1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 21, 1998 REGISTRATION NO. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------ FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------ NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC. ------------------------- (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) Ohio (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) One Oxmoor Place 101 Bullitt Lane, Suite 450 Louisville, Kentucky (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) 61-1303983 (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) 40222 (ZIP CODE) National Processing, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN) Carlton E. Langer, Esq. Secretary National City Corporation 1900 East Ninth Street Cleveland, Ohio 44114 (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) (216) 575-3339 (TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE =============================================================================== Proposed Proposed Title Of Maximum Maximum Securities Amount Offering Aggregate Amount Of To Be To Be Price Per Offering Registration Registered Registered(1) Share(2) Price(2) Fee(2) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Processing, 4,000,000 $12.25 $49,000,000 $14,455 Inc. Common Stock, without par value ================================================================================ <FN> (1) Plus such indeterminate number of additional shares as may be sold or delivered as a result of adjustments required by antidilution provisions. Pursuant to Rule 416, this Form S-8 Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover any additional securities issued to prevent dilution, resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. (2) These shares are to be offered pursuant to Option Rights granted under the National Processing, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan which pertain to common shares and the option price of which shall not be less than market value at date of grant. The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(h) by multiplying the proposed maximum aggregate offering price times .000295. </FN> 2 NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC. Cross Reference Sheet Pursuant to Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K, Showing the Location in the Prospectus of the Information Required by Part 1 of Form S-3 Item of Form S-3 Location of Caption in Prospectus ---------------- --------------------------------- 1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside Front Cover Page Of Prospectus ............. Facing Page of Registration Statement; Cross Reference Sheet; Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus 2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of Prospectus ....... Available Information; Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference; Table of Contents 3. General Plan Information ............. General Plan Information 4. Securities to be Offered ............. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference; Securities to be Offered 5. Employees Who May Participate in the Plan .......................... Employees Who may Participate in the Plan 6. Purchase of Securities Pursuant to the Plan and Payment For Securities Offered ................... Purchase of Securities Pursuant to the Plan and Payment For Securities Offered 7. Resale Restrictions .................. Purchase of Securities Pursuant to the Plan and Payment For Securities Offered 8. Tax Effects of Plan Participation .... Tax Effects of Plan Participation 9. Investment of Funds .................. Not Applicable 10. Withdrawal From the Plan; Assignment of Interest ............... Withdrawal From the Plan; Assignment of Interest 11. Forfeitures and Penalties ............ Withdrawal From the Plan; Assignment of Interest 12. Charges and Deductions and Liens Therefor.................... Not Applicable 13. Registration Information and Employee Plan Annual Information ..... Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference 3 PROSPECTUS NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC. NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC. 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN 4,000,000 SHARES ------------------ This Prospectus relates to Securities of National Processing, Inc. ("NPI"), which may or have been awarded pursuant to the National Processing, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). NPI common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NAP." ------------------ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ------------------ Neither delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of NPI since the date hereof or the dates as of which information is set forth herein. ------------------ The date of this Prospectus is May 21, 1998 4 AVAILABLE INFORMATION NPI is subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, accordingly, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected or copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission located at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 540 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; at the Commission's Chicago Regional Office, Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and at its New York Regional Office, R. R. Donnelly Building, 75 Park Place, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10007. Copies of such materials may also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, reports, proxy statements and other information concerning NPI may be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at "http://www.sec.gov". This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement on Form S-8 and exhibits thereto filed by NPI under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), with the Commission relating to the shares of National Processing, Inc. Common Stock (NPI Common") offered hereby ("Registration Statement"), certain portions of which have been ommitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission and to which portions reference is hereby made for further information with respect to NPI and the securities offered hereby. The Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto may be inspected without charge at the offices of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies may be obtained from the commission at prescribed rates and are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at "http://www.sec.gov". INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE NPI hereby incorporates in this Prospectus by reference its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 1998 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 8, 1998 and January 23, 1998, the description of NPI common stock set forth in the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-05507), each as filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. All documents filed by NPI pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that such statement is modified or superseded by a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS OF NPI BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THE NPI DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN CERTAIN EXHIBITS TO ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS) ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO ATTENTION: JIM W. CATE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, TREASURER AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY, TELEPHONE NUMBER (502) 326-7050 AND WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE. THE COMPANY NPI through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, National Processing Company, is a provider of low-cost high-volume transaction processing services and customized processing solutions. NPI is an Ohio corporation that was formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of National City Corporation, an Ohio headquartered bank holding 2 5 company. NPI was formed on June 5, 1996 under the laws of the State of Ohio. Its principal executive office is One Oxmoor Place, 101 Bullitt Lane, Suite 450, Louisville, Kentucky, 40222. Its telephone number is (502) 326-7000. PLAN INFORMATION GENERAL PLAN INFORMATION The purpose of the National Processing, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to provide employment incentives and to encourage capital accumulation and stock ownership by Eligible Employees of NPI or any of its Subsidiaries, and to provide to designated Optionees under stock options granted pursuant to any stock option plan of NPI or of any of its Subsidiaries as an alternative method of realizing the benefits provided by such stock options. The Plan shall be administered by the Board who may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under the Plan to a committee of not less than three Directors appointed by the Board. To the extent of such delegation, references in the Plan to the Board shall also refer to the appropriate committee. The interpretation and construction by the Board of any provision of the Plan or of any agreement evidencing the grant of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights and any determination by the Board pursuant to any provision of the Plan or of any such agreement shall be final and conclusive. No member of the Board shall be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith. Participants in the Plan may obtain additional information regarding the Plan and its administrators by contacting Jim Cate, Executive Vice President, Chief financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, telephone number (502) 326-7050. For more detailed information about NPI reference is made to NPI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE." Definitions. As used in this Plan, (a) "Additional Option" means an Option Right granted to an Optionee to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of already owned Common Stock delivered by the Optionee as payment of the exercise price upon exercise of an Option Right and/or the number of shares of Common Stock tendered or relinquished as payment of the amount to be withheld under applicable federal, state and local income tax laws in connection with the exercise of an option as described in Section 5 of the Plan. (b) "Additional Option Feature" means a feature of an Option that provides for the automatic grant of an Additional Option in accordance with the provisions described in Section 5 of the Plan. (c) The term "Appreciation Right" means a right granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan. (d) The term "Board" means the Board of Directors of NPI. (e) The term "Common Stock" means Common Stock, without par value, of NPI or any security into which such Common stock may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type described in Section 8 of the Plan. (f) The term "Eligible Employees" means persons who are at the time the officers (including officers who are members of the Board) and other key employees of NPI or of any of its Subsidiaries. (g) The term "Market Value per Share" means, at any date, the closing price, per share, of the shares of Common Stock, on the New York Stock Exchange on that date as reported by the Wall Street Journal (Midwest Edition) or, if the Common Stock shall be primarily traded in another market, as determined in a manner specified by the Board using quotations in such other market, and prior to or within 10 days after the 3 6 commencement of any such trading, the fair market value per share of the Common Stock as determined by the Board in its discretion. (h) The term "Optionee" shall mean the Optionee named in an agreement evidencing an Outstanding Option. (i) The term "Option Right" means the right to purchase a share of Common Stock upon exercise of an Outstanding Option. (j) The term "Outstanding Option" means, at any time, an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted by NPI or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of NPI or any such Subsidiary now or hereafter in effect, or pursuant to any stock option plan of any corporation which is merged into NPI and where NPI has by action of its Board, assumed the obligations of such corporation under such stock option plan, all whether or not such option is at the time exercisable, to the extent that such option at such time has not been exercised and has not terminated. (k) The term "Spread" means the excess of the Market Value per Share of Common Stock on the date when an Appreciation Right is exercised over the option price provided for in the related Option Right. (l) The term "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation in which at the time NPI owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of the total combined voting power represented by all classes of stock issued by such corporation. (m) The term "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. (n) The term "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option Right granted by NPI to an Eligible Employee, which Option Right is intended to qualify as an "Incentive Stock Option" as that term is used in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED The shares of Common Stock which may be made the subject of Option Rights and Appreciation Rights pursuant to the Plan may be treasury shares or shares of original issue or a combination of the foregoing. Subject to the adjustments in accordance to section 8 and 9 of the Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be sold upon the exercise of Option Rights granted pursuant to the Plan shall be 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock which are made available for sale by virtue of the Plan. For purposes of determining the number of shares that may be sold under the Plan, such number shall increase by the number of shares surrendered by an Optionee or relinquished to NPI (a) in connection with the exercise of a stock option or (b) in payment of federal, state and local income tax withholding liabilities upon exercise of an Option Right, provided, however, that the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued or transferred by NPI upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock specified in this paragraph, subject to adjustment as provided for in the Plan. Shares covered by Option Rights cancelled upon exercise of Appreciation Rights shall not be available for the granting of further Option Rights under the Plan or under any other stock option plan of NPI or of any of its Subsidiaries, anything in the Plan or such other stock option plan to the contrary notwithstanding. EMPLOYEES WHO MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN Employees eligible to participate in the Plan are those who are officers of NPI (including officers who are members of the Board) and other key employees of NPI or of any of its Subsidiaries. PURCHASE OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE PLAN AND PAYMENT FOR SECURITIES OFFERED Grants of option rights. The Board may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to Eligible Employees of Option Rights. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the limitations, contained in the following provisions: 4 7 (a) Each grant shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains. (b) Each grant shall specify an option price per share not less than the Market Value per Share on the date of grant. (c) Successive grants may be made to the same Eligible Employee whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such Eligible Employee remain unexercised. No Eligible Employee may, however, be granted under the Plan, in the aggregate, more than 400,000 Option Rights, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan. (d) Option Rights granted under the Plan may be (i) options which are intended to qualify under particular provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect from time to time, (ii) options which are not intended so to qualify, or (iii) combinations of the foregoing. (e) The date of grant of each Option Right shall be the date of its authorization by the Board, except that the date of grant of an Additional Option shall be the date of exercise of the underlying Option Right. No Option Right shall be exercisable more than 10 years from such date of grant. (f) Upon exercise of an Option Right, the option price shall be payable (i) in cash, (ii) by the transfer to NPI by the Optionee of shares of Common Stock with a value (Market Value per Share times the number of shares) equal to the total option price, (iii) at the discretion of the Board, from the proceeds of a sale through a broker on the date of exercise of some or all of the shares of Common Stock to which the exercise relates, or (iv) by any combination of such methods of payment. (g) Each grant of Option Rights shall be evidenced by an agreement executed on behalf of NPI by any officer designated by the Board for this purpose and delivered to and accepted by the Eligible Employee and shall contain such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Board may approve. Additional option. (a) The Board may, at or after the date of grant of Option Rights, grant Additional Options. Additional Options may be granted with respect to any Outstanding Option. (b) If an Optionee exercises an Outstanding Option that has an Additional Option Feature by delivering already owned shares of Common Stock and/or when shares of Common Stock are tendered or relinquished as payment of the amount to be withheld under applicable federal, state and local income tax laws (at withholding rates not to exceed the Optionee's applicable marginal tax rates) in connection with the exercise of an option, the Optionee shall automatically be granted an Additional Option. The Additional Option shall be subject to the following provisions: (1) The Additional Option shall cover the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock delivered as consideration upon the exercise of the previously granted Outstanding Option to which such Additional Option Feature relates and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock tendered or relinquished as payment of the amount to be withheld under applicable federal, state and local income tax laws in connection with the exercise of the option to which such Additional Option Feature relates; (2) The Additional Option will not have an Additional Option Feature unless the Board directs otherwise; (3) The Additional Option option price shall be 100% of the Market Value per Share on the date the employee delivers shares of Common Stock to exercise the Option that has the Additional Option Feature and/or delivers or forfeits shares of Common Stock in payment of income tax withholding on the exercise of an Option that has the Additional Option Feature; (4) The Additional Option shall not be exercised within the first six months after it is granted; provided that this restriction shall not apply if the Optionee becomes disabled or dies during the six-month period; and 5 8 (5) The Additional Option shall have the same termination date and other termination provisions as the underlying Option that had the Additional option Feature. Grants of appreciation rights. The Board may from time to time authorize the granting of Appreciation Rights in respect of any or all of the Option Rights under any Outstanding Option (including Options Rights simultaneously granted) to the Optionee thereunder. An Appreciation Right shall be a right in the Optionee to receive from NPI an amount which shall be determined by the Board and shall be expressed as a percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100%) at the time of exercise. To the extent such Optionee elects to exercise such Appreciation Right instead of the related Option Right, the related Option Right shall be cancelled, and vice versa. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the limitations, contained in the following provisions: (a) Any grant may permit the exercise of an Appreciation Right with respect to the value of shares of Common Stock covered by the related Option Rights. (b) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on exercise of an Appreciation Right may be paid by NPI in cash, in shares of Common Stock or in any combination thereof, and may either grant to the Optionee or retain in the Board the right to elect among those alternatives. (c) Each grant shall provide that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of an Appreciation Right may not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the related Option Rights. (d) Any grant may specify waiting periods before exercise and permissible exercise dates or periods. No Appreciation Right shall be exercisable except at a time when the related Option Right is also exerciseable. (e) Each grant of an Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by an agreement executed on behalf of NPI by any officer designated by the Board for this purpose and delivered to and accepted by the Optionee, which agreement shall describe such Appreciation Right, identify the related Option Rights, state that such Appreciation Right is subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the right of the Board to amend, suspend or terminate such Appreciation Right as set forth in Paragraph 11 of the Plan, and contain such other terms and Provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Board may approve. TAX EFFECTS OF PLAN PARTICIPATION NPI presently anticipates that Option Rights granted pursuant to the Option Plan will be either "non-qualified" or "incentive stock" options. Non-qualified Option Rights and Additional Options will not result in any taxable income to the Optionee or deduction to NPI at the time they are granted. In general, the holder of non-qualified Option Rights will realize taxable ordinary compensation income at the time of the exercise of the Option Rights or related Additional Options in an amount measured by the excess of the fair market value of the shares at that time over the option price. The tax basis to the Optionee for non-qualified option shares acquired will be the option price plus such taxable ordinary compensation income and when the Optionee disposes of the shares capital gain or loss will be recognized, either long or short term, depending on the holding period of the shares. The amount included in the income of the Optionee of non-qualified Option Rights or related Additional Options as ordinary taxable income determines the amount of the deduction to which NPI is entitled. Option Rights or Additional Options which are Incentive Stock Options will not result in taxable income to the Optionee or a deduction to NPI at the time granted nor at the time exercised if holding period requirements are observed. The Optionee must hold the stock more than two years from date of grant and one year from date of exercise. If these holding requirements are met, the Optionee will receive capital gain treatment and NPI no deduction. If these holding requirements are not met, in general, the Optionee has ordinary taxable income and the corporation a deduction measured by the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock at the time of exercise or disqualifying sale over the option price, whichever produces a lesser gain. 6 9 The tax basis to the Optionee for Common Stock acquired on exercise of an Option Right or Additional Option that is an Incentive Stock Option will be the fair market value at the date the Option Right or Additional Option was granted. The difference between the fair market value at the date of exercise and the option price of the Incentive Stock Option will be an item of tax preference. Thus, it will have to be included when making the alternative minimum tax calculation for the year in which the Incentive Stock Option was exercised. The granting of an Appreciation Right will not produce taxable income to the Optionee or a deduction to NPI. Upon exercise of Appreciation Rights the amount of any case received and the fair market value of any Common Stock received will be taxable to the Optionee as ordinary income and, in general, determines the amount of the deduction to which NPI is entitled. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN; ASSIGNMENT OF INTEREST No Option Right including any related Appreciation Right shall be transferable by an Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Option Rights and Appreciation Rights shall be exerciseable during the Optionee's lifetime only by the Optionee or by the Optionee's guardian or legal representative. The Board may, at any time, suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that if and to the extent required by rule 16b-3 promulgated under section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or by any comparable or successor exemption under which the Board believes it is appropriate for the Plan to qualify, if and to the extent required under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and if and to the extent required to treat some or all of the Option Right and Appreciation Right grants as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, no amendment shall be effective without the approval of the shareholders of NPI, that (i) except as provided in section 8 of the Plan, increases the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards of Option Rights and Appreciation Rights may be issued under the Plan, (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing to Optionees pursuant to the Plan or (iii) materially modifies the definition of "Eligible Employees". No action under section 11 of the Plan, may without the consent of the Optionee, reduce an Optionee's rights under any previously granted and outstanding Option Right. LEGAL OPINION The validity of the Common Stock offered under this Prospectus has been passed upon for National City by Carlton E. Langer Esq., Secretary of NPI. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION From time to time, NPI may update or supplement this Prospectus by issuing amendments or supplements in the form of appendices. These documents constitute an integral part of this Prospectus. NPI will also deliver to Employees copies of NPI's annual report, proxy statement, and other communications distributed to shareholders of NPI. Certain information contained in these documents also updates this Prospectus. All of these documents and the documents incorporated by reference are available to you without charge, upon written or oral request to NPI, attention of Jim W. Cate, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of National Processing, Inc., One Oxmoor Place, 101 Bullitt Lane, Suite 450, Louisville, Kentucky, telephone: (502) 326-7050. 7 10 ====================================================== TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ---- Available Information........................... 2 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference..................................... 2 The Company..................................... 2 Plan Information................................ 3 Legal Opinion................................... 7 Additional Information.......................... 7 ------------------ NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY. IF GIVEN OR MADE, NO SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MAY BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY NPI. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, AND THERE SHALL NOT BE ANY SALE OF, THESE SECURITIES BY ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR THAT PERSON TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF. ====================================================== ====================================================== NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC. NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC. 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN 4,000,000 SHARES ------------------------------ PROSPECTUS ------------------------------ MAY 21, 1998 ====================================================== 11 PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.* ITEM 2. REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.* *The information called for by Part I of Form S-8 is currently included in the description of the National Processing, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan to be delivered to eligible persons under the Plan and is not being filed with or included in this S-8 in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Note to Part I of Form S-8. PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE National Processing, Inc. ("NPI") hereby incorporates in this Registration Statement by reference its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 1998 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 8, 1998 and January 23, 1998, the description of NPI common stock set forth in the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-05507), each as filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. All documents filed by NPI pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that such statement is modified or superseded by a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS OF NPI BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THE NPI DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN CERTAIN EXHIBITS TO ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS) ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO ATTENTION: JIM W. CATE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, TREASURER AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY, TELEPHONE NUMBER (502) 326-7050 AND WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE. ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL The legality of the shares of NPI common stock has been passed upon for NPI by Carlton E. Langer, Secretary of NPI. Mr. Langer beneficially owns shares of NPI common stock. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS NPI shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by Ohio law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a member of the Board or an officer, employee or agent of NPI, or is or was serving at the request of NPI as director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. NPI shall pay, to the full extent of Ohio Revised Code section 1701.13, expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a member of the Board of Directors in defending such action, suit or proceeding as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition thereof, and may pay, in the same manner and to the full extent permitted under Ohio law, such expenses incurred by any other person. NPI may, to the full extent permitted by Ohio law and authorized by the Board, purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection, including but not limited to trust funds, letters or credit or self-insurance, on behalf of or for any persons aforementioned against any liability asserted against and incurred by any such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not NPI would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability. Insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which NPI has a financial interest. NPI may enter into agreements with any persons whom NPI may indemnify under the by-laws in accordance with Ohio law and undertake thereby to indemnify such persons and to pay expenses incurred by them in defending any action, suit or proceeding against them. 2 12 ITEM 8. EXHIBITS The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement: 4.1 Specimen Certificate for the NPI Common Stock without par value, of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-05507 dated July 18, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference). 4.2 Registration Right Agreement between Registrant and National City Corporation, dated July 16, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement No. 333-05507 dated July 18, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference). 4.3 Form of National Processing, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan. (filed as Exhibit 4.3.) 5.1 Opinion of Carlton E. Langer as to the legality of the NPI common stock being registered (filed as Exhibit 5.1). 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors for NPI (filed as Exhibit 23.1). 23.2 Consent of Carlton E. Langer (included in his opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement and incorporated herein by reference). 13 24.1 Power of Attorney (filed as Exhibit 24.1). ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (1) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement. (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein; and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. "The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report, to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information." Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. 14 SIGNATURES PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-8 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THERETO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, ON THE 21ST DAY OF MAY, 1998. NATIONAL PROCESSING INC. By /s/ Jim W. Cate -------------------------- Jim W. Cate Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE INDICATED. SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------ Robert E. Showalter* President and Chief Executive May 21, 1998 Officer (Principal Executive Officer) James R. Bell, III* Director May 21, 1998 Christos M. Cotsakos* Director May 21, 1998 Aureliano Gonzalez-Baz* Director May 21, 1998 Preston B. Heller, Jr. Director Jeffrey D. Kelly* Director May 21, 1998 Robert G. Siefers* Director May 21, 1998 15 SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------ *Carlton E. Langer, Secretary, the undersigned attorney-in-fact, by signing his name below, does hereby sign this S-8 Registration Statement on behalf of each of the above-indicated officers and directors of NPI (constituting a majority of the directors) pursuant to a power of attorney executed by such persons. By /s/ CARLTON E. LANGER Carlton E. Langer, Secretary May 21, 1998 May 21, 1998