Great American Financial Resources, Inc. PRER14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 1)
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
þ |
|
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o |
|
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
o |
|
Definitive Proxy Statement |
o |
|
Definitive Additional Materials |
o |
|
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
o |
|
No fee required. |
þ |
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
|
(1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (GAFRI Common Stock).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
9,208,886 shares of GAFRI Common Stock and the extinguishment of up
to 3,500,000 options to purchase GAFRI Common Stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined): |
|
|
|
|
The filing fee was determined based upon the sum of (A) the product of 9,208,886 shares of GAFRI Common Stock multiplied by the per share merger consideration of $24.50, plus (B) up to $10,000,000 payable in connection with the extinguishment of outstanding options to purchase GAFRI Common Stock. In accordance with Section 14(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the filing fee was determined by multiplying 0.00003070 by the sum of (A) and (B) in the preceding sentence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
|
|
$235,617,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
|
|
|
|
$7,233.46
|
|
|
|
|
þ |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
o |
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing. |
|
(1) |
|
Amount Previously Paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Filing Party: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Date Filed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preliminary
Copies
June ,
2007
To the Stockholders of Great American Financial Resources, Inc.:
Dear Stockholder:
On May 17, 2007, the Board of Directors of Great American
Financial Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(GAFRI or the Company), acting upon the
unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent
directors, approved an Agreement and Plan of Merger providing
for the merger of the Company with GAFRI Acquisition Corp.
(GAC), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of American Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio
corporation (AFG). If the merger is completed, you
will be entitled to receive $24.50 in cash, without interest,
for each share of the GAFRI common stock that you own, and the
Company will be wholly-owned by AFG.
You will be asked, at a special meeting of the Companys
stockholders, to vote to approve the Agreement and Plan of
Merger. The Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous
recommendation of the special committee, has determined that the
Agreement and Plan of Merger and the merger are advisable, fair
to, and in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders (other than AFG and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, including GAFRI or any of its subsidiaries and
affiliates) and approved and adopted the Agreement and Plan of
Merger. The Board of Directors (with Messrs. Carl H.
Lindner, S. Craig Lindner, Kenneth C. Ambrecht, Charles R.
Scheper and William R. Martin abstaining) recommends that the
Companys stockholders vote FOR the approval of
the Agreement and Plan of Merger. AFG, which beneficially
owns approximately 81% of the outstanding shares of GAFRI common
stock, has determined to vote its shares and to cause its
subsidiaries to vote their shares in favor of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger.
The date, time and place of the special meeting to consider and
vote upon the Agreement and Plan of Merger will
be ,
2007 at 11:00 a.m. local time at The Cincinnatian Hotel,
Sixth and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
The proxy statement attached to this letter provides you with
information about the proposed merger and the special meeting of
the Companys stockholders. We encourage you to read the
entire proxy statement carefully. You may also obtain more
information about the Company from documents we have filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Your vote is very important. The merger cannot be completed
unless the Agreement and Plan of Merger is approved by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of GAFRI common stock entitled to vote on it. If you fail
to vote on the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the effect will be
the same as a vote against the approval of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger.
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting and
regardless of the number of shares of GAFRI common stock that
you own, please vote your shares by proxy by telephone or mail
to ensure that your shares are voted at the special meeting. If
you receive more than one proxy card because you own shares that
are registered differently, please vote all of your shares shown
on all of your proxy cards.
Voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting your shares in
person if you subsequently choose to attend the special meeting
and wish to vote in person.
Please do not send any certificates for your shares at this
time. If the merger is completed, you will receive a letter of
transmittal with instructions as to how you exchange your shares
for the merger consideration.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Very truly yours,
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
Mark F. Muething
Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved the
merger, passed upon the merits or fairness of the merger or
passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this
document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The proxy statement,
dated ,
2007, is first being mailed to stockholders on or
about ,
2007.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE
HELD ,
2007
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of stockholders of
Great American Financial Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(GAFRI), will be held
on ,
2007 at 11:00 a.m. local time at The Cincinnatian Hotel,
Sixth and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, for the
following purposes:
(1) To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 2007, by
and among GAFRI, American Financial Group, Inc.
(AFG) and GAFRI Acquisition Corp. (GAC),
which provides for the merger of GAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of AFG, with and into GAFRI, with GAFRI continuing as the
surviving corporation, and the conversion of each outstanding
share of common stock of GAFRI (other than shares held by
stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights under Delaware
law, shares held by GAFRI as treasury shares or otherwise and
shares held by AFG or any subsidiary of AFG) into the right to
receive $24.50 in cash.
(2) To transact such other business as may properly come
before the special meeting or any adjournments of the special
meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business
on ,
2007 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Agreement and Plan of Merger and the merger are described in
the accompanying proxy statement and a copy of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger is attached to the proxy statement as
Appendix A. We urge you to read the entire proxy statement
and the Agreement and Plan of Merger carefully.
If you expect to attend the meeting, please check the
appropriate box on the proxy card when you return your proxy.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND
RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY. It is important that all
stockholders execute, date and return the proxy using the
enclosed envelope to which no postage need be affixed if mailed
in the United States.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
,
2007
PROPOSED MERGER YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR GAFRI COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES TO US
AT THIS TIME. IF THE MERGER IS COMPLETED, YOU WILL BE SENT
INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING SURRENDER OF YOUR CERTIFICATES.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON,
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE
VOTED BY PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE
MEETING. ANY PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS
EXERCISED BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH ON
PAGE OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT. PLEASE
NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A
BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE
MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME FROM THAT
RECORD HOLDER.
Proxy
Statement
Table of
Contents
|
|
|
|
|
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS TO BE
HELD ,
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
Appendix A Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 2007, by and among
Great American Financial Resources, Inc., American Financial
Group, Inc. and GAFRI Acquisition Corp.
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Appendix B Opinion
of Cochran Caronia Waller LLC, dated May 17, 2007
|
|
|
B-1
|
|
Appendix C Section 262
of the Delaware General Corporation Law
|
|
|
C-1
|
|
ii
SUMMARY
TERM SHEET
The next several pages summarize the material terms of the
transaction detailed in this proxy statement but might not
contain all of the information that is important to you. You are
urged to read this proxy statement carefully and in its
entirety, including the appendices, and the documents referred
to or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. You may
obtain the information incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement without charge by following the instructions under
Where Stockholders Can Find More Information
beginning on page .
In this proxy statement, the terms we,
us, our, GAFRI and the
Company refer to Great American Financial Resources,
Inc. and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries.
Parties
Involved in the Proposed Transaction
(Page )
|
|
|
|
|
GAFRI is a Delaware corporation and a holding company that
markets retirement products, primarily fixed, indexed and
variable annuities, and various forms of supplemental insurance
through its subsidiaries, including Great American Life
Insurance Company, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company,
Loyal American Life Insurance Company, United Teacher Associates
Insurance Company, Continental General Insurance Company and
Central Reserve Life Insurance Company.
|
|
|
|
American Financial Group, Inc., which we refer to as AFG, is a
holding company that, through subsidiaries, is engaged primarily
in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized
commercial products for businesses, and, through GAFRI and its
subsidiaries, in the sale of traditional fixed, indexed and
variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance
products. AFG currently owns approximately 81% of GAFRIs
outstanding common stock.
|
|
|
|
GAFRI Acquisition Corp, which we refer to as GAC, is a
newly-formed Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of AFG. AFG formed GAC for the sole purposes of entering into
the merger agreement and completing the merger contemplated by
the merger agreement.
|
The
Proposed Transaction (Page )
You will be asked to consider and vote upon approval of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17, 2007,
among the Company, AFG and GAC, which we refer to in this proxy
statement as the merger agreement. The merger agreement provides
that GAC will be merged with and into the Company, and each
outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of
the Company, which we refer to in this proxy statement as the
GAFRI common stock, other than shares held by stockholders who
perfect their appraisal rights under Delaware law, shares held
by GAFRI as treasury shares or otherwise and shares held by AFG
or any subsidiary of AFG, will be converted into the right to
receive $24.50 in cash, without interest and less any required
withholding taxes.
|
|
|
GAFRI
Will Hold a Special Meeting of its Stockholders to Consider
Approval of the Merger and the Meeting Adjournment Proposal
(Page )
|
Date, Time and Place
(Page ). The special meeting
will be held
on ,
2007 at 11:00 a.m., local time, at The Cincinnatian Hotel,
Sixth and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
Record Date and Voting
(Page ). Only stockholders who
hold shares of GAFRI common stock at the close of business
on ,
2007, the record date for the special meeting, will be entitled
to vote at the special meeting. Each share of GAFRI common stock
outstanding on the record date will be entitled to one vote on
each matter submitted to stockholders for approval at the
special meeting. As of the record date, there
were shares
of GAFRI common stock outstanding.
Vote Required (Page ). For us
to complete the merger under Delaware law, stockholders holding
at least a majority of our common stock outstanding at the close
of business on the record date must vote FOR the
approval of the merger agreement. A failure to vote your shares
of GAFRI common stock or an abstention from voting will have the
same effect as a vote against the merger.
|
|
|
Because
AFG Controls a Majority of GAFRIs Outstanding Shares,
Approval of the Merger is Assured
|
As of the record date, AFG beneficially owned approximately 81%
of GAFRIs outstanding shares. AFG has determined to vote
its shares and to cause its subsidiaries to vote their shares in
favor of the merger agreement. In addition, executive officers
and directors of GAFRI and AFG who, in the aggregate
beneficially own approximately % of
GAFRIs outstanding shares, have expressed their intent to
vote in favor of the merger agreement. As a result, approval of
the merger agreement is assured.
GAFRI
Stockholders Will Have Appraisal Rights
(Page )
You have the right under Delaware law to dissent from the
adoption and approval of the merger agreement and to exercise
appraisal rights and receive payment in cash for the fair value
of your shares of GAFRI common stock in the event the merger is
completed. The fair value of each share of GAFRI common stock as
determined in accordance with Delaware law may be more or less
than the per share merger consideration to be paid to
non-dissenting stockholders in the merger. To preserve your
appraisal rights, you must NOT vote in favor of approval of the
merger agreement, you must NOT return a signed but not voted
proxy card, and you must follow specific procedures required
under Delaware law. You must follow these procedures precisely
in order to exercise your appraisal rights, or you may lose
them. These procedures are described in this proxy statement,
and the provisions of Delaware law that grant appraisal rights
and govern those procedures are attached as Appendix C. We
encourage you to read these provisions carefully and in their
entirety and to consult your legal advisor.
When
the Merger Will be Completed
We anticipate completing the merger on the date of the
stockholders special meeting, subject to approval of the
merger agreement by the Companys stockholders and the
satisfaction of the other closing conditions.
Certain
Effects of the Merger (Page )
If the merger agreement is approved by the Companys
stockholders and certain other conditions to the closing of the
merger are either satisfied or waived, GAC will be merged with
and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of GAC
will cease and the Company will continue its corporate existence
under Delaware law as the surviving corporation in the merger,
and the separate corporate existence of the Company with all of
its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises, shall
continue unaffected by the merger.
|
|
|
GAFRI
Stockholders Will Receive $24.50 in Cash For Each Share of GAFRI
Common Stock They Own (Page )
|
Upon the completion of the merger, each issued and outstanding
share of GAFRI common stock held by our public stockholders (by
which we mean stockholders holding shares other than shares held
by GAFRI as treasury shares or otherwise and shares held by AFG
or any subsidiary of AFG), except for shares held by
stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights under Delaware
law, will be converted into the right to receive $24.50 in cash.
How
Outstanding Options Will Be Treated
(Page )
In the merger, vested employee stock options will be
extinguished in exchange for a cash payment by GAFRI to each
holder of an option of an amount equal to the positive number
difference, less applicable taxes, between $24.50 and the
applicable option exercise price multiplied by the number of
shares of GAFRI common stock formerly subject to an option. We
refer to this amount as the option payment amount.
In addition, so long as a holder of an option is an employee of
GAFRI, AFG or any subsidiary of either of them at the vesting
dates (as set forth in a GAFRI employee stock option plan or
document evidencing a grant of an employee stock option), GAFRI
shall pay the option payment amount as soon as practicable after
such vesting dates in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. GAFRI directors
have agreed that their vested and unvested stock options also
will be extinguished upon the consummation of the merger in
exchange for the option payment amount to the extent there is a
positive difference, less applicable taxes, between $24.50 and
the applicable option exercise price. Options for which the
exercise price exceeds $24.50 per share will be cancelled. In
addition, GAFRI granted options to employees of GAFRI in
2
February 2007 at an exercise price exceeding the per share
merger consideration. The compensation committee of the AFG
Board of Directors has taken action to grant options to purchase
shares of common stock of AFG on the date that the merger is
completed to replace all of these options to purchase GAFRI
common stock. The number of shares of AFG common stock that may
be acquired upon exercise is identical to the number of shares
of GAFRI common stock subject to the prior options, and the
exercise price per share, as determined under AFGs 2005
Stock Incentive Plan, will equal the average of the high and low
sales prices as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the
date that the merger is completed. The options to purchase AFG
common stock will be subject to AFGs customary five year
vesting. See Special Factors Interests of
Certain Persons in the Merger. Also, as of the effective
time of the merger, GAFRI will take all action necessary to
provide for the termination of its agent stock option plans or
agreements and the extinguishment of all rights under such plans
and agreements.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors (Page )
Our Board of Directors, which we sometimes refer to as the
Board, began the process on February 22, 2007, to form a
special committee of independent GAFRI directors who are neither
employed by or otherwise affiliated with GAFRI, or who do not
have a financial interest in the merger different than
GAFRIs public shareholders. Initially, Mr. Ronald G.
Joseph was the only GAFRI director deemed eligible to meet these
qualifications. On March 1st, 2007 the Board acted to
appoint Mr. Joseph Tomain as a director and appointed him
to serve as the second member of the special committee. On
March 16, 2007, the Board acted to appoint L. Thomas Hiltz
as a member of the Board and appointed him to serve as the third
member of the special committee. As a result, the special
committee consists of Messrs. Ronald G. Joseph, L. Thomas
Hiltz and Joseph P. Tomain. The special committee was formed for
the purpose of reviewing, evaluating and, as appropriate,
rejecting or accepting and negotiating with respect to the
proposal made by AFG on February 22, 2007 that GAFRI common
stock be acquired, and to make the related recommendation to our
full Board of Directors regarding the AFG proposal. The special
committee unanimously determined that the merger agreement and
the merger are advisable, substantively and procedurally fair
to, and in the best interests of the Company and its public
stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates). Our
Board of Directors, acting upon the unanimous determination of
the special committee, has determined that the merger agreement
and the merger are advisable, substantively and procedurally
fair to, and in the best interests of the Company and its public
stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates),
approved and adopted (with Messrs. Carl H. Lindner, S.
Craig Lindner, Kenneth C. Ambrecht, Charles R. Scheper and
William R. Martin abstaining, because of potential conflicts of
interest with respect to the proposed transaction) the merger
agreement and recommended that the Companys stockholders
vote FOR the approval of the merger agreement.
For the factors considered by our Board of Directors in reaching
its decision to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the
merger, see Special Factors The Special
Committee; and Special Factors
Recommendation of the Special Committee and the Board of
Directors.
Opinion
of the Special Committees Financial Advisor
(Page )
Cochran Caronia Waller LLC, which we sometimes refer to as CCW,
delivered its written opinion to the special committee and to
our Board of Directors that, as of May 17, 2007 and based
upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth
therein, the $24.50 in cash per share to be received by the
public stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates)
pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point
of view to such holders.
The full text of the written opinion of CCW, dated May 17,
2007, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in
connection with the opinion, is attached as Appendix B to
this proxy statement. CCW provided its opinion for the
information and assistance of the special committee and our
Board of Directors in connection with their consideration of the
proposal made by AFG. The CCW opinion is not a recommendation as
to how any holder of GAFRI common stock should vote with respect
to the merger. Pursuant to an engagement letter between GAFRI
and CCW, GAFRI has agreed to pay CCW a fee for its advisory
services, a portion of which was payable upon the issuance of
any written opinion by CCW.
3
|
|
|
AFG and
Our Directors and Executive Officers Have Interests in the
Transaction that May Be Different From, or in Addition to,
Interests of GAFRIs Public Stockholders Generally
(Page )
|
AFG and certain of its affiliates beneficially own approximately
81% of the outstanding shares of GAFRI common stock, but may
enjoy additional benefits in connection with the merger that
will not be shared by the public stockholders generally, to the
extent that AFG and holders of AFG common stock are better
served by paying as low a price per share of GAFRI common stock
as possible.
In the merger, vested employee stock options and vested and
unvested director stock options will be extinguished in exchange
for a cash payment by GAFRI to each holder of an option and
certain officers of GAFRI will be granted options to purchase
shares of common stock of AFG as set forth above under How
Outstanding Options Will Be Treated.
The merger agreement provides that GAFRI will, or will cause the
surviving corporation to, (i) honor all rights to
indemnification existing in favor of our current and former
officers and directors for acts and omissions occurring before
the completion of the merger, (ii) not amend the provisions
relating to indemnification or exculpation of the liability of
directors in the surviving corporations organizational
documents (in a manner adverse to the current or former
directors and officers) and (iii) for six years after the
completion of the merger and, subject to certain conditions,
maintain GAFRIs current officers and directors
liability insurance.
A
Number of Conditions Must Be Satisfied or Waived to Complete the
Merger (Page )
The obligations of AFG, GAFRI and GAC to complete the merger are
subject to various conditions, including:
|
|
|
|
|
the approval of the merger agreement by holders of a majority of
the shares of GAFRI common stock outstanding on the record date;
|
|
|
|
the absence of any law or governmental order prohibiting or
disallowing the merger or any governmental proceeding seeking
such an order;
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of each of GAFRI, AFG and GAC
with respect to organization and authorization (in addition to
the representations and warranties of GAFRI with respect to
capitalization) shall be true and correct in all respects with
regard to any such representations containing limitations as to
materiality or material adverse effect and shall be true and
correct in all material respects, both individually and in the
aggregate, with regard to any representation not so qualified,
in each case as of the effective time of the merger (or, to the
extent such representations and warranties speak as of a earlier
date, they need only be true and correct in all respects as of
such earlier date);
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of each of GAFRI, AFG and GAC
(other than the representations and warranties referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph) shall be true and correct
in all respects when made and as of the effective time of the
merger (or, to the extent such representations and warranties
speak as of a specified date, they need only be true and correct
in all respects as of such specified date) interpreted without
giving effect to any limitations as to materiality or material
adverse effect, except where the failure of all such
representations and warranties to be true and correct could not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on each
such party; and
|
|
|
|
the parties shall have performed in all material respects their
agreements and covenants in the merger agreement that are
required to be performed at or prior to the effective time of
the merger.
|
See Terms of the Merger Conditions to the
Merger beginning on page .
Limitations
on Solicitation of Competing Proposals
(Page )
Pursuant to the merger agreement, we have agreed not to
initiate, solicit or facilitate from third parties any proposals
for an alternative transaction while the merger is pending. AFG
stated in its proposal letter to GAFRI dated February 22,
2007, and AFG has reiterated to GAFRI on multiple occasions
since such time, that AFG is not interested in pursuing a sale
of its interest in GAFRI.
4
How
the Merger May Be Terminated (Page )
AFG and GAFRI may mutually agree to terminate the merger
agreement at any time upon the mutual written consent of the
parties. With certain exceptions, any of AFG, GAC or GAFRI may
also terminate the merger agreement at any time if:
|
|
|
|
|
the merger has not occurred on or before September 30, 2007;
|
|
|
|
any governmental entity issues an order or takes any other
action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the merger, which order or other action becomes
final and nonappealable; or
|
|
|
|
GAFRI stockholder approval is not obtained.
|
AFG may also terminate the merger agreement at any time if, with
certain exceptions:
|
|
|
|
|
our Board of Directors or any committee (including the special
committee) of the Board withdraws, qualifies or modifies the
recommendation that the holders of shares of GAFRI common stock
vote for the approval of the merger agreement; or
|
|
|
|
there is a breach by GAFRI of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement contained in the merger agreement that
would give rise to a failure of a closing condition and which
has not been cured or is not capable of being cured within
twenty (20) business days following receipt by GAFRI of
written notice from GAFRI and GAC of such breach.
|
GAFRI may also terminate the merger agreement at any time if,
with certain exceptions, there is a breach by AFG or GAC of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in the
merger agreement that would give rise to a failure of a closing
condition and which has not been cured or is not capable of
being cured within twenty (20) business days following
receipt by GAFRI or GAC of written notice from GAFRI of such
breach.
Purposes,
Reasons and Plans for GAFRI after the Merger
(Page )
The purpose of the merger for GAFRI is to enable its public
stockholders to immediately realize the value of their
investment in the Company through their receipt of the per share
merger consideration of $24.50 in cash, representing a premium
of approximately 15% to the $21.31 closing price of the GAFRI
common stock on The New York Stock Exchange on February 15,
2007 (being the last trading day one week prior to the
announcement of the proposed transaction). For the reasons
discussed under Special Factors
Recommendation of the Special Committee and the Board of
Directors the Board of Directors has determined that
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the merger, are advisable, substantively and
procedurally fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company
and its public stockholders. After the merger GAFRIs
operations will continue as they had before it.
Financing
of the Merger (Page )
The merger and the related transaction will be funded by
GAFRIs excess capital
and/or by
borrowings from AFG. GAFRI and AFG estimate that the total
amount of funds necessary to complete the proposed merger is
approximately $235 million, which includes approximately
$225 million to be paid to the Companys public
stockholders and, up to $10 million to be paid to holders
of options. AFG will also guarantee the debt of GAFRI and its
subsidiaries in the merger.
|
|
|
Tax
Considerations For GAFRI Stockholders
(Page )
|
Generally, the merger will be taxable to our stockholders for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. A holder of GAFRI common
stock receiving cash in the merger generally will recognize gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount
equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and
the holders adjusted tax basis in the GAFRI common stock.
5
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What is the proposed transaction? |
|
A: |
|
The proposed transaction is the acquisition by AFG of GAFRI
shares not already beneficially owned by AFG so that AFG becomes
the beneficial owner of 100% of GAFRIs common stock. This
is proposed to be accomplished through the merger of GAC and
GAFRI pursuant to the merger agreement among GAFRI, AFG and GAC.
If the merger agreement is approved by GAFRI stockholders and
the other closing conditions under the merger agreement have
been satisfied or waived, GAC will merge with and into GAFRI and
thereafter cease to exist, and GAFRI will be the surviving
corporation and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG. |
|
Q: |
|
What will I receive in the merger? |
|
A: |
|
If the merger is completed, you will receive $24.50 in cash,
without interest and less any required withholding taxes, for
each share of GAFRI common stock that you own. You will not be
entitled to retain any interest in GAFRI or to receive any
shares in the surviving corporation. |
|
Q: |
|
Where and when is the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
The special meeting will take place
on ,
2007 starting at 11:00 A.M. local time at The Cincinnatian
Hotel, Sixth and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. |
|
Q: |
|
What matters will be voted on at the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
You will be asked to consider and vote on the following
proposals: |
|
|
|
to approve the merger agreement;
|
|
|
|
to approve the adjournment of the special meeting,
if necessary or appropriate; and
|
|
|
|
to act upon other business that may properly come
before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
|
Q: |
|
What vote of our stockholders is required to approve the
merger agreement? |
|
A: |
|
For us to complete the merger, under Delaware law, stockholders
holding at least a majority of our common stock outstanding at
the close of business on the record date must vote
FOR the approval of the merger agreement.
Accordingly, failure to vote or an abstention will have the same
effect as a vote against approval of the merger agreement. As of
the record date, AFG beneficially owned approximately 81% of the
outstanding GAFRI common stock. AFG has determined to vote its
shares and cause its subsidiaries to vote their shares in favor
of the merger agreement. In addition, executive officers and
directors of GAFRI and AFG who, in the aggregate beneficially
own % of GAFRIs shares, have
expressed their intent to vote in favor of the merger agreement.
As a result, approval of the merger agreement is assured. |
|
Q: |
|
Why did GAFRIs Board of Directors form the special
committee? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
Our Board of Directors believed that a special committee,
comprised entirely of independent directors of GAFRI who are not
officers or employees of GAFRI, are not affiliates of AFG and
who have no financial interest in the merger different from our
public stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and their
affiliates), should be formed to eliminate any conflict of
interest in evaluating and, as appropriate, rejecting or
accepting and negotiating the merger and recommending as
appropriate the terms of the merger agreement to the full Board
of Directors. The members of the special committee are
Messrs. Ronald G. Joseph, L. Thomas Hiltz and Joseph P.
Tomain. The special committee independently selected and
retained legal counsel and a financial advisor to assist it in
deliberations. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What was the result of the special committees
deliberations? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
The special committee determined that the merger was fair from a
financial point of view to our public stockholders (other than
AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates). This recommendation is based,
in part on an opinion from the special committees
financial advisor, CCW, that, as of May 17, 2007, based on
and subject to the |
6
|
|
|
|
|
assumptions, limitations, and qualifications set forth in such
opinion, the $24.50 per share merger consideration that our
public stockholders will receive in the merger was fair from a
financial point of view to such stockholders. You should read
Special Factors The Special Committee,
Special Factors Recommendation of the Special
Committee and the Board of Directors and Special
Factors Opinion of the Special Committees
Financial Advisor for a discussion of the factors that the
special committee considered in deciding to recommend the
approval of the merger agreement. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
How does the Companys Board of Directors recommend that
I vote? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
Acting upon the unanimous determination of the special
committee, our Board of Directors (with
Messrs. Carl H. Lindner, S. Craig Lindner, Kenneth C.
Ambrecht, Charles R. Scheper and William R. Martin abstaining,
because of potential conflicts of interest with respect to the
proposed transaction) recommends that our stockholders vote
FOR the approval of the merger agreement and
FOR the adjournment proposal. You should read
Special Factors The Special Committee
and Special Factors Recommendation of the
Special Committee and the Board of Directors for a
discussion of the factors that our Board of Directors considered
in deciding to recommend the approval of the merger agreement.
See also Special Factors Interests of Certain
Persons in the Merger. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What effects will the proposed merger have on GAFRI? |
|
A: |
|
As a result of the proposed merger, GAFRI will cease to be a
publicly traded company and will be wholly-owned by AFG, and you
will no longer have any interest in our future earnings or
growth. Following consummation of the merger, the registration
of our common stock and our reporting obligations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the
Exchange Act, will be terminated upon application to the SEC. In
addition, upon consummation of the merger, our common stock will
no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other
stock exchange or quotation system. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if the merger is not consummated? |
|
A: |
|
If the merger agreement is not approved by the Companys
stockholders or if the merger is not consummated for any other
reason, the Companys stockholders will not receive any
payment for their shares in connection with the merger. Instead,
the Company will remain a public company and shares of Company
common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the New
York Stock Exchange. |
|
Q: |
|
How do I vote my shares of GAFRI common stock? |
|
A: |
|
Before you vote, you should carefully read and consider the
information contained in or incorporated by reference in this
proxy statement, including the appendices. You should also
determine whether you hold your shares of GAFRI common stock
directly in your name as a registered stockholder or through a
broker or other nominee because this will determine the
procedure that you must follow in order to vote. If you are a
registered holder of GAFRI common stock (that is, if you hold
your GAFRI common stock in certificate form), you may vote in
any of the following ways: |
|
|
|
in person at the special meeting
complete and sign the enclosed proxy card and bring it to the
special meeting;
|
|
|
|
by mail complete, sign and date the
enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage paid
return envelope as soon as possible; or
|
|
|
|
by telephone call 1-800-PROXIES
(1-800-776-9437).
|
If you are a non-registered holder of shares of common stock of
GAFRI (which for purposes of this proxy statement means that
your shares are held in street name), you should
instruct your broker or other nominee to vote your shares by
following the instructions provided by your broker or other
nominee. You may vote in person at the special meeting if you
obtain written authorization in your name from your broker or
other nominee and bring evidence of your stock ownership from
your broker or other nominee. Please contact your broker or
other nominee to determine how to vote by mail and whether you
will be able to vote by telephone.
7
If you are an employee of GAFRI, any shares in your retirement
and savings plan account and stock purchase plan account will be
voted in accordance with your instructions, if indicated. If
your proxy card is signed, but does not indicate your voting
preferences, we have been advised by the retirement and savings
plan administrator and the plan trustee that your shares will be
voted FOR the approval of the merger
agreement and FOR the approval of the meeting
adjournment proposal.
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I return my proxy card but I do not indicate
how to vote? |
|
A: |
|
If you properly return your proxy card, but do not include
instructions on how to vote, your shares of GAFRI common stock
will be voted FOR the approval of the merger
agreement and FOR the approval of the meeting
adjournment proposal. GAFRIs management does not currently
intend to bring any other proposals to the special meeting. If
other proposals requiring a vote of stockholders are brought
before the special meeting in a proper manner, the persons named
in the enclosed proxy card intend to vote the shares they
represent in accordance with their best judgment. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I abstain from voting on a proposal? |
|
A: |
|
If you return your proxy card with instructions to abstain from
voting on either proposal, your shares will be counted for
determining whether a quorum is present at the special meeting.
An abstention with respect to either proposal has the legal
effect of a vote AGAINST the proposal. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I do not return a proxy card or otherwise do
not vote? |
|
A: |
|
Your failure to return a proxy card or otherwise vote will mean
that your shares will not be counted toward determining whether
a quorum is present at the special meeting and will have the
legal effect of a vote AGAINST the proposal
to approve the merger agreement. Such failure will have no legal
effect with respect to the vote on the meeting adjournment
proposal. |
|
Q: |
|
May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card
or otherwise submitted my vote? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your shares are
voted at the special meeting. If you are a registered holder of
GAFRI common stock, you can do this in any of the following ways: |
|
|
|
by sending a written notice to the Corporate
Secretary of GAFRI to the address specified below stating that
you would like to revoke your proxy;
|
|
|
|
by completing and submitting a new, later-dated
proxy card by mail to the address specified below or by
recording a later telephone vote; or
|
|
|
|
by attending the special meeting and voting in
person. Your attendance at the special meeting alone will not
revoke your proxy. You must also vote at the special meeting in
order to revoke your previously submitted proxy.
|
|
|
|
You should send any notice of revocation or your completed new,
later-dated proxy card, as the case may be, to the Corporate
Secretary of GAFRI at the companys headquarters, 250 East
Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. |
|
|
|
If your shares are held in street name, you must
contact your broker or other nominee and follow the directions
provided to you in order to change your vote. |
|
Q: |
|
If my broker or other nominee holds my shares in street
name, will my broker or other nominee vote my shares for
me? |
|
A: |
|
Your broker or other nominee will not be able to vote your
shares of GAFRI common stock unless you have properly instructed
your broker or other nominee on how to vote. If you do not
provide your broker or other nominee with voting instructions,
your shares may be considered present at the special meeting for
purposes of determining a quorum, but will have the legal effect
of a vote AGAINST the proposal to approve the
merger agreement and the meeting adjournment proposal. |
8
|
|
|
Q: |
|
Do I have dissenters or appraisal rights? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. Under Delaware law, you have the right to dissent from the
merger and, in lieu of receiving the per share merger
consideration, obtain payment in cash of the fair value of each
of your shares of GAFRI common stock as determined by the
Delaware Chancery Court. To exercise appraisal rights, you must
strictly follow the procedures prescribed by Section 262 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
|
Q: |
|
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of
materials? |
|
A: |
|
This means you own shares of GAFRI common stock that are
registered under different names. For example, you may own some
shares directly as a stockholder of record and other shares
through a broker or you may own shares through more than one
broker. In these situations, you will receive multiple sets of
proxy materials. |
|
|
|
You must complete, sign, date and return all of the proxy cards
or follow the instructions for any alternative voting procedure
on each of the proxy cards that you receive in order to vote all
of the shares you own. Each proxy card you receive comes with
its own prepaid return envelope; if you vote by mail, make sure
you return each proxy card in the return envelope that
accompanies that proxy card. If you vote by telephone, make sure
you follow the instructions on each proxy card. |
|
Q: |
|
When do you expect the merger to be completed? |
|
A: |
|
The parties to the merger agreement are working toward
completing the merger as quickly as possible. If the merger
agreement is approved and adopted and the other conditions to
the merger are satisfied or waived, the merger is expected to be
completed promptly after the special meeting. The parties
currently expect to complete the merger on the day of the
special meeting of shareholders, although there can be no
assurance that we will be able to do so. |
|
Q: |
|
If the merger is completed, how will I receive the cash for
my shares? |
|
A: |
|
If the merger is completed, you will receive a letter of
transmittal with instructions on how to send your stock
certificates to American Stock Transfer Company, which has been
designated to act as paying agent in connection with the merger.
You will receive a check in the amount of cash for your shares
from the paying agent after you comply with these instructions.
If your shares of GAFRI common stock are held for you in
street name by your broker, you will receive
instructions from your broker as to how to effect the surrender
of your street name shares and receive cash for such
shares. |
|
Q: |
|
Should I send in my stock certificates now? |
|
A: |
|
No. Soon after the merger is completed, you will receive
the letter of transmittal instructing you to send your stock
certificates to the paying agent in order to receive a check for
the cash payment of the per share merger consideration for each
share of GAFRI common stock represented by your stock
certificates. You should use the letter of transmittal to
exchange your stock certificates for the cash payment to which
you are entitled upon completion of the merger. |
|
Q: |
|
What should I do now? |
|
A: |
|
After you read and consider carefully the information contained
in this proxy statement, please submit your proxy as soon as
possible so that your shares may be represented at the special
meeting. If your shares of GAFRI common stock are registered in
your own name, you may submit your proxy by filling out and
signing the proxy card and then mailing your signed proxy card
in the enclosed prepaid return envelope. If your shares are held
in street name you should follow the directions your
broker, bank or other nominee provides. |
|
Q: |
|
Who can help answer my questions? |
|
A: |
|
If you would like additional copies, without charge, of this
proxy statement or if you have questions about the merger
agreement or the merger, including the procedures for voting
your shares, you should contact Mark F. Muething, Secretary and
General Counsel of GAFRI, at
(513) 333-5515
or mmuething@gafri.com. |
9
SPECIAL
FACTORS
Background
of the Merger
In September 1992, STI Group, Inc. (STI) reached an
agreement with a subsidiary of AFG to purchase 100% of the
capital stock of Great American Life Insurance Company. This
acquisition was conditioned upon AFG acquiring through a tender
offer and private purchase from STI no less than 80% of the
outstanding common stock of STI and STI obtaining funds
sufficient to finance and consummate the acquisition of Great
American Life Insurance Company. This acquisition, which was
consummated on December 31, 1992, resulted in a subsidiary
of AFG beneficially owning slightly more than 80% of the
outstanding common stock of STI (STI changed its name to
American Annuity Group, Inc. and later to GAFRI). Prior to the
consummation of these transactions, AFG owned approximately 39%
of the outstanding shares of STI (now GAFRI).
Members of AFG management have, from time to time, discussed the
possible merits of GAFRI becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AFG. However, prior to February 2007 no proposal was made by AFG
to GAFRIs Board of Directors in connection with these
discussions. In late 2006 and early 2007, AFGs management,
noting the availability of excess capital to AFG, considered a
proposal to acquire the outstanding shares of GAFRI common stock
not already owned by AFG and determined that such a transaction
would be an appropriate investment of a portion of AFGs
excess capital in a specialty-based insurance business that
supports AFGs strategic initiatives. AFGs
managements considerations with respect to GAFRI were
discussed with the AFG board of directors in late 2006. In
February 2007, AFGs management asked its board of
directors to consider authorizing AFG to submit to GAFRI a
proposal that AFG acquire the outstanding shares of GAFRI common
stock not beneficially owned by AFG so that GAFRI would become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG. The proposal presented by
AFGs management to its board of directors contemplated
that GAFRIs public stockholders would have the right to
receive $23.50 in cash per share. The AFG Board consented to
making the proposal and it was submitted to GAFRIs Board
on February 22, 2007. On April 23, 2007, AFGs
Board of Directors approved an increase of $1.00 in the per
share purchase price of the GAFRI common not beneficially owned
by AFG. The AFG Board unanimously approved the Merger Agreement
on May 17, 2007.
AFG did not consider any transaction other than the proposed
merger involving its GAFRI ownership. AFG did, however, consider
maintaining its approximate 81% ownership interest in GAFRI with
GAFRI continuing as an independent public company. AFG stated in
its proposal letter to GAFRI dated February 22, 2007, and
AFG has reiterated to GAFRI on multiple occasions since such
time, that AFG is not interested in pursuing a sale of its
interest in GAFRI. AFGs reasons for proposing the merger
immediately follow.
AFGs
Reasons for the Merger
AFG proposed the merger to simplify its corporate structure in a
manner that provides the following benefits:
Improvement of AFGs
Performance. AFGs management expects that
if the merger is consummated, it will increase AFGs
ability to receive a greater return than what it may currently
be achieving on the investment of its excess capital. The merger
would increase AFGs investment in core specialty insurance
businesses where AFG already has significant expertise while at
the same time further simplifying AFGs organizational
structure. AFGs management also believes that the merger
would provide immediate expense savings and additional synergies
between AFGs and GAFRIs businesses over time, be
accretive to AFGs earnings and improve AFGs return
on equity. Additionally, the merger would allow for easier
movement of capital throughout all of AFGs operations,
which may facilitate the raising of capital by AFG in the
future. AFG also believes that, after evaluating other
opportunities, the merger is the best use of certain excess
capital and it supports AFGs strategic objectives.
Facilitate Future Capital Raising. AFG
believes that simplifying the corporate structure would
facilitate the raising of capital by AFG in the future. As a
wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG, GAFRIs capital needs can
be met with capital raised by the AFG at the parent level,
similar to the method in which AFG has funded its other
wholly-owned subsidiaries. Historically, GAFRI has engaged in
separate capital raising transactions, normally with rates and
terms less attractive than those available to AFG, because of
the inability to freely move capital from AFG to GAFRI due to
the structural impediment of the minority ownership.
10
Elimination of GAFRI as a Reporting
Company. The merger would terminate GAFRIs
obligations to file reports and other information as a public
company required under the Exchange Act. The elimination of the
burdens associated with public reporting and other tasks
resulting from GAFRIs public company status, including,
for example, the dedication of time and resources of management
and of the board to meet the various requirements of being a
public company will increase managements focus on the
operations of the business. In addition, GAFRIs expenses
will decrease as a result of the elimination of costs associated
with the filing of quarterly, annual or other periodic reports
with the SEC or the publishing and distribution of financial
information and proxy statements to its shareholders. The
elimination of GAFRIs status as a public company would
also result in GAFRI no longer being required to comply
separately with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
Determination
as to Fairness AFG, GAC and Affiliates
The board of directors of AFG and GAC and Carl H. Lindner,
Chairman of the Board of AFG and GAFRI, Carl H. Lindner III,
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-President and a director of AFG,
and S. Craig Lindner, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
GAFRI and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-President and a
director of AFG did not independently analyze the merger but
relied upon and adopted the conclusions, analyses,
determinations and findings of the special committee as set
forth below and determined that the merger is both procedurally
and substantively fair to the public stockholders of GAFRI,
excluding officers, directors and other affiliates of AFG and
GAFRI. Carl H. Lindner and S. Craig Lindner each abstained from
voting as members of the Board of Directors of GAFRI on the
merger proposal because of their potential conflict of interest
arising from their positions with both AFG and GAFRI.
The
Special Committee
On February 22, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the
formation of a special committee of independent directors of
GAFRI, which we refer to as the special committee, designated
Mr. Ronald Joseph as the initial member of the special
committee and gave Mr. Joseph the authority to recommend to
the Board the appointment of one or more additional persons to
serve on the special committee. The special committee was
authorized to (i) review and evaluate the terms of the
transaction proposed by AFG, (ii) establish such
procedures, review such information and engage such financial
advisors and legal counsel as it deemed appropriate to assist it
in the performance of its duties, (iii) recommend to the
Board and the public stockholders of GAFRI to accept the
proposed transaction, (iv) recommend to the Board and the
public stockholders of GAFRI to reject the proposed transaction,
and/or
(v) negotiate the terms of a transaction, if any, with AFG.
On March 1, 2007, upon the recommendation of
Mr. Joseph, the Board elected Mr. Joseph Tomain, dean
emeritus and a professor of law at the University of Cincinnati
College of Law, as a member of the Board and appointed
Mr. Tomain to serve on the special committee.
Between February 27 and March 1, 2007, the special
committee interviewed several law firms to serve as independent
legal counsel to the special committee. On March 3, 2007,
the special committee engaged Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey, L.L.P. (Squire Sanders) as its legal
counsel to advise it regarding its duties in connection with the
proposed transaction. Thereafter on the same day the special
committee met with Squire Sanders to discuss the special
committees responsibilities, business issues which
potentially would need to be addressed in connection with the
proposed transaction, and the probable timeline for the
transaction.
On March 6, 2007, the special committee met with Squire
Sanders and continued discussions regarding issues that
potentially would need to be addressed in connection with the
proposal by AFG. Counsel also advised the special committee on
the special committees fiduciary and other legal
responsibilities. Counsel further advised the special committee
on the legal principles applicable to, and the legal
consequences of, actions taken by the special committee with
respect to any offers to acquire GAFRI, including but not
limited to the AFG proposal. At this meeting, the special
committee and Squire Sanders also discussed the process to be
undertaken in selecting an independent financial advisor, and
identified firms that may be suitable to serve as the special
committees financial advisor. The discussion resulted in
the special committee granting a mandate to Squire Sanders to
solicit proposals
11
from prospective financial advisors identified on the basis of
general criteria set forth by the special committee, with
instructions that any response be received on or before
March 13, 2007.
The solicitation by Squire Sanders, on behalf of the special
committee, resulted in the submission of written preliminary
presentations and proposals by thirteen (13) prospective
financial advisors. On March 15, 2007, the special
committee and its counsel extensively evaluated these materials,
and based on its general criteria of potential conflicts, cost
and competence, the special committee selected five financial
advisors with whom to conduct additional separate meetings. The
special committee and its legal counsel also discussed the
advisability of adding another independent director to the GAFRI
Board of Directors and to the special committee, and the
discussion led to the special committee and counsel considering
persons that the special committee may recommend to our Board of
Directors.
On March 16, 2007, upon the recommendation of
Messrs. Joseph and Tomain, the Board elected L. Thomas
Hiltz, an independent private attorney, as a member of the Board
and further appointed Mr. Hiltz to serve on the special
committee.
On March 20, 2007, the special committee, together with
Squire Sanders, conducted separate meetings with representatives
from five prospective financial advisors selected from the
initial list of thirteen. At the conclusion of those meetings
and subsequent discussions with counsel, the special committee
selected Cochran Caronia Waller LLC, which we refer to in this
proxy statement as CCW, to serve as its financial advisor for
the purpose of advising the special committee, assisting the
special committee in any negotiations with AFG, and rendering a
fairness opinion to the special committee in connection with the
proposed transaction. The special committee concluded that CCW
was qualified and independent of AFG, and selected CCW based
principally on its knowledge of GAFRI and the insurance
industry, institutional strength, expertise and experience in
representing special committees. On the evening of
March 20, 2007, the special committee advised CCW that it
had been selected as independent financial advisor to the
special committee, and instructed Squire Sanders to negotiate an
engagement letter with CCW and to have CCW commence an
investigation and analyses of the value of GAFRI.
On March 22, 2007, CCW met with members of GAFRIs
management and Squire Sanders to commence CCWs due
diligence process. There was also a detailed discussion of the
expectations of the special committee and its advisors with
respect to the due diligence process and GAFRIs production
of documents and information. GAFRI management pledged its
cooperation in the due diligence meeting and made a summary
presentation to, and answered questions from, CCW and Squire
Sanders regarding GAFRIs operations, strategic plan and
financial statements, including recent financial and operating
history. On March 28, 2007, CCW and Squire Sanders met
again with members of GAFRIs management to discuss tax and
environmental liability aspects of the initial due diligence
process, and on March 30, 2007, CCW and Squire Sanders met
telephonically with the management of GAFRI and GAFRIs
real estate advisors to discuss GAFRIs real estate
investments.
On April 4, 2007, GAFRIs management made a detailed
day-long presentation to, and answered questions from, the
special committee and its legal and financial advisors regarding
GAFRIs operations and financial condition. The
presentation included a discussion of the history and
organizational structure of GAFRI, recent acquisitions and
dispositions made by GAFRI, a review of each of GAFRIs
Cincinnati-based and Austin-based insurance operations, a review
of GAFRIs investments and strategic plan, a discussion of
GAFRIs financial condition, tax-related matters and
available financial statements and a review of all litigation
and contingent reserves. In addition to the formal meetings of
the special committee and the April 4, 2007 meeting with
GAFRIs management, the special committee in the course of
its review and evaluation of the proposed transaction informally
consulted with GAFRIs management on several other
occasions.
From March 22 through April 17, 2007, CCW reviewed
financial and other information concerning GAFRI, including
GAFRIs audited and interim financial statements, business
plans and projections provided by GAFRIs management, and
other information concerning GAFRI, as described below in
Special Factors Opinion of the Special
Committees Financial Advisor. On April 17,
2007, CCW made a preliminary presentation of its ongoing
valuation analyses to a meeting of the special committee. At
that meeting, members of the special committee and its legal
counsel held extensive discussions with CCW regarding due
diligence performed by CCW, the approaches taken by CCW to value
GAFRI, the manner in which CCW may arrive at an opinion as to
the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be received by public stockholders under the
proposed transaction
12
and the assumptions upon which CCWs valuation work was
based, including forecasts of the expected future performance of
GAFRI provided by GAFRIs management, which represent
GAFRIs best good faith estimate of its future performance,
data from comparable transactions, and the terms of the proposed
transaction.
After describing the due diligence it had performed in the
process and discussing the financial analyses techniques
utilized in undertaking the valuation of GAFRI, CCW then
presented its preliminary valuation of GAFRI, which was based on
six valuation methodologies: historical stock price analysis,
historical trading multiple analyses, price to book value versus
return on equity analysis, public market trading analysis,
dividend discount analysis and premiums paid analysis. During
this presentation, CCW answered various questions from the
special committee regarding the valuation methodologies and the
implications of their results. At the conclusion of CCWs
April 17, 2007 presentation of its preliminary valuation
and twice by telephonic conference calls on April 18, 2007,
the special committee engaged in robust deliberations on the
preliminary valuation analyses. Each member of the special
committee asked a number of questions of CCW, all of which were
answered to the satisfaction of the special committee.
On April 20, 2007, the special committee and its advisors
met with the management of GAFRI and a representative of our
Board of Directors to inform them of its preliminary conclusions
with respect to the transaction proposed by AFG as a prelude to
meeting with representatives of AFG. Squire Sanders opened the
meeting with a report on the legal standards governing the
actions of the special committee. This report covered issues
such as the independence of the members of the special committee
and the independence of CCW and Squire Sanders as advisors to
the special committee. The report also discussed the
deliberative nature of the actions taken by the special
committee up to that date, including meeting with the management
of GAFRI for a presentation of GAFRIs operations,
financial condition and strategic initiatives, additional due
diligence meetings with GAFRIs management on tax,
environmental and real estate evaluation matters, and the
thirteen (13) meetings of the special committee up to that
date that included about 4 meetings solely on valuation.
Thereafter, on April 20, 2007, the special committee,
together with Squire Sanders and CCW, met with representatives
of AFG to discuss the financial terms of the proposed
transaction. Squire Sanders reviewed the terms of the initial
proposal from AFG, and then discussed the process being
undertaken by the special committee and the special
committees work up to that date, including the selection
and engagement of Squire Sanders as legal counsel and CCW as
financial advisor, due diligence meetings with management of
GAFRI, the managements responsiveness to due diligence
requests and the deliberate and robust nature of the special
committees meetings and discussions, particularly on the
subject matter of valuation. The special committee then informed
the AFG representatives of the special committees
resolution not to recommend acceptance of AFGs initial
proposal to pay cash consideration of $23.50 per share for GAFRI
common stock held by the public stockholders, and suggested that
the special committee might be able to recommend an offer of
$25.50 per share, coupled with other conditions it considered to
be in the best interest of the public stockholders.
AFG responded unequivocally that it would not consider an offer
of $25.50 per share of GAFRI common stock. AFG then presented
its valuation of GAFRI, which was based on the operations and
business prospects of each of GAFRIs individual lines of
business, as well as its own analyses of various valuation
metrics, and informed the special committee that the special
committees suggestion of $25.50 per share was considerably
in excess both of what AFG was willing to offer to the public
stockholders and of AFGs valuation of GAFRI which had
resulted in an average price of $21.32 per share of GAFRI common
stock based on AFGs various valuation metrics. AFG further
stated that because of the regulatory uncertainty with respect
to the future of the medical supplement line of the insurance
business, its valuation of GAFRI would not justify paying $25.50
per share for GAFRI common stock held by the public
stockholders. In response to a question posed by a member of the
special committee, AFG indicated that the $25.50 per share
valuation would result in a return on equity on GAFRI common
stock of about 6.3% in 2007, in comparison to approximately 10%
for comparable companies in the insurance industry. CCW asked
the AFG representatives questions regarding AFGs valuation
analyses and received responses thereto from the AFG
representatives. CCW further discussed the market price analysis
of GAFRI as well as other preliminary analyses used by CCW in
evaluating the financial fairness of the proposed transaction.
Following deliberations between the special committee and its
advisors, and further discussions among the special committee
and its advisors and the AFG representatives over valuation
methodologies and the market value
13
of GAFRI common stock, the special committee stated that it
could recommend acceptance of an offer of $24.50 per share of
GAFRI common stock held by the public stockholders, contingent
upon the satisfaction of other conditions in the best interests
of the public stockholders. The AFG representatives thereafter
acceded to the non-binding recommendation to raise its offer to
$24.50 per share of GAFRI common stock held by the public
stockholders, it being understood that the accord was
preliminary in nature as to what the special committee might
recommend to our Board of Directors and would not be binding
upon the special committee until a definitive merger agreement
was negotiated and its execution approved by the special
committee, and that even then the recommendation could be
withdrawn under customary circumstances. The AFG representatives
stated that AFG would withdraw its proposal before it would
agree to a price of more than $24.50 per share of GAFRI common
stock. AFG then suggested further discussions between AFGs
counsel and the special committees legal counsel regarding
other merger terms.
On April 24, 2007, Squire Sanders, on behalf of the special
committee, met with AFGs counsel for discussions regarding
conditions to the proposed transactions and the negotiation of a
definitive merger agreement. Between April 26, 2007 and
May 10, 2007, the special committee met several times
either in person or telephonically with Squire Sanders to
deliberate upon and resolve issues with respect to the proposed
transaction as it deemed such resolution to be in the best
interests of the public stockholders, and to receive updates on
the negotiation of a definitive merger agreement and related
matters. On May 15, 2007, the special committee met with
CCW for an update on its preliminary valuation analyses, which
had not changed in any significant respect.
On May 17, 2007, the special committee met with CCW and
Squire Sanders to receive the final valuation report and
fairness opinion of CCW, and to receive a draft of the
negotiated definitive merger agreement. CCW reviewed the
financial analyses methodologies that it had utilized in the
valuation of GAFRI, and then presented its valuation of GAFRI.
In addition, CCW delivered its fairness opinion, both orally and
by presenting a confirming opinion letter, that the merger
consideration of $24.50 per share of GAFRI common stock would be
fair to the public stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and their
affiliates) from a financial point of view. Squire Sanders
reviewed the draft merger agreement with the special committee
discussing the course of negotiations with AFGs counsel.
Based in part on the CCW opinion and the valuation analyses
presented by CCW to the special committee, the special
committees belief that the $24.50 per share price is a
fair offer from a financial point of view and the other factors
described below in Special Factors
Recommendation of the Special Committee and the Board of
Directors Reasons for the Special Committees
Determination; Fairness of the Merger, and after further
detailed discussions, the special committee unanimously voted to
accept the proposed merger, and to recommend to our Board of
Directors that the merger and the merger agreement be approved
by the Board and recommended to the public stockholders.
Thereafter, also on May 17, 2007, our Board of Directors
met to receive and deliberate upon the report of the special
committee. The special committee, in concert with Squire Sanders
and CCW, reported to the Board on the process undertaken by the
special committee and the special committees review of the
merger agreement, and unanimously recommended to our Board of
Directors that the Board accept the offer of $24.50 per share of
GAFRI common stock held by the public stockholders and to
approve and adopt the definitive merger agreement. After the
presentation of the report, and responses to questions posed by
various members of the Board to the special committee and its
advisors, our Board of Directors (with Messrs. Carl H.
Lindner, S. Craig Lindner, Kenneth C. Ambrecht, Charles R.
Scheper and William R. Martin abstaining, because of potential
conflicts of interest with respect to the proposed transaction)
approved and adopted the recommendations of the special
committee with respect to the proposed transaction, the
definitive merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, and resolved to recommend the approval of the proposed
transaction and the merger agreement to the public stockholders.
Thereafter, GAFRI issued a press release announcing that, based
on the recommendation of the special committee, our Board of
Directors had approved the proposed transaction and the offer of
$24.50 per share in cash.
AFGs acceptance of the final terms of the merger
(including the increase in the consideration to be paid for the
GAFRI shares) reflected the separate negotiations with counsel
for certain shareholders of GAFRI who filed lawsuits in February
challenging the original merger terms proposed by AFG. See
Special Factors Certain Litigation Regarding
the Merger.
14
Recommendation
of the Special Committee and the Board of Directors
At a meeting held on May 17, 2007, the special committee
determined that the proposed transaction, including the merger,
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
were fair to the public stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and
their affiliates) and in the best interests of the public
stockholders and unanimously recommended that our Board of
Directors approve the proposed transaction, the merger, the
merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby
and recommend to the public stockholders the merger, the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. In reaching
its conclusion, the special committee was assisted in its
deliberations by CCW and Squire Sanders. See Special
Factors the Special Committee. Additionally,
the special committee met on 22 occasions between
February 23, 2007 and the date of this proxy statement, in
person or by telephone conference, to consider developments
relating to the proposed transaction. The special committee is
unaware of any development since its May 17, 2007 meeting
that would affect its determination, and, accordingly, the
special committee reconfirms that, as of the date of this proxy
statement, its determination that the proposed transaction,
including the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, are fair to the public stockholders (other
than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates) and in the best interests
of the public stockholders.
Reasons
for the Special Committees Determination; Fairness of the
Merger
In recommending the proposed transaction, the merger and the
merger agreement to the Board, the special committee considered
the current overall position of GAFRI, including its current
financial position, operations, strategic business plan,
potential for future viability and growth and current market
conditions. Specifically, the most significant factors that the
special committee evaluated in connection with these
considerations and believed supported its determination include:
|
|
|
|
|
The special committees belief that it was unlikely another
bidder would make a definitive proposal that would result in a
transaction providing greater value to the public stockholders
than the proposed transaction. This view was reinforced by the
lack of any interest in acquiring GAFRI by any person other than
AFG. In addition, the special committee believes that the $24.50
per share consideration is the highest price that could be
obtained from AFG, and considered the possibility that AFG would
withdraw its bid at a price in excess of $24.50 per share.
Furthermore, in its proposal letter of February 22, 2007,
AFG stated that it was not interested in pursuing a sale of its
approximately 81% equity stake in GAFRI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCWs opinion delivered to the special committee on
May 17, 2007 that the per share merger consideration of
$24.50 to be received by the public stockholders (other than
AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates) is fair to such holders from a
financial point of view. The full text of the written opinion of
CCW, which sets forth assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken in connection with its
opinion, is attached hereto as Appendix B and is
incorporated herein by reference. The special committee took
into consideration the analyses and findings of CCW in reaching
its determination that the proposed transaction, including the
merger, is fair to the public stockholders (other than AFG,
GAFRI and their affiliates). GAFRIs shareholders are urged
to and should read CCWs fairness opinion in its entirety.
In reaching its opinion, CCW employed generally accepted
valuation methodologies, which are more fully described in
Special Factors Opinion of the Special
Committees Financial Advisor. Moreover, the special
committee took into consideration these methodologies and the
resulting valuation ranges in recommending the proposed
transaction. These methodologies were designed to value GAFRI as
a going concern and took into account a variety of factors,
including the pre-announcement and historical market prices of
GAFRI common stock, the net book value of GAFRI, as well as the
earnings of GAFRI. Neither CCW nor the special committee took
into account the liquidation value of GAFRI because, as a result
of discussions with AFG, the special committee understood that
AFG would not consider liquidating GAFRI and, therefore, a
liquidation value would not reflect the going concern value of
GAFRI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The proposed terms and conditions of the merger agreement. In
particular, the special committee considered the fact that the
merger agreement does not provide for any termination fees and
expense reimbursement obligations which would have the effect of
unreasonably discouraging competing bids or hurt the financial
results of GAFRI if the merger is not completed. The special
committee also concluded that provisions of the merger agreement
permitting the Board, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties,
to withdraw or modify its
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
recommendation to the shareholders regarding the merger, would
facilitate any competing bid, if such a bid becomes available
prior to the consummation of the merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The market price of GAFRI common stock, which, on
February 15, 2007 (being the last trading day one week
prior to the announcement of the proposed transaction), had
closed at $21.31 per share, and the approximate 15% premium over
this price represented by the $24.50 per share merger
consideration to be received by the public stockholders in the
merger. Moreover, the special committee considered CCWs
presentation of the historical market price of GAFRI common
stock and the fact that the median price of the GAFRI common
stock over the prior five year period was less than $18.00 per
share, with the GAFRI common stock not having closed above the
$24.50 per share price during such five-year period. In
addition, the special committee considered CCWs analyses
of the premiums paid in comparable merger transactions, which
indicated that the premium represented by the consideration
offered in the proposed merger was within the range of median
premiums paid in the transactions to which CCW compared the
merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fact that the merger and the merger agreement are the
product of arms-length negotiations between AFG and the
special committee. During the course of these negotiations, the
special committee was able to negotiate terms and conditions of
the merger agreement that it believes are beneficial to GAFRI
and the public stockholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fact that GAFRI and AFG reported to the special committee in
the course of their due diligence that neither is aware of any
firm offer by any unaffiliated person during the past two years
for the merger, consideration, sale or change of control of
GAFRI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fact that the per share merger consideration is all cash,
which provides certainty of value and complete liquidity to the
public stockholders, compared to a transaction in which the
public stockholders would receive stock or some other form of
consideration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The likelihood of completion of the merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The ability of the public stockholders who may not support the
merger to obtain fair value for their shares if they
properly perfect and exercise their appraisal rights under
Delaware General Corporation Law. The special committee felt
that it was important that the Delaware General Corporation Law
provides the public stockholders with the opportunity to
exercise appraisal rights and to seek a judicial determination
of the fair value of their shares if they are dissatisfied with
the consideration offered in the merger.
|
The special committee believes that the procedure that was
followed in determining the per share merger consideration to be
paid to the public stockholders was fair to the public
stockholders other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates because,
among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
The Board established a special committee comprised of three
non-employee directors who are not affiliated with AFG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Board granted the special committee exclusive authority on
behalf of the Board to evaluate, review, reject or accept and
negotiate the proposed transaction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The special committee retained and received advice from its own
independent legal and financial advisors in evaluating,
negotiating and recommending the terms of the proposed
transaction, and these advisors reported directly to and took
direction solely from the special committee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The special committee, together with its legal and financial
advisors, conducted extensive due diligence and negotiations for
the benefit of the public stockholders other than AFG, GAFRI and
their affiliates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fact that, under the terms of the merger agreement the Board
(acting upon the recommendation of the special committee) or the
special committee is not prohibited from withdrawing, modifying
or changing its recommendation that the public stockholders
other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates approve and adopt the
merger agreement, the merger and the transactions related
thereto if the special committee determines that such
withdrawal, modification or change is necessary in order for the
special committee or the Board to comply with its fiduciary
duties.
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
The merger consideration of $24.50 per share and the other terms
and conditions of the proposed transaction was the result of
active and lengthy negotiations between the special committee
and its legal and financial advisors on the one hand, and AFG on
the other hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The special committee met in excess of 20 times to consider the
proposed transaction and the fairness of the proposed
transaction to the public stockholders other than AFG, GAFRI and
their affiliates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Delaware law, the public stockholders have the right to
demand appraisal of their shares.
|
In light of the foregoing factors, the special committee
determined that the merger is procedurally fair to the public
stockholders other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates.
The special committee also considered certain risks and other
potentially negative factors concerning the merger agreement,
the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, but
ultimately determined that these factors were outweighed by the
factors that supported the special committees
determination. These potentially negative factors included:
|
|
|
|
|
The fact that GAFRI will no longer be a public company following
completion of the merger, with the resultant effect that the
public stockholders will have no further opportunities to
participate in any future growth of GAFRI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The possibility that the merger will not be completed, and the
risks associated with such an occurrence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The closing of the merger is not conditioned upon the
affirmative vote of a majority of the public stockholders, but
instead is conditioned upon the affirmative vote of a majority
of all stockholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fact that, as of the record date, AFG beneficially owned
approximately 81% of GAFRIs outstanding shares and has
determined to vote, or cause to be voted, such shares in favor
of the merger agreement, which means that the proposed merger
does not require the affirmative vote of any public stockholders
other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The possibility of disruption to GAFRIs operations
following the announcement of the merger agreement, and the
resulting effect on GAFRI if the merger does not close.
|
The special committee concluded, however, that the
aforementioned risks and potentially negative factors could be
managed or mitigated by GAFRI or were unlikely to have a
material impact on the merger, and that, overall, the
potentially negative factors associated with the merger were
outweighed by the potential benefits of the merger.
The special committee views its determination and recommendation
that the merger agreement and the merger are fair to, and in the
best interests of, the public stockholders as being based upon
its judgment, in light of the totality of the information
presented and considered, of the overall effect of the merger on
the public stockholders compared to any alternative transaction
and the likely effect of rejecting the merger. The special
committee believes that the procedure that was followed in
determining the per share merger consideration to be paid to the
public stockholders was fair to the public stockholders. The
Board appointed as the only members of the special committee
three non-employee directors who are not affiliated with AFG,
and granted the special committee exclusive authority on behalf
of the Board to evaluate, review, reject or accept and negotiate
the proposed transaction.
Based on the foregoing, the special committee unanimously
determined that the AFG proposal, including the merger, the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, were
fair to, and in the best interests of, the public stockholders
other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates and recommended to
our Board of Directors approval of the merger agreement and that
it be recommended to the shareholders of GAFRI.
Position
of the Board of Directors as to Fairness of the
Merger
Our Board of Directors consists of 10 members, three of whom
served on the special committee. At the May 17, 2007
meeting of the Board, the special committee, with
representatives of CCW and Squire Sanders participating,
reported to the entire Board of Directors on its review of the
proposed transaction and the merger agreement. Messrs. Carl
H. Lindner, S. Craig Lindner, Kenneth C. Ambrecht, Charles R.
Scheper and William R. Martin
17
abstained from any vote with respect to the merger or the
merger agreement. The members of the special committee,
Robert A. Adams, and John T. Lawrence III voted to
approve the proposed transaction and the merger agreement. The
Board considered the analyses performed by, and the conclusions
and recommendations of, the special committee. Our Board of
Directors believes that, given the careful deliberations and
process employed by the special committee, including the advice
received by the special committee from each of CCW and Squire
Sanders, and based upon the recommendation of the special
committee, the merger and the merger agreement are fair to the
public stockholders (other than AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates)
and in the best interest of the public stockholders (other than
AFG, GAFRI and their affiliates) GAFRI and the public
stockholders.
Opinion
of the Special Committees Financial Advisor
Pursuant to an engagement letter dated March 20, 2007, the
special committee engaged CCW to act as its financial advisor in
connection with the special committees evaluation of the
transaction proposed by AFG, and to render to the special
committee a written opinion as to whether the per share merger
consideration to be received by the unaffiliated public
stockholders was fair to such unaffiliated public stockholders
from a financial point of view. As used in this section, the
term unaffiliated public stockholders does not
include (i) AFG and its affiliates or (ii) GAFRI or
any of its affiliates with respect to shares held in treasury or
otherwise, and CCWs opinion does not address the fairness
of the merger or the per share merger consideration to be
received by any such party or holders of shares who have
properly exercised appraisal rights, if any.
The special committee chose to retain CCW to serve as its
financial advisor because CCW is a leading investment banking
firm specializing in the insurance industry and its investment
banking professionals have substantial experience in
transactions similar to the transaction proposed by AFG. CCW, as
part of its investment banking business, is continually engaged
in performing financial analyses with respect to businesses and
their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements and other transactions as well as for corporate and
other purposes. In addition, CCW was retained by Ceres Group,
Inc. (prior to its acquisition by GAFRI) to act as financial
advisor in connection with its acquisition by GAFRI in August
2006. CCW has not had any relationship with the Company, GAC or
AFG during the two years preceding the date hereof, other than
with regard to the merger. On May 17, 2007, at a meeting of
the special committee, CCW delivered its oral opinion, which was
confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 17,
2007, to the special committee that, as of such date, on the
basis of its analyses summarized below and subject to the
limitations described below and in the written opinion the per
share merger consideration to be received by the unaffiliated
public stockholders was fair to such unaffiliated public
stockholders from a financial point of view.
The full text of CCWs written opinion, which is
attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement and is
incorporated herein by reference, describes, among other things,
the assumptions made, general procedures followed, matters
considered and limitations on the review undertaken by CCW in
rendering its opinion. GAFRIs unaffiliated public
stockholders are urged to and should read CCWs opinion
carefully and in its entirety. CCWs opinion is addressed
to the special committee for its use in evaluating the
transaction proposed by AFG and it addresses only the fairness
from a financial point of view of the consideration to be
received by the unaffiliated public stockholders pursuant to the
merger agreement and does not address any other aspect of the
transaction proposed by AFG. CCWs opinion does not
constitute a recommendation to the special committee or any of
the public stockholders on whether or not to vote in favor of or
against any matter related to the merger.
As compensation to CCW for its services to the special committee
in connection with its evaluation of the transaction proposed by
AFG, the special committee paid CCW $250,000 upon execution of
the engagement letter dated March 20, 2007 and an
additional $250,000 upon the delivery of CCWs opinion.
Additional compensation of $250,000 will be payable after GAFRI
mails definitive proxy materials to its shareholders or
alternatively decides not to proceed with the merger. In
addition, regardless of whether the merger is consummated, the
special committee has agreed to reimburse CCW for customary
expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and
disbursements, and to indemnify CCW and related persons against
various liabilities arising out of CCWs engagement. No
portion of the CCW fee or its right to expense reimbursement is
contingent upon the successful completion of the merger or on
the conclusions reached in the CCW opinion.
18
In connection with rendering its opinion and performing its
related financial analyses, CCW reviewed, among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
the final draft of the definitive merger agreement;
|
|
|
|
|
|
certain historical financial statements of GAFRI as of and for
each of the five years ended December 31, 2002 through
December 31, 2006 and certain unaudited historical
financial statements of GAFRI as of and for the quarter ended
March 31, 2007;
|
|
|
|
|
|
certain internal business, operating and financial information,
projections and forecasts of GAFRI, referred to herein as
Forecasts, prepared by the management of GAFRI;
|
|
|
|
|
|
information regarding certain publicly traded companies
comparable to GAFRI;
|
|
|
|
|
|
information regarding publicly available financial terms of
certain transactions that CCW deemed comparable to the merger;
|
|
|
|
|
|
current and historical market prices and trading volumes of the
common stock of GAFRI; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
certain other publicly available information on GAFRI and AFG.
|
In addition, CCW held discussions with members of the management
of GAFRI concerning past and current business operations,
assets, liabilities, financial condition and future prospects of
GAFRI. CCW also considered other matters which it has deemed
relevant to its inquiry and has taken into account such accepted
financial and investment banking procedures and considerations
as it has deemed relevant.
CCW was not requested to opine to, and did not address, among
other things:
|
|
|
|
|
the underlying business decision of GAFRI, the Board, the
special committee, the public stockholders or any other party to
proceed with or to effect the merger; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
the relative merits of the merger as compared to any alternative
business strategies that might exist for GAFRI or the effect of
any other transaction in which GAFRI might engage.
|
In arriving at its opinion, CCW relied upon and assumed, without
independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all
financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information examined
by it or otherwise reviewed or discussed with GAFRI. In that
regard, CCW assumed, with the consent of the special committee
and GAFRI, that the Forecasts were reasonably prepared by the
management of GAFRI on a basis reflecting the best then
currently available estimates and judgments of the management of
GAFRI and CCW expressed no opinion with respect to such
Forecasts or the assumptions on which they are based.
CCW is not an actuary and its services did not include any
actuarial determination or evaluation by CCW or any attempt to
evaluate actuarial assumptions and CCW has relied on
GAFRIs actuaries with respect to reserve adequacy. In that
regard, CCW made no analysis of, and expressed no opinion as to,
the adequacy of the insurance and investment contract
liabilities or the policy liabilities of GAFRI. In addition, CCW
did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the
assets, liabilities (including any derivative or
off-balance-sheet assets and liabilities) or solvency of GAFRI
or any of its respective subsidiaries and CCW was not furnished
with any such evaluation or appraisal. CCWs opinion does
not address the underlying business decision of GAFRI to engage
in the merger, nor did CCW express any opinion as to the prices
at which shares of GAFRI common stock will trade at any time.
CCW relied as to all legal, tax and regulatory matters on advice
of counsel to GAFRI, and assumed that the merger will be
consummated on the terms described in the merger agreement,
without any waiver of any material terms or conditions by GAFRI.
The special committee did not request that CCW, and CCW did not,
solicit third party indications of interest in respect of the
merger.
In the ordinary course of its investment banking activities, CCW
and its affiliates may provide such services to GAFRI, AFG and
their respective affiliates, may actively trade the debt and
equity securities (or related derivative securities) of GAFRI
and AFG for its own account and for the accounts of its
customers and may at any time hold long and short positions of
such securities.
19
Financial
Analyses of the Special Committees Financial
Advisor
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses
presented by CCW to the special committee on May 17, 2007,
in connection with providing its opinion, which we refer to
herein as the CCW presentation. The following summary does not
purport to be, and is not, a complete description of the
financial analyses performed by CCW. Financial analyses involve
complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and
operating characteristics and other factors that could affect
the acquisition, public trading or other values of the
companies, business segments or transactions analyzed and,
therefore, financial analyses are not readily susceptible to
summary description. No company, transaction or business
utilized by CCW in conducting its financial analyses as a
comparison is identical to GAFRI, the merger agreement or the
merger, and an evaluation of the results of those analyses is
not entirely mathematical. The estimates used in, and the
valuation ranges resulting from, such analyses are inherently
subject to substantial uncertainty and, thus, such analyses do
not purport to be, and should not be construed in any respect
as, a guaranty of value at which GAFRI, the common stock of
GAFRI or any other interests in GAFRI actually could be acquired
or sold. The summaries of the financial analyses include
information presented in tabular format. The tables must be read
together with the full text of each summary and are alone not a
complete description of CCWs financial analyses.
Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative
information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is
based on market data as it existed on or before May 17,
2007, and is not necessarily indicative of current market
conditions. CCWs financial analyses were necessarily based
on the information available to CCW and general economic,
financial and stock market conditions and circumstances as they
existed and could be evaluated by CCW as of the date of
preparation of the CCW presentation. Although subsequent
developments may affect the financial analyses performed by CCW,
CCW does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm
any of the information included in the CCW presentation.
Overview
As part of its financial analysis, CCW performed a Public
Market Trading Analysis, a Dividend Discount
Analysis, and a Premiums Paid Analysis. These
analyses and the resulting per share reference ranges for GAFRI
indicated by these analyses are described below. As part of
CCWs financial analysis, CCW reviewed the historical stock
price performance and average trading volume of GAFRI and
selected companies and the historical financial performance and
trading multiples of GAFRI. The order of analyses described
below does not represent the relative importance or weight given
to those analyses by CCW. CCW considered the results of all of
its analyses as a whole, did not attribute any particular weight
to any analysis or factor considered by it and did not draw, in
isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any one factor or
method of analysis. Accordingly, CCW believes that the summary
set forth below and its analyses must be considered as a whole
and that selecting portions thereof, without considering all of
its analyses, could create an incomplete view of the processes
underlying its analyses.
Public
Market Trading Analysis
In order to access how the public market values shares of
similar publicly traded companies, CCW reviewed and compared
specific financial and market data relating to GAFRI with
selected companies that CCW, based on its experience with
companies in the life insurance and annuities industries, deemed
appropriate as comparables to GAFRI, including: American Equity
Investment Life Holding Co., Conseco, Inc., FBL Financial Group,
Inc., National Western Life Insurance Company, Nationwide
Financial Services, Inc., Presidential Life Corporation,
Protective Life Corporation and Torchmark Corporation.
The financial information compared included current stock price,
previous 52 weeks high and low stock price, average
weekly trading volume over the last year as a percentage of
shares outstanding, market capitalization, stock performance
over the last year, GAAP book value, including and excluding the
impact of unrealized gains and losses, as of March 31,
2007, return on equity, or ROE, for the last twelve months ended
March 31, 2007, or LTM, estimated ROE for 2007 and 2008,
dividend yield, LTM diluted EPS, LTM operating EPS, estimated
operating EPS for 2007 and 2008 and beta. The credit statistic
compared included the ratio of long-term debt to book
capitalization. In order to arrive at a public market reference
range for GAFRI, CCW derived multiples for the comparable
companies, including price as a multiple of (i) LTM
operating EPS, (ii) 2007 estimated operating EPS,
(iii) 2008 estimated operating EPS, and (iv) GAAP book
value per share, excluding the impact of unrealized gains and
losses, as of March 31, 2007. Additionally, CCW
20
examined the correlation between 2007 estimated ROEs and price
to book value multiples of the comparable companies for which
2007 earnings estimates were publicly available. The resulting
regression line provides the implied price to book value
multiple for a company at a given 2007 estimated ROE. The market
price information used in the analysis was as of May 15,
2007. The earnings per share estimates used were based on First
Call consensus estimates as of May 15, 2007. First Call is
a product of Thomson Financial, a data service that monitors and
publishes a compilation of earnings estimates regarding
companies of interest to institutional investors produced by
selected research analysts.
The following table presents the selected results of the
financial analysis described above for the comparable companies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
2007E
|
|
|
2008E
|
|
|
Book Value
|
|
|
2007E
|
|
|
|
Oper. EPS
|
|
|
Oper. EPS
|
|
|
Oper. EPS
|
|
|
(Excl. FAS 115)
|
|
|
ROE
|
|
|
American Equity
|
|
|
13.8
|
x
|
|
|
9.7
|
x
|
|
|
8.1
|
x
|
|
|
1.02
|
x
|
|
|
10.6
|
%
|
Conseco
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
15.6
|
x
|
|
|
11.2
|
x
|
|
|
0.70
|
x
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
FBL Financial
|
|
|
13.2
|
x
|
|
|
13.1
|
x
|
|
|
12.2
|
x
|
|
|
1.31
|
x
|
|
|
9.2
|
%
|
National Western Life
|
|
|
19.6
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
0.95
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Nationwide
|
|
|
12.3
|
x
|
|
|
13.7
|
x
|
|
|
12.5
|
x
|
|
|
1.57
|
x
|
|
|
10.6
|
%
|
Presidential Life
|
|
|
10.6
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
1.06
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Protective Life
|
|
|
13.7
|
x
|
|
|
12.8
|
x
|
|
|
12.4
|
x
|
|
|
1.51
|
x
|
|
|
10.9
|
%
|
Torchmark
|
|
|
13.5
|
x
|
|
|
12.9
|
x
|
|
|
11.9
|
x
|
|
|
1.98
|
x
|
|
|
14.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Median
|
|
|
13.5
|
x
|
|
|
13.0
|
x
|
|
|
12.0
|
x
|
|
|
1.18
|
x
|
|
|
10.6
|
%
|
CCW then derived from this the ranges of these multiples deemed
most meaningful for this analysis (which were 13.0x
14.0x LTM operating EPS, 12.5x 13.5x 2007 estimated
operating EPS, 11.5x 12.5x 2008 estimated operating
EPS and 0.90x 1.10x GAAP book value per share,
excluding the impact of unrealized gains and losses, as of
March 31, 2007) and applied these multiples to
corresponding financial data of GAFRI. Estimated financial data
of GAFRI were based on internal estimates of GAFRIs
management. CCW also derived a range of 0.90x 1.00x
GAAP book value per share, excluding the impact of unrealized
gains and losses, as of March 31, 2007 based on the price
to book value multiple implied by inputting GAFRIs 2007
estimated ROE into the regression line discussed above. These
calculations indicated an overall mean range of implied per
share equity values for GAFRI of $20.58 to $22.96. CCW noted
that the merger consideration of $24.50 was above the range of
implied per share equity values for GAFRI based on the Public
Market Trading Analysis.
CCW selected the comparable companies named above because their
businesses and operating profiles are reasonably similar to
those of GAFRI. However, because of the inherent differences
between business, operations and prospects of GAFRI and the
businesses, operations and prospects of the comparable
companies, CCW believed that it was inappropriate to, and
therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of
the Public Market Trading Analysis. Accordingly, CCW also made
qualitative judgments concerning differences between the
financial and operating characteristics and prospects of GAFRI
and the companies included in this analysis that would affect
the public trading values of each in order to provide a context
in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis.
These qualitative judgments related primarily to the differing
sizes, growth prospects, profitability levels and degree of
operational risk between GAFRI and the companies included in the
Public Market Trading Analysis.
Dividend
Discount Analysis
In order to estimate the present value of GAFRI common stock,
CCW modeled a dividend discount cash flow analysis using the
dividends available to GAFRIs common shareholders for
fiscal years 2007 through 2011 based on estimates provided by
GAFRI management.
A dividend discount cash flow analysis is a traditional
valuation methodology used to derive a valuation of an asset by
calculating the present value of estimated future
dividends of the asset. Dividends represent the cash available
to common shareholders after funding capital requirements,
working capital needs and debt financing requirements.
Present value refers to the current value of future
cash flows or amounts and is obtained by
21
discounting those future cash flows or amounts by a discount
rate that takes into account macro-economic assumptions and
estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, expected
returns and other appropriate factors.
CCW performed a dividend discount cash flow analysis for GAFRI
by adding (1) the present value of GAFRIs projected
dividends to (2) the present value of the terminal
value of GAFRI. The terminal value refers to
the value of all future cash flows from an asset at a particular
point in time.
To determine terminal value, CCW used a terminal forward net
income multiple range of 12.5x 13.5x based on the
peer group and a terminal book value multiple range of
1.12x 1.22x based on the price to book value versus
2007 estimated ROE regression analysis utilized in the Public
Market Trading Analysis. CCW discounted the dividend streams and
the estimated terminal value to a present value using a discount
rate range of 11.0% 12.0% based on GAFRIs
estimated weighted average cost of equity. CCW used a capital
asset pricing model to calculate GAFRIs estimated weighted
average cost of equity using standard industry pricing models.
These calculations indicated an overall mean range of implied
per share equity values for GAFRI of $22.27 to $25.22. The
results of this analysis are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal Multiple Range
|
|
|
Implied per Share Range
|
|
|
Price / Estimated Earnings
|
|
|
12.5x 13.5x
|
|
|
$
|
22.41 $25.28
|
|
Price / Estimated Book Value
|
|
|
1.12x 1.22x
|
|
|
$
|
22.13 $25.17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicative Reference Range
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
22.27 $25.22
|
|
CCW noted that the merger consideration of $24.50 per share was
within the implied per share equity value ranges that resulted
from the Dividend Discount Analysis.
Premiums
Paid Analysis
In order to assess the premium proposed to be paid by AFG in the
merger, CCW reviewed premiums paid by acquirers in selected
minority buy-out transactions since 1996 where the acquirer
owned at least 50% of the target before the transaction and the
acquired entity equity value was at least $50 million.
These 116 transactions included 74 all-cash transactions, 30
transactions in which the acquired company was a financial
institution, eleven transactions in which the acquired company
was an insurance company, and seven all-cash transactions in
which the acquired company was an insurance company. CCW
utilized the premiums paid based on SDC
Platinumtm
calculations for the 1 week prior to the transaction. SDC
Platinumtm
is a product of Thomson Financial, a company that designs and
develops information systems to address specific needs of the
capital markets industry. The following table summarizes the
results of such calculations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums Paid to Share Price 1 Week Prior to Announcement
for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 Financial
|
|
|
11 Insurance
|
|
|
7 All-Cash &
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74 All-Cash
|
|
|
Institution
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
Insurance Company
|
|
|
|
All 116 Transactions
|
|
|
Transactions
|
|
|
Transactions
|
|
|
Transactions
|
|
|
Transactions
|
|
|
Median
|
|
|
22.8
|
%
|
|
|
28.6
|
%
|
|
|
12.9
|
%
|
|
|
17.2
|
%
|
|
|
17.4
|
%
|
75th Percentile
|
|
|
43.3
|
%
|
|
|
48.6
|
%
|
|
|
24.9
|
%
|
|
|
21.2
|
%
|
|
|
29.0
|
%
|
25th Percentile
|
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
|
13.6
|
%
|
|
|
9.1
|
%
|
|
|
11.0
|
%
|
|
|
14.3
|
%
|
CCW selected ranges based on the median premiums and applied
these ranges to the share price of GAFRIs common stock for
the same period to calculate the implied per share equity value
ranges of GAFRI as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAFRI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price(1)
|
|
|
Selected Premium Range
|
|
Implied per Share Range
|
|
All 116 Transaction
|
|
$
|
21.31
|
|
|
17.8% 27.8%
|
|
$25.10 $27.23
|
74 All-Cash Transactions
|
|
$
|
21.31
|
|
|
23.6% 33.6%
|
|
$26.34 $28.47
|
30 Financial Institution
Transactions
|
|
$
|
21.31
|
|
|
7.9% 17.9%
|
|
$22.99 $25.12
|
11 Insurance Company Transactions
|
|
$
|
21.31
|
|
|
12.2% 22.2%
|
|
$23.91 $26.04
|
7 All-Cash & Insurance
Company Transactions
|
|
$
|
21.31
|
|
|
12.4% 22.4%
|
|
$23.95 $26.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicative Reference Range
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$24.46 $26.59
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the closing price of GAFRI common stock one trading
week prior to February 22, 2007. |
22
Based on the analysis above, these calculations indicated an
overall mean range of implied per share equity values for GAFRI
of $24.46 to $26.59. CCW noted that the merger consideration of
$24.50 per share was within this range.
The premiums paid analysis utilized by CCW represents a
comparative analysis with many factors that may be unique to
each transaction and may or may not be applicable to the merger
and to GAFRI. CCW believed that it was inappropriate to, and
therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of
the premiums paid analysis and, accordingly, also made certain
qualitative judgments that would affect the reference ranges of
GAFRI.
A copy of the CCW presentation has been attached as an exhibit
to the
Schedule 13E-3
filed with the SEC in connection with the merger. The CCW
presentation will be available for any interested shareholder
(or any representatives of the shareholder who have been so
designated in writing) to inspect and copy at our principal
executive offices during regular business hours.
Certain
Effects of the Merger
Conversion
of Outstanding GAFRI Common Stock and Treatment of Stock
Options
If the merger agreement is approved by GAFRIs stockholders
and the other conditions to the completion of the merger are
either satisfied or waived, GAC will be merged with and into
GAFRI, with GAFRI continuing as the surviving corporation in the
merger. In addition, GAFRI will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AFG, Carl H. Lindner will continue as Chairman of the Board of
AFG and Carl H. Lindner III and S. Craig Lindner will
continue as Co-Chief Executive Officers, Co-Presidents and
directors of AFG. Upon the completion of the merger, each issued
and outstanding share owned by our public stockholders, (other
than shares held by stockholders who perfect their appraisal
rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to
receive the per share merger consideration. GAFRI stockholders
will be required to surrender their stock certificates upon the
completion of the merger to receive a cash payment equal to the
per share merger consideration for each share of GAFRI common
stock tendered. After completion of the merger, stockholders
will not have the opportunity to liquidate their shares at a
time and for a price of their own choosing.
In the merger, vested employee stock options will be
extinguished in exchange for a cash payment by GAFRI to each
holder of an option of an amount equal to the positive number
difference, less applicable taxes, between $24.50 and the
applicable option exercise price multiplied by the number of
shares of GAFRI common stock formerly subject to an option. We
refer to this amount as the option payment amount.
In addition, so long as a holder of an option is an employee of
GAFRI, AFG or any subsidiary of either of them at the vesting
dates (as set forth in a GAFRI employee stock option plan or
document evidencing a grant of an employee stock option), GAFRI
shall pay the option payment amount as soon as practicable after
such vesting dates in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Also, as of the
effective time of the merger, GAFRI will take all action
necessary to provide for the termination of its agent stock
option plans or agreements and the extinguishment of all rights
under such plans and agreements.
Effect
on Ownership Structure of GAFRI; Beneficial and Detrimental
Effects
After the merger, GAFRI will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AFG. The benefit of the merger to public stockholders (other
than stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights under
Delaware law) is the right to receive the per share merger
consideration for each share of GAFRI common stock held by such
public stockholders. The public stockholders will additionally
be able to dispose of their shares without paying the usual
transaction costs associated with open market sales and will no
longer have to bear the risk of any future losses or decrease in
GAFRIs enterprise value. The detriments are that public
stockholders will cease to have ownership interests in GAFRI or
rights as stockholders. Therefore, public stockholders will no
longer benefit from any increases in GAFRIs value, nor
will they participate in any earnings or growth of GAFRI
following the merger. Further, the receipt of the payment for
their shares will be a taxable transaction for federal income
tax purposes. See Special Factors Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.
23
A benefit of the merger to AFG is that GAFRI will be a
wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG. Future earnings and growth will
be solely for the benefit of AFG and will not benefit the public
stockholders. Detriments of the merger to AFG include the risk
that GAFRI will decrease in value following the merger and the
payment by AFG of an aggregate of approximately $3 million
in transaction costs and estimated fees and expenses relating to
the merger and financing transactions.
Effect
on Listing; Registration and Status of GAFRI Common
Stock
GAFRI common stock is currently registered as a class of equity
securities under the Exchange Act and is quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol GFR. As a result of
the merger, GAFRI will be a privately-held company, with no
public market for its common stock. After the merger, GAFRI
common stock will cease to be traded on the New York Stock
Exchange, and prices with respect to sales of shares of GAFRI
common stock in the public market will no longer be available.
In addition, registration of GAFRI common stock under the
Exchange Act will be terminated. This termination and the
delisting of GAFRI common stock from the New York Stock Exchange
will make certain provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the
short-swing recovery provisions of Section 16(b) and the
requirement to furnish a proxy or an information statement in
connection with a stockholders meeting, the liability
provisions of the Exchange Act and the corporate governance
requirements under New York Stock Exchange rules and regulations
and under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, such as the
requirement that certain executive officers of GAFRI certify the
accuracy of GAFRIs financial statements and that annual
reports contain managements report on the effectiveness of
the companys internal controls, no longer applicable to
GAFRI. AFG will guarantee $280 million of debt of GAFRI and
its subsidiaries in the merger. In addition, following the
completion of the merger, we expect to deregister the shares of
GAFRI common stock and cease to be a public reporting company.
Accordingly, GAFRI will no longer be required to file periodic
reports with the SEC after the effective time of the merger. If
GAFRI, as the entity surviving the merger, completes a
registered exchange or public offering of debt securities,
however, it would be required to file periodic reports with the
SEC under the Exchange Act for a period of time following that
transaction.
Source
of Funds
The total funds needed to complete the merger are estimated to
be $235 million. These funds will come from amounts
available at GAFRI as well as borrowings from AFG. As a result,
it is expected that GAFRIs indebtedness after completion
of the Merger will be greater. The amount borrowed from AFG will
be dependent on funds available at GAFRI at the time the merger
is completed. However, the rate at which the funds shall be
borrowed is expected to be seventy-five basis points over LIBOR
and such indebtedness is expected to mature on March 29,
2011.
Considerations
Relating to the Proposed Merger
Set forth below are various risks relating to the proposed
merger. The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list
of the risks relating to the merger and should be read in
conjunction with the other information in this proxy statement.
In addition, you should refer to the section entitled Risk
Factors in GAFRIs Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 which is
incorporated in this proxy statement by reference, for risks
relating to GAFRIs business.
Failure
to complete the merger could negatively impact the market price
of GAFRI common stock.
If the merger is not completed for any reason, GAFRI will be
subject to a number of material risks, including:
|
|
|
|
|
The market price of GAFRI common stock may decline to the extent
that the current market price of its shares reflects a market
assumption that the merger will be completed;
|
|
|
|
|
|
The diversion of managements attention from the day-to-day
business of GAFRI and the potential disruption to its employees
and its relationships with agents and other distributors during
the period before the completion of the merger may make it
difficult for GAFRI to regain its financial and market positions
if the merger does not occur.
|
24
If the merger is not approved by GAFRIs stockholders at
the special meeting, GAFRI, AFG and GAC will not be permitted
under Delaware law to complete the merger and each of GAFRI, AFG
and GAC will have the right to terminate the merger agreement.
Until
the merger is completed or the merger agreement is terminated,
under certain circumstances, GAFRI will not be able to solicit
any proposals for a merger or business combination with another
party at a favorable price because of restrictions in the merger
agreement.
Unless or until the merger agreement is terminated, subject to
specified exceptions, GAFRI is restricted from soliciting,
initiating, knowingly encouraging or knowingly facilitating any
inquiries or proposals that may lead to a proposal or offer for
an alternative transaction with any person or entity other than
AFG. See Terms of the Merger No Solicitation
of Competing Proposals. AFG stated in its proposal letter
to GAFRI dated February 22, 2007, and AFG has reiterated to
GAFRI on multiple occasions since such time, that AFG is not
interested in pursuing a sale of its approximately 81% equity
holding in GAFRI.
Uncertainties
associated with the merger may cause GAFRI to lose key
personnel.
Our current and prospective employees may be uncertain about
their future roles and relationships with GAFRI if the merger is
not completed. If the merger is not completed, this uncertainty
may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain key
management, marketing and technical personnel.
Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger
In considering the recommendations of our Board of Directors,
GAFRI stockholders should be aware that some of GAFRIs
executive officers and members of the Board have interests in
the transaction that are different from, or in addition to, the
interests of the public stockholders generally. The Board
appointed the special committee, consisting solely of directors
who are not officers or employees of GAFRI, to evaluate, reject
or accept and negotiate the proposed transaction, including the
merger, and to evaluate whether such transactions are in the
best interests of the public stockholders. The special committee
was aware of these differing interests and considered them,
among other matters, in evaluating the proposed transaction and
negotiating the merger and in recommending to the Board that the
merger and the merger be approved and adopted.
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the merger, for not less than six years from the
completion of the merger, the surviving corporation is required
to maintain in effect directors and officers
liability insurance policies for the current and former
directors and officers of GAFRI or any of its subsidiaries.
Subject to certain limitations, these policies must provide at
least the same coverage, and contain terms and conditions that
are no less advantageous to the directors and officers who are
covered by them as GAFRIs policies in effect on
May 17, 2007 (the date of signing the merger agreement).
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is expected that some of GAFRIs executive officers will
continue to serve in their current capacities following the
merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain directors and executive officers of GAFRI have interests
in the merger or have relationships with AFG that present actual
or potential, or the appearance of actual or potential,
conflicts of interest in connection with the merger, including
the fact that such directors and executive officers will retain
their shares in the surviving corporation.
|
In addition, in the merger, vested employee stock options
(including those held by GAFRIs executive officers) and
vested and unvested director stock options will be extinguished
in exchange for a cash payment by GAFRI to each holder of an
option as set forth under How Outstanding Options Will Be
Treated.
25
The table below sets forth the amounts that officers and
directors of GAFRI would be entitled to receive as a result of
the completion of the merger:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount to
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
be Received
|
|
|
Amount that
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Options
|
|
|
May Be
|
|
|
|
Amount to be
|
|
|
to Purchase
|
|
|
Received Upon
|
|
|
|
Received For
|
|
|
GAFRI
|
|
|
Vesting of
|
|
|
|
Shares of GAFRI
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Options to
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Stock Upon
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
|
|
Owned Upon
|
|
|
Completion
|
|
|
GAFRI
|
|
|
|
Completion of
|
|
|
of the
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
|
the Merger
|
|
|
Merger(1)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
Robert A. Adams
|
|
$
|
5,416,485
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Kenneth C. Ambrecht
|
|
|
49,147
|
|
|
|
206,780
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Ronald G. Joseph
|
|
|
1,562,635
|
|
|
|
240,520
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
John T. Lawrence III
|
|
|
591,871
|
|
|
|
240,520
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Carl H. Lindner
|
|
|
13,151,796
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
S. Craig Lindner
|
|
|
3,424,194
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
William R. Martin
|
|
|
711,970
|
|
|
|
240,520
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Charles R. Scheper
|
|
|
1,026,452
|
|
|
|
2,911,000
|
|
|
|
705,700
|
|
John B. Berding
|
|
|
2,079,291
|
|
|
|
666,270
|
|
|
|
282,280
|
|
Richard L. Magoteaux
|
|
|
115,640
|
|
|
|
740,320
|
|
|
|
282,280
|
|
Christopher P. Miliano
|
|
|
785,397
|
|
|
|
199,340
|
|
|
|
282,280
|
|
James E. Moffett
|
|
|
99,519
|
|
|
|
315,690
|
|
|
|
222,660
|
|
Mark F. Muething
|
|
|
2,746,254
|
|
|
|
808,770
|
|
|
|
282,280
|
|
Michael J. Prager
|
|
|
245,956
|
|
|
|
663,470
|
|
|
|
282,280
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All stock options held by directors of GAFRI, both vested and
unvested, will receive the merger consideration of $24.50 per
share minus the exercise price for the option. Employees of
GAFRI will receive payment at the closing of the merger with
respect to vested options only of the merger consideration of
$24.50 per share minus the exercise price for the option. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Pursuant to the merger agreement, so long as a holder of an
option is an employee of GAFRI, AFG or any subsidiary of either
of them at the vesting date (as set forth in a GAFRI employee
stock option plan or document evidencing a grant of an employee
stock option), GAFRI shall pay the option payment amount as soon
as practicable after such vesting dates in 2008, 2009, 2010 and
2011. |
In addition, GAFRI granted options to employees of GAFRI in
February 2007 at an exercise price exceeding the per share
merger consideration. The compensation committee of the AFG
Board of Directors has taken action to grant options to purchase
shares of common stock of AFG on the date that the merger is
completed to replace all of these options to purchase GAFRI
common stock. The number of shares of AFG common stock that may
be acquired upon exercise is identical to the number of shares
of GAFRI common stock subject to the prior options, and the
exercise price per share, as determined under AFGs 2005
Stock Incentive Plan, will equal the average of the high and low
sales prices as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the
date that the merger is completed. The options to purchase AFG
common stock will be subject to AFGs customary five year
vesting. As a result, the following officers will be granted the
following number of options to purchase shares of AFG common
stock upon the closing of the merger:
Mr. Berding 20,000;
Mr. Magoteaux 20,000;
Mr. Miliano 20,000;
Mr. Moffett 20,000;
Mr. Muething 20,000;
Mr. Prager 20,000; and
Mr. Scheper 50,000.
Except as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraphs, we
are not aware of any other benefits or additional compensation
in connection with this transaction that will not be shared by
the public stockholders generally. The proposed transaction does
not constitute a change of control for purposes of
any existing employment agreement with the executive officers of
GAFRI, and GAFRI has not and does not anticipate entering into
any new employment or other compensation agreements with its
executive officers as a result of the proposed
26
transaction. We understand that all of the directors of GAFRI
and all of the executive officers intend at this time to vote
their shares in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the
merger and the merger agreement.
Certain
Litigation Regarding the Merger
Following the announcement of the AFG proposal on
February 22, 2007, two actions were filed in the Court of
Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio. The two actions, which we
refer to as the actions, are styled Webb, et al. v.
Great American Financial Resources, Inc., et al., Case
No. A-0701905
and Call 4U, Limited, et al. v. Carl H. Lindner, et al.,
Case
No. A-0701929,
and were filed on February 28, 2007 as putative class
actions on behalf of all of GAFRI public stockholders other than
members of the GAFRI Board of Directors, naming AFG, GAFRI and
the members of our Board of Directors as defendants. The actions
alleged that the our Board of Directors had a conflict of
interest in considering the AFG proposal on behalf of
GAFRIs largest shareholder that prevented them from acting
independently and in the best interest of the public
stockholders. The actions also alleged that all of the
defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the public
stockholders by failing to obtain the highest value for the
shares held by the public stockholders and by failing to
implement a process that would produce an outcome and a price
that was entirely fair to such public stockholders. The actions
seek primarily injunctive relief to enjoin the proposed
transaction and to require the defendants to implement a fair
process to produce an entirely fair transaction and the highest
possible price for the GAFRI common stock not owned by AFG and
its affiliates. Both actions seek to recover attorneys
fees and costs , and one of the actions also seeks unspecified
damages. On April 18, 2007, the actions were consolidated
and lead counsel was appointed for the plaintiffs.
During this time, counsel for Defendants and Plaintiffs entered
into discussions regarding the facts and law at issue in the
actions. Defendants produced financial information and other
documents to Plaintiffs counsel and Plaintiffs
expert financial consultant regarding the merger, events leading
up to the merger, and included documents obtained from and
prepared by CCW. Plaintiffs counsel negotiated to provide
their expert financial consultant with the opportunity to
directly discuss the merger and the financial analysis of CCW
directly with representatives of CCW. Counsel for Plaintiffs and
Defendant AFG also met directly to discuss issues related to
potential settlement of the actions, including a price at which
AFGs purchase of the remaining shares of GAFRI could be
deemed fair to the minority shareholders of GAFRI. Through April
and into May, the expert for Plaintiffs continued to directly
discuss the financial analyses of GAFRI and counsel for
Plaintiffs and counsel for Defendant AFG continued their
independent discussions and negotiations regarding the merger
process and the price to be paid by AFG to minority shareholders.
On May 17, 2007, as a result of extensive arms-length
negotiations between counsel for the plaintiffs and
representatives of AFG, and after review of financial
information regarding GAFRI aa well as negotiations with counsel
for the special committee, the parties reached an agreement in
principle for the settlement of the actions. Pursuant to such
settlement, AFG agreed to acquire the outstanding shares of
GAFRI common stock that it did not already beneficially own from
the public stockholders at a purchase price of $24.50 per share,
a price in excess of what originally was offered by AFG in its
February 22, 2007 proposal. AFG and GAFRI further agreed to
provide plaintiffs counsel an opportunity to review and
comment upon the disclosures contained in the publicly filed
disclosure documents relating to the transaction including, but
not limited to, any definitive merger agreement and the proxy
statement to be sent to GAFRI shareholders. Defendants also have
agreed not to oppose the application of plaintiffs counsel
for an award of attorneys fees and expenses in a total amount
not to exceed $850,000.00. All parties agree that the settlement
is fair and is in the best interests of GAFRI and the public
stockholders. The settlement is subject to confirmatory
discovery and court approval.
Regulatory
Matters
GAFRI and AFG will make the necessary filings with regulatory
authorities pursuant to any applicable antitrust laws.
We are not aware of any other regulatory approvals to be
obtained, or waiting periods to expire, to complete the merger.
If the parties discover that other approvals or waiting periods
are necessary, they will seek to obtain or comply with them.
Should any such approval or other action be required, it is our
present intention to seek such approval or action. There can be
no assurance however that any such approval or other action, if
needed, would be
27
obtained without substantial effort or that adverse
consequences might not result to our business, or that certain
parts of our business might not have to be disposed of or held
separate or other substantial conditions complied with in order
to obtain such approval or other action or in the event that
such approval was not obtained or such other action was not
taken.
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The merger will be a tax free reorganization with respect to
AFG, GAFRI and GAC.
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the merger to public stockholders,
including Carl H. Lindner, Carl H. Lindner III and
S. Craig Lindner. This summary is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, referred to as the
Code in this proxy statement, regulations
promulgated under the Code, administrative rulings by the
Internal Revenue Service and court decisions now in effect. All
of these authorities are subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effect so as to result in tax consequences different
from those described below. This summary does not address all of
the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be
applicable to a particular public stockholder. In addition, this
summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the merger to public stockholders who are
subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax
law, including, for example, banks and other financial
institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt investors,
S corporations, holders that are properly classified as
partnerships under the Code, dealers in securities,
holders who hold their common stock as part of a hedge, straddle
or conversion transaction, holders whose functional currency is
not the U.S. dollar, holders who acquired common stock
through the exercise of employee stock options or other
compensatory arrangements, holders who are subject to the
alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code and holders who
do not hold their shares of GAFRI common stock as capital
assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the
Code. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income
tax consequences to any public stockholder who, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a nonresident alien
individual, a foreign corporation, a foreign partnership or a
foreign estate or trust and this summary does not address the
tax consequences of the merger under state, local or foreign tax
laws. This summary does not address any tax consequences under
state, local or foreign laws.
The summary that follows neither binds the Internal Revenue
Service nor precludes the Internal Revenue Service from adopting
a position contrary to that expressed in this proxy statement,
and we cannot assure you that such a contrary position could not
be asserted successfully by the Internal Revenue Service or
adopted by a court if the positions were litigated. GAFRI does
not intend to obtain a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of
the merger. In addition, we do not intend to obtain an opinion
from tax counsel with respect to the federal income tax
consequences of the merger.
Each public stockholder should consult the holders
individual tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences of
the merger to such holder, including the application and effect
of any state, local, foreign or other tax laws and the possible
effect of changes to such laws.
Exchange
of Common Stock for Cash
Generally, the merger will be taxable to stockholders for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. A holder of GAFRI common
stock receiving cash in the merger generally will recognize gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount
equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and
the holders adjusted tax basis in the GAFRI common stock
surrendered. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital
gain or loss if the GAFRI common stock is held as a capital
asset at the effective time of the merger. Any capital gain or
loss will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss if the
holder has held the GAFRI common stock for more than one year
prior to the effective time of the merger. If the holder has
held the GAFRI common stock for one year or less prior to the
effective time of the merger, any capital gain or loss will be
taxed as short-term capital gain or loss. Currently, long-term
capital gain for non-corporate taxpayers is taxed at a maximum
federal tax rate of 15%. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to certain limitations.
28
Backup
Withholding
Under the U.S. federal backup withholding tax rules, unless
an exemption applies, the paying agent will be required to
withhold, and will withhold, 28% of all cash payments to which a
holder of GAFRI common stock is entitled pursuant to the merger
agreement unless the holder provides a tax identification number
(social security number in the case of an individual or employer
identification number in the case of other holders), certifies
that such number is correct and that no backup withholding is
otherwise required and otherwise complies with such backup
withholding rules. Each holder of GAFRI common stock should
complete, sign and return to the paying agent the Substitute
Form W-9
in order to provide the information and certification necessary
to avoid backup withholding, unless an exemption applies and is
satisfied in a manner satisfactory to the paying agent. The
Substitute
Form W-9
will be included as part of the letter of transmittal mailed to
each record holder of GAFRI common stock. See Terms of the
Merger Payment for GAFRI Common Stock in the
Merger beginning on page of this proxy
statement.
Appraisal
Rights
The discussion below is not a complete summary regarding your
appraisal rights under Delaware law and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the text of the relevant provisions of
Delaware law, which are attached to this proxy statement as
Appendix C. Stockholders intending to exercise appraisal
rights should carefully review Appendix C. Failure to
follow precisely any of the statutory procedures set forth in
Appendix C may result in a termination or waiver of these
rights.
If the merger is completed, dissenting holders of GAFRI common
stock who follow the procedures specified in Section 262 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law within the appropriate time
periods will be entitled to have their shares of GAFRI common
stock appraised and receive the fair value of such
shares in cash as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery
in lieu of the consideration that such stockholder would
otherwise be entitled to receive under the merger agreement.
The following is a brief summary of Section 262, which
explains the procedures for dissenting from the merger and
demanding statutory appraisal rights. Failure to follow the
procedures described in Section 262 precisely could result
in the loss of appraisal rights. This proxy statement
constitutes notice to holders of GAFRI common stock concerning
the availability of appraisal rights under Section 262. A
stockholder of record wishing to assert appraisal rights must
hold the shares of stock on the date of making a demand for
appraisal rights with respect to such shares and must
continuously hold such shares through the effective time of the
merger.
Stockholders who desire to exercise their appraisal rights must
satisfy all of the conditions of Section 262. A stockholder
must file a written demand for appraisal of shares with GAFRI
before the special meeting
on ,
2007. This written demand for appraisal of shares must be in
addition to and separate from a vote against the merger.
Stockholders electing to exercise their appraisal rights must
not vote FOR the adoption and approval of the
merger agreement. Also, because a submitted proxy not marked
AGAINST or ABSTAIN will be
voted FOR the proposal to adopt and approve
the merger agreement, the submission of a proxy not marked
AGAINST or ABSTAIN will
result in the waiver of appraisal rights. Any proxy or vote
against the adoption and approval of the merger agreement, by
itself, will not, by itself, constitute a demand for appraisal
within the meaning of Section 262.
A demand for appraisal must be executed by or for the
stockholder of record, fully and correctly, as such
stockholders name appears on the share certificate. If the
shares are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a
trustee, guardian or custodian, this demand must be executed by
or for the fiduciary. If the shares are owned by or for more
than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common,
such demand must be executed by or for all joint owners. An
authorized agent, including an agent for two or more joint
owners, may execute the demand for appraisal for a stockholder
of record. However, the agent must identify the record owner and
expressly disclose the fact that, in exercising the demand, he
is acting as agent for the record owner. A person having a
beneficial interest in GAFRI common stock held of record in the
name of another person, such as a broker or nominee, must act
promptly to cause the record holder to follow the steps
summarized below in a timely manner to perfect whatever
appraisal rights the beneficial owners may have.
29
A stockholder of ours who elects to exercise appraisal rights
should mail or deliver such stockholders written demand to
Great American Financial Resources, Inc. at our address at 250
East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Attention: Corporate
Secretary. The written demand for appraisal should specify the
stockholders name and mailing address, and that the
stockholder is thereby demanding appraisal of such
stockholders GAFRI common stock. Within ten (10) days
after the effective time of the merger, we must provide notice
of the effective time of the merger to all of our stockholders
who have complied with Section 262 and have not voted for
the merger.
Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger (but
not thereafter), any stockholder who has satisfied the
requirements of Section 262 may deliver to us a written
demand for a statement listing the aggregate number of shares
not voted in favor of the merger and with respect to which
demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate
number of holders of such shares. GAFRI, as the surviving
corporation in the merger, must mail such written statement to
the stockholder within ten (10) days after the
stockholders request is received by GAFRI or within ten
(10) days after the latest date for delivery of a demand
for appraisal under Section 262, whichever is later.
Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger (but
not thereafter), either GAFRI or any stockholder who has
complied with the required conditions of Section 262 and
who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights may file a
petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a
determination of the fair value of the GAFRI shares of
stockholders entitled to appraisal rights. GAFRI has no present
intention to file such a petition if demand for appraisal is
made.
Upon the filing of any petition by a stockholder in accordance
with Section 262, service of a copy must be made upon
GAFRI, which must, within twenty (20) days after service,
file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the
petition was filed, a duly verified list containing the names
and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for
their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their
shares have not been reached by GAFRI. If a petition is filed by
us, the petition must be accompanied by the verified list. The
Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the court, will give
notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such
petition by registered or certified mail to us and to the
stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated,
and notice will also be given by publishing a notice at least
one week before the day of the hearing in a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware, or
such publication as the court deems advisable. The forms of the
notices by mail and by publication must be approved by the
court, and we must bear the costs thereof. The Delaware Court of
Chancery may require the stockholders who have demanded an
appraisal for their shares (and who hold stock represented by
certificates) to submit their stock certificates to the Register
in Chancery for notation of the pendency of the appraisal
proceedings and the Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the
proceedings as to any stockholder that fails to comply with such
direction.
If a petition for an appraisal is filed in a timely fashion,
after a hearing on the petition, the court will determine which
stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights and will appraise
the shares owned by these stockholders, determining the fair
value of such shares, exclusive of any element of value arising
from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, together
with a fair rate of interest to be paid, if any, upon the amount
determined to be the fair value.
Stockholders considering seeking appraisal of their shares
should note that the fair value of their shares determined under
Section 262 could be more, the same or less than the
consideration they would receive pursuant to the merger
agreement if they did not seek appraisal of their shares.
Stockholders should also be aware that investment banking
opinions as to the fairness from a financial point of view of
the consideration payable in a merger are not opinions as to
fair value under Section 262. The costs of the appraisal
proceeding may be determined by the court and taxed against the
parties as the court deems equitable under the circumstances.
Upon application of a dissenting stockholder, the court may
order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any
dissenting stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including reasonable attorneys fees and the
fees and expenses of experts, be charged pro rata against the
value of all shares entitled to appraisal. In the absence of a
determination or assessment, each party bears such partys
own expenses. The exchange of shares for cash pursuant to the
exercise of appraisal rights will be a taxable transaction for
United States federal income tax purposes and possibly state,
local and foreign income tax purposes as well.
Any stockholder who has duly demanded appraisal in compliance
with Section 262 will not, after the effective time of the
merger, be entitled to vote for any purpose the shares subject
to demand or to receive payment of
30
dividends or other distributions on such shares, except for
dividends or distributions payable to stockholders of record at
a date prior to the effective time of the merger.
At any time within sixty (60) days after the effective time
of the merger, any stockholder will have the right to withdraw
such stockholders demand for appraisal and to accept the
terms offered in the merger agreement. After this period, a
stockholder may withdraw such stockholders demand for
appraisal and receive payment for such stockholders shares
as provided in the merger agreement only with our consent. If no
petition for appraisal is filed with the court within
120 days after the effective time of the merger,
stockholders rights to appraisal (if available) will
cease. Inasmuch as we have no obligation to file such a
petition, any stockholder who desires a petition to be filed is
advised to file it on a timely basis. No petition timely filed
in the court demanding appraisal may be dismissed as to any
stockholder without the approval of the court, which approval
may be conditioned upon such terms as the court deems just.
Failure by any GAFRI stockholder to comply fully with the
procedures described above and set forth in Appendix C to
this proxy statement may result in termination of such
stockholders appraisal rights. In view of the complexity
of exercising your appraisal rights under Delaware law, if you
are considering exercising these rights you should consult with
your legal counsel.
PARTIES
INVOLVED IN THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
250 East Fifth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
GAFRI is a Delaware corporation and a holding company that
markets retirement products, primarily fixed, indexed and
variable annuities, and various forms of supplemental insurance
through its subsidiaries, principally including Great American
Life Insurance Company, Annuity Investors Life Insurance
Company, Loyal American Life Insurance Company, United Teacher
Associates Insurance Company, Continental General Insurance
Company and Central Reserve Life Insurance Company.
American Financial Group, Inc.
GAFRI Acquisition Corp.
One East Fourth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
AFG is a holding company that, through subsidiaries, is engaged
primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on
specialized commercial products for businesses, and, through
GAFRIs subsidiaries, in the sale of traditional fixed,
indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental
insurance products.
GAC is a newly-formed Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AFG. AFG formed GAC for the sole purposes of
entering into the merger agreement and completing the merger
contemplated by the merger agreement.
31
THE
SPECIAL MEETING
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of
Directors for use at a special meeting of stockholders to be
held
on ,
2007, at 11:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournments of
the special meeting, for the purposes set forth in this proxy
statement and in the accompanying notice of special meeting. The
special meeting will be held at The Cincinnatian Hotel, Sixth
and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. GAFRI intends to mail
this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card on or
about ,
2007 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting.
At the special meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider
and vote upon proposals to:
|
|
|
|
|
approve the merger agreement which provides for the merger of
GAC with and into GAFRI, with GAFRI continuing as the surviving
corporation in the merger, and the conversion of each
outstanding share of GAFRI common stock held by public
stockholders (other than shares held by stockholders who perfect
their appraisal rights under Delaware law) into the right to
receive $24.50 in cash;
|
|
|
|
adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate; and
|
|
|
|
transact such other business as may properly come before the
special meeting or any adjournments of the special meeting.
|
GAFRI does not expect a vote to be taken on any other matters at
the special meeting. If any other matters are properly presented
at the special meeting for consideration, however, the holders
of the proxies, if properly authorized, will have discretion to
vote on these matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Record
Date and Voting Information
Stockholders of record of GAFRI common stock at the close of
business
on ,
2007, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any
adjournments thereof. At the close of business on the record
date, shares of GAFRI common stock were outstanding and
entitled to vote. Each holder of record of GAFRI common stock on
the record date will be entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to stockholders for approval at the special meeting
for each share held. If you sell or transfer your shares of
GAFRI common stock after the record date but before the special
meeting, you will transfer the right to receive the per share
merger consideration, if the merger is completed, to the person
to whom you sell or transfer your shares, but you will retain
your right to vote at the special meeting.
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election
appointed for the special meeting, who will separately tabulate
affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes. Brokers who hold shares in street name
for clients typically have the authority to vote on
routine proposals when they have not received
instructions from beneficial owners. Absent specific
instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, however,
brokers are not allowed to exercise their voting discretion with
respect to the approval of non-routine matters, such as approval
of the merger agreement. Proxies submitted without a vote by
brokers on these matters are referred to as broker
non-votes.
Quorum
Shares entitled to vote at the special meeting may take action
on a matter at the special meeting only if a quorum of those
shares exists with respect to that matter. Accordingly, the
presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock
having a majority of the votes that could be cast by the holders
of all outstanding shares of GAFRI common stock entitled to vote
at the special meeting is necessary and sufficient to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting.
If a share is represented for any purpose at the special
meeting, other than for the purpose of objecting to the special
meeting or the transacting of business at the special meeting,
it will be deemed present for purposes of determining whether a
quorum exists.
Any shares of GAFRI common stock held in treasury by GAFRI are
not considered to be outstanding on the record date or otherwise
entitled to vote at the special meeting for purposes of
determining a quorum. Shares
32
represented by proxies reflecting abstentions and properly
executed broker non-votes are counted for purposes of
determining whether a quorum exists at the special meeting.
Required
Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of GAFRI common
stock outstanding on the record date is required to approve the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the merger. Approval of the meeting adjournment
proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of GAFRI common stock present and entitled to vote at the
special meeting.
As of the record date, AFG beneficially owned approximately 81%
of GAFRIs outstanding shares. AFG has determined to vote
its shares and to cause its subsidiaries to vote their shares in
favor of the merger agreement. In addition, executive officers
and directors of GAFRI and AFG who, in the aggregate
beneficially own approximately % of
GAFRIs outstanding shares, have expressed their intent to
vote in favor of the merger agreement. As a result, approval of
the merger agreement is assured.
Proxies that reflect abstentions and broker non-votes, as well
as proxies that are not returned, will have the same effect as a
vote against approval of the merger agreement. In the case of
the meeting adjournment proposal, a failure to vote or a vote to
abstain will have no effect on the outcome of the voting. A
broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against
approval of the meeting adjournment proposal.
If the special meeting is adjourned or postponed for any reason,
at any subsequent reconvening of the special meeting, all
proxies will be voted in the same manner as they would have been
voted at the original convening of the meeting, except for any
proxies that have been revoked or withdrawn in the interim.
Proxies
and Revocation of Proxies
Registered stockholders may vote by using a toll-free telephone
number, by completing a proxy form and mailing it to the proxy
tabulator, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. The
telephone voting facilities will open following the mailing of
materials
on ,
2007, and close at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings
Time on the meeting date. The telephone voting procedures are
designed to authenticate stockholders by use of a proxy control
number to allow stockholders to confirm that their instructions
have been properly recorded.
Stockholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker, bank
or other nominee should refer to the proxy card or the
information forwarded by such broker, bank or other nominee to
see what voting options are available.
To vote by telephone, stockholders should call 1-800-PROXIES
(1-800-776-9437),
using any touch-tone telephone, and have their proxy form at
hand. To vote by mail, stockholders should complete and sign the
bottom portion of the proxy form and return only that portion to
the proxy tabulator.
Solicitation of proxies through the mail, in person and
otherwise, is being made by management at the direction of the
Board of Directors, without additional compensation. We will pay
all costs of soliciting proxies. In addition, we will request
brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to
forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of
shares held of record by such persons, and we will reimburse
them for their expenses.
Proxies received at any time before the special meeting and not
revoked or superseded before being voted will be voted at the
special meeting. If the proxy indicates a specification, it will
be voted in accordance with the specification. If no
specification is indicated, the proxy will be voted
FOR approval of the merger agreement and
FOR the meeting adjournment proposal. A
properly executed proxy gives the persons named as proxies on
the proxy card authority to vote in their discretion with
respect to any other business that may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
Please do not send in stock certificates at this
time. If the merger is completed, you will receive
instructions regarding the procedures for exchanging your GAFRI
stock certificates for the payment of the per share merger
consideration.
33
The execution of a proxy or vote by phone does not affect the
right to vote in person at the meeting, and a proxy or vote by
phone may be revoked by the person giving it prior to the
exercise of the powers conferred by it. A stockholder may revoke
a prior vote by writing to our Secretary at our principal
offices or by properly executing and delivering a proxy bearing
a later date (or recording a later telephone vote) or by voting
in person at the meeting. In addition, persons attending the
meeting in person may withdraw their proxies. Attending the
meeting will not serve to vote your proxy unless you vote at the
meeting. Attendance at the special meeting will not, by itself,
revoke a proxy. If you have given voting instructions to a
broker or other nominee that holds your shares in street
name, you may revoke those instructions by following the
directions given by the broker or other nominee.
Householding
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be
participating in the practice of householding proxy
statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of
this proxy statement or annual report may have been sent to
multiple stockholders in your household. GAFRI will promptly
deliver a separate copy of this proxy statement, including the
attached appendices, to you if you write or call GAFRI at the
following address or phone
number: .
Adjournments
If the special meeting is adjourned to a different place, date
or time, GAFRI need not give notice of the new place, date or
time if the new place, date or time is announced at the meeting
before adjournment, unless the adjournment is for more than
thirty (30) days or a new record date is or must be set for
the adjourned meeting.
Attending
the Special Meeting
In order to attend the special meeting in person, you must be a
stockholder of record on the record date, hold a valid proxy
from a record holder or be an invited guest of GAFRI. You will
be asked to provide proper identification at the registration
desk on the day of the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
Certain
Litigation
Following the announcement of the AFG proposal on
February 22, 2007, litigation was initiated by certain
shareholders of GAFRI challenging the proposed transaction. See
Special Factors Certain Litigation Regarding
the Merger.
TERMS OF
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of the merger
agreement. This summary does not purport to describe all the
terms of the merger agreement and is qualified by reference to
the complete merger agreement which is attached as
Appendix A to this proxy statement. We urge to you to read
the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety because it,
and not this proxy statement, is the legal document that governs
the merger.
The text of the merger agreement has been included to provide
you with information regarding its terms. The terms of the
merger agreement (such as the representations and warranties)
are intended to govern the contractual rights and relationships,
and to allocate risks, among the parties in relation to the
merger. The merger agreement contains representations and
warranties that AFG, GAFRI and GAC made to each other as of
specific dates. The representations and warranties were
negotiated between the parties with the principal purpose of
setting forth their respective rights with respect to their
obligation to complete the merger and may be subject to
important limitations and qualifications as set forth therein,
including a contractual standard of materiality different from
that generally applicable under federal securities laws.
General;
The Merger
At the effective time of the merger, upon the terms and subject
to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the merger
agreement and in accordance with the Delaware General
Corporation Law, GAC will merge with and into GAFRI and the
separate corporate existence of GAC will end. GAFRI will be the
surviving corporation in the
34
merger and will continue to be a Delaware corporation after the
merger,
wholly-owned
by AFG. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of GAC at
the effective time of the merger will be the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation.
The directors of GAFRI, as the surviving corporation, will
initially, from and after the effective time of the merger, be
S. Craig Lindner, Charles R. Scheper and Mark F. Muething, until
the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Each of
Mr. Lindner, Mr. Scheper and Mr. Muething are
currently officers of GAFRI. The officers of GAC immediately
prior to the effective time of the merger will, from and after
the effective time of the merger, be the initial officers of
GAFRI, as the surviving corporation, until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their successors are duly
elected and qualified.
When the
Merger Becomes Effective
GAC and GAFRI will file a certificate of merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
to the merger. The merger will become effective at the close of
business on the date on which the certificate of merger is filed
or at such other later date and time as GAC and GAFRI agree and
specify in the certificate of merger.
If stockholders approve the merger agreement, the parties intend
to complete the merger as soon as practicable thereafter. The
parties to the merger agreement expect to complete the merger in
GAFRIs third fiscal quarter of 2007. Because the merger is
subject to certain conditions, the exact timing of the merger
cannot be presently determined.
Consideration
to be Received Pursuant to the Merger; Treatment of Stock
Options
The merger agreement provides that, at the effective time of the
merger:
|
|
|
|
|
each share of GAFRI common stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger held by
public stockholders (other than shares held by stockholders who
perfect their appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be
converted into the right to receive $24.50 in cash; and
|
|
|
|
each share of GAFRI common stock owned by GAFRI as a treasury
share and each share owned by AFG, GAC or a subsidiary of AFG or
GAC will automatically be converted into one share of common
stock of GAFRI, as the surviving corporation.
|
In the merger, vested employee stock options will be
extinguished in exchange for a cash payment by GAFRI to each
holder of an option of an amount equal to the positive number
difference, less applicable taxes, between $24.50 and the
applicable option exercise price multiplied by the number of
shares of GAFRI common stock formerly subject to an option. We
refer to this amount as the option payment amount.
In addition, so long as a holder of an option is an employee of
GAFRI, AFG or any subsidiary of either of them at the vesting
dates (as set forth in a GAFRI employee stock option plan or
document evidencing a grant of an employee stock option), GAFRI
shall pay the option payment amount as soon as practicable after
such vesting dates in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. GAFRI directors
have agreed that their vested and unvested stock options also
will be extinguished upon the consummation of the merger in
exchange for the option payment amount to the extent there is a
positive difference, less applicable taxes, between $24.50 and
the applicable option exercise price. Also, as of the effective
time of the merger, GAFRI will take all action necessary to
provide for the termination of its agent stock option plans or
agreements and the extinguishment of all rights under such plans
and agreements.
AFG will also guarantee $280 million of net debt of GAFRI
and its subsidiaries in the merger.
Payment
for GAFRI Common Stock in the Merger
As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time of
the merger, the paying agent designated by AFG and GAFRI will
mail (and make available for collection by hand) to each record
holder of GAFRI common stock a letter of transmittal and
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of their GAFRI
common stock certificates in exchange for the merger
consideration. You should not send in your GAFRI common stock
certificates until you receive the letter of transmittal. The
letter of transmittal and instructions will tell you what to do
if you have lost a
35
certificate, or if it has been stolen or destroyed. You will
have to provide an affidavit to that fact and, if required by
GAFRI (as the surviving corporation), post a bond in a
reasonable amount as GAFRI directs as indemnity against any
claim that may be made against GAFRI with respect to such
certificate.
The paying agent will promptly pay you your per share merger
consideration for each share of GAFRI common stock represented
by your certificates after you have surrendered your
certificates to the paying agent and provided to the paying
agent any other items specified by the letter of transmittal and
instructions. The surrendered certificates will be canceled upon
delivery of the related per share merger consideration. Interest
will not be paid or accrued in respect of cash payments of the
related per share merger consideration. AFG, GAFRI or the paying
agent may reduce the amount of the related per share merger
consideration paid to you by any applicable withholding taxes.
If payment is to be made to a person other than the person in
whose name the GAFRI common stock certificate surrendered is
registered, it will be a condition of payment that the
certificate so surrendered be properly endorsed and otherwise in
proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such
payment pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of
the payment to a person other than the registered holder of the
certificate surrendered of the amount due under the merger
agreement, or that such person establish to the satisfaction of
the paying agent that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable.
None of AFG, the paying agent, GAFRI, GAC or any other person
will be liable to any stockholder for any merger consideration
delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned
property, escheat and similar laws.
After the effective time of the merger, there will be no further
transfers in the records of GAFRI or its transfer agent of
certificates representing GAFRI common stock and, if any
certificates are presented to GAFRI for transfer, they will be
canceled against payment of the related per share merger
consideration. After the effective time of the merger, subject
to the right to surrender your certificate in exchange for
payment of the merger consideration, you will cease to have any
rights as a stockholder of GAFRI.
Representations
and Warranties
GAFRI has made certain customary representations and warranties
in the merger agreement to AFG and GAC, including as to:
|
|
|
|
|
corporate existence and power, qualification to conduct business
and good standing;
|
|
|
|
corporate authority to enter into, and carry out the obligations
under, the merger agreement and enforceability of the merger
agreement;
|
|
|
|
absence of a breach of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws,
contracts, permits or any laws as a result of the merger;
|
|
|
|
capitalization;
|
|
|
|
subsidiaries;
|
|
|
|
documents filed with the SEC and the accuracy of the information
contained in those documents;
|
|
|
|
accuracy of our financial statements and the absence of
undisclosed liabilities;
|
|
|
|
information supplied for use in this proxy statement;
|
|
|
|
absence of certain changes;
|
|
|
|
environmental matters;
|
|
|
|
employee benefit plans;
|
|
|
|
litigation and compliance with laws;
|
|
|
|
labor relations and employment;
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
the opinion of the financial advisor;
|
|
|
|
finders and other fees;
|
|
|
|
inapplicability of state anti-takeover statutes;
|
|
|
|
reserves;
|
|
|
|
no requirement to be registered as an investment
company; and
|
|
|
|
no downgrading of insurance company ratings.
|
Certain aspects of the representations and warranties of GAFRI
are qualified by the concept of material adverse
effect. For the purposes of the merger agreement, a
material adverse effect on GAFRI means any effect,
change or development that, individually or in the aggregate,
with other effects, changes or developments, has been or would
reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the
financial condition, business operations or results of
operations of GAFRI and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the
ability of GAFRI to consummate the merger.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any effect, change
or development is caused by or results from any of the
following, it shall not be taken into account in determining
whether there has been a material adverse effect on
GAFRI:
|
|
|
|
|
the announcement of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement;
|
|
|
|
factors affecting the economy or financial markets as a whole;
|
|
|
|
the suspension of trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Global Market; and
|
|
|
|
the commencement, occurrence or continuation of any war, armed
hostilities or acts of terrorism involving or affecting the
United States of America or any part thereof.
|
Each of AFG and GAC has made certain representations and
warranties in the merger agreement to GAFRI, including as to:
|
|
|
|
|
corporate existence and power, qualification to conduct business
and good standing;
|
|
|
|
corporate authority to enter into, and carry out the obligations
under, the merger agreement and enforceability of the merger
agreement;
|
|
|
|
absence of a breach of their respective charters, bylaws,
contracts, permits or any laws as a result of the merger;
|
|
|
|
information supplied for use in this proxy statement;
|
|
|
|
brokers;
|
|
|
|
funds to complete merger; and
|
|
|
|
prior operations of GAC.
|
Certain aspects of the representations and warranties of AFG and
GAC are qualified by the concept of material adverse
effect. For the purposes of the merger agreement, a
material adverse effect on AFG and GAC means any
effect, change or development that, individually or in the
aggregate, with other effects, changes or developments, has been
or would reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to
the financial condition, business operations or results of
operations of AFG and GAC, taken as a whole, or could reasonably
be expected to adversely affect the ability of AFG or GAC to
consummate the merger.
37
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any effect, change
or development is caused by or results from any of the
following, it shall not be taken into account in determining
whether there has been a material adverse effect on
AFG and GAC:
|
|
|
|
|
the execution of the merger agreement and the public
announcement of the merger agreement or any transaction
contemplated by the merger agreement;
|
|
|
|
factors affecting the economy or financial markets as a whole;
|
|
|
|
the suspension of trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market; or
|
|
|
|
the commencement, occurrence or continuation of any war, armed
hostilities or acts of terrorism involving or affecting the
United States of America or any part thereof.
|
The representations and warranties contained in the merger
agreement do not survive the completion of the merger or the
termination of the merger agreement.
Agreements
Relating to GAFRIs Interim Operations
GAFRI has agreed that, until the completion of the merger, GAFRI
and its subsidiaries will carry on their businesses in the
usual, regular and ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and will use commercially reasonable efforts to
preserve substantially intact their present lines of business,
maintain their rights and franchises and preserve substantially
intact their current relationships with customers, suppliers and
others having business dealings with them and keep available the
services of their present officers, employees and consultants,
in each case to the end that their ongoing businesses will not
be impaired in a manner that would have a material adverse
effect on GAFRI at the effective time of the merger.
In addition, GAFRI has agreed, with certain exceptions, that
neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will, prior to the
completion of the merger, do any of the following without the
prior written consent of AFG, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed:
|
|
|
|
|
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution,
with respect to any of its capital stock, except for dividends
paid by wholly-owned subsidiaries of GAFRI;
|
|
|
|
|
|
split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock;
|
|
|
|
|
|
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its
capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable
for any shares of its capital stock;
|
|
|
|
issue, deliver or sell any shares of its capital stock or any of
its equity interests or any securities convertible into or
exercisable for, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire,
any shares of capital stock or voting debt or convertible,
exchangeable or exercisable for securities or any other equity
interests, other than (a) issuances of GAFRI common stock
(1) upon the exercise of stock options, (2) to
directors for payment of a portion of their directors fees
consistent with past practice, (3) pursuant to GAFRIs
401(k) Plan, and (4) under GAFRIs Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and Agent Stock Purchase Plan or
(b) issuances by a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAFRI of
capital stock to the subsidiarys parent or another
wholly-owned subsidiary of GAFRI;
|
|
|
|
amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws;
|
|
|
|
create, assume or otherwise consensually incur any lien on any
asset other than liens (i) incurred in the usual, regular
and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or
(ii) which could not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on GAFRI;
|
|
|
|
except as agreed prior to the date of the merger agreement, pay
or commit to pay any severance or termination pay, except
(i) as required by law, (ii) for payments in the
usual, regular and ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice or (iii) as required to be paid by applicable
law or to satisfy contractual obligations;
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
enter into any employment, deferred compensation, consulting,
severance or other similar agreement, or any amendment to any
such existing agreement, with any director, officer or key
employee, except as required by applicable law, to satisfy
contractual obligations or if done in the usual, regular and
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
|
|
|
|
increase or commit to increase in any material respect any
employee benefits payable to any director, officer or employee,
including wages, salaries, compensation, pension, severance,
termination pay or other benefits or payments, except
(i) in the usual, regular and ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (ii) as required by an
existing employee benefits plan or (iii) as required by
applicable law or to satisfy contractual obligations; or
|
|
|
|
adopt or commit to adopt any additional employee benefits plan,
except in the usual regular and ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, as required by applicable law or
to satisfy contractual obligations.
|
No
Solicitation of Competing Proposals
The merger agreement provides that, until the effective time of
the merger or the termination of the merger agreement, GAFRI
will not, whether directly or indirectly through its affiliates,
advisors, agents or other intermediaries, and GAFRI will direct
and cause its and its subsidiaries respective officers,
directors, affiliates, advisors, representatives or other agents
not to:
|
|
|
|
|
solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate
(including by way of furnishing non-public information) any
inquiries or the making or submission of any proposal that
constitutes an acquisition proposal (as defined
below); or
|
|
|
|
participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or
disclose or provide any non-public information or data relating
to GAFRI or any of its subsidiaries to, or afford access to
GAFRIs properties, books or records to, any person.
|
For purposes of the merger agreement, the term acquisition
proposal means any offer or proposal regarding a merger,
consolidation, share exchange, recapitalization,
reclassification, liquidation or other business combination
involving GAFRI or the acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of
any class of equity securities of GAFRI or any of its material
subsidiaries then outstanding, or any tender offer (including
self-tenders) or exchange offer that if consummated would result
in any person beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of
equity securities of GAFRI or any of its material subsidiaries,
or a substantial portion of the assets of, GAFRI or any of its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement.
For purposes of the merger agreement, the term material
subsidiary means any subsidiary whose consolidated
revenues, net income or assets constitute 10% or more of the
revenues, net income or assets of GAFRI and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.
Special
Meeting of GAFRI Stockholders; Recommendation of Our Board of
Directors
The merger agreement provides that GAFRI will use its
commercially reasonable best efforts to duly call, give notice
of, convene and hold a special meeting of its stockholders as
promptly as practicable for the purpose of considering and
taking action upon the merger agreement. The merger agreement
further provides that our Board of Directors and the special
committee must recommend approval of the merger agreement by
GAFRIs stockholders, except when the Board or the special
committee may determine not to so recommend or to withdraw or
change such recommendation.
Indemnification
and Insurance of GAFRI Directors and Officers
The merger agreement provides that:
|
|
|
|
|
GAFRI will honor all rights to indemnification and exculpation
from liability for acts and omissions occurring at or prior to
the effective time of the merger, including all rights to
advancement of expenses, in favor of the current or former
directors, officers, employees or agents of GAFRI under
GAFRIs certificate
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
of incorporation or bylaws or in any indemnification agreement
previously disclosed by GAFRI to AFG and GAC and all such rights
will survive the merger and will not be amended, repealed or
otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect the
rights of any directors, officers, employees or agents, unless
required by applicable law or consented to in writing by the
affected individuals; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
for six years after the effective time of the merger, AFG will
provide officers and directors liability insurance
for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective
time of the merger covering each person covered at or prior to
the effective time by GAFRIs officers and
directors liability insurance policy on terms with respect
to coverage and amount no less favorable than those of the
policy in effect on the date of the merger agreement.
|
Other
Agreements
The merger agreement provides that:
|
|
|
|
|
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the merger
agreement, GAFRI, AFG and GAC will each use its commercially
reasonable best efforts to take all actions and to do, or cause
to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws to complete the merger;
|
|
|
|
none of AFG, GAFRI, GAC or any of their affiliates will issue
any press release or public announcement regarding the merger
without the prior approval of the other parties, except to the
extent required by law or any national securities exchange and
after reasonable prior notice to the other parties;
|
|
|
|
AFG, GAFRI and GAC will each use its reasonable best efforts to
secure any required approvals under and act to eliminate or
minimize the effects of any anti-takeover statute or regulation
that is or may become applicable to the merger;
|
|
|
|
GAFRI will promptly notify AFG and GAC of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
any notice from any person alleging that its consent is or may
be required in connection with the merger other than where the
failure to obtain such consent could not reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on GAFRI,
|
|
|
|
any notice from any governmental entity in connection with the
merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement, and
|
|
|
|
any action, suit, charge or complaint commenced or, to
GAFRIs knowledge, threatened against GAFRI which is
material to GAFRI or which relates to the completion of the
merger;
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAFRI will use commercially reasonably efforts to obtain
required third party consents to the merger;
|
|
|
|
AFG, GAFRI and GAC will cooperate with one another in taking
actions to delist GAFRI common stock from the New York Stock
Exchange and terminate registration under the Exchange Act, with
such delisting and termination to be effective only after the
effective time of the merger;
|
|
|
|
AFG shall execute documents necessary or advisable to guarantee,
as of the effective time of the merger, the indebtedness of
GAFRI and GAFRIs subsidiaries; and
|
|
|
|
GAC shall have been duly formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AFG and shall have approved, adopted, executed and delivered the
merger agreement.
|
Conditions
to the Merger
Closing
Conditions for Each Party
The obligations of AFG, GAFRI and GAC to complete the merger are
subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, the waiver on or prior to the effective time of
the merger, of each of the following conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
the approval of the merger agreement by holders of a majority of
the shares of GAFRI common stock outstanding on the record date;
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
the resolution of SEC comments and related issues or matters if
the SEC reviews, and provides comments to, the proxy statement;
|
|
|
|
all notices, reports and other filings required to be made prior
to the effective time of the merger by GAFRI or AFG or any of
its subsidiaries with, and all consents, registrations,
approvals, permits and authorizations required to be obtained
prior to the effective time of the merger by GAFRI or AFG or any
of its subsidiaries from, any governmental entity in connection
with the execution and delivery of this merger agreement and the
consummation of the merger shall have been made or obtained (as
the case may be); and
|
|
|
|
no governmental entity of competent jurisdiction shall have
enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute,
law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction
or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
that is in effect and prohibits consummation of the merger, and
no federal or state governmental entity shall have instituted
any proceeding that is pending seeking any such judgment,
decree, injunction or other order to prohibit the consummation
of the merger.
|
Additional
Closing Conditions for GAFRI
GAFRIs obligation to complete the merger is subject to the
satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the
waiver on or prior to the effective time of the merger, of each
of the following additional conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of AFG and GAC with respect
to organization and authorization shall be true and correct in
all respects with regard to any such representations containing
limitations as to materiality or material adverse effect and
shall be true and correct in all material respects, both
individually and in the aggregate, with regard to any
representation not so qualified, in each case as of the
effective time of the merger (or, to the extent such
representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, they
need only be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier
date);
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of AFG and GAC (other than
the representations and warranties referred to in the
immediately preceding bullet point) shall be true and correct in
all respects when made and as of the effective time of the
merger (or, to the extent such representations and warranties
speak as of a specified date, they need only be true and correct
in all respects as of such specified date) interpreted without
giving effect to any limitations as to materiality or material
adverse effect, except where the failure of all such
representations and warranties to be true and correct could not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
GAFRI and GAC;
|
|
|
|
AFG and GAC shall have performed in all material respects their
agreements and covenants in the merger agreement that are
required to be performed at or prior to the effective time of
the merger; and
|
|
|
|
GAFRI shall have received certificates signed by an executive
officer of each of AFG and GAC to the effect that the conditions
described in the three prior bullet points have been satisfied.
|
Additional
Closing Conditions for AFG and GAC
AFGs and GACs obligations to complete the merger are
subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, the waiver on or prior to the effective time of
the merger, of each of the following additional conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of GAFRI with respect to
organization, authorization and capitalization shall be true and
correct in all respects with regard to any such representations
containing limitations as to materiality or material adverse
effect and shall be true and correct in all material respects,
both individually and in the aggregate, with regard to any
representation not so qualified, in each case as of the
effective time of the merger (or, to the extent such
representations and warranties speak as of a earlier date, they
need only be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier
date);
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of GAFRI (other than the
representations and warranties referred to in the immediately
preceding bullet point) shall be true and correct in all
respects when made and as of the effective time of the merger
(or, to the extent such representations and warranties speak as
of a specified date, they
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
need only be true and correct in all respects as of such
specified date) interpreted without giving effect to any
limitations as to materiality or material adverse effect, except
where the failure of all such representations and warranties to
be true and correct could not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on GAFRI;
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAFRI shall have performed in all material respects each of its
agreements and covenants in the merger agreement that are
required to be performed by it at or prior to the completion of
the merger; and
|
|
|
|
AFG and GAC shall have received certificates signed by an
executive officer of GAFRI to the effect that the conditions
described in the three prior bullet points have been satisfied
or waived.
|
There is no financing condition to AFGs and GACs
obligations to complete the merger. As stated above, the closing
conditions to the merger may be waived to the extent permitted
by applicable law. GAFRI may waive any of the conditions listed
under the heading Additional Closing Conditions for
GAFRI. Similarly, AFG or GAC may waive any of the
conditions listed under the heading Additional Closing
Conditions for AFG and GAC. Despite their ability to do
so, no party to the merger agreement, as of the date of this
proxy statement, intends to waive any closing condition. The
conditions relating to stockholder approval and prohibition or
disallowance of the merger by a governmental entity may not be
waived by any party to the merger agreement.
Termination
of the Merger
Circumstances
Under Which AFG or GAFRI May Terminate the Merger
AFG and GAFRI may mutually agree to terminate the merger
agreement at any time prior to the effective time of the merger
upon the mutual written consent of the parties. Either of AFG or
GAFRI may also terminate the merger agreement at any time if:
|
|
|
|
|
the merger shall not have occurred on or before
September 30, 2007 (but no party may terminate the merger
agreement on this basis if its failure to fulfill any
obligation, or other breach, under the merger agreement has been
the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the merger to occur
on or before September 30, 2007);
|
|
|
|
any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
merger, and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall
have become final and nonappealable; or
|
|
|
|
the approval by stockholders required for the completion of the
merger shall not have been obtained at the special meeting or
any adjournment of such meeting.
|
Circumstances
Under Which AFG May Terminate the Merger
AFG may also terminate the merger agreement at any time, if:
|
|
|
|
|
our Board of Directors or any committee (including the special
committee) thereof withdraws, modifies or changes in any manner
adverse to AFG or GAC its recommendation that the holders of
shares of GAFRI common stock vote for the approval of the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the merger; or
|
|
|
|
there is a breach by GAFRI of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement contained in the merger agreement that
would give rise to a failure of a condition described in any of
the first three bullet points under Terms of the Merger
Agreement Conditions to the Merger
Additional Closing Conditions for AFG and GAC and which
has not been cured, or is not capable of being cured, within
twenty (20) business days following receipt by GAFRI of
written notice from GAFRI and GAC of such breach.
|
Circumstances
Under Which GAFRI May Terminate the Merger
GAFRI may also terminate the merger agreement at any time, if
there is a breach by AFG or GAC of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement contained in the merger agreement that
would give rise to a failure of a condition described in any of
the first three bullet points under Terms of the Merger
Agreement Conditions to the Merger
Additional Closing Conditions for GAFRI and which has not
been cured, or is not capable of
42
being cured, within twenty (20) business days following
receipt by GAFRI or GAC of written notice from GAFRI of such
breach.
Effects
of Terminating the Merger
If the merger agreement is terminated, the merger agreement
shall become void and there shall be no liability or obligation
on the part of AFG, GAFRI or GAC or their respective officers or
directors and except that none of AFG nor GAFRI or GAC shall be
relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out
of any willful or knowing breach of the merger agreement and
except that the confidentiality agreement entered into among the
parties shall survive such termination.
Fees and
Expenses
All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger
agreement and the merger will be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.
Modification
or Amendment of the Merger
Any provision of the merger agreement may be amended, modified
or waived by AFG, GAFRI or GAC, acting through their respective
boards of directors, prior to the completion of the merger.
However, no such amendment, modification or waiver by GAFRI will
be effective unless it is authorized by the Board of Directors
and, after the approval of the merger agreement by GAFRIs
stockholders, there shall not be made any amendment that by
applicable law or regulation requires the further approval by
stockholders without such further approval.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION REGARDING GAFRI
Projected
Financial Information
GAFRIs senior management does not as a matter of course
make public projections as to future performance or earnings
beyond the current fiscal year and is especially wary of making
projections for extended earnings periods due to the
unpredictability of the underlying assumptions and estimates.
However, financial forecasts prepared by senior management were
made available to AFG as well as to the special committee and
its financial advisor in connection with their respective
considerations of the merger. We have included all material
information included in these projections to give our
stockholders access to certain nonpublic information considered
by the CCW, the special committee and our Board of Directors for
purposes of considering and evaluating the merger. The inclusion
of this information should not be regarded as an indication that
AFG, the special committee or our Board of Directors, CCW, or
any other recipient of this information considered, or now
considers, it to be a reliable prediction of future results.
GAFRI advised the recipients of the projections that its
internal financial forecasts, upon which the projections were
based, are subjective in many respects. The projections reflect
numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance,
general business, economic, market and financial conditions and
other matters, all of which are difficult to predict and beyond
GAFRIs control. The projections also reflect estimates and
assumptions related to the business of GAFRI that are inherently
subject to significant economic, political, and competitive
uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of
which are beyond GAFRIs control. As a result, there can be
no assurance that the projected results will be realized or that
actual results will not be significantly higher or lower than
projected. The financial projections were prepared for internal
use and to assist AFG and the financial advisors to the special
committee with their respective due diligence investigations of
GAFRI and not with a view toward public disclosure or toward
complying with GAAP, the published guidelines of the SEC
regarding projections or the guidelines established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for
preparation and presentation of prospective financial
information. GAFRIs independent registered public
accounting firm has not examined or compiled any of the
financial projections, expressed any conclusion or provided any
form of assurance with respect to the financial projections and,
accordingly, assumes no responsibility for them. The financial
projections do not take into account any circumstances or events
occurring after the date they were prepared.
43
Projections of this type are based on estimates and assumptions
that are inherently subject to factors such as industry
performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and
financial conditions, as well as changes to the business,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company,
including the factors described under Cautionary Statement
Concerning Forward-Looking Information, which factors may
cause the financial projections or the underlying assumptions to
be inaccurate. Since the projections cover multiple years, such
information by its nature becomes less reliable with each
successive year.
Since the date of the projections, the Company has made publicly
available its actual results of operations for the quarter ended
March 31, 2007. You should review the Companys
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to obtain this
information. Readers of this proxy statement are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on the specific portions of the
financial projections set forth below. No one has made or makes
any representation to any stockholder regarding the information
included in these projections.
For the foregoing reasons, as well as the bases and assumptions
on which the financial projections were compiled, the inclusion
of specific portions of the financial projections in this proxy
statement should not be regarded as an indication that such
projections will be an accurate prediction of future events, and
they should not be relied on as such. Except as required by
applicable securities laws, GAFRI does not intend to update, or
otherwise revise the financial projections or the specific
portions presented to reflect circumstances existing after the
date when made or to reflect the occurrence of future events,
even in the event that any or all of the assumptions are shown
to be in error.
FINANCIAL
OVERVIEW(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except EPS)
|
|
Net Premiums
|
|
$
|
1,147
|
|
|
$
|
1,727
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,160
|
|
|
$
|
2,965
|
|
|
$
|
3,775
|
|
Assets(2)
|
|
$
|
11,800
|
|
|
$
|
13,300
|
|
|
|
$
|
14,300
|
|
|
$
|
15,800
|
|
|
$
|
18,000
|
|
GAAP equity(2)
|
|
$
|
949
|
|
|
$
|
1,064
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,150
|
|
|
$
|
1,250
|
|
|
$
|
1,375
|
|
Net operating earnings(3)
|
|
$
|
62.0
|
|
|
$
|
76.7
|
|
|
|
$
|
78.3
|
|
|
$
|
91.4
|
|
|
$
|
111.0
|
|
Operating earnings per share(3)
|
|
$
|
1.30
|
|
|
$
|
1.59
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.62
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
$
|
2.26
|
|
Net earnings per share
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
$
|
2.06
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.60
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
$
|
2.26
|
|
Book value per share(2)
|
|
$
|
20.09
|
|
|
$
|
22.37
|
|
|
|
$
|
24.19
|
|
|
$
|
26.33
|
|
|
$
|
28.93
|
|
ROE-Operating(4)
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
%
|
|
|
7.8
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
ROE-Net
Income(5)
|
|
|
6.3
|
%
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
8.8
|
%
|
|
|
9.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Assumes earnings on excess capital earns portfolio rate |
|
(2) |
|
Excludes unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities |
|
(3) |
|
From continuing operations (excludes GA Life of Puerto Rico,
hotel gains and 2005 unlockings) |
|
(4) |
|
Includes GA Life of Puerto Rico, excludes realized gains, hotel
gains and 2005 unlockings |
|
(5) |
|
Includes operating, non-operating, discontinued and change in
unrealized gains in stocks |
Markets
and Market Price
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol GFR. As
of ,
2007, there were 47,774,881 shares of GAFRI common stock
outstanding, held by approximately 3,000 stockholders of record.
44
The following table sets forth the high and low reported closing
prices for our common stock for the periods shown as reported by
the New York Stock Exchange:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
17.60
|
|
|
$
|
15.18
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
20.86
|
|
|
|
14.79
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
22.34
|
|
|
|
18.15
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
22.20
|
|
|
|
18.15
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
23.50
|
|
|
|
19.00
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
24.35
|
|
|
|
19.15
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
21.25
|
|
|
|
18.52
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
24.00
|
|
|
|
20.77
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
25.13
|
|
|
|
21.06
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
24.49
|
|
|
|
23.99
|
|
Third Quarter
(through ,
2007)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On February 22, 2007, the last trading day before public
disclosure of AFGs initial proposal to acquire the Company
for $23.50 per share, the closing price of the GAFRI common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $21.694. On
May 16, 2007, the last trading day before GAFRI, AFG and
GAC executed the merger agreement, last trading day before GAFRI
publicly announced the execution of the merger agreement, the
closing price of the GAFRI common stock on the New York Stock
Exchange was $24.83.
On ,
2007, the last trading day before the date of this proxy
statement, , the closing price of the GAFRI common stock on the
New York Stock Exchange was $ .
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR
GAFRI COMMON STOCK BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO
THE MERGER.
GAFRI paid annual common dividends of $0.10 per share in 2006
and 2005. Under the merger agreement, GAFRI has agreed not to
pay any cash dividends on its common stock before the completion
of the merger.
45
Executive
Officers and Directors of GAFRI
The directors and executive officers of GAFRI are set forth
below. Except as described below, none of these persons nor
GAFRI has been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the
past five years (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors), and none of these persons has been a party to any
judicial or administrative proceeding during the past five years
that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the
person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities
subject to, federal or state securities laws or a finding of any
violation of federal or state securities laws. All of the
directors and executive officers of GAFRI are citizens of the
United States and can be reached
c/o Great
American Financial Resources, Inc., 250 East Fifth Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age(1)
|
|
Position
|
|
Carl H. Lindner
|
|
|
87
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
S. Craig Lindner
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and
President, Director
|
Robert A. Adams
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
Director
|
Kenneth C. Ambrecht
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
Director
|
Ronald G. Joseph
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
Director
|
L. Thomas Hiltz
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
Director
|
John T. Lawrence III
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
Director
|
William R. Martin
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
Director
|
Joseph P. Tomain
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
Director
|
Charles R. Scheper
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Director and Chief Operating
Officer
|
John B. Berding
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
Executive Vice President,
Investments
|
Richard L. Magoteaux
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
Senior Vice President
|
Christopher P. Miliano
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
James E. Moffett
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
Senior Vice President
|
Mark F. Muething
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
|
Michael J. Prager
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief
Actuary
|
Carl H. Lindner has been Chairman of the Board of GAFRI
since 1987. Mr. Lindner also serves as Chairman of the
board of directors of AFG. Carl H. Lindner is the father of S.
Craig Lindner.
S. Craig Lindner has been a director of GAFRI since 1993
and was elected Chief Executive Officer in November 1999.
Mr. Lindner is President of American Money Management
Corporation (AMM), a subsidiary of AFG which
provides investment services for AFG and its affiliated
companies, including GAFRI. He is also Co-Chief Executive
Officer and a director of AFG.
Robert A. Adams has been a director of GAFRI since 1992.
Mr. Adams served as Chief Operating Officer of GAFRI until
November 1999 and as Vice Chairman of the Board from November
1999 until his retirement as an employee of GAFRI in December
2001.
Kenneth C. Ambrecht has been a director of GAFRI since
2004. In December 2005, Mr. Ambrecht organized KCA
Associates, LLC. KCA Associates Services, a consultant to
several companies, advising them with respect to financing and
financing transactions. From July 2004 to December 2005,
Mr. Ambrecht served as a Managing Director for the
investment banking firm of First Albany Capital. For more than
five years prior thereto he was a Managing Director with Royal
Bank Canada Capital Markets. Mr. Ambrecht also serves as a
director of AFG and Fortescue Metals Group Limited, an
Australian Mining Company and Dominion Petroleum Ltd., an oil
and gas exploration company.
Ronald G. Joseph has been a director of GAFRI since 1994.
For more than five years, Mr. Joseph has been Chief
Executive Officer and attorney of various Cincinnati-based
automobile dealerships and real estate holdings.
46
L. Thomas Hiltz was elected a director of GAFRI in March
2007. Mr. Hiltz is a private attorney and serves as a
director of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and a member
of the board of numerous charitable organizations.
John T. Lawrence III has been a director of GAFRI
since 1994. For more than five years, Mr. Lawrence has been
a Senior Vice President with UBS Financial Services, Inc., a
national investment banking firm.
William R. Martin has been a director of GAFRI since
1994. Although currently retired, Mr. Martin was previously
President of MB Computing, Inc., which is a privately held
software development company. Mr. Martin is also a director
of AFG.
Charles R. Scheper has been a director of GAFRI since
2002. Mr. Scheper was elected Chief Operating Officer in
November 1999.
Joseph P. Tomain was elected a director of GAFRI in March
2007. Mr. Tomain currently serves as Dean Emeritus and a
Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
John B. Berding was elected Executive Vice President in
May 1999. During that time, he has also been a Senior Vice
President, and effective March 2002, an Executive Vice President
of AMM.
Richard L. Magoteaux was elected Senior Vice President in
May 2001. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President for
over five years.
Christopher P. Miliano was elected Treasurer in May 2004,
Executive Vice President in May 2002 and Chief Financial Officer
in May 2001. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President and
Controller for over five years.
James E. Moffett was elected Senior Vice President in May
2001. In June 2000, Mr. Moffett was employed by the Company
as a Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Loyal
American Life Insurance Company. Prior to that time, he was
employed by Thomas Group, Inc., a Dallas based strategy and
operations consulting firm.
Mark F. Muething was elected Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary in May 1999.
Michael J. Prager was elected Executive Vice President in
November 2004 and Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary in May
2002. Prior to that time he served in various capacities since
joining the Company in June 2000. Prior to that time,
Mr. Prager was an independent consultant with respect to
actuarial and general insurance matters.
47
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The table below contains information regarding the beneficial
ownership of shares of GAFRI common stock by each person or
entity known by GAFRI to beneficially own 5% or more of the
total number of outstanding shares of GAFRI common stock as of
June 30, 2007. The table below also contains information
regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of GAFRI common
stock as of June 30, 2007 by all executive officers and
directors of GAFRI and by all executive officers and directors
of AFG, other than those who are executive officers or directors
of GAFRI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
|
|
|
|
Shares of Common
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Stock Held(a)
|
|
|
Percent of Class
|
|
|
American Financial Group,
Inc.
|
|
|
38,566,978
|
|
|
|
81.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers and
Directors of GAFRI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Adams
|
|
|
221,081
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Kenneth C. Ambrecht
|
|
|
15,206
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
L. Thomas Hiltz
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Ronald G. Joseph
|
|
|
86,181
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
John T. Lawrence III
|
|
|
46,558
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Carl H. Lindner(b)
|
|
|
536,808
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
S. Craig Lindner(b)
|
|
|
139,763
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
William R. Martin
|
|
|
51,460
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Charles R. Scheper(c)
|
|
|
441,896
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Joseph P. Tomain
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
John B. Berding(d)
|
|
|
187,369
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Christopher P. Miliano
|
|
|
71,025
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Richard L. Magoteaux(e)
|
|
|
111,862
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
James E. Moffett(f)
|
|
|
38,062
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Mark F. Muething(g)
|
|
|
229,592
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Michael J. Prager(h)
|
|
|
92,539
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
All Directors and Executive
Officers of GAFRI as a Group (16 persons)
|
|
|
2,269,402
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers and
Directors of AFG Who Are Not Executive Officers or Directors of
GAFRI Who Own Shares of GAFRI Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore H. Emmerich
|
|
|
1,561
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
James E. Evans
|
|
|
5,700
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Thomas E. Mischell
|
|
|
11,198
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Unless otherwise indicated, the persons named have sole voting
and dispositive power over the shares listed opposite their
names. The amounts listed include the following number of shares
which may be acquired pursuant to options which are exercisable
within 60 days. Mr. Ambrecht 13, 200,
Mr. Joseph 22,400,
Mr. Lawrence 22,400,
Mr. Martin 22,400, Mr. Scheper
410,000, Mr. Berding 102,500,
Mr. Magoteaux 100,000,
Mr. Miliano 38,968,
Mr. Moffett 34,000,
Mr. Muething 117,500 and
Mr. Prager 82,500. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Messrs. Carl H. Lindner and S. Craig Lindner disclaim
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by AFG. |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Includes 7,832 share equivalents allocated to
Mr. Schepers account in the Great American Financial
Resources, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (Deferred
Compensation Plan). |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
Includes 2,152 share equivalents allocated to
Mr. Berdings account in the Deferred Compensation
Plan. |
48
|
|
|
(e) |
|
Includes 5,966 share equivalents allocated to
Mr. Magoteauxs account in the Deferred Compensation
Plan. |
|
|
|
(f) |
|
Includes 4,062 share equivalents allocated to
Mr. Moffetts account in the Deferred Compensation
Plan. |
|
|
|
(g) |
|
Includes 46,194 share equivalents allocated to
Mr. Muethings account in the Deferred Compensation
Plan. |
|
|
|
(h) |
|
Includes 7,049 share equivalents allocated to
Mr. Pragers account in the Deferred Compensation Plan. |
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2005 and for each of the three years for the
period ended December 31, 2006, incorporated by reference
in this proxy statement, have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as
stated in their report incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement.
FUTURE
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
GAFRI will hold an annual meeting in 2007 only if the merger is
not completed. In order to be eligible for inclusion in
GAFRIs proxy materials for GAFRIs 2007 annual
meeting, if such a meeting is held, written notice of any
stockholder proposal must have been received by GAFRI not later
than December 1, 2006.
If the merger is completed, there will be no public
participation in any future meetings of stockholders of GAFRI.
If the merger is not completed, however, stockholders will
continue to be entitled to attend and participate in meetings of
stockholders. If the merger is not completed, GAFRI will inform
its stockholders, by press release or other means determined
reasonable by GAFRI, of the date by which stockholder proposals
must be received by GAFRI for inclusion in the proxy materials
relating to GAFRIs 2007 annual meeting, which proposals
must comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC then in
effect.
WHERE
STOCKHOLDERS CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
GAFRI files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other documents with the SEC under the Exchange
Act. These reports, proxy statements and other information
contain additional information about GAFRI and will be made
available for inspection and copying at GAFRIs executive
offices during regular business hours by any stockholder or a
representative of a stockholder as so designated in writing.
Stockholders may read and copy any reports, statements or other
information filed by GAFRI at the SECs public reference
room at Station Place, 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this
information by mail from the public reference section of the SEC
at Station Place, 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Please call
the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the operation of the public reference
room. GAFRIs SEC filings made electronically through the
SECs EDGAR system are available to the public at the
SECs website at www.sec.gov. You can also inspect reports,
proxy statements and other information about GAFRI at the
offices of the NASDAQ National Market. For further information
on obtaining copies of our public filings at the NASDAQ National
Market, you should call
1-800-261-0148.
A list of stockholders will be available for inspection by
stockholders of record at GAFRIs executive offices at 250
East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 during regular
business hours beginning two (2) business days after notice
of the special meeting is given and continuing to the date of
the special meeting. The list of stockholders will be available
at the special meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The SEC allows GAFRI to incorporate by reference
information that it files with the SEC in other documents into
this proxy statement. This means that GAFRI may disclose
important information to you by referring you to another
document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this proxy
statement. This proxy statement and the information that GAFRI
files later with the SEC may update and supersede the
information incorporated by reference. Similarly, the
information that GAFRI later files with the
49
SEC may update and supersede the information in this proxy
statement. Such updated and superseded information will not,
except as so modified or superseded, constitute part of this
proxy statement.
GAFRI incorporates by reference in this proxy statement the
following documents filed by it with the SEC under the Exchange
Act:
|
|
|
|
|
GAFRIs Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006;
|
|
|
|
GAFRIs Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007; and
|
|
|
|
GAFRIs Current Reports on
Form 8-K
dated February 23, 2007, February 27, 2007,
March 1, 2007, March 14, 2007, April 3, 2007 and
May 17, 2007.
|
GAFRI undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this proxy statement has been delivered, upon
request, by first class mail or other equally prompt means,
within one business day of receipt of such request, a copy of
any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this
proxy statement, other than the exhibits to these documents,
unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
into the information that this proxy statement incorporates.
These documents incorporated by reference are also available on
GAFRIs website at www.GAFRI.com. You may obtain
documents incorporated by reference by requesting them in
writing or by telephone at the following address and telephone
number:
Great
American Financial Resources, Inc.
Documents should be requested
by ,
2007 in order to receive them before the special meeting. You
should be sure to include your complete name and address in your
request.
This proxy statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or
a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the
solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any
person to whom it is not lawful to make any offer or
solicitation in that jurisdiction. The delivery of this proxy
statement should not create an implication that there has been
no change in the affairs of GAFRI since the date of this proxy
statement or that the information herein is correct as of any
later date.
AFG and GAC have supplied, and GAFRI has not independently
verified, the information in this proxy statement relating to
AFG and GAC.
Stockholders should not rely on information other than that
contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.
GAFRI has not authorized anyone to provide information that is
different from that contained in this proxy statement. This
proxy statement is
dated ,
2007. No assumption should be made that the information
contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date
other than that date, and the mailing of this proxy statement
will not create any implication to the contrary. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event of any material change in any of the
information previously disclosed, GAFRI will, where relevant and
if required by applicable law, update such information through a
supplement to this proxy statement.
50
Appendix
A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
and
GAFRI ACQUISITION CORP.
Dated
as of May 17, 2007
A-1
Table of Contents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
Article I DEFINITIONS |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
Section 1.1
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
1 |
|
Article II THE MERGER |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
Section 2.1
|
|
The Merger
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
Section 2.2
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
Section 2.3
|
|
Effective Time
|
|
|
6 |
|
Article III EFFECTS OF THE MERGER |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.1
|
|
Effects of the Merger
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.2
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.3
|
|
Bylaws
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.4
|
|
Officers
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.5
|
|
Directors
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.6
|
|
Conversion of Treasury Stock and Parent Owned Stock
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.7
|
|
Conversion of GAFRI Common Stock
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
Section 3.8
|
|
Option Consideration
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
Section 3.9
|
|
Cancellation of the Common Stock of GAC
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
Section 3.10
|
|
Dissenting Shares
|
|
|
10 |
|
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GAFRI |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
Section 4.1
|
|
Organization
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
Section 4.2
|
|
Authorization
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
Section 4.3
|
|
Consents and Approvals; No Violations
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
Section 4.4
|
|
Capitalization
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
Section 4.5
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
Section 4.6
|
|
No Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
Section 4.7
|
|
SEC Filings
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
Section 4.8
|
|
Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
Section 4.9
|
|
Proxy Statement
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
Section 4.10
|
|
Absence of Material Adverse Changes, etc
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
Section 4.11
|
|
Environmental Matters
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
Section 4.12
|
|
Employee Benefit Plans
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
Section 4.13
|
|
Litigation; Compliance with Laws
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
Section 4.14
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
Section 4.15
|
|
Labor and Employment
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.16
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisors
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.17
|
|
Finders and Other Fees
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.18
|
|
State Takeover Statutes
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.19
|
|
[Reserves
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.20
|
|
[Reserved]
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.21
|
|
Investment Company
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
Section 4.22
|
|
No Downgrading of Rating
|
|
|
19 |
|
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND GAC |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
Section 5.1
|
|
Organization
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
Section 5.2
|
|
Authorization
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
Section 5.3
|
|
Consents and Approvals; No Violations
|
|
|
19 |
|
A-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 5.4
|
|
Proxy Statement
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
Section 5.5
|
|
Brokers
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
Section 5.6
|
|
Sufficient Funds
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
Section 5.7
|
|
No Prior GAC Operations
|
|
|
20 |
|
Article VI COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
Section 6.1
|
|
Conduct of the Business of GAFRI
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
Section 6.2
|
|
Stockholders Meeting; Proxy Material
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
Section 6.3
|
|
No Solicitation
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
Section 6.4
|
|
Director and Officer Liability
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
Section 6.5
|
|
Certain Filings
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
Section 6.6
|
|
Best Efforts
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
Section 6.7
|
|
Public Announcements
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
Section 6.8
|
|
State Takeover Laws
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
Section 6.9
|
|
Certain Notifications
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
Section 6.10
|
|
Third Party Consents
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Section 6.11
|
|
Delisting
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Section 6.12
|
|
Guarantee of GAFRI Indebtedness
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Section 6.13
|
|
Formation of GAC
|
|
|
26 |
|
Article VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Section 7.1
|
|
Conditions to Each Partys Obligations to Effect the Merger
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Section 7.2
|
|
Conditions to GAFRIs Obligation to Effect the Merger
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
Section 7.3
|
|
Conditions to Parents and GACs Obligations to Effect the Merger
|
|
|
28 |
|
Article VIII TERMINATION |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
Section 8.1
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
Section 8.2
|
|
Effect of Termination
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
Section 8.3
|
|
Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
29 |
|
Article IX MISCELLANEOUS |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
Section 9.1
|
|
Notices
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
Section 9.2
|
|
Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
Section 9.3
|
|
Interpretation
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
Section 9.4
|
|
Amendments, Modification and Waiver
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
Section 9.5
|
|
Successors and Assigns
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
Section 9.6
|
|
Specific Performance
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
Section 9.7
|
|
Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
Section 9.8
|
|
Severability
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
Section 9.9
|
|
Third Party Beneficiaries
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
Section 9.10
|
|
Entire Agreement
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
Section 9.11
|
|
Counterparts; Fax Signatures; Effectiveness
|
|
|
33 |
|
A-3
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of May 17, 2007 (this Agreement), among American
Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation (Parent), Great American Financial Resources,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (GAFRI), and GAFRI Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (GAC) (GAFRI and GAC being hereinafter collectively
referred to as the Constituent Corporations).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of GAFRI (the GAFRI Board), upon the approval and
recommendation of its Special Committee, has (i) declared that the merger of GAC with and into
GAFRI (the Merger), with GAFRI being the surviving corporation (in this capacity, the
Surviving Corporation), is advisable, (ii) determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best
interests of, GAFRI and its stockholders (other than Parent and its Affiliates), (iii) approved and
adopted this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(collectively, the Transactions), and (iv) resolved to recommend the approval of the
Merger and the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of GAFRI.
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent and GAC have each approved and adopted
this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Parent, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is approving
this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, as the sole stockholder of GAC, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions set forth herein, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the
meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1 and shall be equally applicable to both
singular and plural forms. Any agreement referred to below means such agreement as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms to the extent permitted by
the applicable provisions of this Agreement.
Acquiror Entities has the meaning set forth in the first sentence of Article V.
Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect means any effect, change or development
that, individually or in the aggregate, with other effects, changes or developments, is material
and adverse to the financial condition, business operations, prospects or results of operations of
the Acquiror Entities, taken as a whole, or could be reasonably expected to adversely affect the
ability of any Acquiror Entity to consummate the Merger or other Transactions; provided, however,
that to the extent any effect, change or development is caused by or results from any of the
following, it shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been an Acquiror
Entity Material Adverse Effect: (i) the announcement of the execution of this
A-4
Agreement, actions contemplated by this Agreement or the performance of obligations under this
Agreement (in each case, including any reduction in premiums or sales, any disruption in supplier,
distributor, partner, agent or similar relationships or any loss of employees), (ii) factors
affecting the economy or financial markets as a whole, (iii) the suspension of trading in
securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market, and (iv) the
commencement, occurrence or continuation of any war, armed hostilities or acts of terrorism
involving or affecting the United States of America or any part thereof.
Acquisition Proposal means any offer or proposal regarding a merger, consolidation,
share exchange, recapitalization, reclassification, liquidation or other business combination
involving GAFRI or the acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of any class of equity securities of
GAFRI or any of its Material Subsidiaries then outstanding, or any tender offer (including
self-tenders) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any Person beneficially
owning 10% or more of any class of equity securities of GAFRI or any of its Material Subsidiaries,
or a substantial portion of the assets of, GAFRI or any of its Material Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, other than the Transactions.
Affiliate has the meaning as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Agreement means this Agreement and Plan of Merger among Parent, GAC and GAFRI.
Applicable Law means any federal, state, local, municipal or other law, statute,
legislation, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, order,
judgment, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement or legally binding policies or guidelines
issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the
authority of any Governmental Entity.
Business Day means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
banking institutions located in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close, and the term day when not immediately preceded by the word business
shall mean a calendar day.
Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
Certificate of Merger has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Closing has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Closing Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Constituent Corporations has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of
this Agreement.
Contract means any written or oral, agreement, contract, subcontract, lease,
mortgage, indenture, understanding, arrangement, instrument, note, bond, option, warranty, purchase
order,
A-5
license, sublicense, insurance policy, or other legally binding instrument, obligation or
commitment or undertaking of any nature.
DGCL has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
Dissenting Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(a).
Effective Time has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
Environmental Law means any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law,
regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization, common law or legally binding agency requirement
relating to: (i) the regulation, protection, investigation or restoration of the environment,
health, safety or natural resources, (ii) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (iii) noise, odor, indoor air, employee exposure,
wetlands, pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to Persons or property
relating to any Hazardous Substance.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
GAC has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
GAC Bylaws has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
GAC Certificate of Incorporation has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
GAFRI has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
GAFRI Board has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this Agreement.
GAFRI Bylaws has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
GAFRI Certificate of Incorporation has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
GAFRI Common Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
GAFRI Disclosure Schedule means any disclosure schedule delivered by GAFRI to Parent
dated the date hereof, which disclosure schedule relates to this Agreement and is designated
therein as the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule.
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect means any effect, change or development that,
individually or in the aggregate, with other effects, changes or developments, is material and
adverse to the financial condition, business operations, prospects or results of operations of
GAFRI and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or could reasonably be expected to adversely affect
the ability of GAFRI to consummate the Merger or other Transactions; provided, however, that to the
extent any effect, change or development is caused by or results from any of the
A-6
following, it shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been a GAFRI
Material Adverse Effect: (i) the announcement of the execution of this Agreement, actions
contemplated by this Agreement or the performance of obligations under this Agreement (in each
case, including any reduction in premiums or sales, any disruption in supplier, distributor, agent
or partner or similar relationships or any loss of employees), (ii) factors affecting the economy
or financial markets as a whole, (iii) the suspension of trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market, and (iv) the commencement, occurrence or
continuation of any war, armed hostilities or acts of terrorism involving or affecting the United
States of America or any part thereof.
GAFRI SEC Documents has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
GAFRI Stockholder Approval has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).
Governmental Entity means any federal, state, local or foreign government or any
court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or other regulatory
authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational.
Hazardous Substance means (i) any substance that is listed, classified, regulated or
for which liability is imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law, (ii) any petroleum product or
by-product, asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated
biphenyls, radioactive material or radon and (iii) any other substance which is the subject of
regulatory action by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Environmental Law.
Holder has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a).
HSR Act means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Indemnitees has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
Insurance Regulatory Authority shall mean, with respect to any Subsidiary that is an
insurance company, the Governmental Entity of such Subsidiarys state of domicile with which such
Subsidiary is required to file its annual financial statement prepared in accordance with SAP.
Intellectual Property Rights has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.
IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
Knowledge means the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of the executive
officers of GAFRI or the executive officers of Parent and GAC, as the case may be.
Liens means, with respect to any asset, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledges, charges,
security interests, liens, title retention devices, conditional sales or other security
arrangements, collateral assignments, claims, charges, adverse claims of title, ownership or right
to use, easements, servitudes, restrictive covenants, options, rights of first refusal,
restrictions or other encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever in respect of such asset
(including any restriction on (1) the voting of any security or the transfer of any security or
other asset, (2) the receipt of any income derived from any asset, (3) the use of any asset, and
(4) the possession, exercise or
A-7
transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset), in each case except for such
restrictions of general application under the Securities Act and state blue sky laws.
Material Subsidiary means any Subsidiary whose consolidated revenues, net income or
assets constitute 10% or more of the revenues, net income or assets of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.
Merger has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this Agreement.
Merger Consideration has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.
Parent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Person means any person, employee, individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, trust, joint venture, or any other non-governmental entity or any
governmental or regulatory authority or body.
Plans has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).
Proxy Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).
Regulatory Law means the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the HSR Act, the Federal
Trade Commission Act, each as amended, and all other federal, state and foreign, if any, statutes,
rules, regulations, orders, decrees, administrative and judicial doctrines and other laws that are
designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate (x) foreign investment, (y) foreign exchange
or currency controls or (z) actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of
trade or lessening of competition.
SAP means statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the respective
state of domicile for each GAFRI Subsidiary that is an insurance company.
SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Special Committee means the Special Committee of the GAFRI Board formed for the
purpose of considering Parents proposal to acquire all capital stock of GAFRI not owned by Parent
as contemplated by the Merger.
Special Meeting has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).
Subsidiary of any Person means another Person, an amount of the voting securities,
other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a
majority of its Board of Directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting
interests, 50% or more of the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such
first Person.
Surviving Corporation has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this
Agreement.
A-8
Tax and Taxes means: (i) any and all federal, state, local or foreign net
income, gross income, gross receipts, windfall profit, severance, property, production, sales, use,
license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or add-on minimum, ad
valorem, value added, transfer, stamp, or environmental tax, or any other tax, custom, duty,
governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest or penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Entity; (ii)
any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result of
being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period; and (iii)
any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) as a
result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person or as a result of any
obligations under any agreements or arrangements with any other person with respect to such amounts
and including any liability for taxes of a predecessor entity.
Tax Return means any return, report or similar statement required to be filed with
respect to any Tax including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or
declaration of estimated Tax.
Termination Date has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
Third Party means any Person or group of Persons (other than GAFRI and its
Affiliates or Parent and its Affiliates).
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver
(subject to Applicable Law) of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with
the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL), GAC shall merge with and into GAFRI at
the Effective Time and the separate corporate existence of GAC shall thereupon cease. Following
the Effective Time, GAFRI, as the Surviving Corporation, shall succeed to and assume all of the
rights and obligations of GAC and GAFRI in accordance with the DGCL and Section 3.1 of this
Agreement.
Section 2.2 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the Closing) shall take
place at a time and date to be specified by the parties to this Agreement, which shall be no later
than the thirty (30) Business Day after satisfaction or waiver (subject to Applicable Law) of the
conditions set forth in Article VII (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be
satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver (subject to Applicable Law) of
those conditions), at the offices of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL, Suite 1400, One East Fourth
Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, unless another time, date or place is agreed to by the parties
hereto (the Closing Date).
Section 2.3 Effective Time. The Merger shall become effective at the close of
business on the date when the Certificate of Merger relating to the Merger, in such form and as
required by and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, is duly filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Certificate of Merger), or at such
later date and time as the Constituent Corporations shall, by written agreement, specify in the
Certificate of Merger. When used in this Agreement, the term Effective Time means the
later of the close of business on the date on which the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with
the
A-9
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such later date and time established by the
Certificate of Merger. The filing of the Certificate of Merger shall be made as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to Applicable Law) of the conditions to the
Merger set forth in Article VII.
ARTICLE III
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
Section 3.1 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in
this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the Effective Time, all the assets, property, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of GAC and GAFRI shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all
debts, liabilities, restrictions and duties of GAC and GAFRI shall become the debts, liabilities,
restrictions and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of GAC
(the GAC Certificate of Incorporation), as in effect immediately prior to 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 3.3 Bylaws. The Bylaws of GAC (the GAC Bylaws), as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein, by Applicable Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation.
Section 3.4 Officers. From and after the Effective Time, the officers of GAC
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, until
the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected,
as the case may be.
Section 3.5 Directors. From and after the Effective Time, the directors of the
Surviving Corporation shall be the following persons until the earlier of their resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be: S.
Craig Lindner, Charles R. Scheper and Mark F. Muething.
Section 3.6 Conversion of Treasury Stock and Parent Owned Stock. At the Effective
Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, (i) each
share of GAFRI Common Stock that is held, directly or indirectly, by GAFRI shall automatically be
converted into and become a validly issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Surviving
Corporation, and (ii) each issued and outstanding share of GAFRI Common Stock that is owned by
Parent, any Subsidiary of Parent or GAC shall automatically be converted into and become a validly
issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 3.7 Conversion of GAFRI Common Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof, each share of GAFRI Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares to be converted
in accordance with Section 3.6 and Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive
$24.50 in cash (the Per Share Merger Consideration and the aggregate of all Per Share
Merger Consideration in respect of all GAFRI Common Stock entitled thereto, the Merger
Consideration). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of GAFRI Common
A-10
Stock shall no longer remain outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease
to exist, and each holder of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
such shares of GAFRI Common Stock (a Certificate) shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the Per Share Merger
Consideration multiplied by the number of shares of GAFRI Common Stock formerly represented by such
Certificate or Certificates, to be paid in consideration therefor upon surrender, or surrender,
notation and return of such Certificate in accordance with Section 3.9, without interest or
dividends.
Section 3.8 Option Consideration.
(a) At or prior to the Effective Time, GAFRI shall take (or shall have caused to have
been taken) all actions necessary to terminate, as of the Effective Time, its employee stock
option plans, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and to
extinguish all rights of grantees or optionees under such stock option plans for cash
payments by GAFRI to each optionee in respect of vested employee stock options in an amount
equal to the positive number difference, less applicable Taxes, between the Per Share
Merger Consideration and option exercise paid multiplied by the number of shares of GAFRI
Common Stock formerly subject to an option (Option Payment Amount). For the avoidance of
doubt, at the Effective Time, each Company option that is vested at the Effective Time in
which the Per Share Merger Consideration is equal to or less than the exercise price per
share under such Company option shall be terminated and be of no further effect. For
options vested at the Effective Time, such payments shall be made as soon as practicable
after the Effective Time. So long as a holder of an option is an employee of GAFRI, Parent
or any subsidiary of either of them at the vesting dates (as set forth in a GAFRI employee
stock option plan or document evidencing a grant of an employee stock option), GAFRI shall
pay the Option Payment Amount as soon as practicable after such vesting dates in 2008, 2009,
2010 and 2011.
(b) Effective as of the Effective Time, GAFRI shall take all action necessary to
provide for the termination of its agent stock option plans or agreements and the
extinguishment of all rights thereunder.
Section 3.9 Cancellation of the Common Stock of GAC. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, each issued and outstanding
share of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of GAC shall automatically be cancelled and all
certificates evidencing ownership of such shares shall be void and of no effect.
(a) Exchange Procedures. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall mail (and make available for collection by hand) to each holder
of record of a Certificate or Certificates (other than Certificates, if any, held by Parent,
any Subsidiary of Parent, GAC, GAFRI or any GAFRI Subsidiary) (each, a Holder),
(i) a letter of transmittal in customary form and approved by GAFRI prior to the Effective
Time (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which shall specify
that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass,
only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Surviving Corporation and which shall
have such other customary provisions as Parent may specify, and (ii) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the applicable portion of the
Merger Consideration (pursuant to Section 3.7) to be
A-11
received in cash by the Holder thereof pursuant to this Agreement. Upon surrender of a
Certificate for cancellation to the Surviving Corporation, together with a letter of
transmittal duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto,
and such other documents as may be reasonably required pursuant to such instructions (or, if
such shares are held in book-entry or other uncertificated form, upon the entry through a
book-entry transfer agent or the surrender of such GAFRI Common Stock on a book entry
statement (it being understood that any references herein to Certificates shall be deemed
to include references to book-entry account statements), the Holder of such Certificate
shall be entitled to receive promptly in exchange therefor the Per Share Merger
Consideration for each share of GAFRI Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate,
payable in check to be mailed (or made available for collection by hand if so elected by the
surrendering Holder of a Certificate within three (3) Business Days of receipt thereof), and
the Certificate so surrendered shall be forthwith cancelled. No interest shall be paid or
accrued for the benefit of Holders on the Merger Consideration payable upon the surrender of
the Certificates. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of GAFRI shall be closed,
and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of GAFRI Common
Stock outstanding on the records of GAFRI. Until so surrendered, outstanding Certificates
shall be deemed from and after the Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, to evidence
only the right to receive, without interest, the applicable portion of the Merger
Consideration to which the Holder of such Certificate is entitled by virtue thereof. If
Certificates are presented to GAFRI for transfer following the Effective Time, they shall be
canceled against delivery of the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration to which the
Holder of such Certificate is entitled to receive. All cash paid upon conversion of shares
of GAFRI Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be deemed to
have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights of the respective Holders pertaining to
such shares of GAFRI Common Stock.
(b) No Liability. None of Parent, GAC, the Surviving Corporation or any of
their respective Affiliates shall be liable to any Person in respect of any Merger
Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law. If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered prior to two
years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any
Merger Consideration in respect of such Certificate would otherwise escheat to or become the
property of any Governmental Entity), any such cash in respect of such Certificate shall, to
the extent permitted by Applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation,
free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(c) Transfer Taxes. If any Merger Consideration is to be remitted to a Person
(other than the Person in whose name the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is
registered), it shall be a condition of such exchange that the Certificate so surrendered
shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the Person
requesting such exchange shall pay to the Surviving Corporation any transfer or other Taxes
required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the
registered Holder of the Certificate so surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction
of the Surviving Corporation that such Tax either has been paid or is not applicable.
A-12
(d) Withholding Rights. The Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct
and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to
any Holder of a Certificate such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld with
respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provisions of applicable state,
local or foreign Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and paid
over to the appropriate Taxing authority by the Surviving Corporation, such deducted and
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to
the Holder of the Certificate in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by
the Surviving Corporation.
(e) 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 the Surviving Corporation,
the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation
may determine and direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
respect to such Certificate, the Surviving Corporation will issue, in exchange for such
lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Consideration to which the Holder thereof
is entitled pursuant to this Agreement.
(f) Adjustments to Prevent Dilution or Unjust Enrichment. If, prior to the
Effective Time, solely as a result of a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse
stock split), stock dividend or stock distribution which in any such event is made on a pro
rata basis to all holders of GAFRI Common Stock, there is a change in the number of shares
of GAFRI Common Stock outstanding or issuable upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of
securities or rights convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of GAFRI Common
Stock, then the Merger Consideration shall be equitably adjusted to eliminate the effects of
such event.
(g) Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the
Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of
this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession
to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Constituent
Corporations, the officers and directors of GAFRI and GAC will take all such action.
Section 3.10 Dissenting Shares.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the term Dissenting Shares means any shares of
GAFRI Common Stock with respect to which appraisal rights apply under Section 262 of the
DGCL and held by a Holder who (i) has not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto
in writing, (ii) has demanded properly in writing fair value for such GAFRI Common Stock in
accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, and (iii) has not withdrawn such demand or
otherwise lost such Holders right to receive the fair value of such Holders Dissenting
Shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Holders of
Dissenting Shares shall not be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such
Dissenting Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL if such
holders (i) fail to perfect, (ii) effectively withdraw or (iii) otherwise lose their rights
to payment of fair value under the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time, any such Holder
A-13
fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or otherwise loses such right, such
Dissenting Shares shall thereupon be treated as if they had been canceled, extinguished and
converted into, as of the Effective Time, and represent, the right to receive payment of the
portion of the Merger Consideration to be paid therefor pursuant to Section 3.7, and such shares shall not be deemed to be Dissenting Shares. None of Parent, GAC, GAFRI or the
Surviving Corporation shall be liable for any failure of any Holder of shares of GAFRI
Common Stock to comply with such Holders duties under this Section 3.10.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.10, if (i) the
Merger is rescinded or abandoned or (ii) stockholders of GAFRI revoke the authority to
effect the Merger, then the right of any Holder to be paid the fair value of such Holders
Dissenting Shares pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL shall cease.
(d) GAFRI shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any demands received by GAFRI for
dissenters rights and withdrawals of such demands served pursuant to the DGCL, and (ii) the
opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for
dissenters rights under DGCL. GAFRI shall not, except with the prior written consent of
Parent, make any payment (including, without limitation, any payment under Section 262 of
the DGCL) with respect to any demands for valuation or offer to settle or settle any such
demands.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GAFRI
Except (i) as set forth in the corresponding section of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule, it
being understood that matters disclosed pursuant to one section of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule
shall be deemed disclosed with respect to any other section of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule where
it is apparent on its face that the matters so disclosed are applicable to such other sections
(provided, however, that the mere inclusion of an item on the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule shall not
be deemed to be an admission by GAFRI that such item is or was material or is or was required to be
disclosed therein), or (ii) as expressly contemplated or permitted under this Agreement or any
agreement contemplated hereby or thereby, GAFRI hereby represents and warrants to Parent and to GAC
as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization. GAFRI is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite power and authority to carry
on its businesses as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and
in good standing (or the local law equivalent) or to have such power and authority could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. GAFRI is duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing (or the local law equivalent) in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, other than where the failure to be so duly qualified,
licensed and in good standing (or the local law equivalent) could not reasonably be expected to
have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. GAFRI has made available to Parent and GAC true and complete
copies of GAFRIs Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, in effect as of the date of this
Agreement (the GAFRI Certificate of Incorporation) and GAFRIs Bylaws in effect as of the
date of this Agreement (the GAFRI Bylaws).
Section 4.2 Authorization.
A-14
(a) GAFRI has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions
(subject, with respect to the Merger, to receipt of the GAFRI Stockholder Approval). The
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation by GAFRI of the Transactions, and
the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly and validly authorized, and this
Agreement and the Transactions have been approved by the GAFRI Board, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of GAFRI are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions (subject, with
respect to the Merger, to receipt of the GAFRI Stockholder Approval) other than (i) with
respect to the Merger, the filing with the SEC of a proxy statement with respect to, and the
receipt of, the GAFRI Stockholder Approval, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger as
required by the DGCL, and (iii) such other filings as may be required under, and in
compliance with the other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act, the Exchange Act and any
other Applicable Law. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by GAFRI, and
constitutes, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent
and GAC, a valid and binding obligation of GAFRI enforceable against GAFRI in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or
at law).
(b) The Special Committee, at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of
all its members, approved and declared this Agreement and the Transactions advisable and has
determined that the Merger is fair to GAFRIs stockholders other than Parent and its
Affiliates. The GAFRI Board, at a meeting duly called and held: (i) has declared that the
Merger is advisable; (ii) approved and adopted this Agreement and the Transactions and has
determined that the Merger is fair to GAFRIs stockholders other than Parent and its
Affiliates; and (iii) has recommended approval by the stockholders of GAFRI of this
Agreement and the Merger, subject to the right of the GAFRI Board to withdraw or modify its
recommendation of this Agreement and the Merger.
(c) Under Applicable Law and the GAFRI Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes represented by the shares of GAFRI Common Stock outstanding
on the record date, established by the GAFRI Board in accordance with the GAFRI Bylaws,
Applicable Law and this Agreement, voting together as a single class, at the Special Meeting
at which a quorum is present in accordance with GAFRI Bylaws and Applicable Law (the
GAFRI Stockholder Approval) is the only vote of GAFRIs stockholders required to
approve this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger.
Section 4.3 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for filings, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and other applicable requirements
of, the HSR Act, the DGCL, state blue sky and securities or takeover laws, neither the execution,
delivery or performance of this Agreement by GAFRI nor the consummation by GAFRI of the
Transactions will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the GAFRI
Certificate of Incorporation or the GAFRI Bylaws or of the similar organizational documents of any
Subsidiary of GAFRI, (ii) result in a violation or breach of,
A-15
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, require the
consent from or the giving of notice to a Third Party pursuant to, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration or obligation to repurchase, repay, redeem or acquire or
any similar right or obligation under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract
to which GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI is a party or by which they or any of their assets is
bound, (iii) require any filing or registration with, or permit, authorization, consent or approval
of, any Governmental Entity on the part of GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI or (iv) violate any
order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity to which GAFRI or
any Subsidiary of GAFRI is subject, excluding from the foregoing clause (ii) such conflicts,
requirements, obligations, defaults, failures, breaches, rights or violations that could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.4 Capitalization. (a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
of GAFRI consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of GAFRI Common Stock, and (ii) 25,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share (GAFRI Preferred Stock).
(a) (i) At the close of business on May 16, 2007, 47,774,881 shares of GAFRI Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, all of which were validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights; and,
(ii) At the close of business on May 16, 2007, no shares of GAFRI Preferred
Stock were issued and outstanding.
(iii) At the close of business on May 16, 2007, there were 2,777,287 shares of
GAFRI Common Stock reserved for issuance under Plans, 301,559 shares of GAFRI Common
Stock reserved for issuance under the agent stock option plans. Except as set forth
in the immediately preceding sentence, there are no options, warrants, calls, rights
or agreements to which GAFRI is a party or by which it is bound obligating GAFRI to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares
of capital stock of GAFRI or obligating GAFRI to grant, extend or enter into any
option, warrant, call, right or agreement, and there are no outstanding contractual
rights, including (without limitation) phantom equity, stock appreciation, profit
participation or similar plan rights, to which GAFRI is a party or by which GAFRI is
bound the value of which is or are based on the value of the capital stock or other
equity securities of GAFRI. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of
GAFRI to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of GAFRI Common Stock or
of GAFRI Preferred Stock.
(iv) GAFRI has delivered to Parent a correct and complete list as of May 16,
2007 of each outstanding option (collectively, the GAFRI Stock Options)
outstanding under any Plan, including the holder, date of grant, exercise price (if
applicable), number of shares of GAFRI Common Stock subject thereto, GAFRI Stock
Plan under which such GAFRI Stock Option or GAFRI Restricted Stock Award, as the
case may be, was granted and, with respect to any GAFRI Stock Option, whether the
option is vested and exercisable.
(b) GAFRI does not have any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations
the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or
A-16
exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of GAFRI on
any matter.
Section 4.5 Subsidiaries. Section 4.5 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the
Material Subsidiaries of GAFRI. Each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI is duly authorized to conduct
business and is in good standing (or the local law equivalent) under the laws of each jurisdiction
where such qualification is required except where the failure to so qualify and be in good standing
(or the local law equivalent) could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse
Effect. Each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI has full corporate power and authority and all licenses,
permits, and authorizations necessary to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and in
which it presently proposes to engage and to own and use the properties owned and used by it except
where the failure to possess such licenses, permits and authorizations could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. GAFRI has delivered to Parent correct and complete
copies of the charter and bylaws of each Subsidiary of GAFRI (as amended to date). None of the
Subsidiaries of GAFRI is in default under or in violation of any provision of its charter or
bylaws. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Material Subsidiary of
GAFRI have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. One of
GAFRI and its Subsidiaries holds of record and owns beneficially all of the outstanding shares of
each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI, free and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than
restrictions under the Securities Act and state securities laws or regulations), taxes, security
interests, options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, equities, claims, and
demands. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription
rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other contracts or commitments that could require
any of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any capital stock of
any of its Subsidiaries or that could require any Material Subsidiary of GAFRI to issue, sell, or
otherwise cause to become outstanding any of its own capital stock (other than this Agreement).
There are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights
with respect to any Material Subsidiary of GAFRI. There are no voting trusts, proxies, or other
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of any capital stock of any Material
Subsidiary of GAFRI. The minute books (containing the records of meetings of the stockholders, the
board of directors, and any committees of the board of directors), the stock certificate books, and
the stock record books of each Material Subsidiary of GAFRI are correct and complete.
Section 4.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (i) as set forth, reflected or
reserved against in the balance sheet (including the notes thereto) of GAFRI as of December 31,
2006, (ii) for liabilities and obligations incurred since December 31, 2006 in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice and not otherwise prohibited pursuant to this Agreement
(none of which results from, arises out of, relates to or was caused by any breach of contract,
tort, infringement or violation of Applicable Law) or (iii) for liabilities and obligations
incurred in connection with the Merger or any other transaction or agreement contemplated by this
Agreement, neither GAFRI nor any Subsidiary of GAFRI has any liabilities or obligations of any
nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) except for such liabilities and
obligations which could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.7 SEC Filings. GAFRI has filed all reports, proxy statements, registration
statements, forms and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since December 31,
2004 (collectively, including any exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated by
reference therein, the GAFRI SEC Documents). None of the GAFRI SEC
A-17
Documents (other than the financial statements and notes and schedules thereto contained
therein, as to which representations and warranties are made in Section 4.8), as of their
respective filing and effective dates (or, if amended prior to the date of this Agreement, as of
the respective filing and effective dates of such amendment), contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. All of such GAFRI SEC Documents (as amended prior to the date of this Agreement, if
amended prior to the date of this Agreement) complied in form and substance, in all material
respects, with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, each as in
effect on the date so filed.
Section 4.8 Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) The consolidated financial statements of GAFRI (including any notes and schedules
thereto) included in the GAFRI SEC Documents (i) complied as of their respective dates as to
form in all material respects with all applicable accounting requirements and with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect on the date of
filing and effectiveness thereof, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect on
the dates of such financial statements, applied on a consistent basis (except as may be
indicated therein or in the notes thereto and, in the case of unaudited statements, as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC) during the periods involved, (iii) are
consistent, in all material respects, with the books and records of GAFRI and its
Subsidiaries, and (iv) fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of GAFRI and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods therein indicated
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments
which were not expected to be material in amount).
(b) Except (i) as set forth, reflected or reserved against in the consolidated balance
sheet (including the notes thereto) of GAFRI included in its annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, (ii) as set forth, reflected or reserved against in
any consolidated balance sheet (including the notes thereto) of GAFRI included in any other
GAFRI SEC Documents filed with the SEC after the filing date of such annual report, (iii)
for liabilities and obligations incurred since December 31, 2006 in the usual, regular and
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not otherwise prohibited
pursuant to this Agreement or (iv) for liabilities and obligations incurred in connection
with the Merger or any other transaction or agreement contemplated by this Agreement,
neither GAFRI nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), except in each case for such
liabilities and obligations which could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) The annual statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 of each Material
Subsidiary that is an insurance company, copies of which have been made available to Parent
prior to the date hereof, fairly present in all material respects each such Material
Subsidiarys respective financial condition as of the dates thereof and their respective
results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended in conformity with SAP,
except as may be reflected in the notes thereto and subject to normal year-end adjustments.
The other information contained in such annual statements presents in all
A-18
material respects the information required to be contained therein in conformity with
SAP consistently applied.
Section 4.9 Proxy Statement. None of the information contained in the Proxy Statement
(and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto) will at the time of the mailing of the Proxy
Statement to GAFRIs stockholders, at the time of the Special Meeting, and at the time of any
amendments thereof or supplements thereto, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty
is made by GAFRI with respect to statements made or omitted in the Proxy Statement relating to
Parent, GAC or their respective Affiliates based on information supplied in writing by Parent, GAC
or their respective Affiliates for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
Section 4.10 Absence of Material Adverse Changes, etc. Other than as disclosed in the
GAFRI SEC Filings and in connection with or arising out of this Agreement, and the transactions and
other agreements contemplated hereby, since December 31, 2006, each of GAFRI and each Subsidiary of
GAFRI has conducted its business in all material respects only in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice, and there has not been (i) a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to its
capital stock, (iii) any split, combination or reclassification of any of its capital stock or any
issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or
in substitution for shares of its capital stock, (iv) any change in accounting methods, principles
or practices by GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such changes required by changes in
GAAP or in SAP, as applicable, (v) any material damage, destruction or other casualty loss with
respect to any material asset or property owned, leased or otherwise used by GAFRI or any
Subsidiary of GAFRI which is not covered by insurance or (vi) any material amendment of any of the
Plans of GAFRI.
Section 4.11 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the GAFRI SEC Filings: (i)
GAFRI and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (ii) the
operations of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries have not resulted in any contamination of any property
currently owned or operated by GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries (including soils, groundwater or
surface water) with any Hazardous Substance which contamination would require remediation pursuant
to any Environmental Law, (iii) to the Knowledge of GAFRI, no property currently or formerly owned
or operated by GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries was contaminated with any Hazardous Substance
during or prior to such period of ownership or operation which contamination would require
remediation pursuant to any Environmental Law, (iv) to the Knowledge of GAFRI, GAFRI and its
Subsidiaries have not arranged for the treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Substance on any
Third Party property undergoing cleanup pursuant to Environmental Laws, (v) neither GAFRI nor any
of its Subsidiaries have received any written notice, demand, letter, claim or request for
information alleging that GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries may be in violation of or subject to
liability under any Environmental Law and (vi) neither GAFRI nor any of its Subsidiaries are
subject to any written order, decree, injunction or indemnity with any Governmental Entity or any
Third Party relating to liability under any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous Substances.
This Section 4.11 sets forth the sole representations and warranties of GAFRI with respect to
environmental or workplace health or safety matters, including all matters arising under
Environmental Laws.
A-19
Section 4.12 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) GAFRI does not sponsor or maintain any employee benefit plan, as such term is
defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (the Plans) other than, or in addition to, the employee
benefit plans which are sponsored and maintained by Parent and in which GAFRI participates.
GAFRI has no legally binding plan or commitment to create any additional Plan or modify or
change any existing Plan that would be reasonably expected to result in material liabilities
to GAFRI, except as may be required by Applicable Law or to avoid adverse tax consequences
under Section 409A of the Code.
(b) With respect to any Plans that were sponsored or maintained by GAFRI prior to
GAFRIs participation in Plans sponsored or maintained by AFG (the Prior Plans), GAFRI has
not incurred and does not reasonably expect to incur (i) any material liability under Title
IV of ERISA, including any such liability arising out of proceedings instituted by the PBGC,
or (ii) any material liability under Title I of ERISA. No Prior Plan is a multiemployer
plan (as such term is defined in section 3(37) of ERISA).
(c) No employee, director or consultant of GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI is or will
become entitled to death or medical post-employment benefits by reason of service to GAFRI
or its Subsidiaries, other than coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code or similar
state law, where the payment of any such benefits would reasonably be expected to have a
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.13 Litigation; Compliance with Laws.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, except as disclosed in the GAFRI SEC Filings,
there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of GAFRI,
threatened against GAFRI or any Subsidiary of GAFRI that could reasonably be expected to
have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each of the GAFRI and its Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable laws
(including rules, regulations, codes, plans, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees,
rulings, and charges thereunder) of federal, state, local, and foreign governments (and all
agencies thereof), and no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge,
complaint, claim, demand, or notice has been filed or commenced against any of them alleging
any failure so to comply.
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. Except for software or other material that is
distributed as free software, open source software or under a similar licensing or distribution
terms, GAFRI and its Subsidiaries own or have a valid right to use all patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, domain names, copyrights, and any applications and registrations therefor,
technology, trade secrets, know-how, computer software and tangible and intangible proprietary
information and materials (collectively, Intellectual Property Rights) as are necessary
in connection with the business of GAFRI and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except where the
failure to so own or have a valid right to use such Intellectual Property Rights could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. Neither GAFRI nor any of its
Subsidiaries has infringed, misappropriated or violated in any material respect any Intellectual
Property Rights of any Third Party, except where such infringement, misappropriation or violation
could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. To the
A-20
Knowledge of GAFRI, no Third Party infringes, misappropriates or violates any Intellectual
Property Rights owned or exclusively licensed by or to GAFRI or any of its Subsidiaries, except
where such infringement, misappropriation or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.15 Labor and Employment. To the Knowledge of GAFRI, GAFRI and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Applicable Laws respecting employment and employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment (including termination of employment), wages, hours
of work, occupational safety and health, and worker classification, and are not engaged in any
unfair labor practices, except for such violations which could not reasonably be expected to have a
GAFRI Material Adverse Effect. Neither GAFRI nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written
notice of the intent of any Governmental Entity responsible for the enforcement of labor or
employment laws to conduct an investigation with respect to or relating to employees and no such
investigation is in progress which could reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 4.16 Opinion of Financial Advisors. The Special Committee has received the
opinion of its independent financial advisors, Cochran Caronia Waller, to the effect that, as of
the date of this Agreement, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the stockholders of GAFRI other than Parent and its Affiliates.
Section 4.17 Finders and Other Fees. Except for Cochran Caronia Waller, there is no
investment banker, broker, finder or other similar intermediary which has been retained by, or is
authorized to act on behalf of, the GAFRI Board, GAFRI, or any employee or consultant of GAFRI,
that would be entitled to any fee, commission, sale bonus or similar payment from the GAFRI Board,
GAFRI, Parent, GAC or any of Parents or GAC s Affiliates upon consummation of the Transactions.
Section 4.18 State Takeover Statutes. The GAFRI Board has approved and adopted this
Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and to the extent such statutes are
applicable, has taken all action necessary to render all State takeover statute or similar charter
or bylaw provisions inapplicable to the Merger, the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the Transactions.
Section 4.19 Reserves. The loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of GAFRI and the
Subsidiaries reflected on GAFRIs December 31, 2006 balance sheet included in the financial
statements that are in GAFRI SEC Documents have been prepared in accordance with loss reserving
standards and principles accepted for use in the preparation of GAAP financial statements and the
loss and loss adjustment expense reserves of the Subsidiaries of GAFRI that are insurance companies
reflected on their respective December 31, 2005 balance sheets included in their annual statements
filed with the respective insurance departments of their domiciliary states have been prepared in
accordance with SAP, applied on a consistent basis, except where such accounting practices have
been amended, supplemented or otherwise prescribed by the appropriate Governmental Authority.
Section 4.20 [Reserved]
Section 4.21 Investment Company. GAFRI is not an investment company subject to
registration and regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
A-21
Section 4.22 No Downgrading of Rating. As of the date hereof, there has not occurred
any downgrading since January 1, 2006, nor has GAFRI become aware of any pending or threatened
downgrading, of GAFRIs or any of its Subsidiaries rating by A.M. Best.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND GAC
Each of Parent and GAC (each, an Acquiror Entity; together, the Acquiror Entities) hereby
jointly and severally represents and warrants to GAFRI as follows (such representations and
warranties of GAC to be true, correct and complete as of the date that GAC executes and delivers
the Agreement to GAFRI):
Section 5.1 Organization. Each Acquiror Entity is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has
the requisite power and authority and all necessary governmental approval to carry on its business
as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing
or to have such power and authority could not reasonably be expected to have an Acquiror Entity
Material Adverse Effect. Each Acquiror Entity is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is
in good standing (or the local law equivalent) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, other than where the failure to be so duly qualified, licensed and in good standing (or
the local law equivalent) could not reasonably be expected to have an Acquiror Entity Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 5.2 Authorization. Each Acquiror Entity has the requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to
consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation by the
Acquiror Entities of the Transactions, and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been
duly and validly authorized, and this Agreement has been approved and adopted by the Board of
Directors of each Acquiror Entity, and no other corporate proceedings (such as approval by the
stockholders of Parent) on the part of either Acquiror Entity are necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions
(other than, with respect to the Merger, the filing of the Certificate of Merger as required by the
DGCL). Parent, as the sole stockholder of GAC, has approved and adopted this Agreement and the
Transactions, including the Merger. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each
Acquiror Entity and constitutes, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this
Agreement by GAFRI, a valid and binding obligation of each Acquiror Entity, enforceable against
each Acquiror Entity in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
Section 5.3 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for filings, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and other applicable requirements
of, the HSR Act, the DGCL, the Exchange Act, state blue sky and securities or takeover laws,
neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by each Acquiror Entity nor the
consummation by each Acquiror Entity of the Transactions will (i)
A-22
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the charter or bylaws of such Acquiror
Entity, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse
of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, vesting, amendment,
cancellation or acceleration or impose on either of the Acquiror Entities any obligation to
repurchase, repay, redeem or acquire or any similar right or obligation) under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any Contract to which any Acquiror Entity is a party or by which it or
its assets is bound, (iii) require any filing or registration with, or permit, authorization,
consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity on the part of either Acquiror Entity or (iv)
violate any order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity to
which such Acquiror Entity is subject, excluding from the foregoing clause (ii) such conflicts,
requirements, defaults, failures, breaches, rights or violations that could not reasonably be
expected to have an Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.4 Proxy Statement. None of the information relating to the Acquiror
Entities and supplied by either Acquiror Entity or its respective Affiliates specifically for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement (and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto) will, at the
time of the mailing of the Proxy Statement to the stockholders of GAFRI, at the time of the Special
Meeting, and as of the time of any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no representation is made by any Acquiror Entity with respect to
statements contained in the Proxy Statement relating to GAFRI.
Section 5.5 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker has been retained by, or
is authorized to act on behalf of Parent or GAC, and is entitled to any brokerage, finders or
other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by either
Acquiror Entity.
Section 5.6 Sufficient Funds. Parent has, and at all times will continue to have,
sufficient funds available to pay the Merger Consideration and to perform its other obligations
pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 5.7 No Prior GAC Operations. GAC was formed solely for the purpose of
effecting the Merger and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations
other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
Section 6.1 Conduct of the Business of GAFRI. During the period from the date of this
Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to its terms, GAFRI agrees, as to itself and each of its Subsidiaries, that
(except as (i) expressly permitted or required by any other provision of this Agreement, (ii) as
set forth in Section 6.1 of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule, (iii) as required by any Applicable Law,
(iv) as required by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, (v) to the extent that Parent
shall otherwise consent in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):
(a) Ordinary Course. GAFRI and each of its Subsidiaries shall in all material
respects carry on its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course and consistent with
A-23
past practice. Without limiting the foregoing, GAFRI and each of its Subsidiaries
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact its present line
of business, maintain its rights and franchises and preserve substantially intact its
current relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with it
and keep available the services of its present officers and employees, in each case to the
end that its ongoing business shall not be impaired in a manner that would reasonably be
expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect at the Effective Time.
(b) Dividends; Changes in Share Capital. GAFRI shall not and shall not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
with respect to any of its capital stock (except for dividends by wholly-owned Subsidiaries
of GAFRI), (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock, or
(iii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for any shares of its capital stock.
(c) Issuance of Securities. GAFRI shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, issue, deliver or sell any shares of its capital stock of any class or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any rights, warrants or options to
acquire, any such shares of capital stock, other than (i) the issuance of shares of GAFRI
Common Stock (1) upon the exercise of GAFRI Stock Options outstanding on the date of this
Agreement in accordance with the terms of GAFRI Stock Option Plans in effect as of the date
of this Agreement, (2) to directors for payment of a portion of their directors fees
consistent with GAFRIs past practice, (3) pursuant to the 401(k) Savings Plan or (4) under
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Agent Stock Purchase Plan or (ii) issuances by a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of GAFRI of capital stock to such Subsidiarys parent or another
wholly-owned Subsidiary of GAFRI.
(d) Governing Documents. GAFRI shall not amend or restate the GAFRI
Certificate of Incorporation or the GAFRI Bylaws.
(e) No Liens. GAFRI shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, create, assume or otherwise consensually incur any Lien on any asset other than Liens
(i) incurred in the usual, regular and ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and (ii) which could not reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse
Effect.
(f) Compensation; Severance. Except (i) as required by Applicable Law, (ii) to
satisfy contractual obligations existing on the date hereof or (iii) in the usual, regular
and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, GAFRI shall not and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to, (1) pay or commit to pay any severance or termination pay other
than severance or termination pay that GAFRI or a Subsidiary agreed to pay prior to the date
hereof, (2) enter into any employment, deferred compensation, consulting, severance or other
similar agreement (or any amendment to any such existing agreement) with any director or
officer or key employee of GAFRI or any Subsidiary, (3) increase or commit to increase in
any material respect any employee benefits payable to any director, officer or employee of
GAFRI or any Subsidiary, including wages, salaries, compensation, pension, severance,
termination pay or other benefits or payments (except as required by an existing Plan or
Applicable Law), including any acceleration of vesting
A-24
of stock options or (4) adopt or make any commitment to adopt any additional employee
benefit plan.
(g) Certain Prohibited Actions. GAFRI shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, authorize or enter into any commitment to take any action described in
the foregoing subsections (a)-(h) of this Section 6.1, except as otherwise permitted by this
Agreement.
Section 6.2 Stockholders Meeting; Proxy Material.
(a) Subject to the next two sentences of this Section 6.2(a), GAFRI shall, acting
through the GAFRI Board and in accordance with Applicable Law and the GAFRI Certificate of
Incorporation and the GAFRI Bylaws, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special
meeting of its stockholders (the Special Meeting) as promptly as practicable after
the date hereof for the purpose of considering and taking action upon this Agreement and the
Merger and shall use reasonable efforts to solicit proxies in favor of approval of this
Agreement and the Merger. The GAFRI Board and its Special Committee shall recommend that
holders of shares of GAFRI Common Stock vote to adopt this Agreement and to approve the
Merger; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
the GAFRI Board or its Special Committee may determine (i) not to make or may withdraw,
modify or change in any manner adverse to Parent or GAC such recommendation (a Change
in Recommendation) and (ii) not to solicit proxies in favor of approval of this
Agreement , Merger and the Transactions.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the execution of this Agreement, GAFRI shall
prepare and file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to the approval of the Merger by
GAFRIs stockholders (as amended or supplemented, the Proxy Statement). Parent,
GAC and GAFRI shall cooperate with each other in connection with the preparation of the
Proxy Statement. GAFRI will use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement
cleared by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing.
(c) GAFRI shall as promptly as practicable notify Parent and GAC of the receipt of any
oral or written comments from the SEC relating to the Proxy Statement. Subject to the last
two sentences of Section 6.2(a), GAFRI will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to GAFRIs stockholders as promptly as practicable
after the Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC. GAFRI shall cooperate and provide Parent
and GAC with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the draft of the Proxy
Statement (including each amendment or supplement thereto) and all responses to requests for
additional information by and replies to comments of the SEC, prior to filing such with or
sending such to the SEC, and the parties hereto will provide each other with copies of all
such filings made and correspondence with the SEC. If at any time prior to the Effective
Time, any information should be discovered by any party which should be set forth in an
amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that the Proxy Statement 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 which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other
A-25
parties hereto and, to the extent required by Applicable Law, an appropriate amendment
or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed by GAFRI with the SEC and
disseminated by GAFRI to the stockholders of GAFRI.
Section 6.3 No Solicitation. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, GAFRI shall not
(whether directly or indirectly through Affiliates, advisors, agents or other intermediaries), and
GAFRI shall direct and cause its and its Subsidiaries respective officers, directors, Affiliates,
advisors, representatives or other agents of GAFRI not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit,
initiate, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate (including by way of furnishing non-public
information) any inquiries or the making or submission of any proposal that constitutes an
Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or
disclose any non-public information or data relating to GAFRI or its Subsidiaries or afford access
to the properties, books or records of GAFRI or its Subsidiaries to, any Person.
Section 6.4 Director and Officer Liability.
(a) Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, honor all rights to
indemnification and exculpation from liability for acts and omissions occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time and rights to advancements of expenses relating thereto now existing
in favor of the current or former directors, officers, employees or agents of GAFRI (the
Indemnitees) as provided in their respective charters (or similar constitutive documents)
or bylaws or in any indemnification agreement set forth in Section 6.4 of the GAFRI
Disclosure Schedule and all such rights shall survive the Merger and shall not be amended,
repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would materially adversely affect the
rights thereunder of any such Indemnitees, unless an alteration or modification of such
documents is required by Applicable Law or the Indemnitee affected thereby otherwise
consents in writing thereto.
(b) For six years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall provide
officers and directors liability insurance in respect of acts or omissions occurring at or
prior to the Effective Time covering each such Person covered at or prior to the Effective
Time by GAFRIs officers and directors liability insurance policy maintained by GAFRI and
in effect as of the date hereof on terms with respect to coverage and amount no less
favorable than those of the policy in effect on the date hereof and described in Section 6.4
of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule.
(c) This Section 6.4 shall survive the consummation of the Merger and is intended to be
for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Indemnitees referred to herein, their
heirs and personal representatives and shall be binding on the Surviving Corporation and its
successors and assigns.
(d) If the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates
with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving
corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each case, to the
extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the
Surviving Corporation shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section
A-26
6.4, and none of the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence shall be
taken until such provision is made.
(e) The obligations of GAFRI and the Surviving Corporation under this Section 6.4 shall
not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any Indemnitee to whom
this Section 6.4 applies without the consent of such affected Indemnitee.
Section 6.5 Certain Filings. Parent, GAC and GAFRI shall cooperate with one another
(i) in connection with the preparation and filing of the Proxy Statement, (ii) in connection with
the preparation and filing of the Schedule 13E-3 by Parent, (iii) in determining whether any action
by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required, or any actions, consents,
approvals or waivers are required to be obtained from any non-governmental Third Parties to any
GAFRI Material Contracts, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions and (iv) in
seeking any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers or making any such filings, furnishing
information required in connection therewith or with the Proxy Statement and seeking timely to
obtain any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers. Without limiting the provisions of this
Section 6.5, GAFRI shall, and GAC shall, cause Parent (as their ultimate parent entity) to file,
if required, with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission a Pre-Merger
Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act in respect of the Transactions within ten (10)
Business Days of the date of this Agreement, and, subject to Section 6.5(c), each party will use
its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary, including to comply
promptly and fully with any requests for information from regulatory Governmental Entities, to
obtain any clearance, waiver, approval or authorization that is necessary to enable the parties to
consummate the Transactions. Further, without limiting the provisions of this Section 6.5, Parent
shall promptly make any and all other filings and submissions of information with the Insurance
Regulatory Authorities which are required or requested by Insurance Regulatory Authorities to
obtain the approvals required by such Insurance Regulatory Authorities to consummate the
Transactions. GAFRI agrees to furnish Parent with such information and reasonable assistance as
Parent may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of the Form A filings and other
filings or submissions. Parent shall keep GAFRI apprised on a timely basis in reasonable detail of
its actions with respect to all such filings and submissions and shall provide GAFRI with copies of
any Form A filings and other filings or submissions in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(a) Subject to Section 6.5(c), (i) GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall each use its best
efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted with respect to the
Transactions under any Regulatory Law and (ii) if any administrative, judicial or
legislative action or proceeding, including any proceeding by a private party, is instituted
(or threatened to be instituted) challenging the Transactions as violative of any Regulatory
Law, GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall each cooperate in all respects and use its respective best
efforts 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 restricts, prevents or prohibits
consummation of the Transactions, including by pursuing all reasonable avenues of
administrative and judicial appeal.
(b) Each of GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall (i) subject to any restrictions under any
Regulatory Law, to the extent practicable, promptly notify each other of any
A-27
communication to that party from any Governmental Entity (including the Federal Trade
Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice) with respect to this
Agreement and the transactions and other agreements contemplated hereby and permit the other
party to review in advance any proposed written communication to any Governmental Entity,
(ii) unless required by Applicable Law, not agree to participate in any meeting with any
Governmental Entity in respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry with respect
to this Agreement and the transactions and other agreements contemplated hereby unless it
consults with the other party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental
Entity, gives the other party the opportunity to attend and participate thereat, in each
case to the extent practicable, (iii) subject to any restrictions under any Regulatory Law,
furnish the other party with copies of all correspondence, filings and communications (and
memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between it and its Affiliates and their
respective representatives on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity or members of its
staff on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions and other
agreements contemplated hereby (excluding documents and communications which are subject to
preexisting confidentiality agreements and to the attorney client privilege or work product
doctrine) and (iv) furnish the other party with such necessary information and reasonable
assistance as such other party and its Affiliates may reasonably request in connection with
their preparation of necessary filings, registrations, or submissions of information to any
Governmental Entities in connection with this Agreement and the transactions and other
agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, including any filings necessary or appropriate
under the provisions of any Regulatory Law.
Section 6.6 Best Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, each party hereto shall use its best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under Applicable Laws to
consummate the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Agreement, nothing shall limit a partys right to terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1
hereunder so long as such party has until such date complied with its obligations under this
Agreement
Section 6.7 Public Announcements. None of GAFRI, Parent, GAC, or any of their
respective Affiliates shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public
announcement with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions without the prior approval of the
other parties, except to the extent required by law or by any listing agreement with, or the
policies of, a national securities exchange and after reasonable prior notice to the other parties
hereto.
Section 6.8 State Takeover Laws. If any fair price, business combination or
control share acquisition statute or other similar statute or regulation is or may become
applicable to the Transactions, each of GAFRI, Parent and GAC shall use its respective reasonable
best efforts to secure such approvals and will take such actions as are necessary so that the
Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any such statute or regulation on the
Transactions.
Section 6.9 Certain Notifications. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time,
GAFRI shall promptly notify Parent and GAC of (i) any notice or other communication from any
A-28
Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the
Transactions, other than where the failure to obtain such consent could not reasonably be expected
to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any notice or communication from any Governmental
Entity in connection with the Transactions and (iii) any action, suit, charge, complaint, grievance
or proceeding commenced or, to GAFRIs Knowledge, threatened against GAFRI which, if pending on the
date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Section 4.14 or
which relates to the consummation of the Transactions. Between the date hereof and the Effective
Time, Parent and GAC shall promptly notify GAFRI of any action, suit, charge, complaint, grievance
or proceeding commenced or, to the Knowledge of Parent or GAC, threatened against Parent or GAC
which relates to the consummation of the Transactions. Between the date hereof and the Effective
Time, each party shall promptly notify the other parties hereto in writing after becoming aware of
the occurrence of any event which will, or is reasonably likely to, result in the failure to
satisfy any of the conditions specified in Article VII.
Section 6.10 Third Party Consents. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time,
GAFRI shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the third party consents set forth in
Section 4.3 of the GAFRI Disclosure Schedule.
Section 6.11 Delisting. Each of the parties agrees to cooperate with each other in
taking, or causing to be taken, all actions necessary to delist the GAFRI Common Stock from the New
York Stock Exchange and terminate registration under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that such
delisting and termination shall not be effective until after the Effective Time.
Section 6.12 Guarantee of GAFRI Indebtedness. Parent shall execute any and all
documents deemed necessary or advisable in the opinion of Parent or its counsel in order to
guarantee, effective as of the Effective Time, the indebtedness listed on Exhibit 6.12 of GAFRI and
GAFRIs Subsidiaries.
Section 6.13 Formation of GAC. Parent shall duly form GAC as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent incorporated in the State of Delaware and shall cause GAC to execute and
deliver this Agreement prior to the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the failure of GAC to
execute this Agreement on the date hereof shall not call into question the binding and enforceable
nature of this Agreement among those parties who have executed and delivered this Agreement as of
the date hereof. Parent shall cause the Board of Directors of GAC to approve and adopt this
Agreement and shall vote its shares or consent in writing to the adoption of this Agreement in its
capacity as the sole stockholder of GAC.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 7.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligations to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligations of GAFRI, Parent and GAC to effect the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the waiver on or prior to the Effective
Time of each of the following conditions:
(a) The GAFRI Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained at the Special Meeting.
A-29
(b) The waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act,
if any, and under any other Applicable Laws shall have expired or been terminated, and if
the SEC shall have reviewed and/or provided comments to the Proxy Statement, such comments
and any related issues or matters with the SEC shall have been resolved.
(c) Other than the filing provided for in Section 2.3, all notices, reports and other
filings required to be made prior to the Effective Time by GAFRI or Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries with, and all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations
required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time by GAFRI or Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions by GAFRI,
Parent and GAC shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be).
(d) No Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in
effect and prohibits consummation of the Merger, and no federal or state Governmental Entity
shall have instituted any proceeding that is pending seeking any such judgment, decree,
injunction or other order to prohibit the consummation of the Merger.
Section 7.2 Conditions to GAFRIs Obligation to Effect the Merger. The obligation of
GAFRI to effect the Merger shall be further subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted
by Applicable Law, the waiver on or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following
conditions:
(a) The representations of Parent and GAC contained in the first sentence of Section
5.1 (Organization) and in Section 5.2 (Authorization) shall be true and correct in all
respects with regard to any such representations containing the qualifications materially
or material or any other qualifications based on such terms or based on the defined term
Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect, and shall be true and correct in all material
respects, both individually and in the aggregate, with regard to any representation not so
qualified, in each case as of the Effective Time (or, to the extent such representations and
warranties speak as of an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all respects as of
such earlier date). The representations and warranties of Parent and GAC contained in this
Agreement other than those listed in the preceding sentence shall be true and correct in all
respects when made and as of the Effective Time as if made at such time (or, to the extent
such representations and warranties speak as of a specified date, they need only be true and
correct in all respects as of such specified date) interpreted without giving effect to the
words materially or material or to any qualifications based on such terms or based on
the defined term Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect, except where the failure of all
such representations and warranties to be true and correct could not reasonably be expected
to have an Acquiror Entity Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Parent and GAC shall have performed in all material respects their respective
agreements and covenants contained in or contemplated by this Agreement
A-30
that are required to be performed by them at or prior to the Effective Time pursuant to
the terms hereof.
(c) GAFRI shall have received certificates signed on behalf of Parent and GAC by an
executive officer of each of Parent and GAC, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the
conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) and Section 7.2(b) have been satisfied.
Section 7.3 Conditions to Parents and GACs Obligations to Effect the Merger. The
obligations of Parent and GAC to effect the Merger shall be further subject to the satisfaction, or
to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the waiver on or prior to the Closing of each of the
following conditions:
(a) The representations of GAFRI contained in the first sentence of Section 4.1
(Organization), in Section 4.2 (Authorization) and in Section 4.4 (Capitalization) shall be
true and correct in all respects with regard to any such representations containing the
qualifications materially or material or any other qualifications based on such terms or
based on the defined term GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, and shall be true and correct in
all material respects, both individually and in the aggregate, with regard to any
representation not so qualified, in each case as of the Effective Time (or, to the extent
such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, they shall be true and
correct in all respects as of such earlier date). The representations and warranties of
GAFRI contained in this Agreement other than those listed in the preceding sentence shall be
true and correct in all respects when made and as of the Effective Time as if made at such
time (or, to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of a specified date,
they need only be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date) interpreted
without giving effect to the words materially or material or to any qualifications based
on such terms or based on the defined term GAFRI Material Adverse Effect, except where the
failure of all such representations and warranties to be true and correct could not
reasonably be expected to have a GAFRI Material Adverse Effect.
(b) GAFRI shall have performed in all material respects each of its agreements and
covenants contained in or contemplated by this Agreement that are required to be performed
by it at or prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the terms hereof.
(c) Parent and GAC shall have received certificates signed on behalf of GAFRI by an
executive officer of GAFRI, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions set
forth in Section 7.3(a) and Section 7.3(b) have been satisfied.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
Section 8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after obtaining GAFRI
Stockholder Approval, by action taken by the Board of Directors of the terminating party or
parties:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and GAFRI;
A-31
(b) by GAFRI or Parent, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before September
30, 2007 (the Termination Date); provided, however, that the right to terminate
this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure
to fulfill any obligation or other breach under this Agreement has been the cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Merger to occur on or before the Termination Date;
(c) by GAFRI or Parent, if any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action in any case having the effect of
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions, and such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable;
(d) by GAFRI or Parent, if at the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof the GAFRI
Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained;
(e) by GAFRI, if there is a breach by Parent or GAC of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement that would give rise to a failure of a
condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) or Section 7.2(b) and which has not been cured (or is
not capable of being cured) within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by Parent or
GAC, as the case may be, of written notice from GAFRI of such breach;
(f) by Parent, if there is a breach by GAFRI of any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement contained in this Agreement that would give rise to a failure of a condition
set forth in Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.3(b) and which has not been cured (or is not
capable of being cured) within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by GAFRI of
written notice from Parent and GAC of such breach; or
(g) by Parent, if the GAFRI Board or any committee (including the Special Committee)
thereof shall have effected a Change in Recommendation.
The party desiring to terminate this Agreement shall give written notice of such termination to the
other party.
Section 8.2 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated by either GAFRI,
or Parent as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be
no liability or obligation on the part of GAFRI, Parent or GAC or their respective officers or
directors, except as provided in this Article VIII, which provisions shall survive such
termination, and except that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
neither GAFRI nor Parent or GAC shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages
arising out of any willful or knowing breach of this Agreement.
Section 8.3 Fees and Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement to any party hereunder
A-32
shall be in writing and deemed given if addressed as provided below (or at such other address
as the addressee shall have specified by notice actually received by the addressor) and if either
(i) actually delivered in fully legible form, to such address, (ii) in the case of any nationally
recognized express mail service, one (1) Business Day shall have elapsed after the same shall have
been deposited with such service or (iii) if by fax, on the day on which such fax was sent;
provided, that a copy is sent the same day by overnight courier or express mail service.
If to GAFRI, to:
Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
250 East Fifth Street, 10th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Mark F. Muething, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 333-5515
Facsimile: (513) 357-3397
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP
312 Walnut Street, Suite 3500
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Stephen C. Mahon, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 361-1200
Facsimile: (513) 361-1201
If to Parent or GAC, to:
c/o American Financial Group, Inc.
One East Fourth Street, Ninth Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: James C. Kennedy, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 579-2538
Facsimile: (513) 579-0108
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
One East Fourth Street
Suite 1400
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Edward E. Steiner, Esq.
Telephone: (513) 579-6467
Facsimile: (513) 579-6457.
Section 9.2 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The
representations and warranties contained herein and in any certificate or other writing delivered
pursuant hereto shall not survive the Effective Time or, except as provided in Section 8.2, the
termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 hereunder. All other
covenants and agreements contained herein which by their terms are to be performed in whole or
A-33
in part, or which prohibit actions, subsequent to the Effective Time, shall survive the
Effective Time in accordance with their terms.
Section 9.3 Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the words include,
includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation, (ii)
the word or is not exclusive and (iii) the words herein, hereof, hereby, hereto and
hereunder refer to this Agreement as a whole. Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference
herein: (i) to an Article or Section means an Article and Section of this Agreement, (ii) to an
agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as
amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions
thereof and by this Agreement and (iii) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to
time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any rules or regulations promulgated
thereunder. Titles to Articles and headings of Sections are inserted for convenience of reference
only and shall not be deemed a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring
construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument
to be drafted.
Section 9.4 Amendments, Modification and Waiver.
(a) Except as may otherwise be provided herein, any provision of this Agreement may be
amended, modified or waived by the parties hereto, by action taken by or authorized by their
respective Boards of Directors, prior to the Closing Date if, and only if, such amendment or
waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by GAFRI, Parent and GAC or,
in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided,
that, after GAFRI Stockholder Approval has been obtained, there shall not be made any
amendment that by Applicable Law requires further approval by GAFRIs stockholders without
such further approval.
(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 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 or in equity.
Section 9.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns; provided, that none of GAFRI, Parent or GAC may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part (whether by operation of law
or otherwise), without the consent of the other parties hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, Parent may assign any of its rights hereunder to any Subsidiary of Parent.
Section 9.6 Specific Performance. The parties acknowledge and agree that any breach
of the terms of this Agreement would give rise to irreparable harm for which money damages would
not be an adequate remedy and accordingly the parties agree that, in addition to any other
remedies, each party shall be entitled to enforce the terms of this Agreement by a decree of
specific performance without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy,
and to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent a breach of this Agreement.
A-34
Section 9.7 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable
principles of conflicts of laws thereof).
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for
itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of the courts located in the City of
Cincinnati, Ohio in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the agreements delivered in connection herewith or the Transactions or for recognition or
enforcement of any judgment relating thereto, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in such
courts, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard
and determined in such courts, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and
effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by Applicable Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such
action or proceeding in such courts. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final
judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Applicable Law.
Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner
provided for notices in Section 9.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of
any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable
Law.
(c) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT
OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND
ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS OR THEREBY. EACH
PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER
PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT
OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE EITHER OF SUCH WAIVERS, (B) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED
THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVERS, (C) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVERS VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) IT HAS BEEN
INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.7(c).
Section 9.8 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other
conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated herein are not affected in
any manner materially adverse to any party hereto, and the application of such other conditions and
provisions to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the
A-35
intent of the parties hereto.. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith
to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible
in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may
be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 9.9 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 6.4, this
Agreement is solely for the benefit of GAFRI and its successors and permitted assigns, with respect
to the obligations of Parent and GAC under this Agreement, and for the benefit of Parent and GAC,
and their respective successors and permitted assigns, with respect to the obligations of GAFRI
under this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to confer upon or give to any other
third party any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right.
Section 9.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the recitals, exhibits and
schedules hereto, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements or understandings, both written and
oral, between the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 9.11 Counterparts; Fax Signatures; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be
signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Each of the parties
hereto (i) has agreed to permit the use, from time to time and where appropriate, of faxed
signatures in order to expedite the Closing, (ii) intends to be bound by its respective faxed
signature, (iii) is aware that the other parties hereto will rely on the faxed signature and (iv)
acknowledges such reliance and waives any defenses to the enforcement of the documents effecting
the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on the fact that a signature was sent by fax.
This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts
hereof signed by all of the other parties hereto.
(Remainder of page intentionally blank; signature page follows.)
A-36
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
James
C. Kennedy |
|
|
|
Name: James C. Kennedy |
|
|
|
|
Title: Vice President |
|
|
|
|
GAFRI ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
James
C. Kennedy |
|
|
|
Name: James
C. Kennedy |
|
|
|
|
Title: Vice President |
|
|
|
|
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Mark
F. Muething |
|
|
|
Name: Mark
F. Muething |
|
|
|
|
Title: Executive Vice President |
|
|
|
A-37
Appendix B
May 17, 2007
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
of Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
250 East Fifth Street, 10th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested
our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the
holders of the outstanding shares of common stock (collectively the Stockholders) of Great
American Financial Resources, Inc. (the Company) of $24.50 per share in cash (the Per Share
Merger Consideration) proposed to be paid to the Stockholders pursuant to the Agreement and Plan
of Merger substantially in the form of the draft dated May 14, 2007 (the Merger Agreement) among
the Company, American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG) and GAFRI Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AFG (GAC). Pursuant to the terms of and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Merger Agreement, (i) GAC will merge with and into the Company, with the Company being the
surviving company and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG (the Merger) and (ii) each
outstanding share of the Companys outstanding common stock will be converted into the right to
receive the Per Share Merger Consideration upon consummation of the Merger. You have not asked us
to express, and we are not expressing, any opinion with respect to any of the other terms,
conditions, determinations or actions with respect to the Merger. For purposes of this opinion,
the term Stockholders does not include (i) AFG and its affiliates, (ii) the Company or any of its
affiliates with respect to shares held in treasury or otherwise or (iii) holders of shares who have properly
exercised dissenters rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law, if any, and our opinion
does not address the fairness of the Merger or of any consideration to be received by any such
party.
CCW was
retained by Ceres Group, Inc. (prior to its acquisition by the
Company) to act as financial advisor in connection with its
acquisition by the Company in August 2006. CCW has not had any
relationship with the Company, GAC or AFG during the two years
preceding the date hereof, other than with regard to the Merger.
In connection with
our review of the proposed Merger and the preparation of our opinion
herein, we have examined: (a) the Merger Agreement; (b) certain historical financial statements of
the Company as of and for each of the five years ended December 31, 2002 through December 31, 2006
and certain unaudited historical financial statements of the Company as of and for the quarter
ended March 31, 2007; (c) certain internal business, operating and financial information and
forecasts of the Company (the Forecasts) prepared by the management of the Company; (d)
information regarding certain publicly traded comparable companies; (e) information regarding
publicly available financial terms of certain transactions we deemed comparable to the Merger; (f)
current and historical market prices and trading volumes of the common stock of the Company; and
(g) certain other publicly available information on the Company and AFG. We
B-1
have also held discussions with members of the management of the Company to discuss the
foregoing, have considered other matters which we have deemed relevant to our inquiry and have
taken into account such accepted financial and investment banking procedures and considerations as
we have deemed relevant.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied, without independent verification, upon
the accuracy and completeness of all the information examined by or otherwise reviewed or discussed
with us for purposes of this opinion. We are not actuaries and our services did not include any
actuarial determinations or evaluations by us. We have not made or obtained an independent
valuation or appraisal of the assets, liabilities or solvency of the Company. In addition, we did
not make an independent evaluation of, and express no view as to, the adequacy of the reserves of
the Company nor have we reviewed any individual insurance claims files or contracts relating to the
Company.
We have been advised by the management of the Company that the Forecasts examined by us have
been reasonably prepared and reflect the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of the Company. In that regard, we have assumed, with your consent, that the Forecasts
will be realized in the amounts and at the times contemplated thereby. We express no opinion with
respect to the Forecasts or the estimates and judgments on which they are based. We were not asked
to consider, and our opinion does not address, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for the Company or the effect of any other
transaction in which the Company might engage.
Our opinion herein is based upon economic, market, financial and other conditions existing on,
and other information disclosed to us as of, the date of this letter. It should be understood
that, although subsequent developments may affect this opinion, we do not have any obligation to
update, revise or reaffirm this opinion. We have relied as to all legal, tax and regulatory
matters on advice of counsel to the Company, and have assumed that the Merger will be consummated
on the terms described in the Merger Agreement, without any waiver of any material terms or
conditions by the Company. We were not requested to, nor did we, solicit third party indications
of interest in respect of the proposed Merger.
Cochran Caronia Waller LLC and its affiliates are regularly engaged in the valuation of
insurance company securities in connection with business combinations, investments and other
transactions. As specialists in the securities of companies in the insurance industry, Cochran
Caronia Waller LLC has experience in, and knowledge of, the valuation of such enterprises. We
expect to receive a fee for our services in connection with the Merger, a portion of which is due
upon our issuance of this opinion. In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse our customary
expenses and indemnify us against certain liabilities arising out of our engagement. Other than
the fees described above, we will not receive any other payment or compensation.
In the ordinary course of business, we or our affiliates may actively trade the equity
securities of the Company and AFG for our own account and for the accounts of customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
We are expressing no opinion herein as to the price at which the common stock of the Company
and AFG will trade at any future time or as to the effect of the Merger on the trading
B-2
price of the common stock of the Company or of AFG. Such trading price may be affected by a
number of factors, including but not limited to (i) dispositions of the common stock of AFG by
stockholders within a short period of time after the effective date of the Merger, (ii) changes in
prevailing interest rates and other factors which generally influence the price of securities,
(iii) adverse changes in the current capital markets, (iv) the occurrence of adverse changes in the
financial condition, business, assets, results of operations or prospects of the Company or of AFG
or in the insurance industry, (v) any necessary actions by or restrictions of federal, state or
other governmental agencies or regulatory authorities, and (vi) timely completion of the Merger on
terms and conditions that are acceptable to all parties having an interest therein.
Our
investment banking services and our opinion were provided for the
use and benefit of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors and senior
management of the Company in connection with its consideration of the transaction contemplated by
the Merger Agreement. Our opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to
the Stockholders of the Company of the Merger Consideration in connection with the Merger, and we
do not address the merits of the underlying decision by the Company to engage in the Merger and
this opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder
should vote on the proposed Merger. It is understood that this letter may not be summarized,
described, reproduced, disseminated, quoted from, referred to or otherwise disclosed without our
prior written consent, except that the opinion may be included in its entirety in submissions to
state insurance regulatory authorities as required by applicable law or in a proxy statement or
other filings required to be made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and mailed to
the stockholders of the Company with respect to the Merger, provided that we will have the right to
review and approve in advance all such disclosures, including any description or reference to us or
this opinion prior to any filing thereof with the SEC or any state insurance regulatory authority
and prior to any dissemination to the Companys stockholders.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof,
the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Stockholders. This
opinion has been approved by our fairness committee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very truly yours, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COCHRAN CARONIA WALLER LLC |
|
|
B-3
Appendix
C
§ 262. Appraisal rights.
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of
the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who
continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has
otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the
merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be
entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholders shares of
stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this
section, the word stockholder means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a
member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words stock and share mean and include what is
ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or membership interest of a member of a
nonstock corporation; and the words depository receipt mean a receipt or other instrument issued
by a depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of
stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a
constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a
merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 257, § 258, § 263 or § 264 of
this title:
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the
shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at
the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at
the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i)
listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an
interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held
of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be
available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger
did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as
provided in subsection (f) of § 251 of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights under this section
shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if
the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant
to §§ 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:
a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or
consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;
b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which
shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective
date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or
designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;
C-1
c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the
foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this paragraph; or
d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional
shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of
this paragraph.
(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger
effected under § 253 of this title is not owned by the parent corporation immediately prior to the
merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights
under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a
result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which
the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures
of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall apply
as nearly as is practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this
section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less
than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record
date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to
subsection (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of
the constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each
stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholders shares shall deliver to the
corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for
appraisal of such stockholders shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the
corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand
the appraisal of such stockholders shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation
shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a
separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger
or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each
constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or
consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become
effective; or
(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to § 228 or § 253 of this title, then
either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or the
surviving or resulting corporation within 10 days thereafter shall notify each of the holders of
any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights
of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or
all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and shall include in
such notice a copy of this section. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date
of the
C-2
merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the
merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the
date of mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the
appraisal of such holders shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the
corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand
the appraisal of such holders shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective
date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a
second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the
holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to
appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or
resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days
after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days
following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder
who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holders shares in
accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the
transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice has been
given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For
purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent
corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the
date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of
the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is
fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or
resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and
who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery
demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any
stockholder shall have the right to withdraw such stockholders demand for appraisal and to accept
the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the
merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a)
and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving
the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of
shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands for
appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written
statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after such stockholders written
request for such a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10
days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d)
hereof, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy thereof shall be
made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service
file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list
containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares
and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the
C-3
surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or
resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register
in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the
hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation
and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also
be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of
general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court
deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the
Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the stockholders who have
complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require
the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by
certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon
of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such
direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court shall appraise the
shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the
accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with a fair rate of
interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such
fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of
interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of interest which the
surviving or resulting corporation would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the
proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder
entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit
discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the
final determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears
on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this
section and who has submitted such stockholders certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery,
if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that
such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with
interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto.
Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such
stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of
shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates
representing such stock. The Courts decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of
Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this
State or of any state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as
the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may
order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and the fees and
C-4
expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an
appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no stockholder who has
demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote
such stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock
(except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior
to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition for
an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such
stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such
stockholders demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either
within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection
(e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of
such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal
proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval
of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.
(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares of such objecting
stockholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have
the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation. (8 Del. C.
1953, § 262; 56 Del. Laws, c. 50; 56 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 24; 57 Del. Laws, c. 148, §§ 27-29; 59
Del. Laws, c. 106, § 12; 60 Del. Laws, c. 371, §§ 3-12; 63 Del. Laws, c. 25, § 14; 63 Del. Laws, c.
152, §§ 1, 2; 64 Del. Laws, c. 112, §§ 46-54; 66 Del. Laws, c. 136, §§ 30-32; 66 Del. Laws, c. 352,
§ 9; 67 Del. Laws, c. 376, §§ 19, 20; 68 Del. Laws, c. 337, §§ 3, 4; 69 Del. Laws, c. 61, § 10; 69
Del. Laws, c. 262, §§ 1-9; 70 Del. Laws, c. 79, § 16; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c.
299, §§ 2, 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 349, § 22; 71 Del. Laws, c. 120, § 15; 71 Del. Laws, c. 339, §§
49-52; 73 Del. Laws, c. 82, § 21.)
C-5
Preliminary Copies
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
, 2007
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE.
|
1. |
|
Proposal to adopt and to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17,
2007, by and among Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (GAFRI), American Financial
Group, Inc. (AFG) and GAFRI Acquisition Corp. (GAC), which provides for the merger of
GAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG, with and into GAFRI, with GAFRI continuing as the
surviving corporation, and the conversion of each outstanding share of common stock of
GAFRI (other than shares held by stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights under
Delaware law, shares held by GAFRI as treasury shares or otherwise and shares held by AFG
or any subsidiary of AFG) into the right to receive $24.50 in cash. |
|
|
2. |
|
Proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate. |
To change the address on your account, please check the box at the right and indicate your new
address in the address space above, Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the
account may not be submitted via this method.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature of Shareholder |
|
Signature of Shareholder |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held
jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full
corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership,
please sign in the partnership name by authorized person.
PRELIMINARY COPIES
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Christopher P. Miliano and Mark F. Muething, and each of them,
proxies of the undersigned, each with the power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common
Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders
of the Company to be held on , 2007, at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and on such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting, and any postponement or adjournment of such
meeting thereof.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)
PRELIMINARY COPIES
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
GREAT AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
, 2007
PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
MAIL Date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.
-OR-
TELEPHONE Call toll free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) from any touch-tone telephone and follow
the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call.
You may enter your voting instructions at 1-800-PROXIES up until 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day
before the cut-off or meeting date.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1 AND 2. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOU VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE.
|
1. |
|
Proposal to adopt and approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 17,
2007, by and among Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (GAFRI), American Financial
Group, Inc. (AFG) and GAFRI Acquisition Corp. (GAC), which provides for the merger of
GAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG, with and into GAFRI, with GAFRI continuing as the
surviving corporation, and the conversion of each outstanding share of common stock of
GAFRI (other than shares held by stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights under
Delaware law, shares held by GAFRI as treasury shares or otherwise and shares held by AFG
or any subsidiary of AFG) into the right to receive $24.50 in cash. |
To change the address on your
account, please check the box at the right and indicate your new
address in the address space above, Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the
account may not be submitted via this method.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature of Shareholder |
|
Signature of Shareholder |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held
jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full
corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership,
please sign in the partnership name by authorized person.