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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for the Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(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:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] 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:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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LOGO
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, P.O. BOX 1615, WARREN, NEW JERSEY 07061-1615
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Chubb Corporation will be held at
15 Mountain View Road, Warren, New Jersey on April 22, 1997 at 11:00 A.M., local
time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect fifteen Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting
of Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and shall
qualify.
2. To approve the selection of independent auditors for the year
1997.
3. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before
the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 1997 will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment
thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors,
HENRY G. GULICK
Vice President and Secretary
Dated: March 17, 1997
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TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THE PROXY SUBMITTED HEREWITH, IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. THE
GIVING OF SUCH PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO REVOKE SUCH PROXY BY
APPROPRIATE WRITTEN NOTICE OR TO VOTE IN PERSON SHOULD YOU LATER DECIDE TO
ATTEND THE MEETING.
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LOGO
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, P.O. BOX 1615, WARREN, NEW JERSEY 07061-1615
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PROXY STATEMENT
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March 17, 1997
The Proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement is solicited by the Board of
Directors of The Chubb Corporation to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on April 22, 1997 and at any adjournment thereof. The Proxy may be
revoked by appropriate written notice at any time before it is exercised. See
"Voting, Solicitation of Proxies and Shareholder Proposals."
A copy of the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for 1996
accompanies this Proxy Statement and Proxy which are first being mailed to
Shareholders on March 17, 1997.
As of March 3, 1997, the record date for the determination of Shareholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, 172,956,346 shares of Common Stock of
the Corporation were issued and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock entitles
the holder to one vote on all matters brought before the Annual Meeting.
THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY RECORD HOLDER OR
BENEFICIAL OWNER OF ITS COMMON STOCK ON SUCH RECORD DATE, UPON RECEIPT OF A
WRITTEN REQUEST, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K. WRITTEN REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CHUBB
CORPORATION TO THE ATTENTION OF HENRY G. GULICK, VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY,
15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, P.O. BOX 1615, WARREN, NEW JERSEY 07061-1615.
The Corporation is a holding company with subsidiaries principally engaged
in the businesses of property and casualty insurance and real estate
development. Its principal subsidiaries are Chubb & Son Inc., Federal Insurance
Company ("Federal"), Pacific Indemnity Company ("Pacific"), Vigilant Insurance
Company ("Vigilant"), Great Northern Insurance Company ("Great Northern"), Chubb
Insurance Company of Canada ("Chubb Canada"), Chubb Insurance Company of
Australia, Limited, Chubb Insurance Company of Europe, S.A., Chubb Life
Insurance Company of America ("Chubb Life"), Chubb Colonial Life Insurance
Company and Bellemead Development Corporation ("Bellemead"). As previously
announced, the Corporation entered into a definitive agreement dated February
23, 1997 to sell its life and health insurance subsidiaries. The operations of
these subsidiaries have been classified as discontinued operations as of
December 31, 1996.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The following persons have been nominated by the Board of Directors to
serve as Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their
respective successors shall be elected and shall qualify. All of the nominees
were elected as members of the Board of Directors at the 1996 Annual Meeting
except
Sheila P. Burke who was elected a Director by the Board of Directors at its
regular meeting on March 7, 1997. Pursuant to the provisions of the By-Laws, the
Board of Directors has fixed the number of Directors to be elected at fifteen.
In the event that any of the nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve as
a Director, it is intended that the Proxy will be voted for such person, if any,
as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. However, the Board of
Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling
to serve as a Director.
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NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
NAME AGE(1)
John C. Beck 65
Senior Member, Beck, Mack & Oliver LLC, an investment counselling firm. Mr. Beck has
been associated with Beck, Mack & Oliver since 1958 and first became a partner in
1962. He was a Director of Bellemead from 1984 to 1989. He first became a Director of
the Corporation in 1988. Mr. Beck is also a Director of Russell Reynolds Associates,
Inc.
Sheila P. Burke 45
Executive Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. For the
ten years prior to her appointment as Executive Dean in 1996, Mrs. Burke served as
Chief of Staff to the United States Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. Mrs. Burke is a
Trustee of Marymount University, Arlington, VA and serves on the Board of Directors of
Picker Institute, Boston, MA and the Commission on Women's Health, The Commonwealth
Fund, New York, NY. Mrs. Burke was elected a Director of the Corporation by the Board
of Directors on March 7, 1997.
James I. Cash, Jr. 49
The James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration, Harvard University.
Professor Cash has been a member of the Harvard Business School faculty since 1976.
Professor Cash first became a Director of the Corporation in 1996. He is also a
Director of Cambridge Technology Partners, Inc., Knight-Ridder, Inc., State Street
Corporation, The Tandy Corporation and WinStar Communications, Inc. He is a Trustee of
the Massachusetts Computer Software Council and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Professor Cash is also an overseer for the Boston Museum of Science and The Gardner
Museum.
Percy Chubb, III 62
Former Vice Chairman of the Corporation. Mr. Chubb retired as an officer of the
Corporation and employee on February 1, 1997. He continues to serve as a consultant.
Prior to his retirement he had served as Vice Chairman since June 1986. Prior to his
election as Vice Chairman, Mr. Chubb had been an Executive Vice President since 1981.
He had also served as Vice Chairman of Chubb & Son Inc., Bellemead and Chubb Life, a
Senior Vice President of Federal and Chairman of Chubb Canada. Mr. Chubb had been
associated with Chubb & Son Inc. since 1958. He first became a Director of the
Corporation in 1978.
Joel J. Cohen 59
Managing Director, Investment Banking Department, and Director, Mergers and
Acquisitions, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation since October 1989.
Mr. Cohen was a consultant from February 1988 until October 1989. Mr. Cohen had been
General Counsel: Presidential Task Force on Market Mechanisms from November 1987
through January 1988 and a Partner of Davis Polk & Wardwell, attorneys, until
September 1987. He had been associated with Davis Polk & Wardwell from 1963 until
September 1987 and became a Partner in 1969. He first became a Director of the
Corporation in 1984. Mr. Cohen is also a Director of Maersk, Inc., Maersk Line,
Limited and Atlantic Pacific Marine Corporation.
David H. Hoag 57
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The LTV Corporation since January 1991 and
President and Chief Executive Officer of LTV Steel Company from 1983 until 1990. He
continues as Chief Executive Officer of LTV Steel Company. Mr. Hoag has been
associated with The LTV Corporation since 1960. He first became a Director of the
Corporation in 1994. Mr. Hoag is also a Director of The LTV Corporation, Lubrizol
Corporation and Karrington Health Inc. Mr. Hoag serves as Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of Allegheny College and Chairman of Cleveland Tomorrow.
Robert V. Lindsay 71
Former President and former Director of J. P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, and Chairman of
the latter's International Council from 1987 to 1989. Mr. Lindsay had been associated
with The Morgan Bank from 1949 until his retirement in 1986. He first became a
Director of the Corporation in 1977. Mr. Lindsay is also a Director of The Fluor
Corporation, First Hudson Valley Bank, Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. and United
Meridian Corporation and is Senior Advisor to Unibank Denmark A/S. Mr. Lindsay serves
as Chairman of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.
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NAME AGE(1)
Thomas C. MacAvoy 68
Professor of Business Administration, Darden Graduate School of Business
Administration, University of Virginia since 1988. He is a former Vice Chairman and
Director of Corning, Inc. Mr. MacAvoy had been associated with Corning, Inc. from 1957
until his retirement in 1987. He first became a Director of the Corporation in 1981.
Mr. MacAvoy is also a Director of Lubrizol Corporation and Quaker Oats Company.
Gertrude G. Michelson 71
Former Senior Advisor, R.H. Macy & Co., Inc. ("Macy's") from September 1992 until her
retirement in December 1994. Prior to September 1992, Mrs. Michelson had been Senior
Vice President of Macy's since 1981. Mrs. Michelson had been associated with Macy's
since 1947. Mrs. Michelson first became a Director of the Corporation in 1974. Mrs.
Michelson serves as a Director of General Electric Company, The Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Company and The Stanley Works, Inc. Mrs. Michelson is a member of the Board of
Overseers, TIAA - CREF, Governor of the American Stock Exchange and is
Chairman-Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University.
Dean R. O'Hare 54
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since September 1996. Prior to
September 1996, Mr. O'Hare had been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Corporation since January 1995. Prior to January 1995, Mr. O'Hare had been
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since June 1988. Mr. O'Hare had been President
from 1986 until 1988, an Executive Vice President since 1985 and a Senior Vice
President since 1979. He is Chairman and President of Federal, Vigilant and Great
Northern, and Chairman of Pacific, Chubb & Son Inc., Bellemead and Chubb Life. Mr.
O'Hare has been associated with Chubb & Son Inc. since 1963. He first became a
Director of the Corporation in 1984.
Warren B. Rudman 66
Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, attorneys, since January 1993. Prior
to January 1993, Senator Rudman had been a United States Senator from New Hampshire
since 1980. Senator Rudman first became a Director of the Corporation in 1993. He is
also a Director of Collins & Aikman, Prime Succession and Raytheon Company and a
Director of eighteen funds in the Dreyfus Family of Mutual Funds. Senator Rudman is
also Vice Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, Co-Chairman
of the Concord Coalition and a Trustee of Boston College and serves on the Senior
Advisory Board of the Institute of Politics of the John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University.
Sir David G. Scholey, CBE 61
Chairman of the International Advisory Council, Swiss Bank Corporation since November
1995. Prior to November 1995, Sir David had been Chairman of SBC Warburg, the
investment banking division of Swiss Bank Corporation, from February 1995 until
November 1995. Prior to February 1995, Sir David had been Executive Chairman of S.G.
Warburg Group plc since 1984. He first became a Director of the Corporation in 1991.
Sir David is also a Director of the Bank of England, a Governor of the British
Broadcasting Corporation and a Director of J Sainsbury plc. He is also a Governor of
Wellington College, a Trustee of the Glyndebourne Arts Trust and a Trustee of The
National Portrait Gallery.
Raymond G.H. Seitz 56
Vice Chairman, Lehman Bros. International (Europe) since April 1995. Ambassador Seitz
had been a Professional Writer since May 1994, following his retirement as Ambassador
of the United States of America to the Court of St. James's since 1991 and Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs from 1989 to 1991. Ambassador
Seitz had served as an Officer in the United States Foreign Service since 1966 wherein
he held many positions in the U.S. and abroad. He first became a Director of the
Corporation in 1994. Ambassador Seitz is also a Director of British Airways plc, Cable
& Wireless Co. plc, The General Electric Company plc, RTZ-CRA plc and Shandwick plc.
He is a Trustee of the National Gallery, the Royal Academy and the World Monument
Fund, a member of the Advisory Board of Stanford University and a member of the
British-American Business Council and the Institute for U.S. Studies at Oxford
University.
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NAME AGE(1)
Lawrence M. Small 55
President and Chief Operating Officer, Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie
Mae") since February 1992. Prior to September 1991, when Mr. Small joined Fannie Mae,
he had served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Citicorp and
Citibank, N.A. since January 1990. Prior to assuming that position, Mr. Small had been
Sector Executive since 1985, responsible for Citicorp's and Citibank's Institutional
Bank. He had been associated with Citibank since 1964. He first became a Director of
the Corporation in 1989. Mr. Small is also a Director of Fannie Mae and Marriott
International, Inc. He is also a Director of New York City's Spanish Repertory
Theatre. He is a Trustee of Morehouse College and New York University Medical Center,
a Trustee-Emeritus of Brown University and a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial
Council.
Richard D. Wood 70
Former Chairman of the Board, Eli Lilly and Company from 1973 until his retirement in
June 1993. Mr. Wood also served as President and Chief Executive Officer until
November 1991. Eli Lilly and Company is a research-based pharmaceutical company and a
global leader in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Wood had been associated with Eli
Lilly and Company since 1950. He first became a Director of the Corporation in 1990.
Mr. Wood is also a Director of Amoco Corporation and Dow Jones & Company, Inc. He is
Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board of CID Equity Partners and is also a Trustee of
DePauw University and is Chairman of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. He is a Director
of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
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(1) As of April 22, 1997.
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BENEFICIAL SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table lists beneficial ownership of the Corporation's Common
Stock by Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the four most highly
compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and
Directors and executive officers as a group in accordance with the definitions
adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"). No Director or officer
beneficially owns as much as one half of 1% of the outstanding Common Stock,
except for Mr. Chubb, whose beneficial ownership reflected in the table is 1%.
NUMBER OF
SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED
MARCH 3,
NAME 1997(1)
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John C. Beck......................................................... 91,586(2)(19)
Sheila P. Burke...................................................... 100
James I. Cash, Jr.................................................... 4,200(6)
Percy Chubb, III..................................................... 1,769,750(3)(17)
Joel J. Cohen........................................................ 36,900(7)(19)
David H. Hoag........................................................ 9,000(8)(19)
Robert V. Lindsay.................................................... 38,700(9)(19)
Thomas C. MacAvoy.................................................... 24,900(10)(19)
Gertrude G. Michelson ............................................... 36,900(9)(19)
Dean R. O'Hare....................................................... 263,907(13)(17)
Warren B. Rudman..................................................... 16,200(11)(19)
Sir David G. Scholey, CBE............................................ 20,300(14)(19)
Raymond G. H. Seitz.................................................. 8,200(8)(19)
Lawrence M. Small ................................................... 48,000(15)(19)
Richard D. Wood...................................................... 25,028(16)(19)
Robert P. Crawford, Jr. ............................................. 87,764(4)(17)
John J. Degnan....................................................... 61,109(5)(17)
Edward Dunlop........................................................ 59,085(12)(17)
Directors and Executive Officers as a group ......................... 3,189,473(18)
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(1) Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the
shares listed, unless otherwise indicated.
(2) Includes 54,586 shares held in accounts managed by Beck, Mack & Oliver
LLC, for which Mr. Beck disclaims beneficial ownership, 1,000 shares held in a
trust for Mr. Beck's benefit and 32,000 shares that may be purchased within 60
days pursuant to The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
Directors (1992).
(3) Includes 172,560 shares held by trusts for Mr. Chubb's benefit, 19,084
shares owned by a member of Mr. Chubb's family who lives in his home, 1,404
shares held in trusts of which a member of Mr. Chubb's family who lives in his
home is trustee, 1,289,550 shares owned by the Victoria Foundation Inc., of
which Mr. Chubb is President and one of thirteen trustees, and 71,000 shares
which Mr. Chubb has a right to purchase within 60 days under The Chubb
Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (1992). Mr. Chubb disclaims
beneficial ownership of 1,310,038 of such shares.
(4) Includes 50,225 shares which Mr. Crawford has the right to purchase
within 60 days under The Chubb Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
(1992), 473 shares which Mr. Crawford has the right to purchase within 60 days
under the Stock Purchase Plan (1989) and 947 shares held by Mr. Crawford under
the Corporation's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
(5) Includes 432 shares held by members of Mr. Degnan's family who live in
his home, 46,700 shares which Mr. Degnan has the right to purchase within 60
days under The Chubb Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (1992), 350
shares which Mr. Degnan has the right to purchase within 60 days under the Stock
Purchase Plan (1989) and 3,227 shares represented by 301 units in the
Corporation Stock Fund of the Capital
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Accumulation Plan of The Chubb Corporation, Chubb & Son Inc. and Participating
Affiliates. Mr. Degnan disclaims beneficial ownership of 432 of such shares.
(6) Includes 4,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant to
The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(7) Includes 28,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant to
The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(8) Includes 8,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant to
The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(9) Includes 36,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant to
The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(10) Includes 20,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant
to The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(11) Includes 16,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant
to The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(12) Includes 8,006 shares held by members of Mr. Dunlop's family who live
in his home, 36,750 shares which Mr. Dunlop has the right to purchase within 60
days under The Chubb Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (1992) and 473
shares which Mr. Dunlop has the right to purchase within 60 days under the Stock
Purchase Plan (1989). Mr. Dunlop disclaims beneficial ownership of 8,006 of such
shares.
(13) Includes 3,596 shares held by Mr. O'Hare as custodian for his children
who live in his home, 132,040 shares which Mr. O'Hare has the right to purchase
within 60 days under the The Chubb Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
(1992) and 473 shares which Mr. O'Hare has the right to purchase within 60 days
under the Stock Purchase Plan (1989). Mr. O'Hare disclaims beneficial ownership
of 3,596 of such shares.
(14) Includes 100 shares owned by a member of Sir David Scholey's family
who lives in his home, of which Sir David disclaims beneficial ownership, and
20,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days pursuant to The Chubb
Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1992).
(15) Includes 200 shares held by Mr. Small as Custodian for his daughter
who lives in his home, 3,000 shares held by a member of Mr. Small's family who
lives in his home and 28,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days
pursuant to The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(1992). Mr. Small disclaims beneficial ownership of 3,200 of such shares.
(16) Includes 27 shares held by Mr. Wood under the Corporation's Dividend
Reinvestment Plan and 24,000 shares that may be purchased within 60 days
pursuant to The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(1992).
(17) Includes 2,153, 1,757, 1,339, 2,149 and 2,153 shares which were
allocated to Messrs. Chubb, Crawford, Degnan, Dunlop and O'Hare, respectively,
pursuant to The Chubb Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP").
(18) Such shares include the shares reflected above as to which Messrs.
Beck, Chubb, Degnan, Dunlop O'Hare, Scholey and Small disclaim beneficial
ownership, 21,260 shares which executive officers other than those listed in the
table above disclaim beneficial ownership, 21,809 shares which were allocated to
executive officers other than those listed in the table above pursuant to the
ESOP, 362,474 shares which executive officers other than those listed in the
table above have the right to purchase within 60 days under the Stock Option
Plan (1984) and The Chubb Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (1992),
3,038 shares which executive officers other than those listed in the table above
have the right to purchase within 60 days under the Stock Purchase Plan (1989)
and 11,435 shares represented by 1,066 units in the Corporation Stock Fund of
the Capital Accumulation Plan of The Chubb Corporation, Chubb & Son Inc. and
Participating Affiliates which are beneficially owned by two executive officers
other than those listed in the table above. All Directors and Executive Officers
as a group own 1.8% of the outstanding Common Stock.
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(19) Does not include compensation allocated to the Market Value Account of
the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (See "Directors'
Compensation" on page eight). The value of units allocated to this account is
based upon the market value of the Corporation's Common Stock. All payments from
this plan, including those attributable to the Market Value Account, are made in
cash. At March 3, 1997, Directors' allocations to the Market Value Account were
as follows:
UNIT ALLOCATION
DIRECTOR (SHARE EQUIVALENT)
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John C. Beck......................................................... 10,705
Joel J. Cohen........................................................ 8,469
David H. Hoag........................................................ 1,644
Robert V. Lindsay.................................................... 2,450
Thomas C. MacAvoy.................................................... 344
Gertrude G. Michelson................................................ 11,559
Warren B. Rudman..................................................... 473
Sir David G. Scholey, CBE............................................ 880
Raymond G. H. Seitz.................................................. 315
Lawrence M. Small.................................................... 1,133
Richard D. Wood...................................................... 5,354
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
As required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the Corporation
notes that during 1996, Douglas A. Batting, an Executive Vice President of Chubb
& Son Inc., was late in filing a report with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 16 of the Act with respect to a sale in September 1996
of 588 shares. Mr. Batting also under-reported his initial ownership of Chubb
Common Stock in March 1996 by 956 shares held in street name. Thomas C. MacAvoy,
a Director of the Corporation, was late in filing a report relating to four
sales in August 1993 each for 1,000 shares.
CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
As of March 3, 1997, the Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc ("Royal &
Sun Alliance") at 1 Bartholomew Lane, London, EC2N 2AB, England held 9,023,916
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation (approximately 5.2% of the outstanding
Common Stock at March 3, 1997). Royal & Sun Alliance has reported that it holds
such shares for the purpose of investment.
The Board of Directors knows of no other beneficial owner of five percent
or more of the Corporation's Common Stock nor does it know of any arrangement
which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Corporation.
See "Transactions with Certain Shareholders."
AUDIT, ORGANIZATION & COMPENSATION AND NOMINATING COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors has, among other Committees, an Audit Committee, an
Organization & Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.
The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Cohen (Chairman), Cash, Hoag,
Seitz, Small and Wood and Mrs. Michelson. No officer of the Corporation or of
any of its subsidiaries may serve on the Audit Committee. In 1996, the Committee
met four times. The functions of the Audit Committee include reviewing the
accounting principles and practices employed by the Corporation and, to the
extent the Committee deems appropriate, of the Corporation's subsidiaries;
meeting with the Corporation's independent auditors to review their reports on
their audits of the Corporation's accounts, their comments on the internal
accounting controls and internal audit procedures of the Corporation and the
action taken by management with regard to such comments; and recommending
annually to the Board of Directors the appointment of the Corporation's
independent auditors. The Committee has the power at its discretion to order
interim and surprise audits and to perform such other duties as may be assigned
to it from time to time by the Board of Directors.
The Organization & Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Lindsay
and Small (Co-Chairmen), Hoag and Wood and Mrs. Michelson. No officer of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries may serve on the Organization &
Compensation Committee. In 1996, the Committee met four times. The
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Committee monitors the performance and oversees the promotion of the senior
executive officers of the Corporation and its principal operating subsidiaries
and periodically consults with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of
senior management regarding the development of qualified replacements to succeed
key executives and other aspects of succession planning. The Committee
determines overall compensation policy for senior management of the Corporation,
recommending to the Board of Directors new compensation programs or changes in
existing programs which the Committee finds appropriate. Any action to be taken
with regard to the salary of any employee of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries, which is in excess of certain amounts, is subject to ratification
by the Committee. In addition, the Committee performs administrative functions
pursuant to The Chubb Corporation Director's Charitable Award Program, The Chubb
Corporation Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (1992), The Chubb Corporation
Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (1996) (the "Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan"),
the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (1996) (the "Annual Incentive
Compensation Plan"), The Profit Sharing Plan of The Chubb Corporation, Chubb &
Son Inc. and Participating Affiliates (1987) (the "Profit Sharing Plan (1987)"),
The Chubb Corporation Investment Department/Chubb Asset Managers, Inc. Incentive
Compensation Plan, the Stock Purchase Plan (1989) of The Chubb Corporation (the
"Stock Purchase Plan (1989)") and The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan (1984)
(the "Stock Option Plan (1984)") and ratifies certain awards made pursuant to
incentive or bonus plans of subsidiaries of the Corporation.
The Nominating Committee is composed of Mrs. Michelson (Chairperson) and
Messrs. Cohen and Lindsay. The Committee seeks out, evaluates and recommends
qualified nominees for election as Directors, considers Director performance
before recommending re-election and makes recommendations concerning the size
and composition of the Board. In 1996, the Committee met two times. The
Committee will consider Shareholder recommendations for Director upon receipt of
appropriate biographical information and confirmation of the proposed nominee's
bona fide intent to serve on the Board of Directors if nominated and elected.
For additional information on this process, Shareholders should write to Henry
G. Gulick, Vice President and Secretary, The Chubb Corporation, 15 Mountain View
Road, P.O. Box 1615, Warren, New Jersey 07061-1615.
DIRECTORS' ATTENDANCE
In fiscal year 1996, there were four meetings of the Board of Directors of
the Corporation. All of the incumbent Directors attended 75% or more of the
aggregate of their respective Board and Committee meetings, except David H.
Hoag.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
All Directors of the Corporation are also directors of two of the
Corporation's subsidiaries: Federal and Vigilant. Certain of the Corporation's
Directors are also directors of other subsidiaries of the Corporation. It is the
practice of the Corporation's Board of Directors to hold concurrent meetings
with the Boards of Directors of Federal, Vigilant and Chubb Life.
Each Director receives an annual stipend in the amount of $25,000, all of
which is paid by the Corporation. In addition, a meeting fee of $1,000 is paid
to Directors for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended, of which the
Corporation, Federal, Vigilant and Chubb Life each pay $250. Directors receive a
fee of $1,000 for each Committee meeting attended. In those instances where
Committees of the Corporation, Federal, Vigilant and Chubb Life meet
concurrently, each shares proportionately in the payment of the fee. In
addition, members of the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee, the
Organization & Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee and the Pension &
Profit Sharing Committee receive an annual stipend from the Corporation of
$5,000. The Chairmen of the Audit Committee and of the Organization &
Compensation Committee receive annual stipends from the Corporation of $10,000
for service on those committees in lieu of the foregoing committee stipends. As
members of the International Advisory Board of The Chubb Corporation, Messrs.
Lindsay, O'Hare, Scholey and Seitz received meeting fees of $5,000 each in 1996.
Members of the Life Advisory Committee of Chubb Life receive an annual stipend
of
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$5,000 in addition to a fee of $1,000 for each Committee meeting attended, both
of which are paid by Chubb Life. Directors who are officers of the Corporation
receive meeting fees for attendance at Directors' meetings only and do not
receive stipends or fees for Committee meetings.
For the year 1996, Messrs. Chubb and O'Hare also received directors' fees
from certain subsidiaries of the Corporation totalling $2,000 each.
Pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
adopted by the Corporation in 1987, Directors may elect to defer, until a date
specified, receipt of all or a portion of their compensation. This plan provides
that, in addition to a Cash Account upon which amounts deferred earn interest
compounded quarterly, at the prime rate of Citibank, N.A. in effect on certain
specified dates, amounts deferred may also be allocated to a Market Value
Account, the value of which is based upon the market value of the Corporation's
Common Stock from time to time, a Shareholder's Equity Account, the value of
which is based upon the book value of the Corporation's Common Stock established
on an annual basis, or a combination of such accounts. At its regular Board
meeting in December 1995, the Board of Directors adopted guidelines suggesting
that eligible Non-Employee Directors voluntarily defer 50% of all stipends into
the Market Value Account starting in 1996. At March 3, 1997, deferred
compensation accounts were maintained for 11 Directors, all of whom are
currently deferring compensation pursuant to this plan. For 1996, Directors
deferred $436,250 of compensation from the Corporation and its subsidiaries. At
December 31, 1996, the aggregate account values reflecting Directors' deferrals
and earnings on such deferrals were as follows: $2,329,113 for the Market Value
Account, $1,420,900 for the Shareholder's Equity Account and $17,018 for the
Cash Account.
DIRECTOR'S CHARITABLE AWARD PROGRAM
Effective January 1, 1992, the Corporation established the Director's
Charitable Award Program. Under the Program, which is administered by the
Organization & Compensation Committee, each non-employee Director following his
or her first election to the Board of Directors by Shareholders may recommend
that the Corporation direct one or more charitable contributions totalling
$500,000 to eligible tax exempt organizations. Generally, eligible Directors are
paired, and contributions are made to the organizations selected by a Director
upon the death of the second paired Director. At March 3, 1997, 12 eligible
Directors were participating in the Program. The Program may be funded by the
Corporation through, among other vehicles, the purchase of life insurance
policies on the lives of the Directors. Individual Directors derive no financial
benefit from this Program since all charitable deductions accrue solely to the
Corporation. The Program may be terminated at any time by the Organization &
Compensation Committee.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1988)
was adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by Shareholders in 1988 and
was amended, extended and renamed The Chubb Corporation Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (1992) by the Board of Directors and approved by
Shareholders in 1992. Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, it was
again extended, amended and approved by Shareholders in 1996 as The Chubb
Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1996) (the "1996
Non-Employee Directors Plan"). The 1996 Non-Employee Directors Plan provides
that an aggregate of 400,000 shares of Common Stock of the Corporation be
available for issuance upon exercise of options granted thereunder. The 1996
Non-Employee Directors Plan shall terminate on the day following the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
The 1996 Non-Employee Directors Plan is administered by the Board of
Directors. Only Eligible Directors, as defined, may receive options under the
1996 Non-Employee Directors Plan. There are currently 14 Eligible Directors.
Following the election of Directors, as of the date of each Annual Meeting that
occurs while the 1996 Non-Employee Directors Plan is in effect, each individual
who is then an Eligible Director will be granted an option to purchase 4,000
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation. The
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purchase price per share of the Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of the
option shall be 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the
day the option is granted.
Options granted under the 1996 Non-Employee Directors Plan are nonstatutory
options. The options shall be exercisable in whole or in part at all times after
the date of grant. All outstanding options held by an optionee shall be
automatically canceled upon termination of the optionee's service as an Eligible
Director, except for terminations due to retirement and under certain other
specified circumstances.
In the case of certain mergers, consolidations or combinations of the
Corporation with or into other corporations, or in the event of a Change of
Control of the Corporation, as defined, the holder of each option then
outstanding shall have, unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise, the
right to receive on the date or effective date of such event a cash payment in
an amount calculated as set forth in the Non-Employee Directors Plans.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
I. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
-----------------------
AWARDS
----------
SECURITIES PAYOUTS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION RESTRICTED UNDERLYING ---------- ALL OTHER
---------------------------- STOCK OPTIONS/ LTIP COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY(1) BONUS(2) AWARDS(3) SARS(4) PAYOUTS(5) SATION(6)
- ---------------------------------------- ----- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Dean R. O'Hare.......................... 1996 $837,732 $1,268,267 $180,747 117,650 $379,506 $181,187
Chairman and 1995 803,116 1,227,390 0 40,080 342,810 141,631
Chief Executive Officer 1994 765,232 628,260 0 24,000 289,229 116,504
Percy Chubb, III........................ 1996 381,001 508,250 0 16,000 166,611 81,318
Vice Chairman 1995 356,462 579,915 0 16,800 115,733 60,955
1994 340,770 275,007 0 10,000 102,868 46,619
Robert P. Crawford, Jr.................. 1996 313,001 507,430 108,471 32,830 185,136 72,807
Executive Vice President 1995 295,001 568,321 0 18,520 124,313 57,316
1994 260,001 298,559 0 10,000 89,951 37,553
John J. Degnan.......................... 1996 287,693 455,917 90,402 27,360 120,327 58,487
President 1995 260,001 456,482 0 13,600 111,443 44,092
1994 235,000 194,026 0 8,000 89,951 34,227
Edward Dunlop........................... 1996 264,024 265,140 72,333 16,440 111,093 50,878
Senior Vice President 1995 246,985 346,278 0 12,360 102,863 41,164
1994 222,193 175,952 0 6,800 86,761 32,110
- ---------------
(1) Includes directors fees for 1996, 1995 and 1994 of $11,000, $11,000 and
$6,000 for Mr. O'Hare and $6,000, $5,500 and $6,000 for Mr. Chubb.
(2) Includes amounts paid for such years under the Annual Incentive Compensation
Plan and under the Profit Sharing Plan (1987) and also includes amounts paid
for 1994 and 1995 in settlement of equity share awards under the Long-Term
Stock Incentive Plan and includes for 1995 for Mr. Degnan an award of
unrestricted shares of Common Stock of the Corporation under the Long-Term
Stock Incentive Plan. Payments in settlement of equity share awards were
made in cash for 1995 and for 1994 partly in cash and partly in convertible
debentures. All outstanding convertible debentures were called and converted
to shares in 1996. If the executive terminates employment prior to five
years after the issuance of a debenture, the converted shares are forfeited
except for certain specified terminations. The converted shares are also
non-transferable (except in the case of death) for a period of five years
after the date of conversion.
(3) Represents the fair market value of performance based restricted stock
awarded at 100% of fair market value as of the February 20, 1997 award date
($57.00 per share) without diminution in value attributable to the
restrictions on such stock under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. The
awards generally become vested three years after the date of grant, but may
vest earlier upon death, disability, retirement or other termination with
the consent of the Organization & Compensation Committee. Dividends declared
on the common stock of the Corporation are paid on outstanding restricted
stock awards. For the purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's
compensation reporting rules, outstanding performance share awards are
treated as equivalent to restricted stock units. The total number and value
(based on a per share price at December 31, 1996 of $53.75) of performance
shares outstanding for the three year periods ending December 1997 and 1998
are 23,400 ($1,257,750) for Mr. O'Hare, 10,400 ($559,000) for Mr. Chubb,
11,200 ($602,000) for Mr. Crawford, 8,600 ($462,250) for Mr. Degnan and
7,600 ($408,500) for Mr. Dunlop.
(4) Includes options granted in such years under the Long-Term Stock Incentive
Plan.
(5) Includes payments made in settlement of performance share awards for Messrs.
O'Hare, Chubb, Crawford and Degnan for the three year periods ended December
31, 1994 and 1996 and for the two year period ended December 31, 1995 and
for Mr. Dunlop for the three year periods ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and
1996 under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.
(6) Includes allocations for 1996, 1995 and 1994 under the qualified Capital
Accumulation Plan and the Capital Accumulation Excess Benefit Plan of
$73,069, $53,885 and $49,369 for Mr. O'Hare, $33,000, $23,622 and $19,791
for Mr. Chubb, $29,720, $22,364 and $16,000 for Mr. Crawford, $23,668,
$17,284 and $14,600 for Mr. Degnan and $20,561, $16,171 and $13,688 for Mr.
Dunlop and allocations for 1996,
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1995 and 1994 under the ESOP qualified plan and the ESOP excess plan of
$108,118, $87,746 and $67,135 for Mr. O'Hare, $48,318, $37,333 and $26,828
for Mr. Chubb, $43,087, $34,952 and $21,553 for Mr. Crawford, $34,819,
$26,808 and $19,627 for Mr. Degnan and $30,317, $24,993 and $18,422 for Mr.
Dunlop.
II. OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS TABLE
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZED
% OF VALUE
TOTAL AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
NUMBER OF OPTIONS/ OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES SARS APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OPTION TERM(3)
OPTIONS/ EMPLOYEES OR BASE -----------------------
SARS IN FISCAL PRICE
NAME GRANTED(1) YEAR(2) PER SHARE EXPIRATION DATE 5% 10%
- ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------- ------------------ ---------- ----------
Dean R. O'Hare.............. 36,000 1.48% $$48.7500 February 28, 2006 $1,103,710 $2,797,018
81,650 3.35% $ 48.7500 August 5, 2006 2,503,276 6,343,792
Percy Chubb, III............ 16,000 0.66% $ 48.7500 February 28, 2006 490,538 1,243,119
Robert P. Crawford, Jr...... 18,000 0.74% $ 48.7500 February 28, 2006 551,855 1,398,509
14,830 0.61% $ 48.7500 August 5, 2006 454,667 1,152,216
John J. Degnan.............. 15,000 0.62% $ 48.7500 February 28, 2006 459,879 1,165,424
12,360 0.51% $ 48.7500 August 5, 2006 378,940 960,310
Edward Dunlop............... 11,200 0.46% $ 48.7500 February 28, 2006 343,376 870,183
5,240 0.22% $ 48.7500 August 5, 2006 160,651 407,122
- ---------------
(1) The number of shares for each person represents a stock option granted under
the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan without a related stock appreciation
right. In anticipation of his retirement on February 1, 1997, Mr. Chubb did
not receive an option grant in August 1996. These options are exercisable
for 50% of the number of shares shown on March 1, 1997 and August 6, 1997,
and 100% on March 1, 1998 and August 6, 1998. The exercise price for each
stock option is not less than the fair market value of the Corporation's
Common Stock on the date of grant. There is an option restoration feature
with each option which provides that the optionee can receive a separate
option grant when previously owned shares are exchanged in a stock-for-stock
exercise if the market price on date of exercise is at least 25% higher than
the exercise price. The restoration option will be a non-statutory option,
the number of option shares will equal the number of exchanged shares used
to exercise the original option, the exercise price will be the fair market
value on the grant date of the restoration option, the term will be for the
length of time remaining in the original option and the restoration option
will be immediately exercisable.
(2) Based on total grants in 1996 of 2,434,639 shares.
(3) The assumed 5% and 10% annual rates of stock price appreciation used in the
table are prescribed by the proxy rules and are not intended to forecast
possible future appreciation in the price of the Corporation's Common Stock.
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III. AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION/SAR VALUE TABLE
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS
AT FY-END AT FY-END(1)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------------- --------------- -------- --------------- --------------------
Dean R. O'Hare......... 13,384 $429,424 114,040/137,690 $1,727,692/$843,133
30,500(SAR) 839,290 -- --
Percy Chubb, III....... 11,600 435,671 63,000/24,400 1,267,111/186,837
Robert P. Crawford,
Jr. ................. 7,444 241,854 45,516/42,090 728,328/281,925
John J. Degnan......... -- -- 39,200/34,160 679,861/223,287
Edward Dunlop.......... -- -- 31,150/22,620 479,804/160,802
- ---------------
(1) Based on a value per share at December 31, 1996 of $53.75.
IV. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS TABLE
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
PERFORMANCE OR UNDER NON-STOCK
NUMBER OF OTHER PERIOD PRICE-BASED PLANS (UNITS
SHARES, UNITS UNTIL OR $)
OR OTHER MATURATION OR --------------------------
NAME RIGHTS(1) PAYOUT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
- -------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------- ------ -------
Dean R. O'Hare.............................. 15,000 1996-98 7,500 15,000 22,500
Percy Chubb, III............................ 6,400 1996-98 3,200 6,400 9,600
Robert P. Crawford, Jr...................... 6,600 1996-98 3,300 6,600 9,900
John J. Degnan.............................. 5,600 1996-98 2,800 5,600 8,400
Edward Dunlop............................... 4,800 1996-98 2,400 4,800 7,200
- ---------------
(1) Includes performance share awards granted under the Corporation's Long-Term
Stock Incentive Plan in 1996 with respect to the three year performance
cycle ending December 31, 1998. The number of shares earned is dependent on
the achievement of a specified earnings per share target established by the
Organization & Compensation Committee for the three year period. Settlement
of the awards may be in shares or cash or a combination of both at the
discretion of the Organization & Compensation Committee.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the
Corporation's previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate future
filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following
Performance Graph and the Organization & Compensation Committee Report on pages
14 through 18 shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
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COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCK,
THE STANDARD & POOR'S 500 STOCK INDEX, THE STANDARD & POOR'S
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INDEX AND THE STANDARD & POOR'S
MULTI-LINE INSURANCE INDEX
MEASUREMENT PERIOD
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) CHUBB S&P 500 S&P P&C. S&P M-L
1991 100 100 100 100
1992 118 108 117 114
1993 105 118 115 128
1994 107 120 121 134
1995 137 165 163 197
1996 156 203 199 250
- ---------------
* Assumes that the investment in the Corporation's Common Stock and each index
was $100 on December 31, 1991 and that all dividends were reinvested.
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ORGANIZATION & COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION POLICIES
The Corporation's executive compensation program is designed to align
Shareholder interests with business strategy, company values and management
initiatives. It is based on the following four principles: (i) to link the
interests of management with those of Shareholders by making a substantial
portion of executive compensation depend upon the Corporation's financial
performance and by encouraging stock ownership in the Corporation, (ii) to
attract and retain superior executives by providing them with the opportunity to
earn total compensation packages that are among the most competitive in the
industry, (iii) to reward individual results by recognizing performance through
salary, annual cash incentive and long-term incentives and (iv) to manage
compensation based on the level of skill, knowledge, effort and responsibility
needed to perform the job successfully.
A position evaluation program establishes grade levels among all positions
reflecting the importance and value of each position to the Corporation. A
position's grade level determines a range of values within which the executive's
compensation is administered.
Executive officers' compensation includes: annual cash compensation
(consisting of base salary and annual incentive awards paid in cash) and
long-term incentive awards, as well as additional features which are available
to most other employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including
profit sharing plans, pension plans, a stock purchase plan and an employee stock
ownership plan, all of which allocate payments generally based on an
individual's level of annual cash compensation.
It is the general policy of the Corporation that executive officer
compensation qualify for tax deductibility pursuant to the regulations under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under these regulations, which
became effective January 1, 1994, in order to qualify for tax deductibility,
payment of compensation in excess of $1 million to the chief executive officer
and the four other highest paid executive officers must be made in accordance
with performance criteria disclosed to and approved by Shareholders and pursuant
to pre-established arrangements which, among other things, limit the exercise of
discretion to increase the awards beyond the limits initially set. The Committee
believes that mathematical formulas cannot always anticipate and fairly address
every situation which may arise. For this reason, the Committee has historically
retained the authority to adjust compensation awarded in light of extraordinary,
unusual or non-recurring events. The Committee continues to believe that this
reservation of authority, and its exercise under appropriate circumstances,
operates in the best interests of the Corporation and its Shareholders even
though in exercising such authority, compensation might not be deductible.
Accordingly, in connection with the previously announced sale of Chubb Life and
the evaluation of the strategic alternatives with respect to Bellemead, the
Committee determined that it would be appropriate to adjust certain compensation
award formulas so that the intended benefits of such awards, as initially
proposed, are preserved.
The cornerstone of the Corporation's compensation program is to pay for
performance. Other than base salary, all major elements of the Corporation's
executive compensation programs vary directly with both corporate and individual
performance. As part of that, the Committee sets difficult performance targets
for its executives. The Committee also sets its total compensation target to be
superior to industry peers, contingent upon superior performance. Executives
have substantial portions of their compensation at risk for annual and long-term
performance, with the largest portion at risk for the most senior executives.
In 1996, the Committee requested that a newly retained nationally
recognized executive compensation consulting firm complete a comprehensive
review of the Corporation's executive officer compensation strategy and
competitive position. This review resulted in actions by the Committee to
establish a revised peer group of companies in the insurance, financial services
and banking industries in order to more appropriately measure the competitive
position of the compensation potentially available to executive officers of the
Corporation. These actions included: during 1996, increasing stock option grant
guidelines by 47% to 277%, dependent on the executive officer's position, and
approving a second option grant to bring the total grants made to executive
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officers in 1996 in line with competitive grants made to executive officers in
the revised peer group; and, for 1997, increasing annual incentive targets by 7%
to 18%.
ANNUAL CASH COMPENSATION
Amounts paid as base salary, including merit salary increases, are
determined by the executive's performance, placement in the salary range
established for the executive's position and the salaries offered in the
industry for comparable positions. Outside independent consultants are
periodically used to gather and analyze industry comparisons of salary data to
ensure that the salary ranges used in the compensation program are competitive
for comparable positions. The Committee monitors and approves changes in base
salary for senior executive officers (including the executive officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table). Promotional salary increases reflect the
executive's movement from one grade level to another and are granted when
earned.
The Committee sets and approves the formulas which establish the amounts
available for annual incentive awards. For 1996, incentive awards paid to most
executive officers were determined under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan
(1996). This plan's formula measures the Corporation's performance, including
combined loss and expense ratio ("combined ratio"), net income and return on
equity against the results of an industry comparison group. Net income under
this formula is the Corporation's investment income arising from the property
and casualty insurance business and underwriting profit or loss from that
business. Each year the Committee approves goals for the combined ratio and net
income based on the outlook for business conditions that year. After the close
of business each year, the formula takes into account how well the Corporation
performed against its own goals and how well it performed against an industry
comparison group's average combined ratio and return on equity. Included in this
industry comparison group are three out of the six companies which, along with
the Corporation, comprise the Standard & Poor's Property and Casualty Index and
four of the six companies which comprise the Standard & Poor's Multi-Line
Insurance Index used in the Performance Graph on page 14 as well as one other
insurance company against which the Corporation has over time compared itself.
The annual incentive pool actually paid is determined by weighing the
combined ratio result as well as the net income and return on equity results to
generate a total award pool under the Plan. A percent is applied to the target
dollar award pool for each job grade to develop a final cash award pool. The
pool can range from 0% to 200% of the target dollar award for all participants
covered by the Plan.
Amounts actually paid for annual incentive awards to executives are based
on the executive's individual performance and salary grade midpoint. Where
applicable, individual performance is judged on the following considerations:
profit, growth, expense control, productivity, leadership, staff development,
diversity management, performance/compensation management, innovation,
collaboration and internal/external customer service. Awards are approved by the
Committee based upon recommendations by management after year end. Over the past
few years, annual cash compensation has been administered to slow the growth in
base salaries and place a greater proportion of the executive's annual cash
compensation at risk through the variable amounts available for an annual
incentive award.
Other annual cash incentive plans in which certain executive officers
participate include the Bellemead Development Corporation Incentive Compensation
Plan (the "Bellemead Incentive Plan"), the Chubb LifeAmerica Incentive
Compensation Plan (the "Chubb Life Incentive Plan"), The Chubb Corporation
Investment Department/Chubb Asset Managers, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan
(the "Investment Department Incentive Plan"), The Profit Sharing Plan (1987),
The Bellemead Profit Sharing Plan and The Profit Sharing Plan of Chubb America
Service Corporation. The Bellemead Incentive Plan and the Chubb Life Incentive
Plan are each based on a formula which measures the achievement of actual net
income against planned net income. The Investment Department Incentive Plan
provides both annual and long-term cash awards which are competitive with those
provided by similar financial institutions, including property and casualty
insurance companies and banks. Such awards are granted to the Corporation's
investment professionals and are based on results measured against market
indices which represent standards of investment performance regularly used by
investment analysts to compare and analyze the performance of investment
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professionals responsible for managing a particular asset class. The Profit
Sharing Plan (1987) provides employees of the Corporation and its participating
subsidiaries with cash awards on a sliding scale of 0% to 4% of a participant's
eligible compensation based on a schedule relating to the consolidated return on
premiums earned by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries of the
Corporation. The Bellemead Profit Sharing Plan provides for cash awards on a
sliding scale of 0% to 3% of a participant's annual compensation depending upon
the relationship of planned to actual net income for the year. The Profit
Sharing Plan of Chubb America Service Corporation provides for cash awards on a
sliding scale of 0% to 4% of a participant's annual compensation depending on
Chubb Life's annual results.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS
Long-term incentive awards are made under the Long-Term Stock Incentive
Plan. The Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, which is administered by the
Committee, is an omnibus plan and provides stock based awards to eligible
employees which include most levels of management as well as the Corporation's
executive officers. The Plan was designed in consultation with a nationally
recognized executive compensation consulting firm and periodically the Committee
obtains the advice of such consulting firms with regard to the ongoing
administration of the Plan. Awards granted to executive officers include stock
options, performance share awards and restricted stock awards.
Stock option awards are based on guidelines that provide for larger awards
commensurate with position levels that reflect competitive grant practices
within a broad peer group of companies in the insurance, financial services and
banking industries. Included in the peer group are five of the six companies
which, along with the Corporation, comprise the Standard & Poor's Property and
Casualty Index, five of the six companies which comprise the Standard & Poor's
Multi-line Index and three additional insurance companies against which the
Corporation has over time compared itself. The peer group also contains two
insurance brokerages and seven financial services and banking companies,
reflecting the fact that the Corporation also operates generally within the
broader financial services industry.
Performance share awards are generally granted annually and are earned
based on earnings per share targets or other selected corporate financial goals
for three year performance periods. As with options, the number of performance
shares granted is based on position level and the executive's most recent level
of performance. Payment values are dependent on the Corporation's stock price at
the end of the performance period, thus linking executives' interests directly
with Shareholders, as well as the achievement of selected corporate financial
goals. In 1996, a performance goal was established for the three year
performance period ending in 1998 reflecting a cumulative operating earnings per
share target for such period.
In lieu of the previously issued equity share awards, the Committee in 1996
established overall pools and, for selected senior executives, individual
maximum awards for performance based restricted stock awards. The overall pools
established for performance cycles ending December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 were
set not to exceed 15% of the number of performance shares deemed earned for the
performance share cycles concluding on such dates. Allocations for selected
senior executives were based on their potential performance and long range
contributions to the Corporation.
Regular restricted stock awards are generally granted as an alternative to
performance shares to a limited number of executive officers in positions
requiring specialized skills and knowledge that do not entail the broad
management responsibilities most appropriately tied to performance share grants
and performance based restricted stock grants.
CEO COMPENSATION
Mr. O'Hare is a participant in all of the aforementioned components of the
compensation program except regular restricted stock awards. The value of his
compensation from each component of the program is a direct reflection of both
his individual performance and the Corporation's performance as described below.
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Mr. O'Hare's salary was reviewed in December 1996 under the Corporation's
normal merit guidelines. Based upon the Committee's judgment that his
performance was excellent during the 15 month review period, Mr. O'Hare received
an increase of 5.5%. The principal performance criteria considered by the
Committee were the Corporation's key financial measures such as growth in
earnings per share, net income, operating income, return on equity and revenue
against established targets. Additional criteria considered were global
expansion, industry leadership, corporate citizenship and succession planning.
Mr. O'Hare's annual cash incentive award for 1996 was $1,250,000, which
represents an increase of 25% from the incentive award paid for 1995. The
Corporation achieved a combined loss and expense ratio of 98.3%, which
outperformed the combined ratio average of 105.3% for the industry comparison
group referred to above under the discussion concerning Annual Cash
Compensation. In addition, the Corporation achieved 98% of its net income (as
defined) goal and recorded an operating earnings return on equity of 11.6%,
which surpassed the industry comparison group's average of 11.2%. The Committee
determined that Mr. O'Hare's leadership skills and financial management talent
contributed substantially to these results and reflected this in the incentive
award paid to him. Mr. O'Hare, as did all other eligible employees, received a
payment of one percent (1%) of eligible compensation for the 1996 plan year
pursuant to the terms of the Profit Sharing Plan (1987).
In February 1996, Mr. O'Hare was granted 15,000 performance shares for the
three year performance period ending December 1998. In February 1996, Mr. O'Hare
was granted stock options for 36,000 shares. Subsequent to the review of the
Corporation's executive officer compensation strategy and competitive position
as described above under the "Executive Officer Compensation Policies" section
of this report, Mr. O'Hare was granted additional stock options for 81,650
shares in August 1996. The Committee recognized that the Corporation achieved
excellent results in 1995 as measured by, among other things, the principal
performance criteria described above. The Committee decided to award grants that
were highly competitive within the revised peer group described under the
general discussion concerning Long-Term Incentive Awards. Both of the option
grants and the performance share grant are in the top half of the grant
guideline range which the Committee has established for Mr. O'Hare's position.
With respect to performance shares granted in June 1994 for the three year
performance period which ended December 1996, the cumulative earnings per share,
as adjusted, during this performance period were somewhat below the target
established by the Committee in 1994. On this basis, Mr. O'Hare earned
performance shares having a value of $379,506, compared with the performance
share award payment made last year of $342,810.
On February 20, 1997, Mr. O'Hare was awarded 3,171 shares of performance
based restricted stock for 1996 results. The shares had a fair market value on
the award date of $180,747 (without regard to any diminution in value
attributable to the restrictions on the shares). This compares with his equity
share award for 1995 of $186,977. The Committee believes that the percentage of
the performance based restricted stock pool awarded to Mr. O'Hare reflects his
contribution to the Corporation's results and directly relates to the financial
interests of Shareholders, management and employees.
Total compensation reported for Mr. O'Hare for 1996, including payment of
performance shares for the three year cycle ended December 31, 1996, was
$2,847,439 which is 13.2% more than his corresponding 1995 total compensation of
$2,514,947.
The foregoing report has been furnished by the following members of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation who comprised the Organization &
Compensation Committee as of March 6, 1997:
Robert V. Lindsay (Co-Chairman) David H. Hoag
Lawrence M. Small (Co-Chairman) G. G. Michelson
Richard D. Wood
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PENSION PROGRAM
Eligible employees of the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries
participate in The Pension Plan of The Chubb Corporation, Chubb & Son Inc. and
Participating Affiliates (the "Pension Plan"). As in effect during 1996, the
Pension Plan provides to each such employee annual retirement income beginning
at age 65 equal to the product of (x) the total number of years of participation
in the Pension Plan (but not more than 35 years) and (y) the difference between
(i) 1 3/4% of average compensation for the five years in the last ten years of
participation prior to retirement during which the employee was most highly paid
("final average earnings") and (ii) an amount related to the employee's primary
Social Security benefit.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), impose maximum
limitations on the annual amount of a pension which may be paid under a funded
defined benefit plan such as the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan complies with
these limitations. The Board of Directors adopted, effective as of January 1,
1976, an unfunded benefit equalization plan of the type permitted by ERISA which
will provide annual payments to persons who are participants under the Pension
Plan and their beneficiaries. Such payments will be equal to the difference
between (a) the benefits which would be payable to such persons under the
Pension Plan, without taking into consideration the limitations imposed by ERISA
and the Code, and (b) the maximum annual benefits to which such persons are
entitled under the Pension Plan by reason of such limitations.
The table which follows shows the estimated annual benefits payable upon
retirement to persons in specified remuneration and years-of-service
classifications under the Pension Plan and the unfunded benefit equalization
plan (referred to collectively as the "Pension Program"). The retirement
benefits shown are based upon retirement at the age of 65 and computed on the
basis of straight life annuity benefits. Such benefits, as shown in the
following table, are subject to an offset of an amount related to the primary
Social Security benefits in an amount approved by the Internal Revenue Service
in effect at the time of retirement.
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ESTIMATED ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS PAYABLE AT AGE 65
STRAIGHT LIFE ANNUITY BASIS
TO AN EMPLOYEE RETIRING IN 1997
YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
FINAL -----------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE 35 OR
EARNINGS 15 20 25 30 MORE
- -----------
$ 100,000 ................. $ 26,250 $ 35,000 $ 43,750 $ 52,500 $ 61,250
200,000 ................. 52,500 70,000 87,500 105,000 122,500
300,000 ................. 78,750 105,000 131,250 157,500 183,750
400,000 ................. 105,000 140,000 175,000 210,000 245,000
500,000 ................. 131,250 175,000 218,750 262,500 306,250
600,000 ................. 157,500 210,000 262,500 315,000 367,500
700,000 ................. 183,750 245,000 306,250 367,500 428,750
800,000 ................. 210,000 280,000 350,000 420,000 490,000
900,000 ................. 236,250 315,000 393,750 472,500 551,250
1,000,000 ................. 262,500 350,000 437,500 525,000 612,500
1,100,000 ................. 288,750 385,000 481,250 577,500 673,750
1,300,000 ................. 341,250 455,000 568,750 682,500 796,250
1,500,000 ................. 393,750 525,000 656,250 787,500 918,750
1,600,000 ................. 420,000 560,000 700,000 840,000 980,000
1,700,000 ................. 446,250 595,000 743,750 892,500 1,041,250
1,800,000 ................. 472,500 630,000 787,500 945,000 1,102,500
1,900,000 ................. 498,750 665,000 831,250 997,500 1,162,750
2,000,000 ................. 525,000 700,000 875,000 1,050,000 1,225,000
2,100,000 ................. 551,250 735,000 918,750 1,102,500 1,286,250
2,200,000 ................. 577,500 770,000 962,500 1,155,000 1,347,500
2,300,000 ................. 603,750 805,000 1,006,250 1,207,500 1,408,750
2,400,000 ................. 630,000 840,000 1,050,000 1,260,000 1,470,000
2,500,000 ................. 656,250 875,000 1,093,750 1,312,500 1,531,250
Remuneration covered by the Pension Program includes salary (including
salary contributed to the Capital Accumulation Plan of The Chubb Corporation,
Chubb & Son Inc. and Participating Affiliates), overtime and awards under The
Chubb Corporation Annual Incentive Compensation Plans, the Bellemead Incentive
Plan, the Chubb Life Incentive Plan, the Investment Department Incentive Plan
and the Profit Sharing Plan (1987) in the year paid rather than the year earned
and, effective January 1, 1992, includes awards under the Bellemead Profit
Sharing Plan and the Profit Sharing Plan of Chubb America Service Corporation.
With respect to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table on
page 11, Messrs. Chubb, Crawford, Degnan, Dunlop and O'Hare have 35, 30 1/2, 5,
32 1/2, and 32 1/2 years of credited service, respectively, and their 1996
remuneration for purposes of the Pension Program was $842,718, $759,774,
$604,656, $526,153, and $1,867,145, respectively.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to a recommendation by the Organization & Compensation Committee
and authorization by the Board of Directors, the Corporation has in force
severance agreements with six executive officers of the Corporation. Each
agreement becomes operative only upon a "Change in Control" that occurs when the
officer is in the employ of the Corporation. Under the agreements, a "Change in
Control" occurs if (a) following a tender or exchange offer for voting
securities of the Corporation, a proxy contest for election of the directors, or
a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of its business or
assets, its directors
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immediately prior to such event cease to constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors when such event occurs or within one year thereafter or (b) any person
or group acquires 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the
Corporation without prior approval by a majority of the Directors then in
office. Such agreements have an initial term of two years and are automatically
extended for successive two year periods unless the Corporation gives one year's
prior notice that it is terminating an agreement at the end of the then current
two year period.
If a change in control occurs and the officer's employment with the
Corporation terminates within two years thereafter (other than by reason of
death, disability, retirement at normal retirement age, discharge for cause, or
voluntary termination by the officer except for Good Reason), the officer
becomes entitled to the severance benefits described below. Termination for
"Good Reason" means termination because of, among other things, the involuntary
assignment of such officer to duties inconsistent with the officer's position
prior to such change in control; reduction of the officer's base salary or
bonus; the Corporation acting with adverse effect upon the officer's benefits
under any benefit plans in which the officer is participating at the time of
such change in control; or a determination made by the officer in good faith
that as a result of such change in control the officer cannot discharge the
officer's duties effectively.
Upon such termination, the officer's severance benefits shall equal a
multiple of the sum of (i) one year's salary at the annual rate in effect at the
time of the change in control and (ii) the average of the officer's annual
awards under the Corporation's, Bellemead's and Chubb Life's incentive
compensation plans for the three years preceding such change in control. The
multiple is four in the case of Mr. O'Hare and two in the case of the other
officers. Also, the Corporation must maintain in force the insurance and
disability benefits available to the officer immediately prior to the change in
control, or their equivalents, for two years after such termination or until the
earlier commencement of new, full-time employment by the officer. The officer is
not required to mitigate the amount of any payments by seeking other employment.
The Corporation must pay all legal fees and expenses incurred by the officer as
a result of such termination, including any incurred in seeking to enforce the
severance agreement.
As of March 7, 1997, payments to the officers with whom the Corporation has
severance agreements would have been as follows: Mr. Robert P. Crawford, Jr.,
$1,460,068; Mr. John J. Degnan, $1,227,402; Mr. Donn H. Norton, $892,001; David
B. Kelso, $833,333; Mr. Dean R. O'Hare, $7,220,003 and Ms. Theresa M. Stone,
$917,335. The Corporation does not believe that payment of these amounts would
have a material adverse effect on the financial or operating condition of the
Corporation. The Long-Term Stock Incentive Plans provide for the accelerated
payment or vesting of awards granted under such plans in the event of a Change
in Control of the Corporation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Organization & Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Lindsay
and Small (Co-Chairmen), Hoag and Wood and Mrs. Michelson. No current or former
officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries serves on
the Organization & Compensation Committee and no executive officer of the
Corporation has served on the compensation committee of another corporation.
Mr. Joel J. Cohen was a member of the Organization & Compensation Committee
until his resignation from the Committee as of March 1, 1996. Mr. Cohen is a
Managing Director of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
("DLJ"), which firm provides securities brokerage services to the Corporation
and its subsidiaries. In addition, certain subsidiaries of the Corporation
participate as limited partners in an investment partnership of which DLJ
Merchant Banking Inc. is the managing general partner.
Mr. Lawrence M. Small is President and Chief Operating Officer of Fannie
Mae. The Corporation and its subsidiaries purchase, in the ordinary course of
business, debt securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae.
The Corporation believes that the above transactions were effected on terms
as favorable to the Corporation and its subsidiaries as could have been obtained
from other sources in view of the nature of the services rendered.
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TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND THEIR ASSOCIATES
Mr. Percy Chubb, III retired as an officer of the Corporation and from
employment on February 1, 1997. Mr. Chubb continues as a consultant to the
Corporation for which he is paid $100,000 per annum in quarterly installments on
the last day of each calendar quarter.
Messrs. Cohen and Small are affiliated with organizations that did business
with the Corporation and its subsidiaries during 1996. See "Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
Senator Rudman is a Partner of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison,
which firm has acted as counsel to a subsidiary of the Corporation.
Sir David G. Scholey, CBE is Chairman of the International Advisory Council
of Swiss Bank Corporation. A division of Swiss Bank Corporation, SBC Warburg, an
investment banking firm, through its affiliate companies, during 1996 provided
certain securities transaction services to the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Ambassador Raymond G. H. Seitz is a Vice Chairman of Lehman Bros.
International (Europe), which firm provides securities transaction services to
the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
The Corporation believes that the above transactions were effected on terms
as favorable to the Corporation and its subsidiaries as could have been obtained
from other sources in view of the nature of the services rendered.
In 1996, various subsidiaries of the Corporation had transactions in the
ordinary course of their business with certain Directors and officers of the
Corporation and their associates in connection with policies of insurance issued
to them by such subsidiaries. All employees of the Corporation and certain of
its subsidiaries are offered the opportunity to obtain property and casualty and
life and health personal insurance from various subsidiaries of the Corporation
at a price representing a maximum discount of 10% from the regular price.
TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
The Corporation has relationships with insurance companies which are
subsidiaries of Royal & Sun Alliance, an insurance holding company organized
under the laws of England (collectively, the "Sun Group"). As reported, the Sun
Group as of March 3, 1997 was the beneficial owner of approximately 5.2% of the
Corporation's Common Stock, acquired solely for the purpose of investment.
The Corporation's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries reinsured a
portion of their United States insurance business on a quota share basis with
one of the Sun Group companies. In 1996, this Sun Group company's premiums
earned arising from such reinsurance were $348,024,000. Pursuant to the contract
which governs the relationship, this Sun Group company pays to the Corporation's
property and casualty insurance subsidiaries an override commission and a profit
commission, the latter determined by the prior year's results of that business.
Such payments were $5,076,000 and $2,373,000, respectively, in 1996. Pursuant to
an agreement effective January 1, 1992, Chubb & Son Inc. provides staff for
several of the Sun Group companies on a cost reimbursement basis. The amount of
the cost reimbursement for 1996 under this agreement was approximately $170,000.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation assumed reinsurance on a quota
share basis from members of the Sun Group with respect to certain of the Sun
Group's property and casualty insurance business. Assumed reinsurance premiums
earned from this business amounted to $282,905,000 for the year 1996. Members of
the Sun Group receive profit commissions which are determined by the results of
that business. In 1996, commission payments of approximately $2,289,000 were
made.
Effective January 1, 1997, the agreements pertaining to the exchange of
reinsurance between the Corporation's property and casualty insurance
subsidiaries and members of the Sun Group referred to above were terminated. In
1997, the Corporation's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries will
receive approximately $300,000,000 as the net result of the portfolio transfers
of unearned premiums and loss reserves as of January 1, 1997 related to the
termination of the agreements.
The Corporation's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries entered into
a stop loss reinsurance agreement with a subsidiary of the Sun Group, effective
year end 1985, relating to medical malpractice loss
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reserves. The agreement included a commutation provision under which the
property and casualty insurance subsidiaries had an option to reassume the
remaining liability of the Sun Group as of December 31, 1995. The property and
casualty insurance subsidiaries exercised this option, which resulted in an
amount due from the Sun Group to the property and casualty insurance
subsidiaries of $191,194,000.
Wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Corporation have participated in two joint
ventures with Sun Group companies to market homeowners insurance and surety
bonds, respectively.
Additionally, in the regular course of their international business, the
Corporation's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries may and do assume and
cede reinsurance to and from members of the Sun Group, as they do with other
insurers on similar terms and conditions.
The Corporation believes that such transactions are all on terms as
favorable to the Corporation as those available from unrelated third parties.
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APPROVAL OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors, acting upon the recommendation of the Audit
Committee, recommends for approval by the Shareholders the selection of Ernst &
Young LLP ("Ernst & Young") as the independent auditors of the Corporation for
the year 1997. Ernst & Young has acted as such auditors for the Corporation for
many years.
In addition to its principal service of auditing the financial statements
of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, Ernst & Young provided certain
non-audit services for the Corporation and its subsidiaries during 1996, and
such services were approved by the Audit Committee. In approving such services,
the Audit Committee determined that the nature of the services and the estimated
fees to be charged would have no adverse effect on the independence of the
auditors.
Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting and to have the opportunity to make a statement should they desire to do
so and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
VOTING, SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Proxy, if returned properly executed and not subsequently revoked by
written notice delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, will be voted in
accordance with the choice made by the Shareholder with respect to the proposals
listed thereon. If a choice is not made with respect to such proposals and
authority to vote for Directors is not withheld, the Proxy will be voted in
favor of such proposals and will be voted for the election of Directors as
described under "Election of Directors" above.
Under New Jersey law and the Corporation's By-Laws, each share of Common
Stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, and the presence in person or by proxy of the holders
of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes constitutes a quorum. Votes
are tabulated by the Corporation's transfer agent using the transfer agent's
automated system. Under New Jersey law, Directors are elected by a plurality of
the votes cast at the meeting. Approval of the selection of independent auditors
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Proxies submitted with abstentions and
broker non-votes are included in determining whether or not a quorum is present.
Votes withheld for the election of Directors have no impact on the election of
Directors, except that votes withheld may result in another individual receiving
a higher number of votes. Abstentions will not be counted in tabulating the
votes with respect to the approval of selection of independent auditors. Broker
non-votes will not be counted in tabulating the votes with respect to the
proposals presented to Shareholders.
The Board of Directors is aware of no matters other than those specifically
stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting which are to be presented for action at
the meeting. However, should any further matter requiring a vote of the
Shareholders arise, it is the intention of the persons named in the Proxy to
vote the Proxy in accordance with their judgment.
The cost of this solicitation of proxies is being borne by the Corporation.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, the Corporation
may use the services of one or more Directors, officers or other regular
employees of the Corporation (who will receive no additional compensation for
their services in such solicitation) to solicit proxies personally and by
telephone. Arrangements will be made with brokerage firms and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to the beneficial
owners of the shares held of record by such persons and the Corporation will
reimburse them for reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in so doing. In
addition, the Corporation has retained Georgeson & Company Inc., New York, New
York, to aid in the solicitation of proxies by mail, in person and by telephone
for a fee which is estimated not to exceed $12,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses.
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Proposals by Shareholders intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual
Meeting must be received by the Corporation no later than November 17, 1997 in
order to be qualified for inclusion in the Corporation's Proxy Statement and
form of proxy for such meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors,
HENRY G. GULICK
Vice President and Secretary
March 17, 1997
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PROXY
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE CORPORATION FOR ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 22, 1997
The undersigned shareholder of THE CHUBB CORPORATION (the "Corporation")
acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
Proxy Statement each dated March 17, 1997 and the undersigned revokes all prior
proxies and appoints DEAN R. O'HARE, HENRY G. GULICK and PHILIP J. SEMPIER, and
each of them, proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock of
the Corporation, which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 15 Mountain View Road, Warren, New Jersey
at 11:00 a.m. on April 22, 1997 and any adjournment or postponement thereof, on
all matters coming properly before said meeting.
Election of Directors, Nominees:
John C. Beck, Sheila P. Burke, James I. Cash, Jr., Percy Chubb, III,
Joel J. Cohen, David H. Hoag, Robert V. Lindsay, Thomas C. MacAvoy,
Gertrude G. Michelson, Dean R. O'Hare, Warren B. Rudman,
Sir David G. Scholey, CBE, Raymond G. H. Seitz, Lawrence M. Small,
and Richard D. Wood.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
/ X / PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES AS THIS EXAMPLE 1816
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 and 2.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CHUBB CORPORATION RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR:
1. Election of Directors (see reverse)
FOR WITHHELD
/ / / /
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Approval of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditors of the
Corporation.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
SIGNATURE(S)________________________________________________ DATE______________
NOTE: Please sign name exactly as printed hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, administrator, executor, guardian or
trustee, please give title as such.