LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL To Tender Common Shares of American Paging, Inc. Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated February 18, 1998 of API Merger Corp. a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. --------------------------------------------------------------- THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS: HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK BY MAIL: BY HAND/BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY: c/o Harris Trust Company of New York c/o Harris Trust Company of New York Wall Street Station Receive Window P.O. Box 1023 Wall Street Plaza New York, New York 10268-1023 88 Pine Street, 19th Floor New York, New York 10005 BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION: (212) 701-7636 (for Eligible Institutions Only) CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE: (212) 701-7624 DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OR TELEX OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. YOU MUST SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WHERE INDICATED BELOW AND COMPLETE THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 PROVIDED BELOW. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by shareholders either if certificates evidencing Common Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent's Message (as defined below) is utilized, if delivery of Common Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to the Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company ("PDTC") (each a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and collectively, the "Book-Entry Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedure described under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Common Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. Delivery of Documents to a Book-Entry Transfer Facility Does Not Constitute Delivery to the Depositary. Shareholders whose certificates evidencing Common Shares ("Share Certificates") are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Share Certificates and all other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined under "THE TENDER OFFER--1. Terms of the Offer; Expiration Date" in the Offer to Purchase) or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis and who wish to tender their Common Shares must do so pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Common Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2. / / CHECK HERE IF COMMON SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITIES AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________ Check Box of Applicable Book-Entry Transfer Facility: (CHECK ONE) / / DTC / / PDTC Account Number _____________________________________________________________ Transaction Code Number ____________________________________________________ / / CHECK HERE IF COMMON SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: Name(s) of Registered Holder(s) ____________________________________________ Window Ticket No. (if any) _________________________________________________ Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery _________________________ Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery ______________________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES TENDERED - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)OF REGISTERED OWNER(S) PLEASE FILL IN, BLANK, EXACTLY AS NAME(S) COMMON SHARES TENDERED APPEAR(S) ON CERTIFICATE(S) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY) TOTAL NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE REPRESENTED BY COMMON SHARES NUMBER(S)* CERTIFICATE(S)* TENDERED** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Total Common Shares - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Need not be completed by shareholders delivering Common Shares by book-entry transfer. ** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Common Shares evidenced by each Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are being tendered hereby. See Instruction 4. The names and addresses of the registered holders should be printed, if not already printed above, exactly as they appear on the certificates representing Common Shares tendered hereby. The certificates and the number of Common Shares that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes. / / CHECK HERE IF TENDER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO LOST OR MUTILATED SECURITIES. SEE INSTRUCTION 10. 2 NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Ladies and Gentlemen: The undersigned hereby tenders to API Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., an Iowa corporation, the above-described Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Shares"), of American Paging, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to Purchaser's offer to purchase all Common Shares, at $2.50 per Common Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated February 18, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, constitute the "Offer"). The undersigned understands that Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or any portion of the Common Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer. Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Common Shares tendered herewith, in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to all the Common Shares that are being tendered hereby and all dividends, distributions (including, without limitation, distributions of additional Common Shares) and rights declared, paid or distributed in respect of such Common Shares on or after February 11, 1998, 1998 (collectively, "Distributions") and irrevocably appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Common Shares and all Distributions, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver Share Certificates evidencing such Common Shares and all Distributions, or transfer ownership of such Common Shares and all Distributions on the account books maintained by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together, in either case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Purchaser, (ii) present such Common Shares and all Distributions for transfer on the books of the Company and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Common Shares and all Distributions, all in accordance with the terms of the Offer. The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Murray L. Swanson and Scott H. Williamson and each of them, as the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote in such manner as each such attorney and proxy or his substitute shall, in his/her sole discretion, deem proper and otherwise act (by written consent or otherwise) with respect to all the Common Shares tendered hereby which have been accepted for payment by Purchaser prior to the time of such vote or other action and all Common Shares and other securities issued in Distributions in respect of such Common Shares, which the undersigned is entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Company (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting) or consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. This proxy and power of attorney is coupled with an interest in the Common Shares tendered hereby, is irrevocable and is granted in consideration of, and is effective upon, the acceptance for payment of such Common Shares by Purchaser in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Such acceptance for payment shall revoke all other proxies and powers of attorney granted by the undersigned at any time with respect to such Common Shares (and all Common Shares and other securities issued in Distributions in respect of such Common Shares), and no subsequent proxy or power of attorney shall be given or written consent executed (and if given or executed, shall not be effective) by the undersigned with respect thereto. The undersigned understands that, in order for Common Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser's acceptance of such Common Shares for payment, Purchaser must be able to exercise full voting and other rights with respect to such Common Shares, including, without limitation, voting at any meeting of the Company's shareholders then scheduled. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Common Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions, that when such Common Shares are accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto and to all Distributions, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that none of such Common Shares and Distributions will be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned, upon request, shall execute and deliver all additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Common Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions. In addition, the undersigned shall remit and transfer promptly to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser all Distributions in respect of the Common Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and pending such remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may withhold the entire purchase price of the Common Shares tendered hereby, or deduct from such purchase price the amount or value of such Distribution as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion. No authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall be affected by, and all such authority shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. All obligations of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable. 3 The undersigned understands that tenders of Common Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Common Shares" and in the instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer. Purchaser's acceptance of such Common Shares for payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions", please issue the check for the purchase price of all Common Shares purchased, and return all Share Certificates evidencing Common Shares not purchased or not tendered in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under "Description of Common Shares Tendered". Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions", please mail the check for the purchase price of all Common Shares purchased and all Share Certificates evidencing Common Shares not tendered or not purchased (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under "Description of Common Shares Tendered". In the event that the boxes entitled "Special Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are both completed, please issue the check for the purchase price of all Common Shares purchased and return all Share Certificates evidencing Common Shares not purchased or not tendered in the name(s) of, and mail such check and Share Certificates to, the person(s) so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions". The undersigned recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation, pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions, to transfer any Common Shares from the name of the registered holders thereof if Purchaser does not purchase any of the Common Shares tendered hereby. -------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7) To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Common Shares or Share Certificates evidencing Common Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned. Issue / / check / / Share Certificate(s) to: Name _____________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT) Address __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Zip Code _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ RECIPIENT'S TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6, AND 7) To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Common Shares purchased or Share Certificates evidencing Common Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned, or the undersigned at an address other than that shown under "Description of Common Shares Tendered". Mail / / check / / Share Certificate(s) to: Name _____________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT) Address __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Zip Code _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------ 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDERS: SIGN HERE (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE SIDE) __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ (SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S)) Dated: ____________, 199__ (Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Common Share Certificates or on a security position listing or by a person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information. See Instruction 5.) Name(s): _________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT) Capacity (full title) ____________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ (INCLUDE ZIP CODE) Area Code and Telephone No.: _________________________________________________ Tax Identification or Social Security No.: ___________________________________ (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE SIDE) GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S) (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5) Authorized Signature: ________________________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) Title: _______________________________________________________________________ Name of Firm: ________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ FOR USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: PLACE MEDALLION GUARANTEE IN SPACE BELOW. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 INSTRUCTIONS FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER 1. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. All signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program, or by any other "eligible guarantor institution," as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), unless (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Common Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Common Shares) tendered hereby and such holder(s) has (have) completed neither the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" nor the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the reverse hereof or (ii) such Common Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5. 2. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND SHARE CERTIFICATES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if Share Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if Common Shares are to be delivered by book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedure set forth under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Common Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates evidencing all physically tendered Common Shares, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all Common Shares delivered by book-entry transfer as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the reverse hereof prior to the Expiration Date (as defined under "THE TENDER OFFER--1. Terms of the Offer; Expiration Date" in the Offer to Purchase). If Share Certificates are forwarded to the Depositary in multiple deliveries, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery. Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, who cannot deliver their Share Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis may tender their Common Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Common Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by Purchaser, must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Share Certificates evidencing all physically delivered Common Shares in proper form for transfer by delivery, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all Common Shares delivered by book-entry transfer, in each case together with a Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message (as defined under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" in the Offer to Purchase)), and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as described under "THE TENDER OFFER--3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Common Shares" in the Offer to Purchase. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, SHARE CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH ANY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Common Shares will be purchased. By execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), all tendering shareholders waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Common Shares for payment. 3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided herein under "Description of Common Shares Tendered" is inadequate, the Share Certificate numbers, the number of Common Shares evidenced by such Share Certificates and the number of Common Shares tendered should be listed on a separate schedule and attached hereto. 4. PARTIAL TENDERS (NOT APPLICABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO TENDER BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER). If fewer than all the Common Shares evidenced by any Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary herewith are to be tendered hereby, fill in the number of Common Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of Common Shares Tendered". In such cases, new Share Certificate(s) evidencing the remainder of the Common Shares that were evidenced by the Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary herewith will be sent to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the reverse hereof, as soon as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Common Shares evidenced by Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. 5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; STOCK POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Common Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Share Certificates evidencing such Common Shares without alteration, enlargement or any other change whatsoever. Do not sign the back of the Share Certificates. If any Common Share tendered hereby is owned of record by two or more persons, all such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any of the Common Shares tendered hereby are registered in the names of different holders, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of such Common Shares. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Common Shares tendered hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates or separate stock powers are required, unless payment is to be made to, or Share Certificates evidencing Common Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered holder(s), in which case, the Share Certificate(s) evidencing the Common Shares tendered hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such Share Certificate(s) and stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Common Shares tendered hereby, the Share Certificate(s) evidencing the Common Shares tendered hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such Share Certificate(s) and stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal or any Share Certificate or stock power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of such person's authority so to act must be submitted. 6. STOCK TRANSFER TAXES. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, Purchaser will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and transfer of any Common Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price of any Common Shares purchased is to be made to, or Share Certificate(s) evidencing Common Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered holder(s), the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other person or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other person will be deducted from the purchase price of such Common Shares purchased, unless evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted. Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates evidencing the Common Shares tendered hereby. 7. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If a check for the purchase price of any Common Shares tendered hereby is to be issued, or Share Certificate(s) evidencing Common Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued, in the name of a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if such check or any such Share Certificate is to be sent to someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal but at an address other than that shown in the box entitled "Description of Common Shares Tendered" on the reverse hereof, the appropriate boxes on the reverse of this Letter of Transmittal must be completed. 8. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses or telephone numbers set forth below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager, and copies will be furnished promptly at Purchaser's expense. No fees or commissions will be paid to brokers, dealers or other persons (other than the Information Agent and the Dealer Manager) for soliciting tenders of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer. 9. SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Each tendering shareholder is required to provide the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") on the Substitute Form W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information" below, and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct and that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding of federal income tax. If a tendering shareholder has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such shareholder is subject to backup withholding, such shareholder must cross out item (2) of the Certification box of the Substitute Form W-9, unless such shareholder has since been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the information on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the tendering shareholder to 31% federal income tax withholding on the payment of the purchase price of all Common Shares purchased from such shareholder. If the tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the near future, such shareholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided for the TIN in Part I of the Substitute Form W-9, and sign and date the Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is written in Part I and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN within 60 days, the Depositary will withhold 31% on all payments of the purchase price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary. 10. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Share Certificates have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the shareholder should promptly notify the Depositary. The shareholder will then be instructed by the Depositary as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Share Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedure for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Share Certificates has been followed. 11. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The conditions of the Offer may be waived, in whole or in part, by Purchaser, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, in the case of any Common Shares tendered. IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE HEREOF), PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED (TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE). IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION Under the federal income tax law, a shareholder whose tendered Common Shares are accepted for payment is required by law to provide the Depositary (as payer) with such shareholder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such shareholder is an individual, the TIN is such shareholder's social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the shareholder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and payments that are made to such shareholder with respect to Common Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding of 31%. In addition, if a shareholder makes a false statement that results in no imposition of backup withholding, and there was no reasonable basis for such a statement, a $500 penalty may also be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, such individual must submit a statement, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to such individuals exempt status. Forms of such statements can be obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional instructions. A shareholder should consult his or her tax advisor as to such shareholder's qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption. If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31% of any payments made to the shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service. PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a shareholder with respect to Common Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the shareholder is required to notify the Depositary of such shareholder's correct TIN by completing the form below certifying that (a) the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN) and (b) that (i) such shareholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (ii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such shareholder that such shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE DEPOSITARY The shareholder is required to give the Depositary the social security number or employer identification number of the record holder of the Common Shares tendered hereby. If the Common Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on which number to report. If the tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future, the shareholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided for the TIN in Part I, and sign and date the Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is written in Part I and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN within 60 days, the Depositary will withhold 31% of all payments of the purchase price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary. PAYER'S NAME: HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I--Taxpayer Identification Number--For all accounts, enter SUBSTITUTE taxpayer identification number in the box at right. (For most FORM W-9 individuals, this is your social security number. If you do not have a number see Obtaining a Number in the enclosed GUIDELINES.) Certify by signing and dating below. Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the chart in the enclosed GUIDELINES to determine which number to give the payer. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER PART II--For Payees Exempt From Social Security Number IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) Backup Withholding, see the OR ------------------------- enclosed GUIDELINES and Taxpayer Identification Number complete as instructed therein. (If awaiting TIN write "Applied For") - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CERTIFICATION--Under penalties of perjury, I certify that: (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding. CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of under reporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). (Also see instructions in the enclosed GUIDELINES.) SIGNATURE ------------------------------------------------- DATE-------------,1998 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. Facsimiles of the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly signed, will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittal certificates evidencing Common Shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder or such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses and telephone numbers listed below. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager, and copies will be furnished promptly at Purchaser's expense. No fees or commissions will be paid to brokers, dealers or other persons (other than the Information Agent and the Dealer Manager) for soliciting tenders of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer. A shareholder may also contact brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies for assistance concerning the Offer. The Information Agent for the Offer is: [LOGO] 156 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 929-5500 All Others Call Toll Free: (800) 322-2885 The Dealer Manager for the Offer is: CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION Eleven Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010-3629 Call Toll Free (800) 881-8320 February 18, 1998