<Page>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A/A-1
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
<Table>
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14a-6(c)(2))
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-12
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
</Table>
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/ / No fee required.
/ / 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:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid (transaction value) X (one-fiftieth of one percent):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
/X/ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. $617,058
/ / 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:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON, MA 02210
617-722-6000
------------------------
September , 2001
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting of the stockholders
of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, or LFC, to be
held on October , 2001, at 11:00 a.m., local time, in Room AV-1 on the third
floor of The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston at 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts.
At this meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon proposals to:
1. Authorize and approve the sale by LFC to Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada, or Sun Life, of LFC's annuity and intermediary retail
distribution business through the sale of the stock of the direct and
indirect subsidiaries of LFC that constitute that business;
2. Authorize and approve the sale by LFC to Fleet National Bank, or Fleet,
of LFC's asset management business through the sale of the stock of the
direct and indirect subsidiaries of LFC that constitute that business;
and
3. Adopt and approve the agreement and plan of merger dated as of June 4,
2001, by and among LFC, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, LFC's
controlling stockholder, or Liberty Mutual, and LFC Acquisition
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, pursuant to
which LFC Acquisition Corporation will be merged with and into LFC, with
LFC being the surviving corporation.
If the Sun Life transaction is completed, LFC will receive consideration of
approximately $1.7 billion in cash. A copy of the Sun Life purchase agreement is
included as Appendix A-1 to the attached proxy statement. If the Fleet
transaction is completed, LFC will receive consideration of approximately
$900 million in cash, subject to adjustment. A copy of the Fleet purchase
agreement is included as Appendix B-1 to the attached proxy statement. Following
the completion of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction, LFC will
have no operating business and no remaining material assets other than cash,
primarily from the proceeds of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction. Together with Liberty Mutual, LFC determined that the merger would
be the most economically efficient and advantageous means by which to distribute
to LFC's unaffiliated stockholders their portion of that cash, after satisfying
outstanding liabilities of LFC and providing for other adjustments. If the
merger is completed, LFC will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual
and stockholders of LFC (other than Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries and LFC
stockholders who have validly perfected their statutory appraisal rights under
Massachusetts law) will receive consideration of $33.44 in cash per share of LFC
common stock, subject to adjustments, as described in the attached proxy
statement. Adjustments to the merger consideration could be material. A copy of
the merger agreement is included as Appendix C to the attached proxy statement.
Neither the Fleet transaction nor the Sun Life transaction is conditioned
upon completion of the other or the merger, and each of the Fleet transaction
and the Sun Life transaction may occur even if the other transaction or the
merger is abandoned. The merger is conditioned upon completion of both the Sun
Life transaction and the Fleet transaction.
The board of directors of LFC has concluded that each of the Sun Life
transaction, the Fleet transaction, the merger and the terms of each of the Sun
Life purchase agreement, the Fleet purchase agreement and the merger agreement
are fair to and in the best interests of LFC and its stockholders. Included as
Appendix D-1, D-2 and D-3 to the attached proxy statement are the written
opinions of
<Page>
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, LFC's financial advisor, addressed to
the board of directors of LFC with respect to the fairness from a financial
point of view of the consideration to be received in the Sun Life transaction,
the Fleet transaction and the merger transaction. You should carefully read the
transaction agreements and Credit Suisse First Boston's opinions in their
entirety.
The board of directors of LFC, after careful consideration, approved each of
the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger agreement and
declared each to be advisable and in the best interests of LFC's stockholders
and recommended that each of the transactions and the merger agreement be
submitted to LFC's stockholders for approval. The board of directors of LFC
unanimously approved the Sun Life transaction and the merger. William F.
Connell, Thomas J. May, Gary L. Countryman and Marian L. Heard, who were members
of LFC's board of directors, did not participate in the vote to approve the
Fleet transaction because, at the time of the vote, each of them also served on
the board of directors of Fleet's parent company. The Fleet transaction was
unanimously approved by the remaining directors of LFC.
Although LFC does not believe that a vote of the stockholders of LFC is
required by law or LFC's charter or by-laws to approve either the Sun Life
transaction or the Fleet transaction standing alone, LFC believes that under
Massachusetts law the approval of LFC's stockholders is required for both
transactions taken together. Additionally, the respective transaction agreements
relating to the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction require the
receipt of the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of LFC common stock. Under LFC's charter, the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of LFC common stock is required
to consummate the merger.
The board of directors of LFC recommends that you vote to adopt and approve
the merger agreement and in favor of each of the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet
transaction and the merger. In considering the recommendation of the board,
stockholders should be aware that each of LFC's directors is also a member of
the board of directors of Liberty Mutual, and thus has interests that are in
addition to, or different from, your interests as a stockholder of LFC. Liberty
Mutual has indicated that it will vote in favor of each item proposed for
approval at the special meeting. Given Liberty Mutual's percentage ownership, a
vote in favor of the transactions and the merger by Liberty Mutual would ensure
approval and authorization of the Sun Life and Fleet transactions and the
adoption and approval of the merger agreement. Liberty Mutual has entered into a
voting agreement with Sun Life, pursuant to which Liberty Mutual has agreed to
vote all of its shares of LFC common stock in favor of the Sun Life transaction,
subject to the terms of that agreement. A copy of the Sun Life voting agreement
is included as Appendix A-2 to the attached proxy statement. Liberty Mutual has
also entered into a voting agreement with Fleet, pursuant to which Liberty
Mutual has agreed to vote all of its shares of LFC common stock in favor of the
Fleet transaction, subject to the terms of that agreement. A copy of the Fleet
voting agreement is included as Appendix B-2 to the attached proxy statement.
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 24, 2001 will
receive notice of and be able to vote at the special meeting or any adjournments
of the meeting.
If completed, the merger will constitute a "going-private" transaction for
LFC under the federal securities laws. Following the merger, LFC's common stock
will no longer be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange or the Boston
Stock Exchange, and LFC will formally terminate its filing obligations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will no longer be required to
file periodic and other reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As
a result of the merger, the holders of LFC's common stock, other than Liberty
Mutual and its subsidiaries and the stockholders of LFC who have validly
perfected their statutory appraisal rights under Massachusetts law, will be
entitled to receive the cash merger price and will no longer have an interest in
the future economic performance of LFC.
The attached notice of special meeting and proxy statement describe the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger, including the terms of
the principal agreements relating to each of the transactions, and provide other
information about LFC. We urge you to read these materials
<Page>
carefully. You can also obtain other information about LFC from documents filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These are important decisions for LFC and its stockholders. Whether or not
you plan to attend the meeting, I urge you to vote by completing, dating,
signing and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your
shares will be voted at the meeting.
Thank you in advance for your participation and prompt attention.
Sincerely,
Gary L. Countryman
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Whether or not you plan to attend, it is important that your shares are
represented at the special meeting. You are requested to complete promptly, sign
and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the envelope provided. You may
revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise in the manner described in
this proxy statement. Any stockholder present at the special meeting may revoke
that holder's proxy and vote personally on the matters before the special
meeting.
The board of directors recommends that the stockholders vote "FOR" each of
the matters presented to the special meeting. In considering the recommendation
of the board of directors, stockholders should be aware that each of LFC's
directors is also a member of the board of directors of Liberty Mutual, LFC's
controlling stockholder, and thus has interests that are in addition to, or
different from, your interests as stockholders of LFC. For a complete discussion
of those and other interests, we refer you to the section entitled "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions
and Potential Conflicts of Interests" in the proxy statement.
If a properly executed proxy card is submitted and no instructions are
given, the shares of LFC common stock represented by that proxy will be voted
"FOR" the matters submitted to the special meeting.
Please do not send your stock certificate(s) to LFC at this time.
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON, MA 02210
------------------------
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
------------------------
To the Stockholders of LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
A special meeting of Stockholders of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. will
be held on the date and at the time and place and for the purposes indicated
below:
<Table>
Date......................... October , 2001
Time......................... 11:00 a.m. local time
Place........................ Room AV-1 on the third floor of The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston at
600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
Items of Business............ 1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to authorize and approve the
sale by LFC to Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, or Sun Life,
pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated as of May 2, 2001, as
amended, of LFC's annuity and intermediary retail distribution
business through the sale of the stock of the following direct and
indirect subsidiaries of LFC and Liberty Financial Services, Inc.,
LFC's wholly owned subsidiary, which constitute that business:
Independent Financial Marketing Group, Inc., Keyport Life Insurance
Company, Liberty Securities Corporation, LSC Insurance Agency of
Arizona, Inc., LSC Insurance Agency of New Mexico, Inc., and LSC
Insurance Agency of Nevada, Inc.;
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to authorize and approve the
sale by LFC to Fleet National Bank, or Fleet, pursuant to a stock
purchase agreement dated as of June 4, 2001, of LFC's asset
management business through the sale of the stock of the following
direct and indirect subsidiaries of LFC and Liberty Financial
Services, Inc., which constitute that business: Liberty Funds
Group LLC, Liberty Asset Management Company, Liberty Newport
Holdings, Limited, WAM Acquisition GP, Inc., Liberty Wanger Asset
Management, L.P., Crabbe Huson Group, Inc., Progress Investment
Management Company, and Liberty Advisory Services Corp.;
</Table>
N-1
<Page>
<Table>
3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt and approve the
agreement and plan of merger dated as of June 4, 2001, by and among
LFC, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, LFC's controlling stockholder,
or Liberty Mutual, and LFC Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, pursuant to which LFC Acquisition
Corporation will be merged with and into LFC, with LFC being the
surviving corporation; and
4. To transact any other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
The attached proxy statement describes the Sun Life purchase
agreement, the Fleet purchase agreement and the agreement and plan of
merger.
Record Date.................. You are entitled to vote at the meeting if you were a stockholder of
record as of the close of business on August 24, 2001.
Appraisal Rights............. Under Massachusetts law, stockholders are entitled to seek judicial
appraisal of the fair value of their stock in connection with certain
merger transactions and in connection with the sale of all or
substantially all of a corporation's property and assets. Depending
on the circumstances, you may have or may have the right to seek
appraisal rights in connection with each of the Sun Life transaction
and the Fleet transaction if the applicable transaction is approved
and completed. You will be entitled to seek appraisal rights under
Massachusetts law in connection with the merger if the merger is
approved by LFC's stockholders and is completed. If the Sun Life
transaction is completed and the Fleet transaction is not, LFC
believes that the Sun Life transaction will not represent a sale of
all or substantially all of the property and assets of LFC, and,
accordingly, that you will not have appraisal rights. LFC believes
that if the Sun Life transaction is completed after or simultaneously
with the Fleet transaction, you will be entitled to appraisal rights
under Massachusetts law in connection with the Sun Life transaction.
LFC believes that if the Fleet transaction is completed after the Sun
Life transaction, you will be entitled to appraisal rights under
Massachusetts law in connection with the Fleet transaction. LFC
believes that if the Fleet transaction is completed and the Sun Life
transaction is not, you will not be entitled to appraisal rights in
connection with the Fleet transaction. However, a court could
disagree with our opinions and conclude that each of the Sun life
transaction and the Fleet transaction standing alone constitutes a
sale of substantially all of LFC's property and assets for which
appraisal rights would be available.
If you object to any one or more of our proposed transactions and
wish to pursue appraisal rights, you must:
- file with LFC BEFORE the taking of the stockholders' vote
to authorize or approve that transaction(s), a written
objection to such transaction(s) stating your intention to
demand payment for your shares if that transaction(s) is
approved and completed;
</Table>
N-2
<Page>
<Table>
- refrain from voting in favor of approving that
transaction(s); and
- make written demand to LFC for payment for your shares and
an appraisal of the value thereof within 20 days after the
date of mailing by LFC to you of notice that the
transaction(s) to which you have objected has been
completed or become effective and otherwise comply with
the applicable provisions of Massachusetts law.
"Fair Value" of a dissenting stockholder's shares will be determined
as of the day before the approval by the stockholders of the event to
which that stockholder objected, excluding any element of value
arising from the expectation or completion of the event. LFC believes
that, because each of the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction
and the merger will be presented for approval at the special meeting,
"fair value" of all dissenters' shares will be determined as of the
same date (the day before the special meeting) regardless of the
transaction(s) to which any particular dissenter objected.
LFC AND ANY STOCKHOLDER EXERCISING APPRAISAL RIGHTS WILL HAVE THE
RIGHTS AND DUTIES AND BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH
IN SECTIONS 86 THROUGH 98, INCLUSIVE, OF CHAPTER 156B OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS. STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE STATUTORY
PROVISIONS IS REQUIRED TO EXERCISE STATUTORY APPRAISAL RIGHTS, AND,
IF YOU DESIRE TO EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS, WE URGE YOU TO CAREFULLY
REVIEW THE DISCUSSION OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS IN THE ATTACHED PROXY
STATEMENT AND FOLLOW THE RELEVANT PORTIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS LAW,
WHICH ARE REPRINTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS APPENDIX E TO THE ATTACHED
PROXY STATEMENT AND ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS NOTICE.
Voting....................... Your vote is important. Please vote in one of the following two ways:
- attend the meeting and vote in person; or
- mark, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy
card in the postage-paid envelope. You may revoke your
proxy in the manner described in this proxy statement at
any time before it is voted at the special meeting.
</Table>
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of the transactions described in this
document, passed upon the fairness or merits of these transactions, or passed
upon the accuracy or adequacy of the disclosure in this document. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This notice, the proxy statement and form of proxy card are first being
mailed to LFC's stockholders beginning on or about September , 2001.
By order of the Board of Directors
Kevin M. Carome
CLERK
Boston, Massachusetts
September , 2001
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSALS, INCLUDING THE PROCEDURES FOR
VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE CONTACT ALICIA VERITY OF LFC'S INVESTOR RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT, AT 617-371-2200.
N-3
<Page>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<Table>
<Caption>
PAGE NO.
---------
SUMMARY TERM SHEET.......................................... S-1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MEETING..................... Q-1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION............................................... 1
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETING.......................... 2
Date, Time, and Place of the Meeting...................... 2
Purpose of the Meeting.................................... 2
Record Date, Quorum Requirement and Vote Required......... 2
Solicitation, Revocation and Use of Proxies............... 3
Voting Procedures......................................... 3
Additional Voting Information............................. 4
Appraisal Rights.......................................... 4
Exchange of Stock Certificates............................ 5
THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS........................... 6
Background of the Transactions............................ 6
Recommendations of the Board of Directors................. 20
Position of LFC Regarding the Fairness of the
Transactions............................................ 23
LFC's Purpose and Reasons for the Merger.................. 26
Opinions of the Financial Advisor......................... 26
LFC Forecasts............................................. 35
Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions and
Potential Conflicts of Interest......................... 37
Provision for Unaffiliated Stockholders................... 39
Position of Liberty Mutual as to Fairness of the
Transactions............................................ 40
Position of Liberty Mutual as to Fairness of the Merger... 40
Liberty Mutual's Purpose and Reasons for the Merger....... 42
Factors Considered by Liberty Mutual...................... 42
Prior Stock Purchases by Liberty Mutual................... 43
Consequences of the Transactions.......................... 43
Stockholder Lawsuit Challenging the Merger................ 45
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences...................... 45
Accounting Treatment...................................... 47
Financing; Source of Funds................................ 47
Fees and Expenses......................................... 47
Regulatory Requirements................................... 48
SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS............................ 50
The Sun Life Purchase Agreement........................... 50
The Sun Life Voting Agreement............................. 57
The Sun Life License Agreement............................ 57
The Sun Life/Liberty Mutual Letter Agreement.............. 58
The Liberty Mutual Guaranty............................... 58
The Keyport Agreements.................................... 58
FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS............................... 60
The Fleet Purchase Agreement.............................. 60
The Fleet Voting Agreement................................ 67
The Fleet License Agreement............................... 68
The Fleet/Liberty Mutual Letter Agreement................. 68
</Table>
(i)
<Page>
<Table>
<Caption>
PAGE NO.
---------
TRANSITION SERVICES AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND
RELATED AGREEMENTS........................................ 69
THE GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER AGREEMENT......... 72
APPRAISAL RIGHTS............................................ 78
INFORMATION ABOUT LFC....................................... 81
Audit Committee Report.................................... 81
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management.............................................. 81
Retention Plans........................................... 83
Market Price of LFC Common Stock and Dividends............ 85
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information................. 86
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS--MATTERS
PERTAINING TO LIBERTY MUTUAL.............................. 99
General................................................... 99
The Transactions.......................................... 99
$200 Million Loan......................................... 101
Reimbursement Of Certain Direct Costs and Intercompany
Agreements.............................................. 101
Tax Sharing Agreement..................................... 102
Registration Rights Agreement............................. 103
Certain Other Transactions Involving Liberty Mutual....... 103
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS..................................... 105
Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.......................... 105
Audit Fees................................................ 105
Other Fees................................................ 105
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...................................... 106
Submission of Stockholder Proposals at the Next Annual
Meeting................................................. 106
Other Matters............................................. 106
Documents Incorporated by Reference....................... 106
</Table>
(ii)
<Page>
------------------------
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
------------------------
This summary term sheet highlights important selected information from this
proxy statement relating to our proposed transactions. This summary term sheet
and the question and answer section included above may not contain all the
information that is important to you. To understand more fully our proposed
transactions, you should read this entire proxy statement and all of its
appendixes before voting. We have included page references parenthetically below
to direct you to more complete descriptions of the topics presented in this
summary term sheet. Additional information about LFC has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is available upon request without charge.
See "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION" on p. 106 of this proxy statement.
THE PARTIES TO THE TRANSACTIONS
- Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., or LFC, is a Massachusetts corporation.
LFC is an asset accumulation and management company with two core lines of
business: retirement-oriented insurance products and investment management
products. LFC's retirement-oriented insurance products consist
substantially of annuities. LFC's investment management products consist
primarily of mutual funds and institutional asset management services. LFC
sells its products through multiple distribution channels, including
brokerage firms, banks and other depository institutions, financial
planners and insurance agents, as well as directly to investors. LFC's
principal executive offices are located at 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts 02210-2214, and its telephone number is (617) 371-2200.
- Liberty Financial Services, Inc., or LFS, is a Massachusetts corporation
and a wholly owned subsidiary of LFC. LFS is primarily engaged in the
business of holding securities of some of LFC's indirect operating
subsidiaries. LFS's principal executive offices are located at 600
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2214, and its telephone
number is (617) 371-2200.
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, or Liberty Mutual, is a Massachusetts
insurance corporation and the controlling stockholder of LFC. Liberty
Mutual is a leading provider of workers' compensation insurance and other
commercial and non-commercial lines of insurance, including homeowners,
auto and group life. Liberty Mutual has more than 900 offices in 15
countries, including Canada, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and the United
Kingdom. As of August 24, 2001, the record date, Liberty Mutual owned
beneficially shares of LFC common stock representing approximately 70.4%
of the outstanding shares of LFC common stock. Liberty Mutual's principal
executive offices are located at 175 Berkeley Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02117, and its telephone number is (617) 357-9500.
- Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, or Sun Life, is a Canadian insurance
corporation. Sun Life is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of wealth accumulation and
protection products and services to individuals and corporate customers.
Sun Life and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the
Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India and Bermuda. Sun Life's principal
executive offices are located at 225 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, and its telephone number is (416) 979-9966.
- Fleet National Bank, or Fleet, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FleetBoston
Financial Corporation, a Boston, Massachusetts-based financial holding
company. Fleet and its affiliates offer a comprehensive array of financial
solutions to approximately 20 million customers in more than 20 countries.
Their key lines of business include consumer and investment services,
corporate and global banking, and capital markets services. Fleet's
principal executive offices are
S-1
<Page>
located at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, and its
telephone number is (617) 434-4200.
THE SUN LIFE TRANSACTION (P. 50)
- LFC, LFS and Sun Life entered into a stock purchase agreement. Under that
agreement, Sun Life will purchase LFC's annuity and intermediary retail
distribution business through the purchase of the stock of the
subsidiaries of LFC and LFS that constitute that business.
- Sun Life will pay a purchase price of approximately $1.7 billion in cash.
- The subsidiaries that Sun Life is purchasing are referred to in this proxy
statement as the annuity subsidiaries.
- The material annuity subsidiaries are Independent Financial Marketing
Group, Inc., Keyport Life Insurance Company, and Liberty Securities
Corporation.
TERMINATION FEE (P. 56)
The parties may terminate the Sun Life purchase agreement by mutual
agreement, upon the occurrence of specified events, or upon the breach of
specific provisions. Termination of the Sun Life purchase agreement under some
circumstances would require LFC to pay to Sun Life a termination fee of
$85.1 million.
THE FLEET TRANSACTION (P. 60)
- LFC, LFS and Fleet entered into a stock purchase agreement. Under that
agreement, Fleet will purchase LFC's asset management business through the
purchase of the stock of the subsidiaries of LFC and LFS that constitute
that business.
- Fleet will pay a purchase price of $900 million in cash, subject to
adjustment as described below.
- The subsidiaries of LFC and LFS that are being purchased by Fleet are
sometimes referred to in this proxy statement as the asset management
subsidiaries.
- Fleet will assume indebtedness of the asset management subsidiaries of
approximately $110 million.
- The material asset management subsidiaries are Colonial Management
Associates, Inc., Crabbe Huson Group, Inc., Liberty Funds Distributor,
Inc., Liberty Funds Services, Inc., Liberty Wanger Asset Management, L.P.,
Newport Pacific Management, Inc., Progress Investment Management Company
and Stein Roe and Farnham Incorporated.
POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PURCHASE PRICE PAYABLE IN THE FLEET TRANSACTION.
(P. 60)
The purchase price payable by Fleet may be adjusted:
- upward or downward based on increases or decreases in the amount of
portfolios managed by the asset management subsidiaries from December 31,
2000, until a date prior to the closing, excluding the effects of market
action, up to a maximum adjustment, upward or downward, of $180 million as
the result of purchases of and exchanges into and withdrawals from and
exchanges out of those portfolios, as calculated in accordance with the
Fleet purchase agreement;
- upward or downward based on increases or decreases in the tangible net
worth (as defined in the Fleet purchase agreement) of the asset management
subsidiaries during a specified time period;
S-2
<Page>
- downward based on decreases of more than 20% in the market value of assets
under management of the asset management subsidiaries, excluding the net
effects of sales, purchases and redemptions, during a specified time
period; and
- upward or downward based on the estimated value of amounts owing to or by
LFC at the time of closing in respect of taxes with respect to the income
of the asset management subsidiaries, and the settlement of intercompany
accounts, agreements and arrangements between LFC and the asset management
subsidiaries.
You will not know the extent of any adjustments to the purchase price under
the Fleet purchase agreement at or prior to the special meeting. These
adjustments will could be material and affect the amount you receive in exchange
for your LFC common stock in connection with the merger described below.
TERMINATION FEE (P. 67)
The parties may terminate the Fleet purchase agreement by mutual agreement,
upon the occurrence of specified events, or upon the breach of specific
provisions. Termination of the Fleet purchase agreement under certain
circumstances would require LFC to pay to Fleet a termination fee of
$45 million.
THE MERGER (P. 72)
- LFC, Liberty Mutual and a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, or
Merger Sub, entered into a merger agreement.
- After completion of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction,
LFC will have no operating business and no remaining material assets other
than cash, primarily from the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction. The purpose of the merger is to distribute to the
stockholders of LFC (other than Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries and
LFC stockholders who have validly perfected their statutory appraisal
rights) their portion of that cash, after satisfying outstanding
liabilities of LFC and providing for other adjustments.
- The merger agreement provides that, after the completion of both the Sun
Life transaction and the Fleet transaction and the fulfillment of other
conditions, LFC will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual
through a merger with Merger Sub. LFC currently expects that the merger
will be consummated within 60 days of the later to close of the Sun Life
transaction and the Fleet transaction.
- As a result of the merger, LFC's stockholders, other than Liberty Mutual
and its subsidiaries and LFC's stockholders who have validly perfected
appraisal rights, will be entitled to receive $33.44 in cash per share,
subject to adjustment, in exchange for their shares of LFC common stock.
These adjustments could be material.
- Liberty Mutual will not acquire any material assets of LFC as a result of
the merger. However, by virtue of its ownership of LFC, Liberty Mutual
will indirectly control the net cash proceeds from the Sun Life
transaction and the Fleet transaction to the extent these proceeds are not
otherwise distributed to LFC's unaffiliated stockholders as a result of
the merger or used to discharge LFC's liabilities.
- You will not be entitled to any payments in respect of your LFC common
stock in connection with the transactions described in this proxy
statement unless and until the merger is completed.
S-3
<Page>
ADJUSTMENTS TO MERGER CONSIDERATION (P. 73)
The merger consideration will be adjusted for the per share effect of the
following:
- the amount by which the net after tax proceeds to LFC from the Sun Life
transaction, as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of
the merger, is more or less than $1.487 billion, which represents the
estimate of those net after tax proceeds on the date of signing the merger
agreement giving effect to the estimated taxes payable by LFC with respect
to the Sun Life transaction of $215 million;
- the amount by which the net after tax proceeds to LFC from the Fleet
transaction, as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of
the merger, is more or less than $759 million, which represents the
estimate of those net after tax proceeds on the date of signing the merger
agreement giving effect to the estimated taxes payable by LFC with respect
to the Fleet transaction of $141 million;
- the amount by which the net after tax costs of LFC with respect to the
cancellation under the retention plans of stock options outstanding at the
effective time of the merger, as estimated within ten days prior to the
effective time of the merger, is more or less than $20 million, which
represents the estimate of those net after tax costs on the date of
signing the merger agreement, including any change resulting from any
purchase price adjustment in the Fleet purchase agreement;
- the amount by which the net after tax cost of LFC with respect to
transaction expenses paid or payable by LFC in connection with the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the going private transaction,
as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of the merger, is
more or less than $15 million, which represents the estimate of those net
after tax costs on the date of signing the merger agreement;
- the amount by which the net after tax cost of the net corporate
liabilities of LFC after the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction, as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of
the merger, is more or less than $635 million, which represents the
estimate of those net after tax costs on the date of the signing of the
merger agreement; and
- the amount by which the net tax adjustment with respect to eliminating the
estimated corporate level taxes of LFC with respect to the Fleet
transaction, net of the estimated after tax benefit to Fleet for making an
election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code, is more or
less than $62 million, which represents the amount of that net tax
adjustment as estimated on the date of the signing of the merger
agreement.
You will not know the final amount of these potential adjustments, and,
therefore, the actual amount per share that you would receive in the merger,
when you vote your shares, whether by proxy or in person at the special meeting.
The result of these adjustments could be that the consideration you actually
receive in the merger may vary materially from the $33.44 amount described
above.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSACTIONS (P. 43)
- As a result of the Sun Life transaction, LFC will no longer own or operate
its annuity and intermediary retail and distribution business. That
business will be owned and operated by Sun Life.
- As a result of the Fleet transaction, LFC will no longer own or operate
its asset management business. That business will be owned and operated by
Fleet.
S-4
<Page>
The merger will constitute a "going private" transaction under federal
securities laws, and as a result:
- Liberty Mutual will own 100% of the outstanding common stock of LFC, and
LFC's current public stockholders will no longer have any interest in LFC;
- LFC's common stock will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange
or the Boston Stock Exchange and price quotations will no longer be
available; and
- LFC will terminate the registration of its common stock under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, will formally
terminate its filing obligations under the Exchange Act, and will no
longer be obligated to comply with the public reporting requirements of
the Exchange Act.
BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSACTIONS (P. 6)
In November of 2000, LFC began reviewing its strategic alternatives. At the
direction of LFC, LFC's financial advisor, Credit Suisse First Boston,
approached potential buyers of LFC and its annuity and asset management
segments. During the first quarter of 2001, various bidders reviewed documents
regarding LFC and met with its management. As a result of the bidding process
and extensive negotiations, LFC signed the purchase agreement with Sun Life on
May 2, 2001, the purchase agreement with Fleet on June 4, 2001, and the merger
agreement with Liberty Mutual and the Merger Sub on June 4, 2001.
ADOPTION OF RETENTION PLANS (P. 83)
LFC adopted plans to retain its employees during its strategic review.
Substantially all of LFC's employees, including LFC's officers other than
Mr. Countryman, participate in LFC's retention plans.
Under the retention plans:
- employees of the annuity subsidiaries will be entitled to retention
bonuses, accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock, enhanced
severance benefits and payments to cover excise tax obligations following
the completion of the Sun Life transaction;
- employees of the asset management subsidiaries will be entitled to
retention bonuses, accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock,
enhanced severance benefits and payments to cover excise tax obligations
following the completion of the Fleet transaction; and
- employees of LFC will be entitled to retention bonuses, accelerated
vesting of options and restricted stock, enhanced severance benefits and
payments to cover excise tax obligations following the merger.
The retention plans also provide that:
- employees of the annuity subsidiaries will be entitled to retention
bonuses if the Sun Life transaction is not completed by November 1, 2001;
- employees of the asset management subsidiaries will be entitled to
retention bonuses if the Fleet transaction is not completed by
November 1, 2001; and
- employees of LFC will be entitled to retention bonuses if the merger is
not completed by November 1, 2001.
S-5
<Page>
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (P. 37)
Some of LFC's officers and directors have interests in the transactions or
have relationships that present actual or potential, or the appearance of actual
or potential, conflicts of interest in connection with the transactions. Those
relationships include:
- each of the LFC's directors is also a member of the board of directors of
Liberty Mutual;
- Gary L. Countryman, LFC's president and chief executive officer, was
formerly the Chief Executive Officer and is currently a director of
Liberty Mutual and LFC;
- Edmund F. Kelly, who in addition to serving as chairman and as a director
of LFC and Liberty Mutual, is the president and chief executive officer of
Liberty Mutual;
- at the time of the vote on the Fleet transaction, four directors of LFC
also served on the board of directors of Fleet's parent company; however,
these directors did not participate in the vote to approve the Fleet
transaction; and
- the executive officers of LFC, other than Mr. Countryman, own LFC
restricted stock or options and participate in LFC's retention plans.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF LFC'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS (P. 20)
The LFC board of directors recommends that you approve and authorize the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger agreement and the merger.
In arriving at its recommendation and determination that each of the Sun Life
transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger is fair to, and in the best
interests of, LFC and its stockholders, the board carefully considered the terms
of each of the Sun Life purchase agreement, the Fleet purchase agreement and the
merger agreement and numerous other factors, both positive and negative.
POSITION OF LIBERTY MUTUAL AS TO THE FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTIONS (P. 40)
Liberty Mutual believes that each of the transactions is fair to LFC and its
stockholders. The opinions of Credit Suisse First Boston were intended for the
information and assistance of LFC's board of directors and Liberty Mutual is not
entitled to rely on them. Notwithstanding this fact, Liberty Mutual has
expressly adopted those opinions in arriving at its conclusion that the
transactions are fair to LFC and its stockholders.
LIBERTY MUTUAL VOTING AGREEMENTS (P. 40)
Liberty Mutual agreed in separate voting agreements with Sun Life and Fleet
to vote in favor of the applicable transaction. Liberty Mutual's vote ensures
that those transactions will be approved. Liberty Mutual will also vote in favor
of the merger. That vote ensures that the merger will be approved.
OPINIONS OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR (P. 26)
In connection with the transactions, LFC's financial advisor, Credit Suisse
First Boston, delivered written opinions to the board of directors of LFC as to
the fairness, from a financial point of view, of:
- the consideration provided for in the Sun Life transaction to LFC,
- the consideration provided for in the Fleet transaction to LFC, and
- the consideration provided for in the merger to the holders of LFC common
stock other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates.
S-6
<Page>
The full text of Credit Suisse First Boston's written opinions, dated
May 2, 2001, June 4, 2001 and June 4, 2001, addressed to LFC's board of
directors, are attached to this proxy statement as Appendix D-1, D-2, and D-3,
respectively. We encourage you to read these opinions carefully in their
entirety for a description of the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters
considered and limitations on the review undertaken. CREDIT SUISSE FIRST
BOSTON'S OPINIONS ARE ADDRESSED TO LFC'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DO NOT
CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO YOU OR ANY OTHER STOCKHOLDER OF LFC AS TO ANY
MATTER RELATING TO THE SUN LIFE TRANSACTION, THE FLEET TRANSACTION OR THE
MERGER.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS (P. 78)
Because LFC is a Massachusetts corporation, if you comply fully with all
applicable legal requirements under Massachusetts law, it is possible that you
may be able to seek judicial appraisal to determine the "fair value" of your
shares of LFC common stock in connection with the Sun Life transaction and the
Fleet transaction. Additionally, if you comply fully with all applicable legal
requirements under Massachusetts law, you will be able to seek judicial
appraisal of the "fair value" of your shares of LFC common stock in connection
with the merger.
YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL OF THE STEPS REQUIRED UNDER MASSACHUSETTS LAW OR YOU
WILL LOSE YOUR APPRAISAL RIGHTS. IF YOU WISH TO EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS, WE URGE
YOU TO REVIEW CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW COMPLETELY THE RELEVANT PORTIONS OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS APPRAISAL RIGHTS LAW. THE MASSACHUSETTS APPRAISAL RIGHTS STATUTE
IS REPRINTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AS APPENDIX E TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND IS
SUMMARIZED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT UNDER THE HEADING "APPRAISAL RIGHTS."
FINANCING; SOURCE OF FUNDS (P. 47)
- The obligation of Sun Life to complete the Sun Life transaction is not
subject to any financing contingency. LFC agreed to permit Sun Life an
additional 30 calendar days after the fulfillment of the conditions to
closing to raise funds to complete the Sun Life transaction.
- The obligation of Fleet to consummate the Fleet transaction is not subject
to any financing contingency.
- The merger is conditioned upon the completion of both the Sun Life
transaction and the Fleet transaction, and the merger consideration will
be funded from the net proceeds of those transactions.
STOCKHOLDER LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE MERGER (P. 45)
- Between June 5, 2001 and June 6, 2001, five separate lawsuits challenging
the Fleet transaction and the merger were filed by purported LFC
stockholders in the Superior Court of Suffolk County, Massachusetts
against LFC, Fleet, Liberty Mutual and the directors of LFC. Since then,
the plaintiffs in four of the five lawsuits have voluntarily dismissed
their lawsuits without prejudice.
- The remaining lawsuit alleges, among other things, that LFC, Liberty
Mutual and the directors of LFC breached fiduciary duties owed to LFC's
public stockholders.
- LFC, Liberty Mutual and the LFC directors believe that the lawsuit is
without merit and intend to vigorously defend against it.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES (P. 45)
- Generally, you will be taxed on the receipt of cash for your shares as a
result of the merger. In most cases, your tax liability will be equal to
the amount by which the cash you receive in
S-7
<Page>
exchange for your shares exceeds your tax basis in your LFC common stock.
Your tax basis will generally be what you paid for your LFC common stock.
- However, special rules may apply to you. You should consult your own tax
advisor to understand fully your tax situation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (P. 106)
If you have more questions about the transactions or would like additional
copies of this proxy statement, you should contact:
Alicia Verity
Investor Relations
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
S-8
<Page>
------------------------
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING
------------------------
<Table>
Q: When and where is the special meeting? A: The special meeting will be held on October ,
2001 at 11:00 a.m., local time, at 600 Atlantic
Avenue, Room AV-1, 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts.
Q: Who is entitled to vote at the meeting? A: Holders of shares of LFC's common stock, $.01 par
value, whose names appeared of record at the close
of business on August 24, 2001, the record date,
will be entitled to vote at the meeting. On that
date, 48,974,696 shares of LFC common stock were
issued and outstanding. Shares of LFC common stock
can be voted only if the owner of record is present
to vote or is represented by proxy.
Q: How many votes do I have? A: You have one vote for each share of LFC common stock
that you owned at the close of business on
August 24, 2001.
Q: What stockholder approvals do the A: Both the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transactions require? transaction are conditioned on receipt of the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of LFC common stock. LFC believes
that under Massachusetts law the approval of LFC's
stockholders is required to approve both
transactions taken together. Under LFC's charter,
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of LFC common stock is
required to consummate the merger. Liberty Mutual,
which owns more than a majority of the outstanding
shares of LFC common stock, has indicated its
intention to vote its shares in favor of the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the
merger and has agreed to vote its shares in favor of
the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction
pursuant to separate voting agreements with each of
Sun Life and Fleet. A vote in favor of each of the
transactions and the merger by Liberty Mutual would
ensure approval and authorization of the Sun Life
and Fleet transactions and the adoption and approval
of the merger agreement.
</Table>
Q-1
<Page>
<Table>
Q: If my shares are held in "street name" by A: Your broker will not have the power to vote your
my broker, will my broker vote my shares shares with respect to the proposals regarding the
for me with respect to the proposals Sun Life and Fleet transactions and the merger
regarding the transactions and the merger agreement. Your broker will vote your shares with
agreement? respect to the proposals regarding the Sun Life and
Fleet transactions and the merger agreement only if
you provide him or her with instructions on how to
vote. Failure to instruct your broker on how to vote
your shares will have the effect of a vote "against"
the proposals regarding the Sun Life and Fleet
transactions and the merger agreement. You should
follow the directions provided by your broker on how
to instruct your broker to vote your shares. For
more information, you should read the section
entitled "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
MEETING--Additional Voting Information" in this
proxy statement.
Q: May I change my vote after I have mailed A: Yes. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it
my signed proxy card? is exercised by returning to LFC another properly
signed proxy representing your shares and bearing a
later date or by otherwise delivering a written
revocation to the following address: Proxy Services,
EquiServe, P.O. Box 9379, Boston, Massachusetts
02205-9956. In addition, a stockholder attending the
meeting may vote in person even though he or she may
have previously submitted a proxy.
Q: What do I need to do now? A: After carefully reading the material provided to
you, please sign and mail your proxy card in the
enclosed return envelope as soon as possible so that
your shares can be represented at the meeting, even
if you plan to attend the meeting in person.
Q: Should I send in my LFC stock A: No. You should continue to hold your certificates
certificates now? for LFC common stock. If the merger is completed,
you will receive a package containing instructions
on how to exchange your shares for cash.
</Table>
Q-2
<Page>
<Table>
Q: Do I have appraisal rights? A: You will be entitled to seek appraisal rights under
Massachusetts law with respect to the merger and,
depending upon the circumstances, have or may be
able to seek appraisal rights with respect to each
of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction. In order to exercise appraisal rights,
you must strictly comply with all of the procedures
required under Massachusetts law. Those procedures
are summarized under "APPRAISAL RIGHTS."
Q: When do you expect the transactions to be A: We are working towards completing the transactions
completed? as quickly as possible. We expect to complete each
of the transactions in the fourth quarter of 2001.
The Sun Life transaction will be completed only
after the conditions described in the Sun Life
purchase agreement have been satisfied or waived.
The Fleet transaction will be completed only after
the conditions described in the Fleet purchase
agreement have been satisfied or waived. The Sun
Life transaction and the Fleet transaction are not
conditioned on one another and are likely to be
completed separately. It is possible that either the
Sun Life transaction or the Fleet transaction could
be completed without the other transaction ever
being completed. However, in no event will the
merger take place unless both the Sun Life and the
Fleet transaction have been completed. We expect the
merger will be completed within sixty days after the
completion of the last to occur of the Sun Life
transaction and the Fleet transaction.
Q: How will LFC invest the proceeds of the A: Pending the completion of the merger, LFC plans to
Sun Life transaction and the Fleet invest the proceeds of each of the Sun Life
transaction pending the completion of the transaction and the Fleet transaction in highly
merger? rated, short term, diversified, liquid investments.
A pro rata poriton of the interest on these
investments will be added to the amounts to be
distributed to stockholders in the merger.
</Table>
Q-3
<Page>
<Table>
Q: What will happen if either of the Fleet A: If either the Sun Life transaction or the Fleet
transaction or the Sun Life transaction transaction is completed and the other is not, you
is completed and the other is not? would not receive the merger consideration, and we
will review our alternatives at that time. These
alternatives may include one or more of the
following:
- continuing to operate the remaining
business segment as a public company;
- issuing a special dividend to our
stockholders;
- resuming the auction process for the
remaining business segment; or
- engaging in an alternate "going private"
transaction.
Because we cannot predict circumstances surrounding
such an event, we cannot state at this time which of
these alternatives, if any, would be pursued.
Q: What will I receive in exchange for my A: If you continue to own LFC common stock immediately
LFC common stock following the completion prior to the effective time of the merger and are
of the merger? not seeking appraisal rights under Massachusetts
law, you will be entitled to receive $33.44 in cash,
subject to adjustment, without interest, for each
share of LFC common stock that you own. This amount
may be adjusted as a result of several factors
including the following:
- adjustments to the expected $900 million
consideration from the Fleet transaction;
for more information regarding these
adjustments set forth in the Fleet
purchase agreement, we refer you to
"FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS"; and
- adjustments to LFC's expected taxes and
expenses related to the transactions,
including the costs related to our
outstanding stock options, restricted
stock and public and other debt; for more
information regarding these adjustments,
we refer you to "THE GOING PRIVATE
TRANSACTION--THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Conversion of Common Stock;
Merger Consideration."
The result of these adjustments could be that the
consideration you actually receive may vary
materially from $33.44. For a complete
</Table>
Q-4
<Page>
<Table>
discussion of the merger and the merger agreement,
we refer you to "THE GOING PRIVATE
TRANSACTION--MERGER AGREEMENT." For more information
on the determination of the merger consideration, we
refer you to "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Background of the Transactions."
Q: What are the federal income tax A: In most cases, for federal income tax purposes, your
consequences of the merger to the public receipt of cash in the merger will be treated as a
holders of LFC common stock? taxable sale of your common stock. You should
consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of
the tax consequences of the merger.
Q: Why is LFC's board of directors A: LFC's board of directors believes that each of the
recommending authorization and approval Sun Life transaction, Fleet transaction and the
of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet merger is fair to and in the best interests of LFC
transaction and the adoption and approval and its stockholders.
of the merger agreement?
Q: What will happen to outstanding LFC stock A: Options to purchase LFC common stock held by
options? employees of LFC's annuity subsidiaries will become
fully vested upon the completion of the Sun Life
transaction and the holders of those options will be
entitled to receive the difference between the value
of LFC common stock and the exercise price per share
of their options. Options held by employees of LFC's
asset management subsidiaries will become fully
vested upon the completion of the Fleet transaction
and the holders of those options will be entitled to
receive the difference between the value of LFC
common stock and the exercise price per share of
their options. Options held by employees of LFC will
become fully vested upon the completion of the
merger, and the holders of those options will be
entitled to receive the difference between the value
of LFC common stock and the exercise price per share
of their options. These option payments will be made
by LFC.
</Table>
Q-5
<Page>
<Table>
Q. What will happen to restricted shares of A: Shares of restricted LFC common stock held by
LFC common stock? employees of LFC's annuity subsidiaries for which
the target price stipulated in the applicable
restricted stock agreement is less than the value of
LFC common stock will become fully vested upon the
completion of the Sun Life transaction and will be
entitled to receive the merger consideration in
connection with the merger. Shares of restricted LFC
common stock held by employees of LFC's asset
management subsidiaries for which the target price
stipulated in the applicable restricted stock
agreement is less than the value of LFC common stock
will become fully vested upon completion of the
Fleet transaction and will be entitled to receive
the merger consideration in connection with the
merger. Shares of restricted LFC common stock held
by employees of LFC for which the target price
stipulated in the applicable restricted stock
agreement is less than the value of LFC common stock
will become fully vested upon the completion of the
merger and will be entitled to receive the merger
consideration in connection with the merger. If the
cash value of LFC's common stock on the applicable
date of the change of control, as described in LFC's
retention plans, is less than the applicable target
price, the employee will forfeit those shares.
Q: Do certain officers and directors of LFC A: Yes. You should be aware that the directors and
have interests in the proposed officers of LFC have interests in the proposed
transactions that are in addition to or transactions that are in addition to, or different
different from your interest as from, your interest as a stockholder of LFC.
stockholders of LFC? Specifically, you should be aware that:
- each of LFC's directors is also a member
of the board of directors of Liberty
Mutual, which as of August 24, 2001, the
record date for the special meeting,
beneficially owned 70.4% of the issued
and outstanding common stock of LFC;
- Gary L. Countryman, the President and
Chief Executive Officer of LFC, is the
former chief executive officer and
Chairman of Liberty Mutual;
</Table>
Q-6
<Page>
<Table>
- Edmund F. Kelly, who in addition to
serving as the chairman and as a director
of LFC and Liberty Mutual, is the
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of Liberty Mutual;
- Paul J. Darling, who serves as a director
of LFC and Liberty Mutual, owns 1,500
shares of LFC common stock and will be
entitled to receive $33.44 per share in
cash, subject to adjustment, as merger
consideration;
- at the time of the vote on the Fleet
transaction, four LFC directors also
served on the board of directors of
Fleet's parent company. These four
directors did not participate in the vote
to approve the Fleet transaction; and
- substantially all of LFC's employees,
including LFC's officers other than
Mr. Countryman, participate in LFC's
retention plans, which provide for cash
retention bonuses and, upon a change of
control, enhanced severance benefits,
accelerated vesting of options and some
restricted stock, and additional payments
to cover excise tax obligations.
Q: Whom should I contact if I have any A: If you have any questions about the special meeting
questions? or your ownership of LFC common stock, please
contact Alicia Verity of our Investor Relations
Department, by telephone at (617) 371-2200. If you
have any questions about the Sun Life transaction,
the Fleet transaction or the merger, please write
to:
Investor Relations
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
</Table>
Q-7
<Page>
------------------------
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
------------------------
This proxy statement and the documents to which we refer you and incorporate
into this proxy statement by reference contain forward-looking statements. In
addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking
statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our
expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the
information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to
future events or our future performance.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical in nature,
and include those that use the words "may," "will," "should," "expects,"
"anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "forecasts," "believes," "plans,"
"projected," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these or
similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should
consider various factors, including the competitive environment of our business,
changes in interest rates, the performance of financial markets and general
economic conditions. These and other factors, including those contained in our
public filings, may cause actual results and events to differ materially from
any forward-looking statement.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions and by their nature are
subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The forward-looking events
discussed in this proxy statement, the documents to which we refer you and other
statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur,
and actual events and results may differ materially. Accordingly, you are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
1
<Page>
------------------------
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETING
------------------------
DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF THE MEETING
The meeting will be held on October , 2001, 11:00 a.m., local time, at
Room AV-1 on the third floor of The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston at 600
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
At the meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon proposals to:
- authorize and approve the sale by LFC to Sun Life of the stock of the
annuity subsidiaries, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated May 2,
2001;
- authorize and approve the sale by LFC to Fleet of the stock of the asset
management subsidiaries, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated
June 4, 2001; and
- adopt and approve the merger agreement dated as of June 4, 2001, among
LFC, Merger Sub and Liberty Mutual pursuant to which Merger Sub will be
merged with and into LFC with LFC being the surviving corporation.
A copy of the Sun Life purchase agreement is attached as Appendix A-1 to
this proxy statement. A copy of the Fleet purchase agreement is attached as
Appendix B-1 to this proxy statement. A copy of the merger agreement is attached
as Appendix C to this proxy statement.
The board of directors of LFC, after careful consideration, approved each of
the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger agreement,
declared each of these transactions to be advisable and in the best interests of
LFC and its stockholders and recommended that they be submitted to LFC's
stockholders for approval. The board of directors unanimously approved the Sun
Life transaction and the merger. Four of LFC's directors, Messrs. Connell,
May and Countryman and Ms. Heard, did not participate in the vote to approve the
Fleet transaction because, at the time of the vote, each of them also served on
the board of directors of Fleet's parent company. The Fleet transaction was
unanimously approved by the remaining directors of LFC. In considering the
recommendation of the board, stockholders should be aware that each of LFC's
directors is also a member of the board of directors of Liberty Mutual, and thus
has interests that are in addition to, or different from, your interests as a
stockholder of LFC. See the section of this proxy statement entitled "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions
and Potential Conflicts of Interest."
To review the background and reasons for the transactions in greater detail,
we refer you to the information under the headings "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Background of the Transactions" and "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Recommendations of the Board of Directors."
RECORD DATE, QUORUM REQUIREMENT AND VOTE REQUIRED
The board of directors has established August 24, 2001 as the record date
for the meeting. Holders of shares of LFC common stock, $.01 par value, whose
names appeared of record at the close of business on the record date will be
entitled to vote at the meeting. On that date, 48,974,696 shares of LFC common
stock were issued and outstanding. Each issued and outstanding share of LFC
common stock will be entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the
meeting. Shares of LFC common stock can be voted only if the owner of record is
present to vote or is represented by proxy.
2
<Page>
For the purposes of this special meeting, a quorum will consist of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast. Stock owned directly or indirectly by
LFC will not be deemed outstanding for this purpose.
Under the terms of the purchase agreements, the Sun Life transaction and the
Fleet transaction are conditioned on receipt of the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of LFC's common stock. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of LFC's
common stock is required, under LFC's charter, to consummate the merger.
As of the record date, Liberty Mutual owned beneficially shares of LFC
common stock representing approximately 70.4% of the outstanding shares of LFC
common stock. Liberty Mutual has entered into a voting agreement with Sun Life
pursuant to which it has agreed to vote all of its shares of LFC in favor of the
Sun Life transaction, subject to the terms of that agreement. Liberty Mutual has
also entered into a voting agreement with Fleet pursuant to which it has agreed
to vote all of its shares of LFC in favor of the Fleet transaction, subject to
the terms of that agreement. Liberty Mutual has indicated that it will vote its
shares in favor of each item proposed for approval by the board of directors at
the meeting. A vote in favor of each of the transactions and the merger by
Liberty Mutual would ensure authorization and approval of the transactions and
the approval and adoption of the merger agreement. The Sun Life voting agreement
is attached to this proxy as Appendix A-2 and the Fleet voting agreement is
attached to this proxy as Appendix B-2. Each of the Sun Life transaction, the
Fleet transaction and the merger may be approved without the approval of a
majority of the unaffiliated stockholders of LFC.
SOLICITATION, REVOCATION AND USE OF PROXIES
The board of directors is requesting that, after you read this proxy
statement and the appendixes attached to it, you complete, date and sign the
accompanying form of proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid
envelope. Alternatively, you may attend and vote in person at the meeting. We
refer you to the heading "Voting Procedures" below for additional information on
how to vote at the meeting.
We will pay the costs of soliciting proxies, except that, if the Sun Life
transaction or the Fleet transaction occurs, Sun Life or Fleet, as applicable,
will pay a portion of the costs of printing and mailing this proxy statement.
These costs include the preparation, assembly and mailing of this proxy
statement, the notice of special meeting of stockholders and the enclosed proxy
card, as well as the cost of forwarding these materials to the beneficial owners
of our stock. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, our directors,
officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone, telecopy and personal
contact, but will not receive separate compensation for these activities. We may
retain a proxy solicitation firm for assistance in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for the meeting. Copies of solicitation materials will
be furnished to fiduciaries, custodians and brokerage houses for forwarding to
beneficial owners of common stock, and these persons will be reimbursed for
their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by returning to
LFC another properly signed proxy representing such shares and bearing a later
date or by otherwise delivering a written revocation to the following address:
Proxy Services, EquiServe, P.O. Box 9379, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9956. In
addition, a stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person even though he
or she may have previously submitted a proxy.
VOTING PROCEDURES
VOTE BY MAIL. If you choose to vote by mail, simply mark your proxy card,
date and sign it, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.
3
<Page>
VOTE AT THE MEETING. Voting by mail will not limit your right to vote at
the meeting if you decide to attend in person. If your shares are held in the
name of a bank, broker or other nominee, however, you must obtain a proxy,
executed in your favor, from the holder of record to be able to vote the shares
at the meeting.
HOW SHARES ARE VOTED. Subject to revocation, all shares represented by a
properly executed proxy received will be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated. If no instructions are specified, your shares will be
voted in favor of:
- authorization and approval of the Sun Life transaction;
- authorization and approval of the Fleet transaction; and
- approval and adoption of the merger agreement.
ADDITIONAL VOTING INFORMATION
Proxies that are returned and reflect abstentions from voting will be
counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a
quorum exists at the meeting. If you do not vote in person at the meeting and
you do not return a proxy, or if you return a proxy reflecting an abstention,
this will have the same effect as a vote against those matters that you have not
voted on or have abstained from voting on.
Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers have the authority to
vote on "routine" proposals when they have not received instructions from
beneficial owners. These brokers, however, are precluded from exercising their
voting discretion with respect to the approval of non-routine matters. The Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger are non-routine matters
for these purposes. Accordingly, a broker "non-vote" occurs when a bank, broker
or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a
particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power
for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial
owner. Broker non-votes will be treated as shares that are present and entitled
to vote at the meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, and
will count as votes cast against the authorization of the Sun Life transaction,
the Fleet transaction and the merger agreement.
If the meeting is adjourned for any purpose, at any subsequent reconvening
of the meeting, all proxies will be voted in the same manner as the proxies
would have been voted at the original convening of the meeting, except for any
proxies which have been revoked or withdrawn, even though they may have been
voted on the same or any other matter at a previous meeting.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Under Massachusetts law, stockholders are entitled to seek appraisal rights
in connection with certain merger transactions and in connection with a sale of
all or substantially all of a corporation's property and assets. LFC believes
that the transactions described in this proxy statement entitle you to seek
appraisal rights to the following extent:
- You will be entitled to seek appraisal rights in connection with the
merger.
- If the Fleet transaction takes place and the Sun Life transaction does
not, you will not be entitled to appraisal rights as a result of the Fleet
transaction because that transaction will not result in a sale by LFC of
substantially all of its assets.
- If the Sun Life transaction takes place and the Fleet transaction does
not, LFC believes you will not be entitled to appraisal rights as a result
of the Sun Life transaction because that transaction will not result in a
sale by LFC of substantially all its assets. However, the matter is not
free from doubt, and a court may determine that the Sun Life transaction
constitutes by itself a sale
4
<Page>
of substantially all of LFC's assets. LFC does not intend to petition a
court to determine whether or not LFC's stockholders have appraisal rights
in connection with the Sun Life transaction.
- If both the Fleet transaction and the Sun Life transaction take place, you
will be entitled to appraisal rights for each transaction when the second
transaction takes place, regardless of the order of the two transactions.
- A court, however, could determine that you are entitled to appraisal
rights in circumstances under which LFC does not believe you are entitled,
or that you are not entitled to appraisal rights in circumstances under
which LFC believes you are entitled.
"Fair Value" of a dissenting stockholder's shares will be determined as of
the day before the approval by the stockholders of the event to which such
stockholder objected, excluding any element of value arising from the
expectation or completion of the event. LFC believes that because each of the
Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger will be presented for
approval at the special meeting, "fair value" of all dissenters' shares will be
determined as of the same date (the day before the special meeting) regardless
of the transaction(s) to which any particular dissenter objected.
If you object to one or more actions that give rise, or which you believe
may give rise, to appraisal rights and desire to pursue appraisal rights, then:
- You must file with LFC a separate written objection to the action or
actions to which you object BEFORE the stockholders' vote to authorize the
action(s), stating your intention to demand payment for your shares if the
action(s) are approved and completed. The written objection and demand
should be delivered to Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, Attention: Kevin M. Carome, Clerk. We
recommend that any objection and demand be sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested. A vote against authorization of the
action(s) does not, alone, constitute a written objection to it.
- You must not vote in favor of the action or actions to which you object.
If you file the required written objection with LFC before the stockholder
vote, you do not need to vote against the action(s). However, a vote in
favor of any action(s) will result in a waiver of your statutory appraisal
rights with respect to that action(s). If you return a proxy which is
signed but which is not marked with a direction as to how the proxy is to
be voted with regard to the action(s) and you do not revoke the proxy, it
will be voted "FOR" authorization of the action(s), and you will not be
able to exercise your appraisal rights.
- After the action(s) has been consummated and LFC has notified you of the
fact, you must make a written demand to LFC for payment of the fair value
of your shares within 20 days after LFC has mailed its notice to you and
otherwise comply with the applicable provisions of Massachusetts law. The
notice from LFC will be sent to all objecting stockholders within ten days
after the effective date of consummation of each action.
LFC AND ANY DISSENTING STOCKHOLDER WILL HAVE THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES AND BE
REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 86 THROUGH 98,
INCLUSIVE, OF CHAPTER 156B OF THE GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS. STRICT
ADHERENCE TO THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS IS REQUIRED TO EXERCISE STATUTORY
APPRAISAL RIGHTS, AND, IF YOU DESIRE TO EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS, WE URGE YOU TO
CAREFULLY REVIEW AND FOLLOW THE RELEVANT PORTIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS LAW, WHICH
ARE REPRINTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS APPENDIX E TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND WHICH
ARE DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT UNDER THE HEADING
"APPRAISAL RIGHTS."
EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
You should not send your stock certificate(s) with your proxy card. If the
merger is completed, you will receive written instructions for exchanging your
stock certificate(s) for cash.
5
<Page>
------------------------
THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS
------------------------
BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSACTIONS
LFC was a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual until 1995, when LFC
acquired The Colonial Group, Inc. In that transaction, the Colonial stockholders
received LFC common stock, LFC preferred stock and cash in exchange for their
Colonial shares. Other than the shares issued in the Colonial transaction, LFC
has not sold any shares to the public. In 1997, Liberty Mutual and other LFC
stockholders sold 3,750,000 shares of LFC common stock in a registered public
offering. At all times since LFC became a public company, Liberty Mutual has
beneficially owned more than 70% of the outstanding stock of LFC.
LFC has sought to increase the value of its business through diversification
and innovation of products and distribution channels, integration of its
operating units, and acquisitions. In fact, acquisitions have been a substantial
part of LFC's growth. In addition to the Colonial transaction, LFC acquired
Newport Pacific Management in 1995, Independent Financial Marketing Group in
1996, Crabbe Huson Group in 1998, Progress Investment Management Company in 1998
and Wanger Asset Management in 2000. Other than the Colonial acquisition, which
was financed as indicated above, these acquisitions were financed through a
combination of public debt offerings, loans from Liberty Mutual, internal
resources and privately issued LFC stock. LFC's senior management believes that
these acquisitions and LFC's organic growth have added substantial value to LFC,
but that LFC's stock remained undervalued in the public market prior to LFC's
November 1, 2000 announcement that it had commenced a review of its strategic
alternatives. Management believes that, among other things, the limited active
trading market and float of LFC's common stock and the distinct nature of LFC's
annuity business segment and asset management business segment negatively
affected the price of the common stock.
Gary L. Countryman joined LFC as chief executive officer in January 2000.
Mr. Countryman has been a director of LFC since 1991. Mr. Countryman served as
the chief executive officer of Liberty Mutual from 1986 until 1998 and as the
chairman of Liberty Mutual from 1986 to April 2000 and continues to serve on
Liberty Mutual's board. It was anticipated that Mr. Countryman would serve as
chief executive officer of LFC on an interim basis until a successor was found.
Although LFC conducted a search for a successor, no suitable replacement was
located and Mr. Countryman has continued to serve as LFC's chief executive
officer.
During the latter part of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth
quarter of 2000, LFC's senior management began to question whether LFC's
existing business strategy of growing its business and profitability through
diversification and innovation of products and distribution channels,
integration of operating units, and acquisitions could be implemented
successfully. During this period, senior management reviewed LFC's business
strategy and the budgets and forecasts of LFC's various business units for 2001,
assessed the challenge of successfully integrating LFC's various operating
units, reviewed LFC's management and other resources, and considered other
factors, including the likely need for substantial additional capital to
implement its plans. LFC did not believe it would have access to sufficient
additional capital to pursue its strategy. In addition, LFC's management
believed that the relatively small scale of its business in comparison to that
of many of its competitors and its market position were impediments to executing
its business strategy. LFC's senior management began to believe that LFC would
have difficulty achieving the business growth necessary to produce a desirable
return on stockholders' equity and, thereby, a higher market value for LFC's
common stock. In addition, senior management considered that LFC had not been
successful in finding a successor to Mr. Countryman, and that it might be
difficult to locate the additional management and other qualified employees
necessary to operate the business successfully in accordance with its strategy.
Management also noted that in recent sale transactions attractive valuations
were given to companies it believed
6
<Page>
were similar to LFC. Management believed that these transaction values were
particularly attractive in comparison to the prevailing price of LFC's publicly
traded common stock. Based on these factors, LFC's senior management concluded
that LFC should review its strategic alternatives, including the possible sale
of the business. LFC's management advised Liberty Mutual of its views about
LFC's prospects and a possible review of strategic alternatives.
On October 11, 2000, following a presentation by management to LFC's board
of directors about LFC's strategies, prospects and challenges, and a full
discussion by the board, including of possible investment banker candidates, the
board authorized management to:
- explore strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of LFC;
- hire a financial advisor to assist LFC in that process; and
- design company-wide retention plans for LFC employees that would offer
bonuses and severance pay and the acceleration of outstanding options and
restricted stock upon a change of control.
The board believed that retention plans were important to secure the continued
services of employees during the strategic review. After the meeting, LFC
retained Credit Suisse First Boston as its financial advisor. On November 1,
2000, LFC publicly announced that it had hired Credit Suisse First Boston to
help it review strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of LFC. On
October 31, 2000, the last trading day prior to this public announcement, the
closing price of the LFC common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $27.
During the 20 trading days immediately prior to the announcement, the average
closing price of the LFC common stock was $24.35.
LFC also retained Choate, Hall & Stewart, its regular outside securities and
transactional counsel, to advise it in connection with the strategic review.
Each of Credit Suisse First Boston and Choate, Hall also performs services for
Liberty Mutual on unrelated matters. All actions of Credit Suisse First Boston
described in this proxy statement were taken on behalf of or at the direction of
LFC. Liberty Mutual retained Lehman Brothers as its financial advisor and
McDermott, Will & Emery as its legal advisor in connection with LFC's strategic
review. LFC also engaged Milliman & Robertson, Inc., an actuarial firm, to
prepare an actuarial analysis of Keyport Life Insurance Company, one of LFC's
annuity subsidiaries.
Following discussions with Credit Suisse First Boston, LFC determined that
for the reasons described above, the alternative most likely to maximize
stockholder value was a sale of the company. In pursuit of that strategy, during
November 2000, LFC instructed Credit Suisse First Boston to approach potential
buyers of LFC or its annuity and asset management segments. At the same time,
LFC and Credit Suisse First Boston began to draft a confidential offering
memorandum describing LFC and its businesses. Some potential bidders expressed
to Credit Suisse First Boston an interest in bidding only on one segment or the
other. Beginning at the end of November for a period of several weeks, Credit
Suisse First Boston contacted parties to ascertain their interest in a business
combination or other similar transactions involving LFC or its business
segments. These included the parties believed to be likely to be interested in,
and financially able to complete, a business combination or other similar
transactions involving LFC or one of its two segments and parties that contacted
Credit Suisse First Boston on an unsolicited basis following LFC's public
announcement that it had commenced a review of its strategic alternatives. This
process eventually involved 101 entities consisting of seven U.S. asset
management companies, 17 U.S. bank/financial services companies, 21 U.S.
insurers, eight European institutions with operations in the U.S., six Canadian
institutions, 31 European institutions and 11 other non-U.S. insitutions. Of
these 101 entities, 54 entities, consisting of three U.S. asset management
companies, eight U.S. bank/financial services companies, 18 U.S. insurers, four
European institutions with operations in the U.S., six Canadian institutions, 11
European institutions and four other non-U.S. institutions, expressed interest
in a transaction. From the end of November through December, LFC and Credit
Suisse First Boston negotiated and entered into confidentiality agreements with
approximately 30 potential bidders, including Sun Life and Fleet.
7
<Page>
On December 18, 2000, Credit Suisse First Boston began to send the
confidential offering memorandum to parties that had executed confidentiality
agreements. The offering memorandum was accompanied by a copy of the Milliman &
Robertson actuarial analysis of Keyport.
On January 5, 2001, Credit Suisse First Boston sent letters of instruction
for submitting preliminary, non-binding bids to each of the parties that had
received the confidential offering memorandum. LFC's senior management
preferred, and anticipated that the process would result in, a transaction in
which a third party would acquire all of LFC. However, because it was possible
that stockholder value could be maximized by selling the two segments
separately, and because some potential bidders had expressed to Credit Suisse
First Boston an interest in bidding on only one segment or the other, the
letters indicated that LFC would consider bids for the sale of its two segments
to separate parties, as well as bids for all of the common stock of LFC. The
letters also indicated that LFC preferred, but did not require, the
consideration to be cash. Bidders considering a purchase of only the annuity
segment or the asset management segment were advised that this alternative might
impose additional tax burdens and transaction complexities not present in a sale
of all of LFC. The letters requested that bids be submitted to Credit Suisse
First Boston by January 22, 2001.
The board of directors of LFC met on January 10, 2001. At the meeting,
management reported to the board on the progress, status and expected timing of
the strategic review, including the activities conducted to date by Credit
Suisse First Boston. The board and management of LFC discussed the sale process.
At that point, it was anticipated that the process would result in a sale of all
of LFC to a third party in a transaction in which each stockholder of LFC would
receive the same per share consideration. However, it was noted that each member
of the board was also a member of the board of Liberty Mutual, LFC's controlling
stockholder, and that the LFC board would need to be alerted to any potential
conflicts of interest that might arise.
On January 22, 2001, LFC received preliminary non-binding bids from ten
entities consisting of one U.S. asset management company, one U.S.
bank/financial services company, six U.S. insurers, one European institution
with operations in the U.S. and one Canadian institution:
- Three entities made preliminary bids for all of the stock of LFC, and one
of those entities also offered a preliminary bid for the annuity segment
alone. Each bid proposed all cash consideration, and two indicated a
willingness to consider paying some or all of the consideration in the
form of the bidder's stock. Each bid for LFC indicated a preliminary range
of purchase price. The lowest price was $2.30 billion and the highest
price was $2.65 billion. Each bid for LFC provided that the bidder would
also assume all outstanding indebtedness of LFC, including the
$450 million in principal amount of public debt. The bidder that also
indicated an interest in purchasing the annuity segment alone indicated a
purchase price range of $1.8 billion to $2.2 billion for that segment, but
indicated it would not be responsible for outstanding LFC indebtedness in
those circumstances.
- Two other entities made preliminary bids for the asset management segment.
Both bids contemplated all cash consideration. One bid proposed a purchase
price of $950 million, subject to adjustment if LFC's assets under
management decreased by more than 10% between signing and closing of the
sale. The other asset management bid proposed a purchase price range of
$980 million to $1.28 billion. Although Fleet had executed a
confidentiality agreement and received Credit Suisse First Boston's
January 5, 2001 letter, LFC did not receive a bid from Fleet at this time.
- Five other entities made preliminary bids for the annuity segment. Four of
the bids were for cash, one of which indicated a willingness to consider
some or all of the consideration being paid in stock. The lowest price was
$1.5 billion and the highest price was $2.4 billion. The fifth bid
proposed not a purchase of LFC's annuity segment but rather an exchange of
100% of the bidder's ownership in an insurance business for the annuity
segment.
8
<Page>
During the week of January 22, 2001, Credit Suisse First Boston and LFC
reviewed the preliminary bids that had been received. In some instances, Credit
Suisse First Boston contacted bidders and requested clarification of certain
terms of the bids and in other cases sought an increase in the price range of
the offer contained in the bid. During this period, Liberty Mutual and its
advisors also provided LFC with their evaluations of the bids. After discussions
with Credit Suisse First Boston and Liberty Mutual, LFC decided not to pursue
three of the five bids for the annuity segment based on, among other things, the
valuations or structure reflected in those bids. The two bids that offered
$1.5 billion were deemed to be significantly below the range of the other bids
for that segment, and the proposal to exchange a bidder's insurance business for
the annuity segment was deemed a structure inconsistent with LFC's objective to
sell all of LFC's businesses.
At this time, LFC's senior management continued to prefer a transaction in
which 100% of LFC was acquired through a merger or similar transaction. However,
after reviewing the preliminary bids and taking into account the taxes that LFC
would be required to pay on the segment sales, LFC estimated that the proceeds
to LFC stockholders from a sale of the two segments might be competitive with
what they might receive from a sale of LFC as a whole. LFC therefore thought it
appropriate to continue to evaluate and consider the segment bids as well as the
whole company bids. LFC also believed that it was prudent to continue with the
segment bids because there were only three potential bidders for the whole
company, and if any of them dropped out of the process prior to final bids, LFC
might otherwise be left with only one bidder or no bidders.
On January 24, 2001, Credit Suisse First Boston began contacting the seven
remaining bidders to schedule meetings between the bidders and LFC's management
and due diligence reviews. LFC prepared a due diligence room containing
extensive documentation about its businesses. Between January 31 and
February 23, each of the seven bidders in turn conducted its due diligence and
met with LFC's management for detailed presentations about LFC's businesses.
The board of directors of LFC met on February 14, 2001, and discussed the
progress of the sale process and reviewed each of the ten preliminary bids from
the seven remaining bidders. After the discussion, the board indicated it
supported the decisions that LFC's senior management had made regarding the
preliminary bids and instructed LFC's management to continue the process.
Between February 20 and February 23, LFC and Credit Suisse First Boston, in
consultation with Liberty Mutual and its advisors, discussed the appropriate
form in which to request bidders for one or the other of LFC's segments to
structure their definitive bids. In addition to selling LFC's two segments
separately in taxable transactions, the parties discussed the possibility that
LFC might sell one of the segments to one purchaser in a taxable transaction,
and then have the second purchaser acquire the other segment through a merger
with LFC. This latter form would offer both a lower tax burden for LFC and lower
tax benefits for the second purchaser, than would a direct purchase of the
second segment's operating companies in a taxable transaction. The second
purchaser in these circumstances would also, by operation of law, assume all of
LFC's corporate indebtedness and other obligations and liabilities. LFC was
aware that some purchasers might find these additional risks unacceptable. LFC
also understood that purchasers of the second segment would likely lower their
purchase price to reflect lower tax benefits and might lower their purchase
price to reflect the additional risk. In addition, LFC noted that the
transaction with the second purchaser under that structure could not be
completed until and unless the first sale was completed and the other segment
was sold by LFC.
Liberty Mutual advised LFC that, based on the preliminary bids received and
the taxes that would be paid by Liberty Mutual if it were to sell its LFC stock
in a merger with a third party, Liberty Mutual might prefer a structure in which
the two segments were sold separately in taxable transactions (whether to a
single purchaser or two unrelated purchasers) and the public stockholders
thereafter would receive cash for their shares in a going private transaction,
over a structure in which all of LFC was sold to a single purchaser or one in
which the one segment was sold to one buyer in a taxable transaction and the
remaining segment was then sold to a different buyer by means of a merger with
LFC.
9
<Page>
LFC and Liberty Mutual discussed the fact that selling the two segments
through separate sales of the subsidiaries of each business segment in taxable
transactions (as compared with selling one segment through a sale of
subsidiaries in a taxable transaction and the second segment through a merger
with LFC) would permit the second purchaser to obtain greater tax benefits, and
therefore greater value, but would also require LFC to pay a corporate level tax
on each of the two segment sales, which would reduce the amount available for
distribution to its stockholders. It was not known how much, if any, of the
increased value realized by the second purchaser would be reflected in the
purchase price, or whether it would be sufficient to offset the increased
corporate level tax. From Liberty Mutual's standpoint, however, the sale of the
two segments separately in taxable transactions followed by a cash out of the
public stockholders in a going private transaction would likely be preferable
because Liberty Mutual would not be selling its shares or otherwise liquidating
its LFC holdings in the going private transaction, and therefore would not be
taxed at that time. LFC, however, continued to pursue all of its available
alternatives, including a sale of all of LFC through a merger and a sale of the
separate business segments with the second purchaser acquiring the remainder of
LFC, after the first sale, in a merger, which would avoid a corporate level tax
on the second segment transaction.
LFC realized that if there were no satisfactory bids for the whole company
and the segments were sold separately, at least one transaction, the first to
close, would result in a taxable gain to LFC. LFC determined that, based on the
preliminary bids and LFC's tax basis in its two segments, the likely gain on the
sale of the asset management business would be less than that on the sale of the
annuity business and, therefore, result in less taxable income for which LFC
would be responsible. Accordingly, LFC decided to ask asset management bidders
to bid only on the basis of a sale of the asset management subsidiaries and to
ask annuity bidders to bid to acquire the annuity segment both through the
purchase of the annuity subsidiaries and through a merger with LFC after giving
effect to the asset management sale.
Also during this period, LFC and its counsel prepared, with input from
Credit Suisse First Boston and Liberty Mutual and its counsel, forms of
agreements to be delivered to bidders with respect to the following:
- an acquisition of all of LFC through a merger;
- an acquisition of LFC's asset management segment through the purchase of
the stock of the subsidiaries engaged in that business in a taxable
transaction;
- an acquisition of LFC's annuity segment through the purchase of the stock
of the subsidiaries engaged in that business in a taxable transaction; and
- a merger agreement for the acquisition of LFC by the purchaser interested
in the annuity segment after giving effect to the prior sale of the asset
management segment.
On February 23, 2001, Credit Suisse First Boston sent to each of the seven
remaining bidders a letter requesting the submission of definitive acquisition
proposals by March 12, 2001. All bidders were advised that the consideration
could be in cash, cash in combination with stock or all stock. Bidders for the
annuity segment were requested to submit bids in two forms, as described above.
Segment bidders were advised to assume that their purchase would close
substantially contemporaneously with the closing of the sale of the other
segment to a third party. Under separate cover, LFC's counsel delivered to each
bidder the appropriate proposed form(s) of agreement. Credit Suisse First Boston
asked that each bidder return with its bid the applicable purchase or merger
agreement or agreements marked to show any changes requested by the bidder.
After distribution of the letters requesting final bids and prior to March 12,
2001, Credit Suisse First Boston had discussions with a number of the bidders to
clarify certain issues and to respond to additional questions about LFC and
possible deal structures. During that period, a number of the bidders returned
to the data room to conduct additional due diligence.
10
<Page>
In mid-February, an entity that had not previously made a bid contacted
Credit Suisse First Boston to discuss a possible offer for LFC's asset
management segment. On February 16, this entity executed a confidentiality
agreement and received a copy of the confidential offering memorandum and other
information about LFC. The entity subsequently did not make a bid.
In late February, one of the three bidders for the whole company notified
Credit Suisse First Boston that, upon further analysis, it could not support the
purchase price it had included in its preliminary bid and, as a result, would
not submit a definitive bid. At that point, only two possible bidders remained
with respect to the whole company.
In early March, another entity that had previously received the confidential
offering memorandum but had not made a preliminary bid contacted Credit Suisse
First Boston to discuss the possibility of making a bid. The entity subsequently
did not make a bid.
Also in early March, Fleet's representatives contacted Credit Suisse First
Boston to express an interest in the asset management business. Fleet, however,
did not make a bid at that time.
On March 12, 2001, the date on which the definitive bids were due, the two
remaining potential bidders for the whole company announced that they had
entered into a definitive agreement to merge with each other and were no longer
in a position to purchase LFC. As a result, LFC received no definitive bids for
the company as a whole.
LFC received offers from each of the two potential bidders for the asset
management segment and each of the two potential bidders for the annuity
segment. The first bidder for the asset management segment offered to pay
$1.1 billion and assume indebtedness of the asset management segment of
approximately $110 million. The second bidder for the asset management segment
offered to pay an amount below the low end of its preliminary range and assume
the same indebtedness, subject to further due diligence and various other
significant conditions that failed to comply with the bidding instructions.
The first bidder for the annuity segment, Sun Life, offered $1.65 billion to
purchase the annuity subsidiaries in a taxable transaction and $1.078 billion
(plus the net proceeds of the asset management sale) to acquire the annuity
segment through a merger with LFC after giving effect to the prior asset
management sale. The second bidder offered $1.7 billion to purchase the annuity
subsidiaries in a taxable transaction but did not make an offer to acquire LFC
through a merger after giving effect to the asset management sale. The second
bidder declined Credit Suisse First Boston's further invitation to make a bid on
LFC through a merger after giving effect to the asset management sale,
expressing concerns over the increased liabilities that it would be required to
assume and the complexity of conducting due diligence and documenting a deal of
that structure.
Upon receipt of the definitive bids, LFC, with input from its advisors and
Liberty Mutual and its advisors, began considering the bids. LFC's management
had anticipated competitive whole company bids from at least two potential
purchasers of LFC. LFC needed to decide whether, in the absence of any
definitive bids for the whole company, it was in the best interests of the LFC
stockholders to sell the two segments in separate transactions. LFC, in
consultation with its advisors and Liberty Mutual and its advisors, evaluated
the possibility of restarting the bidding process to attempt to get a bid on the
whole company. LFC and its advisors also discussed the possibility of
terminating the strategic review and sale process and remaining as an
independent company and perhaps beginning the sale process again in the future.
LFC and its advisors also considered the possibility of selling the asset
management segment but continuing to own and operate the annuity segment.
After March 12, 2001, when LFC received definitive bids for the segments but
none for the company as a whole, LFC determined it would need a method by which
to distribute to LFC's public stockholders their portion of the net proceeds
from the sale of the two segments. LFC concluded that one such method would
involve a "going private" merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual. Accordingly, LFC and its counsel drafted and presented to Liberty Mutual
a form of merger
11
<Page>
agreement pursuant to which LFC would merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of
Liberty Mutual after the closing of the segment sales, the unaffiliated
stockholders would receive a portion of the cash proceeds from those sales in
exchange for their shares of LFC common stock, and LFC would become a wholly
owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, with Liberty Mutual retaining the remainder
of the cash proceeds. LFC believed that the merger would result in Liberty
Mutual owing no tax at that time, which might permit Liberty Mutual to agree to
provide merger consideration to LFC's unaffiliated stockholders in an amount
greater than that which the unaffiliated stockholders would otherwise receive in
a dividend or other pro rata distribution of the net, after tax proceeds from
the sale of the two segments.
On March 14, 2001, the board of directors of LFC met and discussed the
definitive bids that had been received, the advisability of separate segment
sales and other possible courses of action. The board directed management to
continue to evaluate the bids that were received and all available alternatives.
After considering the nature and results of the bidding process, LFC decided
that prolonging the bidding process further or deciding not to proceed with any
transaction would be likely to significantly disrupt LFC's businesses and
employee, distribution and other relationships and that it was in the best
interest of LFC's stockholders to proceed with a possible sale of each segment.
By then, LFC had been reviewing its strategic alternatives for over four months.
LFC believed that LFC's employees and stockholders and the parties with which
LFC had distribution and other relationships were expecting a sale of LFC. LFC
further believed that if a termination or material delay of the review of
strategic alternatives were announced a substantial number of employees would
soon leave LFC, that LFC would still have the obligation to pay bonuses under
the retention plans to employees who remained employed until at least
November 1, 2001, that the trading price of LFC's common stock would decrease
substantially, and that LFC might have difficulty retaining all of its
distribution and other relationships because LFC believed that the companies
with which it had such relationships expected that a sale was necessary to
address LFC's lack of scale, market position, access to capital and similar
business needs. For those reasons, LFC believed it was even less likely at this
point than when the review of strategic alternatives began that it could
successfully implement its business strategy and thereby achieve a higher market
value for LFC's common stock.
Credit Suisse First Boston then continued discussions with each of the
annuity segment bidders and with the bidder with the higher of the two bids for
the asset management segment. LFC decided not to pursue negotiations with the
lower bidder for the asset management segment based on the low level of the bid
and the other significant conditions attached to the bid. Credit Suisse First
Boston encouraged each of the three remaining bidders (two for the annuity
segment and one for the asset management segment) to increase its offer and set
March 23, 2001 as the date on which final bids would be due.
On March 19, 2001, Credit Suisse First Boston received a call from the
investment banker for one of the entities that had submitted a preliminary bid
but not a final bid. This inquiry did not lead to any renewed interest by this
party.
On March 20, 2001, Sun Life indicated orally a willingness to increase its
bid to $1.7 billion.
On March 23, 2001, LFC received final bids from each of the three bidders.
The bidder for the asset management segment offered the same amount as its
previous bid, $1.1 billion. This bid was subject to adjustment for changes in
tangible net worth and changes in assets under management other than those
resulting from market increases or decreases. Sun Life increased its bid for the
annuity segment by $5 million to $1.705 billion and increased its bid for all of
the stock of LFC after giving effect to the asset management sales by
$5 million to $1.128 billion (plus the net proceeds of the asset management
sale). The other annuity segment bidder decreased its bid.
Between March 14 and March 27, representatives of LFC and Liberty Mutual
held a number of discussions about how to determine the per share amount to be
distributed to LFC's public
12
<Page>
stockholders in the event of two separate segment sales in taxable transactions.
Several approaches were discussed. One approach would be to give the public
stockholders their pro rata share of the proceeds from the sales, after
appropriate reduction for LFC's expenses and liabilities and treatment of
employee stock options. A second approach, suggested by representatives of LFC,
would be to give the public stockholders an amount, more than their pro rata
share, based on an estimate of what the public stockholders would have received
if the transactions had been structured as a sale of the asset management
subsidiaries followed by an acquisition of LFC by the annuity purchaser through
a merger. The second approach was considered because Sun Life had made a bid for
all of LFC after giving effect to the sale of the asset management segment, and
it was recognized that the two segment sale structure had certain tax advantages
for Liberty Mutual, but was less advantageous to the public stockholders than
the alternate structure because LFC would pay a corporate level tax on both
transactions not just the first transaction. LFC believed it important to ensure
that the public stockholders were not disadvantaged by pursuing one structure
over an available alternative. On March 27, 2001, Liberty Mutual agreed that,
under the two segment sale structure with Sun Life and the final asset
management bidder, the going private merger consideration to the public
stockholders should be an amount that would make them financially indifferent to
the structure--that is, to pay to the public stockholders the same amount per
share that they would have received if the acquisition of the annuity segment
had been structured as an acquisition of LFC by Sun Life through a merger after
giving effect to the asset management sale, rather than as a sale of annuity
subsidiaries in a taxable transaction. Specifically, the price per share would
be equal to the following:
- after tax proceeds of the asset management sale, plus
- the price which Sun Life had indicated it would pay to acquire LFC through
a merger, exclusive of the net proceeds of the asset management sale,
minus
- the net after tax adjustments with respect to cancellation of outstanding
employee stock options and net transaction costs. See "THE GOING PRIVATE
TRANSACTION--THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conversion of Common Stock; Merger
Consideration" for a detailed discussion of these adjustments.
At that time, based on the high bid for the asset management business and
assuming no purchase price adjustments, Sun Life's bid for the remainder of LFC,
and various earnings, tax and other estimates, it was estimated the pro rata
amount for the public stockholders would have been approximately $35.99 per
share and the amount determined under the second approach would have been
approximately $39.84 per share.
On March 23, LFC's management and advisors had separate telephonic
conferences with each of the asset management bidder and Sun Life, the annuity
bidder, to discuss each bidder's initial comments on the form of purchase
agreement. Each bidder had provided LFC with comments on the proposed forms of
stock purchase agreements and related agreements. Following those calls, Credit
Suisse First Boston notified each of the asset management bidder and Sun Life
that LFC wished to proceed with it toward negotiation of a definitive agreement
to sell the respective segments. At Sun Life's request, on March 23, 2001, LFC
and Sun Life entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which LFC granted Sun
Life exclusivity with respect to the annuity segment until April 6, 2001. The
parties then began the process of negotiating the terms of the agreements.
The board of directors of LFC met on March 27, 2001. The board was advised
of the progress of the sales process and, in particular, the details of the
final bids that LFC had received on March 23 and the principal business terms of
the proposed agreements. Credit Suisse First Boston discussed with the board the
financial aspects of the two segment sales and the proposed going private
transaction with Liberty Mutual. The board discussed the proposed terms of the
merger agreement pursuant to which LFC would be taken private by Liberty Mutual
and the proposal for Liberty Mutual to pay to the public stockholders more than
their pro rata share of the sales proceeds, in order to make them financially
indifferent as between the sale of the annuity subsidiaries in a taxable
transaction and a sale
13
<Page>
of LFC through a merger after giving effect to the asset management sale. After
a discussion and a consideration of possible alternative strategies, including
selling the asset management segment but not the annuity segment or taking LFC
off of the market and remaining an independent company, the board authorized LFC
to continue to negotiate the proposed transactions on the terms discussed. The
board considered the same factors it had considered at its March 14, 2001
meeting in reaching its decision to continue.
Following the March 27, 2001 board meeting, LFC and its advisors continued
to negotiate the proposed transactions. On April 2, 2001, at Sun Life's request,
LFC agreed to extend the period of exclusivity for Sun Life with respect to the
annuity segment until April 13, 2001. In early April, the asset management
bidder informed LFC that it would not be able to present its proposed purchase
to its board of directors until the end of April. On April 10, 2001, LFC agreed
to extend Sun Life's exclusivity period until April 27, 2001.
On April 10, 2001, the board of directors of LFC met and discussed the
proposed transactions. The LFC board was advised by LFC's management of the
anticipated timetable for the three proposed transactions: the sale of the
annuity business to Sun Life, the sale of the asset management business to the
asset management bidder and the proposed going private transaction with Liberty
Mutual. LFC's senior management also discussed with the board the terms of the
proposed transactions and responded to questions. Sun Life had indicated in
negotiations that its preferred structure was to purchase the annuity
subsidiaries in a taxable transaction. As indicated above, Sun Life proposed a
purchase price of $1.705 billion, while the asset management buyer proposed a
price of $1.1 billion (plus the assumption of $110 million in debt of the asset
management segment), subject to adjustment. Credit Suisse First Boston provided
the LFC board with a detailed financial analysis of the transactions. Credit
Suisse First Boston advised the board that LFC's actual year-to-date performance
on the asset management segment was below management's original plan due to
market conditions and other factors. Credit Suisse First Boston and LFC's
management described the proposed terms of the going private merger transaction
with Liberty Mutual.
Credit Suisse First Boston reviewed the proposed consideration to be paid to
public stockholders in the merger. Credit Suisse First Boston indicated that the
estimated per share consideration payable to the public stockholders, using the
method previously proposed to the board, would be $39.84, subject to adjustment.
By way of comparison, a pro rata share of the net proceeds of the two segment
sales was estimated to be $35.65 per share. The primary reason for the
difference was the substantial corporate level tax that would be triggered in a
sale of the annuity segment subsidiaries, but would not be triggered on a sale
of the annuity segment through a merger of LFC.
Edmund F. Kelly, the chairman of LFC's board and also the chairman of the
board and chief executive officer of Liberty Mutual, indicated that Liberty
Mutual proposed to pay to the public stockholders the same price they would have
received if the transactions were structured as a sale of the asset management
segment followed by an acquisition of all of LFC by Sun Life, or $39.84, subject
to adjustment. Credit Suisse First Boston advised the board that, subject to
reviewing the terms of the definitive agreements and other customary
qualifications, it believed that it would be in a position to deliver its
written opinions to the board that each of the segment sales was fair to LFC
from a financial point of view and the going private transaction with Liberty
Mutual was fair from a financial point of view to LFC's stockholders other than
Liberty Mutual and its affiliates. After discussion, LFC's management requested
authorization to proceed with the three proposed transactions on the terms
discussed, with the understanding that the documentation had not been finalized
and the board would be reconvened if any material changes to the terms arose.
LFC's board then unanimously approved the three transactions.
On April 17, 2001, representatives of Sun Life and LFC met in Boston to
continue negotiating the stock purchase agreement with respect to the annuity
segment and the related agreements. On April 18
14
<Page>
and 19, representatives of LFC and its advisors had telephonic conferences with
the asset management bidder to negotiate the purchase agreement for the asset
management segment.
On April 20, 2001, the asset management bidder informed LFC that, because of
factors unrelated to LFC's asset management business, it would not be able to
proceed with the purchase of the asset management segment at that time. The
bidder indicated that it might be willing to consider the purchase later in the
year, although it could not commit to any time frame for making this decision.
LFC then contacted Sun Life and advised it of this development.
Sun Life advised LFC it wished to proceed with the purchase of the annuity
segment. Until this time, LFC had insisted that the two segment sales be signed
and announced simultaneously, and that each segment sale be conditioned on the
simultaneous closing of the other. This requirement had been one of the major
issues for each of the segment bidders in negotiations; that is, neither bidder
wanted its transaction subject to the risk that the other sale might not close.
LFC's management conferred with its advisors and Liberty Mutual to discuss
whether to proceed with the Sun Life transaction in the absence of a concurrent
sale of the asset management segment. The group again considered the nature and
results of the bidding process, including the fact that:
- there were no final bids for the whole company,
- Sun Life's bid exceeded the other final bid for the annuity segment by a
significant amount, and
- the only other final bid for the asset management segment was
significantly less than the bid which LFC had pursued, and that bid was
subject to significant conditions.
The group also considered the risks that prolonging the negotiation process
further or deciding not to proceed with any transaction could significantly
disrupt LFC's businesses, employees, distribution and other relationships. LFC's
management, with Liberty Mutual's concurrence, determined that it was in the
best interests of LFC's stockholders to proceed with the sale of the annuity
segment to Sun Life even if LFC did not have a buyer for the asset management
segment. In rendering its decision, LFC's management considered various factors,
including the factors that the LFC board had considered at its March 14 and
March 27 meetings. LFC also discussed with Credit Suisse First Boston and
Liberty Mutual the appropriate process for seeking new bids on the asset
management business.
During the latter part of April 2001, at the request of LFC, Credit Suisse
First Boston contacted two potential bidders for the asset management business,
including Fleet, and encouraged them to place bids. Mr. Countryman then had a
conversation with Charles K. Gifford, the president of Fleet, about Fleet's
interest in pursuing a possible transaction.
For the next several days, representatives of LFC and Sun Life continued to
negotiate the Sun Life purchase agreement (attached to this proxy statement as
Appendix A-1). During that period, the parties also negotiated the other related
agreements.
Concurrently, Liberty Mutual participated in negotiations with Sun Life
concerning various requests of Sun Life. Those negotiations resulted in (a) an
agreement by Liberty Mutual to vote in favor of the Sun Life transaction (see
"SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun Life Voting Agreement"), (b) an
agreement by Liberty Mutual to indemnify Sun Life for certain tax-related
matters (see "SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun Life/Liberty Mutual
Letter Agreement"), (c) a license to Sun Life of the right to use for certain
limited purposes the "Liberty" name and mark and other marks and names
associated with LFC's annuity business for one year after the closing (see "SUN
LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun Life License Agreement"), (d) a guaranty
by Liberty Mutual of certain obligations of a Liberty Mutual affiliate to
Keyport under certain annuity contracts (See "SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Liberty Mutual Guaranty"), and (e) amendments to
the certain agreements between a Liberty Mutual subsidiary and Keyport relating
to administrative services, reinsurance obligations and related servicing (see
"SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Keyport Agreements").
15
<Page>
On May 2, 2001, the LFC board met to consider the status of the sale process
and the Sun Life transaction. LFC's management and Credit Suisse First Boston
discussed with the board the decision of the final bidder for the asset
management business not to proceed. Credit Suisse First Boston summarized the
status of its efforts to seek additional bidders for that segment. LFC's
management discussed the issue of selling the annuity segment without having a
buyer for the asset management segment. Credit Suisse First Boston provided a
presentation to the board with respect to the proposed transaction with Sun
Life. LFC's management discussed with the board the major terms of the proposed
agreements with Sun Life. Credit Suisse First Boston rendered to the LFC board
its oral opinion, which opinion was confirmed by the delivery of a written
opinion dated May 2, 2001, that, as of that date and based upon and subject to
the matters described in the opinion, the consideration provided for in the Sun
Life transaction was fair from a financial point of a view to LFC. See "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor." After
discussion, the board of directors of LFC approved the Sun Life transaction. In
deliberating with respect to the Sun Life transaction, the board asked questions
of Credit Suisse First Boston about the facts underlying and conclusions
contained in their opinion. In deciding to approve the Sun Life transaction in
the absence of a buyer for the asset management segment, the board considered,
among other factors, that the annuity segment price was fair, that there was a
risk of losing the Sun Life transaction or having the purchase price reduced if
the transaction was delayed until a deal for the asset management segment was
available, that the Sun Life purchase agreement contained a provision allowing
the board to terminate the agreement if necessary in connection with its
fiduciary duties, that there was interest from other parties in the asset
management segment, that the stock price of LFC would be adversely affected if
LFC were taken off the market, and that the retention plan that LFC had
instituted to retain employees during the strategic review could result in an
aggregate maximum cost of $165 million even if no transaction took place, and
that similar amounts might be incurred in the future if the transactions were
deferred beyond the time period contemplated by the retention plan.
Later on May 2, 2001, the Sun Life purchase agreement and related documents
were executed. Prior to the opening of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on May 3, Sun Life and LFC each issued a press release publicly
announcing the execution of the Sun Life purchase agreement. The material
subsidiaries to be sold to Sun Life pursuant to the Sun Life purchase agreement
are set forth in the section entitled "SUMMARY TERM SHEET--THE SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION."
Following the execution of the Sun Life purchase agreement, LFC directed
Credit Suisse First Boston to continue to solicit potential bidders for the
asset management business but did not receive strong interest, other than from
Fleet. On May 4, 2001, at LFC's request, Credit Suisse First Boston and Fleet
discussed the terms of a proposed transaction. Shortly thereafter, the chief
executive officer of Fleet, Terrence Murray, called Edmund F. Kelly, the chief
executive officer of Liberty Mutual and the chairman of LFC, to advise him that
Fleet was strongly considering making a bid. Gary Countryman received a similar
call from Mr. Gifford, the president of Fleet. On May 7, Mr. Gifford called
Mr. Countryman again to inform him that Fleet was willing to bid between
$925 million and $975 million for LFC's asset management business, subject to
due diligence. Mr. Countryman subsequently called Mr. Gifford to indicate that
LFC was willing to proceed toward an agreement with Fleet if Fleet could offer
$975 million and would agree to the major points that would be set forth in a
draft purchase agreement to be furnished to Fleet by LFC's counsel.
On May 11, 2001, LFC's counsel delivered to Fleet a proposed form of stock
purchase agreement and related documents. The stock purchase agreement was based
on the form of agreement entered into with Sun Life and the form that had been
negotiated with the previous potential purchaser of the asset management segment
prior to that purchaser's decision to drop out of the process. On May 15, 2001,
Fleet notified LFC of its major comments on the draft agreement. Later that day,
LFC requested that Fleet submit a bid letter. Fleet submitted such a letter on
May 15, 2001. Also on that date, Mr. Gifford called Mr. Countryman and indicated
that Fleet was willing to pay $975 million to purchase the asset management
business and that the major points on the draft purchase agreement
16
<Page>
were acceptable. On May 15, 2001, LFC granted Fleet exclusivity with respect to
the asset management segment until May 25, 2001.
On May 24, 2001, Credit Suisse First Boston asked Fleet to submit a bid to
acquire the asset management segment through a merger with LFC after giving
effect to the prior sale of the annuity segment, in addition to Fleet's bid to
purchase the asset management subsidiaries directly in a taxable transaction.
Goldman Sachs, Fleet's investment banker, subsequently indicated to Credit
Suisse First Boston that Fleet was not interested in acquiring the asset
management segment through a merger with LFC, and declined to offer a bid for
such a transaction.
For approximately the next three weeks, representatives of LFC and Fleet
negotiated the Fleet purchase agreement (attached to this proxy statement as
Appendix B-1) and related agreements. Commencing on May 16, 2001, Fleet
conducted its due diligence review of LFC.
Concurrently, Liberty Mutual participated in negotiations with Fleet
concerning various requests of Fleet. Those negotiations resulted in (a) an
agreement by Liberty Mutual to vote in favor of the Fleet transaction (see
"FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Voting Agreement"), (b) an agreement
by Liberty Mutual to indemnify Fleet for certain tax related matters (see "FLEET
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--the Fleet/Liberty Mutual Letter Agreement" and (c) a
license agreement with respect to the Liberty name (see "FLEET
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet License Agreement.") These agreements were
based on the forms used in the Sun Life transaction.
During the week of May 28, 2001, Fleet informed LFC that, after further due
diligence, Fleet was having difficulty in justifying its original offer of
$975 million. On May 30, at a meeting between senior management of Fleet and
LFC, Fleet informed LFC that it was revising its offer downward to $850 million
and made a presentation to LFC's management to support the revised price. In
addition, Fleet requested that the royalty-free license for the "Liberty" name
and mark be perpetual, and that Liberty Mutual provide additional guarantees of
LFC obligations beyond taxes. After meeting with its advisors and Liberty
Mutual, LFC responded that $850 million was too low and that Fleet would need to
raise its offer to at least $900 million and agree to the stock purchase
agreement substantially in form LFC had last delivered to Fleet. LFC offered a
three-year license of the Liberty name and marks but indicated that it had been
advised that Liberty Mutual was not willing to expand the scope of the
guarantees it would provide to Fleet beyond those originally proposed. Fleet
agreed to these terms, subject to a request that the license be perpetual. LFC
and Liberty Mutual agreed to this request, and the parties continued to proceed
with the transaction as so revised.
At or about this time, there were reports in the press that LFC was in
negotiations with Fleet to purchase the asset management segment. On June 2,
2001, Credit Suisse First Boston was approached by a bank indicating that it
believed that it could offer a higher purchase price for LFC's asset management
segment than that which the bank believed Fleet was offering. The bank had not
contacted Credit Suisse First Boston or LFC prior to June 2, 2001 and had never
been part of the sale process. Credit Suisse First Boston advised LFC of the
conversation. Based on a variety of factors, including the relatively small size
of the prospective bidder, the fact that it had not reviewed LFC's offering
memorandum, conducted any due diligence or met with LFC management, the advanced
stage of the negotiations with Fleet and LFC's assurance to Fleet that it was
not shopping the asset management segment while negotiations were being
finalized (even though the May 15, 2001 exclusivity agreement had expired on
May 25, 2001 and had not formally been extended), LFC decided not to pursue
further conversation with this bank. LFC believed that discussions with this
prospective bidder were not likely in the end to result in a bid more favorable
than Fleet's. Further, LFC believed that engaging in discussions with this
bidder would merely delay the signing of the Fleet purchase agreement and could
jeopordize the Fleet transaction.
17
<Page>
During the period following the execution of the Sun Life transaction
agreements and Fleet's emergence as a likely serious candidate to acquire the
asset management segment, representatives of LFC and Liberty Mutual discussed
the appropriate method for determining what the public stockholders should be
paid in a going private transaction. When the issue was originally discussed
tentatively and resolved in March 2001, it had been in the context of the
simultaneous negotiations of the two segment sales and Sun Life's separate bid
to acquire all of LFC in a merger following the asset management segment sale.
At that time, it had been determined to pay the public stockholders as if LFC
had first sold the asset management segment, and then Sun Life had acquired LFC
through a merger. However, since then the initial asset management purchaser had
abandoned its bid and LFC had entered into a definitive agreement with Sun Life
for the sale of the annuity segment, which was not conditioned on a sale of the
other segment. Accordingly, a whole company transaction with Sun Life after the
sale of the asset management segment was no longer possible. In addition, Fleet
had not submitted a bid for the purchase of LFC (after the sale of the annuity
segment). Under the circumstances, a potential approach for determining the
merger consideration would be to pay stockholders their pro-rata share of the
net after tax proceeds of the Sun Life and Fleet transactions, after making
appropriate adjustments for transaction costs, satisfaction of employee options
and satisfaction of LFC's corporate liabilities. Among other things, a full
sales process had taken place, the segments were being sold to third parties in
arm's-length transactions and there were no available whole company bids. Also,
as part of the Sun Life and Fleet transactions, Liberty Mutual had been required
to enter into agreements and undertake obligations not required of other
stockholders for no additional consideration.
Liberty Mutual and LFC believed that the pro rata approach would be fair. In
that regard, Credit Suisse First Boston had advised LFC that, subject to
reviewing the terms of the definitive agreement and other customary
qualifications, it believed it would be in a position to render an opinion to
LFC's board, subject to customary matters, that the consideration to be received
by the public stockholders if the pro rata approach were used would be fair to
the public stockholders from a financial point of view. However, Liberty Mutual,
LFC and Credit Suisse First Boston also believed it was appropriate to consider
increasing the amount payable to the public stockholders in recognition of,
among other things, the tax consequences of the proposed structure for the
public stockholders and for Liberty Mutual, and the desire to make sure that the
public stockholders were treated fairly. However, even if it were determined
that the appropriate result was to pay more to the public stockholders, the
parties agreed that there was no single approach for determining what that
additional amount should be. Rationales were discussed for amounts both greater
than and less than $33.44 per share. Discussions on this issue continued during
the period leading up to the June 4, 2001 meeting of LFC's directors described
below.
On June 4, 2001, the board of directors of LFC met to consider the Fleet
transaction and a proposed merger agreement pursuant to which LFC would be taken
private and the public stockholders would receive cash. Notes payable from LFC
to Liberty Mutual and its affiliates in an aggregate principal amount of
$200 million are prepayable upon a change of control of LFC and would be repaid
in connection with the merger. At the meeting, Credit Suisse First Boston made a
presentation to the board with respect to the Fleet transaction and the merger.
See "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor." In
providing its analysis of the fairness of the consideration to be paid in the
Fleet transaction, Credit Suisse First Boston noted that the decline in the
valuation of the asset management segment was due, in part, to a reduction in
the segment's assets under management in the fourth quarter of 2000 and the
first quarter of 2001 due to market declines. Credit Suisse First Boston and
LFC's management summarized the material negotiations on the Fleet transaction
and discussed the terms of the Fleet transaction, including that Fleet would
assume the liability for LFC's deferred sales load credit facility in the amount
of approximately $110 million and LFC's obligation to pay potential purchase
price "earnout" obligations under prior acquisitions. Credit Suisse First Boston
reviewed its analyses for the board and responded to questions. Credit Suisse
First Boston also reviewed the tax treatment of the transaction. Credit Suisse
First Boston rendered to the
18
<Page>
LFC board its oral opinion, which opinion was confirmed by the delivery of a
written opinion dated June 4, 2001, that, as of that date and subject to the
matters described in the opinion, the consideration provided for in the Fleet
transaction was fair, from a financial point of view, to LFC.
During the discussion of the Fleet transaction and Credit Suisse First
Boston's presentation, three of LFC's directors, Messrs. Connell and May and
Ms. Heard, were not present because they were also members of the board of
directors of Fleet's parent. Mr. Countryman, who is also a member of the board
of Fleet's parent, was present for the discussion and advised the board of his
role in negotiating the transaction as LFC's chief executive officer.
Mr. Countryman then left the meeting. After further discussion, the seven
remaining members of LFC's board unanimously approved the Fleet transaction. In
deliberating over approval of the transaction, the board asked questions of
Credit Suisse First Boston about the facts underlying and the conclusions
contained in its opinion.
After approval of the Fleet transaction, the four members of LFC's board who
had abstained from the vote returned to the meeting. The board then discussed
the proposed terms of the going private transaction with Liberty Mutual.
Specifically, it was proposed that LFC's public stockholders would receive an
amount equal to $33.44 per share, subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances. See "THE GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Conversion of Common Stock; Merger Consideration." Mr. Kelly advised
the board that this figure was based on an estimate of what the public
stockholders might have received if the Fleet transaction had been structured as
a purchase of LFC through a merger (after the completion of the Sun Life
transaction). This was a theoretical calculation, since Fleet had not submitted
a bid on that basis. Mr. Kelly advised that $33.44 represented a premium to the
public stockholders over the amount that would be paid to them if the after tax
net proceeds of the two segment sales, after payment of transaction expenses,
allowance for corporate debt and other liabilities and stock option expenses,
were distributed to the stockholders on a ratable basis. A detailed description
of the estimated taxes, transaction expenses, corporate debt and other
liabilities and stock option expenses as well as the mechanism for adjusting the
merger consideration with respect to those items, is set forth under "THE GOING
PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conversion of Common Stock; Merger
Consideration." Such a ratable basis would result in an estimated per share
price to the public of $32.17.
Credit Suisse First Boston then reviewed with the board the calculation of
the payment to the public stockholders. The calculation was based on information
provided by LFC's management and included the estimated present value to Fleet
of the future tax benefits Fleet would receive in a segment purchase transaction
that it would not receive in a merger transaction. This information was used to
estimate the net proceeds to the public stockholders if the transaction were to
be restructured as a merger with LFC after the annuity segment sale to Sun Life,
although Fleet made no such proposal. The estimated value of that theoretical
merger transaction--that is, the amount Fleet may have been willing to
pay--should have been lower because of the absence of tax benefits available to
Fleet in such a merger transaction. At the same time, LFC would not have been
required to pay a corporate level tax on the asset management segment in such a
theoretical merger transaction. In other words, assuming that Fleet would have
only considered the tax factors in calculating the consideration for such a
theoretical merger transaction, the "cost" of the segment sale in the form of
the corporate level tax, estimated to be approximately $141 million, was
partially offset by the estimated present value of the tax benefits of this
structure to Fleet, estimated to be approximately $79 million. The net effect of
these two adjustments would be to increase from $32.17 to $33.44 the per share
amount for each public stockholder.
After discussion, the board unanimously approved the merger agreement with
Liberty Mutual and LFC Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Liberty Mutual, and the going private transaction. See "FLEET
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Purchase Agreement--Tax Treatment of Sale."
19
<Page>
On June 4, 2001, the Fleet purchase agreement and the merger agreement
(attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B-1 and C, respectively) were
executed. The material subsidiaries to be sold to Fleet pursuant to the Fleet
purchase agreement are set forth under the section entitled "SUMMARY TERM
SHEET--THE FLEET TRANSACTION." Following the LFC board meeting on June 4, Fleet
and LFC each issued a press release publicly announcing the execution of the
Fleet purchase agreement and related agreements and, in LFC's case, announcing
the going private transaction with Liberty Mutual.
On July 13, 2001, LFC, LFS and Sun Life amended the Sun Life purchase
agreement to provide that Sun Life will have an additional 30 calendar days
after the fulfillment of the conditions to closing to raise funds to complete
the closing.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In arriving at its recommendation and determination that the each of the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger is fair to, and in the
best interests of, LFC and its stockholders, the board of directors carefully
considered the terms of each of the Sun Life purchase agreement, the Fleet
purchase agreement and the merger agreement. As part of this process the board
reviewed presentations from and had discussions with senior management and, with
the advice and assistance of its financial and legal advisors, considered the
terms of the transaction agreements and the fairness of each transaction to LFC
and its stockholders. The board also noted that each of Choate, Hall & Stewart
and Credit Suisse First Boston performs services for Liberty Mutual on unrelated
matters. In determining to recommend approval of the transactions and in
determining the fairness of each of the transactions to LFC and its
stockholders, the directors considered numerous factors, both positive and
negative.
LFC's board considered many factors in reaching its decision to proceed with
the Sun Life transaction and Fleet transaction. Those factors included, among
others, the following:
FACTORS IN FAVOR OF THE SUN LIFE TRANSACTION AND THE FLEET TRANSACTION:
GENERAL FACTORS:
- the fact that LFC conducted a full auction process beginning in
November 2000;
- the nature and results of the auction process, of which LFC's board was
fully apprised throughout, and which are described in detail under the
heading "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Background of the
Transactions;"
- the fact that there was no offer for LFC as a whole;
- the positive feedback from analysts and institutional public stockholders
of LFC, regarding a sale of LFC, after the public announcement of LFC's
review of strategic alternatives in November 2000;
- the lack of float and the limited trading market for LFC's common stock;
- the historical market prices of LFC's common stock and management's belief
that the market price of LFC common stock in the period prior to the
announcement of LFC's strategic review in November 2000 did not represent
the inherent value of LFC, including the fact that the average closing
price of LFC's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the 20
trading days prior to the November announcement was $24.35 per share;
- certain fundamental obstacles facing each of LFC's principal business
segments, including lack of scale, the likely need for substantial
additional capital, the need for additional management, and challenges in
integrating LFC's separate operating units;
- the risk that prolonging the bidding and negotiation process further or
declining to proceed with the transactions could significantly disrupt
LFC's business, employees, distribution and other relationships as
described under the heading "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--
Background of the Transactions";
20
<Page>
- the possible negative effect of not proceeding with the transactions on
LFC's relationships with the funds for which its subsidiaries are
investment advisors (and the stockholders of those funds), other clients
and employees;
- the risk that not proceeding with the transactions after engaging in the
auction process would likely cause a material decline in the prevailing
market price of LFC's common stock;
- the fact that Liberty Mutual supports the transactions and that, as a
practical matter, no other similar transactions would be possible without
the support of Liberty Mutual;
- trends affecting annuity companies, including market and economic
conditions, industry consolidation and the substantial capital
requirements for writing fixed and indexed annuities;
- trends affecting asset management companies, including market and economic
conditions, industry consolidation and compensation levels; and
- the effect of the transactions on LFC's relationships with the funds for
which its subsidiaries are investment advisors (and their stockholders),
other clients and employees.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
- the financial performance, condition, business operations and prospects of
LFC if it continued as an independent organization;
- the analyses and presentations of Credit Suisse First Boston regarding the
fairness of the consideration to be received in each of the segment
transactions, see "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Background of the
Transactions" and "--Opinions of the Financial Advisor";
- the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston that, based upon and subject to
the assumptions and limitations set forth therein, as of the date of the
opinion, the approximately $1.7 billion of cash consideration to be
received by LFC in the Sun Life transaction was fair to LFC from a
financial point of view, see "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions
of the Financial Advisor";
- the fact that the Sun Life bid was significantly higher than the next
highest bid to purchase the annuity subsidiaries;
- the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston that, based upon and subject to
the assumptions and limitations set forth therein, as of the date of the
opinion, the approximately $900 million in cash, subject to adjustment, to
be received by LFC in the Fleet transaction was fair to LFC from a
financial point of view, see "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions
of the Financial Advisor";
- the fact that LFC did not receive any offers to purchase the asset
management subsidiaries at a price equal to or higher than $900 million,
subject to adjustment, on the same or more favorable terms as the Fleet
purchase agreement; and
- the fact that the consideration to be paid in the transactions is cash,
eliminating any uncertainties in valuing the consideration to be received.
THE TERMS OF THE TRANSACTIONS:
- the terms and conditions of the Sun Life purchase agreement, including the
"fiduciary duty out" provisions that permit LFC to furnish information to
and participate in discussions with a third party that makes an
unsolicited qualified acquisition proposal for either the annuity segment
or LFC as a whole (as described in "SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The
Sun Life Purchase Agreement--Covenants of LFC and LFS") and to accept such
a qualified acquisition proposal subject to compliance with the agreement
and payment of a $85.1 million termination fee;
21
<Page>
- the terms and conditions of the Fleet purchase agreement, including the
"fiduciary duty out" provisions that permit LFC to furnish information to
and participate in discussions with a third party that has made an
unsolicited qualified acquisition proposal for either the asset management
segment or LFC as a whole (as described in "THE FLEET TRANSACTION--
AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Purchase Agreement--Covenants of LFC and LFS") and
to accept such a qualified acquisition proposal subject to compliance with
the agreement and payment of a $45 million termination fee;
- the likelihood that each of the transactions would be consummated,
including the fact that there are no unusual requirements or conditions to
the transactions;
- the fact that each of Sun Life and Fleet has the financial resources to
consummate the transactions expeditiously;
- the lack of any requirement for approval by the shareholders of Sun Life
or Fleet;
- the fact that Liberty Mutual executed agreements for the benefit of each
of Sun Life and Fleet as conditions to the Sun Life and Fleet transactions
for no additional consideration; and
- the fact that the financial and other terms of the Sun Life transaction
and the Fleet transaction were determined through lengthy negotiations
between Sun Life or Fleet, as the case may be, and LFC and its financial
and legal advisors.
FACTORS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE SUN LIFE TRANSACTION AND THE FLEET TRANSACTION:
- the potential conflicts of interest of certain of LFC's directors,
including the fact that all of the members of LFC's board of directors
also serve as directors of Liberty Mutual and the fact that, at the time
of the vote on the Fleet Transaction, four of the members of LFC's board
of directors, Messrs. Connell, May and Countryman and Ms. Heard, also
served on the board of directors of Fleet's parent corporation, as
described in this proxy statement under the heading "TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions and Potential
Conflicts of Interest";
- the potential conflicts of interest of certain of LFC's officers who will
receive payments and other benefits including payment for options and
accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock, under LFC's retention
plans as described under the heading "TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions and Potential
Conflicts of Interest"; and
- the fact that the $33.44 merger consideration, subject to adjustment, is a
lower per share value than the trading price of LFC common stock at times
following LFC's November 2000 announcement of its decision to explore
strategic alternatives and some of the historical trading prices of LFC
common stock.
The following are some of the important factors that the board considered
material with respect to the merger:
FACTORS IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER:
GENERAL FACTORS:
- the fact that Liberty Mutual supports the transaction and that, as a
practical matter, no other similar transaction would be possible without
the support of Liberty Mutual; and
- the fact that LFC needed a method by which to distribute the proceeds of
the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction, and the merger allowed
it to do so.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
- the fact that by using the merger structure, Liberty Mutual will owe no
tax at the time of the merger, which allowed Liberty Mutual to agree to
provide merger consideration to LFC's public
22
<Page>
stockholders in an amount greater than that which those stockholders would
otherwise receive in a dividend or other pro rata distribution or
liquidation of LFC;
- the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston that, based upon and subject to
the assumptions and limitations set forth therein, as of the date of such
opinion, the merger consideration of $33.44 in cash per share of LFC
common stock, subject to adjustment, to be received by the holders of LFC
common stock was fair to LFC's stockholders (other than Liberty Mutual and
its affiliates) from a financial point of view, see "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor";
- the fact that the merger consideration of $33.44 in cash per share of LFC
common stock, subject to adjustment, to be paid to the LFC stockholders
(other than Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries) will be at a substantial
premium over the pre-announcement trading price and the historical trading
prices of LFC common stock during the 24 months prior to LFC's
November 2000 announcement of its decision to explore strategic
alternatives; and
- the fact that the merger will provide liquidity to LFC's stockholders at a
fair value.
THE TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION:
- the terms of the merger agreement, including a provision pursuant to which
LFC may terminate the merger agreement if the LFC board withdraws or
changes its recommendation of the merger agreement, the Sun Life
transaction or the Fleet transaction or if the LFC board determines it
needs to terminate the merger agreement to comply with its fiduciary
duties under applicable law, and the absence of any termination fee
payable under the merger agreement if LFC's board exercises that provision
and the limited number of representations, warranties, covenants and
closing conditions; and
- the fact that the financial and other terms of the merger were determined
through negotiations between Liberty Mutual and its financial and legal
advisors and LFC and its financial and legal advisors.
FACTORS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER:
- the potential conflicts of interest of certain of LFC's directors
including the fact that all of the members of LFC's board of directors
also serve as directors of Liberty Mutual, as described in this proxy
statement under the heading "TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Interests of
Certain Persons in the Transaction and Potential Conflicts of Interest";
and
- the fact that the merger consideration of $33.44 in cash per share of LFC
common stock, subject to adjustment, to be paid to the LFC stockholders
(other than Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries and LFC stockholders who
validly perfect their statutory appraisal rights) will be lower than the
trading price of LFC common stock at times following LFC's November 2000
announcement of its decision to explore strategic alternatives and some of
the historical trading prices of LFC common stock.
POSITION OF LFC REGARDING THE FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTIONS
The members of the board evaluated the various factors considered in light
of their knowledge of LFC's business, financial condition and prospects, sought
and considered the advice of financial and legal advisors, and reviewed
presentations from and had discussions with senior management. In view of the
wide variety of factors considered in connection with their respective
evaluations of the transactions, the board of directors did not find it
practicable to, and accordingly, did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to
assign relative weights to the specific factors they considered in reaching
their determinations. In the view of the board, the positive factors listed
above reinforced their belief that the transactions were in the best interests
of LFC's public stockholders and outweighed the negative factors listed above.
23
<Page>
As a result, the LFC board:
- unanimously determined that the terms of the Sun Life transaction,
including the consideration provided for, are fair to and in the best
interests of LFC and its stockholders;
- unanimously determined that the terms of the merger agreement, including
the consideration provided for, are fair to and in the best interests of
LFC and its stockholders (other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates);
- unanimously approved each of the Sun Life transaction and the merger and
declared them to be advisable;
- unanimously recommended that LFC's stockholders authorize and approve the
Sun Life transaction; and
- unanimously recommended that LFC's stockholders adopt and approve the
merger agreement.
Messrs. Connell, May and Countryman and Ms. Heard did not participate in the
vote to approve the Fleet transaction because at the time of the vote on the
Fleet transaction they also served on the board of directors of Fleet's parent
corporation. The remaining LFC directors:
- unanimously determined that the terms of the Fleet transaction, including
the consideration provided for, are fair to and in the best interests of
LFC and its stockholders;
- unanimously approved the Fleet transaction and declared it advisable; and
- unanimously recommended that LFC's stockholders authorize and approve the
Fleet transaction.
In reaching its conclusions regarding the fairness of the consideration
provided for in each of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction,
LFC's board considered a variety of factors. Those factors included, among other
things, the opinions of LFC's financial advisor, which LFC expressly adopted, as
well as the financial analyses conducted by the financial advisor. See "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor". With respect
to the merger, however, LFC's board recognized that, as a result of the sale of
its annuity business and its asset management business, LFC will no longer be an
operating company. Rather, its primary asset will be the cash proceeds of the
two sales. Therefore, LFC's board did not consider whether the consideration
offered to the unaffiliated holders of LFC's common stock in the merger would
constitute fair value in relation to such factors as going concern value, net
book value, liquidation value or purchase prices paid in connection with
previously purchased shares of LFC. LFC believes that those considerations are
meaningful only with regard to an operating business and would not be helpful in
determining the most efficient and economically beneficial means to distribute
cash proceeds.
Additionally, LFC's board was aware that the trading price of LFC's common
stock immediately prior to the announcement of the Fleet transaction and the
merger was higher than the $33.44 merger consideration, subject to adjustment,
provided for in the merger. However, LFC concluded that the average closing
price of $24.35 of LFC's common stock on the NYSE for the 20 trading days prior
to its November 2000 announcement of its decision to consider its strategic
alternatives, including a possible sale, is more indicative of the future price
of LFC's stock than the price of LFC's common stock immediately following the
announcement of the Fleet transaction and merger. This belief is based on the
following:
- the fact that, at the time of the announcement of the Fleet transaction
and the merger, LFC had already announced its agreement to sell its
annuity business to Sun Life for approximately $1.7 billion;
- LFC had alerted the public that it was considering a sale of its asset
management business; and
- speculation in the press that the sale of the asset management business
would likely yield a price significantly higher than the price Fleet
ultimately agreed to pay.
24
<Page>
LFC's board believes that each of the transactions is procedurally fair
because, among other things:
- LFC conducted a thorough auction process which resulted in contact with
101 prospective bidders;
- LFC pursued all viable alternative merger and sale scenarios and sought
the highest possible consideration, as described under "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Background of the Transactions";
- LFC retained Choate, Hall & Stewart, as its legal counsel, to provide
legal advice during the auction process and throughout the negotiations
with Sun Life, Fleet and Liberty Mutual;
- LFC engaged Credit Suisse First Boston to act as its financial advisor;
- the approximately $1.7 billion purchase price for the annuity segment
resulted from active arm's length bargaining between representatives of
LFC, on the one hand, and representatives of Sun Life, on the other;
- the approximately $900 million purchase price, subject to adjustment, for
the asset management segment resulted from active arm's length bargaining
between representatives of LFC, on the one hand, and representatives of
Fleet, on the other;
- in considering the fairness of the merger, the board was not faced with
the prospect of valuing an operating company but rather only how to
distribute the proceeds of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction;
- the merger consideration of approximately $33.44 in cash per share of LFC
common stock, subject to adjustment, resulted from active bargaining
between representatives of LFC, on the one hand, and representatives of
Liberty Mutual, on the other, and includes the payment to the public
stockholders of more than their pro rata portion of the proceeds from the
Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction after satisfying
outstanding liabilities of LFC and providing for other adjustments;
- the terms of the Sun Life purchase agreement and the Fleet purchase
agreement, including the provisions in each that allow the LFC board to
terminate each purchase agreement if necessary in the exercise of its
fiduciary duties upon payment of a termination fee;
- the terms of the merger agreement, including the provisions that allow the
LFC board to terminate the merger agreement if necessary in the exercise
of its fiduciary duties without paying a termination fee and the limited
number of representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions;
and
- the board of directors engaged in detailed deliberations in evaluating
each of the transactions and alternatives thereto.
In reaching its conclusions regarding the procedural fairness of the
transactions, LFC's board of directors considered, among other things, the
effect of possible conflicts of interest involving LFC's directors and officers.
On the whole, however, LFC believes that those potential conflicts were overcome
by:
- the engagement and active assistance of independent financial and legal
advisors;
- the recusal of Messrs. Connell, May and Countryman and Ms. Heard from the
votes concerning the Fleet transaction; and
- the fact that the Sun Life purchase agreement and the Fleet purchase
agreement were the products of arm's length negotiations.
Taking into consideration all of the factors described above, LFC's board
concluded that the interests of LFC's unaffiliated stockholders were adequately
protected throughout the sale process. For a more detailed description of the
procedures followed by LFC, we direct your attention to the information in this
proxy statement under the heading "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Background
of the Transactions". The foregoing discussion of the information and factors
considered by the LFC board is not intended to be exhaustive but is believed to
include all material factors considered by the LFC board.
25
<Page>
LFC'S PURPOSE AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
As indicated above, after the completion of the Sun Life transaction and the
Fleet transaction, LFC will have no operating business and no remaining material
assets other than cash, primarily from proceeds of the Sun Life transaction and
the Fleet transaction. The purpose of the merger is to allow a distribution to
the stockholders of LFC (other than Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries and LFC
stockholders who have validly perfected their statutory appraisal rights) of
their portion of that cash, after satisfying outstanding liabilities of LFC and
providing for other adjustments. Liberty Mutual will owe no tax at the time of
the merger. This allowed Liberty Mutual to agree to provide merger consideration
to LFC's public stockholders in an amount greater than that which the public
stockholders would otherwise receive in a dividend or other pro rata
distribution or liquidation of LFC. See "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Background of the Transactions" for a discussion of the determination
of the merger consideration.
OPINIONS OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Credit Suisse First Boston has acted as LFC's financial advisor in
connection with the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger.
LFC selected Credit Suisse First Boston based on Credit Suisse First Boston's
experience, expertise and reputation. Credit Suisse First Boston is an
internationally recognized investment banking firm and is regularly engaged in
the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings,
secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements
and valuations for corporate and other purposes.
In connection with Credit Suisse First Boston's engagement, LFC requested
that Credit Suisse First Boston evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of:
- the consideration provided for in the Sun Life transaction to LFC;
- the consideration provided for in the Fleet transaction to LFC; and
- the merger consideration provided for in the merger to the holders of LFC
common stock other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates.
On May 2, 2001, at a meeting of LFC's board of directors held to evaluate
the Sun Life transaction, Credit Suisse First Boston rendered to LFC's board of
directors an oral opinion, which opinion was confirmed by delivery of a written
opinion dated May 2, 2001, the date of the Sun Life purchase agreement, to the
effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to the matters described
in its opinion, the consideration provided for in the Sun Life transaction was
fair, from a financial point of view, to LFC.
On June 4, 2001, at a meeting of LFC's board of directors held to evaluate
the Fleet transaction and the merger, Credit Suisse First Boston rendered to
LFC's board of directors oral opinions, which opinions were confirmed by
delivery of written opinions dated June 4, 2001, the date of the Fleet purchase
agreement and the merger agreement, to the effect that, as of that date and
based on and subject to the matters described in the opinions, (i) the
consideration provided for in the Fleet transaction was fair, from a financial
point of view, to LFC and (ii) the consideration provided for in the merger
agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of LFC common
stock other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates.
THE FULL TEXT OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON'S WRITTEN OPINIONS, DATED
MAY 2, 2001, JUNE 4, 2001 AND JUNE 4, 2001, RESPECTIVELY, TO LFC'S BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, WHICH SET FORTH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWED,
ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITATIONS ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN,
ARE ATTACHED AS APPENDIX D-1, D-2, AND D-3, RESPECTIVELY, AND ARE INCORPORATED
INTO THIS PROXY STATEMENT BY REFERENCE. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THESE
OPINIONS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY. CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON'S OPINIONS ARE
ADDRESSED TO LFC'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND RELATE ONLY TO THE FAIRNESS FROM A
FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW OF THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE SUN
26
<Page>
LIFE TRANSACTION, THE FLEET TRANSACTION AND THE MERGER. THE OPINIONS DO NOT
ADDRESS ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE SUN LIFE TRANSACTION, THE FLEET TRANSACTION, THE
MERGER OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTION AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO YOU
OR ANY OTHER STOCKHOLDER OF LFC AS TO ANY MATTER RELATING TO THE SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION, THE FLEET TRANSACTION OR THE MERGER. THE SUMMARY OF CREDIT SUISSE
FIRST BOSTON'S OPINIONS SET FORTH IN THIS DOCUMENT IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF THE OPINIONS.
A copy of Credit Suisse First Boston's written presentations to the Board of
Directors of LFC has been attached as an exhibit to LFC's Schedule 13E-3 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be available for inspection
and copying at the principal executive offices of LFC during regular business
hours by any interested LFC stockholder or any representative of the stockholder
who has been so designated in writing and may be inspected and copied at the
office of, and obtained by mail from, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In arriving at its opinions, Credit Suisse First Boston reviewed the Sun
Life purchase agreement, the Fleet purchase agreement, the merger agreement and
certain publicly available business and financial information relating to LFC
and the annuity subsidiaries and the asset management subsidiaries. Credit
Suisse First Boston also reviewed other information relating to LFC and the
annuity subsidiaries and the asset management subsidiaries provided to or
discussed with Credit Suisse First Boston by LFC, the annuity subsidiaries and
the asset management subsidiaries and LFC's consultants, including financial
forecasts and, in the case of the annuity subsidiaries, actuarial analyses and
valuations, and met with the managements of LFC, the annuity subsidiaries and
the asset management subsidiaries to discuss the businesses and prospects of the
annuity subsidiaries and the asset management subsidiaries and the pro forma
financial and other information relating to the assets and liabilities of LFC
after giving effect to the Sun Life and Fleet transactions. Credit Suisse First
Boston also considered financial data of the annuity subsidiaries and the asset
management subsidiaries, and compared those data with similar data for publicly
held companies in businesses similar to the annuity subsidiaries and the asset
management subsidiaries and considered, to the extent publicly available, the
financial terms of other transactions that have been effected. Credit Suisse
First Boston also considered other information, financial studies, analyses and
investigations and financial, economic and market criteria that it deemed
relevant.
In connection with its review, Credit Suisse First Boston did not assume any
responsibility for independent verification of any of the information that was
provided to or otherwise reviewed by it and relied on that information being
complete and accurate in all material respects. Credit Suisse First Boston was
advised, and assumed, that the financial forecasts were reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
managements of LFC and the annuity subsidiaries and the asset management
subsidiaries as to the future financial performance of the annuity subsidiaries
and the asset management subsidiaries and the pro forma financial and other
information relating to the assets and liabilities of LFC after giving effect to
the Sun Life and Fleet transactions. Credit Suisse First Boston also was
advised, and assumed, that the actuarial analyses and valuations relating to the
annuity subsidiaries provided to or discussed with Credit Suisse First Boston by
LFC, the annuity subsidiaries and LFC's consultants, were reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of LFC,
the annuity subsidiaries and LFC's consultants, as to matters covered in the
actuarial analyses and valuations. Credit Suisse First Boston further assumed,
with LFC's consent, that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory and
third party approvals and consents for the transactions, no modification, delay,
limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would have a material
adverse effect on the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the merger.
Credit Suisse First Boston also was advised, and assumed, that the Sun Life
transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger would be consummated in
accordance with the terms of the Sun Life purchase agreement, the Fleet purchase
agreement and the merger agreement, without waiver, amendment or modification of
any material term, condition or agreement. Credit Suisse First Boston was not
requested to make, and did not make, an independent evaluation or appraisal of
27
<Page>
the assets or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of LFC, the annuity
subsidiaries or the asset management subsidiaries, and Credit Suisse First
Boston was not furnished with any evaluations or appraisals, with the exception
of the actuarial analyses and valuations referred to above. Credit Suisse First
Boston is not an actuary and its services did not include any actuarial
determinations or evaluations by Credit Suisse First Boston or an attempt to
evaluate actuarial assumptions.
Credit Suisse First Boston's opinions were necessarily based on information
available to it, and financial, economic, market and other conditions as they
existed and could be evaluated, on the dates of Credit Suisse First Boston's
respective opinions. Credit Suisse First Boston's opinions do not address the
relative merits of the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the merger
as compared to any alternatives that might exist for LFC or the effect of any
other transaction in which LFC might engage, nor do Credit Suisse First Boston's
opinions address the underlying business decision of LFC to proceed with the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the merger. Although Credit Suisse
First Boston evaluated the consideration in the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet
transaction and the merger from a financial point of view, Credit Suisse First
Boston was not requested to, and did not, recommend the specific consideration
payable in the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the merger, which
consideration was determined in the Sun Life transaction between LFC and Sun
Life, in the Fleet transaction between LFC and Fleet and in the merger between
LFC and Liberty Mutual. In connection with its engagement, Credit Suisse First
Boston was requested to approach third parties to solicit indications of
interest in the possible acquisition of all or part of LFC. No other limitations
were imposed on Credit Suisse First Boston with respect to the investigations
made or procedures followed in rendering its opinion.
In preparing its opinions to LFC's board of directors, Credit Suisse First
Boston performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses, including
those described below. The summary of Credit Suisse First Boston's analyses
described below is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Credit
Suisse First Boston's opinions. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and
relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to
the particular circumstances and, therefore, a fairness opinion is not readily
susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its
opinions, Credit Suisse First Boston made qualitative judgments as to the
significance and relevance of each analysis and factor that it considered.
Accordingly, Credit Suisse First Boston believes that its analyses must be
considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors or
focusing on information presented in tabular format, without considering all
analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create
a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and
opinions.
In its analyses, Credit Suisse First Boston considered industry performance,
regulatory, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond the control of LFC, Sun Life, Fleet and
Liberty Mutual. No company, transaction or business used in Credit Suisse First
Boston's analyses as a comparison is identical to the annuity subsidiaries or
the asset management subsidiaries or the proposed Sun Life or Fleet
transactions, or the merger, and an evaluation of the results of those analyses
is not entirely mathematical. Rather, the 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. The
estimates contained in Credit Suisse First Boston's analyses and the ranges of
valuations resulting from any particular analysis are not necessarily indicative
of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by the analyses. In
addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses or securities do not
necessarily purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which
businesses or securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, Credit Suisse First
Boston's analyses and estimates are inherently subject to substantial
uncertainty.
28
<Page>
Credit Suisse First Boston's opinions and financial analyses were only some
of many factors considered by LFC's board of directors in its evaluation of the
proposed Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger and should
not be viewed as determinative of the views of LFC's board of directors or
management with respect to the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or
the merger or the consideration provided for in the Sun Life purchase agreement,
the Fleet purchase agreement or the merger agreement.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses underlying
Credit Suisse First Boston's opinions delivered to LFC's board of directors in
connection with the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger.
THE FINANCIAL ANALYSES SUMMARIZED BELOW INCLUDE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN TABULAR
FORMAT. IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON'S FINANCIAL
ANALYSES, THE TABLES MUST BE READ TOGETHER WITH THE TEXT OF EACH SUMMARY. THE
TABLES ALONE DO NOT CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE FINANCIAL ANALYSES.
CONSIDERING THE DATA IN THE TABLES BELOW WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE FULL NARRATIVE
DESCRIPTION OF THE FINANCIAL ANALYSES, INCLUDING THE METHODOLOGIES AND
ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE ANALYSES, COULD CREATE A MISLEADING OR INCOMPLETE
VIEW OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON'S FINANCIAL ANALYSES.
SUN LIFE TRANSACTION/ANNUITY SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information, Credit
Suisse First Boston analyzed selected financial and stock market data of the
following five publicly traded companies in the annuities industry that Credit
Suisse First Boston determined were comparable to the annuity subsidiaries:
- American Annuity Group, Inc.
- American General Corporation
- AmerUs Group Corp.
- Lincoln National Corporation
- Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston compared equity market values of the selected
companies as multiples of calendar year 2000 and estimated calendar year 2001
net operating income and book value as of December 31, 2000, excluding the
effect of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," commonly referred to as FAS 115.
This comparison resulted in the following low, mean, median and high multiples:
<Table>
<Caption>
EQUITY VALUE TO:
------------------------------
CY 2000 CY 2001
EARNINGS EARNINGS
PER PER BOOK
SHARE SHARE VALUE
-------- -------- --------
High...................................................... 16.8x 15.1x 2.58x
Mean...................................................... 12.3 11.4 1.71
Median.................................................... 11.7 11.1 1.75
Low....................................................... 9.6 8.5 1.11
</Table>
Credit Suisse First Boston then applied a range of selected multiples
derived from the selected companies of 9.6x to 11.1x calendar year 2000 net
operating income and of 8.5x to 11.1x estimated calendar year 2001 net operating
income and of 1.11x to 1.64x book value as of December 31, 2000, excluding the
effect of FAS 115, to the corresponding financial data of the annuity
subsidiaries. All multiples were based on closing stock prices on April 27,
2001. Estimated financial data for the annuity subsidiaries were based on
internal estimates of the managements of LFC and the annuity subsidiaries and
estimated financial data for the selected companies were based on publicly
available research
29
<Page>
analysts' estimates. This analysis indicated the following aggregate implied
equity reference range for the annuity subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED EQUITY
REFERENCE RANGE
(IN MILLIONS)
------------------------
$1,250 - $1,450
Utilizing this aggregate implied equity reference range, Credit Suisse First
Boston then calculated an aggregate implied equity reference range assuming
control premiums of 15%, 25% and 35%. This range of premiums was included to
account for the value of acquiring a controlling interest in the annuity
subsidiaries and was based on transactions in the financial services industry
having a transaction value of more than $1 billion since 1997. This analysis
indicated the following aggregate implied equity reference range for the annuity
subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED EQUITY
REFERENCE RANGE
WITH CONTROL PREMIUM
(IN MILLIONS)
------------------------
$1,550 - $1,850
COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information,
Credit Suisse First Boston considered the equity values and implied transaction
multiples in the following 11 selected merger and acquisition transactions in
the life and annuity industries having a transaction value of more than
$1 billion that Credit Suisse First Boston determined were comparable to the Sun
Life transaction:
<Table>
<Caption>
ANNUITY INDUSTRY
----------------
ACQUIROR TARGET
- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------
- - General Electric Capital Corporation First Colony Corporation
- - AEGON N.V. Providian Corporation
- - ING Group N.V. Equitable of Iowa Companies
- - Lincoln National Corporation CIGNA Corporation (Annuity Business)
- - American General Corporation Western National Corporation
- - American International Group, Inc. SunAmerica Inc.
</Table>
<Table>
<Caption>
LIFE INDUSTRY
-------------
ACQUIROR TARGET
- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------
- - AEGON N.V. Transamerica Corporation
- - The Allstate Corporation American Heritage Life Investment
Corporation
- - Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. GenAmerica Corporation
- - ING Group N.V. ReliaStar Financial Corp.
- - The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Fortis, Inc.
</Table>
Credit Suisse First Boston compared equity values in the selected
transactions as multiples of latest 12 months net operating income and book
value, excluding the effect of FAS 115. This comparison resulted in the
following low, mean, median and high multiples for the annuity industry, life
industry and a composite of the annuity and life industries:
<Table>
<Caption>
EQUITY VALUE TO:
---------------------------
NET OPERATING
ANNUITY INDUSTRY BOOK VALUE INCOME
- ---------------- ----------- -------------
High............................................... 6.51x 34.6x
Mean............................................... 2.76 19.1
Median............................................. 2.28 18.5
Low................................................ 1.10 10.1
</Table>
30
<Page>
<Table>
<Caption>
EQUITY VALUE TO:
---------------------------
NET OPERATING
LIFE INDUSTRY BOOK VALUE INCOME
- ------------- ----------- -------------
High............................................... 3.95x 28.9x
Mean............................................... 2.28 20.7
Median............................................. 2.34 21.5
Low................................................ 0.92 10.6
</Table>
<Table>
<Caption>
EQUITY VALUE TO:
---------------------------
NET OPERATING
COMPOSITE STATISTICS BOOK VALUE INCOME
- -------------------- ----------- -------------
High............................................... 6.51x 34.6x
Mean............................................... 2.54 19.8
Median............................................. 2.34 19.0
Low................................................ 0.92 10.1
</Table>
Credit Suisse First Boston then applied a range of selected multiples
derived from the selected transactions of 10.1x to 18.0x latest 12 months net
operating income and of 1.10x to 1.70x book value to corresponding financial
data of the annuity subsidiaries. All multiples for the selected transactions
were based on publicly available information at the time of announcement of the
relevant transaction. Financial data for the annuity subsidiaries were based on
calendar year 2000 net operating income and book value as of December 31, 2000,
excluding the effect of FAS 115, provided by the managements of LFC and the
annuity subsidiaries. The results of this analysis indicated the following
aggregate implied equity reference range for the annuity subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED EQUITY
REFERENCE RANGE
(IN MILLIONS)
------------------------
$1,400 - $2,000
ACTUARIAL APPRAISAL. Credit Suisse First Boston reviewed the actuarial
analysis prepared by LFC and its consultants with respect to LFC's insurance
in-force and future business as of September 30, 2000 and June 30, 2001.
Utilizing discount rates of 9% to 13%, which were viewed as the appropriate
discount rate for LFC's risk characteristics, and percentages of company action
level risk-based capital of 200%, Credit Suisse First Boston derived an
aggregate implied equity reference range for the annuity segment as of those
dates based on the actuarial analysis. "Company action level risk-based capital"
refers to the ratio of the company's total adjusted capital (defined as the
total of its statutory capital, surplus and asset valuation in reserve) to its
risk-based capital. Using the results of this analysis, Credit Suisse First
Boston then derived the following aggregate implied equity reference range for
the annuity subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED EQUITY
REFERENCE RANGE
(IN MILLIONS)
------------------------
$1,500 - $2,000
AGGREGATE REFERENCE RANGE ANALYSIS. Based on the valuation methodologies
employed in the analyses described above, Credit Suisse First Boston derived the
following aggregate implied equity reference range for the annuity subsidiaries,
as compared to the consideration in the annuity transaction after adjustment for
the assumption of certain liabilities:
<Table>
<Caption>
AGGREGATE EQUITY CONSIDERATION IN THE
REFERENCE RANGE ANNUITY TRANSACTION
(IN MILLIONS) (IN MILLIONS)
---------------- --------------------
$ 1,500 - $2,000 $1,702
</Table>
31
<Page>
FLEET TRANSACTION/ASSET MANAGEMENT SUBSIDIARIES ANALYSIS
COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information, Credit
Suisse First Boston analyzed selected financial and stock market data of the
following seven publicly traded companies in the asset management industry that
Credit Suisse First Boston determined were comparable to the asset management
subsidiaries:
- Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
- Eaton Vance Corp.
- Federated Investors, Inc.
- Franklin Resources, Inc.
- The John Nuveen Company
- T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
- Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston compared enterprise values of the selected
companies as multiples of assets under management as of March 31, 2001, latest
12 months revenue, latest 12 months earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization, commonly referred to as EBITDA, first quarter
2001 annualized EBITDA and estimated calendar year 2001 EBITDA. This comparison
resulted in the following low, mean, median and high multiples:
<Table>
<Caption>
ENTERPRISE VALUE TO:
--------------------------------------------------------
3/31/2001
ASSETS Q1 2001
UNDER LTM LTM ANNUALIZED 2001E
MANAGEMENT REVENUE EBITDA EBITDA EBITDA
---------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
High......................................... 8.39% 5.6x 15.9 14.8x 14.5x
Mean......................................... 4.16 4.7 12.2 11.5 12.3
Median....................................... 3.15 4.9 12.1 12.3 13.3
Low.......................................... 1.99 3.1 9.1 7.0 10.0
</Table>
Credit Suisse First Boston then applied a range of selected multiples
derived from the selected companies of 3.1x to 3.5x latest 12 months revenue, of
10.0x to 12.5x latest 12 months EBITDA, of 10.0x to 13.0x first quarter 2001
annualized EBITDA and of 10.0x to 12.0x estimated calendar year 2001 EBITDA to
the corresponding financial data of the asset management subsidiaries. All
multiples were based on closing stock prices on May 29, 2001. Estimated
financial data for the asset management subsidiaries were based on internal
estimates of the managements of LFC and the asset management subsidiaries and
estimated financial data for the selected companies were based on publicly
available research analysts' estimates. Financial information for the selected
companies for the latest 12 months revenue and EBITDA were as of March 31, 2001,
except Eaton Vance Corp., which was as of January 31, 2001. This analysis
indicated the following aggregate implied enterprise reference range for the
asset management subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED ENTERPRISE
REFERENCE RANGE
(IN MILLIONS)
----------------------------
$900 - $1,100
Utilizing this aggregate implied enterprise reference range, Credit Suisse
First Boston then calculated an aggregate implied enterprise reference range
assuming control premiums of 15%, 25% and 35%. This range of premiums was
included to account for the value of acquiring a controlling interest in the
asset management subsidiaries and was based on transactions in the financial
services
32
<Page>
industry having a transaction value of more than $1 billion since 1997. This
analysis indicated the following aggregate implied enterprise reference range
for the asset management subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED ENTERPRISE
REFERENCE RANGE
WITH CONTROL PREMIUM
(IN MILLIONS)
----------------------------
$1,100 - $1,300
COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information,
Credit Suisse First Boston considered the transaction values and implied
transaction multiples in the following 11 selected merger and acquisition
transactions in the asset management industry that Credit Suisse First Boston
determined were comparable to the Fleet transaction:
<Table>
<Caption>
ACQUIROR TARGET
- ----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
- - Robeco Group N.V. Harbor Capital Management Company, Inc.
- - ABN AMRO Asset Management (USA) Inc. Alleghany Asset Management, Inc.
- - Alliance Capital Management L.P. Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.
- - Old Mutual plc United Asset Management Corporation
- - CDC Asset Management, Inc. Nvest Companies, L.P.
- - Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
- - UniCredito Italiano Spa The Pioneer Group, Inc.
- - Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. Frontier Capital Management
Company, Inc.
- - UBS AG Global Asset Management (USA) Inc.
- - ReliaStar Financial Corp. Pilgrim Capital Corporation
- - AMVESCAP PLC LGT Asset Management, Inc.
</Table>
Credit Suisse First Boston compared transaction values in the selected
transactions as multiples of assets under management, latest 12 months revenue
and latest 12 months EBITDA. This comparison resulted in the following low,
mean, median and high multiples:
<Table>
<Caption>
TRANSACTION VALUE TO:
------------------------------
AUM REVENUES EBITDA
-------- -------- --------
High........................................................ 5.5% 6.8x 19.1x
Mean........................................................ 3.2 4.7 12.5
Median...................................................... 3.5 4.8 12.3
Low......................................................... 1.1 2.5 7.4
</Table>
Credit Suisse First Boston then applied a range of selected multiples
derived from the selected transactions of 1.8% to 3.2% assets under management,
of 2.5x to 3.9x latest 12 months revenue and of 9.0x to 13.5x latest 12 months
EBITDA to corresponding financial data of the asset management subsidiaries. All
multiples for the selected transactions were based on publicly available
information at the time of announcement of the relevant transaction. Financial
data for the asset management subsidiaries were based on internal estimates of
the managements of LFC and the asset management subsidiaries. The results of
this analysis indicated the following aggregate implied enterprise reference
range for the asset management subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE IMPLIED ENTERPRISE
REFERENCE RANGE
(IN MILLIONS)
----------------------------
$900 - $1,200
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Credit Suisse First Boston estimated the
present value of the stand-alone, unlevered, after-tax free cash flows that the
asset management subsidiaries could produce
33
<Page>
over fiscal years 2001 through 2006. Credit Suisse First Boston calculated
ranges of estimated terminal values for the asset management subsidiaries by
multiplying estimated calendar year 2006 EBITDA by multiples ranging from 9.0x
to 11.0x, based on the comparable companies. The estimated free cash flows and
terminal values for the asset management subsidiaries were then discounted to
present value using discount rates of 13.0% to 15.0%, which Credit Suisse First
Boston viewed as the appropriate discount rate for a company with the asset
management subsidiaries' risk characteristics. This analysis indicated the
following implied aggregate value reference range for the asset management
subsidiaries:
IMPLIED AGGREGATE VALUE
REFERENCE RANGE
(IN MILLIONS)
-----------------------
$1,033 - $1,280
AGGREGATE REFERENCE RANGE ANALYSIS. Based on the valuation methodologies
employed in the analyses described above, Credit Suisse First Boston derived the
following enterprise reference range for the asset management subsidiaries, as
compared to the consideration in the asset management transaction after
adjustment for the assumption of certain liabilities, including assumption of
$110 million of indebtedness of the asset management subsidiaries and other
liabilities, including the estimated net present value of earn-outs related to
past acquisitions of asset management subsidiaries.
<Table>
<Caption>
AGGREGATE IMPLIED CONSIDERATION IN THE
REFERENCE RANGE ASSET MANAGEMENT TRANSACTION
(IN MILLIONS) (IN MILLIONS)
- ----------------- ----------------------------
$ 950 - $1,250 $1,118
</Table>
MERGER FINANCIAL REVIEW
As more fully described on pages 72-74 of this proxy statement, Credit
Suisse First Boston noted that the consideration to be received by the holders
of LFC common stock other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates, on a per share
basis, is equal to:
- (A) The sum of:
-- the estimated net after-tax proceeds from the Sun Life transaction,
plus
-- the estimated net after-tax proceeds from the Fleet transaction, less
-- the estimated net after-tax costs of LFC with respect to the
cancellation under the retention plans of stock options granted by
LFC outstanding at the effective time of the merger, less
-- the estimated net after-tax costs of LFC with respect to transaction
expenses paid or payable by LFC in connection with the Sun Life
transaction, the Fleet transaction and the going private transaction,
less
-- the estimated net after-tax cost of the net corporate liabilities of
LFC after the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction, plus
-- the estimated net tax adjustment with respect to eliminating the
estimated corporate level taxes on the Fleet transaction, net of the
estimated after-tax benefit to Fleet for making an election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code,
- divided by (B) the estimated number of outstanding shares of LFC common
stock.
34
<Page>
MISCELLANEOUS
LFC has paid and agreed to pay Credit Suisse First Boston for its financial
advisory services in connection with the transactions customary fees, a
substantial portion of which is contingent upon completion of the transactions.
It is currently estimated that the aggregate of all fees payable by LFC to
Credit Suisse First Boston in connection with the transactions will be
approximately $17.75 million. LFC also has agreed to reimburse Credit Suisse
First Boston for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including fees and
expenses of legal counsel and any other advisor retained by Credit Suisse First
Boston, and to indemnify Credit Suisse First Boston and related parties against
liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws, arising
out of its engagement.
Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates in the past have provided and
are currently providing financial services to LFC and its affiliates, and in the
past have provided financial services to Sun Life, Fleet and Liberty Mutual in
connection with transactions unrelated to the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet
transaction and the merger, and currently are providing financial services to
Liberty Mutual unrelated to the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and
the merger, including in connection with Liberty Mutual's proposed mutual
holding company reorganization, for which services Credit Suisse First Boston
and its affiliates received, and expect to receive, compensation. During the
past two years, Liberty Mutual has paid Credit Suisse First Boston approximately
$900,000 for investment banking services provided by Credit Suisse First Boston
in connection with Liberty Mutual's proposed mutual holding company
reorganization. In the ordinary course of business, Credit Suisse First Boston
and its affiliates may actively trade the securities of LFC, Sun Life and their
respective affiliates and affiliates of Liberty Mutual and Fleet for their own
accounts and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold long or short positions in those securities.
LFC FORECASTS
LFC provided certain non-public business and financial information to Sun
Life and Fleet and to Credit Suisse First Boston. The non-public information
provided by LFC included certain forecasts of the future operating performance
of LFC. Those forecasts included management projections regarding total
revenues, pre-tax operating income and EBITDA, or net income without deduction
for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, with respect to LFC as a
whole and each of the annuity segment and the asset management segment
individually. These forecasts were first prepared by LFC in December 2000, and
included in the confidential offering memorandum provided to potential bidders.
By April 2001, based in part on LFC's actual results for the first quarter of
2001, LFC recognized that it was likely that the actual results would be
materially less favorable than the December 2000 forecast. In May 2001, LFC
prepared revised projections for the 12 month period ending March 31, 2002, for
the asset management segment and provided this revised forecast to Credit Suisse
First Boston and Fleet. Although the entire company forecast was affected by the
forecast for the asset management segment, forecasts for the entire company have
not been revised because the transactions are structured as a sale of each
segment.
LFC does not regularly, publicly disclose forecasts as to future revenues or
earnings. The LFC forecasts were not prepared with a view to public disclosure
and are included in this proxy statement only because such information was
considered by the LFC board in connection with approving the Sun Life
transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger. Because forecasts are by
their nature forward-looking, forecasted results often differ from actual
results. Accordingly, as discussed below, there may be differences between
actual and forecasted results for future periods as well, and that those results
may be materially different from those previously projected by management. The
LFC forecasts were not prepared with a view to compliance with the published
guidelines of the Commission regarding forecasts, nor were they prepared in
accordance with the guidelines established by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants for the preparation and presentation of financial
forecasts. Moreover, Ernst & Young LLP, LFC's independent auditors, has not
examined, compiled or applied
35
<Page>
any procedures to the LFC forecasts in accordance with standards established by
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Such auditors have
expressed no opinion and have provided no assurance on the reasonableness,
accuracy or achievability of the forecasts. These forward-looking statements
reflect numerous assumptions made by LFC's management, many of which are
inherently uncertain and subject to change. In addition, factors such as
industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, and market and
financial conditions, all of which are difficult to predict and beyond LFC's
control, may cause the LFC forecasts or the underlying assumptions to be
inaccurate. Accordingly, the LFC forecasts may not be indicative of current
values or future performance, and there can be no assurance that the LFC
forecasts will be realized.
The inclusion of the LFC forecasts in this proxy statement should not be
regarded as an indication that the LFC board or Liberty Mutual considered or
consider the LFC forecasts to be a reliable prediction of future events, and the
LFC forecasts should not be relied upon as such. To the extent the LFC forecasts
represent LFC management's best estimate of possible future performance, such
estimate was made only as of the date of such forecasts and is not made as of
any later date, and stockholders should take this into account when evaluating
any factors or analyses based on the LFC forecasts. LFC has not, and does not
intend to, update its forecasts in connection with this proxy statement or the
transactions described herein.
The LFC forecasts are summarized below:
PROJECTIONS PROVIDED IN DECEMBER 2000
PROJECTED FINANCIAL DATA--ENTIRE COMPANY
<Table>
<Caption>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
(IN MILLIONS)
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
-------- -------- --------
Total Revenue............................................... $883.1 $979.5 $1,112.6
Pre-tax Income from Operations (1).......................... 310.8 364.4 456.3
EBITDA...................................................... 323.8 378.2 471.1
</Table>
- ------------------------
(1) Before amortization of intangible assets, interest expense and non-operating
items.
PROJECTED FINANCIAL DATA--ANNUITY SEGMENT
<Table>
<Caption>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
(IN MILLIONS)
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
-------- -------- --------
Total Revenue............................................... $419.3 $452.0 $511.3
Pre-tax Income from Operations (1).......................... 217.7 234.1 270.8
EBITDA...................................................... 220.4 237.0 273.9
</Table>
- ------------------------
(1) Before amortization of intangible assets, interest expense and non-operating
items.
36
<Page>
PROJECTIONS PROVIDED IN MAY 2001
PROJECTED FINANCIAL DATA--ASSET MANAGEMENT SEGMENT
<Table>
<Caption>
TWELVE MONTHS ENDING
MARCH 31, 2002
(IN MILLIONS)
--------------------
Total Revenue............................................... $435.8
Pre-tax Income from Operations (1).......................... 79.8
EBITDA...................................................... 92.0
</Table>
- ------------------------
(1) Before amortization of intangible assets, interest expense and non-operating
items.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTIONS AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST
When considering the recommendations of the LFC board of directors, you
should be aware that some of LFC's officers and directors have interests in the
transactions or have relationships, including those referred to below, that
present actual or potential, or the appearance of actual or potential, conflicts
of interest in connection with the transactions. The LFC board was aware of
these actual or potential conflicts of interest and considered them along with
other matters in approving and authorizing the Sun Life transaction and the
Fleet transaction and authorizing and adopting the merger agreement and
declaring its advisability. The matters considered by the board of directors of
LFC in connection with the transactions, including actual or potential conflicts
of interest, are described in this proxy statement under the heading "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Recommendations of the Board of Directors."
When considering the recommendations of the board of directors of LFC, you
should also be aware that:
- each of the LFC's directors is also a member of the board of directors of
Liberty Mutual, which as of August 24, 2001, the record date for the
special meeting, beneficially owned approximately 70.4% of the issued and
outstanding common stock of LFC;
- Gary L. Countryman, LFC's President and Chief Executive Officer, is a
director of Liberty Mutual and LFC and is the past Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of Liberty Mutual;
- Edmund F. Kelly, who in addition to serving as the chairman and as a
director of LFC and Liberty Mutual, is the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Liberty Mutual;
- Paul J. Darling, who serves as a director of LFC and Liberty Mutual, owns
1,500 shares of LFC common stock and will be entitled to receive $33.44
per share in cash, subject to adjustment, in exchange for their shares
upon the completion of the merger; and
- substantially all of LFC's employees, including LFC's officers other than
Mr. Countryman, participate in LFC's retention plans, which provide for
cash retention bonuses and, upon a change of control, enhanced severance
benefits, accelerated vesting of options and some restricted stock and
additional payments to cover excise tax obligations.
We refer you to the information under the heading "INFORMATION ABOUT
LFC--Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" for
information regarding our current officers and directors and their stock
ownership in LFC. LFC's officers who own LFC common stock at the effective time
of the merger will be entitled to receive the $33.44 per share in cash, subject
to adjustment, for their shares. LFC's officers and directors who have been
granted options to purchase LFC common stock will receive payment in accordance
with the retention plans described below.
37
<Page>
You should also be aware that, at the time of the vote on the Fleet
transaction, the following directors of LFC also served on the board of
directors of Fleet's parent company: William F. Connell, Thomas J. May, Gary L.
Countryman and Marian L. Heard. Messrs. Connell and May and Ms. Heard were not
present during discussions of the Fleet transaction. Mr. Countryman was present
for a portion of those discussions and advised the board of his role in
negotiating the Fleet transaction. These four directors did not participate in
the vote to approve the Fleet transaction and the Fleet transaction was
unanimously approved by the remaining directors of LFC. All of the directors of
LFC are directors of Liberty Mutual, and Liberty Mutual has interests in the
transactions not shared by LFC's other stockholders, including its interests in
the merger. Following the merger, LFC will repay to Liberty Mutual and its
affiliates a loan in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million. For more
information about the merger, we refer you to the information under the heading
"THE GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION--MERGER AGREEMENT." For more information about
LFC's relationship with Liberty Mutual, including the $200 million loan, we
refer you to the information under the heading "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS--MATTERS PERTAINING TO LIBERTY MUTUAL."
RETENTION PLANS. On November 1, 2000, LFC announced that it would explore
its strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of LFC. To help retain its
employees during this strategic review, LFC adopted the Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-Commissioned Employee Severance and
Retention Plan and the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Commissioned Employees Severance and Retention Plan, or the retention plans. Our
retention plans provide for cash retention bonuses to substantially all
employees and the full vesting upon a change of control of all outstanding
options and the shares of restricted stock for which the target price in the
applicable restricted stock agreement is less than the value of LFC common stock
on the date of the change of control. The retention plans also provide for
enhanced severance benefits to substantially all employees upon a change of
control. A change of control will be deemed to occur under the retention plans
with respect to employees of the annuity subsidiaries upon the completion of the
Sun Life transaction, with respect to employees of the asset management
subsidiaries upon the completion of the Fleet transaction, and with respect to
employees of LFC at the completion of the merger. The retention bonuses are
generally based on an employee's base salary and/or target incentive
compensation amounts, except for sales personnel for whom retention bonuses are
based primarily on sales. In addition, the retention plans provide that
employees will be eligible to receive an additional payment if any of the
payments or benefits received or to be received by those employees, in
connection with a change of control or by reason of a termination of employment,
trigger excise tax obligations. For more information on our retention plans we
refer you to the information under the heading "INFORMATION ABOUT LFC--Retention
Plans."
The maximum retention bonus payable to each of the four most highly
compensated executive officers of LFC in 2000, other than Mr. Countryman, is as
follows: Mr. Merritt, $1,591,500; Mr. Gibson, $1,512,500; Mr. Polkinghorn,
$910,000; and Mr. Hilbert, $787,500. Mr. Countryman does not participate in the
retention plans.
The maximum severance payment payable to each of the four most highly
compensated executive officers of LFC in 2000, other than Mr. Countryman, is as
follows: Mr. Merritt, $1,061,000; Mr. Gibson, $1,966,250; Mr. Polkinghorn,
$1,365,000; and Mr. Hilbert, $1,023,750. Mr. Countryman does not participate in
this severance plan.
TREATMENT OF LFC OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK.
Under the retention plans:
- employees of the annuity subsidiaries will be entitled to accelerated
vesting of all outstanding options and restricted stock for which the
target price in the applicable restricted stock
38
<Page>
agreement is less than the value of LFC common stock on the date of the
"change of control" that will occur upon the completion of the Sun Life
transaction;
- employees of the asset management subsidiaries will be entitled to
accelerated vesting of all outstanding options and restricted stock for
which the target price in the applicable restricted stock agreement is
less than the value of LFC common stock on the date of the "change of
control" that will occur upon the completion of the Fleet transaction; and
- employees of LFC will be entitled to accelerated vesting of all
outstanding options and restricted stock for which the target price in the
applicable restricted stock agreement is less than the value of LFC common
stock on the date of the "change of control" that will occur upon the
effectiveness of the merger.
Holders of accelerated options will be entitled to receive in cash the
difference between the value of LFC common stock and the exercise price per
share of their options.
For more information, we refer you to section entitled "INFORMATION ABOUT
LFC--Retention Plans."
LFC's executive officers currently hold options to purchase an aggregate of
approximately million shares of LFC common stock. These options were granted
under LFC's 1990 Stock Option Plan and Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Incentive
Plan, or LFC stock plans. LFC's executive officers currently hold approximately
million shares of LFC restricted stock that were granted under LFC's stock
plans. Mr. Countryman does not hold any options or restricted stock.
Any amounts actually paid to these officers and directors of LFC for the
cancellation of their stock options will be reduced by any applicable federal
and state income and payroll tax withholdings.
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE OF LFC'S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Each of Sun
Life and Fleet have agreed that all rights to indemnification, advancement of
expenses, and all similar rights, as provided in the charter or bylaws of any of
the annuity subsidiaries, in favor of employees, directors, officers and agents
of the annuity subsidiaries, in the case of the Sun Life transaction, or the
asset management subsidiaries, in the case of the Fleet transaction, will
continue for a period of six years from the applicable transaction. The merger
agreement provides that Liberty Mutual and LFC will indemnify and hold harmless
each current and former director and officer of LFC for a period of six years
for acts and omissions occurring before or as of the effective time of the
merger to the extent provided in the current articles of organization, bylaws or
indemnification agreements of LFC. The merger agreement further provides that
for a period of six years after the effective time of the merger, Liberty Mutual
will maintain liability insurance, either directly or through Liberty Mutual's
umbrella policy, with respect to events occurring before or as of the effective
time of the merger and covering all current directors and officers of LFC;
however, Liberty Mutual may reduce the coverage to the extent the cost would not
exceed 300% of the current annual premium, adjusted for inflation. In addition,
Liberty Mutual and LFC have agreed to indemnify each current and former
employee, agent, director and officer of LFC and its subsidiaries against all
claims, losses and the like arising out of his or her actions or omissions in
such capacity.
PROVISION FOR UNAFFILIATED STOCKHOLDERS
LFC and Liberty Mutual have made no provisions in connection with the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the merger to grant unaffiliated
stockholders of LFC access to corporate files of LFC or Liberty Mutual or to
obtain counsel or appraisal services at the expense of LFC or Liberty Mutual.
39
<Page>
POSITION OF LIBERTY MUTUAL AS TO FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTIONS
Liberty Mutual has considered the factors examined by the board of directors
of LFC described in detail below and under the heading "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Recommendations of the Board of Directors" above.
Based on these factors, Liberty Mutual believes that each of the transactions is
fair to LFC and its stockholders.
Liberty Mutual has indicated its intention to vote in favor of each of the
items proposed for approval at the meeting. An affirmative vote by Liberty
Mutual would ensure approval of the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction
and the merger. Liberty Mutual has entered into a voting agreement with Sun
Life, pursuant to which Liberty Mutual has agreed to vote all of its shares of
LFC common stock in favor of the Sun Life transaction and a voting agreement
with Fleet, pursuant to which Liberty Mutual has agreed to vote all of its
shares of LFC common stock in favor of the Fleet transaction, subject to the
terms of those agreements. A copy of the Sun Life voting agreement is included
as Appendix A-2 to this proxy statement and a copy of the Fleet voting agreement
is attached as Appendix B-2 to this proxy statement.
You should be aware, however, that Liberty Mutual is not making any
recommendation as to how you or any other LFC stockholder should vote on the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the merger.
POSITION OF LIBERTY MUTUAL AS TO FAIRNESS OF THE MERGER
Liberty Mutual believes that the merger and the consideration to be paid in
the merger to the holders of LFC's common stock who are unaffiliated with
Liberty Mutual is fair to those holders. Liberty Mutual bases its belief on the
following:
- the decision to effect the merger was the culmination of a thorough and
comprehensive auction process in which LFC considered a multitude of
scenarios, including the sale of the entire company to a single buyer and
selling segments of its business to one or more buyers;
- after a thorough review with independent financial and legal advisors,
LFC's board of directors concluded that each of the Sun Life transaction
and the Fleet transaction is fair to, advisable, and in the best interests
of LFC and recommended that LFC's stockholders approve each of the Sun
Life transaction and the Fleet transaction;
- LFC's board of directors, after consultation with its independent
financial and legal advisors, concluded that the merger is fair to,
advisable, and in the best interests of LFC's stockholders other than
Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries and recommended that LFC's
stockholders approve the merger agreement and the merger;
- the fact that, although the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston was
intended for the information and assistance of LFC's board of directors,
and Liberty Mutual is not entitled to rely on it, LFC's board received a
written opinion dated May 2, 2001 from Credit Suisse First Boston that, as
of the date thereof, and based on and subject to the matters described in
the opinion, the consideration provided for in the Sun Life Transaction
was fair from a financial point to LFC, as described under "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor";
- the fact that, although the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston was
intended for the information and assistance of LFC's board of directors,
and Liberty Mutual is not entitled to rely on it, LFC's board received a
written opinion dated June 4, 2001 from Credit Suisse First Boston that,
as of the date thereof, and based on and subject to the matters described
in the opinion, the consideration provided for in the Fleet transaction
was fair from a financial point of
40
<Page>
view to LFC, as described under "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor";
- the inability to find a transaction that would result in greater value to
the holders of LFC's common stock, including the inability to find any
purchaser willing to acquire LFC as a whole;
- the fact that, although the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston was
intended for the information and assistance of LFC's board of directors,
and Liberty Mutual is not entitled to rely on it, LFC's board received a
written opinion dated June 4, 2001 from Credit Suisse First Boston that as
of the date thereof, and based on and subject to the matters described in
the opinion, the $33.44 per share in cash, subject to adjustment, to be
received by the holders of LFC's common stock (except for Liberty Mutual
and its affiliates) in the merger was fair to such stockholders from a
financial point of view, as described under "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL
FACTORS--Opinions of the Financial Advisor";
- the merger agreement was negotiated with LFC management, with the
assistance of independent financial and legal advisors;
- the merger presented the most economically advantageous means by which LFC
could distribute the consideration to be received in connection with the
Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction to LFC's unaffiliated
stockholders;
- the consideration to be paid to the holders of common stock in the merger
represents a substantial premium over the pre-announcement trading price
and the historical trading prices of LFC common stock during the
24 months prior to LFC's November 2000 announcement of its decision to
explore its strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the
company; and
- increased competition from companies with greater access to capital and
management talent and greater scale and market position and LFC's relative
position in its current business segments decreased the likelihood that
LFC's management could implement strategies that would return its common
stock to either its historical high or to a price higher than the merger
consideration.
Liberty Mutual did not consider whether the consideration offered to the
unaffiliated holders of LFC's common stock in the merger constituted fair value
in relation to net book value, going concern value, liquidation value or the
purchase prices paid in connection with previously purchased shares, because it
did not believe those comparisons were relevant or meaningful in determining how
to distribute the cash to be held by LFC following completion of the Sun Life
transaction and the Fleet transaction. Liberty Mutual, however, believes that
each of the above factors supports its conclusion that the merger is fair to the
holders of LFC's common stock other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates.
Liberty Mutual and its board of directors adopted the conclusions as to
fairness, including procedural fairness, set forth under "THE
TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Recommendations of the Board of Directors,"
including the opinions of Credit Suisse First Boston as to the fairness from a
financial point of view of the consideration provided for in the transactions,
notwithstanding the fact that the opinions of Credit Suisse First Boston were
intended for the information and assistance of LFC's board of directors, and
Liberty Mutual is not entitled to rely on them. Liberty Mutual also reviewed the
procedures followed by the board of directors of LFC in its evaluations of the
terms of each of the Sun Life transaction and Fleet transaction, and determined
them to be reasonable grounds on which to decide that each of the Sun Life
transaction and the Fleet transaction was fair to LFC and its stockholders. In
view of the variety of factors considered in reaching its determinations,
Liberty Mutual did not quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the
specific factors considered in reaching its belief as to fairness. Liberty
Mutual is not making any recommendation as to how the holders of LFC's common
stock should vote on the Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the
merger.
41
<Page>
LIBERTY MUTUAL'S PURPOSE AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
Liberty Mutual has informed us that the purpose of the merger is for Liberty
Mutual to acquire substantially all of the shares of LFC that Liberty Mutual
does not already own for $33.44 per share in cash, subject to adjustment, as a
means to distribute to LFC's stockholders (other than Liberty Mutual and its
subsidiaries and LFC stockholders who validly perfect their statutory appraisal
rights) the net, after tax proceeds from the Sun Life transaction and Fleet
transaction.
The decision to effect the merger is the culmination of a thorough and
comprehensive auction process. In the course of the process, LFC considered a
multitude of scenarios, including the sale of the entire company to a single
buyer and selling segments of its business to one or more buyers. After a
thorough review with independent financial and legal advisors, LFC's board of
directors concluded that each of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction is fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of LFC and its
stockholders, and recommended that LFC's stockholders approve each of the Sun
Life transaction and the Fleet transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Sun
Life transaction and the Fleet transaction, LFC at the closing of the
transactions will receive cash proceeds of approximately $1.7 billion and
$900 million, subject to adjustment, respectively. In addition, Liberty Mutual
believes that the merger will not result in any immediate tax liability to
Liberty Mutual. The absence of a tax liability to Liberty Mutual, in turn,
allowed Liberty Mutual to agree to provide unaffiliated LFC stockholders a
greater portion of the merger consideration than they would receive from a
dividend or other pro rata distribution.
The inability to find transactions superior to the Sun Life transaction and
Fleet transaction after months of efforts to do so, coupled with the need to
distribute the net cash proceeds from the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction to the unaffiliated stockholders of LFC, led to Liberty Mutual's
decision to effect a going private merger transaction.
FACTORS CONSIDERED BY LIBERTY MUTUAL
Liberty Mutual has advised LFC that its belief that the consideration to be
received by LFC in the Sun Life transaction and Fleet transaction, respectively,
is fair from a financial point of view to LFC is based on the factors considered
by LFC's board of directors, including:
- each of the Sun Life purchase agreement and the Fleet purchase agreement
was negotiated at arm's length by LFC, which acted independently, with the
assistance of financial and legal advisors and on behalf of LFC and the
holders of LFC's common stock;
- the lack of prospects for an alternative to the Sun Life transaction and
the Fleet transaction that would result in greater value to the holders of
LFC's common stock; and
- notwithstanding the fact that the opinions of Credit Suisse First Boston
were intended for the information and assistance of the board of directors
of LFC and that Liberty Mutual is not entitled to rely, and has not relied
on them, the fact that Credit Suisse First Boston delivered to the board
of directors of LFC its opinions as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, of (a) the consideration provided for in the Sun Life
transaction to LFC and (b) the consideration provided for in the Fleet
transaction to LFC.
Liberty Mutual has advised LFC that its belief that the merger and the
consideration to be paid in the merger to the holders of LFC's common stock
other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates and LFC stockholders who have
validly exercised their statutory appraisal rights under Massachusetts law, is
fair from a financial point of view to the holders of LFC common stock, other
than Liberty Mutual and its
42
<Page>
affiliates and LFC stockholders who have validly exercised their statutory
appraisal rights under Massachusetts law, based on the factors considered by
LFC's board of directors, including:
- the merger agreement was negotiated by LFC, which acted independently,
with the assistance of financial and legal advisors and on behalf of the
holders of LFC's common stock;
- the lack of prospects for an alternative to the merger that would result
in greater value to the holders of LFC's common stock; and
- notwithstanding the fact that the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston
was intended for the information and assistance of the board of directors
of LFC and that Liberty Mutual is not intended to rely, and has not relied
on it, the fact that Credit Suisse First Boston delivered to the board of
directors of LFC its opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the merger consideration provided for in the merger agreement to
the holders of LFC common stock other than Liberty Mutual and its
affiliates.
PRIOR STOCK PURCHASES BY LIBERTY MUTUAL
LFC's board of directors established an optional dividend reinvestment plan,
or DRIP, for holders of its capital stock in 1995. Liberty Mutual participated
in the DRIP from its inception until the first quarter dividend for 2001, when
it began to take its dividend payment in cash. The table below sets forth the
price and number of shares of LFC common stock acquired by Liberty Mutual
pursuant to the DRIP during each quarter of 1999 and 2000:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO. OF SHARES ISSUED
DATE DIVIDEND DATE TO LIBERTY MUTUAL AVG. DAILY PRICE ON
DECLARED PAYABLE UNDER DRIP DATE PAYABLE
------------- -------- -------------------- -------------------
First Quarter........................ 02/11/00 03/10/00 174,249 $19.47
Second Quarter....................... 05/10/00 06/09/00 152,820 $22.31
Third Quarter........................ 08/10/00 09/06/00 141,243 $24.25
Fourth Quarter....................... 11/09/00 12/06/00 82,496 $41.69
</Table>
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO. OF SHARES ISSUED
DATE DIVIDEND DATE TO LIBERTY MUTUAL AVG. DAILY PRICE ON
DECLARED PAYABLE UNDER DRIP DATE PAYABLE
------------- -------- -------------------- -------------------
First Quarter........................ 02/11/99 03/12/99 152,996 $21.81
Second Quarter....................... 05/12/99 06/11/99 116,232 $28.84
Third Quarter........................ 08/11/99 09/08/99 135,758 $24.78
Fourth Quarter....................... 11/10/99 12/08/99 146,460 $23.06
</Table>
Liberty Mutual has not acquired any capital stock of LFC in the last two
years, other than pursuant to the DRIP.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Sun Life purchase agreement, subject to the fulfillment or
waiver of the conditions to closing specified therein, LFC and its subsidiary
LFS will sell the stock of the annuity subsidiaries to Sun Life. As a result of
the Sun Life transaction, LFC will receive cash consideration equal to
approximately $1.7 billion in cash.
Pursuant to the Fleet purchase agreement, subject to the fulfillment or
waiver of the conditions to closing specified therein, LFC and LFS will sell the
stock of the asset management subsidiaries to Fleet. As a result of the Fleet
transaction, LFC will receive cash consideration equal to approximately
$900 million in cash, subject to adjustment.
43
<Page>
Pending the completion of the merger, LFC intends to invest the proceeds of
each of the Sun Life transaction and Fleet transaction in highly rated, short
term, diversified, liquid investments. A pro rata portion of the interest on
these investments will be included in the calculation of the consideration paid
in the merger.
It is possible that either the Sun Life transaction or the Fleet transaction
could be completed and the other transaction might never be completed. If either
of the Sun Life transaction or the Fleet transaction is completed and the other
is not, LFC's stockholders would not receive the merger consideration, and the
LFC board will review the alternatives available to LFC at that time. These
alternatives may include one or more of the following:
- continuing to operate the remaining business segment as a public company;
- issuing a special dividend to LFC's stockholders;
- resuming the auction process for the remaining business segment; or
- engaging in an alternate going private transaction.
Because the circumstances surrounding such an event cannot be predicted, LFC
cannot state at this time which of these alternatives, if any, would be pursued.
Pursuant to the merger agreement, subject to the fulfillment or waiver of
specified conditions, including the consummation of the Sun Life and Fleet
transactions, Merger Sub will be merged with and into LFC, and LFC will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual. As a result of the merger, holders of
LFC common stock, other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates and those LFC
stockholders who have validly exercised their statutory appraisal rights under
Massachusetts law, will be entitled to receive $33.44, subject to adjustment, in
cash, for each share of LFC common stock outstanding at the time of the merger.
The result of adjustments to the merger consideration could be that the amount
you actually receive could vary materially from $33.44. Following the merger,
LFC's public stockholders will cease to have any ownership interest in LFC.
As a result of the merger, Liberty Mutual will own 100% of the outstanding
common stock of LFC. In connection with the merger, LFC will repay to Liberty
Mutual and its affiliates a loan in the aggregate principal amount of
$200 million. Upon consummation of the merger, LFC will delist its common stock
from the New York Stock Exchange and the Boston Stock Exchange and price
quotations will no longer be available. LFC common stock is currently registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Following the merger, LFC will terminate the registration of its common stock
under the Exchange Act, will formally terminate its filing obligations under the
Exchange Act, and will be relieved of the obligation to comply with the public
reporting requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to LFC's common stock.
Accordingly, LFC will no longer be required to file periodic reports with the
Commission, for example Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. In addition, LFC will no
longer be subject to the proxy rules of Regulation 14A or Rule 13e-3 under the
Exchange Act.
On or prior to the merger, all options outstanding under the LFC's stock
plans, to the extent not exercised prior to the effective time of the merger,
will be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment from LFC in accordance with the
retention plans and shares of restricted stock for which the target price in the
applicable restricted stock agreement is less than the market price of LFC
common stock on the date of a change of control will become fully vested in
accordance with the retention plans. For more information, we refer you to
sections entitled "INFORMATION ABOUT LFC--Retention Plans."
Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, all restricted common
stock granted under LFC's stock plans will, if not currently vested, be fully
vested in accordance with the retention plans.
44
<Page>
For more information on our retention plans we refer you to the information
under the heading "INFORMATION ABOUT LFC--Retention Plans."
The surviving company's articles of organization and bylaws immediately
after the merger will be LFC's articles of organization and bylaws in effect
immediately before the merger.
The directors of Merger Sub, will be the surviving company's directors
immediately after the merger. Merger Sub's officers immediately before the
merger will become the surviving company's executive officers immediately after
the merger.
STOCKHOLDER LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE MERGER
Between June 5, 2001 and June 6, 2001, five separate lawsuits seeking class
action status were filed by purported LFC stockholders in the Superior Court of
Suffolk County, Massachusetts against LFC, Fleet, Liberty Mutual and the
directors of LFC. Since then, the plaintiffs in four of the five lawsuits have
voluntarily dismissed their lawsuits without prejudice. In the one lawsuit
remaining, the plaintiff, Harbor Finance Partners, on behalf of itself and all
others similarly situated, alleges, among other things, that LFC, Liberty Mutual
and the directors of LFC have breached fiduciary duties owed to LFC stockholders
other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates, by not obtaining the best possible
price in the Fleet transaction and in the merger. The plaintiff alleges that the
defendants breached their fiduciary duty owed to LFC's stockholders by agreeing
to the terms of the proposed transaction and its timing, and failing to provide
a market check on the price obtained, which the plaintiff alleges is inadequate.
The defendants named in the remaining case are LFC, Liberty Mutual, Fleet and
Michael J. Babock, Gary L. Countryman, John P. Hamill, Marian L. Heard, Gerald
E. Anderson, Charles I. Clough, Edmund F. Kelly, Ray B. Mundt, Glenn P. Strehle,
William F. Connell, Paul J. Darling II, Thomas J. May and Dr. Kenneth L. Rose,
who were the directors of LFC and Liberty Mutual, at the time the complaint was
filed. The lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County
on June 6, 2001.
The plaintiff seeks, among other things:
- an order enjoining the merger from being consummated (or, if consummated,
an order rescinding the transaction); and
- an award of attorneys' fees and other costs of litigation.
In the event that the merger is consummated, the plaintiff has indicated
that it may choose to continue its action and seek rescission of the merger,
damages or both. LFC, Liberty Mutual and the directors of LFC believe that this
lawsuit is without merit and intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion is a summary of material United States federal
income tax consequences of the merger to those LFC stockholders whose shares of
common stock are held as capital assets and are converted into the right to
receive $33.44 in cash per share of LFC common stock, subject to adjustment, as
a result of the merger. Because it is a summary, it does not include an analysis
of all potential tax effects of the merger. For example, this summary:
- does not consider the effect of any applicable state, local or foreign tax
laws;
- does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may affect
particular stockholders in light of their particular circumstances;
- is not intended for stockholders who may be subject to special federal
income tax rules, such as:
-- insurance companies;
45
<Page>
-- tax-exempt organizations;
-- financial institutions or broker-dealers;
-- stockholders who hold their common stock as part of a hedge, straddle
or conversion transaction;
-- stockholders who acquired their common stock pursuant to the exercise
of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; and
-- stockholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States
or that are foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or foreign
estates or trusts as to the United States.
- does not address tax consequences to holders of stock options; and
- does not address tax consequences to Liberty Mutual, its affiliates or any
person who would be treated as constructively owning LFC common stock
immediately after the merger by reason of the attribution rules of
Section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the
Internal Revenue Code; these persons must consult with their own tax
advisor to determine the tax consequences to them.
This summary assumes that stockholders have held their LFC common stock as a
"capital asset" under the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, a "capital asset" is
property held for investment. This summary is based on the current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code, applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authorities
and administrative rulings and practice. None of LFC, Liberty Mutual or any of
their respective affiliates has sought or intends to seek a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service with respect to any aspect of the merger. Future
legislative, judicial or administrative changes or interpretations could alter
or modify the statements and conclusions set forth in this section. Any of these
changes or interpretations could be retroactive and could affect the tax
consequences of the merger to you.
You should consult your own tax advisor with respect to the particular tax
consequences of the merger, including the applicability and effect of any state,
local or foreign tax laws, and of changes in applicable tax laws.
TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK. The conversion of your shares of LFC
common stock into the right to receive $33.44 in cash per share, subject to
adjustment, as a result of the merger, or cash received pursuant to the exercise
of your appraisal rights, will be fully taxable to you. Subject to the
assumptions and limitations described above, you will recognize a capital gain
or loss equal to the difference between:
- the amount of cash you receive in the merger; and
- your tax basis in your LFC common stock.
Generally, your tax basis in your common stock will be equal to what you
paid for your stock. If you are an individual:
- long-term capital gain will be taxable at a maximum capital gains rate of
20% if you held your shares for more than one year at the time of the
merger;
- gain on shares held for one year or less will be subject to ordinary
income tax rates; and
- capital loss may only be offset against capital gains or up to $3,000 per
year of ordinary income, with a carryover of that capital loss to
subsequent years to the extent unused.
46
<Page>
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. You may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of
30.5% with respect to the gross proceeds you receive from the conversion of your
common stock into cash unless you:
- are a corporation or other exempt recipient and, when required, establish
this exemption; or
- provide your correct taxpayer identification number, certify that you are
not currently subject to backup withholding and otherwise comply with
applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. You will be asked
to provide this information in a letter of transmittal to be sent to
stockholders after the effective time of the merger.
If, after the merger, you do not provide the paying agent with your correct
taxpayer identification number, and any other documents or certifications
required by the Internal Revenue Service, including, among others, Form W-9 or a
substitute for this Form, you may be subject to penalties imposed by the
Internal Revenue Service. Any amount withheld under these backup withholding
rules will be creditable against your federal income tax liability. The paying
agent will report to you and to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of any
reportable payment made to you (including payments made to you pursuant to the
merger) and any amount withheld pursuant to the merger.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Sun Life transaction and the Fleet transaction will each be accounted
for as a sale of a business upon completion of each respective transaction. The
merger will be accounted for as the acquisition of a minority interest by
Liberty Mutual, using the purchase method of accounting.
FINANCING; SOURCE OF FUNDS
The obligation of Sun Life to consummate the Sun Life transaction is not
subject to any financing contingency, although LFC has agreed to permit Sun Life
an additional 30 calendar days after the fulfillment of the conditions to
closing to raise funds to complete the Sun Life transaction. The obligation of
Fleet to consummate the Fleet transaction is not subject to any financing
contingency. The merger is conditioned upon the consummation of both the Sun
Life and Fleet transactions, and the merger consideration, which will be an
amount equal to $33.44 per share in cash, subject to adjustment, for each LFC
stockholder (other than Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries and LFC stockholders
who have validly perfected their statutory appraisal rights), will be funded
from the net proceeds of the Sun Life and Fleet transactions. The merger is
conditioned upon the completion of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction.
FEES AND EXPENSES
LFC will be responsible for paying its transaction-related fees and
expenses, except that, if the Sun Life transaction, or the Fleet transaction or
both occur, Sun Life, Fleet or both, as applicable, will pay a portion of the
costs of printing and mailing this proxy statement. Fleet has also agreed to pay
one-half of the costs of printing and mailing proxy statements to the
stockholders of LFC's asset management subsidiaries to obtain approval of new
investment advisory agreements as required by the Investment Company Act. LFC's
transaction related fees and expenses will consist primarily of fees and
expenses of investment bankers, attorneys and accountants, Commission filing
fees, printing fees and
47
<Page>
other related charges, which it estimates will total approximately $25 million,
assuming the transactions are completed. This amount consists of the following
estimated fees:
<Table>
<Caption>
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
- ----------- -----------
Investment banking fees and expenses........................ $18,000,000
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 2,500,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................ 900,000
Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee............... 600,000
Printing, solicitation and mailing costs.................... 2,100,000
Miscellaneous expenses...................................... 900,000
-----------
Total....................................................... $25,000,000
===========
</Table>
For a discussion of the fees associated with a termination of the Sun Life
transaction or the Fleet transaction, we refer you to "SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun Life Purchase Agreement" and "FLEET
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Purchase Agreement."
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
We set forth below a summary of the primary regulatory clearances and
approvals required to effect the transactions. While we believe that we will
obtain those requisite regulatory clearances and approvals for the transactions,
we cannot assure you that we will obtain these approvals on satisfactory terms
or otherwise.
We are not aware of any material governmental approvals or actions that may
be required for completion of the transactions other than as described below.
Should any other approval or action be required, we currently contemplate that
the approval would be sought or action taken.
The Sun Life purchase agreement obligates LFC and Sun Life to complete the
Sun Life transaction and the Fleet purchase agreement obligates LFC and Fleet to
complete the Fleet transaction only, in each case, if the applicable waiting
period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act described below
has terminated or expired and if the companies have obtained or made all other
governmental approvals, clearances and filings that, if not obtained, would have
a material adverse effect. The satisfaction of these regulatory requirements may
jeopardize or delay completion of the transactions or may reduce the anticipated
benefits of the transactions because governmental authorities may subject the
completion of any of the transactions to compliance with conditions. LFC and Sun
Life have agreed in the Sun Life purchase agreement, that neither Sun Life nor
LFC and LFS will be required to make or enter into any divestiture, license,
agreement or payment or take any action which would have a material adverse
effect on any material portion of Sun Life or the annuity business, in order to
obtain a regulatory consent or waiver. For more information, we refer you to the
text of the Sun Life purchase agreement attached to this proxy statement as
Appendix A-1 and to the text of the Fleet purchase agreement attached to this
proxy statement as Appendix B-1.
ANTI-TRUST APPROVALS. The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and
the rules promulgated under that act by the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC,
require the provision of notifications and information to the Antitrust Division
of the Department of Justice and the FTC and the satisfaction of specified
waiting period requirements in connection with the Sun Life transaction and the
Fleet transaction.
- On July 16, 2001, LFC and Sun Life filed the required pre-merger
notification and report forms with the Antitrust Division and the FTC. On
July 27, 2001, the FTC granted early termination of the waiting period in
connection with this filing.
48
<Page>
- On August 8, 2001, LFC and Fleet filed the required pre-merger
notification and report forms with the Antitrust Division and the FTC. On
August 20, 2001, the FTC granted early termination of the waiting period
in connection with this filing.
The Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the FTC frequently
scrutinize the legality under the antitrust laws of transactions like the Sun
Life and Fleet transactions. At any time before or after the completion of each
sale, the Antitrust Division or the FTC could take any action under the
antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest,
including seeking to enjoin the completion of the Sun Life transaction or the
Fleet transaction or seeking the divestiture of substantial assets of LFC, Sun
Life or Fleet.
SUN LIFE TRANSACTION. In connection with the Sun Life transaction, the
parties are required to make filings with and obtain approvals from various
United States, foreign and state governmental agencies, including:
- Sun Life is required to file and has filed a Form A--"Statement Regarding
the Acquisition of Control or Merger with a Domestic Insurer," with the
Division of Insurance of the Department of Business Regulation of the
State of Rhode Island regarding Keyport Life Insurance Company, an annuity
subsidiary that is being sold to Sun Life in the Sun Life transaction, and
the New York State Insurance Department with respect to Keyport Benefit
Life Insurance Company, an annuity subsidiary being sold to Sun Life in
the Sun Life transaction; as of the date of this proxy statement Sun Life
has made these filings with the Rhode Island and New York regulators but
has not obtained the related approvals;
- providing pre-acquisition notice to applicable insurance regulatory
authorities of certain states; as of the date of this proxy statement,
those notices had been filed but approvals of the regulators had not been
obtained; and
- regulatory clearances and approvals by antitrust regulators in Canada.
FLEET TRANSACTION. In connection with the Fleet transaction, the parties
will be required to make filings with and obtain approvals from various United
States, foreign and state governmental agencies, including:
- filing notice with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and
- filing with the Commission, information required by Exchange Act
Regulation 14A with respect to proxy material to be sent to fund
stockholders; as of the date of this proxy statement, these filings have
been made.
MERGER. In connection with the merger, LFC will be required to make filings
with and obtain approvals from various federal and state governmental agencies,
including:
- the filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts in accordance with Massachusetts law after the adoption of
the merger agreement by LFC's stockholders; and
- compliance with federal and state securities laws, including filing with
the Commission, information required by Regulation 14A and Rule 13e-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act with respect to proxy materials to be
sent to LFC stockholders.
49
<Page>
------------------------
SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS
------------------------
On May 2, 2001, LFC, Sun Life and Liberty Financial Services, Inc., or LFS,
a wholly owned subsidiary of LFC, entered into a stock purchase agreement, or
the Sun Life purchase agreement. Simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life
purchase agreement:
- Liberty Mutual and Sun Life entered into a voting agreement, or the Sun
Life voting agreement, a license agreement, a letter agreement concerning
tax matters, and an agreement to enter into a guaranty by Liberty Mutual
for the benefit of Sun Life with respect to certain obligations of Keyport
Life Insurance Company, or Keyport, one of the annuity subsidiaries to be
purchased by Sun Life under the Sun Life purchase agreement; and
- Keyport and Liberty Life Assurance Company, or Liberty Life, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, entered into amendments to existing
administrative services agreements to amend the terms under which Keyport
and Liberty Life can terminate the administrative services agreements, and
entered into a termination agreement with respect to certain provisions of
an existing reinsurance agreement and a related servicing agreement, or
the Keyport agreements.
The Sun Life purchase agreement and the other agreements listed above are
sometimes referred to collectively in this proxy statement as the Sun Life
transaction agreements.
LFC and Sun Life also entered into a transition services and indemnification
agreement. This agreement contemplates that LFC might subsequently enter into an
agreement with a third party to buy LFC's asset management business. Fleet has
agreed to become a party to that agreement at the closing of the Fleet
transaction. The agreement relates to services to be provided between the
purchaser of the annuity subsidiaries and LFC or the purchaser of the asset
management subsidiaries for a period of time after the closings of the sales of
those subsidiaries by LFC and provides for certain indemnification rights among
LFC and each of the purchasers. In general, Fleet will indemnify LFC and Sun
Life for liabilities relating to the asset management business, Sun Life will
indemnify LFC and Fleet for liabilities relating to the annuity business, and
LFC will indemnify Sun Life and Fleet for corporate liabilities of LFC.
The text of the agreements and other related agreements are attached to this
proxy statement as Appendixes F-1, F-2 and F-3. You can read a description of
the agreement and other related agreements in this proxy statement under the
heading "TRANSITION SERVICES AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND RELATED
AGREEMENTS."
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the Sun Life
transaction agreements. Because it is a summary, it is not a complete
description of all of the provisions of those agreements. The text of the Sun
Life purchase agreement and the Sun Life voting agreement, which are attached as
Appendixes A-1 and A-2, respectively, to this proxy statement, are incorporated
into this section by reference. For a more complete understanding of the
contents of those agreements, we encourage you to read the summary section of
this proxy statement and the Sun Life purchase agreement and the Sun Life voting
agreement in their entirety.
THE SUN LIFE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THE SUN LIFE TRANSACTION
Sun Life has agreed to purchase, and LFC and LFS have agreed to sell, all of
the issued and outstanding capital stock of the annuity subsidiaries. Sun Life
will pay LFC and LFS an aggregate purchase price equal to approximately
$1.7 billion in exchange for the stock of the annuity subsidiaries. We expect
that the Sun Life transaction will close in the second half of 2001.
50
<Page>
TAX TREATMENT OF THE SALE
LFC, LFS and Sun Life have agreed to make a joint election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code in connection with the Sun Life
transaction. The result of making this election will be that for federal income
tax purposes:
- each of the annuity subsidiaries will be treated as if it had sold all of
its assets in a taxable transaction for an amount equal to the portion of
the total purchase price paid by Sun Life, including liabilities of each
such annuity subsidiary and liabilities to which the assets of each such
annuity subsidiary is subject, that is allocable to that annuity
subsidiary;
- after this deemed sale of assets, each annuity subsidiary will be treated
as if it had distributed all of its assets to its stockholder and ceased
to exist; and
- the tax basis of the assets of each annuity subsidiary acquired by Sun
Life in the Sun Life transaction will be "stepped up," such that the total
tax basis of each annuity subsidiary in its assets will be equal to the
portion of the total purchase price paid by Sun Life, including any
liabilities of each such annuity subsidiary and any liabilities to which
the assets of each annuity subsidiary is subject, that is allocable to
that subsidiary.
LFC and LFS will recognize no separate gain or loss on the sale of the stock
of the annuity subsidiaries to Sun Life, but will be responsible for all taxes
of the annuity subsidiaries arising from the Section 338(h)(10) election,
including any taxes arising from the deemed sale of assets of each of the
annuity subsidiaries. As of the date of this proxy statement, LFC estimates that
taxes payable by LFC and LFS on the sale of the annuity subsidiaries will be
approximately $215 million.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In the Sun Life purchase agreement, Sun Life has represented and warranted
particular matters to LFC and LFS. Those representations and warranties include,
among other things, representations and warranties relating to:
- its organization, standing and qualification to do business;
- its authorization to enter into the Sun Life purchase agreement;
- its compliance with applicable laws, as well as its organizational
documents and other contracts;
- the accuracy of information provided by Sun Life and to be included in
this proxy statement and information to be included in filings required by
state insurance regulators in the U.S.;
- its financial ability to pay the purchase price at the closing;
- the absence of litigation that would impair its ability to complete the
Sun Life transaction; and
- its ability to make the election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal
Revenue Code, as well as other state tax elections.
The Sun Life purchase agreement also contains representations and warranties
by LFC and LFS relating to, among other things:
- their organization, standing and qualification to do business;
- general descriptions of the annuity subsidiaries, including descriptions
of capital structure, jurisdiction of organization, standing and
qualification to do business;
- their authorization to enter into the Sun Life purchase agreement;
- their compliance with applicable laws, as well as with their
organizational documents and other contracts;
51
<Page>
- the accuracy of information included in regulatory filings, including
certain Commission filings made in the past by LFC and Keyport Life
Insurance Company, as well as information to be included in connection
with the transactions described in this proxy statement and information to
be included in filings required by state insurance regulators in the U.S.;
- litigation against the annuity subsidiaries;
- the absence of changes or events since December 31, 2000 that are
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the annuity subsidiaries,
taken as a whole;
- transactions with affiliates of the annuity subsidiaries;
- employee benefit plans and agreements and compliance with applicable
employment law;
- liens on the assets of the annuity subsidiaries;
- compliance with laws and regulations relating to, among other things, tax,
securities and insurance company regulation;
- the ownership and use of, as well as legal claims regarding, intellectual
property of the annuity subsidiaries;
- the absence of material undisclosed liabilities;
- the receipt of an opinion of LFC's financial advisor;
- material contracts of the annuity subsidiaries; and
- the necessary stockholder vote required to approve the Sun Life
transaction.
The representations and warranties in the Sun Life purchase agreement do not
survive the closing of the Sun Life transaction.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE CONDUCT OF LFC, LFS AND THE ANNUITY SUBSIDIARIES PRIOR
TO THE CLOSING
The Sun Life purchase agreement contains a number of restrictions on the
conduct of LFC, LFS and the annuity subsidiaries pending the closing. In
general, the Sun Life purchase agreement provides that LFC and LFS will cause
the annuity subsidiaries to operate their respective businesses only in the
ordinary course of business consistent with their past practices and to use
commercially reasonable efforts to maintain their business organization,
employees and business arrangements.
The Sun Life purchase agreement also lists particular actions that the
annuity subsidiaries may not take prior to the closing without the consent of
Sun Life. Examples of these restricted actions include the following:
- issuing or selling, or agreeing to issue or sell, shares of capital stock
of any annuity subsidiary;
- acquiring, disposing of or pledging material assets, other than in the
ordinary course of business;
- amending the organizational documents of any annuity subsidiary;
- paying dividends or distributions or splitting, combining or reclassifying
shares of capital stock of any annuity subsidiary;
- unless otherwise permitted in the Sun Life purchase agreement, agreeing to
merge or enter into any business combination with another entity;
- unless otherwise permitted in the Sun Life purchase agreement, agreeing to
dispose of a material amount of assets or relinquishing any material
contractual rights;
- acquiring or making a material investment in another entity;
52
<Page>
- incurring indebtedness other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices;
- entering into any material contract other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices or terminating, amending,
modifying or waiving compliance with any provision of an existing material
contract in a manner that would be materially adverse to the annuity
subsidiaries;
- making material tax elections, releasing, assigning, settling or
compromising any material tax liability, waiving any statute of
limitations relating to any tax claim;
- taking any action to change accounting policies or procedures;
- releasing, assigning, settling or compromising any material claim or
litigation;
- changing reserving methods;
- paying, discharging or satisfying any claims, liabilities or obligations
other than in the ordinary course of business; or
- entering into any structured settlement, funding or reinsurance or
arrangement other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices, subject to exceptions described in the Sun Life purchase
agreement.
Except as required by law or permitted by or contemplated under the Sun Life
purchase agreement, LFC and LFS have also agreed that they will not, and they
will not permit any of the annuity subsidiaries to adopt or amend in any
material respect any employee benefit plan or arrangement (other than
commercially reasonable arrangements entered into with new hires) or take any
action with respect to termination or severance pay or with respect to any
increase of benefits payable under its retention, severance or termination pay
policies in effect on May 2, 2001, with respect to employees of the annuity
subsidiaries. LFC has also agreed to cause its insurance subsidiaries to manage
their investing activities consistently with their business plans and subject to
certain restrictions.
COVENANTS OF LFC AND LFS
LFC and LFS have made certain other covenants in the Sun Life purchase
agreement. Among these are covenants that LFC will promptly call a meeting of
its stockholders to vote on the Sun Life purchase agreement, prepare and mail
this proxy statement, recommend that you authorize the Sun Life transaction
contemplated by the Sun Life purchase agreement and bear all fees and expenses
of LFC, LFS and the annuity subsidiaries in connection with the Sun Life
transaction, except for a portion of the costs of printing and mailing this
proxy statement, which will be borne by Sun Life. Other significant covenants of
LFC and LFS include covenants to assist Sun Life in making certain filings
required by state insurance regulators and covenants to take other actions that
may be required to complete the Sun Life transaction. In addition, LFC agreed to
settle before the closing intercompany accounts, agreements and other
arrangements between LFC and the annuity subsidiaries.
Additionally, LFC and LFS have agreed that they and the annuity subsidiaries
and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents, including Credit Suisse First Boston, will not
solicit or initiate discussions concerning, and will not provide information or
engage in discussions with any third party regarding, any transaction that
involves the sale of the annuity subsidiaries or that would adversely affect the
ability of the parties to complete the Sun Life transaction. The agreement does
not limit LFC with respect to a potential transaction related to any portion of
LFC or its subsidiaries other than the annuity subsidiaries. The Sun Life
purchase agreement expressly permits LFC, LFS and their subsidiaries to do the
foregoing under certain circumstances in order to comply with fiduciary duties
of LFC's board of directors and other duties imposed under applicable law. The
Sun Life purchase agreement also provides that LFC and LFS may enter into
53
<Page>
another transaction involving the annuity subsidiaries, including a transaction
relating to LFC as a whole, if the proposed transaction would be, in the good
faith judgment of LFC's board of directors, superior to the Sun Life transaction
and in the best interests of LFC's stockholders. LFC and LFS have agreed to
communicate with Sun Life regarding the details of any acquisition proposals
that are in conflict with the Sun Life transaction and provide Sun Life three
days to offer to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of the Sun Life
purchase agreement in the event of a competing acquisition proposal. Moreover,
LFC has covenanted that, unless otherwise required to comply with its fiduciary
duties to its stockholders, LFC's board of directors will not do any of the
following:
- fail to recommend or withdraw its recommendation of the Sun Life
transaction;
- modify or qualify its recommendation of the Sun Life transaction;
- approve or recommend any proposal concerning an acquisition that is in
conflict with the Sun Life transaction; or
- enter into any agreement or arrangement concerning an acquisition that is
in conflict with the Sun Life transaction.
Liberty Mutual's voting agreement with Sun Life to vote in favor of the Sun
Life transaction will terminate if LFC elects to terminate the Sun Life purchase
agreement so that LFC's board of directors may comply with its fiduciary and
other duties imposed under applicable law.
OTHER COVENANTS
LFC, LFS and Sun Life have made covenants with respect to the treatment of
employees of the annuity subsidiaries and the continuation of benefits for those
employees after the Sun Life transaction is completed. In general, the parties
also agreed to covenants regarding cooperation in preparing and filing tax
returns and indemnification by LFC and LFS for failure to pay taxes owing for
tax periods prior to the closing relating to the business of the annuity
subsidiaries that are consolidated for tax purposes with LFC.
CONDITIONS
MUTUAL CLOSING CONDITIONS. The obligations of all parties to complete the
Sun Life transaction are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the other
parties of the following conditions:
- authorization of the Sun Life transaction by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of
LFC;
- the termination or expiration of the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act;
- obtaining all other material legal consents or approvals;
- the absence of any legal prohibition against the Sun Life transaction; and
- the effectiveness of the transition services agreement and indemnification
described below.
ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF LFC AND LFS. The
obligation of LFC and LFS to complete the Sun Life transaction is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:
- the accuracy of Sun Life's representations and warranties in the Sun Life
purchase agreement as of the closing date except to the extent any
inaccuracies, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to impair materially the ability of Sun Life to perform its
obligations under the Sun Life purchase agreement;
54
<Page>
- the performance by Sun Life in all material respects of its obligations
under the Sun Life purchase agreement; and
- the payment of the purchase price.
ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF SUN LIFE. The obligation
of Sun Life to complete the Sun Life transaction is subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of the following additional conditions:
- the accuracy of the representations and warranties of LFC and LFS in the
Sun Life purchase agreement as of the closing date except to the extent
any inaccuracies, individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the annuity subsidiaries;
- the performance by LFC and LFS in all material respects of their
obligations under the Sun Life purchase agreement;
- obtaining certain consents, waivers or approvals;
- the absence of a change, effect or circumstance that would have a material
and adverse effect on the assets, condition, business, operations or
results of operations of the annuity subsidiaries or which would prevent
or delay the completion by LFC or LFS of the Sun Life transaction;
- the delivery of certificates representing the shares of capital stock of
the annuity subsidiaries;
- the delivery of a certificate confirming that LFC is not a foreign person
under Treasury Regulations that would require Sun Life to withhold a
portion of the purchase price; and
- the effectiveness of each of the agreements described below, between Sun
Life and Liberty Mutual.
TERMINATION OF THE SUN LIFE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
RIGHT TO TERMINATE. The Sun Life purchase agreement may be terminated at
any time before the closing in any of the following ways:
- by the mutual written consent of all parties;
- by either Sun Life or LFC and LFS, if the Sun Life transaction is not
completed by March 31, 2002, so long as the failure of the terminating
party to fulfill its obligations under the Sun Life purchase agreement is
not the cause of the failure of the Sun Life transaction to be completed
prior to that date;
- by either Sun Life or LFC if there shall be any final and non-appealable
order preventing the completion of the Sun Life transaction;
- by Sun Life, or by LFC (provided that in the event of a termination by
LFC, LFC must pay Sun Life a termination fee as described below), prior to
the authorization of the Sun Life transaction by the stockholders of LFC,
if LFC's board of directors withdraws, modifies, changes or fails to
reaffirm its recommendation of the Sun Life transaction;
- by Sun Life, or by LFC (provided that in the event of a termination by
LFC, LFC must pay Sun Life a termination fee as described below), prior to
the authorization of the Sun Life transaction by the stockholders of LFC,
if LFC's board of directors recommends an acquisition proposal that is in
conflict with the Sun Life transaction;
- by Sun Life, or by LFC (provided that in the event of a termination by
LFC, LFC must pay Sun Life a termination fee as described below), prior to
the authorization of the Sun Life transaction by the stockholders of LFC,
if a tender or exchange offer for 20% or more of LFC's outstanding
55
<Page>
capital stock is commenced and LFC's board of directors fails to recommend
against the tender or exchange offer within 10 days after the commencement
of the tender or exchange offer;
- by either Sun Life or LFC and LFS, if the stockholders of LFC do not
authorize the Sun Life transaction at the special meeting of LFC's
described in this proxy statement;
- by Sun Life, upon a breach of a representation or warranty or material
covenant by LFC or LFS that is not cured within 30 days; or
- by LFC and LFS, upon a breach of a representation or warranty or material
covenant by Sun Life that is not cured within 30 days.
If the Sun Life purchase agreement is terminated, all obligations of the
parties under the Sun Life purchase agreement, except for obligations with
respect to fees and expenses associated with the Sun Life transaction or the
payment by LFC of a termination fee upon the occurrence of certain events as
described below or arising in connection with a willful breach, will terminate
and be of no further force and effect. If the Sun Life purchase agreement is
terminated by either Sun Life or by LFC and LFS due to the other party's breach,
the terminating party will be entitled to reimbursement of its fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the Sun Life purchase agreement.
TERMINATION FEE
Upon the termination of the Sun Life purchase agreement under any of the
following circumstances, LFC would be required to pay Sun Life a termination fee
of $85.1 million:
- if Sun Life terminates the Sun Life purchase agreement due to a breach by
LFC or LFS of representations, warranties or material covenants set forth
in the Sun Life purchase agreement, and on the date of termination LFC has
received, or within three months after that date, LFC receives a proposal
for a transaction that LFC would not be entitled to enter into under the
Sun Life purchase agreement without payment of the termination fee and,
within 12 months from the date of termination of the Sun Life purchase
agreement, LFC and LFS complete that transaction for a total purchase
price that is greater than the purchase price payable under the Sun Life
purchase agreement;
- if Sun Life terminates the Sun Life purchase agreement due to a breach by
LFC of its obligations not to solicit offers for, or engage in
negotiations regarding, a transaction that is in conflict with the Sun
Life transaction; or
- if Sun Life terminates, or if LFC and LFS terminate, the Sun Life purchase
agreement (which LFC and LFS can do only after they have paid the
termination fee) because:
-- LFC's board of directors has withdrawn, modified, changed or failed
to reaffirm its recommendation that LFC's stockholders authorize the
Sun Life transaction,
-- LFC's board of directors has recommended to LFC's stockholders a
transaction that is in conflict with the Sun Life transaction, or
-- a tender or exchange offer for 20% or more of LFC's outstanding
capital stock has been commenced and LFC's board of directors has
failed to recommend against the tender or exchange offer within
10 days after the commencement of the tender or exchange offer.
The $85.1 million termination fee payable to Sun Life was determined after
lengthy negotiations between the parties. LFC agreed to the $85.1 million
termination fee because:
- the agreed upon fee was the result of active bargaining with Sun Life on
the fee and other provisions of the Sun Life purchase agreement;
56
<Page>
- the amount was within the range of reasonableness for transactions of this
type and magnitude; and
- the fee was not so large as to prohibit an unsolicited qualified
acquisition proposal.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
At any time prior to the authorization of the Sun Life transaction by LFC's
stockholders, any provision of the Sun Life purchase agreement may be amended or
waived by a written agreement signed by all parties. After the authorization of
the Sun Life transaction by LFC's stockholders, all amendments and waivers under
the Sun Life purchase agreement are subject to the conditions that those changes
would not reduce the amount or change the form of the purchase price or change
any terms that would, alone or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect
LFC's stockholders.
THE SUN LIFE VOTING AGREEMENT
On May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement, at Sun Life's request, Liberty Mutual entered into a voting agreement
with Sun Life. Liberty Mutual agreed in the Sun Life voting agreement to vote
all of its shares of LFC common stock in favor of, and against all matters
inconsistent with, the authorization of the Sun Life purchase agreement and the
completion of the Sun Life transaction, in accordance with that agreement. As of
the record date of the special meeting, Liberty Mutual was the beneficial owner
of approximately 70.4% of LFC's common stock.
Liberty Mutual agreed in the Sun Life voting agreement that it will not
sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of its LFC stock prior to the termination of
the Sun Life voting agreement. The Sun Life voting agreement terminates upon
either the termination of the Sun Life purchase agreement, including if LFC
elects to terminate the Sun Life purchase agreement to permit its board of
directors to comply with its fiduciary and other duties under applicable law, or
the mutual written consent of Sun Life and Liberty Mutual.
THE SUN LIFE LICENSE AGREEMENT
On May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement, at Sun Life's request, Liberty Mutual and LFC entered into a license
agreement with Sun Life, or the Sun Life license agreement.
The Sun Life license agreement provides that for a period of one year
following the completion of the Sun Life transaction, Sun Life will have a
royalty free, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive license to use
the Liberty mark and trade name, the Statue of Liberty design and other
associated marks and trade names used in connection with the annuity and retail
distribution business for a period of one year following the completion of the
Sun Life transaction. The license granted to Sun Life also permits Sun Life to
use the licensed marks and trade names in connection with any products relating
to the annuity subsidiaries under development or scheduled for launch as of the
closing of the Sun Life transaction. The Sun Life license agreement generally
restricts Sun Life's use of the licensed marks and trade names in connection
with printed and on-line materials other than with respect to printed and
on-line materials bearing the licensed marks on the date of the completion of
the Sun Life transaction and the reproduction of printed and on-line materials
during the one-year license period.
The Sun Life license agreement also contains other covenants and provisions
more fully set forth in the Sun Life license agreement. Neither Liberty Mutual
nor LFC will receive compensation or other consideration under the Sun Life
license agreement.
57
<Page>
THE SUN LIFE/LIBERTY MUTUAL LETTER AGREEMENT
On May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement, at Sun Life's request, Liberty Mutual and Sun Life entered into a
letter agreement.
Under this letter agreement, Liberty Mutual agreed to guarantee the
obligations of LFC with respect to certain tax-related matters arising under the
Sun Life purchase agreement. In particular, Liberty Mutual agreed to guarantee
LFC's obligations to:
- pay taxes arising as a result of making an election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. See the description of
the Sun Life purchase agreement above in this proxy statement and the Sun
Life purchase agreement itself for a more detailed description of LFC's
obligations and the effect of making an election under Internal Revenue
Code Section 338(h)(10);
- cause the annuity subsidiaries to refrain from making any material tax
elections without the consent of Sun Life; and
- comply with and perform various covenants, obligations and indemnities,
including without limitation filing tax returns, settling intercompany tax
accounts and cooperating with Sun Life with respect to tax matters after
the completion of the Sun Life transaction.
Additionally, Liberty Mutual agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Sun Life
from and against claims or liabilities of any annuity subsidiary relating to
income taxes arising in any taxable year in which Liberty Mutual filed a
consolidated tax return covering that subsidiary. Liberty Mutual will not
receive compensation or other consideration under this letter agreement.
THE LIBERTY MUTUAL GUARANTY
On May 2, 2001, Liberty Mutual signed a letter agreement at the request of
Sun Life under which Liberty Mutual undertook certain obligations with respect
to a guaranty agreement. In accordance with that letter agreement, Liberty
Mutual filed a form of guaranty agreement with the Massachusetts Department of
Insurance, or the MDI. The MDI approved the guaranty agreement, and on May 22,
2001, Liberty Mutual, Keyport and Sun Life entered into the guaranty agreement.
In the normal course of its business, Keyport has entered into arrangements
with Liberty Mutual that constitute "qualified assignments" within the meaning
of Section 130(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Keyport funded its obligations
under those arrangements by purchasing annuity policies from Liberty Life. The
guaranty agreement entered into on May 22, 2001 provides that Liberty Mutual
will guaranty to Keyport and Sun Life the complete payment, performance and
satisfaction of each obligation of Liberty Life Assurance Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, or Liberty Life, under the annuity contracts
sold to Keyport. The guaranty agreement further provides that Liberty Mutual
will indemnify Keyport and Sun Life from losses incurred through the failure of
Liberty Mutual or Liberty Life to perform the obligations under the annuity
contracts. Liberty Mutual will not receive compensation or other consideration
under the guarantee agreement.
THE KEYPORT AGREEMENTS
On May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement, at Sun Life's request, Keyport entered into two agreements with
Liberty Life.
AMENDMENT TO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENTS
In June 1993, Keyport and Liberty Life entered into an administrative
services agreement pursuant to which Keyport provides certain administrative and
other services with respect to certain annuity contracts sold by Liberty Life in
the State of New York. This administrative services agreement
58
<Page>
provides that either party may terminate the agreement by providing the other
party with six months prior written notice. The amendment entered into on
May 2, 2001 amends the termination provision such that either party may
terminate the agreement only upon eighteen months prior notice. All other
provisions of the administrative services agreement remain in full force and
effect.
TERMINATION OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER REINSURANCE AND RELATED SERVICING AGREEMENT
In February 1996, Keyport and Liberty Life entered into a reinsurance
agreement under which Liberty Life agreed to reinsure certain single premium
immediate annuity policies issued by Keyport. In December 1996, Keyport and
Liberty Life entered into a servicing agreement under which Liberty Life agreed
to provide Keyport with marketing, administration, electronic data processing,
contract owner services and agent owner services in connection with the policies
reinsured by Liberty Life under the reinsurance agreement. The agreement entered
into on May 2, 2001 provides that, upon the completion of the Sun Life
transaction, the reinsurance agreement and related servicing agreement will be
terminated, but only with respect to policies issued by Keyport on or after the
date on which the Sun Life transaction is completed. The reinsurance agreement
and servicing agreement will remain in full force and effect with respect to
covered policies issued prior to that date. Neither Liberty Mutual nor Liberty
Life will receive compensation or other consideration under these agreements.
59
<Page>
------------------------
FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS
------------------------
On June 4, 2001, Fleet and LFC and LFS, entered into a stock purchase
agreement, or the Fleet purchase agreement. Simultaneously with the signing of
the Fleet purchase agreement, at Fleet's request, Liberty Mutual and Fleet
entered into a voting agreement, or the Fleet voting agreement, a license
agreement and a letter agreement concerning tax matters. The Fleet purchase
agreement, the Fleet voting agreement, the license agreement and the letter
agreement concerning tax matters are sometimes referred to collectively in this
proxy statement as the Fleet transaction agreements.
Fleet and LFC also entered into two letter agreements relating to the
transition services and indemnification agreement between Sun Life and LFC. You
can read a description of the transition services agreement and the side letters
between Fleet and LFC in this proxy statement under the heading "TRANSITION
SERVICES AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS."
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the Fleet
transaction agreements. Because it is a summary, it is not a complete
description of all of the provisions of those agreements. The text of the Fleet
purchase agreement and the Fleet voting agreement, which are attached as
Appendixes B-1 and B-2, respectively, to this proxy statement, are incorporated
into this section by reference. For a more complete understanding of the
contents of those agreements, we encourage you to read the summary section of
this proxy statement and the Fleet purchase agreement and the Fleet voting
agreement in their entirety.
THE FLEET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THE FLEET TRANSACTION
Fleet has agreed to purchase, and LFC and LFS have agreed to sell, all of
the issued and outstanding capital stock of their direct and indirect
subsidiaries engaged in the asset management segment of LFC's business. Those
subsidiaries are sometimes referred to in this proxy statement as the asset
management subsidiaries. Fleet will pay LFC and LFS an aggregate purchase price
equal to $900 million in cash, subject to adjustment, in exchange for the stock
of the asset management subsidiaries. The purchase price payable by Fleet may be
adjusted, as follows:
- upward or downward based on increases or decreases in the amount of the
equity, taxable fixed income, tax exempt fixed income, money market and
variable annuity portfolios managed by the asset management subsidiaries,
excluding the effects of market action, up to a maximum adjustment, upward
or downward, of $180 million, determined by calculating the difference
between the purchases of and exchanges into those portfolios, and
redemptions or withdrawals from, and exchanges out of, those portfolios
between December 31, 2000 and the calculation date, which will be the last
day of the month immediately preceding the closing date of the Fleet
transaction, or if that closing date is on or before the twentieth day of
any month, the last day of the second month preceding that closing date;
- upward or downward based on increases or decreases in the tangible net
worth (as defined in the Fleet purchase agreement) of the asset management
subsidiaries, between March 31, 2001 and the closing date;
- downward based on decreases of more than 20% in the market value of assets
under management of the asset management subsidiaries, excluding the net
effects of sales, purchases and redemptions, between March 31, 2001 and
the calculation date described above; and
- upward or downward based on the estimated value of amounts owing to or by
LFC at the time of closing in respect of taxes with respect to the income
of the asset management subsidiaries
60
<Page>
and the settlement of intercompany accounts, agreements and arrangements
between LFC and the asset management subsidiaries.
For a more complete understanding of the potential purchase price
adjustments, we encourage you to carefully read the Fleet purchase agreement.
The extent of any possible adjustments to the purchase price and, as a result,
the amount per share that LFC's stockholders would receive in the merger, will
not be known at the time of the special meeting. For a discussion of the
calculation of the merger consideration, we refer you to the section entitled
"THE GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Conversion of Common
Stock; Merger Consideration."
We expect that the Fleet transaction will close in the second half of 2001.
TAX TREATMENT OF THE SALE
LFC, LFS and Fleet have agreed to make a joint election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code in connection with the Fleet
transaction. The result of making this election will be that for federal income
tax purposes:
- each of the asset management subsidiaries will be treated as if it had
sold all of its assets in a taxable transaction for an amount equal to the
portion of the total purchase price paid by Fleet (including liabilities
of each asset management subsidiary and liabilities to which the assets of
each asset management subsidiary is subject) that is allocable to that
asset management subsidiary;
- after this deemed sale of assets, each asset management subsidiary will be
treated as if it had distributed all of its assets to its stockholder and
ceased to exist; and
- the tax basis of the assets of each asset management subsidiary acquired
by Fleet in the Fleet transaction will be "stepped up," such that the
total tax basis of each asset management subsidiary in its assets will be
equal to the portion of the total purchase price paid by Fleet (including
any liabilities of each asset management subsidiary and any liabilities to
which the assets of each asset management subsidiary is subject) that is
allocable to that asset management subsidiary.
LFC and LFS will recognize no separate gain or loss on the sale of the stock
of the asset management subsidiaries to Fleet, but will be responsible for all
taxes of the asset management subsidiaries arising from the
Section 338(h)(10) election, including any taxes arising from the deemed sale of
assets of each of the asset management subsidiaries. As of the date of this
proxy statement, LFC estimates that taxes payable by LFC and LFS on the sale of
the asset management subsidiaries will be approximately $141 million, assuming a
purchase price of $900 million.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In the Fleet purchase agreement, Fleet has represented and warranted
particular matters to LFC and LFS. Those representations and warranties include,
among other things, representations and warranties relating to:
- its organization, standing and qualification to do business;
- its authorization to enter into the Fleet purchase agreement;
- its compliance with applicable laws, as well as its organizational
documents and other contracts;
- the accuracy of information about Fleet to be included in this proxy
statement;
- its financial ability to pay the purchase price at the closing; and
- the absence of litigation that would impair its ability to complete the
Fleet transaction.
61
<Page>
The Fleet purchase agreement also contains representations and warranties by
LFC and LFS relating to, among other things:
- their organization, standing and qualification to do business;
- general descriptions of the asset management subsidiaries, including
descriptions of capital structure, jurisdiction of organization, standing
and qualification to do business;
- their authorization to enter into the Fleet purchase agreement;
- their compliance with applicable laws, as well as with their
organizational documents and other contracts;
- the accuracy of information included in regulatory filings, including
certain Commission filings made in the past by LFC, as well as information
to be included in this proxy statement;
- litigation against LFC, LFS or the asset management subsidiaries;
- the absence of changes or events since December 31, 2000 that are
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the asset management
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
- transactions with affiliates of the asset management subsidiaries;
- employee benefit plans and agreements and compliance with applicable
employment law;
- liens on the assets of the asset management subsidiaries;
- compliance with laws and regulations relating to, among other things, tax,
investment management and investment advisory activities and other
regulatory matters;
- the ownership and use of, as well as legal claims regarding, intellectual
property of the asset management subsidiaries;
- absence of material undisclosed liabilities;
- the receipt of an opinion of LFC's financial advisor;
- material contracts of the asset management subsidiaries;
- the necessary stockholder vote required to approve the Fleet transaction;
- the absence of environmental liabilities that would have a material
adverse effect on LFC or any asset management subsidiary; and
- the maintenance of adequate business insurance.
The representations and warranties in the Fleet purchase agreement do not
survive the closing of the Fleet transaction.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE CONDUCT OF LFC, LFS AND THE ASSET MANAGEMENT
SUBSIDIARIES PRIOR TO THE CLOSING
The Fleet purchase agreement contains several restrictions on the conduct of
LFC, LFS and the asset management subsidiaries pending the closing. In general,
the Fleet purchase agreement provides that LFC and LFS will cause the asset
management subsidiaries to operate their businesses only in the ordinary course
of business consistent with their past practices and to use commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain their business organization, employees and
business arrangements.
The Fleet purchase agreement also lists particular actions that the asset
management subsidiaries may not take prior to the closing. Examples of these
restricted actions include the following:
- issuing or selling, or agreeing to issue or sell, shares of capital stock
of any asset management subsidiary;
- acquiring, disposing of or pledging material assets;
62
<Page>
- amending the organizational documents of any asset management subsidiary;
- paying dividends or distributions or splitting, combining or reclassifying
shares of capital stock of any asset management subsidiary;
- unless otherwise permitted in the Fleet purchase agreement, agreeing to
merge or enter into any business combination with another entity;
- unless otherwise permitted in the Fleet purchase agreement, agreeing to
dispose of a material amount of assets or relinquishing any material
contractual rights;
- acquiring or making a material investment in another entity;
- incurring indebtedness in excess of $2 million, in the aggregate;
- entering into any material contract that would obligate the asset
management subsidiaries to pay an amount in excess of $500,000, or
amending, modifying or terminating any material contract in a manner that
would be materially adverse to the asset management subsidiaries;
- making material tax elections, releasing, assigning, settling or
compromising any material tax liability, waiving any statute of
limitations relating to any tax claim;
- changing accounting policies or procedures;
- releasing, assigning, settling or compromising any material claim or
litigation;
- paying, discharging or satisfying any claims, liabilities or obligations
other than in the ordinary course of business; or
- causing any fund to take any action with respect to that fund except in
the ordinary course of business, unless required by fiduciary duties or
contemplated by the Fleet purchase agreement.
Except as required by law or permitted by or contemplated under the Fleet
purchase agreement, LFC and LFS have also agreed that they will not permit any
of the asset management subsidiaries to, adopt or amend in any material respect
any employee benefit plan or arrangement (other than commercially reasonable
arrangements entered into with new hires) or take any action with respect to
termination or severance pay or with respect to any increase of benefits payable
under its retention, severance or termination pay policies in effect on June 4,
2001, with respect to employees of the asset management subsidiaries.
COVENANTS OF LFC AND LFS
LFC and LFS have made certain other covenants in the Fleet purchase
agreement. Among these are covenants that LFC will call a meeting of its
stockholders to vote on the Fleet purchase agreement, prepare and mail this
proxy statement, recommend that you approve the Fleet transaction and the Fleet
purchase agreement and bear all the fees and expenses of the LFC, LFS and the
asset management subsidiaries in connection with the Fleet transaction, except
that Fleet will bear a portion of the costs of printing and mailing this proxy
statement if the Fleet transaction is consummated and one-half of the costs of
preparing, printing and mailing proxy materials to the shareholders of the funds
and other costs associated with the funds. Other significant covenants of LFC
and LFS include:
- covenants to provide for the settlement of intercompany accounts,
agreements and other arrangements between LFC and the asset management
subsidiaries at or prior to the closing of the Fleet transaction; and
- covenants to take other actions that may be required to complete the Fleet
transaction, including, without limitation, the solicitation of approvals
by the boards of trustees of the various funds, offshore funds and
non-fund clients of, among other things, the adoption of investment
management, underwriting and other appropriate agreements, and compliance
with the
63
<Page>
provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as amended, and other federal and state securities laws.
Additionally, LFC and LFS have agreed that they and the asset management
subsidiaries and their affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents will not solicit or initiate discussions concerning,
and will not provide information or engage in discussions with any third party
regarding, any transaction that involves the sale of the asset management
subsidiaries or that would adversely affect the ability of the parties to
complete the Fleet transaction. The agreement does not limit LFC's ability with
respect to a potential transaction related to any portion of LFC or its
subsidiaries other than the asset management subsidiaries, as long as that
transaction does not adversely affect the consummation of the Fleet transaction.
The Fleet purchase agreement expressly permits LFC, LFS and their subsidiaries
to do the foregoing under certain circumstances if necessary to comply with
fiduciary duties of LFC's board of directors and other duties imposed under
applicable law. The Fleet purchase agreement also provides that LFC and LFS may
enter into another transaction involving the asset management subsidiaries,
including a transaction relating to LFC as a whole, if the proposed transaction
would be, in the good faith judgment of LFC's board of directors, superior to
the Fleet transaction and in the best interests of LFC's stockholders. LFC and
LFS have agreed to communicate with Fleet regarding the details of any
acquisition proposals that are in conflict with the Fleet transaction and
provide Fleet three days to offer to make adjustments in the terms and
conditions of the Fleet purchase agreement in the event of a competing
acquisition proposal. Moreover, LFC has covenanted that, unless otherwise
required to comply with its fiduciary duties to its stockholders, LFC's board of
directors will not do any of the following:
- fail to recommend or withdraw its recommendation of the Fleet transaction;
- modify or qualify its recommendation of the Fleet transaction;
- approve or recommend any proposal concerning an acquisition that is in
conflict with the Fleet transaction; or
- enter into any agreement or arrangement concerning an acquisition that is
in conflict with the Fleet transaction.
Liberty Mutual's agreement with Fleet to vote in favor of the Fleet
transaction will terminate if LFC elects to terminate the Fleet purchase
agreement so that LFC's board of directors may comply with its fiduciary and
other duties imposed under applicable law.
OTHER COVENANTS
LFC, LFS and Fleet have made certain other covenants with respect to the
treatment of employees of the asset management subsidiaries and the continuation
of benefits for those employees after the Fleet transaction is completed. In
general, the parties also agreed to covenants regarding cooperation in preparing
and filing tax returns and indemnification by LFC and LFS for failure to pay
taxes relating to the business of the asset management subsidiaries owing for
tax periods prior to the closing. LFC has agreed that, prior to the record date
for determining the eligibility of stockholders to vote at the special meeting
that is the subject of this proxy statement, it will redeem or call for the
redemption of all shares of its Series A Preferred Stock.
CONDITIONS
MUTUAL CLOSING CONDITIONS. The obligations of all parties to complete the
Fleet transaction are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the other parties
of the following conditions:
- authorization of the Fleet transaction by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of
LFC;
64
<Page>
- the termination or expiration of the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act;
- obtaining all other material legal consents or approvals;
- the absence of any legal prohibition against the Fleet transaction; and
- the effectiveness of the transition services and indemnification agreement
and each of the Fleet license agreement and the Fleet/Liberty Mutual
letter agreement described below.
ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF LFC AND LFS. The
obligation of LFC and LFS to complete the Fleet transaction is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:
- the accuracy of Fleet's representations and warranties in the Fleet
purchase agreement as of the closing date except to the extent any
inaccuracies, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to impair materially the ability of Fleet to perform its
obligations under the Fleet purchase agreement;
- the performance by Fleet in all material respects of its obligations under
the Fleet purchase agreement;
- at least 75% of the members of the board of trustees of each fund which
has approved a new advisory contract with an asset management subsidiary
must not be "interested persons", as defined in the Investment Company
Act, with respect to LFC and Fleet;
- Fleet must become a party to the transition services and indemnification
agreement;
- no "unfair burden," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, and
no express or implied terms, conditions or understandings applicable to
any new advisory contract shall have been imposed on any of the funds as a
result of the Fleet purchase agreement; and
- the payment of the purchase price.
ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF FLEET. The obligation of
Fleet to complete the Fleet transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of the following additional conditions:
- the accuracy of the representations and warranties of LFC and LFS in the
Fleet purchase agreement as of the closing date except to the extent any
inaccuracies, individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the asset management
subsidiaries;
- the performance by LFC and LFS in all material respects of their
obligations under the Fleet purchase agreement;
- obtaining certain third party consents, waivers or approvals;
- the absence of a change, effect or circumstance that would have a material
and adverse effect on the assets, condition, business, operations or
results of operations of the asset management subsidiaries or which would
prevent or delay the completion by LFC or LFS of the Fleet transaction;
- the delivery of certificates representing the shares of capital stock of
the asset management subsidiaries;
- the delivery of a certificate confirming that LFC is not a foreign person
under Treasury Regulations that would require Fleet to withhold a portion
of the purchase price;
- certain approvals of the board of trustees and stockholders of funds,
offshore funds and non-fund clients representing at least 80% of the
assets under management as of March 31, 2001
65
<Page>
by the asset management subsidiaries shall have been obtained and shall be
in full force and effect in accordance with the Fleet purchase agreement;
and
- the amount of equity, taxable fixed income, tax-exempt fixed income, money
market and variable annuity portfolios managed by the asset management
subsidiaries at the closing shall not be less than 80% of the amount of
those portfolios as on December 31, 2000, excluding market action, after
the effects of purchases and exchanges into and withdrawals from and
exchanges out of those portfolios.
TERMINATION OF THE FLEET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
RIGHT TO TERMINATE. The Fleet purchase agreement may be terminated at any
time before the closing in any of the following ways:
- by the mutual written consent of all parties;
- by either Fleet or LFC, if the Fleet transaction is not completed by
April 30, 2002, so long as the failure of the terminating party to fulfill
its obligations under the Fleet purchase agreement is not the cause of the
failure of the Fleet transaction to be completed prior to that date, or if
there is a final and non-appealable order preventing the Fleet
transaction;
- by either Fleet or LFC if there shall be any final and non-appealable
order preventing the completion of the Fleet transaction;
- by Fleet, or by LFC (provided that, in the event of a termination by LFC,
LFC must pay Fleet a termination fee as described below), prior to the
authorization of the Fleet transaction by the stockholders of LFC, if
LFC's board of directors withdraws, modifies, changes or fails to reaffirm
its recommendation of the Fleet transaction;
- by Fleet, or by LFC (provided that, in the event of a termination by LFC,
LFC must pay Fleet a termination fee as described below), prior to the
authorization of the Fleet transaction by the stockholders of LFC, if
LFC's board of directors recommends an acquisition proposal that is in
conflict with the Fleet transaction;
- by Fleet, or by LFC (provided that, in the event of a termination by LFC,
LFC must pay Fleet a termination fee as described below), prior to the
authorization of the Fleet transaction by the stockholders of LFC, if a
tender or exchange offer for 20% or more of LFC's outstanding capital
stock is commenced and LFC's board of directors fails to recommend against
the tender or exchange offer within 10 days after the commencement of the
tender or exchange offer;
- by either Fleet or LFC if the stockholders of LFC do not authorize the
Fleet transaction at the special meeting of LFC's described in this proxy
statement;
- by Fleet upon a breach of a representation or warranty or material
covenant by LFC or LFS that is not cured within 30 days; or
- by LFC upon a breach of a representation or warranty or material covenant
by Fleet that is not cured within 30 days.
If the Fleet purchase agreement is terminated, all obligations of the
parties under the Fleet purchase agreement, except for obligations with respect
to fees and expenses associated with the Fleet transaction or the payment by LFC
of a termination fee upon the occurrence of certain events as described below or
arising in connection with a willful breach, will terminate and be of no further
force and effect. If the Fleet purchase agreement is terminated by either Fleet
or by LFC due to the other party's breach, the terminating party shall be
entitled to reimbursement of its fees and expenses incurred in connection with
the Fleet purchase agreement.
66
<Page>
TERMINATION FEE
Upon the termination of the Fleet purchase agreement under any of the
following circumstances, LFC would be required to pay Fleet a termination fee of
$45 million:
- if Fleet terminates the Fleet purchase agreement due to a breach by LFC or
LFS of their representations, warranties or material covenants set forth
in the Fleet purchase agreement, and on the date of termination LFC has
received, or within three months after that date LFC receives, a proposal
for a transaction that LFC would not be entitled to enter into under the
Fleet purchase agreement without payment of the termination fee and,
within 12 months from the date of termination of the Fleet purchase
agreement, LFC completes that transaction for a total purchase price that
is greater than the purchase price payable under the Fleet purchase
agreement;
- if Fleet terminates the Fleet purchase agreement due to a breach by LFC of
its obligations not to solicit offers for, or engage in negotiations
regarding, a transaction that is in conflict with the Fleet transaction;
or
- if Fleet terminates, or if LFC terminates, the Fleet purchase agreement
(which LFC can do only after it has paid the termination fee) because:
-- LFC's board of directors has withdrawn, modified, changed or failed
to reaffirm its recommendation that LFC's stockholders authorize the
Fleet transaction,
-- LFC's board of directors has recommended to LFC's stockholders a
transaction that is in conflict with the Fleet transaction, or
-- a tender or exchange offer for 20% or more of LFC's outstanding
capital stock has been commenced and LFC's board of directors has
failed to recommend against the tender or exchange offer within
10 days after the commencement of the tender or exchange offer.
The $45 million termination fee payable to Fleet was determined after
lengthy negotiations between the parties. LFC agreed to the $45 million
termination fee because:
- the agreed upon fee was the result of active bargaining with Fleet on the
fee and other provisions of the Fleet purchase agreement;
- the amount was within the range of reasonableness for transactions of this
type and magnitude; and
- the fee was not so large as to prohibit an unsolicited qualified
acquisition proposal.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
At any time prior to the authorization of the Fleet transaction by LFC's
stockholders, any provision of the Fleet purchase agreement may be amended or
waived by a written agreement signed by all parties. After the authorization of
the Fleet transaction by LFC's stockholders, all amendments and waivers under
the Fleet purchase agreement are subject to the conditions that those changes
would not reduce the amount or change the form of the purchase price or change
any terms that would, alone or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect
LFC's stockholders.
THE FLEET VOTING AGREEMENT
On June 4, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Fleet purchase
agreement, at Fleet's request, Liberty Mutual entered into a voting agreement
with Fleet. Liberty Mutual agreed in the voting agreement to vote all of its
shares of LFC stock in favor of, and against all matters inconsistent with, the
authorization of the Fleet purchase agreement and the completion of the Fleet
transaction, in accordance with that agreement. As of the record date of the
special meeting, Liberty Mutual was the beneficial owner of approximately 70.4%
of LFC's common stock.
67
<Page>
Liberty Mutual agreed in the Fleet voting agreement that it will not sell,
pledge or otherwise dispose of its LFC stock prior to the termination of the
Fleet voting agreement, nor will Liberty Mutual solicit or negotiate with any
third party concerning proposals that would conflict with the Fleet transaction.
The Fleet voting agreement terminates upon either the termination of the Fleet
purchase agreement, including if LFC elects to terminate the Fleet purchase
agreement to permit its board of directors to comply with its fiduciary and
other duties under applicable law, or the mutual written consent of Fleet and
Liberty Mutual.
THE FLEET LICENSE AGREEMENT
On June 4, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Fleet purchase
agreement, at Fleet's request, Liberty Mutual and LFC entered into a license
agreement with Fleet, or the Fleet license agreement.
The Fleet license agreement provides that upon the closing of the Fleet
transaction, Fleet will have a perpetual, royalty free, non-transferable,
non-sublicensable, non-exclusive license to use the Liberty mark and trade name,
the Statue of Liberty design and other associated marks and trade names used in
connection with the asset management business.
The license agreement also contains other covenants and provisions more
fully set forth in the Fleet license agreement. Neither Liberty Mutual nor LFC
will receive compensation or other consideration under the Fleet license
agreement.
THE FLEET/LIBERTY MUTUAL LETTER AGREEMENT
On June 4, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Fleet purchase
agreement, at Fleet's request, Liberty Mutual and Fleet entered into a letter
agreement.
Under this letter agreement, Liberty Mutual agreed to guarantee the
obligations of LFC with respect to certain tax-related matters arising under the
Fleet purchase agreement. In particular, Liberty Mutual agreed to guarantee
LFC's obligations to:
- pay taxes arising as a result of making an election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. See the description of
the Fleet purchase agreement above in this proxy statement and the Fleet
purchase agreement itself for a more detailed description of LFC's
obligations and the effect of making an election under Internal Revenue
Code Section 338(h)(10);
- cause the asset management subsidiaries to refrain from making any
material tax elections without the consent of Fleet; and
- comply with and perform various covenants, obligations and indemnities,
including without limitation filing tax returns, settling intercompany tax
accounts and cooperating with Fleet with respect to tax matters after the
completion of the Fleet transaction.
Additionally, Liberty Mutual agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Fleet
from and against claims or liabilities of any asset management subsidiary
relating to taxes arising in any taxable year or partial taxable year ending on
or before the closing of the Fleet transaction. Liberty Mutual will not receive
compensation or other consideration under this letter agreement.
68
<Page>
------------------------
TRANSITION SERVICES AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
AND RELATED AGREEMENTS
------------------------
In structuring the sale of its annuity business segment and asset management
business segment to two separate purchasers, LFC considered that the two
segments had certain inter-segment business relationships. LFC determined that
it would be appropriate and advisable to have an agreement pursuant to which:
- the purchaser of the annuity segment would agree to provide certain
services to the asset management buyer and to indemnify the asset
management buyer and LFC for liabilities that related to the annuity
business;
- the purchaser of the asset management segment would agree to provide
certain services to the annuity buyer and to indemnify the annuity buyer
and LFC for liabilities that related to the asset management business,
including approximately $110 million in revolving debt incurred to finance
sales commissions; and
- LFC would indemnify the purchaser of its business segments for certain
corporate liabilities, including corporate debt.
On May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement, LFC and Sun Life entered into a transition services and
indemnification agreement, or the TSA. The purchaser of the asset management
business was not known at the time of the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement. On June 4, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Fleet
purchase agreement:
- LFC and Fleet entered into a letter agreement regarding the TSA, or the
Fleet TSA letter agreement; and
- LFC and Fleet entered into an interim services agreement concerning the
provision of transition services by the annuity subsidiaries in the event
the Fleet transaction closes before the Sun Life transaction.
Additionally, in the Fleet purchase agreement, Fleet agreed that, upon the
completion of the Fleet transaction, Fleet will become a party to the TSA and
will assume the rights and obligations, under the TSA, of the purchaser of the
asset management subsidiaries.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the TSA, the Fleet
TSA letter agreement and the interim services agreement. Because it is a
summary, it is not a complete description of all of the material provisions of
those agreements. The text of the TSA, the Fleet TSA letter agreement and the
interim services agreement, which are attached as Appendixes F-1, F-2 and F-3,
respectively, to this proxy statement, is incorporated into this section by
reference. For a more complete understanding of the contents of those
agreements, we encourage you to read the summary section of this proxy statement
and the text of those agreements in their entirety.
TRANSITION SERVICES
The TSA generally provides that, for a period of 12 months following the
completion of the Sun Life transaction, Sun Life will cause the annuity
subsidiaries to maintain or continue to provide certain services to and take
certain actions for the benefit of the asset management subsidiaries, and LFC
(and, after the purchase of the asset management business, the asset management
buyer) will cause the asset management subsidiaries to maintain or continue to
provide certain services to and take certain
69
<Page>
actions for the benefit of the annuity subsidiaries. The following is a
non-inclusive list of categories of services to be provided to the asset
management subsidiaries during the twelve-month transition period:
- maintenance by Independent Financial and Marketing Group, or IFMG, one of
the annuity subsidiaries, of preferred vendor status for certain mutual
funds operated by the asset management subsidiaries;
- maintenance by IFMG of service levels currently provided to stockholders
of certain mutual funds operated by the asset management subsidiaries;
- continuation by Keyport Life Insurance Company, or Keyport, and it
subsidiaries of existing arrangements involving certain mutual funds which
are investment options under Keyport's variable annuity products managed
by the asset management subsidiaries;
- maintenance of the availability of Keyport's variable annuity products for
distribution through Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc., or LFDI, or its
successor;
- assumption by Sun Life or Keyport of Keyport's general account which is
currently managed by certain asset management subsidiaries;
- establishment of conditions for redemption by Keyport of investments in
certain investment companies which are series funds managed by the asset
management subsidiaries; and
- maintenance by Keyport of its appointment of LFDI personnel and sales
representatives of dealer firms through which LFDI markets Keyport's
products.
The TSA generally provides that, for a period of 12 months following the
completion of the Sun Life transaction, LFC (or after the purchase of the asset
management business, the asset management buyer) will maintain or continue to
provide certain services to and take certain actions for the benefit of the
annuity subsidiaries. The following is a non-inclusive list of categories of
services to be provided by the asset management subsidiaries during the
twelve-month transition period:
- continuation by LFDI of substantially the same level of wholesaling
support to IFMG with respect to certain mutual funds it currently provides
support;
- payment by LFDI of all sales and marketing costs associated with the sales
of Keyport's existing variable annuity products currently available for
distribution through LFDI;
- continuation by asset management subsidiaries, including Colonial
Management Associates, Inc., of the administrative services they currently
provide to Keyport with respect to Keyport's variable annuity products;
- provision of sales support by LFDI for fixed and annuity policies to
selected firms, upon request of Sun Life and upon agreeable terms; and
- continuation by LFDI of its existing marketing and fulfillment services
upon request of Sun Life and upon agreeable terms.
INTERIM SERVICES
The interim services agreement addresses the relationship between the asset
management subsidiaries and the annuity subsidiaries in the event that the Fleet
transaction is completed before the Sun Life transaction. The interim services
agreement provides that, for a period of up to four months during a possible
interim period between the earlier completion of the Fleet transaction and the
later completion of the Sun Life transaction:
- LFC will have the rights and obligations that would otherwise apply to Sun
Life, as owner of the annuity subsidiaries, under the TSA;
70
<Page>
- LFC will cause certain of the annuity subsidiaries to maintain
"proprietary status" of certain funds and to provide the same level of
service to the funds as provided prior to the completion of the Fleet
transaction; and
- the asset management subsidiaries will continue to manage the portion of
Keyport's general account currently managed by the asset management
subsidiaries.
The interim service obligations set forth in the interim services agreement
will terminate upon the earlier to occur of four months from the date of
completion of the Fleet transaction or the date of completion of the Sun Life
transaction. Additionally, prior to the completion of the Sun Life transaction,
LFC will be required to provide indemnification for liabilities relating to the
business of the annuity subsidiaries to the same extent Sun Life would be
required to do so had the Sun Life transaction been completed prior to the Fleet
transaction.
INDEMNIFICATION
The TSA provides for certain indemnities by and for the benefit of the
parties. In particular, Sun Life will indemnify, defend and hold harmless LFC
and its affiliates for certain liabilities associated with the business
conducted by the annuity subsidiaries after the completion of the Sun Life
transaction. LFC, in turn, will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sun Life
from certain liabilities associated with the business of the asset management
subsidiaries and other liabilities of LFC. As indicated above, upon the
completion of the Fleet transaction, Fleet will become a party to the TSA and
thereby:
- assume the indemnification and defense obligations of LFC with respect to
liabilities attributable to the asset management subsidiaries; and
- become entitled to the benefit of indemnification and defense obligations
of Sun Life and LFC with respect to liabilities associated with the
business conducted by the annuity subsidiaries and corporate liabilities
of LFC.
Additionally, LFC has specifically agreed with Fleet under the Fleet TSA
letter agreement that, in addition to liabilities for which it is otherwise
obligated to provide indemnification under the TSA, LFC shall also be required
to provide indemnification to Fleet for losses arising from, among other things,
liabilities that LFC has not disclosed relating to the asset management business
which are not attributable to any asset management subsidiary and for which no
accrual has been made on the books of any asset management subsidiary.
LFC further agreed in the TSA letter agreement that it will use commercially
reasonable efforts to assign to Fleet all liabilities of third parties to LFC or
the annuity subsidiaries that relate to the asset management business, and that,
after the completion of the Fleet transaction, LFC will not exercise any rights
under any agreement to which it is a party with any asset management subsidiary
except at the direction of Fleet or that asset management subsidiary. The Fleet
TSA letter agreement also provides that, notwithstanding any contrary provision
in the TSA, after the completion of the Fleet transaction, the disclosure of any
information relating to any customer of Fleet or the asset management
subsidiaries required to be made under the TSA shall be subject to customer
privacy and disclosure policies of Fleet and applicable laws.
EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENTS
The agreements between Sun Life and LFC under the TSA will not be effective
until the completion of the Sun Life transaction. Similarly, the agreements
between Fleet and LFC relating to the TSA will not be effective until the
completion of the Fleet transaction. Accordingly, to the extent the transactions
do not close simultaneously, LFC will effectively "step into the shoes" of the
purchaser for the business segment that has not yet been sold until the actual
closing date, if any, for that business segment.
71
<Page>
------------------------
THE GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER AGREEMENT
------------------------
On June 4, 2001, and simultaneously with the execution of the Fleet purchase
agreement, LFC, Liberty Mutual and LFC Acquisition Corporation, a Massachusetts
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, or Merger Sub,
entered into an agreement and plan of merger, or the merger agreement. The
following is a summary of the material provisions of the merger agreement.
Because it is a summary, it is not a complete description of all of the
provisions of the merger agreement. The text of the merger agreement, which is
attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement, is incorporated into this
section by reference. For a more complete understanding of the contents of the
merger agreement, we encourage you to read the summary section of this proxy
statement and the merger agreement in its entirety.
THE MERGER
The merger agreement provides that, at the effective time of the merger,
Merger Sub will merge with and into LFC. Upon completion of the merger, Merger
Sub will cease to exist and LFC will continue as the surviving corporation and
will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual.
THE CLOSING AND EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
The merger will become effective upon the filing of articles of merger with
the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. LFC and Merger Sub
have agreed to file articles of merger as soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing of the merger set forth
in the merger agreement upon a date agreed to by LFC and Liberty Mutual, but in
any event within 60 days of the later to close of the Sun Life transaction and
the Fleet transaction.
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION, BY-LAWS AND DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF LFC, AS THE
SURVIVING CORPORATION
When the merger is completed:
- the articles of organization and by-laws of the surviving corporation will
be the articles of organization and by-laws of LFC immediately prior to
the effective time; and
- the directors and officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the
effective time will become the directors of LFC as the surviving
corporation.
CONVERSION OF COMMON STOCK; MERGER CONSIDERATION
At the effective time, each share of LFC common stock outstanding
immediately before the effective time will automatically be converted into and
represent the right to receive $33.44 in cash, subject to adjustment, except
for:
- treasury shares and shares of LFC common stock held by Liberty Mutual or
Merger Sub, or any direct or indirect subsidiary of LFC, Liberty Mutual or
Merger Sub, immediately prior to the effective time, all of which will be
canceled without any payment therefore; and
- shares held by stockholders seeking appraisal rights in accordance with
Massachusetts law.
At the effective time, shares of capital stock of Merger Sub outstanding
immediately before the effective time, in the aggregate, will be converted into
100,000,000 fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of LFC, as the
surviving corporation, all of which shares will be owned by Liberty Mutual. As a
result of the merger, LFC will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual.
72
<Page>
The merger consideration is subject to adjustment for the per share effect
of the following:
- the amount by which the net after tax proceeds to LFC from the Sun Life
transaction, as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of
the merger, is more or less than $1.487 billion, which represents the
estimate of those net after tax proceeds on the date of signing the merger
agreement giving effect to the estimated taxes payable by LFC with respect
to the Sun Life transaction of $215 million;
- the amount by which the net after tax proceeds to LFC from the Fleet
transaction, as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of
the merger, is more or less than $759 million, which represents the
estimate of those net after tax proceeds on the date of signing the merger
agreement giving effect to the estimated taxes payable by LFC with respect
to the Fleet transaction of $141 million;
- the amount by which the net after tax costs of LFC with respect to the
cancellation under the retention plans of stock options granted by LFC
outstanding at the effective time of the merger, as estimated within ten
days prior to the effective time of the merger, is more or less than
$20 million, which represents the estimate of those costs on the date of
signing the merger agreement after subtracting estimated related tax
benefit of $12 million. The retention plans provide that each outstanding
option is cancelled upon a change of control in exchange for a cash
payment from LFC equal to the difference, if any, between the value of
LFC's common stock and the exercise price per share of that option,
multiplied by the number of shares subject to that option. See
"INFORMATION ABOUT LFC--Retention Plans." The actual net after tax costs
of the cancellation of options will be different than the estimated
$20 million if the final price per share to be paid to LFC's stockholders
in the merger is higher, in which case the cost will increase, or lower,
in which case the cost will decrease, or if holders of unvested options
terminate their employment prior to acceleration, thereby forfeiting those
options;
- the amount by which the net after tax cost of LFC with respect to
transaction expenses paid or payable by LFC in connection with the Sun
Life transaction, the Fleet transaction or the going private transaction,
as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of the merger, is
more or less than $15 million, which represents the estimate of those
costs on the date of signing the merger agreement after subtracting the
estimated related tax benefit of $10 million. The transaction expenses
paid or payable by LFC, estimated to be approximately $25 million as
described under the caption "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Fees and
Expenses";
- the amount by which the net after tax cost of the net corporate
liabilities of LFC after the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction, as estimated within ten days prior to the effective time of
the merger, is more or less than $635 million, which represents the
estimate of those net after tax costs on the date of the signing of the
merger agreement. These estimated net corporate liabilities consist of
LFC's $450 million in principal amount of public debt, $200 million in
principal amount of indebtedness to Liberty Mutual and its affiliates and
retention obligations of $53 million to employees of the asset management
subsidiaries reduced by net corporate assets of $68 million;
- the amount by which the net tax adjustment with respect to eliminating the
estimated corporate level taxes with respect to the Fleet transaction, net
of the estimated after tax benefit to Fleet for making an election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code, is more or less than
$62 million, which represents the amount of that net tax adjustment as
estimated on the date of the signing of the merger agreement. See the "THE
FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Purchase Agreement--Tax Treatment
of the Sale" for a description of the Section 338(h)(10) election. If the
purchase price under the Fleet purchase agreement is increased and
decreased as the result of adjustments contained in that agreement, this
net tax
73
<Page>
adjustment will increase or decrease accordingly. Potential adjustments
under the Fleet agreement are described in this proxy statement under the
caption "FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Purchase Agreement."
As of the date of this proxy statement, LFC knows of no adjustments to any
of the estimates described above that would result in the aggregate in a
material change to the merger consideration. It is likely, however, that there
may be some adjustments to the merger consideration, and the final amount of
these potential adjustments will be unknown when you vote your shares, whether
by proxy or at the special meeting. The result of these adjustments could be
that the consideration you actually receive in the merger may vary significantly
from $33.44 per share. For a description of these costs, expenses and
adjustments, you should read the information in this proxy statement under the
heading "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Fees, Expenses and Retention of
Liabilities."
TREATMENT OF OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK
LFC has agreed to take all actions necessary to ensure that:
- all unexercised stock options outstanding under LFC's stock option plans,
currently approximately shares at a weighted average exercise price
of $ per share, will be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment from
LFC in accordance with the terms of the retention plans. See the section
of this proxy statement entitled "INFORMATION ABOUT LFC--Retention Plans";
and
- shares of restricted stock for which the target price in the applicable
restricted stock agreement is less than the market price of LFC common
stock on the date of a change of control, currently approximately 109,925
shares, will become fully vested in accordance with the retention plans.
See the section of this proxy statement entitled "INFORMATION ABOUT
LFC--Retention Plans."
PAYMENT FOR SHARES
At the effective time, LFC, as the surviving corporation, will deposit with
a payment agent sufficient funds to pay the merger consideration. Promptly after
the effective time, Liberty Mutual and LFC, as the surviving corporation, will
cause the payment agent to mail to each holder of record of shares of LFC common
stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, other than
LFC, Liberty Mutual, Merger Sub or any of their respective direct or indirect
subsidiaries and LFC stockholders who have validly exercised their statutory
appraisal rights under Massachusetts law, a form of letter of transmittal and
instructions to effect the surrender of their share certificate(s) in exchange
for payment of the merger consideration. Each holder will be entitled to receive
that holder's portion of the merger consideration only upon surrender to the
payment agent of that holder's share certificate(s), together with the letter of
transmittal, duly completed in accordance with the instructions to the letter of
transmittal. If payment of the merger consideration is to be made to a person
whose name is other than that of the person in whose name the share certificate
is registered, it will be a condition of payment that (1) the share certificate
so surrendered be properly endorsed, with signature guaranteed, or otherwise in
proper form for transfer and (2) the person requesting the exchange pay any
transfer and/or other taxes that may be required to the satisfaction of LFC, as
the surviving corporation.
Nine months following the effective time, the payment agent, at the
instruction of Liberty Mutual and LFC, as the surviving corporation, will
deliver to them any funds, including any interest received with respect to those
funds, which have been deposited with the payment agent and which have not been
disbursed to holders of share certificates. Thereafter, holders of certificates
representing shares outstanding before the effective time will be entitled to
look only to the surviving corporation, as general creditors of the surviving
corporation, for payment of any claims for merger consideration to
74
<Page>
which they may be entitled. Neither the surviving corporation nor the payment
agent will be liable to any person in respect of any merger consideration
delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable law.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
After the effective time, there will be no further transfer on the stock
records of LFC as the surviving corporation or its transfer agent of
certificates representing shares of LFC common stock and any certificates
presented to the surviving corporation for transfer, other than shares held by
stockholders seeking appraisal rights, will be canceled. From and after the
effective time, the holders of share certificates will cease to have any rights
with respect to their shares, except as otherwise provided for in the merger
agreement or by applicable law. All merger consideration paid upon the surrender
for exchange of those share certificates in accordance with the terms of the
merger agreement will be deemed to have been issued and paid in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the share certificates.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In the merger agreement, Liberty Mutual and Merger Sub have represented and
warranted particular matters to LFC. Those representations and warranties
include, among other things, representations and warranties relating to:
- their organization, standing and qualification to do business;
- their authorization to enter into the merger agreement; and
- the absence of litigation that would impair their ability to complete the
merger.
The merger agreement also contains representations and warranties by LFC
relating to, among other things:
- its organization, standing and qualification to do business;
- its authorization to enter into the merger agreement; and
- the receipt of an opinion of LFC's financial advisor.
None of the representations and warranties in the merger agreement will
survive the completion of the merger.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
The merger agreement provides that, unless Liberty Mutual otherwise
consents, LFC will comply in all material respects with the covenants set forth
in, and will not amend, modify or waive any provision contained in, the Sun Life
purchase agreement or the Fleet purchase agreement.
The merger agreement contains reciprocal covenants that LFC, on the one
hand, and Liberty Mutual, on the other hand, will give the other party prompt
notice upon obtaining any knowledge of an event which causes:
- any representation or warranty contained in the merger agreement to be
inaccurate to the extent all of these inaccuracies, in the aggregate,
could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect; or
- any material failure of any officer, director or employee to comply with
any covenant, condition or agreement in the merger agreement.
75
<Page>
The parties further agreed not to take any actions that would cause their
respective representations and warranties to be incorrect in any material
respect or which would cause such party to not be in compliance in all material
respects with its covenants set forth in the merger agreement.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
The merger agreement contains other agreements among the parties, including
without limitation, the following:
- LFC and Liberty Mutual agreed to jointly prepare and file with the
Commission this proxy statement and a statement on Schedule 13E-3, to
respond to comments from the Commission regarding the same and to cause
this proxy statement, and any amendments to this proxy statement, to be
mailed to stockholders of LFC;
- LFC through its board of directors, subject to the fiduciary duties of its
members, agreed to recommend the merger and to use reasonable efforts to
obtain the approval of its stockholders at a stockholders' meeting;
- LFC and Liberty Mutual agreed to take all actions to cause the merger to
occur, including obtaining necessary consents, removing injunctions or
other legal impediments and fulfilling the conditions set forth in the
merger agreement;
- LFC and Liberty Mutual agreed to provide each other with all filings with
the Commission or other governmental authorities relating to the merger
agreement; and
- Liberty Mutual and Merger Sub agreed that, at the effective time of the
merger, they would assume obligations not otherwise assumed by Sun Life or
Fleet under LFC's retention plans.
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
The merger agreement provides that Liberty Mutual and LFC will indemnify and
hold harmless each current and former director and officer of LFC for a period
of six years for acts and omissions occurring before or as of the effective time
to the extent provided in the current articles of organization, bylaws or
indemnification agreements of LFC. The merger agreement further provides that
for a period of six years after the effective time, Liberty Mutual will maintain
liability insurance, either directly or through Liberty Mutual's umbrella
policy, with respect to events occurring before or as of the effective time and
covering all current directors and officers of LFC; however, in the event that
the cost of this insurance exceeds 300% of the current annual premium, LFC must
use reasonable efforts to obtain substantially similar insurance for an amount
equal to 300% of the annual premium. In addition, Liberty Mutual and LFC have
agreed to indemnify each current and former employee, agent, director and
officer of LFC and its subsidiaries against all claims, losses and the like
arising out of his or her actions or omissions in such capacity.
CONDITIONS
The obligations of the parties to complete the merger are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver by the other parties of the following conditions:
- the approval of the merger agreement and the merger by LFC's stockholders;
- the termination or expiration of the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act;
- the absence of any legal prohibition against the merger; and
- the completion of each of the Sun Life transaction and the Fleet
transaction.
76
<Page>
TERMINATION
The merger agreement may be terminated and the merger abandoned prior to the
effective time, whether prior to or after the approval by LFC's stockholders, in
any of the following ways:
- by either LFC or Liberty Mutual, if the merger is not completed on or
before June 30, 2002, so long as the failure of the terminating party to
fulfill its obligations under the merger agreement is not the cause of the
failure of the merger to be completed prior to that date;
- by either LFC or Liberty Mutual, if there is a final, non-appealable order
prohibiting the merger;
- by either LFC or Liberty Mutual, if LFC's board of directors withdraws or
changes in a manner adverse to Liberty Mutual its recommendation of the
merger agreement or the merger, the Sun Life transaction or the Fleet
transaction;
- by either LFC or Liberty Mutual, if LFC's board of directors shall have
otherwise determined that LFC must terminate the merger agreement to
comply with its fiduciary duties to LFC's stockholders under applicable
law;
- by either LFC or Liberty Mutual, if the merger agreement is not approved
by LFC's stockholders; or
- by either LFC or Liberty Mutual, if either of the Sun Life purchase
agreement or the Fleet purchase agreement is terminated for any reason.
If the merger agreement is terminated, all obligations of the parties under
the merger agreement, other than the obligation of each party to pay its fees in
connection with the merger agreement, will terminate and be of no further force
and effect. Under no circumstances is LFC obligated to pay a termination fee to
Liberty Mutual, including if LFC were to terminate the merger agreement so that
LFC's board may comply with its fiduciary duties and other duties imposed under
applicable laws.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
At any time prior to the authorization by LFC's stockholders of the merger,
any provision of the merger agreement may be amended or waived by a written
agreement signed by all parties. After the authorization of the merger, no
amendment or waiver may be made that would reduce or change the form of merger
consideration payable to LFC's stockholders or change any term of the merger
agreement in a way that would materially and adversely affect LFC's
stockholders. At any time prior to the effective time, any party to the merger
agreement may, by action of its board of directors, extend the time of
performance of any of the obligations to the waiving party or any other party.
77
<Page>
------------------------
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
------------------------
The following is a summary of the provisions of the Massachusetts Business
Corporation Law pertaining to appraisal rights. It is qualified in its entirety
by the provisions of this law which are contained in Appendix E to this proxy
statement.
A stockholder of a Massachusetts corporation may seek appraisal of the fair
value of its stock if:
- the corporation submits to its stockholders for approval certain actions,
including disposition of all or substantially all of its property or a
merger with or into another entity;
- the stockholder files with the corporation, before the vote by the
stockholders on the proposed action, a written objection to the action,
stating the stockholder's intent to demand the payment of the fair value
of its shares if the action is approved and completed; and
- the stockholder thereafter properly perfects its appraisal rights as
summarized below.
LFC AND ANY STOCKHOLDER EXERCISING APPRAISAL RIGHTS WILL HAVE THE RIGHTS AND
DUTIES AND BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 86 THROUGH
98, INCLUSIVE, OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW, CHAPTER 156B OF
THE GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS. STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS
IS REQUIRED TO EXERCISE STATUTORY APPRAISAL RIGHTS, AND, IF YOU DESIRE TO
EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS, WE URGE YOU TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE RELEVANT PORTIONS OF
THE MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW, WHICH ARE REPRINTED IN THEIR
ENTIRETY AS APPENDIX E.
If you have a beneficial interest in shares of LFC common stock held of
record in the name of another person, such as a broker or nominee, you must act
promptly to cause the record holder to follow the steps summarized below and in
a timely manner to perfect your appraisal rights.
TRANSACTIONS GIVING RISE TO APPRAISAL RIGHTS. LFC believes that the
transactions described in this proxy statement will or may entitle you to seek
appraisal rights to the following extent:
- You will be entitled to seek appraisal rights in connection with the
merger.
- If the Fleet transaction takes place and the Sun Life transaction does
not, you will not be entitled to appraisal rights as a result of the Fleet
transaction because that transaction will not result in a sale by LFC of
substantially all its assets.
- If the Sun Life transaction takes place and the Fleet transaction does
not, you will not be entitled to appraisal rights as a result of the Sun
Life transaction because that transaction will not result in a sale by LFC
of substantially all its assets. However, the matter is not free from
doubt, and a court may determine that the Sun Life transaction by itself
constitutes a sale of substantially all of LFC's assets. LFC does not
intend to petition a court to determine whether or not LFC's stockholder's
have appraisal rights in connection with the Sun Life transaction.
- If both the Fleet transaction and the Sun Life transaction take place, you
will be entitled to appraisal rights when the second transaction takes
place, with respect to each transaction, regardless of the order of the
two transactions, since the result will be a sale by LFC of substantially
all its assets.
A court, however, could determine that you are entitled to appraisal rights
in circumstances under which LFC does not believe you are entitled, or that you
are not entitled to appraisal rights in circumstances under which LFC believes
you are entitled. Accordingly, you may wish to consult your own counsel if you
are considering seeking appraisal rights.
78
<Page>
PROCEDURE FOR PERFECTING APPRAISAL RIGHTS. If you object to one or more
actions that give rise to appraisal rights and desire to pursue appraisal
rights, then:
- You must file with LFC a separate written objection to the action or
actions to which you object before the stockholders' vote to authorize the
action(s), stating your intention to demand payment for your shares if the
action(s) is approved and completed. The written objection and demand
should be delivered to Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, Attention: Kevin M. Carome, Clerk. We
recommend the objection and demand be sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested. A vote against authorization of the
action(s) does not, alone, constitute a written objection to it.
- You must not vote in favor of the action or actions to which you object.
If you file the required written objection with LFC before the stockholder
vote, you do not need to vote against the action(s). However, a vote in
favor of any action(s) will result in a waiver of your statutory appraisal
rights with respect to that action(s). If you return a proxy which is
signed but which is not marked with a direction as to how the proxy is to
be voted with regard to the action(s) and you do not revoke the proxy, it
will be voted "FOR" authorization of the action(s), and you will not be
able to exercise your appraisal rights.
- After the action(s) has been consummated and LFC has notified you of the
fact, you must make a written demand to LFC for payment of the fair value
of your shares within 20 days after LFC has mailed its notice to you and
otherwise comply with the applicable provisions of Massachusetts law. The
notice from LFC will be sent to all objecting stockholders within ten days
after the effective date of consummation of each action.
FAIR VALUE DETERMINATION
The fair value of the LFC common stock will be determined, if possible, by
agreement between LFC and any dissenting stockholder. If during the 30 days
following expiration of the period during which the demand may be made, LFC and
the stockholder fail to agree on a value, either of them may file a bill in
equity in the Superior Court of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, asking the court
to determine the issue. The bill in equity must be filed within four months
after the expiration of the 30-day period. If the bill in equity is timely
filed, the court or an appointed special master will hold a hearing. After the
hearing, the court will enter a decree determining the "fair value" of the LFC
common stock. The court will also order LFC to pay dissenting stockholders the
fair value of their shares, with interest from the date of the vote approving
the event to which such stockholders objected, upon delivery by them to LFC of
the certificates representing the LFC common stock held by them.
"Fair Value" of a dissenting stockholder's shares will be determined as of
the day before the approval by the stockholders of the event to which such
stockholder objected, excluding any element of value arising from the
expectation or completion of the event. LFC believes that because each of the
Sun Life transaction, the Fleet transaction and the merger will be presented for
approval at the special meeting, "fair value" of all dissenters' shares will be
determined as of the same date (the day before the special meeting), regardless
of the transaction(s) to which any particular dissenter objected.
The enforcement by a stockholder of a request to receive payment for shares
of LFC common stock under the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law is an
exclusive remedy. This remedy, however, does not exclude the right of a
stockholder to bring a proceeding to obtain relief on the ground that a
corporate action will be or is illegal or fraudulent to the stockholder. In
COGGINS V. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FOOTBALL CLUB, INC., 397 Mass. 525 (1986), the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that dissenting stockholders are not
limited to the statutory remedy of judicial appraisal where violations of
fiduciary duty exist.
79
<Page>
A final judgment by the court or a special master determining the fair value
of the LFC common stock is binding on and enforceable by stockholders who have
perfected their statutory appraisal rights, and on LFC. A stockholder who
perfects rights as a dissenting stockholder will be entitled to receive only the
fair value of his or her shares as so determined, whether it is higher or lower
than the amount the stockholder would have received if his or her appraisal
rights had not been perfected, and will not be entitled to any other rights as a
stockholder, including rights to notices of meetings, to vote, or to receive
dividends.
The law pertaining to appraisal rights also contains provisions regarding
costs, dividends on dissenting shares, rights of holders of dissenting shares
arising before stockholder approval of the event objected to and other
miscellaneous matters.
Holders of shares who seek to exercise appraisal rights and who, after the
consummation of the event objected to, fail to perfect or lose that right to
appraisal, will receive the value received by all other stockholders as a result
of the event.
80
<Page>
------------------------
INFORMATION ABOUT LFC
------------------------
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee oversees LFC's financial reporting process on behalf of
the board of directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the
financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal
controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed
the audited financial statements with management including a discussion of the
quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the
reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the
financial statements.
The committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible
for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial
statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to
the quality, not just the acceptability, of LFC's accounting principles and such
other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee under generally
accepted auditing standards. In addition, the committee has discussed with the
independent auditors the auditors' independence from management and LFC
including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence
Standards Board and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the
auditors' independence.
The committee discussed with LFC's internal and independent auditors the
overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The committee meets with
the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to
discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of LFC's internal
controls, and the overall quality of LFC's financial reporting. The committee
held three meetings during fiscal year 2000.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee
recommended to the board of directors (and the board has approved) that the
audited financial statements be included in LFC's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
committee and the board have also recommended, subject to shareholder approval,
the selection of LFC's independent auditors.
Glenn P. Strehle; Audit Committee Chair
Marian Heard; Audit Committee Member
Charles I. Clough, Jr.; Audit Committee Member
Thomas J. May; Audit Committee Member
Kenneth L. Rose; Audit Committee Member
March 14, 2001
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SET FORTH IN ANY OF LFC'S PREVIOUS
FILINGS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT AS THE SECURITIES ACT, OR THE EXCHANGE ACT, EACH AS AMENDED, THAT
MIGHT INCORPORATE FUTURE FILINGS, INCLUDING THIS PROXY STATEMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE INTO ANY OF THOSE FILINGS, NOR WILL THAT SECTION OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED INTO ANY FUTURE FILINGS MADE BY LFC UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OR THE EXCHANGE ACT.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of LFC common stock by Liberty Mutual (the only person or
entity known to LFC to be the beneficial owner
81
<Page>
of 5% or more of LFC common stock), LFC's chief executive officer and each of
the other four most highly compensated executive officers of LFC in 2000, each
director of LFC and all directors and executive officers as a group, in each
case as of August 20, 2001. Except as noted in the footnotes to the table, based
on information provided by those persons, each holder of LFC common stock has or
will have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of LFC
common stock set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address of
each person is: c/o Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic Avenue,
Boston, Massachusetts 02210. LFC redeemed all outstanding shares of its
preferred stock on August 23, 2001. There are no shares of capital stock
outstanding other than the LFC common stock.
<Table>
<Caption>
SHARES OWNED
NAME BENEFICIALLY PERCENTAGE(1)
- ---- ------------ -------------
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company .................. 34,475,260 70.49%
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02117
Gary L. Countryman................................. 0 --
C. Allen Merritt, Jr.(2)........................... 210,158 *
J. Andrew Hilbert(2)............................... 43,950 *
Stephen E. Gibson(2)............................... 113,145 *
Phil Polkinghorn(2)................................ 51,324 *
Paul J. Darling II................................. 1,500 *
Glenn P. Strehle................................... 750 *
Michael J. Babcock................................. 0 --
Charles I. Clough.................................. 0 --
John P. Hamill..................................... 0 --
Marian L. Heard.................................... 0 --
Edmund F. Kelly.................................... 0 --
Thomas J. May...................................... 0 --
Dr. Kenneth L. Rose................................ 0 --
All executive officers and directors as a group:
(20 persons)(3).................................. 836,475 1.69%
</Table>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Percentages are calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Exchange
Act. Those calculations assume, for each person and group, that all shares
which may be acquired by that person or group pursuant to options presently
exercisable or which become exercisable within 60 days following August 20,
2001 are outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of LFC
common stock owned by that person or group. However, those unissued shares
of LFC common stock are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
calculating the percentage of LFC common stock owned by any other person.
(2) Includes options to purchase shares of LFC common stock which are presently
exercisable or which become exercisable within 60 days following August 20,
2001 in the following amounts: 157,601 shares exercisable by Mr. Merritt;
88,742 shares exercisable by Mr. Gibson; 31,250 shares exercisable by
Mr. Polkinghorn; and 29,250 shares exercisable by Mr. Hilbert.
Mr. Merritt's options will be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment in
accordance with LFC's retention plans upon the consummation of the merger.
Mr. Gibson's options will be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment in
accordance with LFC's retention plans upon the consummation of the Fleet
transaction. Mr. Polkinghorn's options will be cancelled in exchange for a
cash payment in accordance with LFC's retention plans upon the consummation
of the Sun Life transaction.
82
<Page>
Mr. Hilbert's options will be cancelled in exchange for cash in accordance
with LFC's retention plans upon consummation of the merger.
(3) Includes (without duplication), (i) the option shares referenced in note 2
above and (ii) options to purchase an additional 285,946 shares of LFC
common stock held by other executive officers which are presently
exercisable or which become exercisable within 60 days following August 20,
2001.
RETENTION PLANS
On November 1, 2000, as discussed above in this proxy statement, LFC
announced that it had begun a review of strategic alternatives, including a
possible sale of LFC. To help retain its employees during the strategic review,
LFC implemented retention plans for the benefit of its employees. The following
is a summary of the material provisions of the retention plans. Because it is a
summary, it is not a complete description of all of the provisions of those
plans.
GENERAL; CHANGE OF CONTROL
In general, the retention plans provide for the payment of cash retention
bonuses to substantially all of LFC's employees, and, upon the occurrence of a
change of control (as defined in the retention plans), severance pay to
substantially all of LFC's employees, the acceleration of outstanding options
and restricted stock, and, to certain employees, a payment to offset possible
excise tax obligations under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. A change
of control will be deemed to occur under the retention plans with respect to
employees of the annuity subsidiaries, upon the closing of the Sun Life
transaction, with respect to employees of the asset management subsidiaries,
upon the closing of the Fleet transaction, and with respect to employees of LFC,
at the effective time of the merger.
RETENTION BONUSES
The retention bonuses payable under the retention plans are calculated based
on an employee's base salary, commissions and/or target incentive compensation
amounts. The amount of an employee's retention bonus increases each month from a
minimum bonus on May 14, 2001 until October 31, 2001. If no change of control
occurs prior to November 1, 2001, employees would be entitled to one-half of the
maximum retention bonus on that date if still employed and the balance on
May 1, 2002, if still employed on that date. The maximum retention bonus payable
to each of the four most highly compensated executive officers of LFC in 2000,
other than Mr. Countryman, is as follows: Mr. Merritt, $1,591,500; Mr. Gibson,
$1,512,500; Mr. Polkinghorn, $910,000; and Mr. Hilbert, $787,500.
Mr. Countryman does not participate in the retention plans.
SEVERANCE BENEFITS
The retention plans also provide that an employee will be entitled to
severance pay in the event that, on or within 18 months following the date of a
change in control, the employee is terminated by the successor corporation other
than for cause (as defined in the retention plans) or the employee resigns for
good reason (as defined in the retention plans).
The maximum severance payment payable to each of the four most highly
compensated executive officers of LFC in 2000, other than Mr. Countryman, is as
follows: Mr. Merritt, $1,061,000; Mr. Gibson, $1,966,250; Mr. Polkinghorn,
$1,365,000; and Mr. Hilbert, $1,023,750. Mr. Countryman does not participate in
this severance plan.
If LFC is obligated by law or contract to pay severance payments to an
employee, then the severance payments to that employee under the retention plans
will be reduced by the amount of any severance payment under that law or
contract.
83
<Page>
In addition to cash severance payments, LFC will provide, among other
things, the following non-cash severance benefits:
- outplacement services for a period of up to twelve months; and
- health coverage for the period with respect to which the employee is
entitled to severance pay provided that the employee continue to pay to
LFC the employee portion of premium payments.
TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK
UNVESTED STOCK OPTIONS. Upon a change of control, each unvested stock
option held by an employee may be assumed by the successor corporation or
replaced with a comparable option to acquire shares of equivalent value in the
successor corporation. Of the unvested options held by an employee upon a change
of control that are assumed:
- 50% will immediately become vested; and
- the remaining 50% will fully vest on the date that is six months following
the change of control, provided that the employee is then employed by the
successor corporation.
If an employee is terminated without cause prior to the expiration of the
six-month period following the change of control, or if, during such six-month
period, the employee terminates his or her employment for good reason or due to
the employee's death, disability or retirement, the remaining 50% of the
employee's unvested options will fully vest as of the date of such termination.
If an employee is terminated prior to the expiration of the six-month period
immediately following the change of control for any other reason, the employee
will forfeit the remaining 50% of the employee's unvested options. Any unvested
stock option that is not assumed or replaced as described above will be
cancelled upon a change of control in exchange for a cash payment from LFC equal
to the difference, if any, between the value of LFC's common stock (as
determined under the applicable plan) and the exercise price per share of that
option, multiplied by the number of shares subject to that option. The payment
will be made 50% at the time of such vesting and 50% on the date that is six
months following a change of control, provided that the employee is then
employed by the successor corporation. Neither Sun Life nor Fleet will assume or
replace existing unvested LFC stock options. As a result, holders of those
options will receive cash payments from LFC under the retention plans. A change
of control will be deemed to occur under the retention plans with respect to
employees of the annuity subsidiaries upon the completion of the Sun Life
transaction, with respect to employees of the asset management subsidiaries upon
the completion of the Fleet transaction, and with respect to employees of LFC at
the completion of the merger.
VESTED STOCK OPTIONS. Upon a change of control, each vested stock option
held by an employee may be assumed by the surviving corporation or replaced with
a comparable option to acquire shares of a equivalent value in the successor
corporation. Any vested stock option that is not assumed or replaced as
described above will be cancelled upon a change of control in exchange for a
cash payment from LFC equal to the difference, if any, between the value of
LFC's common stock (as determined under the applicable plan) and the exercise
price per share of that option, multiplied by the number of shares subject to
that option. Neither Sun Life nor Fleet will assume or replace existing vested
LFC stock options. As a result, holders of those stock options will receive cash
payments from LFC under the retention plans.
RESTRICTED STOCK. If the cash value of LFC's common stock on the date of
the change of control (as determined under the applicable plan) is equal to or
greater than a specified price stipulated in the employee's restricted stock
agreement, or the target price, then those shares of restricted stock will fully
vest and all restrictions relating to those shares will lapse. If the cash value
of LFC's common stock on the date of the change of control is less than the
target price, then the employee will forfeit those shares of restricted stock.
84
<Page>
EXCISE TAX PAYMENT BENEFIT
Employees will be eligible to receive an additional payment if any of the
payments or benefits received or to be received by that employee in connection
with a change of control or by reason of a termination of employment trigger
excise tax obligations under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. The
additional payment is designed to offset the effects of excise taxes on the
severance payments and other payments received by those employees in connection
with a change of control or by reason of that employee's termination of
employment, as well as federal, state, and local taxes on the gross up payment.
CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS
As a condition to participation in the retention plans, employees are
required to enter into a non-solicitation/waiver and release of claims
agreement. Each agreement provides that the employee will not:
- bring any claims against LFC for employment or reemployment; or
- bring any claims against LFC and its officers, directors, stockholders,
employees and agents arising out of any federal, state or local
legislation or common law relating to employment or discrimination in
employment, labor or human rights law.
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
LFC's board of directors may amend or terminate the retention plans except
during the following periods:
- the six month period following the execution of an agreement the
consummation of which would result in a change of control; and
- the eighteen month period following a change of control.
MARKET PRICE OF LFC COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
LFC common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "L" and is also
listed on the Boston Stock Exchange. On November 1, 2000, as discussed above in
this proxy statement, LFC announced that it had begun a review of strategic
alternatives, including a possible sale of LFC. On December 31, 2000, the
closing price of LFC common stock on the NYSE was $44 9/16 per share. As of
, 2001, there were approximately stockholders of record. In
addition, LFC estimates that there are approximately beneficial stockholders
whose shares are held in "street name". The high and low sales prices for the
period from July 1, 2001 to September , 2001, the first and second quarter of
2001, each quarter during 2000 and 1999, as traded on the NYSE Composite Tape,
were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
2001 2000 1999
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
PERIOD HIGH/LOW PERIOD HIGH/LOW PERIOD HIGH/LOW
- ------ ------------- ------ ------------- ------ -------------
Jan.-March........... $47.22/$40.93 Jan.-March..... $24.13/$18.38 Jan.-March..... $28.00/$21.19
April-June........... $44.00/$32.27 April-June..... $24.13/$17.88 April-June..... $29.69/$20.13
July 1-Sept. [ ].... $ -/$ - July-Sept...... $25.00/$21.75 July-Sept...... $29.00/$20.94
Oct.-Dec....... $44.52/$23.50 Oct.-Dec....... $26.69/$20.44
</Table>
85
<Page>
LFC currently has a policy of paying quarterly cash dividends of $0.10 per
share and has paid quarterly dividends regularly since becoming a public company
in 1995. The declaration and payment of any dividends on the LFC common stock
are dependent upon LFC's results of operations, financial condition, cash
requirements, capital requirements, regulatory considerations and other relevant
factors, and in all events are subject to the discretion of the board of
directors. Accordingly, there is no requirement, and no assurances can be given,
that dividends will be paid on LFC common stock after the date of this proxy
statement.
LFC's board of directors established an optional dividend reinvestment plan,
or DRIP, for holders of its capital stock. Liberty Mutual participated in the
DRIP from its inception until the first quarter dividend for 2001 when it took
its payment in cash.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Below is unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information of
LFC giving effect to each of the following transactions:
- the sale of both the annuity and asset management businesses;
- the sale of the annuity business only; and
- the sale of the asset management business only.
This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should
be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements
of LFC and the notes thereto included in LFC's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for
the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission.
These unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are
provided for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of
the results of operations or financial condition that would have been achieved
had these transactions actually occurred as of the dates indicated, or of the
future results of operations or financial condition of LFC. The pro forma
adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that
management of LFC currently believe are reasonable in the circumstances.
SALE OF BOTH THE ANNUITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESSES
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of
June 30, 2001 gives effect to the sale of both the annuity and asset management
businesses of LFC as if both transactions had occurred on June 30, 2001. The
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the year
ended December 31, 2000 and the six months ended June 30, 2001 present the
consolidated operating results of LFC as if these transactions had occurred on
January 1, 2000.
86
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
SALE OF THE ANNUITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESSES
JUNE 30, 2001
($ IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
ANNUITY AND
ASSET
HISTORICAL MANAGEMENT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC BUSINESSES ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Assets:
Investments.................................... $12,084.0 $(12,004.1) $ 79.9
Cash and cash equivalents...................... 1,695.8 (1,673.3) $2,602.0(1) 2,624.5
Accrued investment income...................... 155.1 (155.1)
Deferred policy acquisition costs.............. 618.7 (618.7)
Deferred distribution costs.................... 175.7 (175.7)
Intangible assets.............................. 515.8 (514.4) 1.4
Other assets................................... 371.0 (349.1) 21.9
Separate account assets........................ 4,130.9 (4,130.9)
--------- ---------- -------- --------
$19,747.0 $(19,621.3) $2,602.0 $2,727.7
========= ========== ======== ========
Liabilities:
Policyholder balances.......................... $11,897.0 $(11,897.0)
Notes payable to affiliates.................... 200.0 $ 200.0
Notes payable.................................. 565.3 (118.0) 447.3
Payable for investments purchased and loaned... 1,203.1 (1,203.1)
Other liabilities.............................. 349.6 (344.9) $ 369.0(1) 469.7
20.0(2)
15.0(3)
61.0(4)
Separate account liabilities................... 4,098.5 (4,098.5)
--------- ---------- -------- --------
Total liabilities.............................. 18,313.5 (17,661.5) 465.0 1,117.0
Series A redeemable convertible preferred
stock.......................................... 10.7 10.7
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock................................... 0.5 0.5
Additional paid in capital..................... 950.2 950.2
Retained earnings.............................. 468.0 (1,952.3) 2,137.0 652.7(5)
Accumulated other comprehensive income......... 4.1 (7.5) (3.4)
--------- ---------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity..................... 1,422.8 (1,959.8) 2,137.0 1,600.0
--------- ---------- -------- --------
$19,747.0 $(19,621.3) $2,602.0 $2,727.7
========= ========== ======== ========
Book Value Per Share (48,927,740 common shares
outstanding)................................... $ 32.70(6)
========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
87
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SALE OF THE ANNUITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESSES
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
ANNUITY AND
HISTORICAL ASSET
HISTORICAL PRIVATE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC MANAGEMENT(7) BUSINESSES ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- --------------- ----------- ----------- ---------
Investment income................... $862.3 $(862.3)
Interest credited to
policyholders..................... (539.6) 539.6
------ -------
Investment spread................... 322.7 (322.7)
Net realized investment gains
(losses).......................... (47.5) 36.2 $(11.3)
Gain on sale of Private Capital
Management........................ 27.6 $(27.6) --
Net change in unrealized and
undistributed gains in private
equity limited partnerships....... 31.6 (31.6)
Fee income:
Investment advisory and
administrative fees............... 300.2 (41.7) (258.5)
Distribution and service fees....... 60.7 (60.7)
Transfer agency fees................ 49.0 (49.0)
Surrender charges and net
commissions....................... 42.3 (42.3)
Separate account fees............... 43.5 (43.5)
------ ------ -------
Total fee income.................. 495.7 (41.7) (454.0)
Expenses:
Operating expenses.................. (406.0) 36.0 345.5 (24.5)
Restructuring charges............... (18.7) 15.8 (2.9)
Special compensation plan........... (11.1) 5.9 (5.2)
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs................. (116.0) 116.0
Amortization of deferred
distribution costs................ (42.9) 42.9
Amortization of intangible assets... (24.3) 1.0 23.4 0.1
Interest expense, net............... (22.5) (0.5) 0.4 (22.6)
------ ------ ------- ------
Total expenses.................... (641.5) 36.5 549.9 (55.1)
Pretax income (loss)................ 188.6 (32.8) (222.2) (66.4)
Income tax benefit (expense)........ (61.0) 17.2 69.6 25.8
------ ------ ------- ------
Net income (loss)................... $127.6 $(15.6) $(152.6) $(40.6)
====== ====== ======= ======
Net income (loss) per share--basic
(weighted average
shares--47,834,973)............... $ 2.65 $(0.87)
====== ======
Net income (loss) per share--diluted
(weighted average
shares--48,903,818)............... $ 2.61 $(0.83)
====== ======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
88
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SALE OF THE ANNUITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESSES
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
ANNUITY
AND
ASSET
HISTORICAL MANAGEMENT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC BUSINESSES ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Investment income................................. $473.7 $(473.7)
Interest credited to policyholders................ (301.9) 301.9
------ -------
Investment spread................................. 171.8 (171.8)
Net derivative loss............................... 4.7 (4.7)
Net realized investment gains (losses)............ (33.1) 31.2 $ (1.9)
Net change in unrealized and undistributed gains
in private equity partnerships.................. (14.6) 14.6
Fee income:
Investment advisory and administrative fees....... 148.3 (148.3)
Distribution and service fees..................... 29.6 (29.6)
Transfer agency fees.............................. 24.3 (24.3)
Surrender charges and net commissions............. 16.8 (16.8)
Separate account fees............................. 27.2 (27.2)
------ -------
Total fee income.................................. 246.2 (246.2)
Expenses:
Operating expenses................................ (204.5) 193.3 (11.2)
Restructuring charges............................. 0.3 (0.6) (0.3)
Special compensation plan......................... (40.2) 12.8 (27.4)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs........................................... (63.6) 63.6
Amortization of deferred distribution costs....... (24.5) 24.5
Amortization of intangible assets................. (17.2) 17.0 (0.2)
Interest expense, net............................. (19.5) 0.0 (19.5)
------ ------- ------
Total expenses.................................... (369.2) 310.6 (58.6)
Pretax income (loss).............................. 5.8 (66.3) (60.5)
Income tax benefit................................ 0.7 6.0 6.7
------ ------- ------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change............................... $ 6.5 $ (60.3) $(53.8)
====== ======= ======
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change per share--basic (weighted
average shares--48,621,515)..................... $ 0.13 $(1.11)
====== ======
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change per share--diluted (weighted
average shares--50,237,855)..................... $ 0.13 $(1.07)
====== ======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
89
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE SALE OF THE ANNUITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESSES
(UNAUDITED)
(1) Represents the estimated aggregate purchase price from the sales of the
annuity business and asset management business. Estimated income taxes
payable of $369 million have been included in other liabilities.
(2) Represents the estimated liability related to the cancellation of employee
stock options, net of estimated income taxes of $12.0 million.
(3) Represents the estimated liability for transaction costs associated with the
sales of the annuity business and asset management business, net of
estimated reimbursements by the purchasers and estimated income taxes of
$8.8 million.
(4) Represents the estimated liability related to the retention plans for
employees of the asset management business and corporate headquarters, net
of estimated income taxes of $29.8 million.
(5) Includes pro forma retained earnings increase of $184.7 million for an after
tax gain on the sale of the annuity business and asset management business
and the estimated costs related to the cancellation of stock options and the
retention plans for employees of corporate headquarters. This amount is not
reflected in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(6) Management of LFC believes that its current best estimate of merger
consideration in cash per share for LFC's common stockholders other than
Liberty Mutual and its affiliates is $33.44, subject to adjustment, as
described more fully in this proxy statement under the heading "THE GOING
PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER AGREEMENT."
(7) Historical Private Capital Management (PCM) reflects the revenues and
expenses of PCM, a division of Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, and the
related gain on the December 29, 2000 sale of PCM.
90
<Page>
SALE OF ANNUITY BUSINESS ONLY
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of
June 30, 2001 gives effect to the Sun Life transaction as if this transaction
occurred on June 30, 2001. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the six months
ended June 30, 2001 presents the consolidated operating results of LFC as if
this transaction had occurred on January 1, 2000.
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
SALE OF THE ANNUITY BUSINESS
JUNE 30, 2001
(IN MILLIONS)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL ANNUITY PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC BUSINESS ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Assets:
Investments.................................. $12,084.0 $(12,004.1) $ 79.9
Cash and cash equivalents.................... 1,695.8 (1,591.3) $1,702.0(1) 1,806.5
Accrued investment income.................... 155.1 (155.1)
Deferred policy acquisition costs............ 618.7 (618.7)
Deferred distribution costs.................. 175.7 175.7
Intangible assets............................ 515.8 (25.5) 490.3
Other assets................................. 371.0 (185.8) 185.2
Separate account assets...................... 4,130.9 (4,130.9)
--------- ---------- -------- --------
$19,747.0 $(18,711.4) $1,702.0 $2,737.6
========= ========== ======== ========
Liabilities:
Policyholder balances........................ $11,897.0 $(11,897.0)
Notes payable to affiliates.................. 200.0 $ 200.0
Notes payable................................ 565.3 565.3
Payable for investments purchased and
loaned..................................... 1,203.1 (1,203.1)
Other liabilities............................ 349.6 (197.5) $ 225.0(1) 390.1
4.0(2)
9.0(3)
Separate account liabilities................. 4,098.5 (4,098.5)
--------- ---------- -------- --------
Total liabilities............................ 18,313.5 (17,396.1) 238.0 1,155.4
Series A redeemable convertible preferred
stock........................................ 10.7 10.7
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock................................. 0.5 0.5
Additional paid in capital................... 950.2 950.2
Retained earnings............................ 468.0 (1,306.9) 1,464.0 625.1(4)
Accumulated other comprehensive income....... 4.1 (8.4) (4.3)
--------- ---------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity................... 1,422.8 (1,315.3) 1,464.0 1,571.5
--------- ---------- -------- --------
$19,747.0 $(18,711.4) $1,702.0 $2,737.6
========= ========== ======== ========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
91
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SALE OF THE ANNUITY BUSINESS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL PRIVATE CAPITAL ANNUITY PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC MANAGEMENT(5) BUSINESS ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- --------------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Investment income.......................... $ 862.3 $(862.3)
Interest credited to policyholders......... (539.6) 539.6
------- -------
Investment spread.......................... 322.7 (322.7)
Net realized investment gains (losses)..... (47.5) 35.8 $ (11.7)
Gain on sale of Private Capital
Management............................... 27.6 $(27.6)
Net change in unrealized and undistributed
gains in private equity limited
partnerships............................. 31.6 (31.6)
Fee income:
Investment advisory and administrative
fees..................................... 300.2 (41.7) 258.5
Distribution and service fees.............. 60.7 60.7
Transfer agency fees....................... 49.0 49.0
Surrender charges and net commissions...... 42.3 (31.6) 10.7
Separate account fees...................... 43.5 (43.5)
------- ------ ------- -------
Total fee income......................... 495.7 (41.7) (75.1) 378.9
Expenses:
Operating expenses......................... (406.0) 36.0 85.2 (284.8)
Restructuring charges...................... (18.7) (18.7)
Special compensation plan.................. (11.1) 5.9 (5.2)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs.................................... (116.0) 116.0
Amortization of deferred distribution
costs.................................... (42.9) (42.9)
Amortization of intangible assets.......... (24.3) 1.0 4.1 (19.2)
Interest expense, net...................... (22.5) (0.5) (0.1) (23.1)
------- ------ ------- -------
Total expenses........................... (641.5) 36.5 211.1 (393.9)
Pretax income (loss)....................... 188.6 (32.8) (182.5) (26.7)
Income tax benefit (expense)............... (61.0) 17.2 56.4 12.6
------- ------ ------- -------
Net income (loss).......................... $ 127.6 $(15.6) $(126.1) $ (14.1)
======= ====== ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share--basic
(weighted average shares--47,834,973).... $ 2.65 $ (0.31)
======= =======
Net income (loss) per share--diluted
(weighted average shares--48,903,818).... $ 2.61 $ (0.29)
======= =======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
92
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SALE OF THE ANNUITY BUSINESS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL ANNUITY PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC BUSINESS ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Investment income................................... $ 473.7 $(473.7)
Interest credited to policyholders.................. (301.9) 301.9
------- -------
Investment spread................................... 171.8 (171.8)
Net derivative loss................................. 4.7 (4.7)
Net realized investment gains (losses).............. (33.1) 17.8 $(15.3)
Net change in unrealized and undistributed gains in
private equity limited partnerships............... (14.6) 14.6
Fee income:
Investment advisory and administrative fees......... 148.3 (3.6) 144.7
Distribution and service fees....................... 29.6 29.6
Transfer agency fees................................ 24.3 24.3
Surrender charges and net commissions............... 16.8 (10.1) 6.7
Separate account fees............................... 27.2 (27.2)
------- ------- ------
Total fee income.................................. 246.2 (40.9) 205.3
Expenses:
Operating expenses.................................. (204.5) 40.4 (164.1)
Restructuring charges............................... 0.3 0.3
Special compensation plan........................... (40.2) 12.8 (27.4)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs... (63.6) 63.6
Amortization of deferred distribution costs......... (24.5) (24.5)
Amortization of intangible assets................... (17.2) 1.3 (15.9)
Interest expense, net............................... (19.5) (19.5)
------- ------- ------
Total expenses.................................... (369.2) 118.1 (251.1)
Pretax income (loss)................................ 5.8 (66.9) (61.1)
Income tax benefit.................................. 0.7 19.0 19.7
------- ------- ------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting
change............................................ $ 6.5 $ (47.9) $(41.4)
======= ======= ======
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting
change per share--basic (weighted average shares--
48,621,515)....................................... $ 0.13 $(0.86)
======= ======
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting
change per share--diluted (weighted average
shares--50,237,855)............................... $ 0.13 $(0.82)
======= ======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
93
<Page>
NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE SALE OF THE ANNUITY BUSINESS
(UNAUDITED)
(1) Represents the estimated aggregate purchase price from the sale of the
annuity business. Estimated income taxes payable of $225.0 million have been
included in other liabilities.
(2) Represents the estimated liability related to the cancellation of employee
stock options, net of estimated income taxes of $2.1 million.
(3) Represents the estimated liability for transaction costs associated with the
sale of the annuity business, net of estimated reimbursements by the
purchaser and estimated income taxes of $5.3 million.
(4) Pro forma retained earnings includes an after tax gain on the sale of the
annuity business of $157.1 million. This gain is not reflected in the pro
forma condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(5) Historical Private Capital Management (PCM) reflects the revenues and
expenses of PCM, a division of Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, and the
related gain on the December 29, 2000 sale of PCM.
94
<Page>
SALE OF ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS ONLY
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of
June 30, 2001 gives effect to the Fleet transaction as if this transaction
occurred on June 30, 2001. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the six months
ended June 30, 2001 presents the consolidated operating results of LFC as if
this transaction had occurred on January 1, 2000.
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
SALE OF THE ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS
JUNE 30, 2001
(IN MILLIONS)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
ASSET
HISTORICAL MANAGEMENT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC BUSINESS ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Assets:
Investments................................... $12,084.0 $12,084.0
Cash and cash equivalents..................... 1,695.8 $ (82.0) $900.0(1) 2,513.8
Accrued investment income..................... 155.1 155.1
Deferred policy acquisition costs............. 618.7 618.7
Deferred distribution costs................... 175.7 (175.7)
Intangible assets............................. 515.8 (488.9) 26.9
Other assets.................................. 371.0 (163.3) 207.7
Separate account assets....................... 4,130.9 4,130.9
--------- ------- ------ ---------
$19,747.0 $(909.9) $900.0 $19,737.1
========= ======= ====== =========
Liabilities:
Policyholder balances......................... $11,897.0 $11,897.0
Notes payable to affiliates................... 200.0 200.0
Notes payable................................. 565.3 $(118.0) 447.3
Payable for investments purchased and
loaned...................................... 1,203.1 1,203.1
Other liabilities............................. 349.6 (147.4) $144.0(1) 398.1
8.9(2)
6.0(3)
37.0(4)
Separate account liabilities.................. 4,098.5 4,098.5
--------- ------- ------ ---------
Total liabilities............................. 18,313.5 (265.4) 195.9 18,244.0
Series A redeemable convertible preferred
stock......................................... 10.7 10.7
Stockholder's Equity:
Common stock.................................. 0.5 0.5
Additional paid in capital.................... 950.2 950.2
Retained earnings............................. 468.0 (645.4) 704.1 526.7(5)
Accumulated other comprehensive income........ 4.1 0.9 5.0
--------- ------- ------ ---------
Total stockholders' equity.................... 1,422.8 (644.5) 704.1 1,482.4
--------- ------- ------ ---------
$19,747.0 $(909.9) $900.0 $19,737.1
========= ======= ====== =========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
95
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SALE OF THE ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL ASSET
HISTORICAL PRIVATE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC MANAGEMENT(6) BUSINESS ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- --------------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Investment income................... $862.3 $862.3
Interest credited to
policyholders..................... (539.6) (539.6)
------ ------
Investment spread................... 322.7 322.7
Net realized investment gains
(losses).......................... (47.5) $ 0.4 (47.1)
Gain on sale of Private Capital
Management........................ 27.6 $(27.6) 0.0
Net change in unrealized and
undistributed gains in private
equity limited partnerships....... 31.6 31.6
Fee income:
Investment advisory and
administrative fees............... 300.2 (41.7) (258.5)
Distribution and service fees....... 60.7 (60.7)
Transfer agency fees................ 49.0 (49.0)
Surrender charges and net
commissions....................... 42.3 (10.7) 31.6
Separate account fees............... 43.5 43.5
------ ------ ------ --------- ------
Total fee income.................. 495.7 (41.7) (378.9) 75.1
Expenses:
Operating expenses.................. (406.0) 36.0 260.3 (109.7)
Restructuring charges............... (18.7) 15.8 (2.9)
Special compensation plan........... (11.1) (11.1)
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs................. (116.0) (116.0)
Amortization of deferred
distribution costs................ (42.9) 42.9
Amortization of intangible assets... (24.3) 1.0 19.3 (4.0)
Interest expense, net............... (22.5) (0.5) 0.5 (22.5)
------ ------ ------ --------- ------
Total expenses.................... (641.5) 36.5 338.8 (266.2)
Pretax income....................... 188.6 (32.8) (39.7) 116.1
Income tax benefit (expense)........ (61.0) 17.2 13.2 (30.6)
------ ------ ------ --------- ------
Net income.......................... $127.6 $(15.6) $(26.5) $ 85.5
====== ====== ====== ========= ======
Net income per share--basic
(weighted average
shares--47,834,973)............... $ 2.65 $ 1.77
====== ======
Net income per share--diluted
(weighted average
shares--48,903,818)............... $ 2.61 $ 1.75
====== ======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
96
<Page>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SALE OF THE ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL
ASSET
HISTORICAL MANAGEMENT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
LFC BUSINESS ADJUSTMENTS LFC
---------- ---------- ----------- ---------
Investment income................................. $473.7 $473.7
Interest credited to policyholders................ (301.9) (301.9)
------ ------
Investment spread................................. 171.8 171.8
Net derivative loss............................... 4.7 4.7
Net realized investment gains (losses)............ (33.1) 13.4 (19.7)
Net change in unrealized and undistributed gains
in private equity limited partnerships.......... (14.6) (14.6)
Fee income:
Investment advisory and administrative fees....... 148.3 (144.7) 3.6
Distribution and service fees..................... 29.6 (29.6)
Transfer agency fees.............................. 24.3 (24.3)
Surrender charges and net commissions............. 16.8 (6.7) 10.1
Separate account fees............................. 27.2 27.2
------ ------ ------
Total fee income................................ 246.2 (205.3) 40.9
Expenses:
Operating expenses................................ (204.5) 152.9 (51.6)
Restructuring charges............................. 0.3 (0.6) (0.3)
Special compensation plan......................... (40.2) (40.2)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs........................................... (63.6) (63.6)
Amortization of deferred distribution costs....... (24.5) 24.5
Amortization of intangible assets................. (17.2) 15.7 (1.5)
Interest expense, net............................. (19.5) (19.5)
------ ------ ------
Total expenses.................................. (369.2) 192.5 (176.7)
Pretax income (loss).............................. 5.8 0.6 6.4
Income tax benefit (expense)...................... 0.7 (13.0) (12.3)
------ ------ ------
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
change.......................................... $ 6.5 $(12.4) $ (5.9)
====== ====== ======
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
change per share--basic (weighted average
shares--48,621,515)............................. $ 0.13 $(0.13)
====== ======
Income before cumulative effect of accounting
change per share--diluted (weighted average
shares--50,237,855)............................. $ 0.13 $(0.12)
====== ======
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
97
<Page>
NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE SALE OF THE ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS
(UNAUDITED)
(1) Represents the estimated aggregate purchase price from the sale of the asset
management business. Estimated income taxes payable of $144.0 million have
been included in other liabilities.
(2) Represents the estimated liability related to the cancellation of employee
stock options, net of estimated income taxes of $5.9 million.
(3) Represents the estimated liability for transaction costs associated with the
sale of the asset management business, net of reimbursements by the
purchaser and estimated income taxes of $3.5 million.
(4) Represents the estimated liability related to the retention plans for
employees of the asset management business, which amount will be paid by
LFC, net of estimated income taxes of $24.6 million.
(5) Pro forma retained earnings includes an after tax gain on the sale of the
asset management business of $58.7 million. This gain is not reflected in
the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(6) Historical Private Capital Management (PCM) reflects the revenues and
expenses of PCM, a division of Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, and the
related gain on the December 29, 2000 sale of PCM.
98
<Page>
------------------------
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS--MATTERS
PERTAINING TO LIBERTY MUTUAL
------------------------
GENERAL
Prior to the acquisition of The Colonial Group, Inc., or Colonial, in March,
1995 by LFC, LFC was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual. As
of August 24, 2001, Liberty Mutual owned beneficially approximately 70.4% of the
outstanding shares of LFC common stock.
Liberty Mutual is a Massachusetts-chartered property and casualty mutual
insurance company with more than $50.0 billion in assets and $7.1 billion in
surplus at December 31, 2000. The principal business activities of Liberty
Mutual's subsidiaries and affiliates (other than LFC) are property-casualty
insurance, insurance services and life insurance (including group life and
health insurance products) marketed through its own sales force.
Although all of LFC's 13 directors are also directors of Liberty Mutual,
including Gary L. Countryman, the President and Chief Executive Officer of LFC
and Edmund F. Kelly, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty
Mutual, LFC's operations are separate from, and generally have been conducted
independently of, Liberty Mutual and its other business activities. LFC and its
operating subsidiaries have their own personnel responsible for operations,
strategic planning, marketing, finance, administration, human resources,
accounting, legal and other management functions.
THE TRANSACTIONS
Liberty Mutual is a party to each of the following transaction agreements:
- THE SUN LIFE VOTING AGREEMENT. As of the record date, Liberty Mutual was
the beneficial owner of approximately 70.4% of the outstanding shares of
LFC common stock, as described in the section of this proxy statement
entitled "THE TRANSACTIONS--SPECIAL FACTORS--Position of Liberty Mutual as
to Fairness of the Transactions." As the controlling stockholder of LFC,
Liberty Mutual agreed in the Sun Life voting agreement to vote all of its
shares of LFC stock in favor of, and against all matters inconsistent
with, the authorization of the Sun Life purchase agreement and the
completion of the Sun Life transaction, subject to the terms of that
agreement. For more information about the Sun Life voting agreement, we
refer you to the information in this proxy statement under the heading
"SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun Life Voting Agreement."
- THE SUN LIFE LICENSE AGREEMENT. The Sun Life license agreement provides
that for a period of one year following the completion of the Sun Life
transaction, Sun Life shall have a royalty free, non-transferable,
non-sublicensable, non-exclusive license to use the Liberty mark and trade
name, the Statue of Liberty design and other associated marks and trade
names used in connection with the annuity and retail distribution
business. The license granted to Sun Life also permits Sun Life to use the
licensed marks and trade names in connection with any products relating to
the annuity subsidiaries under development or scheduled for launch as of
the closing of the Sun Life transaction. For more information about the
Sun Life license agreement, we refer you to the information in this proxy
statement under the heading "SUN LIFE TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun
Life License Agreement."
- THE SUN LIFE/LIBERTY MUTUAL LETTER AGREEMENT. Under this letter agreement,
Liberty Mutual agreed to guarantee the obligations of LFC with respect to
certain tax-related matters dealt with
99
<Page>
in the Sun Life purchase agreement. For more information about the Sun
Life/Liberty Mutual letter agreement, we refer you to the information in
this proxy statement under the heading "SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Sun Life/Liberty Mutual Letter Agreement."
- THE LIBERTY MUTUAL GUARANTY. In the normal course of its business,
Keyport, one of the annuity subsidiaries, has entered into arrangements
that constitute "qualified assignments" under the Internal Revenue Code
with Liberty Mutual and funded its obligations under those arrangements by
purchasing annuity policies from Liberty Life, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Liberty Mutual. The guaranty agreement entered into on May 22, 2001
provides that Liberty Mutual will guaranty to Keyport and Sun Life the
complete payment, performance and satisfaction of each obligation of
Liberty Life under the annuity contracts sold to Keyport. The guaranty
agreement further provides that Liberty Mutual will indemnify Keyport and
Sun Life from losses incurred through the failure of Liberty Mutual or
Liberty Life to perform the obligations under the annuity contracts. For
more information about the Liberty Mutual guaranty, we refer you to the
information in this proxy statement under the heading "SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Liberty Mutual Guaranty."
- THE KEYPORT AGREEMENTS. On May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of
the Sun Life purchase agreement, Keyport Life Insurance Company, or
Keyport, one of the annuity subsidiaries, entered into two agreements
amending administrative services agreements with Liberty Life. Under the
terms of the original administrative services agreements, Keyport will
provide certain administrative and other services with respect to certain
annuity contracts sold by Liberty Life in the State of New York. Each of
the amended agreements amended the termination provision of the applicable
administrative services agreement to provide that either party may
terminate each of the agreements upon eighteen months prior notice. In
addition, Keyport and Liberty Life also executed a termination agreement
on May 2, 2001, simultaneously with the signing of the Sun Life purchase
agreement. This termination agreement also provides that, upon the
completion of the Sun Life transaction, a reinsurance agreement that
Keyport and Liberty Life entered into in 1996 under which Liberty Life
agreed to reinsure certain single premium immediate annuity policies
issued by Keyport, and a related servicing agreement by and between
Liberty Life and Keyport, under which Liberty Life agreed to provide
Keyport with marketing, administration, electronic data processing,
contract owner services and agent owner services in connection with the
policies reinsured by Liberty Life under the reinsurance agreement, will
terminate, but only with respect to policies issued by Keyport on or after
the date on which the Sun Life transaction is completed. For more
information about the Keyport agreements, we refer you to the information
in this proxy statement under the heading "SUN LIFE
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--Keyport Agreements."
- THE FLEET VOTING AGREEMENT. As the controlling stockholder of LFC, Liberty
Mutual agreed in the Fleet voting agreement to vote all of its shares of
LFC stock in favor of, and against all matters inconsistent with, the
authorization of the Fleet purchase agreement and the completion of the
Fleet transaction, subject to the terms of that agreement. For more
information about the Fleet voting agreement, we refer you to the
information in this proxy statement under the heading "FLEET
TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet Voting Agreement."
- THE FLEET LICENSE AGREEMENT. This license agreement provides that upon the
closing of the Fleet transaction, Fleet shall have a perpetual, royalty
free, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive license to use
the Liberty mark and trade name, the Statue of Liberty design and other
associated marks and trade names used in connection with the assets under
management business. For more information about the Fleet/Liberty Mutual
license agreement, we refer you to the information in this proxy statement
under the heading "FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet License
Agreement."
100
<Page>
- THE FLEET/LIBERTY MUTUAL LETTER AGREEMENT. Under this letter agreement,
Liberty Mutual agreed to guarantee the obligations of LFC with respect to
certain tax-related matters dealt with in the Fleet purchase agreement.
For more information about the Fleet/Liberty Mutual letter agreement, we
refer you to the information in this proxy statement under the heading
"FLEET TRANSACTION--AGREEMENTS--The Fleet/Liberty Mutual Letter
Agreement."
- THE MERGER AGREEMENT. The merger agreement provides that, at the effective
time of the merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into LFC. Upon
completion of the merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist and LFC will
continue as the surviving corporation. In addition, as the sole owner of
the surviving corporation in the merger, Liberty Mutual shall assume all
of the obligations and liabilities of LFC that are not assumed by Sun Life
or Fleet, including LFC's obligations under the TSA and related
agreements. For more information about the merger agreement, we refer you
to the information in this proxy statement under the heading "THE GOING
PRIVATE TRANSACTION--MERGER AGREEMENT."
In addition, as the sole owner of the surviving corporation in the merger,
Liberty Mutual shall assume all of the obligations and liabilities of LFC that
are not assumed by Sun Life or Fleet, including LFC's obligations under the TSA
and related agreements.
$200 MILLION LOAN
On September 29, 2000, LFC acquired Wanger Asset Management, L.P. Liberty
Mutual and its affiliates loaned LFC an aggregate of $200 million to fund a
portion of that acquisition. The indebtedness consists of $180 million of
12-year notes with interest payable semi-annually at 8.85% and $20 million of
20-year notes with interest payable semi-annually at 9.35%. The notes are
prepayable upon a change of control of LFC. LFC will repay these notes in
connection with the merger. See "THE GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION--THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Conversion of Common Stock; Merger Consideration."
REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN DIRECT COSTS AND INTERCOMPANY AGREEMENTS
Liberty Mutual from time to time has provided management, legal, internal
audit and treasury services to LFC, as well as to other Liberty Mutual
subsidiaries which services are of the type normally performed by a parent
company's corporate staff. In connection with the Colonial acquisition, LFC and
Liberty Mutual entered into an intercompany agreement governing ongoing services
provided by Liberty Mutual to LFC. Under the intercompany agreement, these
services are provided only as requested by LFC and may include executive, legal,
tax, treasury and certain other services. LFC pays Liberty Mutual a fee based
upon Liberty Mutual's direct costs allocable to the services provided, and
reimburses Liberty Mutual for all associated out of pocket fees and expenses
incurred by it. The agreement provides for estimated quarterly payments and
subsequent adjustments to these payments based upon actual experience. For 2000,
LFC paid Liberty Mutual $3.5 million for services under the intercompany
agreement.
The intercompany agreement also provides that, during any period in which
Liberty Mutual owns at least 20% of the voting power of the outstanding capital
stock of LFC, LFC will provide Liberty Mutual with certain financial and other
information. During any period in which Liberty Mutual owns at least 50% of the
voting power of the outstanding capital stock of LFC or in which Liberty Mutual
is required or elects to consolidate LFC's financial results in its own
financial statements, LFC must obtain Liberty Mutual's prior written consent to
any significant changes in accounting principles of LFC.
101
<Page>
In addition, the intercompany agreement provides that LFC will indemnify
Liberty Mutual, its subsidiaries (other than LFC and its subsidiaries), and each
of their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents against losses
from third-party claims based on, arising out of or resulting from:
- the activities of LFC or its subsidiaries (including without limitation
liabilities under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other
securities laws); and
- any other acts or omissions arising out of performance of the intercompany
agreement.
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
With respect to the period from January 1, 1990 through July 17, 1997, which
we refer to as the deconsolidation date, LFC and its subsidiaries (except for
Keyport Life and its subsidiaries, each of which filed a separate federal income
tax return through 1993) were included in the consolidated federal income tax
return filed by Liberty Mutual. Prior to 1994, Keyport and its subsidiaries were
not eligible for inclusion in Liberty Mutual's consolidated federal income tax
return. Keyport and its subsidiaries are annuity subsidiaries, which, if the Sun
Life transaction is consummated, will be sold to Sun Life pursuant to the Sun
Life purchase agreement.
LFC and Liberty Mutual are parties to a written tax sharing agreement. The
tax sharing agreement provides for the allocation between LFC and Liberty Mutual
of the liability for federal income taxes and foreign, state, and local income,
franchise, and excise taxes, and details the methodology and procedures for
determining the payments or reimbursements to be made by or to LFC with respect
to those taxes. The tax sharing agreement applies primarily to taxable years or
periods beginning on or after January 1, 1990 and ending before or on the
deconsolidation date.
Liberty Mutual's ownership of the outstanding capital stock of LFC fell
below 80% effective on the deconsolidation date. As a result, LFC and its
subsidiaries are no longer included in the consolidated federal and certain
other income tax returns filed by Liberty Mutual, and the tax sharing agreement
generally will no longer be in effect, for periods beginning after the
deconsolidation date, except for certain provisions that may affect carryovers
and carrybacks of net operating losses or other tax attributes and subsequent
examination adjustments by taxing authorities (as described below). Liberty
Mutual's 1997 consolidated federal income tax return included LFC and its
subsidiaries through the deconsolidation date. Subsequently, LFC and its
subsidiaries (other than Keyport and Keyport's subsidiaries) file a consolidated
federal income tax return. For the remainder of 1997 through July 17, 2002,
Keyport and its subsidiaries will file separately from LFC, after which period
Keyport and its current subsidiaries would be eligible to be included in LFC's
consolidated federal income tax return.
The tax sharing agreement generally provides that with respect to periods
prior to the deconsolidation date, among other things, that LFC will pay to
Liberty Mutual an amount for federal income tax purposes determined as if LFC
filed a separate consolidated federal income tax return for LFC and its
subsidiaries (i.e., as if LFC were the common parent of an affiliated group
including its subsidiaries but not including Liberty Mutual and its other
subsidiaries in each case excluding Keyport and its subsidiaries for periods
prior to 1994), regardless of the amount of federal income tax shown on the
actual consolidated federal income tax return filed by Liberty Mutual on behalf
of its entire affiliated group (including LFC and its subsidiaries). The
determination of the amounts paid by LFC pursuant to the tax sharing agreement
generally takes into account carryovers and carrybacks of net operating losses
and other attributes, again as if LFC and its subsidiaries (other than Keyport
and its subsidiaries for periods prior to 1994) independently filed a
consolidated federal income tax return for such periods.
The tax sharing agreement also provides for procedures with respect to
adjustments to tax payments or reimbursements resulting from audits or other
proceedings with respect to taxable years for which LFC and/or its subsidiaries
have been included with Liberty Mutual and its other subsidiaries
102
<Page>
in any consolidated federal income tax return or any combined, joint,
consolidated, or similar foreign, state, or local income, franchise, or excise
tax return. In addition, while the tax sharing agreement generally applies to
taxable years in which LFC has been included in a consolidated federal income
tax return filed by Liberty Mutual, it also contains provisions that may affect
carryovers or carrybacks of net operating losses or other tax attributes from or
to taxable years prior or subsequent to such consolidation.
For 2000, there were no payments between Liberty Mutual and LFC pursuant to
the tax sharing agreement.
As the common parent of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal
income tax return and under the terms of the tax sharing agreement, Liberty
Mutual has various rights. Among other things, for periods ending on or prior to
the deconsolidation date, Liberty Mutual was the sole and exclusive agent for
LFC in any and all matters relating to the U.S. income tax liability of LFC.
Liberty Mutual had sole and exclusive responsibility for the preparation and
filing of the U.S. consolidated federal income tax return for such affiliated
group, and Liberty Mutual had the power, in its sole discretion, to contest or
compromise any asserted tax adjustment or deficiency and to file, litigate, or
compromise any claim for refund on behalf of LFC.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
In connection with the acquisition of Colonial, LFC and Liberty Mutual
entered into a registration rights agreement, which, among other things,
provides that LFC will, upon Liberty Mutual's request, register under the
Securities Act any of the shares of LFC common stock held by Liberty Mutual for
sale in accordance with Liberty Mutual's intended method of disposition and will
take those actions necessary to permit the sale of those shares in other
jurisdictions. Liberty Mutual has the right to request up to three such
registrations per year, subject to certain minimum share requirements. Liberty
Mutual has agreed to pay the costs and expenses in connection with each such
registration of its shares. LFC has the right (exercisable not more than once in
any 12-month period) to require Liberty Mutual to delay any exercise by Liberty
Mutual of these rights to require registration and other actions under the
agreement for a period of up to 120 days if LFC determines, and the underwriters
concur, that any other offerings by LFC then being conducted or about to be
conducted would be adversely affected, or if LFC determines that it would be
required to disclose publicly material business information which would cause a
material disruption of a major corporate development then pending or in progress
or that the registration would have other material adverse consequences.
Liberty Mutual also has the right, which it may exercise at any time and
from time to time in the future, to include the shares of LFC common stock held
directly or indirectly by it in certain other registrations of common equity
securities of LFC initiated by LFC on its own behalf. Liberty Mutual has agreed
to pay its pro rata share of all costs and expenses in connection with each of
these registrations.
Each of LFC and Liberty Mutual will indemnify the other, and the officers,
directors and controlling persons of the other, against certain liabilities
arising in respect of any registration or other offering under the registration
rights agreement.
CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING LIBERTY MUTUAL
Prior to 1999, Keyport had a sales arrangement with Liberty Life which is
licensed to sell variable annuity contracts in the State of New York. Liberty
Life issued variable annuity contracts in New York with substantially the same
policy terms and underlying investment options as Keyport's variable annuity
products, the premiums for which are deposited in a separate account of Liberty
Life. Keyport continues to provide administrative services to Liberty Life with
respect to such annuities. All contractual obligations in respect of such
annuities are those of Liberty Life rather than of Keyport.
103
<Page>
Liberty Life charges the fees payable under the annuities, pays Keyport a fee
designed to cover Keyport's expenses in administering these annuities, and
retains the balance. During 2000, Liberty Life paid Keyport fees of
approximately $0.3 million under these arrangements.
Keyport has entered into certain structured settlement arrangements with
Liberty Mutual and Liberty Life. Under qualified assignments, Keyport has
assumed obligations of Liberty Mutual to make payments to claimants under its
liability insurance policies. Also, Keyport has purchased from Liberty Life,
annuities that are qualified funding assets in order that Liberty Life will pay
claimants the Liberty Mutual obligations assumed by Keyport. As a result of
these structured settlement arrangements, Keyport is contingently liable on the
obligations it assumes in the event of Liberty Life's non-performance. As of
December 31, 2000, Keyport's loss contingency was approximately $827.3 million.
During 2000, Keyport received fees of approximately $0.3 million in connection
with these structured settlements. Keyport is an annuity subsidiary, which will
be transferred to Sun Life, in accordance with the provisions of the Sun Life
purchase agreement, upon consummation of the Sun Life transaction.
LFC provides certain investment management services to Liberty Mutual.
Liberty Mutual paid LFC $1.1 million for these services in 2000. In addition,
LFC provides investment advisory services to oil and gas investment subsidiaries
of Liberty Mutual. These subsidiaries reimburse LFC for all direct out-of-pocket
costs for these services. These cost reimbursements totaled $0.2 million in
2000.
As of December 31, 2000, Liberty Mutual and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance
Company beneficially owned approximately 6.4% and 0.7%, respectively, of the
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund, a closed-end fund listed on the NYSE. All of the
shares of this fund were purchased in open market transactions. Liberty Asset
Management Company, an asset management subsidiary, is the investment adviser to
the fund.
The existing and proposed agreements between LFC and Liberty Mutual may be
modified in the future and additional transactions or agreements may be entered
into between LFC and Liberty Mutual. Conflicts of interest could arise between
LFC and Liberty Mutual with respect to any of the foregoing, or any future
agreements or arrangements between them. Neither Liberty Mutual nor LFC has
instituted, or has any current plans to institute, any formal plan or
arrangement to address any possible conflicts of interest.
104
<Page>
------------------------
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
------------------------
The consolidated financial statements of LFC for the year ended
December 31, 2000 have been audited and reported upon by Ernst & Young LLP, or
Ernst &Young.
APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
The Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young to examine LFC's
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000.
Ernst & Young will serve as the independent auditors of LFC for 2001.
Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the meeting and
will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish and to respond to
appropriate stockholder questions.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit
of LFC's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000
and for the reviews of LFC's consolidated financial statements included in its
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for that year was $648,000.
OTHER FEES
The following other fees were paid to Ernst & Young:
<Table>
financial information systems design and implementation
fees.................................................... $ 633,000
all other fees:
audit related fees...................................... $ 573,000
other fees.............................................. 1,044,000
-----------------
total..................................................... $ 1,617,000.00
</Table>
105
<Page>
------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
------------------------
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AT THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders who wish to submit proposals pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act at the next annual meeting will be required to deliver the
proposals to LFC on or prior to , 2002. For proposals that stockholders
intend to present at the meeting outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act, unless the stockholder notifies the LFC clerk of such intent by
, 2002, any proxy that management solicits for the meeting will confer
on the holder of the proxy discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal
properly presented at the meeting. LFC's by-laws also contain certain provisions
which impose additional requirements upon the submission by stockholders of
nominees for election to the board of directors and other stockholder proposals.
A copy of LFC's by-laws may be obtained without charge by a stockholder upon
written request addressed to the clerk of LFC at the address set forth below.
Please forward any such proposals or the required notices to the Clerk of
LFC, c/o Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 2400,
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2214.
If the merger is consummated during the expected time period there will be
no LFC annual meeting for 2002.
OTHER MATTERS
LFC has no knowledge of any matters to be presented for action by the
stockholders at the meeting other than as set forth above. However, the enclosed
proxy gives discretionary authority to the persons named in those proxies to act
in accordance with their best judgment in the event that any additional matters
should be presented.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Copies of the following documents, filed by LFC with the Commission and
hereby incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, will be made
available at the meeting and also may be obtained without charge by any
stockholder upon written request addressed to Director of Investor Relations,
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 2400, Boston,
Massachusetts 02210-2214.
- LFC's reports filed with the Commission on Forms 10-K and 10-K/A for the
year ended December 31, 2000;
- LFC's reports filed with the Commission on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001; and
- LFC's reports filed with the Commission on Form 8-K on May 4, 2001 and
June 6, 2001.
All documents subsequently filed by LFC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the date of the meeting shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this proxy statement from the date of the
filing of those reports. Any statement contained in this proxy statement or in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement shall be deemed to be modified or superceded for purposes of this
proxy statement to the extent that a statement contained in this proxy statement
or in any document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this proxy statement modifies or supercedes that statement. Any statement so
modified or superceded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superceded,
to constitute a part of this proxy statement. Any document incorporated by
reference in this proxy
106
<Page>
statement and not delivered to you with this proxy statement can be obtained
upon written request addressed to Director of Investor Relations, Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 2400, Boston,
Massachusetts 02210-2214.
Statements contained in this proxy statement as to the contents of any
contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of the contract or document filed
as an appendix to this proxy statement, and each statement is qualified in all
respects by reference to such appendix. Copies of the proxy statement may be
examined without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549. Copies of all or any portion of the proxy statement may be obtained
from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549, or by calling the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330, at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains
a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, such as LFC, that make
electronic filings with the Commission.
By order of the Board of Directors
Kevin M. Carome
CLERK
Dated: September , 2001
107
<Page>
APPENDIX A-1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF MAY 2, 2001
AMONG
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA
AS PURCHASER
AND
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
AND
LIBERTY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
AS SELLERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Page>
<Table>
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT.................................................. A-1-1
BACKGROUND................................................................ A-1-1
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE......................................................... A-1-2
1.1 Purchase and Sale........................................... A-1-2
1.2 Payments at Closing......................................... A-1-2
1.3 Closing..................................................... A-1-2
1.4 Deliveries at Closing by the Companies...................... A-1-2
1.5 Deliveries at Closing by the Purchaser...................... A-1-2
1.6 Section 338(h)(10) Election................................. A-1-2
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER........................... A-1-3
2.1 Organization and Qualification.............................. A-1-3
2.2 Authority................................................... A-1-4
2.3 Compliance.................................................. A-1-4
2.4 Certain Regulatory Filings.................................. A-1-5
2.5 Broker's Fees............................................... A-1-5
2.6 Financing................................................... A-1-5
2.7 Litigation.................................................. A-1-5
2.8 Taxes....................................................... A-1-5
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANIES........................... A-1-6
3.1 Organization and Qualification.............................. A-1-6
3.2 Subsidiaries................................................ A-1-6
3.3 Authority................................................... A-1-7
3.4 Compliance.................................................. A-1-7
3.5 SEC Filings; Financial Statements........................... A-1-8
3.6 Litigation.................................................. A-1-9
3.7 Changes..................................................... A-1-9
3.8 Transactions with Affiliates................................ A-1-9
3.9 Employee Benefits and Contracts............................. A-1-9
3.10 Liens....................................................... A-1-12
3.11 Taxes....................................................... A-1-12
3.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits............................... A-1-14
3.13 Intellectual Property....................................... A-1-15
3.14 No Undisclosed Material Liabilities......................... A-1-15
3.15 Opinion of Financial Advisor; Brokers....................... A-1-15
3.16 Insurance Matters........................................... A-1-16
3.17 Material Contracts.......................................... A-1-17
3.18 Vote Required............................................... A-1-19
3.19 Companies' Knowledge........................................ A-1-19
3.20 Takeover Statutes........................................... A-1-19
3.21 Certain Intercompany Transfers.............................. A-1-19
3.22 Competition Act (Canada).................................... A-1-19
3.23 Assets Transferred.......................................... A-1-19
</Table>
A-1-i
<Page>
<Table>
ARTICLE 4
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS....................................................... A-1-19
4.1 Conduct Prior to Closing.................................... A-1-19
4.2 Notification of Certain Matters............................. A-1-22
4.3 Access to Information....................................... A-1-22
ARTICLE 5
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS..................................................... A-1-22
5.1 Preparation of Proxy Statement.............................. A-1-22
5.2 Board Recommendation........................................ A-1-23
5.3 Fees and Expenses........................................... A-1-23
5.4 Additional Agreements....................................... A-1-23
5.5 No Solicitation............................................. A-1-24
5.6 Governmental Filings........................................ A-1-25
5.7 Insurance Law Approvals..................................... A-1-26
5.8 Indemnification............................................. A-1-26
5.9 Fair Price Structure........................................ A-1-26
5.10 Continuing Employees........................................ A-1-26
5.11 Taxes....................................................... A-1-28
5.12 Nominal Stockholders........................................ A-1-31
5.13 Other Confidentiality Agreements............................ A-1-32
5.14 Intercompany Matters........................................ A-1-32
5.15 Transfer of Records......................................... A-1-32
5.16 Financing................................................... A-1-32
5.17 Privacy Policy and Privacy Mailing.......................... A-1-33
5.18 LFD Intellectual Property................................... A-1-33
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS................................................................ A-1-33
6.1 Conditions to Obligation of Each Party to Effect the Sale... A-1-33
Additional Conditions to Obligation of the Companies to
6.2 Effect the Sale............................................. A-1-34
Additional Conditions to Obligation of the Purchaser to
6.3 Effect the Sale............................................. A-1-34
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER......................................... A-1-35
7.1 Termination................................................. A-1-35
7.2 Effect of Termination....................................... A-1-36
7.3 Amendment................................................... A-1-36
7.4 Waiver...................................................... A-1-36
7.5 Expenses; Termination Fee................................... A-1-36
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS........................................................ A-1-37
8.1 Publicity................................................... A-1-37
8.2 Notices..................................................... A-1-37
8.3 Interpretation.............................................. A-1-38
8.4 Representations and Warranties; etc......................... A-1-38
8.5 Miscellaneous............................................... A-1-39
8.6 Validity.................................................... A-1-39
</Table>
A-1-ii
<Page>
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
<Table>
Acquisition Proposal........................................ A-1-24
affiliates.................................................. A-1-36
Agreement................................................... A-1-1
Allocation Schedule......................................... A-1-3
Amendment Summary........................................... A-1-27
Applicable Laws............................................. A-1-4
Balance Sheet............................................... A-1-12
Below Investment Grade Investments.......................... A-1-22
best knowledge of the Companies............................. A-1-19
best knowledge of the Purchaser............................. A-1-5
Business.................................................... A-1-1
Business Day................................................ A-1-2
Business Employees.......................................... A-1-26
Closing..................................................... A-1-2
Closing Date................................................ A-1-2
Code........................................................ A-1-2
Companies................................................... A-1-1
Companies' best knowledge................................... A-1-19
Companies' Comments......................................... A-1-3
Companies' Defined Contribution Plan........................ A-1-27
Companies' knowledge........................................ A-1-19
Company Benefit Plans....................................... A-1-10
Company Confidentiality Agreement........................... A-1-32
Company Material Adverse Effect............................. A-1-6
Company Separate Accounts................................... A-1-17
Company Stockholders' Meeting............................... A-1-23
Confidentiality Agreement................................... A-1-24
Contracts................................................... A-1-17
Deferred Compensation Obligations........................... A-1-10
Delivery Date............................................... A-1-3
Disclosure Schedule......................................... A-1-6
Encumbrances................................................ A-1-2
ERISA....................................................... A-1-10
ERISA Affiliate............................................. A-1-10
Exchange Act................................................ A-1-4
Extended Coverage Period.................................... A-1-28
Financial Advisor........................................... A-1-15
Financing................................................... A-1-32
Form A...................................................... A-1-5
Government Entity........................................... A-1-4
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act....................................... A-1-4
Indemnified Parties......................................... A-1-26
Insurance Subsidiaries...................................... A-1-13
Intellectual Property....................................... A-1-15
Interconnects............................................... A-1-32
Investment Company Act...................................... A-1-17
IRS......................................................... A-1-10
Issuers..................................................... A-1-32
KFSC........................................................ A-1-14
</Table>
A-1-iii
<Page>
<Table>
knowledge of the Companies.................................. A-1-19
knowledge of the Purchaser.................................. A-1-5
LASC........................................................ A-1-1
LASC Distribution........................................... A-1-3
LFC......................................................... A-1-1
LFC's Stockholders.......................................... A-1-23
LFDI........................................................ A-1-33
LFS......................................................... A-1-1
Liberty Life................................................ A-1-1
Liberty Life Agreement...................................... A-1-1
Liberty Life Guarantee...................................... A-1-1
License Agreement........................................... A-1-1
LMIC........................................................ A-1-1
LMIC Indemnification Agreement.............................. A-1-1
Material Contracts.......................................... A-1-18
MBCL........................................................ A-1-4
NASD........................................................ A-1-4
Necessary Consents.......................................... A-1-7
New York DOI................................................ A-1-5
Outside Date................................................ A-1-35
Prior SEC Filings........................................... A-1-8
Prior Service............................................... A-1-27
Proxy Statement............................................. A-1-5
Purchase Price.............................................. A-1-2
Purchased Securities........................................ A-1-2
Purchased Subsidiaries...................................... A-1-1
Purchaser................................................... A-1-1
Purchaser Material Adverse Effect........................... A-1-23
Purchaser's best knowledge.................................. A-1-5
Purchaser's Comments........................................ A-1-3
Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan....................... A-1-27
Purchaser's knowledge....................................... A-1-5
Purchaser's Plans........................................... A-1-26
Qualified Acquisition Proposal.............................. A-1-24
Restricted Investments...................................... A-1-22
Retention Plan.............................................. A-1-11
Rhode Island DBR............................................ A-1-5
Sale........................................................ A-1-1
SAP Statements.............................................. A-1-16
SEC......................................................... A-1-5
Section 338 Forms........................................... A-1-3
Section 338(h)(10) Election................................. A-1-2
Securities Act.............................................. A-1-4
Series A Preferred.......................................... A-1-19
Shares...................................................... A-1-19
Subsequent Action........................................... A-1-25
Subsequent Deal............................................. A-1-36
subsidiaries................................................ A-1-36
Subsidiaries................................................ A-1-1
subsidiary.................................................. A-1-36
Subsidiary Benefit Plans.................................... A-1-26
</Table>
A-1-iv
<Page>
<Table>
Subsidiary Investing........................................ A-1-20
Tax......................................................... A-1-12
Tax Returns................................................. A-1-12
Terminating Company Breach.................................. A-1-35
Terminating Purchaser Breach................................ A-1-36
Termination Fee............................................. A-1-37
Third Party................................................. A-1-24
Transition Services Agreement............................... A-1-1
U.S. GAAP................................................... A-1-33
</Table>
A-1-v
<Page>
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES
<Table>
<Caption>
SCHEDULE DESCRIPTION
- -------- -----------
Section 3.2 Subsidiaries
Section 3.4(a) Compliance
Section 3.6 Litigation
Section 3.7 Changes
Section 3.8 Transactions with Affiliates
Section 3.9(a) Collective Bargaining Agreements
Section 3.9(b) Company Benefit Plans
Section 3.9(c) Employee Benefit Matters
Section 3.9(d)(i) Acceleration/Vesting of Benefits
Section 3.9(e) Persons Subject to Excise Tax under Section 280G of the Code
Section 3.9(i)(ii) Termination of Employee Benefit Plans
Section 3.10 Liens
Section 3.11(b) Tax Disputes/Claims
Section 3.11(c) Tax Waivers of Statutes of Limitations
Section 3.11(d) Transferee/Successor Tax Liability
Section 3.11(i) Income Adjustment Pursuant to IRC Section 807(f)
Tax Rulings, Closing Agreements Received, Executed or
Section 3.11(j) Entered Into
Section 3.13 Intellectual Property
Section 3.16 Insurance Matters
Section 3.17 Materials Contracts
Section 3.21 Certain Intercompany Transfers
Section 4.1 Conduct Prior to Closing
Section 6.3(d) Closing
</Table>
A-1-vi
<Page>
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 2, 2001,
is among SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA, a Canadian insurance corporation
(the "Purchaser"), and LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC., a Massachusetts
corporation ("LFC"), and LIBERTY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., a Massachusetts
corporation ("LFS" and, together with LFC, the "Companies").
BACKGROUND
A. LFC or LFS owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
of each of the entities set forth on Schedule A (collectively, the "Purchased
Subsidiaries"). The Purchased Subsidiaries, together with their direct and
indirect subsidiaries engaged in the annuity and retail distribution businesses
and set forth in Schedule A (such subsidiaries, together with the Purchased
Subsidiaries, the "Subsidiaries") operate the annuity and retail distribution
segments of LFC's business (the "Business").
B. The Companies wish to sell, and the Purchaser wishes to buy, all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Purchased Subsidiaries, on the terms
and conditions set forth herein (the "Sale"). The Board of Directors of the
Purchaser has duly approved the Sale. The Board of Directors and the sole
stockholder of LFS have duly approved the Sale.
C. Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, (i) the Purchaser
and LFC are entering into a transition services and indemnification agreement
(the "Transition Services Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, LFC
has agreed to indemnify the Purchaser from and against any losses suffered by
the Purchaser arising from past or future operations of LFC's asset management
segment and to provide the Purchaser with certain services for a transition
period following the consummation of the Closing (as defined below), (ii) the
Purchaser, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("LMIC") and LFC are entering into a
license agreement with respect to the transitional use of the "Liberty" name and
logo (the "License Agreement"), (iii) LMIC and the Purchaser are entering into
an agreement with respect to the indemnification by LMIC of the Purchaser for
certain tax-related liabilities (the "LMIC Indemnification Agreement") and
(iv) Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston ("Liberty Life") and the Purchaser
are entering into certain agreements relating to certain reinsurance and related
matters (collectively, with the additional agreement referred to in the next
following sentence, the "Liberty Life Agreement"). In addition, LMIC and the
Purchaser have agreed to enter into a certain guarantee agreement pertaining to
certain contingent liabilities not later than the Closing (the "Liberty Life
Guarantee").
D. Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, LMIC is entering
into a voting and support agreement pursuant to which, among other things, LMIC
has agreed to vote all shares of LFC common stock that it holds in favor of the
Sale.
E. Immediately before the Closing, all of the stock of Liberty Advisory
Services Corp. ("LASC") will be distributed to LFC in a transaction that is
intended for federal income tax purposes to qualify as a step in a plan of
complete liquidation.
A-1-1
<Page>
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Purchaser and the Companies
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE
1.1 PURCHASE AND SALE. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at the
Closing (as defined below), the Companies shall sell, transfer, assign and
deliver to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Companies
all outstanding shares of capital stock of each Purchased Subsidiary (the
"Purchased Securities"), free and clear of all mortgages, security interests,
claims, pledges, liens, charges and encumbrances (the "Encumbrances"), other
than restrictions under applicable securities and insurance laws and other than
those created by the Purchaser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser
acknowledges that the three shares of Keyport Life Insurance Company described
on Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule are held by the nominee holders
described therein and shall be transferred at the Closing to the nominal holders
designated by the Purchaser as contemplated by Section 5.12.
1.2 PAYMENTS AT CLOSING. At the Closing, the Purchaser shall pay to the
Companies an aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Securities equal to
US$1,702,000,000 (the "Purchase Price") by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated in writing by the Companies to the
Purchaser not less than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date.
1.3 CLOSING. Subject to and in accordance with this Agreement, the
consummation of the Sale (the "Closing") will take place at Choate, Hall &
Stewart, Exchange Place, 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, on the third
Business Day (as defined below) (the "Closing Date") after satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, other than those conditions
that relate to actions to be taken at the Closing. As used herein, the term
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which banks in Boston, Massachusetts or Toronto, Ontario are not open for
business.
1.4 DELIVERIES AT CLOSING BY THE COMPANIES. At the Closing, and upon
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the
Companies will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser the
instruments, certificates and other documents required of it by Section 6.3.
1.5 DELIVERIES AT CLOSING BY THE PURCHASER. At the Closing, and upon
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.3, the
Purchaser will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Companies the Purchase
Price and the instruments, certificates and other documents required of it by
Section 6.2.
1.6 SECTION 338(H)(10) ELECTION.
(a) The Purchaser will join with the Companies in making an election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and the regulations thereunder (and any corresponding elections under
state, local or foreign law) with respect to the purchase of the capital stock
of all of the Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Section 338(h)(10) Election").
All Section 338 Forms will be prepared by the Companies, subject to written
approval by the Purchaser. The Companies shall submit any such Section 338 Forms
to the Purchaser at least ten (10) days prior to its due date for review and
approval. "Section 338 Forms" shall mean all returns, documents, statements and
other forms that are required to be submitted to any federal, state, county or
other local taxing authority in connection with a Section 338(h)(10) Election,
including without limitation, any "statement of Section 338 election" and IRS
Form 8023 (together with any schedules or attachments thereto) that are required
pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations.
A-1-2
<Page>
(b) The allocation of the "adjusted deemed sale price" as defined in
Treasury Regulation section 1.338-4(b) among the Subsidiaries shall be made in
accordance with Sections 338 and 1060 of the Code and any comparable provisions
of state, local or foreign law, as appropriate. The procedures for creating a
schedule setting forth such allocation shall be as follows (the "Allocation
Schedule"): (i) the Companies shall prepare and deliver the Allocation Schedule
to the Purchaser no later than ninety (90) days after the date of the Closing
(the "Delivery Date"); the Purchaser shall have thirty (30) days from the date
the Companies deliver the Allocation Schedule to the Purchaser to review the
Allocation Schedule and provide reasonable written comments on such Allocation
Schedule (the "Purchaser's Comments"); if the Purchaser does not deliver to the
Companies the Purchaser's Comments within thirty (30) days after the day that
the Companies deliver the Allocation Schedule to the Purchaser, the Purchaser
will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the allocations made on the
Allocation Schedule; (ii) if the Companies do not deliver the Allocation
Schedule to the Purchaser prior to midnight Eastern Time on the Delivery Date,
then the Purchaser shall prepare the Allocation Schedule and will deliver the
Allocation Schedule to Companies within sixty (60) days after the Delivery Date;
the Companies shall have thirty (30) days from the date the Purchaser delivers
the Allocation Schedule to the Companies to review the Allocation Schedule and
provide reasonable comments on such Allocation Schedule (the "Companies'
Comments") to the Purchaser; if the Companies do not deliver to the Purchaser
the Companies' Comments within thirty (30) days after the day the Purchaser
delivers the Allocation Schedule to the Companies, the Companies will be deemed
to have accepted and agreed to the allocations made on the Allocation Schedule
by the Purchaser. In case of any disagreement with respect to allocation, the
parties agree to work in good faith to resolve their differences with respect to
the Allocation Schedule no later than 210 days after the date of the Closing.
The Companies and Purchaser shall report, act and file in all respects and for
all purposes consistent with the Allocation Schedule that they agree upon.
(c) The Companies shall be responsible for and shall pay all Taxes (as
defined below) of the Subsidiaries arising as a result of (i) any
Section 338(h)(10) Election filed by Purchaser and the Companies or (ii) the
distribution from LASC to Keyport Life Insurance Company referred to in
Section 4.1(e) of this Agreement (the "LASC Distribution"); provided that the
aggregate liabilities of the Companies under clause (i) shall not exceed the sum
of (A) the federal income tax that is imposed on "Old T", as a result of the
transaction that is deemed to occur under Treasury Regulation
section 1.338(h)(10)-1(d)(3) as a result of the parties filing a
Section 338(h)(10) Election, plus (B) any state income tax due on any comparable
or resulting election under state law, or the application of the
Section 338(h)(10) Election to the calculation of state taxable income. The
Companies and the Purchaser agree that a joint election will be made under
Treasury Regulation section 1.848-2(g)(8), relating to the capitalization of
specified policy acquisition expenses with respect to a reinsurance transaction
without regard to the general deduction limitations of Section 848(c)(1) of the
Code.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Companies that:
2.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Purchaser is an entity duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on
its business as now conducted or contemplated to be conducted and is, or will
cause the actual purchaser to be, an entity that is eligible to make a
Section 338(h)(10) Election. The Purchaser is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where
the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities
makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be so qualified or in
good standing that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to materially impair the ability of the Purchaser to perform its
obligations hereunder.
A-1-3
<Page>
2.2 AUTHORITY. The Purchaser has the requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser, and the consummation by the
Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
the Board of Directors of the Purchaser and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of the Purchaser (including without limitation shareholder actions) are
necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by the Purchaser and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject with respect to enforceability to the effect of bankruptcy,
fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
now or hereafter affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and to
the availability of equitable remedies.
2.3 COMPLIANCE.
(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser,
nor the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby
nor compliance by the Purchaser with any of the provisions hereof will
(i)(x) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the
charter documents or by-laws of the Purchaser or (y) violate, conflict with, or
result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under,
or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or
result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or result in the
creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the material properties or assets of the
Purchaser or any other material direct or indirect subsidiary of the Purchaser
under any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, or
other agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Purchaser is a party, or
to which any of them, or any of their respective properties or assets, may be
subject, or (ii) subject to the exceptions and compliance with the statutes and
regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any judgment, ruling,
order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Purchaser or any of its properties or assets; except, in the case of each of
clauses (i)(y) and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches,
defaults, terminations, accelerations or creations of Encumbrances that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially
impair the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder.
(b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions of
the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law ("MBCL"), the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), other applicable securities laws, state banking
laws, "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of various states, the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations thereunder (the
"Hart-Scott-Rodino Act"), the insurance laws and regulations of Rhode Island and
New York and such other states that have regulatory jurisdiction over the
insurance activities of the Insurance Subsidiaries (as defined below) or the
Purchaser or its subsidiaries, and the rules and regulations of the New York
Stock Exchange, Canadian securities commissions, The Toronto Stock Exchange, the
London Stock Exchange, the Philippines Stock Exchange, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and other applicable self-regulatory
organizations, the Insurance Companies Act (Canada) and the rules and
regulations of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
(Canada) and the Minister of Finance (Canada) (each of such laws, rules or
regulations being referred to as the "Applicable Laws"), no notice to, filing
with, or authorization, consent or approval of, any domestic or foreign public
body or authority (each a "Government Entity") or any governmental or
non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency is necessary for the
consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, unless the failure to give such notices, make such filings, or obtain
such authorizations, consents or approvals would not, individually or in the
aggregate,
A-1-4
<Page>
reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of the Purchaser to
perform its obligations hereunder.
2.4 CERTAIN REGULATORY FILINGS.
(a) The information supplied in writing by the Purchaser for inclusion in
the proxy statement of LFC to be mailed to LFC's Stockholders in connection with
their authorization of the Sale (the "Proxy Statement"), on the date the Proxy
Statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), on
the date the Proxy Statement is first sent or given to security holders, and on
the date of the meeting of LFC's Stockholders, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Purchaser
agrees to provide in writing all information concerning the Purchaser and its
affiliates required to be included in the Proxy Statement under the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Purchaser agrees promptly to
correct such information if and to the extent that such information shall have
become false or misleading in any material respect.
(b) The information with respect to the Purchaser included in the Form A
(Statement Regarding the Acquisition of Control or Merger with a Domestic
Insurer) ("Form A"), to be filed with the Division of Insurance of the
Department of Business Regulation of the State of Rhode Island (the "Rhode
Island DBR") with respect to Keyport Life Insurance Company and Independence
Life and Annuity Company and in the separate Form A to be filed with the New
York State Insurance Department (the "New York DOI") with respect to Keyport
Benefit Life Insurance Company will be prepared in accordance with the
applicable regulations of Rhode Island or New York, as the case may be, and will
be true, correct and complete in all material respects.
2.5 BROKER'S FEES. Except for Banc of America Securities LLC (the fees of
which shall be paid by the Purchaser), no agent, broker, person or firm acting
on behalf of the Purchaser is or will be entitled to any financial advisory,
commission or broker's or finder's fee from any of the parties hereto in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated herein.
2.6 FINANCING. At the Closing the Purchaser will have immediately
available funds sufficient to consummate the Sale and to fulfill its obligations
hereunder. The Purchaser understands that there is no financing condition to the
obligations of the Purchaser hereunder.
2.7 LITIGATION. There is no suit, action or legal, administrative,
arbitration or order, proceeding or governmental investigation pending or, to
the knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened, to which the Purchaser is a party
which, considered individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected
to materially impair the Purchaser's ability to perform its obligations under
this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 2.7 and all certificates and other
documents delivered in connection herewith, the terms "Purchaser's knowledge,"
"knowledge of the Purchaser," "Purchaser's best knowledge," "best knowledge of
the Purchaser" and similar phrases shall mean the actual knowledge (after giving
effect to things actually forgotten) of the President, Executive Vice
President--U.S. Operations, Chief Financial Officer (U.S.) or Chief Counsel
(U.S.) of the Purchaser.
2.8 TAXES. The Purchaser (including any assignee of the Purchaser pursuant
to Section 8.5(a)) is or will be at the Closing eligible to, and has or will
have, the authority to consent to the Section 338(h)(10) Election and similar
state elections with respect to this transaction. The Purchaser represents that
it has no plan or intention to liquidate or dissolve or transfer the shares of
the Subsidiaries to any entity that is not treated as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes.
A-1-5
<Page>
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANIES
The Companies, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Purchaser
that except as set forth on a disclosure schedule previously delivered to the
Purchaser (the "Disclosure Schedule") (it being understood that the disclosure
of any fact or item in a section of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to
modify only the corresponding section of this Agreement and other sections of
this Agreement to the extent it is explicit from a reading of the disclosure
that the disclosure is applicable to such other sections):
3.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Each of the Companies is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
state of its organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted or contemplated to be
conducted.
3.2 SUBSIDIARIES. Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth for
each Subsidiary and for any entity in which any Subsidiary has any direct or
indirect ownership (excluding ownership interests held in entities that are not
subsidiaries in connection with Subsidiary Investing (as such term is defined
below)) interest (a) its name and jurisdiction of organization and (b) the
amount of capital stock or other equity interests authorized, issued and
outstanding and the names of the record holders thereof. No securities of any of
the Subsidiaries are or may become required to be issued by reason of any
options, warrants, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character
whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable
for, shares of any capital stock of any Subsidiary. There are no contracts,
commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any Subsidiary is bound to
purchase shares of its capital stock (or its equivalent) or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or similar interests and there
are no agreements or understandings to which any of the Companies or any
Subsidiaries is a party with respect to voting the capital stock (or its
equivalent) of any Subsidiary. All of the outstanding capital stock of each
Subsidiary has been and is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and, other than the Purchased Securities, are held beneficially
and of record by a Subsidiary, free and clear of any Encumbrances of any kind,
other than restrictions under applicable securities and insurance laws and other
than those created by the Purchaser; provided, however, that the Purchaser
acknowledges and agrees that (i) the shares of Keyport Life Insurance Company
described on Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule are held by the nominee
holders described therein and (ii) the shares of the Subsidiaries marked with an
asterisk on Schedule A are held by the nominee holders described on Section 3.2
of the Disclosure Schedule. The Purchased Securities are owned by LFC or LFS,
beneficially and of record, free and clear of any Encumbrances of any kind other
than restrictions under applicable securities and insurance laws and other than
those created by the Purchaser. Each Subsidiary is a corporation or other entity
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has the requisite power and
authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each Subsidiary
is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction
where the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its
activities makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be so
qualified or in good standing that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect (as
defined below). Copies of the charter documents, by-laws and corporate record
books of each Subsidiary have heretofore been made available to the Purchaser
and are accurate and complete as of the date hereof.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Company Material Adverse Effect" shall mean
any change, effect or circumstance that (A) is or would reasonably be expected
to be materially adverse to the assets, condition (financial or otherwise),
business, operations or results of operations of the Subsidiaries taken as a
whole or (B) would prevent the performance by the Companies of their respective
obligations under this Agreement or would reasonably be expected to delay the
performance
A-1-6
<Page>
by the Companies of their respective obligations under this Agreement beyond the
Outside Date (as defined below), other than (1) changes, effects or
circumstances that (x) result from changes in general economic or debt or equity
market conditions or (y) are the result of factors generally affecting the
annuity industry or are the result of any changes in any regulation or statute
that has or would reasonably be expected to have an industry-wide effect, or
(2) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or changes in laws or
regulations or the interpretation thereof by courts or any Government Entity;
provided that in the case of either clause (1) or (2), such changes, effects or
circumstances would not reasonably be expected to result in a materially more
adverse effect on the assets, condition (financial or otherwise), business,
operations or results of operations of the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as
compared to the effects generally on other annuity businesses. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (i) Company Material Adverse Effect shall not include any adverse
change, effect or circumstance arising out of or resulting from actions
contemplated by the parties in connection with this Agreement (including,
without limitation, any adverse change, effect or circumstance arising as a
result of compliance with Section 4.1 of this Agreement) or that is attributable
to the announcement, pending status or performance of this Agreement (including,
without limitation the fact that the subsidiaries of LFC other than the
Subsidiaries are not being sold to the Purchaser) and (ii) any adverse change in
LFC's stock price shall not be taken into account in determining whether there
has been a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.3 AUTHORITY.
(a) Each of the Companies has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement, subject to the approval of LFC's Stockholders
referred to in Section 3.18 of this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Each of the Companies' boards of directors and the sole stockholder of
LFS have duly adopted resolutions (i) authorizing the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by such Company and the consummation by such Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) approving the Sale. LFC's Board of
Directors has, in addition, duly adopted resolutions (i) determining that the
Sale is fair to, advisable and in the best interests of LFC's Stockholders,
(ii) recommending authorization of the Sale by LFC's Stockholders, and
(iii) making the findings required by Section 4.07 of the Indenture dated as of
November 1, 1998, between LFC and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee.
(c) Except for the approval of LFC's Stockholders referred to in
Section 3.18 of this Agreement, no further corporate proceedings on the part of
any of the Companies are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the
Companies and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the
Companies, enforceable against each of the Companies in accordance with its
terms, subject with respect to enforceability to the effect of bankruptcy,
fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
now or hereafter affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and to
the availability of equitable remedies.
3.4 COMPLIANCE.
(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies,
nor the consummation by the Companies of the Sale, nor compliance by the
Companies with any of the provisions hereof will (i)(x) violate, conflict with,
or result in a breach of any provision of the charter or by-laws of any of the
Companies or any of the Subsidiaries, or (y) provided that all notices, filings,
authorizations, consents and approvals contemplated by Sections 3.4(b) and 5.7
or otherwise set forth in Section 3.4(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
(collectively, the "Necessary Consents") have been obtained prior to the
Closing, violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or
A-1-7
<Page>
constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or
accelerate the performance or payment required by, or result in a right of
termination or acceleration under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance
upon any of the properties or assets of any of the Companies or any of the
Subsidiaries, under any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license,
lease, joint venture agreement or any other agreement, instrument or obligation
to which any of the Companies or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or to which
any of them or any of their respective properties or assets may be subject or
(ii) subject to the requirement to obtain the Necessary Consents, violate any
judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties or assets; except, in the case of each of clauses (i)(y)
and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults,
terminations, accelerations or creations of Encumbrances that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result, individually
or in the aggregate, in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions of
Applicable Laws, no notice, filing with, or authorization, consent or approval
of, any Government Entity or any governmental or non-governmental
self-regulatory organization or agency is necessary for the consummation by the
Companies of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, unless the failure
to give such notices, make such filings, or obtain such authorizations, consents
or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the
ability of the Companies to perform their respective obligations hereunder and
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect. As of the date hereof, neither of the
Companies is aware of any reason why such requisite governmental approvals could
not be obtained.
3.5 SEC FILINGS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
(a) Each of LFC and Keyport Life Insurance Company has filed with the SEC
all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required
to be filed under the Exchange Act from January 1, 1999 through the date hereof.
All documents (including exhibits and financial statement schedules) filed by
the LFC and Keyport Life Insurance Company with the SEC pursuant to the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act from January 1, 1999 through the date hereof
are referred to herein as the "Prior SEC Filings". The Prior SEC Filings
(i) comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) did not at the time
they were filed contain, or have been amended to correct, any untrue statement
of material fact, (iii) did not at the time they were filed omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or have been amended to
correct any such omission, and (iv) in the event of subsequent modifications of
the circumstances or the basis on which they had been made, were, to the extent
required by the Securities Act or Exchange Act, amended in order to make them
not misleading in any material respects in the light of such new circumstances
or basis.
(b) Each of the most recent audited consolidated financial statements and
most recent unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (including, in
each case, any related notes or schedules) included in the Prior SEC Filings was
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis, except as may be indicated therein or in the notes or
schedules thereto, and fairly presented in all material respects the
consolidated financial position of LFC and its subsidiaries or Keyport Life
Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, as the case may be, as at the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended, subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial
statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of complete
notes (to the extent permitted by SEC rules).
A-1-8
<Page>
(c) The information supplied in writing by the Companies with respect to the
Companies or the Subsidiaries for inclusion in the Form A to be filed with the
Rhode Island DBR and the Form A to be filed with the New York DOI and any other
insurance regulatory filings will be true, correct and complete in all material
respects.
(d) The Proxy Statement and any written information provided by or on behalf
of the Companies which is included in the Proxy Statement, on the date the Proxy
Statement is filed with the SEC, and on the date the Proxy Statement is first
published, sent or given to security holders and on the date of the meeting of
LFC's Stockholders will comply in all material respects with the provisions of
applicable federal securities laws and will not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that no
representation or warranty is made pursuant to this Section 3.5(d) with respect
to any written information provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement. LFC agrees promptly to correct the Proxy
Statement if and to the extent that it shall have become false or misleading in
any material respect (provided that, with respect to any false or misleading
information provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement, the Purchaser shall have provided the Companies with correct
information) and the Companies shall take all steps necessary to cause the Proxy
Statement as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and mailed to LFC's
Stockholders to the extent required by the Exchange Act.
3.6 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in Section 3.6 of the Disclosure
Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement there are no actions, suits,
proceeding or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies,
threatened against any of the Subsidiaries or their respective properties or
assets, nor are any of the Subsidiaries subject to any order, judgment, writ,
injunction or decree.
3.7 CHANGES. Except as specifically set forth in or contemplated by this
Agreement, in Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the
Prior SEC Filings, since December 31, 2000, (a) each of the Subsidiaries has
conducted its business in all material respects only in the ordinary course of
business and in a manner consistent with past practice, (b) there has not been
any event, change or effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted
or would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect
and (c) none of the Companies or the Subsidiaries has taken any of the actions
specified in Section 4.1(b).
3.8 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as disclosed in Section 3.8 of
the Disclosure Schedule or the Prior SEC Filings or as set forth in or
contemplated by this Agreement, since January 1, 1999, none of the Subsidiaries
has entered into any transaction (a) with any current director or officer of the
Companies or of any Subsidiary or any transaction which would be subject to
proxy statement disclosure under the Exchange Act pursuant to the requirements
of Item 404 of Regulation S-K, or (b) with LMIC or its affiliates (other than
the Subsidiaries) pursuant to which the consideration in such transaction
exceeded or is reasonably likely to exceed US$500,000. Except for the
transactions subject to the Liberty Life Agreement, there are no insurance,
reinsurance or other indemnification arrangements existing between any
Subsidiary and any affiliate of any Subsidiary other than another Subsidiary.
3.9 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND CONTRACTS.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.9(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, none
of the Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement and there
is no certified or recognized collective bargaining agent for any employees of
any Subsidiary. As of the date hereof, no claim of representation (as such term
is defined in the National Labor Relations Act) is being made, no representation
proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies, threatened, and no
organizing campaign is in progress or, to the knowledge of the Companies,
threatened, involving employees of any Subsidiary.
A-1-9
<Page>
(b) Section 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all "employee benefit
plans" (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and all material bonus, stock
option, stock purchase, restricted stock, incentive, deferred compensation,
retiree medical or life insurance, supplemental retirement, severance or other
benefit plans, programs or arrangements, and all material employment,
termination, severance or other contracts or agreements to which any of the
Companies or any Subsidiary is a party, with respect to which any of the
Companies or any Subsidiary has any obligation or contingent obligation or which
are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by any of the Companies or any
Subsidiary for the benefit of any employee, officer or director or former
employee, officer or director of any Subsidiary or in which any current or
former employee of any Subsidiary is eligible to participate (collectively, the
"Company Benefit Plans"). Each of the Company Benefit Plans complies and has
been administered in form and operation in all material respects with all its
terms and requirements of ERISA, the Code, the regulations and other published
authority thereunder and all other applicable law, except to the extent the
failure to so comply would reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. No transaction prohibited by Sections 406 or 407 of
ERISA and no "prohibited transaction" (as such term is defined in
Section 4975(c) of the Code) has occurred with respect to any Company Benefit
Plan that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Companies and each Subsidiary
have performed all of their obligations under the Company Benefit Plans,
including but not limited to, the full payment of all amounts required to be
made as contributions to such plans or otherwise, except for failures to so
perform that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Each Company Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") confirming such qualification and which covers all
amendments to such plan for which the remedial amendment period (within the
meaning of Section 401(b) of the Code and applicable regulations) has expired
and nothing has occurred that would cause the loss of such qualification. Except
as set forth in Section 3.9(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Companies
or any Subsidiary or any of their ERISA Affiliates (as defined below)
participate in or has any obligation to contribute to a "multiemployer plan" as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. Except as set forth in Section 3.9(c) of
the Disclosure Schedule, there are no material unfunded obligations under any
Company Benefit Plan providing benefits after termination of employment to any
employee, officer or director or former employee, officer or director of any of
the Subsidiaries, including but not limited to retiree health coverage and
deferred compensation, but excluding continuation of health coverage required to
be continued under Section 4980B of the Code (collectively, the "Deferred
Compensation Obligations"). The Deferred Compensation Obligations have been
accrued on the books of the appropriate Subsidiaries in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "ERISA Affiliate" means, with respect to either of the Companies or any
Subsidiary, any corporation, trade or business that, together with the Companies
or any Subsidiary, as applicable, is a member of a controlled group of
corporations or a group of trades or businesses under common control within the
meaning of Section 414 of the Code.
(d) Except as provided in Section 5.10, neither the execution of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will:
(i) except as set forth in Section 3.9(d)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule,
accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount, of
compensation or benefits due under any Company Benefit Plan;
(ii) constitute or result in a prohibited transaction with respect to
any Company Benefit Plan under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 or 407 of
ERISA for which an exemption is not available; or
A-1-10
<Page>
(iii) except as provided in the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Non-Commissioned Employee Severance and Retention Plan and the
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Commissioned Employees
Severance and Retention Plan (together, the "Retention Plan"), constitute a
deemed severance or deemed termination under any Company Benefit Plan or under
any applicable law.
(e) Except for the payments required to be made under, and the acceleration
of vesting of stock options and restricted common stock provided in, the
Retention Plan with respect to those persons listed on Section 3.9(e) of the
Disclosure Schedule, none of the Companies or any Subsidiary is obligated to
make any "excess parachute payment", as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the
Code, nor will any excess parachute payment be deemed to have occurred as a
result of or arising out of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(f) There are no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for
benefits) pending or threatened against the Company Benefit Plans or their
assets, or arising out of such plans, and, to the Companies' knowledge, no facts
exist which could give rise to any such actions, suits or claims, that would,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Each Company Benefit Plan which is an employee pension benefit plan
(within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) has been duly authorized by the
appropriate board of directors of the Companies or the participating Subsidiary,
as the case may be. Each such plan is qualified in form and operation under
Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust under each such plan is exempt from
tax under Section 501(a) of the Code and, to the Companies' knowledge, is not
subject to any excise tax under the Code, except to the extent any failure to be
so qualified or so exempt would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the
Companies' knowledge, no event has occurred that will or could give rise to
disqualification or loss of tax-exempt status of any such plan or any trust
established in connection with any Company Benefit Plan under such sections. To
the Companies' knowledge, no event has occurred that will or could subject any
such plans or trusts to tax under Section 501(a) of the Code.
(h) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan maintained for employees of
the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, there has occurred no failure
to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code (whether or not
waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Code) or failure to make by its
due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Code, except for
such failures that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(i) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan in which any Subsidiary or any
ERISA Affiliate participates and which is subject to Title IV of ERISA, except
for matters which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect:
(i) neither any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has withdrawn from such
plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer" (as
such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) where such
withdrawal could result in liability of such substantial employer
pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4063 of ERISA;
(ii) except as set forth on Section 3.9(i)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule,
neither any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has filed a notice of
intent to terminate any such plan or adopted to treat any such plan as
terminated;
(iii) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has not instituted
proceedings to terminate such plan;
A-1-11
<Page>
(iv) no other event or condition has occurred which might constitute
grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any such plan;
(v) no accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, exists with
respect to any such plan, and no condition has occurred or exists which
by the passage of time would be expected to result in an accumulated
funding deficiency as of the last day of the current plan year of any
such plan;
(vi) no reportable event, as described in Section 4043 of ERISA, has
occurred with respect to any such plan;
(vii) no excise taxes are payable under the Code; and
(viii) no amendment with respect to which security is required under
Section 307 of ERISA has been made or is reasonably expected to be
made.
(j) There has been no act or omission by the Companies, any Subsidiary or
any ERISA Affiliate that has given rise to or may give rise to fines, penalties,
taxes or related charges under ERISA Sections 502(c), 502(i), 502(l) or 4071, or
Chapters 43, 47, 68 or 100 of the Code, except to the extent that they would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(k) A true and correct copy of each of the Company Benefit Plans and all
contracts relating thereto, including, without limitation, all trust agreements,
insurance contracts, administration contracts, investment management agreements,
subscription and participation agreements, and recordkeeping agreements, each as
in effect on the date hereof, has been made available to the Purchaser. In the
case of a Company Benefit Plan which is not in written form, an accurate
description in written form of such Company Benefit Plan as in effect on the
date hereof has been made available to the Purchaser. A true and correct copy of
the most recent annual report, actuarial report, accountant's opinion of the
plan's financial statements, summary plan description and Internal Revenue
Service determination letter with respect to each Company Benefit Plan has been
made available to the Purchaser.
3.10 LIENS. The assets (whether personal or mixed and whether tangible or
intangible) of the Subsidiaries reflected in the balance sheet of LFC for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 included in the LFC's Annual Report on
Form 10-K (the "Balance Sheet") or acquired in the ordinary course of business
since December 31, 2000 (except those assets sold or disposed of in the ordinary
course of business), are free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than (A) as
reflected in the Balance Sheet (including the notes thereto) or as set forth in
Section 3.10 of the Disclosure Schedule and (B) Encumbrances on assets that
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.11 TAXES.
(a) Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, the
Companies and each Subsidiary have timely filed all material tax returns,
statements, reports and forms required to be filed with any tax authority having
jurisdiction over the Companies or any Subsidiary (collectively, "Tax Returns")
and have paid when due all Taxes owed by the Companies and any Subsidiary
(whether or not shown on any such Tax Returns) to any such tax authority. There
are no liens on any of the assets of the Companies or any Subsidiary that arose
in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax except for
liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The term "Tax" shall mean
(i) any federal, state, local or foreign or other taxes, fees, duties,
assessments, withholdings, royalties or governmental charges of any kind
whatsoever (including interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional
amounts with respect to such items); (ii) any liability for
A-1-12
<Page>
payment of amounts described in clause (i) as a result of transferee liability,
of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for
any period, or otherwise through operation of law; and (iii) any liability for
payment of amounts described in clause (i) or (ii) as a result of any tax
sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express or
implied agreement to indemnify any other person for Taxes.
(b) Except as provided in Section 3.11(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of the Companies or any Subsidiary
has been claimed or raised by any authority in writing nor to the Companies'
knowledge, otherwise, except for matters that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(c) Except as provided in Section 3.11(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, as of
the date hereof, none of the Companies or any Subsidiary has waived any statute
of limitations in respect of material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time
with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
Subsidiary has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than the
Companies and the Subsidiaries) under Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-6 (or any
similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor,
by contract, or otherwise, except for liabilities that would not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(e) (i) The Companies have made available to the Purchaser a copy of any
Tax-sharing, allocation or indemnity agreement or arrangement involving the
Companies or any of the Subsidiaries and a description of any such unwritten or
informal agreement or arrangement; (ii) all Taxes required to be withheld,
collected or deposited by the Companies or any Subsidiary have been timely
withheld, collected or deposited and, to the extent required, have been paid to
the relevant Tax authority; and (iii) the Companies and each Subsidiary are in
compliance with respect to all backup withholding and information reporting
requirements in the Code and the regulations thereunder, including, but not
limited to all necessary due diligence mailings and the proper and timely filing
of Forms W-3, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) for such instances of
non-compliance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) The amounts accrued on the books and financial statements of each
Subsidiary for Taxes, whether or not due and payable, imposed on or with respect
to the operations or assets of such Subsidiary for all periods (or portions
thereof) ending on or before the date hereof are sufficient for payment of all
Taxes payable for such periods, except to the extent any failure would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary shall continue to determine and reserve
for Taxes for purposes of the accrual of such amounts on the books and financial
statements of such Subsidiary in a manner that is consistent with the procedure
in effect at the time the provision for Taxes by such Subsidiary for purposes of
the most recent financial statements was determined, and no amount will be paid,
accrued or reserved for Taxes by such Subsidiary as a result of the transaction
contemplated hereby or the Section 338(h)(10) Election.
(g) As of the date hereof, there are no record retention agreements in
effect between any Subsidiary and any tax authority.
(h) All tax reserves for life insurance and annuity contracts have been
properly calculated and reflected on the Tax Returns filed by the Insurance
Subsidiaries (as defined below), except to the extent any failure to do so would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(i) of the Disclosure Schedule,
(i) no Insurance Subsidiary is required to include any adjustment pursuant to
Section 807(f) of the Code for any period ending after
A-1-13
<Page>
the Closing Date nor has any taxing authority proposed such adjustment, (ii) as
of the date hereof, no Subsidiary is required, or has agreed, to make any
adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign law) as a result of any change of accounting method, and no
application is pending with any governmental authority requesting permission for
any change in accounting methods relating to or affecting the Companies or any
Subsidiary, (iii) none of the assets of the Subsidiaries is "tax exempt use
property" within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code, (iv) none of the
Companies or any Subsidiary has filed a consent under Section 341(f) of the Code
(or corresponding provision of state, local or foreign law) concerning
collapsible corporations, and (v) the Section 338(h)(10) Election will not
trigger deferred intercompany gains in any of the Subsidiaries.
(j) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
Subsidiary has (i) received any tax ruling relating to or affecting it from any
governmental authority, or (ii) executed or entered into a closing agreement
relating to or affecting any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7121 of the
Code or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar provision of any state,
local or foreign law.
(k) The Companies are eligible to and have the authority to consent to the
Section 338(h)(10) Election and similar state elections with respect to this
transaction.
3.12 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PERMITS. None of the Subsidiaries (a) is in
violation of, or has violated, any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes,
ordinances or regulations (including any rules or regulations of any
governmental or non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency),
(b) since January 1, 1999, has received any notice from any governmental or
non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency or any Government Entity
or any other person that such Subsidiary is in violation of, or has violated,
any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or regulations or
(c) has any officers, directors or employees who, since January 1, 1999, have
been the subject of any disciplinary proceedings or enforcement order arising
under any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or regulations
(including any rules or regulations of any non-governmental self-regulatory
organization or agency) that would be required to be, but has not been,
disclosed on Form ADV or BD, and no such disciplinary proceeding or proceedings
for the issuance of any enforcement order is pending or threatened, except in
the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c) for violations or alleged
violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the
Subsidiaries has all federal, state and local approvals, registrations,
consents, certificates, filings, notices, rights, permits, licenses and
franchises from Governmental Entities necessary for the lawful ownership and use
of its properties and assets or required to conduct its business as now being
conducted, except for such approvals, registrations, consents, certificates,
filings, notices, rights, permits, licenses and franchises the absence of that
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary whose activities require
registration as an insurance company or an insurance agency is duly licensed or
authorized as an insurance company or insurance agency, as the case may be,
(i) in its jurisdiction of incorporation and (ii) except for failures to be so
licensed or authorized that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, in each
other jurisdiction where the nature of its business (including the type of
business written, sold, produced or managed) requires it to be so licensed or
authorized. The Insurance Subsidiaries are, collectively, licensed or authorized
to write or conduct business in each of the 50 United States in which they issue
policies, and the business actually written or conducted by each Insurance
Subsidiary is in conformity with such licenses or authorizations, except for
failures that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Keyport Financial
Services Corp. ("KFSC") is duly registered or licensed as a broker-dealer under
the Exchange Act and all other applicable securities and "blue sky" laws and is
a member in good standing of the NASD, except for failures to be so registered,
licensed or authorized or be in good standing that would not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be
A-1-14
<Page>
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. KFSC is registered or
licensed to conduct business as a broker-dealer in each of the 50 United States
in which it offers its services and the business actually conducted by it is in
conformity with such licenses or authorizations, except for failures that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary has made all filings required
to be made by it under applicable regulatory requirements since December 31,
1999, and all such filings have complied with the applicable regulatory
requirements, except for such failures that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect. To the Companies' knowledge, no Subsidiary or any associated person is
subject to a statutory disqualification that could be the basis for a
suspension, revocation or limitation of the license of, or ability to obtain a
license for such Subsidiary, except for such failures that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. To the Companies' knowledge, subject to the requirement
to make filings with and provide notice of the Sale to Governmental Entities,
including state insurance commissions, and to the receipt of the Necessary
Consents, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not terminate any of the material licenses held by any Subsidiary. Subject
to receipt of the Necessary Consents, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any revocation, cancellation,
limitation or suspension of any such approval, permit, registration, consent,
certificate, filing, notice, right, license and franchise, except for such
revocations, cancellations, limitations and suspensions that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Financial Centre Insurance Agency, Inc. does not hold
or possess, and has not received or applied for, any approval, permit,
registration, consent, certificate, filing, notice, right, license or franchise
currently used in or related to the Business.
3.13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Except as set forth in Section 3.13 of the
Disclosure Schedule, each Subsidiary owns or has all necessary rights to use
each trademark (whether or not registered), trademark application, trade name,
service mark, copyright and other trade secret or proprietary intellectual
property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") used in and material to the
business of such Subsidiary, and none of the previous or current development,
marketing or distribution of products or services of or by any Subsidiary
infringes the right of any other person, except for the failure to own or have
such necessary rights to use such Intellectual Property, or any such
infringements, that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in
Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedule or as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect, (a) no claim by any third party contesting the validity, enforceability,
use or ownership of any of the Intellectual Property has been made, is currently
outstanding or, to the Companies' knowledge, has been threatened against the
Companies or any Subsidiaries, and, to the Companies' knowledge, there are no
grounds for the same, (b) none of the Companies or any of the Subsidiaries has
received any notices of any infringement or misappropriation by any of them with
respect to, or conflict with, any third party with respect to the Intellectual
Property, and (c) none of the Companies or any of the Subsidiaries has
infringed, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any intellectual
property rights of any third parties.
3.14 NO UNDISCLOSED MATERIAL LIABILITIES. There are no liabilities of any
of the Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent,
absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, that would, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect, except as disclosed in the Prior SEC Filings or liabilities and
obligations incurred under this Agreement.
3.15 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR; BROKERS.
(a) The Board of Directors of LFC has received the opinion of Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation (the "Financial Advisor"), dated the date of this
Agreement, to the effect that, as of such
A-1-15
<Page>
date, the consideration to be received by the Companies pursuant to this
Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to LFC. LFC has been
authorized by the Financial Advisor, subject to prior review by the Financial
Advisor, to permit the inclusion of such written fairness opinion in the Proxy
Statement.
(b) Except for the Financial Advisor (the fees of which will be paid by
LFC), no agent, broker, person or firm acting on behalf of the Companies is or
will be entitled to any advisory commission or broker's or finder's fee from any
of the parties hereto in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
herein.
3.16 INSURANCE MATTERS.
(a) Each of the Subsidiaries set forth in Section 3.16(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule (the "Insurance Subsidiaries") has filed all required annual and
quarterly statements with the applicable regulatory authorities for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 (the "SAP Statements"), the failure to
file that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, and all such SAP Statements were
prepared in accordance with practices prescribed by the state of domicile of
such Subsidiary, except to the extent the failure to be so prepared would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The business and operations of the Insurance Subsidiaries have been
conducted in compliance with all applicable laws regulating the business of
insurance and all applicable orders and directives of insurance regulatory
authorities and the business and operations of Independent Financial Marketing
Group, Inc. have been conducted in compliance with all applicable laws,
regulations and orders, including those applicable to the sale of bank
non-deposit investment products, except in either case where the failure to so
conduct such business and operations would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected, to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect. In addition, to the knowledge of the Companies, none of the Insurance
Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of or since January 1, 1999 has violated, any
applicable laws regulating the business of insurance or (ii) has received any
notice from any Government Entity or any other person that any Insurance
Subsidiary is in violation of, or has violated, any applicable provisions of any
applicable laws regulating the business of insurance, except for violations or
alleged violations described in clauses (i) and/or (ii) above that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as otherwise would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, all
insurance products marketed, serviced, administered, sold or issued by or on
behalf of an Insurance Subsidiary have been marketed, serviced, administered,
sold and issued in compliance with applicable consumer protection laws. Except
as otherwise would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, all policies, binders, slips,
certificates, annuity contracts and participation agreements and other
agreements of insurance, and all amendments, applications, brochures,
illustrations and certificates pertaining thereto, and any and all marketing
materials, in effect as of the date hereof that are issued or have been issued
by the Insurance Subsidiaries are, to the extent required under applicable law,
on forms approved by applicable regulatory authorities or which have been filed
and not objected to by such authorities within the period provided for
objection. Such forms comply with applicable insurance laws, except as otherwise
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect. All premium rates of the Insurance
Subsidiaries that are required to be filed with or approved by any Government
Entity have been so filed or approved and the premiums charged conform thereto,
and such premiums comply with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, federal
or state, and all applicable insurance laws, except for any failure to be
A-1-16
<Page>
so filed or approved or to so comply would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(d) The reserves reflected in the SAP Statements of each Insurance
Subsidiary for the year ended December 31, 2000, for future insurance policy
benefits, losses, claims and similar purposes are in compliance with the
requirements for reserves established by the insurance departments of the state
of domicile of such Insurance Subsidiary and were determined in accordance with
generally accepted actuarial standards and principles consistently applied,
except to the extent the failure to so comply or be determined would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(e) All annuity contracts and life insurance policies issued by each
Insurance Subsidiary to an annuity holder domiciled in the United States meet
all definitional or other requirements for qualification under the Code section
applicable (or intended to be applicable) to such annuity contracts or life
insurance policies, except to the extent the failure to meet such requirements
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Each separate account maintained by an Insurance Subsidiary
(collectively, the "Company Separate Accounts") is duly and validly established
and maintained under the laws of its state of formation, is operated in
compliance with all applicable laws and is either excluded from the definition
of an investment company pursuant to Section 3(c)(11) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), or is duly registered as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act, except to the extent the
failure to be so established and maintained, to so operate, or to be so excluded
or registered would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The insurance contracts
under which the Company Separate Accounts assets are held are duly and validly
issued and are binding obligations of the applicable Insurance Subsidiary and
were sold in compliance with all applicable laws, except to the extent the
failure to be so issued or binding or so sold would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect. The applicable Insurance Subsidiary is treated for federal Tax purposes
as the owner of the assets underlying the respective life insurance policies and
annuity contracts issued, entered into or sold by it, except to the extent the
failure would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.17 MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Section 3.17 of the Disclosure Schedule sets
forth a complete and correct list as of the date hereof of all of the following
contracts, agreements (written or oral), indentures, leases, mortgages, licenses
and instruments (collectively, "Contracts") to which any Subsidiary is a party
or under which any Subsidiary may be liable (other than (i) any contracts which
are insurance products marketed, serviced, administered, sold or issued in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices by any Subsidiary,
(ii) any contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices by Independent Financial Marketing Group, Inc. with respect
to its retail distribution business, (iii) any contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices in connection with
the management of investments and (iv) any other contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices in connection with
the distribution of products):
(a) any Contract with any director or officer of any Subsidiary other than
(a) noncompetition and confidentiality agreements with such persons,
(b) Contracts terminable by the Companies upon no more than 60 days' notice
without penalty or payment of any kind (other than amounts accrued through the
effective date of termination) and (c) the Company Benefit Plans and any
contracts entered into in connection therewith;
A-1-17
<Page>
(b) any Contract that is a "material contract" (as such term is defined in
Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act)
of any Subsidiary to be performed in whole or in part after the date of this
Agreement;
(c) any Contract that, after the Closing, will restrict the conduct of any
line of business by the Subsidiaries or upon consummation of the Sale will
restrict the ability of the Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business in
which they may lawfully engage (it being understood that the exceptions set
forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the introductory paragraph of this
Section 3.17 shall not apply to this Section 3.17(c));
(d) any Contract with a labor union (including any collective bargaining
agreement);
(e) except for the Retention Plan and the vesting of benefits under
qualified and non-qualified retirement and savings plans listed on Section 3.17
of the Disclosure Schedule, any Contract pursuant to which any of the benefits
of which will or could be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which
will or could be accelerated, by the consummation of the Sale, or the value of
any of the benefits of which will or could be calculated on the basis of the
Sale;
(f) any Contract (other than the Company Benefit Plans) not otherwise
disclosed pursuant to this Section 3.17 calling for payments aggregating more
than US$500,000, whether payable by or to any Subsidiary;
(g) any partnership, joint venture or other similar contract;
(h) any Contract (other than the Company Benefit Plans) not otherwise
disclosed pursuant to this Section 3.17 calling for payments aggregating
US$500,000 or more with or for the benefit of any affiliate of any of the
Companies (other than the Subsidiaries) other than as disclosed in Section 3.8
of the Disclosure Schedule;
(i) any tax sharing or similar Contract;
(j) any reinsurance, coinsurance or similar Contract;
(k) any funding agreement, indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement,
note, mortgage, guarantee security agreement or other Contract for financing or
funding pursuant to which any Subsidiary is the obligor; and
(l) any Contract pursuant to which any of the Companies acquired any
Subsidiary, any Subsidiary acquired another Subsidiary or any Subsidiary
acquired or agreed to acquire any of the capital stock or other equity interest
of another entity, or all or materially all of the assets of another entity,
except for Contracts of such nature under which neither any Company nor any
Subsidiary has any obligations that are to be performed after the date of this
Agreement.
All of the foregoing are collectively referred to in this Agreement as the
"Material Contracts". To the extent that a Material Contract is evidenced by
documents, copies thereof (including any amendments or waivers with respect
thereto) have been made available to the Purchaser. To the extent that a
Material Contract is not evidenced by documents, the Companies have made
available to the Purchaser a written description of all of the material terms
and conditions of such Material Contract. Each Material Contract is in full
force and effect and is enforceable against the applicable Subsidiary in
accordance with its terms, except where the failure to be in full force and
effect or to be enforceable would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. There
does not exist under any Material Contract any default or condition or event
that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default on the
part of any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Companies, on the part of any
other parties to such Material Contracts, except for such defaults, conditions
or events that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in
Section 3.4(a) of the
A-1-18
<Page>
Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance by the Companies of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do
not and will not conflict with, or result in the breach or termination of, any
provision of, or constitute a default (with or without the giving of notice or
the lapse of time or both) under, or give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation or loss of any benefit to which any Subsidiary is entitled under
any provision of a Material Contract.
3.18 VOTE REQUIRED. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
votes of the capital stock of LFC (the "Shares") voting as a single class with
the Company's Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred")
voting on an as-converted basis, is the only vote of the holders of any class or
series of capital stock of the Companies necessary to approve the Sale under the
MBCL and the Companies' charters, by-laws and other organizational documents.
3.19 COMPANIES' KNOWLEDGE. For purposes of this Agreement and all
certificates and other documents delivered in connection herewith, the term
"Companies' knowledge", "knowledge of the Companies", "Companies' best
knowledge", "best knowledge of the Companies" or similar phrases shall mean the
actual knowledge (after giving effect to things actually forgotten) of the Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of each of the
Companies, Keyport Life Insurance Company and Independent Financial Marketing
Group, Inc.
3.20 TAKEOVER STATUTES. Except as have been waived by the board of
directors of LFC, no "fair price," "moratorium," "control share acquisition" or
other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation is applicable to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.21 CERTAIN INTERCOMPANY TRANSFERS. All transactions reflected as
"Reclassifications from Corporate" on the pro forma balance sheet attached as
Section 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule have been completed or, prior to the
Closing, will be completed by the Companies. The pro forma financial information
attached as Section 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule under the caption "Annuity
(Adjusted)" fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of the Business as of the date thereof.
3.22 COMPETITION ACT (CANADA). For purposes of the Competition Act
(Canada), LFC, together with its subsidiaries, did not have assets in Canada at
December 31, 2000, or revenue from sales in or from Canada for the twelve-month
period ended December 31, 2000, in excess of Can.$35,000,000.
3.23 ASSETS TRANSFERRED. Except for matters addressed in the Transition
Services Agreement, the Subsidiaries include the entire life insurance, annuity
and intermediary retail distribution business conducted by the Companies and
their respective subsidiaries, including all of their respective rights and
assets in such business, including, without limitation, all of the agreements
between the Companies or their respective subsidiaries and distributors with
respect to the sale of annuity products.
ARTICLE 4
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
4.1 CONDUCT PRIOR TO CLOSING. Except as otherwise specifically
contemplated by this Agreement, as disclosed in Section 4.1 of the Disclosure
Schedule, as required in connection with the Sale, or as required by law, the
Companies covenant and agree that, unless the Purchaser shall otherwise consent
(which consent, in the case of subsections (ix), (x) and (xii) in
Section 4.1(b) below and, only as it relates to subsections (ix), (x) and (xii),
subsection (xvi) in Section 4.1(b) below, shall not be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned) in writing, during the period from the date of this
Agreement until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Closing:
(a) The business of the Subsidiaries shall in all material respects be
conducted only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices, and the Companies shall use commercially reasonable efforts, to
maintain and preserve substantially intact in all material respects the business
organization, employees and advantageous business relationships of the
Subsidiaries.
A-1-19
<Page>
(b) In addition, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none
of the Companies or any Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly do any of the
following:
(i) issue or sell, or authorize or agree to the issuance or sale of, any
shares of, or any options or rights of any kind to acquire any shares
of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any
shares of, capital stock of any class of any Subsidiary;
(ii) acquire, transfer, sell, lease, pledge or encumber any assets material
to any Subsidiaries, except in connection with investment activities
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices ("Subsidiary
Investing");
(iii) amend the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of
any of the Subsidiaries;
(iv) split, combine or reclassify any shares of the capital stock of the
Subsidiaries or declare, set aside for payment or pay any dividend or
distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any
of the capital stock of any of the Subsidiaries, other than, with respect to
dividends or distributions cash dividends and distributions, by a Subsidiary to
another Subsidiary (it being understood that no dividend or distribution has
been paid or made or will be paid or made by any Subsidiary since September 30,
2000);
(v) except pursuant to Section 5.5, enter into an agreement with respect to
any merger, consolidation, liquidation or business combination
involving any Subsidiary, or any acquisition or disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets or securities of any of the Subsidiaries;
(vi) except pursuant to Section 5.5 or in connection with Subsidiary
Investing, enter into an agreement with respect to the disposition of
a material amount of assets of any Subsidiary, or any release or relinquishment
of any material contract rights of any Subsidiary;
(vii) with respect to any Subsidiary, (A) acquire (by merger, consolidation
or acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or
other business organization or division thereof or (B) make any material
investment either by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital
(other than to wholly-owned Subsidiaries), property transfer or purchase of any
property or assets of any other individual or entity, except in connection with
Subsidiary Investing;
(viii) with respect to any Subsidiary, other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices, incur any indebtedness for
borrowed money or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee, endorse or
otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for, the obligations of any
other individual or entity, or, except in connection with Subsidiary Investing,
make any loans or advances;
(ix) (A) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, permit any Subsidiary to enter into any new Contract that
would satisfy the definition of Material Contract if in effect on the date
hereof or (B) terminate, amend, modify or waive compliance of any provision of
any Material Contract in any respect materially adverse to any of the
Subsidiaries;
(x) except as set forth in Section 4.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, make or
change any material Tax election, release, assign settle or compromise
any material Tax liability, or waive any statute of limitations for any Tax
claim or assessment unless such action would not reasonably be expected to
increase the Tax liability of the Subsidiaries or the tax sharing obligation of
any Subsidiary under this Agreement;
(xi) except as may be required as result of a change in law, regulation or
in generally accepted accounting principles, change any accounting
principles or practices used by any Subsidiary;
(xii) release, assign, settle or compromise any material claim or litigation
relating to any Subsidiary;
A-1-20
<Page>
(xiii) other than as may be required as a result of a change in law,
regulation or in generally accepted accounting principles, change any
of the Subsidiary's reserving methods (it being understood that the foregoing
shall not apply to changes in the amount of reserves);
(xiv) with respect to any Subsidiary, pay, discharge or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations, other than the payment, discharge or
satisfaction in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;
(xv) with respect to any Subsidiary, enter into any structured settlement
agreement or arrangement, funding agreement or arrangement or
reinsurance agreement or arrangement; provided that the Purchaser hereby
consents that the Companies and Subsidiaries may, consistent with past
practices, continue to enter into structured settlement agreements or
arrangements, including any agreement to be the assignee of structured
settlement payment obligations, so long as such structured settlement agreements
or arrangements are subject to the Liberty Life Guarantee; or
(xvi) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
(c) None of the Companies or any Subsidiary shall adopt or amend in any
material respect (except as may be required by law or permitted by or
contemplated under this Agreement) any bonus, profit sharing, compensation,
stock option, stock purchase, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, or
other employee benefit plan, agreement, trust, fund or other arrangement for the
benefit or welfare of any director, officer or employee or former director,
officer or employee of any Subsidiary (other than commercially reasonable
arrangements entered into with any new hires) or increase the compensation or
fringe benefits of any employee or former director, officer or employee of any
Subsidiary or pay any benefit not required by any existing plan, arrangement or
agreement, except compensation increases for employees and non-executive
officers in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.
(d) None of the Companies nor any Subsidiary shall take any action with
respect to the grant of any severance or termination pay or with respect to any
increase of benefits payable under its retention, severance or termination pay
policies in effect on the date hereof with respect to employees of any of the
Subsidiaries. The Companies shall not amend or modify the Retention Plan after
the date hereof to the extent any such amendment or modification relates to
employees of the Subsidiaries or increases the costs to the Purchaser or any of
the Subsidiaries under the Retention Plan. LFC has delivered to the Purchaser a
true and complete copy of the Retention Plan.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.1,
the Companies shall be permitted to cause, and shall cause, LASC to make a
dividend or distribution to Keyport Life Insurance Company immediately prior to
the Closing and effective at the same time as the amendments to the
Administrative Services Agreement referred to in Section 1.2(d) of the
Transition Services Agreement of (i) the issued and outstanding capital shares
of KFSC and (ii) an amount in cash equal to the net worth of LASC as of such
date.
(f) The Insurance Subsidiaries shall manage their Subsidiary Investing in a
manner that is consistent with past practices in all material respects and,
within the reasonable business judgment of their senior management, consistent
with the business plans provided to the Purchaser, subject to the restrictions
set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below. On a periodic basis as reasonably
requested by the Purchaser and reasonably available to the Subsidiaries, but in
no event less frequently than 18 Business Days after the end of each calendar
month, the Companies shall deliver to the Purchaser such information regarding
the duration and the asset/liability composition, duration matching of the
Insurance Subsidiaries' general account investments as of such month end.
Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i) The Insurance Subsidiaries shall not make additional commitments to
make private equity investments (such as, but not limited to, venture funds,
hedge funds and direct private equity
A-1-21
<Page>
investments) or other investments categorized by the Insurance Subsidiaries as
"alternative investments" ("Restricted Investments"); provided, however, that
this Section 4.1(f)(i) shall not prohibit the Insurance Subsidiaries from making
additional investments in Restricted Investments to the extent required by law
or existing contractual obligations.
(ii) The Insurance Subsidiaries shall (x) invest new cash deposits from
customers in investment grade securities and (y) reinvest proceeds (including
payments of principal and interest) received from existing investments in below
investment grade securities and investments ("Below Investment Grade
Investments") in investment grade securities; provided, however, that (1) this
Section 4.1(f)(ii) shall not prohibit the Insurance Subsidiaries from selling
existing Below Investment Grade Investments and reinvesting the proceeds of such
sales in other Below Investment Grade Investments and (2) this
Section 4.1(f)(ii) shall not prohibit the Insurance Subsidiaries from making
investments in Below Investment Grade Investments if, after giving effect to
such investments, the portion of their combined general investment accounts
invested in Below Investment Grade Investments would not exceed 7.5% of the
total combined general investment accounts (including securities lending
collateral).
4.2 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. The Companies shall give prompt
written notice to the Purchaser, upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence, or
failure to occur, of any event which occurrence or failure to occur causes
(x) any representation or warranty made by the Companies and contained in this
Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from
the date hereof to the Closing, or (y) any material failure of the Companies or
of any officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy
any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it
under this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall be
deemed to cure any breach or otherwise affect the representations or warranties
of the Companies or the conditions to the obligations of the parties hereunder.
The Purchaser shall give prompt notice to the Companies, upon obtaining
knowledge of the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event which occurrence
or failure to occur causes (x) any representation or warranty made by the
Purchaser contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material
respect at any time from the date hereof to the Closing, or (y) any material
failure of the Purchaser, or of any officer, director, employee or agent
thereof, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided, however, that
no such notification shall be deemed to cure any breach or otherwise affect the
representations or warranties of the Purchaser or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties hereunder.
4.3 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Except as prohibited by confidentiality
agreements to which any of the Companies or a Subsidiary is a party or as
restricted under applicable law or to the extent the Companies reasonably
believe the same would result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third
parties, the Companies shall, and shall cause the Subsidiaries, and the
Companies' and the Subsidiaries' respective officers, directors, employees and
agents to, afford to the Purchaser and to the officers, employees and agents of
the Purchaser reasonable access upon reasonable notice and at mutually agreeable
times, to the Companies' and any Subsidiary's officers, employees, agents,
properties, books, records and contracts, and shall furnish the Purchaser such
financial, operating and other data and information as the Purchaser, through
its officers, employees or agents, may reasonably request. All such information
shall be governed by the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined below).
ARTICLE 5
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1 PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT. LFC shall prepare, in cooperation with
the Purchaser, the Proxy Statement and use its commercially reasonable efforts
to obtain and furnish the information required to be included by it in the Proxy
Statement, and respond promptly to any comments made by the SEC with respect to
the Proxy Statement and any preliminary version thereof and cause the Proxy
A-1-22
<Page>
Statement to be mailed to the holders of LFC's capital stock ("LFC's
Stockholders") at the earliest practicable time following the execution of this
Agreement. The Purchaser and its counsel shall be given reasonable opportunity
to review and discuss with the Companies' counsel the Proxy Statement prior to
its filing with the SEC, and shall be provided with any comments that LFC and
its counsel may receive from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy
Statement promptly after receipt of such comments. If prior to the Closing any
event shall occur which is required to be set forth in an amendment or a
supplement to the Proxy Statement, LFC will promptly prepare and mail to LFC's
Stockholders such an amendment or supplement, provided, however, that, with
respect to any event or information relating to the Purchaser giving rise to
such requirement, the Purchaser shall have notified the Companies thereof in a
timely fashion.
5.2 BOARD RECOMMENDATION. Except to the extent otherwise permitted
pursuant to Section 5.5 below, LFC through its Board of Directors shall
recommend the authorization of the Sale in the Proxy Statement and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the necessary authorization of the
Sale by LFC's Stockholders at a stockholders' meeting (including any
adjournments thereof, the "Company Stockholders' Meeting") as promptly as
practicable following the execution of this Agreement.
5.3 FEES AND EXPENSES.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.5, each party shall bear all
of the fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the negotiation and
performance of this Agreement (it being understood that LFC shall bear all of
the fees and expenses of the Companies and the Subsidiaries), and neither party
may recover any such fees and expenses from the other party upon any termination
of this Agreement, provided, however, that so long as the Closing shall occur,
the Purchaser shall pay one-half of the reasonable costs of printing and mailing
the Proxy Statement to LFC's Stockholders.
(b) The provisions contained in this Section 5.3 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
5.4 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions provided in
this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective
as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
to cooperate with each of the other parties hereto in connection with the
foregoing, including using commercially reasonable efforts: (A) to obtain all
authorizations, consents and approvals required by the Applicable Laws; and
(B) to lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order
adversely affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. Each party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
fulfill all conditions to this Agreement. For purposes of the foregoing and the
provisions of Sections 5.7 and 5.10, the obligation of the Companies and the
Purchaser to use "commercially reasonable efforts" or "reasonable efforts" to
obtain waivers, consents and approvals shall not include, (a) with respect to
loan agreements, leases and other contracts, agreeing to a material modification
of the terms of such documents, except as expressly contemplated hereby, or
making any material guaranty or material monetary payment in consideration of
such waiver, consent or approval or (b) with respect to waivers, consents and
approvals by or from, or resolving any objections of any Government Entity,
accepting or agreeing to accept (as a condition to obtaining such waiver,
approval or consent or resolving any objection of such Government Entity) that
the Purchaser or the Companies, or any of their respective affiliates, make or
enter into any divestitures, licenses, hold separate or trust agreements, make
any guaranty, monetary payment or other financial adjustment or agree to any
restriction or limitation on the conduct of their respective businesses
(including, without limitation, on their ability to declare or pay dividends or
make other distributions) that would, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Business or Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.), the United States Branch of the
Purchaser or any other material portion of Sun Life Financial Services of
Canada, Inc. (a "Purchaser Material Adverse Effect").
A-1-23
<Page>
5.5 NO SOLICITATION.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and until the earlier
of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement, none of the Companies or
any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries,
officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (including, without
limitation the Financial Advisor) shall, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or
initiate any proposals or offers from any corporation, partnership, person or
other entity or group other than the Purchaser or an affiliate of the Purchaser
(a "Third Party") concerning any acquisition, consolidation, tender or exchange
offer, merger, business combination, sale of securities or substantial assets
(including by way of reinsurance) of any of the Subsidiaries or any other
transaction that would result in the sale of all or any substantial portion of
the Subsidiaries or the Business or that would otherwise adversely affect the
ability of the Companies and the Purchaser to consummate the Sale (any such
transaction being referred to herein as an "Acquisition Proposal"); or
(ii) have any discussions or negotiations with or provide any non-public or
confidential information to any Third Party relating to any inquiry, proposal or
offer concerning an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that the term
Acquisition Proposal shall not include, and this Agreement shall not limit the
Companies or any of their subsidiaries with respect to, any proposal for a
transaction with respect to the Companies or any of their subsidiaries or any
portion of the Companies or their subsidiaries not including any of the
Subsidiaries, regardless of the form of such transaction, so long as such
proposal or transaction would not adversely affect the ability of the Companies
and the Purchaser to consummate the Sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Companies, the Subsidiaries, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries,
officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (i) may furnish or
cause to be furnished information concerning the Companies' and their
subsidiaries' businesses, properties or assets to a Third Party (subject to such
Third Party executing a confidentiality agreement on terms no less favorable in
the aggregate to LFC than those in the Confidentiality Agreement between the
Purchaser and LFC dated December 12, 2000 (the "Confidentiality Agreement")),
and may enter into, participate in, conduct or engage in discussions or
negotiations with such Third Party, if and only to the extent that in connection
with this clause (i) the Board of Directors of LFC shall have determined in good
faith, after consultation with its external financial advisors and external
legal counsel, that such actions are necessary in order for the directors to
comply with their fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) may take any
position with respect to an Acquisition Proposal in accordance with Rules 14d-9
and 14e-2 under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to stockholders
in connection with the making or amendment of a tender offer or exchange offer)
and may make disclosure to LFC's Stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of
the Board of Directors of LFC, after consultation with its external financial
advisors and external legal counsel, failure to so disclose would be
inconsistent with its obligations under applicable law; and (iii) may, only in
the case of a Qualified Acquisition Proposal and only in compliance with the
provisions of Section 5.5(c), enter into one or more agreements to consummate a
Qualified Acquisition Proposal. As used herein, "Qualified Acquisition Proposal"
means a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Proposals to
either (x) acquire all or substantially all of the capital stock or assets of
the Subsidiaries on terms and subject to conditions that LFC's Board of
Directors believes in good faith, taking into account all of the terms and
conditions of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Proposals, would, if
consummated, be superior to the Sale and in the best interests of LFC's
Stockholders or (y) acquire all or substantially all of the capital stock or
assets of LFC on terms and subject to conditions that LFC's Board of Directors
believes in good faith, taking into account all of the terms and conditions of
such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Proposals, would, if consummated, be in
the best interests of LFC's Stockholders; provided, however, that if any of the
Companies or Subsidiaries, or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries,
officers, directors, employees, representatives or agents have breached any
provision of this Section 5.5 in any respect in connection with the receipt of
such bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that has actually prejudiced the
Purchaser, such Acquisition Proposal shall not be deemed to be a Qualified
Acquisition Proposal.
A-1-24
<Page>
(b) The Companies will promptly (and in no event later than 36 hours after
receipt) notify the Purchaser in writing of, and will disclose to the Purchaser
all material details (including, without limitation, the identity of the Third
Party making such Acquisition Proposal) of, any Acquisition Proposal, whether
oral or written, that any of the Companies or Subsidiaries or any of their
respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
representatives or agents (including, without limitation, the Financial Advisor)
receives. If any of the Companies or Subsidiaries or any of their respective
affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, representatives or
agents furnishes any nonpublic information or confidential information to any
Third Party pursuant to Section 5.5(a), the Companies shall provide the
Purchaser on a concurrent basis with copies of or access to such information.
(c) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 5.5(c), neither LFC's
Board of Directors nor any committee thereof shall or shall resolve to (i) not
recommend or withdraw its approval or recommendation of the Sale, (ii) modify or
qualify such approval or recommendation in a manner adverse to the Purchaser,
(iii) approve or recommend any proposed Acquisition Proposal or (iv) cause LFC
to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement,
acquisition agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement relating to
an Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if prior to the Company
Stockholders' Meeting, the Board of Directors of LFC determines in good faith,
after it has received a Qualified Acquisition Proposal and after consultation
with external legal counsel, that it must take such action to comply with its
fiduciary duties to LFC's Stockholders under applicable law, then LFC's Board of
Directors may (subject to this sentence) take any of the actions contemplated by
clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence (a
"Subsequent Action") and terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c),
but only if (x) the Companies deliver to the Purchaser a written notice advising
the Purchaser that LFC's Board of Directors has received a Qualified Acquisition
Proposal and specifying the material terms and conditions of such Qualified
Acquisition Proposal, identifying the person making such Qualified Acquisition
Proposal and stating that, not earlier than the end of the third Business Day
following receipt by the Purchaser of such notice, LFC's Board of Directors
intends to take a Subsequent Action; (y) during such three Business Day period,
the Companies shall have considered, and shall have caused their respective
affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents to have considered, in good faith any adjustments in the terms and
conditions of this Agreement that the Purchaser may propose; and (z) the
Purchaser does not, within such three Business Day period, offer to make such
adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement or other proposals
regarding LFC such that LFC's Board of Directors determines in its good faith
judgment (after consultation with the Financial Advisor or another independent
financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) that this Agreement,
together with such adjustments offered by the Purchaser, is at least as
favorable to LFC's Stockholders as such Qualified Acquisition Proposal.
(d) The Companies shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any
activities, discussions, or negotiations, existing on the date hereof, with any
Third Party with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or that may reasonably be
expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal.
5.6 GOVERNMENTAL FILINGS. The Companies shall promptly provide the
Purchaser (or its counsel) with copies of all filings made by any of the
Companies with the SEC or the NASD (or any other self-regulatory organization)
or any other state or federal Government Entity in connection with this
Agreement and the Sale. The Purchaser shall promptly provide the Companies (or
its counsel) with copies of all filings made by them with the SEC or any other
state, provincial or federal (United States or Canadian) Government Entity in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject
to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, the Companies and
the Purchaser shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent
practicable each will consult the other with respect to all information relating
to the Subsidiaries, or the Purchaser, as the case may be, and any of their
respective subsidiaries, that appear in any filing made with, or written
materials submitted to, any third party and/or Government Entity in connection
with the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
A-1-25
<Page>
5.7 INSURANCE LAW APPROVALS. The Purchaser, and the Companies recognize
that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall constitute an
acquisition of control by the Purchaser with respect to each Insurance
Subsidiary. Such acquisition of control therefore requires the filing of a
Form A with the appropriate regulatory authority of (i) the domiciliary state of
each such Insurance Subsidiary (the Rhode Island DBR or the New York DOI, as the
case may be) and (ii) each other state, if any, in which such Insurance
Subsidiary is commercially domiciled. In addition, such acquisition of control
will require the filing of a pre-acquisition notice or other filing with the
applicable insurance regulatory authorities of certain other states. The
Purchaser shall make all required filings of Form A and pre-acquisition notices
or other filings as soon as practicable, such filings to be prepared in
accordance with Applicable Laws and to contain all necessary information
required therein, which shall be true, correct and complete. The Purchaser and
the Companies agree to use commercially reasonable efforts and cooperate in
obtaining as promptly as practicable such authorizations and approvals of
insurance regulators as may be required under Applicable Laws in order to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Companies agree
to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such information for inclusion
in such filings as may be required.
5.8 INDEMNIFICATION. The Purchaser agrees that all rights to
indemnification, advancement of expenses, exculpation, limitation of liability
and any and all similar rights now existing in favor of the employees, agents,
directors or officers of the Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") as
provided in the charter or by-laws of the Companies or in the respective
charters or by-laws or other agreements of the Subsidiaries in effect on the
date hereof (copies of which have been made available to the Purchaser), shall
survive the Sale and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of six
years from the Closing; provided, however, that if any claim or claims are
asserted or made within such six-year period, all rights to indemnification in
respect to any such claim or claims shall continue until the disposition of any
and all such claims.
5.9 FAIR PRICE STRUCTURE. If any "fair price" or "control share
acquisition" or "anti-takeover" statute, or other similar statute or regulation
or any state "blue sky" statute shall become applicable to the transactions
contemplated hereby, the Companies and the Companies' boards of directors shall
grant, subject to the terms of this Agreement, such approvals and take such
actions as are reasonably necessary so that the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms
contemplated hereby and thereby, and otherwise act to minimize the effects of
such statute or regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
5.10 CONTINUING EMPLOYEES.
(a) Effective as of the Closing, each Subsidiary shall cease to be a
participating employer in the Company Benefit Plans (other than Company Benefit
Plans which are sponsored by the Subsidiaries solely for the benefit of
employees of the Subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary Benefit Plans")) and, on or after
the Closing Date, the Subsidiaries shall have no obligations or liabilities to,
under or with respect to any Company Benefit Plan, other than the Subsidiary
Benefit Plans.
(b) For periods after the Closing, the Purchaser will provide (or cause to
be provided) to each employee of any of the Subsidiaries who continues his or
her employment with the Subsidiaries or the Purchaser after the Closing (the
"Business Employees") employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies and
arrangements (the "Purchaser's Plans") that are substantially comparable in the
aggregate to the employee benefits maintained from time to time by the Purchaser
for its similarly situated employees. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
(i) the Purchaser shall not be required to provide coverage under a defined
benefit pension plan to any Business Employee who was not a member of a class of
employees who, immediately prior to the Closing Date, was eligible for coverage
under a Company Benefit Plan which was a defined benefit pension plan, (ii) the
Purchaser shall not be required to provide any benefit to any Business Employee
to the extent the provision of such benefit would result in the duplication of
benefits and (iii) the Purchaser shall be permitted to provide to
A-1-26
<Page>
Business Employees benefits under employee welfare benefit plans which are
substantially comparable to those provided to such Business Employees under
Company Benefit Plans which are employee welfare benefit plans immediately prior
to the Closing Date. For the purposes of any of the Purchaser's Plans for which
eligibility and vesting of benefits depend on length of service and for all
other benefits for which benefit levels depend on length of service (but not
benefit accrual or eligibility purposes under any defined benefit pension plan),
the Purchaser shall give (or cause to be given) to each continuing Business
Employee full credit for past service with the Companies and the Subsidiaries
and for any additional periods for which the Companies or a Subsidiary has
previously granted the Business Employee with service credit for comparable
benefit purposes under a corresponding Company Benefit Plan ("Prior Service").
In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (i) each
Business Employee shall be given credit for Prior Service for purposes of
eligibility to participate, satisfaction of any waiting periods, evidence of
insurability requirements, or the application of any pre-existing condition
limitations and shall be given credit for amounts paid under a corresponding
Company Benefit Plan during the same period for purposes of applying
deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums as though such amounts had
been paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchaser's Plans.
Nothing in this Section 5.10 shall prevent Purchaser or the Subsidiaries from
terminating the employment of any of the Business Employees at any time after
the Closing, so long as the Subsidiaries comply with the applicable terms of the
Retention Plan.
(c) Effective as of the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall establish or
designate a defined contribution plan maintained by the Purchaser or its
affiliates in which, subject to the terms and conditions of such plan (taking
into account the provisions of this Section 5.10), Business Employees shall be
eligible to participate (the "Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan"). The
Companies maintain the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment
Plan (the "Companies' Defined Contribution Plan") and have submitted a favorable
determination letter request with the IRS with respect thereto, which
determination letter request is pending as of the date hereof. The Companies
agree to take all actions necessary to amend the Companies' Defined Contribution
Plan as applied to any Business Employee to eliminate all annuity forms of
distribution effective as of a date no later than the Closing Date. The
amendment described in the preceding sentence shall be made in accordance with
Treasury regulations issued pursuant to section 411(d)(6) of the Code, and the
Companies shall provide, not later than the Closing Date, all Business Employees
with a summary (the "Amendment Summary") that reflects such amendment and that
satisfies the requirements of ERISA and applicable Department of Labor
regulations relating to summaries of material modifications. Subject to the
provisions of this Section 5.10(c), the Companies and the Purchaser shall take
(or cause to be taken) all actions necessary to cause the assets and liabilities
of the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan attributable to the accrued benefits
of Business Employees to be transferred from the trustee of the Companies'
Defined Contribution Plan to the trustee of the Purchaser's Defined Contribution
Plan; provided, however, that no transfer of assets or liabilities shall occur
with respect to any Business Employee whose annuity starting date occurs prior
to the effective date of the transfer. The assets to be transferred pursuant to
the preceding sentence shall consist of cash and promissory notes evidencing
outstanding loans to Business Employees. The transfer of assets and liabilities
from the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan to the Purchaser's Defined
Contribution Plan shall conform in all respects with Sections 411(d)(6) and
414(l) of the Code. No transfer of assets and liabilities from the Companies'
Defined Contribution Plan to the Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan shall
occur until the latest of (i) the Closing Date, (ii) the date on which the IRS
issues a favorable determination letter with respect to the Companies' Defined
Contribution Plan and the Companies have taken all actions required by the IRS
as a condition of such favorable determination letter, or (iii) 90 days after
the Companies have adopted the amendment to the Companies' Defined Contribution
Plan which eliminates all annuity forms of distribution and have provided
Business Employees with the Amendment Summary.
A-1-27
<Page>
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.10, the
Purchaser and the Companies shall, prior to the Closing Date, cooperate and
negotiate in good faith to achieve the objectives of this Section 5.10 and to
facilitate a transition of coverage for Business Employees to the Purchaser's
Plans. The primary objectives of the parties in cooperating and negotiating any
such further agreements shall be to provide for uninterrupted coverage of
employees under appropriate employee benefit plans from and after the Closing
Date. In furtherance of that objective, the Purchaser and the Companies agree
that, for the Extended Coverage Period (as defined below), the Business
Employees shall be entitled to continue coverage under the Company Benefit Plans
which are group health or dental plans, and the Purchaser agrees to reimburse
the Companies for covered claims incurred under such plans during the Extended
Coverage Period and reasonable administrative costs incurred by the Companies as
a result of the coverage of the Business Employees under such plans during the
Extended Coverage Period. For purposes of this Agreement, the "Extended Coverage
Period" shall be the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the
date that the Business Employees become eligible for coverage under the
Purchaser's group medical and dental plans (which date shall be no later than
the first day of the coverage period following the first normal open enrollment
period with respect to the Purchaser's group medical and dental plans which
begins on or after the Closing Date). Except for obligations and agreements
specifically set forth in this Section 5.10, no agreement with respect to
employee benefit plans shall be effective unless and until it has been set forth
in a written agreement duly executed on behalf of the Companies and the
Purchaser.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.10, as of the
Closing each of the Purchaser and the Subsidiaries shall assume and shall
perform or cause their affiliates to perform, all of the obligations with
respect to the employees and former employees of the Subsidiaries (other than
persons that LFC has transferred to LFC or to direct or indirect subsidiaries of
LFC other than the Subsidiaries) under each of (i) the Retention Plan and
(ii) the Deferred Compensation Obligations; provided, however, that the
Companies shall pay and perform all obligations to such persons under Sections 4
and 5 of the Retention Plan (pertaining to stock options and restricted stock),
and the Companies acknowledge and agree that none of the Purchaser or any of the
Subsidiaries are assuming any obligations with respect to such provisions;
provided, further, that the Purchaser and the Subsidiaries (and not the
Companies) shall be responsible for the entire amount of any Gross-Up Payments
(as such term is defined in the Retention Plan). The Companies and the Purchaser
shall allocate the "base amount" of parachute payments made or to be made to (or
for the benefit of) any "disqualified individual" (in each case, as defined in
Section 280G of the Code) in accordance with prop. Treasury Regulation 1.280G-1
(Q&A 38). Except for the obligations with respect to the Retention Plan and the
Deferred Compensation Obligations set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence, nothing in this Section 5.10(e) shall in any way restrict the ability
of the Purchaser or any Subsidiary to terminate any employee benefit plan,
policy, program or arrangement after the Closing Date in accordance with the
terms thereof.
5.11 TAXES.
(a) TAX RETURNS. The Companies shall not file or cause or permit to be
filed any amended Tax Returns on behalf of or with respect to the Subsidiaries
for any taxable period without the consent of the Purchaser (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that this Section 5.11(a)
shall not apply unless a position taken on such amended Tax Return can be
reasonably expected to increase the Taxes of a Subsidiary or the tax sharing
obligations of any Subsidiary under this Agreement.
(b) COOPERATION. After the Closing Date, the Companies and the Purchaser
shall (and shall cause their affiliates to) make available to each other, as
reasonably requested, and to any governmental authority, such information
(including records and documents) and assistance relating to the Subsidiaries
for all taxable periods ending before or including the Closing Date as is
reasonably necessary for the preparation of any Tax Return or claim for refund,
for any audit, or for the
A-1-28
<Page>
prosecution or defense of any Tax Proceeding, which shall include making
employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide any additional
information and explanations of any material provided hereunder. The Companies
and the Purchaser shall also (and shall cause their affiliates to) preserve all
such information, records and documents until the expiration of any applicable
statute of limitations, including extensions thereof. Notwithstanding any other
provisions hereof, each party shall bear its own expense in complying with the
foregoing provisions. None of the Companies nor Purchaser shall take or advocate
any position with respect to Taxes that could reasonably be expected to
adversely affect the other party. The Companies shall promptly notify the
Purchaser and the Subsidiaries of any proposed adjustment of any item on any Tax
Return of the Subsidiaries for any period, if such proposed adjustment may
affect the tax liability of the Purchaser or any of the Subsidiaries or the tax
sharing obligations of any Subsidiary under this Agreement. The Companies shall
advise the Purchaser of the status of any conferences, meetings and proceedings
with tax authorities or appearances before any court pertaining to such
adjustment or adjustments, and shall advise the Purchaser of the outcome of any
such proceedings. Nothing in this Agreement shall entitle the Purchaser to
interfere with the rights of the Companies or LMIC to make any judgments or take
any actions they deem appropriate in connection with the disposition of any such
proposed adjustments.
(c) TAX SHARING. All intercompany tax accounts between the Companies, and
any Subsidiary (other than the Insurance Subsidiaries and KFSC), shall be
settled in cash at or prior to the Closing in the manner provided in this
Section 5.11(c). At least five business days prior to the Closing Date, the
Companies shall prepare and deliver to the Purchaser a statement setting out in
reasonable detail the calculation of all such intercompany tax account balances
based on the latest available financial information as of such date, including
projected amounts through the Closing Date, and to the extent reasonably
requested by the Purchaser, provide the Purchaser with supporting documentation
to verify the underlying intercompany charges. Not later than 60 days after the
date or dates on which the Subsidiaries file their Tax Returns for the taxable
year ending on the Closing Date, or for the fiscal year in which the Closing
falls, as the case may be, the Companies and the Purchaser shall settle all
amounts due to or from the Subsidiaries (other than the Insurance Subsidiaries
and KFSC) under the tax sharing agreement described in Section 3.17(i) of the
Disclosure Schedule, taking into account payments made previously pursuant to
this Section 5.11(c). Such settlement shall be based on the Tax Returns of the
Companies and such Subsidiaries as filed. The Companies shall timely pay or
cause to be paid all Taxes of the Subsidiaries (other than the Insurance
Subsidiaries and KFSC) for the period ending on the Closing Date.
(d) PREPARATION OF TAX RETURNS AND SETTLEMENT OF TAXES.
(i) NON-LIFE GROUP.
(A) The provisions of this Section 5.11(d)(i) do not apply to the
Insurance Subsidiaries.
(B) For purposes of this Section 5.11(d)(i), personal property and
other ad valorem Taxes not based on net income shall be computed
by determining the amount of such Taxes based on a full taxable
period and multiplying the amount so determined by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of days in from the
beginning of such taxable period and ending on the Closing Date,
and the denominator of which is 365.
(ii) LIFE GROUP.
(A) The provisions of this Section 5.11(d)(ii) do not apply to the
Subsidiaries other than the Insurance Subsidiaries. The Insurance
Subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return with
each other but not with the Companies. Other than Taxes arising
from a Section 338(h)(10) Election (which shall for this purpose
include any comparable or similar election for state tax
purposes) for the Insurance Subsidiaries, the Companies shall
have no liability for the Taxes of the Insurance Subsidiaries.
A-1-29
<Page>
(B) The Companies shall reimburse the Insurance Subsidiaries for any
federal, state or local Taxes arising from the
Section 338(h)(10) Election (which shall for this purpose include
any comparable or similar election for state tax purposes) with
respect to the Insurance Subsidiaries or the LASC Distribution,
determined as set forth in Section 1.6(c) hereof. Not later than
forty-five (45) days after the Closing, the Purchaser shall
provide to the Companies a written statement of the amount due
hereunder (the "Purchaser's Statement") accompanied by work
papers in adequate detail to enable the Companies to verify that
the amount claimed is correct. The Companies shall then have
fifteen (15) days in which to notify the Purchaser of any
objections to the Purchaser's Statement. The parties shall
endeavor in good faith to resolve their differences. In any
event, the Companies shall, not more than five (5) days prior to
the last date on which such Taxes may be paid without interest or
penalty, pay to the Insurance Subsidiaries their respective Taxes
(as determined by the Companies) arising from the
Section 338(h)(10) Election. If the Purchaser and the Companies
have not agreed upon the amount due to the Insurance Subsidiaries
within ninety (90) days after the Closing, the matter shall be
submitted for arbitration to a nationally recognized accounting
firm that has not provided substantial services to either of them
within the past three years; the costs of such arbitration shall
be divided evenly between LFC and the Purchaser; such accounting
firm shall render its decision as to the amounts due to the
Insurance Subsidiaries from the Companies or from the Insurance
Subsidiaries to the Companies within forty-five (45) days after
such matter is submitted for arbitration; and the decision of
such accounting firm shall be final and binding on all parties
and not subject to judicial review of any kind. The Companies,
jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the
Insurance Subsidiaries for any interest or penalties that may be
due to any taxing authority on account of the late payment of any
Taxes arising from the Section 338(h)(10) Election, if such late
payment is due to the failure of the Companies to pay to the
Insurance Subsidiaries the full amount of Taxes as determined
under this Section 5.11(d)(ii)(B) before the last date on which
such Taxes may be paid without interest or penalties.
(C) At the time of the filing of the Tax Returns for the Insurance
Subsidiaries which include the items arising from the
Section 338(h)(10) Election, the Purchaser shall pay to the
Companies, or the Companies shall pay to the Purchaser, the
amount by which the payment made pursuant to
Section 5.11(d)(ii)(B) exceeds, or is less than, the Taxes shown
on the Tax Returns arising from the Section 338(h)(10) Election.
The Purchaser shall promptly provide to the Companies and the
Companies shall promptly provide to the Purchaser any information
that they shall reasonably request for the purpose of verifying
the amount due to or from the Companies under this
Section 5.11(d)(ii).
(iii) Other than as specifically set forth in this Agreement, the
Companies shall have no liability for any Taxes of the Subsidiaries for any
period ending after the Closing Date.
(iv) TAX RETURNS.
(A) The Purchaser shall cause those Subsidiaries subject to
Section 5.11(d)(i) to consent to join, for all taxable periods
ending on or before the Closing Date in which such Subsidiaries
are eligible to do so, in any consolidated, combined or unitary
federal, state, local or foreign income and franchise Tax Returns
which the Companies or LMIC shall request it to join. The
Companies shall cause to be prepared and filed all such
consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns. The Purchaser
agrees to take no
A-1-30
<Page>
position inconsistent with the Subsidiaries being members of the
group filing such Tax Returns.
(B) The Purchaser shall cause to be prepared and filed all required
Tax Returns of the Subsidiaries (other than those filed by the
Companies under Section 5.11(d)(iv)(A)) for any period which ends
on or before the Closing Date, to the extent not previously
filed. The Purchaser shall submit all such Tax Returns to the
Companies no later than 30 days prior to the due date (including
extensions) for the Companies' approval, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, and which shall not be required
unless the Companies notify the Purchaser within ten days after
the Companies receive such Tax Returns of their objections to
such Tax Returns.
(C) All Tax Returns of the Subsidiaries not covered by paragraphs
(A) or (B) of this Section 5.11(d)(iv) shall be prepared and
filed by the Purchaser or at its direction. In the event that any
position on any Tax Return filed after the Closing Date could
reasonably be expected to affect the Tax liability of the
Companies, the Purchaser shall notify the Companies and shall
take such position on such Tax Returns only with the approval of
the Companies, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
(e) The Companies, jointly and severally, shall pay and indemnify fully the
Purchaser and each Subsidiary from and against any Taxes that the Companies are
obligated to pay (i) under Section 1.6(c) hereof, or (ii) in the case of any
Subsidiary subject to Section 5.11(d)(i), attributable to any corporation other
than any of the Subsidiaries for any taxable period ending on or before the
Closing Date, including, without limitation, any liability for Taxes under
Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision under any state,
local, or foreign law attributable to any of the Companies or any affiliate of
any of the Companies (other than the Subsidiaries).
(f) The amounts paid by the Companies to the Insurance Subsidiaries pursuant
to Section 1.6(c), as they may be adjusted and determined pursuant to
Section 5.11(d)(ii), shall constitute full and complete discharge of the
obligations of the Companies under such provisions, and shall not be subject to
further adjustment under any circumstances. The Purchaser and the Insurance
Subsidiaries waive all recourse and claim against the Companies in the event
that the IRS or any state, local or foreign taxing authority should assess
additional Taxes against any of the Insurance Subsidiaries on account of the
Section 338(h)(10) Election; the Companies waive all recourse and claim against
the Purchaser and the Insurance Subsidiaries for any refund in the event that
the Taxes imposed as a result of the Section 338(h)(10) Election are ultimately
determined to be less than the amounts determined and paid under Section 1.6(c)
and Section 5.11(d)(ii).
(g) The Purchaser agrees that all of its rights to recover Taxes due from
the Companies are set forth herein and that neither it nor any of the Insurance
Subsidiaries shall have any other or further recourse against the Companies or
any of their affiliates on account of unpaid Taxes of any kind (whether or not
arising from the Section 338(h)(10) Election). Without limiting the generality
of the immediately preceding sentence, the Companies and their affiliates shall
have no liability for any Taxes that may be asserted by any tax authority for
any taxable year, whether ending before, on or after the Closing Date against
any Subsidiary, except as specifically set forth in this Agreement.
5.12 NOMINAL STOCKHOLDERS. On the Closing Date, the Companies shall cause
each nominal holder of any of the outstanding capital stock of any Subsidiary to
transfer to one or more nominal holders designated in writing to the Companies
by the Purchaser all shares of capital stock of such Subsidiary held nominally
by such holder; provided, however, that the director qualifying shares of
Keyport Life Insurance Company shall remain outstanding and subject to the
Agreements of Trust with respect thereto or shall be transferred to another
trust qualified to be a shareholder under applicable law.
A-1-31
<Page>
5.13 OTHER CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS. The Companies shall promptly inform
the Purchaser of any breach of any confidentiality agreement (and the basic
facts of such breach) entered into by LFC or any of its affiliates or
representatives on behalf of LFC in connection with the sale of the Business
(each such agreement, a "Company Confidentiality Agreement"). The Companies
shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the Companies' expense, to take
reasonable actions necessary to enforce the provisions of any such Company
Confidentiality Agreement.
5.14 INTERCOMPANY MATTERS. All intercompany accounts, agreements or other
arrangements (other than (i) the Transition Services Agreement and
(ii) agreements or other arrangements to continue after the Closing pursuant to
(A) Section 1.6, 5.8, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.15 of this Agreement, (B) the License
Agreement, (C) the LMIC Indemnification Agreement, (D) the Liberty Life
Agreement and (E) the sale of Liberty Life products by Independent Financial
Marketing Group, Inc.) between any of the Companies or any affiliate or
subsidiary of any of the Companies (other than the Subsidiaries), on the one
hand, and any Subsidiary, on the other hand, as of the Closing shall be settled
in accordance with their terms and consistent with past practices in the manner
provided in this Section 5.14 (all such accounts, agreements and arrangements,
the "Interconnects"). At least five Business Days prior to the Closing, the
Companies shall prepare and deliver to the Purchaser a statement setting out in
reasonable detail the calculation of all intercompany account balances in
respect of the Interconnects to be settled hereunder based upon the latest
available financial information as of such date and, to the extent reasonably
requested by the Purchaser, provide the Purchaser with supporting documentation
to verify the underlying intercompany charges and transactions. Such statement
will include actual amounts reflected in the most recently closed monthly books
and records and estimates for the period through the Closing Date based on the
latest financial information available as of such date. All such intercompany
account balances shall be paid in full in cash prior to the Closing. Except as
contemplated by (i) the Transition Services Agreement or (ii) agreements or
other arrangements to continue after the Closing pursuant to (A) Section 1.6,
5.8, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.15 of this Agreement, (B) the License Agreement, (C) the
LMIC Indemnification Agreement, (D) the Liberty Life Agreement or (E) the sale
of Liberty Life products by Independent Financial Marketing Group, Inc., all
Interconnects will be terminated effective as of the Closing.
5.15 TRANSFER OF RECORDS. On or promptly following the Closing Date,
except to the extent that such books of account, records and files are in
possession of the Subsidiaries, the Companies shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser originals or copies
of, or extracts of information containing, all of the Business's books of
account, records and files that are in the possession of any of the Companies or
any affiliate of any of the Companies, including, without limitation, all
employee files (for Business Employees only), monthly financial statements,
trial balances, general ledgers, accounting records, forms, marketing materials,
sales training manuals, sales promotional data, customer lists, business plans,
correspondence and litigation files, in each case used in or related to the
Business.
5.16 FINANCING. The Companies understand that the Purchaser intends to
finance the Purchase Price in part through a public offering or private
placement in Canada and elsewhere (the "Financing") by the Purchaser or one or
more affiliates of the Purchaser (together, the "Issuers"). The Companies will
cooperate with and provide all reasonable assistance to, and will cause their
respective affiliates and auditors to cooperate with and provide all reasonable
assistance to, the Issuers and their auditors and other professional advisors in
order to enable the Issuers to satisfy the requirements of applicable securities
laws in connection with any Financing, including participating in due diligence
sessions. The Purchaser shall bear (i) all reasonable fees of the Companies'
auditors for such assistance to the extent such assistance involves work not
otherwise required of or requested by the Companies under applicable SEC rules,
including in connection with the issuance of the Proxy Statement or the other
transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
of the Companies or their affiliates in connection therewith. The Companies
acknowledge and agree that such cooperation
A-1-32
<Page>
will require the Companies, among other things, to prepare and provide to the
Issuers for inclusion in any prospectus or other disclosure document prepared in
connection with the Financing (i) audited financial statements (consolidated or
combined where appropriate and prepared in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP")) of the Subsidiaries and the
Business for the year ended December 31, 2000 and any quarterly interim
statements for periods ending after December 31, 2000, including separate notes
reconciling the differences between U.S. GAAP and the principles stated in the
Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and (ii) other
information concerning the Subsidiaries and the Business. The Purchaser
understands and acknowledges that its obligations under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, its obligation to consummate the Sale, are not
conditioned on the financing referred to in this Section 5.16 or any other
financing.
5.17 PRIVACY POLICY AND PRIVACY MAILING. The Companies shall comply in all
material respects with all privacy requirements as prescribed by the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 5 U.S.C. Section6801 et seq., and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
5.18 LFD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Prior to the Closing Date, the Companies
shall cause Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc. ("LFDI") to assign, transfer and
convey to the Purchaser or an affiliate of the Purchaser designated by the
Purchaser, without payment of additional consideration, all of LFDI's right,
title and interest in and to all copyrights owned by LFDI that are related to or
used in the Business.
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS
6.1 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF EACH PARTY TO EFFECT THE SALE. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Sale shall be subject to the
fulfillment or waiver at or prior to the Closing of each of the following
conditions:
(a) The Sale shall have been authorized by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of LFC as
of the applicable record date voting as a single class;
(b) Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
consummation of the Sale under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or
been terminated and the Companies or the Purchaser shall have received all of
the other consents and approvals required under Applicable Law, the failure of
which to obtain would prevent the consummation of the Sale or reasonably be
expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect or a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect, and such consents or
approvals shall be in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in
respect thereof shall have expired without the imposition of any conditions
which the parties would be excused from accepting under Section 5.4;
(c) No order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction
or by a Government Entity nor any statute, rule, regulation or executive order
promulgated or enacted by any Government Entity shall be in effect that would
prohibit the Sale or make illegal the acquisition or ownership of the Purchased
Securities by the Purchaser or otherwise prevent the consummation of the Sale;
provided, that the party seeking to assert this condition shall have complied
with its obligations under Section 5.4; and
(d) The Transition Services Agreement shall be in full force and effect.
A-1-33
<Page>
6.2 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANIES TO EFFECT THE
SALE. The obligation of the Companies to effect the Sale is further subject to
fulfillment (or waiver by the Companies) of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein
shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and
as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing
except (x) for changes specifically permitted by the terms of this Agreement,
(y) that the accuracy of representations and warranties that by their terms
speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date will be determined as
of such date and (z) where the failure of the representations and warranties to
be true and correct (without giving effect to any qualifications as to
"material" or similar qualifications) would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the
Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) The Purchaser shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing;
(c) The Purchaser shall have delivered to the Companies a certificate, dated
the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer, to the effect that
each of the conditions specified in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.2 is
satisfied; and
(d) The Purchaser shall have paid the Purchase Price, as contemplated by
Section 1.2.
6.3 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE PURCHASER TO EFFECT THE
SALE. The obligation of the Purchaser to effect the Sale is further subject to
the fulfillment (or waiver by the Purchaser) of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Companies contained herein
shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and
as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing
Date, except (x) for changes specifically permitted by the terms of this
Agreement, (y) that the accuracy of representations and warranties that by their
terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date will be
determined as of such date and (z) where the failure of such representations and
warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any qualifications
as to Company Material Adverse Effect, "material" or similar qualifications)
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) The Companies shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them prior to the Closing;
(c) Each of the Companies shall have delivered to the Purchaser a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by its Chief Executive Officer to
the effect that each of the conditions specified in clauses (a) and (b) of this
Section 6.3 with respect to such Company is satisfied;
(d) The Companies shall have obtained all consents, waivers, or approvals,
necessary to provide that the consummation of the Sale does not constitute a
default under, or effect of give rise to a right of termination of the Material
Contracts identified in Section 6.3(d) of the Disclosure Schedule;
(e) There shall not have been a Company Material Adverse Effect since the
date of this Agreement;
(f) The Companies shall have delivered to the Purchaser certificates
representing the Purchased Securities duly endorsed in blank or with duly
executed stock powers in blank, in proper form for transfer;
A-1-34
<Page>
(g) The Companies shall deliver to the Purchaser a certificate of
Non-Foreign Status duly executed by an officer of the Company in a form
reasonably acceptable to Purchaser for purposes of satisfying Purchaser's
obligations under Treas. Reg. Section1.1445-29(c)(3); and
(h) Each of the License Agreement, the LMIC Indemnification Agreement and
the Liberty Life Agreement shall be in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and the Sale may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, whether prior to or (except as
provided in Section 7.1(c)) after approval of the Sale by LFC's Stockholders, as
follows:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Purchaser and the Companies;
(b) by either the Purchaser or the Companies if (i) the Closing shall not
have occurred on or before March 31, 2002 (the "Outside Date"); provided,
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
Section 7.1(b)(i) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill
any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the
failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date or (ii) if there shall be
any order which is final and nonappealable preventing the consummation of the
Sale;
(c) prior to (but not subsequent to) the approval by LFC's Stockholders at
the Company Stockholders' Meeting, by the Purchaser or the Companies if (i) the
Board of Directors of LFC withdraws, modifies, changes or fails to reaffirm
(within a reasonable period of time after a request by the Purchaser) its
recommendation of the Sale in a manner adverse to the Purchaser, (ii) the Board
of Directors of LFC shall have recommended to LFC's Stockholders another
Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) a tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or more
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of LFC is commenced, and the Board of
Directors of LFC fails within the time provided in Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange
Act to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by
LFC's Stockholders (including by taking no position with respect to the
acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by LFC's Stockholders);
provided, however, that the Companies may not terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 7.1(c) unless the Companies shall have complied in all respects
with Section 5.5 (except for such failures to so comply as shall not have
actually prejudiced the Purchaser) and shall have paid to the Purchaser the
Termination Fee; provided further, that any public statement by LFC that (A) it
has received an Acquisition Proposal or otherwise taken any action permitted by
Section 5.5(a) or (B) otherwise describes the operation of the provisions of
this Agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal, termination, the Board of
Directors' recommendation of the Sale, or the transactions contemplated hereby,
shall not, in and of themselves, be deemed to be a proposal to withdraw, modify
or change the Board of Directors' recommendation for purposes of this
Section 7.1(c);
(d) by either the Purchaser or the Companies if the Sale shall fail to
receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of LFC as of the applicable record date voting as a
single class for approval when voted on by LFC's Stockholders at the Company
Stockholders' Meeting (or any permitted adjournment thereof);
(e) by the Purchaser upon a breach of any representation or warranty or
material covenant or agreement on the part of the Companies set forth in this
Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Companies shall have
become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in
Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b) would not be satisfied ("Terminating Company
Breach"); provided, however, that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable
by the Companies within a thirty day period, the Purchaser may not terminate
this Agreement under this Section 7.1(e) during such
A-1-35
<Page>
thirty-day period for so long as the Companies continue to exercise commercially
reasonable efforts as may be appropriate to cure such Terminating Company
Breach; or
(f) by the Companies upon a breach of any representation or warranty or
material covenant or agreement on the part of the Purchaser set forth in this
Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Purchaser shall have
become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in
Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) would not be satisfied ("Terminating Purchaser
Breach"); provided, however, that, if such Terminating Purchaser Breach is
curable by the Purchaser within a thirty day period, the Companies may not
terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(f) during such thirty-day period
for so long as the Purchaser continues to exercise commercially reasonable
efforts as may be appropriate to cure such Terminating Purchaser Breach.
7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. On termination of this Agreement as provided in
Section 7.1, all obligations and agreements of the parties set forth in Articles
1 through 6, except Section 5.3, shall forthwith terminate and be of no further
force or effect; provided that if the Purchaser receives the Termination Fee
contemplated by Section 7.5, neither the Purchaser nor any of its affiliates
shall assert, prosecute or pursue in any manner, directly or indirectly, any
claim or cause of action against any of the Companies or any of its officers,
directors or affiliates; provided further that the foregoing shall not relieve
any party of liability for damages actually incurred as a result of any willful
breach of any of such provisions in Articles 1 through 6 prior to such
termination. Neither the Purchaser nor the Companies may elect to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to more than one clause of Section 7.1.
7.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended except by action of each
of the parties hereto set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that after approval of the Sale
by LFC's Stockholders, without the further approval of LFC's Stockholders no
amendment may be made that would: (i) reduce the Purchase Price or change the
form thereof; or (ii) change any other terms and conditions of this Agreement if
any of the changes, alone or in the aggregate, would materially adversely affect
LFC's Stockholders (other than the Purchaser and its affiliates).
7.4 WAIVER. At any time prior to the Closing, whether before or after the
Company Stockholders' Meeting, subject to the proviso contained in Section 7.3,
any party may waive compliance by any other party with any agreements of such
other party. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such waiver
shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
such party by a duly authorized officer. The failure of any party to assert any
of its rights under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
7.5 EXPENSES; TERMINATION FEE.
(a) If this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser pursuant to
Section 7.1(e) or by the Companies pursuant to Section 7.1(f), then the party
terminating this Agreement shall be entitled to reimbursement by the other party
of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors, actuaries and
accountants) incurred by it in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either
(i) the Companies have received an Acquisition Proposal at the time this
Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.1(e) or receive
an Acquisition Proposal within three months after the date of such termination
under Section 7.1(e) and within 12 months after the date of termination the
Companies consummate a sale of the Purchased Subsidiaries or all or
substantially all of the assets of the Subsidiaries as a whole for an amount
greater than the Purchase Price (a "Subsequent Deal"), or (ii) this Agreement is
terminated by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.1(e) as a result of a breach
by the Companies of Section 5.5, then the Companies shall pay the Purchaser
within ten Business Days after (a) the consummation of the Subsequent Sale, in
the case of the circumstances described in clause (i), or (b) the termination
date, in the case of the
A-1-36
<Page>
circumstances described in clause (ii), the Termination Fee (as defined below)
in immediately available funds, less any expenses of the Purchaser previously
reimbursed by the Companies.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated by the Companies pursuant to
Section 7.1(c), then the Companies shall pay to the Purchaser as a condition
precedent to such termination a fee of US$85,100,000 (the "Termination Fee") in
immediately available funds. If this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser
pursuant to Section 7.1(c), then the Companies shall pay to the Purchaser within
five Business Days after the date of such termination the Termination Fee.
(c) The parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this
Section 7.5 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and that, without these agreements, the parties would not enter into
this Agreement. Accordingly, if any party fails to pay any payments due to the
other party pursuant to this Section 7.5 and, in order to obtain such payment,
the party that has not received such payment commences a suit that results in a
judgment against the other party, such other party shall pay to such party that
had not received such payment (in addition to the amount of such judgment) all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors, actuaries and
accountants) incurred by the party that had not received such payment in
connection with such suit, together with interest on the amount of such judgment
at the prime rate of Citibank N.A. in effect on the date that such payment was
required to be made (in lieu of and not in addition to any other interest
payable under applicable law).
(d) This Section 7.5 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 PUBLICITY. For so long as this Agreement is in effect, except as such
party may be required by applicable law or applicable national stock exchange,
SEC or NASD or other regulatory requirements, none of the Companies or the
Purchaser shall, nor shall any of them permit any of their respective
subsidiaries to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or other
public announcement with respect to the Sale without the consent of the other
party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Whenever any
of the Companies or the Purchaser proposes to make a required press release or
public announcement, it shall use its reasonable efforts to allow the other
reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance, but the
final form and content of any such required release or announcement shall be at
the discretion of the disclosing party.
8.2 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if (i) delivered
personally, (ii) sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
(iii) sent by overnight courier for delivery on the next Business Day, or
(iv) sent by confirmed telecopy, provided that a hard copy of all such
telecopied materials is thereafter sent within 24 hours in the manner described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), to the parties at the following addresses or at
such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice:
(a) If to the Purchaser
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5699
Attention: Daniel Wood, Vice President--Strategic Ventures
Telecopy No.: (781) 237-0707
and
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5699
Attention: Peter Demuth, Vice President and Chief Counsel U.S.
Operations
Telecopy No.: (781) 446-3250
A-1-37
<Page>
with a copy to:
Mayer, Brown & Platt
190 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60603-3441
Attention: Edward S. Best, Marc F. Sperber and D. Michael Murray
Telecopy No.: (312) 701-7711
(b) If to the Companies:
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210-2214
Attention: Lindsay Cook, Executive Vice President
Telecopy No.: (617) 720-5376
and
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210-2214
Attention: Kevin M. Carome, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Telecopy No.: (617) 742-7338
with a copy to:
Choate, Hall & Stewart
Exchange Place
53 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: William P. Gelnaw, Jr., Esq.
Telecopy No.: (617) 248-4000
Notices provided in accordance with this Section 8.2 shall be deemed delivered
(i) on the date of personal delivery, (ii) on the date such notice is actually
received or delivery thereof is refused at the specified address, or (iii) on
the date of confirmation of receipt of the telecopy transmission, as the case
may be.
8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
subsidiaries of the Purchaser or the Companies, the word "subsidiary" or
"subsidiaries" means any corporation more than 50% of whose outstanding voting
securities, or any partnership, joint venture or other entity more than 50% of
whose total equity interests are, directly or indirectly, owned by the Purchaser
or the Companies, as the case may be; and the word "affiliates" shall have the
meaning assigned to such term under Rule 405 of the Securities Act. For purposes
of this Agreement, the Companies shall not be deemed to be an affiliate or
subsidiary of the Purchaser. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Inclusion of information in the Disclosure
Schedule shall not be taken as an admission or acknowledgment of the materiality
of such information.
8.4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ETC. The representations and
warranties of the Companies and the Purchaser contained herein shall expire
with, and be terminated and extinguished upon, consummation of the Sale. This
Section 8.4 shall have no effect upon any other obligation of the parties
hereto, whether to be performed before or after the consummation of the Sale.
A-1-38
<Page>
8.5 MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement together with the Confidentiality Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings,
both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the
subject matter hereof. This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any other
person any rights or remedies hereunder, create any agreement of employment with
any person or otherwise (except for Sections 5.8 and 5.10) create any
third-party beneficiary hereto. The rights of the parties under this Agreement
shall not be assigned prior to the consummation of the Sale, or a termination
pursuant to Article 7, provided, however, that the Purchaser may assign its
rights and obligations in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, but no such
assignment shall relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including validity, interpretation
and effect, by the internal laws of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the
principles of conflict of laws. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which together shall
constitute a single agreement. Any reference herein to any agreement shall be
deemed to mean such agreement as it may be amended from time to time. All
references to dollars in this Agreement and any agreements or other documents
contemplated hereby shall be deemed to refer to United States dollars, unless
specifically stated otherwise, and all amounts to be paid by any party under
this Agreement or any agreement or other document contemplated hereby shall be
made in United States dollars.
(b) Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits
to the jurisdiction of the courts of Massachusetts and the United States of
America located in Massachusetts for any actions, suits or proceedings arising
out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(and each party agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating
thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process,
summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to the respective
addresses set forth in Section 8.2 shall be effective service of process for any
action, suit or proceeding brought against each party in any such court. Each
party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying
of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, in the courts of Massachusetts or the United
States of America located in Massachusetts, and hereby further irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that
any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.
8.6 VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not
affected in any manner adverse to any party.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY.]
A-1-39
<Page>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser and the Companies have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
<Table>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ C. JAMES PRIEUR By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
C. James Prieur Gary L. Countryman
President and Chief Operating Officer President and Chief Executive Officer
and
By: /s/ JAMES A. MCNULTY III
James A. McNulty III
Executive Vice President
LIBERTY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
Gary L. Countryman
President and Chief Executive Officer
</Table>
A-1-40
<Page>
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement (this "Amendment") dated as
of July 13, 2001, is among Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, a Canadian
insurance corporation (the "Purchaser"), Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation ("LFC"), and Liberty Financial Services, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation ("LFS" and, together with LFC, the "Companies").
BACKGROUND
On May 2, 2001, Sun Life and the Companies entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement (the "Original Agreement"). In accordance with Section 7.3 of the
Original Agreement, the parties now wish to amend certain provisions of the
Original Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. Capitalized
terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to them in the Original Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1. AMENDMENT TO ORIGINAL AGREEMENT
1.1 AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1.3 OF THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT. Section 1.3 of
the Original Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the first sentence
thereof in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"Subject to and in accordance with this Agreement, after satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, other than those
conditions that relate to actions to be taken at the Closing (as
defined below), unless the parties otherwise agree in writing, the
consummation of the Sale (the "Closing") shall take place at Choate,
Hall & Stewart, Exchange Place, 53 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, on the date (the "Closing Date") that is the first to
occur of (a) the thirtieth calendar day, or, if such calendar day is
not a Business Day (as defined below), the next succeeding Business
Day, after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article 6, other than those conditions that relate to actions to be
taken at the Closing or (b) the first Business Day following the
completion of the Financing (as defined below). In any event, all of
the conditions set forth in Article 6, other than those conditions
that relate to actions to be taken at the Closing, must be satisfied
or waived, unless the parties otherwise agree in writing, both at the
beginning of the thirty (30) day period described in (a) above and at
the time of Closing."
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7.1(F) OF THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT. Section 7.1(f)
of the Original Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following phrase
immediately following the last word thereof: "; PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER,
that the failure of the Purchaser to consummate the Closing on the Closing
Date, as provided in Section 1.3 hereof, as a result of its failure to
complete the Financing shall constitute a Terminating Purchaser Breach and
shall not be subject to the thirty-day cure period described in the
immediately preceding phrase."
1. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
1.1. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER. The Purchaser
represents and warrants that it has the requisite legal power and authority
to enter into this Amendment The execution and delivery of this Amendment by
the Purchaser have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Purchaser. This Amendment has been duly executed and
delivered by the
A-1-41
<Page>
Purchaser, constitutes its legally valid and binding obligation and is
enforceable against Sun Life in accordance with its terms.
1.2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANIES. Each of the
Companies represents and warrants that it has the requisite legal power and
authority to enter into this Amendment. The execution and delivery of this
Amendment by each of the Companies have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of each of the Companies. This
Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the
Companies and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of
them, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms.
2. MISCELLANEOUS
2.1. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be governed in all respects,
including validity, interpretation and effect, by internal laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to principals of
conflicts of laws.
2.2. EFFECTS OF AMENDMENTS, NOWAIVER. Except as specifically amended
hereby, the Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
Nothing in this Amendment shall be deemed to be a waiver of any right, term,
condition or provision of the Original Agreement or to otherwise affect the
rights of any party arising under or with respect to the Original Agreement.
2.3. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in multiple
counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) each of which shall
constitute an original but all of which shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.
[Signature page follows]
A-1-42
<Page>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, intending to be legally bound by the terms
hereof, have hereunto set their hands, as if under seal, as of the date first
written above.
<Table>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: By:
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
</Table>
A-1-43
<Page>
APPENDIX A-2
[SUN LIFE LETTERHEAD]
May 2, 2001
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02117
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter is to confirm our agreement regarding all of the shares of
common stock, $0.01 par value per share ("LFC COMMON STOCK"), of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "COMPANY"),
beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by you and any other shares of LFC Common
Stock as to which you may hereafter acquire beneficial ownership (the "SHARES").
In order to induce Sun Life Financial Company of Canada, a Canadian insurance
corporation ("BUYER"), to enter into a Stock Purchase Agreement to be dated as
of the date hereof among the Company, Liberty Financial Services, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation, and Buyer (the "STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), you
hereby agree as follows:
1. You hereby represent and warrant as to the Shares issued, outstanding
and beneficially owned by you as of the date of this letter agreement that
(i) you are the sole owner of and have full right, power and authority to vote
the Shares, and this letter agreement is a valid and binding agreement,
enforceable against you, in accordance with its terms, and (ii) neither the
execution of this letter agreement nor the consummation by you of the
transactions contemplated hereby will constitute a violation of, or conflict
with, or default under, any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding,
arrangement or restriction of any kind to which you are a party or by which you
or the Shares are bound.
2. You hereby agree not to sell, transfer or encumber the Shares prior to
the first to occur of (i) the date on which the Stock Purchase Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms and (ii) the date on which this letter
agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Buyer hereby acknowledges and agrees that you may encumber the Shares
pursuant to a voting agreement or similar instrument to the extent that you
execute such an agreement in connection with any transaction that effects the
disposition of the Company's assets or businesses other than the Subsidiaries or
the Business (in each case as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement);
provided, however, that any such voting agreement or similar instrument shall
not adversely affect the Company's and the Buyer's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement.
3. You hereby agree to vote or cause to be voted all of the Shares (i) in
favor of authorization of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby and (ii) against any other matters which would be
inconsistent with the Stock Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereby. In furtherance of your voting agreement in this paragraph, you hereby
revoke any and all previous proxies with respect to any of the Shares and grant
to Buyer and such individuals or corporations as Buyer may designate an
irrevocable proxy to vote all of the Shares owned by you in accordance with this
paragraph on any matters which may be presented to shareholders of the Company
with respect to any matters related to the Stock Purchase Agreement or the
transactions contemplated thereby or any other matters which would be
inconsistent with the Stock Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereby. You hereby acknowledge that the proxy granted by the foregoing is
coupled with an interest and is irrevocable. In addition, you hereby agree to
execute
A-2-1
<Page>
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
May 2, 2001
such additional documents as Buyer may reasonably request to effectuate its
proxy and voting rights under this paragraph.
4. We each hereby agree that this letter agreement creates legally binding
commitments, enforceable in accordance with their terms. This letter agreement
(i) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof and (ii) supersedes all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof. This letter agreement is not intended to confer upon any
other person any rights or remedies hereunder.
5. This letter agreement (including, without limitation, the proxy granted
by paragraph 3 of this letter agreement) shall terminate when, and if, the Stock
Purchase Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, and the parties
hereto may also terminate this letter agreement at any time by mutual written
consent.
6. You acknowledge that irreparable damage to Buyer would occur in the
event that you do not perform any provision of this letter agreement in
accordance with its specific terms or otherwise breach this letter agreement.
You agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by you of any
covenant or obligation contained in this letter agreement, Buyer shall be
entitled to seek and obtain (i) a decree or order of specific performance to
enforce the performance of such covenant or obligation and (ii) an injunction
restraining such breach or threatened breach. You further agree that Buyer shall
not be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in
connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this
paragraph 6, and you hereby irrecoverably waive any right that you may have to
require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar
instrument.
7. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Each of the parties shall pay its own expenses in connection with
the execution and performance of this letter agreement.
8. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this letter agreement
is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this letter agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and there shall be deemed
substituted for the provision at issue a valid, legal and enforceable provision
as similar as possible to the provision at issue.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]
A-2-2
<Page>
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
May 2, 2001
Please indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing this letter
agreement in the space provided below, whereupon a binding agreement will have
been formed between us in respect of the foregoing.
<Table>
<Caption>
Sincerely,
SUN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA
By: /s/ C. JAMES PRIEUR
Name: C. James Prieur
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
and
By: /s/ JAMES A. MCNULTY, III
Name: James A. McNulty, III
Title: Executive Vice President
Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first above written:
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ J. PAUL CONDRIN
Name: J. Paul Condrin
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
</Table>
A-2-3
<Page>
APPENDIX B-1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JUNE 4, 2001
BETWEEN
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
AS PURCHASER
AND
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
AND
LIBERTY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
AS SELLERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Page>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<Table>
<Caption>
PAGE
--------
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT.................................................. B-1-1
BACKGROUND................................................................ B-1-1
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE......................................................... B-1-2
1.1 Purchase and Sale........................................... B-1-2
1.2 Payments at Closing......................................... B-1-2
1.3 Closing..................................................... B-1-6
1.4 Deliveries at Closing by the Company........................ B-1-6
1.5 Deliveries at Closing by the Purchaser...................... B-1-6
1.6 Section 338(h)(10) Election................................. B-1-6
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER........................... B-1-7
2.1 Organization and Qualification.............................. B-1-7
2.2 Authority................................................... B-1-7
2.3 Compliance.................................................. B-1-8
2.4 Certain Regulatory Filings.................................. B-1-9
2.5 Broker's Fees............................................... B-1-9
2.6 Financing................................................... B-1-9
2.7 Litigation.................................................. B-1-9
2.8 Taxes....................................................... B-1-9
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND LFS..................... B-1-10
3.1 Organization and Qualification.............................. B-1-10
3.2 Subsidiaries................................................ B-1-10
3.3 Authority................................................... B-1-11
3.4 Compliance.................................................. B-1-11
3.5 SEC Filings; Financial Statements........................... B-1-12
3.6 Litigation.................................................. B-1-13
3.7 Changes..................................................... B-1-13
3.8 Transactions with Affiliates................................ B-1-13
3.9 Employee Benefits and Contracts............................. B-1-13
3.10 Liens....................................................... B-1-16
3.11 Taxes....................................................... B-1-16
3.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits............................... B-1-19
3.13 Intellectual Property....................................... B-1-19
3.14 No Undisclosed Material Liabilities......................... B-1-20
3.15 Opinion of Financial Advisor; Brokers....................... B-1-20
3.16 Investment Advisory Activities.............................. B-1-20
3.17 Registered Investment Companies............................. B-1-21
3.18 Material Contracts.......................................... B-1-24
3.19 Vote Required............................................... B-1-26
3.20 Knowledge................................................... B-1-26
3.21 Takeover Statutes........................................... B-1-26
3.22 Certain Intercompany Transfers.............................. B-1-26
3.23 Assets Transferred.......................................... B-1-26
</Table>
B-1-(i)
<Page>
<Table>
<Caption>
PAGE
--------
ARTICLE 4
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS....................................................... B-1-26
4.1 Conduct Prior to Closing.................................... B-1-26
4.2 Notification of Certain Matters............................. B-1-28
4.3 Access to Information....................................... B-1-29
ARTICLE 5
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS..................................................... B-1-29
5.1 Preparation of Proxy Statement.............................. B-1-29
5.2 Board Recommendation........................................ B-1-29
5.3 Fees and Expenses........................................... B-1-29
5.4 Additional Agreements....................................... B-1-30
5.5 No Solicitation............................................. B-1-30
5.6 Governmental Filings........................................ B-1-32
5.7 Approval of New Fund Contracts.............................. B-1-32
5.8 Indemnification............................................. B-1-33
5.9 Fair Price Structure........................................ B-1-34
5.10 Certain Post-Sale Fund Matters.............................. B-1-34
5.11 Continuing Employees........................................ B-1-35
5.12 Tax Matters................................................. B-1-37
5.13 Interested Persons.......................................... B-1-40
5.14 Other Confidentiality Agreements............................ B-1-40
5.15 Intercompany Matters........................................ B-1-40
5.16 Transfer of Records......................................... B-1-41
5.17 Series A Preferred Redemption............................... B-1-41
5.18 Crabbe Huson Agreement...................................... B-1-41
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS................................................................ B-1-41
6.1 Conditions to Obligation of Each Party to Effect the Sale... B-1-41
Additional Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect
6.2 the Sale.................................................... B-1-42
Additional Conditions to Obligation of the Purchaser to
6.3 Effect the Sale............................................. B-1-42
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER......................................... B-1-43
7.1 Termination................................................. B-1-43
7.2 Effect of Termination....................................... B-1-44
7.3 Amendment................................................... B-1-45
7.4 Waiver...................................................... B-1-45
7.5 Expenses; Termination Fee................................... B-1-45
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS........................................................ B-1-46
8.1 Publicity................................................... B-1-46
8.2 Notices..................................................... B-1-46
8.3 Interpretation.............................................. B-1-47
8.4 Representations and Warranties; etc......................... B-1-47
8.5 Miscellaneous............................................... B-1-47
8.6 Validity.................................................... B-1-48
8.7 Waiver of Jury Trial........................................ B-1-48
</Table>
B-1-(ii)
<Page>
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 4, 2001,
is between FLEET NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association (the
"Purchaser"), and LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC, a Massachusetts corporation
(the "Company"), and LIBERTY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., a Massachusetts
corporation ("LFS").
BACKGROUND
A. LFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company, directly or
through LFS, owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock and
other equity interests of each of the entities set forth on Schedule A
(collectively, the "Purchased Subsidiaries"). The Purchased Subsidiaries,
together with their direct and indirect subsidiaries, each of which is listed in
Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule (such subsidiaries, together with the
Purchased Subsidiaries, the "Subsidiaries") constitute substantially all of the
asset management segment of the Company's business (the "Business").
B. The Company and LFS wish to sell, and the Purchaser wishes to buy, all
of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of the
Purchased Subsidiaries, on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the
"Sale"). The Board of Directors of the Company has duly approved the Sale and
the Board of Directors and the sole stockholder of LFS have duly approved the
Sale.
C. The Company, LFS and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (the "Annuity
Purchaser") have entered into a stock purchase agreement dated as of May 2, 2001
(the "Annuity Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the Annuity Purchaser is
to acquire the subsidiaries of the Company that constitute the annuity segment
of the Company's business (the "Annuity Sale"). In connection with such stock
purchase agreement, the Annuity Purchaser and the Company entered into a
transition services and indemnification agreement (the "Transition Services
Agreement") dated as of May 2, 2001, pursuant to which, among other things, the
Annuity Purchaser has agreed to indemnify the Purchaser and the Company from and
against any losses suffered by the Purchaser and the Company arising from past
or future operations of the Company's annuity segment and to provide the
Purchaser with certain services for a transition period following the Closing
(as defined below), and, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement,
the Company and the Purchaser are entering into (i) a letter agreement with
respect to the operation of the Transition Services Agreement in the event the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated prior to the Annuity
Sale and (ii) a separate letter agreement with respect to certain other matters
addressed in the Transition Services Agreement (together, the "Transition Letter
Agreement").
D. Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, (i) the Purchaser,
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("LMIC") and the Company are entering into a
license agreement with respect to the use of, among other things, the "Liberty"
name and logo (the "License Agreement") and (ii) LMIC and the Purchaser are
entering into an agreement with respect to indemnification by LMIC of the
Purchaser for certain tax-related liabilities (the "LMIC Indemnification
Agreement").
E. Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, LMIC is entering
into a voting and support agreement (the "Voting Agreement") with the Purchaser
pursuant to which LMIC has agreed to vote all shares of the Company's common
stock that it holds in favor of the Sale.
F. Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Company is
entering into a Merger Agreement with LMIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of LMIC
pursuant to which the shareholders of the Company other than LMIC will receive
in exchange for their shares the cash consideration specified in the Merger
Agreement and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of LMIC.
B-1-1
<Page>
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Purchaser and the Company and LFS
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE
9.1 PURCHASE AND SALE. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at the
Closing (as defined below), the Company and LFS shall sell, transfer, assign and
deliver to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company and
LFS all outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each
Purchased Subsidiary (the "Purchased Securities"), free and clear of all
mortgages, security interests, claims, pledges, liens, charges and encumbrances
(the "Encumbrances"), other than restrictions under applicable securities laws
and other than those created by the Purchaser.
1.2 PAYMENTS AT CLOSING.
(a) At the Closing, the Purchaser shall pay to the Company and LFS an
aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Securities (the "Purchase Price")
determined in accordance with Section 1.2(b) by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated in writing by the Company to the
Purchaser not less than two Business Days (as defined below) prior to the
Closing Date. The Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Purchased
Securities in the manner set forth in Section 1.6. The parties shall report, act
and file in all respects and for all purposes in a manner consistent with that
allocation.
(b) The Purchase Price shall be $900,000,000, subject to adjustment as
follows:
(i) If the Closing Date Revenue Run Rate (as defined below) exceeds or
is less than the December 31 Revenue Run Rate (as defined below) by more than
10%, then the Purchase Price shall be adjusted, upward if Closing Date Revenue
Run Rate is greater than December 31 Revenue Run Rate and downward if Closing
Date Revenue Run Rate is less than December 31 Revenue Run Rate. The amount of
the Purchase Price adjustment shall be $18,000,000 (i.e., 2% of the unadjusted
Purchase Price) for each percentage point that Closing Date Revenue Run Rate
exceeds (or is less than) such 10% threshold, up to a maximum differential of
20% (so that the maximum Purchase Price adjustment pursuant to this clause (i)
would be $180,000,000). For the purposes of this Agreement:
"December 31 Revenue Run Rate" shall equal the sum of (i) Initial Equity Run
Rate (as defined below), (ii) Initial Taxable Fixed Income Run Rate (as defined
below), (iii) Initial Tax Exempt Run Rate (as defined below), (iv) Initial Money
Market Run Rate (as defined below), and (v) Initial Variable Annuity Run Rate
(as defined below), where:
- "Initial Equity Run Rate" equals (x) assets contained in primarily equity
portfolios at December 31, 2000, as set forth on Exhibit A ("Initial
Equity Assets"), times (y) .66%;
- "Initial Taxable Fixed Income Run Rate" equals (x) assets contained in
primarily fixed income portfolios at December 31, 2000, as set forth on
Exhibit A ("Initial Taxable Fixed Income Assets"), times (y) .30%;
- "Initial Tax Exempt Run Rate" equals (x) assets contained in primarily
municipal bond portfolios at December 31, 2000, as set forth on Exhibit A
("Initial Tax Exempt Assets"), times (y) .60%;
- "Initial Money Market Run Rate" equals (x) assets contained in money
market portfolios at December 31, 2000, as set forth on Exhibit A
("Initial Money Market Assets"), times (y) .40%; and
B-1-2
<Page>
- "Initial Variable Annuity Run Rate" equals (x) assets contained in
variable annuity portfolios at December 31, 2000, as set forth on
Exhibit A ("Initial Variable Annuity Assets"), times (y) .45%.
"Closing Date Revenue Run Rate" shall equal the sum of (i) Closing Date
Equity Run Rate (as defined below), (ii) Closing Date Taxable Fixed Income Run
Rate (as defined below), (iii) Closing Date Tax Exempt Run Rate (as defined
below), (iv) Closing Date Money Market Run Rate (as defined below) and
(v) Closing Date Variable Annuity Run Rate (as defined below), where:
- "Closing Date Equity Run Rate" equals the product of (x) the sum of
Initial Equity Assets plus Equity Net Flows (as defined below) times
(y) .66%;
- "Closing Date Taxable Fixed Income Run Rate" equals the product of
(x) the sum of Initial Taxable Fixed Income Assets plus Taxable Fixed
Income Net Flows (as defined below) times (y) .30%;
- "Closing Date Tax Exempt Run Rate" equals the product of (x) the sum of
Initial Tax Exempt Assets plus Tax Exempt Net Flows (as defined below)
times (y) .60%;
- "Closing Date Money Market Run Rate" equals the product of (x) the sum of
Initial Money Market Assets plus Money Market Net Flows (as defined below)
times (y) .40%; and
- "Closing Date Variable Annuity Run Rate" equals the product of (x) the sum
of the Initial Variable Annuity Assets plus Variable Annuity Net Flows (as
defined below) times (y) .45%.
"Equity Net Flows," "Taxable Fixed Income Net Flows," "Tax Exempt Net
Flows," "Money Market Net Flows" and "Variable Annuity Net Flows" mean,
respectively, for the period from January 1, 2001 through and including the
Closing Calculation Date, (x) the aggregate of all purchases (net of sales
charges and commissions, if any) of and exchanges into shares of, or other
additions (excluding reinvestment of dividends or income) to, equity, taxable
fixed income, tax exempt bond, money market and variable annuity portfolios
(including, without limitation, portfolios that are established after
December 31, 2000), minus (y) the aggregate of all redemptions, exchanges or
withdrawals (excluding dividends or other income distributions) from such
equity, taxable fixed income, tax exempt bond, money market and variable annuity
portfolios. Where a Net Flow is negative, it shall be treated as a negative
number for the purposes of all calculations in this Section 1.2 (i.e., adding
Net Flow that is negative will result in a reduction, and subtracting a Net Flow
that is negative will result in an increase).
"Closing Calculation Date" means the end of the Interim Period (as defined
below).
(ii) The Purchase Price shall also be adjusted upward by the amount of
any increase, and downward by the amount of any decrease, in Closing Tangible
Net Worth of the Subsidiaries from $149,142,554 (the tangible net worth of the
Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2001 computed as set forth on Exhibit B). For the
purposes of this Agreement:
"Closing Tangible Net Worth" means, as of the Closing Date, (a) estimated
stockholder's equity, minus (b) all amounts in respect of estimated goodwill
and intangible assets, minus (c) any increase (or plus any decrease) in
estimated stockholder's equity for the period from April 1, 2001 through the
Closing Date resulting from the application of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Statement No. 115 to investment assets, plus (d) the
amount of any estimated impairment write-offs of deferred distribution costs
during the period from April 1, 2001 through the Closing Date, net of any
related tax benefits, all of the foregoing determined for all of the
Subsidiaries on a consolidated (or combined) basis in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and in a manner consistent with the
calculation of tangible net worth of the Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2001
set forth on Exhibit B.
B-1-3
<Page>
(iii) If there is an AUM Market Decline (as defined below) of more than
20%, then the Purchase Price shall be reduced by $6,300,000 (i.e., .70% of the
unadjusted Purchase Price) for every 1% of AUM Market Decline in excess of 20%.
For the purposes of this provision:
- "AUM Market Decline" means the result, stated as a percentage, of the
calculation (a) March 31, 2001 AUM minus Closing AUM, divided by
(b) March 31, 2001 AUM; provided, if Closing AUM is greater than
March 31, 2001 AUM, then AUM Market Decline shall be zero.
- "March 31, 2001 AUM" means the sum, as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on
March 31, 2001, of (i) the aggregate net asset values, calculated in
accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the
rules and regulations thereunder, of the Funds (as hereinafter defined)
and the Offshore Funds (as hereinafter defined) plus (ii) the aggregate
net asset values, determined in substantially the same manner, of the
accounts managed by the Subsidiaries for investment advisory clients
(other than the Funds and the Offshore Funds) ("Non-Fund Clients").
Exhibit C sets forth the March 31, 2001 AUM.
- "Closing AUM" means (i) the aggregate net asset values of the Funds,
Offshore Funds and accounts managed by the Subsidiaries for Non-Fund
Clients, as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Closing Calculation Date
(or if the Closing Calculation Date is not a trading day, then on the
immediately preceding trading day), prepared in the same manner as for
March 31, 2001 AUM, minus (ii) Equity Net Flows, minus (iii) Taxable Fixed
Income Net Flows, minus (iv) Tax Exempt Net Flows, minus (v) Money Market
Net Flows, minus (vi)Variable Annuity Net Flows.
(iv) The Purchase Price shall be (a) increased by the net unpaid amount,
if any, estimated to be due to the Company from the Subsidiaries pursuant to
Sections 5.12(b)(i) and 5.15 as of the Closing and (b) decreased by the net
unpaid amount, if any, estimated to be due to the Subsidiaries from the Company
pursuant to Sections 5.12(b)(ii) and 5.15 as of the Closing, in each case such
estimate to be prepared on the fourth Business Day prior to the Closing Date.
Whenever this Section 1.2 requires that Closing Date Revenue Run Rate or Closing
AUM be determined as of a date other than the Closing Calculation Date, or that
Closing Tangible Net Worth or the adjustments pursuant to
Section 1.2(b)(iv) be determined as of a date other than the Closing Date, such
determinations shall be as of the date specified, as if the date specified were
the Closing Calculation Date or the Closing Date, as the case may be.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the last day of the month which the
Purchaser and the Company shall mutually estimate to be two (2) months prior to
the Closing Date is hereinafter referred to as the "Initial Determination Date."
On or before the date which is twenty (20) days after the Initial Determination
Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser draft calculations (the "Draft
Initial Calculations") setting forth a determination of (i) the Closing Date
Revenue Run Rate as of the Initial Determination Date, (ii) Closing AUM as of
the Initial Determination Date, (iii) Closing Tangible Net Worth as of the
Initial Determination Date, and (iv) any proposed adjustments to the Purchase
Price relating to subsections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 1.2(b). The
Draft Initial Calculations shall be determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and in a manner consistent with this
Section 1.2.
(d) If the Purchaser has any objections to the Draft Initial Calculations or
the principles used in the preparation thereof, it will deliver a detailed
statement describing its objections to the Company within fifteen (15) days
after receiving the Draft Initial Calculations. If no such statement is
delivered by the Purchaser on or prior to the end of such fifteen (15) day
period, the Draft Initial Calculations shall be deemed accepted by the Purchaser
and the Purchase Price shall be as determined in accordance with the Draft
Initial Calculations, subject to the determination of the Interim Period
Calculations referred to in Section 1.2(e) below. Purchaser and the Company will
use reasonable efforts to resolve any objections to the Draft Initial
Calculations themselves. If the parties do not obtain a
B-1-4
<Page>
final resolution of any such objections within five (5) days after the Company
has received the statement of objections, then the remaining objections (the
"Unresolved Initial Calculations Objections") will be resolved in the manner
provided in Section 1.2(g) hereof.
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, the period between the Initial
Determination Date and the last day of the month immediately preceding the
Closing Date (or if the Closing Date is on or before the twentieth day of any
month, the last day of the second month immediately preceding the Closing Date)
is hereinafter referred to as the "Interim Period". At least ten (10) days prior
to the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser draft
calculations (the "Draft Interim Period Calculations") setting forth a
determination of (i) the Closing Date Revenue Run Rate as of the last day of the
Interim Period, (ii) Closing AUM as of the last day of the Interim Period,
(iii) Closing Tangible Net Worth as of the last day of the Interim Period and
(iv) any proposed adjustments to the Purchase Price relating to subsections (i),
(ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 1.2(b). The Draft Interim Period Calculations
shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and in a manner consistent with the Draft Initial Calculations (as finally
determined) and this Section 1.2.
(f) If the Purchaser has any objections to the Draft Interim Period
Calculations, it will deliver a detailed statement describing its objections to
the Company within two (2) Business Days after receiving the Draft Interim
Period Calculations. If no such statement is delivered by the Purchaser on or
prior to the end of such two (2) Business Day period, the Draft Interim Period
Calculations shall be deemed accepted by the Purchaser and the Purchase Price
shall be as determined in accordance with the Draft Interim Period Calculations,
consistent with the Draft Initial Calculations (as finally determined) and
subject to the determination of the Final Calculations referred to in
Section 1.2(i). The Purchaser and the Company will use reasonable efforts to
resolve any objections to the Draft Interim Period Calculations themselves. If
the parties do not obtain a final resolution of such objections within one
(1) Business Day after the Company has received the statement of objections, any
remaining objections to the Draft Interim Period Calculations (the "Unresolved
Interim Period Objections") will be resolved in the manner provided in
Section 1.2(g) hereof.
(g) In the event that there are any Unresolved Initial Calculations
Objections or Unresolved Interim Period Objections (collectively, "Objections"),
the Purchaser and the Company will select an accounting firm mutually acceptable
to them to resolve any such Objections. If the Purchaser and the Company are
unable to agree on the choice of an accounting firm, they will select a
"big-five" accounting firm (other than Purchaser's public accounting firm or the
Company's public accounting firm or LMIC's public accounting firm) by lot (the
"Independent Accountant"), which shall be jointly instructed by the Purchaser
and the Company to resolve any Objections. The Independent Accountant shall
conduct its review of the Draft Preliminary Closing Calculations and the Draft
Interim Period Calculations and any supporting documentation as the Independent
Accountant in its sole discretion deems necessary, and the Independent
Accountant shall conduct such hearings or hear such presentations by the parties
as the Independent Accountant in its sole discretion deems reasonably necessary.
The Independent Accountant shall, as promptly as practicable and in no event
later than ten (10) days following the date of its retention, deliver to each of
the Purchaser and the Company its written determinations with respect to the
Objections, which will be conclusive and binding upon the parties; provided,
that, in resolving any Objection, the Independent Accountant must adopt either
the Purchaser's determination, the Company's determination or a determination
that is between the positions of the Purchaser and the Company with respect to
such Objection. All of the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant
retained pursuant to this Section 1.2(g) shall be paid by the Purchaser, if the
Independent Accountant agrees with the positions asserted by the Company; shall
be paid by the Company, if the Independent Accountant agrees with the positions
asserted by the Purchaser; or shall be split evenly by the Purchaser and the
Company if the Independent Accountant does not agree with either the Purchaser
or the Company. Upon the delivery of the written determinations of the
Independent Accountant with respect to the Objections, the parties hereto shall
B-1-5
<Page>
determine the Purchase Price pursuant to this Section 1.2 hereof in accordance
with such written determinations of the Independent Accountant subject to
Section 1.2(i).
(h) The Company will make the work papers and back-up materials used in
preparing the Draft Initial Determination Date Calculations, the Draft Interim
Period Calculations and the Final Calculations available to the Purchaser at
reasonable times and upon reasonable notice at any time.
(i) On or before the third Business Day preceding the Closing Date, the
Company will deliver to the Purchaser calculations (the "Final Calculations")
setting forth a determination of the estimated Closing Tangible Net Worth as of
the Closing Date and any estimated net unpaid amounts due under Sections
5.12(b)(i) and (ii) and 5.15, as of the Closing Date. The Final Calculations
shall be prepared in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles and the Initial Determination Date Calculations and the Interim
Period Calculations, including without limitation any written determinations of
the Independent Accountant pursuant to Section 1.2(g). The Purchase Price shall
be adjusted to reflect the determination of the estimated Closing Tangible Net
Worth as of the Closing Date, which determination shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Purchaser. To the extent that there are any net unpaid amounts due under
Sections 5.12(b)(i) and (ii) and 5.15, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted
accordingly under Section 1.2(b)(iv).
1.3 CLOSING. Subject to and in accordance with this Agreement, the
consummation of the Sale (the "Closing") will take place at Choate, Hall &
Stewart, Exchange Place, 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, on the third
Business Day (as defined below) (the "Closing Date") after satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, other than those conditions
that relate to actions to be taken at the Closing. As used herein, the term
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which banks in Boston, Massachusetts are not open for business.
1.4 DELIVERIES AT CLOSING BY THE COMPANY. At the Closing, and upon
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the
Company will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser the instruments,
certificates and other documents required of it by Section 6.3.
1.5 DELIVERIES AT CLOSING BY THE PURCHASER. At the Closing, and upon
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.3, the
Purchaser will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company the Purchase
Price and the instruments, certificates and other documents required of it by
Section 6.2.
1.6 SECTION 338(H)(10) ELECTION.
(a) The Purchaser will join with the Company and LFS in making an election
under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and the regulations thereunder (and any corresponding elections under
state, local or foreign law) with respect to the purchase of the capital stock
of those Subsidiaries set forth in Section 1.6(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
(collectively, the "Section 338(h)(10) Election"). All Section 338 Forms will be
prepared by the Purchaser, subject to written approval by the Company. The
Purchaser shall submit any such Section 338 Form to the Company at least thirty
(30) days prior to its due date for review and approval. "Section 338 Forms"
shall mean all returns, documents, statements and other forms that are required
to be submitted to any federal, state, county or other local taxing authority in
connection with a Section 338(h)(10) Election, including without limitation, any
"statement of Section 338 election" and Internal Revenue Service Form 8023
(together with any schedules or attachments thereto) that are required pursuant
to applicable Treasury Regulations.
(b) The allocation of the Purchase Price among the Purchased Securities
shall be made on the basis of the relative fair market values of the Purchased
Securities. The allocation of the "aggregate deemed sale price" as defined in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.338-4(b) for each Subsidiary shall be made with
reference to that Purchase Price allocation and in accordance with Sections 338
and 1060 of the Code and any comparable provisions of state, local or foreign
law, as appropriate. The procedures
B-1-6
<Page>
for creating a schedule setting forth such Purchase Price and "aggregate" deemed
sales price allocations shall be as follows (the "Allocation Schedule"):
(i) the Purchaser shall prepare and deliver the Allocation Schedule to the
Company no later than ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (the "Delivery
Date"); the Company shall have thirty (30) days from the date that the Purchaser
delivers the Allocation Schedule to the Company to review the Allocation
Schedule and provide reasonable written comments on such Allocation Schedule
(the "Company's Comments"); if the Company does not deliver to the Purchaser the
Company's Comments within thirty (30) days after the day the Purchaser delivers
the Allocation Schedule to the Company, the Company will be deemed to have
accepted and agreed to the allocations made on the Allocation Schedule; (ii) if
the Purchaser does not deliver the Allocation Schedule to the Company prior to
midnight Eastern Time on the Delivery Date, then the Company shall prepare the
Allocation Schedule and will deliver the Allocation Schedule to the Purchaser
within sixty (60) days after the Delivery Date; the Purchaser shall have thirty
(30) days from the date the Company delivers the Allocation Schedule to the
Purchaser to review the Allocation Schedule and provide reasonable written
comments on such Allocation Schedule ("Purchaser's Comments") to the Company; if
the Purchaser does not deliver to the Company the Purchaser's Comments within
thirty (30) days after the day the Company delivers the Allocation Schedule to
the Purchaser, the Purchaser will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the
allocations made on the Allocation Schedule by the Company. In case of any
disagreement with respect to allocation, the parties hereto agree to work in
good faith to resolve their differences with respect to the Allocation Schedule
no later than 210 days after the Closing Date. The parties shall report, act and
file in all respects and for all purposes in a manner consistent with the
Allocation Schedule that they agree upon.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company and LFS that:
2.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Purchaser is an entity duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on
its business as now conducted or contemplated to be conducted and is, or will
cause the actual purchaser to be, an entity that is eligible to make a
Section 338(h)(10) Election. The Purchaser is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where
the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities
makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be so qualified or in
good standing that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to materially impair the ability of the Purchaser to perform its
obligations hereunder.
2.2 AUTHORITY. The Purchaser has the requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser, and the consummation by the
Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
the Board of Directors of the Purchaser and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of the Purchaser (including without limitation shareholder actions) are
necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by the Purchaser and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms
subject with respect to enforceability to the effect of receivership,
conservatorship and supervisory powers of bank regulatory agencies generally and
the effect of bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, or similar laws now or hereafter affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and to the availability of equitable remedies.
B-1-7
<Page>
2.3 COMPLIANCE.
(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser,
nor the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby
nor compliance by the Purchaser with any of the provisions hereof will
(i)(x) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the
charter documents or by-laws of the Purchaser or (y) violate, conflict with, or
result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under,
or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or
result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or result in the
creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the material properties or assets of the
Purchaser or any other material direct or indirect subsidiary of the Purchaser
under any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, or
other agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Purchaser is a party, or
to which any of them, or any of their respective properties or assets, may be
subject, or (ii) subject to the exceptions and compliance with the statutes and
regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any judgment, ruling,
order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Purchaser or any of its properties or assets; except, in the case of each of
clauses (i)(y) and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches,
defaults, terminations, accelerations or creations of Encumbrances that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially
impair the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder.
(b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions of
the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law ("MBCL"), the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Investment Advisers Act"), the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Investment Company Act"), other applicable securities laws, state and
federal banking and insurance laws, "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of various
states, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules
and regulations thereunder (the "Hart-Scott-Rodino Act"), and the rules and
regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and the National Futures Association and
other applicable self-regulatory organizations and agencies (each of such laws,
rules or regulations being referred to as the "Applicable Laws") as set forth in
Section 2.3(b) of the disclosure schedule previously delivered to the Company
(the "Purchaser Required Consents"), no notice to, filing with, or
authorization, consent or approval of, any domestic or foreign public body or
authority (each a "Government Entity") or any governmental or non-governmental
self-regulatory organization or agency is necessary for the consummation by the
Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, unless the failure
to give such notices, make such filings, or obtain such authorizations, consents
or approvals that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to materially impair the ability of the Purchaser to perform its
obligations hereunder.
(c) As of the Closing, the Purchaser will not be subject to disqualification
pursuant to Section 203(e) of the Investment Advisers Act regarding service as a
registered investment adviser or as a person associated with a registered
investment adviser, or subject to disqualification to serve as a broker-dealer
under Section 15 of the Exchange Act unless in each case the Purchaser has
received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") with respect to such disqualification or except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially impair
the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder. As of the
Closing, neither the Purchaser nor any "affiliated person" (as defined under the
Investment Company Act) thereof will be subject to disqualification regarding
service as an investment adviser or any other capacity contemplated by the
Investment Company Act for any investment company under Section 9(a) of the
Investment Company Act unless in each case the Purchaser has received exemptive
relief from the SEC with respect to such disqualification or except as would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially
impair the ability of the Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder.
Neither the Purchaser nor any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries has entered
into or is subject to any agreement, arrangement or understanding that would
impose on any of the Funds (as defined below) an "unfair burden" within the
meaning of Section 15(f)(1)(B) of the Investment Company Act.
B-1-8
<Page>
2.4 CERTAIN REGULATORY FILINGS.
(a) The information supplied in writing by the Purchaser for inclusion in
the proxy statement of the Company to be mailed to the holders of the Company's
capital stock ("the Company's Stockholders") in connection with their
authorization of the Sale (the "Proxy Statement"), on the date the Proxy
Statement is filed with the SEC, on the date the Proxy Statement is first sent
or given to the Company's Stockholders, and on the date of the meeting of the
Company's Stockholders, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The Purchaser agrees to provide in writing all
information concerning the Purchaser and its affiliates required to be included
in the Proxy Statement under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder. The Purchaser agrees promptly to correct such information if and to
the extent that such information shall have become false or misleading in any
material respect.
(b) The information supplied in writing by the Purchaser for inclusion in
each of the proxy solicitation materials to be distributed to the shareholders
of each Fund, on the date such materials are filed with the SEC, on the date
such materials are first sent or given to the shareholders, and on the date of
the meeting of the shareholders, shall not contain any untrue statements of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The Purchaser agrees to provide in writing all information
concerning the Purchaser and its affiliates required to be included in a Fund's
proxy statement under the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act or the rules
and regulations thereunder. The Purchaser agrees to promptly provide the Company
with any information reasonably necessary to allow the Company to correct such
information if and to the extent that the information provided by the Purchaser
(including without limitation information concerning its affiliates) for
inclusion in a Fund's proxy statement becomes false or misleading in any
material respect.
2.5 BROKER'S FEES. Except for Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the fees of which
shall be paid by the Purchaser), no agent, broker, person or firm acting on
behalf of the Purchaser is or will be entitled to any financial advisory,
commission or broker's or finder's fee from any of the parties hereto in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated herein.
2.6 FINANCING. At the Closing, the Purchaser will have immediately
available funds sufficient to consummate the Sale and to fulfill its obligations
hereunder. The Purchaser understands that there is no financing condition to the
obligations of the Purchaser hereunder.
2.7 LITIGATION. There is no suit, action or legal, administrative,
arbitration or other proceeding or governmental investigation pending or, to the
knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened, to which the Purchaser is a party which,
considered individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to
materially impair the Purchaser's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement. For purposes of this Section 2.7 and all certificates and other
documents delivered in connection herewith, the terms "Purchaser's knowledge,"
"knowledge of the Purchaser," "Purchaser's best knowledge," "best knowledge of
the Purchaser" and similar phrases shall mean the actual knowledge (after giving
effect to things actually forgotten) of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer and the General Counsel of the Purchaser.
2.8 TAXES. The Purchaser represents that it has no plan or intention to
liquidate and that it has no plan or intention to transfer the shares of the
Subsidiaries set forth on Section 1.6(a) of the Disclosure Schedule to any
entity that is not treated as a corporation (or a division or branch of a
corporation) for federal income tax purposes.
B-1-9
<Page>
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND LFS
The Company and LFS, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the
Purchaser that except as set forth on a disclosure schedule previously delivered
to the Purchaser (the "Disclosure Schedule") (it being understood that the
disclosure of any fact or item in a section of the Disclosure Schedule shall be
deemed to modify only the corresponding section of this Agreement and other
sections of this Agreement to the extent it is explicit from a reading of the
disclosure that the disclosure is applicable to such other sections):
3.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Each of the Company and LFS is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Massachusetts and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on
its business as it is now being conducted or contemplated to be conducted.
3.2 SUBSIDIARIES. Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth for
each Subsidiary (a) its name and jurisdiction of organization and (b) the amount
of capital stock or other equity interests authorized, issued and outstanding
and the names of the record holders thereof. No securities of any of the
Subsidiaries are or may become required to be issued by reason of any options,
warrants, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character
whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable
for, shares of any capital stock of any Subsidiary. There are no contracts,
commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Subsidiary is bound to
purchase shares of a Subsidiary's capital stock (or its equivalent) or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or similar interests
and there are no agreements or understandings to which the Company, LFS or any
of the Subsidiaries is a party with respect to voting the capital stock (or its
equivalent) of any Subsidiary. All of the outstanding capital stock and other
equity interests of each Subsidiary has been and is duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and, other than the Purchased Securities,
are held beneficially and of record by a Subsidiary, free and clear of any
Encumbrances of any kind other than restrictions under applicable securities
laws and other than those created by the Purchaser. The Purchased Securities are
owned by the Company or LFS, beneficially and of record, free and clear of any
Encumbrances of any kind other than restrictions under applicable securities
laws and other than those created by the Purchaser. Each Subsidiary is a
corporation or other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and
has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business, and is in
good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned
or leased or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary,
except for failures to be so qualified or in good standing that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). Copies of the charter documents,
by-laws and corporate record books of each Subsidiary have heretofore been made
available to the Purchaser and are accurate and complete as of the date hereof.
Except as set forth in Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the
Subsidiaries has any subsidiaries or direct or indirect equity or related
interest in any partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint
venture, business association or other entity constituting 5% of the voting
stock or equity of such entity.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Company Material Adverse Effect" shall mean
any change, effect or circumstance that (A) is or would reasonably be expected
to be materially adverse to the assets, condition (financial or otherwise),
business, operations or results of operations of the Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, or (B) would prevent the performance by the Company or LFS of their
respective obligations under this Agreement or would reasonably be expected to
delay the performance by the Company or LFS of their respective obligations
under this Agreement beyond the Outside Date (as defined below), other than
(1) changes, effects or circumstances that (x) result from changes in general
economic or debt or equity market conditions or (y) are the result of factors
generally affecting
B-1-10
<Page>
the asset management industry or are the result of any changes in any regulation
or statute that has or would reasonably be expected to have an industry-wide
effect, or (2) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or changes in
laws or regulations or the interpretation thereof by courts or any Government
Entity; provided that in the case of either clause (1) or (2), to be excluded,
such changes, effects or circumstances must not reasonably be expected to result
in a materially more adverse effect on the assets, condition (financial or
otherwise), business, operations or results of operations of the Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, as compared to the effects generally on other asset management
businesses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Company Material Adverse Effect
shall not include any adverse change, effect or circumstance arising out of or
resulting from actions contemplated by the parties in connection with this
Agreement (including, without limitation, any adverse change, effect or
circumstance arising as a result of compliance with Section 4.1 of this
Agreement) or that is attributable to the announcement, pending status or
performance of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the fact that the
subsidiaries of the Company other than the Subsidiaries are not being sold to
the Purchaser) and (ii) neither any adverse change in the Company's stock price
nor a negative Interim Run Rate nor decrease in Tangible Net Worth nor a failure
to obtain any of the approvals or consents contemplated by Section 5.7(a),
(d) or (e) shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.3 AUTHORITY.
(a) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, and, subject to the approval of the Company's Stockholders
referred to in Section 3.19 of this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. LFS has all
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and,
subject to the approval of the Company's Stockholders referred to in
Section 3.19 of this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The Company's Board of Directors has duly adopted resolutions
(i) authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and
the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and
(ii) approving the Sale. The Company's Board of Directors has, in addition, duly
adopted resolutions (i) determining that the Sale is fair to, advisable and in
the best interests of the Company's Stockholders and (ii) recommending
authorization of the Sale by the Company's Stockholders. LFS's Board of
Directors and sole stockholder have duly adopted resolutions authorizing the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation by LFS of the
transactions contemplated hereby by LFS.
(c) Except for the approval of the Company's Stockholders referred to in
Section 3.19 of this Agreement, no further corporate proceedings on the part of
the Company or LFS are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the
Company and LFS and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Company and LFS, enforceable against the Company and LFS, respectively, in
accordance with its terms subject with respect to enforceability to the effect
of receivership, conservatorship and supervisory powers of regulatory agencies
generally and the effect of bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws now or hereafter affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and to the availability of equitable
remedies.
3.4 COMPLIANCE.
(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and
LFS, nor the consummation by the Company and LFS of the Sale, nor compliance by
the Company and LFS with any of the provisions hereof will (i)(x) violate,
conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of
B-1-11
<Page>
the charter or by-laws of the Company, LFS or any of the Subsidiaries, or
(y) provided that all notices, filings, authorizations, consents and approvals
contemplated by Sections 3.4(b) and 5.7 or otherwise set forth in
Section 3.4(a) of the Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "Necessary
Consents") have been obtained prior to the Closing, violate, conflict with, or
result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under,
or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance or payment
required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration under, or
result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets
of any of the Company, LFS or the Subsidiaries, under any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, joint venture agreement or any other
agreement, instrument or obligation to which any of Company, LFS or the
Subsidiaries is a party or to which any of them or any of their respective
properties or assets may be subject or (ii) subject to the requirement to obtain
the Necessary Consents, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction,
decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to any of the Company, LFS or the
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets; except, in the
case of each of clauses (i)(y) and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts,
breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations or creations of Encumbrances
that, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.4(b) of the Disclosure Schedule (the
"Necessary Regulatory Consents"), no notice, filing with, or authorization,
consent or approval of, any Government Entity or any governmental or
non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency is necessary for the
consummation by the Company, LFS, the Subsidiaries and the Funds of the Sale. As
of the date hereof, neither the Company nor LFS is aware of any reason why the
Necessary Regulatory Consents could not be obtained.
(c) Except as disclosed in Section 3.4(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, none
of the Company, LFS, the Subsidiaries or the Funds, or any officer, director or
employee thereof, is a party or subject to any order, directive, decree,
condition or similar arrangement or action (other than exemptive orders)
relating to the business of the Company, LFS, the Subsidiaries or the Funds,
with or by any federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authority, except for
any such orders, directives, decrees or similar arrangements that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
3.5 SEC FILINGS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
(a) The Company has filed with the SEC all required reports, schedules,
forms, statements and other documents required to be filed under the Exchange
Act from January 1, 1999 through the date hereof. All documents (including
exhibits and financial statement schedules) filed by the Company with the SEC
pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act from January 1, 1999 through
the date hereof are referred to herein as the "Prior SEC Filings". The Prior SEC
Filings (i) comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) did not at the
time they were filed contain, or have been amended to correct, any untrue
statement of material fact, (iii) did not at the time they were filed omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or have been amended to
correct any such omission, and (iv) in the event of subsequent modifications of
the circumstances or the basis on which they had been made, were, to the extent
required by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, amended in order to make
them not misleading in any material respects in the light of such new
circumstances or basis.
(b) Each of the most recent audited consolidated financial statements and
most recent unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (including, in
each case, any related notes or schedules) included in the Prior SEC Filings was
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis, except as may be indicated therein or in the notes or
schedules
B-1-12
<Page>
thereto, and fairly presented in all material respects the consolidated
financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the dates thereof
and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods
then ended, subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial statements,
to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of complete notes (to the
extent permitted by SEC rules).
(c) The Proxy Statement and any written information provided by or on behalf
of the Company which is included in the Proxy Statement, on the date the Proxy
Statement is filed with the SEC, and on the date the Proxy Statement is first
published, sent or given to security holders and on the date of the meeting of
the Company's Stockholders will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable federal securities laws and will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that no
representation or warranty is made pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) with respect
to any written information provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement. The Company agrees promptly to correct the
Proxy Statement if and to the extent that it shall have become false or
misleading in any material respect (provided that, with respect to any false or
misleading information provided by or on behalf of the Purchaser for inclusion
in the Proxy Statement, the Purchaser shall have provided the Company with
correct information) and the Company shall take all steps necessary to cause the
Proxy Statement as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and mailed to the
Company's Stockholders to the extent required by the Exchange Act.
3.6 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in Section 3.6 of the Disclosure
Schedule, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company, LFS or any of
the Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets, nor are the Company,
LFS or any of the Subsidiaries subject to any order, judgment, writ, injunction
or decree.
3.7 CHANGES. Except as specifically set forth in or contemplated by this
Agreement, in Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the
Prior SEC Filings (but only since January 1, 2000), since December 31, 2000
(a) each of the Subsidiaries has conducted its business in all material respects
only in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past
practice, (b) there has not been any event, change or effect that, individually
or in the aggregate, has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in
a Company Material Adverse Effect, (c) none of the Company, LFS or any
Subsidiary has changed any accounting principles or tax methods, and (d) none of
the Company, LFS or any Subsidiary has taken any of the actions specified in
Section 4.1(b).
3.8 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Except as disclosed in Section 3.8 of
the Disclosure Schedule or the Prior SEC Filings (but only since January 1,
2000) or as set forth in or contemplated by this Agreement, since January 1,
2000, none of the Subsidiaries has entered into any transaction (a) with any
current director or officer of the Company or of any Subsidiary or any
transaction which would be subject to proxy statement disclosure under the
Exchange Act pursuant to the requirements of Item 404 of Regulation S-K, or
(b) with LMIC or its affiliates (other than the Subsidiaries) pursuant to which
the consideration in such transaction exceeded or is reasonably likely to exceed
$500,000.
3.9 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND CONTRACTS.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.9(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, none
of the Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement and there
is no certified or recognized collective bargaining agent for any employees of
any Subsidiary. As of the date hereof, no claim of representation (as such term
is defined in the National Labor Relations Act) is being made, no representation
proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, and no
organizing campaign is in progress or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened, involving employees of any Subsidiary.
B-1-13
<Page>
(b) Section 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all "employee benefit
plans" (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and all bonus, stock option,
stock purchase, restricted stock, incentive, deferred compensation, retiree
medical or life insurance, supplemental retirement, severance or other benefit
plans, programs or arrangements, and all employment, termination, severance or
other contracts or agreements to which any of the Company, LFS or any Subsidiary
is a party, with respect to which any of the Company, LFS or any Subsidiary has
any obligation or contingent obligation or which are maintained, contributed to
or sponsored by any of the Company, LFS or any Subsidiary, for the benefit of
any employee, consultant, officer or director or former employee, consultant,
officer or director of any Subsidiary or in which any current or former employee
or consultant of any Subsidiary is eligible to participate (collectively, the
"Company Benefit Plans"). Except as set forth in Section 3.9(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company Benefit Plans complies and has been
administered in form and operation in all material respects with all its terms
and requirements of ERISA, the Code, the regulations and other published
authority thereunder and all other applicable law, except to the extent the
failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. No transaction prohibited by Sections 406 or 407 of
ERISA and no "prohibited transaction" (as such term is defined in
Section 4975(c) of the Code) has occurred with respect to any Company Benefit
Plan that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company, LFS and each
Subsidiary have performed all of their respective obligations under the Company
Benefit Plans, including but not limited to, the full payment of all amounts
required to be made as contributions to such plans or otherwise, except for
failures to so perform that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Each Company Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") confirming such qualification and which covers all
amendments to such plan for which the remedial amendment period (within the
meaning of Section 401(b) of the Code and applicable regulations) has expired
and nothing has occurred that could cause the loss of such qualification. Except
as set forth in Section 3.9(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company,
LFS or any Subsidiary or any of their ERISA Affiliates (as defined below)
participate in or has any obligation to contribute to a "multiemployer plan" as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. Except as set forth in Section 3.9(c) of
the Disclosure Schedule, there are no material unfunded obligations under any
Company Benefit Plan providing benefits after termination of employment to any
employee, officer or director or former employee, officer or director of any of
the Subsidiaries, including but not limited to retiree health coverage and
deferred compensation, but excluding continuation of health coverage required to
be continued under Section 4980B of the Code (collectively, the "Deferred
Compensation Obligations"). The Deferred Compensation Obligations have been
accrued on the books of the appropriate Subsidiaries in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "ERISA Affiliate" means, with respect to the Company, LFS or any
Subsidiary, any corporation, trade or business that, together with the Company,
LFS or any Subsidiary, as applicable, is a member of a controlled group of
corporations or a group of trades or businesses under common control within the
meaning of Section 414 of the Code.
(d) Except as provided in Section 5.11, neither the execution of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will:
(i) except as set forth in Section 3.9(d)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule,
either alone or in combination with any other event, accelerate the time of
payment or vesting, or increase the amount, of compensation or benefits due
under any Company Benefit Plan;
B-1-14
<Page>
(ii) constitute or result in a prohibited transaction with respect to
any Company Benefit Plan under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 or 407 of
ERISA for which an exemption is not available; or
(iii) except as provided in the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Non-Commissioned Employee Severance and Retention Plan and the
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Commissioned Employees
Severance and Retention Plan (together, and as applicable to the employees of
the Subsidiaries and duly approved by the Board of the Company prior to any
Potential Change of Control (as that term is defined in said plans) as to such
employees, the "Retention Plan"), constitute a deemed severance or deemed
termination under any Company Benefit Plan or under any applicable law. The
Company has delivered to the Purchaser the respective final forms of the
Retention Plan.
(e) Except for the payments required to be made under, and the acceleration
of vesting of stock options and restricted common stock provided in, the
Retention Plan with respect to those persons listed on Section 3.9(e) of the
Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company, LFS or any Subsidiary is obligated to
make any "excess parachute payment", as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the
Code, nor will any excess parachute payment be deemed to have occurred as a
result of or arising out of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(f) There are no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for
benefits) pending or threatened against the Company Benefit Plans or their
assets, or arising out of such plans, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no
facts exist which could give rise to any such actions, suits or claims, that
would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Each Company Benefit Plan which is an employee pension benefit plan
(within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) has been duly authorized by the
appropriate board of directors of the Company, LFS or the participating
Subsidiary, as the case may be. Each such plan is qualified in form and
operation under Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust under each such plan
is exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code and, to the knowledge of the
Company, is not subject to any excise tax under the Code, except to the extent
any failure to be so qualified or so exempt would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that will or
could give rise to disqualification or loss of tax-exempt status of any such
plan or any trust established in connection with any Company Benefit Plan under
such sections. To the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that will
or could subject any such plans or trusts to tax under Section 501(a) of the
Code.
(h) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan maintained for employees of
the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, there has occurred no failure
to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code (whether or not
waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Code) or failure to make by its
due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Code, except for
such failures that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Except as set forth on Section 3.9(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, with
respect to each Company Benefit Plan in which any Subsidiary or any ERISA
Affiliate participates and which is subject to Title IV of ERISA, except for
matters which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect:
(i) neither any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has withdrawn from such
plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer" (as
such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) where such withdrawal could
result in liability of such substantial employer pursuant to Section 4062(e) or
4063 of ERISA;
B-1-15
<Page>
(ii) neither any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has filed a notice of
intent to terminate any such plan or acted to treat any such plan as
terminated;
(iii) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has not instituted
proceedings to terminate such plan;
(iv) no other event or condition has occurred which might constitute
grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any such plan;
(v) no accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, exists with
respect to any such plan, and no condition has occurred or exists which
by the passage of time would be expected to result in an accumulated funding
deficiency as of the last day of the current plan year of any such plan;
(vi) no reportable event, as described in Section 4043 of ERISA, has
occurred with respect to any such plan;
(vii) no excise taxes are payable under the Code; and
(viii) no amendment with respect to which security is required under
Section 307 of ERISA has been made or is reasonably expected to be
made.
(j) There has been no act or omission by the Company, LFS, any Subsidiary or
any ERISA Affiliate that has given rise to or may give rise to fines, penalties,
taxes or related charges under ERISA Sections 502(c), 502(i), 502(l) or 4071, or
Chapters 43, 47, 68 or 100 of the Code, except to the extent that they would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(k) A true and correct copy of each of the Company Benefit Plans and all
contracts relating thereto, including, without limitation, all trust agreements,
insurance contracts, administration contracts, investment management agreements,
subscription and participation agreements, and recordkeeping agreements, each as
in effect on the date hereof, has been made available to the Purchaser. In the
case of a Company Benefit Plan which is not in written form, an accurate
description in written form of such Company Benefit Plan as in effect on the
date hereof has been made available to the Purchaser. A true and correct copy of
the most recent annual report, actuarial report, accountant's opinion of the
plan's financial statements, summary plan description and IRS determination
letter with respect to each Company Benefit Plan has been made available to the
Purchaser.
3.10 LIENS. The assets (whether personal or mixed and whether tangible or
intangible) of the Subsidiaries reflected in the balance sheet of the Company
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A (the "Balance Sheet") or acquired in the ordinary course
of business since December 31, 2000 (except those assets sold or disposed of in
the ordinary course of business), are free and clear of all Encumbrances, other
than (A) as reflected in the Balance Sheet (including the notes thereto) or as
set forth in Section 3.10 of the Disclosure Schedule and (B) Encumbrances on
assets that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.11 TAXES.
(a) Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company
and LFS and each Subsidiary have timely filed all material Tax Returns (as
defined below) and have paid when due all Taxes owed by the Company and LFS and
any Subsidiary (whether or not shown on any such Tax Returns) to any such tax
authority. There are no liens on any of the assets of the Company, LFS or any
Subsidiary that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay
any Tax except for liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. "TAX" or
"TAXES" shall mean (i) any federal, state, local, or foreign income, gross
receipts,
B-1-16
<Page>
franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer,
registration, value added, excise, natural resources, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, windfall profit, environmental, customs, duties, real
property, personal property, capital stock, net worth, intangibles, social
security, unemployment, disability, payroll, license, employee, withholding, or
other tax or levy, of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalties, or
additions to tax in respect of the foregoing, (ii) any liability for payment of
amounts described in clause (i) as a result of transferee liability, or of being
a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any
period (including without limitation by operation of section 1.1502-6 of the
Treasury Regulations), or otherwise through operation of law; and (iii) any
liability for payment of amounts described in clauses (i) and (ii) as a result
of any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other
express or implied agreement to indemnify any other person for Taxes. "TAX
RETURN" shall mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund,
information return, or other document (including any attached or related or
supporting estimates, elections, schedules, statements, or information) filed or
required to be filed in connection with the determination, assessment, or
collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws, regulations, or
administrative requirements relating to any Tax.
(b) Except as provided in Section 3.11(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of the Company, LFS or any
Subsidiary has been claimed or raised by any authority in writing or to the
Company's knowledge, otherwise, except for matters that would not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as provided in Section 3.11(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, as of
the date hereof, none of the Company, LFS or any Subsidiary has waived any
statute of limitations in respect of material Taxes or agreed to any extension
of time with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
Subsidiary has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than the Company
and the Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar
provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by
contract, or otherwise, except for liabilities which would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(e) (i) The Company has made available to the Purchaser a copy of any
Tax-sharing, allocation or indemnity agreement or arrangement involving the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries and a description of any such unwritten or
informal agreement or arrangement; (ii) all Taxes required to be withheld,
collected or deposited by the Company or any Subsidiary or Fund, Offshore Fund
or Investment Pool (as defined below) have been timely withheld, collected or
deposited and, to the extent required, have been paid to the relevant Tax
authority; and (iii) the Company and each Subsidiary and all Funds, Offshore
Funds and Investment Pools managed thereby are in compliance with respect to all
backup withholding and information reporting requirements in the Code and the
regulations thereunder, including, but not limited to all necessary due
diligence mailings and the proper and timely filing of Forms W-3, and such
Funds, Offshore Funds and Investment Pools are similarly in compliance with all
withholding and information reporting requirements of any state, local or
foreign jurisdiction to which any of them may be subject, except in the case of
clauses (ii) and (iii) for such instances of non-compliance that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(f) The amounts accrued on the books and financial statements of each
Subsidiary for Taxes, whether or not due and payable, imposed on or with respect
to the operations or assets of such Subsidiary for all periods (or portions
thereof) ending on or before the date hereof are sufficient for payment of all
Taxes payable for such periods, except to the extent any failure would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary shall continue to determine and reserve
for Taxes for purposes of the accrual of such
B-1-17
<Page>
amounts on the books and financial statements of such Subsidiary in a manner
that is consistent with the procedure in effect at the time the provision for
Taxes by such Subsidiary for purposes of the most recent financial statements
was determined, and no amount will be paid, accrued or reserved for Taxes by
such Subsidiary as a result of the transaction contemplated hereby or the
Section 338(h)(10) Election.
(g) As of the date hereof, there are no record retention agreements in
effect between any Subsidiary and any tax authority.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(h) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
Subsidiary has (i) received any tax ruling relating to or affecting it from any
governmental authority, or (ii) executed or entered into a closing agreement
relating to or affecting any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7121 of the
Code or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar provision of any state,
local or foreign law.
(i) The Company and LFS are eligible to and have the authority to consent to
the Section 338(h)(10) Election and similar state elections with respect to this
transaction.
(j) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, no
Subsidiary has any permanent establishment in any foreign country, as defined in
the relevant tax treaty between the United States of America and such foreign
country, and no Subsidiary otherwise operates or conducts business through any
branch in any foreign country.
(k) No Subsidiary has agreed to, or is required to, make any adjustments
under Section 481(a) of the Code or pursuant to any other analagous provision of
the Tax laws of any other jurisdiction, by reason of a change in accounting
method or otherwise, that could increase Taxes or taxable income, or reduce any
tax credits, net operating losses, or capital losses of the Purchaser or any
Subsidiary in any taxable period ending after the Closing Date, (ii) no
Subsidiary has an application pending with any taxing authority requesting
permission to change any accounting method, and (iii) no taxing authority has
proposed any such adjustment or change in accounting method.
(l) No consent under Section 341(f) of the Code concerning collapsible
corporations has been executed or filed by or on behalf of any Subsidiary.
(m) Liberty Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("LWAM") has never made any
election to be excluded from all or part of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter K
of the Code.
(n) No final partnership administrative adjustment (or similar adjustment
for state, local or foreign Tax purposes) has been proposed or made as a result
of any audit or administrative proceeding involving LWAM. No issue involving any
Tax item of LWAM has been resolved in any audit or examination in a manner that,
by application of the same principles, could be expected to result in deficiency
for Taxes of LWAM or the partners of LWAM for any other period for which a Tax
Return has been filed.
(o) LWAM has made a valid election under Section 754 of the Code, and that
election will be in effect as of the Closing Date.
(p) Progress-Highcrest Advisors LLC (i) has always been treated and properly
classified as a partnership for all applicable federal, state, local, and
foreign Tax purposes, and (ii) has never filed, or had filed on its behalf, any
election to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal,
state, local, or foreign Tax purposes. LWAM has never been a "publicly traded
partnership" within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.
B-1-18
<Page>
3.12 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PERMITS. Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of
the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of, or has
violated, any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or
regulations (including any rules or regulations of any governmental or
non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency) or (b) since
January 1, 1999, has received any notice from any governmental or
non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency or any Governmental
Entity or any other person that such Subsidiary is in violation of, or has
violated, any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or
regulations or (c) has any officers, directors or employees who, since
January 1, 1999, have been the subject of any investigation (excluding routine
examinations by regulatory or self-regulatory organizations or agencies),
disciplinary proceeding or enforcement order arising under any applicable
provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or regulations (including any rules
or regulations of any non-governmental self-regulatory organization or agency),
and no such investigation, disciplinary proceeding or proceedings for the
issuance of any enforcement order is pending or threatened, except in the case
of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c) for violations or alleged violations that
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Subsidiaries has all federal,
state and local approvals, registrations, consents, certificates, filings,
notices, rights, permits, licenses and franchises from Governmental Entities
necessary for the lawful ownership and use of its properties and assets or
required to conduct its business as now being conducted, except for such
approvals, registrations, consents, certificates, filings, notices, rights,
permits, licenses and franchises the absence of that would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Each Subsidiary has made all filings required to be made by it under
applicable regulatory requirements since December 31, 1999, and all such filings
have complied with the applicable regulatory requirements, except for such
failures that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. No Subsidiary or any
associated person of any Subsidiary is subject to a statutory disqualification
that could be the basis for a suspension, revocation or limitation of the
license of, or ability to obtain a license for such Subsidiary, except for such
failures that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Subject to receipt of
the Necessary Regulatory Consents, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any revocation, cancellation,
limitation or suspension of any such approval, permit, registration, consent,
certificate, filing, notice, right, license and franchise, except for such
revocations, cancellations, limitations and suspensions that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
3.13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Except as set forth in Section 3.13 of the
Disclosure Schedule, each Subsidiary and each Fund owns or has all necessary
rights to use, each trademark (whether or not registered), trademark
application, trade name, service mark, copyright and other trade secret or
proprietary intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") used
in and material to the respective businesses of the Subsidiaries or the Funds,
and none of the previous or current development, marketing or distribution of
products or services of or by any Subsidiary or Fund, as the case may be,
infringes the right of any other person, except for the failure to own or have
such necessary rights to use such Intellectual Property, or any such
infringements, that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in
Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedule or as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect, (a) no claim by any third party contesting the validity, enforceability,
use or ownership of any of the Intellectual Property has been made, is currently
outstanding or, to the Company's knowledge, has been threatened against the
Company or any Subsidiaries, and, to the Company's knowledge, there are no
grounds for the same, (b) none of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has
received any notices of any infringement or misappropriation by any of them with
respect to, or conflict with, any third party with respect to the Intellectual
Property, and (c) none of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has
B-1-19
<Page>
infringed, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any intellectual
property rights of any third parties.
3.14 NO UNDISCLOSED MATERIAL LIABILITIES. There are no liabilities of any
of the Subsidiaries or the Funds of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued,
contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, that would,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect, except as disclosed in the Prior SEC Filings (but only
since January 1, 2000), referenced on the Disclosure Schedule or liabilities and
obligations incurred under this Agreement.
3.15 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR; BROKERS.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company has received the opinion of Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation (the "Financial Advisor"), dated the date of
this Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date, the consideration to be
received by the Company and LFS pursuant to this Agreement is fair, from a
financial point of view to the Company. The Company has been authorized by the
Financial Advisor, subject to prior review by the Financial Advisor, to permit
the inclusion of such written fairness opinion in the Proxy Statement.
(b) Except for the Financial Advisor (the fees of which will be paid by the
Company), no agent, broker, person or firm acting on behalf of the Company is or
will be entitled to any advisory commission or broker's or finder's fee from any
the parties hereto in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
herein.
3.16 INVESTMENT ADVISORY ACTIVITIES. Except as would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect, none of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries that are registered under
the Investment Advisers Act, or any other "person associated with" (as defined
under the Investment Advisers Act) the Company or any of such Subsidiaries has
been, at any time within five years prior to the date hereof, convicted of any
crime (other than traffic violations and other minor offenses), or subject to
disqualification pursuant to Section 203(e) of the Investment Advisers Act
regarding service as a registered investment adviser or as a person associated
with a registered investment adviser, or subject to disqualification pursuant to
Rule 206(4)-3 under the Investment Advisers Act or subject to disqualification
to serve as a broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Exchange Act or the subject
of a rebuttable presumption pursuant to Rule 206(4)-4(b) under the Investment
Advisers Act, and, to the Company's knowledge, except as set forth in
Section 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no basis for, or proceeding or
investigation that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to become the basis for, any such disqualification that would result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect; and except as disclosed in Section 3.16 of
the Disclosure Schedule, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary has received
exemptive relief from the SEC with respect to any such disqualification. Except
as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect, none of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries,
or any "affiliated person" (as defined under the Investment Company Act) thereof
has been at any time within five years prior to the date hereof subject to
disqualification from serving or acting as an investment adviser or in any other
capacity contemplated by the Investment Company Act for any investment company
under Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act and to the Company's knowledge,
except as set forth in Section 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no
basis for, or proceeding or investigation that would reasonably be expected to
become the basis for, any such disqualification that would result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the
Subsidiaries which is, and each of its officers and employees who are, required
to be registered as an investment adviser, broker dealer, transfer agent,
commodity pool operator, commodity trading advisor, associated person,
registered representative or salesperson with the SEC, the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), the securities commission of any state or any
self-regulatory organization or agency, is duly registered as such and such
registration is in full force and effect, except, in the case of any Subsidiary
or any officer or employee, where any such
B-1-20
<Page>
failure to be registered as a registered representative or salesperson,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have
Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.17 REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES, ETC.
(a) Section 3.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list, as of the
date hereof, of all of the investment companies registered under the Investment
Company Act for which any Subsidiary acts as investment adviser, administrator
or sub-advisor (the "Funds"). Each Fund is, and at all times as required under
the Investment Company Act has been, duly registered with the SEC as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act and each of the Funds and
the Investment Pools (as defined below) has been duly organized, and is validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization and has the requisite power and authority to own its material
properties and assets, and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.17(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, each
of the Funds has at all times as required under the Securities Act and any other
applicable securities or blue sky laws duly registered all securities of which
it is the issuer under the Securities Act and such other laws, and each of the
Funds and the Investment Pools has duly filed all registration statements,
prospectuses, financial statements, other forms, reports, sales literature, and
advertising, and any other documents required to be filed with applicable
Governmental Entities, and any amendments thereto, in accordance with applicable
laws and regulations, except for instances of noncompliance which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except
as set forth in Section 3.17(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Company's
knowledge (i) the annual report to shareholders of each of the Funds with
respect to such Fund's most recently completed fiscal year, all other documents
filed subsequent to such fiscal year end under Section 30(a) or 30(b) of the
Investment Company Act, in each case in the form filed with the SEC or delivered
to shareholders (each, a "Fund Financial Report"), and the annual report of each
of the Investment Pools with respect to each of such Investment Pool's most
recently completed fiscal year filed with any Governmental Entity or delivered
to shareholders or other interest holders of such Investment Pool (each, an
"Investment Pool Financial Report"), did not, and the Fund Financial Reports and
Investment Pool Financial Reports filed with any Government Entity or delivered
to shareholders or interest holders after the date hereof will not, as of their
respective dates contain (without giving effect to any amendment thereto filed
after the date hereof) any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were or
are made, not misleading; and (ii) each of the financial statements contained in
or incorporated by reference into the Fund Financial Reports or the Investment
Pool Financial Reports (including the related notes and schedules thereto)
fairly presents in all material respects the financial position of the entity or
entities to which it relates as of its date, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied, except in each case as may
be noted therein, subject to normal year end audit adjustments in the case of
unaudited statements, except in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii) for instances
of noncompliance which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and
LFS, nor the consummation by the Company and LFS of the Sale, nor compliance by
the Company and the Subsidiaries with any of the provisions hereof will,
assuming that the Necessary Consents pertaining to the Funds and the Investment
Pools have been obtained prior to the Closing (i) (x) violate, conflict with, or
result in a breach of any provision of the charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents of any of the Funds or Investment Pools, or
(y) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or
constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or
accelerate the performance or payment required by, or result in a right of
termination or acceleration under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance
upon any of the properties or assets of any of the Funds or Investment Pools,
under any of the terms,
B-1-21
<Page>
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust,
license, lease, distribution agreement, investment advisory agreement, joint
venture agreement or other agreement to which any of the Funds or Investment
Pools is a party or to which any of them or any of their respective properties
or assets may be subject or (ii) assuming that the Necessary Consents pertaining
to the Funds or Investment Pools have been obtained prior to the Closing,
violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to any of the Funds or Investment Pools or any of their
respective properties or assets; except, in the case of each of clauses (i)(y)
and (ii) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults,
terminations, accelerations or creations of Encumbrances that, individually or
in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(d) Each of the Funds is governed by a board of trustees (each, a "Fund
Board") at least 75% of whom are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) of the investment adviser to such Fund.
(e) To the knowledge of the Company, none of the Funds or Investment Pools
(including in the conduct of each of their businesses) (i) except as set forth
in Section 3.17(e) of the Disclosure Schedule, is in violation of, or since
January 1, 1999 has violated, any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes,
ordinances or regulations (including any rules or regulations of any
self-regulatory organization or agency) or (ii) has received any notice from any
self-regulatory organization or Government Entity or any other person that any
Fund or Investment Pool is in violation of, or has violated, any applicable
provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or regulations, except for
violations or alleged violations which, individually or in the aggregate, would
not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Each Fund has elected to qualify and, for all taxable years with respect
to which applicable statute of limitations (including any extensions) has not
expired ("open taxable years"), has continuously qualified to be treated as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code (a "RIC") and has
continuously been eligible to compute, and has for each such taxable year
computed, its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code and has no
earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year that is not an open taxable
year, except to the extent that the failure to comply with any of the foregoing
would not, individually and in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect. At the Closing, all federal, state, local and
foreign Tax Returns, reports, declarations, forms or information statements with
respect to Taxes for any taxable period for which the applicable statute of
limitations (including any extensions) has not expired and were or are required
to be filed on or before such date by or on behalf of a Fund, an Offshore Fund
or an Investment Pool ("Fund Tax Returns") were or shall have been timely filed
and were or shall be complete and correct and all federal and other Taxes shown
or required to be shown as due on such returns, shall have been paid or withheld
and remitted to the appropriate tax authority, or provided for, except to the
extent that any failure to so file, be complete and correct, pay or withhold, or
provide for would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. None of the Funds, Offshore Funds or
Investments Pools is delinquent in the payment of any Tax, assessment, or
governmental charge, except for delinquencies that, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth in Section 3.17(f) of the Disclosure Schedule, there
is no judicial or administrative claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation now pending or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in
writing against a Fund, an Offshore Fund or an Investment Pool or in respect of
any Tax.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 3.17(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, as of
the date of this Agreement, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or
investigations pending or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against
any of the Funds or Investment Pools, nor is any Fund or Investment Pool subject
to any order, judgment, writ, injunction or decree naming such Fund or
Investment Pool,
B-1-22
<Page>
except in either case for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would
not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(h) (i) Each contract or agreement pursuant to which a Subsidiary renders
investment advisory or management services (including without limitation
sub-advisory services), administration, transfer agency, pricing and bookkeeping
or distribution services to any Fund, Offshore Fund or Non-Fund Client (each, an
"Investment Contract") and any subsequent renewal affected prior to the date
hereof has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by a Subsidiary and, if
applicable, the Fund, the Offshore Fund or other Investment Pool party thereto
and, to the knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto and, to the
extent applicable, has been adopted in compliance with Section 15 of the
Investment Company Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder and in compliance with any
statute, order, ordinance, rule or regulation to which such Subsidiary, Fund,
Offshore Fund or Investment Pool, or such Investment Contract is subject and is
a valid and binding agreement of the Subsidiary and, if applicable, the Fund,
the Offshore Fund or other Investment Pool party thereto and, to the Company's
knowledge, each other party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms
(subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar
laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general equity principles);
(ii) each of the Subsidiaries, and, to the Company's knowledge, each Fund,
Off-Shore Fund or Non-Fund Client party thereto is in compliance with the terms
of each Investment Contract to which it is a party, and is not currently in
default under any of the terms of any such Investment Contract; (iii) to the
Company's knowledge, no event has occurred or condition exists that with notice
or the passage of time or both would constitute such a default; (iv) all
payments due since December 31, 1999 under each distribution or principal
underwriting agreement to which any Fund is a party have been made in compliance
with the related distribution plan adopted by the relevant Fund Board under
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (a "12b-1 Plan"); (v) each 12b-1
Plan adopted by a Fund and the operation of each such 12b-1 Plan currently
complies with Rule 12b-1; and (vi) each such Investment Contract is in full
force and effect, except in the case of each of clauses (i) through (vi) above,
for such exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(i) The accounts of each Non-Fund Client that is subject to ERISA have been
managed by a subsidiary in compliance with all the applicable requirements of
ERISA, except to the extent that any failure that would not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(j) There exists no "out of balance", "out of proof" or similar condition
with respect to any shareholder account maintained by the Company, any
Subsidiary or any Fund or Investment Pool, except for any such conditions that
would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(k) To the knowledge of the Company, each of (i) the proxy solicitation
materials to be distributed to the shareholders of each Fund, (ii) the material
provided to the Fund Boards in connection with the Necessary Consents, and
(iii) Forms ADV and BD of those Subsidiaries that are registered as investment
advisers under the Investment Advisers Act or as broker-dealers under the
Exchange Act (as the case may be), and Forms 7-R and updates thereto of those
Subsidiaries that are registered as commodity pool operators or commodity
trading advisors under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, as in effect as
of the Closing Date, have provided and will provide all information necessary in
order to make the disclosure of information therein satisfy the requirements of
the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity
Exchange Act, as amended and such Forms ADV, BD and 7-R as applicable, and such
materials and information will be complete in all material respects and will not
contain (at the time such materials or information is distributed, filed or
provided, as the case may be) any statement which, at the time and in the light
of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect
to any material fact, and will not omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein not false or
B-1-23
<Page>
misleading or (with respect to information included in proxy statements)
necessary to correct any statement or any earlier communication with respect to
the solicitation of a proxy for the same meeting or subject matter which has
become false or misleading.
(l) (i) Each of the pooled investment vehicles, other than the Funds, for
which any Subsidiary serves as investment adviser, administrator, sub-adviser,
commodity pool operator or commodity trading adviser, or for which it acts as a
general partner or managing member (such pooled investment vehicles other than
Funds being referred to collectively as the "Investment Pools") is not an
"investment company" within the meaning of, or is otherwise exempt from
registration under, the Investment Company Act, and has offered and sold its
securities pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and has duly registered or qualified its
securities in accordance with, or has offered and sold such securities pursuant
to an available exemption under, all applicable securities or blue sky laws of
any jurisdiction, (ii) each of the Investment Pools and each Fund, if any, that
is a "commodity pool" within the meaning of the Commodity Exchange Act, has been
operated, and has offered all securities of which it is the issuer, in
accordance with the applicable requirements of such act and the applicable rules
and regulations of the CFTC and the National Futures Association, and
(iii) each of the Offshore Funds is duly licensed or registered in each
jurisdiction where such registration or license is required, and has been
operated, and has offered all securities of which it is the issuer, in
compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations to which it is
subject, except in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) above, for such
exceptions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(m) None of the current prospectuses, registration statements or statements
of additional information for the Funds, and none of the other current offering
materials for the Funds or the current offering materials for any Investment
Pool (including without limitation offering memoranda, private placement
memoranda, offering circulars, supplemental advertising, and marketing material
of the Funds and Investment Pools, or amendments or supplements to any of them),
in connection with the offering or sale of securities of any Fund or Investment
Pool, as of their respective dates and the dates when delivered to investors or
prospective investors, included any untrue statement of material fact or omitted
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
or are made, not misleading, except to the extent any such failure would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
3.18 MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Section 3.18 of the Disclosure Schedule sets
forth a complete and correct list as of the date hereof of all of the following
contracts, agreements (written or oral), indentures, leases, mortgages, licenses
and instruments (collectively, "Contracts") to which any Subsidiary is a party
or under which any Subsidiary may be liable or to which the Company is a party
or under which the Company may be liable, in both cases, which relates to the
Business (other than (i) any Investment Contracts and (ii) any other contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices
in connection with the distribution of products):
(a) any Contract with any director or officer of any Subsidiary other than
(i) noncompetition and confidentiality agreements with such persons,
(ii) Contracts terminable by the Company upon no more than sixty (60) days'
notice without penalty or payment of any kind (other than amounts accrued
through the effective date of termination) and (iii) the Company Benefit Plans;
(b) any Contract that is a "material contract" (as such term is defined in
Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act)
of any Subsidiary to be performed in whole or in part after the date of this
Agreement;
(c) any Contract that, after the Closing, will restrict the conduct of any
line of business by the Subsidiaries or upon consummation of the Sale will
restrict the ability of the Subsidiaries to engage in
B-1-24
<Page>
any line of business in which they may lawfully engage (it being understood that
the exceptions set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of the introductory paragraph
of this Section 3.18 shall not apply to this Section 3.18(c));
(d) any Contract with a labor union (including any collective bargaining
agreement);
(e) except for the Retention Plan and the vesting of benefits under
qualified and non-qualified retirement and savings plans listed on Section 3.18
of the Disclosure Schedule, any Contract pursuant to which any of the benefits
of which will or could be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which
will or could be accelerated, by the consummation of the Sale, or the value of
any of the benefits of which will or could be calculated on the basis of the
Sale;
(f) any Contract (other than the Company Benefit Plans) not otherwise
disclosed pursuant to this Section 3.18 calling for payments aggregating more
than $500,000, whether payable by or to any Subsidiary;
(g) any partnership, joint venture or other similar contract;
(h) any Contract (other than the Company Benefit Plans) not otherwise
disclosed pursuant to this Section 3.18 calling for payments aggregating
$500,000 or more with or for the benefit of any affiliate of the Company (other
than the Subsidiaries) other than as disclosed in Section 3.8 of the Disclosure
Schedule;
(i) any tax sharing, tax allocation, tax indemnity or similar Contract;
(j) any funding agreement, indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement,
note, mortgage, guarantee security agreement or other Contract for financing or
funding pursuant to which any Subsidiary is the obligor; and
(k) any Contract pursuant to which the Company or LFS acquired any
Subsidiary, any Subsidiary acquired another Subsidiary or any Subsidiary
acquired or agreed to acquire any of the capital stock or other equity interest
of another entity, or all or materially all of the assets of another entity,
except for Contracts of such nature under which neither the Company nor LFS nor
any Subsidiary has any obligations that are to be performed after the date of
this Agreement.
All of the foregoing are collectively referred to in this Agreement as the
"Material Contracts." To the extent that a Material Contracts is evidenced by
documents, copies thereof (including any amendments or waivers with respect
thereto) have been made available to the Purchaser. To the extent that a
Material Contract is not evidenced by documents, the Company has made available
to the Purchaser a written description of all of the material terms and
conditions of such Material Contract. Each Material Contract is in full force
and effect and is enforceable against the applicable Subsidiary in accordance
with its terms, except where the failure to be in full force and effect or to be
enforceable would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. There does not exist under any
Material Contract any default or condition or event that, after notice or lapse
of time or both, would constitute a default on the part of the Company or any
Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, on the part of any other parties
to such Material Contracts, except for such defaults, conditions or events that
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 3.4(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and
LFS of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby do not and will not conflict with, or result in the breach or termination
of, any provision of, or constitute a default (with or without the giving of
notice or the lapse of time or both) under, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or loss of any benefit to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is entitled under any provision of a Material Contract.
B-1-25
<Page>
3.19 VOTE REQUIRED. After the redemption or conversion of the Company's
Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred") as
contemplated by Section 5.17, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company (the "Shares") is the
only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company
necessary to approve the Sale under the MBCL and the Company's charters and
by-laws and other organizational documents.
3.20 KNOWLEDGE. For purposes of this Agreement and all certificates and
other documents delivered in connection herewith, the term "Company's
knowledge", "knowledge of the Company", "Company's best knowledge", "best
knowledge of the Company" or similar phrases shall mean the actual knowledge
(after giving effect to things actually forgotten) of the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of the Company.
3.21 TAKEOVER STATUTES. Except as have been waived by the board of
directors of the Company, no "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation is applicable
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.22 CERTAIN INTERCOMPANY TRANSFERS. All transactions reflected as
"Reclassifications from Corporate" on the pro forma balance sheet attached as
Section 3.22 of the Disclosure Schedule have been completed or, prior to the
Closing, will be completed by the Company.
3.23 ASSETS TRANSFERRED. Except for matters addressed in the Transition
Services Agreement, the Subsidiaries include the entire asset management
business conducted by the Company, LFS and their respective subsidiaries,
including all of their respective rights and assets in such business, including,
without limitation, all of the agreements between the Company, LFS or their
respective subsidiaries and distributors with respect to the sale of asset
management products.
3.24 ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY. There are no legal, administrative, arbitral
or other proceedings, claims, actions, causes of action, private environmental
investigations or remediation activities or governmental investigations of any
nature seeking to impose or that could reasonably be expected to result in the
imposition, on a Subsidiary of any liability or obligation arising under common
law or under any local, state or federal environmental statute, regulation or
ordinance, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, pending or
threatened against the Company or a Subsidiary, which liability or obligation
would, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in a
Company Material Adverse Effect. There is no reasonable basis for any such
proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose any
liability or obligation that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.25 INSURANCE. The Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers
against such risks and in such amounts as the management of the Company
reasonably has determined to be prudent in accordance with industry practices,
except to the failure to be so insured would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
ARTICLE 4
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
4.1 CONDUCT PRIOR TO CLOSING. Except as otherwise specifically
contemplated by this Agreement, as disclosed in Section 4.1 of the Disclosure
Schedule, as required in connection with the Sale, or as required by law, the
Company covenants and agrees that, unless the Purchaser shall otherwise consent
(which consent, in the case of subsections (viii), (ix), (x) and (xii) in
Section 4.1(b) below and, only as it relates to subsections (viii), (ix),
(x) and (xii), subsection (xv) in Section 4.1(b) below, shall not be
B-1-26
<Page>
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) in writing, during the period
from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement or the Closing:
(a) The business of the Subsidiaries shall in all material respects be
conducted only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices, and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts, to
maintain and preserve substantially intact in all material respects the business
organization, employees and advantageous business relationships of the
Subsidiaries;
(b) In addition, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Company shall not, or shall cause the Subsidiaries not to, as applicable,
directly or indirectly do any of the following:
(i) issue or sell, or authorize or agree to the issuance or sale of, any
shares of, or any options or rights of any kind to acquire any shares
of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for any shares of, capital stock of any class of any Subsidiary;
(ii) acquire, transfer, sell, lease, pledge or encumber any assets material
to any Subsidiaries;
(iii) amend the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of
any of the Subsidiaries;
(iv) split, combine or reclassify any shares of the capital stock of the
Subsidiaries or declare, set aside for payment or pay any dividend or
distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with
respect to any of the capital stock of any of the Subsidiaries, other
than, with respect to dividends or distributions, cash dividends and
distributions by a Subsidiary to another Subsidiary;
(v) except in compliance with Section 5.5, enter into an agreement with
respect to any merger, consolidation, liquidation or business
combination involving any Subsidiary, or any acquisition or disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets or securities of any of the
Subsidiaries;
(vi) except in compliance with Section 5.5, enter into an agreement with
respect to the disposition a material amount of assets of any
Subsidiary, or any release or relinquishment of any material contract
rights of any Subsidiary;
(vii) with respect to any Subsidiary, (A) acquire (by merger, consolidation
or acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or
other business organization or division thereof or (B) make any
material investment either by purchase of stock or securities,
contributions to capital (other than to wholly-owned Subsidiaries),
property transfer or purchase of any property or assets of any other
individual or entity;
(viii) with respect to any Subsidiary, (A) incur any indebtedness for
borrowed money or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee,
endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for, the
obligations of any other individual or entity, or (B) make any loans
or advances other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices and, with respect to both (A) and (B) on a
combined basis, not in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate;
(ix) (A) permit any Subsidiary to enter into any new Contract that would
satisfy the definition of Material Contract if in effect on the date
hereof and that would obligate the Subsidiaries to pay an amount in
excess of $500,000 or (B) terminate, amend, modify or waive compliance
of any provision of any Material Contract in any respect materially
adverse to any of the Subsidiaries;
(x) except as set forth in Section 4.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, make or
change any material Tax election, release, assign, settle or compromise
any material Tax liability, dispute or controversy, or waive any
statute of limitations for any Tax claim or assessment unless such
action would not reasonably be expected to increase the Tax liability
of the Subsidiaries or the tax sharing obligation of any Subsidiary
under this Agreement;
B-1-27
<Page>
(xi) subject to applicable fiduciary responsibilities to the Funds, the
Offshore Funds and the Investment Pools, cause any Fund, Offshore Fund
or Investment Pool to make or change any material Tax election,
release, assign, settle or compromise any Tax liability, dispute, or
controversy, or waive any statute of limitations for any Tax claim or
assessment;
(xii) except as may be required as result of a change in law, regulation or
in generally accepted accounting principles, change any accounting
principles or practices used by any Subsidiary;
(xiii) release, assign, settle or compromise any material claim or litigation
relating to any Subsidiary;
(xiv) with respect to any Subsidiary, pay, discharge or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations, other than the payment, discharge or
satisfaction in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices; and
(xv) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
(c) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, except as may be required by
their respective fiduciary duties or as contemplated by this Agreement, will
seek to cause any Fund Board to take any action with respect to any Fund other
than in the ordinary course of business of such Fund.
(d) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall adopt or amend in
any material respect (except as may be required by law or permitted under this
Agreement) any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock option, stock
purchase, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, or other employee benefit
plan, agreement, trust, fund or other arrangement for the benefit or welfare of
any director, officer or employee or former director, officer or employee of any
Subsidiary (other than commercially reasonable arrangements entered into with
any new hires) or increase the compensation or fringe benefits of any employee
or former director, officer or employee of any Subsidiary or pay any benefit not
required by any existing plan, arrangement or agreement, except compensation
increases for employees and non-executive officers in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices.
(e) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall take any action
with respect to the grant of any severance or termination pay or with respect to
any increase of benefits payable under its retention, severance or termination
pay policies in effect on the date hereof with respect to employees of any of
the Subsidiaries. The Company shall not amend or modify the Retention Plan after
the date hereof to the extent any such amendment or modification relates to
employees of the Subsidiaries or increases the costs to the Purchaser or any of
the Subsidiaries under Section 5.11 hereof. The Company has made available to
the Purchaser a true and complete copy of the Retention Plan.
(f) Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices and except as otherwise required or permitted pursuant to this
Agreement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) enter into any
transaction, agreement or arrangement with, or make any payment to, any
affiliate which would be required to be disclosed on Section 3.8 of the
Disclosure Schedule, if such transaction, agreement, arrangement or payment had
existed as of the date of this Agreement, or (ii) modify or amend any of the
matters disclosed on Section 3.8 of the Disclosure Schedule.
4.2 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. The Company shall give prompt notice
to the Purchaser, upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence, or failure to
occur, of any event which occurrence or failure to occur causes (x) any
representation or warranty made by the Company and contained in this Agreement
to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date
hereof to the Closing or (y) any material failure of the Company or of any
officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under
this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall be deemed to
cure any breach or otherwise affect the representations or warranties of the
Company or the conditions to the obligations of the parties hereunder. The
Purchaser shall give prompt notice to the Company, upon
B-1-28
<Page>
obtaining knowledge of the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event which
occurrence or failure to occur causes (x) any representation or warranty made by
the Purchaser contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect at any time from the date hereof to the Closing or (y) any
material failure of the Purchaser, or of any officer, director, employee or
agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided, however,
that no such notification shall be deemed to cure any breach or otherwise affect
the representations or warranties of the Purchaser or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties hereunder.
4.3 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Except as prohibited by confidentiality
agreements to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party or as restricted
under applicable law or to the extent the Company reasonably believes the same
would result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties, the
Company shall, and shall cause the Subsidiaries, and the Company's and
Subsidiaries' respective officers, directors, employees and agents to, afford to
the Purchaser and to the officers, employees and agents of the Purchaser
reasonable access upon reasonable notice and at mutually agreeable times, to the
Company's and any Subsidiary's officers, employees, agents, properties, books,
records and contracts, and shall furnish the Purchaser such financial, operating
and other data and information as the Purchaser, through its officers, employees
or agents, may reasonably request. All such information shall be governed by the
Confidentiality Agreement (as defined below).
ARTICLE 5
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1 PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT. The Company shall prepare, in
cooperation with LMIC and the Purchaser, the Proxy Statement and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and furnish the information required
to be included by it in the Proxy Statement, shall file the Proxy Statement with
the SEC, and respond promptly to any comments made by the SEC with respect to
the Proxy Statement and any preliminary version thereof and cause the Proxy
Statement to be mailed to the Company's Stockholders at the earliest practicable
time following the execution of this Agreement. The Purchaser and its counsel
shall be given reasonable opportunity to review and discuss with the Company's
counsel the Proxy Statement prior to its filing with the SEC, and shall be
provided with any comments that the Company and its counsel may receive from the
SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement promptly after receipt of
such comments. If prior to the Closing any event shall occur which is required
to be set forth in an amendment or a supplement to the Proxy Statement, the
Company will promptly prepare and mail to the Company's Stockholders such an
amendment or supplement, provided, however, that, with respect to any event or
information relating to the Purchaser giving rise to such requirement, the
Purchaser shall have notified the Company thereof in a timely fashion.
5.2 BOARD RECOMMENDATION. Except to the extent otherwise permitted
pursuant to Section 5.5 below, the Company through its Board of Directors shall
recommend the authorization of the Sale in the Proxy Statement, shall take all
steps necessary to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold, and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the necessary authorization of the
Sale by the Company's Stockholders at a stockholders' meeting (including any
adjournments thereof, the "Company Stockholders' Meeting") as promptly as
practicable following the execution of this Agreement.
5.3 FEES AND EXPENSES.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.5, each party shall bear all
of the fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the negotiation and
performance of this Agreement (it being understood that the Company shall bear
all of the fees and expenses of the Company, LFS and the Subsidiaries), and
neither party may recover any such fees and expenses from the other party upon
any termination of this Agreement, provided, however, that (i) so long as the
Closing shall occur, the
B-1-29
<Page>
Purchaser shall pay one-half of the reasonable costs of printing and mailing the
Proxy Statement to the Company's Stockholders, provided, however, that the
Purchaser shall pay one-quarter of such costs if the Proxy Statement includes a
solicitation of approval of the Annuity Sale and (ii) the Purchaser shall pay
one-half of (A) the reasonable costs of preparing, printing and mailing to the
shareholders of the Funds the proxy material contemplated by Section 5.7,
(B) the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Funds in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation,
the approvals contemplated by Section 5.7, (C) the reasonable costs of a
solicitor for each of the Funds and (D) the reasonable costs incurred in
connection with the actions contemplated by Sections 5.7(d) and (e).
(b) The provisions contained in this Section 5.3 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
5.4 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions provided in
this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective
as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
to cooperate with each of the other parties hereto in connection with the
foregoing, including using commercially reasonable efforts: (A) to obtain all
authorizations, consents and approvals required by the Applicable Laws; and
(B) to lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order
adversely affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. Each party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
fulfill all conditions to this Agreement. For purposes of the foregoing and the
provisions of Sections 5.7 and 5.11, the obligation of the Company and the
Purchaser to use "commercially reasonable efforts" or "reasonable efforts" to
obtain waivers, consents and approvals shall not include, with respect to loan
agreements, leases and other contracts agreeing to a material modification of
the terms of such documents, except as expressly contemplated hereby, or making
any material guaranty or material monetary payment in consideration of such
waiver, consent or approval.
5.5 NO SOLICITATION.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and until the earlier
of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement, none of the Company, LFS or
any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries,
officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (including, without
limitation the Financial Advisor) shall, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or
initiate any proposals or offers from any corporation, partnership, person or
other entity or group other than the Purchaser or an affiliate of the Purchaser
(a "Third Party") concerning any acquisition, consolidation, tender or exchange
offer, merger, business combination, sale of securities or substantial assets of
any of the Subsidiaries or any other transaction that would result in the sale
of all or any of the Subsidiaries or the Business (other than sales of assets in
the ordinary course of business) or that would otherwise adversely affect the
ability of the Company, LFS and the Purchaser to consummate the Sale (any such
transaction being referred to herein as an "Acquisition Proposal"); or
(ii) have any discussions or negotiations with or provide any non-public or
confidential information to any Third Party relating to any inquiry, proposal or
offer concerning an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that the term
Acquisition Proposal shall not include, and this Agreement shall not limit the
Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to, any proposal for a
transaction with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
portion of the Company or any of its subsidiaries not including any of the
Subsidiaries or the Business, regardless of the form of such transaction, so
long as such proposal or transaction would not adversely affect the ability of
the Company and LFS and the Purchaser to consummate the Sale. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company, LFS, the Subsidiaries, and their respective
affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents (i) may furnish or cause to be furnished information concerning the
Company's, LFS's and their respective subsidiaries' businesses, properties or
assets to a Third Party (subject to such Third Party executing a confidentiality
agreement on terms no less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those
in the
B-1-30
<Page>
Confidentiality Agreement between the Purchaser and the Company dated
December 13, 2000 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), and may enter into,
participate in, conduct or engage in discussions or negotiations with such Third
Party, if and only to the extent that in connection with this clause (i) the
Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith, after
consultation with its external financial advisors and external legal counsel,
that such actions are necessary in order for the directors to comply with their
fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) may take any position with respect
to an Acquisition Proposal in accordance with Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 under the
Exchange Act (or any similar communication to stockholders in connection with
the making or amendment of a tender offer or exchange offer) and may make
disclosure to the Company's Stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with its external
financial advisors and external legal counsel, failure to so disclose would be
inconsistent with its obligations under applicable law; and (iii) may, only in
the case of a Qualified Acquisition Proposal and only in compliance with the
provisions of Section 5.5(c), enter into one or more agreements to consummate a
Qualified Acquisition Proposal. As used herein, "Qualified Acquisition Proposal"
means a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Proposals to
either (x) acquire all or substantially all of the capital stock or assets of
the Subsidiaries as a whole on terms and subject to conditions that the
Company's Board of Directors believes in good faith, taking into account all of
the terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Proposals,
would, if consummated, be superior to the Sale and in the best interests of the
Company's Stockholders or (y) acquire all or substantially all of the capital
stock or assets of the Company on terms and subject to conditions that the
Company's Board of Directors believes in good faith, taking into account all of
the terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Proposals,
would, if consummated, be in the best interests of the Company's Stockholders;
provided, however, that if any of the Company or the Subsidiaries, or any of
their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
representatives or agents have breached any provision of this Section 5.5 in any
respect (other than an inadvertent breach) in connection with the receipt of
such bona fide written Acquisition Proposal, such Acquisition Proposal shall not
be deemed to be a Qualified Acquisition Proposal.
(b) The Company will promptly (and in no event later than 36 hours after
receipt) notify the Purchaser in writing of, and will disclose to the Purchaser
all material details (including, without limitation, the identity of the Third
Party making such Acquisition Proposal) of, any Acquisition Proposal, whether
oral or written, that any of the Company, LFS or the Subsidiaries or any of
their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
representatives or agents (including, without limitation, the Financial Advisor)
receives. If any of the Company, LFS or the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
representatives or agents furnishes any nonpublic information or confidential
information to any Third Party pursuant to Section 5.5(a), the Company shall
provide the Purchaser on a concurrent basis with copies of or access to such
information.
(c) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 5.5(c), neither the
Company's Board of Directors nor any committee thereof shall or shall resolve to
(i) not recommend or withdraw its approval or recommendation, of the Sale,
(ii) modify or qualify such approval or recommendation in a manner adverse to
the Purchaser, (iii) approve or recommend any proposed Acquisition Proposal or
(iv) cause the Company to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in
principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement or other
similar agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if prior to the Company's Stockholders' Meeting the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after it has received a
Qualified Acquisition Proposal and after consultation with external legal
counsel, that it must take such action to comply with its fiduciary duties to
the Company's stockholders under applicable law, then the Company's Board of
Directors may (subject to this sentence) take any of the actions contemplated by
clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence (a
"Subsequent Action") and terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c),
but only if (x) the Company delivers to the Purchaser a written notice advising
the
B-1-31
<Page>
Purchaser that the Company's Board of Directors has received a Qualified
Acquisition Proposal and specifying the material terms and conditions of such
Qualified Acquisition Proposal, identifying the person making such Qualified
Acquisition Proposal and stating that, not earlier than the third Business Day
following receipt by the Purchaser of such notice, the Company's Board of
Directors intends to take a Subsequent Action; (y) during such three Business
Day period, the Company shall have considered, and shall have caused its
affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents to have considered, in good faith any adjustments in the terms and
conditions of this Agreement that the Purchaser may propose; and (z) the
Purchaser does not, within such three Business Day period, offer to make such
adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement or other proposals
regarding the Company such that the Company's Board of Directors determines in
its good faith judgment (after consultation with the Financial Advisor or
another independent financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) that
this Agreement, together with such adjustments offered by the Purchaser, is at
least as favorable to the Company's Stockholders as such Qualified Acquisition
Proposal.
(d) The Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any
activities, discussions, or negotiations, existing on the date hereof, with any
Third Party with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or that may reasonably be
expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal.
5.6 GOVERNMENTAL FILINGS. Each of the parties hereto shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to promptly prepare and file all necessary
documentation, to effect all applications, notices, petitions and filings and to
obtain as promptly as practicable all permits, consents, approvals and
authorizations of all Necessary Regulatory Consents, with respect to the
Company, and the Purchaser Regulatory Consents, with respect to the Purchaser.
The Company shall promptly provide the Purchaser (or its counsel) with copies of
all filings made by the Company or LFS with the SEC or the NASD (or any other
self-regulatory organization or agency) or any other state or federal Government
Entity in connection with this Agreement and the Sale. The Purchaser shall
promptly provide the Company (or its counsel) with copies of all filings made by
them with the SEC or any other state or federal Government Entity in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to
applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, the Company and the
Purchaser shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent
practicable each will consult the other with respect to all information relating
to the Subsidiaries or the Purchaser, as the case may be, and any of their
respective subsidiaries, that appear in any filing made with, or written
materials submitted to, any third party and/or Government Entity in connection
with the Sale and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.7 APPROVAL OF NEW FUND CONTRACTS.
(a) The Purchaser, LFS and the Company recognize that the Sale shall
constitute an assignment and termination of certain of the Investment Contracts
and the underwriting agreement for each Fund under the terms thereof and the
Investment Company Act. The Company will, and the Purchaser will use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate to, solicit the approval ("Fund
Board Resolutions") of each of the Fund Boards, in accordance with the
requirements of the Investment Company Act and subject to the terms of
Section 5.10, with respect to the Fund Transactions pertaining to such Fund. The
term "Fund Transactions", with respect to a Fund, means (i) adoption by or on
behalf of such Fund of (A) an investment management agreement with the
applicable Subsidiary (which agreement shall be in form and substance
substantially identical to such Fund's existing investment management agreement
with such Subsidiary), (B) an underwriting agreement on behalf of such Fund with
Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation and a Subsidiary of
the Company ("LFDI") (which agreement shall be in form and substance
substantially identical to LFDI's existing underwriting agreement with such
Fund), provided, however, that this clause (B) shall not apply to any Fund which
as of the date hereof does not have an underwriting agreement with LFDI, and
(C) administrative services, transfer agency services and pricing and
bookkeeping services
B-1-32
<Page>
agreements with the applicable Subsidiaries with respect to other services
provided to the Funds (which agreements shall be in form and substance
substantially identical to such Funds' existing agreements with such
Subsidiaries for such services) and (ii) all required actions under federal or
state securities laws in connection with the foregoing.
(b) The Purchaser and the Company will expeditiously use all commercially
reasonable efforts and cooperate to (i) cause to be prepared and filed with the
SEC, cleared by the SEC, and mailed to the shareholders of the Funds, proxy
statements pertaining to such of the Fund Transactions as may require approval
of such shareholders under the Investment Company Act, such proxy statements to
contain all required information and disclosures and to be subject to the
Purchaser's review and approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed, (ii) cause special meetings of the shareholders of the Funds to be
called to vote on such Fund Transactions and (iii) cause the shareholders of the
Funds to approve such Fund Transactions.
(c) The Purchaser and its affiliates will provide to the Trustees of the
respective Funds, their counsel and the Company all information regarding them
and the applicable Fund Transactions reasonably requested in connection
therewith.
(d) The Purchaser and the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts
and cooperate to solicit approval of the governing boards of each of the
Offshore Funds, and each of their respective regulatory bodies, as appropriate,
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The term
"Offshore Fund" shall mean those entities listed in Section 5.7(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule.
(e) The appropriate Subsidiary shall inform each of its Non-Fund Clients in
writing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by sending such
client a notice of and will use commercially reasonable efforts to seek such
client's consent to the continuation of its investment advisory agreements with
such Subsidiary following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
which notice shall be subject to the Purchaser's review and approval, which will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. To the extent consistent with
applicable law or SEC pronouncements, such consent may take the form of a
so-called implied or negative consent; provided that, in order for such implied
or negative consent to be deemed a consent for purposes of this Agreement, the
Company or the appropriate Subsidiary shall have provided, prior to the Closing
Date, at least sixty (60) days prior written notice of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to each Non-Fund Client in accordance with the
Investment Advisers Act. The Purchaser and its affiliates will provide to the
Company all information regarding them reasonably required in connection
therewith.
(f) Subject to applicable fiduciary duties to the Funds, the Offshore Funds
and the Investment Pools, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts
to ensure that the Funds, the Offshore Funds and the Investment Pools take no
action (i) that would prevent any Fund from qualifying as an RIC, (ii) that
would cause any Offshore Fund to be subject to taxation on a net income basis
under the Code or (iii) that would be inconsistent with any Fund's or Offshore
Fund's or Investment Pool's prospectus and other offering, advertising and
marketing materials.
5.8 INDEMNIFICATION. The Purchaser agrees that all rights to
indemnification, advancement of expenses, exculpation, limitation of liability
and any and all similar rights now existing in favor of the employees, agents,
directors or officers of the Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") as
provided in the charter or by-laws of the Company or in the respective charters
or by-laws or other agreements of the Subsidiaries in effect on the date hereof
(copies of which have been made available to the Purchaser), shall survive the
Sale and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of six years from
the Closing; provided, however, that if any claim or claims are asserted or made
within such six-year period, all rights to indemnification in respect to any
such claim or claims shall continue until the disposition of any and all such
claims.
B-1-33
<Page>
5.9 FAIR PRICE STRUCTURE. If any "fair price" or "control share
acquisition" or "anti-takeover" statute, or other similar statute or regulation
or any state "blue sky" statute shall become applicable to the transactions
contemplated hereby, the Company and the Company's Board of Directors shall
grant, subject to the terms of this Agreement, such approvals and take such
actions as are reasonably necessary so that the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms
contemplated hereby and thereby, and otherwise act to minimize the effects of
such statute or regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
5.10 CERTAIN POST-SALE FUND MATTERS. The Purchaser acknowledges that the
Sale is intended to qualify for the treatment described in Section 15(f) of the
Investment Company Act. In this regard, the Purchaser shall, and from and after
the Closing shall cause each of the Subsidiaries to, (i) use all reasonable
efforts to assure that, for a period of three years after the Closing, at least
75% of the members of each Fund Board or any permitted successor thereto are not
"interested persons" of the Company or the Purchaser, as that term is defined
under applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and interpreted by the
SEC; such efforts to include causing any employee, officer, director or agent of
the Company or any Subsidiary, any affiliate of the Company, the Purchaser or
any affiliate of the Purchaser who shall be a director or trustee of any fund to
resign when otherwise required to maintain such percentage, (ii) refrain from
imposing or seeking to impose, for a period of two years after the Closing, any
"unfair burden" on any Fund, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act as
a result of the Sale or any express or implied terms, conditions or
understandings applicable thereto, and (iii) use all reasonable efforts to
ensure that all vacancies on any Fund Board due to the resignation or removal of
a trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Purchaser, the Company or any
Subsidiary shall be filled by a person who is not a "interested person" of the
Purchaser, the Company or any Subsidiary and who has been selected and proposed
for election by a majority of the Directors or Trustees who are not such
"interested persons." The Purchaser agrees to (or the Purchaser shall cause the
Subsidiaries to) indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its affiliates from
and against any lawsuit, judgment, claim, action or proceeding of any nature
based upon any violation of Section 15(f) of the Investment Company Act, except
to the extent that such violation arises as a result of the representation and
warranty in Section 3.17(d) not being true immediately prior to the Closing.
B-1-34
<Page>
5.11 CONTINUING EMPLOYEES.
(a) Effective as of the Closing, each Subsidiary shall cease to be a
participating employer in the Company Benefit Plans (other than Company Benefit
Plans which as of the date of this Agreement are sponsored by the Subsidiaries
solely for the benefit of employees of the Subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary Benefit
Plans")) and, on or after the Closing Date, the Purchaser and the Subsidiaries
shall have no obligations or liabilities to, under or with respect to any
Company Benefit Plan, other than the Subsidiary Benefit Plans, including without
limitation any responsibility as alleged successor or otherwise for the
provision of COBRA under any group health plan which is a Company Benefit Plan
but not a Subsidiary Benefit Plan. The Company will take all action necessary or
appropriate so that each Business Employee (as defined in Section 5.11(b) below)
will be fully vested in his or her accrued benefit under the Company's Pension
Plan as of the Closing Date.
(b) For all periods after the Closing, the Purchaser will provide (or cause
to be provided) to each employee of any of the Subsidiaries who continues his or
her employment after the Closing (the "Business Employees") employee benefit
plans, agreements, programs, policies and arrangements (the "Purchaser's Plans")
that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the corporate level
employee benefits maintained from time to time by the Purchaser for its
similarly situated corporate level employees. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, (i) the Purchaser shall not be required to provide any benefit to any
Business Employee to the extent the provision of such benefit would result in
the duplication of benefits, (ii) the Purchaser shall be permitted to provide to
Business Employees benefits under employee welfare benefit plans which are
substantially comparable to those provided to such Business Employees under
Company Benefit Plans which are employee welfare benefit plans immediately prior
to the Closing Date, and (iii) for purposes of the "substantially comparable"
requirement set forth in the first sentence of this Section 5.11(b), any
continuation of a Subsidiary Benefit Plan will be considered the provision of
benefits of the type addressed by such Plan which are substantially comparable
to the Purchaser's corporate level benefits of the same type. For the purposes
of any of the Purchaser's Plans for which the benefits depend on length of
service for eligibility and vesting purposes and for all other benefits for
which benefit levels depend on length of service (but not benefit accrual
purposes under any defined benefit pension plan), the Purchaser shall give (or
cause to be given) to each continuing Business Employee full credit for past
service as of the Closing Date with the Company, LFS and/or the Subsidiaries and
for any additional periods for which the Company, LFS and/or a Subsidiary has
previously granted the Business Employee with service credit for comparable
benefit purposes under a corresponding Company Benefit Plan ("Prior Service").
In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (i) each
Business Employee shall be given credit for Prior Service for purposes of
eligibility to participate, satisfaction of any waiting periods, evidence of
insurability requirements, or the application of any pre-existing condition
limitations and shall be given credit for amounts paid under a corresponding
Company Benefit Plan during the same period for purposes of applying
deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums as though such amounts had
been paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchaser's Plans.
Nothing in this Section 5.11 shall prevent Purchaser or the Subsidiaries from
terminating the employment of any of the Business Employees at any time after
the Closing.
(c) Effective as of the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall establish or
designate one or more defined contribution plans maintained by the Purchaser or
its affiliates (which may include Subsidiary Benefit Plans) in which, subject to
the terms and conditions of such plan (taking into account the provisions of
this Section 5.11), Business Employees shall be eligible to participate (the
"Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan"). The Company sponsors the Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan (the "Companies' Defined
Contribution Plan"). Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.11(c), the
Company and the Purchaser shall take (or cause to be taken) all actions
necessary to cause the assets and, to the extent of the assets transferred, the
liabilities of the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan attributable to the
accrued benefits of Business Employees to be transferred from
B-1-35
<Page>
the trustee of the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan to the trustee of the
Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan. However, no transfer of assets or
liabilities shall occur with respect to any Business Employee whose annuity
starting date occurs prior to the effective date of the transfer and further
Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan shall not be required to accept any
transfer of assets or liabilities unless the effective date thereof, determined
under this Section 5.11(c), is within six (6) months of the Closing Date. The
assets to be transferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall consist solely
of cash and promissory notes evidencing outstanding loans to Business Employees.
The transfer of assets and liabilities from the Companies' Defined Contribution
Plan to the Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan shall conform in all respects
with Section 411(d)(6) and 414(1) of the Code. No transfer of assets and
liabilities from the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan to the Purchaser's
Defined Contribution Plan shall occur before the latest of (i) the Closing Date,
(u) the date on which the IRS issues a favorable determination letter with
respect to the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan, which letter addresses said
Plan's compliance with applicable law through the effective date of the
transfer, and the Company has taken all actions required by the IRS as a
condition of such favorable determination letter, and (iii) 90 days after the
Company shall have provided the Purchaser with such evidence as it may
reasonably request to establish both (A) that as of the effective date of the
transfer Purchaser's Defined Contribution Plan will have no obligation to offer
any annuity form of distribution with respect to the accrued benefits then to be
transferred and (B) that Business Employees have been provided with a summary of
any plan amendment necessary to eliminate all annuity forms of distribution from
the Companies' Defined Contribution Plan and that satisfies the requirements of
ERISA and applicable Department of Labor regulations relating to summaries of
material modifications.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.11, the
Purchaser and the Company shall, prior to the Closing Date, cooperate and
negotiate in good faith to achieve further agreements relating to the
establishment of and/or the transition or transfer of employee benefit plans;
such further agreements may include, without limitation, arrangements intended
(i) to facilitate the Purchaser's establishing the Purchaser's Plans relating to
the Business Employees on or as of the Closing Date; (ii) to enable the
Purchaser or any Subsidiary to continue participation in any Company Benefit
Plan for a specified period after the Closing Date; (iii) to transfer from the
Company to the Purchaser or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date a portion or
all of the assets or liabilities or any policies, contracts or other properties,
rights or obligations of any Company Benefit Plan; provided, however, that any
such transfer shall be effected in a manner that is consistent with the best
interests of all participants in the applicable Company Benefit Plan. The
primary objectives of the parties in cooperating and negotiating any such
further agreements shall be to provide for uninterrupted coverage of employees
under appropriate employee benefit plans from and after the Closing Date and to
provide for transfers of Company Benefit Plans or elements of Company Benefit
Plans where such transfers shall be beneficial to employees and not unduly
costly or otherwise burdensome to the Company and/or LFS, the Purchaser, any
Subsidiary or any other participants in such Company Benefit Plans. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 5.11(d) notwithstanding, no such further
agreement with respect to employee benefit plans shall be effective unless and
until it has been set forth in a written agreement duly executed on behalf of
the Company and the Purchaser.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.11, as of the
Closing each of the Purchaser and the Subsidiaries shall pay and perform or
cause their affiliates to pay and perform, all of the obligations with respect
to the employees and former employees of the Subsidiaries (other than persons
that the Company has transferred to the Company or to direct or indirect
subsidiaries of the Company other than the Subsidiaries) under each of
(i) Sections 2 and 6 of the Retention Plan (pertaining to severance and Gross-Up
Payments (as such term is defined in the Retention Plan)) and (ii) the Deferred
Compensation Obligations; provided, however, that the Company shall pay and
perform all obligations to such persons under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the
Retention Plan (pertaining to retention bonuses, stock options and restricted
stock), and the Company acknowledges and agrees that
B-1-36
<Page>
none of the Purchaser or any of the Subsidiaries are assuming any obligations
with respect to such provisions; provided, further, that the Purchaser and the
Subsidiaries (and not the Company) shall be responsible for the entire amount of
any Gross-Up Payments. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for the
payment of a pro-rata portion of any 2001 bonuses for the period prior to the
Closing Date and the Purchaser shall be only be responsible for the payment of
that portion of any 2001 bonuses applicable to the period after the Closing
Date. The Company shall administer the Retention Plan in accordance with the
terms thereof and, following the Closing, shall (to the extent it continues to
administer the Retention Plan with respect to the Business Employees) shall
consult with the Purchaser before making any determinations thereunder. The
Purchaser shall provide reasonable administrative assistance to the Company in
connection with the making of payments pursuant to Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the
Retention Plan and payments of bonuses pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence. The Company and the Purchaser shall allocate the "base amount" of
parachute payments made or to be made to (or for the benefit of) any
"disqualified individual" (in each case, as defined in Section 280G of the Code)
in accordance with prop. Treasury Regulation 1.280G-1 (Q&A 38); provided that
all parachute payments made or to be made to (or for the benefit of) that
individual, including, without limitation, any Gross-Up Payments, shall be taken
into account for purposes of such allocation. Except for the obligations with
respect to the Retention Plan and the Deferred Compensation Obligations set
forth in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this Section 5.11 shall
in any way restrict the ability of the Purchaser or any Subsidiary to terminate
any employee benefit plan, policy, program or arrangement after the Closing Date
in accordance with the terms thereof. No Business Employee's election to defer
the receipt of compensation shall cause the Purchaser to become responsible for
any payment of compensation under the Retention Plan for which the Company is
otherwise responsible under this Agreement. To effect any such deferral for
which the Company is responsible, the Company shall make the payment to the
Purchaser of the amount otherwise due to the Business Employee at the time
otherwise due to the Business Employee absent the deferral; the Purchaser or the
Subsidiaries shall pay or cause to be paid to such Business Employee in
accordance with the terms of the applicable deferral arrangement such amount,
together with all interest and investment increment due thereon, at the time due
under such Business Employee's deferral election. The Company agrees that after
the Closing it will retain in a segregated account funds sufficient to satisfy
its obligations under Section 3 of the Retention Plan.
5.12 TAX MATTERS.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.12, the Company and LFS
shall cause each tax allocation or sharing agreement or arrangement, whether or
not written, that may have been entered into by the Company and any Subsidiary,
to be terminated as to such Subsidiary to the extent it relates to such
Subsidiary as of or after the Closing Date, and no payments which would be owed
by or to such Subsidiary pursuant thereto shall be made thereunder.
(b) (i) The Company shall cause the Subsidiaries with which the Company
and/or LFS files a consolidated federal income tax return or combined or unitary
state tax return to pay distributions, whether denominated as dividends,
payments pursuant to tax sharing agreements or otherwise (the "Tax
Distributions") to the Company and/or LFS prior to the close of business on the
fourth Business Day prior to the Closing Date that are equal to the liabilities
for current Taxes shown in the Final Calculations. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any such liabilities referred to in the preceding sentence, which are
not paid by the Subsidiaries prior to the Closing, shall be satisfied by the
Purchaser through an adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to
Section 1.2(b)(iv).
(ii) The Company and/or LFS shall make a payment to each Subsidiary
prior to the close of business on the fourth Business Day prior to the Closing
Date that is equal to that Subsidiary's current Tax assets shown in the Final
Calculations.
B-1-37
<Page>
(c) RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES--INCOME TAXES
(i) Subject to Sections 1.2(b)(iv) and 5.12(b), the Company and LFS,
jointly and severally, shall be responsible for and shall pay (and shall
indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from and against) all federal, state,
local, or foreign Income Taxes (as defined below) of each Subsidiary (and of any
affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, or other similar group that
includes any Subsidiary) attributable to:
(A) any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date,
including without limitation (x) any Income Taxes described in clauses (ii) and
(iii) of the definition of "Taxes" herein (including without limitation any
Taxes attributable to or resulting from the operation of section 1.1502-6 of the
Treasury Regulations or any analogous provision of state, local, or foreign law)
and (y) any Taxes attributable to or resulting from the Section 338(h)(10)
Election (including without limitation any corresponding elections under state,
local, or foreign tax law), any deferred income triggered by sections 1.1502-13
and 1.1502-14 of the Treasury Regulations; and any such tax consequences related
to the intercompany sale between Liberty Funds Group and Liberty Funds
Distributor Inc. of mutual fund B shares (the "LFG Deferred Income") shall not
be reflected as a tax liability in Closing Tangible Net Worth. The estimated tax
on the LFG Deferred Income as of the date of this Agreement is approximately
$20 million. For purposes of this Section 5.12, "Income Taxes" means any Taxes
based upon or relating to income, including without limitation any Taxes
calculated in whole or in part based on gross receipts or net revenues.
(ii) The Company shall prepare (or cause to be prepared) and file (or
cause to be filed) on a timely basis any Tax Returns of a Subsidiary for Tax
periods described in Section 5.12(c)(i), regardless of when they become due. The
Company and LFS shall timely pay (or cause to be paid) all Taxes shown or
required to be shown to be due on such Tax Returns.
(iii) With respect to any Income Taxes of a Subsidiary attributable to
any Tax period that includes but does not end on the Closing Date:
(A) The Company and LFS, jointly and severally, shall be
responsible for and shall pay (and shall indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless
from and against) all such Income Taxes attributable to the period through the
Closing Date. The Income Taxes of a Subsidiary attributable to the period
through the Closing Date shall be computed by taking into account any applicable
items consistent with the principles of Section 5.12(c)(i)(A); and
(B) Purchaser shall be responsible for and shall pay (and shall
indemnify and hold the Company and LFS harmless from and against) all such
Income Taxes attributable to the period after the Closing Date, determined
consistently with clause (A) above.
(C) Purchaser shall prepare (or cause to be prepared) and file
(or cause to be filed) on a timely basis any applicable Tax Returns of a
Subsidiary for applicable Income Tax periods that include but do not end on the
Closing Date. Such Tax Returns shall be prepared on a basis consistent with the
Subsidiary's prior Tax Returns to the extent permitted under all applicable
Income Tax laws, rules and regulations. Purchaser shall pay (or cause to be
paid) all Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Returns. To the extent that the
Company and LFS are responsible for any portion of such Income Taxes pursuant to
Section 5.12(c)(iii)(A), the Company and LFS, jointly and severally, shall be
liable for and shall reimburse Purchaser for that portion of such Income Taxes.
Any such reimbursement shall occur within five (5) Business Days of receipt of
notice of payment by Purchaser.
(iv) The Company shall be entitled to all refunds of Income Taxes of the
type and for all Tax periods referred to in Section 5.12(c)(i)-(iii), except
with respect to any Tax Return for which Purchaser has paid a portion of the
relevant Income Taxes as provided in Section 5.12(c)(iii), in which case
Purchaser shall be entitled to a pro rata portion of such refund based on the
proportion of applicable Income Taxes paid by Purchaser and the principles of
this Section 5.12(c).
B-1-38
<Page>
(d) RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES--NON-INCOME TAXES.
(i) The Company and LFS, jointly and severally, shall be responsible for
and shall pay (and shall indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from and against)
all Taxes other than Income Taxes ("Non-Income Taxes") of the Subsidiaries
attributable to any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, including
any Non-Income Taxes attributable to or resulting from the Section 338(h)(10)
Election (including without limitation any corresponding elections under state,
local, or foreign tax law). With respect to any Non-Income Taxes of a Subsidiary
attributable to any Tax period that includes but ends after the Closing Date,
(i) the Company and LFS, jointly and severally, shall be responsible for and
shall pay (and shall indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from and against) the
Non-Income Taxes of the Subsidiary attributable to the period prior to and
including the Closing Date and (ii) Purchaser shall be responsible for and shall
pay (and shall indemnify and hold the Company and LFS harmless from and against)
the Non-Income Taxes of the Subsidiary attributable to the period after the
Closing Date. For any Taxes based on sales or revenue, the allocation of
responsibility shall be based on the sales or revenues, as applicable, taken
into account during the applicable periods. For any real estate Taxes or other
property or asset-based Taxes, the allocation of responsibility shall be based
on the number of days the applicable asset was held by the applicable Subsidiary
in the applicable Tax period through the Closing Date as compared to the number
of days the applicable asset was held by the applicable Subsidiary in the
applicable Tax period after the Closing Date. For all other Non-Income Taxes,
the allocation of responsibility shall be made by reference to the specific
asset, activity or payment producing such Tax liability, and if the Tax
liability cannot practically be so allocated, then PRO RATA based on the number
of days in the applicable Tax period through the Closing Date as compared to the
number of days in the Tax period after the Closing Date, or based on some other
method determined jointly by Purchaser and the Company to be more appropriate.
(ii) Purchaser shall prepare (or cause to be prepared) and file (or
cause to be filed) on a timely basis any Tax Returns for Non-Income Taxes of the
Subsidiaries that are due (including all applicable extensions) after the
Closing Date. Such Tax Returns shall be prepared on a basis consistent with the
Subsidiaries' prior Tax Returns to the extent permitted under all applicable Tax
laws, rules and regulations. Purchaser shall pay (or cause to be paid) all
Non-Income Taxes shown or required to be shown to be due on such Tax Returns.
The Company and LFS, jointly and severally, shall be liable for and shall
reimburse Purchaser for that portion of such Taxes for which they are
responsible pursuant to Section 5.12(d)(i). Any such reimbursement shall occur
within five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice of payment by Purchaser.
(iii) The Company shall be entitled to all refunds of Non-Income Taxes
of the type and for the Tax periods referred to in the first sentence of
Section 5.12(d)(i) above. With respect to any refunds of Non-Income Taxes of the
type and for the Tax periods referred to in the remainder of
Section 5.12(d)(i), the Company and Purchaser shall each be entitled to a PRO
RATA portion of such refund based on the respective proportions of applicable
Non-Income Taxes paid by the Company or LFS on the one hand, or Purchaser on the
other and the principles of this Section 5.12(d).
(e) RIGHT TO REVIEW TAX CLAIMS. For purposes of Section 5.12(c)(iii)(C),
5.12(c)(iv), 5.12(d)(ii) and 5.12(d)(iii), the Purchaser shall afford the
Company a reasonable opportunity (but not less than 30 days) prior to the Filing
of any Tax Return, claim for refund, or other document that contains an item
that affects the liabilities of the Company for Taxes or its rights to a refund
of Taxes under this Section 5.12 (a "Filing") to review any such Filing. The
Company shall have the right to approve any such Filing to the extent that the
preceding sentence applies. The failure of the Company to notify the Purchaser
in writing of its objection to the treatment of any such item within 25 days
after it has received a copy of the Filing shall be treated as approval of such
Filing. If the Purchaser and the Company are unable to agree on the contents of
a Filing, the matter shall be referred for final and binding arbitration to a
person reasonably acceptable to both parties. The costs of such arbitration
shall be borne equally by the Company and the Purchaser.
B-1-39
<Page>
(f) COOPERATION ON TAX MATTERS; CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS
(i) Purchaser and the Company shall cooperate fully, as and to the
extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the
preparation and filing of Tax Returns pursuant to Sections 5.12(c) and
(d) hereof and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes
of any Subsidiary, any Fund, or any Offshore Fund. Such cooperation shall
include the retention and (upon the other party's request) the provision of
records and documentation that are reasonably relevant to such preparation and
filing and to any audit, litigation or other proceeding relating thereto and
making employees reasonably available on a mutually convenient basis to provide
additional available information and explanation of any material provided
hereunder. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the Company, LFS, and the
Purchaser shall (and shall cause their affiliates to) preserve all such records
and documentation until the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations,
including extensions thereof of which they have not less than thirty (30) days'
prior written notice.
(ii) The Company shall be solely responsible for defending any audit,
litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes of Subsidiaries for which
the Company or LFS is liable hereunder (but only with respect to matters for
which they are so liable), and shall have the sole authority to negotiate,
compromise and settle any such audit, litigation or other proceeding (but only
with respect to those issues). The Company shall keep Purchaser reasonably
informed as to the progress of any such audit, litigation or other proceeding
with respect to such Taxes, and shall, if Purchaser so requests in writing,
permit Purchaser at its expense to participate in any such audit, litigation or
other proceeding insofar as it relates to the Subsidiaries; PROVIDED THAT the
Company shall not settle any such audit, litigation, or other proceeding without
Purchaser's consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) if such settlement would
increase the Tax liabilities of Purchaser or any of its affiliates (including
any Subsidiary) for any period after the Closing Date. If, as a result of any
such audit, litigation or proceeding the Company is required to pay any
additional Taxes hereunder, and, in the case of any settlement Purchaser's prior
written consent shall have been duly obtained hereunder, Purchaser shall
reimburse the Company for that portion of such Taxes for which it is responsible
under Sections 5.12(c) or 5.12(d) hereof, within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of notice of payment.
(g) Except for taxes paid pursuant to Sections 5.12(b)(i) and 5.12(b)(ii),
all payments made by the parties under this Section 5.12 shall be treated, to
the fullest extent permissible, as adjustments in the Purchase Price.
(h) The parties' obligations under this Section 5.12 shall survive the
Closing.
5.13 INTERESTED PERSONS. The Company shall cause the Closing condition
contained in Section 6.2(d)(i) to be satisfied to the extent it is within the
Company's ability to do so.
5.14 OTHER CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS. The Company shall promptly inform
the Purchaser of any breach of any confidentiality agreement (and the basic
facts of such breach) entered into by the Company or any of its affiliates or
representatives on behalf of the Company in connection with the sale of the
Business (each such agreement, a "Company Confidentiality Agreement"). The
Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the Company's expense, to
take reasonable actions necessary to enforce the provisions of any such Company
Confidentiality Agreement.
5.15 INTERCOMPANY MATTERS. All intercompany accounts, agreements or other
arrangements (other than (i) the Transition Services Agreement and
(ii) agreements or other arrangements to continue after the Closing pursuant to
(A) Section 1.6, 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12 or 5.15 of this Agreement, (B) the
License Agreement and (C) the LMIC Indemnification Agreement) between any of the
Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of any of the Companies (other than the
Subsidiaries), on the one hand, and any Subsidiary, on the other hand, as of the
Closing shall be settled in accordance with their terms and consistent with past
practices in the manner provided in this Section 5.15 (all such accounts,
B-1-40
<Page>
agreements and arrangements, the "Interconnects"). At least five Business Days
prior to the Closing, the Company shall prepare and deliver to the Purchaser a
statement setting out in reasonable detail the calculation of all intercompany
account balances in respect of the Interconnects to be settled hereunder based
upon the latest available financial information as of such date and, to the
extent reasonably requested by the Purchaser, provide the Purchaser with
supporting documentation to verify the underlying intercompany charges and
transactions. Such statement will include actual amounts reflected in the most
recently closed monthly books and records and estimates for the period through
the Closing Date based on the latest financial information available as of such
date. Except as contemplated by (i) the Transition Services Agreement or
(ii) agreements or other arrangements to continue after the Closing pursuant to
Section 1.6, 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12 or 5.15 of this Agreement, (B) the License
Agreement or (C) the LMIC Indemnification Agreement, all Interconnects will be
terminated effective as of the Closing.
5.16 TRANSFER OF RECORDS. On or promptly following the Closing Date,
except to the extent that such books of account, records and files are in
possession of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser originals or copies
of, or extracts of information containing, all of the Business's books of
account, records and files that are in the possession of any of the Company or
any affiliate of the Company, including, without limitation, all employee files
(for Business Employees only), monthly financial statements, trial balances,
general ledgers, accounting records, forms, marketing materials, sales training
manuals, sales promotional data, customer lists, business plans, correspondence
and litigation files, in each case used in or related to the Business.
5.17 SERIES A PREFERRED REDEMPTION. The Company shall call for the
redemption, and to the extent not converted prior to the redemption date in
accordance with the terms thereof shall redeem, all outstanding shares of the
Series A Preferred pursuant to the charter of the Company effective as of a date
prior to the record date for determining the holders of the Company capital
stock entitled to vote at the Company Stockholders' Meeting.
5.18 CRABBE HUSON AGREEMENT. The Company shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause that certain Asset Acquisition Agreement by and
between Crabbe Huson Group, Inc., James E. Crabbe and Richard S. Huson and the
Company and LFC Acquisition Corp. dated June 10, 1998, to be amended to
eliminate the requirement that 10% of contingent purchase price payments
thereunder be payable in shares of the Company's Common Stock.
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS
6.1 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF EACH PARTY TO EFFECT THE SALE. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Sale shall be subject to the
fulfillment or waiver at or prior to the Closing of each of the following
conditions:
(a) The Sale shall have been authorized by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Shares as of the applicable record date voting as a
single class;
(b) Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
consummation of the Sale under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or
been terminated and the Company and the Purchaser shall have received all of the
other consents and approvals required under Applicable Law the failure of which
to obtain would prevent the consummation of the Sale or reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect, and such consents or approvals shall be in full force and effect and all
statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired;
B-1-41
<Page>
(c) No order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction
or by a Government Entity nor any statute, rule, regulation or executive order
promulgated or enacted by any Government Entity shall be in effect that would
prohibit the Sale or make illegal the acquisition or ownership of the Purchased
Securities by the Purchaser or otherwise prevent the consummation of the Sale;
provided, that the party seeking to assert this condition shall have complied
with its obligations under Section 5.4; and
(d) The Transition Services Agreement, the Transition Letter Agreement, the
License Agreement and the LMIC Indemnification Agreement shall be in full force
and effect.
6.2 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE
SALE. The obligation of the Company to effect the Sale is further subject to
fulfillment (or waiver by the Company) of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein
shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and
as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing
except (x) for changes specifically permitted by the terms of this Agreement,
(y) that the accuracy of representations and warranties that by their terms
speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date will be determined as
of such date and (z) where the failure of the representations and warranties to
be true and correct (without giving effect to any qualifications as to
"material" or similar qualifications) would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the
Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) The Purchaser shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing;
(c) The Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated
the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer, to the effect that
each of the conditions specified in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.2 is
satisfied;
(d) (i) At least 75% of the members of each Fund Board which has approved a
new investment advisory contract (including an interim investment advisory
contract under Investment Company Act Rule 15a-4) with a Subsidiary (or such
other entity that will act as investment adviser to such Funds following the
Closing) shall not be "interested persons" (as such term is defined in the
Investment Company Act) of the Company (or such other entity that will act as
investment adviser to such Funds following the Closing) or of the Purchaser; and
(ii) no "unfair burden" or any express or implied terms, conditions or
understandings applicable thereto as contemplated by Section 15(f)(1)(B) of the
Investment Company Act shall have been imposed on any of the Funds as a result
of this Agreement;
(e) The Purchaser shall have executed and delivered a counterpart signature
page to the Transition Services Agreement; and
(f) The Purchaser shall have paid the Purchase Price, as contemplated by
Section 1.2.
6.3 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE PURCHASER TO EFFECT THE
SALE. The obligation of the Purchaser to effect the Sale is further subject to
the fulfillment (or waiver by the Purchaser) of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Company and LFS contained
herein shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of
the Closing Date, except (x) for changes specifically permitted by the terms of
this Agreement, (y) that the accuracy of representations and warranties that by
their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date will be
determined as of such date and (z) where the failure of such representations and
warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any qualifications
as to Company Material Adverse Effect, "material" or similar qualifications)
would not,
B-1-42
<Page>
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect;
(b) The Company and LFS shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing;
(c) The Company and LFS shall have delivered to the Purchaser a certificate,
dated the Closing Date and signed by its Chief Executive Officer to the effect
that each of the conditions specified in clauses (a) and (b) of this
Section 6.3 with respect to the Company and LFS is satisfied;
(d) The Company shall have obtained all consents, waivers, or approvals,
necessary to provide that the consummation of the Sale does not constitute a
default under, or effect or give rise to a right of termination of the Material
Contracts identified in Section 6.3(d) of the Disclosure Schedule;
(e) There shall not have been a Company Material Adverse Effect since the
date of this Agreement;
(f) The Fund Board Resolutions and any shareholder approvals, other
approvals or consents contemplated by Sections 5.7 (a), (b), (d) and (e) shall
have been received and shall be in full force and effect from Funds, Offshore
Funds and Non-Fund Clients that represented, as of March 31, 2001, at least 80%
of the March 31, 2001 AUM; provided that a so-called implied or negative consent
shall be deemed an approval or consent of a Non-Fund Client for purposes of this
Section 6.3(f) as long as the Company or a Subsidiary has complied with
Section 5.7(e) hereof with respect to such Non-Fund Client; provided, however,
that anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, a Fund Board Resolution or
other approval or consent with respect to a Fund, Offshore Fund or a Non-Fund
Client shall be deemed not to have been received for purposes of this Agreement
if (a) any of the Company, LFS or any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their
respective representatives or agents, has agreed or entered into an
understanding to cap, reduce, waive, reimburse or otherwise modify the fees
payable by such client in connection with obtaining any Fund Board Resolution or
other approval or consent with respect to such client, or (b) such consent was
obtained pursuant to Investment Company Act Rule 15a-4.
(g) The Closing Date Revenue Run Rate shall be not less than 80% of the
December 31 Revenue Run Rate;
(h) The Company and LFS shall have delivered to the Purchaser certificates
representing the Purchased Securities duly endorsed in blank or with duly
executed stock powers in blank, in proper form for transfer; and
(i) Each of Company and LFS shall deliver to the Purchaser a certificate of
Non-Foreign Status duly executed by an officer of the Company, in a form
reasonably acceptable to Purchaser meeting the requirements of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1445-2(c)(3).
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and the Sale may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, whether prior to or (except as
provided in Section 7.1(c)) after approval of the Sale by the Company's
Stockholders, as follows:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Purchaser and the Company;
B-1-43
<Page>
(b) by either the Purchaser or the Company if (i) the Closing shall not have
occurred on or before April 30, 2002 (the "Outside Date"); provided, however,
that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(b)(i) shall
not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this
Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to
occur on or before such date or (ii) there shall be any order which is final and
nonappealable preventing the consummation of the Sale;
(c) prior to (but not subsequent to) the approval by the Company's
Stockholders at the Company Stockholders' Meeting, by the Purchaser or the
Company if (i) the Board of Directors of the Company withdraws, modifies,
changes or fails to reaffirm (within a reasonable period of time after a request
by the Purchaser) its recommendation of the Sale in a manner adverse to the
Purchaser, (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have recommended to
the Company's Stockholders another Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) a tender offer
or exchange offer for 20% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company is commenced, and the Board of Directors of the Company fails within
the time provided in Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange Act to recommend against
acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the Company's Stockholders
(including by taking no position with respect to the acceptance of such tender
offer or exchange offer by its Stockholders); provided, however, that the
Company may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) unless
the Company shall have complied in all respects with Section 5.5 (except for
inadvertent failures to so comply) and shall have paid to the Purchaser the
Termination Fee; provided further, that any public statement by the Company that
(A) it has received an Acquisition Proposal or otherwise taken any action
permitted by Section 5.5(a) or (B) otherwise describes the operation of the
provisions of this Agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal, termination,
the Board of Directors' recommendation of the Sale, or the transactions
contemplated hereby, shall not, in and of themselves, be deemed to be a proposal
to withdraw, modify or change the Board of Directors' recommendation for
purposes of this Section 7.1(c);
(d) by either the Purchaser or the Company if the Sale or any of the
Transactions shall fail to receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Shares as of the applicable record date for approval when voted
on by the Company's Stockholders at the Company Stockholders' Meeting (or any
permitted adjournment thereof);
(e) by the Purchaser upon a breach of any representation or warranty or
material covenant or agreement on the part of the Company set forth in this
Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Company shall have become
untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) or
Section 6.3(b) would not be satisfied ("Terminating Company Breach"); provided,
however, that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by the Company
within a thirty day period, the Purchaser may not terminate this Agreement under
this Section 7.1(e) during such thirty day period for so long as the Company
continues to exercise commercially reasonable efforts as may be appropriate to
cure such Terminating Company Breach; or
(f) by the Company upon a breach of any representation or warranty or
material covenant or agreement on the part of the Purchaser set forth in this
Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Purchaser shall have
become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in
Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) would not be satisfied ("Terminating Purchaser
Breach"); provided, however, that, if such Terminating Purchaser Breach is
curable by the Purchaser within a thirty day period, the Company may not
terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(f) during such thirty day period
for so long as the Purchaser continues to exercise commercially reasonable
efforts as may be appropriate to cure such Terminating Purchaser Breach.
7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. On termination of this Agreement as provided in
Section 7.1, all obligations and agreements of the parties set forth in Articles
1 through 6, except Section 5.3, shall forthwith terminate and be of no further
force or effect; provided that if the Purchaser receives the
B-1-44
<Page>
Termination Fee contemplated by Section 7.5, neither the Purchaser nor any of
its affiliates shall assert, prosecute or pursue in any manner, directly or
indirectly, any claim or cause of action against the Company or LFS or any of
their officers, directors or affiliates; provided further that the foregoing
shall not relieve any party of liability for damages actually incurred as a
result of any willful breach of any of such provisions in Articles 1 through 6,
prior to such termination. Neither the Purchaser nor the Company may elect to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to more than one clause of Section 7.1.
7.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended except by action of each
of the parties hereto set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that after approval of the Sale
by the Company's Stockholders, without the further approval of the Company's
Stockholders no amendment may be made that would: (i) reduce the Purchase Price
or change the form thereof; or (ii) change any other terms and conditions of
this Agreement if any of the changes, alone or in the aggregate, would
materially adversely affect the Company's Stockholders (other than the Purchaser
and its affiliates).
7.4 WAIVER. At any time prior to the Closing, whether before or after the
Company Stockholders' Meeting, subject to the proviso contained in Section 7.3,
any party may waive compliance by any other party with any agreements of such
other party. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such waiver
shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
such party by a duly authorized officer. The failure of any party to assert any
of its rights under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
7.5 EXPENSES; TERMINATION FEE.
(a) If this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser pursuant to
Section 7.1(e) or by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1(f), then the party
terminating this Agreement shall be entitled to reimbursement by the other party
of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors, actuaries and
accountants) incurred by it in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either
(i) the Company has received an Acquisition Proposal at the time this Agreement
is terminated by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.1(e) or receives an
Acquisition Proposal within three months after the date of such termination
under Section 7.1(e) and within 12 months after the date of termination the
Company consummates a sale of the Purchased Subsidiaries or all or substantially
all of the assets of the Subsidiaries as a whole for an amount greater than the
Purchase Price (a "Subsequent Deal") or (ii) this Agreement is terminated by the
Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.1(e) as a result of a breach by the Company of
Section 5.5, then the Company shall pay the Purchaser within ten Business Days
after (a) the consummation of the Subsequent Sale, in the case of the
circumstances described in clause (i), or (b) the termination date, in the case
of the circumstances described in clause (ii), the Termination Fee (as defined
below) in immediately available funds, less any expenses of the Purchaser
previously reimbursed by the Company.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to
Section 7.1(c), then the Company shall pay the Purchaser as a condition
precedent to such termination a fee of $45,000,000 (the "Termination Fee") in
immediately available funds. If this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser
pursuant to Section 7.1(c), then the Company shall pay to the Purchaser within
five Business Days after the date of such termination the Termination Fee.
(c) The parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this
Section 7.5 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and that, without these agreements, the parties would not enter into
this Agreement. Accordingly, if any party fails to pay any payments due to the
other party pursuant to this Section 7.5 and, in order to obtain such payment,
the party that has not received such payment commences a suit that results in a
judgment against the other party, such other party shall pay to such party that
had not received such payment (in addition to the amount of such judgment) all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable
B-1-45
<Page>
fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors, actuaries and
accountants) incurred by the party that had not received such payment in
connection with such suit, together with interest on the amount of such judgment
at the prime rate of Citibank N.A. in effect on the date that such payment was
required to be made (in lieu of and not in addition to any other interest
payable under applicable law).
(d) This Section 7.5 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 PUBLICITY. For so long as this Agreement is in effect, except as such
party may be required by applicable law or applicable national stock exchange,
SEC or NASD or other regulatory requirements, neither the Company nor the
Purchaser shall, nor shall either permit any of its subsidiaries to, issue or
cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with
respect to the Sale without the consent of the other party, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Whenever the Company or the Purchaser
proposes to make a required press release or public announcement, it shall use
its reasonable efforts to allow the other reasonable time to comment on such
release or announcement in advance, but the final form and content of any such
required release or announcement shall be at the discretion of the disclosing
party.
8.2 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if (i) delivered
personally, (ii) sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
(iii) sent by overnight courier for delivery on the next Business Day, or
(iv) sent by confirmed telecopy, provided that a hard copy of all such
telecopied materials is thereafter sent within 24 hours in the manner described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), to the parties at the following addresses or at
such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice:
(a) If to the Purchaser:
Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Brian Moynihan
Telecopy No.: (617) 434-1926
with copies to:
Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Terrence P. Laughlin
Telecopy No.: (617) 434-2729
and
Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: William Mutterpurl
Telecopy No.: (617) 434-2186
and
Bingham Dana LLP
150 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Neal J. Curtin, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (617) 951-8736
B-1-46
<Page>
(b) If to the Company:
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2214
Attention: Lindsay Cook, Executive Vice President
Telecopy No.: (617) 720-5376
and
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2214
Attention: Kevin M. Carome, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Telecopy No.: (617) 742-7338
with a copy to:
Choate, Hall & Stewart
Exchange Place
53 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: William P. Gelnaw, Jr., Esq.
Telecopy No.: (617) 248-4000
Notices provided in accordance with this Section 8.2 shall be deemed delivered
(i) on the date of personal delivery, (ii) on the date such notice is actually
received or delivery thereof is refused at the specified address, or (iii) on
the date of confirmation of receipt of the telecopy transmission, as the case
may be.
8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
subsidiaries of the Purchaser or the Company, the word "subsidiary" or
"subsidiaries" means any corporation more than 50% of whose outstanding voting
securities, any or partnership, joint venture or other entity more than 50% of
whose total equity interests are, directly or indirectly, owned by the Purchaser
or the Company, as the case may be; and the word "affiliates" (as distinguished
from the words "affiliated person" when used with reference to the Investment
Company Act) shall have the meaning assigned to such term under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall not be deemed
to be an affiliate or subsidiary of the Purchaser. The headings contained in
this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Inclusion of information in the
Disclosure Schedule shall not be taken as an admission or acknowledgment of the
materiality of such information.
8.4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ETC. The representations and
warranties of the Company, LFS and the Purchaser contained herein shall expire
with, and be terminated and extinguished upon, consummation of the Sale. This
Section 8.4 shall have no effect upon any other obligation of the parties
hereto, whether to be performed before or after the consummation of the Sale.
8.5 MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement together with the Confidentiality Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings,
both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the
subject matter hereof. This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any other
person any rights or remedies hereunder, create any agreement of employment with
any person or otherwise (except for Sections 5.8) create any third-party
beneficiary hereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns. The rights of the parties under this Agreement shall not be
B-1-47
<Page>
assigned prior to the consummation of the Sale, or a termination pursuant to
Article 7, provided, however, that the Purchaser may assign its rights and
obligations in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, but no such assignment
shall relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall
be governed in all respects, including validity, interpretation and effect, by
the internal laws of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the principles of
conflict of laws. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts
(including by facsimile transmission) which together shall constitute a single
agreement. Any reference herein to any agreement shall be deemed to mean such
agreement as it may be amended from time to time.
(b) Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits
to the jurisdiction of the courts of Massachusetts and the United States of
America located in Massachusetts for any actions, suits or proceedings arising
out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(and each party agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating
thereto except in such courts), and further agree that service of any process,
summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to the respective
addresses set forth in Section 8.2 shall be effective service of process for any
action, suit or proceeding brought against each party in any such court. Each
party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying
of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, in the courts of Massachusetts or the United
States of America located in Massachusetts, and hereby further irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that
any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.
8.6 VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not
affected in any manner adverse to any party.
8.7 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each party hereto waives its rights to a jury
trial with respect to any action or claim arising out of any dispute in
connection with this Agreement, any agreement, contract or other document or
instrument executed in connection herewith, or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY.]
B-1-48
<Page>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser, the Company and LFS have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
<Table>
FLEET NATIONAL BANK LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ TERRENCE P. LAUGHLIN By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
President President
LIBERTY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
---------------------------------------
President
</Table>
B-1-49
<Page>
APPENDIX B-2
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
100 FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON, MA 02110
June 4, 2001
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02117
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter is to confirm our agreement regarding all of the shares of
common stock, $0.01 par value per share ("LFC COMMON STOCK"), of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "COMPANY"),
beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by you and any other shares of LFC Common
Stock as to which you may hereafter acquire beneficial ownership (the "SHARES").
In order to induce Fleet National Bank, a national banking association
("BUYER"), to enter into a Stock Purchase Agreement to be dated as of the date
hereof among the Company, Liberty Financial Services, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation ("LFS"), and Buyer (the "STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), you hereby
agree as follows:
1. You hereby represent and warrant as to the Shares issued, outstanding
and beneficially owned by you as of the date of this letter agreement that
(i) you are the sole owner of and have full right, power and authority to vote
the Shares, and this letter agreement is a valid and binding agreement,
enforceable against you, in accordance with its terms, (ii) such Shares
constitute at least 70% of the total issued and outstanding shares of LFC Common
Stock as of the date hereof, and (iii) neither the execution of this letter
agreement nor the consummation by you of the transactions contemplated hereby
will constitute a violation of, or conflict with, or default under, any
contract, commitment, agreement, understanding, arrangement or restriction of
any kind to which you are a party or by which you or the Shares are bound.
2. You hereby agree not to sell, transfer or encumber the Shares prior to
the first to occur of (i) the date on which the Stock Purchase Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms and (ii) the date on which this letter
agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
3. You hereby agree to vote or cause to be voted all of the Shares (i) in
favor of authorization of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby and (ii) against any other matters which would be
inconsistent with the Stock Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereby. In furtherance of your voting agreement in this paragraph, you hereby
revoke any and all previous proxies with respect to any of the Shares other than
the proxy granted to Sun Life Insurance Company of Canada ("SUN LIFE") pursuant
to that certain Voting Agreement dated May 2, 2001 between you and Sun Life for
the sole purpose of effecting the transactions contemplated under that certain
Stock Purchase Agreement among the Company, LFS and Sun Life. In addition, you
hereby agree to execute such additional documents as Buyer may reasonably
request to effectuate its voting rights under this paragraph.
4. From the date of this Agreement to termination hereof, you shall not,
directly or indirectly, through any subsidiary, affiliate, officer, director,
employee, representative or agent (a) solicit, initiate, or encourage any
inquiries or proposals that constitute or could reasonably be expected to lead
to an Acquisition Proposal, or (b) engage in negotiations or discussions
concerning, or provide any non-public information to any person or entity
relating to, any Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing
B-2-1
<Page>
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
June 4, 2001
provisions of this paragraph 4, (i) it is understood that the foregoing is not
intended to limit the provisions of or the Company's rights under Section 5.5 or
Section 7.1(c) of the Stock Purchase Agreement and (ii) Liberty Mutual Insurance
Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees,
representatives or agents may participate in any action which the Company is
permitted to take under Section 5.5 of the Stock Purchase Agreement and, in
connection therewith, and simultaneously with the Company entering into an
agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal, to enter into such agreement(s)
as the buyer under the Acquisition Proposal may request.
5. We each hereby agree that this letter agreement creates legally binding
commitments, enforceable in accordance with their terms. This letter agreement
(i) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof and (ii) supersedes all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof. This letter agreement is not intended to confer upon any
other person any rights or remedies hereunder.
6. This letter agreement (including, without limitation, the proxy granted
by paragraph 3 of this letter agreement) shall terminate when, and if, the Stock
Purchase Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, and the parties
hereto may also terminate this letter agreement at any time by mutual written
consent.
7. You acknowledge that irreparable damage to Buyer would occur in the
event that you do not perform any provision of this letter agreement in
accordance with its specific terms or otherwise breach this letter agreement.
You agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by you of any
covenant or obligation contained in this letter agreement, Buyer shall be
entitled to seek and obtain (i) a decree or order of specific performance to
enforce the performance of such covenant or obligation and (ii) an injunction
restraining such breach or threatened breach. You further agree that Buyer shall
not be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in
connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this
paragraph 7, and you hereby irrevocably waive any right that you may have to
require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar
instrument.
8. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Each of the parties shall pay its own expenses in connection with
the execution and performance of this letter agreement.
9. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this letter agreement
is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this letter agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and there shall be deemed
substituted for the provision at issue a valid, legal and enforceable provision
as similar as possible to the provision at issue.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]
B-2-2
<Page>
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
June 4, 2001
Please indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing this letter
agreement in the space provided below, whereupon a binding agreement will have
been formed between us in respect of the foregoing.
<Table>
Sincerely,
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ TERRENCE P. LAUGHLIN
----------------------------
Name: Terrence P. Laughlin
Title:
</Table>
Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first above written:
<Table>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ J. PAUL CONDRIN
-------------------------------------
Name: J. Paul Condrin
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
</Table>
B-2-3
<Page>
APPENDIX C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED AS OF JUNE 4, 2001
AMONG
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY,
LFC ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
AND
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Page>
<Table>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER.............................................. C-1
BACKGROUND................................................................ C-1
ARTICLE 1 THE MERGER...................................................... C-1
1.1 The Merger.................................................. C-1
1.2......... Effect of the Merger........................................ C-2
1.3 Closing and Consummation of the Merger...................... C-2
1.4 Articles of Organization; By-Laws; Directors and Officers... C-2
1.5 Conversion of Securities.................................... C-2
1.6 Company Stock Options and Plans............................. C-4
1.7 Exchange of Certificates.................................... C-4
ARTICLE 2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER AND ACQUISITION
SUB..................................................................... C-6
2.1 Organization and Qualification.............................. C-6
2.2 Authority................................................... C-6
2.3 Status of Acquisition Sub................................... C-7
2.4 Litigation.................................................. C-7
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY................... C-8
3.1 Organization and Qualification.............................. C-8
3.2 Authority................................................... C-8
3.3 Fairness Opinion, Brokers................................... C-8
ARTICLE 4 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS............................................. C-9
4.1 Conduct Prior to Effective Time............................. C-9
4.2 Notification of Certain Matters............................. C-9
4.3 Conduct of Business by Purchaser............................ C-9
ARTICLE 5 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS........................................... C-9
5.1 Preparation of Proxy Statement.............................. C-9
5.2 Board Recommendation........................................ C-10
5.3 Fees and Expenses........................................... C-10
5.4 Additional Agreements....................................... C-10
5.5 Governmental Filings........................................ C-10
5.6 Indemnification and Insurance............................... C-11
5.7 Employee Benefit Matters.................................... C-12
5.8 Joint and Several Obligations............................... C-12
5.9 Exemption from Liability Under Section 16................... C-12
ARTICLE 6 CONDITIONS...................................................... C-12
Conditions to Obligation of Each Party to Effect the
6.1 Merger...................................................... C-12
ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER............................... C-13
7.1 Termination................................................. C-13
7.2 Effect of Termination....................................... C-13
7.3 Amendment................................................... C-13
7.4 Waiver...................................................... C-13
ARTICLE 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS.............................................. C-14
8.1 Publicity................................................... C-14
8.2 Notices..................................................... C-14
8.3 Interpretation.............................................. C-15
8.4 Representations and Warranties; etc......................... C-15
8.5 Miscellaneous............................................... C-15
8.6 Validity.................................................... C-15
</Table>
C-i
<Page>
Index of Defined Terms
<Table>
<Caption>
TERM PAGE
- ---- --------
Acquisition Sub............................................. C-1
affiliates.................................................. C-15
Agreement................................................... C-1
Annuity Agreement........................................... C-1
Annuity Buyer............................................... C-1
Annuity Sale................................................ C-1
Articles of Merger.......................................... C-1
AUM Agreement............................................... C-1
AUM Buyer................................................... C-1
AUM Sale.................................................... C-1
Certificates................................................ C-5
Code........................................................ C-6
Company..................................................... C-1
Company Material Adverse Effect............................. C-8
Company Stockholders' Meeting............................... C-10
Disclosure Schedule......................................... C-8
Dissenting Shares........................................... C-4
Effective Time.............................................. C-2
Financial Advisor........................................... C-8
Indemnified Parties......................................... C-11
LFS......................................................... C-1
MBCL........................................................ C-1
Merger...................................................... C-1
Payment Agent............................................... C-4
Payment Fund................................................ C-4
Purchaser................................................... C-1
Sales....................................................... C-1
SEC......................................................... C-10
Segment Buyers.............................................. C-1
Segment Purchase Agreements................................. C-1
Stockholders................................................ C-6
subsidiaries................................................ C-15
subsidiary.................................................. C-15
Surviving Corporation....................................... C-2
Transactions................................................ C-1
</Table>
C-ii
<Page>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 4,
2001, is by and among LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, a Massachusetts mutual
insurance company (the "Purchaser"), LFC ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a
Massachusetts corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser
("Acquisition Sub"), and LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC., a Massachusetts
corporation (the "Company").
BACKGROUND
A. The Purchaser, indirectly, owns approximately 70% of the outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company. The Purchaser wishes to acquire all of
the outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock not owned by the Purchaser
or its subsidiaries.
B. The Purchaser has formed Acquisition Sub as a subsidiary with the intent
of causing it to merge with and into the Company.
C. The Company and Liberty Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company ("LFS"), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement dated
as of May 2, 2001 (the "Annuity Agreement") with Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada (the "Annuity Buyer") pursuant to which the Company and LFS intend to
sell and the Annuity Buyer intends to buy the direct and indirect subsidiaries
of the Company which represent substantially all of the Company's annuity
segment (the "Annuity Sale"). Simultaneously with the execution of this
Agreement, the Company and LFS are entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement
dated as of the date hereof (the "AUM Agreement") with FleetBoston Financial
Corporation (the "AUM Buyer") pursuant to which the Company and LFS intend to
sell and the AUM Buyer intends to buy the direct and indirect subsidiaries of
the Company which represent substantially all of the Company's asset management
business segment (the "AUM Sale"). The Annuity Agreement and the AUM Agreement
are sometimes hereinafter referred to herein collectively as the "Segment
Purchase Agreements", the Annuity Buyer and the AUM Buyer are sometimes
hereinafter referred to herein collectively as the "Segment Buyers" and the
Annuity Sale and the AUM Sale are sometimes hereinafter referred to herein
collectively as the "Sales."
D. The respective Boards of Directors of the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub and
the Company have each duly approved the merger of Acquisition Sub with and into
the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (the
"Merger") and the Board of Directors of the Company has resolved to recommend
approval of the Merger and the Sales by the Company's stockholders. The Sales
and the Merger are hereinafter sometimes referred to herein collectively as the
"Transactions."
E. The respective Boards of Directors of the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub and
the Company have each duly approved all of the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
F. The consummation of the Sales is a condition precedent to the
consummation of the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub and
the Company hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER
1.1 THE MERGER. At the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), and
subject to and in accordance with this Agreement and the Massachusetts Business
Corporation Law (the "MBCL"), Acquisition Sub shall be merged with and into the
Company, the separate existence of Acquisition Sub shall cease and
C-1
<Page>
the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation. The Company as it will
exist at and after the Effective Time is hereinafter sometimes referred to as
the "Surviving Corporation."
1.2 EFFECT OF THE MERGER. Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the
Surviving Corporation shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of
Massachusetts and the Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 80 of
the MBCL.
1.3 CLOSING AND CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER. As soon as is practicable
following the approval of the Merger at the Company Stockholders' Meeting (as
defined below) and the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 6.1
upon a date agreed to by the Purchaser and the Company (but in any event not
later than 60 days following the later to occur of the consummation of the
Annuity Sale and the AUM Sale), the parties shall meet at the offices of Choate,
Hall & Stewart, Exchange Place, 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or at
such other time and place as the parties may mutually agree, to determine the
satisfaction of the remaining conditions in Article 6 and, if all conditions
have been satisfied or waived, to execute Articles of Merger in accordance with
the MBCL (the "Articles of Merger"). As soon as is practicable after execution
of the Articles of Merger, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all
conditions in Article 6, the parties will cause the Merger to be consummated by
delivering the Articles of Merger to the Massachusetts Secretary of State for
filing in accordance with the MBCL, and shall make all other filings and
recordings required by the MBCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall
become effective when the Articles of Merger are filed with the Massachusetts
Secretary of the State (or at such later time, which shall be as soon as
reasonably practicable thereafter, specified as the effective time in the
Articles of Merger). The term "Effective Time" shall mean the date and time when
the Merger becomes effective.
1.4 ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION; BY-LAWS; DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The
Articles of Organization and By-laws of the Company as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Organization and By-laws of
the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided under the MBCL.
The directors of Acquisition Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time will be
the directors of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time, and the
officers of Acquisition Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time will
continue as the officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time,
in each case until such time as changed in accordance with the provisions of
MBCL and the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation or until their successors are
duly elected and qualified. The purposes of the Surviving Corporation will be to
engage in any financial services business, including, without limitation, to act
as a broker-dealer investment adviser or transfer agent, and to carry on any
business or other activity which may be lawfully carried on by a corporation
organized under the Business Corporation Law of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, whether or not related to those referred to hereinabove. The
authorized capital stock of the Surviving Corporation will consist of
100,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share.
1.5 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES.
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub, the Company, the Surviving
Corporation or the holder of any of the following securities:
(i) COMPANY CAPITAL STOCK. Subject to Section 1.5(b), the shares of
the Company's capital stock (the "Shares") issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares to be cancelled
pursuant to clause (ii) below and any Dissenting Shares (as defined below))
shall be cancelled and retired and be converted into and become a right to
receive solely an amount per share in cash, without any interest thereon, equal
to $33.44, subject to adjustment in accordance
C-2
<Page>
with the following formula (such amount, as adjusted, is hereinafter referred to
as the "Cash Consideration"):
(A) ADJUSTMENTS TO CASH CONSIDERATION. The Cash Consideration
shall be appropriately increased or decreased, as applicable, by an
amount per share equal to the Pro Rata Share (as defined below) of the sum
(without duplication) of the following:
(1) Any increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
estimated net after tax proceeds to the Company from the Sales included in the
Closing Adjustment (as defined below) from those estimated on the date hereof
and set forth on SCHEDULE A attached hereto; PLUS
(2) Any increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
estimated net after tax costs of the Company with respect to stock options
granted by the Company and outstanding at the Effective Time included in the
Closing Adjustment from those estimated on the date hereof and set forth on
SCHEDULE A attached hereto (including any change resulting from any purchase
price adjustment provided for in Section 1.2 of the AUM Agreement); PLUS
(3) Any increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
estimated net after tax costs of the Company with respect to transaction
expenses paid or payable by the Company to third parties in connection with the
Transactions ("Transaction Expenses") included in the Closing Adjustment from
those estimated on the date hereof and set forth on SCHEDULE A attached hereto,
PLUS
(4) Any increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
estimated net after tax deduction for the net corporate liabilities from those
estimated on the date hereof and set forth on SCHEDULE A attached hereto, plus
(5) Any increase or decrease, as applicable, in the net tax
adjustment with respect to eliminating the estimated taxes on the AUM Sale net
of the estimated tax benefit inuring to the AUM Buyer for the
Section 338(h)(10) election from those estimated on the date hereof and set
forth on SCHEDULE A attached hereto.
(B) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS AND PROCEDURES. As used herein, the
term "Pro Rata Share" shall mean a fraction, expressed as a
percentage, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of the Company's common stock issued and outstanding as of the
Effective Time.
Not less than three (3) and not more than ten (10) Business Days
prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser a
certificate (the "Closing Price Certificate") setting forth the Company's then
current estimate of each of the following:
(1) The net after tax proceeds to the Company from the Sales and
the amount, if any, by which such estimated proceeds are different from the
estimate thereof set forth on SCHEDULE A;
(2) The net after tax costs of the Company with respect to all
stock options granted by the Company and outstanding at the Effective Time, and
the amount, if any, by which such estimated costs are different from the
estimate thereof set forth on SCHEDULE A;
(3) The net after tax costs of the Company of all Transaction
Expenses paid or payable by the Company to third parties in connection with the
Transactions and the amount, if any, by which such estimated costs are different
from the estimate thereof set forth on SCHEDULE A;
(4) The after tax deduction for the net corporate liabilities
and the amount, if any, by which such estimated deduction is different from the
estimate thereof set forth on SCHEDULE A;
(5) The net tax adjustment with respect to eliminating the
estimated taxes on the AUM Sale net of the estimated tax benefit inuring to the
AUM Buyer for the Section 338(h)(10) election from the estimate thereof set
forth on SCHEDULE A; and
C-3
<Page>
(6) Based on the foregoing, the amount of the final Cash
Consideration.
The applicable estimated amount reflected in the Closing Price
Certificate for any item is referred to herein as the "Closing
Adjustment". The calculations in the Closing Price Certificate will be
subject to the review and reasonable approval of the Purchaser.
(ii) TREASURY STOCK; ETC. Each Share held in the treasury of the
Company and each Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time and owned by the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub or the
Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Purchaser,
Acquisition Sub or the Company, shall be cancelled and retired, and no
payment shall be made with respect thereto; and
(iii) ACQUISITION SUB STOCK. Each share of Acquisition Sub's
capital stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be converted into and become a number of validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable shares of common stock of the Surviving
Corporation such that the number of shares issued to Acquisition Sub in
the aggregate is equal to 100,000,000 shares.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 1.5(a) or any other provision of this
Agreement, Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held
by a holder which has properly perfected such holder's rights of appraisal for
such Shares in connection with the Transactions in accordance with the MBCL
("Dissenting Shares") shall not be converted into a right to receive the
applicable Cash Consideration, unless such holder withdraws or otherwise loses
his right to demand payment for his Shares, but the holder thereof shall only be
entitled to such rights as are provided by the MBCL. If, after the Effective
Time, such holder withdraws or loses (through failure to perfect or otherwise)
such holder's right to demand payment for such holder's Shares in connection
with the Transactions, such Shares shall be treated as if they had been
converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Cash
Consideration payable in respect of such Shares pursuant to Section 1.5(a)(i),
without interest.
(c) The Company shall give the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub prompt
notice of any demands for payment, or notices of intent to demand payment,
received by the Company with respect to Shares or in connection with the
Transactions in accordance with Section 86 of the MBCL, and the Purchaser and
Acquisition Sub shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and
proceedings with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the
prior written consent of the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub or as otherwise
required by law or pursuant to a final order of a court of competent
jurisdiction, make any payment with respect to, or settle, or offer to settle,
any such demands.
1.6 COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS AND PLANS. The Company shall take all actions
necessary to ensure that (a) all options outstanding under the Company's 1990
Stock Option Plan or Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
(collectively, the "Stock Plans"), to the extent not exercised prior to the
Effective Time, shall be cancelled in return for the appropriate cash payment
under the applicable Stock Plan, and (b) all restricted common stock granted
under any Stock Plan shall, if not currently vested, be fully vested immediately
prior to the Effective Time to the extent provided and otherwise in accordance
with the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-Commissioned
Employee Severance and Retention Plan and the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
and Subsidiaries Commissioned Employees Severance and Retention Plan.
1.7 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, a bank or trust company to be
designated by the Purchaser not less than 10 days prior to the Effective Time
and consented to by the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned) (the "Payment Agent") shall act as payment agent in
effecting the exchange for the applicable Cash Consideration of certificates
that,
C-4
<Page>
immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented Shares entitled to payment
pursuant to Section 1.5(a)(i) (the "Certificates"). At the Effective Time, the
Purchaser shall, or shall cause Acquisition Sub to, deposit with the Payment
Agent in trust for the benefit of the holders of Certificates, such amounts in
immediately available funds as may be needed to pay promptly for surrendered
Shares as provided in this Section 1.7 (the "Payment Fund"). The Purchaser and
the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Payment Agent to mail to each record
holder of Certificates, promptly after the Effective Time (but in any event
within two business days thereof), a form of letter of transmittal (in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser) and instructions for use in
surrendering such Certificates and receiving the applicable Cash Consideration
therefor. Upon the surrender of each Certificate together with a duly completed
and executed letter of transmittal, the Payment Agent shall pay the holder of
such Certificate the applicable Cash Consideration multiplied by the number of
Shares formerly represented by such Certificate, without any interest thereon,
and such Certificate shall be cancelled. Delivery shall be effected, and risk of
loss and title to the Certificate shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the
Certificate to the Payment Agent, and the letter of transmittal shall so
reflect. If any cash is to be paid to a person other than the holder in whose
name the Certificate representing Shares surrendered in exchange therefor is
registered, it shall be a condition to such payment that the Certificates so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer
and that the person requesting such payment shall pay to the Payment Agent any
transfer or other taxes required by reason of the payment of such cash to a
person other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or such
person shall establish to the satisfaction of the Payment Agent that such tax
has been paid or is not applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the
Payment Agent nor any party hereto shall be liable to a holder of Shares for any
Cash Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable
abandoned property, escheat and similar laws.
(b) To the extent not immediately required for payment for surrendered
Shares as provided in Section 1.7(a), the Payment Fund shall be invested by the
Payment Agent, as directed by the Purchaser (so long as such directions do not
impair the rights of holders of Shares), for the account of the Purchaser, in
direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations for which the
full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged to provide for
the payment of principal and interest, commercial paper rated of the highest
quality by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Group,
or certificates of deposit issued by a commercial bank having at least
$5,000,000,000 in capital and surplus, in each case maturing within 60 days; and
any net earnings with respect thereto shall be paid to the Purchaser as and when
requested by the Purchaser.
(c) The Payment Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions from
the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation, make the payments referred to in
Section 1.5(a)(i) out of the Payment Fund. Nine months after the Effective Time,
the Payment Agent shall deliver to the Purchaser all cash, certificates and
other documents in its possession relating to the transactions described in this
Agreement, and the Payment Agent's duties shall terminate. Thereafter, each
holder of a Certificate formerly representing a Share may surrender such
Certificate to the Surviving Corporation or the Purchaser and (subject to
applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar laws) receive in exchange
therefor the applicable Cash Consideration, without any interest thereon, but
shall have no greater rights against the Surviving Corporation or the Purchaser
than may be accorded to general creditors of the Surviving Corporation or the
Purchaser under applicable law.
(d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock
transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of any Shares. If, after the
Effective Time, Certificates formerly representing Shares are presented to the
Surviving Corporation or the Payment Agent, they shall be cancelled and
exchanged for the applicable Cash Consideration, as provided in this Article 1,
subject to applicable law in the case of Dissenting Shares.
C-5
<Page>
(e) From and after the Effective Time, holders of Certificates
theretofore evidencing Shares shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of
the Company (the "Stockholders"), except as provided herein or by law.
(f) Each of the Surviving Corporation and the Purchaser, or the Payment
Agent on their behalf, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Cash
Consideration payable to any holder of Shares such amounts as it is required to
deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any applicable
provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so
withheld by the Surviving Corporation or the Purchaser, as the case may be, such
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having
been paid to the holder of the Shares in respect of which such deduction and
withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or the Purchaser, as the case
may be, and shall promptly be paid by the Purchaser or Acquisition Sub, as the
case may be, to the applicable taxing authority.
(g) 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 commercially reasonable amount and
on such commercially reasonable terms as the Surviving Corporation may direct,
as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such
Certificate, the Purchaser shall pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate, the applicable Cash Consideration.
(h) The Cash Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect
any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
exchange, subdivision, combination of, or other similar change in the Shares
that shall be effective after the date of this Agreement and prior to the
Effective Time.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE PURCHASER AND ACQUISITION SUB
The Purchaser and Acquisition Sub each represents and warrants to the
Company that:
2.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Each of the Purchaser and Acquisition
Sub is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted or contemplated to be
conducted. Each of the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each
jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature
of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be
so qualified or in good standing which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, materially impair the Purchaser's financial condition or the ability
of the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub to perform their obligations hereunder.
2.2 AUTHORITY. Each of the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub has the requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser and Acquisition
Sub, and the consummation by the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the respective
Boards of Directors of the Purchaser (including as sole shareholder of
Acquisition Sub) and Acquisition Sub and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of the Purchaser or Acquisition Sub (including without limitation
shareholder actions) are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
C-6
<Page>
Purchaser and Acquisition Sub and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub, respectively, enforceable
against them in accordance with its terms.
2.3 STATUS OF ACQUISITION SUB. Acquisition Sub was formed for the purpose
of merging into the Company as contemplated by this Agreement, and has not
carried on any other business. The Purchaser owns all of the outstanding capital
stock of Acquisition Sub.
2.4 LITIGATION. There is no suit, action or legal, administrative,
arbitration or order, proceeding or governmental investigation pending or, to
the knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened, to which the Purchaser or
Acquisition Sub is a party which, considered individually or in the aggregate,
would reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of the Purchaser,
Acquisition Sub or the Surviving Corporation to perform its obligations under
this Agreement.
C-7
<Page>
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub
that except as set forth on a disclosure schedule previously delivered to the
Purchaser (the "Disclosure Schedule"):
3.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts
and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as
it is now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where
the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities
makes such qualification necessary, except for failures to be so qualified or in
good standing which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). Copies of
the Articles of Organization and By-Laws of the Company have been made available
to the Purchaser and such copies are accurate and complete as of the date
hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, "Company Material Adverse Effect" shall
mean any change, effect or circumstance that is materially adverse to the
assets, financial condition, business or operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than (1) changes, effects or circumstances
that (x) result from changes in general economic or debt or equity market
conditions or (y) are the result of factors generally affecting the annuity or
asset management industries or are the result of any regulatory or statutory
matter that has or may have an industry-wide effect in the jurisdictions within
which the Company's annuity Subsidiaries are domiciled, or (2) changes in
generally accepted accounting principles or changes in laws or regulations or
the interpretation thereof by courts or governmental authorities; provided, that
(i) Company Material Adverse Effect shall not include any adverse change, effect
or circumstance arising out of or resulting from actions contemplated by the
parties in connection with this Agreement or the Segment Purchase Agreements or
that is attributable to the announcement, pending status or performance of this
Agreement or the Segment Purchase Agreements and (ii) any adverse change in the
Company's stock price shall not be taken into account in determining whether
there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.2 AUTHORITY.
(a) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, subject to the approval of its Stockholders referred to in
Section 6.1 of this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The Company's Board of Directors has duly adopted resolutions
(i) authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Segment
Purchase Agreements by the Company, (ii) approving the Merger and the Sales, and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) determining that each of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Segment Purchase
Agreements, including the Merger and the Sales, are fair to, advisable and in
the best interests of the Stockholders, and (iv) recommending adoption and
approval of the Merger and the Sales by the Stockholders.
(c) Except for the approval of its Stockholders referred to in
Section 6.1 of this Agreement, no further corporate proceedings on the part of
the Company are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company
and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
3.3 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR; BROKERS.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company has received the opinion of
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation (the "Financial Advisor"), dated the date
of this Agreement, to the effect that, as
C-8
<Page>
of such date, (i) the consideration to be received by the Company and LFS
pursuant to the Annuity Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Company and (ii) the cash consideration to be received pursuant to this
Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of common
stock of the Company other than the Purchaser and its affiliates.
(b) Except for the Financial Advisor (the fees of which will be paid by
the Company), no agent, broker, person or firm acting on behalf of the Company
is or will be entitled to any advisory commission or broker's or finder's fee
from any of the parties hereto in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated herein.
ARTICLE 4
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
4.1 CONDUCT PRIOR TO EFFECTIVE TIME. The Company covenants and agrees
that, unless the Purchaser shall otherwise consent during the period from the
date of this Agreement until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or
the Effective Time, the Company shall comply in all material respects with the
covenants set forth in, and the Company shall not amend, modify or waive any
provision contained in, the Segment Purchase Agreements.
4.2 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. The Company shall give prompt notice
to the Purchaser, upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence, or failure to
occur, of any event which occurrence or failure to occur causes (x) any
representation or warranty made by the Company and contained in this Agreement
to be untrue or inaccurate at any time from the date hereof to the Effective
Time to the extent that any such failure to be true or accurate would,
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect, or (y) any material failure of the Company or of any
officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under
this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall be deemed to
cure any breach or otherwise affect the representations, warranties, covenants,
conditions or agreements of the Company or the conditions to the obligations of
the parties hereunder. The Purchaser shall give prompt notice to the Company,
upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event
which occurrence or failure to occur causes (x) any representation or warranty
made by the Purchaser or Acquisition Sub contained in this Agreement to be
untrue or inaccurate at any time from the date hereof to the Effective Time to
the extent any such failure to be true or accurate would, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
Purchaser's financial condition or its ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or (y) any material failure of the Purchaser or
Acquisition Sub, or of any officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to
comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with
or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided, however, that no such
notification shall be deemed to cure any breach or otherwise affect the
representations, warranties, covenants, conditions or agreements of the
Purchaser or Acquisition Sub or the conditions to the obligations of the parties
hereunder.
4.3 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY PURCHASER. During the period from the date of
this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement or the Effective Time and subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, neither the Company nor the Purchaser shall not take any action which
would cause any of its representations and warranties contained herein to be
untrue or incorrect in any material respect or cause it not to be in compliance
in all material respects with any covenant set forth herein.
ARTICLE 5
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1 PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT. The Company and the Purchaser shall
jointly prepare the Proxy Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 and use their
respective commercially reasonable efforts to
C-9
<Page>
obtain and furnish the information required to be included in the Proxy
Statement and the Schedule 13E-3, and respond promptly to any comments made by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") with respect to the Proxy
Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 and any preliminary version thereof and cause
the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its Stockholders at the earliest practicable
time following the execution of this Agreement. Each party will notify the other
promptly upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC staff. If prior to the
Effective Time any event shall occur which is required to be set forth in an
amendment or a supplement to the Proxy Statement, the Company will promptly
prepare and mail such an amendment or supplement, PROVIDED that, with respect to
any event or information relating to the Purchaser or Acquisition Sub or one of
the Segment Buyers giving rise to such requirement, the Purchaser or the
applicable Segment Buyer shall have notified the Company thereof in a timely
fashion.
5.2 BOARD RECOMMENDATION. Except and to the extent that the Company's
Board of Directors determines that it must take or refrain from taking an action
in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to the Stockholders under
applicable law, the Company through its Board of Directors shall recommend
approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger and use its commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain the necessary approval of the Merger by its
Stockholders at a Stockholders' meeting (the "Company Stockholders' Meeting") as
promptly as practicable following the execution of this Agreement.
5.3 FEES AND EXPENSES.
(a) Each party shall bear all of the fees and expenses incurred by it in
connection with the negotiation and performance of this Agreement, and neither
party may recover any such fees and expenses from the other party upon any
termination of this Agreement.
(b) The provisions contained in this Section 5.3 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
5.4 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective
as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
to cooperate with each of the other parties hereto in connection with the
foregoing, including using commercially reasonable efforts: (A) to obtain all
authorizations, consents and approvals required by the Applicable Laws; (B) to
lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order adversely
affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby; and (C) to fulfill all conditions to this Agreement. For purposes of the
foregoing, the obligation of the Company, the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub to
use "commercially reasonable efforts" or "reasonable efforts" to obtain waivers,
consents and approvals to loan agreements, leases and other contracts shall not
include any obligation to agree to a modification of the terms of such
documents, except as expressly contemplated hereby, or to make any guaranty or
monetary payment in consideration of such waiver, consent or approval.
5.5 GOVERNMENTAL FILINGS. Each of the Company and the Purchaser shall
promptly provide the other (or its counsel) with copies of all filings made by
it with the SEC or any other state or federal governmental entity in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to
applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, the Company and the
Purchaser shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent
practicable each will consult the other with respect to all information relating
to the Company or the Purchaser, as the case may be, and any of their respective
subsidiaries, that appear in any filing made with, or written materials
submitted to, any third party and/or governmental entity in connection with the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
C-10
<Page>
5.6 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. The Purchaser and Acquisition Sub agree
that all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses, exculpation,
limitation of liability and any and all similar rights now existing in favor of
the employees, agents, directors or officers of the Company and its subsidiaries
(the "Indemnified Parties") as provided in the charter or by-laws or other
agreements of the Company in effect on the date hereof (copies of which have
been made available to the Purchaser), shall survive the Merger and shall
continue in full force and effect for a period of six years from the Effective
Time; provided, however, that if any claim or claims are asserted or made within
such six-year period, all rights to indemnification in respect to any such claim
or claims shall continue until the disposition of any and all such claims. The
Purchaser shall cause the Surviving Corporation to honor and fulfill in all
respects the indemnification obligations of the Company pursuant to the
Company's charter, by-laws and such other agreements. The Purchaser and the
Surviving Corporation shall pay to such Indemnified Party in advance of final
disposition any expenses, including but not limited to counsel fees and
disbursements, incurred by any such Indemnified Party in defending any action,
suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking (which need not be secured or
subject to bond or other requirement) by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party
to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that
indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under such charter, bylaws or
other agreement referred to above. The Purchaser agrees to provide each
individual who served as a director or officer of the Company or the
subsidiaries at any time prior to the Effective Time with liability insurance,
either directly or through the Purchaser's umbrella policy, for a period of six
years after the Effective Time on terms no less favorable in coverage and amount
than any applicable insurance in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time
(including any insurance maintained by Purchaser); provided, however, that the
Purchaser may reduce the coverage and amount of liability insurance to the
extent that the cost thereof would exceed 300% of the cost of any such insurance
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, as adjusted for inflation
each year; provided, further, however, that such coverage and amount of
liability insurance shall not be reduced below the corresponding coverage and
amount of liability insurance then provided for the Purchaser's own officers and
directors. If at any time after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation or
a subsidiary fails to provide an Indemnified Party with indemnification and
other benefits as contemplated in this Section 5.6, the Purchaser shall provide
such indemnification and other benefits to such Indemnified Party directly (it
being understood that applicable law may permit the Purchaser to
indemnify/advance expenses under circumstances in which the Company, the
Surviving Corporation or a subsidiary could not do so). In addition to the
foregoing, the Purchaser and the Company, jointly and severally, shall, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify and hold harmless the
Indemnified Parties against all costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
settlement amounts paid in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding
or investigation arising out of actions or omissions in the applicable
Indemnified Party's capacity as an agent, employee, officer or director of the
Company or a subsidiary prior to the Effective Time until the expiration of the
applicable statute of limitations relating thereto (and shall pay any expenses
in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding to the
Indemnified Party) to repay the advanced expenses if it shall ultimately be
determined that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified against
such expenses). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the by-laws,
charter, or other agreements of the Company do not otherwise provide the
Indemnified Parties with rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses,
exculpation, and the limitation of liability, the Purchaser pursuant to this
Section 5.6 hereby acknowledges and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Indemnified Parties against all costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorney's fees), judgements, fines, loses, claims, damages, liabilities and
settlement amounts paid in connection with any claim action, suit, proceeding or
investigation arising out of actions or omissions of the Indemnified Parties in
connection with the Transactions until the expiration of the applicable statute
of limitations relating thereto (and shall pay any expenses in advance of the
final disposition of such action or proceeding to the Indemnified Parties). The
provisions of this Section 5.6 shall survive the Effective Time, and the
Indemnified Parties shall be deemed third party beneficiaries
C-11
<Page>
of this Section 5.6 and shall be entitled to bring actions to enforce the
obligations of the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub under this Section 5.6. The
rights of the Indemnified Parties under this Section 5.6 are not exclusive, but
shall be cumulative with any other rights of the Indemnified Parties.
5.7 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS.
(a) As of the Effective Time, the Purchaser and the Acquisition Sub
shall assume and shall perform all obligations that are not expressly assumed by
the Segment Buyers under the Segment Purchase Agreements with respect to the
employees and former employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and former
subsidiaries under the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-Commissioned Employee Severance and Retention Plan and the Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Commissioned Employees Severance and Retention
Plan (including, without limitation, under Sections 4 and 5 thereof).
(b) The Purchaser shall cooperate and negotiate in good faith with the
Company and the Segment Buyers to achieve agreements relating to the
establishment of and/or transition or transfer of employee benefit plans as
contemplated by the Segment Purchase Agreements.
5.8 JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. All obligations of the Purchaser and/or
Acquisition Sub under this Agreement shall be joint and several.
5.9 EXEMPTION FROM LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 16. The Purchaser, Acquisition
Sub and the Company shall take all such steps as may be required or reasonably
requested to cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other
dispositions of Company equity securities (including derivative securities) in
connection with this Agreement by each individual who is a director or officer
of the Company to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, such steps to be taken in
accordance with the No-Action Letter dated January 12, 1999, issued by the SEC
to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, or as may otherwise be reasonably
requested by the Company.
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS
6.1 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF EACH PARTY TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the
following conditions:
(a) This Agreement, the Merger and the Sales shall have been approved
and adopted by the requisite vote or consent of the Stockholders required by the
MBCL and the Company's Articles of Organization;
(b) Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or
been terminated and the Company or the Purchaser shall have received the
consents or approvals required under Applicable Law;
(c) No order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
commission nor any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or
enacted by any governmental authority shall be in effect that would prohibit the
Merger or make illegal the acquisition or ownership of the Surviving Corporation
by the Purchaser or otherwise prevent the consummation of the Merger; provided,
that the party seeking to assert this condition shall have complied with its
obligations under Section 5.4; and
(d) The Sales shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms
of the Segment Purchase Agreements (as the same may be amended from time to time
with the Purchaser's consent) and the Company shall have received the
consideration contemplated thereunder.
C-12
<Page>
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether prior to or after
approval by the Stockholders, as follows:
(a) [intentionally omitted];
(b) by either the Purchaser or the Company if (i) the Effective Time
shall not have occurred on or before June 30, 2002; provided, however, that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be
available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this
Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Effective
Time to occur on or before such date or (ii) there shall be any order which is
final and nonappealable preventing the consummation of the Merger;
(c) by the Purchaser or the Company if (i) the Board of Directors of the
Company withdraws, modifies or changes its recommendation of this Agreement or
the Transactions in a manner adverse to the Purchaser or (ii) the Board of
Directors of the Company shall otherwise have determined in good faith that it
must terminate this Agreement to comply with its fiduciary duties to the
Stockholders under applicable law;
(d) by either the Purchaser or the Company if this Agreement shall fail
to receive the affirmative vote of the required holders of its capital stock,
under the MBCL and the Company's Articles of Organization, for approval when
voted on by the Stockholders at the Company Stockholders' Meeting (or any
permitted adjournment thereof); or
(e) by the Purchaser or the Company if either of the Segment Purchase
Agreements shall have been terminated for any reason.
7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. On termination of this Agreement as provided in
Section 7.1, all obligations and agreements of the parties set forth in Articles
1 through 6, except Section 5.3, shall forthwith terminate and be of no further
force or effect; provided that the foregoing shall not relieve any party of
liability for damages actually incurred as a result of any willful breach of any
of such provisions prior to such termination.
7.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended except by action of each
of the parties hereto set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that after approval of the Merger
by the Stockholders, without the further approval of the Stockholders, no
amendment may be made that would: (i) reduce the Cash Consideration or change
the form thereof; or (ii) change any other terms and conditions of this
Agreement if any of the changes, alone or in the aggregate, would materially
adversely affect the Stockholders (other than the Purchaser and its affiliates).
7.4 WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or
after the Company Stockholders' Meeting, any party hereto, by action taken by
its Board of Directors, may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations to the waiving party of any other party hereto, or (ii) subject
to the proviso contained in Section 7.3, waive compliance by any other party
with any agreements of such other party (but only to the extent they relate to
the waiving party) or waive any conditions to its own obligations. Any agreement
on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid
only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party by
a duly authorized officer. The failure of any party to assert any of its rights
under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
C-13
<Page>
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 PUBLICITY. The initial press release with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be a joint release. Thereafter and for so
long as this Agreement is in effect, except as such party may be required by
applicable law or applicable national stock exchange, SEC or NASD or other
regulatory requirements, neither the Company nor the Purchaser shall, nor shall
either permit any of its subsidiaries to, issue or cause the publication of any
press release or other public announcement with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without the consent of the other party, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Whenever the Company or
the Purchaser proposes to make a required press release or public announcement,
it shall use its reasonable efforts to allow the other reasonable time to
comment on such release or announcement in advance, but the final form and
content of any such required release or announcement shall be at the discretion
of the disclosing party.
8.2 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if (i) delivered
personally, (ii) sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
(iii) sent by overnight courier for delivery on the next business day, or
(iv) sent by confirmed telecopy, provided that a hard copy of all such
telecopied materials is thereafter sent within 24 hours in the manner described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), to the parties at the following addresses or at
such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice:
(a) If to the Purchaser or Acquisition Sub:
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02117
Attention: Christopher C. Mansfield, Senior Vice President and General
Counsel
Telecopy No.: (617) 574-5805
with copies to:
McDermott, Will & Emery
28 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: Stephen K. Fogg, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (617) 535-3800
(b) If to the Company:
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210-2214
Attention: Lindsay Cook, Executive Vice President
Telecopy No.: (617) 720-5376
and
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210-2214
Attention: Kevin M. Carome, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Telecopy No.: (617) 742-7338
with a copy to:
Choate, Hall & Stewart
C-14
<Page>
Exchange Place
53 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: William P. Gelnaw, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (617) 248-4000
Notices provided in accordance with this Section 8.2 shall be deemed
delivered (i) on the date of personal delivery, (ii) on the date such notice
is actually received or delivery thereof is refused at the specified
address, or (iii) on the date of confirmation of receipt of the telecopy
transmission, as the case may be.
8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
subsidiaries of the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub or the Company, the word
"subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" means any corporation more than 50% of whose
outstanding voting securities, or partnership, joint venture or other entity
more than 50% of whose total equity interests are, directly or indirectly, owned
by the Purchaser or the Company, as the case may be; and the word "affiliates"
shall have the meaning assigned to such term under Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall not be deemed to be an
affiliate or subsidiary of Acquisition Sub or the Purchaser, and the Surviving
Corporation shall be deemed to be an affiliate of the Purchaser. The headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Inclusion of
information in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be taken as an admission or
acknowledgment of the materiality of such information.
8.4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ETC. The representations and
warranties of the Company, the Purchaser and Acquisition Sub contained herein
shall expire with, and be terminated and extinguished upon, consummation of the
Merger. This Section 8.4 shall have no effect upon any other obligation of the
parties hereto, whether to be performed before or after the consummation of the
Merger.
8.5 MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral,
among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any other person any rights or
remedies hereunder, create any agreement of employment with any person or
otherwise (except for Section 5.6) create any third-party beneficiary hereto.
The rights of the parties under this Agreement shall not be assigned prior to
the consummation of the Merger, or a termination pursuant to Article 7. This
Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including validity, interpretation
and effect, by the internal laws of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the
principles of conflict of laws. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which together shall
constitute a single agreement.
8.6 VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not
affected in any manner adverse to any party.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY.]
C-15
<Page>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser, Acquisition Sub and the Company have
caused this Agreement to be executed and their corporate seals affixed as of the
date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
<Table>
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
/s/ EDMUND F. KELLY /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
By: President By: President
and
and
/s/ ELLIOT J. WILLIAMS /s/ SHAUNA T. SIMMONDS
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
By: Treasurer By: Treasurer
LFC ACQUISITION CORPORATION
/s/ EDMUND F. KELLY
---------------------------------------
By: President
and
/s/ J. PAUL CONDRIN
---------------------------------------
By: Treasurer
</Table>
C-16
<Page>
[LETTERHEAD OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION]
APPENDIX D-1
May 2, 2001
Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2214
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. ("LFC") of the Consideration
(as defined below) set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
May 2, 2001 (the "Agreement"), among Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun
Life"), Liberty Financial Services, Inc. ("LFS") and LFC. As more fully
described in the Agreement, LFC and LFS will sell to Sun Life all of the
outstanding shares of the capital stock of the direct and indirect subsidiaries
of LFC and LFS engaged in LFC's annuity and retail distribution business
(collectively, the "Subsidiaries") for total consideration of $1,702,000,000 in
cash (the "Consideration" and, such sale, the "Transaction").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Agreement and certain publicly
available business and financial information relating to the Subsidiaries. We
also have reviewed certain other information relating to the Subsidiaries,
including financial forecasts and certain actuarial analyses and valuations,
provided to or discussed with us by LFC, the Subsidiaries and LFC's consultants
and have met with the managements of LFC and the Subsidiaries to discuss the
businesses and prospects of the Subsidiaries. We also have considered certain
financial data of the Subsidiaries and have compared those data with similar
data for publicly held companies in businesses similar to the Subsidiaries, and
we have considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of
certain other business combinations and other transactions which have been
effected. We also considered such other information, financial studies, analyses
and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria which we deemed
relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
such information being complete and accurate in all material respects. With
respect to financial forecasts, we have been advised, and have assumed, that
such forecasts have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of the managements of LFC and the
Subsidiaries as to the future financial performance of the Subsidiaries. We also
have been advised, and have assumed, that the actuarial analyses and valuations
relating to the Subsidiaries provided to or discussed with us by LFC, the
Subsidiaries and LFC's consultants were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments of LFC, the Subsidiaries
and such consultants as to the matters covered thereby. We have assumed, with
your consent, that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory and third
party approvals and consents for the Transaction, no modification, delay,
limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that will have a material
adverse effect on the Transaction. You also have advised us, and we have
assumed, that the Transaction will be consummated in accordance with the terms
of the Agreement, without waiver, amendment or modification of any material
term, condition or agreement. We have not been requested to make, and have not
made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent or otherwise) of any of the Subsidiaries, nor have we been furnished
with any such evaluations or appraisals, with the exception of the actuarial
analyses and valuations referred to above. We are not actuaries and our services
did not include any actuarial determinations or evaluations by us or an attempt
to evaluate actuarial assumptions. Our opinion is necessarily based upon
information available to us, and financial, economic, market and other
D-1-1
<Page>
Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
May 2, 2001
conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the date hereof. Our opinion
does not address the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for LFC or the effect of any
other transaction in which LFC might engage, nor does it address the underlying
business decision of LFC to proceed with the Transaction. In connection with our
engagement, we were requested to approach third parties to solicit indications
of interest in the possible acquisition of all or a part of LFC, including the
Subsidiaries, and held preliminary discussions with certain of these parties
prior to the date hereof.
We have acted as financial advisor to LFC in connection with the Transaction and
will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction. We and our affiliates in
the past have provided and are currently providing financial services to LFC and
its affiliates, and in the past have provided financial services to Sun Life
unrelated to the proposed Transaction, for which services we have received, and
expect to receive, compensation. In the ordinary course of business, we and our
affiliates may actively trade the securities of LFC, Sun Life and their
respective affiliates for our own and our affiliates' accounts and for the
accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short
positions in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of LFC in connection with its evaluation of the Transaction and does
not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder
should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the Transaction.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the Consideration to be received pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from
a financial point of view, to LFC.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
D-1-2
<Page>
[LETTERHEAD OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION]
APPENDIX D-2
June 4, 2001
Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2214
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. ("LFC") of the Consideration
(as defined below) set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
June 4, 2001 (the "Agreement"), among LFC, Liberty Financial Services, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of LFC ("LFS"), and Fleet National Bank ("Fleet"). As
more fully described in the Agreement, LFC and LFS will sell to Fleet of all of
the outstanding shares of the capital stock and other equity interests of the
direct and indirect subsidiaries of LFC and LFS engaged in LFC's investment
management business (collectively, the "Subsidiaries") for total consideration
of $900,000,000 in cash (the "Consideration"), subject to certain adjustments as
more fully set forth in the Agreement (the "Transaction").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Agreement and certain publicly
available business and financial information relating to the Subsidiaries. We
also have reviewed certain other information relating to the Subsidiaries,
including financial forecasts, provided to or discussed with us by LFC and the
Subsidiaries, and have met with the managements of LFC and the Subsidiaries to
discuss the businesses and prospects of the Subsidiaries. We also have
considered certain financial data of the Subsidiaries and have compared those
data with similar data for publicly held companies in businesses similar to the
Subsidiaries, and we have considered, to the extent publicly available, the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions
which have been effected. We also considered such other information, financial
studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria
which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
such information being complete and accurate in all material respects. With
respect to financial forecasts, we have been advised, and have assumed, that
such forecasts have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of the managements of LFC and the
Subsidiaries as to the future financial performance of the Subsidiaries. We have
assumed, with your consent, that in the course of obtaining the necessary
regulatory and third party approvals and consents for the Transaction, no
modification, delay, limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that
will have a material adverse effect on the Transaction. You also have advised,
and we have assumed, that the Transaction will be consummated in accordance with
the terms of the Agreement, without waiver, amendment or modification of any
material term, condition or agreement. We have not been requested to make, and
have not made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of any of the Subsidiaries, nor have we
been furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is
necessarily based upon information available to us, and financial, economic,
market and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the date
hereof. Our opinion does not address the relative merits of the Transaction as
compared to any alternative business strategies that might exist for LFC or the
effect of any other transaction in which LFC might engage, nor does it address
the underlying business decision of LFC to proceed with the Transaction. In
connection with our engagement, we were requested to approach third parties to
solicit indications of interest in the
D-2-1
<Page>
Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
June 4, 2001
possible acquisition of all or a part of LFC, including the Subsidiaries, and
held preliminary discussions with certain of these parties prior to the date
hereof.
We have acted as financial advisor to LFC in connection with the Transaction and
will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction. We and our affiliates in
the past have provided and are currently providing financial services to LFC and
its affiliates, and in the past have provided financial services to affiliates
of Fleet unrelated to the proposed Transaction, for which services we have
received, and expect to receive, compensation. In the ordinary course of
business, we and our affiliates may actively trade the securities of LFC and
affiliates of Fleet for our own and our affiliates' accounts and for the
accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short
positions in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of LFC in connection with its evaluation of the Transaction and does
not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder
should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the Transaction.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the Consideration to be received pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from
a financial point of view, to LFC.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
D-2-2
<Page>
[LETTERHEAD OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION]
APPENDIX D-3
June 4, 2001
Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2214
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of the common stock of Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc. ("LFC"), other than Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("Liberty
Mutual") and its affiliates, of the Consideration (as defined below) to be
received by such holders pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as
of June 4, 2001 (the "Agreement"), among LFC, Liberty Mutual and LFC Acquisition
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual ("Merger Sub"). The
Agreement provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and
into LFC (the "Merger") pursuant to which each outstanding share of the common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of LFC ("LFC Common Stock"), other than shares
of LFC Common Stock held by Liberty Mutual and its affiliates, will be converted
into the right to receive $33.44 per share in cash, subject to certain
adjustments as more fully set forth in the Agreement (the "Consideration").
Prior to consummation of the Merger, LFC and Liberty Financial Services, Inc.
will consummate the sales (such sales, the "Sale Transactions") of (i) LFC's
annuity and retail distribution business pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated as of May 2, 2001 (the "Annuity Agreement"), and (ii) LFC's asset
management business pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement to be entered into on
the date hereof (the "Asset Management Agreement" and, together with the Annuity
Agreement, the "Sale Agreements").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Agreement as well as certain
publicly available business and financial information relating to LFC. We also
reviewed, and have met with the management of LFC to discuss, certain other
information, including pro forma financial and other information relating to the
assets and liabilities of LFC after giving effect to the Sale Transactions,
provided to us by LFC. We also considered such other information, financial
studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria
which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
such information being complete and accurate in all material respects. With
respect to the pro forma financial and other information relating to the assets
and liabilities of LFC after giving effect to the Sale Transactions, we have
been advised, and have assumed, that such information has been reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the management of LFC of the pro forma assets and liabilities of
LFC after giving effect to the Sale Transactions. We have assumed, with your
consent, that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory and third
party approvals and consents for the Merger, no modification, delay, limitation,
restriction or condition will be imposed that will have a material adverse
effect on the Merger. You also have advised, and we have assumed, that the
Merger and each of the Sale Transactions will be consummated in accordance with
the terms of the Agreement and the Sale Agreements, respectively, without
waiver, amendment or modification of any material term, condition or agreement.
We have not been requested to make, and have not made, an independent evaluation
or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of LFC, nor
have we been furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is
necessarily based upon information available to us, and financial, economic,
market and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the date
hereof. Our opinion does not address the relative merits of the Merger as
compared to any alternative
D-3-1
<Page>
Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
June 4, 2001
business strategies that might exist for LFC or the effect of any other
transaction in which LFC might engage, nor does it address the underlying
business decision of LFC to proceed with the Merger. In connection with our
engagement, we were requested to approach third parties to solicit indications
of interest in the possible acquisition of all or a part of LFC, and held
preliminary discussions with certain of these parties prior to the date hereof.
We have acted as financial advisor to LFC in connection with the Transaction and
will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. We and our affiliates in the
past have provided and are currently providing financial services to LFC and its
affiliates, and in the past have provided and currently are providing financial
services to Liberty Mutual unrelated to the proposed Merger, including in
connection with its proposed mutual holding company reorganization, for which
services we have received, and expect to receive, compensation. In the ordinary
course of business, we and our affiliates may actively trade the securities of
LFC and affiliates of Liberty Mutual for our own and our affiliates' accounts
and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or
short positions in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of LFC in connection with its evaluation of the Merger and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should
vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the Merger.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the Consideration to be received pursuant to the Agreement by the
holders of LFC Common Stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to such
holders other than Liberty Mutual and its affiliates.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
D-3-2
<Page>
APPENDIX E
SECTIONS 86 THROUGH 98 OF CHAPTER 156B OF THE MASSACHUSETTS
BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
MASS. GEN. LAWS CH. 156B, SECTION86-98 (1997)
SECTION 86. SECTIONS APPLICABLE TO APPRAISAL; PREREQUISITES
If a corporation proposes to take a corporate action as to which any section
of this chapter provides that a stockholder who objects to such action shall
have the right to demand payment for his shares and an appraisal thereof,
sections eighty-seven to ninety-eight, inclusive, shall apply except as
otherwise specifically provided in any section of this chapter. Except as
provided in sections eighty-two and eighty-three, no stockholder shall have such
right unless (1) he files with the corporation before the taking of the vote of
the shareholders on such corporate action, written objection to the proposed
action stating that he intends to demand payment for his shares if the action is
taken and (2) his shares are not voted in favor of the proposed action.
SECTION 87. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS OF OBJECTING STOCKHOLDERS IN NOTICE OF MEETING;
FORM
The notice of the meeting of stockholders at which the approval of such
proposed action is to be considered shall contain a statement of the rights of
objecting stockholders. The giving of such notice shall not be deemed to create
any rights in any stockholder receiving the same to demand payment for his
stock, and the directors may authorize the inclusion in any such notice of a
statement of opinion by the management as to the existence or non-existence of
the right of the stockholders to demand payment for their stock on account of
the proposed corporate action. The notice may be in such form as the directors
or officers calling the meeting deem advisable, but the following form of notice
shall be sufficient to comply with this section:
"If the action proposed is approved by the stockholders at the meeting and
effected by the corporation, any stockholder (1) who files with the corporation
before the taking of the vote on the approval of such action, written objection
to the proposed action stating that he intends to demand payment for his shares
if the action is taken and (2) whose shares are not voted in favor of such
action has or may have the right to demand in writing from the corporation (or,
in the case of a consolidation or merger, the name of the resulting or surviving
corporation shall be inserted), within twenty days after the date of mailing to
him of notice in writing that the corporate action has become effective, payment
for his shares and an appraisal of the value thereof. Such corporation and any
such stockholder shall in such cases have the rights and duties and shall follow
the procedure set forth in sections 88 to 98, inclusive, of chapter 156B of the
General Laws of Massachusetts."
SECTION 88. NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTION OBJECTED TO
The corporation taking such action, or in the case of a merger or
consolidation the surviving or resulting corporation, shall within ten days
after the date on which such corporate action became effective, notify each
stockholder who filed a written objection meeting the requirements of section
eighty-six and whose shares were not voted in favor of the approval of such
action, that the action approved at the meeting of the corporation of which he
is a stockholder has become effective. The giving of such notice shall not be
deemed to create any rights in any stockholder receiving the same to demand
payment for his stock. The notice shall be sent by registered or certified mail,
addressed to the stockholder at his last known address as it appears in the
records of the corporation.
E-1
<Page>
SECTION 89. DEMAND FOR PAYMENT; TIME FOR PAYMENT
If within twenty days after the date of mailing of a notice under subsection
(e) of section eighty-two, subsection (f) of section eighty-three, or section
eighty-eight, any stockholder to whom the corporation was required to give such
notice shall demand in writing from the corporation taking such action, or in
the case of a consolidation or merger from the resulting or surviving
corporation, payment for his stock, the corporation upon which such demand is
made shall pay to him the fair value of his stock within thirty days after the
expiration of the period during which such demand may be made.
SECTION 90. DEMAND FOR DETERMINATION OF VALUE; BILL IN EQUITY; VENUE
If during the period of thirty days provided for in section eighty-nine the
corporation upon which such demand is made and any such objecting stockholder
fail to agree as to the value of such stock, such corporation or any such
stockholder may within four months after the expiration of such thirty-day
period demand a determination of the value of the stock of all such objecting
stockholders by a bill in equity filed in the superior court in the county where
the corporation in which such objecting stockholder held stock had or has its
principal office in the commonwealth.
SECTION 91. PARTIES TO SUIT TO DETERMINE VALUE; SERVICE
If the bill is filed by the corporation, it shall name as parties respondent
all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom the
corporation has not reached agreement as to the value thereof. If the bill is
filed by a stockholder, he shall bring the bill in his own behalf and in behalf
of all other stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with
whom the corporation has not reached agreement as to the value thereof, and
service of the bill shall be made upon the corporation by subpoena with a copy
of the bill annexed. The corporation shall file with its answer a duly verified
list of all such other stockholders, and such stockholders shall thereupon be
deemed to have been added as parties to the bill. The corporation shall give
notice in such form and returnable on such date as the court shall order to each
stockholder party to the bill by registered or certified mail, addressed to the
last known address of such stockholder as shown in the records of the
corporation, and the court may order such additional notice by publication or
otherwise as it deems advisable. Each stockholder who makes demand as provided
in section eighty-nine shall be deemed to have consented to the provisions of
this section relating to notice, and the giving of notice by the corporation to
any such stockholder in compliance with the order of the court shall be a
sufficient service of process on him. Failure to give notice to any stockholder
making demand shall not invalidate the proceedings as to other stockholders to
whom notice was properly given, and the court may at any time before the entry
of a final decree make supplementary orders of notice.
SECTION 92. DECREE DETERMINING VALUE AND ORDERING PAYMENT; VALUATION DATE
After hearing the court shall enter a decree determining the fair value of
the stock of those stockholders who have become entitled to the valuation of and
payment for their shares, and shall order the corporation to make payment of
such value, together with interest, if any, as hereinafter provided, to the
stockholders entitled thereto upon the transfer by them to the corporation of
the certificates representing such stock if certificated or, if uncertificated,
upon receipt of an instruction transferring such stock to the corporation. For
this purpose, the value of the shares shall be determined as of the day
preceding the date of the vote approving the proposed corporate action and shall
be exclusive of any element of value arising from the expectation or
accomplishment of the proposed corporate action.
E-2
<Page>
SECTION 93. REFERENCE TO SPECIAL MASTER
The court in its discretion may refer the bill or any question arising
thereunder to a special master to hear the parties, make findings and report the
same to the court, all in accordance with the usual practice in suits in equity
in the superior court.
SECTION 94. NOTATION ON STOCK CERTIFICATES OF PENDENCY OF BILL
On motion the court may order stockholder parties to the bill to submit
their certificates of stock to the corporation for the notation thereon of the
pendency of the bill and may order the corporation to note such pendency in its
records with respect to any uncertificated shares held by such stockholder
parties, and may on motion dismiss the bill as to any stockholder who fails to
comply with such order.
SECTION 95. COSTS; INTEREST
The costs of the bill, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of
any master appointed by the court, but exclusive of fees of counsel or of
experts retained by any party, shall be determined by the court and taxed upon
the parties to the bill, or any of them, in such manner as appears to be
equitable, except that all costs of giving notice to stockholders as provided in
this chapter shall be paid by the corporation. Interest shall be paid upon any
award from the date of the vote approving the proposed corporate action, and the
court may on application of any interested party determine the amount of
interest to be paid in the case of any stockholder.
SECTION 96. DIVIDENDS AND VOTING RIGHTS AFTER DEMAND FOR PAYMENT
Any stockholder who has demanded payment for his stock as provided in this
chapter shall not thereafter be entitled to notice of any meeting of
stockholders or to vote such stock for any purpose and shall not be entitled to
the payment of dividends or other distribution on the stock (except dividends or
other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior
to the date of the vote approving the proposed corporate action) unless:
(1) A bill shall not be filed within the time provided in section ninety;
(2) A bill, if filed, shall be dismissed as to such stockholder; or
(3) Such stockholder shall with the written approval of the corporation, or
in the case of a consolidation or merger, the resulting or surviving
corporation, deliver to it a written withdrawal of his objections to and an
acceptance of such corporate action.
Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (1) to (3), inclusive, said
stockholder shall have only the rights of a stockholder who did not so demand
payment for his stock as provided in this chapter.
SECTION 97. STATUS OF SHARES PAID FOR
The shares of the corporation paid for by the corporation pursuant to the
provisions of this chapter shall have the status of treasury stock, or in the
case of a consolidation or merger the shares or the securities of the resulting
or surviving corporation into which the shares of such objecting stockholder
would have been converted had he not objected to such consolidation or merger
shall have the status of treasury stock or securities.
SECTION 98. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY; EXCEPTION
The enforcement by a stockholder of his right to receive payment for his
shares in the manner provided in this chapter shall be an exclusive remedy
except that this chapter shall not exclude the right of such stockholder to
bring or maintain an appropriate proceeding to obtain relief on the ground that
such corporate action will be or is illegal or fraudulent as to him.
E-3
<Page>
APPENDIX F-1
TRANSITION SERVICES AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
This TRANSITION SERVICES AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated
as of May 2, 2001, is by and between Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), and Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada, a Canadian insurance corporation (the "Annuity Buyer").
BACKGROUND
A. The Company and the Annuity Buyer have entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of May 2, 2001 (the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which
the Company will sell and the Annuity Buyer will purchase the direct and
indirect subsidiaries of the Company that represent all of the Company's annuity
and intermediary retail distribution business segments.
B. In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, the parties wish to provide for certain transitional services and for
certain indemnities on the terms set forth herein. The parties have executed and
delivered this Agreement contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of
the Purchase Agreement. This Agreement being in full force and effect is a
condition to the obligations of each of the Company and the Annuity Buyer to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.
C. The agreements provided for herein are subject to the occurrence of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement. Upon
termination of the Purchase Agreement for any reason, this Agreement shall
terminate and become null and void and no party shall have any rights or
obligations hereunder.
D. This Agreement contemplates that the Company may enter into an agreement
(the "AUM Purchase Agreement" and, together with the Purchase Agreement, the
"Purchase Agreements") pertaining to the AUM Sale (as such term is defined
below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1. TRANSITIONAL SERVICES.
1.1 FUNDS.
(a) The Annuity Buyer shall cause Independent Financial Marketing
Group, Inc. ("IFMG"), IFMG's subsidiaries and Liberty Securities Corporation
("LSC") during the period from the Closing Date (as defined in the Purchase
Agreement) (the "Closing Date") through the date 12 months following the Closing
Date (the "Transition Period") to (a) maintain "preferred vendor" status of the
Liberty, Liberty Newport and Liberty Acorn Funds (the "Funds") and (b) maintain
substantially the same level of service as is currently provided to shareholders
of the Funds. The Annuity Buyer agrees that during the Transition Period the
only mutual funds that will have proprietary status with IFMG will be mutual
funds advised or marketed by the Annuity Buyer's affiliates. The Company
acknowledges that the banks and other financial institutions through which the
IFMG organization distributes products control the final decision as to whether
the Funds will be included in the "approved list" of products that the IFMG
organization may sell through their branches ("Approved Lists"). The Annuity
Buyer shall cause IFMG, IFMG's subsidiaries and LSC to use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the Funds to be included in such Approved Lists. The
Company shall pay fees to IFMG for such sales and services on the basis set
forth in Schedule 1.1(a). During the Transition Period and without payment of
any additional fees, the Company shall cause Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc.
("LFDI") or a
F-1-1
<Page>
successor entity to provide substantially the same level of wholesaling support
to IFMG with respect to the Funds as LFDI now provides to IFMG to the extent
that the Funds are included on Approved Lists. In connection therewith, during
the Transition Period, the Annuity Buyer shall cause IFMG to provide LFDI's
wholesalers with reasonable access to IFMG's retail sales force consistent with
the access IFMG provides to its other "preferred vendors."
(b) The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained during the
Transition Period the Funds in their current form, with their current investment
objectives and programs, under the management of their current investment
advisers and sub-advisers (if any) and at the same advisory fee levels;
provided, however, that in the event that the Company makes changes in any of
the foregoing, the sole remedy of the Annuity Buyer will be to discontinue the
status of such Fund under Section 1.1(a).
1.2 VARIABLE ANNUITIES.
(a) The Annuity Buyer shall continue or cause to be continued during the
Transition Period (i) the existing Participation Agreements (the "Participation
Agreements") among Keyport Life Insurance Company, Independence Life and Annuity
Company, and Keyport Benefit Life Insurance Company (collectively, "Keyport")
and those investment companies which are series funds of Liberty Variable
Investment Trust, SteinRoe Variable Investment Trust or the Wanger Advisor Trust
(the "VIT Funds") and the principal underwriter of certain of such VIT Funds and
(ii) the status of the VIT Funds as investment options under Keyport's variable
annuity and variable life insurance policies in force as of the Closing Date.
(b) The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained during the
Transition Period the VIT Funds in their current form, with their current
investment objectives and programs and advisory fee levels, under the management
of their current investment advisers and sub-advisers (if any) (except that
(i) Liberty Asset Management Company may in its discretion terminate or replace
sub-advisers to the VIT Fund for which it is investment adviser and (ii) the
Company may effect the fund consolidations, liquidations and other related
changes described on Schedule 1.2(b) (and, if requested by the Company, the
Annuity Buyer will cause Keyport to use commercially reasonable efforts, at the
Company's sole expense, to submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") an application for an order of substitution to effect such
consolidations)); provided, however, that in the event that the Company makes
changes in any of the foregoing, the sole remedy of the Annuity Buyer will be to
discontinue the status of such VIT Fund under Section 1.2(a).
(c) The Annuity Buyer shall make or cause to be made Keyport's existing
variable annuity products (or substantially similar replacement products)
available for distribution during the Transition Period through LFDI or a
successor entity; provided, however, that, unless requested by the Annuity
Buyer, LFDI or such successor entity shall not distribute such products through
the IFMG organization or any of the financial institutions through which IFMG
sells products. The Annuity Buyer shall provide a distribution allowance of 125
basis points per dollar of sales for products sold by LFDI or a successor entity
pursuant to this Section 1.2(c). LFDI shall pay all of the sales and marketing
costs associated with such sales, including, without limitation, (i) the costs
for wholesaling, sales management, and advertising and marketing materials and
(ii) all payments under Preferred Selling Agreements ("PSAs") that LFDI is
currently a party to or responsible for, or PSAs entered into by LFDI after the
date of this Agreement.
(d) Prior to the Closing, the parties shall cause to be executed and
delivered Administrative Service Agreements that provide that (i) Keyport shall
receive a payment of 20 basis points per annum, paid quarterly, on the average
daily assets of the VIT Funds that are held under the variable annuity and
variable life insurance policies described in Sections 1.2(a) and 1.2(c); and
(ii) Keyport shall receive an additional quarterly payment of 25 basis points
per annum (which may, to the extent available, be funded by Rule 12b-1 fees) on
the average daily assets of the VIT Funds that are held
F-1-2
<Page>
under variable annuity and variable life insurance policies to the extent
(x) sold under 12b-1 plans that are in effect as of the date hereof or are
adopted between the date hereof and the Closing Date and (y) sold after the
Closing Date. The Company shall cause its affiliates, including Colonial
Management Associates, Inc., to continue to provide such administrative services
as they currently provide to Keyport with respect to the VIT Funds. Such
Administrative Service Agreements shall remain in effect until terminated by
mutual agreement.
(e) Each of the parties agrees that all payments to be made under
existing PSAs shall continue to be paid by LFDI or Keyport, as the case may be,
consistent with past practices.
(f) The Company shall cause Keyport to be reimbursed for all existing
"commission specials" and dollar cost averaging subsidies in accordance with
arrangements currently in effect (it being understood that the Company has no
responsibility to extend such arrangements beyond their current terms).
1.3 FIXED AND INDEXED ANNUITIES. If requested by the Annuity Buyer within
30 days after the Closing Date, during the Transition Period, the Company shall
cause LFDI or a successor entity to provide sales support for fixed and indexed
annuity policies to selected firms or channels on terms agreed to by the Annuity
Buyer and the Company.
1.4 MARKETING AND FULFILLMENT. If requested by the Annuity Buyer, the
Company shall cause LFDI or a successor entity to continue for up to 120 days
after the Closing Date the existing marketing and fulfillment services at a cost
equal to LFDI's reasonably allocated actual costs of providing such services.
After such 120-day period, if requested by the Annuity Buyer, the Company shall
cause LFDI or a successor entity to continue for the remainder of the Transition
Period the existing marketing and fulfillment under pricing terms to be
negotiated by the parties in good faith within 60 days after the Closing Date.
It is understood that this Section 1.4 does not apply to LFDI's own sales and
marketing, which is addressed in Section 1.2(c).
1.5 KEYPORT GENERAL ACCOUNT.
(a) Keyport may assume management of that portion of Keyport's general
account currently managed by the subsidiaries of the Company other than the
Subsidiaries (the "AUM Subsidiaries") at any time after the Closing Date upon
30 days' prior written notice to the AUM Owner. To the extent that such AUM
Subsidiaries continue to manage any portion of the Keyport's general account
after the date hereof, Keyport shall compensate the AUM Subsidiaries under
current pricing terms.
(b) The Annuity Buyer shall cause Keyport not to redeem any of its seed
money investments from any of the VIT Funds, a complete and correct list of
which has been provided by the Company to the Annuity Buyer, until the earlier
of (i) the end of the Transition Period and (ii) the date on which such seed
money first represents less than 25% of the net assets of such VIT Fund. In
addition, the Annuity Buyer shall cause Keyport to give at least 30 days notice
of any such redemption and the Annuity Buyer shall cause Keyport to use
reasonable efforts, consistent with Keyport's own investment needs, so that such
redemption can be made in an orderly manner that avoids disruption to the
portfolio management of such VIT Fund. Similarly, the Annuity Buyer shall cause
Keyport to give at least 30 days notice of any redemption of seed money
investments from any Fund other than a VIT Fund, a complete and correct list of
which has been provided by the Company to the Annuity Buyer, and the Annuity
Buyer shall cause Keyport to use reasonable efforts, consistent with Keyport's
own investment needs, so that such redemptions can be made in an orderly manner
that avoids disruption to the portfolio management of such Fund.
1.6 INSURANCE APPOINTMENTS. During the Transition Period, the Annuity
Buyer shall cause Keyport to use reasonable efforts to maintain the appointments
of (i) LFDI personnel who are licensed to sell insurance and (ii) sales
representatives of dealer firms through which LFDI markets Keyport products who
are so licensed.
F-1-3
<Page>
1.7 FIDUCIARY PRINCIPLES, ETC. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
this Section 1, the Annuity Buyer and the Company shall be excused from their
respective obligations under such provisions to the extent required to permit
them to comply with their fiduciary obligations under law to third parties or as
otherwise required to comply with law, provided that in each case, (i) the party
relying on this Section 1.7 to excuse an obligation shall deliver to the other
party a written opinion of counsel (which may be internal counsel) that such
action is required and (ii) the parties shall during a 30-day notice period
negotiate in good faith as to whether the applicable transactions can be
restructured so as to comply with such obligations. In the event a party is so
excused from performance of an obligation hereunder, then the other party shall
likewise be excused of its corresponding obligations in respect thereof.
1.8 SHARED SERVICES. The Company will continue to provide to the Annuity
Buyer the services described on Schedule 1.8 at the rates described therein.
1.9 CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Company and the Annuity Buyer hereby
agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information regarding the other
party and its Affiliates and customers received by it or its Affiliates pursuant
to this Section 1. In addition, each party hereby agrees to comply with
applicable law with respect to the maintenance of confidential information of
individuals, including, without limitation, SEC Regulation S-P and applicable
law promulgated by insurance or banking authorities.
1.10 TERMINATION FOR MATERIAL BREACH. Either party shall have the right to
terminate the arrangements contemplated by a particular section or subsection of
this Section 1 (other than Section 1.7) in the event of a material breach by the
other party of any material term or provision of such section or subsection upon
written notice by the party seeking such termination to the other party
specifying such breach, such termination to be effective on the 60th day
following the delivery of such notice only if such breach has not been corrected
to the reasonable satisfaction of the party seeking such termination within such
60 day period or any written extension thereof granted by such party; IT BEING
UNDERSTOOD, that no such termination of a particular section or subsection of
this Section 1 shall terminate or otherwise affect any of the remaining sections
and subsections of this Section 1.
2. INDEMNIFICATION.
2.1 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement,
"ACTION" means any action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any court, any governmental or other regulatory or
administrative agency or commission or any arbitration tribunal.
"AFFILIATE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term under Rule 405 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"ANNUITY BUSINESS" means the businesses, assets and operations of the
Annuity Subsidiaries, as heretofore, currently or hereafter conducted,
including, without limitation, all annuity businesses, assets or operations
which have been sold or otherwise disposed of (other than to the Asset
Management Business) or discontinued prior to the Closing Date.
"ANNUITY INDEMNITEES" means the Annuity Buyer, each Affiliate of the Annuity
Buyer (including, without limitation, the Annuity Subsidiaries), and each of
their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, and each of the
heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
"ANNUITY LIABILITIES" means (i) all Liabilities of any Annuity Subsidiary,
including, without limitation, all Liabilities arising out of or in connection
with or relating principally to the Annuity Business and (ii) any Liabilities of
the Company or its subsidiaries other than the Annuity Subsidiaries
F-1-4
<Page>
that relate primarily to the Annuity Business, including, without limitation,
Liabilities that arise from any of the agreements and other arrangements set
forth on Schedule 2.1(a). The Company hereby represents and warrants to the
Annuity Buyer that, to the Company's best knowledge, none of the Company or its
subsidiaries other than the Annuity Subsidiaries have any Liabilities that
relate primarily to the Annuity Business other than Liabilities under the
agreements and other arrangements set forth on Schedule 2.1(a). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, "ANNUITY LIABILITIES" shall not include any Liabilities
specifically retained by the Company under the Purchase Agreement or any
Liabilities against which the Company or Liberty Mutual Insurance Company has
agreed to indemnify the Annuity Buyer.
"ANNUITY SUBSIDIARIES" means the entities set forth on SCHEDULE 2.1(B).
"ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS" means the businesses, assets and operations of
the AUM Subsidiaries, as heretofore, currently or hereafter conducted,
including, without limitation, (i) the management of the VIT Funds and (ii) all
asset management businesses, assets or operations which have been sold or
otherwise disposed of (other than to the Annuity Business) or discontinued prior
to the Closing Date.
"ASSET MANAGEMENT LIABILITIES" means (i) all Liabilities of any AUM
Subsidiary, including, without limitation, all Liabilities arising out of or in
connection with or relating principally to the Asset Management Business and
(ii) any Liabilities of the Company or its subsidiaries other than the AUM
Subsidiaries that relate primarily to the Asset Management Business, including,
without limitation, Liabilities that arise from any of the agreements and other
arrangements set forth on Schedule 2.1(c). The Company hereby represents and
warrants to the AUM Owner that, to the Company's knowledge as of the date
hereof, none of the Company or its subsidiaries other than the AUM Subsidiaries
have any Liabilities that relate primarily to the Asset Management Business
other than Liabilities under the agreements and other arrangements set forth on
Schedule 2.1(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, "ASSET MANAGEMENT LIABILITIES"
shall not include any Liabilities specifically retained by the Company under the
AUM Purchase Agreement or any Liabilities against which the Company or Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company has agreed to indemnify the AUM Owner.
"AUM INDEMNITEES" means the AUM Owner, each Affiliate of the AUM Owner
(including, without limitation, the AUM Subsidiaries), and each of their
respective directors, officers, employees and agents, and each of the heirs,
executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
"AUM OWNER" means the Company or, upon execution of a counterpart signature
page as contemplated by Section 6, any purchaser of the Asset Management
Business.
"AUM SALE" means the acquisition by a party other than the Company or any of
its affiliates of the Asset Management Business, whether as a result of the
acquiring party's acquisition of the Company (whether by merger, purchase of all
of its capital stock, or some other means) or all or substantially all of the
AUM Subsidiaries (whether by purchase of their capital stock, purchase of all or
substantially all of their assets, or some other means).
"AUM SUBSIDIARIES" means the entities set forth on Schedule 2.1(d).
"INDEMNIFIABLE LOSSES" means any and all losses, claims, damages,
obligations, payments, costs and expenses, matured or unmatured, absolute or
contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, known or unknown,
including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of any and all Actions,
threatened Actions, demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises
relating thereto and reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all expenses
whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against
any such Actions or threatened Actions; except that Indemnifiable Losses shall
not include any such amounts to the extent paid on or before the Closing Date.
F-1-5
<Page>
"INDEMNIFYING PARTY" means the Annuity Buyer with respect to the
indemnification provided under Section 2.2, the AUM Owner with respect to the
indemnification provided under Section 2.3, and the Company with respect to the
indemnification provided under Section 2.4.
"LIABILITIES" means any and all debts, liabilities and obligations, absolute
or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or
unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, including all costs and expenses
relating thereto, and including, without limitation, those debts, liabilities
and obligations arising under any law, rule, regulation, Action, threatened
Action, order or consent decree of any governmental entity or any award of any
arbitrator of any kind, and those arising under any contract, commitment or
undertaking.
"LFC INDEMNITEES" means the Company, each Affiliate of the Company (other
than the Annuity Subsidiaries, any AUM Subsidiaries that cease to be direct or
indirect subsidiaries of the Company and any other Affiliates of the Company
that cease to be Affiliates of the Company as of the Closing), and each of their
respective directors, officers, employees and agents, and each of the heirs,
executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
"LFC LIABILITIES" means all Liabilities of the Company, other than the
Annuity Liabilities and the Asset Management Liabilities; provided, however,
that the term "LFC LIABILITIES" shall not include Liabilities of LFC or any of
its controlling Affiliates as a guarantor or surety or contingent obligor for
any Annuity Liabilities or any Asset Management Liabilities. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, "LFC LIABILITIES" include (i) Liabilities to
the holders of the Company's debt and equity securities, including, without
limitation, Liabilities under securities laws or otherwise arising from claims
made by such holders relating to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement; (ii) Liabilities of the Company relating to its corporate
headquarters at 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts; and
(iii) Liabilities under the Retention Plan (as such term is defined in the
Purchase Agreement) with respect to (x) the payment or satisfaction of all stock
options and restricted stock (provided, however, that as contemplated by the
Purchase Agreement, the Annuity Buyer and the Annuity Subsidiaries shall be
responsible for the entire amount of any Gross-Up Payment (as such term is
defined in the Retention Plan)) or (y) obligations to employees or former
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than the Annuity
Subsidiaries.
"PERSON" means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a
partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization.
2.2. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE ANNUITY BUYER. The Annuity Buyer shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the LFC Indemnitees and, from and after the
AUM Sale, the AUM Indemnitees from and against (i) the Annuity Liabilities and
(ii) any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the LFC Indemnitees and, from and after
the AUM Sale, the AUM Indemnitees arising out of or due to the failure of the
Annuity Buyer or any of its Affiliates to pay, perform or otherwise discharge in
due course any Annuity Liabilities.
2.3. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE AUM OWNER. The AUM Owner shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the Annuity Indemnitees and, from and after the AUM
Sale, the LFC Indemnitees from and against (i) the Asset Management Liabilities
and (ii) any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Annuity Indemnitees and, from
and after the AUM Sale, the LFC Indemnitees arising out of or due to the failure
of the AUM Owner or any of its Affiliates to pay, perform or otherwise discharge
in due course any Asset Management Liabilities.
2.4. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the Annuity Indemnitees and, from and after the AUM Sale, the
AUM Indemnitees from and against (i) the LFC Liabilities and (ii) any and all
Indemnifiable Losses of the Annuity Indemnitees and, from and after the AUM
Sale, the AUM Indemnitees arising out of or due to the failure of the Company or
any of its Affiliates to pay, perform or otherwise discharge in due course any
LFC Liabilities.
F-1-6
<Page>
2.5 TREATMENT OF TAXES. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.2
through 2.4 above, (i) as between the Company, on the one hand, and the Annuity
Buyer, on the other hand, Liabilities in respect of Taxes shall be governed by
the Purchase Agreement rather than by this Agreement and (ii) as between the
Company, on the one hand, and the AUM Owner after the AUM Sale, on the other
hand, Liabilities in respect of Taxes shall be governed by the AUM Purchase
Agreement rather than by this Agreement.
2.6. LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS; SUBROGATION. The amount
of any Indemnifiable Losses or other liability for which indemnification is
provided under this Agreement shall be reduced by any net amounts actually
recovered (including, without limitation, amounts actually recovered under
insurance policies) by the indemnitee (an "Indemnitee") from third parties with
respect to such Indemnifiable Losses or other liability. An Indemnifying Party,
upon payment in full of an Indemnifiable Loss, shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Indemnitee with respect thereto, including without limitation, all rights
under insurance policies. An insurer who would otherwise be obligated to pay any
claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or,
solely by virtue of the indemnification provision hereof, have any subrogation
rights with respect thereto. If an Indemnitee recovers from a third party in
respect of an Indemnifiable Loss for which indemnification is provided in this
Agreement after all or a portion of such Indemnifiable Loss has been paid by an
Indemnifying Party and the net amount received from the third party exceeds the
remaining unpaid balance of such Indemnifiable Loss, then the Indemnitee shall
promptly remit to the Indemnifying Party the excess (if any) of (A) the sum of
the amount theretofore paid by such Indemnifying Party in respect of such
Indemnifiable Loss plus the net amount received from the third party in respect
thereof, less (B) the full amount of such Indemnifiable Loss or other liability.
Nothing in this Section 2.6 shall obligate any Indemnitee to seek to recover any
amounts from any third party (including, without limitation, amounts recoverable
under insurance policies) prior to, or as a condition to, seeking
indemnification under this Section 2. For the purposes of this Section 2.6, the
net amount recovered from a third party is the amount actually recovered, less
any costs incurred in connection with such recovery.
2.7. PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION.
2.7.1 THIRD PARTY CLAIMS; NOTICE. If an Indemnitee shall receive
notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by any Person (other than the
parties to this Agreement) of any claim or of the commencement by any such
Person of any Action (a "Third Party Claim") with respect to which an
Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification pursuant to
this Section 2, such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party written
notice thereof within 10 business days after becoming aware of such Third
Party Claim. Such notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable
detail, and shall indicate the amount (estimated if necessary) of the
Indemnifiable Loss that has been or may be sustained by such Indemnitee.
Thereafter, such Indemnitee shall deliver to such Indemnifying Party, within
5 business days after the Indemnitee's receipt thereof, copies of all
notices and documents (including, without limitation, court papers) received
by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim. The failure of any
Indemnitee to give timely notice of a Third Party Claim, or to provide
copies of notices and documents relating thereto, as provided in this
Section 2.7.1 shall not relieve the related Indemnifying Party of its
obligations under this Section 2, except to the extent that such
Indemnifying Party actually is prejudiced thereby.
2.7.2 DEFENSE OF THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. If any Third Party Claim is
brought against an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to
participate in and to assume the defense thereof to the extent that it may
wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee, and after
notice from an Indemnifying Party to such Indemnitee of its election so to
assume the defense thereof, such Indemnifying Party will not be liable to
such Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that, if the defendants in any such claim include both the Indemnifying
Party and one or more Indemnitees and in any Indemnitee's reasonable
judgment either a conflict of
F-1-7
<Page>
interest between one or more of such Indemnitees and such Indemnifying Party
exists in respect of such claim, or there may be defenses available to such
Indemnitee which are significantly different from or in addition to those
available to such Indemnifying Party and the representation of both parties
by the same counsel would, in the reasonable judgment of the Indemnitee, be
inappropriate, such Indemnitees shall have the right to employ separate
counsel to represent such Indemnitees, and in that event the reasonable fees
and expenses of such separate counsel (but not more than one separate
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party for all
Indemnitees with respect to any single Third Party Claim) shall be paid by
such Indemnifying Party.
2.7.3 COOPERATION BY INDEMNITEE. If an Indemnifying Party chooses to
defend or to seek to compromise or settle any Third Party Claim, each
related Indemnitee shall make available to such Indemnifying Party any
personnel or any books, records or other documents within its control or
which it otherwise has the ability to make available that are necessary or
appropriate for such defense, settlement or compromise, and shall otherwise
cooperate in the defense, settlement or compromise of such Third Party
Claim. Where an Indemnifying Party is subrogated to the rights of an
Indemnitee, the Indemnitee shall similarly cooperate with such Indemnifying
Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such
Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.
2.7.4 LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY TO SETTLE CLAIM. Notwithstanding
anything else in this Section 2.7 to the contrary, neither an Indemnifying
Party nor an Indemnitee shall settle or compromise any Third Party Claim
unless such settlement or compromise contemplates as an unconditional term
thereof the giving by such claimant or plaintiff to each Indemnitee or the
Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, of a written release from all
liability with respect to such Third Party Claim.
2.7.5 ADVANCEMENT OF CERTAIN EXPENSES. Upon the written demand of an
Indemnitee, an Indemnifying Party shall reimburse or advance funds to such
Indemnitee for all Indemnifiable Losses reasonably incurred by it in
connection with investigating or defending any Third Party Claim in advance
of its final disposition.
3. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party hereto shall execute such documents and
other papers and take such further actions as any other party may reasonably
request in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
4. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision
or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any
other jurisdiction.
5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; WAIVERS; CONSTRUCTION; THIRD PARTY. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements,
understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the
parties. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall
constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar),
shall constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided, nor
shall be effective unless in writing and executed by the party against whom such
waiver is sought to be enforced. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement
shall not be construed in favor of one or more parties based upon which party
drafted the same, it being acknowledged that all parties have contributed
substantially to the negotiation and preparation hereof. Except as contemplated
by Section 2, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to confer any right,
benefit or remedy upon any person or entity that is not a party hereto or a
permitted assignee of a party.
F-1-8
<Page>
6. AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION. The parties hereto may not amend or modify
this Agreement except in such manner as may be agreed upon by a written
instrument executed by the Company, the Annuity Buyer and the AUM Owner.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any purchaser of the Asset Management Business
shall become a party hereto, as contemplated by Section 13, by execution of the
counterpart signature page hereto provided for that purpose.
7. HEADINGS. Section and subsection headings are not to be considered part
of this Agreement, are included solely for convenience, are not intended to be
full or accurate descriptions of the content thereof and shall not affect the
construction hereof.
8. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision hereof would, under
applicable law, be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall
be construed by modifying or limiting it so as to be valid and enforceable to
the maximum extent compatible with, and possible under, applicable law. The
provisions hereof are severable, and in the event any provision hereof should be
held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, it shall not invalidate, render
unenforceable or otherwise affect any other provision hereof.
9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
10. NO IMPAIRMENT. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
without regard to, and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall not be
affected or impaired by: (A) any amendment, modification of or supplement to
either Purchase Agreement; (B) any extension, indulgence or other action or
inaction in respect of either Purchase Agreement; (C) any default by any party
under, or any invalidity or unenforceability of, or any irregularity or other
defect in either Purchase Agreement; (D) any exercise or non-exercise of any
right, remedy, power or privilege in respect of either Purchase Agreement;
(E) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding involving
or affecting any of the parties hereto; or (F) any other circumstance or cause,
whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing, that might constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the parties hereto and whether
or not any of the parties hereto shall have had notice or knowledge thereof.
11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that
any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve
complicated and difficult issues, and therefore each party hereby irrevocably
and unconditionally waives any right such party may have to a trial by jury in
respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 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 the foregoing waiver, (B) each
party understands and has considered the implications of this waiver, (C) each
party makes this waiver voluntarily, and (D) each party has been induced to
enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and
certifications of this Section 11.
12. COOPERATION IN LITIGATION. Each party hereto will use commercially
reasonable efforts to fully cooperate with the others in the defense or
prosecution of any litigation or proceeding already instituted or which may be
instituted hereafter against or by such party relating to or arising out of the
conduct of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries prior to or after the
execution hereof (other than litigation arising out of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the AUM Owner shall, to the extent within its control, cause
appropriate investment personnel of Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated ("Stein
Roe") to be available at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, to assist
Keyport or a successor entity with respect to the legal proceedings described on
Schedule 12. The party requesting such cooperation shall pay the out-of-pocket
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and
disbursements) of such other parties, but shall not be responsible to reimburse
such other parties for such other parties' time spent in such cooperation or the
salaries or costs of fringe benefits or similar expenses paid by such
F-1-9
<Page>
party to its officers, directors, employees and agents while assisting in the
defense or prosecution of any such litigation or proceeding.
13. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective delegatees, heirs, devisers, successors and
permitted assigns (each of which such delegatees, heirs, devisers, successors
and permitted assigns shall be deemed to be a party hereto for all purposes
hereof). No party may assign this Agreement or any rights hereunder to any other
Person without the written consent of each other party hereto, except that
(i) a purchaser of the Asset Management Business shall become a party hereto by
executing the counterpart signature page hereto provided for that purpose, in
which event such purchaser shall be deemed to assume the Company's right and
obligations under Section 1 (and the Company shall be released from obligations
under Section 1, it being understood and agreed that such obligations shall
thereafter constitute Asset Management Liabilities hereunder) and be deemed the
AUM Owner for purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, under
Section 2; (ii) the Annuity Buyer may assign its rights or obligations under
this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its affiliates (including, without
limitation, any of the Annuity Subsidiaries) without the other parties' prior
consent, but no such assignment shall relieve the Annuity Buyer of its
obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) the AUM Owner may assign its rights
or obligations under this Agreement in whole or in part to any of its affiliates
(including, without limitation, any of the AUM Subsidiaries) without the other
parties' prior consent, but no such assignment shall relieve the AUM Owner of
its obligations under this Agreement.
14. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if (I) delivered
personally, (II) sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
(III) sent by overnight courier for delivery on the next business day, or
(IV) sent by confirmed telecopy, provided that a hard copy of all such
telecopied materials is thereafter sent within 24 hours in the manner described
in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), to the parties at the following addresses or at
such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice:
(a) If to the Annuity Buyer:
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5699
Attention: Daniel Wood, Vice President--Strategic Ventures
Telecopy No.: (781) 237-0707
and
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5699
Attention: Peter Demuth, Vice President and Chief Counsel U.S. Operations
Telecopy No.: (781) 446-3250
with a copy to:
Mayer, Brown & Platt
190 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60603-3441
Attention: Edward S. Best, Marc F. Sperber and D. Michael Murray
Telecopy No.: (312) 701-7711
F-1-10
<Page>
(b) If to the Company:
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210-2214
Attention: Lindsay Cook, Executive Vice President
Telecopy No.: (617) 720-5376
and
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210-2214
Attn: Kevin M. Carome, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Telecopy No.: (617) 742-7338
with copies to:
Choate, Hall & Stewart
Exchange Place
53 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn: William P. Gelnaw, Jr., Esq.
Telecopy No.: (617) 248-4000
(c) If to the AUM Owner after the AUM Sale, to the address(es) that such
party shall specify on its signature page (which shall be provided to the
other parties by notice hereunder).
Notices provided in accordance with this Section 14 shall be deemed
delivered (i) on the date of personal delivery, (ii) on the date such notice is
actually received or delivery thereof is refused at the specified address, or
(iii) on the date of confirmation of receipt of the telecopy transmission, as
the case may be.
Each of the parties hereto shall be entitled to specify a different address
by giving notice as aforesaid to each of the other parties hereto.
15. EFFECTIVE TIME. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective as of the Closing (as such term
is defined in the Purchase Agreement). If the Purchase Agreement is terminated,
then this Agreement shall become null and void.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
F-1-11
<Page>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound by the
terms hereof, have hereunto set their hands, as if under seal, as of the date
first above written.
<Table>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
----------------------------------------
Name: Gary L. Countryman
Title: President
SUN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA
By: /s/ C. JAMES PRIEUR
----------------------------------------
Name: C. James Prieur
Title: President and Chief Operating
Officer
and
By: /s/ JAMES A. MCNULTY, III
----------------------------------------
Name: James A. McNulty, III
Title: Executive Vice President
</Table>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound by the
terms hereof, has hereunto sets its hand, as if under seal, as of the date set
forth below, pursuant to Sections 6 and 13.
<Table>
AUM OWNER:
Name: --------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
By: Name:
Title:
Date: --------------------------------------
Notice Address(es):
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
</Table>
F-1-12
<Page>
APPENDIX F-2
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
100 FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON, MA 02110
Dated as of June 4, 2001
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
Re: Transition Services and Indemnity Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen--
Simultaneously on the date hereof, Fleet National Bank, a national banking
association (the "Purchaser"), Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation ("LFC") and Liberty Financial Services, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation ("LFS") are entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement
(the "Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the Purchaser will purchase from
LFC and LFS, and LFC and LFS will sell to the Purchaser, the Purchased
Securities. In addition, LFC has previously entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement with the Annuity Purchaser regarding the sale of LFC's annuity
business to the Annuity Purchaser and, in connection therewith, entered into a
Transition Services and Indemnity Agreement (the "Transition Agreement").
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the Closing, the Purchaser
is to become a party to the Transition Agreement. The parties hereto wish to
enter into this letter agreement regarding certain terms of the Transition
Agreement as they relate to the Purchaser. Defined terms used herein which are
not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Purchase
Agreement or the Transition Agreement, as the case may be.
1. "EXCLUDED LFC ONLY LIABILITIES"
If and to the extent there exists any Asset Management Liability for which
(i) no Subsidiary is obligated or liable that is not listed in Schedule 2.1(c)
to the Transition Agreement and (ii) no liability has been accrued on the books
of any Subsidiary with respect to such Asset Management Liability, such Asset
Management Liability shall be deemed an "Excluded LFC Only Liability." In
addition, all obligations or liabilities under that certain Indenture, dated as
of November 1, 1998, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Indenture") shall be Excluded LFC Only Liabilities.
For purposes of this letter agreement, an agreement to which both LFC and a
Subsidiary are parties is hereinafter referred to as a "Joint LFC Agreement".
2. MODIFICATION OF AUM OWNER INDEMNITY
Notwithstanding Section 2.3 of the Transition Agreement to the contrary, the
Purchaser shall not be required to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the LFC
Indemnitees from and against any Excluded LFC Only Liability. In addition,
notwithstanding any provision of the Transition Agreement to the contrary, Asset
Management Liabilities shall not include any LFC Liabilities.
3. DEFINITION OF LFC LIABILITIES
Notwithstanding Section 2.1 of the Transition Agreement to the contrary, the
term "LFC Liabilities" in the Transition Agreement shall, in addition to the
items set forth in such definition, include (a) any Excluded LFC Only Liability,
(b) Liabilities under the Retention Plan with respect to the payment of
retention bonuses and the settlement of stock options and restricted stock,
(c) Liabilities to the holders of the Company's debt and equity securities or
any other Person, including without limitation, Liabilities under securities
laws or otherwise arising from claims made by such
F-2-1
<Page>
holders relating to the transactions contemplated by the AUM Purchase Agreement,
including without limitation, the AUM Sale, the merger of the Company with a
wholly-owned subsidiary of LMIC as referred to in the AUM Purchase Agreement and
any obligation or liability under the Indenture; provided, further that for
purposes of this subclause (c), the term "AUM Indemnitees" shall also include
all representatives of any AUM Indemnitee, and (d) Liabilities retained by the
Company under the AUM Purchase Agreement.
4. "LFC ONLY RIGHTS"
Prior to the Closing, LFC will use its reasonable commercial efforts to
assign to Purchaser all Liabilities of third parties to LFC or any of its
subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiaries) that relate primarily to the Asset
Management Business and are not Liabilities to a Subsidiary ("LFC Only Rights")
and will, from and after the Closing, and at Purchaser's request, direction and
expense, exercise on behalf of Purchaser or a Subsidiary any LFC Only Rights not
assigned to Purchaser prior to the Closing. LFC will not exercise any LFC Only
Rights or any rights under any Joint LFC Agreement except at the direction of,
and on behalf of, Purchaser or a Subsidiary. To the extent that LFC is informed
that any LFC Only Right may be exercised, LFC shall promptly inform Purchaser of
such fact.
5. DISCLOSURE OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Notwithstanding anything in the Transition Agreement to the contrary, after
the Closing Date, the disclosure by the Purchaser or the Subsidiaries to any
party of any information relating to any customer of the Purchaser or the
Subsidiaries required or contemplated to be disclosed pursuant to the Transition
Agreement shall be subject to the customer privacy and disclosure policies of
the Purchaser and all applicable laws.
6. NO AMENDMENT OF TRANSITION AGREEMENT
No amendment of the Transition Agreement will be made unless consented to in
writing by the Purchaser.
7. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
8. This letter agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that the rights of the parties under this letter agreement
shall not be assigned except that Purchaser may assign its rights and
obligations in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, but no such assignment
shall relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder.
F-2-2
<Page>
Please indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing this letter
agreement in the space provided below, whereupon a binding agreement will have
been formed between us in respect of the foregoing.
<Table>
Sincerely,
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ TERRENCE P. LAUGHLIN
----------------------------------------
Name: Terrence P. Laughlin
Title:
</Table>
Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first above written:
<Table>
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
----------------------------------------
Name: Gary L. Countryman
Title: President
</Table>
F-2-3
<Page>
APPENDIX F-3
June 4, 2001
Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. ("LFC") and Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada ("Sun Life") have entered into a Transition Services and Indemnity
Agreement (the "TSA") dated May 2, 2001 in connection with the pending sale by
LFC of its annuity and intermediary retail distribution business segments (the
"Annuity Business") to Sun Life. Concurrent herewith, LFC and Fleet National
Bank ("FleetBoston") are entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock
Purchase Agreement") providing for the sale by LFC of its asset management
business (the "Asset Management Business") to FleetBoston. In addition, LFC and
FleetBoston are entering into a letter agreement regarding certain terms of the
TSA (the "TSA Letter Agreement"). Defined terms used herein which are defined
herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the TSA.
The TSA contemplates that the purchaser of the Asset Management Business
will (and FleetBoston has agreed to, subject to the TSA Letter Agreement) become
a party thereto upon the closing of its purchase of the Asset Management
Business. The TSA provides that the owner of the Asset Management Business will
provide certain services to, and receive certain services from, the purchaser of
the Annuity Business.
LFC and FleetBoston now desire to make appropriate arrangements so that, if
FleetBoston's purchase of the Asset Management Business closes before Sun Life's
purchase of the Annuity Business, FleetBoston nevertheless receives, for the
benefit of the Asset Management Business, the services under the TSA that would
otherwise have been provided by certain companies within the Annuity Business
under the ownership of Sun Life. Therefore, the parties agree that during the
interim period, if any, from the closing of FleetBoston's purchase of the Asset
Management Business until the closing of Sun Life's purchase of the Annuity
Business, which interim period shall not go beyond the date which is four months
after the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement)
(the "Interim Period"), the terms set forth in the TSA (other than Section 15
thereof) shall constitute an agreement between LFC and FleetBoston with the
following modifications:
1. Except as otherwise provided below, during the Interim Period LFC will
have all of the rights and obligations of the "Annuity Buyer" under Section 1 of
the TSA; and FleetBoston will have all of the rights and obligations of the
"Company" under Section 1 of the TSA.
2. During the Interim Period, LFC will cause IFMG and IFMG's subsidiaries
to maintain "proprietary status" of the Funds as such status has been maintained
as of the date hereof and, in connection therewith, to provide such level of
service, and the Purchaser will cause the AUM Subsidiaries to pay to IFMG and
IFMG's subsidiaries, as the case may be, such fees, as have been provided and
paid as of the date hereof. LFC agrees that during the Interim Period, the only
mutual funds that will have such proprietary status with IFMG will be the Funds.
LFC will cause IFMG to provide LFDI's wholesalers with that access provided as
of the date hereof.
3. During the Interim Period, the first sentence of Section 1.5(a) will not
be applicable and the AUM Subsidiaries will continue to manage that portion of
Keyport's general account currently managed by the AUM Subsidiaries.
F-3-1
<Page>
4. LFC will have all of the rights and obligations of, and shall be deemed
to be, both the "Annuity Buyer" and the "Company" for all purposes of Section 2
of the TSA, as such section has been modified by the TSA Letter Agreement; and
FleetBoston will have all of the rights and obligations of, and shall be deemed
to be, the "AUM Owner" for all purposes of Section 2 of the TSA, as such section
has been modified by the TSA Letter Agreement; PROVIDED, THAT, this Section 4
shall survive the expiration of the Interim Period and continue in accordance
with Section 5 below.
5. Except as set forth below, the Transition Period applicable to
Section 1 of the TSA shall end on the last day of the Interim Period if the
closing of the sale of the Annuity Business has not occurred prior to such date.
In that case, however, (i) the indemnification rights and obligations of the
parties under Section 2 of the TSA (as modified by Section 4 of this Agreement),
and (ii) the applicable provisions of Sections 3 through 14 of the TSA, shall
remain in full force and effect
6. Prior to the expiration of the Interim Period, the parties will use
their reasonable efforts to negotiate in good faith the terms of an agreement
providing for similar arrangements as in the TSA to take effect after the
Interim Period if the closing of the sale of the Annuity Business has not
occurred prior to such date.
In construing this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties that during
the interim period between the sale of the Asset Management Business and the
sale of the Annuity Business, if any, (a) LFC will provide to FleetBoston the
services and indemnities that the TSA contemplates the "Company" and the
"Annuity Buyer" will provide to the "AUM Owner" after FleetBoston's purchase of
the Asset Management Business, as such services and indemnities have been
modified by this agreement and the TSA Letter Agreement, and (b) FleetBoston as
owner of the Asset Management Business will provide to LFC the services and
indemnities that the TSA contemplates the "AUM Owner" will provide to the
"Company" and the "Annuity Buyer" after FleetBoston's purchase of the Asset
Management Business, as such services and indemnities have been modified by this
agreement and the TSA Letter Agreement. If the sale of the Annuity Business
closes before the sale of the Asset Management Business to FleetBoston, this
agreement will be of no effect.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the rights of the parties under this Agreement shall not be assigned except
that Purchaser may assign its rights and obligations in whole or in part to any
of its affiliates, but no such assignment shall relieve the Purchaser of its
obligations hereunder.
F-3-2
<Page>
If the foregoing corresponds with your understanding of our agreement with
respect to the subject matter hereof, please sign and return to the undersigned
one or more counterparts of this letter, whereupon this letter shall become a
legally valid and binding contract between LFC and you.
<Table>
Sincerely,
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
----------------------------------------
Name: Gary L. Countryman
Title: President
</Table>
The foregoing is hereby accepted and agreed to:
<Table>
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ TERRENCE P. LAUGHLIN
----------------------------------------
Name: Terrence P. Laughlin
Title:
</Table>
F-3-3
<Page>
APPENDIX G
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
ORGANIZATION
This charter governs the operations of the Audit Committee of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc. (the "Company"). The Audit Committee shall review and
reassess the charter at least annually and recommend any proposed changes to the
Board of Directors for approval. The Audit Committee shall be appointed by the
Board of Directors and shall comprise at least three directors, each of whom is
independent of management and the Company. Members of the Audit Committee shall
be considered independent if they have no relationship that may interfere with
the exercise of their independence from management and the Company. All Audit
Committee members shall be financially literate and at least one member shall
have accounting or related financial management expertise.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the Board of Directors in
fulfilling their oversight responsibility to the shareholders relating to the
Company's financial statements and the financial reporting process, the systems
of internal accounting and financial controls, the internal audit function, the
annual independent audit of the Company's financial statements, and the legal
compliance and ethics programs as established by management and the Board of
Directors. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to
maintain free and open communication with independent auditors, the internal
auditors and management of the Company. In discharging its oversight role, the
Audit Committee is empowered within its scope to investigate any matter brought
to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities, and
personnel of the Company and the power to retain outside counsel, or other
experts for this purpose.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCESSES
The primary responsibility of the Audit Committee is to oversee the
Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and
report the results of their activities to the Board of Directors. Management is
responsible for preparing the company's financial statements, and the
independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements.
The Audit Committee in carrying out its responsibilities believes its policies
and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing
conditions and circumstances. The Audit Committee should ensure management has
set an appropriate corporate tone for quality financial reporting, sound
business risk practices, and ethical behavior. The Audit Committee shall make
regular reports to the Board of Directors.
The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the Audit
Committee in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. The processes are set
forth as a guide with the understanding that the committee may supplement them
as appropriate.
- The Audit Committee shall have a clear understanding with management and
the independent auditors that the independent auditors are ultimately
accountable to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee as
representatives of the Company's shareholders. The Audit Committee shall
evaluate and, where appropriate, recommend that the Board of Directors
replace the independent auditors. The Audit Committee shall discuss with
the auditors their independence from management and the Company and the
matters included in the written disclosures required by the Independence
Standards Board. Annually, the Audit Committee shall review with
management and recommend to the Board of Directors the selection of the
Company's
G-1
<Page>
independent auditors, subject to shareholders' approval. Also, the Audit
Committee will review with management the appointment of the internal
auditor and see that performance issues, if any, are properly addressed.
- The Audit Committee shall discuss with the internal auditors and the
independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective
audits including the adequacy of staffing and compensation. Also, the
Audit Committee shall discuss with management, the internal auditors, and
the independent auditors, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting
and financial controls, including the Company's system to monitor and
manage business risk and legal and ethical compliance programs, and any
major changes to the Company's accounting principles.
- The Audit Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors matters
required to be communicated to the Audit Committee under generally
accepted auditing standards. The Chair of the Audit Committee may
represent the entire Audit Committee for communication done in connection
with interim reporting.
- The Audit Committee shall review with management and the independent
auditors the financial statements to be included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed
prior to the filing of Form 10-K), including their judgement about the
quality, not just acceptability, of accounting principles, the
reasonableness of significant judgements, and the clarity of the
disclosures in the financial statements. Also, the Audit Committee shall
discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required to
be communicated to the Audit Committee by the independent auditors under
generally accepted auditing standards. The Audit Committee shall determine
whether to recommend to the Board of Directors that the audited financial
statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The
Audit Committee shall prepare the report required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be included in the Company's annual proxy
statement.
G-2
<Page>
PROXY PROXY
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON, MA 02210
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS--_______________, 2001
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
The undersigned stockholder of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
("LFC"), a Massachusetts corporation, revoking all previous proxies,
acknowledges receipt of Notice of Special Meeting and accompanying Proxy
Statement and appoints __________________________________, as proxies with full
power of substitution to vote all shares of LFC that I am entitled to vote (the
"Shares"), upon all matters presented at the special meeting of stockholders to
be held on ______________, 2001, at 11:00 a.m., local time, in Room AV-1 on the
third floor of The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston at 600 Atlantic Avenue,
Boston, Massachusetts, and any adjournment and postponement thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN.
IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE SALE TO SUN LIFE
ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA, THE SALE TO FLEET NATIONAL BANK AND THE MERGER OF
LFC WITH AND INTO LFC ACQUISITION CORPORATION.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC.
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. [X]
1. To authorize and approve the sale by LFC to Sun Life Assurance Company
of Canada, a Canadian insurance corporation, of LFC's annuity and
intermediary retail distribution business through the sale of the stock
of the direct and indirect subsidiaries that constitute that business,
pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated May 2, 2001, all as
described in the accompanying proxy statement.
For Against Abstain
[ ] [ ] [ ]
2. To authorize and approve the sale by LFC to Fleet National Bank, a
national banking association, of LFC's asset management business
through the sale of the stock of the direct and indirect subsidiaries
of LFC that constitute that business, pursuant to a stock purchase
agreement dated June 4, 2001, all as described in the accompanying
proxy statement.
For Against Abstain
[ ] [ ] [ ]
3. To adopt and approve the agreement and plan of merger dated as of
June 4, 2001, by and among LFC, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, LFC's
controlling stockholder, and LFC Acquisition Corporation, pursuant to
which LFC Acquisition Corporation will be merged with and into LFC,
with LFC being the surviving corporation, all as described in the
accompanying proxy statement.
<Page>
For Against Abstain
[ ] [ ] [ ]
4. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote the Shares upon
such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting.
You are urged to mark, sign and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed
self-addressed, postage-paid (if mailed in the United States) envelope. DO NOT
SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THIS PROXY CARD.
Change of Address Mark Here [ ]
Mark Here if You Plan to Attend the Meeting [ ]
Dated:
----------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER
When signing the proxy, please date it and take care to have the signature
correspond to the stockholder's name as it appears on this side of the proxy.
If shares are registered in the names of two or more persons, each person should
sign. Executors, administrators, trustees and guardians should so indicate when
signing.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY
IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE