UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 12, 2008 (December 12, 2008)
NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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Delaware
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1-10074
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34-1111088
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
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(Commission File
Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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1900 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio
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44114-3484
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(216) 222-2000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
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Item 8.01. Other Events.
This
Form 8-K is being filed pursuant to a memorandum of understanding
regarding the settlement of certain litigation relating to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 24, 2008, between
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) and
National City Corporation (National City).
Settlement of Certain Litigation
As
previously disclosed at pages 72-73 of the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus of
PNC and National City,
dated November 21, 2008, included in PNCs Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.
333-155248), as amended, under the heading The MergerLitigation Relating to the Merger, National
City, the members of its board of directors, and PNC have been named as defendants in certain
actions filed on behalf of National City stockholders challenging the proposed merger of PNC and
National City. As disclosed in the proxy statement, these actions include purported stockholder
class actions in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District
of Ohio and the Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
Pursuant to the November 3, 2008,
order of the Delaware Chancery Court providing for expedited
discovery in
In re National City Corporation Shareholders Litigation
, the plaintiffs in that action
have obtained deposition and document discovery related to their claims.
On
November 24, 2008, the defendants in the
Ward
action pending in the Court of Common Pleas,
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, filed an opposition to the plaintiffs motion for expedited discovery and a
cross-motion to stay the action pending the outcome of the merger-related litigation pending in the
Delaware Court of Chancery. On December 8, 2008, the Court denied
the motion for expedited discovery; the defendants
cross-motion for stay remains pending.
On
December 12, 2008, the defendants entered into a memorandum of understanding with the
plaintiffs regarding the settlement of the Court of Chancery action,
as well as the
Ward
action and the merger-related claims
in the
Sheeler
action, both pending in the Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In
connection with the settlement contemplated by the memorandum of understanding, National City and
PNC agreed to make certain additional disclosures related to the proposed merger, which are
contained in this Form 8-K. Subject to completion of certain confirmatory discovery by counsel to
the plaintiffs, the memorandum of understanding contemplates that the parties will enter into a
stipulation of settlement.
The stipulation of settlement will be subject to customary conditions, including court
approval following notice to National Citys stockholders. In the event that the parties enter
into a stipulation of settlement, a hearing will be scheduled at which the Court of Chancery will
consider the fairness, reasonableness, and adequacy of the settlement. If the settlement is
finally approved by the court, it will resolve and release all claims in all actions that were or
could have been brought challenging any aspect of the proposed merger, the merger agreement, and
any disclosure made in connection therewith, pursuant to terms that will be disclosed to
stockholders prior to final approval of the settlement. In addition, in connection with the
settlement, the parties contemplate that plaintiffs counsel will file a petition in the Court of
Chancery for an award of
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attorneys fees and expenses to be paid by National City and/or its successor(s) in interest.
National City (and/or its successor(s) in interest) shall pay or cause to be paid such award(s) of
attorneys fees and expenses. There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter
into a stipulation of settlement or that the Court of Chancery will approve the settlement even if
the parties were to enter into such stipulation. In such event, the proposed settlement as
contemplated by the memorandum of understanding may be terminated.
SUPPLEMENT TO DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT
In connection with the settlement of certain outstanding stockholder suits as described in
this Form 8-K, National City has agreed to make these supplemental disclosures to the proxy
statement dated November 21, 2008. This supplemental information should be read in conjunction
with the proxy statement, which should be read in its entirety.
Background of the Merger
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 40 of the proxy statement
concerning the evaluation of strategic transaction options in early 2008
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In the first quarter of 2008, National City engaged Goldman Sachs as its financial advisor to
assist it and the board of directors in exploring additional alternative strategies to address the
challenges facing National City at that time.
As a result of its due diligence investigation of, and discussions with, National City, PNC
delivered to National City a non-binding preliminary indication of interest for a possible
combination transaction, but National Citys board of directors and management determined, based on
a number of factors, to proceed with the capital infusion instead, as being in the best interests
of the stockholders at that time.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 42 of the proxy statement
concerning National Citys potential participation in the
troubled asset purchase arrangements originally contemplated by TARP.
In furtherance of its work as a consultant to National City with respect to asset analysis,
Morgan Stanley also assisted management in analyzing National Citys potential participation in the
TARP and preparing the information submitted to the Treasury Department.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 42 of the proxy statement
concerning the meeting of the National City board of directors on October 2, 2008.
The review of alternatives for a strategic transaction initially included the identification
of five potential parties to acquire National City. Two such parties were
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U.S. financial institutions, and three were international financial institutions. No other
financial institutions were determined to be suitable and interested at that time.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 43 of the proxy statement
concerning the meeting of the board of directors on October 19.
The board of directors also discussed an illustrative discounted cash flow analysis of
National City prepared by Goldman Sachs under the standalone option, which resulted in a range of
illustrative value indications of National City that was higher than the aggregate consideration
ultimately offered by PNC in the merger. However, the standalone option was deemed to not be
feasible under the circumstances for a variety of reasons, including that it was dependent on
government assistance.
The following disclosure supplements the disclosure at page 44 of the proxy statement.
On Tuesday, October 21, National City announced its earnings for the third quarter of 2008,
and concurrently announced that it had begun implementation of a previously announced performance
improvement initiative to enhance its earnings power and ability to grow in a scalable manner. The
initiative was focused on reducing costs and driving changes in organizational structure and
operations that would have increased operating efficiency and accelerated the benefits of National
Citys direct and integrated strategy. More detailed information about the initiative can be found
in the report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2008.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 44 of the proxy statement
concerning the terms and conditions of the draft transaction documentation delivered by the other
potential acquiror, including the price terms.
Other key differences between terms of the proposed transaction documentation and certain
other recent transactions included more extensive National City representations and warranties,
more extensive National City covenants, and more burdensome conditions to closing that would result
in less certainty of closing. The potential acquiror also required that National City enter into
an agreement to sell to the potential acquiror a significant portion of its operations at a below
market price if the transaction was terminated in certain circumstances. Management also reported
on the status of price negotiations.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 44 of the proxy statement
concerning the downside protection terms of certain National City investment agreements and
warrants.
More detailed information about the investment agreements and warrants may be found in reports
on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, May 8 and June 30, 2008,
in each case incorporated in the proxy statement by reference as provided under the heading Where
You Can Find More Information, and
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the proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 4, 2008.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 46 of the proxy statement
concerning the factors the National City board considered in approving and adopting the merger
agreement.
The board also considered that the search for other transaction partners had not yielded any
other interested candidates who had offered a better or even equivalent price, and the absence, at
that time, of an offer from any other party, which strongly supported the conclusion that the price
offered by PNC was the best available for National Citys stockholders.
National Citys Reasons for the Merger
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 43 of the proxy statement
concerning the meeting of the National City board of directors on October 19, 2008 and page 47 of
the proxy statement concerning National Citys reasons for the merger.
The board also considered the range of regulatory actions that could be taken by bank
regulatory authorities if National City did not engage in a transaction and if National City
suffered a material loss of its liquidity, which included (but was not limited to) additional
restrictions on operations, a prohibition on brokered deposits, a capital order and, ultimately,
receivership of National City Bank. The board considered that the consequences of further
regulatory action particularly in light of recent precedent such as Washington Mutual would
likely include a complete loss of value for National Citys stockholders and negative impacts on
debtholders, employees and other constituencies.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 47 of the proxy statement
concerning National Citys reasons for the merger.
Managements understanding, after discussions with the OCC, that the Treasury Department could
be announcing additional banks receiving capital under the Capital Purchase Program in the very
near future, and managements and the boards concern about the markets adverse interpretation of
and reaction to the absence of National City from that announcement. The board also considered the
possible effects of such a reaction from the market on National Citys liquidity, including a
decline in customer and counterparty confidence, notwithstanding managements earlier belief that
National City had sufficient capital to withstand continued turbulence in the credit markets.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 47 of the proxy statement
concerning National Citys reasons for the merger.
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In considering National Citys earnings and prospects on a stand-alone basis, the board of
directors did not separately consider contingent claims made either against, or for the benefit of,
National City.
The PNC Proposal
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 45 of the proxy statement
concerning the PNC proposal made on October 23, 2008.
The PNC proposal contemplated a stock-for-stock transaction at a fixed exchange rate,
transaction protection in the form of a 19.9% stock option, and the addition of one National City
director to the PNC board. The proposal also contemplated announcement of a transaction prior to
the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the morning of October 24, 2008.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 45 of the proxy statement
concerning the proposed PNC transaction documentation.
Sullivan & Cromwell and Cravath, Swaine and Moore also described their belief that the terms
and conditions of the proposed merger agreement were generally consistent with those of certain
other recent transactions involving financial institutions.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 46 of the proxy statement
concerning discussions with PNC.
As a result of the negotiations between National City management and PNC throughout the
evening of October 23, including a counterproposal that PNC increase the merger consideration as
requested by the National City board, PNC increased the implied value to be received by National
City stockholders.
Following the determination by National Citys board to proceed with the negotiation of
definitive transaction documentation with PNC, the National City board recessed at approximately
12:00 a.m., to reconvene again at 6:00 a.m.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 46 of the proxy statement
concerning the due diligence National City conducted on PNC.
The due diligence on PNC conducted by management and Goldman Sachs included discussions with
PNC executives concerning PNCs overall financial condition, consensus estimates for future
earnings, its capital position, its loan portfolios, its accounting methodologies, including with
respect to the allowance for loan and lease losses, and its credit and other business practices,
which supplemented a review already undertaken based on publicly available information.
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National Citys Financial Advisor
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 53 of the proxy statement
concerning the liquidation analysis considered by Goldman Sachs.
The only financial analysis of National City that Goldman Sachs considered in preparing its
fairness opinion is the liquidation analysis described in the proxy statement due to National
Citys determination that traditional financial analyses were not meaningful with respect to
National City given the extraordinary circumstances.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at pages 52 and 53 of the proxy statement
concerning the liquidation analysis considered by Goldman Sachs.
The liquidation analysis considered by Goldman Sachs in connection with rendering its opinion
was prepared by National City management and approved by the National City board for such use by
Goldman Sachs.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 54 of the proxy statement
concerning the fees payable to Goldman Sachs in connection with the merger.
Other than the $25 million fee for services in connection with the merger and related expense
reimbursement payable pursuant to the terms of its engagement letter, Goldman Sachs will not
receive any other compensation from National City or PNC for investment banking and other financial
services rendered in connection with the merger.
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 52 of the proxy statement
concerning the financial analyses considered by Goldman Sachs in preparing its fairness opinion.
In preparing its fairness opinion, Goldman Sachs did not develop any forecasts for National
City or PNC.
National City Executives
The following disclosure supplements the discussion on page 75 of the proxy statement
concerning the interests of National Citys directors and executive officers in the merger.
PNC has engaged, and may engage in the future, in discussions with certain of National Citys
executive officers regarding their continued employment with PNC following the merger. The parties
have not entered into any definitive agreements regarding such future employment, and there can be
no assurance that any such agreements will be reached with any of the executives. Any agreements
that are entered into will not become effective unless and until the merger is completed.
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Merger Related Litigation
The following disclosure supplements the discussion at page 72 of the proxy statement
concerning litigation related to the merger.
A fourth action relating to the merger
Tharp v. National City Corp.
, 08 CV 2794 has been
brought in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The plaintiff in
the
Tharp
case makes allegations that are similar to those made in the
McNiel
,
Skelly
and
Ward
cases, and also alleges a violation of the federal securities laws, specifically Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the form of alleged misleading statements and omissions in
connection with the merger.
On November 26, 2008, the plaintiffs in the
In re National City Corporation Derivative
Litigation
, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, filed a
motion to consolidate that action with the
Skelly
action pending in the same court. The
plaintiffs motion remains pending.
A description of pending claims asserted derivatively on behalf of National City may be found
in National Citys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
that are incorporated in the proxy statement by reference as provided under the heading Where You
Can Find More Information.
* * *
The proposed merger will be submitted to National Citys and PNCs shareholders for their
consideration. PNC has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which includes a
joint proxy statement/prospectus of PNC and National City that also constitutes a prospectus of
PNC. PNC and National City have mailed the joint proxy/prospectus to their respective
shareholders, and each of the companies plans to file with the SEC other relevant documents
concerning the proposed merger. Shareholders and other investors are urged to read the joint proxy
statement/prospectus (which was first mailed to PNC and National City shareholders on or about
November 24, 2008) as well as any other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC in connection
with the proposed merger or incorporated by reference into the joint proxy statement/prospectus
(and any amendments or supplements to those documents), because they will contain important
information. You may obtain a free copy of these documents, as well as other filings containing
information about National City and PNC, at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov) and at the
companies respective websites, www.nationalcity.com/investorrelations and www.pnc.com/secfilings.
Copies of these documents and the SEC filings that will be incorporated by reference in the joint
proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Jill
Hennessey, National City Corporation, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Department 2229,
P.O. Box 5756, Cleveland, OH 44101-0756, (800) 622-4204; or to PNC Financial Services Group, Inc,
Shareholder Relations at (800) 843-2206 or via e-mail at investor.relations@pnc.com.
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National City and PNC and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to
be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of PNC or stockholders of
National City in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and
executive officers of National City is set forth in the proxy statement for National Citys 2008
annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 7, 2008.
Information about the directors and executive officers of PNC is set forth in the proxy statement
for PNCs 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 28,
2008. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who
may be deemed participants in the Merger may be obtained by reading the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available. You may obtain free
copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired: Not applicable
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information: Not applicable
(c) Shell Company Transactions: Not applicable
(d) Exhibits: None
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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National City Corporation
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(Registrant)
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Dated:
December 12, 2008
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By /s/ David L. Zoeller
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David L. Zoeller, Executive Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel
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