EXHIBIT 12 STATEMENT SETTING FORTH COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF PROFIT TO FIXED CHARGES YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (Millions of dollars)(Unaudited) 1998 1997 1996 Net profit $111.6 $ 94.2 $ 75.6 Add: Provision for income taxes 67.0 53.5 40.2 Deduct: Equity in profit of partnerships (3.1) (2.6) (2.2) Profit before taxes $175.5 $ 145.1 $ 113.6 Fixed charges: Interest on borrowed funds $ 501.8 $ 366.7 $ 315.4 Rentals at computed interest* 4.1 3.2 2.5 Total fixed charges $ 505.9 $ 369.9 $ 317.9 Profit before taxes plus fixed charges $ 681.4 $ 515.0 $ 431.5 Ratio of profit before taxes plus fixed charges to fixed charges 1.35 1.39 1.36 *Those portions of rent expense that are representative of interest cost. 30