrued, to receive shares of Company Common Stock and each award of any kind consisting of, based on or relating to shares of Company Common Stock granted under a Company Stock Plan (including restricted stock, deferred stock awards, stock units, phantom awards and dividend equivalents), other than Company Stock Options (each, a “Company Stock-Based Award”), whether vested or unvested, which is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to represent a right or award with respect to shares of Company Common Stock and shall be converted, at the Effective Time, into a right or award with respect to Parent Common Stock (a “Parent Stock-Based Award”), on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under Company Stock-Based Awards (but taking into account any changes thereto, including any acceleration thereof, provided for in the relevant Company Stock Plan or in the related award document by reason of the transactions contemplated hereby). The number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each such Parent Stock-Based Award shall be equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Company Stock-Based Award multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, rounded down if necessary to the nearest whole share of Parent Common Stock.  Any dividend equivalents credited to the account of each holder of a Company Stock-Based Award as of the Effective Time shall remain credited to such holder’s account immediately following the Effective Time, subject to adjustment in accordance with the foregoing.

 

(c)        As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall deliver to the holders of Company Stock Options and Company Stock-Based Awards any required notices setting forth such holders’ rights pursuant to the relevant Company Stock Plans and award documents and stating that such Company Stock Options and Company Stock-Based Awards have been assumed by Parent and shall continue in effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by this Section 3.03 after giving effect to the Merger and the terms of the relevant Company Stock Plans).

 

(d)        Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take all necessary action for the adjustment of Company Stock Options and Company Stock-Based Awards under this Section 3.03.  Parent shall reserve for issuance a number of shares of Parent Common Stock at least equal to the number of shares of Parent Common Stock that will be subject to Parent Stock Options and Parent Stock-Based Awards as a result of the actions contemplated by this Section 3.03.  As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, Parent shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 or S-3, as the case may be (or any successor form, or if Form S-8 or S-3 is not available, other appropriate forms) with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such Parent Stock Options and Parent Stock-Based Awards and shall maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements (and maintain the current status of the

 

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prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such Parent Stock Options and Parent Stock-Based Awards remain outstanding.

 

Section 3.04.  Surrender and Payment.  (a) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall appoint an agent (the “Exchange Agent”) for the purpose of exchanging for the Merger Consideration  (i) certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock (the “Certificates”) or (ii) uncertificated shares of Company Common Stock (the “Uncertificated Shares”), as applicable.  Parent shall make available to the Exchange Agent, as needed, the Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the Certificates and the Uncertificated Shares.  Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall send, or shall cause the Exchange Agent to send, to each record holder of Company Common Stock at the Effective Time a letter of transmittal and instructions (which shall specify that the delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates or transfer of the Uncertificated Shares to the Exchange Agent) for use in such exchange.

 

(b)        Each holder of shares of Company Common Stock that have been converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration shall be entitled to receive, upon (i) surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, or (ii) receipt of an “agent’s message” by the Exchange Agent (or such other evidence, if any, of transfer as the Exchange Agent may reasonably request) in the case of a book-entry transfer of Uncertificated Shares, the Merger Consideration in respect of Company Common Stock represented by a Certificate or Uncertificated Share.  The shares of Parent Common Stock constituting part of the Merger Consideration, at Parent’s option, shall be in uncertificated book-entry form, unless a physical certificate is requested by a holder of shares of Company Common Stock or is otherwise required under applicable law.  Until so surrendered or transferred, as the case may be, each such Certificate or Uncertificated Share shall represent after the Effective Time for all purposes only the right to receive the Merger Consideration.

 

(c)        If any portion of the Merger Consideration is to be paid to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate or the transferred Uncertificated Share is registered, it shall be a condition to such payment that (i) either such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in proper form for transfer or such Uncertificated Share shall be properly transferred and (ii) the Person requesting such payment shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes required as a result of such payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or Uncertificated Share or establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such taxes have been paid or are not payable.

 

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(d)        All shares of Parent Common Stock issued and cash paid upon conversion of shares of Company Common Stock (together with the Company Rights attached thereto) in accordance with the terms of this Article 3 (including any cash paid pursuant to Section 3.04(g) or Section 3.05) shall be deemed to have been issued or paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock (and Company Rights).

 

(e)        After the Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of Company Common Stock.  If, after the Effective Time, Certificates or Uncertificated Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration provided for, and in accordance with the procedures set forth, in this Section 3.04.

 

(f)         Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 3.04(a) that remains unclaimed by the holders of shares of Company Common Stock six months after the Effective Time shall be returned to Parent upon demand, and any such holder who has not exchanged shares of Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration in accordance with this Section 3.04 prior to that time shall thereafter look only to Parent for payment of the Merger Consideration, and any dividends and distributions with respect thereto, in respect of such shares without any interest thereon.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent shall not be liable to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock for any amounts paid to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.  Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of shares of Company Common Stock two years after the Effective Time (or such earlier date, immediately prior to such time when the amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any governmental authority) shall become, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the property of Parent, free and clear of any claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

 

(g)        No dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock constituting part of the Merger Consideration, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares as provided in Section 3.05, shall be paid to the holder of any Certificates not surrendered or of any Uncertificated Shares not transferred until such Certificates or Uncertificated Shares are surrendered or transferred, as the case may be, as provided in this Section.  Following such surrender or transfer, there shall be paid, without interest, to the Person in whose name the securities of Parent have been registered, (i) at the time of such surrender or transfer, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of fractional shares to which such Person is entitled pursuant to Section 3.05 and the amount of all dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time previously paid or payable on the date of such surrender with respect to such securities, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time and prior to surrender or transfer and with a

 

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payment date subsequent to surrender or transfer payable with respect to such securities.

 

Section 3.05.  No Fractional Shares of Parent Common Stock.  No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued in the Merger.  All fractional shares of Parent Common Stock that a holder of shares of Company Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to receive as a result of the Merger shall be aggregated and if a fractional share results from such aggregation, such holder shall be entitled to receive, in lieu thereof, an amount in cash without interest determined by multiplying the closing sale price of a share of Parent Common Stock on the NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Effective Time occurs by the fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise have been entitled.  As soon as practicable after the determination of the amount of cash to be paid to such former holders of Company Common Stock in lieu of any fractional interests, the Exchange Agent shall notify Parent, and Parent shall ensure that there is deposited with the Exchange Agent and shall cause the Exchange Agent to make available in accordance with this Agreement such amounts to such former holders of Company Common Stock.

 

Section 3.06.  Lost Certificates.  If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the posting by such Person of a bond in such reasonable amount as Parent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented thereby, and unpaid dividends and distributions on shares of Parent Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Section 3.07.  Withholding Rights.  Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law.  To the extent that amounts are so withheld or paid over to or deposited with the relevant Taxing Authority by or on behalf of Parent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by or on behalf of Parent.

 

Section 3.08.  Further Assurances.  At and after the Effective Time, the officers and directors of Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Surviving Corporation, Merger Sub or the Company, any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances

 

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and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the Surviving Corporation, Merger Sub or the Company, any other actions and things necessary to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in Parent or the Surviving Corporation any and all right, title and interest in, to and under any of the rights, properties or assets acquired or to be acquired by Parent or the Surviving Corporation, as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger.

 

ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT

 

Except as set forth in the Parent Disclosure Schedule, regardless of whether the relevant Section herein refers to the Parent Disclosure Schedule, Parent represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

Section 4.01.  Corporate Existence and Power.  (a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and Parent and its Subsidiaries have all corporate, partnership or other similar powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents, franchises, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals required to carry on their business as now conducted (the “Parent Permits”), except for those licenses, authorizations, permits, consents, franchises, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Parent and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of the Parent Permits, except where the failure to so comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Parent is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Since the date of its incorporation, Merger Sub has not engaged in any activities other than in connection with or as contemplated by this Agreement.  Parent has heretofore delivered or made available to the Company true and complete copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Parent, and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub, as currently in effect.

 

(b)        As used in this Agreement, the term “Parent Material Adverse Effect” means (i) a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business, results of the operations or prospects of Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than effects caused by changes in general economic or securities markets conditions, changes that affect the businesses in which Parent and its Subsidiaries operate in general and which do not have a materially disproportionate effect on Parent and its Subsidiaries, and

 

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changes resulting from the announcement or proposed consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) a material impairment of the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02.  Corporate Authorization.  (a) The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the corporate powers of Parent and Merger Sub and, except for the Parent Shareholder Approval and the approval of the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby by Parent as the sole shareholder of Merger Sub, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Parent and Merger Sub enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors generally or by general equity principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).  The only votes of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Parent necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are the affirmative votes (the “Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval”) of (i) the holders of Parent Common Stock and Parent Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, (A) representing a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by such holders approving the amendment of Parent’s articles of incorporation in accordance with Section 7.02(a)(i)(B), (B) representing a majority of the voting power of such shares present and entitled to vote to approve the issuance of Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger and (C) representing a majority of the voting power of such shares present and entitled to vote to approve the amendment of Parent’s bylaws in accordance with Section 7.02(a)(ii) and (ii) the holders of Parent Common Stock, voting separately as a single class, representing a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by such holders approving the amendment of Parent’s articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger.  The affirmative vote (the “Parent Shareholder Charter Approval” and, together with the Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval, the “Parent Shareholder Approval”) of the holders of Parent Common Stock and Parent Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, representing two-thirds of the votes eligible to be cast by such holders, shall be required to amend Parent’s articles of incorporation to eliminate Article V of the articles of incorporation, such that Parent’s articles of incorporation shall be in accordance with Section 7.02(a)(i)(A).

 

(b)        At a meeting duly called and held, Parent’s Board of Directors has (i) unanimously determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of Parent and its

 

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shareholders, (ii) unanimously approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) unanimously resolved (subject to Section 7.05) to recommend that Parent’s shareholders grant the Parent Shareholder Approval.

 

Section 4.03.  Governmental Authorization.  The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency, official or authority, domestic, foreign or supranational, or self-regulatory organization or other similar non-governmental regulatory body (each, a “Governmental Authority”), other than (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which Parent is qualified to do business, (ii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and any other applicable securities laws, whether state or foreign, (iv) compliance with any applicable requirements of the NYSE, (v) approvals or filings under Insurance Laws as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule (vi) consents, approvals and notices to the extent required under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) (such actions and filings listed in clauses (i) through (vi) above, the “Parent Necessary Consents”) and (vii) any other actions or filings the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.04.  Non-Contravention.  Except as set forth in Section 4.04 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Parent or of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Merger Sub, (ii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 4.03, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree, (iii) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any license, franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorization affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of Parent and its Subsidiaries or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such contraventions, conflicts and violations referred to in clause (ii) and for such failures to obtain any such

 

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consent or other action, defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations, changes, losses or Liens referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.05.  Capitalization.  (a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of (i) 480,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock; (ii) 1,450,000 shares of Parent Preferred Stock and (iii) 3,550,000 undesignated shares.  As of November 12, 2003, (i) 228,292,836 shares of Parent Common Stock were issued and outstanding; (ii) 683,054 shares of Parent Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding; (iii) Parent Stock Options to purchase an aggregate of 21,055,648 shares of Parent Common Stock (of which options to purchase an aggregate of 11,331,273 shares of Parent Common Stock were exercisable) were issued and outstanding; (iv) 2,351,246 shares of Parent Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Parent Convertible Notes; (v) 18,295,315 shares of Parent Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the purchase contracts forming part of the Parent Equity Units; (vi) 20,500 shares of Parent Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the Deferred Stock Award Plan for International Executives; and (vii) 300,000 shares of Parent Common Stock were reserved under the Parent Deferred Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, of which 176,059 shares were outstanding as at November 12, 2003.  All outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent have been, and all shares that may be issued pursuant to the Parent Convertible Notes, Parent Equity Units or any equity compensation plan of Parent (a “Parent Stock Plan”) will be, when issued in accordance with the respective terms thereof, duly authorized and validly issued and are (or, in the case of shares that have not yet been issued, will be) fully paid and nonassessable.  Except for shares held on behalf of or as fiduciary for third parties, no Parent Subsidiary owns any shares of Parent Common Stock.

 

(b)        Except as set forth in this Section 4.05 or in Section 4.05(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and for changes since November 12, 2003 resulting from the exercise of employee stock options outstanding on such date, there are no outstanding (i) shares of capital stock or voting securities of Parent, (ii) securities of Parent convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of Parent or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from Parent, or other obligation of Parent to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of Parent (the items in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) being referred to collectively as the “Parent Securities”) other than the Parent Convertible Notes and the Parent Equity Units.  Except with respect to the Parent Preferred Stock and the Parent Convertible Notes, there are no outstanding obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Parent Securities.

 

Section 4.06.  Subsidiaries.  (a) Each Subsidiary of Parent is a corporation or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under

 

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the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.  Each such Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  All Significant Subsidiaries of Parent and their respective jurisdictions of formation are identified in the Parent 10-K.

 

(b)        Except as set forth in Section 4.06(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule or with respect to the Parent Trust Preferred Securities, all of the outstanding capital stock of, or other voting securities or ownership interests in, each Subsidiary of Parent, is owned by Parent, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Lien and free of any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests).  Other than Nuveen employee and director stock options, there are no outstanding (i) securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in any Subsidiary of Parent or (ii) options or other rights to acquire from Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or other obligation of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in, any Subsidiary of Parent (the items in clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to collectively as the “Parent Subsidiary Securities”).  Except with respect to the Parent Trust Preferred Securities, there are no outstanding obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of Parent Subsidiary Securities.

 

Section 4.07.  Insurance Subsidiaries.  Parent conducts its insurance operations through the Subsidiaries listed in Section 4.07 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the “Parent Insurance Subsidiaries”).  Section 4.07 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule lists the jurisdiction of domicile of each Parent Insurance Subsidiary.  Except as set forth in Section 4.07 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, none of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries is “commercially domiciled” in any other jurisdiction.  Each of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries is, where required, (i) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance company and, where applicable, a reinsurer in its jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance company and, where applicable, a reinsurer in each other jurisdiction where it is required to be so licensed or authorized, and (iii) duly authorized in its jurisdiction of incorporation and each other applicable jurisdiction to write each line of business reported as being written in the Parent SAP Statements, except, in each case, where the failure to be so licensed or authorized would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  The business of each of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries has been and is being conducted in compliance with the

 

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terms of all of its licenses, except for such instances of noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) all of such licenses are in full force and effect, and (ii) there is no proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the revocation, amendment, failure to renew, limitation, suspension or restriction of any such license.  Parent has made all required filings under applicable insurance holding company statutes except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.08.  SEC Filings.  (a) Parent has filed all required forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 2002 and has, prior to the date hereof, delivered or made available to the Company (i) Parent’s annual reports on Form 10-K for its fiscal years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, (ii) its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003, (iii) its proxy or information statements relating to meetings of, or actions taken without a meeting by, the shareholders of Parent held since December 31, 2002, and (iv) all of its other forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements and other documents filed with the SEC since December 31, 2002 (the documents referred to in this Section 4.08(a), collectively with any other forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements or other documents filed with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof, the “Parent SEC Documents”).

 

(b)        As of its filing date, each Parent SEC Document complied, and each such Parent SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof will comply, as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as the case may be.

 

(c)        As of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, on the date of such filing), each Parent SEC Document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act did not, and each such Parent SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof on the date of its filing will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(d)        Each Parent SEC Document that is a registration statement, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, as of the date such registration statement or amendment became effective, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

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(e)        Each required form, report and document containing financial statements that has been filed with or submitted to the SEC by Parent since July 31, 2002, was accompanied by the certifications required to be filed or submitted by Parent’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and, at the time of filing or submission of each such certification, such certification was true and accurate and complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Section 4.09.  Nuveen SEC Filings.  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)        Nuveen has filed all required forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 2002 and has, prior to the date hereof, delivered or made available to the Company (i) Nuveen’s annual reports on Form 10-K for its fiscal years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, (ii) its quarterly reports on Form 10 Q for its fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003, (iii) its proxy or information statements relating to meetings of, or actions taken without a meeting by, the shareholders of Nuveen held since December 31, 2002, and (iv) all of its other forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements and other documents filed with the SEC since December 31, 2002 (the documents referred to in this Section 4.09(a), collectively with any other forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements or other documents filed with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof, the “Nuveen SEC Documents”).

 

(b)        As of its filing date, each Nuveen SEC Document complied, and each such Nuveen SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof will comply, as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as the case may be.

 

(c)        As of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, on the date of such filing), each Nuveen SEC Document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act did not, and each such Nuveen SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof on the date of its filing will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(d)        Each Nuveen SEC Document that is a registration statement, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, as of the date such registration statement or amendment became effective, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

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(e)        Each required form, report and document containing financial statements that has been filed with or submitted to the SEC by Nuveen since July 31, 2002, was accompanied by the certifications required to be filed or submitted by Nuveen’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and, at the time of filing or submission of each such certification, such certification was true and accurate and complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Section 4.10.  Parent SAP Statements.  As used herein, the term “Parent SAP Statements” means the annual statutory statements and, to the extent applicable, quarterly supplements of each of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries as filed with the applicable insurance regulatory authorities for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003, including all exhibits, interrogatories, notes, schedules and any actuarial opinions, affirmations or certifications or other supporting documents filed in connection therewith or the local equivalents in the applicable jurisdictions (collectively, with any such statement filed subsequent to the date hereof).  Parent has delivered or made available to the Company true and complete copies of the Parent SAP Statements filed as of the date of this Agreement with respect to domestic Parent Insurance Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries.  Each of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries has filed or submitted all Parent SAP Statements required to be filed with or submitted to the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities of the jurisdiction in which it is domiciled or commercially domiciled on forms prescribed or permitted by such authority, except for such failures to file that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  The Parent SAP Statements were and will be prepared in conformity with statutory accounting practices (or local equivalents in the applicable jurisdictions) prescribed or permitted by the applicable insurance regulatory authority (“SAP”) consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, were and will be prepared in accordance with the books and records of Parent or the applicable Parent Insurance Subsidiary, as the case may be, and present the statutory financial position of such Parent Insurance Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations of such Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended.  The Parent SAP Statements complied, and will comply, in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations when filed, and no material deficiency has been asserted with respect to any Parent SAP Statements by the applicable insurance regulatory body or any other governmental agency or body.  Except as indicated therein, all assets that are reflected on the Parent SAP Statements comply in all material respects with all applicable foreign, federal, state and local statutes and regulations regulating the investments of insurance companies and all applicable Insurance Laws with respect to admitted assets and are in an amount at least equal to the minimum amounts required by Insurance Laws.  The annual statutory balance sheets and income statements included in the Parent SAP Statements have been, where

 

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required by applicable Insurance Laws, audited by an independent accounting firm of recognized national or international reputation, and Parent has delivered or made available to the Company true and complete copies of all audit opinions related thereto.  Parent has delivered or made available to the Company a list of all pending market conduct examinations relating to any domestic Parent Insurance Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary.

 

Section 4.11.  Financial Statements.  The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents fairly present, in conformity with  U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated financial position of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements).

 

Section 4.12.  Information Supplied.  The information supplied by Parent for inclusion or incorporation in the registration statement on Form S-4 or any amendment or supplement thereto pursuant to which shares of Parent Common Stock issuable in the Merger will be registered with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”) shall not at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC (or, with respect to any post-effective amendment, at the time such post-effective amendment becomes effective) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The information supplied by Parent for inclusion in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, to be sent to Parent shareholders and the Company shareholders in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Joint Proxy Statement”) shall not, on the date the Joint Proxy Statement is first mailed to the shareholders of each of Parent and the Company, at the time of the Parent Shareholder Approval, at the time of the Company Shareholder Approval or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Section 4.13.  Absence of Certain Changes.  Since the Parent Balance Sheet Date, the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries has been conducted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and, except as set forth in Section 4.13 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there has not been:

 

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(a)        any event, occurrence, development or state of circumstances or facts that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)        (i) any split, combination, subdivision or reclassification of any shares of capital stock of Parent or its Subsidiaries, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of Parent or its Subsidiaries (other than (A) dividends from its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries or by Nuveen, (B) regular quarterly cash dividends paid by Parent on the Parent Common Stock not in excess of $0.29 per share per quarter (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, subdivisions, splits, combinations or other similar events relating to the Parent Common Stock), with usual record and payment dates and in accordance with Parent’s past dividend policy, (C) one or more special dividends by Parent on the Parent Common Stock of cash or obligations to pay cash in an aggregate amount consistent with Section 7.13, (D) required dividends on the Parent Preferred Stock and (E) required distributions on the Parent Trust Securities or on the Parent Equity Units), or (iii) any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (other than in the ordinary course of business on behalf of or as fiduciary for third parties) of any outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership interests in, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)        any amendment of any material term of any outstanding security of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(d)        any incurrence, assumption or guarantee by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the ordinary course of business and in amounts and on terms consistent with past practices;

 

(e)        any creation or other incurrence by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any Lien on any material asset other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(f)         any making of any material loan, advance or capital contributions to or investment in any Person by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, other than (i) loans, advances or capital contributions to or investments in Parent’s wholly owned Subsidiaries or (ii) investment activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(g)        any damage, destruction or other casualty loss (whether or not covered by insurance) directly affecting the assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(h)        any transaction or commitment made, or any contract or agreement entered into, by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries relating to its assets or business (including the acquisition or disposition of any assets) or any relinquishment by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any contract or other right, in either case, material to Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than transactions and commitments in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and those contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(i)         any material change in any method of accounting or accounting principles or practice by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any material change in the actuarial, investment, reserving, underwriting or claims administration policies, practices, procedures, methods, assumptions or principles of any Parent Insurance Subsidiary, in each case except (i) as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents or (ii) for any such change elected or required by reason of a concurrent change in GAAP or Regulation S-X under the 1934 Act or applicable SAP or the local equivalent in the applicable jurisdictions;

 

(j)         other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, any (i) grant of any severance or termination pay to (or amendment to any existing arrangement with) any director, employee or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries involving any payments in excess of $250,000, (ii) increase by more than $250,000 in the benefits payable under any existing severance or termination pay policies or employment or consultancy agreements, (iii) entering into any employment, consultancy, deferred compensation, severance, retirement or other similar agreement (or any amendment to any such existing agreement) with any director, employee or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries involving any payments in excess of $250,000, (iv) establishment, adoption or amendment (except as required by applicable law) of any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing, thrift, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, compensation, equity compensation or other benefit plan or arrangement covering any director, employee or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (v) increase in compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to any director, employee or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(k)        any material labor dispute, other than routine individual grievances, or any activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof to organize any employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any material lockouts, strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such employees;

 

(l)         any change in Parent’s fiscal year or any material Tax election made, changed or revoked, or any method of tax accounting changed, in each case individually or in the aggregate having a material adverse impact on Taxes;

 

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(m)       any material addition or any development that would be reasonably likely to result in a material addition to Parent’s consolidated reserves for future policy benefits or other policy claims and benefits prior to the date of this Agreement; or

 

(n)        any agreement or commitment to take any action referred to in Section 4.13(a) through Section 4.13(m).

 

Section 4.14.  No Undisclosed Material Liabilities.  There are no liabilities or obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in such a liability or obligation, other than:

 

(a)        liabilities or obligations disclosed and provided for in the Parent Balance Sheet or in the notes thereto or in Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof,

 

(b)        insurance claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of business for which adequate claims reserves have been established, and

 

(c)        liabilities or obligations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.15.  Compliance with Laws and Court Orders.  (a) Except where the failure to so conduct such business and operations would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect: (i) the business and operations of Parent and Parent Insurance Subsidiaries have been conducted in compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations and rules regulating the business of insurance, whether domestic or foreign, and all applicable orders and directives of Governmental Authorities and market conduct recommendations resulting from market conduct examinations of Governmental Authorities regulating the business of insurance (collectively, “Insurance Laws”) and (ii) the business and operations of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries that acts as an “investment adviser” under the Advisers Act or as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act (collectively, the “Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries”) have been conducted in compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations and rules, and all applicable orders and directives of Governmental Authorities regulating the business of, investment advisers and broker-dealers (collectively, “Investment Advisory Laws”).  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, except where the failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Parent Insurance Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of Parent, its agents, have marketed, sold and issued insurance products in compliance, in all material respects, with Insurance Laws applicable to the business of such Parent Insurance Subsidiary

 

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and in the respective jurisdictions in which such products have been sold and (ii) each Parent Asset Management Subsidiary has engaged in the business of acting as an investment adviser or a broker-dealer, as the case may be, in compliance, in all material respects, with Investment Advisory Laws applicable to the business of such Parent Asset Management Subsidiary.  In addition, (x) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened charge by any Governmental Authorities that any Parent Insurance Subsidiary or Parent Asset Management Subsidiary has violated, nor any pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened investigation by any Governmental Authorities with respect to possible violations of, any applicable Insurance Laws or Investment Advisory Laws, as the case may be, where such violations would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect and (y) the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries and the Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries have filed all reports required to be filed with any insurance regulatory authority or investment advisory regulatory authority, as the case may be, on or before the date hereof, except for such failures to file such reports as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Except as required by Insurance Laws of general applicability and the insurance licenses maintained by the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries, there are no written agreements, memoranda of understanding, commitment letters or similar undertakings binding on the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries to which Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries is a party, on one hand, and any Governmental Authority is a party or addressee, on the other hand, or orders or directives by, or supervisory letters from, any Governmental Authority specifically with respect to Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries, which (A) limit the ability of Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to issue insurance policies, (B) require any investments of Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to be treated as nonadmitted assets, (C) require any divestiture of any investments of Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries, (D) in any manner impose any requirements on Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries in respect of Risk Based Capital requirements that add to or otherwise modify the Risk Based Capital requirements imposed under applicable laws or (E) in any manner relate to the ability of Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to pay dividends or otherwise restrict the conduct of business of Parent or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries in any material respect.  Except as required by Investment Advisory Laws of general applicability, there are no written agreements, memoranda of understanding, commitment letters or similar undertakings binding on the Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries to which Parent or any Parent Asset Management Subsidiary is a party, on one hand, and any Governmental Authority is a party or addressee, on the other hand, or orders or directives by any Governmental Authority specifically with respect to Parent or, to the knowledge of Parent, any of the Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries, which limit the ability of Parent or any of the Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries to engage in the investment advisory businesses.

 

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(b)        Since December 31, 2001, each “Investment Company” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) for which Parent or any Parent Asset Management Subsidiary provided investment advisory services that is sponsored by Parent or any Parent Asset Management Subsidiary and/or for which any of them act as a general partner, managing member or in a similar capacity (collectively, the “Proprietary Funds”) has made all required filings and registrations with Governmental Authorities in order to permit each of them to carry on its respective business as currently conducted, and such registrations are in full force and effect, except where the failure to have or make or keep in full force and effect any such registration would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, except where the failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, each Investment Company has engaged in its business in compliance, in all material respects, with Laws applicable to the conduct of such business.

 

(c)        None of Parent, the Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries or, to Parent’s knowledge, any person “associated” (as defined under the Advisers Act) with Parent or any of the Parent Asset Management Subsidiaries, has during the five years prior to the date hereof been convicted of any crime or been subject to any disqualification that would be a basis for denial, suspension or revocation of registration of an investment adviser under Section 203(e) of the Advisers Act or Rule 206(4)-4(b) thereunder or of a broker-dealer under Section 15 of the 1934 Act, or for disqualification as an investment adviser for any registered Investment Company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act.

 

(d)        In addition to Insurance Laws and Investment Advisory Laws, Parent and each of its Subsidiaries is and has been in compliance with, and to the knowledge of Parent is not under investigation with respect to, and has not been threatened to be charged with or given notice of any violation of, any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement, license or permit of any Governmental Authority (collectively with Insurance Laws and Investment Advisory Laws, and including applicable anti-money laundering laws, “Laws”),except for failures to comply or violations that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.16.  Litigation.  Except as set forth in Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding (or any basis therefor) pending against, or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or affecting, Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, any present or former officer, director or employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any Person for whom Parent or any Subsidiary may be liable or any of their respective properties before any court or arbitrator or before or by any governmental body, agency, regulator

 

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or official, domestic, foreign or supranational (other than insurance claims litigation arising in the ordinary course for which adequate claims reserves have been established), that, if determined or resolved adversely in accordance with the plaintiff’s demands, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or that in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.17.  Insurance Matters.  (a) Except as otherwise would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, all policies, binders, slips, certificates, and other agreements of insurance, in effect as of the date hereof (including all applications, supplements, endorsements, riders and ancillary agreements in connection therewith) that are issued by the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries and any and all marketing materials, agents agreements, brokers agreements or managing general agents agreements are, to the extent required under applicable law, on forms approved by applicable insurance regulatory authorities or which have been filed and not objected to by such authorities within the period provided for objection, and such forms comply in all material respects with the Insurance Laws applicable thereto and, as to premium rates established by Parent or any Parent Insurance Subsidiary which are required to be filed with or approved by insurance regulatory authorities, the rates have been so filed or approved, the premiums charged conform thereto in all material respects, and such premiums comply in all material respects with the insurance statutes, regulations and rules applicable thereto.

 

(b)        All reinsurance treaties or agreements, including retrocessional agreements, to which Parent or any Parent Insurance Subsidiary is a party or under which Parent or any Parent Insurance Subsidiary has any existing rights, obligations or liabilities are in full force and effect except for such treaties or agreements the failure to be in full force and effect as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Parent nor any Parent Insurance Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any other party to a reinsurance treaty, binder or other agreement to which Parent or any Parent Insurance Subsidiary is a party, is in default in any material respect as to any provision thereof and, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, no such agreement contains any provision providing that the other party thereto may terminate such agreement by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Parent has not received any notice to the effect that the financial condition of any other party to any such agreement is impaired with the result that a default thereunder may reasonably be anticipated, whether or not such default may be cured by the operation of any offset clause in such agreement.  The Parent SAP Statements accurately reflect the extent to which, pursuant to Insurance Laws, Parent and/or the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries are entitled to take credit for reinsurance.

 

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(c)        Prior to the date hereof, Parent has delivered or made available to the Company a true and complete copy of all actuarial reports prepared by actuaries, independent or otherwise, with respect to Parent or any Parent Insurance Subsidiary since December 31, 2000, and all attachments, addenda, supplements and modifications thereto (the “Parent Actuarial Analyses”).  To the knowledge of Parent, the information and data furnished by Parent or any Parent Insurance Subsidiary to its independent actuaries in connection with the preparation of the Parent Actuarial Analyses were accurate in all material respects.  Furthermore, to the knowledge of Parent, each Parent Actuarial Analysis was based upon an accurate inventory of policies in force for Parent and the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries, as the case may be, at the relevant time of preparation, was prepared using appropriate modeling procedures accurately applied and in conformity with generally accepted actuarial principles consistently applied, and the projections contained therein were properly prepared in accordance with the assumptions stated therein.

 

Section 4.18.  Liabilities and Reserves.  (a) The reserves carried on the Parent SAP Statements of each Parent Insurance Subsidiary were, as of the respective dates of such Parent SAP Statements, in compliance in all material respects with the requirements for reserves established by the insurance departments of the state of domicile (or local equivalent) of such Parent Insurance Subsidiary, were determined in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles consistently applied, were computed on the basis of methodologies consistent in all material respects with those used in prior periods, except as otherwise noted in the Parent SAP Statements, were fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with sound actuarial and statutory accounting principles and were established in accordance, in all material respects, with prudent insurance practices generally followed in the insurance industry.  Such reserves make a reasonable provision for loss and loss adjustment exposure liability in the aggregate to cover the total amount of all reasonably anticipated liabilities of Parent and the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries under all outstanding insurance, reinsurance and other applicable agreements as of the respective dates of such Parent SAP Statements.  Parent has provided or made available to the Company copies of substantially all work papers used as the basis for establishing the reserves for Parent and the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

 

(b)        Except for regular periodic assessments in the ordinary course of business or assessments based on developments which are publicly known within the insurance industry, to the knowledge of Parent, no claim or assessment is pending or threatened against any Parent Insurance Subsidiary which is peculiar or unique to such Parent Insurance Subsidiary by any state insurance guaranty association in connection with such association’s fund relating to insolvent insurers, which, if determined adversely would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.19Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters.

 

(a)        None of Parent or its Subsidiaries conducts business as a “futures commission merchant”, “commodity trading adviser”, or “commodity pool operator” as defined under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) ..

 

(b)        Except as listed in Section 4.19 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, none of Parent or its Subsidiaries conducts business as a “broker”, “dealer” or “underwriter” as defined under 1933 Act, 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act.

 

(c)        Except as listed on Section 4.19 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, none of Parent or its Subsidiaries conducts business as an “investment adviser” as defined under the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act, nor is a “promoter” as defined under the 1940 Act of an Investment Company.

 

Section 4.20.  Finders’ Fees.  Except for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., copies of whose engagement agreements have been provided to the Company, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries who might be entitled to any fee or commission from Parent or any of its Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.21.  Opinion of Financial Advisors.  Parent has received the opinion of each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., financial advisors to Parent, to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Ratio is fair to Parent from a financial point of view.

 

Section 4.22.  Taxes.

 

(a)        All material Tax Returns required by applicable law to be filed with any Taxing Authority by, or on behalf of, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries have been filed when due in accordance with all applicable laws, and all such Tax Returns are, or shall be at the time of filing, true and complete in all material respects.

 

(b)        Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has paid (or has had paid on its behalf) or has withheld and remitted to the appropriate Taxing Authority all material Taxes due and payable, or, where payment is not yet due, has established (or has had established on its behalf and for its sole benefit and recourse) in accordance with SAP and GAAP an adequate accrual for all material Taxes through the end of the last period for which Parent and its Subsidiaries ordinarily record items on their respective books.

 

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(c)        The federal income Tax Returns of Parent and its Subsidiaries through the Tax year ended December 31, 1993 have been examined and closed or are Returns with respect to which the applicable period for assessment under applicable law, after giving effect to extensions or waivers, has expired.

 

(d)        There is no claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or investigation now pending or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened against or with respect to Parent or its Subsidiaries in respect of any material Tax or Tax Asset.

 

(e)        During the five-year period ending on the date hereof, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries was a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation in a transaction intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.

 

(f)         Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld all material amounts required to have been withheld by them in connection with amounts paid or owed to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or any other third party; such withheld amounts were either duly paid to the appropriate Taxing Authority or set aside in accounts for such purpose.  Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have reported such withheld amounts to the appropriate Taxing Authority and to each such employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or any other third party, as required under any Law.

 

(g)        “Tax” means (i) any tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, withholding on amounts paid to or by any Person), together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Authority (a “Taxing Authority”) responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign), and any liability for any of the foregoing as transferee, (ii) in the case of any Person or any of its Subsidiaries, liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in clause (i) as a result of being or having been before the Effective Time a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or a party to any agreement or arrangement, as a result of which liability of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries to a Taxing Authority is determined or taken into account with reference to the activities of any other Person, and (iii) liability of any Person or any of its Subsidiaries for the payment of any amount as a result of being party to any Tax Sharing Agreement or with respect to the payment of any amount imposed on any other Person of the type described in (i) or (ii) as a result of any existing express or implied agreement or arrangement (including, but not limited to, an indemnification agreement or arrangement).  “Tax Asset” means any net operating loss, net capital loss, investment tax credit, foreign tax credit, charitable deduction or any other credit or tax attribute that could be carried forward or back to reduce Taxes (including without limitation deductions and credits related to alternative minimum Taxes).  “Tax Return” means any report, return, document, declaration or other information or filing required to be supplied to any Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes, including information

 

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returns, any documents with respect to or accompanying payments of estimated Taxes, or with respect to or accompanying requests for the extension of time in which to file any such report, return, document, declaration or other information.  “Tax Sharing Agreements” means all existing agreements or arrangements (whether or not written) binding Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, that provide for the allocation, apportionment, sharing or assignment of any Tax liability or benefit, or the transfer or assignment of income, revenues, receipts or gains for the purpose of determining any Person’s Tax liability.

 

Section 4.23.  Employee Benefit Plans.  (a) Copies of any material Parent Employee Plan and any amendments thereto have been made available to the Company, and copies of, to the extent applicable, any related trust or funding agreements or insurance policies, amendments thereto, prospectuses or summary plan descriptions relating thereto and the most recent annual report (Form 5500 including, if applicable, Schedule B thereto) and tax return (Form 990) prepared in connection therewith have been made available to the Company or will be made available to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof.

 

(b)        No “accumulated funding deficiency,” as defined in Section 412 of the Code, has been incurred with respect to any Parent Employee Plan subject to such Section 412, whether or not waived.  No “reportable event,” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, other than “reportable events” that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, and no event described in Section 4062 or 4063 of ERISA has occurred in connection with any Parent Employee Plan.  Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, has (i) engaged in, or is a successor or parent corporation to an entity that has engaged in, a transaction described in Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA or (ii) incurred, or reasonably expects to incur prior to the Effective Time, (A) any liability under Title IV of ERISA arising in connection with the termination of, or a complete or partial withdrawal from, any plan covered or previously covered by Title IV of ERISA or (B) any liability under Section 4971 of the Code that in either case could become a liability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates after the Effective Time.

 

(c)        Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, nor any predecessor thereof, contributes to, or has within the past six years contributed to, any multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA (a “Multiemployer Plan”).

 

(d)        Each Parent Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter, or has pending or has time remaining in which to file, an application for such

 

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determination from the Internal Revenue Service, and Parent is not aware of any reason why any such determination letter should be revoked or not be reissued.  Parent has made available to the Company copies of the most recent Internal Revenue Service determination letters with respect to each such Parent Employee Plan.  Except as set forth in Section 4.23(d) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, each Parent Employee Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable laws, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code.  No events have occurred with respect to any Parent Employee Plan that could result in payment or assessment by or against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any material excise taxes under Sections 4972, 4975, 4976, 4977, 4979, 4980B, 4980D, 4980E or 5000 of the Code.

 

(e)        There has been no amendment to, written interpretation or announcement (whether or not written) by Parent or any of its Affiliates relating to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Parent Employee Plan which would increase materially the expense of maintaining Parent Employee Plans above the level of the expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

 

(f)         There is no action, suit, investigation, audit or proceeding pending against or involving or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or involving, any Parent Employee Plan before any court or arbitrator or any state, federal or local governmental body, agency or official, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)        Copies of any material Parent International Plan and any amendments thereto have been made available to the Company, and copies of, to the extent applicable, any related trust or funding agreements or insurance policies, amendments thereto and regulatory filings or similar documents that have been prepared therewith have been made available to the Company or will be made available to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof.  Each Parent International Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable Laws (including any special provisions relating to qualified plans where such Parent International Plan was intended so to qualify) and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.  Except as set forth in Section 4.23(g) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, there has been no amendment to, written interpretation of or announcement (whether or not written) by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries relating to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Parent International Plan that would increase materially the expense of maintaining Parent International Plans above the level of expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.  With respect to Employee Plans that would otherwise constitute Parent

 

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International Plans but for the proviso in the definition of “International Plan,” Parent and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with their respective obligations thereunder and the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable laws.

 

(h)        Except as set forth in Section 4.23(h) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, no Parent Employee Plan exists that, as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether alone or in connection with other events), could result in the payment, individually or in the aggregate of a material nature, to any present or former employee, director or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any money or other property or could result in the acceleration or provision of any other rights or benefits, individually or in the aggregate of a material nature, to any present or former employee, director or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such payment, right or benefit would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

 

Section 4.24.  Labor Matters.  (a) Except as set forth in Section 4.24(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization.  Furthermore, there are no labor strikes, slowdowns or stoppages actually pending or threatened against or affecting Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)        Since the Parent Balance Sheet Date, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has effectuated (i) a “plant closing” (as defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN Act”)) affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) a “mass layoff” (as defined in the WARN Act); or (iii) such other transaction, layoff, reduction in force or employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application of any similar foreign, state or local law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)        Parent and its Subsidiaries have complied with all applicable laws relating to the employment of its employees, including those relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, equal employment opportunity, age and disability discrimination, immigration control, employee classification, payment and withholding of taxes, and continuation coverage with respect to group health plans, except where a failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.25.  Environmental Matters.  (a) Except as set forth in Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)            no notice, notification, demand, request for information, citation, summons or order has been received, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been assessed, and no investigation, action, claim, suit, proceeding or review (or any basis therefor) is pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, is threatened by any Governmental Authority or other Person relating to or arising out of any Environmental Law;

 

(ii)           Parent and its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws and all Environmental Permits;

 

(iii)          other than with respect to policies written in connection with the insurance business for which claims reserves have been established, there are no liabilities of or relating to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise arising under or relating to any Environmental Law and there are no facts, conditions, situations or set of circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in or be the basis for any such liability; and

 

(iv)          there has been no environmental investigation, study, audit, test, review or other analysis conducted of which Parent has knowledge in relation to the current or prior business of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to policies written in connection with the insurance business for which claims reserves have been established) or any property or facility now or previously owned or leased by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that has not been delivered or made available to the Company prior to the date hereof.

 

(b)        For purposes of this Section 4.25, the terms “Parent” and “Subsidiaries” shall include any entity that is, in whole or in part, a predecessor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.26Intellectual Property.  (a) Parent and/or each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights to use all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights, and any applications therefor, technology, know-how, computer software programs or applications, and proprietary information or materials that are used in the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except for any such failures to own, be licensed or possess that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, and to the

 

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knowledge of Parent, all patents and registered trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights owned by Parent and/or its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting.

 

(b)        Except as disclosed in Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)            Parent is not, nor will it be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of its obligations hereunder, in violation of any licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which Parent is a party and pursuant to which Parent is authorized to use any third-party patents, trademarks, service marks, and copyrights (“Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights”);

 

(ii)           no claims with respect to (I) the patents, registered and material unregistered trademarks and service marks, registered copyrights, trade names, and any applications therefor owned by Parent or any its Subsidiaries (the “Parent Intellectual Property Rights”), (II) any material trade secret owned by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or (III) to the knowledge of Parent, Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights licensed to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, are currently pending or are threatened in writing by any Person;

 

(iii)          to the knowledge of Parent, there are no valid grounds for any bona fide claims (I) to the effect that the sale or licensing of any product as now sold or licensed by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, infringes on any copyright, patent, trademark, service mark or trade secret of any other Person; (II) against the use by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, copyrights, patents, technology, know-how or computer software programs and applications used in the business of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted; (III) challenging the ownership or validity of any Parent Intellectual Property Rights or other material trade secret owned by Parent; or (IV) challenging the license or right to use any Third-Party Intellectual Rights by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; and

 

(iv)          to the knowledge of Parent, there is no unauthorized use, infringement or misappropriation of any of Parent Intellectual Property Rights by any Person, including any employee or former employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.27.  Material Contracts.  All of the material contracts of Parent and its Subsidiaries that are required to be described in the Parent SEC Documents (or to be filed as exhibits thereto) or in the Parent SAP Statements (or

 

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to be filed as exhibits thereto) are so described in the Parent SEC Documents or Parent SAP Statements (or filed as exhibits thereto) and are in full force and effect.  True and complete copies of all such material contracts have been delivered or have been made available by Parent to the Company.  Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any other party is in breach of or in default under any such contract except for such breaches and defaults as have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to any agreement containing any provision or covenant limiting in any material respect the ability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or, after the consummation of the Merger, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) to (A) sell any products or services of or to any other Person, (B) engage in any line of business or (C) compete with or to obtain products or services from any Person or limiting the ability of any Person to provide products or services to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or, after the consummation of the Merger, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

 

Section 4.28.  Tax Treatment.  Neither Parent nor any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action, or is aware of any fact or circumstance, that would prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

Section 4.29.  Antitakeover Statutes and Rights Plans.  No shareholder rights plan, and no restrictive provision of any “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation (including Sections 302A.671 and 302A.673 of the Minnesota Statutes) or restrictive provision of any applicable anti-takeover provision in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Parent is, or at the Effective Time will be, applicable to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.30.  Financial Controls.  The management of Parent has (i) designed disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under its supervision, to ensure that material information relating to Parent, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is made known to the management of Parent by others within those entities, and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to Parent’s auditors and the audit committee of Parent’s Board of Directors (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, regardless of whether the relevant Section herein refers to the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company represents and warrants to Parent that:

 

Section 5.01.  Corporate Existence and Power.  (a) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut and the Company and its Subsidiaries have all corporate, partnership or other similar powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents, franchises, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals required to carry on their business as now conducted (the “Company Permits”), except for those licenses, authorizations, permits, consents, franchises, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of the Company Permits, except where the failure to so comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  The Company has heretofore delivered or made available to Parent true and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company as currently in effect.

 

(b)        As used in this Agreement, the term “Company Material Adverse Effect” means (i) a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business, results of the operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than effects caused by changes in general economic or securities markets conditions, changes that affect the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate in general and which do not have a materially disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, and changes resulting from the announcement or proposed consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) a material impairment of the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

 

Section 5.02Corporate Authorization. (a) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the Company’s corporate powers and, except for the Company Shareholder Approval, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and

 

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constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors generally or by general equity principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).  The only votes of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are the affirmative vote of (A) the holders of the Company Common Stock representing a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by such holders, (B) the holders of the Company Class A Common Stock representing a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by such holders and (C) the holders of the Company Class B Common Stock representing a majority of the votes eligible to be cast by such holders, in each case approving the Merger and the Agreement (the “Company Shareholder Approval”).

 

(b)        At a meeting duly called and held, the Company’s Board of Directors has (i) unanimously determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders, (ii) unanimously approved and adopted this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) unanimously resolved (subject to Section 7.05) to recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement by its shareholders.

 

Section 5.03.  Governmental Authorization.  The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, other than (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is qualified to do business, (ii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and any other applicable securities laws, whether state or foreign, (iv) compliance with any applicable requirements of the NYSE, (v) approvals or filings under Insurance Laws as set forth in Section 5.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (such actions and filings listed in clauses (i) through (v) above, the “Company Necessary Consents” and, together with the Parent Necessary Consents, the “Necessary Consents”) and (vi) any other actions or filings the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.04.  Non-Contravention.  Except as set forth in Section 5.04 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or

 

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bylaws of the Company, (ii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.03, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree, (iii) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any license, franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorization affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such contraventions, conflicts and violations referred to in clause (ii) and for such failures to obtain any such consent or other action, defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations, changes, losses or Liens referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.05.  Capitalization.  (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 1,500,000,000 shares of Company Class A Common Stock; (ii) 1,500,000,000 shares of Company Class B Common Stock and (iii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock (of which 3,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock).  As of October 31, 2003, (i) 505,030,560 shares of Company Class A Common Stock were issued and outstanding; and (ii) 499,859,233 shares of Company Class B Common Stock were issued and outstanding.  As of September 30, 2003, (i) Company Stock Options to purchase an aggregate of 71,380,672.33 shares of Company Class A Common Stock (of which options to purchase an aggregate of 39,219,573.23 shares of Company Class A Common Stock were exercisable) were issued and outstanding; (ii) no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding; and (iii) 38,584,560 shares of Company Class A Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon conversion of Company Convertible Notes.  All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been, and all shares that may be issued pursuant to any Company Stock Plan will be, when issued in accordance with the respective terms thereof, duly authorized and validly issued and are (or, in the case of shares that have not yet been issued, will be) fully paid and nonassessable.  No Company Subsidiary or Affiliate owns any shares of Company Common Stock.

 

(b)        Except as set forth in this Section 5.05 or in Section 5.05(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company Rights and changes since September 30, 2003, resulting from the exercise of employee stock options outstanding on such date, there are no outstanding (i) shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (ii) securities of the Company convertible into

 

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or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company, or other obligation of the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company (the items in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) being referred to collectively as the “Company Securities”) other than the Company Convertible Notes.  There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Securities.

 

Section 5.06.  Subsidiaries.  (a) Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.  Each such Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  All Significant Subsidiaries of the Company and their respective jurisdictions of formation are identified in the Company 10-K.

 

(b)        Except as set forth in Section 5.06(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all of the outstanding capital stock of, or other voting securities or ownership interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company, is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Lien and free of any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests).  Except as set forth in Section 5.06(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule there are no outstanding (i) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in any Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or other obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in, any Subsidiary of the Company (the items in clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to collectively as the “Company Subsidiary Securities”).  There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Subsidiary Securities.

 

Section 5.07.  Insurance Subsidiaries.  The Company conducts its insurance operations through the Subsidiaries listed in Section 5.07 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the “Company Insurance Subsidiaries”).  Section 5.07 of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists the jurisdiction of domicile of each Company Insurance Subsidiary.  Except as set forth in Section 5.07 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company

 

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Insurance Subsidiaries is “commercially domiciled” in any other jurisdiction.  Each of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries is, where required, (i) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance company and, where applicable, reinsurer in its jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance company and, where applicable, a reinsurer in each other jurisdiction where it is required to be so licensed or authorized, and (iii) duly authorized in its jurisdiction of incorporation and each other applicable jurisdiction to write each line of business reported as being written in the Company SAP Statements, except, in each case, where the failure to be so licensed or authorized would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  The business of each of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries has been and is being conducted in compliance with the terms of all of its licenses, except for such instances of noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) all of such licenses are in full force and effect, and (ii) there is no proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the revocation, amendment, failure to renew, limitation, suspension or restriction of any such license.  The Company has made all required filings under applicable insurance holding company statutes except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.08.  SEC Filings.  (a) the Company has filed all required forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 2002 and has, prior to the date hereof, delivered or made available to Parent (i) the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, (ii) its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003, (iii) its proxy or information statements relating to meetings of, or actions taken without a meeting by, the shareholders of the Company held since December 31, 2002, and (iv) all of its other forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements and other documents filed with the SEC since December 31, 2002 (the documents referred to in this Section 5.08(a) collectively with any other forms, reports, statements, schedules, registration statements or other documents filed with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof, the “Company SEC Documents”.)

 

(b)        As of its filing date, each Company SEC Document complied, and each such Company SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof will comply, as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as the case may be.

 

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(c)        As of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, on the date of such filing), each Company SEC Document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act did not, and each such Company SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof on the date of its filing will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(d)        Each Company SEC Document that is a registration statement, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, as of the date such registration statement or amendment became effective, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(e)        Each required form, report and document containing financial statements that has been filed with or submitted to the SEC by the Company since July 31, 2002, was accompanied by the certifications required to be filed or submitted by the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and, at the time of filing or submission of each such certification, such certification was true and accurate and complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Section 5.09Company SAP Statements.  As used herein, the term “Company SAP Statements” means the annual statutory statements and, to the extent applicable, quarterly supplements of each of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries as filed with the applicable insurance regulatory authorities for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003, including all exhibits, interrogatories, notes, schedules and any actuarial opinions, affirmations or certifications or other supporting documents filed in connection therewith or the local equivalents in the applicable jurisdictions (collectively, with any such statement filed subsequent to the date hereof.)  The Company has delivered or made available to Parent true and complete copies of the Company SAP Statements filed as of the date of this Agreement with respect to domestic Company Insurance Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries.  Each of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries has filed or submitted all Company SAP Statements required to be filed with or submitted to the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities of the jurisdiction in which it is domiciled or commercially domiciled on forms prescribed or permitted by such authority, except for such failures to file that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  The Company SAP Statements were and will be prepared in conformity with SAP consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, were and will be prepared in accordance with the books and records of the Company or the applicable Company Insurance Subsidiary, as the case may be, and present the statutory financial position of such

 

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Company Insurance Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations of such Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended.  The Company SAP Statements complied, and will comply, in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations when filed, and no material deficiency has been asserted with respect to any Company SAP Statements by the applicable insurance regulatory body or any other governmental agency or body.  Except as indicated therein, all assets that are reflected on the Company SAP Statements comply in all material respects with all applicable foreign, federal, state and local statutes and regulations regulating the investments of insurance companies and all applicable Insurance Laws with respect to admitted assets and are in an amount at least equal to the minimum amounts required by Insurance Laws.  The annual statutory balance sheets and income statements included in the Company SAP Statements have been, where required by applicable Insurance Law, audited by an independent accounting firm of recognized national or international reputation where required under applicable Insurance Laws, and the Company has delivered or made available to Parent true and complete copies of all audit opinions related thereto.  The Company has delivered or made available to Parent a list of all pending market conduct examinations relating to any domestic Company Insurance Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.10.  Financial Statements.  The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents fairly present, in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements).

 

Section 5.11Information Supplied.  The information supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation in the Registration Statement shall not at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC (or, with respect to any post-effective amendment, at the time such post-effective amendment becomes effective) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The information supplied by the Company for inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement shall not, on the date the Joint Proxy Statement is first mailed to the shareholders of each of the Company and Parent, at the time of the Parent Shareholder Approval, at the time of the Company Shareholder Approval or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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Section 5.12Absence of Certain Changes.  Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been conducted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and, except as set forth in Section 5.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there has not been:

 

(a)        any event, occurrence, development or state of circumstances or facts that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)        (i) any split, combination, subdivision or reclassification of any shares of capital stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than (A) dividends from its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries and (B) regular quarterly cash dividends paid by the Company on the Company Common Stock not in excess of $0.08 per share per quarter (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, subdivisions, splits, combinations or other similar events relating to the Company Common Stock), with usual record and payment dates and in accordance with the Company’s past dividend policy), or (iii) any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership interests in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)        any amendment of any material term of any outstanding security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(d)        any incurrence, assumption or guarantee by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the ordinary course of business and in amounts and on terms consistent with past practices;

 

(e)        any creation or other incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Lien on any material asset other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(f)         any making of any material loan, advance or capital contributions to or investment in any Person by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than (i) loans, advances or capital contributions to or investments in the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries or (ii) investment activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(g)        any damage, destruction or other casualty loss (whether or not covered by insurance) directly affecting the assets of the Company or any of its

 

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Subsidiaries that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;

 

(h)        any transaction or commitment made, or any contract or agreement entered into, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to its assets or business (including the acquisition or disposition of any assets) or any relinquishment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any contract or other right, in either case, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than transactions and commitments in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and those contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(i)         any material change in any method of accounting or accounting principles or practice by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any material change in the actuarial, investment, reserving, underwriting or claims administration policies, practices, procedures, methods, assumptions or principles of any Company Insurance Subsidiary, in each case except (i) as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents or (ii) for any such election or change required by reason of a concurrent change in GAAP or Regulation S-X under the 1934 Act or applicable SAP or the local equivalent in the applicable jurisdictions;

 

(j)         other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices any (i) grant of any severance or termination pay to (or amendment to any existing arrangement with) any director, employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries involving any payments in excess of $250,000, (ii) increase by more than $250,000 in the benefits payable under any existing severance or termination pay policies or employment or consultancy agreements, (iii) entering into of any employment, consultancy, deferred compensation, severance, retirement or other similar agreement (or any amendment to any such existing agreement) with any director, employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries involving any payments in excess of $250,000, (iv) establishment, adoption or amendment (except as required by applicable law) of any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing, thrift, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, compensation, equity compensation or other benefit plan or arrangement covering any director, employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (v) increase in compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to any director, employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(k)        any material labor dispute, other than routine individual grievances, or any activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof to organize any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any material lockouts, strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such employees;

 

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(l)         any change in the Company’s fiscal year or any material Tax election made, changed or revoked, or any method of tax accounting changed, in each case individually or in the aggregate having a material adverse impact on Taxes;

 

(m)       any material addition or any development that would be reasonably likely to result in a material addition to the Company’s consolidated reserves for future policy benefits or other policy claims and benefits prior to the date of this Agreement; or

 

(n)        any agreement or commitment to take any action referred to in Section 5.12(a) through Section 5.12(m).

 

Section 5.13No Undisclosed Material Liabilities.  There are no liabilities or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in such a liability or obligation, other than:

 

(a)        liabilities or obligations disclosed and provided for in the Company Balance Sheet or in the notes thereto or in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof,

 

(b)        insurance claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of business for which adequate claims reserves have been established, and

 

(c)        liabilities or obligations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.14Compliance with Laws and Court Orders.  (a) The business and operations of the Company and the Company Insurance Subsidiaries have been conducted in compliance with all applicable Insurance Laws, except where the failure to so conduct such business and operations would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, except where the failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Company Insurance Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, its agents, have marketed, sold and issued insurance products in compliance, in all material respects, with Insurance Laws applicable to the business of such Company Insurance Subsidiary and in the respective jurisdictions in which such products have been sold.  In addition, (x) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened charge by any Governmental Authorities that any of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries has violated, nor any pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened investigation by any Governmental Authorities with respect to possible violations

 

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of, any applicable Insurance Laws where such violations would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; and (y) the Company Insurance Subsidiaries have filed all reports required to be filed with any insurance regulatory authority on or before the date hereof as to which the failure to file such reports would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Except as required by Insurance Laws of general applicability and the insurance licenses maintained by the Company Insurance Subsidiaries, or disclosed on Section 5.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule there are no written agreements, memoranda of understanding, commitment letters or similar undertakings binding on the Company Insurance Subsidiaries to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, on one hand, and any Governmental Authority is a party or addressee, on the other hand, or orders or directives by, or supervisory letters from, any Governmental Authority specifically with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which (A) limit the ability of the Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to issue insurance policies, (B) require any investments of the Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to be treated as nonadmitted assets, (C) require any divestiture of any investments of the Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries, (D) in any manner impose any requirements on the Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries in respect of Risk Based Capital requirements that add to or otherwise modify the Risk Based Capital requirements imposed under applicable laws or (E) in any manner relate to the ability of the Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to pay dividends or otherwise restrict the conduct of business of the Company or any of its Insurance Subsidiaries in any material respect.

 

(b)        None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any person “associated” (as defined under the Advisers Act) with the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, has during the five years prior to the date hereof been convicted of any crime or been subject to any disqualification that would be a basis for denial, suspension or revocation of registration of an investment adviser under Section 203(e) of the Advisers Act or Rule 206(4)-4(b) thereunder or of a broker-dealer under Section 15 of the 1934 Act, or for disqualification as an investment adviser for any registered Investment Company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act.

 

(c)        In addition to Insurance Laws, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and has been in compliance with, and to the knowledge of the Company is not under investigation with respect to, and has not been threatened to be charged with or given notice of any violation of, any applicable Laws, except for failures to comply or violations that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.15Litigation.  Except as set forth in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding (or any basis therefor) pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any present or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Person for whom the Company or any Subsidiary may be liable or any of their respective properties before any court or arbitrator or before or by any governmental body, agency, regulator or official, domestic, foreign or supranational (other than insurance claims litigation arising in the ordinary course for which adequate claims reserves have been established), that, if determined or resolved adversely in accordance with the plaintiff’s demands, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or that in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 5.16.  Insurance Matters.  (a) Except as otherwise would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, all policies, binders, slips, certificates, and other agreements of insurance, in effect as of the date hereof (including all applications, supplements, endorsements, riders and ancillary agreements in connection therewith) that are issued by the Company Insurance Subsidiaries and any and all marketing materials, agents agreements, brokers agreements or managing general agents agreements are, to the extent required under applicable law, on forms approved by applicable insurance regulatory authorities or which have been filed and not objected to by such authorities within the period provided for objection, and such forms comply in all material respects with the Insurance Laws applicable thereto and, as to premium rates established by the Company or any Company Insurance Subsidiary which are required to be filed with or approved by insurance regulatory authorities, the rates have been so filed or approved, the premiums charged conform thereto in all material respects, and such premiums comply in all material respects with the insurance statutes, regulations and rules applicable thereto.

 

(b)        All reinsurance treaties or agreements, including retrocessional agreements, to which the Company or any Company Insurance Subsidiary is a party or under which the Company or any Company Insurance Subsidiary has any existing rights, obligations or liabilities are in full force and effect except for such treaties or agreements the failure to be in full force and effect as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any Company Insurance Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to a reinsurance treaty, binder or other agreement to which the Company or any Company Insurance Subsidiary is a party, is in default in any material respect as to any provision thereof and, except as would not, individually or in the

 

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aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, no such agreement contains any provision providing that the other party thereto may terminate such agreement by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  The Company has not received any notice to the effect that the financial condition of any other party to any such agreement is impaired with the result that a default thereunder may reasonably be anticipated, whether or not such default may be cured by the operation of any offset clause in such agreement.  The Company SAP Statements accurately reflect the extent to which, pursuant to Insurance Laws, the Company and/or the Company Insurance Subsidiaries are entitled to take credit for reinsurance.

 

(c)        Prior to the date hereof, the Company has delivered or made available to Parent a true and complete copy of all actuarial reports prepared by actuaries, independent or otherwise, with respect to the Company or any Company Insurance Subsidiary since December 31, 2000, and all attachments, addenda, supplements and modifications thereto (the “Company Actuarial Analyses”).  To the knowledge of the Company, any information and data furnished by the Company or any Company Insurance Subsidiary to independent actuaries in connection with the preparation of the Company Actuarial Analyses were accurate in all material respects.  Furthermore, to the knowledge of the Company, each Company Actuarial Analysis was based upon an accurate inventory of policies in force for the Company and the Company Insurance Subsidiaries, as the case may be, at the relevant time of preparation, was prepared using appropriate modeling procedures accurately applied and in conformity with generally accepted actuarial principles consistently applied, and the projections contained therein were properly prepared in accordance with the assumptions stated therein.

 

Section 5.17Liabilities and Reserves.  (a) The reserves carried on the Company SAP Statements of each Company Insurance Subsidiary were, as of the respective dates of such Company SAP Statements, in compliance in all material respects with the requirements for reserves established by the insurance departments of the state of domicile (or local equivalent) of such Company Insurance Subsidiary, were determined in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles consistently applied, were computed on the basis of methodologies consistent in all material respects with those used in prior periods, except as otherwise noted in the Company SAP Statements, were fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with sound actuarial and statutory accounting principles and were established in accordance, in all material respects, with prudent insurance practices generally followed in the insurance industry.  Such reserves make a reasonable provision for loss and loss adjustment exposure liability in the aggregate to cover the total amount of all reasonably anticipated liabilities of the Company and the Company Insurance Subsidiaries under all outstanding insurance, reinsurance and other applicable agreements as of the respective dates of such Company SAP Statements.  The Company has provided

 

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or made available to Parent copies of substantially all work papers used as the basis for establishing the reserves for the Company and the Company Insurance Subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

 

(b)        Except for regular periodic assessments in the ordinary course of business or assessments based on developments which are publicly known within the insurance industry, to the knowledge of the Company, no claim or assessment is pending or threatened against any Company Insurance Subsidiary which is peculiar or unique to such Company Insurance Subsidiary by any state insurance guaranty association in connection with such association’s fund relating to insolvent insurers, which, if determined adversely would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.18Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters.  (a) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries conducts business as a “futures commission merchant”, “commodity trading adviser”, or “commodity pool operator” as defined under the CEA or by the CFTC.

 

(b)        None of the Company or its Subsidiaries conducts business as a “broker”, “dealer” or “underwriter” as defined under the 1933 Act, 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or Advisers.

 

(c)        None of the Company or its Subsidiaries conducts business as an “investment adviser” as defined under the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act, nor is a “promoter” as defined under the 1940 Act of an Investment Company.

 

Section 5.19Finders’ Fees.  Except for Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., copies of whose engagement agreements have been provided to Parent, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the Company or any of its Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 5.20.  Opinions of Financial Advisors.  The Board of Directors of the Company has received the opinion of each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., financial advisors to the Company, to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Company Common Stock.

 

Section 5.21Taxes.  Except as set forth in Section 5.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule:

 

(a)        All material Tax Returns required by applicable law to be filed with any Taxing Authority by, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been filed when due in accordance with all applicable laws, and all such Tax

 

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Returns are, or shall be at the time of filing, true and complete in all material respects.

 

(b)        The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has paid (or has had paid on its behalf) or has withheld and remitted to the appropriate Taxing Authority all material Taxes due and payable, or, where payment is not yet due, has established (or has had established on its behalf and for its sole benefit and recourse) in accordance with SAP and GAAP an adequate accrual for all material Taxes through the end of the last period for which the Company and its Subsidiaries ordinarily record items on their respective books.

 

(c)        The federal income Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries through the Tax year ended December 31, 1996 have been examined and closed or are Returns with respect to which the applicable period for assessment under applicable law, after giving effect to extensions or waivers, has expired.

 

(d)        There is no claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or investigation now pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against or with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries in respect of any material Tax or Tax Asset.

 

(e)        During the five-year period ending on the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries was a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation in a transaction intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.

 

(f)         The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld all material amounts required to have been withheld by them in connection with amounts paid or owed to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or any other third party; such withheld amounts were either duly paid to the appropriate Taxing Authority or set aside in accounts for such purpose.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have reported such withheld amounts to the appropriate Taxing Authority and to each such employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or any other third party, as required under any Law.

 

Section 5.22Employee Benefit Plans.  (a) Copies of any material Company Employee Plan and any amendments thereto have been made available to Parent, and copies of, to the extent applicable, any related trust or funding agreements or insurance policies, amendments thereto, prospectuses or summary plan descriptions relating thereto and the most recent annual report (Form 5500 including, if applicable, Schedule B thereto) and tax return (Form 990) prepared in connection therewith have been made available to Parent or will be made available to Parent as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof.

 

(b)        No “accumulated funding deficiency,” as defined in Section 412 of the Code, has been incurred with respect to any Company Employee Plan subject

 

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to such Section 412, whether or not waived.  No “reportable event,” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, other than “reportable events” that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and no event described in Section 4062 or 4063 of ERISA has occurred in connection with any Company Employee Plan.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has (i) engaged in, or is a successor or parent corporation to an entity that has engaged in, a transaction described in Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA or (ii) incurred, or reasonably expects to incur prior to the Effective Time, (A) any liability under Title IV of ERISA arising in connection with the termination of, or a complete or partial withdrawal from, any plan covered or previously covered by Title IV of ERISA or (B) any liability under Section 4971 of the Code that in either case could become a liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parent or any of its ERISA Affiliates after the Effective Time.

 

(c)        Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, nor any predecessor thereof, contributes to, or has within the past six years contributed to, any Multiemployer Plan.

 

(d)        Each Company Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter, or has pending or has time remaining in which to file, an application for such determination from the Internal Revenue Service, and the Company is not aware of any reason why any such determination letter should be revoked or not be reissued.  The Company has made available to Parent copies of the most recent Internal Revenue Service determination letters with respect to each such Company Employee Plan.  Each Company Employee Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable laws, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code.  No events have occurred with respect to any Company Employee Plan that could result in payment or assessment by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any material excise taxes under Sections 4972, 4975, 4976, 4977, 4979, 4980B, 4980D, 4980E or 5000 of the Code.

 

(e)        There has been no amendment to, written interpretation or announcement (whether or not written) by the Company or any of its Affiliates relating to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Company Employee Plan which would increase materially the expense of maintaining Company Employee Plans above the level of the expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

 

(f)         There is no action, suit, investigation, audit or proceeding pending against or involving or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving, any Company Employee Plan before any court or arbitrator or any state, federal or local governmental body, agency or official, except as would not,

 

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individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)        Copies of any material Company International Plan and any amendments thereto have been made available to Parent, and copies of, to the extent applicable, any related trust or funding agreements or insurance policies, amendments thereto and regulatory filings or similar documents that have been prepared therewith have been made available to Parent or will be made available to Parent as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof.  Each Company International Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable laws (including any special provisions relating to qualified plans where such Company International Plan was intended so to qualify) and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.  There has been no amendment to, written interpretation of or announcement (whether or not written) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Company International Plan that would increase materially the expense of maintaining Company International Plans above the level of expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.  With respect to Employee Plans that would otherwise constitute Company International Plans but for the proviso in the definition of “International Plan,” the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with their respective obligations thereunder and the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable laws.

 

(h)        Except as set forth in Section 5.22(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Company Employee Plan exists that, as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether alone or in connection with other events), could result in the payment, individually or in the aggregate of a material nature, to any present or former employee, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any money or other property or could result in the acceleration or provision of any other rights or benefits, individually or in the aggregate of a material nature, to any present or former employee, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such payment, right or benefit would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

 

Section 5.23Labor Matters.  (a) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization.  Furthermore, there are no labor strikes, slowdowns or stoppages actually pending or threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)        Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has effectuated (i) a plant closing affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) a mass layoff; or (iii) such other transaction, layoff, reduction in force or employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application of any similar foreign, state or local law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)        The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with all applicable laws relating to the employment of its employees, including those relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, equal employment opportunity, age and disability discrimination, immigration control, employee classification, payment and withholding of taxes, and continuation coverage with respect to group health plans, except where a failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.24Environmental Matters.  (a) Except as set forth in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)            no notice, notification, demand, request for information, citation, summons or order has been received, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been assessed, and no investigation, action, claim, suit, proceeding or review (or any basis therefor) is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened by any Governmental Authority or other Person relating to or arising out of any Environmental Law;

 

(ii)           the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws and all Environmental Permits;

 

(iii)          other than with respect to policies written in connection with the insurance business for which claims reserves have been established, there are no liabilities of or relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise arising under or relating to any Environmental Law and there are no facts, conditions, situations or set of circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in or be the basis for any such liability; and

 

(iv)          there has been no environmental investigation, study, audit, test, review or other analysis conducted of which the Company has knowledge in relation to the current or prior business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to policies written in connection with the insurance business for which claims reserves have been established) or any property or facility now or previously owned or leased by the Company or

 

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any of its Subsidiaries that has not been delivered or made available to Parent prior to the date hereof.

 

(b)        For purposes of this Section 5.24, the terms “the Company” and “Subsidiaries” shall include any entity that is, in whole or in part, a predecessor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 5.25Intellectual Property.  (a) the Company and/or each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights to use all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights, and any applications therefor, technology, know-how, computer software programs or applications, and proprietary information or materials that are used in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except for any such failures to own, be licensed or possess that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and to the knowledge of the Company, all patents and registered trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights owned by the Company and/or its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting.

 

(b)        Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)            the Company is not, nor will it be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of its obligations hereunder, in violation of any Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights;

 

(ii)           no claims with respect to (I) the patents, registered and material unregistered trademarks and service marks, registered copyrights, trade names, and any applications therefor owned by the Company or any its Subsidiaries (the “Company Intellectual Property Rights”), (II) any material trade secret owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (III) to the knowledge of Parent, Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights licensed to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, are currently pending or are threatened in writing by any Person;

 

(iii)          to the knowledge of the Company, there are no valid grounds for any bona fide claims (I) to the effect that the sale or licensing of any product as now sold or licensed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, infringes on any copyright, patent, trademark, service mark or trade secret of any other Person; (II) against the use by the Company or

 

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any of its Subsidiaries of any trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, copyrights, patents, technology, know-how or computer software programs and applications used in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted; (III) challenging the ownership or validity of any of the Company Intellectual Property Rights or other material trade secret owned by the Company; or (IV) challenging the license or right to use any Third-Party Intellectual Rights by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and

 

(iv)          to the knowledge of the Company, there is no unauthorized use, infringement or misappropriation of any of the Company Intellectual Property Rights by any Person, including any employee or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 5.26Material Contracts.  All of the material contracts of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are required to be described in the Company SEC Documents (or to be filed as exhibits thereto) or in the Company SAP Statements (or to be filed as exhibits thereto) are so described in the Company SEC Documents or the Company SAP Statements (or filed as exhibits thereto) and are in full force and effect.  True and complete copies of all such material contracts have been delivered or have been made available by the Company to Parent.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party is in breach of or in default under any such contract except for such breaches and defaults as have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to any agreement containing any provision or covenant limiting in any material respect the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, after the consummation of the Merger, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) to (A) sell any products or services of or to any other Person, (B) engage in any line of business or (C) compete with or to obtain products or services from any Person or limiting the ability of any Person to provide products or services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, after the consummation of the Merger, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries).

 

Section 5.27Tax Treatment.  Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action, or is aware of any fact or circumstance, that would prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

Section 5.28Antitakeover Statutes and Rights Plans.  (a) No restrictive provision of any “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation (including Sections 33-841 and 33-844 of the CBCA) or restrictive provision of any applicable anti-takeover provision in

 

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the charter or bylaws of the Company is, or at the Effective Time will be, applicable to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(b)        the Company has taken all actions necessary to render the rights (the “Company Rights”) issued pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement dated March 21, 2002 between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent (the “Company Rights Agreement”), inapplicable to this Agreement and to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 5.29Financial Controls.  The management of the Company has (i) designed disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under its supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is made known to the management of the Company by others within those entities, and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ARTICLE 6
INTERIM OPERATIONS COVENANTS

 

Section 6.01Interim Operations of Parent.  From the date hereof until the Effective Time, Parent and its Subsidiaries shall conduct their business in the ordinary course consistent with past practices and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their business organizations and relationships with third parties and to keep available the services of their present officers and employees. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except (i) to the extent that the Company shall otherwise agree in writing, (ii) as expressly contemplated in this Agreement or (iii) as set forth in Section 6.01 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, from the date hereof until the Effective Time:

 

(a)        Parent shall not adopt or propose any change to its articles of incorporation or bylaws;

 

(b)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other material reorganization of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a liquidation or dissolution of a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (or of Nuveen) or a merger or consolidation

 

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between wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent (or of Nuveen) or of any wholly owned Subsidiary into Parent or of any wholly owned Subsidiary of Nuveen into Nuveen);

 

(c)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any equity investment in or acquisition of any Person or any amount of assets material to Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except for (i) capital expenditures permitted by Section 6.01(h), (ii) equity investments in or capital contributions to any wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent or (iii) investment activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; provided that the consent of the Company with respect to any action otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.01(c) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

 

(d)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any assets material to Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or (ii) pursuant to existing contracts or commitments; provided that the consent of the Company with respect to any action otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.01(d) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

 

(e)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of capital stock of Parent or its Subsidiaries or (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, stock or property with respect to its capital stock (other than, with respect to clause (ii), (A) dividends from its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries or by Nuveen, (B) regular quarterly cash dividends paid by Parent on the Parent Common Stock not in excess of $0.29 per share per quarter (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, subdivisions, splits, combinations or other similar events relating to the Parent Common Stock), with usual record and payment dates and in accordance with Parent’s past dividend policy, (C) one or more special dividends by Parent on the Parent Common Stock of cash or obligations to pay cash in an aggregate amount consistent with Section 7.13, (D) required dividends on the Parent Preferred Stock or (E) required distributions on the Parent Trust Securities or on the Parent Equity Units);

 

(f)         Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (x) issue, sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of any shares of, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire, any shares of capital stock of any class or series of Parent or its Subsidiaries (other than (i) (A) issuances pursuant to the exercise of the Parent Convertible Notes, (B) issuances pursuant to the terms of the Parent Equity Units or (C) issuances pursuant to stock options or stock-based awards granted pursuant to a Parent Stock Plan or an equity compensation plan of Nuveen and outstanding on the date hereof or granted pursuant to clause (ii)

 

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below, (ii) additional stock options or stock-based awards granted in the ordinary course consistent with past practices pursuant to any Parent Stock Plan as in effect on the date hereof (provided, however, that any such stock option shall be granted in accordance with Section 6.01(s)) or granted pursuant to the terms of any equity compensation plan of Nuveen, or (iii) issuances by any Subsidiary of Parent to Parent or to any wholly owned subsidiary of Parent) or (y) reduce the exercise or conversion price, extend the term or otherwise modify in any material respect the terms of any such securities of Parent or of any Subsidiary of Parent;

 

(g)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any of Parent’s capital stock (other than in the ordinary course of business on behalf of or as fiduciary for third parties);

 

(h)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or commit to make any capital expenditures that are material to Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(i)         Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) incur or assume any long-term or short-term debt or issue any debt securities (other than issuances of commercial paper, or borrowings under the Nuveen Credit Facilities, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices); (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other Person, except (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or (B) for obligations of the wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent; (iii) make any loans or advances to or debt investments in any other Person, other than (x) loans or advances to or debt investments in Parent’s wholly owned subsidiaries or Nuveen, (y) investment activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or (z) agency loans in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (iv) pledge or otherwise encumber shares of capital stock of Parent or its Subsidiaries; or (v) mortgage or pledge any of its material assets, tangible or intangible, or create any material Lien thereupon, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(j)         except as may be required by law or by existing agreements or arrangements, Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, increase in any manner the compensation or benefits under any Parent Employee Plan or Parent International Plan of any director, employee or independent contractor or pay any benefit or compensation not required by any plan and arrangement as in effect as of the date hereof (including, the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock-based award), other than (i) increases in salary or performance bonuses consistent with past practices in light of actual performance, (ii) arrangements for newly hired individuals that are

 

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consistent with existing policies and practices or (iii) increases of not more than $250,000 in the aggregate for any individual;

 

(k)        except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any material contract, agreement, commitment or transactions, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(l)         Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement that limits or otherwise restricts in any material respect Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or, following completion of the Merger, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or any successor thereto, from engaging or competing in any line of business or in any geographical area;

 

(m)       Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, pay, discharge, settle or satisfy (i) any non-insurance claim, liability or obligation (including extra-contractual obligations), other than (A) in the ordinary course of business for amounts not in excess of $100,000,000 in the aggregate (or, if in excess of $100,000,000 in the aggregate, with the consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (B) pursuant to existing contractual obligations or (ii) any insurance claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise) for amounts in excess of $100,000,000 (or, if in excess of $100,000,000, with the consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(n)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make, change or revoke any material Tax election or change its method of accounting if such change would have a material adverse impact on Taxes or change its fiscal year;

 

(o)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any new reinsurance transaction as ceding insurer (i) which does not contain market cancellation, termination and commutation provisions or (ii) which materially changes the existing reinsurance profile of Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis outside of the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, alter or amend in any material respect their existing underwriting, claim handling, loss control, investment, actuarial, financial reporting or accounting practices, guidelines or policies or any material assumption underlying an actuarial practice or policy, except as may be required by GAAP or applicable SAP or the local equivalent in the applicable jurisdictions;

 

(q)        Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts not to permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action

 

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(including any action otherwise permitted by this Section 6.01) that would prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

(r)         Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, intentionally take any action (i) that would make any representation or warranty of Parent hereunder inaccurate at, or as of any time prior to the Effective Time, subject to such exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that would, or would reasonably be expected to, result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 8 not being satisfied;

 

(s)        Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,  grant (i) any initial stock options with any option reload features and (ii) except as may be required by law or by existing agreements or arrangements or is consistent with past practices, any reloaded stock options with any further option reload features; and

 

(t)         Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, authorize or enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing;

 

provided, however, that Parent’s obligations pursuant to this Section 6.01 with respect to Nuveen shall be limited to Parent’s reasonable best efforts.

 

Section 6.02Interim Operations of the Company.  From the date hereof until the Effective Time, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall conduct their business in the ordinary course consistent with past practices and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their business organizations and relationships with third parties and to keep available the services of their present officers and employees. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except (i) to the extent Parent shall otherwise consent in writing, (ii) as expressly contemplated in this Agreement or (iii) as set forth in Section 6.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, from the date hereof until the Effective Time:

 

(a)        the Company shall not adopt or propose any change to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws;

 

(b)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other material reorganization of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a liquidation or dissolution of a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company or a merger or consolidation between wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company or of any wholly owned Subsidiary into the Company);

 

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(c)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any equity investment in or acquisition of any Person or any amount of assets material to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except for (i) capital expenditures permitted by Section 6.02(h), (ii) equity investments in or capital contributions to any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company or (iii) investment activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; provided that the consent of Parent with respect to any action otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.02(c) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

 

(d)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any assets material to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or (ii) pursuant to existing contracts or commitments; provided that the consent of Parent with respect to any action otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.02(d) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(e)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of capital stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, stock or property with respect to its capital stock (other than, with respect to clause (ii), (A) dividends from its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries and (B) regular quarterly cash dividends paid by the Company on the Company Common Stock not in excess of $0.08 per share per quarter (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, subdivisions, splits, combinations or other similar events relating to the Company Common Stock), with usual record and payment dates and in accordance with the Company’s past dividend policy);

 

(f)         the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (x) issue, sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of any shares of, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire, any shares of capital stock of any class or series of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than (i) issuances pursuant to the exercise of the Company Convertible Notes or issuances pursuant to stock options or stock-based awards granted pursuant to a Company Stock Plan and outstanding on the date hereof or granted pursuant to clause (ii) below, (ii) additional stock options or stock-based awards granted in the ordinary course consistent with past practices pursuant to a Company Stock Plan as in effect on the date hereof (provided, however, that any such stock option shall be granted in accordance with Section 6.02(s)), or (iii) issuances by any Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) or (y) reduce the exercise or conversion price, extend the term or otherwise modify in any material

 

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respect the terms of any such securities of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(g)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any of the Company’s capital stock (other than in the ordinary course of business on behalf of or as fiduciary for third parties);

 

(h)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or commit to make any capital expenditures that are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(i)         the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) incur or assume any long-term or short-term debt or issue any debt securities (other than issuances of commercial paper in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices); (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other Person, except (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or (B) for obligations of the wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) make any loans or advances to or debt investments in any other Person, other than (x) loans, advances or debt investments in the Company’ wholly owned subsidiaries, (y) investment activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or (z) agency loans in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (iv) pledge or otherwise encumber shares of capital stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (v) mortgage or pledge any of its material assets, tangible or intangible, or create any material Lien thereupon, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(j)         except as may be required by law or by existing agreements or arrangements, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, increase in any manner the compensation or benefits under any Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan of any director, employee or independent contractor or pay any benefit or compensation not required by any plan and arrangement as in effect as of the date hereof (including the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock-based award), other than (i) increases in salary or performance bonuses consistent with past practices in light of actual performance, (ii) arrangements for newly hired individuals that are consistent with existing policies and practices or (iii) increases of not more than $250,000 in the aggregate for any individual;

 

(k)        except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any material contract,

 

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agreement, commitment or transactions, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(l)         the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement that limits or otherwise restricts in any material respect the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, following completion of the Merger, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) or any successor thereto, from engaging or competing in any line of business or in any geographical area;

 

(m)       the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to pay, discharge, settle or satisfy (i) any non-insurance claim, liability or obligation (including extra-contractual obligations), other than (A) in the ordinary course of business for amounts not in excess of $100,000,000 in the aggregate (or, if in excess of $100,000,000 in the aggregate, with the consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (B) pursuant to existing contractual obligations or (ii) any insurance claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise) for amounts in excess of $100,000,000 (or, if in excess of $100,000,000, with the consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(n)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make, change or revoke any material Tax election or change its method of accounting if such change would have a material adverse impact on Taxes or change its fiscal year;

 

(o)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any new reinsurance transaction or ceding insurer (x) which does not contain market cancellation, termination and commutation provisions or (y) which materially changes the existing reinsurance profile of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis outside of the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, alter or amend in any material respect their existing underwriting, claim handling, loss control, investment, actuarial, financial reporting or accounting practices, guidelines or policies or any material assumption underlying an actuarial practice or policy, except as may be required by GAAP or applicable SAP or the local equivalent in the applicable jurisdictions;

 

(q)        the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts not to permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action (including any action otherwise permitted by this Section 6.02) that would prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

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(r)         the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, intentionally take any action (i) that would make any representation or warranty of the Company hereunder inaccurate at, or as of any time prior to the Effective Time, subject to such exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that would, or would reasonably be expected to, result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 8 not being satisfied;

 

(s)        The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, grant (i) any initial stock options with any option reload features and (ii) except as may be required by law or by existing agreements or arrangements or is consistent with past practices, any reloaded stock options with any further option reload features; and

 

(t)         the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to authorize or enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing.

 

Section 6.03Control of Other Party’s Business.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct Parent’s operations or give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company’s operations in each case prior to the Effective Time.  Prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent and the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its respective operations.

 

ARTICLE 7
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

Section 7.01.  Preparation of Proxy Statement; Shareholders’ Meetings.  (a) As promptly as practicable following the date hereof, the parties hereto shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement (in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included).  Each of Parent and the Company shall use its best efforts to have the Joint Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC and the Registration Statement declared effective under the 1933 Act by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.  Parent and the Company shall make all other necessary filings with respect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and applicable state “blue sky” laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.  Each of Parent and the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, provide the other parties with copies of any written comments, and advise each other of any oral comments, with respect to the Joint Proxy Statement or Registration Statement received from the SEC.  No amendment or supplement to the Joint Proxy

 

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Statement or the Registration Statement (including incorporation by reference) shall be made without the approval of both Parent and the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that with respect to documents filed by a party that are incorporated by reference in the Joint Proxy Statement or Registration Statement, this right of approval shall apply only with respect to information relating to the other party or its business, financial condition or results of operations.  Parent will use reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to Parent’s shareholders, and the Company will use reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company’s shareholders, in each case, as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the 1933 Act.  Each of Parent and the Company will advise the other parties, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the Parent Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC for amendment of the Joint Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement.  If, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any information relating to Parent and the Company, or any of their respective Affiliates, officers or directors, is discovered by Parent or the Company that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to any of the Registration Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement so that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party hereto discovering such information shall promptly notify the other parties and, to the extent required by law, an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by law, disseminated to the shareholders of Parent and the Company.

 

(b)        The Company shall cause a meeting of its shareholders (the “Company Shareholder Meeting”) to be duly called and held as soon as reasonably practicable for the purpose of voting on the matters requiring the Company Shareholder Approval and, subject to Section 7.05(b), the Board of Directors of the Company shall recommend approval of this Agreement and the Merger (and all related proposals) by the shareholders of the Company.  In connection with such meeting, and subject to Section 7.05(b), the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the necessary approvals by its shareholders of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and shall otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable to such meeting.

 

(c)        Parent shall cause a meeting of its shareholders (the “Parent Shareholder Meeting” and, together with the Company Shareholder Meeting, the “Shareholder Meetings”) to be duly called and held as soon as reasonably practicable for the purpose of voting on the matters requiring the Parent Shareholder Approval and, subject to Section 7.05(b), the Board of Directors of

 

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Parent shall recommend approval of the matters constituting the Parent Shareholder Approval (and all related proposals) by the shareholders of Parent.  In connection with such meeting, and subject to Section 7.05(b), Parent shall use its best efforts to obtain the Parent Shareholder Approval and shall otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable to such meeting.

 

Section 7.02Parent Organizational Documents; Governance Matters; Headquarters.

 

(a)        Subject to the receipt of the Parent Shareholder Approval, Parent shall take all actions necessary to cause (i) the articles of incorporation of Parent at the Effective Time to be in the form of either (A) Exhibit A-1, if both the Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval and the Parent Shareholder Charter Approval is obtained at the Parent Shareholder Meeting or (B) Exhibit A-2, if the Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval is obtained at the Parent Shareholder Meeting but the Parent Shareholder Charter Approval is not so obtained and (ii) the bylaws of Parent at the Effective Time to be in the form of Exhibit B.

 

(b)        Parent and the Company shall take all actions necessary so that at the Effective Time: (i) the Parent Board of Directors shall initially consist of twenty-three (23) directors, 11 of whom initially shall be then-existing Parent directors designated by Parent and 12 of whom initially shall be then-existing Company directors designated by the Company; (ii) the Parent Board of Directors shall have standing executive, audit, governance, investment and capital markets, nomination and compensation, and risk committees, each comprised of an equal number of then-existing Parent directors designated by Parent and then-existing Company directors designated by the Company as set forth in Section 7.02(c) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and of the Company Disclosure Schedule; (iii) Robert I. Lipp, if available, shall be appointed Chairman of the Parent Board of Directors, which position shall be an executive officer position, and (iv) Jay S. Fishman, if available, shall be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Parent.

 

(c)        The senior officers and managers of Parent at the Effective Time shall be as specified in Section 7.02(c) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and of the Company Disclosure Schedule and shall have such duties as are specified in such Schedule, and all other officers of Parent at the Effective Time shall be appointed by Parent following their designation by the Chief Executive Officer of Parent in consultation with the Chairman of the Parent Board of Directors.

 

(d)        At the Effective Time, Parent’s headquarters shall be located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

(e)        Parent shall take all actions necessary to assume, effective as of the Effective Time, and to agree to perform the Amended and Restated Employment

 

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Agreement between the Company and Robert I. Lipp, as set forth in Section 7.02(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

 

Section 7.03Access to Information.  Upon reasonable notice, each of Parent and the Company shall (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to) afford to the officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of the other party reasonable access during normal business hours, during the period prior to the Effective Time, to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments, records, officers and employees and, during such period, each of Parent and the Company shall (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to) furnish promptly to the other party (a) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed, published, announced or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of U.S. federal or state securities Laws, Insurance Laws or the HSR Act, as applicable (other than documents that such party hereto is not permitted to disclose under applicable Law), and (b) all other information concerning it and its business, properties and personnel as such other party may reasonably request; provided, however, that any party hereto may restrict the foregoing access to the extent that (i) any law, treaty, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to such party or any contract requires such party or its Subsidiaries to restrict or prohibit access to any such properties or information, (ii) counsel for such party advises that such information should not be disclosed in order to ensure compliance with applicable Law, (iii) the information is subject to the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or any other applicable privilege concerning pending or legal proceedings or government investigations, or (iv) the information is subject to confidentiality obligations to a third party.  Subject to Section 7.15, the parties hereto shall hold any information obtained pursuant to this Section 7.03 in confidence in accordance with, and shall otherwise be subject to, the provisions of the confidentiality agreement dated June 6, 2003, between Parent and the Company (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), which Confidentiality Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.  Any investigation by either Parent or the Company shall not affect the representations and warranties of the other party.

 

Section 7.04Reasonable Best Efforts.  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each party hereto will use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under this Agreement and applicable laws and regulations to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable after the date hereof, including (i) preparing and filing as promptly as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings, ruling requests, and other documents and to obtain as promptly as practicable all Parent Necessary Consents or Company Necessary Consents, as appropriate, and all other consents, waivers, licenses, orders, registrations, approvals, permits, rulings, authorizations and clearances necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party and/or any

 

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Governmental Authority in order to consummate the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Required Approvals”) and (ii) taking all reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain all such Necessary Consents and the Required Approvals. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Parent and the Company agrees (i) to make, as promptly as practicable, (A) an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (B) appropriate filings under the Insurance Laws of the jurisdictions set forth in Section 4.03 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and of the jurisdictions set forth in Section 5.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and (C) all other necessary filings with other Governmental Authorities relating to the Merger, and, to supply as promptly as practicable any additional information or documentation that may be requested pursuant to such Laws or by such Governmental Authorities and to use reasonable best efforts to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and the receipt of Required Approvals under such other laws or from such Governmental Authorities as soon as practicable and (ii) not to extend any waiting period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with the FTC or the DOJ not to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except with the prior written consent of the other parties hereto.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither Parent nor the Company nor any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be required to hold separate (including by trust or otherwise) or to divest any of their respective businesses or assets, or to take or agree to take any action or agree to any limitation, in any such case, that would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or a Company Material Adverse Effect, in each case after giving effect to the Merger, or to materially impair the benefits to Parent and the Company expected, as of the date hereof, to be realized from consummation of the Merger, and neither Parent nor the Company shall be required to agree to or effect any divestiture, hold separate any business or take any other action that is not conditional on the consummation of the Merger.

 

(b)        Each of Parent and the Company shall, in connection with the efforts referenced in Section 7.04(a) to obtain all Required Approvals, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cooperate in all respects with each other in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private party, (ii) subject to applicable Law, permit the other party to review in advance any proposed written communication between it and any Governmental Authority, (iii) promptly inform each other of (and, at the other party’s reasonable request, supply to such other party) any communication (or other correspondence or memoranda) received by such party from, or given by such party to, the DOJ, the FTC or any other Governmental Authority and of any material communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private party, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) consult with each

 

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other in advance to the extent practicable of any meeting or conference with the DOJ, the FTC or any other Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private party, with any other Person, and to the extent permitted by the DOJ, the FTC or such other applicable Governmental Authority or other Person, and (v) to the extent such party has not been advised by its counsel that such information should not be disclosed in order to ensure compliance with applicable Law, give the other party the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and conferences referred to in clause (iv) above.

 

(c)        In furtherance and not in limitation of the covenants of the parties contained in Section 7.04 and Section 7.04(b), if any administrative or judicial action or proceeding, including any proceeding by a private party, is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) challenging any transaction contemplated by this Agreement as violative of any Law, or if any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or administrative order is enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by a Governmental Authority that would make the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby illegal or would otherwise prohibit or materially impair or delay the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby, each of Parent and the Company shall cooperate in all respects with each other and use its respective reasonable best efforts, including, subject to Section 7.04, selling, holding separate or otherwise disposing of or conducting their business in a specified manner, or agreeing to sell, hold separate or otherwise dispose of or conduct their business in a specified manner or permitting the sale, holding separate or other disposition of, any assets of Parent, the Company or their respective Subsidiaries or the conducting of their business in a specified manner, to contest and resist any such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to have such statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or administrative order repealed, rescinded or made inapplicable so as to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)        Each party hereto and its respective Board of Directors shall, if any state takeover statute or similar statute becomes applicable to this Agreement, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated hereby, take all action reasonably necessary to ensure that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(e)        To the extent determined in good faith by Parent and the Company to be required by applicable Law, Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to,

 

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use their reasonable best efforts to (i) as of the Effective Time, cease to manage, or otherwise to be deemed a “fiduciary” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA) with respect to, any and all assets of any Third Parties to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries provides investment advisory, administration, brokerage, trust, other fiduciary or distribution services on the date hereof pursuant to an advisory contract (each, a “Client”) that are (x) subject to ERISA and (y) invested as of the date hereof, in equity and/or debt securities of the Company or its ERISA Affiliates, and (ii) not later than such time as is determined in good faith by Parent and the Company to be required under applicable Law, cause all other accounts of Clients that hold equity and/or debt securities of Parent or any of its Affiliates to dispose of such securities (including without limitation Clients that are Registered Investment Companies).

 

(f)         To the extent determined in good faith by Parent and the Company to be required by applicable Law, Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use their reasonable best efforts to (i) as of the Effective Time, cease to manage, or otherwise to be deemed a “fiduciary” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA) with respect to, any and all assets of any Clients that are (x) subject to ERISA and (y) invested as of the date hereof, in equity and/or debt securities of the Parent or its ERISA Affiliates, and (ii) not later than such time as is determined in good faith by Parent and the Company to be required under applicable Law, cause all other accounts of Clients that hold equity and/or debt securities of Parent or any of its Affiliates to dispose of such securities.

 

Section 7.05.  Acquisition Proposals.  (a) Each of Parent and the Company (the “Applicable Party”) agrees that it will not, and it will cause its Subsidiaries and the officers, directors, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants and other agents or advisors of it and its Subsidiaries not to, prior to the termination of this Agreement, (i) solicit, initiate or take any action to facilitate or encourage the submission of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into or participate in any discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public information relating to it or any of its Subsidiaries or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of it or any of its Subsidiaries, or otherwise cooperate in any way with or knowingly assist, participate in, facilitate or encourage any effort by, any Third Party that is seeking to make, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, (iv) amend or grant any waiver or release under any standstill or similar agreement with respect to any class of its equity securities or any class of equity securities of its Subsidiaries or (v) enter into any agreement, understanding or commitment with respect to an Acquisition Proposal.

 

Acquisition Proposal” means, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any offer, proposal or inquiry relating to, or any Third Party indication of interest in, (A) any acquisition or purchase, direct or indirect, of 30%

 

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or more of the consolidated assets of the Applicable Party and its Subsidiaries or 30% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Applicable Party, (B) any tender offer (including a self-tender offer) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such Third Party beneficially owning 30% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Applicable Party, (C) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Applicable Party or (D) any other transaction the consummation of which could reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the Merger or that could reasonably be expected to dilute materially the benefits to the other party of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(b)        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Applicable Party, directly or indirectly through advisors, agents or other intermediaries, may (i) engage in negotiations or discussions with any Third Party that, subject to the Applicable Party’s compliance with Section 7.05, has made a bona fide unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal that the Board of Directors of the Applicable Party has determined in good faith by majority vote, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, would reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal, (ii) furnish to such Third Party nonpublic information relating to the Applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an appropriate confidentiality agreement (a copy of which shall be provided for informational purposes only to the other party) having provisions that are no less favorable to the Applicable Party than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, (iii) following receipt of such a bona fide unsolicited Acquisition Proposal that the Board of Directors of the Applicable Party has determined, in good faith by majority vote, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, is a Superior Proposal, fail to make, withdraw, or modify in a manner adverse to the other party its recommendation to its shareholders referred to in Section 7.01 hereof including in connection with the applicable Shareholder Meeting referred to therein (any such action, a “Change in Recommendation”), and/or (iv) take any non-appealable, final action that any court of competent jurisdiction orders the Applicable Party to take, but in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) only if the Board of Directors of the Applicable Party determines in good faith by a majority vote, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that it must take such action to comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.  Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Board of Directors of Parent or the Company from complying with Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 under the 1934 Act

 

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with regard to an Acquisition Proposal to the extent applicable; provided that neither such Board of Directors shall recommend that their shareholders tender shares of capital stock in connection with any tender or exchange offer unless such Board of Directors shall have determined in good faith by majority vote, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that such tender or exchange offer is a Superior Proposal.

 

(c)        The Board of Directors of an Applicable Party shall not take any of the actions referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of the preceding subsection unless the Applicable Party shall have delivered to the other party a prior written notice advising the other party that it intends to take such action, and the Applicable Party shall continue to advise the other party after taking such action; provided that, in the case of an action referred to in clause (iii) of the preceding subsection, the Applicable Party shall have delivered written notice to the other party at least ten Business Days in advance of taking such action (unless at the time such notice is otherwise required to be given there are fewer than ten Business Days prior to the Applicable Party’s Shareholder Meeting or the ten-Business-Day period would make impractical compliance with Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9, in which case the Applicable Party shall provide as much notice in advance of the Applicable Party’s shareholder meeting or the filing of a Schedule 14D-9, as applicable, as is reasonably practicable) and during such interim period it shall have negotiated, and shall have caused its financial and legal advisors to negotiate, with the other party in good faith to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement such that the Acquisition Proposal would no longer constitute a Superior Proposal.  In addition, the Applicable Party shall notify the other party promptly (but in no event later than 24 hours) after receipt by the Applicable Party (or any of its advisors) of any Acquisition Proposal, any indication that a Third Party is considering making an Acquisition Proposal or of any request for non-public information relating to the Applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries or for access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of the Applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries by any Third Party that may be considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal.  The Applicable Party shall provide such notice orally and in writing and shall identify the Third Party making, and the terms and conditions of, any such Acquisition Proposal, indication or request.  The Applicable Party shall promptly provide the other party with any non-public information concerning the Applicable Party’s business, present or future performance, financial condition or results of operations, provided to any Third Party that was not previously provided to the other party.  The Applicable Party shall keep the other party fully informed, on a prompt basis (but in no event later than 24 hours), of the status and details of any such Acquisition Proposal, indication or request.  The Applicable Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and the advisors, employees and other agents of the Applicable Party and any of its Subsidiaries to, cease immediately and cause to be terminated any and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations, if any, with any Third Party conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to any Acquisition

 

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Proposal and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any such Third Party (or its agents or advisors) in possession of confidential information about the Applicable Party that was furnished by or on behalf of the Applicable Party to return or destroy all such information.

 

Superior Proposal” means any bona fide, unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal for shares of capital stock of the Applicable Party representing at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Applicable Party on terms that the Board of Directors of the Applicable Party determines in good faith by a majority vote, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel and taking into account all the terms and conditions of the Acquisition Proposal, including any break-up fees, expense reimbursement provisions, Tax treatment, regulatory aspects and conditions to consummation, are more favorable to all the Applicable Party’s shareholders, from a financial point of view, than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the terms, if any, proposed by the other party to amend or modify the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and for which financing, to the extent required, is then fully committed or reasonably determined to be available by the Board of Directors of the Applicable Party.

 

(d)        Nothing in this Section 7.05 shall (x) permit Parent or the Company to terminate this Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article 9) or (y) affect or limit any other obligation of Parent or the Company under this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 7.01).  Except as required by law or its certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws, neither Parent nor the Company shall submit any Acquisition Proposal other than the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to a vote of its shareholders prior to termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.06Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance.  (a) Following the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by law, (i) jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, all past and present directors, officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (in all of their capacities) (A) to the same extent such individuals are indemnified or have the right to advancement of expenses as of the date of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and indemnification agreements, if any, in existence on the date hereof with, or for the benefit of, any directors, officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (B) without limitation to subclause (A) above, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in each case for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including for acts or omissions occurring in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), (ii) include and cause to be maintained in effect in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation (or any

 

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successor to the Surviving Corporation) for a period of six years after the Effective Time, provisions regarding elimination of liability of directors, indemnification of officers, directors and employees and advancement of expenses that are, in the aggregate, no less advantageous to the intended beneficiaries than the corresponding provisions contained in the current certificate of incorporation and bylaws and (iii) cause to be maintained for a period of six years after the Effective Time the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance with one or more reputable unaffiliated third-party insurers maintained by the Company (provided that Parent (or any successor thereto) may substitute therefor one or more policies with one or more reputable unaffiliated third-party insurers of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions that are, in the aggregate, no less advantageous to the insured) with respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or before the Effective Time; provided, however, that in no event shall the Surviving Corporation be required to expend in any one year an amount in excess of 300% of the annual premiums currently paid by the Company for such insurance if the Board of Directors of Parent as constituted after the Effective Time shall have so determined; and, provided further that if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such amount, the Surviving Corporation shall obtain a policy with at least the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount.  Notwithstanding any foregoing provision to the contrary, the treatment of past and present directors, officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to elimination of  liability, indemnification, advancement of expenses and liability insurance under this Section 7.06 shall be, in the aggregate, no less advantageous to the intended beneficiaries thereof than the corresponding treatment of the past and present directors, officers and employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries under Section 7.06(b).

 

(b)        The obligations of Parent and the Surviving Corporation under this Section 7.06 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any indemnitee to whom this Section 7.06 applies without the consent of such affected indemnitee (it being expressly agreed that the indemnitees to whom this Section 7.06 applies shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 7.06).

 

Section 7.07Employee Benefits.  (a) From and after the Effective Time, the Company Employee Plans and Company International Plans in effect as of the date of this Agreement and at the Effective Time shall remain in effect with respect to the current and former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “Company Employees”) covered by such plans at the Effective Time, until such time as Parent and the Company shall otherwise determine, subject to applicable laws and the terms of such plans.  Parent and the Company shall cooperate in reviewing, evaluating and analyzing the Parent Employee Plans, the Parent International Plans, the Company Employee Plans and the Company International Plans (collectively, the “Existing Plans”) with a view towards

 

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developing appropriate Employee Plans for all employees of Parent, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries; provided that the Employee Plans of Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be maintained substantially as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time through the end of the 2004 plan year for such Employee Plan, or if such Employee Plan has no plan year, December 31, 2004.  It is the intention of Parent and the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, for Parent and the Company to develop Employee Plans, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, which, among other things, (i) treat similarly situated employees on a substantially equivalent basis, taking into account all relevant factors, including duties, geographic location, line of business, tenure, qualifications and abilities and (ii) do not discriminate between employees who were covered by Parent Employee Plans or Parent International Plans, on the one hand, and employees covered by Company Employee Plans or Company International Plans on the other, at the Effective Time.  Nothing herein shall prohibit any changes to the Existing Plans that may be (x) required by applicable laws (including any applicable qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code), (y) necessary as a technical matter to reflect the transactions contemplated hereby or (z) required for Parent to provide for or permit investment in its securities.  Subject to the proviso contained in the second sentence of this Section 7.07(a), nothing in this Section 7.07 shall be interpreted as preventing Parent or the Company from amending, modifying or terminating any Existing Plan or other contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding, in accordance with its terms and applicable laws.

 

(b)        With respect to any Employee Plan in which any Company Employee first becomes eligible to participate on or after the Effective Time, and in which such Company Employee did not participate prior to the Effective Time (a “New Plan”), Parent shall: (i) waive all pre-existing conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to such Company Employee and his or her eligible dependents under such New Plan, except to the extent such pre-existing conditions, exclusions or waiting periods applied immediately prior thereto under the analogous Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan; (ii) provide such Company Employee and his or her eligible dependents with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to becoming eligible to participate in such New Plan under an analogous Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan (to the same extent that such credit was given under such Company Employee Plan) in satisfying any applicable deductible or annual maximum out-of-pocket requirements under such New Plan; and (iii) recognize all service of such Company Employee with the Company, and its Subsidiaries and predecessors, for all purposes (except with respect to any defined benefit pension plan, benefit accrual) in such New Plan, to the extent that such service was recognized for such purpose under the analogous Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent it would result in any duplication of benefits.

 

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(c)        The provisions in any Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan providing for the issuance, transfer or grant of any capital stock of the Company (including any stock-based compensation awards) shall be amended, effective as of the Effective Time, to provide for the issuance, transfer or grant of capital stock of Parent, and each of Parent and the Company shall ensure that, following the Effective Time, no holder of a Company Stock Option or Company Stock-Based Award or any participant in any Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan shall have any right thereunder to acquire any capital stock (including any stock-based compensation awards) of the Company.

 

(d)        Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company shall take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to amend any benefit equalization trust, rabbi trust, voluntary employees’ benefits association or similar funding vehicle and any related Parent Employee Plan or Parent International Plan or a Company Employee Plan or Company International Plan, as the case may be, effective prior to or as of the Effective Time, such that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether alone or in connection with other events) will not result in the acceleration, increase or provision of any rights or benefits to any current or former director, employee or independent contractor under such funding vehicle, including any additional funding obligation thereunder.

 

Section 7.08Public Announcements.  Parent and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to develop a joint communications plan and each party shall use reasonable best efforts (i) to ensure that all press releases and other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consistent with such joint communications plan and (ii) unless otherwise required by applicable Law or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with or rules of any securities exchange, to consult with each other before issuing any press release or, to the extent practical, otherwise making any public statement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.  In addition to the foregoing, except to the extent disclosed in or consistent with the Joint Proxy Statement in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.01, neither Parent nor the Company shall issue any press release or otherwise make any public statement or disclosure concerning the other party or the other party’s business, financial condition or results of operations without the consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

Section 7.09Listing of Shares of Parent Common Stock.  Parent shall use its best efforts to cause the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger and the shares of Parent Common Stock to be reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Parent Stock Options (following the Merger) to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Effective Time.

 

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Section 7.10Rights Agreements.  The Board of Directors of the Company has taken all action to the extent necessary (including amending the Company Rights Agreement) in order to render the Company Rights inapplicable to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Except in connection with the foregoing sentence and to effect its obligations under this Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Parent, (i) amend the Company Rights Agreement or (ii) take any action with respect to, or make any determination under, the Company Rights Agreement, including a redemption of the Company Rights, in each case in order to facilitate any Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company.

 

Section 7.11.  Affiliates.  Promptly following the date of mailing of the Joint Proxy Statement, the Company shall deliver to Parent a letter identifying all Persons who, in the judgment of the Company, may be deemed at the time this Agreement is submitted for the Company Shareholder Approval, “affiliates” of Company for purposes of Rule 145 under the 1933 Act and applicable SEC rules and regulations, and such list shall be updated as necessary to reflect changes from the date thereof.  The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause each Person identified on such list to deliver to Parent not later than ten days prior to the Effective Time, a written agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto.

 

Section 7.12Section 16 Matters.  Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company shall take all such steps as may be required to cause any dispositions of Company Common Stock (including derivative securities with respect to Company Common Stock) or acquisitions of Parent Common Stock (including derivative securities with respect to Parent Common Stock) resulting from the transactions contemplated by Article 2 or Article 3 by each individual who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act with respect to the Company or will become subject to such reporting requirements with respect to Parent, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act.

 

Section 7.13Dividends.  After the date of this Agreement, each of Parent and the Company shall coordinate with the other the declaration of any dividends in respect of Parent Common Stock and Company Common Stock and the record dates and payment dates relating thereto, it being the intention of the parties hereto that holders of Parent Common Stock or Company Common Stock shall not receive two dividend distributions, or fail to receive one full dividend distribution, for any single calendar quarter, including the quarter in which the Effective Time occurs, with respect to their shares of Company Common Stock and any shares of Parent Common Stock any such holder receives in exchange therefor in the Merger; provided that notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, it is the intention of the parties that Parent will declare to the holders of Parent Common Stock as of a record date or dates prior to the Effective Time

 

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and pay one or more special dividends of cash or obligations to pay cash in an amount sufficient to result in such holders receiving in respect of their Parent Common Stock aggregate dividends with record dates during 2004 of $1.16 per share (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, subdivisions, splits, combinations or other similar events relating to the Parent Common Stock), assuming that dividends declared by Parent after the Effective Time with record dates in 2004 will be paid at the quarterly rate of $0.22 (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, subdivisions, splits, combinations or other similar events relating to the Parent Common Stock) per share of Parent Common Stock.

 

Section 7.14Company Convertible Securities.  Parent and the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to enter into a supplemental indenture prior to the Effective Time with the trustee under the Company Indenture, to provide that from and after the Effective Time (i) the Company Convertible Notes will be convertible only into the Merger Consideration payable to holders of shares of Company Common Stock in the Merger and (ii) Parent will become a joint obligor, together with the Company, with respect to the Company Convertible Notes.

 

Section 7.15.  Limited Disclosure Authorization.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement, each of the parties (and each employee, representative or other agent of each of the parties) may disclose the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any materials, opinions or analyses relating to such tax treatment or tax structure, but without disclosure of identifying information or, except to the extent relating to such tax structure or tax treatment, any nonpublic commercial or financial information); provided that any such information relating to the tax treatment or tax structure shall be kept confidential to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable federal or state securities laws.  Moreover, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement, there shall be no limitation on each of the parties’ ability to consult any tax advisor, whether or not independent from such party or its Affiliates, regarding the tax treatment or tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 7.16Tax Treatment.  Prior to and at the Effective Time, each party hereto shall use its best efforts (including by delivering customary representations required by each party’s counsel to render its opinion described in Sections 8.02(c) and 8.03(c)) to cause the Merger to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and shall not take any action reasonably likely to cause the Merger not so to qualify.

 

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ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 8.01Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations to Effect the Merger.  The obligations of each party hereto to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)        (i) Parent shall have obtained the Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval and (ii) the Company shall have obtained the Company Shareholder Approval;

 

(b)        no material provision of any applicable law or regulation and no judgment, injunction, order or decree shall prohibit the consummation of the Merger;

 

(c)        any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the Merger shall have expired or been terminated;

 

(d)        the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC;

 

(e)        the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger and such other shares of Parent Common Stock to be reserved for issuance upon exercise of Parent Stock Options (following the Merger) shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance; and

 

(f)         other than the filing of the Merger Certificate as provided in Article 2, all Necessary Consents shall have been taken, made or obtained and there shall not be any action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation, order or decree enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the Merger by any Governmental Authority which imposes any condition or restriction upon Parent or its Subsidiaries (including, after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation) which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect after the Effective Time on the present or prospective consolidated financial condition, business or operating results of Parent.

 

Section 8.02Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company.  The obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

 

(a)        (i) Parent shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties of Parent contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or other writing delivered by Parent pursuant

 

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hereto, disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect or any similar standard or qualification, shall be true at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (other than representations or warranties that address matters only as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct as of such date), with only such exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect and (iii) the Company shall have received a certificate signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Parent to the foregoing effect;

 

(b)        There shall not have occurred at any time after the date of this Agreement any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts that has had or would reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(c)        the Company shall have received from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel to the Company, a written opinion dated the Effective Time to the effect that for U.S. federal income tax purposes the Merger will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.  In rendering such opinion, counsel to the Company shall be entitled to rely upon customary assumptions and representations reasonably satisfactory to such counsel, including representations set forth in certificates of officers of the Company and Parent.

 

Section 8.03Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub.  The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

 

(a)        (i) the Company shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or other writing delivered by the Company pursuant hereto, disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or the Company Material Adverse Effect or any similar standard or qualification, shall be true at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (other than representations or warranties that address matters only as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct as of such date), with only such exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and (iii) Parent shall have received a certificate signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company to the foregoing effect;

 

(b)        there shall not have occurred at any time after the date of this Agreement any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts that has had or would reasonably be expected to result in an the Company Material Adverse Effect; and

 

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(c)        Parent shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel to Parent, a written opinion dated the Effective Time to the effect that for U.S. federal income tax purposes the Merger will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.  In rendering such opinion, counsel to Parent shall be entitled to rely upon customary assumptions and representations reasonably satisfactory to such counsel, including representations set forth in certificates of officers of the Company and Parent.

 

ARTICLE 9
TERMINATION

 

Section 9.01.  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time (notwithstanding any approval of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by the shareholders of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company):

 

(a)        by mutual written agreement of the Company and Parent;

 

(b)        by either the Company or Parent, if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before November 30, 2004 (the “End Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.01(b) shall not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results in the failure of the Merger to be consummated by such date;

 

(c)        by either the Company or Parent, if the Company Shareholder Approval has not been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at the Company Shareholder Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(d)        by either the Company or Parent, if the Parent Shareholder Transaction Approval has not been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at the Parent Shareholder Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof);

 

(e)        by the Company, if (i) Parent has made a Change in Recommendation or (ii) Parent shall have willfully and materially breached its obligations under Section 7.01 or Section 7.05; or

 

(f)         by Parent, if (i) the Company has made a Change in Recommendation or (ii) the Company shall have willfully and materially breached its obligations under Section 7.01 or Section 7.05.

 

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The party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.01 (other than pursuant to Section 9.01(a)) shall give notice of such termination to the other party.

 

Section 9.02Effect of Termination.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01, except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.02 this Agreement shall become void and of no effect without liability of any party (or any shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of such party) to the other parties hereto; provided that, if such termination shall result from the willful or intentional (i) failure of either party to fulfill a condition to the performance of the obligations of the other party or (ii) failure of either party to perform a covenant hereof, such party shall be fully liable for any and all liabilities and damages incurred or suffered by the other party as a result of such failure. The provisions of this Section 9.02 and Sections 10.04, 10.06, 10.07 and 10.08 shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to Section 9.01.

 

ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.01.  Notices.  All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission and electronic mail (“e-mail”) transmission, so long as a receipt of such e-mail is requested and received) and shall be given,

 

if to Parent, to:

 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc.
385 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Attention: John A. MacColl
Facsimile No.: (651) 310-7911
E-mail: john.maccoll@stpaul.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017

Attention:

John R. Ettinger

 

John H. Butler

Facsimile No.: (212) 450-3800

E-mail:

ettinger@dpw.com

 

john.butler@dpw.com

 

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if to the Company, to:

 

Travelers Property Casualty Corp.
One Tower Square
Hartford, CT 06183
Attention: James Michener
Facsimile No.: (860) 277-8123
E-mail: jmichene@travelers.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3954

Attention: 

Philip T. Ruegger III

 

Alan D. Schnitzer

Facsimile No.: (212) 455-2502
E-mail: pruegger@stblaw.com
E-mail: aschnitzer@stblaw.com

 

or to such other address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.

 

Section 10.02.  Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The representations, warranties and agreements contained herein and in any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto shall not survive the Effective Time, except for the agreements set forth in Sections 7.06, 9.02, 10.04, 10.06, 10.07 and 10.08.

 

Section 10.03Amendments and Waivers.  (a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived prior to the Effective Time if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement or, in the case of a waiver, by each party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided that, after the adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of Parent or the Company, no such amendment or waiver may be made or given that requires the approval of the shareholders of Parent or the Company, respectively unless such required approval is obtained.

 

(b)        No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial

 

86



 

exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

Section 10.04Expenses.  (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense; provided, that each of the Company and Parent shall pay 50% of (i) any fees and expenses (other than attorneys’ and accounting fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the printing, filing and mailing of the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement and (ii) fees and expenses incurred in connection with any consultants that the Company and Parent shall have agreed to retain to assist in obtaining the required approvals and clearances under applicable Laws.

 

(b)        If (I) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01(b), (II) after the date hereof and prior to such termination a bona fide Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company was made or renewed and not publicly withdrawn at least 20 days prior to such termination and (III) within 18 months following termination of this Agreement an Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company is consummated or a definitive agreement for an Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company is entered into, the Company shall pay to Parent a termination fee of $300,000,000 in cash (the “Company Termination Fee”).

 

(c)        If (I) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01(b), (II) after the date hereof and prior to such termination a bona fide Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent was made or renewed and not publicly withdrawn at least 20 days prior to such termination and (III) within 18 months following the termination of this Agreement an Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent is consummated or a definitive agreement for an Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent is entered into, Parent shall pay to the Company a termination fee of $300,000,000 in cash (the “Parent Termination Fee”).

 

(d)        If (I) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01(c), (II) after the date hereof and prior to the Company Shareholder Meeting a bona fide Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company was made or renewed and not publicly withdrawn at least 20 days prior to the Company Shareholder Meeting and (III) within 18 months following termination of this Agreement an Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company is consummated or a definitive agreement for an Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company is entered into, the Company shall pay to Parent the Company Termination Fee.

 

(e)        If (I) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01(d), (II) after the date hereof and prior to the Parent Shareholder Meeting a bona fide Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent was made or renewed and not

 

87



 

publicly withdrawn at least 20 days prior to the Parent Shareholder Meeting and (III) within 18 months following the termination of this Agreement an Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent is consummated or a definitive agreement for an Acquisition Proposal with respect to Parent is entered into, Parent shall pay to the Company the Parent Termination Fee.

 

(f)         If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01(e), Parent shall pay to the Company the Parent Termination Fee.

 

(g)        If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.01(f), the Company shall pay to Parent the Company Termination Fee.

 

(h)        Any payment of the Company Termination Fee or the Parent Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 10.04 shall be made within one Business Day after termination of this Agreement, except that any payment of the Company Termination Fee or the Parent Termination Fee pursuant to Section 10.04(b), 10.04(c), 10.04(d) or 10.04(e), as applicable, shall be made within one Business Day after such amount becomes payable.  Any such payments shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds.  The parties hereby acknowledge that the agreements contained in this section 10.04 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that, without these agreements, Parent and the Company would not enter into this Agreement.  If Parent or the Company fails to pay to the other any fee or expense due hereunder when due, the defaulting party shall pay the costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) in connection with any action taken to collect payment (including the prosecution of any lawsuit or other legal action), together with interest on the amount of any unpaid fee at the publicly announced prime rate of Citibank, N.A. in New York City from the date such fee was first payable to the date it is paid.

 

Section 10.05Binding Effect; Assignment.  (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as provided in Section 7.06, no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b)        No party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of each other party hereto.

 

Section 10.06Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state except to the extent that mandatory provisions of the CBCA are applicable.

 

88



 

Section 10.07Jurisdiction.  The parties hereto agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought in any federal court located in the State of New York or any New York state court, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 10.01 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

 

Section 10.08WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 10.09Counterparts; Effectiveness.  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. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by all of the other parties hereto.

 

Section 10.10Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.11Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

89



 

Section 10.12Specific Performance.  The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal court located in the State of New York or any New York state court, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

Section 10.13Schedules.  Each of Parent and the Company has set forth certain information in its respective disclosure schedule in a section thereof that corresponds to the Section or portion of a Section of this Agreement to which it relates.  A matter set forth in one section of a disclosure schedule need not be set forth in any other section of the disclosure schedule so long as its relevance to such other section of the disclosure schedule or Section of this Agreement is readily apparent on the face of the information disclosed in such disclosure schedule. The fact that any item of information is disclosed in a disclosure schedule shall not be construed to mean that such information is required to be disclosed by this Agreement.  Any information or the dollar thresholds set forth in a disclosure schedule shall not be used as a basis for interpreting the terms “material,” “Company Material Adverse Effect” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” or other similar terms in this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly set forth in such disclosure schedule.

 

90



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.

 

 

 

By:

   /s/ Jay S. Fishman

 

 

 

Name:

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

Title:

Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CORP.

 

 

 

By:

   /s/ Robert I. Lipp

 

 

 

Name:

Robert I. Lipp

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

:

ADAMS ACQUISITION CORP.

 

 

 

By:

   /s/ Samuel G. Liss

 

 

 

Name:

Samuel G. Liss

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

91


Exhibit A-1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation is 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The aggregate number of shares that the Corporation has authority to issue is one billion seven hundred fifty million shares which shall consist of five million undesignated shares and one billion seven hundred forty-five million shares of voting common stock. All shares of voting common stock shall have equal rights and preferences. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) is authorized to establish, from the undesignated shares, one or more classes and series of shares, to designate each such class and series and to fix the relative rights and preferences of each such class and series, provided that in no event shall the Board of Directors fix a preference with respect to a distribution in liquidation in excess of $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any. No shares shall confer on the holder any right to cumulate votes in the election of Directors. All shareholders are denied preemptive rights, unless, with respect to some or all of the undesignated shares, the Board of Directors shall grant preemptive rights. The Corporation may, without any new or additional consideration, issue shares of voting common stock or any other class or series pro rata to the holders of the same or one or more other classes or series of shares.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Commencing on January 1, 2006, an action, other than an action requiring shareholder approval, required or permitted to be taken at a Board meeting may be taken by written action signed, or consented to by authenticated electronic communication, by the number of Directors that would be required to act in taking the same action at a meeting of the Board at which all Directors were present.

 

1



 

ARTICLE V

 

A Director of the Corporation shall have no personal liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, to the full extent such immunity is permitted from time to time under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act.

 

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the shareholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Effective immediately at the date and time at which these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation become effective (the “Effective Time”), the Board of Directors shall consist of 23 Directors.  Subject to the provisions of this Article VI, the number of Directors may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time, but in no event shall the number of Directors exceed 23.

 

During the period beginning at the Effective Time and ending on January 1, 2006 (the “Specified Period”), the following actions of the Board of Directors must be approved by at least two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors:

 

(a)          removal of, or failure to re-elect (if such person is willing to serve), the individual holding the office of Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer as of the Effective Time or any modification to either of their respective duties, authority or reporting relationships;

 

(b)         any change in the size or chairmanship of the Board or any committee of the Board, in the responsibilities of, or the authority delegated to, any committee of the Board, or in the ratio of the number of Travelers Directors (as defined below) on the Board or any committee of the Board to the number of St. Paul Directors (as defined below) on the Board or any committee of the Board;

 

(c)          any (i) statutory share exchange or merger of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries with, into or involving a company that is larger than the Corporation (based upon any of market capitalization, revenues, or total assets at the time of Board action), (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (iii) dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation;

 

2



 

(d)         any change in the location of the principal executive offices of the Corporation; or

 

(e)          the approval of any amendment of Article IV of these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, this Article VI or Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation for submission to the shareholders of the Corporation or the approval by the Board of Directors of an amendment to Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation.

 

In addition, during the Specified Period, the following actions must be approved by at least two-thirds of the entire Governance Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

(a)          any nomination by the Governance Committee of individuals (i) for election to the Board of Directors by the shareholders of the Corporation or (ii) to fill newly created positions on the Board of Directors; or

 

(b)         any recommendation by the Governance Committee to change (i) the size or chairmanship of the Board or any committee of the Board, (ii) the responsibilities of, or the authority delegated to, any committee of the Board, or (iii) the ratio of the number of Travelers Directors to the number of St. Paul Directors on the Board or any committee of the Board.

 

For purposes hereof:

 

St. Paul Directors” means (i) those eleven Directors designated by the Corporation to serve as members of the Board as of the Effective Time pursuant to a contractual right of the Corporation to designate such Directors and (ii) any Replacement St. Paul Director.

 

Replacement St. Paul Director” means a Director designated pursuant to Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation by the St. Paul Directors who are members of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (i) to fill a vacancy on the Board or (ii) to be nominated for election to the Board by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

Travelers Directors” means (i) those twelve Directors designated by Travelers Property Casualty Corp., a Connecticut corporation, to serve as members of the Board as of the Effective Time pursuant to a contractual right of Travelers Property Casualty Corp. to designate such Directors and (ii) any Replacement Travelers Director.

 

Replacement Travelers Director” means a Director designated pursuant to Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation by the Travelers Directors who are members of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the

 

3



 

Corporation (i) to fill a vacancy on the Board or (ii) to be nominated for election to the Board by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

[Statement with respect to Series B preferred stock follows]

 

4



 

STATEMENT OF THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

WITH RESPECT TO

SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

Pursuant to Section 302A.401, Subd. 3(b)

of Minnesota Statutes

 

The undersigned officers of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (the “Corporation”), being duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, do hereby certify that the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on January 24, 1990 pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 302A.401, Subd. 3(a):

 

RESOLVED, That there is hereby established, out of the presently available undesignated shares of the Corporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation designated as stated below and having the relative rights and preferences that are set forth below (the “Series’’):

 

1.       Designation and Amount. The Series shall be designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock’’ (the “Series B Preferred’’). The number of shares constituting the Series shall be one million four hundred fifty thousand (1,450,000), which number may from time to time be decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors’’). Shares of Series B Preferred shall have a preference upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per share, which preference amount does not represent a determination by the Board of Directors for the purpose of the Corporation’s capital accounts.

 

2.       Rank. The Series B Preferred shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation, rank prior to the Corporation’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and to the Corporation’s voting common stock (the “Common Stock’’)(together, the “Junior Stock’’) and shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation, rank junior to all other classes and series of equity securities of the Corporation, now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding, other than any classes or series of equity securities of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation (the “Parity Stock’’).

 

3.       Dividends. (a) Holders of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, to the extent permitted by applicable law, cumulative quarterly cash dividends at the annual rate of Eleven and 724/1000 Dollars

 

5



 

($11.724) per share, in preference to and in priority over any dividends with respect to Junior Stock.

 

(b)     Dividends on the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall begin to accrue and be cumulative (regardless of whether such dividends shall have been declared by the Board of Directors) from and including the date of original issuance of each share of the Series B Preferred, and shall be payable in arrears on January 17, April 17, July 17 and October 17 of each year (each of such dates a “Dividend Payment Date’’), commencing April 17, 1990. Each such dividend shall be payable to the holder or holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on such record dates, not more than thirty (30) calendar days and not less than ten (10) calendar days preceding the Dividend Payment Dates therefor, as are determined by the Board of Directors (each of such dates a “Record Date’’). In any case where the date fixed for any dividend payment with respect to the Series B Preferred shall not be a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but may be made on the next preceding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date fixed therefor, without interest.

 

(c)     The amount of any dividends “accumulated’’ on any share of Series B Preferred at any Dividend Payment Date shall be deemed to be the amount of any unpaid dividends accrued thereon to and excluding such Dividend Payment Date regardless of whether declared, and the amount of dividends “accumulated’’ on any share of Series B Preferred at any date other than a Dividend Payment Date shall be calculated at the amount of any unpaid dividends accrued thereon to and excluding the last preceding B-4 Dividend Payment Date regardless of whether declared, plus an amount calculated on the basis of the annual dividend rate for the period from and including such last preceding Dividend Payment Date to and excluding the date as of which the calculation is made (regardless of whether declared). The amount of dividends payable with respect to a full dividend period on outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by four and the amount of dividends payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly dividend period (including the initial dividend period) shall be computed on the basis of thirty (30)-day months, a three hundred sixty (360)-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the period.

 

(d)     So long as the shares of Series B Preferred shall be outstanding, if (i) the Corporation shall be in default or in arrears with respect to the payment of dividends (regardless of whether declared) on any outstanding shares of Series B Preferred or any other classes or series of equity securities of the Corporation other than Junior Stock or (ii) the Corporation shall be in default or in arrears with respect to the mandatory or optional redemption, purchase or other acquisition, retirement or other

 

6



 

requirement of, or with respect to, any sinking or other similar fund or agreement for the redemption, purchase or other acquisition, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any shares of the Series B Preferred or any other classes or series of equity securities of the Corporation other than Junior Stock, then the Corporation may not (A) declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividends on any shares of Junior Stock, or (B) make any payment on account of, or set apart payment for, the purchase or other acquisition, redemption, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any sinking or other similar fund or agreement for the purchase or other acquisition, redemption, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any shares of Junior Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Junior Stock, other than with respect to any rights that are now or in the future may be issued and outstanding under or pursuant to the Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement dated as of December 4, 1989 between the Corporation and First Chicago Trust Company of New York as Rights Agent, as it may be amended in any respect or extended from time to time or replaced by a new shareholders’ rights plan of any scope or nature (provided that in any amended or extended plan or in any replacement plan any redemption of rights feature permits only nominal redemption payments) (the “Rights Agreement’’), or (C) make any distribution in respect of any shares of Junior Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Junior Stock, whether directly or indirectly, and whether in cash, obligations, or securities of the Corporation or other property, other than dividends or distributions of Junior Stock which is neither convertible into nor exchangeable or exercisable for any securities of the Corporation other than Junior Stock or rights, warrants, options or calls exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Junior Stock or (D) permit any corporation or other entity controlled directly or indirectly by the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire or redeem any shares of Junior Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Junior Stock.

 

(e)     Dividends in arrears with respect to the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred may be declared and paid or set apart for payment at any time and from time to time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the holder or holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on the Record Date established with respect to such payment in arrears. If there shall be outstanding shares of Parity Stock, and if the payment of dividends on any shares of the Series B Preferred or the Parity Stock is in arrears, the Corporation, in making any dividend payment on account of any shares of the Series B Preferred or Parity Stock, shall make such payment ratably upon all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred and Parity Stock in proportion to the respective amounts of accumulated dividends in arrears

 

7



 

upon such shares of the Series B Preferred and Parity Stock to the date of such dividend payment. The Holder or holders of Series B Preferred shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, obligations or securities of the Corporation or other property, in excess of the accumulated dividends on shares of Series B Preferred. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend or other payment or payments which may be in arrears with respect to the Series B Preferred. All dividends paid with respect to the Series B Preferred shall be paid pro rata to the holders entitled thereto.

 

(f)      Subject to the foregoing provisions hereof and applicable law, the Board of Directors (i) may declare and the Corporation may pay or set apart for payment dividends on any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, (ii) may make any payment on account of or set apart payment for a sinking fund or other similar fund or agreement for the purchase or other acquisition, redemption, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any Junior Stock or Parity Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, (iii) may make any distribution in respect to any Junior Stock or Parity Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, whether directly or indirectly, and whether in cash, obligations or securities of the Corporation or other property and (iv) may purchase or otherwise acquire, redeem or retire any Junior Stock or Parity Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, and the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall not be entitled to share therein.

 

4.       Voting Rights. The holder or holders of Series B Preferred shall have no right to vote for any purpose, except as required by applicable law and except as provided in this Section 4.

 

(a)     So long as any shares of Series B Preferred remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holder or holders of at least a majority (or such greater number as required by applicable law) of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to the then outstanding Series B Preferred, voting separately as one class, at a meeting duly held for that purpose, shall be necessary to repeal, amend or otherwise change any of the provisions of the articles of incorporation of the Corporation in any manner which materially and adversely affects the rights or preferences of the Series B Preferred. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the increase (including the creation or authorization) or decrease in the amount of authorized capital stock of any class or series (excluding the Series B Preferred) shall not be deemed to be an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights or preferences of the Series B Preferred.

 

8



 

(b)     The holder or holders of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as if one class. Each share of Series B Preferred in such case shall be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series B Preferred could have been converted on the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote on a particular matter.

 

5.       Optional Redemption. (a) The Series B Preferred shall be redeemable, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at the option of the Corporation, (i) on or before December 31, 1994, if (A) there is a change in any statute, rule or regulation of the United States of America which has the effect of limiting or making unavailable to the Corporation all or any of the tax deductions for amounts paid (including dividends) on the Series B Preferred when such amounts are used as provided under Section 404(k)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect on the date shares of Series B Preferred are initially issued, or (B) the Plan is not initially determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be qualified within the meaning of ss. 401(a) and ss. 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (C) the Plan is terminated by the Board of Directors or otherwise, at the greater of (1) $144.30 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for redemption, or (2) the Fair Market Value of the Series B Preferred redeemed, or (ii) after December 31, 1994, at the following redemption prices per share if redeemed during the twelve (12)-month period ending on and including December 31 in each of the following years:

 

Year

 

Redemption Price
Per Share

 

1995

 

$

149.52

 

1996

 

148.22

 

1997

 

146.92

 

1998

 

145.62

 

1999 and thereafter

 

144.30

 

 

plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for redemption.

 

(b)     Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Corporation in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (d) of this Section S. On and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of Series B Preferred called for redemption shall cease to accrue, such shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights in respect of such shares shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price.

 

9



 

(c)     Unless otherwise required by law, notice of redemption shall be sent to the holder or holders of Series B Preferred at the address shown on the books of the Corporation by first class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the Series B Preferred to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and after such redemption date; and (vi) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised, and the then current Conversion Price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of Series B Preferred at the time. Upon surrender of the certificates for any shares so called for redemption and not previously converted (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be redeemed by the Corporation at the date fixed for redemption and at the redemption price.

 

(d)     The Corporation, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of Series B Preferred in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such shares and cash, any such shares to be valued for such purpose at the average Current Market Price for the five (5) consecutive trading days ending on the trading day next preceding the date of redemption.

 

6.       Other Redemption Rights. Shares of Series B Preferred shall be redeemed by the Corporation at the option of the holder at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon notice to the Corporation accompanied by the properly endorsed certificate or certificates given not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the date fixed by the holder in such notice for such redemption, when and to the extent necessary (a) for such holder to provide for distributions required to be made under The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Savings Plus Preferred Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, an employee stock ownership plan and trust within the meaning of ss. 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Plan and Trust’’), as the same may be amended, or any successor plans, or (b) for such holder to make payment of principal or interest due and payable (whether as scheduled or upon acceleration) on the 9.40% Note dated January 24, 1990, due January 31, 2005 made by Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, not individually but solely as Trustee for the Plan and Trust, payable to the order of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company or registered assigns, in the principal

 

10



 

amount of One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000) or other indebtedness of the Plan and Trust or if funds otherwise available are not adequate to make a required payment pursuant to such Note or other indebtedness, in each case at a redemption price of the greater of (1) $144.30 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for redemption, or (2) the Fair Market Value of the Series B Preferred redeemed. Upon surrender of the shares to be redeemed, such shares shall be redeemed by the Corporation on the date fixed for redemption and at the applicable redemption price and such price shall be paid within five (5) Business Days after such date of redemption, without interest. The terms and provisions of Sections 5(b) and 5(d) are applicable to any redemption under this Section 6.

 

7.       Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holder or holders of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution of assets shall be made to the holders of shares of Junior Stock, an amount equal to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per share. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the Series B Preferred and any Parity Stock are not paid in full, the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred and of such Parity Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Corporation in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment to the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred of the full preferential amount provided for in this Section 7 and after the payment of any other preferential amounts to the holder or holders of other equity securities of the Corporation, the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall be entitled to share in distributions of any remaining assets with the holders of Common Stock, pro-rata on an as-if-converted basis, to the extent of $44.30 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for such distribution of assets. Written notice of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall be given to the holder or holders of Series B Preferred not less than twenty (20) days prior to the payment date. Neither the voluntary sale, conveyance exchange or transfer (for cash, securities or other consideration) of all or any part of the property or assets of the Corporation, nor the consolidation or merger or other business combination of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations, shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, unless such voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer shall be in connection with a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

11



 

8.       Conversion Rights. (a) The holder of any Series B Preferred shall have the right, at the holder’s option, at any time and from time to time, to convert any or all of such shares into the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation determined by dividing One Hundred Forty-four and 30/100 Dollars ($144.30) for each share of Series B Preferred to be converted by the then effective Conversion Price per share of Common Stock, except that if any shares of Series B Preferred are called for redemption by the Corporation or submitted for redemption by the holder thereof, according to the terms and provisions of this Resolution, the conversion rights pertaining to such shares shall terminate at the close of business on the date fixed for redemption (unless the Corporation defaults in the payment of the applicable redemption price). No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred, but if such conversion results in a fraction, an amount shall be paid in cash by the Corporation to the converting holder equal to same fraction of the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the effective date of the conversion.

 

(b)     The initial conversion price, which is Seventy-two and 15/100 Dollars ($72.15) per share of Common Stock, shall be subject to appropriate adjustment from time to time as follows and such initial conversion price or the latest adjusted conversion price is referred to in this Resolution as the “Conversion Price’’:

 

(i)      In case the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of the Series B Preferred is outstanding (A) pay a dividend in shares of Common Stock, (B) subdivide outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares or (C) combine outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the holder of any shares of the Series B Preferred thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation which such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive immediately following such action had such shares of the Series B Preferred been converted immediately prior thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(b)(i) shall become effective retroactively to immediately after the record date for determination of the shareholders entitled to receive the dividend in the case of a dividend and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.

 

(ii)     In case the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of the Series B Preferred is outstanding, distribute or issue rights, warrants, options or calls to all holders of shares of Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable or

 

12



 

exchangeable for Common Stock), at a per share price less than the Current Market Price on the record date referred to below, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that it shall equal the Conversion Price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the record date of the distribution or issuance of such rights, warrants, options or calls by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase. For the purpose of this Section 8(b)(ii), the distribution or issuance of rights, warrants, options or calls to subscribe for or purchase securities convertible into Common Stock shall be deemed to be the issuance of rights, warrants, options or calls to purchase the shares of Common Stock into which such securities are convertible at an aggregate offering price equal to the aggregate offering price of such securities plus the minimum aggregate amount (if any) payable upon conversion of such securities into shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that if all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such rights, warrants, options or calls have not been issued when such rights, warrants, options or calls expire, then the Conversion Price shall promptly be readjusted to the Conversion Price which would then be in effect had the adjustment upon the distribution or issuance of such rights, warrants, options or calls been made on the basis of the actual number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of such rights, warrants, options or calls. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(b)(ii) shall become effective retroactively immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights, warrants, options or calls. This Section 8(b)(ii) shall be inapplicable with respect to any rights issued or to be issued pursuant to or governed by the Rights Agreement.

 

(iii) In the event the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, issue, sell or exchange shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant to (a) any right or warrant now or hereafter outstanding to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock (including as such a right or warrant any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock), (b) any rights issued or to be issued pursuant to or governed by the Rights Agreement and (c) any employee, officer or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any employment, severance or consulting agreement) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation heretofore or hereafter adopted) for a consideration having a Fair Market Value, on the date of such issuance, sale or exchange, less than the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of issuance, sale or exchange,

 

13



 

then, subject to the provisions of Sections 8(b)(v) and (vii), the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by the fraction the numerator of which shall be the sum of (x) the Fair Market Value of all the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange plus (y) the Fair Market value of the consideration received by the Corporation in respect of such issuance, sale or exchange of shares of Common Stock, and the denominator of which shall be the product of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange multiplied by (b) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such day plus the number of shares of Common Stock so issued, sold or exchanged by the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, issue, sell or exchange any right or warrant to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock (including as such a right or warrant any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock), other than any such issuance (a) to holders of shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution (including by way of a reclassification of shares or a recapitalization of the Corporation), (b) pursuant to any employee, officer or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any employment, severance or consulting agreement) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation heretofore or hereafter adopted, (c) of rights issued or to be issued pursuant to or governed by the Rights Agreement and (d) which is covered by the terms and provisions of Section 8(b)(ii) hereof, for a consideration having a Fair Market Value, on the date of such issuance, sale or exchange, less than the Non-Dilutive Amount, then, subject to the provisions of Sections 8(b)(v) and (vii) hereof, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the sum of (I) the Fair Market Value of all the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange plus (II) the Fair Market Value of the consideration received by the Corporation in respect of such issuance, sale or exchange or such right or warrant plus (III) the Fair Market Value at the time of such issuance of the consideration which the Corporation would receive upon exercise in full of all such rights or warrants, and the denominator of which shall be the product of (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange multiplied by (y) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such day plus the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which  could be acquired pursuant to such right or warrant at the time of the issuance, sale or exchange of such right or warrant (assuming shares of Common Stock could be acquired pursuant to such right or warrant at such time).

 

14



 

(iv) In the event the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, make an Extraordinary Distribution in respect of the Common Stock, whether by dividend, distribution, reclassification of shares or recapitalization of the Corporation (including a recapitalization or reclassification effected by a merger or consolidation to which Section 8(c) hereof does not apply) or effect a Pro Rata Repurchase of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such Extraordinary Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase shall, subject to Sections 8(b)(v) and (vii) hereof, be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by the fraction the numerator of which is the difference between (a) the product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Extraordinary Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase multiplied by (y) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day before the ex-dividend date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid in cash and on the distribution date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid other than in cash, or on the applicable expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of any tender offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase, or on the date of purchase with respect to any Pro Rata Repurchase which is not a tender offer, as the case may be, and (b) the Fair Market Value of the Extraordinary Distribution or the aggregate purchase price of the Pro Rata Repurchase, as the case may be, and the denominator of which shall be the product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Extraordinary Dividend or Pro Rata Repurchase minus, in the case of a Pro Rata Repurchase, the number of shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Corporation multiplied by (y) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day before the ex-dividend date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid in cash and on the distribution date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid other than in cash, or on the applicable expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of any tender offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase or on the date of purchase with respect to any Pro Rata Repurchase which is not a tender offer, as the case may be. The Corporation shall send each holder of Series B Preferred (i) notice of its intent to make any dividend or distribution and (ii) notice of any offer by the Corporation to make a Pro Rata Repurchase, in each case at the same time as, or as soon as practicable after, such offer is first communicated (including by announcement of a record date in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading) to holders of Common Stock. Such notice shall indicate the intended record date and the amount and nature of such dividend or distribution, or the number of shares subject to such offer for a Pro Rata Repurchase and the purchase price payable by the Corporation pursuant to such offer, as well as the Conversion Price and the number of shares of

 

15



 

Common Stock into which a share of Series B Preferred may be converted at such time.

 

(v)     If the Corporation shall make any dividend or distribution on the Common Stock or issue any Common Stock, other capital stock or other security of the Corporation or any rights or warrants to purchase or acquire any such security, which transaction does not result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 8, the Board of Directors shall consider whether such action is of such a nature that an adjustment to the Conversion Price should equitably be made in respect of such transaction. If in such case the Board of Directors determines that an adjustment to the Conversion Price should be made, an adjustment shall be made effective as of such date, as determined by the Board of Directors (which adjustment shall in no event adversely affect the rights or preferences of the Series B Preferred as set forth herein). The determination of the Board of Directors as to whether an adjustment to the Conversion Price should be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b)(v), and, if so, as to what adjustment should be made and when, shall be final and binding on the Corporation and all shareholders of the Corporation.

 

(vi) In addition to the foregoing adjustments, the Corporation may, but shall not be required to, make such adjustments in the Conversion Price as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall either not be taxable to the recipients or shall be taxable to the recipients to the minimum extent reasonable under the circumstances, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

 

(vii) In no event shall an adjustment in the Conversion Price be required unless such adjustment would result in an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) in the Conversion Price then in effect; provided, however, that any such adjustments that are not made shall be carried forward and taken into account in determining whether any subsequent adjustment is required. In no event shall the Conversion Price be adjusted to an amount less than any minimum required by law. Except as set forth in this Section 8, the Conversion Price shall not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or carrying the right or option to purchase or otherwise acquire the foregoing, in exchange for cash, other property or services.

 

(viii) Whenever an adjustment in the Conversion Price is required, the Corporation shall forthwith place on file with its transfer agent (or if the Corporation performs the functions of a transfer agent, with the corporate secretary) a statement signed by its chief executive officer or a vice president and by its secretary, assistant secretary or treasurer, stating the

 

16



 

adjusted Conversion Price determined as provided herein. Such statements shall set forth in reasonable detail such facts as shall be necessary to show the reason and the manner of computing such adjustment. As soon as practicable after the adjustment of the Conversion Price, the Corporation shall mail a notice thereof to each holder of shares of the Series B Preferred of such adjustment.

 

(ix) In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8, the holder of any shares of Series B Preferred hereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive any securities other than shares of Common Stock, thereafter the amount of such other securities so receivable upon conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly as equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Stock contained in this Section 8, and the provisions of this Section 8 with respect to the Common Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other securities.

 

(c)     In case of any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation (other than a merger in which the Corporation is the surviving corporation), or in case of any sale or transfer of substantially all the assets of the Corporation, or in case of reclassification, capital reorganization or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than combinations or subdivisions described in Section 8(b)(i) and other than Extraordinary Distributions described in Section 8(b)(iv)), there shall be no adjustment to the Conversion Price then in effect, but appropriate provisions shall be made so that any holder of Series B Preferred shall be entitled, after the occurrence (or, if applicable, the record date) of any such event (“Transaction’’), to receive on conversion the consideration which the holder would have received had the holder converted such holder’s Series B Preferred to Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of the Transaction and had such holder, if applicable, elected to receive the consideration in the form and manner elected by the plurality of the electing holders of Common Stock. In any such Transaction, effective provisions shall be made to ensure that the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall receive the consideration that they are entitled to receive pursuant to the provisions hereof, and in particular, as a condition to any consolidation or merger in which the holders of securities into which the Series B Preferred is then convertible are entitled to receive equity securities of another corporation, such other corporation shall expressly assume the obligation to deliver, upon conversion of the Series B Preferred, such equity securities as the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive pursuant to the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(c), in the event the consideration to be received pursuant to the provisions hereof is not to be constituted solely of employer securities

 

17



 

within the meaning of Section 409(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and of a cash payment in lieu of any fractional securities, then the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be deemed converted by virtue of the Transaction immediately prior to the consummation thereof into the number and kind of securities into which such shares of Series B Preferred could have been voluntarily converted at such time and such securities shall be entitled to participate fully in the Transaction as if such securities had been outstanding on the appropriate record, exchange or distribution date. In the event the Corporation shall enter into any agreement providing for any Transaction, then the Corporation shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least ten (10) Business Days before consummation of the Transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of Series B Preferred and each such holder shall have the right, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to elect, by written notice to the Corporation, to receive, upon consummation of the Transaction (if and when the Transaction is consummated), from the Corporation or the successor of the Corporation, in redemption of such Series B Preferred, a cash payment per share equal to the amount determined according to the following table, with the redemption date to be deemed to be the same date that the Transaction giving rise to the redemption election is consummated:

 

Transaction Consummated
In Year Ending
December 31

 

Redemption Price
Per Share

 

1990

 

$

156.02

 

1991

 

154.72

 

1992

 

153.42

 

1993

 

152.12

 

1994

 

150.82

 

1995

 

149.52

 

1996

 

148.22

 

1997

 

146.92

 

1998

 

145.62

 

1999 and thereafter

 

144.30

 

 

plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding such deemed redemption date. No such notice of redemption by the holder of Series B Preferred shall be effective unless given to the Corporation prior to the close of business at least two (2) Business Days prior to consummation of the Transaction.

 

(d)     The holder or holders of Series B Preferred as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on a dividend payment Record Date shall be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the subsequent conversion thereof or the Corporation’s default on payment

 

18



 

of the dividend due on such Dividend Payment Date; provided, however, that the holder or holders of Series B Preferred subject to redemption on a redemption date after such Record Date and before such Dividend Payment Date shall not be entitled under this provision to receive such dividend on such Dividend Payment Date. However, shares of Series B Preferred surrendered for conversion during the period after any dividend payment Record Date and before the corresponding Dividend Payment Date (except shares subject to redemption on a redemption date during such period) must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the dividend payable on such shares on such Dividend Payment Date. The holder or holders of Series B Preferred as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on a dividend payment Record Date who convert shares of Series B Preferred on a Dividend Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such Series B Preferred by the Corporation on such Dividend Payment Date, and the converting holders need not include payment in the amount of such dividend upon surrender of shares of Series B Preferred for conversion. Except as provided above, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends (whether or not accumulated and in arrears) on converted shares or for dividends on the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion.

 

(e)     Each conversion of shares of Series B Preferred into shares of Common Stock shall be effected by the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the shares to be converted, accompanied by instruments of transfer satisfactory to the Corporation and sufficient to transfer such shares to the Corporation free of any adverse claims (the “Converting Shares’’), at the principal executive office of the Corporation (or such other office or agency of the Corporation as the Corporation may designate by written notice to the holder or holders of Series B Preferred) at any time during its respective usual business hours, together with written notice by the holder of such Converting Shares, stating that such holder desires to convert the Converting Shares, or a stated number of the shares represented by such certificate or certificates, into such number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares may be converted (the “Converted Shares’’). Such notice shall also state the name or names (with addresses and federal taxpayer identification numbers) and denominations in which the certificate or certificates for the Converted Shares are to be issued, shall include instructions for the delivery thereof and shall include such other information as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably request. Promptly after such surrender and the receipt of such written notice and the receipt of any required transfer documents and payments representing dividends as described above, the Corporation shall issue and deliver in accordance with the surrendering holder’s instructions the certificate or certificates evidencing the Converted Shares issuable upon such conversion, and the Corporation will deliver to the converting holder

 

19



 

(without cost to the holder) a certificate (which shall contain such legends as were set forth on the surrendered certificate or certificates) representing any shares of Series B Preferred which were represented by the certificate or certificates that were delivered to the Corporation in connection with such conversion, but which were not converted.

 

(f)      Such conversion, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be deemed to have been effected at the close of business on the date on which such certificate or certificates shall have been surrendered and such notice and any required transfer documents and payments representing dividends shall have been received by the Corporation, and at such time the rights of the holder of the Converting Shares as such holder shall cease, and the person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or certificates for the Converted Shares are to be issued upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of record of the Converted Shares. Upon issuance of shares in accordance herewith, such Converted Shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. From and after the effectiveness of any such conversion, shares of the Series B Preferred so converted shall, upon compliance with applicable law, be restored to the status of authorized but unissued undesignated shares, until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board of Directors.

 

(g)     Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be required to record the conversion of, and no holder of shares shall be entitled to convert, shares of Series B Preferred into shares of Common Stock unless such conversion is permitted under applicable law; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be entitled to rely without independent verification upon the representation of any holder that the conversion of shares by such holder is permitted under applicable law, and in no event shall the Corporation be liable to any such holder or any third party arising from any such conversion whether or not permitted by applicable law.

 

(h)     The Corporation will pay any and all stamp, transfer or other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of Common Stock received upon conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred, but shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Stock in a name other than that in which such shares of Series B Preferred were registered and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such conversion shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of any and all such taxes or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such taxes have been paid in full.

 

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(i)      The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Series B Preferred, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock or other securities as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred.

 

(j)      Whenever the Corporation shall issue shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred as contemplated by this Section 8, the Corporation shall issue together with each such share of Common Stock one Right (as defined in the Rights Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Rights Agreement.

 

9.       Transfer Restriction. Shares of Series B Preferred shall be issued only to the Plan and Trust and the certificate or certificates representing such shares so issued may be registered in the name of the Plan and Trust or in the name of one or more Trustees acting on behalf of the Plan and Trust (or the nominee name of any such trustee). In the event the Plan and Trust, acting through any such trustee or otherwise, should transfer beneficial or record ownership of one or more shares of Series B Preferred to any person or entity, the shares of Series B Preferred so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Corporation or the Plan and Trust or anyone else, shall be automatically converted, as of the time of such transfer, into shares of Common Stock on the terms otherwise provided for the voluntary conversion of shares of Series B Preferred into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 8 hereof and no transferee of such share or shares shall thereafter have or receive any of the rights and preferences of the shares of Series B Preferred so converted. Certificates representing shares of Series B Preferred shall be legended to reflect the aforesaid restriction on transfer. Shares of Series B Preferred may also be subject to restrictions on transfer which relate to the securities laws of the United States of America or any state or other jurisdiction thereof.

 

10.     No other Rights. The shares of Series B Preferred shall not have any rights or preferences, except as set forth herein or as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

11.     Rules and Regulations. The Board of Directors shall have the right and authority from time to time to prescribe rules and regulations as it may determine to be necessary or advisable in its sole discretion for the administration of the Series B Preferred in accordance with the foregoing provisions and applicable law.

 

12.     Definitions. For purposes of this Resolution, the following definitions shall apply:

 

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“Adjustment Period’’ shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive trading days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

 

“Business Day’’ shall mean each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.

 

“Current Market Price’’ of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Corporation or any other issuer for any day shall mean the last reported sales price, regular way, or, in the event that no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if such security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on a principal national securities exchange on which such security is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ’’) or, if such security is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on each such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for such security on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in such security selected for such purpose by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

“Extraordinary Distribution’’ shall mean any dividend or other distribution to holders of Common Stock (effected while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding) (i) of cash (other than a regularly scheduled quarterly dividend not exceeding 135% of the average quarterly dividend for the four quarters immediately preceding such dividend), where the aggregate amount of such cash dividend or distribution together with the amount of all cash dividends and distributions made during the preceding period of twelve (12) months, when combined with the aggregate amount of all Pro Rata Repurchases (for this purpose, including only that portion of the aggregate purchase price of such Pro Rata Repurchase which is in excess of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock repurchased as determined on the applicable expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of any tender offer or exchange offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase, or the date of purchase with respect to any other Pro Rata Repurchase which is not a tender offer or exchange offer made during such period), exceeds ten percent (10%) of the aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares of Common Stock outstanding

 

22



 

on the day before the ex-dividend date with respect to such Extraordinary Distribution which is paid in cash and on the distribution date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid other than in cash, and/or (ii) of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation (other than shares of Common Stock), other securities of the Corporation (other than securities of the type referred to in Section 8(b)(ii) or (iii) hereof), evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation or any other person or any other property (including shares of any subsidiary of the Corporation) or any combination thereof. The Fair Market Value of an Extraordinary Distribution for purposes of Section 8(b)(iv) hereof shall be equal to the sum of the Fair Market Value of such Extraordinary Distribution plus the amount of any cash dividends (other than regularly scheduled dividends not exceeding 135% of the aggregate quarterly dividends for the preceding period of twelve (12) months) which are not Extraordinary Distributions made during such 12-month period and not previously included in the calculation of an adjustment pursuant to Section 8(b)(iv) hereof.

 

“Fair Market Value’’ shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Corporation or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value’’ of any security which is not publicly traded or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, or, if no such investment banking or appraisal firm is in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors or such committee available to make such determination, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or such committee. The Fair Market Value of the Series B Preferred for purposes of Section 5(a) hereof and for purposes of Section 6 hereof shall be as determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and Trust, as of the most recent Valuation Date, as defined in the Plan and Trust.

 

“Non-Dilutive Amount’’ in respect of an issuance, sale or exchange by the Corporation of any right or warrant to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock (including any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock) shall mean the difference between (i) the product of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange multiplied by the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which could be acquired on such date upon the exercise in full of such rights and warrants (including upon the conversion or exchange of all such convertible or exchangeable securities), whether or not exercisable (or convertible or exchangeable) at such date, and (ii) the aggregate amount

 

23



 

payable pursuant to such right or warrant to purchase or acquire such maximum number of shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the Non-Dilutive Amount be less than zero. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, in the case of a security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, the amount payable pursuant to a right or warrant to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock shall be the Fair Market Value of such security on the date of the issuance, sale or exchange of such security by the Corporation.

 

“Pro Rata Repurchase’’ shall mean any purchase of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, whether for cash, shares of capital stock of the Corporation, other securities of the Corporation, evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation or any other person or any other property (including shares of a subsidiary of the Corporation), or any combination thereof, effected while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, pursuant to any tender offer or exchange offer subject to Section 13(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act’’), or any successor provision of law, or pursuant to any other offer available to substantially all holders of Common Stock; provided, however, that no purchase of shares by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof made in open market transactions shall be deemed a Pro Rata Repurchase. For purposes of this definition, shares shall be deemed to have been purchased by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof “in open market transactions’’ if they have been purchased substantially in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10b-18, as in effect under the Exchange Act, on the date shares of Series B Preferred are initially issued by the Corporation or on such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall have determined are reasonably designed to prevent such purchases from having a material effect on the trading market for the Common Stock.

 

24


Exhibit A-2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation is 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The aggregate number of shares that the Corporation has authority to issue is one billion seven hundred fifty million shares which shall consist of five million undesignated shares and one billion seven hundred forty-five million shares of voting common stock. All shares of voting common stock shall have equal rights and preferences. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) is authorized to establish, from the undesignated shares, one or more classes and series of shares, to designate each such class and series and to fix the relative rights and preferences of each such class and series, provided that in no event shall the Board of Directors fix a preference with respect to a distribution in liquidation in excess of $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any. No shares shall confer on the holder any right to cumulate votes in the election of Directors. All shareholders are denied preemptive rights, unless, with respect to some or all of the undesignated shares, the Board of Directors shall grant preemptive rights. The Corporation may, without any new or additional consideration, issue shares of voting common stock or any other class or series pro rata to the holders of the same or one or more other classes or series of shares.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Commencing on January 1, 2006, an action, other than an action requiring shareholder approval, required or permitted to be taken at a Board meeting may be taken by written action signed, or consented to by authenticated electronic communication, by the number of Directors that would be required to

 

1



 

act in taking the same action at a meeting of the Board at which all Directors were present.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Where shareholder approval, authorization or adoption is required by Chapter 302A, Minnesota Statutes, for any of the following transactions, the vote required for such approval, authorization or adoption shall be the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all voting shares:

 

(a)          Any plan of merger;

 

(b)         Any plan of exchange;

 

(c)          Any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, including its good will, not in the usual and regular course of its business; or

 

(d)         Any dissolution of the Corporation.

 

The shareholder vote required for approval, authorization or adoption of an amendment to these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (other than an amendment to this Article V) shall be the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all voting shares. The shareholder vote required for approval, authorization or adoption of an amendment to this Article V shall be the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all voting shares. The provisions of this Article V are not intended either to require that the holders of the shares of any class or series of shares vote separately as a class or series or to affect or increase any class or series vote requirement of Chapter 302A, Minnesota Statutes.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

A Director of the Corporation shall have no personal liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, to the full extent such immunity is permitted from time to time under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act.

 

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the shareholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

Effective immediately at the date and time at which these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation become effective (the “Effective Time”), the Board of Directors shall consist of 23 Directors.  Subject to the provisions of this Article VII, the number of Directors may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time, but in no event shall the number of Directors exceed 23.

 

During the period beginning at the Effective Time and ending on January 1, 2006 (the “Specified Period”), the following actions of the Board of Directors must be approved by at least two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors:

 

(a)          removal of, or failure to re-elect (if such person is willing to serve), the individual holding the office of Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer as of the Effective Time or any modification to either of their respective duties, authority or reporting relationships;

 

(b)         any change in the size or chairmanship of the Board or any committee of the Board, in the responsibilities of, or the authority delegated to, any committee of the Board, or in the ratio of the number of Travelers Directors (as defined below) on the Board or any committee of the Board to the number of St. Paul Directors (as defined below) on the Board or any committee of the Board;

 

(c)          any (i) statutory share exchange or merger of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries with, into or involving a company that is larger than the Corporation (based upon any of market capitalization, revenues, or total assets at the time of Board action), (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (iii) dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation;

 

(d)         any change in the location of the principal executive offices of the Corporation; or

 

(e)          the approval of any amendment of Article IV of these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, this Article VII or Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation for submission to the shareholders of the Corporation or the approval by the Board of Directors of an amendment to Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation.

 

3



 

In addition, during the Specified Period, the following actions must be approved by at least two-thirds of the entire Governance Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

(a)          any nomination by the Governance Committee of individuals (i) for election to the Board of Directors by the shareholders of the Corporation or (ii) to fill newly created positions on the Board of Directors; or

 

(b)         any recommendation by the Governance Committee to change (i) the size or chairmanship of the Board or any committee of the Board, (ii) the responsibilities of, or the authority delegated to, any committee of the Board, or (iii) the ratio of the number of Travelers Directors to the number of St. Paul Directors on the Board or any committee of the Board.

 

For purposes hereof:

 

St. Paul Directors” means (i) those eleven Directors designated by the Corporation to serve as members of the Board as of the Effective Time pursuant to a contractual right of the Corporation to designate such Directors and (ii) any Replacement St. Paul Director.

 

Replacement St. Paul Director” means a Director designated pursuant to Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation by the St. Paul Directors who are members of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (i) to fill a vacancy on the Board or (ii) to be nominated for election to the Board by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

Travelers Directors” means (i) those twelve Directors designated by Travelers Property Casualty Corp., a Connecticut corporation, to serve as members of the Board as of the Effective Time pursuant to a contractual right of Travelers Property Casualty Corp. to designate such Directors and (ii) any Replacement Travelers Director.

 

Replacement Travelers Director” means a Director designated pursuant to Article V of the bylaws of the Corporation by the Travelers Directors who are members of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (i) to fill a vacancy on the Board or (ii) to be nominated for election to the Board by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

[Statement with respect to Series B preferred stock follows]

 

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STATEMENT OF THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

WITH RESPECT TO

SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

Pursuant to Section 302A.401, Subd. 3(b)

of Minnesota Statutes

 

The undersigned officers of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (the “Corporation”), being duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, do hereby certify that the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on January 24, 1990 pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 302A.401, Subd. 3(a):

 

RESOLVED, That there is hereby established, out of the presently available undesignated shares of the Corporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation designated as stated below and having the relative rights and preferences that are set forth below (the “Series’’):

 

1.       Designation and Amount. The Series shall be designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock’’ (the “Series B Preferred’’). The number of shares constituting the Series shall be one million four hundred fifty thousand (1,450,000), which number may from time to time be decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors’’). Shares of Series B Preferred shall have a preference upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per share, which preference amount does not represent a determination by the Board of Directors for the purpose of the Corporation’s capital accounts.

 

2.       Rank. The Series B Preferred shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation, rank prior to the Corporation’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and to the Corporation’s voting common stock (the “Common Stock’’)(together, the “Junior Stock’’) and shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation, rank junior to all other classes and series of equity securities of the Corporation, now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding, other than any classes or series of equity securities of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation (the “Parity Stock’’).

 

3.       Dividends. (a) Holders of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, to the extent permitted by applicable law, cumulative quarterly

 

5



 

cash dividends at the annual rate of Eleven and 724/1000 Dollars ($11.724) per share, in preference to and in priority over any dividends with respect to Junior Stock.

 

(b)     Dividends on the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall begin to accrue and be cumulative (regardless of whether such dividends shall have been declared by the Board of Directors) from and including the date of original issuance of each share of the Series B Preferred, and shall be payable in arrears on January 17, April 17, July 17 and October 17 of each year (each of such dates a “Dividend Payment Date’’), commencing April 17, 1990. Each such dividend shall be payable to the holder or holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on such record dates, not more than thirty (30) calendar days and not less than ten (10) calendar days preceding the Dividend Payment Dates therefor, as are determined by the Board of Directors (each of such dates a “Record Date’’). In any case where the date fixed for any dividend payment with respect to the Series B Preferred shall not be a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but may be made on the next preceding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date fixed therefor, without interest.

 

(c)     The amount of any dividends “accumulated’’ on any share of Series B Preferred at any Dividend Payment Date shall be deemed to be the amount of any unpaid dividends accrued thereon to and excluding such Dividend Payment Date regardless of whether declared, and the amount of dividends “accumulated’’ on any share of Series B Preferred at any date other than a Dividend Payment Date shall be calculated at the amount of any unpaid dividends accrued thereon to and excluding the last preceding B-4 Dividend Payment Date regardless of whether declared, plus an amount calculated on the basis of the annual dividend rate for the period from and including such last preceding Dividend Payment Date to and excluding the date as of which the calculation is made (regardless of whether declared). The amount of dividends payable with respect to a full dividend period on outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by four and the amount of dividends payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly dividend period (including the initial dividend period) shall be computed on the basis of thirty (30)-day months, a three hundred sixty (360)-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the period.

 

(d)     So long as the shares of Series B Preferred shall be outstanding, if (i) the Corporation shall be in default or in arrears with respect to the payment of dividends (regardless of whether declared) on any outstanding shares of Series B Preferred or any other classes or series of equity

 

6



 

securities of the Corporation other than Junior Stock or (ii) the Corporation shall be in default or in arrears with respect to the mandatory or optional redemption, purchase or other acquisition, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any sinking or other similar fund or agreement for the redemption, purchase or other acquisition, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any shares of the Series B Preferred or any other classes or series of equity securities of the Corporation other than Junior Stock, then the Corporation may not (A) declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividends on any shares of Junior Stock, or (B) make any payment on account of, or set apart payment for, the purchase or other acquisition, redemption, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any sinking or other similar fund or agreement for the purchase or other acquisition, redemption, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any shares of Junior Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Junior Stock, other than with respect to any rights that are now or in the future may be issued and outstanding under or pursuant to the Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement dated as of December 4, 1989 between the Corporation and First Chicago Trust Company of New York as Rights Agent, as it may be amended in any respect or extended from time to time or replaced by a new shareholders’ rights plan of any scope or nature (provided that in any amended or extended plan or in any replacement plan any redemption of rights feature permits only nominal redemption payments) (the “Rights Agreement’’), or (C) make any distribution in respect of any shares of Junior Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Junior Stock, whether directly or indirectly, and whether in cash, obligations, or securities of the Corporation or other property, other than dividends or distributions of Junior Stock which is neither convertible into nor exchangeable or exercisable for any securities of the Corporation other than Junior Stock or rights, warrants, options or calls exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Junior Stock or (D) permit any corporation or other entity controlled directly or indirectly by the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire or redeem any shares of Junior Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Junior Stock.

 

(e)     Dividends in arrears with respect to the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred may be declared and paid or set apart for payment at any time and from time to time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the holder or holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on the Record Date established with respect to such payment in arrears. If there shall be outstanding shares of Parity Stock, and if the payment of dividends on any

 

7



 

shares of the Series B Preferred or the Parity Stock is in arrears, the Corporation, in making any dividend payment on account of any shares of the Series B Preferred or Parity Stock, shall make such payment ratably upon all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred and Parity Stock in proportion to the respective amounts of accumulated dividends in arrears upon such shares of the Series B Preferred and Parity Stock to the date of such dividend payment. The Holder or holders of Series B Preferred shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, obligations or securities of the Corporation or other property, in excess of the accumulated dividends on shares of Series B Preferred. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend or other payment or payments which may be in arrears with respect to the Series B Preferred. All dividends paid with respect to the Series B Preferred shall be paid pro rata to the holders entitled thereto.

 

(f)      Subject to the foregoing provisions hereof and applicable law, the Board of Directors (i) may declare and the Corporation may pay or set apart for payment dividends on any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, (ii) may make any payment on account of or set apart payment for a sinking fund or other similar fund or agreement for the purchase or other acquisition, redemption, retirement or other requirement of, or with respect to, any Junior Stock or Parity Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, (iii) may make any distribution in respect to any Junior Stock or Parity Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, whether directly or indirectly, and whether in cash, obligations or securities of the Corporation or other property and (iv) may purchase or otherwise acquire, redeem or retire any Junior Stock or Parity Stock or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, and the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall not be entitled to share therein.

 

4.       Voting Rights. The holder or holders of Series B Preferred shall have no right to vote for any purpose, except as required by applicable law and except as provided in this Section 4.

 

(a)     So long as any shares of Series B Preferred remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holder or holders of at least a majority (or such greater number as required by applicable law) of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to the then outstanding Series B Preferred, voting separately as one class, at a meeting duly held for that purpose, shall be necessary to repeal, amend or otherwise change any of the provisions of the articles of incorporation of the Corporation in any manner which

 

8



 

materially and adversely affects the rights or preferences of the Series B Preferred. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the increase (including the creation or authorization) or decrease in the amount of authorized capital stock of any class or series (excluding the Series B Preferred) shall not be deemed to be an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights or preferences of the Series B Preferred.

 

(b)     The holder or holders of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as if one class. Each share of Series B Preferred in such case shall be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series B Preferred could have been converted on the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote on a particular matter.

 

5.       Optional Redemption. (a) The Series B Preferred shall be redeemable, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at the option of the Corporation, (i) on or before December 31, 1994, if (A) there is a change in any statute, rule or regulation of the United States of America which has the effect of limiting or making unavailable to the Corporation all or any of the tax deductions for amounts paid (including dividends) on the Series B Preferred when such amounts are used as provided under Section 404(k)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect on the date shares of Series B Preferred are initially issued, or (B) the Plan is not initially determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be qualified within the meaning of ss. 401(a) and ss. 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (C) the Plan is terminated by the Board of Directors or otherwise, at the greater of (1) $144.30 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for redemption, or (2) the Fair Market Value of the Series B Preferred redeemed, or (ii) after December 31, 1994, at the following redemption prices per share if redeemed during the twelve (12)-month period ending on and including December 31 in each of the following years:

 

Year

 

Redemption Price
Per Share

 

1995

 

$

149.52

 

1996

 

148.22

 

1997

 

146.92

 

1998

 

145.62

 

1999 and thereafter

 

144.30

 

 

9



 

plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for redemption.

 

(b)     Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Corporation in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (d) of this Section S. On and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of Series B Preferred called for redemption shall cease to accrue, such shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights in respect of such shares shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price.

 

(c)     Unless otherwise required by law, notice of redemption shall be sent to the holder or holders of Series B Preferred at the address shown on the books of the Corporation by first class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the Series B Preferred to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and after such redemption date; and (vi) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised, and the then current Conversion Price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of Series B Preferred at the time. Upon surrender of the certificates for any shares so called for redemption and not previously converted (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be redeemed by the Corporation at the date fixed for redemption and at the redemption price.

 

(d)     The Corporation, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of Series B Preferred in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such shares and cash, any such shares to be valued for such purpose at the average Current Market Price for the five (5) consecutive trading days ending on the trading day next preceding the date of redemption.

 

6.       Other Redemption Rights. Shares of Series B Preferred shall be redeemed by the Corporation at the option of the holder at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon notice to the Corporation accompanied by the properly endorsed certificate or certificates given not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the date

 

10



 

fixed by the holder in such notice for such redemption, when and to the extent necessary (a) for such holder to provide for distributions required to be made under The St. Paul Companies, Inc. Savings Plus Preferred Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, an employee stock ownership plan and trust within the meaning of ss. 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Plan and Trust’’), as the same may be amended, or any successor plans, or (b) for such holder to make payment of principal or interest due and payable (whether as scheduled or upon acceleration) on the 9.40% Note dated January 24, 1990, due January 31, 2005 made by Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, not individually but solely as Trustee for the Plan and Trust, payable to the order of St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company or registered assigns, in the principal amount of One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000) or other indebtedness of the Plan and Trust or if funds otherwise available are not adequate to make a required payment pursuant to such Note or other indebtedness, in each case at a redemption price of the greater of (1) $144.30 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for redemption, or (2) the Fair Market Value of the Series B Preferred redeemed. Upon surrender of the shares to be redeemed, such shares shall be redeemed by the Corporation on the date fixed for redemption and at the applicable redemption price and such price shall be paid within five (5) Business Days after such date of redemption, without interest. The terms and provisions of Sections 5(b) and 5(d) are applicable to any redemption under this Section 6.

 

7.       Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holder or holders of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution of assets shall be made to the holders of shares of Junior Stock, an amount equal to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per share. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the Series B Preferred and any Parity Stock are not paid in full, the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred and of such Parity Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Corporation in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment to the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred of the full preferential amount provided for in this Section 7 and after the payment of any other preferential amounts to the holder or holders of other equity securities of the Corporation, the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall be entitled to share in distributions of any remaining assets with the holders of Common Stock, pro-rata on an as-if-converted basis, to the extent of $44.30 per share plus

 

11



 

accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding the date fixed for such distribution of assets. Written notice of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall be given to the holder or holders of Series B Preferred not less than twenty (20) days prior to the payment date. Neither the voluntary sale, conveyance exchange or transfer (for cash, securities or other consideration) of all or any part of the property or assets of the Corporation, nor the consolidation or merger or other business combination of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations, shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, unless such voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer shall be in connection with a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

8.       Conversion Rights. (a) The holder of any Series B Preferred shall have the right, at the holder’s option, at any time and from time to time, to convert any or all of such shares into the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation determined by dividing One Hundred Forty-four and 30/100 Dollars ($144.30) for each share of Series B Preferred to be converted by the then effective Conversion Price per share of Common Stock, except that if any shares of Series B Preferred are called for redemption by the Corporation or submitted for redemption by the holder thereof, according to the terms and provisions of this Resolution, the conversion rights pertaining to such shares shall terminate at the close of business on the date fixed for redemption (unless the Corporation defaults in the payment of the applicable redemption price). No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred, but if such conversion results in a fraction, an amount shall be paid in cash by the Corporation to the converting holder equal to same fraction of the Current Market Price of the Common Stock on the effective date of the conversion.

 

(b)     The initial conversion price, which is Seventy-two and 15/100 Dollars ($72.15) per share of Common Stock, shall be subject to appropriate adjustment from time to time as follows and such initial conversion price or the latest adjusted conversion price is referred to in this Resolution as the “Conversion Price’’:

 

(i)      In case the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of the Series B Preferred is outstanding (A) pay a dividend in shares of Common Stock, (B) subdivide outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares or (C) combine outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that

 

12



 

the holder of any shares of the Series B Preferred thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation which such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive immediately following such action had such shares of the Series B Preferred been converted immediately prior thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(b)(i) shall become effective retroactively to immediately after the record date for determination of the shareholders entitled to receive the dividend in the case of a dividend and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.

 

(ii)     In case the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of the Series B Preferred is outstanding, distribute or issue rights, warrants, options or calls to all holders of shares of Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock), at a per share price less than the Current Market Price on the record date referred to below, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that it shall equal the Conversion Price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the record date of the distribution or issuance of such rights, warrants, options or calls by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase. For the purpose of this Section 8(b)(ii), the distribution or issuance of rights, warrants, options or calls to subscribe for or purchase securities convertible into Common Stock shall be deemed to be the issuance of rights, warrants, options or calls to purchase the shares of Common Stock into which such securities are convertible at an aggregate offering price equal to the aggregate offering price of such securities plus the minimum aggregate amount (if any) payable upon conversion of such securities into shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that if all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such rights, warrants, options or calls have not been issued when such rights, warrants, options or calls expire, then the Conversion Price shall promptly be readjusted to the Conversion Price which would then be in effect had the adjustment upon the distribution or issuance of such rights, warrants, options or calls been made on the basis of the actual number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of such rights, warrants, options or calls. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(b)(ii) shall become effective retroactively

 

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immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights, warrants, options or calls. This Section 8(b)(ii) shall be inapplicable with respect to any rights issued or to be issued pursuant to or governed by the Rights Agreement.

 

(iii) In the event the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, issue, sell or exchange shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant to (a) any right or warrant now or hereafter outstanding to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock (including as such a right or warrant any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock), (b) any rights issued or to be issued pursuant to or governed by the Rights Agreement and (c) any employee, officer or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any employment, severance or consulting agreement) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation heretofore or hereafter adopted) for a consideration having a Fair Market Value, on the date of such issuance, sale or exchange, less than the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of issuance, sale or exchange, then, subject to the provisions of Sections 8(b)(v) and (vii), the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by the fraction the numerator of which shall be the sum of (x) the Fair Market Value of all the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange plus (y) the Fair Market value of the consideration received by the Corporation in respect of such issuance, sale or exchange of shares of Common Stock, and the denominator of which shall be the product of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange multiplied by (b) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such day plus the number of shares of Common Stock so issued, sold or exchanged by the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, issue, sell or exchange any right or warrant to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock (including as such a right or warrant any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock), other than any such issuance (a) to holders of shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution (including by way of a reclassification of shares or a recapitalization of the Corporation), (b) pursuant to any employee, officer or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any employment, severance or consulting agreement) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation heretofore or hereafter adopted, (c) of rights issued or to be issued pursuant to or governed by the Rights Agreement and (d) which is covered by the terms and provisions of Section 8(b)(ii) hereof, for a

 

14



 

consideration having a Fair Market Value, on the date of such issuance, sale or exchange, less than the Non-Dilutive Amount, then, subject to the provisions of Sections 8(b)(v) and (vii) hereof, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the sum of (I) the Fair Market Value of all the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange plus (II) the Fair Market Value of the consideration received by the Corporation in respect of such issuance, sale or exchange or such right or warrant plus (III) the Fair Market Value at the time of such issuance of the consideration which the Corporation would receive upon exercise in full of all such rights or warrants, and the denominator of which shall be the product of (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day immediately preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange multiplied by (y) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such day plus the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which  could be acquired pursuant to such right or warrant at the time of the issuance, sale or exchange of such right or warrant (assuming shares of Common Stock could be acquired pursuant to such right or warrant at such time).

 

(iv) In the event the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, make an Extraordinary Distribution in respect of the Common Stock, whether by dividend, distribution, reclassification of shares or recapitalization of the Corporation (including a recapitalization or reclassification effected by a merger or consolidation to which Section 8(c) hereof does not apply) or effect a Pro Rata Repurchase of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such Extraordinary Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase shall, subject to Sections 8(b)(v) and (vii) hereof, be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by the fraction the numerator of which is the difference between (a) the product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such Extraordinary Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase multiplied by (y) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day before the ex-dividend date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid in cash and on the distribution date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid other than in cash, or on the applicable expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of any tender offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase, or on the date of purchase with respect to any Pro Rata Repurchase which is not a tender offer, as the case may be, and (b) the Fair Market Value of the Extraordinary Distribution or the aggregate purchase price of the Pro Rata Repurchase, as the case may be, and the denominator of which shall be the product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding

 

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immediately before such Extraordinary Dividend or Pro Rata Repurchase minus, in the case of a Pro Rata Repurchase, the number of shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Corporation multiplied by (y) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day before the ex-dividend date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid in cash and on the distribution date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid other than in cash, or on the applicable expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of any tender offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase or on the date of purchase with respect to any Pro Rata Repurchase which is not a tender offer, as the case may be. The Corporation shall send each holder of Series B Preferred (i) notice of its intent to make any dividend or distribution and (ii) notice of any offer by the Corporation to make a Pro Rata Repurchase, in each case at the same time as, or as soon as practicable after, such offer is first communicated (including by announcement of a record date in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading) to holders of Common Stock. Such notice shall indicate the intended record date and the amount and nature of such dividend or distribution, or the number of shares subject to such offer for a Pro Rata Repurchase and the purchase price payable by the Corporation pursuant to such offer, as well as the Conversion Price and the number of shares of Common Stock into which a share of Series B Preferred may be converted at such time.

 

(v)     If the Corporation shall make any dividend or distribution on the Common Stock or issue any Common Stock, other capital stock or other security of the Corporation or any rights or warrants to purchase or acquire any such security, which transaction does not result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 8, the Board of Directors shall consider whether such action is of such a nature that an adjustment to the Conversion Price should equitably be made in respect of such transaction. If in such case the Board of Directors determines that an adjustment to the Conversion Price should be made, an adjustment shall be made effective as of such date, as determined by the Board of Directors (which adjustment shall in no event adversely affect the rights or preferences of the Series B Preferred as set forth herein). The determination of the Board of Directors as to whether an adjustment to the Conversion Price should be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b)(v), and, if so, as to what adjustment should be made and when, shall be final and binding on the Corporation and all shareholders of the Corporation.

 

(vi) In addition to the foregoing adjustments, the Corporation may, but shall not be required to, make such adjustments in the Conversion Price as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for federal

 

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income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall either not be taxable to the recipients or shall be taxable to the recipients to the minimum extent reasonable under the circumstances, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

 

(vii) In no event shall an adjustment in the Conversion Price be required unless such adjustment would result in an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) in the Conversion Price then in effect; provided, however, that any such adjustments that are not made shall be carried forward and taken into account in determining whether any subsequent adjustment is required. In no event shall the Conversion Price be adjusted to an amount less than any minimum required by law. Except as set forth in this Section 8, the Conversion Price shall not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or carrying the right or option to purchase or otherwise acquire the foregoing, in exchange for cash, other property or services.

 

(viii) Whenever an adjustment in the Conversion Price is required, the Corporation shall forthwith place on file with its transfer agent (or if the Corporation performs the functions of a transfer agent, with the corporate secretary) a statement signed by its chief executive officer or a vice president and by its secretary, assistant secretary or treasurer, stating the adjusted Conversion Price determined as provided herein. Such statements shall set forth in reasonable detail such facts as shall be necessary to show the reason and the manner of computing such adjustment. As soon as practicable after the adjustment of the Conversion Price, the Corporation shall mail a notice thereof to each holder of shares of the Series B Preferred of such adjustment.

 

(ix) In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8, the holder of any shares of Series B Preferred hereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive any securities other than shares of Common Stock, thereafter the amount of such other securities so receivable upon conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly as equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Stock contained in this Section 8, and the provisions of this Section 8 with respect to the Common Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other securities.

 

(c)     In case of any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation (other than a merger in which the Corporation is the surviving corporation), or in case of any sale or transfer of

 

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substantially all the assets of the Corporation, or in case of reclassification, capital reorganization or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than combinations or subdivisions described in Section 8(b)(i) and other than Extraordinary Distributions described in Section 8(b)(iv)), there shall be no adjustment to the Conversion Price then in effect, but appropriate provisions shall be made so that any holder of Series B Preferred shall be entitled, after the occurrence (or, if applicable, the record date) of any such event (“Transaction’’), to receive on conversion the consideration which the holder would have received had the holder converted such holder’s Series B Preferred to Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of the Transaction and had such holder, if applicable, elected to receive the consideration in the form and manner elected by the plurality of the electing holders of Common Stock. In any such Transaction, effective provisions shall be made to ensure that the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall receive the consideration that they are entitled to receive pursuant to the provisions hereof, and in particular, as a condition to any consolidation or merger in which the holders of securities into which the Series B Preferred is then convertible are entitled to receive equity securities of another corporation, such other corporation shall expressly assume the obligation to deliver, upon conversion of the Series B Preferred, such equity securities as the holder or holders of the Series B Preferred shall be entitled to receive pursuant to the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(c), in the event the consideration to be received pursuant to the provisions hereof is not to be constituted solely of employer securities within the meaning of Section 409(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and of a cash payment in lieu of any fractional securities, then the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred shall be deemed converted by virtue of the Transaction immediately prior to the consummation thereof into the number and kind of securities into which such shares of Series B Preferred could have been voluntarily converted at such time and such securities shall be entitled to participate fully in the Transaction as if such securities had been outstanding on the appropriate record, exchange or distribution date. In the event the Corporation shall enter into any agreement providing for any Transaction, then the Corporation shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least ten (10) Business Days before consummation of the Transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of Series B Preferred and each such holder shall have the right, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to elect, by written notice to the Corporation, to receive, upon consummation of the Transaction (if and when the Transaction is consummated), from the Corporation or the successor of the Corporation, in redemption of such Series B Preferred, a cash payment per share equal to the amount

 

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determined according to the following table, with the redemption date to be deemed to be the same date that the Transaction giving rise to the redemption election is consummated:

 

Transaction Consummated
In Year Ending
December 31

 

Redemption Price
Per Share

 

1990

 

$

156.02

 

1991

 

154.72

 

1992

 

153.42

 

1993

 

152.12

 

1994

 

150.82

 

1995

 

149.52

 

1996

 

148.22

 

1997

 

146.92

 

1998

 

145.62

 

1999 and thereafter

 

144.30

 

 

plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, without interest, to and excluding such deemed redemption date. No such notice of redemption by the holder of Series B Preferred shall be effective unless given to the Corporation prior to the close of business at least two (2) Business Days prior to consummation of the Transaction.

 

(d)     The holder or holders of Series B Preferred as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on a dividend payment Record Date shall be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the subsequent conversion thereof or the Corporation’s default on payment of the dividend due on such Dividend Payment Date; provided, however, that the holder or holders of Series B Preferred subject to redemption on a redemption date after such Record Date and before such Dividend Payment Date shall not be entitled under this provision to receive such dividend on such Dividend Payment Date. However, shares of Series B Preferred surrendered for conversion during the period after any dividend payment Record Date and before the corresponding Dividend Payment Date (except shares subject to redemption on a redemption date during such period) must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the dividend payable on such shares on such Dividend Payment Date. The holder or holders of Series B Preferred as they appear on the stock books of the Corporation at the close of business on a dividend payment Record Date who convert shares of Series B Preferred on a Dividend Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such Series B Preferred by the Corporation on such Dividend Payment Date, and the converting holders need not include payment in the amount of such dividend upon surrender of shares of Series B Preferred for conversion.

 

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Except as provided above, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends (whether or not accumulated and in arrears) on converted shares or for dividends on the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion.

 

(e)     Each conversion of shares of Series B Preferred into shares of Common Stock shall be effected by the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the shares to be converted, accompanied by instruments of transfer satisfactory to the Corporation and sufficient to transfer such shares to the Corporation free of any adverse claims (the “Converting Shares’’), at the principal executive office of the Corporation (or such other office or agency of the Corporation as the Corporation may designate by written notice to the holder or holders of Series B Preferred) at any time during its respective usual business hours, together with written notice by the holder of such Converting Shares, stating that such holder desires to convert the Converting Shares, or a stated number of the shares represented by such certificate or certificates, into such number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares may be converted (the “Converted Shares’’). Such notice shall also state the name or names (with addresses and federal taxpayer identification numbers) and denominations in which the certificate or certificates for the Converted Shares are to be issued, shall include instructions for the delivery thereof and shall include such other information as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably request. Promptly after such surrender and the receipt of such written notice and the receipt of any required transfer documents and payments representing dividends as described above, the Corporation shall issue and deliver in accordance with the surrendering holder’s instructions the certificate or certificates evidencing the Converted Shares issuable upon such conversion, and the Corporation will deliver to the converting holder (without cost to the holder) a certificate (which shall contain such legends as were set forth on the surrendered certificate or certificates) representing any shares of Series B Preferred which were represented by the certificate or certificates that were delivered to the Corporation in connection with such conversion, but which were not converted.

 

(f)      Such conversion, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be deemed to have been effected at the close of business on the date on which such certificate or certificates shall have been surrendered and such notice and any required transfer documents and payments representing dividends shall have been received by the Corporation, and at such time the rights of the holder of the Converting Shares as such holder shall cease, and the person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or certificates for the Converted Shares are to be issued upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of

 

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record of the Converted Shares. Upon issuance of shares in accordance herewith, such Converted Shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. From and after the effectiveness of any such conversion, shares of the Series B Preferred so converted shall, upon compliance with applicable law, be restored to the status of authorized but unissued undesignated shares, until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board of Directors.

 

(g)     Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be required to record the conversion of, and no holder of shares shall be entitled to convert, shares of Series B Preferred into shares of Common Stock unless such conversion is permitted under applicable law; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be entitled to rely without independent verification upon the representation of any holder that the conversion of shares by such holder is permitted under applicable law, and in no event shall the Corporation be liable to any such holder or any third party arising from any such conversion whether or not permitted by applicable law.

 

(h)     The Corporation will pay any and all stamp, transfer or other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of Common Stock received upon conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred, but shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Stock in a name other than that in which such shares of Series B Preferred were registered and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such conversion shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of any and all such taxes or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such taxes have been paid in full.

 

(i)      The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Series B Preferred, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock or other securities as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred.

 

(j)      Whenever the Corporation shall issue shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred as contemplated by this Section 8, the Corporation shall issue together with each such share of Common Stock one Right (as defined in the Rights Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Rights Agreement.

 

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9.       Transfer Restriction. Shares of Series B Preferred shall be issued only to the Plan and Trust and the certificate or certificates representing such shares so issued may be registered in the name of the Plan and Trust or in the name of one or more Trustees acting on behalf of the Plan and Trust (or the nominee name of any such trustee). In the event the Plan and Trust, acting through any such trustee or otherwise, should transfer beneficial or record ownership of one or more shares of Series B Preferred to any person or entity, the shares of Series B Preferred so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Corporation or the Plan and Trust or anyone else, shall be automatically converted, as of the time of such transfer, into shares of Common Stock on the terms otherwise provided for the voluntary conversion of shares of Series B Preferred into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 8 hereof and no transferee of such share or shares shall thereafter have or receive any of the rights and preferences of the shares of Series B Preferred so converted. Certificates representing shares of Series B Preferred shall be legended to reflect the aforesaid restriction on transfer. Shares of Series B Preferred may also be subject to restrictions on transfer which relate to the securities laws of the United States of America or any state or other jurisdiction thereof.

 

10.     No other Rights. The shares of Series B Preferred shall not have any rights or preferences, except as set forth herein or as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

11.     Rules and Regulations. The Board of Directors shall have the right and authority from time to time to prescribe rules and regulations as it may determine to be necessary or advisable in its sole discretion for the administration of the Series B Preferred in accordance with the foregoing provisions and applicable law.

 

12.     Definitions. For purposes of this Resolution, the following definitions shall apply:

 

“Adjustment Period’’ shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive trading days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

 

“Business Day’’ shall mean each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.

 

“Current Market Price’’ of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Corporation or any

 

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other issuer for any day shall mean the last reported sales price, regular way, or, in the event that no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if such security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on a principal national securities exchange on which such security is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ’’) or, if such security is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on each such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for such security on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in such security selected for such purpose by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

“Extraordinary Distribution’’ shall mean any dividend or other distribution to holders of Common Stock (effected while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding) (i) of cash (other than a regularly scheduled quarterly dividend not exceeding 135% of the average quarterly dividend for the four quarters immediately preceding such dividend), where the aggregate amount of such cash dividend or distribution together with the amount of all cash dividends and distributions made during the preceding period of twelve (12) months, when combined with the aggregate amount of all Pro Rata Repurchases (for this purpose, including only that portion of the aggregate purchase price of such Pro Rata Repurchase which is in excess of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock repurchased as determined on the applicable expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of any tender offer or exchange offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase, or the date of purchase with respect to any other Pro Rata Repurchase which is not a tender offer or exchange offer made during such period), exceeds ten percent (10%) of the aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares of Common Stock outstanding on the day before the ex-dividend date with respect to such Extraordinary Distribution which is paid in cash and on the distribution date with respect to an Extraordinary Distribution which is paid other than in cash, and/or (ii) of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation (other than shares of Common Stock), other securities of the Corporation (other than securities of the type referred to in Section 8(b)(ii) or (iii) hereof), evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation or any other person or any other property (including shares of any subsidiary of the Corporation) or any combination thereof. The Fair Market Value of an Extraordinary Distribution for

 

23



 

purposes of Section 8(b)(iv) hereof shall be equal to the sum of the Fair Market Value of such Extraordinary Distribution plus the amount of any cash dividends (other than regularly scheduled dividends not exceeding 135% of the aggregate quarterly dividends for the preceding period of twelve (12) months) which are not Extraordinary Distributions made during such 12-month period and not previously included in the calculation of an adjustment pursuant to Section 8(b)(iv) hereof.

 

“Fair Market Value’’ shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Corporation or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value’’ of any security which is not publicly traded or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, or, if no such investment banking or appraisal firm is in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors or such committee available to make such determination, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or such committee. The Fair Market Value of the Series B Preferred for purposes of Section 5(a) hereof and for purposes of Section 6 hereof shall be as determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and Trust, as of the most recent Valuation Date, as defined in the Plan and Trust.

 

“Non-Dilutive Amount’’ in respect of an issuance, sale or exchange by the Corporation of any right or warrant to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock (including any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock) shall mean the difference between (i) the product of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day preceding the first public announcement of such issuance, sale or exchange multiplied by the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which could be acquired on such date upon the exercise in full of such rights and warrants (including upon the conversion or exchange of all such convertible or exchangeable securities), whether or not exercisable (or convertible or exchangeable) at such date, and (ii) the aggregate amount payable pursuant to such right or warrant to purchase or acquire such maximum number of shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the Non-Dilutive Amount be less than zero. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, in the case of a security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, the amount payable pursuant to a right or warrant to purchase or acquire shares of Common Stock shall

 

24



 

be the Fair Market Value of such security on the date of the issuance, sale or exchange of such security by the Corporation.

 

“Pro Rata Repurchase’’ shall mean any purchase of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, whether for cash, shares of capital stock of the Corporation, other securities of the Corporation, evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation or any other person or any other property (including shares of a subsidiary of the Corporation), or any combination thereof, effected while any of the shares of Series B Preferred are outstanding, pursuant to any tender offer or exchange offer subject to Section 13(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act’’), or any successor provision of law, or pursuant to any other offer available to substantially all holders of Common Stock; provided, however, that no purchase of shares by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof made in open market transactions shall be deemed a Pro Rata Repurchase. For purposes of this definition, shares shall be deemed to have been purchased by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof “in open market transactions’’ if they have been purchased substantially in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10b-18, as in effect under the Exchange Act, on the date shares of Series B Preferred are initially issued by the Corporation or on such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall have determined are reasonably designed to prevent such purchases from having a material effect on the trading market for the Common Stock

 

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Exhibit B

 

BYLAWS OF

 

THE ST. PAUL TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1.        Registered Office.  The registered office of the corporation required by Chapter 302A of the Minnesota Statutes (“Chapter 302A”) to be maintained in the State of Minnesota is 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.

 

Section 2.        Principal Executive Office.  The principal executive office of the corporation, where the chief executive officer of the corporation has an office, is 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 1.        Place Of Meeting.  All meetings of the shareholders shall be held at the registered office of the corporation or, except for a meeting called by or at the demand of a shareholder, at such other place as may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors (the “board” or “board of directors”).

 

Section 2.        Regular Annual Meeting.  A regular annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such day in each calendar year as shall be determined by the board for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of any other business appropriate for action by the shareholders.

 

Section 3.        Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer or by two or more directors or by a shareholder or shareholders holding ten percent or more of the voting power of all shares entitled to vote; except that a special meeting called by shareholders for the purpose of considering any action to directly or indirectly facilitate or effect a business combination, including any action to change or otherwise affect the composition of the board of directors for that purpose, must be called by twenty-five percent or more of the voting power of all shares entitled to vote.  A shareholder or shareholders holding the requisite voting power may demand a special meeting of shareholders only by giving the written notice of demand required by law. Special meetings shall be held on the date and at the time and place fixed as provided by law.

 



 

Section 4.        Notice.  Notice of all meetings of shareholders shall be given to every holder of shares entitled to vote in the manner and pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 302A.

 

Section 5.        Record Date.  The board or an officer so authorized by the board shall fix a record date not more than 60 days before the date of a meeting of shareholders as the date for the determination of the holders of voting shares entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 6.        Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting present in person or by proxy at the meeting are a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present when a meeting is convened, the shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment sine die, even though the withdrawal of a number of shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion otherwise required for a quorum.

 

Section 7.        Voting Rights.  Unless otherwise provided in the terms of the shares, a shareholder has one vote for each share held on a record date. A shareholder may cast a vote in person or by proxy. Such vote shall be by written ballot unless the chairman of the meeting determines to request a voice vote on a particular matter.

 

Section 8.        Proxies.  The chairman of the meeting shall, after shareholders have had a reasonable opportunity to vote and file proxies, close the polls after which no further ballots, proxies, or revocations shall be received or considered.

 

Section 9.        Act of the Shareholders.  Except as otherwise provided by Chapter 302A or by the amended and restated articles of incorporation of the corporation, the shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares present and entitled to vote on that item of business.

 

Section 10.      Business of the Meeting.  At any annual meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (i) by or at the direction of the board or (ii) by any shareholder who is entitled to vote with respect thereto and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 10. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the corporate secretary. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive office of the corporation not less than 60 days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholders to be timely must be received not later than the close of business

 

2



 

on the 10th day following the day of which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A shareholder’s notice to the corporate secretary shall set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s share register, of the shareholder proposing such business; (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation’s capital stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder; and (iv) any material interest of such shareholder in such business.  Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted at the annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10. The officer of the corporation or other person presiding over the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10 and, if he shall so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business so determined to be not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

At any special meeting of shareholders, the business transacted shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting. With respect to a special meeting held pursuant to the demand of a shareholder or shareholders, the purposes shall be limited to those specified in the demand in the event that the shareholder or shareholders are entitled by law to call the meeting because the board does not do so.

 

Section 11.      Nomination of Directors.  Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these bylaws shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the board of the corporation may be made at a meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) on behalf of the board of directors, by the Governance Committee of the board of directors in accordance with Article V of these bylaws and subject to paragraph (b) of Article VII of the amended and restated articles of incorporation or (ii) by any shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the board as described in clause (i) above, shall be made by timely notice in writing to the corporate secretary. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive office of the corporation not less than 60 days prior to the date of the meeting, provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior disclosure of the date of this meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholders to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such shareholder’s notice shall set forth (i) as

 

3



 

to each person whom such shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and (ii) as to the shareholder giving the notice (a) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s share register, of such shareholder and (b) the class and number of shares of the corporation’s capital stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder, and shall be accompanied by the written consent of each such person to serve as a director of the corporation, if elected.  At the request of the board acting through the Governance Committee, any person nominated at the direction of the board by such committee for election as a director shall furnish to the corporate secretary that information required to be set forth in a shareholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11. The officer of the corporation or other person presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with such provisions and, if he shall so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

ARTICLE III

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.        Board to Manage.  The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board.

 

Section 2.        Number and Term of Office.  Subject to Article V of these bylaws and Article VII of the amended and restated articles of incorporation, the number of directors shall be determined by the board of directors from time to time. Each director shall be elected to serve for a term that expires at the next regular annual meeting of the shareholders and when a successor is elected and has qualified, or at the time of the earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification of the director.

 

Section 3.        Meetings of the Board.  The board may hold meetings either within or without the State of Minnesota at such places as the board may select. If the board fails to select a place for a meeting, the meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation; provided, that one meeting each calendar year shall be held within the State of Connecticut.  Five regular meetings of the board shall be held each year. One shall be held immediately following the regular annual meeting of the shareholders. The other four regular meetings shall be held on dates and at times determined by the board. No notice of a regular

 

4



 

meeting is required if the date, time and place of the meeting has been announced at a previous meeting of the board. A special meeting of the board may be called by any director or by the chief executive officer by giving, or causing the corporate secretary to give, at least 24 hours’ notice to all directors of the date, time and place of the meeting.  If present, the chairman and the chief executive officer shall jointly preside at all meetings of the board.

 

Section 4.        Advance Action by Absent Directors.  A director may give advance written consent or opposition to a proposal to be acted on at a board meeting.

 

Section 5.        Electronic Communications.  A board meeting may be held and participation in a meeting may be effected by means of any form of communications permitted by Chapter 302A.

 

Section 6.        Quorum.  At all meetings of the board, a majority of the directors then holding office is a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn a meeting from time to time until a quorum is present. If a quorum is present when a meeting is convened, the directors present may continue to transact business until adjournment sine die, even though the withdrawal of a number of directors originally present leaves less than the proportion otherwise required for a quorum.

 

Section 7.        Act of the Board.  Except as otherwise provided by the amended and restated articles of incorporation, the board shall take action by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors present at a meeting. In addition, the board may act without a meeting by written action signed (or consented to by authenticated electronic communication) by all of the directors then holding office or, on or after January 1, 2006, as otherwise provided in the amended and restated articles of incorporation.

 

Section 8.        Board-Appointed Committees.  Subject to Article V of these bylaws and Article VII of the amended and restated articles of incorporation: (a) a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then holding office may establish committees having the authority of the board in the management of the business of the corporation; and (b) any committee, to the extent provided in the applicable resolution of the board of directors or in the bylaws, shall, to the extent permitted by law, have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the board of directors.

 

Section 9.        Chairman of the Board.  Subject to Article VII of the amended and restated articles of incorporation, the board shall at its regular meeting each year immediately following the regular annual shareholders meeting elect from its number a chairman of the board who shall serve until the next regular meeting of the board immediately following the regular annual shareholders meeting.  The

 

5



 

chairman may be (but shall not be required to be) the chief executive officer or another executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to Article VII of the amended and restated articles of incorporation:

 

(a)          consult with the chief executive officer and the board on the strategic direction of the corporation;

 

(b)         report solely to the board;

 

(c)          jointly preside with the chief executive officer at all meetings of the board; and

 

(d)         perform such other duties prescribed by the board or these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1.        Required Officers.  The corporation shall have officers who shall serve as chief executive officer and chief financial officer and such other officers as the board shall determine from time to time.  All senior officers of the corporation other than the chairman of the board shall report to the chief executive officer.

 

Section 2.        Chief Executive Officer.  The board shall at its regular meeting each year immediately following the regular annual shareholders meeting elect from its number a chief executive officer who shall serve until the next regular meeting of the board immediately following the regular annual shareholders meeting. Subject to Article VII of the amended and restated articles of incorporation, the chief executive officer shall

 

(a)          in consultation with the chairman and the board, have responsibility for planning the strategic direction of the company;

 

(b)         subject to the direction of the board, have responsibility for the supervision, coordination and management of the business and affairs of the corporation;

 

(c)          preside at all shareholder meetings and jointly preside with the chairman at meetings of the board;

 

(d)         have responsibility to direct and guide operations to achieve corporate profit, growth and social responsibility objectives;

 

(e)          report solely to the board;

 

6



 

(f)            see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect; and

 

(g)         perform such other duties prescribed by the board or these bylaws.

 

Section 3.        Chief Financial Officer.  The board shall elect one or more officers, however denominated, to serve at the pleasure of the board who shall together share the function of chief financial officer. The function of chief financial officer shall be to

 

(a)          cause accurate financial records to be maintained for the corporation;

 

(b)         cause all funds belonging to the corporation to be deposited in the name of and to the credit of the corporation in banks and other depositories selected pursuant to general and specific board resolutions;

 

(c)          cause corporate funds to be disbursed as appropriate in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)         cause appropriate internal control systems to be developed, maintained, improved and implemented; and

 

(e)          perform other duties prescribed by the board or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 4.        Chief Legal Officer.  The board shall elect a chief legal officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The chief legal officer shall

 

(a)          serve as the senior legal counsel to the corporation;

 

(b)         have responsibility for oversight and administration of the corporation’s legal and regulatory affairs; and

 

(c)          perform other duties prescribed by the board or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 5.        Chief Investments Officer.  The board shall elect a chief investments officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The chief investments officer shall

 

(a)          have responsibility for the administration of the corporation’s investment portfolio;

 

7



 

(b)         have responsibility for the supervision and oversight of compliance with the corporation’s investment policies;

 

(c)          have responsibility for monitoring the performance of investment managers, external and internal, and making recommendations to the chief executive officer with respect thereto; and

 

(d)         perform such other duties prescribed by the board or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 6.        Corporate Secretary.  The board shall elect a corporate secretary who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The corporate secretary shall

 

(a)          be present at and maintain records of and certify proceedings of the board and the shareholders and, if requested, of the executive committee and other board committees;

 

(b)         serve as custodian of all official corporate records other than those of a financial nature;

 

(c)          cause the corporation to maintain appropriate records of share transfers and shareholders; and

 

(d)         perform other duties prescribed by the board or the chief executive officer.

 

In the absence of the corporate secretary, a secretary, assistant secretary or other officer shall be designated by the chief executive officer to carry out the duties of corporate secretary.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CERTAIN GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

Section 1.        Definitions

 

Effective Time” has the meaning specified in the amended and restated articles of incorporation.

 

Replacement St. Paul Director” means a director designated pursuant to this Article V by the St. Paul Directors who are members of the Governance Committee of the board (i) to fill a vacancy on the board of directors or (ii) to be nominated for election to the board of directors by the shareholders of the corporation.

 

8



 

Replacement Travelers Director” means a director designated pursuant to this Article V by the Travelers Directors who are members of the Governance Committee of the board (i) to fill a vacancy on the board of directors or (ii) to be nominated for election to the board of directors by the shareholders of the corporation.

 

Specified Period” has the meaning specified in the amended and restated articles of incorporation.

 

St. Paul Directors” means (i) those eleven directors designated by the corporation to serve as members of the board of directors as of the Effective Time pursuant to a contractual right of the corporation to designate such directors and (ii) any Replacement St. Paul Director.

 

Travelers” means Travelers Property Casualty Corp., a Connecticut corporation.

 

Travelers Directors” means (i) those twelve Directors designated by Travelers to serve as members of the board of directors as of the Effective Time pursuant to a contractual right of Travelers to designate such directors and (ii) any Replacement Travelers Director.

 

Section 2.        Governance Committee of the Board.

 

(a)          The Governance Committee of the board of directors shall be composed of six members, three of whom (including a co-chairman) shall, during the Specified Period, be Travelers Directors and three of whom (including a co-chairman) shall, during the Specified Period, be St. Paul Directors.

 

(b)         The Governance Committee shall have responsibility for undertaking a complete review of the corporation’s governance standards and policies and shall make a comprehensive governance recommendation to the board of directors at the end of the Specified Period or on such earlier date as the Governance Committee shall determine.

 

(c)          The Governance Committee shall have the exclusive delegated authority of the board to nominate individuals for election to the board of directors by the shareholders of the corporation and to designate individuals to fill newly created positions on the board of directors and, during the Specified Period, the Governance Committee shall exercise such authority only by the affirmative vote of a least two-thirds of its members.  The Governance Committee

 

9



 

shall seek meaningful input on nominations from the chairman and the chief executive officer.

 

(d)         During the Specified Period (i) a majority of the membership of the Governance Committee who are Travelers Directors shall have the exclusive delegated authority of the board to fill any vacancy on the board of directors, or on any committee of the board of directors, formerly held by a Travelers Director and (ii) a majority of the membership of the Governance Committee who are St. Paul Directors shall have the exclusive delegated authority of the board to fill any vacancy on the board of directors, or on any committee of the board of directors, formerly held by a St. Paul Director.

 

(e)          During the Specified Period, any recommendation by the Governance Committee to change the size or chairmanship of the board or any committee of the board, the responsibilities of, or the authority delegated to, any committee of the board, the ratio of the number of Travelers Directors to the number of St. Paul Directors on the board or any committee of the board shall require the approval of four members of the Governance Committee.

 

Section 3.        Amendments.  During the Specified Period, any amendment by the board of this Article V shall require the approval of two-thirds of the members of the board.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

SHARE CERTIFICATES/TRANSFER

 

Section 1.        Certificated and Uncertificated Shares.  The shares of this corporation shall be either certificated shares or uncertificated shares.  Each holder of duly issued certificated shares is entitled to a certificate of shares, which shall be in such form as prescribed by law and adopted by the board.

 

Section 2.        Transfer of Shares.  Transfer of shares on the books of the corporation shall be made by the transfer agent and registrar in accordance with procedures adopted by the board.

 

Section 3.        Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  No certificate for certificated shares of the corporation shall be issued in place of one claimed to be lost, stolen or destroyed except in compliance with Section 336.8-405, Minnesota Statutes, as amended from time to time, and the corporation may require a satisfactory bond of indemnity protecting the corporation against any claim by reason of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate.

 

10



 

ARTICLE VII

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.        Voting of Shares.  The chief executive officer, any vice president or the corporate secretary, unless some other person is appointed by the board, may vote shares of any other corporation held or owned by the corporation and may take any required action with respect to investments in other types of legal entities.

 

Section 2.        Execution of Documents.  Deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other documents and instruments pertaining to the business and affairs of the corporation may be signed and delivered on behalf of the corporation by the chief executive officer, any vice president or corporate secretary or by such other person or by such other officers as the board may specify.

 

Section 3.        Transfer of Assignment of Securities.  The chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief legal officer, chief investments officer, treasurer, or any vice president, corporate secretary, secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation shall execute the transfer and assignment of any securities owned by or held in the name of the corporation. The transfer and assignment of securities held in the name of a nominee of the corporation may be accomplished pursuant to the contract between the corporation and the nominee.

 

Section 4.        Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on December 31 of each year.

 

Section 5.        Seal.  The corporation shall have a circular seal bearing the name of the corporation and an impression of a man at a plow, a gun leaning against a stump and an Indian on horseback.

 

Section 6.        Indemnification.  The corporation shall indemnify and make permitted advances to a person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his former or present official capacity (as defined in Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes, as amended from time to time) against judgments, penalties, fines (including without limitation excise taxes assessed against the person with respect to an employee benefit plan), settlements and reasonable expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by such person in connection with the proceeding in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted or required by Section 302A.521, as amended from time to time.

 

11


Exhibit C

 

FORM OF AFFILIATE AGREEMENT

 

[Date]

 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc.

385 St. Paul Street

Saint Paul, MN 55101

 

Re: Rule 145 Restrictions

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The St. Paul Companies, Inc. a Minnesota corporation (“St. Paul”), Adams Acquisition Corp., a Connecticut corporation and a wholly-owned first tier subsidiary of St. Paul (“Merger Sub”) and Travelers Property Casualty Corp., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 16, 2003 (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Merger Sub would be merged (the “Merger”) with and into the Company, and each outstanding share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company would be converted into the right to receive common stock, without designated par value, of St. Paul (“Shares”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Merger Agreement.

 

The undersigned has been advised that as of the date the Merger is submitted to stockholders of the Company for approval, the undersigned may be an “affiliate” of the Company as the term “affiliate” is defined for purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 of the Rules and Regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

 

The undersigned represents, warrants and covenants to St. Paul that in the event the undersigned receives any Shares as a result of the Merger:

 

A.            At the time the Merger was submitted for a vote of the stockholders of the Company, (a) the undersigned may be deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company and (b) since the distribution by the undersigned of the Shares has not been registered under the Act, the undersigned may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Shares issued to the undersigned in the Merger unless (i) such sale, transfer or other disposition has been registered under the Act, (ii) such sale, transfer or other disposition is made in conformity with the provisions of Rule 145 promulgated by the Commission under the Act (as such rule may hereinafter from time to time be amended), or (iii) in the opinion

 



 

of counsel reasonably acceptable to St. Paul, or in accordance with a “no action” letter obtained by the undersigned from the staff of the Commission, such sale, transfer or other disposition will not violate or is otherwise exempt from registration under the Act.

 

B.            The undersigned understands that St. Paul is under no obligation to register the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shares by the undersigned or on the undersigned’s behalf under the Act.

 

C.            The undersigned also understands that stop transfer instructions will be given to St. Paul’s transfer agents with respect to the Shares issued to the undersigned and that there will be placed on the certificates for the Shares issued to the undersigned, or any substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance:

 

“The shares represented by this certificate were issued in a transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 applies. The shares represented by this certificate may only be transferred in accordance with the terms of an agreement dated                , 20      between the registered holder hereof and The St. Paul Companies, Inc., a copy of which agreement is on file at the principal offices of The St. Paul Companies, Inc.”

 

D.            The undersigned also understands that unless the transfer by the undersigned of the undersigned’s Shares has been registered under the Act or is a sale made in conformity with the provisions of Rule 145 under the Act, St. Paul reserves the right to put the following legend on the certificates issued to any transferee of such Shares from the undersigned:

 

“The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and were acquired from a person who received such shares in a transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 applies. The shares have been acquired by the holder not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.”

 

E.             St. Paul agrees that the stop transfer instructions and legends referred to above shall be terminated or removed if (A) one year shall have elapsed from the date of the effective time of the Merger and the provisions of Rule 145(d)(2) under the Act are then available to the undersigned, (B) two years shall have elapsed from the date of the effective time of the Merger and the provisions of Rule 145(d)(3) under the Act are then available to the undersigned or (C) the undersigned shall have delivered to St. Paul a copy of a letter from the

 

2



 

staff of the SEC or an opinion of counsel with recognized expertise in securities law matters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to St. Paul, to the effect that such instructions and legends are not required for the purposes of the Act.

 

F.             The undersigned has carefully read this letter and the Agreement and discussed its requirements and other applicable limitations upon the undersigned’s ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Shares, to the extent the undersigned felt necessary, with counsel of the undersigned or counsel for the Company.

 

By its acceptance hereof, St. Paul agrees, for a period of two years after the Effective Time (as defined in the Agreement), that it, as the surviving corporation, will file on a timely basis all reports required to be filed by it pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, so that the public information provisions of Rule 144(c) under the Act are satisfied and the resale provisions of Rules 145(d)(1) and (2) under the Act are therefore available to the undersigned in the event the undersigned desires to transfer any Shares issued to the undersigned in the Merger.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Accepted this           day
of                            , 200[4] by

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.,

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

3


EX-10.U 5 a04-2923_2ex10du.htm EX-10.U

EXHIBIT 10(u)

 

April 18, 2002

 

 

Mr. William H. Heyman

1111 Park Avenue, Apt. 9C

New York, NY  10128

 

Dear Bill:

 

It is my pleasure to provide you with this letter to confirm our offer for the position of Executive Vice President – Chief Investment Officer reporting directly to me.  I am very excited about the future of The St. Paul, and your leadership and experience will be invaluable in building a successful company.

 

Your employment terms and total compensation package will consist of the following (effective on the first day of employment):

 

Term

 

The term of this agreement shall be three (3) years from the first day of employment.

 

 

 

Base Salary

 

$500,000 per annum

 

 

 

Annual Incentives

 

You will be paid a bonus for 2002 of at least $500,000 in February of 2003, if you are actively employed by The St. Paul at that time.  For subsequent years commencing with 2003, the annual target opportunity for this position will be 100% of base salary.

 

 

 

Initial Stock Option
Award

 

In recognition of joining The St. Paul, you will receive a grant of 200,000 stock options on the first day of employment.  The grants will be non-qualified stock options, will have a grant price equal to the closing price of The St. Paul Companies common stock on the initial date of your employment, and will have a ten-year expiration period and four-year pro-rata (i.e., 50,000 options per year) vesting provision.  You will be responsible for all applicable taxes.  The options will include a “reload” feature.

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

For each year of the term commencing with 2003, you will also be eligible for an annual stock option grant each year of your employment with The St. Paul.  These options will be similar in terms and conditions to the options you receive as part of your initial stock option award.

 

 

 

Executive Tax and
Financial Planning

 

You will be eligible for a first year allowance for 2002 of $15,000 and an annual allowance of $11,000 thereafter in tax and financial planning services (subject to subsequent change in benefit programs as discussed below).

 

 

 

Executive Savings Plus

 

You will be eligible for a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows executives to save money on a tax-deferred basis above IRS imposed limits for 401(k) plans (subject to subsequent change in benefit programs as discussed below).

 

 

 

Change in Control

 

As a key employee, you will be eligible as a Tier One participant in the Amended and Restated Special Severance Policy which provides a lump-sum separation payment equal to three times the sum of your base salary and target annual incentive if your employment is terminated without cause or for “good reason” in a two year period following a change in control.  A copy of the plan is enclosed herewith.

 



 

Severance Plan

 

If you are terminated without “cause” or voluntarily terminate your employment for “good reason” as defined before the end of the Term, you will be entitled to a severance payment within ten (10) business days following the date of termination equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (a) salary payable through the remainder of the Term (at your then current salary level) and (b) the amount of your target bonus pro-rated for the remainder of the Term, or (ii) the sum of your base salary and annual target bonus, and continuation of coverage under medical and dental plans for one year following termination.  All stock options and restricted stock awards granted more than one year before termination will vest.  Stock options will be eligible for exercise for up to three years from termination.

 

 

 

 

 

For purposes of this paragraph, “cause” means (A) your willful and continued failure to perform substantially your duties with The St. Paul (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to you which specifically identifies the manner in which you have not substantially performed your duties, or (B) your willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to The St. Paul or its affiliates.  In addition, “good reason” means (A) any material and adverse change in your duties or responsibilities with The St. Paul or a material and adverse change in your titles or offices with The St. Paul; (B) any reduction in your rate of annual base salary or annual target bonus opportunity; or (C) any requirement of The St. Paul that you be based anywhere more than thirty (30) miles from your office in either New York City or St. Paul.

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

In addition to the foregoing, you will be entitled to all changes in compensation structure (i.e., annual incentive targets), benefits and perquisites which are applicable to other senior executives of similar rank.  The benefits applicable to senior executives are currently being reviewed in connection with a comprehensive review of all employee benefit plans.  In the event of any changes in such benefit plans, you will be extended the same benefits applicable to other senior executives of similar rank.  You will also be entitled to first class air travel.

 

If you have any questions at any time, please give me a call at 651-310-5656.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jay S. Fishman

 

Jay S. Fishman

Chairman & CEO

 

 

Accepted:

 

 

William H. Heyman

 

William H. Heyman

Date: April 18, 2002

 


EX-11 6 a04-2923_2ex11.htm EX-11

EXHIBIT 11

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

EARNINGS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss), as reported

 

$

661

 

$

218

 

$

(1,088

)

Preferred stock dividends, net of taxes

 

(8

)

(9

)

(9

)

Premium on preferred shares redeemed

 

(7

)

(7

)

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

646

 

$

202

 

$

(1,105

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

$

646

 

$

202

 

$

(1,105

)

Dilutive effect of affiliates

 

(4

)

(3

)

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

7

 

7

 

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

3

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 

$

652

 

$

209

 

$

(1,105

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

228

 

216

 

212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

228

 

216

 

212

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

1

 

2

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

6

 

6

 

 

Zero coupon convertible notes

 

2

 

2

 

 

Equity unit stock purchase contracts

 

3

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average, as adjusted

 

240

 

227

 

212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

2.84

 

0.94

 

(5.22

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

2.72

 

0.92

 

(5.22

)

 

The assumed conversion of preferred stock and zero coupon notes are each anti-dilutive to our net loss per share for the year ended Dec. 31, 2001, and therefore are not included in our earnings per share calculation.

 


EX-12 7 a04-2923_2ex12.htm EX-12

EXHIBIT 12

 

 

THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Ratios

(In millions, except ratios)

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 

EARNINGS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

836

 

$

176

 

$

(1,431

)

$

1,401

 

$

951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: fixed charges

 

226

 

216

 

173

 

174

 

175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) as adjusted

 

$

1,062

 

$

392

 

$

(1,258

)

$

1,575

 

$

1,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense and amortization

 

$

122

 

$

117

 

$

112

 

$

116

 

$

99

 

Distributions on redeemable preferred securities

 

72

 

70

 

33

 

31

 

36

 

Rental expense(1)

 

32

 

29

 

28

 

27

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

 

226

 

216

 

173

 

174

 

175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividend requirements

 

12

 

13

 

14

 

15

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements

 

$

238

 

$

229

 

$

187

 

$

189

 

$

191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)

 

4.70

 

1.82

 

 

9.03

 

6.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements(2)

 

4.45

 

1.71

 

 

8.32

 

5.88

 

 


(1)          Interest portion deemed implicit in total rent expense.  Amount for 1999 includes an $11 million provision representative of interest included in charge for future lease buy-outs recorded as a result of The St. Paul’s cost reduction program.

 

(2)          The 2001 loss is inadequate to cover “fixed charges” by $1.43 billion and “combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends” by $1.45 billion.

 

1


EX-21 8 a04-2923_2ex21.htm EX-21

EXHIBIT 21

 

 

Subsidiaries of The St. Paul Companies, Inc.

 

Name

 

State or
Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

 

 

 

(1)

St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company

 

Minnesota

 

Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (i)  St. Paul Mercury Insurance Co.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

 (ii)  St. Paul Guardian Insurance Co.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

(iii)  St. Paul Fire and Casualty Insurance Co.

 

Wisconsin

 

 

 

(iv)  Seaboard Surety Company

 

New York

 

 

 

 Subsidiary:

 

 

 

 

 

 (a) Northern Indemnity, Inc.

 

Canada

 

 

 

  (v)  St. Paul Insurance Co. of North Dakota

 

North Dakota

 

 

 

 (vi)  St. Paul Specialty Underwriting, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 (a) St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Co.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 (b) Athena Assurance Co.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

 (c) St. Paul Medical Liability Insurance Co.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

(vii)  Northbrook Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 (a) Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Co.

 

Illinois

 

 

 

 (b) St. Paul Protective Insurance Co.

 

Illinois

 

 

 

(viii)  St. Paul Venture Capital IV, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

  (ix)  St. Paul Venture Capital V, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

   (x)  St. Paul Venture Capital VI, L.L.C.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

  (xi)  St. Paul Properties, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 (a) 350 Market Street, Inc.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

(xii)  United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co.

 

Maryland

 

 

 

 Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 (a) Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters, Inc.

 

Wisconsin

 

 

 

 (b) Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Co.

 

Iowa

 

 

 

 (c) USF&G Insurance Company of Mississippi

 

Mississippi

 

 

 

 (d) USF&G Specialty Insurance Co.

 

Maryland

 

 

 

 (e) GeoVera Insurance Co.

 

Maryland

 

 

 

 (f)  Pacific Select Property Insurance Co.

 

California

 

 

 

 (g) F&G Specialty Insurance Services, Inc.

 

California

 

 

 

 (h) Discover Re Managers, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

(i) Discover Reinsurance Co.

 

Indiana

 

 

 

(ii) Discovery Managers, Ltd.

 

Connecticut

 

1



 

 

 

(xiii) Unionamerica Holdings plc

 

United Kingdom

 

 

(xiv) 3921042 Canada Inc.

 

Canada

 

 

 

(a) 3207692 Canada Limited

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

(i) 3112675 Canada

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

(1) St. Paul Guarantee Insurance Company

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

(2) 176856 Canada Inc.

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

(a) Coronation Insurance Company Ltd.

 

Canada

 

 

 (xv) Discover Specialty Insurance Company

 

Illinois

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Nuveen Investments, Inc.*

 

Delaware

 

Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

   (i)

Nuveen Investments. LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

  (ii)

Nuveen Advisory Corp.

 

Delaware

 

 

 (iii)

Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.

 

Delaware

 

 

 (iv)

Nuveen Asset Management, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

  (v)

Rittenhouse Asset Management, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 (vi)

Nuveen Senior Loan Asset Management, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

(vii)

Symphony Asset Management, LLC

 

California

 

 

(viii)

Nuveen Asia Investments, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

  (ix)

Nuveen Investment Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

   (x)

Nuveen Investment Advisers, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

  (xi)

NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

St. Paul Re, Inc.

 

New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Camperdown Corporation

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

St. Paul Venture Capital, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

St. Paul London Properties, Inc.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

St. Paul Multinational Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Subsidiary:

 

 

 

 

 

   (i)  St. Paul Insurance Company (S.A.) Limited

 

South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

SPC Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

Minnesota

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

St. Paul Bermuda Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

Subsidiaries:

 

 

Delaware

 

 

     (i) St. Paul (Bermuda), Ltd.

 

Bermuda

 

 

    (ii) St. Paul Re (Bermuda), Ltd.

 

Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

Captiva, Ltd.

 

Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

St. Paul Reinsurance Company Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

St. Paul International Insurance Company Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

New World Insurance Company Ltd.

 

Guernsey

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14)

St. Paul Syndicate Holdings, Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

2



 

(15)

USF&G Financial Services Corporation

 

Maryland

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

Mountain Ridge Insurance Co.

 

Vermont

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17)

St. Paul Aviation Inc.

 

Minnesota

 

 


*Nuveen Investments, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary jointly owned by The St. Paul, which holds a 66% interest, and Fire and Marine, which holds a 13% interest.  The remaining 21% is publicly held.

 

3


EX-23.A 9 a04-2923_2ex23da.htm EX-23.A

EXHIBIT 23(a)

 

 

Consent of Independent Auditors

 

The Board of Directors

The St. Paul Companies, Inc.:

 

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 33-23948, No. 33-24220, No. 33-24575, No. 33-26923, No. 33-49273, No. 33-56987, No. 333-01065, No. 333-22329, No. 333-25203, No. 333-28915, No. 333-48121, No. 333-50941, No. 333-50943, No. 333-67983, No. 333-63114, No. 333-63118, No. 333-65726, No. 333-65728, No. 333-107698 and No. 333-107699), Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-92466, No. 333-92466-01, No. 333-98525 and No. 333-98525-01) and Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-111072) of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. of our reports dated January 29, 2004, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, and related schedules I through V, which reports appear in the December 31, 2003 annual report on Form 10-K of The St. Paul Companies, Inc.  Our reports refer to changes in the Company’s methods of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, business combinations, goodwill and other intangible assets, and variable interest entities.

 

 

KPMG LLP

 

KPMG LLP

 

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 2, 2004

 


EX-24 10 a04-2923_2ex24.htm EX-24

EXHIBIT 24

 

Power of Attorney

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, the undersigned, a director of The St. Paul Companies, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“The St. Paul”), do hereby make, nominate and appoint Bruce A. Backberg and Bruce H. Saul, or either of them, to be my attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority to sign on my behalf a Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, to be filed by The St. Paul with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any amendments thereto, and shall have the same force and effect as though I had manually signed the Form 10-K or amendments.

 

Dated: February 12, 2004

Signature:

Carolyn H. Byrd

 

 

Name:

Carolyn H. Byrd

 

 

 

Dated: February 12, 2004

Signature:

 John H. Dasburg

 

 

Name:

John H. Dasburg

 

 

 

Dated: February 13, 2004

Signature:

Janet M. Dolan

 

 

Name:

Janet M. Dolan

 

 

 

Dated: February 12, 2004

Signature:

Kenneth M. Duberstein

 

 

Name:

Kenneth M. Duberstein

 

 

 

Dated: February 17, 2004

Signature:

Lawrence G. Graev

 

 

Name:

Lawrence G. Graev

 

 

 

Dated: February 12, 2004

Signature:

Thomas R. Hodgson

 

 

Name:

Thomas R. Hodgson

 

 

 

Dated: February 12, 2004

Signature:

William H. Kling

 

 

Name:

William H. Kling

 

 

 

Dated: February 12, 2004

Signature:

James A. Lawrence

 

 

Name:

James A. Lawrence

 

 

 

Dated: February 27, 2004

Signature:

John A. MacColl

 

 

Name:

John A. MacColl

 

 

 

Dated: February 17, 2004

Signature:

Glen D. Nelson

 

 

Name:

Glen D. Nelson

 

 

 

Dated: February 14, 2004

Signature:

Gordon M. Sprenger

 

 

Name:

Gordon M. Sprenger

 


EX-31.A 11 a04-2923_2ex31da.htm EX-31.A

EXHIBIT 31(a)

 

 

Certification

 

I, Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

 

1.               I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 of The St. Paul Companies, Inc.;

 

2.               Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.               Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.               The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.               The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By:

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

 

 

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 


EX-31.B 12 a04-2923_2ex31db.htm EX-31.B

EXHIBIT 31(b)

 

 

Certification

 

I, Thomas A. Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, certify that:

 

1.     I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 of The St. Paul Companies, Inc.;

 

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:

March 2, 2004

 

By:

Thomas A. Bradley

 

 

 

 

Thomas A. Bradley

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 


EX-32.A 13 a04-2923_2ex32da.htm EX-32.A

EXHIBIT 32(a)

 

 

Certification

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned officer of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated:

March 2, 2004

 

 

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

 

Name:

Jay S. Fishman

 

 

Title:

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 


EX-32.B 14 a04-2923_2ex32db.htm EX-32.B

EXHIBIT 32(b)

 

Certification

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned officer of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated:

March 2, 2004

 

 

Thomas A. Bradley

 

 

 

Name:

Thomas A. Bradley

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 


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