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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 27, 2008
Registration No. 333-15012
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20549
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO
Form S-4
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP,
INC.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
6331
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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Michigan
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38-2626206
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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26255 American Drive,
Southfield, Michigan 48034-5178, (248) 358-1100
(Address, including zip code and
telephone number, including area code, of registrants
principal executive offices)
Robert S. Cubbin, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Meadowbrook Insurance Group,
Inc.
26255 American Drive
Southfield, Michigan
48034-5178
(248) 358-1100
(Name, address, including zip
code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
service)
With copies to:
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Timothy E. Kraepel, Esq.
Howard & Howard Attorneys PC
The Pinehurst Office Center, Suite 101
39400 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304-5151
Phone: (248) 645-1483
Fax: (248) 645-1568
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John M. Gherlein, Esq.
Baker & Hostetler LLP
3200 National City Center
1900 East
9th
Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-3485
Phone: (216) 861-7398
Fax: (216) 696-0740
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of
securities to the public: As soon as practicable
after this Registration Statement becomes effective and all
other conditions to the proposed merger described herein have
been satisfied or waived.
If the securities being registered on this form are being
offered in connection with the formation of a holding company
and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the
following
box. o
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same
offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
large accelerated filer, accelerated
filer and smaller reporting company in Rule
12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large
accelerated
filer o
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Accelerated
filer þ
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Non-accelerated
filer o
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Smaller reporting
company o
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION
FEE
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Proposed Maximum
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Proposed Maximum
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Amount of
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Title of Each Class of
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Amount to be
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Offering Price
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Aggregate
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Registration
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Securities to be Registered
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Registered(1)
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per Share(2)
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Offering Price(2)
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Fee(3)
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Common stock, $0.01 par value
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19,333,993 shares
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$18.15
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$140,364,791
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$5,516.34
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(1)
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Represents the estimated maximum
number of shares to be issued pursuant to the agreement and plan
of merger dated as of February 20, 2008, (as amended on
May 6, 2008) between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., a
Michigan corporation, and ProCentury Corporation, an Ohio
corporation. Also includes an equal number of rights to purchase
shares of Registrants Series A Preferred Stock, which
rights are not (a) separable from the shares of common
stock; or (b) presently exercisable.
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(2)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(f) of
Regulation C under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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(3)
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The registration fee was previously
paid to the Commission.
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DELAYING AMENDMENT: The Registrant hereby amends this
Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary
to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a
further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on
such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
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Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting of
Shareholders of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
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Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting of
Shareholders of ProCentury Corporation
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Prospectus of Meadowbrook
Insurance Group, Inc.
in connection with the Issuance
of up to
19,333,993 Shares of its
Common Stock
Merger Proposed
Your Vote is Very Important
The boards of directors of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and
ProCentury Corporation have approved a merger agreement that
would result in Meadowbrooks acquisition of ProCentury.
In the transaction, subject to the limitations described in this
document, shareholders of ProCentury will have the election to
receive cash, shares of common stock of Meadowbrook, or a
combination of both in exchange for ProCentury common shares.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Meadowbrook will give
each ProCentury shareholder the opportunity to elect to receive
in connection with the merger, for each ProCentury common share
that he or she owns, either:
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$20.00 in cash, without interest; or
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a number of shares of Meadowbrook common stock intended to
provide ProCentury shareholders with Meadowbrook shares having a
value of $20.00, subject to adjustment. We will determine the
exact exchange ratio by dividing $20.00 by the volume-weighted
average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook common stock for
the 30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. The exchange ratio, however, will be fixed
at 1.9048 if the average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock over this period is equal to or greater than $10.50
and at 2.5000 if the average sales price of a share of
Meadowbrook common stock over this period is equal to or less
than $8.00.
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As we more fully explain in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, ProCentury shareholders will be permitted
to elect to receive cash, shares of Meadowbrook common stock, or
a combination of both in exchange for their ProCentury common
shares; except that the elections by ProCentury shareholders
will be subject to proration if the result of those elections
would cause the value of the cash to be received by holders of
outstanding ProCentury shares to not equal 45% of the total
value of the merger consideration.
Meadowbrook common stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol MIG. The closing price of
Meadowbrook common stock on May 23, 2008, was $6.78.
To complete this merger we must obtain the necessary government
approvals and the approvals of the shareholders of both our
companies. Each of us will hold a special meeting of our
shareholders to vote on this merger proposal. Your vote is
very important. Whether or not you plan to attend your
shareholder meeting, please take the time to vote by completing
and mailing the enclosed proxy card to us. If you date and mail
your proxy card without indicating how you want to vote, your
proxy will be counted as a vote FOR the merger.
The dates, times and places of the meetings are as follows:
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For Meadowbrook shareholders:
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For ProCentury shareholders:
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Meadowbrook Insurance Group
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ProCentury Corporation
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26255 American Drive
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465 Cleveland Avenue
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Southfield, Michigan 48034
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Westerville, Ohio 43082
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July 14, 2008, 2:00 p.m., local time
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July 14, 2008, 10:00 a.m., local time
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This joint proxy statement-prospectus gives you detailed
information about the merger we are proposing, and it includes
our merger agreement as an appendix. You can also obtain
information about our companies from publicly available
documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We encourage you to read this entire document
carefully.
For a description of the risks you should consider in
evaluating the merger and related matters described in this
document, see Risk Factors beginning on
page 27.
We enthusiastically support this combination and join with the
other members of our boards of directors in recommending that
you vote in favor of the merger.
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Robert S. Cubbin
President and Chief Executive Officer
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
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Edward F. Feighan
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
ProCentury Corporation
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of the
securities to be issued under this joint proxy
statement-prospectus or determined if this joint proxy
statement-prospectus is accurate or adequate. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Joint proxy statement-prospectus
dated May 27, 2008,
and first mailed to shareholders on or about June 2,
2008
Meadowbrook
Insurance Group, Inc.
26255 American Drive
Southfield, Michigan
48034-5178
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On July 14,
2008
A special meeting of the shareholders of Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc., a Michigan corporation, will be held at Meadowbrook
Insurance Group, 26255 American Drive, Southfield,
Michigan, on July 14, 2008, 2:00 p.m., local time, for
the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and
adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
February 20, 2008 (as amended on May 6, 2008), between
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., a Michigan corporation, MBKPC
Corp., a Michigan corporation, and ProCentury Corporation, an
Ohio corporation, and approve the transactions it contemplates,
including but not limited to, the issuance of common stock by
Meadowbrook to ProCentury shareholders and the merger of
ProCentury with MBKPC Corp.
2. To approve the adjournment and postponement of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time
of the meeting to approve and adopt the merger agreement.
3. To transact such other business as may properly be
brought before the special meeting, or any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting.
The close of business on May 19, 2008, has been fixed as
the record date for determining those shareholders entitled to
vote at the special meeting and any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting. Accordingly, only
shareholders of record on that date are entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Robert S. Cubbin
President and Chief Executive Officer
May 27, 2008
Your board of directors unanimously recommends that you
vote FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the transactions it contemplates and FOR the
adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting in
person, please take the time to vote by completing and mailing
the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
If you attend the special meeting, you may still vote in person
if you wish, even if you have previously returned your proxy
card.
ProCentury
Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43082
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On July 14,
2008
A special meeting of the shareholders of ProCentury Corporation,
an Ohio corporation, will be held at ProCentury Corporation,
465 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43082, on
July 14, 2008, 10:00 a.m., local time, for the
following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and
adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
February 20, 2008, (as amended on May 6, 2008) between
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., a Michigan corporation, MBKPC
Corp., a Michigan corporation, and ProCentury Corporation, an
Ohio corporation, and approve the transactions it contemplates,
including the merger of ProCentury with MBKPC Corp.
2. To approve the adjournment and postponement of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time
of the meeting to approve and adopt the merger agreement.
3. To transact such other business as may properly be
brought before the special meeting, or any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting.
The close of business on May 19, 2008, has been fixed as
the record date for determining those shareholders entitled to
vote at the special meeting and any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting. Accordingly, only
shareholders of record on that date are entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Edward F. Feighan
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
May 27, 2008
Your board of directors unanimously recommends that you
vote FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the transactions it contemplates and FOR the
adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting in
person, please take the time to vote by completing and mailing
the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
If you attend the special meeting, you may still vote in person
if you wish, even if you have previously returned your proxy
card.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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HOW TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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iv
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
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v
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SUMMARY
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1
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General
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1
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The Companies
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1
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Special Meeting
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1
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Record Date; Vote Required
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2
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Authority to Adjourn or Postpone Special Meeting to Solicit
Additional Proxies
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2
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Dissenters Rights
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2
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Recommendation to Shareholders
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3
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Share Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
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3
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The Merger
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3
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What ProCentury Shareholders Will Receive in the Merger
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3
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Exchange of Stock Certificates
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4
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Ownership After the Merger
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4
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Effective Time of the Merger
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4
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Federal Income Tax Consequences
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5
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Reasons for the Merger
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5
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Opinion of ProCenturys Financial Advisor
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5
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Acquisition Proposals
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5
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Conditions to Completion of the Merger
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6
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Termination and Termination Fees
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6
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Waiver and Amendment
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6
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Regulatory Approvals
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6
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Management and Operations After the Merger
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Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
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7
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Accounting Treatment
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Expenses
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7
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Effect of the Merger on the Rights of Shareholders
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7
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Comparative Market Prices of Common Stock
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7
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Comparative Per Share Data
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8
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Market Price Information
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Historical Market Prices and Dividend Information
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10
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Selected Historical Financial Data
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13
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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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15
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RISK FACTORS
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27
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A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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36
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THE SPECIAL MEETINGS
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MEADOWBROOK SPECIAL MEETING
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38
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Date, Place, Time and Purpose
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Record Date, Voting Rights, Required Vote and Revocability of
Proxies
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Solicitation of Proxies
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Authority to Adjourn Special Meeting to Solicit Additional
Proxies
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39
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Dissenters Rights
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40
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Recommendation of Meadowbrooks Board
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40
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PROCENTURY SPECIAL MEETING
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Date, Place, Time and Purpose
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Record Date, Voting Rights, Required Vote and Revocability of
Proxies
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Solicitation of Proxies
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Authority to Adjourn or Postpone Special Meeting to Solicit
Additional Proxies
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Dissenters Rights
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42
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Recommendation of ProCenturys Board
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43
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DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION
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43
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General
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44
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Background of the Merger
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44
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Meadowbrooks Reasons for the Merger and Board
Recommendation
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49
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ProCenturys Reasons for the Merger and Board Recommendation
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51
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Fairness Opinion of ProCenturys Financial Advisor
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55
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United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
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60
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Management and Operations After the Merger
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63
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Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
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63
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Accounting Treatment
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65
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
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66
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Merger Consideration
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66
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Election Procedures
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68
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Exchange Procedures; Surrender of Stock Certificates
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69
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Effective Time of the Merger
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69
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Representations and Warranties
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70
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Funding of Cash Portion of Merger Consideration
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72
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Conduct of Business Pending the Merger and Certain Covenants
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72
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Additional Agreements
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74
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Acquisition Proposals by Third-Parties
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75
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Conditions to Completion of the Merger
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75
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Termination and Termination Fees
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76
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Effect of Termination
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77
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Waiver and Amendment
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78
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Regulatory Approvals
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78
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Expenses
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79
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Resales of Meadowbrook Common Stock
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79
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EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
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79
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General
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79
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Authorized Capital Stock
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79
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Voting Rights
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80
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Special Voting Requirements
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80
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Classification of Board of Directors
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81
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Size of Board of Directors; Removal; Vacancies
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81
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Shareholder Nominations and Proposals
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81
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Special Meetings of Shareholders
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82
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Action by Written Consent
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83
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Dividends
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83
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Amendment of Governing Documents
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83
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ii
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Limitations on Director Liability
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83
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Indemnification
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84
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Anti-Takeover Provisions Generally
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84
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Dissenters Rights
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85
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Shareholder Rights Plan
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86
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BUSINESS OF MEADOWBROOK
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86
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BUSINESS OF PROCENTURY
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88
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OTHER MATTERS
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90
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
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90
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EXPERTS
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90
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LEGAL MATTERS
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91
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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91
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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
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91
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Appendix A Agreement and Plan of Merger, as
amended
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A-1
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Appendix B-1 Fairness Opinion of Friedman,
Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. as of
February 20, 2008
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B-1
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Appendix B-2 Fairness Opinion of Friedman, Billings,
Ramsey & Co., Inc. as of May 6, 2008
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B-II-1
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Appendix C Ohio Revised Code Section
1701.85 Dissenters Rights
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C-1
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iii
HOW TO
OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement-prospectus incorporates business
and financial information about Meadowbrook and ProCentury that
is not included in or delivered with this document. This
information is described on page 91 under Where You
Can Find More Information. You can obtain free copies of
this information by writing or calling:
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Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
26255 American Drive
Southfield, Michigan
48034-5178
Attention: Holly Moltane
Telephone:
(248) 204-8590
Email: holly.moltane@meadowbrook.com
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ProCentury Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Attention: Jeffrey Racz
Telephone: (614) 895-2000
Email: JRacz@centurysurety.com
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To obtain timely delivery of the documents, you must request
the information by July 7, 2008.
iv
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
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Q: |
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What am I being asked to vote on? |
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A: |
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Meadowbrook shareholders and ProCentury shareholders are being
asked to approve and adopt a merger agreement that will result
in the merger of ProCentury with and into a subsidiary of
Meadowbrook. |
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Q: |
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Why do Meadowbrook and ProCentury want to merge? |
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A: |
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Meadowbrook and ProCentury believe that the proposed merger will
provide each of its shareholders with substantial benefits and
will advance each of the companies strategic growth plans.
The combination of the two companies creates a diversified
platform and gives both companies the size and product depth to
compete at a level greater than they could achieve as separate
entities. |
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Q: |
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What will happen to ProCentury as a result of the merger? |
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A. |
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If the merger is completed, ProCentury will merge with and into
a subsidiary of Meadowbrook with the Meadowbrook subsidiary
being the surviving entity in the merger. The surviving entity
will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Meadowbrook under
the name ProCentury Corporation. |
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Q: |
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What will I receive for my shares of ProCentury? |
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A. |
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Under the terms of the merger agreement, at the effective time
of the merger, shareholders of ProCentury will be entitled to
receive, for each ProCentury common share, either $20.00 in cash
or Meadowbrook common stock having a value of $20.00, subject to
adjustment as described below. The exact exchange ratio will be
determined by dividing $20.00 by the volume-weighted average
sales price of a share of Meadowbrook common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. The exchange ratio, however, will be fixed
at 1.9048 if the average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock over this period is equal to or greater than $10.50
and at 2.5000 if the average sales price of a share of
Meadowbrook common stock over this period is equal to or less
than $8.00. As a result, ProCenturys shareholders
receiving Meadowbrook common stock may receive more or less than
$20.00 per share in Meadowbrook common stock for their shares.
The volume weighted average sales price of Meadowbrooks
common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008 was $7.44. Based on
this price, the Meadowbrook common stock received in exchange
for a ProCentury common share would have a value of $18.60. Each
ProCentury shareholder will have the option to elect to receive
$20.00 in cash or Meadowbrook stock for each ProCentury common
share, subject to proration so that the total cash consideration
will equal 45% and the value of the Meadowbrook common stock
will equal 55% of the total consideration paid. Fractional
shares will not be issued in the merger. Instead of fractional
shares, ProCentury shareholders will receive cash in an amount
determined as described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus. |
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What will happen to my shares of Meadowbrook? |
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All shares of Meadowbrook will remain outstanding. |
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How do I exchange my ProCentury stock certificates? |
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If the merger is approved and consummated, after the merger is
effective, the exchange agent, LaSalle Bank National
Association, will send to you a letter of transmittal, which
will include instructions on where to surrender your stock
certificates for exchange. |
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What do the Meadowbrook board of directors and the ProCentury
board of directors recommend? |
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Each of the boards of directors of Meadowbrook and ProCentury
recommend and encourage their respective shareholders to vote
FOR approval and adoption of the merger
agreement and the transactions it contemplates. |
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Who must approve the proposals at the special meeting? |
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Holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of
ProCentury and a majority of the votes cast at the Meadowbrook
special meeting (assuming a quorum is present) as of their
respective record dates must approve |
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and adopt the merger agreement and approve the transactions it
contemplates and the adjournment or postponement of the special
meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional
proxies. |
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When and where will the special meetings take place? |
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The Meadowbrook special meeting will be held on July 14, 2008,
at 2:00 p.m., local time, at Meadowbrook Insurance Group, 26255
American Drive, Southfield, Michigan 48034. The ProCentury
special meeting will be held on July 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at ProCentury Corporation, 465 Cleveland Avenue,
Westerville, Ohio 43082. |
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Who can vote at the special meetings? |
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A. |
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You can vote at the Meadowbrook special meeting if you owned
shares of Meadowbrook common stock at the close of business on
May 19, 2008, the record date for the Meadowbrook special
meeting. |
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You can vote at the ProCentury special meeting if you owned
ProCentury common shares at the close of business on May 19,
2008, the record date for the ProCentury special meeting. |
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What do I need to do now? |
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After reviewing this document, submit your proxy by sending a
completed proxy card. By submitting your proxy, you authorize
the individuals named in it to represent you and vote your
shares at the special meeting in accordance with your
instructions. Your proxy vote is important. Whether or
not you plan to attend the special meeting, please submit your
proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope. |
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If my shares are held in street name by my
broker, will my broker vote my shares for me? |
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Your broker will vote your shares only if you instruct your
broker how to vote. Your broker will send you directions on how
to do this. |
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How will my shares be voted if I return a blank proxy
card? |
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If you sign and date your proxy card but do not indicate how you
want to vote, your proxies will be counted as a vote
FOR the proposals identified in this document
and in the discretion of the persons named as proxies in any
other matters properly presented at the special meeting. |
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What will be the effect if I do not vote? |
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If you are a ProCentury shareholder, your failure to vote will
have the same effect as if you voted against approval and
adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions it
contemplates. |
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If you are a Meadowbrook shareholder, your failure to vote will
affect whether or not a quorum is present for the special
meeting, but will not be counted as a vote for or against the
merger. |
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Can I vote my shares in person? |
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Yes, if your shares are registered in your own name, you may
attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person.
However, we recommend that you sign, date and promptly mail the
enclosed proxy card. |
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Can I change my mind and revoke my proxy? |
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Yes, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time
before votes are taken at the special meeting by following the
instructions in this document. |
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What if I oppose the merger? Do I have dissenters
rights? |
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If you are a ProCentury shareholder, you have dissenters
rights under Ohio law. A copy of the applicable provisions of
the Ohio Revised Code relating to dissenters rights is
attached as Appendix C to this document. |
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Meadowbrook shareholders do not have the right to dissent under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act. |
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Who can answer my questions? |
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You should contact: |
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Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
26255 American Drive
Southfield, Michigan
48034-5178
Attention: Karen M. Spaun
Telephone:
(248) 358-1100
karen.spaun@meadowbrook.com |
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ProCentury Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Attention: Jeffrey Racz
Telephone:
(614) 895-2000
JRacz@centurysurety.com |
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Is the merger expected to be taxable to me? |
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In general, ProCentury shareholders will not recognize any
taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes to the
extent that they receive Meadowbrook common stock in exchange
for their ProCentury common shares. However, ProCentury
shareholders will recognize taxable income or gain in connection
with any cash received in the merger. |
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Each of Meadowbrooks and ProCenturys obligations to
complete the merger are conditioned upon receipt of an opinion
about the federal income tax treatment of the merger from its
counsel. The opinion will not bind the Internal Revenue Service,
which could take a different view. To review in greater detail
the tax consequences to ProCentury shareholders, see
Description of Transaction United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger, beginning
on page 60. You should consult your own tax advisor for a
full understanding of the tax consequences to you of the merger. |
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When do you expect the merger to be completed? |
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We are working to complete the merger as quickly as possible. If
approved by the Meadowbrook and ProCentury shareholders, we
anticipate closing the merger in the third quarter of 2008.
However, it is possible that factors outside our control could
require us to complete the merger at a later time or not
complete it at all. |
vii
SUMMARY
This brief summary highlights selected information from this
joint proxy statement-prospectus and does not contain all of the
information that may be important to you. We urge you to
carefully read this entire document and the other documents we
refer to in this document. These will give you a more complete
description of the transaction we are proposing. For more
information about our two companies, see Where You Can
Find More Information. We have included page references in
this summary to direct you to other places in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus where you can find a more complete
description of the topics we have summarized.
General
This joint proxy statement-prospectus relates to the proposed
merger of ProCentury with and into a subsidiary of Meadowbrook.
Meadowbrook and ProCentury believe the proposed merger will
provide each of its shareholders with substantial benefits and
will further each of the companies strategic growth plans.
The combination of the two companies creates a diversified
platform and gives both companies the size and product depth to
compete at a level greater than they could achieve as separate
entities.
The
Companies (pages 86 and 88)
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
26255 American Drive
Southfield, Michigan
48034-5178
(248) 358-1100
Meadowbrook, a Michigan corporation based in Southfield,
Michigan, is a leader in the specialty program management
market. Meadowbrook is a risk management organization,
specializing in alternative risk management solutions for
agents, professional/trade associations, and small to
medium-sized insureds. Meadowbrooks total gross written
premium for 2007 was $346.5 million and total
shareholders equity at December 31, 2007 was
$301.9 million.
ProCentury Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Telephone:
(614) 895-2000
ProCentury, an Ohio corporation, is a specialty property and
casualty insurance holding company based in Columbus, Ohio.
ProCentury writes specialty property and casualty insurance for
small and mid-sized businesses through Century Surety Company
and ProCentury Insurance Company, its operating insurance
companies. Century Surety Company primarily writes excess and
surplus lines insurance and markets its products through a
select network of general agents. ProCenturys total gross
written premium for 2007 was $238.3 million and total
shareholders equity at December 31, 2007 was
$161.0 million.
Special
Meeting (pages 38 and 40)
Meadowbrook shareholders. A special meeting of
Meadowbrook shareholders will be held on July 14, 2008, at 2:00
p.m., local time, at Meadowbrook Insurance Group, 26255 American
Drive, Southfield, Michigan 48034. At the special meeting,
shareholders will be asked:
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to approve and adopt the merger agreement and approve the
transactions it contemplates;
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to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies; and
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to act on other matters that may properly be submitted to a vote
at the meeting.
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ProCentury shareholders. A special meeting of
ProCentury shareholders will be held on July 14, 2008, at 10:00
a.m., local time, at ProCentury Corporation, 465 Cleveland
Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43082. At the special meeting,
shareholders will be asked:
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to approve and adopt the merger agreement and approve the
transactions it contemplates;
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to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies; and
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to act on other matters that may properly be submitted to a vote
at the meeting.
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Record
Date; Vote Required (pages 38 and 40)
Meadowbrook shareholders. You may vote at the
meeting of Meadowbrooks shareholders if you owned
Meadowbrook common stock at the close of business on May 19,
2008. You can cast one vote for each share of Meadowbrook common
stock that you owned at that time. To adopt the merger agreement
and approve the transactions it contemplates, the holders of a
majority of the votes cast at Meadowbrooks special meeting
(assuming a quorum is present) must vote in favor of the merger.
You may vote your shares in person by attending the meeting or
by mailing us your proxy if you are unable to or do not wish to
attend. You can revoke your proxy at any time before Meadowbrook
takes a vote at the meeting by submitting a written notice
revoking the proxy or a later-dated proxy to the secretary of
Meadowbrook, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
ProCentury shareholders. You may vote at the
meeting of ProCenturys shareholders if you owned
ProCentury common shares at the close of business on May 19,
2008. You can cast one vote for each ProCentury common share
that you owned at that time. To approve and adopt the merger
agreement and approve the transactions it contemplates, the
holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of
ProCentury as of the record date must vote in favor of the
merger.
You may vote your shares in person by attending the meeting or
by mailing us your proxy if you are unable to or do not wish to
attend. You can revoke your proxy at any time before ProCentury
takes a vote at the meeting by sending notice of revocation to
ProCentury in writing, sending a new proxy with a later date or
giving notice to ProCentury of your revocation at the special
meeting. It is important to note that your presence at the
special meeting, without any further action on your part, will
not revoke your previously granted proxy.
Authority
to Adjourn or Postpone Special Meeting to Solicit Additional
Proxies (pages 39 and 41)
Each of Meadowbrook and ProCentury is asking its shareholders to
grant full authority for their respective special meetings to be
adjourned or postponed, if necessary or appropriate to permit
solicitation of additional proxies to approve the transactions
proposed by this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
Dissenters
Rights (page 42)
For ProCentury shareholders, under Ohio law, if the merger
agreement is approved and adopted by ProCenturys
shareholders, any ProCentury shareholder that objects to the
merger agreement may be entitled to seek relief as a dissenting
shareholder under Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code.
To perfect dissenters rights, a record holder must:
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not vote his or her ProCentury common shares in favor of the
proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement at the
special meeting;
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deliver a written demand for payment of the fair cash value of
his or her ProCentury shares on or before the tenth day
following the special meeting; and
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otherwise comply with the statute.
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Neither ProCentury nor Meadowbrook will notify shareholders of
the expiration of this
ten-day
period. ProCentury shares held by any person who desires to
dissent but fails to perfect or who effectively withdraws or
loses the right to dissent as of the effective time of the
merger under Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code will
be converted into, as of the effective time, the right to
receive the merger consideration, without interest. A copy of
Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code is attached as
Appendix C to this document.
Meadowbrook shareholders do not have the right to dissent under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act.
2
Recommendation
to Shareholders (pages 40 and 43)
Meadowbrook shareholders. Meadowbrooks
board of directors believes that the merger agreement and the
merger are fair to you and in your best interests, and
unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the
approval and adoption of the merger agreement and approval of
the transactions it contemplates and FOR the
adjournment of postponement of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.
ProCentury shareholders. ProCenturys
board of directors believes that the merger agreement and the
merger are fair to you and in your best interests, and
unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the
approval and adoption of the merger agreement and approval of
the transactions it contemplates and FOR the
adjournment of postponement of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.
Share
Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers (pages 39 and
41)
Meadowbrook shareholders. On the record date,
Meadowbrooks directors, executive officers and their
affiliates owned approximately 2,991,605 shares, or 8.1% of
the outstanding shares of Meadowbrook common stock. Even if all
of these individuals vote for the merger, because they own only
approximately 8.1% of the outstanding shares of Meadowbrook
common stock, there is no assurance that the merger agreement
will be approved and adopted.
ProCentury shareholders. On the record date,
ProCenturys directors, executive officers and their
affiliates owned 1,712,146, or approximately 12.8% of the
outstanding ProCentury common shares. Even if all of these
individuals vote for the merger, because they own only
approximately 12.8% of the outstanding ProCentury common shares,
there is no assurance that the merger agreement will be approved
and adopted.
The
Merger (page 43)
We have attached a copy of the merger agreement, as amended,
to this document as Appendix A. Please read the
merger agreement. It is the legal document that governs the
merger.
We propose a combination in which ProCentury will merge with and
into a subsidiary of Meadowbrook, with the subsidiary being the
surviving entity in the merger, but adopting the name
ProCentury Corporation. We expect to complete the
merger in the third quarter of 2008, although delays could occur.
What
ProCentury Shareholders Will Receive in the Merger
(page 66)
Under the terms of the merger agreement, at the effective time
of the merger, shareholders of ProCentury will be entitled to
receive, for each ProCentury common share, either $20.00 in cash
or Meadowbrook common stock having a value of $20.00, subject to
adjustment as described below. As long as the volume-weighted
average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook common stock for
the 30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger is between $8.00 and $10.50, the exchange
ratio will vary such that the stock consideration equals $20.00
per share based on the
30-day
average price. Above or below this range for Meadowbrooks
stock price, the exchange ratio will be fixed as if the
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price preceding the election date
equaled $10.50 or $8.00, as applicable. Specifically, if the
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price is equal to or above $10.50,
the exchange ratio will be fixed at 1.9048, and if the
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price is equal to or below $8.00,
the exchange ratio will be fixed at 2.5000. As a result,
ProCenturys shareholders receiving Meadowbrook common
stock may receive more or less than $20.00 per share in
Meadowbrook common stock for their shares. The volume weighted
average sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008 was $7.44. Based on
this price, the Meadowbrook common stock received in exchange
for a ProCentury common share would have a value of $18.60. Each
ProCentury shareholder will have the option to elect to receive
$20.00 in cash or Meadowbrook stock for each ProCentury common
share, subject to proration so that the total cash consideration
will equal 45% and the value of the Meadowbrook common stock
will equal 55% of the total consideration paid. Fractional
shares will not be issued in the merger. Instead of fractional
shares, ProCentury shareholders will receive cash in an amount
determined as described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
3
Each share of Meadowbrook common stock will include all rights
that are attached to or inherent in the then-outstanding shares
of Meadowbrook common stock, including preferred share purchase
rights. See Effect of the Merger on Rights of
Shareholders.
The number of shares of Meadowbrook common stock ProCentury
shareholders will receive in the merger is subject to
adjustments for reorganizations, recapitalizations, stock
dividends and similar events that occur before the merger is
completed. None of those adjustments would alter the value of
the exchange ratio.
You will need to surrender your ProCentury common share
certificates to receive new certificates representing common
stock of Meadowbrook. However, this will not be necessary until
you receive written instructions, which will occur shortly after
the time of the merger.
Meadowbrook will not issue any fractional shares. Instead,
ProCentury shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any
fractional shares of common stock of Meadowbrook owed to them in
exchange for their ProCentury common shares. The amount of cash
for any fractional shares will be based on Meadowbrooks
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price preceding the election date.
Exchange
of Stock Certificates (page 68)
Shortly after the effective date of the merger, ProCentury
shareholders will receive a letter and instructions on how to
surrender their certificates representing ProCentury common
shares in exchange for certificates representing Meadowbrook
common stock. You must carefully review and complete these
materials and return them as instructed along with your
ProCentury common share certificates. Please do not send any
share certificates to Meadowbrook or ProCentury until you
receive these instructions.
Effect of
the Merger on ProCentury Options (page 67)
In the merger, outstanding options to purchase ProCentury common
shares will become fully vested and option holders can either
exercise such options and, in connection with the closing, elect
to receive the form of merger consideration described above for
the ProCentury shares acquired on exercise or agree to have
their options cancelled in exchange for a per share cash payment
equal to the difference between $20.00 and the exercise price of
their options.
Ownership
After the Merger (page 29)
The number of shares of Meadowbrook common stock that will be
owned by ProCentury shareholders as a result of the merger will
be determined based on the exchange ratio. The exact exchange
ratio will be determined by dividing $20.00 by the
volume-weighted average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. If, however, such volume weighted average
price is above $10.50 or below $8.00, the exchange ratio will be
fixed at 1.9048 or 2.5000, respectively. See The Merger
Agreement Merger Consideration. Except where
otherwise noted, for purposes of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, we have assumed that Meadowbrooks
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price preceding the election date
will be 7.44, which is the volume-weighted average sales price
of a share of Meadowbrook common stock for the 30-day trading
period ending on May 23, 2008, the most recent practicable
date prior to the printing of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus. Using this price, the exchange ratio would
be 2.5000. Based on this exchange ratio and assumed market price
for the Meadowbrook common stock, upon completion of the merger,
Meadowbrook would issue approximately 19,054,032 shares of
its common stock to ProCentury shareholders. Based on these
numbers, after the merger, on a fully-diluted basis, existing
Meadowbrook shareholders would own approximately 66%, and former
ProCentury shareholders would own approximately 34%, of the
outstanding shares of common stock of Meadowbrook.
Effective
Time of the Merger (page 69)
The merger will become effective when certificates of merger
with respect to the merger have been accepted for filing by the
office of the Secretary of State of Ohio and the Michigan
Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of
Commercial Services, Corporation Division. If our shareholders
approve and adopt the merger at
4
their special meetings, and all required regulatory approvals
are obtained, we anticipate that the merger will be completed in
the third quarter of 2008, although delays could occur.
We cannot assure you that we can obtain the necessary
shareholder and regulatory approvals or that the other
conditions to completion of the merger can or will be satisfied.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences (page 60)
For federal income tax purposes, the exchange of ProCentury
common shares for shares of Meadowbrook common stock will not
cause the holders of ProCentury common shares to recognize any
gain or loss. Holders of ProCentury common shares, however, will
recognize income, gain or loss in connection with any cash
received in the merger.
Tax matters can be complicated, and the tax consequences of
the merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation.
We urge you to consult your tax advisor to determine the tax
consequences of the merger to you.
Reasons
for the Merger (pages 49 and 51)
Each of our boards of directors believes that the proposed
merger will provide its shareholders with substantial benefits
and will advance each companys strategic growth plans. The
combination of the two companies creates a diversified platform
and gives both companies the size and product depth to compete
at a level greater than they could achieve as separate entities.
The boards also believe there are significant revenue
opportunities, as well as cost savings potential.
You can find a more detailed discussion of the background of the
merger and Meadowbrooks and ProCenturys reasons for
the merger in this document under Description of
Transaction Background of the Merger,
Meadowbrooks Reasons for the Merger and Board
Recommendation and ProCenturys Reasons
for the Merger and Board Recommendation.
The discussion of our reasons for the merger includes
forward-looking statements about possible or assumed future
results of our operations and the performance of the combined
company after the merger. For a discussion of factors that could
affect these future results, see A Warning About
Forward-Looking Statements.
Fairness
Opinion of ProCenturys Financial Advisor
(page 55)
ProCentury has received written opinions from Friedman,
Billings, Ramsey and Co., Inc. (FBR) to the effect
that, subject to the terms, conditions and qualifications set
forth therein, as of February 20, 2008, the date of the merger
agreement, and as of May 6, 2008, the date of the merger
agreement amendment, the aggregate merger consideration to be
received by holders of ProCentury common shares pursuant to the
merger agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to
such holders. You can find a more detailed discussion of the
opinions and summary of the analyses of FBR under
Description of Transaction Fairness Opinion of
ProCenturys Financial Advisor. We have attached
these fairness opinions to this document as
Appendices B-1 and B-2. You should read these
opinions and the summary completely to understand the procedures
followed, matters considered and limitations on the reviews
undertaken by FBR in providing its opinions.
Acquisition
Proposals (page 74)
The merger agreement restricts ProCenturys ability to
solicit or encourage alternative acquisition proposals from
third parties. Notwithstanding these restrictions, under certain
limited circumstances, ProCenturys board of directors may
respond to an unsolicited bona fide written proposal that
ProCenturys board of directors determines in good faith
would or could result in a transaction that is more favorable to
ProCenturys shareholders from a financial point of view
than the merger.
5
Conditions
to Completion of the Merger (page 75)
The completion of the merger depends on a number of conditions
being met. Subject to exceptions described in the merger
agreement, these include:
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accuracy of the respective representations and warranties of
Meadowbrook and ProCentury in the merger agreement;
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compliance in all material respects by each of Meadowbrook and
ProCentury with their respective covenants and agreements in the
merger agreement;
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approval of regulatory authorities;
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approval of the merger agreement by each companys
shareholders;
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receipt by each of us of an opinion by our respective counsel
that, for federal income tax purposes, ProCentury shareholders
who exchange their shares for shares of Meadowbrook common stock
will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the merger,
except in connection with the receipt of cash in the merger (the
opinions will be subject to various limitations and we recommend
that you read the more detailed description of tax consequences
provided in this document under Description of
Transaction United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Merger); and
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the absence of any injunction or legal restraint blocking the
merger, or of any proceedings by a government body trying to
block the merger.
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A party to the merger agreement could choose to complete the
merger even though a condition to its obligation has not been
satisfied, as long as the law allows it to do so. We cannot be
certain when or if the conditions to the merger will be
satisfied or waived, or that the merger will be completed.
Termination
and Termination Fees (page 76)
The parties can mutually agree at any time to terminate the
merger agreement without completing the merger. Also, either
party can decide, without the consent of the other, to terminate
the merger agreement if the merger has not been completed by
September 30, 2008 (which may be extended until
December 31, 2008 in order to obtain governmental
approvals), unless the failure to complete the merger by that
time is due to a violation of the merger agreement by the party
that wants to terminate the merger agreement.
In addition, either Meadowbrook or ProCentury can terminate the
merger agreement if the conditions to its respective obligation
to complete the merger have not been satisfied. ProCentury can
terminate the merger agreement if its board of directors
determines a competing takeover proposal from a third party is
superior to the merger (provided certain notice requirements
have been satisfied).
ProCentury may be required to pay a termination fee of
$9.5 million to Meadowbrook if the merger agreement is
terminated due to certain circumstances outlined in the merger
agreement. For a discussion of these conditions and fees, see
The Merger Agreement Termination and
Termination Fees.
Waiver
and Amendment (page 77)
Meadowbrook and ProCentury may jointly amend the merger
agreement and either party may waive its right to require the
other party to adhere to any term or condition of the merger
agreement. However, after ProCenturys shareholders approve
the merger, there may not be any amendment to the merger
agreement (unless approved by ProCenturys shareholders) if
the amendment would reduce the amount or change the form of
consideration to be paid to ProCentury shareholders.
Regulatory
Approvals (page 78)
We cannot complete the merger unless we obtain the prior
approval from the Ohio Department of Insurance, Texas Department
of Insurance, and Department of Insurance, Securities and
Banking for the District of Columbia.
6
All filings necessary to obtain such approvals were filed with
the appropriate state insurance departments early in the second
quarter of 2008. Meadowbrook anticipates that the required
approvals will be received in the third quarter of 2008.
Management
and Operations After the Merger (page 63)
The executive officers of Meadowbrook will remain the same as
they were prior to the merger. The board of directors of
Meadowbrook will be comprised of all of Meadowbrooks
current directors, plus two persons from ProCenturys
current board of directors who have yet to be selected.
Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger (page 63)
Some of ProCenturys directors and officers have interests
in the merger that differ from, or are in addition to, the
interests of ProCentury shareholders generally.
The members of our boards of directors knew about these
additional interests and considered them when they approved the
merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates.
Accounting
Treatment (page 65)
The merger will be accounted for as a purchase
transaction in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.
Expenses
(page 78)
Each of Meadowbrook and ProCentury will pay its own expenses in
connection with the merger, including printing fees and fees and
expenses of its own financial or other consultants, accountants
and counsel. However, Meadowbrook has agreed to pay the fees for
all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC), registration and any fees payable to any
governmental entity in connection with the merger, and
Meadowbrook and ProCentury have each agreed to pay one-half of
all filing fees under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino
Act.
Effect of
the Merger on the Rights of Shareholders
(page 78)
Meadowbrook is incorporated in and governed by Michigan law.
ProCentury is incorporated in and governed by Ohio law. Upon our
completion of the merger, the rights of ProCentury shareholders
who receive Meadowbrook common stock will be governed by
Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation and bylaws and
Michigan law. There are material differences between the rights
of the shareholders of Meadowbrook and ProCentury, which we
describe in this document under Effect of the Merger on
Rights of Shareholders.
Comparative
Market Prices of Common Stock (pages 9 and 10)
Shares of Meadowbrook common stock are traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol MIG. On
February 20, 2008, the last trading day before we announced
the merger, the last reported trading price of Meadowbrook
common stock was $9.16 per share. On May 23, 2008, the most
recent practicable date prior to the printing of this document,
the last reported trading price of Meadowbrook common stock was
$6.78 per share. We can make no prediction or guarantee at what
price Meadowbrook common stock will trade after the completion
of the merger.
ProCentury common shares are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market under the symbol PROS. On February 20,
2008, the last trading day before we announced the merger, the
last reported trading price of the ProCentury common shares was
$15.38 per share. On May 23, 2008, the most recent practicable
date prior to the printing of this document, the last reported
trading price of ProCentury common shares was $17.25 per share.
7
Comparative
Per Share Data
The following table presents comparative historical per share
data of Meadowbrook and ProCentury and unaudited pro forma per
share data that reflect the combination of Meadowbrook and
ProCentury using the purchase method of accounting.
In order to calculate the pro forma per share data for
ProCentury, we have assumed an exchange ratio of 2.24, which was
calculated by assuming a Meadowbrook stock price of $8.92, which
was the closing stock price of Meadowbrook common stock on the
trading day immediately before the trading day on which
Meadowbrook and ProCentury announced their merger agreement. The
equivalent pro forma combined amounts for ProCentury were
therefore calculated by multiplying the pro forma combined
amounts for Meadowbrook by 2.24. However, as explained in this
joint proxy statement-prospectus, the exchange ratio may vary as
the market price of Meadowbrooks common stock fluctuates.
The exact exchange ratio will be determined by dividing $20.00
by the volume-weighted average sales price of a share of
Meadowbrook common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. If such volume-weighted average price is
above $10.50 or below $8.00, the exchange ratio will be fixed at
1.9048 or 2.5000, respectively. The volume-weighted average
sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008 was $7.44. Using this
price, the exchange ratio would be 2.5000. The information
listed below also assumes that the aggregate amount of stock
consideration to be paid in the merger will be equal to 55% of
the total consideration paid by Meadowbrook.
We expect that we will incur merger and integration charges as a
result of combining our companies. We also anticipate that the
merger will provide the combined company with financial benefits
that include reduced operating expenses and the opportunity to
earn more revenue. The pro forma information, while helpful in
illustrating the financial characteristics of the combined
company under one set of assumptions, does not reflect these
expenses or benefits and, accordingly, does not attempt to
predict or suggest future results. It also does not necessarily
reflect what the historical results of the combined company
would have actually been had our companies been combined as of
the dates or for the periods presented.
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Historical:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income basic
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
Net income diluted
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
Cash dividends declared
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book value at end of period
|
|
$
|
8.37
|
|
|
$
|
8.16
|
|
Pro forma combined:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income basic
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
Net income diluted
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
Cash dividends declared
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
Book value at end of period
|
|
$
|
8.55
|
|
|
$
|
8.40
|
|
8
ProCentury
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Historical:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income basic
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
Net income diluted
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
$
|
1.85
|
|
Cash dividends declared
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
Book value at end of period
|
|
$
|
12.31
|
|
|
$
|
12.05
|
|
Equivalent pro forma combined:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income basic
|
|
$
|
0.45
|
|
|
$
|
2.11
|
|
Net income diluted
|
|
$
|
0.45
|
|
|
$
|
2.11
|
|
Cash dividends declared
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
Book value at end of period
|
|
$
|
19.15
|
|
|
$
|
18.82
|
|
Market
Price Information
Meadowbrook common stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol MIG. On February 20,
2008, the last trading day before public announcement of the
execution of the merger agreement, and May 23, 2008, the most
recent practicable date prior to the printing of this document,
the market prices of Meadowbrook common stock and the equivalent
price per share of Meadowbrook common stock giving effect to the
merger, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing Sales Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equivalent Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
per Share of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
ProCentury
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Price per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 20, 2008
|
|
$
|
9.16
|
|
|
$
|
15.38
|
|
|
$
|
20.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 23, 2008
|
|
$
|
6.78
|
|
|
$
|
17.25
|
|
|
$
|
16.95
|
|
The Equivalent Price Per Share of Meadowbrook Common
Stock at February 20, 2008 in the above table
represents the product achieved when the closing sales price of
a share of Meadowbrook common stock on that date ($9.16) is
multiplied by the exchange ratio of 2.24, which is the number of
shares of Meadowbrook common stock that a ProCentury shareholder
would receive for a ProCentury common share assuming the
30-day
volume weighted average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock is $8.92 (the closing price of Meadowbrook common
stock on the trading day immediately before the trading day on
which Meadowbrook and ProCentury announced their merger
agreement). The Equivalent Price Per Share of Meadowbrook
Common Stock at May 23, 2008 in the above table
represents the product achieved when the closing sales price of
a share of Meadowbrook common stock on that date ($6.78) is
multiplied by the exchange ratio of 2.5000, which is the number
of shares of Meadowbrook common stock that a ProCentury
shareholder would receive for a ProCentury common share assuming
the 30-day
volume weighted average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock is $7.44 (the volume-weighted average sales price
of Meadowbrook common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008). The merger
agreement provides that the actual exchange ratio will be set
based on the
30-day
volume weighted average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock as of the sixth trading day prior to closing,
unless such price is less than $8.00, in which case the exchange
ratio will be 2.5000, or if such price is more than $10.50, the
exchange ratio will be 1.9048. The Equivalent Price Per
Share of Meadowbrook Common Stock is also subject to the
assumption that the aggregate amount of stock consideration to
be paid in the merger will be equal to 55% of the total
consideration paid by Meadowbrook.
The market price of Meadowbrook common stock will fluctuate
between the date of this document and the date on which the
merger is completed and after the merger. Because the market
price of Meadowbrook common
9
stock is subject to fluctuations, the exchange ratio may change.
In addition, the value of the shares of Meadowbrook common stock
that ProCentury shareholders will receive in the merger may
increase or decrease after the merger.
By voting to approve and adopt the merger agreement and approve
the transactions it contemplates, ProCentury shareholders will
be choosing to invest in the combined Meadowbrook/ProCentury,
because they may receive Meadowbrook common stock in exchange
for their ProCentury common shares. An investment in Meadowbrook
common stock involves significant risk. In addition to the other
information included in this joint proxy statement-prospectus,
including the matters addressed in A Warning About
Forward-Looking Statements beginning on page 37,
ProCentury shareholders should carefully consider the matters
described below in Risk Factors beginning on
page 27 when determining whether to vote for approval and
adoption of the merger agreement and approve the transactions it
contemplates.
Historical
Market Prices and Dividend Information
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks common stock
is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
MIG. The following table sets forth, for the
calendar quarter indicated, the high and low market prices per
share of Meadowbrook common stock as reported on the New York
Stock Exchange and the dividends per share of Meadowbrook common
stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Declared
|
|
|
Year-to-date 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second quarter (through May 23, 2008)
|
|
$
|
8.60
|
|
|
$
|
6.72
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
9.95
|
|
|
|
7.16
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
8.40
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
11.57
|
|
|
|
8.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
12.45
|
|
|
|
9.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
11.68
|
|
|
|
9.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
12.48
|
|
|
|
8.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
11.83
|
|
|
|
8.32
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
8.91
|
|
|
|
6.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
7.00
|
|
|
|
5.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
The timing and amount of future dividends on shares of
Meadowbrook common stock will depend upon earnings, cash
requirements, the financial condition of Meadowbrook and its
subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and other
factors deemed relevant by Meadowbrooks board of directors.
ProCentury. ProCenturys common shares
are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol
PROS. The following table sets forth, for the
calendar quarter indicated, the high and low market prices per
ProCentury common share as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market and the dividends per ProCentury common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Declared
|
|
|
Year-to-date 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second quarter (through May 23, 2008)
|
|
$
|
18.75
|
|
|
$
|
17.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
18.95
|
|
|
|
13.95
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Declared
|
|
|
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
15.54
|
|
|
|
13.60
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
16.84
|
|
|
|
11.90
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
24.00
|
|
|
|
16.50
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
23.30
|
|
|
|
17.75
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
18.92
|
|
|
|
14.29
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
15.74
|
|
|
|
12.89
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
14.29
|
|
|
|
12.50
|
|
|
|
0.035
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
13.64
|
|
|
|
10.50
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
The timing and amount of future dividends on ProCentury common
shares will depend upon earnings, cash requirements, the
financial condition of ProCentury and its subsidiaries,
applicable government regulations and other factors deemed
relevant by ProCenturys board of directors.
Selected
Historical Financial Data
The following tables present selected consolidated financial
data as of and for each of the years in the five year period
ended December 31, 2007 and as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, for each of Meadowbrook and
ProCentury. The information for Meadowbrook is based on the
historical financial information that is contained in reports
Meadowbrook has previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the SEC, which can be found in its
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31
2008. The information for ProCentury is based on the historical
financial information that is contained in reports ProCentury
has previously filed with the SEC, which can be found in its
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31
2008. See Where You Can Find More Information on
page 91.
You should read the following tables in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual
Reports and the condensed consolidated financial statements
contained in the Quarterly Reports described above.
Historical results do not necessarily indicate the results that
you can expect for any future period.
MEADOWBROOK
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share and ratio data)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Statement Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums
|
|
$
|
90,468
|
|
|
$
|
89,504
|
|
|
$
|
346,451
|
|
|
$
|
330,872
|
|
|
$
|
332,209
|
|
|
$
|
313,493
|
|
|
$
|
253,280
|
|
Net written premiums
|
|
|
71,399
|
|
|
|
71,972
|
|
|
|
280,211
|
|
|
|
262,668
|
|
|
|
258,134
|
|
|
|
233,961
|
|
|
|
189,827
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
66,022
|
|
|
|
65,204
|
|
|
|
268,197
|
|
|
|
254,920
|
|
|
|
249,959
|
|
|
|
214,493
|
|
|
|
151,205
|
|
Net commissions and fees
|
|
|
12,031
|
|
|
|
11,551
|
|
|
|
45,988
|
|
|
|
41,172
|
|
|
|
35,916
|
|
|
|
40,535
|
|
|
|
45,291
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
7,148
|
|
|
|
6,156
|
|
|
|
26,400
|
|
|
|
22,075
|
|
|
|
17,975
|
|
|
|
14,911
|
|
|
|
13,484
|
|
Net realized gains
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
150
|
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
339
|
|
|
|
823
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
85,170
|
|
|
|
82,905
|
|
|
|
340,735
|
|
|
|
318,236
|
|
|
|
304,017
|
|
|
|
270,278
|
|
|
|
210,803
|
|
Net losses and LAE
|
|
|
37,661
|
|
|
|
36,646
|
|
|
|
150,969
|
|
|
|
146,293
|
|
|
|
151,542
|
|
|
|
135,938
|
|
|
|
98,472
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share and ratio data)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
|
|
|
13,147
|
|
|
|
13,643
|
|
|
|
53,717
|
|
|
|
50,479
|
|
|
|
44,439
|
|
|
|
33,424
|
|
|
|
23,606
|
|
Other administrative expenses
|
|
|
8,832
|
|
|
|
7,393
|
|
|
|
32,269
|
|
|
|
28,824
|
|
|
|
26,810
|
|
|
|
25,588
|
|
|
|
22,879
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
12,755
|
|
|
|
13,532
|
|
|
|
56,433
|
|
|
|
54,569
|
|
|
|
51,331
|
|
|
|
52,297
|
|
|
|
48,238
|
|
Amortization expense
|
|
|
1,551
|
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
|
1,930
|
|
|
|
590
|
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
|
376
|
|
|
|
353
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
1,311
|
|
|
|
1,488
|
|
|
|
6,030
|
|
|
|
5,976
|
|
|
|
3,856
|
|
|
|
2,281
|
|
|
|
977
|
|
Income before income taxes and equity earnings of affiliates
|
|
|
9,913
|
|
|
|
10,059
|
|
|
|
39,387
|
|
|
|
31,505
|
|
|
|
25,666
|
|
|
|
20,374
|
|
|
|
16,278
|
|
Equity earnings of affiliates
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
331
|
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
7,058
|
|
|
|
6,923
|
|
|
|
27,992
|
|
|
|
22,034
|
|
|
|
17,910
|
|
|
|
14,061
|
|
|
|
10,099
|
|
Earnings per share Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
$
|
0.75
|
|
|
$
|
0.60
|
|
|
$
|
0.48
|
|
|
$
|
0.35
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments and cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
640,042
|
|
|
$
|
553,016
|
|
|
$
|
651,601
|
|
|
$
|
527,600
|
|
|
$
|
460,233
|
|
|
$
|
402,156
|
|
|
$
|
324,235
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,130,827
|
|
|
|
1,009,352
|
|
|
|
1,113,966
|
|
|
|
969,000
|
|
|
|
901,344
|
|
|
|
801,696
|
|
|
|
692,266
|
|
Loss and LAE reserves
|
|
|
545,521
|
|
|
|
514,833
|
|
|
|
540,002
|
|
|
|
501,077
|
|
|
|
458,677
|
|
|
|
378,157
|
|
|
|
339,465
|
|
Debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
12,144
|
|
|
|
17,506
|
|
Debentures
|
|
|
55,930
|
|
|
|
55,930
|
|
|
|
55,930
|
|
|
|
55,930
|
|
|
|
55,930
|
|
|
|
35,310
|
|
|
|
10,310
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
309,915
|
|
|
|
207,379
|
|
|
|
301,894
|
|
|
|
201,693
|
|
|
|
177,365
|
|
|
|
167,510
|
|
|
|
155,113
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
$
|
8.37
|
|
|
$
|
7.02
|
|
|
$
|
8.16
|
|
|
$
|
6.93
|
|
|
$
|
6.19
|
|
|
$
|
5.76
|
|
|
$
|
5.34
|
|
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP ratios (insurance companies only):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss and LAE ratio(1)
|
|
|
61.7
|
%
|
|
|
61.3
|
%
|
|
|
61.2
|
%
|
|
|
62.3
|
%
|
|
|
65.2
|
%
|
|
|
67.9
|
%
|
|
|
70.1
|
%
|
Expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
32.2
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
34.2
|
%
|
|
|
34.5
|
%
|
|
|
33.5
|
%
|
|
|
33.5
|
%
|
|
|
34.3
|
%
|
Combined ratio
|
|
|
93.9
|
%
|
|
|
96.3
|
%
|
|
|
95.4
|
%
|
|
|
96.8
|
%
|
|
|
98.7
|
%
|
|
|
101.4
|
%
|
|
|
104.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Both the GAAP loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the
GAAP expense ratio are calculated based upon unconsolidated
insurance company operations. The following table sets forth the
intercompany fees, which are eliminated upon consolidation. |
Unconsolidated
GAAP data Ratio Calculation Table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
$
|
66,022
|
|
|
$
|
65,204
|
|
|
$
|
268,197
|
|
|
$
|
254,920
|
|
|
$
|
249,959
|
|
|
$
|
214,493
|
|
|
$
|
151,205
|
|
Consolidated net losses and LAE
|
|
$
|
37,661
|
|
|
$
|
36,646
|
|
|
$
|
150,969
|
|
|
$
|
146,293
|
|
|
$
|
151,542
|
|
|
$
|
135,938
|
|
|
$
|
98,472
|
|
Intercompany claim fees
|
|
|
3,106
|
|
|
|
3,295
|
|
|
|
13,058
|
|
|
|
12,553
|
|
|
|
11,523
|
|
|
|
9,691
|
|
|
|
7,514
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unconsolidated net losses and LAE
|
|
$
|
40,767
|
|
|
$
|
39,941
|
|
|
$
|
164,027
|
|
|
$
|
158,846
|
|
|
$
|
163,065
|
|
|
$
|
145,629
|
|
|
$
|
105,986
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP net loss and LAE ratio
|
|
|
61.7
|
%
|
|
|
61.3
|
%
|
|
|
61.2
|
%
|
|
|
62.3
|
%
|
|
|
65.2
|
%
|
|
|
67.9
|
%
|
|
|
70.1
|
%
|
Consolidated policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
|
|
$
|
13,147
|
|
|
$
|
13,643
|
|
|
$
|
53,717
|
|
|
$
|
50,479
|
|
|
$
|
44,439
|
|
|
$
|
33,424
|
|
|
$
|
23,606
|
|
Intercompany administrative and other underwriting fees
|
|
|
8,088
|
|
|
|
9,152
|
|
|
|
37,890
|
|
|
|
37,442
|
|
|
|
39,231
|
|
|
|
38,359
|
|
|
|
28,296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unconsolidated policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
|
|
$
|
21,235
|
|
|
$
|
22,795
|
|
|
$
|
91,607
|
|
|
$
|
87,921
|
|
|
$
|
83,670
|
|
|
$
|
71,783
|
|
|
$
|
51,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP expense ratio
|
|
|
32.2
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
34.2
|
%
|
|
|
34.5
|
%
|
|
|
33.5
|
%
|
|
|
33.5
|
%
|
|
|
34.3
|
%
|
GAAP combined ratio
|
|
|
93.9
|
%
|
|
|
96.3
|
%
|
|
|
95.4
|
%
|
|
|
96.8
|
%
|
|
|
98.7
|
%
|
|
|
101.4
|
%
|
|
|
104.4
|
%
|
Management uses the GAAP combined ratio and its components to
assess and benchmark underwriting performance.
The GAAP combined ratio is the sum of the GAAP loss and loss
adjustment expense ratio and the GAAP expense ratio. The GAAP
loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is the unconsolidated net
loss and loss adjustment expense in relation to net earned
premiums. The GAAP expense ratio is the unconsolidated policy
acquisition and other underwriting expenses in relation to net
earned premiums.
PROCENTURY
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned
|
|
$
|
48,345
|
|
|
$
|
54,388
|
|
|
$
|
217,562
|
|
|
$
|
218,992
|
|
|
$
|
177,630
|
|
|
$
|
148,702
|
|
|
|
108,294
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
5,332
|
|
|
|
5,433
|
|
|
|
22,081
|
|
|
|
19,372
|
|
|
|
14,487
|
|
|
|
10,048
|
|
|
|
6,499
|
|
Net realized investment (losses) gains
|
|
|
(462
|
)
|
|
|
(201
|
)
|
|
|
(1,982
|
)
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
(326
|
)
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
1,932
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
|
489
|
|
|
|
437
|
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
53,301
|
|
|
|
59,743
|
|
|
|
238,150
|
|
|
|
238,881
|
|
|
|
191,989
|
|
|
|
158,800
|
|
|
|
116,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,259
|
|
|
|
1,548
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
5,224
|
|
|
|
5,379
|
|
|
|
24,756
|
|
|
|
20,901
|
|
|
|
10,241
|
|
|
|
14,980
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
4,073
|
|
|
|
3,978
|
|
|
|
18,442
|
|
|
|
21,655
|
|
|
|
6,271
|
|
|
|
14,566
|
|
|
|
(405
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) from continuing operations before discontinued
operations
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
$
|
1.59
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
|
$
|
1.29
|
|
|
$
|
(0.25
|
)
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
$
|
1.59
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
|
$
|
1.41
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) from continuing operations before discontinued
operations
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
1.85
|
|
|
$
|
1.58
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
|
$
|
1.29
|
|
|
$
|
(0.25
|
)
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
1.85
|
|
|
$
|
1.58
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
|
$
|
1.41
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average of shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
basic
|
|
|
13,307,738
|
|
|
|
13,227,427
|
|
|
|
13,242,083
|
|
|
|
13,121,848
|
|
|
|
13,060,509
|
|
|
|
10,623,645
|
|
|
|
5,000,532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
diluted
|
|
|
13,446,658
|
|
|
|
13,421,607
|
|
|
|
13,392,949
|
|
|
|
13,256,419
|
|
|
|
13,129,425
|
|
|
|
10,653,316
|
|
|
|
5,000,532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance Performance Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(for the periods ended)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums(2)
|
|
$
|
53,866
|
|
|
$
|
58,455
|
|
|
$
|
238,346
|
|
|
$
|
283,036
|
|
|
$
|
216,164
|
|
|
$
|
191,405
|
|
|
$
|
149,708
|
|
Net written premiums(3)
|
|
|
45,153
|
|
|
|
50,060
|
|
|
|
203,804
|
|
|
|
247,919
|
|
|
|
189,519
|
|
|
|
166,024
|
|
|
|
131,839
|
|
GAAP Underwriting Ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(for the periods ended)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss ratio(4)
|
|
|
57.5
|
%
|
|
|
62.3
|
%
|
|
|
57.9
|
%
|
|
|
61.9
|
%
|
|
|
66.6
|
%
|
|
|
59.9
|
%
|
|
|
74.8
|
%
|
Expense ratio(5)
|
|
|
35.9
|
%
|
|
|
32.3
|
%
|
|
|
33.8
|
%
|
|
|
32.6
|
%
|
|
|
32.8
|
%
|
|
|
31.9
|
%
|
|
|
34.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio(6)
|
|
|
93.4
|
%
|
|
|
94.6
|
%
|
|
|
91.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.5
|
%
|
|
|
99.4
|
%
|
|
|
91.8
|
%
|
|
|
109.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(at the end of the period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and investments
|
|
$
|
486,595
|
|
|
$
|
449,183
|
|
|
$
|
467,276
|
|
|
$
|
436,062
|
|
|
$
|
366,410
|
|
|
$
|
315,008
|
|
|
$
|
171,201
|
|
Reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses, net
|
|
|
44,304
|
|
|
|
42,233
|
|
|
|
44,777
|
|
|
|
43,628
|
|
|
|
43,870
|
|
|
|
33,382
|
|
|
|
42,042
|
|
Assets available for sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59,018
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
665,743
|
|
|
|
591,378
|
|
|
|
607,054
|
|
|
|
579,048
|
|
|
|
474,145
|
|
|
|
394,927
|
|
|
|
332,113
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss and loss expense reserves
|
|
|
280,228
|
|
|
|
260,181
|
|
|
|
279,253
|
|
|
|
250,672
|
|
|
|
211,647
|
|
|
|
153,236
|
|
|
|
129,236
|
|
Liabilities available for sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,431
|
|
Long- term debt
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
34,133
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
165,262
|
|
|
|
147,248
|
|
|
|
161,021
|
|
|
|
142,388
|
|
|
|
121,203
|
|
|
|
115,237
|
|
|
|
36,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net writings ratio, including discontinued operations(7)
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
1.6
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
Return on average equity(8)
|
|
|
12.8
|
%
|
|
|
14.9
|
%
|
|
|
16.3
|
%
|
|
|
15.9
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
18.5
|
%
|
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Immediately prior to the completion of ProCenturys initial
public offering, the common shares of Evergreen National
Indemnity Company, or Evergreen, and its wholly owned
subsidiary, Continental Heritage Insurance Company, or
Continental, were distributed as dividends from Century Surety
Company, or Century, to ProCentury and then by ProCentury to
ProCenturys existing Class A shareholders. Prior to
the dividends, Evergreen was a controlled subsidiary of Century.
The operations of Evergreen and Continental consisted of
ProCenturys historical surety and assumed excess
workers compensation lines of insurance, which were
re-classified (net of minority interest and income taxes) as
discontinued operations in the above selected consolidated
financial data. |
|
(2) |
|
The amount received or to be received for insurance policies
written by ProCentury during a specific period of time without
reduction for acquisition costs, reinsurance costs or other
deductions. |
|
(3) |
|
Gross written premiums less the portion of such premiums ceded
to (reinsured by) other insurers during a specific period of
time. |
|
(4) |
|
The ratio of losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, net of
the effects of reinsurance. |
|
(5) |
|
The ratio of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
and other underwriting expenses to premiums earned, net of the
effects of reinsurance. |
|
(6) |
|
The sum of the loss and loss expense ratio, net of the effects
of reinsurance. |
|
(7) |
|
The ratio of net written premiums to ProCenturys insurance
subsidiaries combined statutory surplus. Management
believes this measure is useful in gauging ProCenturys
exposure to pricing errors in its current book of business. It
may not be comparable to the definition of net writings ratio
used by other companies. For periods prior to 2004, this ratio
includes discontinued operations, as the insurance
subsidiaries combined statutory surplus is not allocated
by line of business. Therefore, in computing the ratio of net
written premiums to its insurance subsidiaries combined
statutory surplus ProCentury did not restate the net written
premium for discontinued operations to be consistent with that
of the subsidiaries combined statutory surplus. |
|
(8) |
|
Return on average equity consists of the ratio of net income to
the average of the beginning of period and end of period total
shareholders equity. For 2004, return on average equity
consists of the ratio of net income to the average equity, which
is based on the average of the beginning of period and the end
of each quarters total shareholders equity. |
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The preliminary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet at March 31, 2008 combines the historical
consolidated balance sheets of Meadowbrook and ProCentury,
giving effect to the merger as if it had been consummated on
March 31, 2008. The preliminary Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 combine the historical
15
consolidated statements of income of Meadowbrook and ProCentury
giving effect to the merger as if it had occurred on
January 1, 2007. The preliminary unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial statements reflect an exchange
ratio of 2.24. However, as explained in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, the exchange ratio may vary as the market
price of Meadowbrook common stock fluctuates. The exact exchange
ratio will be determined by dividing $20.00 by the
volume-weighted average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. If such volume-weighted average price is
above $10.50 or below $8.00, the exchange ratio will be
fixed at 1.9048 or 2.5000, respectively. The volume-weighted
average sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008 was $7.44. Using this
price, the exchange ratio would be 2.5000. We have adjusted the
historical consolidated financial statements to give effect to
pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the
merger, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with
respect to the statements of income, expected to have a
continuing impact on the combined results. You should read this
information in conjunction with the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Accompanying notes to the preliminary unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial statements;
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrooks separate historical audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2007 included in Meadowbrooks Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007;
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrooks separate historical unaudited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the three months ended March
31, 2008 included in Meadowbrooks Form 10-Q for the three
months ended March 31, 2008;
|
|
|
|
ProCenturys separate historical audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2007 included in ProCenturys Annual
Report on
10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2007; and
|
|
|
|
ProCenturys separate historical unaudited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the three months ended March
31, 2008 included in ProCenturys Form 10-Q for the three
months ended March 31, 2008.
|
The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared for informational
purposes only. The preliminary unaudited pro forma adjustments
represent managements estimates based on information
available at this time. The preliminary unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily
indicative of what the financial position or results of
operations actually would have been had the merger been
completed at the dates indicated. In addition, the preliminary
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements
do not purport to project the future financial position or
operating results of the combined company. The preliminary
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements
do not give consideration to the impact of possible revenue
enhancements, expense efficiencies, synergies or asset
dispositions that may result from the merger.
The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared using the purchase
method of accounting with Meadowbrook treated as the accounting
acquirer. Accordingly, Meadowbrooks cost to acquire
ProCentury has been allocated to the acquired assets,
liabilities and commitments based upon their estimated fair
values at the date indicated. The allocation of the purchase
price is preliminary and is dependent upon certain valuations
and other studies that have not progressed to a stage where
there is sufficient information to make a definitive allocation.
Accordingly, the final purchase accounting adjustments may be
materially different from the preliminary unaudited pro forma
adjustments presented herein.
16
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
ProCentury
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
(Note 2)
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
(Dollars and shares in thousands)
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
Investments
|
|
$
|
590,030
|
|
|
$
|
479,238
|
|
|
$
|
27
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
1,069,295
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
50,012
|
|
|
|
7,357
|
|
|
|
(57,369
|
)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued investment income
|
|
|
6,776
|
|
|
|
4,164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,940
|
|
Premiums and agent balances receivable, net
|
|
|
94,611
|
|
|
|
34,195
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128,806
|
|
Reinsurance recoverable on:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid losses
|
|
|
(239
|
)
|
|
|
4,650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,411
|
|
Unpaid losses
|
|
|
198,031
|
|
|
|
39,654
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
237,685
|
|
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
|
|
|
18,883
|
|
|
|
15,765
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,648
|
|
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
|
|
28,420
|
|
|
|
24,033
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,453
|
|
Deferred income taxes, net
|
|
|
15,268
|
|
|
|
15,137
|
|
|
|
(254
|
)(c)
|
|
|
30,151
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
53,030
|
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
|
120,498
|
(d)
|
|
|
173,768
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
76,005
|
|
|
|
41,310
|
|
|
|
1,008
|
(e)
|
|
|
118,323
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
1,130,827
|
|
|
$
|
665,743
|
|
|
$
|
63,910
|
|
|
$
|
1,860,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$
|
545,521
|
|
|
$
|
280,228
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
825,749
|
|
Unearned premiums
|
|
|
160,424
|
|
|
|
112,383
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
272,807
|
|
Bank revolving credit facility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,650
|
|
|
|
2,060
|
(f)
|
|
|
6,710
|
|
Bank term loan facility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000
|
(g)
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
Debentures
|
|
|
55,930
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,930
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
20,761
|
|
|
|
3,364
|
|
|
|
1,985
|
(h)
|
|
|
26,110
|
|
Reinsurance funds held and balances payable
|
|
|
15,862
|
|
|
|
7,367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,229
|
|
Payable to insurance companies
|
|
|
5,899
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,899
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
16,515
|
|
|
|
67,489
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
820,912
|
|
|
|
500,481
|
|
|
|
79,045
|
|
|
|
1,400,438
|
|
Shareholders Equity
|
|
|
309,915
|
|
|
|
165,262
|
|
|
|
(15,135
|
)(i)
|
|
|
460,042
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
1,130,827
|
|
|
$
|
665,743
|
|
|
$
|
63,910
|
|
|
$
|
1,860,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares outstanding (note 3)
|
|
|
37,021
|
|
|
|
13,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
17
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
For the three months ended March 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
ProCentury
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
(Note 2)
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
$
|
83,971
|
|
|
$
|
56,128
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
140,099
|
|
Ceded
|
|
|
(17,949
|
)
|
|
|
(7,783
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,732
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
66,022
|
|
|
|
48,345
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
114,367
|
|
Net commissions and fees
|
|
|
12,031
|
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,117
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
7,148
|
|
|
|
5,332
|
|
|
|
(840
|
)(j)
|
|
|
11,640
|
|
Net realized losses
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
(462
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(493
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
85,170
|
|
|
|
53,301
|
|
|
|
(840
|
)
|
|
|
137,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
48,739
|
|
|
|
29,045
|
|
|
|
(1,470
|
)(k)
|
|
|
76,314
|
|
Reinsurance recoveries
|
|
|
(11,078
|
)
|
|
|
(1,260
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,338
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
37,661
|
|
|
|
27,785
|
|
|
|
(1,470
|
)
|
|
|
63,976
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
12,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,754
|
(k)
|
|
|
19,509
|
|
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
|
|
|
13,147
|
|
|
|
14,176
|
|
|
|
(2,650
|
)(k)
|
|
|
24,673
|
|
Other administrative expenses
|
|
|
8,832
|
|
|
|
3,193
|
|
|
|
(2,634
|
)(k)
|
|
|
9,391
|
|
Amortization expense
|
|
|
1,551
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,551
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
1,311
|
|
|
|
596
|
|
|
|
1,348
|
(l)
|
|
|
3,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
75,257
|
|
|
|
45,750
|
|
|
|
1,348
|
|
|
|
122,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes and equity earnings
|
|
|
9,913
|
|
|
|
7,551
|
|
|
|
(2,188
|
)
|
|
|
15,276
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal and state income tax expense
|
|
|
2,911
|
|
|
|
2,327
|
|
|
|
(643
|
)(m)
|
|
|
4,595
|
|
Equity earnings of affiliates
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
7,058
|
|
|
$
|
5,224
|
|
|
$
|
(1,545
|
)
|
|
$
|
10,737
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per common share information (Note 3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
37,012
|
|
|
|
13,308
|
|
|
|
3,454
|
(n)
|
|
|
53,774
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
37,103
|
|
|
|
13,447
|
|
|
|
3,315
|
(o)
|
|
|
53,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
18
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meadowbrook
|
|
|
ProCentury
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Meadowbrook Pro
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
(Note 2)
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
|
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
$
|
337,099
|
|
|
$
|
251,321
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
588,420
|
|
Ceded
|
|
|
(68,902
|
)
|
|
|
(33,759
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(102,661
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
268,197
|
|
|
|
217,562
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
485,759
|
|
Net commissions and fees
|
|
|
45,988
|
|
|
|
489
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,477
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
26,400
|
|
|
|
22,081
|
|
|
|
(2,857
|
)(p)
|
|
|
45,624
|
|
Net realized gains (losses)
|
|
|
150
|
|
|
|
(1,982
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,832
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
340,735
|
|
|
|
238,150
|
|
|
|
(2,857
|
)
|
|
|
576,028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
191,885
|
|
|
|
136,983
|
|
|
|
(5,647
|
)(q)
|
|
|
323,221
|
|
Reinsurance recoveries
|
|
|
(40,916
|
)
|
|
|
(11,066
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(51,982
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
150,969
|
|
|
|
125,917
|
|
|
|
(5,647
|
)
|
|
|
271,239
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
56,433
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,658
|
(q)
|
|
|
82,091
|
|
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
|
|
|
53,717
|
|
|
|
55,230
|
|
|
|
(8,844
|
)(q)
|
|
|
100,103
|
|
Other administrative expenses
|
|
|
32,269
|
|
|
|
18,280
|
|
|
|
(11,167
|
)(q)
|
|
|
39,382
|
|
Amortization expense
|
|
|
1,930
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,930
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
6,030
|
|
|
|
2,681
|
|
|
|
5,934
|
(r)
|
|
|
14,645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
301,348
|
|
|
|
202,108
|
|
|
|
5,934
|
|
|
|
509,390
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes and equity earnings
|
|
|
39,387
|
|
|
|
36,042
|
|
|
|
(8,791
|
)
|
|
|
66,638
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal and state income tax expense
|
|
|
11,726
|
|
|
|
11,286
|
|
|
|
(2,620
|
)(s)
|
|
|
20,392
|
|
Equity earnings of affiliates
|
|
|
331
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
331
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
27,992
|
|
|
$
|
24,756
|
|
|
$
|
(6,171
|
)
|
|
$
|
46,577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per common share information (Note 3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
$
|
1.85
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
33,007
|
|
|
|
13,242
|
|
|
|
3,407
|
(t)
|
|
|
49,656
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
33,102
|
|
|
|
13,393
|
|
|
|
3,256
|
(u)
|
|
|
49,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
19
Notes to
the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
Note 1
Basis of Pro Forma Presentation
On February 20, 2008, Meadowbrook entered into an agreement
and plan of merger with ProCentury. The transaction will be
treated as a purchase business combination by Meadowbrook of
ProCentury under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
The preliminary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet at March 31, 2008 reflects the merger as if
it occurred on March 31, 2008. The preliminary Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statements for the year
ended December 31, 2007 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 reflect the merger as if it occurred on
January 1, 2007. The pro forma adjustments herein reflect
an exchange ratio of 2.24 shares of Meadowbrook common
stock for each of the ProCentury common shares outstanding at
March 31, 2008, along with 2.24 Meadowbrook common shares
for each ProCentury restricted share and option vested and
exercised in connection with the merger. However, as explained
in the joint proxy statement-prospectus, the exchange ratio may
vary as the market price of Meadowbrooks common stock
fluctuates. The exact exchange ratio will be determined by
dividing $20.00 by the volume-weighted average sales price of a
share of Meadowbrook common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. If such volume-weighted average price is
above $10.50 or below $8.00, the exchange ratio will be fixed at
1.9048 or 2.5000, respectively. The volume-weighted average
sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008 was $7.44. Using this
price, the exchange ratio would be 2.5000. These shares are then
allocated between the shares that will be settled in cash (45%)
and the shares that will be settled in stock (55%).
The stock price used in determining the preliminary estimated
purchase price is based on the closing stock price of
Meadowbrook common shares for the trading day immediately before
the trading day that Meadowbrook and ProCentury announced their
merger agreement on February 20, 2008. The preliminary
estimated purchase price also includes the fair value of the
ProCentury stock options, assuming that the merger consideration
is paid for each share subject to an option, less the applicable
exercise price, and is calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Number of ProCentury common shares outstanding as of
March 31, 2008 (in thousands)
|
|
|
13,421
|
|
Per share consideration
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated fair value of ProCenturys common shares
outstanding as of March 31, 2008 (in thousands)
|
|
$
|
268,420
|
|
Estimated fair value of approximately 625,000 ProCentury stock
options outstanding as of March 31, 2008 (in thousands)
|
|
|
4,538
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated purchase price (in thousands)
|
|
$
|
272,958
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements presented herein are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations or the combined
financial position that would have resulted had the merger been
completed at the date indicated, not is it necessarily
indicative of the results of operation in future periods or the
future financial position of the combined company.
The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared assuming that the merger
is accounted for under the purchase method of accounting
(referred to as purchase accounting) with Meadowbrook as the
acquiring entity. Accordingly, under purchase accounting, the
assets, liabilities, and commitments of ProCentury are adjusted
to their fair value. For purposes of these preliminary unaudited
pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements,
consideration has also been given to the impact of conforming
ProCenturys financial statement classifications to those
of Meadowbrook. Additionally, certain amounts in the historical
consolidated financial statements of ProCentury have been
reclassified to conform to the Meadowbrook financial statement
presentation. Also, possible adjustments of $12.5 million
related to restructuring charges (i.e. compensation directly
related to the merger) and transaction fees are reflected in the
preliminary unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheet but are subject to change. Revenue and expense synergies
are not reflected in the preliminary unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial statements.
20
The preliminary unaudited pro forma adjustments represent
managements estimates based on information available at
this time. Actual adjustments to the combined balance sheet and
income statement will differ, perhaps materially, from those
reflected in these preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements because the assets and
liabilities of ProCentury will be recorded at their respective
fair values on the date the merger is consummated, and the
preliminary assumptions used to estimate these fair values may
change between now and the completion of the merger.
The preliminary unaudited pro forma adjustments included herein
are subject to other updates as additional information becomes
available and as additional analyses are performed. The final
allocation of the purchase price will be determined after the
merger is consummated and after completion of a thorough
analysis to determine the fair values of ProCenturys
tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities.
Accordingly, the final purchase accounting adjustments,
including conforming ProCenturys financial statement
classifications to those of Meadowbrook, could be materially
different from the preliminary unaudited pro forma adjustments
presented herein. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of
ProCenturys assets, liabilities, commitments, contracts
and other items as compared to the information shown herein will
change the purchase price allocable to goodwill and may impact
the combined income statement due to adjustments in yield
and/or
amortization or accretion related to the adjusted assets or
liabilities.
Note 2
Pro Forma Adjustments
The pro forma adjustments related to the preliminary Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31,
2008 assume the merger took place on March 31, 2008. The
pro forma adjustments to the preliminary Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 assume the merger took place on
January 1, 2007.
The following pro forma adjustments result from the allocation
of the purchase price for the acquisition based on the fair
value of the assets, liabilities and commitments acquired from
ProCentury. The amounts and descriptions related to the
preliminary adjustments are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
as of
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Investments
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect fair market value of held to maturity
securities of ProCentury
|
|
$
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) Cash
|
|
|
|
|
i. Adjustment to reflect the net cash effect of vesting of
ProCentury restricted stock and options and related
exercise of options
|
|
$
|
(2,042
|
)
|
ii. Adjustment to reflect the payment of the cash portion
of the merger consideration
|
|
|
(118,804
|
)
|
iii. Adjustment to reflect the payment of transaction fees
|
|
|
(9,081
|
)
|
iv. Adjustment to reflect the payment of restructuring
charges
|
|
|
(3,494
|
)
|
v. Adjustment to reflect the proceeds from the issuance of
debt
|
|
|
77,060
|
|
vi. Adjustment to reflect the payment of the cost related
to the issuance of debt
|
|
|
(1,008
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(57,369
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) Deferred tax asset, net
|
|
|
|
|
i. To reflect deferred tax effect of vesting ProCentury
restricted stock and options and related exercise of
options
|
|
$
|
(245
|
)
|
ii. To reflect deferred tax effect of the adjustment to
reflect the fair market value of the held to maturity securities
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(254
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
as of
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
(d) Goodwill
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment related to record positive goodwill as calculated as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value of net assets acquired prior to fair value
adjustments
|
|
$
|
165,262
|
|
Adjustments to fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated transaction fees
|
|
|
(9,081
|
)
|
Estimated compensation expense resulting from merger
|
|
|
(3,494
|
)
|
Increase to record held to maturity investments at fair value
|
|
|
18
|
|
Decrease to record deferred tax adjustment related to the
vesting of ProCentury restricted stock and options and exercise
of options
|
|
|
(245
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of net assets acquired
|
|
|
152,460
|
|
Purchase price
|
|
|
272,958
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
120,498
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) Other Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect the capitalization of debt issuance costs
|
|
$
|
1,008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity
|
|
|
|
|
(f) Bank revolving credit facility
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect debt incurred on revolving credit facility
by Meadowbrook to fund the proposed cash portion of the merger
consideration and the payment of the transaction fees and
restructuring charges
|
|
$
|
2,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(g) Bank term loan facility
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect debt incurred on term loan facility by
Meadowbrook to fund the proposed cash portion of the merger
consideration and the payment of the transaction fees and
restructuring charges
|
|
$
|
75,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h) Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment related to the amount of proceeds, transaction costs
and restructuring charges that are anticipated to be paid for in
cash that exceeds the total amount of cash recorded at
March 31, 2008. This additional cash is expected to be
generated and on hand by the closing of the merger through
operational cash flow generated in 2008
|
|
$
|
1,985
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) Shareholders Equity
|
|
|
|
|
i. Adjustment to record the conversion of ProCenturys
common shares to Meadowbrooks common stock at
closing
|
|
$
|
147,631
|
|
ii. Adjustment to remove the stock portion of the exercise
of ProCenturys options due to change in control
vesting provisions
|
|
|
2,496
|
|
iii. Adjustment to remove accumulated other comprehensive
loss of ProCentury
|
|
|
9,861
|
|
iv. Adjustment to eliminate ProCenturys retained
earnings
|
|
|
(71,135
|
)
|
v. Adjustment to reflect changes in additional paid in
capital of ProCentury
|
|
|
(103,988
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(15,135
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement
|
|
|
|
|
(j) Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect the loss of investment income as a result
of the net income adjustments to the December 31, 2007
income statement at an expected income rate of 4.39%
|
|
$
|
(68
|
)
|
Adjustment to reflect the loss of investment income as a result
of the payment of the cash portion of the merger at an expected
income rate of 4.39%
|
|
|
(772
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(840
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(k) Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
At completion of the merger, we assumed all ProCentury employees
(excluding those employees that will be terminated upon the
closing of the transaction) would become employees of
Meadowbrook. The associated expenses relating to insurance
company operations would be accounted for under a management
service agreement. As a result, the salaries and employee
benefits expense related to ProCentury has been adjusted
accordingly within the pro forma adjustments.
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect change in losses and loss adjustment
expenses for salaries and employee benefits of ProCenturys
claims department
|
|
$
|
(1,470
|
)
|
Adjustment to reflect change in policy acquisition and other
underwriting expenses for salaries and employee benefits of
ProCenturys underwriting department
|
|
|
(2,650
|
)
|
Adjustment to reflect change in other administrative expenses
for all other salary and employee benefits of ProCentury and
reclassify to salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
(2,634
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(6,754
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to salaries and employee benefits to reflect the
total of the above adjustments
|
|
$
|
6,754
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(l) Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
i. Adjustment to record interest expense at an assumed
interest rate of 7.9% on a
revolving credit facility drawn or term loan facility to fund
cash portion of the
merger consideration and the payment of the transaction fees and
restructuring charges (Note 5)
|
|
$
|
1,298
|
|
ii. Adjusted to reflect the amortization of the debt
issuance costs over a five year
period
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(m) Income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to record a tax benefit using Meadowbrooks
historical effective rate of 29.4% on the additional interest
expense and the loss of investment income
|
|
$
|
(643
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(n) Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect the change in basic shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(o) Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect the change in diluted shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
(p) Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
i. Adjustment to reflect the loss of investment income as a
result of the payment of
the cash portion of the merger consideration at an
expected interest rate of 4.5%
|
|
$
|
(2,857
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(q) Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
At completion of the merger, we assumed all ProCentury employees
(excluding those employees that will be terminated upon the
closing of the transaction) would become employees of
Meadowbrook. The associated expenses relating to insurance
company operations would be accounted for under a management
service agreement. As a result, the salaries and employee
benefits expense related to ProCentury has been adjusted
accordingly within the pro forma adjustments.
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect change in losses and loss adjustment
expenses for salaries and employee benefits of ProCenturys
claims department
|
|
$
|
(5,647
|
)
|
Adjustment to reflect change in policy acquisition and other
underwriting expenses for salaries and employee benefits of
ProCenturys underwriting department
|
|
|
(8,844
|
)
|
Adjustment to reflect change in other administrative expenses
for all other salary and employee benefits of ProCentury and
reclassify to salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
(11,167
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(25,658
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to salaries and employee benefits to reflect the
total of the above adjustments
|
|
$
|
25,658
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(r) Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
i. Adjustment to record interest expense at an assumed
interest rate of 7.9% on a revolving credit facility
drawn or term loan facility to fund cash portion of the merger
consideration and the payment of the transaction fees and
restructuring charges (Note 5)
|
|
$
|
5,732
|
|
ii. Adjusted to reflect the amortization of the debt
issuance costs over a five year period
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(s) Income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to record a tax benefit using Meadowbrooks
historical effective rate of 29.8% on the additional interest
expense and the loss of investment income
|
|
$
|
(2,620
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(t) Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect the change in basic shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,407
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(u) Weighted average number of shares outstanding Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to reflect the change in diluted shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma adjustments include anticipated restructuring
charges in connection with the merger of $3.5 million.
These costs include severance payments that are directly related
to the merger and occur during the process of combining the
companies. No determination has been made as to the allocation
of the restructuring charge between Meadowbrook and ProCentury
related expenditures for purposes of the preliminary unaudited
pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements. The
estimated restructuring charge is subject to final decisions by
management of the combined company.
The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared assuming that the merger
is accounted for under the purchase method of accounting
(referred to as purchase accounting) with Meadowbrook as the
acquiring entity. Accordingly, under purchase accounting, the
assets,
24
liabilities and commitments of ProCentury are adjusted to their
fair value. The preliminary unaudited pro forma adjustments
included herein are subject to other updates as additional
information becomes available and as additional analyses are
performed. The final allocation of the purchase price will be
determined after the merger is consummated and after completion
of a thorough analysis to determine the fair values of
ProCenturys tangible and identifiable intangible assets
and liabilities. Accordingly, the final purchase accounting
adjustments, including conforming ProCenturys accounting
policies to those of Meadowbrook, could be materially different
from the preliminary unaudited pro forma adjustments presented
herein. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of
ProCenturys assets, liabilities, commitments, contracts
and other items as compared to the information shown herein will
change the purchase price allocable to goodwill and may impact
the combined income statement due to adjustments in yield
and/or
amortization or accretion related to the adjusted assets or
liabilities.
Note 3
Net Income Per Share, Weighted Shares and Shares
Outstanding
Pro forma shares outstanding at March 31, 2008 consist of
the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Shares in thousands)
|
|
|
ProCentury shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
Historical ProCentury common shares outstanding
|
|
|
13,421
|
|
ProCentury restricted stock and options vested and exercised at
closing of the merger
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares outstanding immediately prior to the close of the
merger
|
|
|
13,606
|
|
Assumed exchange ratio
|
|
|
|
|
Merger consideration purchase price per share
|
|
$
|
20.00
|
|
Meadowbrook price per share
|
|
$
|
8.92
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed exchange ratio
|
|
|
2.24
|
|
ProCentury pro forma shares outstanding for entire merger
consideration
|
|
|
30,477
|
|
Percentage of share consideration
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
ProCentury pro forma shares outstanding after cash and share
allocation
|
|
|
16,762
|
|
Historical Meadowbrook common stock outstanding
|
|
|
37,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma Meadowbrook common stock outstanding
|
|
|
53,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma net income per common share data has been computed
based on the combined historical income of Meadowbrook and
ProCentury and the impact of purchase accounting adjustments.
Weighted average shares were calculated using ProCenturys
historical weighted average common shares outstanding adjusted
for the conversion of ProCenturys shares multiplied by the
assumed exchange ratio.
25
Pro forma weighted shares outstanding for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
(Shares in thousands)
|
|
|
Historical ProCentury weighted shares outstanding
|
|
|
13,308
|
|
|
|
13,447
|
|
ProCentury restricted shares and options vested and exercised at
closing of merger
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total weighted shares outstanding upon closing of merger
|
|
|
13,606
|
|
|
|
13,606
|
|
Assumed exchange ratio
|
|
|
2.24
|
|
|
|
2.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma ProCentury weighted shares outstanding
|
|
|
30,477
|
|
|
|
30,477
|
|
Percentage of share consideration
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ProCentury pro forma shares outstanding after cash and share
allocation
|
|
|
16,762
|
|
|
|
16,762
|
|
Historical Meadowbrook weighted stock outstanding
|
|
|
37,012
|
|
|
|
37,103
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma Meadowbrook weighted stock outstanding
|
|
|
53,774
|
|
|
|
53,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma weighted shares outstanding for the year ended
December 31, 2007 consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
(Shares in thousands)
|
|
|
Historical ProCentury weighted shares outstanding
|
|
|
13,242
|
|
|
|
13,393
|
|
ProCentury restricted shares and options vested and exercised at
closing of merger
|
|
|
272
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total weighted shares outstanding upon closing of merger
|
|
|
13,514
|
|
|
|
13,514
|
|
Assumed exchange ratio
|
|
|
2.24
|
|
|
|
2.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma ProCentury weighted shares outstanding
|
|
|
30,271
|
|
|
|
30,271
|
|
Percentage of share consideration
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ProCentury pro forma shares outstanding after cash and share
allocation
|
|
|
16,649
|
|
|
|
16,649
|
|
Historical Meadowbrook weighted stock outstanding
|
|
|
33,007
|
|
|
|
33,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma Meadowbrook weighted stock outstanding
|
|
|
49,656
|
|
|
|
49,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma adjustments reflect the effect of accelerated
vesting of certain share-based compensation, under the
assumptions that the options will be settled net on vesting to
satisfy tax withholding liabilities.
Note 4
Transactions Between Meadowbrook and ProCentury
None.
Note 5
Bank Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities
Meadowbrook intends to pay 45% of the merger consideration and
all transaction and closing costs in cash. After the
consideration of available cash from Meadowbrook and ordinary
dividends from Star and Century, Meadowbrook intends to draw
down $77.1 million under a revolving credit facility or
term loan facility. If the merger had closed on January 1,
2007, the rate of interest was estimated to be 7.9% based on
250 basis points (the margin) over
3-month
LIBOR as of January 1, 2007. The margin is based on
preliminary discussions with various banks and may differ
significantly from the final negotiated terms. Therefore, the
actual rate of interest may vary from the estimated amount.
Note 6
Taxes Payable
Tax expense or benefit has been recognized to the extent that
pre-tax income or expense pro forma adjustments were generated
by ProCentury.
26
RISK
FACTORS
By voting in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger
agreement, ProCentury shareholders may be choosing to invest in
the common stock of Meadowbrook, which will be the parent
company of ProCentury. In addition to the information contained
elsewhere in this joint proxy statement-prospectus or
incorporated in this joint proxy statement-prospectus by
reference, you should carefully consider the following factors
in making your decision as to how to vote on the merger.
Risks
Relating to the Merger
Fluctuations
in the market price of Meadowbrook common stock could result in
ProCentury shareholders receiving Meadowbrook shares or a
combination of Meadowbrook shares and cash that may have a
market valuation at closing that is less or more than $20.00 per
share.
Each ProCentury shareholder will have the option to elect to
receive $20.00 in cash or Meadowbrook stock for each ProCentury
common share, subject to proration so that the total cash
consideration will equal 45% and the value of the Meadowbrook
common stock will equal 55% of the total consideration paid. The
exchange ratio for the stock consideration will be determined by
dividing $20.00 by the volume-weighted average sales price of a
share of Meadowbrook common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before we
complete the merger. The exchange ratio, however, will be fixed
at 1.9048 if the average sales price of a share of Meadowbrook
common stock over this period is equal to or greater than $10.50
and at 2.5000 if the average sales price of a share of
Meadowbrook common stock over this period is equal to or less
than $8.00. Accordingly, if the average sales price of
Meadowbrook common stock over the relevant
30-day
trading period is less than $8.00 or more than $10.50, the
market price of a share of Meadowbrook common stock represented
by the exchange ratio will likely be less or more, as the case
may be, than $20.00 per share at the time the merger is
completed. For example, the volume weighted average sales price
of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on May 23, 2008 was $7.44. Based on
this price, the Meadowbrook common stock received in exchange
for a ProCentury common share would have a value of $18.60. Even
if the average sales price is between $8.00 and $10.50, market
price fluctuations may cause the Meadowbrook common stock
represented by the exchange ratio to have a market value of less
or more than $20.00 when ProCentury shareholders actually
receive Meadowbrook common stock in connection with the merger.
In addition, there is likely to be a significant amount of time
between the date when Meadowbrook and ProCentury shareholders
vote on the merger agreement at the special meetings and the
date the merger is completed. Therefore, the price of
Meadowbrook common stock on the date of the special meetings may
not be indicative of what the price will be immediately before
the merger is completed or what the price will be after the
merger.
Also, the merger agreement does not provide for any Meadowbrook
stock price level at which Meadowbrook or ProCentury may
terminate the merger agreement.
The
form of consideration a ProCentury shareholder will receive in
the merger may be different than what that shareholder elects to
receive.
ProCentury shareholders electing to receive cash or Meadowbrook
shares for their ProCentury shares may receive part of their
consideration in a form other than the form they elect. Under
the merger agreement, Meadowbrook is required to pay cash with
respect to 45% of, and to issue Meadowbrook shares with respect
to 55% of, the aggregate value of the consideration paid to
holders of ProCentury shares outstanding immediately before the
effective time. If ProCentury shareholders elect to receive
Meadowbrook shares valued at more than 55% of the aggregate
merger consideration, a ProCentury shareholder who elects to
receive Meadowbrook shares will receive part of his or her
consideration in the form of cash. Similarly, if ProCentury
shareholders elect to receive cash for more than 45% of the
aggregate merger consideration, a ProCentury shareholder who
elects to receive cash will receive part of his or her
consideration in the form of Meadowbrook common stock. See
The Merger Agreement Merger
Consideration. In addition, further adjustments in the
aggregate amounts of stock and cash consideration received in
the merger may be required so that the merger will be treated as
a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. This may also affect the relative amounts of
Meadowbrook common stock and
27
cash ProCentury shareholders will receive in connection with
the merger. See The Merger Agreement Election
Procedures.
Obtaining
required regulatory approvals may delay or prevent completion of
the merger.
Completion of the merger is conditioned upon the receipt of all
material governmental authorizations, consents, orders and
approvals. While Meadowbrook and ProCentury intend to pursue all
required approvals in accordance with the merger agreement, no
assurance can be given that the required consents and approvals
will be obtained or that the required conditions to closing will
be satisfied. In addition, even if all such consents and
approvals are obtained and the conditions are satisfied, they
may be subject to terms, conditions or restrictions that could
have a material adverse effect on the operations of Meadowbrook
and its prospective subsidiaries after the merger. See The
Merger Agreement Conditions to Completion of the
Merger for a discussion of the conditions to the
completion of the merger and The Merger
Agreement Regulatory Approvals for a
description of the regulatory approvals necessary in connection
with the merger.
If
Meadowbrook is unable to secure sufficient financing through
external sources, the completion of the merger will be
jeopardized.
Meadowbrook intends to finance a significant portion of the cash
consideration to be paid to ProCentury shareholders through
external sources. As of the date of this document, Meadowbrook
is in the due diligence process with its current bank to act as
the sole administrative agent and sole lead manager to arrange
$100.0 million financing consisting of a revolving line of
credit facility and a five-year term loan facility. In the event
that Meadowbrook is unable to secure financing sufficient to
finance the merger, Meadowbrook will have to adopt one or more
alternatives, such as selling assets or restructuring debt,
which may adversely affect Meadowbrooks business,
financial condition and results of operations. Additionally,
other financing may not be available on acceptable terms, in a
timely manner or at all. If Meadowbrook is unable to finance the
cash consideration to be paid to ProCentury shareholders in the
merger, the completion of the merger will be jeopardized and
Meadowbrook will be in breach of the merger agreement.
Difficulties
in combining the operations of ProCentury and Meadowbrook may
prevent the combined company from achieving the expected
benefits from its acquisition.
Meadowbrook and ProCentury entered into the merger agreement
with the expectation that the merger would provide each of its
shareholders with substantial benefits, including among other
things, enhanced revenues, cost savings and operating
efficiencies. Achieving such expected benefits of the merger
will be subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether
Meadowbrook and ProCentury are integrated in an efficient and
effective manner, and general competitive factors in the
marketplace. Failure to achieve these benefits could result in
increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues
and diversion of managements time and energy that could
materially impact the combined companys business,
financial condition and operating results.
In addition, following the merger, the combined company may face
substantial difficulties, costs and delays in integrating
ProCentury and Meadowbrook, including:
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perceived adverse changes in product offerings available or
service standards, whether or not these changes do, in fact,
occur;
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the retention of existing insureds, general agents and agents of
each company; and
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retaining and integrating management and other key employees of
the combined company.
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Any one or all of these factors may cause increased operating
costs or worse than anticipated financial performance. Many of
these factors are outside the control of either company.
28
The
combined companys increased debt may adversely affect its
financial condition and results of future
operations.
Meadowbrook currently anticipates that a significant portion of
the cash consideration to be paid to ProCentury shareholders
will be financed by Meadowbrook through external sources. The
terms of financing may contain covenants that restrict the
combined companys business and may adversely affect the
ability of the combined company to enter into possible future
transactions. As a result of the proposed financing, the pro
forma consolidated capitalization of Meadowbrook after giving
effect to the merger will result in a debt to equity ratio of
36.0%, a more leveraged capital structure. In comparison,
Meadowbrooks debt to equity ratio at December 31,
2007 was 18.5% and ProCenturys was 18.4%.
The
issuance of shares of Meadowbrook common stock to ProCentury
shareholders in the merger will reduce the percentage ownership
of Meadowbrook shareholders.
If the merger is completed, Meadowbrook and ProCentury expect
that Meadowbrook will issue approximately 19,054,032 shares
of Meadowbrook common stock in connection with the merger and
ProCentury shareholders will therefore own approximately 34% of
the combined company. Meadowbrook shareholders will continue to
own their existing shares of Meadowbrook common stock, which
will not be affected by the merger, other than by the dilution
resulting from the issuance of Meadowbrook common stock in the
merger. The issuance of such Meadowbrook shares will cause a
significant reduction in the relative percentage interests of
current Meadowbrook shareholders in earnings, voting, and
liquidation, book and market value.
Following
the merger, ProCentury shareholders will own less than a
majority of the outstanding common voting stock of
Meadowbrook.
After the merger, ProCenturys shareholders will own less
than a majority of the outstanding voting stock of Meadowbrook
and could therefore, for matters requiring a majority vote, be
outvoted by the existing and continuing Meadowbrook shareholders
if they all voted together as a group on any such issue that is
presented to the Meadowbrooks shareholders.
Meadowbrooks shareholders will own approximately 66% of
Meadowbrooks outstanding voting stock and ten of the
combined companys twelve-member board of directors will be
individuals who are current directors of Meadowbrook. Neither
group of shareholders will have the same control over
Meadowbrook as they currently have over their respective
companies.
The
merger agreement limits ProCenturys ability to pursue
alternatives to the merger.
The merger agreement contains non-solicitation provisions that,
subject to limited exceptions, limit ProCenturys ability
to discuss, facilitate or commit to competing third-party
proposals to acquire all or a significant part of ProCentury,
including any third-party that had submitted an indication of
interest to ProCentury regarding such a proposal prior to the
execution of the merger agreement. See Description of
Transaction Background of the Merger. Although
ProCenturys board of directors is permitted to take these
actions in connection with receipt of a competing acquisition
proposal if it determines that the failure to do so would
violate its fiduciary duties, taking such actions or similar
actions would entitle Meadowbrook to terminate the merger
agreement and ProCentury would be required to pay to Meadowbrook
a termination fee of $9.5 million. See The Merger
Agreement Acquisition Proposals by
Third-Parties. These provisions might discourage a
potential competing acquiror that might have an interest in
acquiring all or a significant part of ProCentury even if it
were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share
market price than that proposed in the merger, or might result
in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per
share price to acquire ProCentury than it might otherwise have
proposed to pay.
The
fairness opinions obtained by ProCentury from its financial
advisor will not reflect changes in circumstances between
signing the merger agreement, or merger agreement amendment, as
applicable, and the merger.
ProCentury has not obtained an updated opinion as of the date of
this document from Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co.,
Inc., its financial advisor (FBR). Changes in the
operations and prospects of ProCentury or Meadowbrook, general
market and economic conditions and other factors which may be
beyond the control of
29
ProCentury or Meadowbrook, and on which the fairness opinions
were based, may alter the value of ProCentury or Meadowbrook or
the prices of ProCentury common shares or shares of Meadowbrook
common stock by the time the merger is completed. The opinions
do not speak as of the time the merger will be completed or as
of any date other than the date of such opinions. Because
ProCentury does not currently anticipate asking FBR to update
its opinion, neither the February 20, 2008 opinion nor the
May 6, 2008 opinion addresses the fairness of the merger
consideration, from a financial point of view, at the time the
merger is completed. See Description of
Transaction Fairness Opinion of ProCenturys
Financial Advisor.
Some
of the directors and executive officers of ProCentury may have
interests and arrangements that could have influenced their
decisions to support or approve the merger.
The interests of some of the directors and executive officers of
ProCentury may be different from those of ProCentury
shareholders, and directors and officers of ProCentury may have
participated in arrangements that are different from, or in
addition to, ProCentury shareholders. See Description of
Transaction Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger.
Risks
Relating to the Meadowbrooks Business and Common
Stock
If
Meadowbrooks estimates of reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses are not adequate, it will have to increase
its reserves, which would result in reductions in net income,
retained earnings, statutory surplus, and liquidity, and may
limit its ability to pay future dividends.
Meadowbrook establishes reserves for losses and expenses related
to the adjustment of losses for the insurance policies it
writes. It determines the amount of these reserves based on
Meadowbrooks best estimate and judgment of the losses and
costs it will incur on existing insurance policies. While
Meadowbrook believes its reserves are adequate, it bases these
reserves on assumptions about past and future events. The
following factors could have a substantial impact on
Meadowbrooks future loss experience:
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the amounts of claims settlements and awards;
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legislative activity;
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changes in inflation and economic conditions; and
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accuracy and timely reporting of claim information.
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Actual losses and the costs it incurs related to the adjustment
of losses under insurance policies could exceed, perhaps
substantially, the amount of reserves it establishes. When it
increases reserves, Meadowbrooks pre-tax income for the
period will decrease by a corresponding amount. An increase in
reserves may also require Meadowbrook to write off a portion of
its deferred acquisition costs asset, which would cause a
further reduction of pre-tax income in that period.
If
Meadowbrooks financial strength ratings are reduced, it
may be adversely impacted.
Insurance companies are subject to financial strength ratings
produced by external rating agencies. Higher ratings generally
indicate greater financial stability and a stronger ability to
pay claims. Ratings are assigned by rating agencies to insurers
based upon factors they believe are important to policyholders.
Ratings are not recommendations to buy, hold, or sell
Meadowbrooks securities.
Meadowbrooks ability to write business is most influenced
by its rating from A.M. Best. A.M. Best ratings are
designed to assess an insurers financial strength and
ability to meet continuing obligations to policyholders.
Currently, Meadowbrooks financial strength rating from
A.M. Best is A− (Excellent) for Star
Insurance Company (Star), Savers Property and
Casualty Insurance Company (Savers), Williamsburg
National Insurance Company (Williamsburg) and
Ameritrust Insurance Corporation (Ameritrust, and
together with Star, Savers and Williamsburg, the insurance
company subsidiaries). There can be no assurance that
A.M. Best will not change its rating in the future. A
rating downgrade from A.M. Best could materially adversely
affect the business Meadowbrook writes and its results of
operations.
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If
market conditions cause Meadowbrooks reinsurance to be
more costly or unavailable, it may be required to bear increased
risks or reduce the level of its underwriting
commitments.
As part of Meadowbrooks overall risk and capacity
management strategy, it purchases reinsurance for significant
amounts of risk underwritten by its insurance company
subsidiaries, especially for the excess-of-loss and severity
risks. Market conditions beyond Meadowbrooks control
determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance it
purchases, which may affect the level of its business and
profitability. Meadowbrooks reinsurance facilities are
generally subject to annual renewal. It may be unable to
maintain its current reinsurance facilities or to obtain other
reinsurance in adequate amounts and at favorable rates.
Increases in the cost of reinsurance would adversely affect
Meadowbrooks profitability. In addition, if Meadowbrook is
unable to renew its expiring facilities or to obtain new
reinsurance on favorable terms, either its net exposure to risk
would increase or, if Meadowbrook is unwilling to bear an
increase in net risk exposures, it would have to reduce the
amount of risk it underwrites.
Meadowbrook
is subject to credit risk with respect to the obligations of its
reinsurers and risk-sharing partners. The inability of
Meadowbrooks reinsurers or risk-sharing partners to meet
their obligations could adversely affect its
profitability.
Star, as the lead insurance company under Meadowbrooks
Inter-Company Reinsurance Agreement, cedes insurance to other
insurers under pro rata and excess-of-loss contracts. These
reinsurance arrangements diversify Meadowbrooks business
and reduce its exposure to large losses or from hazards of an
unusual nature. Meadowbrook transfers some of the risk it has
assumed to reinsurance companies in exchange for a portion of
the premium it receives in connection with the risk. Although
reinsurance makes the reinsurer liable to Meadowbrook to the
extent the risk is transferred, the ceding of insurance does not
discharge Meadowbrook of its primary liability to its
policyholder. If all or any of the reinsuring companies fail to
pay or pay on a timely basis, Meadowbrook would be liable for
such defaulted amounts. Therefore, Meadowbrook is subject to
credit risk with respect to the obligations of its reinsurers.
If Meadowbrooks reinsurers fail to pay or fail to pay on a
timely basis, Meadowbrooks financial results and financial
condition could be adversely affected. In order to minimize
Meadowbrooks exposure to significant losses from reinsurer
insolvencies, it evaluates the financial condition of its
reinsurers and monitors the economic characteristics of the
reinsurers on an ongoing basis and, if appropriate, may require
trust agreements to collateralize the reinsurers financial
obligations to us. As of December 31, 2007,
Meadowbrooks reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid
losses was $199.5 million.
In addition, with Meadowbrooks risk-sharing programs,
Meadowbrook is subject to credit risk with respect to the
payment of claims by its clients captive,
rent-a-captive,
large deductible programs and indemnification agreements, as
well as on the portion of risk either ceded to captives or
retained by its clients. The capitalization and creditworthiness
of prospective risk-sharing partners is one of the factors
Meadowbrook considers upon entering into and renewing
risk-sharing programs. Generally, Meadowbrook collateralizes
balances due from its risk-sharing partners through funds
withheld trusts or stand-by letters of credit issued by highly
rated banks. No assurance can be given regarding the future
ability of any of Meadowbrooks risk-sharing partners to
meet their obligations. The inability of Meadowbrooks
risk-sharing partners to meet their obligations could adversely
affect Meadowbrooks profitability.
Meadowbrook
faces competitive pressures in its business that could cause its
revenues to decline and adversely affect its
profitability.
Meadowbrook competes with a large number of other companies in
its selected lines of business. Meadowbrook competes, and will
continue to compete, with major United States, foreign and other
regional insurers, as well as mutual companies, specialty
insurance companies, underwriting agencies and diversified
financial services companies. Many of Meadowbrooks
competitors have greater financial and marketing resources than
it does. Meadowbrooks profitability could be adversely
affected if it loses business to competitors offering similar or
better products at or below its prices.
A number of new, proposed or potential legislative or industry
developments could further increase competition in the property
and casualty insurance industry. These developments include:
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the formation of new insurers and an influx of new capital in
the marketplace as existing companies attempt to expand their
business as a result of better pricing
and/or terms;
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programs in which state-sponsored entities provide property
insurance in catastrophe-prone areas or other alternative market
types of coverage; and
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changing practices created by the internet, which has increased
competition within the insurance business.
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These developments could make the property and casualty
insurance marketplace more competitive by increasing the supply
of insurance capacity. In the event the current soft market
continues or is accelerated, it may negatively influence
Meadowbrooks ability to maintain or increase rates.
Accordingly, these developments could have an adverse effect on
Meadowbrooks business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Meadowbrooks
results may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including
cyclical changes in the insurance industry.
The results of companies in the property and casualty insurance
industry historically have been subject to significant
fluctuations and uncertainties. Meadowbrooks
industrys profitability can be affected by:
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rising levels of actual costs that are not known by companies at
the time they price their products;
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volatile and unpredictable developments, including man-made,
weather-related and other natural catastrophes or terrorist
attacks;
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changes in loss reserves resulting from the general claims and
legal environments as different types of claims arise and
judicial interpretations relating to the scope of insurers
liability develop;
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fluctuations in interest rates, inflationary pressures and other
changes in the investment environment, which affect returns on
invested assets and may impact the ultimate payout of
losses; and
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increases in medical costs beyond historic or expected annual
inflationary levels.
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The demand for property and casualty insurance can also vary
significantly, rising as the overall level of economic activity
increases and falling as that activity decreases. The property
and casualty insurance industry historically is cyclical in
nature, with periods of reduced underwriting capacity and
favorable premium rates alternating with periods of excess
underwriting capacity and flat or falling premium rates. These
fluctuations in demand and supply could produce underwriting
results that would have a negative impact on Meadowbrooks
financial condition and results of operations.
Negative
developments within the workers compensation insurance
industry may adversely affect Meadowbrooks financial
condition and results of operations.
Although Meadowbrook engages in other businesses, approximately
34% of its premium was attributable to workers
compensation insurance for the year ended December 31,
2007. As a result, negative developments within the economic,
competitive or regulatory conditions affecting the workers
compensation insurance industry may have an adverse effect on
Meadowbrooks financial condition and results of
operations. For example, if legislators in one of
Meadowbrooks larger markets, such as Florida, Nevada, or
Massachusetts, were to enact legislation to increase the scope
or amount of benefits for employees under workers
compensation insurance policies without related premium
increases or loss control measures, this could negatively affect
the workers compensation insurance industry. In some
states, workers compensation insurance premium rates are
determined by regulation, and changes in mandated rates could
reduce Meadowbrooks profitability. Negative developments
within the workers compensation insurance industry could
have a greater effect on Meadowbrook than on more diversified
insurance companies with more diversified lines of insurance.
The
failure of any of the loss limitation methods Meadowbrook
employs could have a material adverse effect on
Meadowbrooks results of operations and financial
condition.
Meadowbrook seeks to limit its loss exposure by writing a number
of its insurance and reinsurance contracts on an excess-of-loss
basis. Excess-of-loss insurance and reinsurance indemnifies the
insured against losses in excess of a specified amount. In
addition, Meadowbrook limits program size for each client and
purchases third-party reinsurance for its own account. In the
case of Meadowbrooks assumed proportional reinsurance
treaties, it seeks
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per occurrence limitations or loss and loss expense ratio caps
to limit the impact of losses ceded by the client. In
proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer shares a proportional
part of the premiums and losses of the reinsured. Meadowbrook
also seek to limit its loss exposure by geographic
diversification. Various provisions of Meadowbrooks
policies, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage or
choice of forum negotiated to limit its risks, may not be
enforceable in the manner it intends. As a result, one or more
catastrophic or other events could result in claims that
substantially exceed Meadowbrooks expectations, which
could have an adverse effect on its results of operations or
financial condition.
Because
Meadowbrooks investment portfolio consists primarily of
fixed income securities, its investment income could suffer as a
result of fluctuations in interest rates and market
conditions.
Meadowbrook currently maintains and intends to continue to
maintain an investment portfolio consisting primarily of fixed
income securities. The fair value of these securities fluctuates
depending on changes in interest rates. Generally, the fair
market value of these investments increases or decreases in an
inverse relationship with changes in interest rates. Changes in
interest rates may result in fluctuations in the income derived
from, and the valuation of, Meadowbrooks fixed income
investments, which could have an adverse effect on its financial
condition and results of operations.
In addition, Meadowbrooks investment portfolio includes
mortgage-backed securities. As of December 31, 2007,
mortgage and asset-backed securities constituted approximately
24.2% of its invested assets. As with other fixed income
investments, the fair market value of these securities
fluctuates depending on market and other general economic
conditions and the interest rate environment. Changes in
interest rates can expose Meadowbrook to prepayment risks on
these investments. When interest rates fall, mortgage-backed
securities are prepaid more quickly than expected and the holder
must reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates.
Meadowbrooks mortgage-backed securities currently consist
of securities with features that reduce the risk of prepayment,
but there is no guarantee that it will not invest in other
mortgage-backed securities that lack this protection. In periods
of increasing interest rates, mortgage-backed securities are
prepaid more slowly, which may require Meadowbrook to receive
interest payments that are below the prevailing interest rates
for longer than expected.
Meadowbrook
could be forced to sell investments to meet its liquidity
requirements.
Meadowbrook believes it maintains adequate amounts of cash and
short-term investments to pay claims, and does not expect to
have to sell securities prematurely for such purposes.
Meadowbrook may, however, decide to sell securities as a result
of changes in interest rates, credit quality, the rate or
repayment or other similar factors. A significant increase in
market interest rates could result in a situation in which
Meadowbrook is required to sell securities at depressed prices
to fund payments to its insureds. Since Meadowbrook carries debt
securities at fair value, it expects these securities would be
sold with no material impact on its net equity, although it
could result in net realized losses. If these securities are
sold, future net investment income may be reduced if Meadowbrook
is unable to reinvest in securities with similar yields.
Because
Meadowbrook is heavily regulated by the states in which it
operates, Meadowbrook may be limited in the way it
operates.
Meadowbrook is subject to extensive supervision and regulation
in the states in which it operates. The supervision and
regulation relate to numerous aspects of Meadowbrooks
business and financial condition. The primary purpose of the
supervision and regulation is to maintain compliance with
insurance regulations and to protect policyholders and not
Meadowbrooks shareholders. The extent of regulation
varies, but generally is governed by state statutes. These
statutes delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative
authority to state insurance departments. This system of
regulation covers, among other things:
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standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements;
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restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of
investments;
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restrictions on the types of terms that Meadowbrook can include
in the insurance policies it offers;
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required methods of accounting;
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required reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other
purposes;
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permissible underwriting and claims settlement
practices; and
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potential assessments for the provision of funds necessary for
the settlement of covered claims under certain insurance
policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance
companies.
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The regulations of the state insurance departments may affect
the cost or demand for Meadowbrooks products and may
impede Meadowbrook from obtaining rate increases or taking other
actions it might wish to take to increase its profitability.
Furthermore, Meadowbrook may be unable to maintain all required
licenses and approvals and its business may not fully comply
with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the
relevant authoritys interpretation of the laws and
regulations. Also, regulatory authorities have relatively broad
discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals. If
Meadowbrook does not have the requisite licenses and approvals
or does not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the
insurance regulatory authorities could stop or temporarily
suspend it from conducting some or all of its activities or
monetarily penalize Meadowbrook.
Also, the insurance industry has recently become the focus of
increased scrutiny by regulatory authorities relating to the
placement of insurance, as well as claims handling by insurers
in the wake of recent hurricane losses. Some states have adopted
new disclosure requirements relating to the placement of
insurance business, while other states are considering what
additional regulatory oversight might be required with regard to
claims handling activities of insurers. It is difficult to
predict the outcome of these regulatory activities, whether they
will expand into other areas of the business not yet
contemplated, whether activities and practices currently thought
of to be lawful will be characterized as unlawful and what form
of additional or new regulations may be finally adopted and what
impact, if any, such increase regulatory actions may have on
Meadowbrooks business. Meadowbrook has received general
industry-wide requests for information from a few state
insurance departments regarding compensation with insurance
agents. Meadowbrook responded to these inquires. Subsequent to
Meadowbrooks responses, it has not received any further
inquiries or comments from the state insurance departments.
Meadowbrooks
reliance on producers subjects Meadowbrook to their credit
risk.
With respect to Meadowbrooks agency billed premiums
generated by its insurance company subsidiaries, producers
collect premiums from the policyholders and forward them to
Meadowbrook. In certain jurisdictions, when the insured pays
premiums for these policies to producers for payment, the
premium might be considered to have been paid under applicable
insurance laws and the insured will no longer be liable to
Meadowbrook for those amounts, whether or not Meadowbrook has
actually received the premium from the producer. Consequently,
Meadowbrook assumes a degree of credit risk associated with
producers. Although producers failures to remit premiums
to Meadowbrook has not caused a material adverse impact on
Meadowbrook to date, there may be instances where producers
collect premium but do not remit it to Meadowbrook and it may be
required under applicable law to provide the coverage set forth
in the policy despite the lack of the actual collection of the
premium by Meadowbrook. Because the possibility of these events
is dependent in large part upon the financial condition and
internal operations of Meadowbrooks producers, it may not
be able to quantify any potential exposure presented by the
risk. If Meadowbrook is unable to collect premiums from its
producers in the future, its financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Provisions
of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, Meadowbrooks
articles of incorporation and other corporate governing
documents and the insurance laws of Michigan and Missouri may
discourage takeover attempts.
The Michigan Business Corporation Act contains
anti-takeover provisions. Chapters 7A (the
Fair Price Act) and 7B (the Control Share
Act) of the Business Corporation Act apply to Meadowbrook
and may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or
prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder
might consider in their best interest, including those attempts
that might result in shareholders receiving a premium over
market price for their shares.
The Fair Price Act provides that a supermajority vote of 90% of
the shareholders and no less than two-thirds of the votes of non
interested shareholders must approve a business
combination. The Fair Price Act defines a
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business combination to encompass any merger,
consolidation, share exchange, sale of assets, stock issue,
liquidation, or reclassification of securities involving an
interested shareholder or certain
affiliates. An interested shareholder is
generally any person who owns ten percent or more of the
outstanding voting shares of the company. An
affiliate is a person who directly or indirectly
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a
specified person. The supermajority vote required by the Fair
Price Act does not apply to business combinations that satisfy
certain conditions. These conditions include, among others:
(i) the purchase price to be paid for the shares of the
company in the business combination must be at least equal to
the highest of either (a) the market value of the shares or
(b) the highest per share price paid by the interested
shareholder within the preceding two-year period or in the
transaction in which the shareholder became an interested
shareholder, whichever is higher; and (ii) once becoming an
interested shareholder, the person may not become the beneficial
owner of any additional shares of the company except as part of
the transaction which resulted in the interested shareholder
becoming an interested shareholder or by virtue of proportionate
stock splits or stock dividends.
The Control Share Act establishes procedures governing
control share acquisitions of large public Michigan
corporations. A control share acquisition is defined as an
acquisition of shares by an acquiror which, when combined with
other shares held by that person or entity, would give the
acquiror voting power, alone or as part of a group, at or above
any of the following thresholds: 20%,
331/3%
or 50%. Under the Control Share Act, an acquiror may not vote
control shares unless the companys
disinterested shareholders (defined to exclude the acquiring
person, officers of the target company, and directors of the
target company who are also employees of the company) vote to
confer voting rights on the control shares. The Control Share
Act does not affect the voting rights of shares owned by an
acquiring person prior to the control share acquisition. The
Control Share Act entitles corporations to redeem control shares
from the acquiring person under certain circumstances. In other
cases, the Control Share Act confers dissenters rights
upon all of the corporations shareholders except the
acquiring person.
Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation allow its board of
directors to issue one or more classes or series of preferred
stock with voting rights, preferences and other privileges as
the board of directors may determine. Also, Meadowbrook has
adopted a shareholder rights plan, which if triggered would
significantly dilute the stock ownership percentage of anyone
who acquires more than 15% of Meadowbrooks shares without
the approval of Meadowbrooks board of directors. The
existence of Meadowbrooks shareholder rights plan and the
possible issuance of preferred shares could adversely affect its
shareholders and could prevent, delay or defer a change of
control.
Meadowbrook is also subject to the laws of various states, such
as Michigan, Missouri and California, governing insurance
holding companies. Under these laws, a person generally must
obtain the applicable Insurance Departments approval to
acquire, directly or indirectly, five to ten percent or more of
the outstanding voting securities of Meadowbrooks
insurance company subsidiaries. An Insurance Departments
determination of whether to approve an acquisition would be
based on a variety of factors, including an evaluation of the
acquirers financial stability, the competence of its
management, and whether competition in that state would be
reduced. These laws may prevent, delay or defer a change of
control of Meadowbrook or its insurance company subsidiaries.
Most
states assess Meadowbrooks insurance company subsidiaries
to provide funds for failing insurance companies and those
assessments could be material.
Meadowbrooks insurance company subsidiaries are subject to
assessments in most states where Meadowbrook is licensed for the
provision of funds necessary for the settlement of covered
claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or
failed insurance companies. Maximum contributions required by
law in any one year vary by state, and have historically been
less than one percent of annual premiums written. Meadowbrook
cannot predict with certainty the amount of future assessments.
Significant assessments could have a material adverse effect on
Meadowbrooks financial condition and results of operations.
Meadowbrook
may require additional capital in the future, which may not be
available or may only be available on unfavorable
terms.
Meadowbrooks future capital requirements depend on many
factors, including its ability to write new business
successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at
levels sufficient to cover losses. To the extent that
35
Meadowbrooks present capital is insufficient to meet
future operating requirements
and/or cover
losses, it may need to raise additional funds through
financings. If Meadowbrook had to raise additional capital,
equity or debt financing may not be available or, may be on
terms that are not favorable to it. In the case of equity
financings, dilution to Meadowbrooks shareholders could
result, and in any case such securities may have rights,
preferences and privileges that are senior to those shares of
common stock. If Meadowbrook cannot obtain adequate capital on
favorable terms or at all, its business, operating results and
financial condition could be adversely affected.
Meadowbrooks
performance is dependent on the continued services and
performance of its senior management and other key
personnel.
The success of Meadowbrooks business is dependent on its
ability to retain and motivate its senior management and key
management personnel. The loss of the services of any of
Meadowbrooks executive officers or other key employees
could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial
condition, and results of operations. Meadowbrook has existing
employment or severance agreements with Merton J. Segal,
Robert S. Cubbin, Karen M. Spaun, Michael G.
Costello, Stephen Belden, Joseph E. Mattingly, James M. Mahoney,
Robert C. Spring, Archie S. McIntyre, and Kenn R.
Allen. Meadowbrook maintains a key person life
insurance policy on Robert S. Cubbin, its President
and CEO.
Meadowbrooks future success also will depend on its
ability to retain key employees of ProCentury and to attract,
train, motivate and retain other highly skilled technical,
managerial, marketing, and customer service personnel.
Competition for these employees is intense and Meadowbrook may
not be able to successfully attract, integrate or retain
sufficiently qualified personnel. In addition,
Meadowbrooks future success depends on its ability to
attract, retain and motivate its agents and other producers.
Meadowbrooks failure to attract and retain the necessary
personnel and producers could have a material adverse effect on
its business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Meadowbrook
relies on its information technology and telecommunications
systems to conduct its business.
Meadowbrooks business is dependent upon the uninterrupted
functioning of its information technology and telecommunication
systems. Meadowbrook relies upon its systems, as well as the
systems of its vendors, to underwrite and process its business,
make claim payments, provide customer service, provide policy
administration services, such as endorsements, cancellations and
premium collections, comply with insurance regulatory
requirements and perform actuarial and other analytical
functions necessary for pricing and product development.
Meadowbrooks operations are dependent upon its ability to
timely and efficiently process its business and protect its
information and telecommunications systems from physical loss,
telecommunications failure or other similar catastrophic events,
as well as from security breaches. While Meadowbrook has
implemented business contingency plans and other reasonable and
appropriate internal controls to protect its systems from
interruption, loss or security breaches, a sustained business
interruption or system failure could adversely impact its
ability to process its business, provide customer service, pay
claims in a timely manner or perform other necessary business
functions. Likewise, a security breach of its computer systems
could also interrupt or damage its operations or harm its
reputation in the event confidential customer information is
disclosed to third parties. Either of these circumstances could
have a material adverse effect upon Meadowbrooks financial
condition, operations or reputation.
Managing
technology initiatives and obtaining the efficiencies
anticipated with technology implementation may present
significant challenges.
While technological enhancements and initiatives can streamline
several business processes and ultimately reduce the costs of
operations, these initiatives can present short-term costs and
implementation risks. Projections of associated costs,
implementation timelines, and the benefits of those results may
be inaccurate and such inaccuracies could increase over time. In
addition, there are risks associated with not achieving the
anticipated efficiencies from technology implementation that
could impact Meadowbrooks financial condition and results
of operations.
36
A WARNING
ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Meadowbrook and ProCentury have each made forward-looking
statements in this document (and in documents incorporated by
reference in this document) that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include
information regarding possible or assumed future results of
operations or the performance of Meadowbrook, ProCentury, their
respective subsidiaries and the combined company after the
merger is completed and may include statements regarding the
period following the completion of the merger. Forward-looking
statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe
future plans, strategies, and expectations of each of
Meadowbrook and ProCentury, are generally identified by the use
of words such as believe, expect,
intend, anticipate,
estimate, or project or similar
expressions. Each of the companies respective ability to
predict results, or the actual effect of future plans or
strategies, is inherently uncertain. Many possible events or
factors could affect the future financial results and
performance of Meadowbrook, ProCentury, their respective
Subsidiaries, and the combined company after the merger and
could cause those results or performance to differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
In addition to the risks discussed in the Risk
Factors section of this joint proxy statement-prospectus,
factors that could have a material adverse effect on operations
and future prospects include, but are not limited to, the
following:
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those risks and uncertainties discussed or identified in
Meadowbrooks or ProCenturys filing with the SEC;
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the risk that the businesses of Meadowbrook
and/or
ProCentury in connection with the merger will not be integrated
successfully or such integration may be more difficult,
time-consuming or costly than expected;
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the risk that expected revenue synergies and cost savings from
the merger may not be fully realized or realized within the
expected time frame;
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changes in the business environment in which we operate,
including inflation and interest rates;
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availability, terms and collectibility of reinsurance;
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changes in taxes, laws and governmental regulations;
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competitive product and pricing activity;
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managing growth profitably;
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catastrophe losses including those from future terrorist
activity;
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the cyclical nature of the property and casualty industry;
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product demand;
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claims development and the process of estimating reserves;
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the ability of its reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables
owed to us;
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investment results;
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changes in the ratings assigned to us by ratings agencies;
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uncertainty as to reinsurance coverage for terrorist acts;
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availability of dividends from its insurance company
subsidiaries; and
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other factors referenced in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference.
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These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating
forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be
placed on such statements.
Any forward-looking earnings estimates included in this joint
proxy statement-prospectus have not been examined or compiled by
either of its independent public accountants, nor have either of
its independent accountants applied any procedures to its
estimates. Accordingly, the accountants of Meadowbrook and
ProCentury do not express an opinion or any other form of
assurance on them. The forward-looking statements included in
this
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joint proxy statement-prospectus are made only as of the date of
this joint proxy statement-prospectus. Neither Meadowbrook nor
ProCentury undertakes any obligation to (and expressly disclaims
any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. Further information concerning Meadowbrook and its
business, including additional factors that could materially
affect Meadowbrooks financial results, is included in
Meadowbrooks filings with the SEC. Further information
concerning ProCentury and its business, including additional
factors that could materially affect ProCenturys financial
results, is included in ProCenturys filings with the SEC.
THE
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Meadowbrook is furnishing this joint proxy statement-prospectus
to holders of Meadowbrook common stock, $0.01 par value per
share, in connection with the proxy solicitation by
Meadowbrooks board of directors. Meadowbrooks board
of directors will use the proxies at the special meeting of
shareholders of Meadowbrook to be held on July 14, 2008,
and at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
ProCentury is furnishing this joint proxy statement-prospectus
to holders of ProCentury common shares, without par value, in
connection with the proxy solicitation by ProCenturys
board of directors. ProCenturys board of directors will
use the proxies at the special meeting of shareholders of
ProCentury to be held on July 14, 2008, and at any
adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
Each of Meadowbrook and ProCenturys shareholders will be
asked at their respective special meetings to vote to approve
and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
February 20, 2008 (as amended May 6, 2008) among
Meadowbrook, a subsidiary of Meadowbrook and ProCentury, and to
approve the transactions it contemplates, (including, in the
case of Meadowbrook, the issuance of common stock in the
merger). Under the merger agreement, ProCentury will merge with
and into a subsidiary of Meadowbrook. In the merger of
ProCentury with and into the subsidiary of Meadowbrook, each of
the outstanding ProCentury common shares will be converted into
the right to receive either cash, Meadowbrook common stock, or a
combination of both. ProCentury shareholders will receive cash
instead of any fractional shares.
MEADOWBROOK
SPECIAL MEETING
Date,
Place, Time and Purpose
The special meeting of Meadowbrooks shareholders will be
held at Meadowbrook Insurance Group, 26255 American Drive,
Southfield, Michigan 48034, at 2:00 p.m. local time, on
July 14, 2008. At the special meeting, holders of
Meadowbrook common stock will be asked to vote upon a proposal
to approve and adopt the merger agreement and to approve the
transactions it contemplates, including the issuance of
Meadowbrook common stock to ProCentury shareholders, and to
approve the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting,
if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.
Record
Date, Voting Rights, Required Vote and Revocability of
Proxies
The Meadowbrook board fixed the close of business on
May 19, 2008, as the record date for determining those
Meadowbrook shareholders who are entitled to notice of and to
vote at the special meeting. Only holders of Meadowbrook common
stock of record on the books of Meadowbrook at the close of
business on the record date have the right to receive notice of
and to vote at the special meeting. On the record date, there
were 37,021,032 shares of Meadowbrook common stock issued
and outstanding and approximately 241 shareholders of
record.
At the special meeting, Meadowbrook shareholders will have one
vote for each share of Meadowbrook common stock owned on the
record date. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Meadowbrook common stock entitled to vote at the special
meeting must be present for a quorum to exist at the special
meeting.
To determine if a quorum is present, Meadowbrook intends to
count the following:
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shares of Meadowbrook common stock present at the special
meeting either in person or by proxy; and
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shares of Meadowbrook common stock for which it has received
signed proxies, but with respect to which holders of shares have
abstained on any matter.
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Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of the votes cast at Meadowbrooks
special meeting (assuming a quorum is present). Approval of the
adjournment or postponement of the special meeting also requires
the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast
at Meadowbrooks special meeting (assuming a quorum is
present).
Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers who are the
beneficial owners of such shares may not give a proxy to vote
those shares without specific instructions from their customers.
Any abstention or broker non-vote will be counted as
present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, but
will not be counted as a vote for or against the merger.
Properly executed proxies that Meadowbrook receives before the
vote at the special meeting that are not revoked will be voted
in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxies. If
no instructions are indicated, these proxies will be voted
FOR the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to
approve the transactions it contemplates, FOR any
resolution to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to
solicit additional proxies, and the proxy holder may vote the
proxy in its discretion as to any other matter that may properly
come before the special meeting.
A Meadowbrook shareholder who has given a proxy solicited by the
Meadowbrook board may revoke it at any time prior to its
exercise at the special meeting by:
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giving written notice of revocation to the secretary of
Meadowbrook;
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properly submitting to Meadowbrook a duly executed proxy bearing
a later date; or
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attending the special meeting and voting in person.
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All written notices of revocation and other communications with
respect to revocation of proxies should be sent to: Meadowbrook
Insurance Group, Inc., 26255 American Drive, Southfield,
Michigan
48034-5178,
Attention: Michael G. Costello, Secretary.
On the record date, Meadowbrooks directors and executive
officers owned approximately 2,991,605 shares, or 8.1% of
the outstanding shares, of Meadowbrook common stock. Even if
each of these individuals voted in favor of the merger, because
they hold only 8.1% of the voting power, adoption of the merger
agreement and approval of the merger is not assured.
Solicitation
of Proxies
Directors, officers and employees of Meadowbrook may solicit
proxies by regular or electronic mail, in person or by telephone
or facsimile. Meadowbrook has retained Georgeson Inc. at an
estimated cost of $10,000, plus reimbursement of expenses, to
assist in the solicitation of proxies from brokers, nominees,
institutions and individuals. They will receive no additional
compensation for these services. Meadowbrook may make
arrangements with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries, if any, for the forwarding of solicitation
materials to the beneficial owners of Meadowbrook common stock
held of record by such persons.
Meadowbrook will reimburse any brokers, custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by them for their services. Meadowbrook will bear all expenses
associated with the printing and mailing of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus to its shareholders, as provided in the
merger agreement. See The Merger Agreement
Expenses.
Authority
to Adjourn Special Meeting to Solicit Additional
Proxies
In the event that there are not sufficient votes to constitute a
quorum or to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the
transactions it contemplates at the time of the special meeting,
the merger agreement cannot be approved unless the special
meeting is adjourned or postponed to a later date or dates in
order to permit further solicitation of proxies. In order to
allow proxies that have been received by Meadowbrook at the time
of the special meeting to be voted for an adjournment or
postponement, if deemed necessary, Meadowbrook has submitted the
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question of adjournment or postponement to its shareholders as a
separate matter for their consideration. If it is deemed
necessary to adjourn the special meeting, no notice of the
adjourned meeting is required to be given to the Meadowbrook
shareholders, other than an announcement at the special meeting
of the place, date and time to which the special meeting is
adjourned.
Dissenters
Rights
Meadowbrooks shareholders do not have dissenters
rights under Michigan law, Meadowbrooks governing
documents, or any other statute.
Recommendation
of Meadowbrooks Board
The Meadowbrook board has unanimously approved the merger
agreement and the transactions it contemplates and believes that
the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the
transactions it contemplates are in the best interests of
Meadowbrook and its shareholders. The Meadowbrook board
unanimously recommends that the Meadowbrook shareholders vote
FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the transactions it contemplates and FOR the
adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies. See
Description of Transaction Meadowbrooks
Reasons for the Merger and Board Recommendation.
PROCENTURY
SPECIAL MEETING
Date,
Place, Time and Purpose
The special meeting of ProCenturys shareholders will be
held at ProCentury Corporation, 465 Cleveland Avenue,
Westerville, Ohio 43082, at 10:00 a.m. local time, on
July 14, 2008. At the special meeting, holders of
ProCentury common shares will be asked to vote upon a proposal
to approve and adopt the merger agreement and to approve the
transactions it contemplates and to approve the adjournment or
postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.
Record
Date, Voting Rights, Required Vote and Revocability of
Proxies
The ProCentury board fixed the close of business on May 19,
2008, as the record date for determining those ProCentury
shareholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
special meeting. Only holders of ProCentury common shares of
record on the books of ProCentury at the close of business on
the record date have the right to receive notice of and to vote
at the special meeting. On the record date, there were
13,420,967 of ProCentury common shares issued and outstanding,
and approximately 68 holders of record.
At the special meeting, ProCentury shareholders will have one
vote for each ProCentury common share owned on the record date.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding ProCentury common
shares entitled to vote at the special meeting must be present
for a quorum to exist at the special meeting.
To determine if a quorum is present, ProCentury intends to count
the following:
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ProCentury common shares present at the special meeting either
in person or by proxy; and
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ProCentury common shares for which ProCentury has received
signed proxies, but with respect to which holders of shares have
abstained on any matter.
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Approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding
ProCentury common shares. Because the required vote is based on
the number of common shares outstanding rather than on the
number of votes cast, failing to vote common shares (including
as a result of broker non-vote; discussed below) or abstaining
will have the same effect as voting against the approval and
adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions it
contemplates. Accordingly, in order for shares to be included in
the vote, shareholders of record must either return the enclosed
proxy card by mail or vote in person at the special meeting.
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Approval of the adjournment or postponement of the special
meeting requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority
of the ProCentury common shares present in person or by proxy
and entitled to vote at the special meeting regardless of
whether or not a quorum is present at the special meeting. If a
shareholder (i) does not vote, either in person or by
proxy, (ii) submits a properly signed proxy and
affirmatively elects to abstain from voting or (iii) fails
to instruct such holders or broker as to how to vote, it will
have no effect on the approval of the adjournment or
postponement proposal.
Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers who are the
beneficial owners of such shares may not give a proxy to vote
those shares without specific instructions from their customers.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for
determining whether a quorum exists.
Properly executed proxies that ProCentury receives before the
vote at the special meeting that are not revoked will be voted
in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxies. If
no instructions are indicated, these proxies will be voted
FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the transactions it contemplates, FOR the
adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies, and the proxy
holder may vote the proxy in its discretion as to any other
matter that may properly come before the special meeting.
A ProCentury shareholder who has given a proxy solicited by the
ProCentury board may revoke it at any time prior to its exercise
at the special meeting by:
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giving written notice of revocation to ProCentury at its
principal executive offices located at 465 Cleveland Avenue,
Westerville, Ohio 43082;
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properly submitting to ProCentury a duly executed proxy bearing
a later date; or
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giving notice to ProCentury of the revocation at the special
meeting.
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Presence at the special meeting, without any further action by a
ProCentury shareholder, will not revoke a previously granted
proxy.
All written notices of revocation and other communications with
respect to revocation of proxies should be sent to: ProCentury
Corporation, 465 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43082,
Attention: Secretary.
On the record date, ProCenturys directors and executive
officers owned 1,712,146, or approximately 12.8%, of the
outstanding ProCentury common shares. Even if each of these
individuals voted in favor of the merger, because they hold only
12.8% of the voting power, there is no assurance that the merger
agreement will be approved and adopted.
Solicitation
of Proxies
Directors, officers and employees of ProCentury may solicit
proxies by regular or electronic mail, in person or by telephone
or facsimile. They will receive no additional compensation for
these services. ProCentury has also retained The Altman Group at
an estimated cost of $10,000, plus reimbursement of expenses, to
assist in the solicitation of proxies from brokers, nominees,
institutions and individuals. ProCentury may make arrangements
with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries, if any, for the forwarding of solicitation
materials to the beneficial owners of ProCentury common shares
held of record by such persons. ProCentury will reimburse any
brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them for their services.
ProCentury will bear all expenses associated with the printing
and mailing of this joint proxy statement-prospectus to its
shareholders, as provided in the merger agreement. See The
Merger Agreement Expenses.
Authority
to Adjourn or Postpone Special Meeting to Solicit Additional
Proxies
In the event that there are not sufficient votes to constitute a
quorum or to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the
transactions it contemplates at the time of the special meeting,
the merger agreement cannot be approved unless the special
meeting is adjourned or postponed to a later date or dates in
order to permit further solicitation of proxies. In order to
allow proxies that have been received by ProCentury at the time
of the special
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meeting to be voted for an adjournment or postponement, if
deemed necessary, ProCentury has submitted the question of
adjournment or postponement to its shareholders as a separate
matter for their consideration. If it is deemed necessary to
adjourn the special meeting, no notice of the adjourned meeting
is required to be given to the ProCentury shareholders, other
than an announcement at the special meeting of the place, date
and time to which the special meeting is adjourned.
Dissenters
Rights
If the merger agreement is approved and adopted, each ProCentury
shareholder objecting to the merger agreement may be entitled to
seek relief as a dissenting shareholder under
Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code. The following is
a summary of the principal steps a ProCentury shareholder must
take to perfect his or her dissenters rights under the
Ohio Revised Code. This summary is qualified by reference to a
complete copy of Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code,
which is attached as Appendix C to this document and
incorporated by reference herein. Any dissenting shareholder
contemplating exercise of his or her dissenters rights is
urged to carefully review the provisions of Section 1701.85
and to consult an attorney, since failure to follow fully and
precisely the procedural requirements of the statute may result
in termination or waiver of these rights.
To perfect dissenters rights, a dissenting shareholder
must satisfy each of the following conditions and must otherwise
comply with Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code:
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A dissenting shareholder must be a record holder of the
ProCentury shares as to which such ProCentury shareholder seeks
to exercise dissenters rights on the record date for
determining entitlement to vote on the proposal to approve and
adopt the merger agreement. Because only ProCentury shareholders
of record on the record date may exercise dissenters
rights, any person who beneficially owns shares that are held of
record by a bank, brokerage firm, nominee or other holder and
who desires to exercise dissenters rights must, in all
cases, instruct the record holder of the ProCentury shares to
satisfy all of the requirements of Section 1701.85;
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A dissenting shareholder must not vote the ProCentury shares as
to which dissenters rights are being exercised in favor of
the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement at the
special meeting. Failing to vote or abstaining from voting does
not waive a dissenting shareholders rights. However, a
proxy returned to ProCentury signed but not marked to specify
voting instructions will be voted in favor of the proposal to
approve and adopt the merger agreement and will be deemed a
waiver of dissenters rights. A dissenting shareholder may
revoke his or her proxy at any time before its exercise by:
filing with ProCentury an instrument revoking it, delivering a
duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by revoking his or
her proxy in open meeting at the special meeting;
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A dissenting shareholder must deliver a written demand for
payment of the fair cash value of his or her ProCentury shares
to ProCentury on or before the tenth day following the special
meeting. Any written demand must specify the shareholders
name and address, the number of ProCentury shares held by him or
her on the record date, and the amount claimed as the fair
cash value of the ProCentury shares. A vote against the
proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement will not
satisfy notice requirements under Ohio law concerning
dissenters rights. ProCentury will not notify shareholders
of the expiration of this
ten-day
period; and
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If ProCentury so requests, a dissenting shareholder must submit
his or her share certificates to ProCentury within 15 days
of such request for endorsement thereon by ProCentury that
demand for appraisal has been made. Such a request is not an
admission by ProCentury that a dissenting shareholder is
entitled to relief. ProCentury will promptly return the share
certificates to the dissenting shareholder. At the option of
ProCentury, a dissenting shareholder who fails to deliver his or
her certificate upon request from ProCentury may have his or her
dissenters rights terminated, unless a court for good
cause shown otherwise directs.
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ProCentury and a dissenting shareholder may come to an agreement
as to the fair cash value of the ProCentury shares. If
ProCentury and any dissenting shareholder cannot agree upon the
fair cash value of the ProCentury shares, then either may,
within three months after service of demand by the dissenting
shareholder, file a petition in the Court of Common Pleas of
Delaware County, Ohio, for a determination that the shareholder
is entitled to exercise
42
dissenters rights and to determine the fair cash value of
the ProCentury shares. The court may appoint one or more
appraisers to recommend a fair cash value. The fair cash value
is to be determined as of the day prior to the date of the
special meeting. The fair cash value is the amount that a
willing seller, under no compulsion to sell, would be willing to
accept, and that a willing buyer, under no compulsion to
purchase, would be willing to pay, but in no event may the fair
cash value exceed the amount specified in the dissenting
shareholders demand. In determining this value, any
appreciation or depreciation in the market value of the
ProCentury shares resulting from the merger is excluded. The
Ohio Supreme Court, in Armstrong v. Marathon Oil
Company, 32 Ohio St. 3d 397 (1987), has held that fair cash
value for publicly-traded shares of a company with significant
trading activity will be the market price for such shares on the
date that the transaction is submitted to the shareholders or
directors for final approval, as adjusted to exclude the impact
of the transaction giving rise to the dissenters rights.
The fair cash value may ultimately be more or less than the per
share merger consideration. Interest on the fair cash value and
costs of the proceedings, including reasonable compensation to
any appraisers, are to be assessed or apportioned as the court
considers equitable. Shareholders should also be aware that
investment banking opinions as to the fairness from a financial
point of view of the consideration payable in a merger are not
opinions as to fair cash value under Section 1701.85 of the
Ohio Revised Code.
Payment of the fair cash value must be made within 30 days
after the later of the final determination of such value or the
closing date of the merger. Such payment shall be made only upon
simultaneous surrender to ProCentury of the share certificates
for which such payment is made.
A dissenting shareholders rights to receive the fair cash
value of his or her ProCentury shares will terminate if:
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the dissenting shareholder has not complied with
Section 1701.85;
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the merger is abandoned or is finally enjoined or prevented from
being carried out, or the ProCentury shareholders rescind their
approval and adoption of the merger agreement;
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the dissenting shareholder withdraws his or her demand with the
consent of ProCentury by its board of directors; or
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the dissenting shareholder and ProCenturys board of
directors have not agreed on the fair cash value per share and
neither has filed a timely complaint in the Court of Common
Pleas of Delaware County, Ohio.
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All rights accruing from ProCentury shares, including voting and
dividend and distribution rights, are suspended from the time a
dissenting shareholder makes demand with respect to such
ProCentury shares until the termination or satisfaction of the
rights and obligations of the dissenting shareholder and
ProCentury arising from the demand. During this period of
suspension, any dividend or distribution paid on the ProCentury
shares will be paid to the record owner as a credit upon the
fair cash value thereof. If a shareholders
dissenters rights are terminated other than by purchase by
ProCentury of the dissenting shareholders ProCentury
shares, then at the time of termination all rights will be
restored and all distributions that would have been made, but
for suspension, will be made.
Recommendation
of ProCenturys Board
The ProCentury board has unanimously approved the merger
agreement and the transactions it contemplates and believes that
the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement and
approve the transactions it contemplates are in the best
interests of ProCentury and its shareholders. The ProCentury
board unanimously recommends that the ProCentury shareholders
vote FOR the approval and adoption of the merger
agreement and approval of the transactions it contemplates and
FOR the adjournment or postponement of the special
meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional
proxies. See Description of Transaction
ProCenturys Reasons for the Merger and Board
Recommendation.
DESCRIPTION
OF TRANSACTION
The following information describes material aspects of the
merger and related transactions. This description does not
provide a complete description of all the terms and conditions
of the merger agreement. It is qualified in its entirety by the
appendices to this document, including the merger agreement, as
amended which is attached as
43
Appendix A and incorporated by reference into this
joint proxy statement-prospectus. We urge you to read the
Appendices in their entirety.
General
The merger agreement provides for the acquisition by merger of
ProCentury with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Meadowbrook, with the Meadowbrook subsidiary being the surviving
entity in the merger. At the time the merger becomes effective,
each ProCentury common share then issued and outstanding will be
converted into and exchanged for the right to receive shares of
Meadowbrook common stock, cash or a combination of both, as
described below. The discussion below is subject to the
limitation in the merger agreement that, notwithstanding the
elections that ProCentury shareholders make, the aggregate
amount of cash consideration to be paid in the merger will be
equal to 45% of the total consideration to be paid by
Meadowbrook, and the aggregate amount of stock consideration to
be paid in the merger will be equal to 55% of the total
consideration paid by Meadowbrook.
Background
of the Merger
During the summer of 2007, ProCentury, in an effort to grow its
revenues in a softening market, attempted to acquire two small
insurance companies, each of which had initiated a sale process.
ProCentury was not the successful bidder in either case, in part
because of ProCenturys unwillingness to pay the purchase
price that other bidders were willing to pay and, in one case,
because ProCenturys size and the limited scope of its
business made it less attractive as a buyer and an employer. At
the regular ProCentury board of directors meeting held on
August 15, 2007, Mr. Feighan noted to the ProCentury
directors that ProCentury would face challenges in growing its
revenues and that its recent attempts to grow revenues through
acquisitions had been unsuccessful.
Also during the summer of 2007, Mr. Feighan had
conversations with representatives of FBR, the investment
banking firm that had served as lead managing underwriter in
ProCenturys initial public offering and that had been
working with ProCentury over the summer regarding a possible
equity offering to support any acquisition activity that might
occur. During these discussions, Mr. Feighan and FBR
representatives discussed other possible acquisition targets and
also discussed the possibility of ProCentury entering into
discussions regarding a business combination with Meadowbrook.
On August 16, 2007, Mr. Cubbin and Meadowbrooks
chairman, Merton J. Segal, were introduced to Mr. Feighan
at a breakfast meeting arranged by two former principals of a
company acquired by Meadowbrook earlier in 2007. The breakfast
meeting occurred in Cleveland, Ohio and was primarily an
introduction to each other and the respective companies. There
was no discussion about a possible business combination.
Following this initial breakfast meeting, FBR and ParaCap Group
LLC (ParaCap), Meadowbrooks financial advisor,
were asked to arrange a meeting on August 27, 2007 between
Mr. Cubbin and Mr. Feighan at ProCenturys
offices. At this meeting, the executives had a general
conversation regarding their respective businesses, but there
was no specific discussion about a possible business combination.
On August 30, 2007, members of ProCenturys management
met with Meadowbrooks management at Meadowbrooks
offices following the execution by the companies of a
confidentiality agreement. At this meeting, the companies
respective businesses, cultures and management teams were
discussed, as well as the potential business opportunities that
could result from a joint venture, strategic business
partnership, or a business combination transaction.
On October 23, 2007, Mr. Cubbin sent a letter to
Mr. Feighan expressing Meadowbrooks interest in a
merger transaction with ProCentury. The letter did not specify a
per share price, but based on conversations between
representatives of FBR and ParaCap, ProCenturys management
believed that Meadowbrook was considering a per share price in
the range of $18.00 to $19.00 per share, to be paid in some
combination of cash and Meadowbrook common stock.
On October 25, 2007, Mr. Feighan had dinner with the
chief executive officer of a publicly-traded insurance
organization (Company 2). During the meeting, the
chief executive officer expressed interest in an acquisition of
ProCentury, to which Mr. Feighan responded that ProCentury
was not for sale, but that he was interested in learning more
about Company 2 and its management team.
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In October 2007, Mr. Feighan had a telephone conversation
with the chief executive officer of another publicly-traded
insurance company (Company 3) during which the chief
executive officer expressed an interest in a business
combination transaction with ProCentury at a value of $15.00 per
share. Mr. Feighan indicated to Company 3 during these
discussions that ProCentury was not for sale.
On November 14, 2007, ProCentury held a regular meeting of
its board of directors, at which representatives of
Baker & Hostetler LLP, ProCenturys outside
counsel, were present. During the meeting the directors
discussed, among other things, ProCenturys stock price and
results for the first three quarters of 2007, which showed some
decrease in gross written premiums, slower than expected
progress with new product and growth initiatives and continued
softening market conditions, but continued favorable development
on reserves and overall favorable results. At the conclusion of
the regular business of the meeting, representatives of FBR
joined the meeting. Mr. Feighan reviewed for the directors
the Meadowbrook letter and his conversations with Company 2 and
Company 3. Representatives of FBR provided the ProCentury
directors with a general overview of the state of the insurance
industry and Meadowbrooks business. There was a consensus
among the directors that ProCenturys management and
representatives of FBR should continue their discussions with
Meadowbrook, but the board also directed management to focus on
ongoing operations. Following this meeting, representatives of
FBR and ParaCap began discussions regarding general parameters
of a transaction, including valuation, and discussed the timing
and logistics for initiating a due diligence review by each
party.
On December 7, 2007, Meadowbrooks board of directors
met to discuss the business rationale for a possible
transaction, whether to authorize management to commence due
diligence and discuss retention of an investment banker. ParaCap
attended the meeting to discuss the rationale for a possible
transaction, synergy and cost saving opportunities, revenue
enhancements and the risks associated with a possible
transaction. Meadowbrooks board of directors authorized
management to commence due diligence and to retain ParaCap to
serve as the Meadowbrooks investment banking
representative.
On December 18, 2007, the chief executive officer of
Company 2 telephoned Mr. Feighan and indicated an interest
in an acquisition of ProCentury at a price ranging from $19.00
to $21.00 per share in cash, but noting the possibility of some
stock consideration. The interest was confirmed in a letter sent
the same day. Mr. Feighan advised the chief executive
officer that ProCentury was already in receipt of an expression
of interest from another party, and that he intended to review
Company 2s indication of interest with the ProCentury
board of directors at a meeting in late January.
On December 21, 2007, members of ProCentury and Meadowbrook
management and representatives of FBR and ParaCap had a
conference call to discuss due diligence logistics and to
exchange information request lists, and on January 3, 2008,
members of ProCentury and Meadowbrook management and
representatives of FBR and ParaCap met for dinner in Sylvania,
Ohio to discuss a potential transaction. The discussion included
upcoming due diligence, board membership, management roles and
continued operations as a combined company, although no
financial terms were discussed.
On January 7, 2008, ProCentury and Meadowbrook began their
respective due diligence reviews following a meeting of their
working groups in Findlay, Ohio.
On January 9, 2008, Mr. Feighan met in Columbus, Ohio
with the chief executive officer of Company 3. The chief
executive officer reiterated Company 3s interest in a
transaction with ProCentury. On January 16, 2008,
Mr. Feighan received a draft letter of interest from
Company 3, reflecting a per share price of $18.00 in cash, but
noting that it would consider paying a portion of the
consideration in the form of Company 3 stock. Mr. Feighan
called Company 3s chief executive officer in response to
the letter to inform him that he would inform the ProCentury
board of directors of its receipt, but that he would not respond
to a letter sent only in a draft form. The chief executive
officer of Company 3 indicated he would be more comfortable
making a proposal regarding a transaction with ProCentury later
in the year.
On January 17, 2008, Meadowbrooks board of directors
held a special meeting to receive an update from management on
and to discuss the progress of the ProCentury due diligence
review, and certain matters unrelated to ProCentury.
Representatives of ParaCap also attended and participated in the
special meeting.
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On January 23, 2008, Mr. Cubbin, Mr. Feighan, and
a representative from ParaCap met in Toledo, Ohio to discuss the
status of due diligence reviews, issues related to the due
diligence reviews as of that date, and the next steps to be
taken by the parties.
On January 24, 2008, ProCentury and FBR entered into an
engagement letter with respect to FBRs service as
financial advisor in connection with the evaluation of a
potential business combination transaction. Throughout the month
of January, ProCentury and Meadowbrook, through their financial
advisors, continued to discuss the ongoing diligence review and
transaction terms, including the amount and mix of stock and
cash consideration, the financing needed to fund the
transaction, the amount of and the circumstances that would
trigger a
break-up
fee, and ProCenturys fourth quarter and year end results.
While Meadowbrook still had not made a formal offer with respect
to these terms, the discussions generally focused on a possible
per share price in the range of $18.00 to $19.00, with a mix of
60% stock and 40% cash, and a
break-up fee
ranging from 3% to 5% of the transaction value.
On January 28, 2008, ProCentury held a special meeting of
its board of directors at which representatives of
Baker & Hostetler and FBR were present. FBR presented
to the board its preliminary analysis of the expressions of
interest that had been received by ProCentury from Meadowbrook
and Company 2. FBR provided an overview of the property and
casualty insurance market conditions, noting a slowed rate of
growth since 2002, softening market conditions and an increase
in mergers and acquisitions within the industry as companies
were finding it more difficult to generate internal growth.
ProCentury management and representatives of FBR also outlined
general considerations for the board relating to
ProCenturys alternatives of remaining independent,
including its prospects for growth by acquisition, entering into
a strategic merger transaction or being acquired in an outright
sale. A representative of Baker & Hostetler provided
the board with an overview of the directors fiduciary
duties in considering the indications of interest presented to
ProCentury.
Mr. Feighan provided the board with an update on
ProCenturys expected results for the quarter and year
which had been made available to both Meadowbrook and Company 2,
noting that they would reflect a premium decline, offset by some
favorable reserve development. Mr. Feighan indicated that
Meadowbrook had reaffirmed its interest in pursuing a
transaction at the price previously indicated after learning of
ProCenturys expected results, but no feedback had been
received from Company 2. Based on such discussions, the
ProCentury board determined that management and its advisors
should continue the diligence processes and seek to further
refine the terms that had been proposed by both Meadowbrook and
Company 2.
Following the January 28, 2008 board meeting,
Mr. Feighan contacted both Meadowbrook and Company 2, and
representatives of FBR contacted the companies financial
advisors, to inform them of ProCenturys interest in
continuing discussions regarding their expressions of interest
and to discuss related timing considerations. In particular,
Mr. Feighan explained to Company 2 that ProCentury was also
in discussions with another party that had already completed a
substantial portion of its due diligence review.
From January 29 through February 11, 2008, Meadowbrook,
ProCentury and their respective financial advisors continued to
discuss the specific terms on which ProCentury and Meadowbrook
might be willing to enter into a merger agreement, including
price, the relative portions of the consideration to be paid in
cash and stock, any required financing, treatment of outstanding
options and the amount and triggers for payment of
break-up fee.
On February 7, 2008, ProCentury and Company 2 entered into
a confidentiality agreement and members of management from both
companies met in Columbus, Ohio to begin initial due diligence.
ProCentury and FBR indicated to Company 2 and its financial
advisor that Company 2 should work as quickly as possible to
complete such review because of the pending discussions
ProCentury was having with another party.
On February 8, 2008, Meadowbrooks board of directors
met for its regularly scheduled meeting relating to its fourth
quarter of 2007 financial results. During the meeting, the board
of directors received a report on the current status of due
diligence, the rationale and structure of a transaction,
possible price and terms and the risks associated with a
transaction. Representatives of ParaCap participated in the
meeting via teleconference. The board of directors formed a
committee of the board comprised of directors David Page,
Herbert Tyner, Robert Naftaly, Hugh Greenberg and Bruce Thal to
further analyze the transaction. Also on February 8, 2008,
Meadowbrooks legal counsel, Bodman LLP, sent a draft
merger agreement to Baker & Hostetler, although the
draft did not set forth a price or a specified mix of merger
consideration.
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From February 8 through February 11, 2008, representatives
of ParaCap had conversations with representatives of FBR
regarding due diligence, the timing of a potential transaction
and the impact on timing of ProCenturys financial results
for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the interest of another party
in pursing a possible transaction with ProCentury.
Representatives of ParaCap communicated Meadowbrooks
desire and ability to move quickly since due diligence had been
substantially completed. The parties discussed the possibility
that the announcement of ProCenturys financial results,
which were scheduled to be announced on February 20, 2008,
could have an adverse effect on Meadowbrooks willingness
to enter into a merger agreement, the likelihood of a
transaction being completed between the two companies or the
price of such transaction, particularly if there was a
significant decline in ProCenturys share price.
Accordingly, it was communicated to FBR and ProCentury that a
definitive merger agreement needed to be executed by
February 20, 2008, the day of ProCenturys scheduled
earnings announcement.
On February 11, 2008, the committee of Meadowbrooks
board of directors met to discuss ProCentury. Representatives of
ParaCap, and Meadowbrooks outside legal counsel, Bodman
LLP and Howard & Howard also attended the meeting. The
committee discussed terms but determined that more analysis was
still necessary. The committee requested that management and
ParaCap complete its analysis, develop the terms and structure
of an offer and review it with the committee before releasing to
ProCentury. Subsequently, the committee authorized Meadowbrook
to make an offer, in accordance with a proposed non-binding term
sheet to be finalized and delivered to ProCentury.
On February 12, 2008, following further discussions between
representatives of FBR and ParaCap, Mr. Feighan contacted
Mr. Fix, as lead ProCentury director, to advise him that
ProCentury had received a draft merger agreement from
Meadowbrook. Mr. Fix agreed that it was appropriate for
ProCenturys management and its legal and financial
advisors to work with Meadowbrook and its advisors so that the
parties could be in a position to execute a definitive merger
agreement by February 20.
On February 12, 2008, representatives of FBR contacted
Company 2s financial advisor to reemphasize the importance
of moving as quickly as possible through their diligence review
and to develop a firm proposal, including a draft acquisition
agreement by February 18, 2008, because of the interest of
another party that was further along in its diligence and
discussions with ProCentury. Company 2s financial advisor
responded that Company 2 would not be in a position to provide a
firm offer until completion of its diligence, which would not be
completed until the end of the week of February 25, and
that it would take a couple of additional weeks before Company 2
could present a firm proposal to ProCentury. Company 2s
financial advisor indicated that Company 2 intended to stay
within its previously mentioned range of $19.00 to $21.00 per
share. On February 15, Mr. Feighan called Company
2s chief executive officer to confirm the substance of the
communication provided by FBR.
On February 13, 2008, Mr. Cubbin sent a proposed term
sheet to Mr. Feighan containing a $20.00 per share price,
45% of which would be paid in cash and 55% of which would be
paid in Meadowbrook common stock based on a floating exchange
ratio if the market price of Meadowbrook common stock at the
time of closing (based on a
30-day
average sales price) was within $1.00 (above or below) of the
market price of Meadowbrook common stock at signing (based on a
five-day
average sales price) and a fixed exchange ratio if the market
price of Meadowbrook common stock at closing was $1.00 above or
$1.00 below the market price at signing, as applicable. The term
sheet contained a February 19, 2008 deadline for agreeing
to the term sheet and a February 20, 2008 deadline for the
completion of due diligence and execution of a definitive merger
agreement. Also on February 13, 2008, representatives of
ParaCap advised representatives of FBR that the term sheet
represented Meadowbrooks best and final offer.
On February 14, 2008, Baker & Hostetler provided
Bodman with a revised draft of the merger agreement and an
initial draft of ProCenturys disclosure schedule.
On February 15, 2008, ProCentury held a special telephonic
meeting of its board of directors in which representatives of
Baker & Hostetler and FBR participated.
Mr. Feighan provided a summary of recent developments
regarding the discussions with Meadowbrook and Company 2.
Representatives of Baker & Hostetler reviewed for the
board the terms of the proposed transaction with Meadowbrook,
including a discussion of the proposed cash/stock allocation,
treatment of options, no-shop, fiduciary out and
break-up fee
provisions, and which, if any, of ProCenturys executive
officers would be required to enter into a new employment
agreement with
47
Meadowbrook. Representatives of FBR provided an overview of both
Meadowbrooks and Company 2s business and a
preliminary analysis of the proposed transactions based on their
respective indications of interest. The board members considered
the matters presented by Baker and Hostetler and FBR and
discussed the timing of a possible transaction with Meadowbrook,
the consequences of signing a merger agreement with Meadowbrook
before Company 2 would be in a position to provide a firm offer
that could possibly be higher than Meadowbrooks offer of
$20.00 per share and the perception that Company 2 had not been
moving quickly toward a transaction, both since it first
expressed interest in a transaction and after it had been
advised of the need to accelerate its process. The board also
considered ProCenturys results that would be disclosed in
its upcoming earnings announcement, including a decrease in
gross premiums, whether that announcement should be delayed to
provide more time for transaction negotiations and the range of
effects that the announcement or delaying the announcement could
have on ProCenturys share price and on an announced
transaction and a transaction under negotiation. The board
determined that, in light of these considerations, FBR should
seek an increase in the merger consideration payable by
Meadowbrook to $21.00 per share, a lower
break-up
fee, and further comfort regarding Meadowbrooks ability to
finance the cash portion of the merger consideration.
From February 16 through February 20, 2008,
Meadowbrooks and ProCenturys legal and financial
advisors continued to exchange drafts of the merger agreement
and related documentation and discussed the amount and manner of
calculating the merger consideration, Meadowbrooks
financing needs for the cash portion of the merger
consideration, the terms of the no-shop and fiduciary out
provisions, the amount of the
break-up fee
and the composition of the Meadowbrook board after the
transaction.
On February 17, 2008, Meadowbrooks board of directors
held a special meeting for the purpose of receiving an update on
negotiations with ProCentury and to discuss any significant
issues, including, specifically, a proposed increase in the
purchase price to $21.00 per share, which the board rejected.
On February 18, 2008, a representative of ParaCap advised a
representative of FBR that the Meadowbrook board of directors
had confirmed that it was unwilling to pay more than $20.00 per
share, but that it was willing to demonstrate some flexibility
regarding the
break-up fee.
On the evening of February 19, 2008, Meadowbrooks
board of directors held a special meeting to consider and
approve final terms and to authorize the entry into a definitive
merger agreement with ProCentury. Meadowbrooks outside
legal counsel and representatives of ParaCap were also present.
The board of directors authorized the execution of a definitive
merger agreement with ProCentury.
On the evening of February 19, 2008, ProCentury also held a
special meeting of its board of directors at a hotel in
Columbus, Ohio, with two directors participating by telephone.
Representatives of Baker & Hostetler and FBR also
attended the meeting. Mr. Feighan provided the board with a
summary of the events that had transpired since the
February 15, 2008 meeting with respect to the proposed
transaction with Meadowbrook and the expression of interest and
due diligence process with Company 2. Representatives of
Baker & Hostetler again reviewed the directors
fiduciary duties and reviewed for the directors the terms of the
merger agreement, a summary of which had been provided to the
directors in advance of the meeting.
Representatives of FBR provided a presentation regarding the
proposed terms of the Meadowbrook transaction and FBRs
preliminary analysis as to the fairness of the proposed
transaction to ProCenturys shareholders. The board
discussed and considered the terms of the proposed agreement
with Meadowbrook, the status of the Company 2 discussions,
ProCenturys prospects remaining as a stand-alone entity
versus entering into a business combination transaction, the
risks associated with pursuing a transaction and the value to be
offered to ProCentury shareholders. As a result of such
discussions, the board determined that it would continue its
negotiations with Meadowbrook on the open merger agreement terms
with the expectation of considering a final agreement for
approval the following day, prior to release of
ProCenturys earnings announcement.
During the evening of February 19, 2008 and morning and
afternoon of February 20, 2008, the parties and their
advisors discussed the few remaining terms to be agreed upon by
the parties and finalized the definitive merger agreement and
related documents. In particular, there was general agreement
that the collar for the exchange ratio should be set at $1.25
above or below $9.25, that Meadowbrook would add two of
ProCenturys directors to its board, and that the
break-up fee
would be set at approximately 3.5% of the transaction value, or
$9.5 million.
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On February 20, 2008, ProCentury held a special telephonic
meeting of its board of directors in which representatives of
Baker & Hostetler and FBR participated.
Representatives of Baker & Hostetler discussed the
merger agreement, a revised version of which had been provided
to the directors in advance of the meeting. Representatives of
FBR informed the board of their conversation with
Meadowbrooks lender about proposed financing arrangements
for the cash portion of the merger consideration and their view
that Meadowbrook should be able to obtain the necessary
financing. Representatives of FBR provided the board with
FBRs oral opinion, which was confirmed in a written
opinion, that, as of February 20, 2008, the aggregate
merger consideration offered by Meadowbrook was fair from a
financial point of view to ProCenturys shareholders. The
board then unanimously determined that the merger was advisable
and in the best interests of ProCentury and its shareholders and
unanimously approved the merger agreement.
Following the board meeting on the evening of February 20,
the merger agreement was executed on behalf of ProCentury,
Meadowbrook and MBKPC Corp., the parties issued a joint press
release announcing the execution of the merger agreement, and
ProCentury issued a press release announcing its fourth quarter
and year end financial results.
On March 31, 2008, representatives of ParaCap contacted
representatives of FBR regarding a proposed amendment to the
merger agreement that would cause the proration provisions that
result in 45% of the value of the merger consideration to be
paid in cash to be based on a
30-day
volume-weighted average sale price rather than the closing price
on a single day prior to closing. Meadowbrooks management
believed that this amendment would benefit the parties by
lessening the impact that a one-day fluctuation in the price of
Meadowbrook common stock would have on the aggregate merger
consideration and proration among ProCentury shareholders.
Over the next few weeks, representatives of ParaCap, FBR, Bodman
and Baker & Hostetler discussed the impact of the
proposed amendment with Meadowbrooks and ProCenturys
management and board of directors and the parties considered a
draft of the amendment provided by representatives of Bodman on
April 24, 2008. In light of the fact that the amendment
could potentially change the aggregate value of the merger
consideration to be received by ProCenturys shareholders,
ProCenturys board of directors determined that it was
advisable to request an opinion from FBR with respect to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the aggregate
merger consideration offered by Meadowbrook to ProCenturys
shareholders as of the date of the amendment. ProCentury and FBR
entered into an amendment to its engagement letter with FBR
dated January 24, 2008 to reflect the issuance of a second
opinion.
On April 25, 2008, Meadowbrooks board of directors
held a regular meeting at which it approved the merger agreement
amendment.
On May 6, 2008, ProCenturys board of directors held a
special telephonic meeting in which representatives of FBR and
Baker & Hostetler participated. Representatives of FBR
provided the board with FBRs oral opinion, which was
confirmed in a written opinion, that, as of May 6, 2008,
the aggregate merger consideration offered by Meadowbrook was
fair from a financial point of view to ProCenturys
shareholders. The board then unanimously determined that the
merger agreement amendment was advisable and in the best
interests of ProCentury and its shareholders and unanimously
approved the merger agreement amendment.
On May 6, 2008, the merger agreement amendment was executed
on behalf of ProCentury, Meadowbrook and MBKPC Corp.
Meadowbrooks
Reasons for the Merger and Board Recommendation
The Meadowbrook board of directors believes that the
merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Meadowbrook and
its shareholders. Accordingly, the Meadowbrook board has
unanimously approved the merger agreement and unanimously
recommends that Meadowbrooks shareholders vote
FOR the approval and adoption of the merger
agreement and the issuance of Meadowbrook common stock to
ProCentury shareholders in the merger.
49
In reaching its conclusion, the Meadowbrook board of directors
consulted with Meadowbrooks management, as well as with
its legal and financial advisors, and considered a variety of
factors weighing favorably towards the merger including, without
limitation, the following:
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the complementary operations and capabilities of Meadowbrook and
ProCentury with the increased scale and strong financial base
necessary to increase shareholder value and improve cost
efficiencies. Specifically, it was anticipated the merger would
allow Meadowbrook to:
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strengthen its position in the highly competitive specialty
property and casualty insurance industry;
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achieve enhanced growth opportunities arising from a more
balanced business model, improved financial flexibility and
strong cash flow; and
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achieve a financial base and scale capable of delivering
enhanced value to customers;
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the financial performance, condition, business operations and
prospects of each of Meadowbrook and ProCentury;
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the expectation that the combination will have an accretive
effect with regard to Meadowbrooks earnings and book value
on a per share basis;
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the expectation that the combination will improve
Meadowbrooks return on equity;
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the access that Meadowbrook will receive a strong base of
employees at ProCentury;
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the combination would result in an increase in the public float
of Meadowbrook common stock;
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that ProCenturys expertise in the surplus lines sector
will complement Meadowbrooks admitted specialty lines and
fee based capabilities;
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the similar cultures of disciplined underwriting and pricing;
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the expectation that there will be growth synergies between
Meadowbrook and ProCentury, including expanded distribution
systems, greater diversity of products and enhanced fee-income
opportunities;
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the expectation that there will be expense savings, including
cost savings relating to being a public company and other cost
savings resulting from the elimination of duplicative functions;
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the combination would result in geographic and product
diversification;
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the structure of the transaction and terms of the merger
agreement;
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the terms of the merger agreement relating to third-party
offers, including:
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the limitations on the ability of ProCentury to solicit offers
for alternative business combinations; and
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the limitations on the ability of ProCentury to terminate the
merger agreement in order to accept a third-party superior
proposal.
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See the section entitled The Merger Agreement
beginning on page 66.
The Meadowbrook board of directors weighed these advantages and
opportunities against a number of other factors identified in
its deliberation weighing negatively against the merger,
including:
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the challenges inherent in the combination of Meadowbrooks
and ProCenturys businesses and the possible diversion of
management attention for an extended period of time;
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the risk of not capturing the cost savings, revenue enhancement
opportunities and other potential benefits of the combination
between Meadowbrook and ProCentury (or not within the
anticipated timeframe);
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the risk that the market would view the proposed merger
unfavorably and the potential decline in Meadowbrooks
stock price as a result;
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the risk of A.M. Best downgrading the rating of the
combined companys insurance subsidiaries following the
merger; and
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the possibility that the merger might not be completed and the
effect of the resulting public announcement of termination of
the merger agreement on Meadowbrook.
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After consideration of these factors, Meadowbrooks board
of directors determined that these risks were significantly
outweighed by the potential benefits of the merger.
This discussion of the information and factors considered by the
Meadowbrook board of directors includes the material positive
and negative factors considered by the Meadowbrook board of
directors, but is not intended to be exhaustive and may not
include all the factors considered by the Meadowbrook board of
directors. In reaching its determination to approve and adopt
the merger agreement, the Meadowbrook board of directors did not
quantify or assign any relative or specific weights to the
various factors that it considered in reaching its determination
that the merger is advisable and in the best interests of
Meadowbrook. Rather, the Meadowbrook board of directors viewed
its determination as being based on the totality of the
information presented to and factors considered by it. In
addition, individual members of the Meadowbrook board of
directors may have given differing weights to different factors.
ProCenturys
Reasons for the Merger and Board Recommendation
The ProCentury board of directors believes that the merger
is fair to, and in the best interests of, ProCentury and its
shareholders. Accordingly, the ProCentury board has unanimously
approved the merger agreement and unanimously recommends that
its shareholders vote FOR approval and adoption of the merger
agreement.
In deciding to approve the merger agreement and the transactions
it contemplates, ProCenturys board consulted with
management, as well as its legal counsel and financial advisors,
and considered numerous factors, including the following:
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that the $20.00 in cash or Meadowbrook common stock expected to
be received by ProCenturys shareholders in the merger
represents:
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a premium of approximately 33.6% over the closing price of
ProCentury common shares on February 19, 2008, the last
trading day prior to the date of the announcement of the merger;
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a premium of approximately 31.9% over the average closing price
of ProCentury common shares over a one-week period prior to the
announcement of the merger; and
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a premium of approximately 37.4% over the average closing price
of ProCentury common shares over a one-month period prior to the
announcement of the merger;
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the down-side protection with respect to the
Meadowbrook common stock provided for in the merger agreement,
in that ProCentury shareholders who elect to receive Meadowbrook
stock in the merger will receive, for each ProCentury share,
subject to proration, Meadowbrook stock with a value of $20.00,
if the volume-weighted average sales price of a share of
Meadowbrook common stock is between $8.00 and $10.50 over the
30-trading day period ending on the sixth trading day prior to
the closing of the merger;
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the fact that ProCentury shareholders have the right to elect to
receive, in the merger, cash, Meadowbrook stock or a combination
of both for their ProCentury shares, subject to proration if
ProCentury shareholders elect to receive more than 45% of the
aggregate merger consideration in the form of cash;
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the opinion of FBR that, as of February 20, 2008, the date
of the merger agreement, and May 6, 2008, the date that the
merger agreement was amended, the aggregate merger consideration
was fair from a financial point of view to ProCenturys
shareholders (see Fairness Opinion of
ProCenturys Financial Advisor);
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information with respect to ProCenturys business,
earnings, operations, financial condition, growth initiatives
and prospects, including the comparative decline in gross
written premiums and nearly flat revenue growth relative to its
historical results and including the difficult and competitive
market conditions ProCentury is facing and expects to continue
to face;
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information with respect to the business, earnings, operations,
financial condition, growth initiatives and prospects of
Meadowbrook, including the comparative increase in gross written
premiums and revenue
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relative to its historical results, the accomplishments of its
management team and its geographic coverage as an admitted
insurer;
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information with respect to the estimated pro forma business,
earnings, operations, financial condition, prospects and product
offerings of ProCentury and Meadowbrook as a combined company;
in particular, the strategic fit of the business lines, the
growth opportunities provided by each companys product
lines and market share in the admitted and excess and surplus
lines and the similar cultures of disciplined underwriting and
pricing of the two companies;
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their belief, based on, among other things, the data provided by
FBR, that the $20.00 per share merger consideration compared
favorably to the range of fair values for ProCentury common
shares as set forth in the FBR analysis (see
Fairness Opinion of ProCenturys Financial Advisor);
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the merger was expected to have an accretive effect on earnings
and book value on a per share basis of Meadowbrook;
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the performance of ProCenturys and Meadowbrooks
stock price relative to each other, their peers and general
market indices, which showed the Meadowbrook stock generally
outperforming this group while ProCenturys price had
tended to underperform;
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the potential for appreciation in the value of
Meadowbrooks common stock and the opportunity for
ProCentury shareholders who receive Meadowbrook common stock in
the merger to participate in this appreciation, as compared to
the possibility of an all cash transaction that would not offer
this potential value enhancement and would be fully taxable to
ProCentury shareholders;
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the perceived risks and uncertainties attendant to
ProCenturys execution of its strategic growth plans as an
independent excess and surplus lines insurance company,
including its ability to develop and implement internal growth
opportunities through new product offerings and its ability to
seek external growth at a time of increased market competition
and a declining common share price;
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the desire of Meadowbrook to enter into the merger agreement
prior to the announcement of ProCenturys financial results
for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007 to avoid
the significant possibility that ProCenturys share price
could decline substantially following such announcement, and
Meadowbrooks stated position that its $20.00 per share
offer would likely not be available if there was such a
substantial decline;
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the inability of Company 2 to enter into a definitive agreement
with ProCentury prior to its announcements of fourth quarter and
year-end financial results;
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the transaction will result in detailed public disclosure and a
period of time prior to shareholder vote on the merger during
which an unsolicited superior proposal could materialize;
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the complementary nature of the businesses of ProCentury and
Meadowbrook and the anticipated improved stability of the
combined companys business and earnings in varying
economic and soft market climates with intensifying competition
and slowed premium growth, relative to ProCentury on a
stand-alone basis;
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upon completion of the merger, the board of the combined company
will include two ProCentury directors;
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the expected role of management of ProCenturys operating
subsidiaries following the merger;
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although the headquarters of the combined company will be
located in Southfield, Michigan, it is anticipated that
Meadowbrook will maintain ProCenturys offices and presence
in Columbus, Ohio and Phoenix, Arizona, subject to the combined
companys future operation needs;
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the opportunities for increased efficiencies and significant
cost savings resulting from a combination with
Meadowbrooks current organization, including a reduction
in public company expenses and other costs of duplicative
functions, expanded distribution systems and fee-income
opportunities, resulting in increased profitability of the
combined entity over time, as compared to a possible combination
without a similar market presence;
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the fact that the combined company would continue to be publicly
held following the merger, providing the combined companys
shareholders with continued access to a public trading market,
and that shareholders would be expected to have increased
liquidity for their shares as a result of the larger market
capitalization of the combined company;
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other non-financial terms of the merger agreement, including:
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the nature of and relatively limited conditions to closing,
including the lack of a financing condition, which the
ProCentury board and management believe increases the likelihood
that the merger will be completed if approved by ProCentury and
Meadowbrook shareholders;
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the provisions that allow ProCentury to consider unsolicited
acquisition proposals and, in certain circumstances, to
terminate the merger agreement to accept a superior proposal
after payment of a termination fee of 3.5% of the aggregate
merger consideration (which the board believed would not
preclude a superior proposal), which would be Meadowbrooks
sole and exclusive remedy in the event of such a termination;
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the ability of ProCenturys board to change its
recommendation to its shareholders prior to a shareholder vote
and terminate the merger agreement if it concludes that a
failure to do so would reasonably be expected to result in a
violation of its fiduciary duties and could result in a
transaction more favorable to ProCentury shareholders from a
financial point of view; provided that ProCentury pays the
termination fee, which would be Meadowbrooks sole and
exclusive remedy in the event of such a termination;
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the reasonableness of the covenants, representations and
warranties required to be made by ProCentury;
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that a condition to the completion of the merger is that the
parties receive opinions of their respective counsels to the
effect that the merger will be treated as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, generally
causing the stock portion of the merger consideration to be
tax-free to ProCentury shareholders;
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the likelihood that the merger will be approved by the relevant
insurance regulatory authorities (see The Merger
Agreement Regulatory Approvals); and
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that holders of ProCentury common shares that object to and do
not vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger
agreement may seek relief as a dissenting shareholder under Ohio
law.
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The ProCentury board of directors also considered a number of
countervailing factors in its evaluation of the merger,
including:
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while the merger is not subject to a financing condition,
Meadowbrook did not have sufficient available cash at the time
of entering into the merger agreement to fund the cash portion
of the merger consideration, nor did it have a firm commitment
from a lender to provide such financing;
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another bidder, Company 2, had expressed an interest in an
all-cash acquisition at a per share price ranging from $19.00 to
$21.00 per share and might have been willing to pay greater
merger consideration than $20.00 per share, even though Company
2 would not enter into a definitive agreement or present a firm
proposal prior to ProCenturys announcement of fourth
quarter and year-end earnings;
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ProCentury shareholders will constitute approximately 30% of the
shareholders of the combined company after the merger and will
therefore not control the combined company;
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the benefits expected from the merger may not be realized,
including as a result of changes in laws or regulations,
economic or market conditions affecting premium growth and
prices, loss development, increased competition, challenges in
integrating and utilizing operating efficiencies within the
combined company or achieving cost savings;
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at various times over the past year, ProCentury common shares
have traded in excess of the $20.00 merger consideration,
although the board believed it was unlikely that ProCentury
common shares would trade in excess of $20.00 in the near term;
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the market price of Meadowbrooks common stock could
decline based on an unfavorable view of the merger in the market;
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completion of the merger is subject to numerous regulatory
approvals and the approval of Meadowbrook shareholders and
obtaining the approvals will delay closing for a lengthy period
of time;
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the merger may not be completed because of failure to obtain
necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals or for other
reasons; and the effect of the interim uncertainty on
ProCenturys business and employees;
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there will be a lengthy period between signing and completion of
the merger, and there are restrictions contained in the merger
agreement on ProCenturys operation of its business, and on
its ability to pursue other strategic alternatives, during this
time;
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the possible negative impact of the merger on ProCentury
management and employees;
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the possibility that provisions of the merger agreement
restricting delivery of information to, and discussions with,
third parties regarding an alternative transaction, and
provisions requiring payment of a termination fee in certain
circumstances, may have the effect of discouraging other persons
potentially interested in a combination with ProCentury from
pursuing this opportunity;
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if ProCentury shareholders, in the aggregate, elect to receive
cash representing more than 45% of the aggregate merger
consideration, their election will be prorated and ProCentury
shareholders may not receive the exact consideration which they
elected;
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if the volume-weighted average sales price of a share of
Meadowbrook common stock over the 30-trading day period ending
on the sixth trading day prior to closing of the merger is below
$8.00, ProCentury shareholders who receive Meadowbrook common
stock in the merger will receive less than $20.00 in value for
their ProCentury shares, and the fact that another potential
acquirer had expressed interest in an all cash deal;
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ProCentury shareholders may receive all or a portion of their
merger consideration in the form of cash, which provides no
ongoing equity participation in the combined company following
the merger, and, therefore, no participation in the combined
companys future earnings or growth, or benefit from any
increases in the value of Meadowbrook common stock;
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the proposed merger will be a taxable transaction with respect
to the ProCentury common shares that are converted into cash in
the merger;
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if the merger is not completed, ProCentury will be required to
pay its fees associated with the transaction as well as, under
certain circumstances, reimburse Meadowbrook for its
out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with the
transaction; and
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certain executive officers and directors of ProCentury may have
interests different from those of shareholders generally, as
described in Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger.
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In the judgment of ProCenturys board of directors, these
countervailing factors did not outweigh the potential benefits
of the merger.
This discussion of the information and factors considered by
ProCenturys board of directors includes the material
positive and negative factors considered by ProCenturys
board of directors, but is not intended to be exhaustive and may
not include all the factors it considered. In reaching its
determination to approve and adopt the merger agreement,
ProCenturys board of directors did not quantify or assign
any relative or specific weights to the various factors that it
considered in reaching its determination that the merger is
advisable and in the best interests of ProCentury and its
shareholders. Rather, ProCenturys board of directors
viewed its determination as being based on the totality of the
information presented to and factors considered by it. In
addition, individual members of the ProCentury board of
directors may have given differing weights to different factors.
The ProCentury board unanimously recommends that its
shareholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement.
54
Fairness
Opinion of ProCenturys Financial Advisor
ProCentury retained FBR as its financial advisor in connection
with the merger due to FBRs qualifications, expertise,
reputation and knowledge of the business of ProCentury and the
excess and surplus insurance industry. Pursuant to FBRs
engagement letter with ProCentury, dated January 24, 2008
as amended May 5, 2008, ProCentury requested that FBR
evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
merger consideration to be received by holders of ProCentury
common shares. On February 20, 2008, FBR delivered its oral
opinion and subsequently confirmed in writing on the same date
to the ProCentury board of directors that, based on and subject
to the factors, limitations and assumptions set forth in the
opinion, the merger consideration to be received by the holders
of ProCentury common shares pursuant to the merger agreement was
fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. In
connection with a proposed amendment to the merger agreement,
ProCentury requested that FBR update its evaluation of the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger
consideration to be received by holders of ProCentury common
shares. On May 6, 2008, FBR delivered its updated oral
opinion and subsequently confirmed in writing on the same date
to the ProCentury board of directors that, based on and subject
to the factors, limitations and assumptions set forth in the
opinion, the merger consideration to be received by the holders
of ProCentury common shares pursuant to the merger agreement, as
amended, was fair, from a financial point of view, to such
holders.
The full text of FBRs written opinions dated
February 20, 2008 and May 6, 2008, which set
forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters
considered and limitations on the review undertaken in
connection with the opinion, are included as Appendices B-1
and B-2 to
this document and is incorporated herein by reference. The
references in this section to FBRs opinion refer
collectively to the February 20, 2008 opinion and the
May 6, 2008 opinion, unless the context requires otherwise.
FBRs opinion was directed to ProCenturys board of
directors and was limited solely to the fairness to ProCentury
shareholders of the merger consideration from a financial point
of view as of the date of the opinion. Neither FBRs
opinion nor the related analyses constituted a recommendation of
the proposed merger to the ProCentury board of directors. FBR
makes no recommendation to any shareholder as to how to vote or
act on any matters relating to the proposed merger. FBR was not
requested to consider, and its opinion does not address, the
relative merits of the merger compared to any alternative
business strategies that might exist for ProCentury or the
effect of any other transaction in which ProCentury might
engage. This summary of FBRs opinion is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. You are
urged to read FBRs opinion carefully and in its
entirety.
In arriving at its opinion, FBR, among other things:
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reviewed the merger agreement, dated February 20, 2008, and
a draft of the amendment dated May 6, 2008;
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reviewed publicly available financial and business information
relating to ProCentury and Meadowbrook;
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met with certain members of ProCenturys management to
discuss the business and prospects of ProCentury;
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met with certain members of Meadowbrooks management to
discuss the business and prospects of Meadowbrook;
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held discussions with certain members of ProCenturys
management concerning the amounts and timing of cost savings and
related expenses expected to result from the merger as furnished
to us by ProCenturys management;
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reviewed certain pro forma financial effects of the merger on
Meadowbrook;
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reviewed certain business, financial and other information
relating to ProCentury, including financial forecasts for
ProCentury provided to or discussed with FBR by the management
of ProCentury;
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reviewed current and historical market prices and trading
volumes of ProCentury common shares and Meadowbrook common stock
and other financial information related to ProCentury and
Meadowbrook and compared that data and information with
corresponding data and information for companies with publicly
traded securities that FBR deemed relevant;
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reviewed the financial terms of the proposed merger and compared
those terms with the financial terms of certain other business
combinations and other transactions which have recently been
effected or announced; and
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considered such other information, financial studies, analyses
and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria
that FBR deemed, in its sole judgment, to be necessary,
appropriate or relevant to render its opinion.
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In preparing its opinion, FBR, with the consent of
ProCenturys board of directors, relied upon and assumed
the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial,
accounting, legal, tax and other information it reviewed, and
did not assume any responsibility for the independent
verification of any of such information. With respect to the
financial forecasts provided to or discussed with FBR by the
management of ProCentury, including the expected synergies, and
the unaudited interim financial statements and other financial
information provided to FBR by the management of ProCentury, FBR
assumed that they were reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments of
ProCentury. FBR assumed no responsibility for the assumptions,
estimates and judgments on which such forecasts, expected
synergies and interim financial statements and other financial
information were based and did not made any independent
verification thereof. In addition, FBR was not requested to
make, and did not make, an independent evaluation or appraisal
of the assets or liabilities (contingent, derivative,
off-balance sheet or otherwise) of ProCentury or any of its
subsidiaries or of Meadowbrook or any of its subsidiaries,
independently or combined, nor was FBR furnished with any such
evaluations or appraisals, and accordingly FBR expressed no
opinion as to the future prospects, plans or viability of
ProCentury or Meadowbrook, independently or combined. With
regard to the information provided to FBR by ProCentury or
Meadowbrook, FBR assumed that all such information was complete
and accurate in all material respects and relied upon the
assurances of the management of ProCentury or Meadowbrook, as
applicable, that they were unaware of any facts or circumstances
that would make such information incomplete or misleading. FBR
made no independent evaluation of any legal matters involving
ProCentury or Meadowbrook and assumed the correctness of all
statements with respect to legal matters made or otherwise
provided to ProCentury and FBR by ProCenturys counsel or
by Meadowbrooks counsel. FBR also assumed that there has
been no change in the assets, liabilities, business, condition
(financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of
ProCentury or of Meadowbrook since the date of the most recent
financial statements made available to FBR that would be
material to its analysis. FBR assumed, with the consent of
ProCenturys board of directors, that the merger will
qualify for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, and that the parties will receive opinions of their
respective counsels to such effect at the time of closing. With
the consent of ProCenturys board of directors, FBR also
assumed that the amendment to the merger agreement, when
executed, conformed to the draft reviewed by FBR in all respects
material to its analyses, that in the course of obtaining any
necessary regulatory and third party consents, approvals and
agreements for the merger, no modification, delay, limitation,
restriction or condition will be imposed that will have an
adverse effect on ProCentury, Meadowbrook or the proposed merger
and that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the
terms of the merger agreement, as amended, without waiver,
modification or amendment of any term, condition or agreement
therein that is material to FBRs analysis, including that
Meadowbrook will obtain the necessary financing and will have
sufficient funds available at closing to consummate the merger.
FBRs opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic,
market and other circumstances and conditions, the information
made available to FBR and the respective stock prices of
ProCentury and Meadowbrook as of the date of its opinion.
FBRs opinion can be evaluated only as of May 6,
2008 and any change in such circumstances, conditions and
information, including a change in stock price of Meadowbrook,
would require a reevaluation of the opinion, which FBR is under
no obligation to undertake. FBR assumes no responsibility to
update or revise its opinion based upon changes, events or
circumstances occurring after the date of the opinion. FBR did
not express any opinion as to what the value of the shares of
Meadowbrook common stock actually will be when issued pursuant
to the merger or the price at which shares of Meadowbrook common
stock will trade at any time. FBRs analysis assumed that
the volume-weighted average sales price of Meadowbrooks
common stock for the 30-trading day period ending on the sixth
trading day before the closing date and that the closing sales
price of Meadowbrooks common stock on the closing date
would be equal to the volume-weighted average sales price of
Meadowbrooks common stock for the 30-trading day period
ending on May 2, 2008.
56
Description
of Valuation Analysis of ProCentury
In rendering the February 20, 2008 opinion and the
May 6, 2008 opinion, FBR assessed the fairness of the
merger consideration to the holders of ProCentury common shares
in connection with the merger by assessing the value of
ProCentury using several methodologies, including a comparable
companies analysis using valuation multiples from selected
publicly traded companies, a comparable acquisitions analysis
and an implied premium analysis, each of which methodologies is
described in more detail below. The analysis for the
February 20, 2008 opinion was based on market data
available as of such date, and a $20.00 per share merger
consideration, which was based on an assumed 30-day volume
weighted average sales price of $9.25 per share of
Meadowbrook common stock. This analysis was presented to and
considered by the board of directors of ProCentury at the time
FBR delivered the February 20, 2008 opinion. For the
May 6, 2008 opinion, each of these methodologies was used
to generate imputed valuation ranges that were then compared to
the $19.96 per share merger consideration implied by the
volume-weighted average sales price of Meadowbrooks common
stock for the 30-trading day period ending on May 2, 2008,
with the assumption that the volume-weighted average sales price
of Meadowbrooks common stock for the 30-trading day period
ending on the sixth trading day before the closing date and that
the closing sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock on
the closing date would be equal to the volume-weighted average
sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-trading day period ending on May 2, 2008. Pursuant to
the merger agreement, the volume-weighted average sales price of
Meadowbrooks common stock for the 30-trading day period
ending on the sixth trading day before the closing date will be
used to determine the exchange ratio for ProCentury common
shares exchanged for Meadowbrook common stock and the aggregate
amount of the cash and stock merger consideration payable with
respect to all ProCentury common shares. The merger
consideration will not be payable to ProCentury shareholders
until the closing date, at which point its value may have
changed.
The following table shows the ranges of imputed valuation per
share of ProCenturys common shares derived using each of
these methodologies. No company or transaction reviewed was
directly comparable to ProCentury or the proposed merger.
Accordingly, this analysis involved complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of ProCentury relative to the selected companies
and to the targets in the selected transactions and other
factors that would affect their values. The table should be read
together with the more detailed summary of each of the valuation
analyses discussed below.
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Implied Valuation of ProCentury Common Shares
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Valuation Methodology (as applied to the indicated metric)
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Minimum
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Median
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Maximum
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Comparable Companies Analysis (2008 analyst EPS estimates)
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$
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10.41
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$
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12.71
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$
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17.47
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Comparable Companies Analysis (book value)
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9.65
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16.48
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29.39
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Comparable Companies Analysis (tangible book value)
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10.45
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21.48
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34.05
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Comparable Acquisitions Analysis (LTM Net Income)
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7.77
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27.05
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39.17
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Comparable Acquisitions Analysis (book value)
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5.74
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16.02
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30.93
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Comparable Acquisitions Analysis (tangible book value)
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5.74
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16.22
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31.52
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Implied Premium Analysis (one week prior)
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14.04
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19.88
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26.86
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Comparable
Companies Analysis
FBR compared the financial and operating performance of
ProCentury with publicly available information of selected
property and casualty insurance companies. The companies
selected were:
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Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp.
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Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.
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AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
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57
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First Mercury Financial Corporation
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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.
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These companies were selected, among other reasons, for their
size, target market, focus and performance. None of the
companies utilized in the analysis, however, is identical to
ProCentury.
For each selected company, using publicly available information,
FBR calculated the ratio of (a) its estimated earnings per
share for 2008, (b) its book value per share as of the most
recent reported quarter and (c) its tangible book value per
share as of the most recent reported quarter, in each case, to
its stock price as of May 2, 2008. For 2008, FBR calculated
earnings per share multiples of the selected companies as
ranging from a low of 7.2x to a high of 12.0x with a median of
8.7x and an average of 9.1x. For the most recent reported
quarter, FBR calculated book value per share multiples of the
selected companies as ranging from a low of 0.80x to a high of
2.44x with a median of 1.37x and an average of 1.50x. For the
most recent reported quarter, FBR calculated tangible book value
per share multiples of the selected companies as ranging from a
low of 0.87x to a high of 2.83x with a median of 1.78x and an
average of 1.73x.
By applying the range of multiples for 2008 for the selected
companies to ProCenturys 2008 estimated earnings per
share, FBR derived a range of equity values for ProCentury of
between $10.41 and $17.47 per share with a median of $12.71 per
share. By applying the range of multiples for the selected
companies for the most recent reported quarter to
ProCenturys book value per share as of December 31,
2007, FBR derived a range of equity values for ProCentury of
between $9.65 and $29.39 per share with a median of $16.48 per
share. By applying the range of multiples for the selected
companies for the most recent reported quarter to
ProCenturys tangible book value per share as of
December 31, 2007, FBR derived a range of equity values for
ProCentury of between $10.45 and $34.05 per share with a median
of $21.48 per share.
Comparable
Acquisitions Analysis
Using publicly available information, FBR examined the following
selected transactions within the insurance industry announced
since January 1, 2006, each of which had a transaction
value of greater than $45 million and less than
$1 billion. These transactions were considered relevant
transactions for purposes of FBRs analysis:
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Target
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Acquiror
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National Atlantic Holdings Corporation
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Palisades Safety and Insurance Association
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AmCOMP Incorporated
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Employers Holdings, Inc.
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North Pointe Holdings Corp.
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QBE Insurance Group Limited
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SCPIE Holdings Inc.
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Doctors Company, An Interinsurance Exchange
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RTW, Inc.
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Rockhill Holding Company
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James River Group, Inc.
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D. E. Shaw & Company, LP
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Employers Direct Corp.
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Alleghany Corporation
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Praetorian Financial Group Inc.
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QBE Insurance Group Limited
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GUARD Financial Group, Inc.
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Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd.
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Preserver Group, Inc.
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Tower Group, Inc.
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Merchants Group, Inc.
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American European Group
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Embarcadero Insurance Holdings Inc.
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CRM Holdings, Ltd.
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Republic Companies Group, Inc.
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Delek Group Ltd.
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Sirius America Insurance Company
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Investor group
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FBR then calculated each transactions equity value
(a) as a multiple of the earnings of the target company for
the last twelve months, or LTM, prior to the transaction,
(b) as a multiple of the book value of the target company
as of the most recent reported quarter prior to announcement of
the transaction and (c) as a multiple of the tangible book
value of the target company as of the most recent reported
quarter prior to announcement of the transaction. No transaction
reviewed was directly comparable to the proposed merger.
Accordingly, this analysis involved complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of ProCentury relative to the targets in the
selected transactions and other factors that would affect the
acquisition values in the precedent transactions.
58
FBR calculated the multiples of transaction equity value to the
LTM earnings for the target companies as ranging from a low of
4.2x to a high of 30.4x, with a median of 14.7x and an average
of 15.1x. FBR calculated the multiples of transaction equity
value to the book value for the target companies as ranging from
a low of 0.48x to a high of 2.57x, with a median of 1.33x and an
average of 1.38x. FBR calculated the multiples of transaction
equity value to the tangible book value for the target companies
as ranging from a low of 0.48x to a high of 2.62x, with a median
of 1.35x and an average of 1.51x.
Based on the multiples set forth above, and taking into account
differences between ProCenturys business and the
businesses of the target companies in the precedent transactions
and such other factors as FBR deemed appropriate, FBR derived an
appropriate range of multiples for LTM earnings to be applied to
ProCenturys earnings per share for 2007 and an appropriate
range of price to book and price to tangible book multiples to
be applied to ProCenturys book and tangible book values as
of as of December 31, 2007.
Based upon the multiples derived from this analysis, FBR derived
a range of implied equity values for ProCenturys common
shares of between $7.77 and $39.17 per share with a median of
$27.05 per share when the multiples derived from the analysis of
the LTM earnings of the target companies in the precedent
transactions were applied to ProCenturys 2007 earnings per
share, between $5.74 and $30.93 per share with a median of
$16.02 per share when the multiples derived from the analysis of
the book value of the target companies in the precedent
transactions were applied to ProCenturys book value as of
December 31, 2007, and between $5.74 and $31.52 per share
with a median of $16.22 per share when the multiples derived
from the transaction equity value to tangible book value of the
target companies in the precedent transactions were applied to
ProCenturys tangible book value as of December 31,
2007.
Implied
Premium Analysis
FBR reviewed publicly available information for transactions in
the insurance industry during the three years up to May 2,
2008. For each of these transactions, FBR derived and compared
with similar information for the merger the per share premium or
discount paid or proposed to be paid to the target
companys shareholders based on the closing price per share
of the target companys common stock one day, one week and
one month prior to the announcement of the transaction. The
results of this analysis were:
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Premium
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One Day
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One Week
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One Month
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Low
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−7.9
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%
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−8.7
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%
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−8.0
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%
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Median
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25.5
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%
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29.2
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%
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24.9
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%
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Average
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27.0
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%
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28.4
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%
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28.1
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%
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High
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69.4
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%
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74.7
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%
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82.0
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%
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ProCentury Merger (Implied Premium)
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29.8
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%
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24.1
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%
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37.1
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%
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Miscellaneous
In connection with the review of the merger by ProCenturys
board of directors, FBR performed a variety of financial and
comparative analyses for the purpose of rendering its opinions.
The above summary of these analyses, while describing the
material analyses performed by FBR, does not purport to be a
complete description of the analyses performed by FBR in
arriving at its opinion of May 6, 2008. The preparation of
a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily
susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. In
arriving at its opinions, FBR considered the results of all of
its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular
weight to any particular analysis or factor considered by it.
Furthermore, FBR believes that selecting any portion of its
analyses, without considering all of its analyses, would create
an incomplete view of the process underlying its analyses and
the opinion. In addition, FBR may have given various analyses or
factors more or less weight than other analyses and may have
deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other
assumptions, so that the ranges of valuations resulting from any
particular analysis described above should not be taken to be
FBRs view of the actual value of ProCentury.
In performing its analyses, FBR made numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the
control of ProCentury or
59
Meadowbrook, including that the volume-weighted average sales
price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the 30-trading day
period ending on the sixth trading day before the closing date
and that the closing sales price of Meadowbrooks common
stock on the closing date would be equal to the volume-weighted
average sales price of Meadowbrooks common stock for the
30-trading day period ending on May 2, 2008. Any estimates
contained in the analyses performed by FBR are not necessarily
indicative of future results or actual values, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by
such estimates. Such analyses were prepared solely as a part of
FBRs analysis of the fairness from a financial point of
view of the consideration to be offered to the holders of
ProCentury common shares pursuant to the merger agreement, as
amended, and were provided to ProCenturys board of
directors in connection with the delivery of the FBR opinion of
May 6, 2008. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals
of value or to reflect the prices at which the stock of
ProCentury or Meadowbrook might actually trade. In addition, as
described above, the FBR opinion of February 20, 2008 was
one of the many factors taken into consideration by
ProCenturys board of directors in making its determination
to approve and adopt the merger agreement, and the FBR opinion
of May 6, 2008 was one of the many factors taken into
consideration by ProCenturys board of directors in making
its determination to approve the amendment to the merger
agreement and to recommend approval of the merger agreement to
the shareholders. The consideration pursuant to the merger
agreement, as amended, was determined through arms-length
negotiations between ProCentury and Meadowbrook and was approved
by ProCenturys board of directors. FBR did not recommend
any specific consideration to ProCentury or advise that any
given consideration constituted the only appropriate
consideration for the merger. Consequently, the FBR analyses as
described above should not be viewed as determinative of the
opinion of ProCenturys board of directors with respect to
the value of ProCentury or of whether ProCenturys board of
directors would have been willing to agree to a different
consideration.
FBR, as part of its investment banking business, is regularly
engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in
connection with mergers, acquisitions, underwritings, sales and
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. FBR
has acted as financial advisor to ProCentury in connection with
the proposed merger and receives $50,000 per month for the first
six months as a retainer for its services. FBR received a fee of
$600,000 upon delivery of its initial opinion and a fee of
$85,000 upon delivery of its subsequent opinion and will receive
a fee equal to 1.25% of the aggregate consideration of the
merger less any retainer and fairness opinion fees. In addition,
ProCentury has agreed to indemnify FBR and certain related
parties against certain liabilities and to reimburse FBR for
certain expenses arising in connection with or as a result of
its engagement. FBR and its affiliates provide a wide range of
investment banking and financial services, including financial
advisory, securities trading, brokerage and financing services.
In that regard, FBR and its affiliates have in the past provided
and may in the future provide investment banking and other
financial services to ProCentury, Meadowbrook and their
respective affiliates for which FBR and its affiliates would
expect to receive compensation. In particular, FBR acted as
financial advisor to ProCentury in connection with potential
financing transactions in 2007 and acted as a co-manager in
connection with an offering of common stock of Meadowbrook in
2007. In the ordinary course of business, FBR and its affiliates
may trade in the securities and financial instruments of
ProCentury, Meadowbrook and their affiliates for its and its
affiliates own accounts and the accounts of customers.
Accordingly, FBR may at any time hold a long or short position
in such securities and financial instruments.
United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
The following is a summary of the material United States federal
income tax consequences of the merger generally applicable to
ProCentury shareholders. This discussion assumes you hold your
ProCentury common shares as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, or the Code, and does not address all aspects of United
States federal income taxation that may be relevant to you in
light of your particular circumstances or if you are subject to
special rules, such as rules relating to:
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shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United
States;
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financial institutions;
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tax-exempt organizations;
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insurance companies;
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60
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dealers in securities or currencies;
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method
of accounting;
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shareholders who acquired their ProCentury common shares
pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise
acquired shares as compensation; and
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shareholders who hold their ProCentury common shares as part of
a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction, constructive sale or
conversion transaction.
|
In addition, this summary does not address any state, local or
foreign tax consequences of the merger that may apply. The
following discussion is based on the Code, existing and proposed
regulations promulgated under the Code, published Internal
Revenue Service rulings and court decisions, all as in effect as
of the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change,
possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect
the continuing validity of this discussion.
Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally. It
is intended that the merger of ProCentury with and into MBKPC
Corp. will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Meadowbrooks and
ProCenturys obligations to complete the merger are
conditioned on, among other things, each companys receipt
of an opinion from its counsel in connection with the merger to
the effect that:
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the merger, if it complies with applicable state law, will
constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(D) of the
Code. Meadowbrook, MBKPC Corp. and ProCentury will each be a
party to the reorganization within the meaning of
Code Section 368(b). Assuming the merger constitutes such a
reorganization, then the following five opinions apply;
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no gain or loss will be recognized by either Meadowbrook or
MBKPC Corp. on the receipt by MBKPC Corp. of substantially all
of the assets of ProCentury in exchange for Meadowbrooks
common stock, cash and the assumption by MBKPC Corp. of the
liabilities of ProCentury;
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no gain or loss will be recognized by ProCentury on its transfer
of substantially all of its assets to MBKPC Corp. in exchange
for Meadowbrook common stock, cash (distributed to ProCentury
shareholders) and the assumption by MBKPC Corp. of
ProCenturys liabilities;
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no gain or loss will be recognized by ProCentury shareholders
solely on the receipt of Meadowbrook common stock in the
exchange for their ProCentury common stock in the merger;
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|
gain, if any, will be recognized by ProCentury shareholders upon
the receipt of Meadowbrook common stock and cash in the merger,
but not in excess of the amount of cash received. If the
exchange has the effect of a distribution of a dividend
(determined with the application of Code Section 318(a)),
then the amount of gain recognized that is not in excess of
ProCentury shareholders ratable share of the undistributed
earnings and profits will be treated as a dividend. No loss will
be recognized pursuant to Code Section 356(c); and
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to the extent any ProCentury shareholders receive solely cash in
the merger in exchange for ProCentury common stock, the amount
of gain recognized by said shareholder will be calculated under
Code Section 1001.
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The opinion of such counsels will be based upon existing law,
assumes the absence of changes in existing facts, and relies
upon customary assumptions and representations contained in
certificates executed by officers of Meadowbrook and ProCentury.
The opinion neither binds the Internal Revenue Service nor
precludes it from adopting a contrary position, and it is
possible that the Internal Revenue Service may successfully
assert a contrary position in litigation or other proceedings.
Neither Meadowbrook nor ProCentury intends to obtain a ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the tax
consequences of the merger.
The following discussion assumes that the merger will qualify as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code.
ProCentury Shareholders Who Receive Only Meadowbrook Common
Stock. If you are a holder of ProCentury common
shares and you receive only Meadowbrook common stock (plus any
cash in lieu of a fractional share of Meadowbrook common stock)
in exchange for your ProCentury common shares in the merger, you
will not recognize any gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes with respect to such exchange, except with respect to
any cash received in lieu of a fractional share, as discussed
below.
61
ProCentury Shareholders Who Receive Both Meadowbrook Common
Stock and Cash. If you are a holder of ProCentury
common shares and you receive both Meadowbrook common stock and
cash (other than cash received in lieu of a fractional share of
Meadowbrook common stock) in exchange for your ProCentury common
shares in the merger, you will recognize gain, but not loss, in
an amount equal to the lesser of:
(a) the excess, if any, of:
(1) the sum of the fair market value (at the effective time
of the merger) of the Meadowbrook common stock plus the amount
of cash received; over
(2) your aggregate tax basis in the ProCentury common
shares exchanged in the merger; or
(b) the amount of cash that you receive in exchange for
your ProCentury common shares.
Any such gain will be treated as capital gain unless the receipt
of the cash has the effect of a distribution of a dividend for
federal income tax purposes, in which case the gain will be
treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of your
ratable share of ProCenturys accumulated earnings and
profits. Any capital gain will be long-term capital gain if, as
of the date of the merger, your holding period in your
ProCentury common shares is greater than one year.
The stock redemption provisions of Section 302 of the Code
apply in determining whether cash received by you in exchange
for your ProCentury common shares has the effect of a
distribution of a dividend under Section 356(a)(2) of the
Code, which we refer to as a hypothetical redemption analysis.
Under the hypothetical redemption analysis, you will be treated
as if that portion of your ProCentury common shares that you
exchange for cash in the merger will instead be exchanged for
Meadowbrook common stock (which we call the hypothetical shares)
followed immediately by a redemption of the hypothetical shares
by Meadowbrook for cash. Under the principles of
Section 302 of the Code, you will recognize capital gain
rather than dividend income with respect to the cash received if
the hypothetical redemption is not essentially equivalent
to a dividend or is substantially
disproportionate with respect to you. In applying the
principles of Section 302 of the Code, the constructive
ownership rules of Section 318 of the Code will apply in
comparing your ownership interest in Meadowbrook both
immediately after the merger (but before the hypothetical
redemption) and after the hypothetical redemption.
Tax Basis and Holding Period. The aggregate
tax basis of any Meadowbrook common stock you receive as a
result of the merger will be the same as your aggregate tax
basis in ProCentury common shares you surrender in exchange for
the Meadowbrook common stock, decreased by the amount of cash
received in the merger, and increased by the amount of income or
gain you recognize in the merger. Your holding period for the
Meadowbrook common stock you receive as a result of the exchange
will include the period for which you held ProCentury common
shares you surrender in the merger.
Cash Received in Lieu of Fractional Shares. If
you receive cash in the merger instead of a fractional share of
Meadowbrook common stock, you will be treated as having received
the fractional share pursuant to the merger and then as having
exchanged the fractional share for cash in a redemption of the
fractional share by Meadowbrook. Assuming that immediately after
the merger you hold a minimal interest in Meadowbrook, you
exercise no control over Meadowbrook and, as a result of the
deemed redemption and after giving effect to certain
constructive ownership rules, you experience an actual reduction
in your interest in Meadowbrook, you will generally recognize
capital gain or loss on the deemed redemption in an amount equal
to the difference between the amount of cash received and your
adjusted tax basis allocable to such fractional share. This
capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if,
as of the effective date of the merger, you held your ProCentury
common shares for more than one year. Long-term capital gain of
a non-corporate United States shareholder is generally subject
to a maximum federal tax rate of 15%. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations.
Backup Withholding and Information
Reporting. Unless you provide a taxpayer
identification number (social security number or employer
identification number) and certify, among other things, that
such number is correct, or you provide proof of an applicable
exemption from backup withholding, the exchange agent will be
required to withhold 28% (30% for a shareholder believed to be a
foreign person) of any cash payable to you in connection with
the merger. Any amount so withheld under the backup withholding
rules is not an additional tax and will be allowed as a refund
or credit against your United States federal income tax
liability, provided that you
62
furnish the required information to the Internal Revenue
Service. You should complete and sign the substitute
Form W-9
that will be included as part of the transmittal letter that
accompanies the election form to provide the information and
certification necessary to avoid backup withholding, unless an
applicable exception exists and is established in a manner that
is satisfactory to the exchange agent.
You will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger
and will be required to file a statement with your United States
federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the
merger takes place that sets forth certain facts relating to the
merger, including your basis in your ProCentury common shares
that you surrender in connection with the merger and the fair
market value of the Meadowbrook common stock
and/or cash
that you receive in connection with the merger. In addition,
pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Meadowbrook
(or, if required by to-be-published regulations, ProCentury)
will be required to provide to the Internal Revenue Service and
ProCentury shareholders information with respect to the merger,
including information regarding your identity (and the
identities of other ProCentury shareholders) and the amount of
cash and the fair market value of Meadowbrook common stock
received by you (and by each other ProCentury shareholder) in
the merger.
The foregoing discussion is not intended to be a complete
analysis or description of all potential federal income tax
consequences of the merger. In addition, the discussion does not
address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent
on, your individual circumstances. Moreover, the discussion does
not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state, or local
tax consequences of the merger. Accordingly, you are strongly
urged to consult with your own tax advisor to determine the
particular federal, state, local and foreign income and other
tax consequences to you of the merger.
Management
and Operations After the Merger
As a result of the merger, ProCentury will be merged with and
into MBKPC Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meadowbrook.
MBKPC Corp. will be the surviving entity in the merger but will
adopt the name ProCentury Corporation. ProCentury
will continue its operations in Columbus, Ohio and Phoenix,
Arizona and the companies anticipate that there will be minimal
employee disruption as a result of the merger.
The executive officers of Meadowbrook will remain the same as
they were prior to the merger. The board of directors of
Meadowbrook will be comprised of all of Meadowbrooks
current directors plus two directors from ProCentury (who have
not yet been selected). Information concerning the management of
Meadowbrook is included in the documents incorporated by
reference in this joint proxy statement-prospectus. See
Where You Can Find More Information. For
additional information regarding the interest of certain persons
in the merger, see Interests of Certain
Persons in the Merger.
Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger
General. In considering the recommendation of
the ProCentury board of directors to vote FOR
approval and adoption of the merger agreement, ProCentury
shareholders should be aware that some directors and executive
officers of ProCentury have certain interests in the merger that
are different from, or in addition to, the interests of
ProCentury shareholders generally. The ProCentury board of
directors recognized those interests and considered them, among
other matters, when it approved the merger and the merger
agreement.
ProCentury Employment Agreements. The merger
will constitute a change in control under employment
agreements between ProCentury and each of Messrs. Feighan,
Timm, Ewald and Flood and Ms. West. Under such agreements,
if a change of control of ProCentury occurs, and within the
12 months following a change of control, the officer is
discharged other than for cause or if the officer resigns for
good reason, he or she will be entitled to receive within
30 days of his or her termination of employment:
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any earned but unpaid base salary through the date of
termination;
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any award under ProCenturys annual incentive plan that was
awarded prior to the effective date of termination;
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63
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in the case of Messrs. Feighan and Timm, the product of two
times his then current base salary at the date of termination or
$850,000 and $776,000, respectively;
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in the case of Messrs. Ewald and Flood and Ms. West,
the product of one times his or her then current base salary at
the date of termination or $301,862, $284,740 and $252,907,
respectively;
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in the case of Messrs. Feighan and Timm, the product of two
times the target incentive award that he could have been awarded
under ProCenturys annual incentive plan, or $425,000 and
$388,000, respectively;
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in the case of Messrs. Ewald and Flood and Ms. West,
the product of one times the target incentive award that he or
she could have been awarded under ProCenturys annual
incentive plan, or $120,745, $113,896 and $101,163, respectively;
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in the case of Messrs. Feighan and Timm, continued benefits
for 24 months following the date of termination; and
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in the case of Messrs. Ewald and Flood and Ms. West,
continued benefits for 12 months following the date of
termination;.
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In addition, ProCentury has authorized and expects to enter into
amended employment agreements with certain officers of
ProCentury, including Messrs. Feighan, Timm, Ewald and
Flood and Ms. West, providing for an additional payment or
payments to offset any excise and related taxes in the event the
severance compensation and other payments or distributions to an
officer pursuant to an employment agreement, stock option
agreement or otherwise would constitute excess parachute
payments, as defined in Section 280G of the Code. If
a tax
gross-up is
required, the amount paid to the officer would equal an amount
necessary to place the officer in the same after-tax position he
or she would have been in had no such excise taxes or
assessments been imposed under Section 280G of the Code on
the amounts payable under the officers employment
agreement, stock option agreement or otherwise. If
Mr. Feighan, Mr. Timm or Ms. West receives a
severance payment it is anticipated that, based on their
compensation information and unvested equity award holdings as
of March 31, 2008, this would trigger the excise tax and
accordingly, such individuals would be entitled to receive a
gross-up
payment of approximately $922,428, $673,219, and $250,171,
respectively. At this time, the severance compensation that
would be payable to Mr. Ewald and Mr. Flood would not
trigger the excise tax.
Treatment of ProCentury Restricted Shares and
Options. Under the terms of the merger agreement,
each option to purchase ProCentury common shares that is
outstanding immediately prior to the effective time and held by
a director or executive officer of ProCentury will become fully
vested and exercisable, contingent upon the closing of the
merger. As of May 19, 2008, ProCenturys directors and
executive officers held a total of 23,341 unvested options
to purchase ProCentury common shares, which options will become
fully vested in the merger. Holders of such options may elect to
exercise their options, also on a contingent basis so that if
the merger is not completed, such options will not be deemed
exercised and remain subject to their respective original
vesting schedules. Upon any such conditional exercise, the
ProCentury common shares underlying such exercised option will
be deemed to have been issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the effective time; and as of the effective time, such shares
will represent the right to receive cash or Meadowbrook common
stock, as elected by the holder and subject to the proration
provisions in the merger agreement. Alternatively, the merger
agreement provides that the option holder may elect to enter
into an agreement with ProCentury pursuant to which such
holders option will be canceled at the effective time of
the merger in exchange for the right to receive from Meadowbrook
a single lump sum cash payment, equal to the product of
(i) the number of ProCentury common shares subject to the
ProCentury option immediately prior to the effective time and
(ii) the excess, if any, of the $20.00 per share cash
consideration over the exercise price per share of the
ProCentury option (less any applicable taxes required to be
withheld with respect to the payment).
Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding
ProCentury restricted common share that remains unvested
immediately prior to the effective time will become fully
vested. As a result, such restricted common shares will be
treated like all other ProCentury common shares in connection
with the merger. As of May 19, 2008, ProCenturys executive
officers held a total of 101,116 ProCentury restricted common
shares, which will become fully vested in the merger.
64
Assuming each of ProCenturys executive officers and
directors receives the lump sum payment for all of his or her
options and cash merger consideration of $20.00 for their
restricted common shares, we estimate that the following amounts
will be payable to ProCenturys directors and executive
officers in settlement of outstanding options and restricted
common shares:
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Total Number of
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Total Cash
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ProCentury Common
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Weighted
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Total Number
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Consideration for
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Shares Underlying
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Average Exercise
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of Restricted
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Options and
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Officer/Director*
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Options
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Price
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Shares
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Restricted Shares
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Edward F. Feighan
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49,800
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$
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10.50
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88,647
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$
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2,246,040
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Christopher J. Timm
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49,800
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$
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10.50
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69,147
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$
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1,856,040
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Erin E. West
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20,000
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$
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10.57
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16,500
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$
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518,600
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Greg. D. Ewald
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30,000
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$
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10.55
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38,250
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$
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1,048,600
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James P. Flood
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25,000
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$
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10.57
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13,500
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$
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506,100
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Robert F. Fix
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7,000
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$
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13.48
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$
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45,620
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Jeffrey A. Maffett
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7,000
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$
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13.48
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$
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45,620
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Press C. Southworth III
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7,000
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$
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13.48
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$
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45,620
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Alan R. Weiler
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7,000
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$
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13.48
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$
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45,620
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Robert J. Woodward, Jr.
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7,000
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$
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13.48
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$
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45,620
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Michael J. Endres **
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2,912
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$
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12.05
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$
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35,097
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* |
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Certain of the executive officers and directors described above
hold ProCentury common shares in addition to the common shares
underlying options and restricted shares described above. See
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters in
ProCenturys annual report on
Form 10-K,
filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008. |
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** |
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Mr. Endres served on ProCenturys board of directors
until July 2007. |
Indemnification of ProCentury Directors and
Officers. The merger agreement provides that
Meadowbrook and the surviving corporation must honor all of
ProCenturys and its subsidiaries obligations to
indemnify the current and former directors and officers of
ProCentury and its subsidiaries for acts or omissions by such
parties occurring prior to the effective time to the extent that
such obligations exist on the date of the merger agreement,
whether pursuant to ProCenturys governing documents or
pursuant to certain indemnification agreements, and such
obligations will survive the merger and will continue in full
force and effect in accordance with the terms of such governing
documents and indemnity agreements.
In the event a dispute arises regarding the application of these
provisions and an indemnified party prevails in enforcing the
indemnity and other obligations provided in the merger
agreement, Meadowbrook is required to pay all reasonable
expenses incurred by the indemnified party in such enforcement.
The obligations described above regarding directors and
officers indemnification must be assumed by any successor
entity to Meadowbrook or the surviving corporation as a result
of any consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially
all of its properties or assets.
Meadowbrook Board of Directors. Under the
terms of the merger agreement, Meadowbrook must take such
actions as may be required to appoint, effective as of the
effective time, two members of ProCenturys board of
directors, as designated by ProCentury, to the board of
directors of Meadowbrook.
Accounting
Treatment
The merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 141, Business Combinations (June 2001), under
generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the
United States. Under this method of accounting, Meadowbrook will
record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of ProCentury
at their fair values. Any difference between the purchase price
and the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable
intangible assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill,
which, in
65
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 142, will not be amortized for financial accounting
purposes, but will be evaluated annually for impairment.
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the
merger agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the merger agreement, which is attached to and
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus. You should read the merger agreement in
its entirety, as it is the legal document governing the merger.
Merger
Consideration
General. Under the merger agreement,
ProCentury shareholders will have the right to receive for each
ProCentury common share that they own, either:
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per share cash consideration of $20.00; or
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a number of shares of Meadowbrook common stock equal to $20.00
divided by the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price, as
defined below (the Exchange Ratio).
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If, however, the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price is
equal to or above $10.50, the Exchange Ratio will be fixed at
1.9048 and if the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price
is equal to or below $8.00, the Exchange Ratio will be fixed at
2.5000.
To illustrate, the volume-weighted average price of
Meadowbrooks common stock on the New York Stock Exchange
for the 30-day trading period ending on May 23, 2008, the
most recent practicable date prior to the printing of this joint
proxy statement-prospectus was $7.44, which if it were the
Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price, would yield an
Exchange Ratio of 2.5000.
The Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price is
defined in the merger agreement as the volume weighted average
sales price of a share of Meadowbrook common stock, as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange, for the thirty trading day
period ending on the fifth business day prior to the Election
Deadline.
The Election Deadline is defined in the merger
agreement as 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on the business
day prior to the effective date of the merger.
Under the merger agreement, Meadowbrook is required to make a
public announcement of both the Exchange Ratio and the Election
Deadline no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the third business day prior to the date of the Election
Deadline.
66
Fluctuation in Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. Stock Price.
The following table illustrates the effective value of the per
share stock consideration to be received under varying Average
Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Prices assuming a ProCentury
shareholder made an election of all Meadowbrook common stock:
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Value of Stock
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Average Closing Date
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Exchange
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Consideration to be
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Meadowbrook Share Price
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Ratio
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Received in the Merger
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$6.00
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2.5000
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$15.00
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$6.50
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2.5000
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$16.25
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$7.00
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2.5000
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$17.50
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$7.50
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2.5000
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$18.75
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$8.00
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2.5000
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$20.00
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$8.50
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2.3529
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$20.00
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$9.00
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2.2222
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$20.00
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$9.50
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2.1053
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$20.00
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$10.00
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2.0000
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$20.00
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$10.50
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1.9048
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$20.00
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$11.00
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1.9048
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$20.95
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$11.50
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1.9048
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$21.90
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Meadowbrook will not issue any fractional shares. Instead,
ProCentury shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any
fractional shares based on the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook
Share Price.
Treatment of ProCentury Restricted Stock and Stock Options in
the Merger. The merger agreement provides that
the ProCentury board of directors will take such action as is
necessary so that at the effective time of the merger, each
outstanding ProCentury common share that was granted as a
restricted share award and remains unvested at the effective
time will become fully vested and, accordingly, the holder
thereof will have the rights of any holder of ProCentury common
shares to receive cash or Meadowbrook common stock.
With respect to ProCentury stock options, the merger agreement
provides that the board of directors of each of ProCentury and
Meadowbrook will take such action as is necessary so that at the
effective time, each outstanding option to purchase ProCentury
common shares, will become fully vested and exercisable
contingent upon consummation of the merger. A holder of a
ProCentury option may exercise the ProCentury option, also on a
contingent basis, so that if the merger is not completed, the
ProCentury option will not be deemed exercised and will remain
subject to its original vesting schedule. In the event of the
conditional exercise, all ProCentury common shares underlying
the exercised ProCentury options will be deemed to have been
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time
of the merger and, as of the effective time, such shares will
represent the right to receive cash or Meadowbrook common stock,
as elected by the holder and subject to the proration provision
in the merger agreement. Alternatively, a holder of a ProCentury
option may elect to enter into an agreement with ProCentury
pursuant to which such holders ProCentury option may be
canceled in exchange for the right to receive from Meadowbrook a
single lump cash payment, equal to the product of (i) the
number of ProCentury common shares subject to the ProCentury
option immediately prior to the effective time, and
(ii) the excess, if any, of the $20.00 per share cash
consideration over the exercise price per share of the
ProCentury option (less any applicable taxes required to be
withheld with respect to the payment). Subject to the above, the
ProCentury option plans and all ProCentury options issued under
the plans will terminate at the effective time of the merger.
Election of Merger Consideration. ProCentury
shareholders may elect to receive their share of the merger
consideration entirely in Meadowbrook common stock, entirely in
cash or in a combination of Meadowbrook common stock and cash.
However, all shareholder elections are subject to the limitation
in the merger agreement that, notwithstanding the elections that
ProCentury shareholders make, the aggregate amount of cash
consideration to be paid in the merger will be equal to 45% of
the total consideration to be paid by Meadowbrook, and the
aggregate amount of stock consideration to be paid in the merger
will be equal to 55% of the total consideration paid by
Meadowbrook. This requirement exists to preserve the expected
federal income tax treatment of the merger.
67
If you do not make any election, you will receive consideration
in the form of either cash or Meadowbrook common stock in
proportions necessary to satisfy the total consideration
requirement as described below.
If after taking into account all valid elections more than 45%
of the total consideration paid to holders of outstanding
ProCentury common shares would be cash, including
dissenters shares, then all ProCentury shareholders who
did not make an election will be entitled to receive only shares
of Meadowbrook common stock and any ProCentury shareholders who
elected to receive any portion of the merger consideration in
cash will be subject to a proration process that will result in
the holder receiving additional shares of Meadowbrook common
stock in lieu of some cash. This proration will result in a
final prorated number of shares of Meadowbrook common stock
being issued for 55% of the total consideration paid to holders
of outstanding ProCentury common shares.
Similarly, if after taking into account all valid elections more
than 55% of the total consideration paid to holders of
outstanding ProCentury common shares would be Meadowbrook common
stock, then all ProCentury shareholders who did not make an
election will be entitled to receive only cash, and any
ProCentury shareholders who elected to receive any portion of
the merger consideration in Meadowbrook common stock will, if
necessary, be subject to a proration process that will result in
the holder receiving more cash in lieu of some Meadowbrook
common stock. This proration will result in a final prorated
amount of cash being paid for 45% of the total consideration
paid to holders of outstanding ProCentury common shares.
We are not making any recommendation as to whether ProCentury
shareholders should elect to receive only Meadowbrook common
stock, only cash or a combination of both. We are also not
making any recommendation as to whether ProCentury shareholders
should elect to receive a specific ratio of cash and Meadowbrook
common stock. Each ProCentury shareholder must make his or her
own decision with respect to the election to receive Meadowbrook
common stock, cash or a combination of both for their ProCentury
shares.
Election
Procedures
An election form will be mailed no later than the date that the
joint proxy statement-prospectus is mailed to ProCenturys
shareholders. Each election form will permit the ProCentury
shareholder, other than dissenting shareholders, (i) to
elect to receive Meadowbrook common stock with respect to all of
his or her ProCentury common shares (a Stock
Election), (ii) to elect to receive cash with respect
to all of his or her ProCentury common shares (a Cash
Election), (iii) to elect to receive cash with
respect to some of his or her shares and shares of Meadowbrook
common stock with respect to his or her remaining shares (a
Mixed Election) or (iv) to indicate that he or
she makes no such election with respect to his or her ProCentury
common shares (a No-Election). If a shareholder
either (i) does not submit a properly completed election
form by the election deadline or (ii) revokes an election
form prior to the election deadline and does not resubmit a
properly completed election form prior to the election deadline,
then the ProCentury common shares held by such shareholder
(unless the shares are then dissenting shares) will be
designated as No-Election shares.
Any election will be deemed properly made only if the exchange
agent has actually received a properly completed election form
by the election deadline. Any election form may be revoked or
changed by the person submitting the election form to the
exchange agent (or any other person to whom the ProCentury
common shares are subsequently transferred) by written notice to
the exchange agent only if the written notice is actually
received by the exchange agent at or prior to the election
deadline. The exchange agent will have reasonable discretion to
determine when any election, modification or revocation is
received, whether any such election, modification or revocation
has been properly made and to disregard immaterial defects in
any election form, and any good faith decisions of the exchange
agent regarding these matters will be binding and conclusive.
Neither Meadowbrook, MBKPC, ProCentury nor the exchange agent
will be under any obligation to notify any person of any defect
in an election form.
Tax Adjustment. Meadowbrook and ProCentury
intend for the merger to be treated as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to be
treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, the merger must satisfy the
continuity of shareholder interest requirements
under U.S. Treasury regulations and other U.S. federal
income tax principles relating to reorganizations under
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The relevant
Treasury regulations generally require that
68
to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, a substantial part of the value of the
proprietary interests in the target corporation (in this case,
ProCentury) must be preserved in the reorganization. There is no
definitive statement regarding what percentage of shareholder
continuity is required in order to satisfy this condition. It is
generally believed, however, that the continuity of shareholder
interest requirement will be satisfied if the percentage of the
consideration received by ProCentury shareholders in the merger
in the form of Meadowbrook shares is at least somewhere between
40% and 45% of the total consideration received by ProCentury
shareholders in the merger, based upon the closing date price of
Meadowbrook shares. It is a condition to closing that each of
Meadowbrook and ProCentury receive opinions of their respective
counsels that the merger will be treated as a reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Therefore, the merger agreement provides that, to the minimum
extent necessary to enable Meadowbrooks and
ProCenturys tax counsels to render their respective
opinions, the number of Cash Election shares will be reduced and
additional shares of Meadowbrook common stock provided in lieu
thereof in accordance with the merger agreements above
described proration process. For purposes of calculating the
percentage of the total merger consideration delivered in the
form of Meadowbrook shares, the total merger consideration
received includes not only Meadowbrook shares and cash issued or
paid to ProCentury shareholders in exchange for their ProCentury
shares, but also any other amounts treated as consideration in
connection with the merger for purposes of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Exchange
Procedures; Surrender of Stock Certificates
Shortly after the merger, all ProCentury shareholders will
receive a letter of transmittal, together with a return
envelope. The letter of transmittal will include instructions
for the surrender and exchange of certificates representing
ProCentury common shares in exchange for Meadowbrook common
stock. A letter of transmittal will be deemed properly completed
only if signed and accompanied by stock certificates
representing all ProCentury common shares or an appropriate
guarantee of delivery of the certificates.
Until you surrender your ProCentury stock certificates for
exchange after completion of the merger, you will not be paid
dividends or other distributions declared after the merger with
respect to any of Meadowbrook common stock into which your
ProCentury shares have been converted. When ProCentury stock
certificates are surrendered, we will pay to the surrendering
holder any of his or her respective unpaid dividends or other
distributions, without interest. After the completion of the
merger, no further transfers of ProCentury common shares will be
permitted. ProCentury stock certificates presented for transfer
after the completion of the merger will be canceled and
exchanged for Meadowbrook common stock.
None of Meadowbrook, ProCentury or any other person will be
liable to any former holder of ProCentury common share for any
amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.
If a certificate for ProCentury common shares has been lost,
stolen or destroyed, the exchange agent will issue the
consideration properly payable under the merger agreement upon
compliance by the holder of ProCentury common shares with the
conditions reasonably imposed by the exchange agent. These
conditions will include a requirement that the shareholder
provide a lost instruments indemnity bond in form, substance and
amount reasonably satisfactory to the exchange agent and us.
Effective
Time of the Merger
Subject to the conditions to each partys obligations to
complete the merger, the merger will become effective when
certificates of merger with respect to the merger have been
accepted for filing by the office of the Secretary of State of
Ohio and the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic
Growth, Bureau of Commercial Services, Corporation Division.
If ProCenturys and Meadowbrooks shareholders approve
the merger at their special meetings, and if Meadowbrook obtains
all required regulatory approvals, we anticipate the merger will
be completed in the third quarter of 2008, although delays could
occur.
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We cannot assure you that the necessary shareholder and
regulatory approvals of the merger will be obtained or that
other conditions precedent to the merger can or will be
satisfied. See Conditions to Completion of the
Merger and Termination and Termination
Fees.
Representations
and Warranties
In the merger agreement, ProCentury made numerous
representations and warranties to Meadowbrook that are subject
in some cases to specified exceptions and qualifications
contained in the merger agreement or in the disclosure schedule
delivered in connection therewith. These representations and
warranties relate to, among other things:
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corporate organization, good standing and similar corporate
matters;
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capitalization;
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necessary consents and approvals and the required vote of the
ProCentury shareholders;
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due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of,
and required consents, approvals, orders and authorizations of
governmental authorities relating to, the merger agreement and
transactions contemplated thereby;
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absence of conflicts with ProCenturys governing documents,
applicable laws or material contracts;
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documents filed with the SEC, compliance with applicable SEC
filing requirements and accuracy of information contained in
such documents;
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internal controls and procedures;
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accuracy of ProCentury financial statements;
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broker and agency relationships;
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absence of certain changes or events;
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absence of litigation and investigations;
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filing of tax returns and payment of taxes;
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labor and employment matters, including matters related to
employee benefit plans and the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA);
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accuracy of information supplied by ProCentury in connection
with the registration statement of which this joint proxy
statement-prospectus forms a part;
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absence of ownership of or agreement to acquire, hold, vote or
dispose of any Meadowbrook capital stock;
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compliance with laws;
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specified contracts and commitments to which ProCentury is a
party and the enforceability of such contracts and commitments;
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investment securities;
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ownership and use of intellectual property;
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the absence of undisclosed liabilities;
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inapplicability of Ohio state takeover laws;
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environmental laws and regulations;
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the receipt of a fairness opinion from ProCenturys
financial advisors;
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operations of ProCentury insurance subsidiaries and compliance
with insurance and other laws by such ProCentury insurance
subsidiaries;
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ceded reinsurance agreements;
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reserves being calculated in accordance with laws and acceptable
actuarial principles;
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rating of ProCenturys financial strength and claim-paying
ability;
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producer relationships;
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maintenance of risk insurance; and
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absence of indemnification agreements with any employees,
agents, officers, or directors.
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Many of ProCenturys representations and warranties are
qualified by the absence of a material adverse effect on
ProCentury, which means, for purposes of the merger agreement,
any event, change or effect that has a material adverse effect
on (1) ProCenturys financial position, results of
operations or business of ProCentury and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole or (2) ProCenturys ability to perform its
obligations under the merger agreement or otherwise materially
threaten or materially impede the consummation of the merger and
the other transactions contemplated thereby.
In the merger agreement, Meadowbrook and MBKPC (when applicable)
made numerous representations and warranties to ProCentury that
are subject in some cases to specified exceptions and
qualifications contained in the merger agreement or the
disclosure schedule delivered in connection therewith. These
representations and warranties relate to, among other things:
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corporate organization, good standing and similar corporate
matters;
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capitalization;
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necessary consents and approvals and the required vote of the
Meadowbrook shareholders;
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due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of,
and required consents, approvals, orders and authorizations of
governmental authorities relating to, the merger agreement and
transactions contemplated thereby;
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absence of conflicts with Meadowbrooks governing
documents, applicable laws or material contracts;
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documents filed with the SEC, compliance with applicable SEC
filing requirements and accuracy of information contained in
such documents;
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internal controls and procedures;
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accuracy of Meadowbrook financial statements;
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broker and agency relationships;
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absence of certain changes or events;
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absence of litigation and investigations;
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filing of tax returns and payment of taxes;
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labor and employment matters, including matters related to
employee benefit plans and ERISA;
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accuracy of information supplied by Meadowbrook in connection
with the registration statement of which this joint proxy
statement-prospectus forms a part;
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absence of ownership of or agreement to acquire, hold, vote or
dispose of any ProCentury capital stock;
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compliance with laws;
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specified contracts and commitments to which Meadowbrook is a
party and the enforceability of such contracts and commitments;
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ownership and use of intellectual property;
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the absence of undisclosed liabilities;
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environmental laws and regulations;
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operations of Meadowbrook insurance subsidiaries and compliance
with insurance and other laws by such Meadowbrook insurance
subsidiaries;
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ceded reinsurance agreements;
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reserves being calculated in accordance with laws and acceptable
actuarial principles;
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rating of Meadowbrooks financial strength and claim-paying
ability;
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maintenance of risk insurance; and
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ability to meet financing requirements.
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Many of Meadowbrooks representations and warranties are
qualified by the absence of a material adverse effect on
Meadowbrook, which means, for purposes of the merger agreement,
any event, change or effect that has a material adverse effect
on (1) Meadowbrooks financial position, results of
operations or business of Meadowbrook and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole or (2) Meadowbrooks ability to perform its
obligations under the merger agreement or otherwise materially
threaten or materially impede the consummation of the merger and
the other transactions contemplated thereby.
Funding
of Cash Portion of Merger Consideration
The cash portion of the merger consideration (including
transaction fees and restructuring charges) will be
approximately $134.7 million. Meadowbrook intends to fund
the cash portion of the merger consideration with a combination
of dividends from Star Insurance Company ($18.8 million)
and ProCentury ($24.9 million), and Meadowbrook available
cash ($15.0 million) and loan proceeds of approximately
$77.0 million. Star Insurance Company and ProCentury will
fund the dividends from existing cash reserves and cash
equivalent investments.
Meadowbrook expects to receive a loan commitment from LaSalle
Bank N.A. to lend Meadowbrook up to $100.0 million to fund
the acquisition of ProCentury and for general working capital
purposes. Meadowbrook anticipates that the loan will consist of
two credit facilities. The first credit facility will consist of
a revolving credit facility up to $25.0 million, which will
mature three years from the date the loan is closed. The second
credit facility is expected to consist of a term loan facility
up to $75.0 million, which will mature five years from the
date the loan is closed and be subject to a five year
amortization. The interest rate on both credit facilities is
expected to be at market rates which are approximately three
month LIBOR plus between 150 to 250 basis points. Repayment
of the first credit facility is expected to be interest only on
a quarterly basis, with the principal amount of the loan due at
maturity. Repayment of the second credit facility is expected to
be interest and principal on a quarterly basis (based on a five
year amortization), with the remaining principal amount due at
maturity. Meadowbrook anticipates that both credit facilities
will be secured by a pledge of the stock of Meadowbrooks
subsidiaries. The approximate $23.0 million anticipated
remaining available balance on the first credit facility may be
drawn against by Meadowbrook for general working capital
purposes.
Conduct
of Business Pending the Merger and Certain Covenants
Under the merger agreement, Meadowbrook, MBKPC and ProCentury
have each agreed to certain restrictions on their activities,
until the merger is completed or the merger agreement is
terminated. In general, both companies are required to conduct
their respective operations in the ordinary course of business.
The following is a summary of the more significant restrictions
and obligations imposed upon each company.
In general, each company has agreed to (1) conduct its
business in the ordinary course, (2) use reasonable efforts
to maintain and preserve its business organization, including
keeping available the present services of employees and
(3) take no action that would or would be reasonably likely
to result in a violation of the merger agreement. ProCentury has
further agreed that, except with Meadowbrooks prior
written consent and subject to certain exceptions, until the
effective time of the merger, ProCentury will not, and will not
permit any of its subsidiaries to:
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issue any additional shares of capital stock;
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pay dividends on its common shares other than in accordance with
its existing dividend policy of no more than $0.04 per
ProCentury common share per quarter;
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enter into or amend any employment agreements or grant any
salary or wage increases or increase any employee benefit;
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enter into, amend, or make any contributions to any employee
benefit plans;
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make any dispositions of any material assets, including
investment securities;
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acquire all or any material portion of the assets, business,
deposits or properties of any other entity;
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make any capital expenditures having an aggregate value
exceeding $150,000;
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amend any of its governing documents;
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implement or adopt any material change in its accounting methods;
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enter into, renew, terminate, or amend any material contact in
any material respect in a manner that is adverse to ProCentury;
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enter into any settlement or similar agreement with respect to
any action, suit or investigation, which settlement agreement,
or action involves payment by ProCentury of an amount that
exceeds $50,000;
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enter into any new material line of business or otherwise change
its investment policies;
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incur any additional indebtedness or obligations;
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make, purchase, renew or otherwise modify any loans;
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make any investment or commitment to invest in real estate or
real estate development project;
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enter into any agreement that may result in the delay of or
hinder the approval of ProCentury shareholders or any
governmental entity with respect to the merger;
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elect any new members to its board of directors or the board of
directors of its subsidiaries;
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create any new subsidiaries; or
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enter into any contract or commitment to do any of the foregoing.
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Meadowbrook and MBKPC have further agreed that, except with
ProCenturys prior written consent and subject to certain
exceptions, Meadowbrook and MBKPC will not, and will not permit
any of their subsidiaries to:
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acquire all or any material portion of the assets, business,
deposits or properties of any other entity;
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make any capital expenditures having an aggregate value
exceeding $150,000;
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issue any additional shares of capital stock;
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make any dispositions of any material assets, including
investment securities;
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implement or adopt any material change in its accounting methods;
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enter into any agreement that may result in the delay of or
hinder the approval of Meadowbrook shareholders or any
governmental entity with respect to the merger;
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amend any of its governing documents, which amendment may
adversely affect the holders of ProCentury common shares; or
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enter into any contract or commitment to do any of the foregoing.
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Additional
Agreements
In addition to the covenants described above and certain other
matters, Meadowbrook and ProCentury specifically agreed as
follows:
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Meadowbrook will use its reasonable best efforts to list the
shares of Meadowbrook common stock to be issued in connection
with the merger on the New York Stock Exchange;
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Meadowbrook will take all commercially reasonable action to
allow employees of ProCentury to participate in employee benefit
plans of Meadowbrook on substantially the same terms and
conditions of similar situated employees as of the effective
time of the merger. Meadowbrook will not be required to continue
the ProCentury plans, and ProCentury will take such action to
terminate the Century Surety Company 401(k) Plan (the
Century 401(k) Plan) and will file an application
for a favorable determination of the qualified status of the
Century 401(k) Plan upon its termination. Participants in the
Century 401(k) Plan who are employed by the surviving
corporation or Meadowbrook will be eligible to roll over their
account balances into the Meadowbrook 401(k) plan. All employees
of ProCentury and its subsidiaries will be eligible to
participate in the Meadowbrook 401(k) plan provided such
employees were eligible to participate in the Century 401(k)
Plan. All employees of ProCentury and its subsidiaries will be
eligible to participate in the Meadowbrook welfare benefits
plans as of the effective time of the merger;
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Meadowbrook will continue to perform in accordance with all
contractual rights under all employment agreements,
change-in-control,
deferred compensation and incentive compensation agreements of
ProCentury and its subsidiaries;
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for purposes of eligibility and vesting under employee benefit
plans, all employees of ProCentury and it s subsidiaries will be
credited with their years of service with ProCentury and its
subsidiaries, provided that such credit will not result in a
duplication of benefits with respect to the same period of
service. Meadowbrook will cause each applicable employee benefit
plan to (i) provide full credit under such plans for any
deductibles, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
employees of ProCentury and their beneficiaries during the
portion of the calendar year prior to their participation in the
Meadowbrook plan and (ii) waive any waiting period
limitation, evidence of insurability or actively-at-work
requirement which would otherwise be applicable to the extent an
employee had satisfied any similar limitation or requirement
under an analogous ProCentury plan. Nothing in the employee
benefit section of the merger agreement will prevent Meadowbrook
or the surviving corporation from terminating its group health
plan or plans;
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Meadowbrook will, and will cause the surviving corporation to
honor all of ProCenturys and its subsidiaries
obligations to indemnify current and former directors and
officers of each company for acts and omissions occurring prior
to the effective time of the merger agreement. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) may be
permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling
ProCentury pursuant to its indemnification provisions,
ProCentury has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is therefore unenforceable;
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subject to a cap on premium of $1,000,000, Meadowbrook will
obtain and maintain for six years specified officers and
directors insurance coverage;
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Meadowbrook will pay all reasonable expenses incurred by any
enforcement of indemnity. In any case of consolidation, merger,
or transfer to any other person, in each such case, proper
provision will be made so that each continuing or surviving
entity will assume all insurance and indemnity obligations. The
rights of each indemnified party will be in addition to any
rights under such parties governing documents, codes, and all
other indemnification agreements;
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Meadowbrook and MBKPC will take all actions that are necessary,
at the effective time, to have sufficient cash and cash
equivalents available to pay the maximum cash consideration and
all related fees and expenses payable by Meadowbrook and MBKPC
in connection with the merger; and
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Meadowbrook will take such actions to appoint two persons
currently on ProCenturys board of directors, who have not
yet been selected, to the board of directors of Meadowbrook.
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Acquisition
Proposals by Third-Parties
Subject to certain exceptions described below, ProCentury has
agreed that it will not, and that it will cause its directors
and officers not to, directly or indirectly:
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initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or otherwise facilitate
inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer with respect to
a merger, reorganization, share exchange, consolidation or
similar transaction involving 20% of the outstanding equity
securities of ProCentury (an Acquisition Proposal);
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engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any
confidential information or data to, or have any discussions
with, any person relating to an Acquisition Proposal.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and to the extent that the
ProCentury board of directors determines in good faith that
(1) failure to take such action would reasonably be
expected to result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under
applicable law and (2) such Acquisition Proposal, if
accepted, is reasonably likely to be consummated and could
reasonably be expected to result in a transaction more favorable
to ProCenturys shareholders from a financial point of view
than the merger, ProCentury and its board of directors are
permitted to:
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comply with their disclosure obligations under applicable law;
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provide information in response to a request by a person who has
made an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal upon
receipt of an executed confidentiality agreement from such
person;
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engage in any negotiations or discussions with any person who
has made an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition
Proposal; and
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recommend such an Acquisition Proposal to the shareholders of
ProCentury.
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ProCentury is required to notify Meadowbrook and MBKPC if any
such inquires, proposals or offers are received by ProCentury or
any of its representatives.
Conditions
to Completion of the Merger
Each of Meadowbrook, MBKPC and ProCentury is required to
complete the merger only after the satisfaction of various
conditions. Neither Meadowbrook, MBKPC, nor ProCentury is
required to complete the merger if any of the following
conditions are not satisfied or waived:
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the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
must have been approved and adopted by ProCenturys
shareholders;
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the issuance of Meadowbrook common stock must have been approved
and adopted by Meadowbrooks shareholders;
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the shares of Meadowbrook common stock to be issued in the
merger must have been authorized for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange;
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all requisite regulatory approvals must have been obtained;
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the SEC must have declared the registration statement
registering the shares of Meadowbrook common stock to be issued
to ProCenturys shareholders in the merger, of which this
joint proxy statement-prospectus is a part, effective under the
Securities Act;
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there must not be any order, injunction or decree issued by any
court or agency or other legal restraint preventing the
consummation of the merger and no proceeding for any such action
shall have been initiated by any governmental entity;
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there must not be any statute, rule, regulation, order,
injunction or decree enacted by any such governmental entity
which prohibits, restricts or makes consummation of the merger
illegal; and
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no required regulatory approvals must impose any term, condition
or restriction upon Meadowbrook, ProCentury or any of their
respective subsidiaries that Meadowbrook, or ProCentury, in good
faith, reasonably determine would so materially adversely affect
the economic or business benefits of the
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transactions contemplated by the merger agreement so as to
render the consummation of the merger inadvisable.
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In addition, Meadowbrook and MBKPC are only required to complete
the merger if the following conditions are satisfied or waived:
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ProCenturys representations and warranties in the merger
agreement must be true and correct as of the closing date
(except to the extent any particular representation or warranty
speaks as of a specific earlier date) subject to such exceptions
as do not and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on ProCentury;
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ProCentury must have performed all of its obligations under the
merger agreement;
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the written opinion from Meadowbrooks counsel as to the
tax-free nature of the merger must have been received by
Meadowbrook;
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all consents and approvals required (or waivers) in connection
with the merger must have been obtained; and
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ProCentury must have furnished customary certificates of
officers to Meadowbrook.
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Likewise, ProCentury is only required to complete the merger if
the following conditions are satisfied:
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Meadowbrooks representations and warranties in the merger
agreement must be true and correct as of the closing date
(except to the extent any particular representation or warranty
speaks as of a specific earlier date) subject to such exceptions
as do not and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on Meadowbrook;
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Meadowbrook and MBKPC must have performed all of their
obligations under the merger agreement;
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Meadowbrook must have deposited with the exchange agent for the
merger all of the cash and stock to be paid to holders of
ProCentury common shares and options in the merger;
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the written opinion from ProCenturys counsel as to the
tax-free nature of the merger must have been received by
ProCentury;
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all consents and approvals required (or waivers) in connection
with the merger must have been obtained; and
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Meadowbrook must have furnished customary certificates of
officers to ProCentury.
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Neither party can be certain as to when or if all of the
conditions to the merger can or will be satisfied or waived by
the party permitted to do so.
Termination
and Termination Fees
At any time before the merger becomes effective, the
shareholders of ProCentury or the shareholders of Meadowbrook
may terminate the merger agreement. In addition, the merger
agreement may be terminated by the mutual consent of Meadowbrook
and ProCentury in a written instrument, if the board of
directors of each party so determines by a majority vote.
Additionally, in certain circumstances, one party or the other
may terminate the agreement without the others consent or
agreement:
Termination by Either Meadowbrook or
ProCentury. In the following circumstances either
Meadowbrook or ProCentury may elect to terminate the merger
agreement:
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by written notice twenty days after the date on which any
request or application for a requisite regulatory approval shall
have been denied or withdrawn at the request of the applicable
governmental entity, unless twenty days after such denial, a
petition has been filed with the applicable governmental entity;
provided, that no party may terminate if such denial was due to
the failure of the party seeking to terminate to perform its
obligations under the merger agreement;
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if the closing of the merger does not occur, other than through
the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger
agreement to perform any of its required obligations under the
merger agreement, by September 30,
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2008; provided, however, if either party determines that
additional time is necessary to obtain governmental approvals,
the time for completion of the merger may be extended to
December 31, 2008;
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if either ProCenturys or Meadowbrooks shareholders
fail to approve the merger at their respective special meetings;
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if there is a breach of any representation or warranty of the
merger agreement by the other party (provided the party seeking
to terminate is not in material breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant) which would be expected to have a material
adverse effect;
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if there is a breach of any of the covenants in the merger
agreement by the other party (provided the party seeking to
terminate is not in material breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant) which would be expected to have a material
adverse effect; or
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if any governmental orders are issued prohibiting the
consummation of the merger and such orders have become final and
non-appealable.
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Termination by Meadowbrook. In certain
circumstances, Meadowbrook may terminate the merger agreement:
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if ProCenturys board of directors either fails to
recommend that its shareholders adopt the merger agreement, or
it withdraws, modifies or qualifies its recommendation adverse
to the interest of Meadowbrook, or if ProCentury fails to hold
its shareholder meeting to approve the merger agreement; or
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if a tender offer or exchange offer for 50% or more of the
outstanding ProCentury common shares is commenced, and
ProCentury recommends that its shareholders tender their shares
in such tender or exchange offer.
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Termination by ProCentury. Similar to
Meadowbrooks rights, in certain circumstances ProCentury
may terminate the merger agreement:
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if the Meadowbrook board of directors fails to recommend that
its shareholders adopt the merger agreement or approve the
issuance of common stock in connection with the merger, or it
withdraws, modifies or qualifies such recommendation adverse to
the interest of ProCentury, or if Meadowbrook fails to hold its
shareholder meeting to approve the merger and the issuance of
common stock; or
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in order to enter into a competing acquisition transaction to
acquire ProCentury, which ProCenturys board of directors
determines in good faith that its failure to pursue would
reasonably be expected to result in a violation of its fiduciary
duties, but only if after the tenth business day following
ProCenturys written notice to Meadowbrook stating that
ProCentury is prepared to accept the competing proposal, during
such ten-business day period, Meadowbrook fails to make a good
faith offer which is at least as favorable as the competing
proposal.
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Effect of
Termination
The merger agreement provides generally that in the event of
termination, no party shall have any liability or further
obligation to any other party and the merger agreement will
become void and have no effect. However, in certain
circumstances one party may be liable to the other for damages
resulting from the termination. These circumstances include, for
example, liability for the willful breach of any covenant,
agreement, representation or warranty made to the other party.
Termination Fee by ProCentury. In the
circumstances described below, ProCentury is required to pay to
Meadowbrook a termination fee of $9.5 million if the merger
agreement is terminated:
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Meadowbrook terminates the merger agreement as a result of
either of the two events described immediately above under the
caption Termination by Meadowbrook;
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(A) Meadowbrook terminates the agreement because the merger
has not been consummated on or before September 30, 2008
(December 31, 2008, if extended as permitted by the merger
agreement) as a result of ProCenturys material breach of
the merger agreement; or
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(B) Meadowbrook or ProCentury terminates the merger
agreement as a result of ProCenturys shareholders failing
to approve the merger at its special meeting;
and in the case of any termination under (A) or
(B) above, an acquisition proposal by a third party to
acquire ProCentury has been publicly announced (or otherwise
communicated or made known to the ProCentury board of directors
or any of its members) prior to ProCenturys shareholder
meeting (in the case of (B)), or the date of termination (in the
case of (A)); or
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ProCentury terminates the merger agreement in order to enter
into a competing acquisition transaction to acquire ProCentury
as described immediately above under the caption
Termination by ProCentury.
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The termination fee described above is required to be paid by
ProCentury to Meadowbrook within five days following the date of
termination of the merger agreement.
Waiver
and Amendment
To the extent permitted by law, Meadowbrooks and
ProCenturys boards of directors may agree in writing to
amend the merger agreement, whether before or after the
shareholders of either company have approved the merger
agreement. However, after ProCenturys shareholders approve
the merger, there may not be any amendment to the merger
agreement (unless approved by ProCenturys shareholders) if
the amendment would reduce the amount or change the form of
consideration to be paid to ProCentury shareholders. In
addition, before or at the time the merger becomes effective,
either Meadowbrook or ProCentury, or both, may waive any default
in the performance of any term of the merger agreement by the
other or may waive or extend the time for the compliance or
fulfillment by the other of any of its obligations under the
merger agreement. Either of Meadowbrook or ProCentury may also
waive any of the conditions precedent to their respective
obligations under the merger agreement, unless a violation of
any law or governmental regulation would result. To be
effective, a waiver must be in writing and signed by one of
Meadowbrooks or ProCenturys duly authorized officers.
Regulatory
Approvals
It is a condition to the completion of the merger that the
parties receive all necessary regulatory approvals of the
merger. Neither Meadowbrook nor ProCentury is aware of any
material governmental approvals or actions that are required to
complete the merger, except as described below. If any other
approval or action is required, Meadowbrook will also seek this
approval or action.
We cannot complete the merger unless we obtain the prior
approval from the Ohio Department of Insurance, Texas Department
of Insurance, and Department of Insurance, Securities and
Banking for the District of Columbia. In order to obtain such
approvals, Meadowbrook must file a Form A (Statement
Regarding the Acquisition or Change of Control of a Domestic
Insurer) with each of these insurance departments.
Meadowbrook filed all requisite Form A filings with the
appropriate state insurance departments early in the second
quarter of 2008 and anticipates that the required approvals will
be received in the third quarter of 2008.
We are not aware of any other regulatory approvals required for
completion of the merger, and there can be no assurance that any
approvals will be obtained. The approval of any application
merely implies the satisfaction of regulatory criteria for
approval, which does not include review of the merger from the
standpoint of the adequacy of the consideration to be received
by ProCentury shareholders.
There can be no assurance that the requisite regulatory
approvals or waivers will be received in a timely manner, in
which event the consummation of the merger may be delayed. If
the merger is not consummated on or before September 30,
2008, either Meadowbrook or ProCentury may terminate the merger
agreement, except that if Meadowbrook or ProCentury determines
that additional time is necessary to obtain necessary
governmental approvals, the right to terminate may be extended
to no later than December 31, 2008. There can be no
assurance as to the receipt or timing of these approvals or
waivers.
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Expenses
Each of Meadowbrook and ProCentury will pay its own expenses in
connection with the merger, including printing fees and fees and
expenses of its own financial or other consultants, accountants
and counsel. However, Meadowbrook has agreed to pay all SEC
filing, registration and any fees payable to any governmental
entity in connection with the merger.
Resales
of Meadowbrook Common Stock
Meadowbrook common stock to be issued to ProCentury shareholders
in the merger will be registered under the Securities Act. All
shares of Meadowbrook common stock received by ProCentury
shareholders in the merger will be freely transferable after the
merger by persons who are not considered to be
affiliates of Meadowbrook. These
affiliates would generally include any persons or
entities who control, are controlled by or are under common
control with Meadowbrook (generally, executive officers,
directors and 10% or greater shareholders).
EFFECT OF
THE MERGER ON RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
General
Meadowbrook is a Michigan corporation governed by Michigan law
and Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation and bylaws.
ProCentury is an Ohio corporation governed by Ohio law and
ProCenturys articles of incorporation and code of
regulations.
In the merger, shareholders of ProCentury will receive shares of
Meadowbrook common stock that will include all rights attaching
to shares of Meadowbrook common stock. There are significant
differences between the rights of Meadowbrooks
shareholders and the rights of ProCenturys shareholders.
The following is a summary of the principal differences between
those rights.
The following summary is not intended to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to Meadowbrooks
articles of incorporation and bylaws and ProCenturys
articles of incorporation and code of regulations.
Authorized
Capital Stock
Meadowbrook. Under Meadowbrooks current
articles of incorporation, it is authorized to issue
75,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per
share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par
value per share. As of May 19, 2008, there were
37,021,032 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Meadowbrook has not issued any preferred stock.
Michigan law allows Meadowbrooks board of directors to
issue additional shares of stock up to the total amount of
common shares and preferred shares authorized without obtaining
the prior approval of the shareholders. Shareholder approval may
be required for certain issuances of common shares or preferred
shares pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The
ability of the board to issue additional common shares without
additional shareholder approval may be deemed to have an
anti-takeover effect. The combined company could use the
additional common shares to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or
to delay or prevent changes of control or changes in or removal
of its management. Any issuance of additional shares also could
have the effect of diluting the earnings per share and book
value per share of the outstanding shares of the combined
companys common shares as well as stock ownership and
voting rights of shareholders.
Meadowbrooks board of directors is authorized to issue
preferred shares, in one or more series, from time to time, with
the voting powers, full or limited, or without voting powers,
and with the designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as may be
provided in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the board
of the directors. In the event of a proposed merger, tender
offer or other attempt to gain control of Meadowbrook that the
board of directors does not approve, it may be possible for the
board of directors to authorize the issuance of preferred shares
with rights and preferences that would impede the completion of
such a transaction.
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ProCentury. Under ProCenturys articles
of incorporation, it is authorized to issue 20,000,000 common
shares, without par value, and 1,000,000 preferred shares,
without par value. As of May 19, 2008, there were 13,420,967
common shares issued and outstanding and no preferred shares
issued and outstanding. Under ProCenturys articles of
incorporation, the board of directors is authorized, subject to
limitations prescribed by law, without further shareholder
approval, from time to time to issue up to an aggregate of
1,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series and to fix or
alter the designations, rights, preferences, and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of
each of these series. The issuance of preferred shares may have
the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of
control.
Voting
Rights
Meadowbrook. Subject to the rights, if any, of
holders of Meadowbrooks preferred stock then outstanding,
all voting rights are vested in the holders of
Meadowbrooks common stock. Each share of common stock
entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters,
including the election of directors. Holders of
Meadowbrooks common stock have no preemptive or cumulative
voting rights.
ProCentury. Pursuant to ProCenturys
articles of incorporation, holders of its common shares are
entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders and do not have cumulative
voting rights. Accordingly, a holder of a majority of the
outstanding common shares entitled to vote in any election of
directors may elect all of the directors standing for election.
Holders of ProCenturys common shares have no preemptive,
subscription, redemption or conversion rights.
Special
Voting Requirements
Meadowbrook. Except as set forth in
Sections 794 and 795 of the Michigan Business Corporation
Act, holders of Meadowbrooks common stock have the voting
rights described in Voting Rights above. For a
discussion on Sections 794 and 795 of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act, please refer to Anti Takeover Provisions
Generally below.
ProCentury. Pursuant to ProCenturys
articles of incorporation, the following actions, with certain
exceptions, require the affirmative vote of the holders of not
less than 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of
all ProCenturys then outstanding shares (provided that
such affirmative vote must include the affirmative vote of the
holders of ProCenturys outstanding shares entitled to cast
a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of
all ProCenturys then outstanding shares not beneficially
owned by a substantial shareholder):
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Any merger or consolidation of ProCentury or its subsidiaries
with or into a substantial shareholder, which is the beneficial
owner, as defined by
Rule 13d-3
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange
Act), of more than 15% of ProCenturys outstanding
shares entitled to vote (subject to certain conditions regarding
time of ownership);
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Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition of 10% or more of ProCenturys assets or
ProCenturys subsidiaries to or with any substantial
shareholder;
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The issuance or transfer by ProCentury or its subsidiaries of
any equity securities to a substantial shareholder in exchange
for cash, securities or property with a fair market value in
excess of 5% of ProCenturys book value;
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The adoption of any plan or proposal for our liquidation or
dissolution while there is a substantial shareholder; or
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Any reclassification of ProCenturys securities or
recapitalization, or any reorganization, merger or consolidation
of ProCentury with any of ProCenturys subsidiaries.
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These supermajority voting provisions may make it more difficult
for ProCentury to engage in certain transactions that
ProCenturys board of directors deems advisable and
beneficial.
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Classification
of Board of Directors
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks articles of
incorporation provide for the board of directors to be divided
into three classes with staggered terms; each class to be as
nearly equal in number as possible. Each director is elected for
a three year term. Approximately one-third of the board of
directors positions are filled by a shareholder vote each year.
Any vacancies in the board of directors, or newly created
director positions, may be filled by vote of the directors then
in office. This board classification may make it more difficult
for a shareholder to acquire immediate control of Meadowbrook
and remove management by means of a proxy contest. Because the
terms of approximately one-third of the incumbent directors
expire each year, at least two annual elections would be
necessary for shareholders to replace a majority of
Meadowbrooks directors, while a majority of directors of a
non-classified board could be replaced in one annual meeting.
ProCentury. ProCenturys articles of
incorporation also provide for a classified board, with the same
effects.
Size of
Board of Directors; Removal; Vacancies
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks bylaws provide
that the board of directors shall consist of not less than three
persons and not more than fifteen persons. Subject to the
foregoing limitation, the number of directors may be fixed by
resolution adopted by the board of directors.
Michigan law provides that, unless the articles of incorporation
otherwise provide, shareholders may remove a director or the
entire board of directors with or without cause.
Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation provide that a
director may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the shares
of Meadowbrook common stock entitled to vote in the election of
directors or without cause by the affirmative vote of the
holders of 80% of all the shares of Meadowbrook common stock
entitled to vote in the election of directors.
Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation provide that a new
director chosen to fill a vacancy on the board of directors will
serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which
the vacancy occurred.
ProCentury. ProCenturys code of
regulation provides that the board of directors shall consist of
not less than three persons and not more than fifteen persons.
Subject to the foregoing limitation, the number of directors may
be fixed by resolution adopted by the board of directors.
ProCenturys articles of incorporation and code of
regulations provide that a director, or the entire board of
directors, may be removed from office only for cause by the
affirmative vote of the holders of record of outstanding shares
representing at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by
the holders of all then outstanding common shares, voting
together as a single class. This supermajority voting provision
makes it more difficult for shareholders to remove directors.
Pursuant to ProCenturys code of regulations, any vacancy
in the board of directors caused by any removal by the
shareholders at a special meeting may be filled by the
shareholders at the same meeting. In addition, ProCenturys
articles of incorporation provide that vacancies on the board of
directors created by causes other than removal, including a
vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, may
be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
directors then in office. A person appointed to fill a vacancy
on the board of directors will serve until the expiration of his
or her term.
Shareholder
Nominations and Proposals
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks bylaws
establish an advance notice procedure for shareholders to
nominate directors or bring other business before a meeting.
These provisions may make it more difficult for shareholders to
make nominations for directors or bring matters before a meeting
of shareholders.
Unless nominated by the board of directors, no nomination of any
candidate for election to the board of directors by a
shareholder is eligible for consideration unless a shareholder
complies with the requirements of
Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other
applicable securities laws or any replacements thereof. In
addition, the shareholder shall provide advance written notice
to Meadowbrooks secretary providing all
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of the information required under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 to be disclosed in a proxy statement with respect to such
nomination, including the following:
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(a)
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as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for
election as director:
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the name, age, business address and residential address of the
nominee,
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the principal occupation or employment of the nominee,
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the number of shares of each class of Meadowbrooks capital
stock beneficially owned by the nominee, and
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the written consent of the nominee to having his or her name
placed in nomination at the meeting and to serve as a director
if elected.
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(b)
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as to the shareholder giving the notice:
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the name and address of the shareholder giving the
notice, and
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the number of shares of each class of Meadowbrooks voting
stock which are then beneficially owned by the shareholder
giving the notice, the date upon which such shares were acquired
and documentary support for such beneficial ownership claim.
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Unless proposed by the board of directors, no business is
eligible for consideration at an annual or special meeting of
shareholders unless a shareholder complies with the requirements
of
Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other
applicable securities laws or any replacements thereof. In
addition, the subject matter of the proposal must be proper for
shareholder action and the proposal must be properly introduced
at the meeting.
ProCentury. ProCenturys code of
regulations also establishes an advance notice procedure for
shareholders to nominate directors or bring other business
before a meeting. These provisions may make it more difficult
for shareholders to make nominations for directors or bring
matters before a meeting of shareholders.
Unless nominated by the board of directors, no nomination of any
candidate for election to the board of directors by a
shareholder is eligible for consideration unless a written
statement setting forth the candidates name and
qualifications is delivered to the board of directors by a
shareholder entitled to vote. In the case of an annual meeting,
the statement must be submitted at least 90 days prior to
the anniversary date of the last annual meeting; in the case of
a special meeting, the statement must be delivered at least
90 days prior to the date of a special meeting at which an
election is to occur.
Unless proposed by a majority of the directors, no business is
eligible for consideration at an annual or special meeting of
shareholders unless a written statement setting forth the
business and its purpose is delivered to the board of directors
by a shareholder entitled to vote at least 90 days prior to
the special meeting at which the business is to be considered
or, in the case of an annual meeting, at least 90 days
prior to the anniversary date of the last annual meeting.
Special
Meetings of Shareholders
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks shareholders
may require that the board of directors call a special meeting
upon the written request of the holders of a majority of all the
shares entitled to vote at the meeting. Michigan law permits
shareholders holding 10% or more of all of the shares entitled
to vote at a meeting to request the Circuit Court of the County
in which the companys principal place of business or
registered office is located to order a special meeting of
shareholders for good cause shown.
ProCentury. ProCenturys code of
regulations provides that a special meeting of the shareholders
may be called by the President or other authorized officer, by
the board of directors, or by any persons holding 50% or more of
the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders.
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Action by
Written Consent
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks bylaws permit
shareholder action to be taken without a meeting by written
consent to the extent permitted by law or by its articles of
incorporation.
ProCentury. ProCenturys code of
regulations permit shareholder action without a meeting if the
action is authorized by a writing signed by all shareholders who
would be entitled to notice of a meeting called for such purpose.
Dividends
Meadowbrook. Subject to any prior rights of
any holders of preferred shares then outstanding, the holders of
Meadowbrooks common shares are entitled to dividends when,
as and if declared by its board of directors out of
Meadowbrooks funds legally available for the payment of
dividends. Under Michigan law, dividends may be legally declared
or paid only if after the distribution a company can pay its
debts as they come due in the usual course of business and the
companys total assets equal or exceed the sum of its
liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the
preferential rights upon dissolution of any holders of preferred
shares then outstanding whose preferential rights are superior
to those receiving the distribution.
ProCentury. Subject to the rights of holders
of ProCenturys preferred shares, if any, holders of
ProCenturys common shares are entitled to receive ratably
dividends, if any, as may be declared by ProCenturys board
of directors.
Under Ohio law, no dividend or distribution can be paid to the
holders of shares of any class in violation of the rights of the
holders of shares of any other class, or when the corporation is
insolvent or there is reasonable ground to believe that by such
payment it would be rendered insolvent. Ohio law also provides
that an Ohio corporation may pay dividends out of surplus in
certain circumstances and must notify the shareholders of the
corporation if a dividend is paid out of capital surplus.
Amendment
of Governing Documents
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks articles of
incorporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 80% percent of the voting shares of Meadowbrook entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors for the
alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any
provision inconsistent with the above-described provisions of
Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation concerning the
election of directors.
ProCentury. ProCenturys articles of
incorporation require that an amendment to any provision of the
articles of incorporation requiring the vote of a supermajority
of shareholders entitled to vote be approved by the affirmative
vote of at least 75% of the outstanding common shares entitled
to vote. All other provisions of ProCenturys articles of
incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of at least
a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote.
ProCenturys articles of incorporation require that an
amendment to ProCenturys code of regulations be approved
by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding
common shares entitled to vote; provided, that if the amendment
has been approved by three-fourths of the board of directors,
the amendment need only be approved by at least a majority of
the outstanding common shares entitled to vote.
Limitations
on Director Liability
Meadowbrook. The Michigan Business Corporation
Act permits corporations to limit the personal liability of
their directors in certain circumstances. Meadowbrooks
articles of incorporation provide that a director shall not be
personally liable to Meadowbrook or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of the directors fiduciary
duty. However, Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation do
not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any
breach of a duty, act or omission for which the elimination or
limitation of liability is not permitted by the Michigan
Business Corporation Act, currently including, without
limitation, the following: (1) breach of the
directors duty of loyalty to Meadowbrook or its
shareholders; (2) acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law; (3) illegal loans, distributions of dividends or
assets, or stock purchases
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as described in Section 551(1) of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act; and (4) transactions from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit.
ProCentury. Neither ProCenturys articles
of incorporation nor its code of regulations provide for a
limitation of personal liability of their directors.
Indemnification
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrooks bylaws provide
that Meadowbrook will indemnify its present and past directors,
officers, and other persons as the board of directors may
authorize, to the fullest extent permitted by law. The bylaws
provide that Meadowbrook will indemnify 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 or she is or was a director or officer, or while serving
as a director or officer, is or was serving at
Meadowbrooks request as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and pay or reimburse
the reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection
with the action, suit or proceeding. Meadowbrook has purchased
directors and officers liability insurance for its
directors and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, or
persons controlling Meadowbrook pursuant to the provisions
described above, Meadowbrook has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
ProCentury. ProCenturys code of
regulations provides for substantially the same indemnification
rights for directors and officers as the Meadowbrooks
bylaws.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, or
persons controlling ProCentury pursuant to its indemnification
provisions, ProCentury has been informed that in the opinion of
the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions Generally
Meadowbrook.
Michigan Fair Price Act. Certain
provisions of the Michigan Business Corporation Act establish a
statutory scheme similar to the supermajority and fair price
provisions found in many corporate charters (the Fair
Price Act). The Fair Price Act provides that a
supermajority vote of 90% of the shareholders and no less than
two-thirds of the votes of noninterested shareholders must
approve a business combination. The Fair Price Act
defines a business combination to encompass any
merger, consolidation, share exchange, sale of assets, stock
issue, liquidation, or reclassification of securities involving
an interested shareholder or certain
affiliates. An interested shareholder is
generally any person who owns 10% or more of the outstanding
voting shares of the company. An affiliate is a
person who directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, a specified person.
The supermajority vote required by the Fair Price Act does not
apply to business combinations that satisfy certain conditions.
These conditions include, among others: (i) the purchase
price to be paid for the shares of the company in the business
combination must be at least equal to the highest of either
(a) the market value of the shares or (b) the highest
per share price paid by the interested shareholder within the
preceding two-year period or in the transaction in which the
shareholder became an interested shareholder, whichever is
higher; and (ii) once becoming an interested shareholder,
the person may not become the beneficial owner of any additional
shares of the company except as part of the transaction that
resulted in the interested shareholder becoming an interested
shareholder or by virtue of proportionate stock splits or stock
dividends.
The requirements of the Fair Price Act do not apply to business
combinations with an interested shareholder that the board of
directors has approved or exempted from the requirements of the
Fair Price Act by resolution prior to the time that the
interested shareholder first became an interested shareholder.
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Control Share Act. The Michigan
Business Corporation Act regulates the acquisition of
control shares of large public Michigan corporations
(the Control Share Act). The Control Share Act
establishes procedures governing control share
acquisitions. A control share acquisition is defined as an
acquisition of shares by an acquiror which, when combined with
other shares held by that person or entity, would give the
acquiror voting power, alone or as part of a group, at or above
any of the following thresholds: 20%,
331/3%
or 50%. Under the Control Share Act, an acquiror may not vote
control shares unless the companys
disinterested shareholders (defined to exclude the acquiring
person, officers of the target company, and directors of the
target company who are also employees of the company) vote to
confer voting rights on the control shares. The Control Share
Act does not affect the voting rights of shares owned by an
acquiring person prior to the control share acquisition.
The Control Share Act entitles corporations to redeem control
shares from the acquiring person under certain circumstances. In
other cases, the Control Share Act confers dissenters
rights upon all of the corporations shareholders except
the acquiring person.
ProCentury.
Certain provisions of Ohio law may have the effect of
discouraging or rendering more difficult an unsolicited
acquisition of a corporation or its capital shares to the extent
the corporation is subject to those provisions. ProCentury has
opted out of Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code,
relating to transactions involving interested shareholders.
ProCentury remains subject to the provisions described below.
Under Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code, the
acquisition of shares entitling the holder to exercise certain
levels of voting power of an issuing public corporation
(one-fifth or more, one-third or more, or a majority) can be
made only with the prior authorization of (i) the holders
of at least a majority of the total voting power and
(ii) the holders of at least a majority of the total voting
power held by shareholders other than the proposed acquirer,
officers of the corporation elected or appointed by the
directors, and directors of the corporation who are also
employees of the corporation and excluding certain shares that
are transferred after the announcement of the proposed
acquisition and prior to the vote with respect to the proposed
acquisition.
Section 1701.59 of the Ohio Revised Code provides, with
certain limited exceptions, that director shall be held liable
in damages for any action he takes or fails to take as a
director only if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence
that his action or failure to act involved an act or omission
undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the
corporation or with reckless disregard for its best interest. In
addition, Section 1701.59 of the Ohio Revised Code provides
that a director of an Ohio corporation, in determining what he
or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the
corporation, shall consider the interest of the
corporations shareholders and may consider, in his or her
discretion, any of the following: (i) the interests of the
corporations employees, suppliers, creditors and
customers; (ii) the economy of the State of Ohio and the
nation; (iii) community and societal considerations; and
(iv) the long-term as well as short-term interests of the
corporation and its shareholders, including the possibility that
these interests may be best served by the continued independence
of the corporation.
Section 1707.041 of the Ohio Revised Code regulates certain
control bids for corporations in Ohio with fifty or
more shareholders that have significant Ohio contacts and
permits the Ohio Division of Securities to suspend a control bid
if certain information is not provided to offerees.
Section 1707.043 of the Ohio Revised Code provides an Ohio
corporation, or in certain circumstance the shareholders of an
Ohio corporation, the right to recover profits realized under
certain circumstances by persons who dispose of securities of a
corporation within 18 months of proposing to acquire such
corporation.
Dissenters
Rights
Meadowbrook. Meadowbrook shareholders do not
generally have the right to dissent in most circumstances under
the Michigan Business Corporation Act and Meadowbrooks
governing documents.
ProCentury. The Ohio Revised Code provides
ProCentury shareholders with dissenters rights with
respect to mergers, acquisitions and other transactions.
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Shareholder
Rights Plan
Meadowbrook. On September 15, 1999,
Meadowbrook declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase
right (a Right) for each outstanding share of common
stock. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase
from Meadowbrook one one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Preferred Stock at a price of $80.00 per one one-hundredth of a
share of preferred stock, subject to adjustment. The Rights are
not exercisable until the earlier to occur of: (i) 10
business days after the announcement by a person or group (other
than Mr. Segal) that they have acquired beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common
stock; (ii) 10 business days following the commencement of,
or an announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer that would result in the ownership by a person or
group (other than Mr. Segal) of 15% or more of Meadowbrook
common stock; or (iii) 10 business days following the date
on which a majority of Meadowbrooks directors informs
Meadowbrook of the existence of a person or group described in
(i) or (ii). Unless extended, the Rights will expire on
October 15, 2009.
Upon exercise, each Right entitles the holder to receive a
number of common shares equal to the result obtained by
(a) multiplying the $80.00 purchase price by (b) the
number of one one-hundredths of a preferred share for which a
Right is then exercisable; and dividing that product by
(c) 50% of the then current market price of
Meadowbrooks common shares. The effect of the triggering
of the shareholder rights plan would be to significantly dilute
the ownership percentage of any person as described in
(i) through (iii) above.
Meadowbrook may redeem the Rights at any time prior to the time
that an event described in (i) through (iii) above
occurs at a price of $0.01 per Right.
ProCentury. ProCentury does not have a
shareholder rights plan.
BUSINESS
OF MEADOWBROOK
General
Meadowbrook is a holding company organized as a Michigan
corporation in 1985. Meadowbrook was formerly known as Star
Holding Company and in November 1995, upon the companys
acquisition of Meadowbrook, Inc., it changed its name.
Meadowbrook, Inc. was founded in 1955 as Meadowbrook Insurance
Agency and was subsequently incorporated in Michigan in 1965.
Meadowbrook serves as a holding company for its wholly owned
subsidiary Star Insurance Company (Star), and
Stars wholly owned subsidiaries, Savers Property and
Casualty Insurance Company, Williamsburg National Insurance
Company, and Ameritrust Insurance Corporation, as well as
American Indemnity Insurance Company, Ltd. Meadowbrook also
serves as a holding company for Meadowbrook, Inc., Crest
Financial Corporation, and their subsidiaries.
Meadowbrooks principal executive offices are located at
26255 American Drive, Southfield, Michigan
48034-5178
(telephone number:
(248) 358-1100).
How
Meadowbrook Earns Revenue
Meadowbrooks revenues are derived from two distinct
business operations:
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Specialty risk management operations which generate service
fees, net earned premium and investment income; and
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Agency operations which generate commission income.
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Specialty
Risk Management Operations
Meadowbrooks specialty risk management operations, which
includes insurance company specialty programs and
fee-for-service specialty programs, focuses on specialty or
niche insurance business. Meadowbrooks specialty risk
management operations provide services and coverages tailored to
meet the specific requirements of defined client groups and
their members. These services include risk management
consulting, claims administration and
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handling, loss control and prevention, and reinsurance
placement, along with various types of property and casualty
insurance coverage, including workers compensation,
commercial multiple peril, general liability, commercial auto
liability, and inland marine. Meadowbrooks specialty risk
management operations generated gross written premiums of
$346.5 million, $330.9 million, and
$332.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2007,
2006, and 2005, respectively.
Agency
Operations
Meadowbrooks agency operations segment earns commission
revenue through the operation of its retail property and
casualty insurance agencies, located in Michigan, California,
and Florida. These agencies produce commercial, personal lines,
life and accident and health insurance, with more than fifty
unaffiliated insurance carriers. These agencies produce an
immaterial amount of business for its affiliated insurance
company subsidiaries.
Meadowbrooks agency operations generated commissions of
$11.3 million, $12.3 million, and $11.3 million,
for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005,
respectively.
Meadowbrooks
Operational
Structure:
Full-Service
Processing Capabilities
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Program and Product Design
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Underwriting
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Reinsurance Placement
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Policy Administration
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Loss Prevention and Control
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Claims Administration and Handling
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Litigation Management
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Information Technology and Processing
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Accounting Functions
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General Management and Oversight of the Program
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Meadowbrooks specialty risk management operations and
agency operations are entirely supported by its full-service
processing capabilities, which provide every function necessary
to a risk management organization.
A.M. Best
Rating
Ratings have become an increasingly important factor in
establishing the competitive position of insurance companies.
A.M. Best maintains a letter scale rating system ranging
from A++ (Superior) to F (In
Liquidation). In April 2007, A.M. Best Company upgraded the
financial strength rating from B++ (Very Good) to A−
(Excellent) for Meadowbrooks four insurance company
subsidiaries: Star, Savers, Williamsburg and Ameritrust.
A.M. Best Ratings are directed toward the concerns of
policyholders and insurance agencies and are not intended for
the protection of investors or as a recommendation to buy, hold
or sell securities.
Financial and other information relating to Meadowbrook is set
forth in Meadowbrooks 2007 Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
Meadowbrooks Proxy Statement for its 2008 annual meeting
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 26, 2008, Meadowbrooks Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2008
and Meadowbrooks Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed during 2008, copies of which may be obtained from
Meadowbrook as indicated under Where You Can Find More
Information on page 91.
BUSINESS
OF PROCENTURY
Business
Overview
ProCentury is a property and casualty insurance holding company
that writes specialty insurance products for small and mid-sized
businesses through Century Surety Company and ProCentury
Insurance Company, its operating insurance subsidiaries. Century
and PIC are both rated A− by the
A.M. Best Company or A.M. Best.
ProCentury primarily writes general liability, commercial
property, commercial multi-peril, commercial auto and marine
insurance in the excess and surplus lines market through a
select group of general agents. The excess and surplus lines
market provides an alternative market for customers with
hard-to-place risks that insurance companies licensed by the
state in which the insurance policy is sold, also referred to as
standard insurers or admitted insurers, typically do not cover.
ProCenturys strategy is to generate an underwriting profit
by being selective in the classes of business and the coverages
it writes and by providing superior service to its agents.
ProCenturys goal is to be selective in the classes of
business and the coverages it writes within the excess and
surplus lines market. ProCentury seeks to combine profitable
underwriting, investment returns and efficient capital
management to deliver consistent long-term growth in shareholder
value.
As a specialty company, ProCentury offers insurance products
designed to meet specific insurance needs of targeted insured
markets. These targeted insured markets are often not served or
are underserved by standard companies and, as a specialty
insurer, ProCentury seeks to compete more on the basis of
service and availability of coverage than price. ProCentury
focuses on serving the insurance needs of small and mid-sized
businesses, including apartment buildings, hospitality
businesses, garages, non-franchised auto dealers, condominium
associations, retail and wholesale stores, artisan contractors,
marinas, daycare facilities, fitness centers and special event
providers. The insurance needs of these targeted insured markets
are serviced by retail insurance brokers who maintain
relationships with the general agents with whom ProCentury does
business. ProCentury develops specialty insurance products
through its own experience or knowledge or through proposals
brought to it by agents with special expertise in specific
classes of business. ProCentury underwrites all of its
applicants for insurance coverages on an individual basis. For
each class ProCentury insures, it employs a number of
customized endorsements, rating tools and decreased limits to
align its product offerings with the risk profile of the class
and the specific insured being underwritten.
ProCentury is either approved as an excess and surplus lines
insurer or authorized as an admitted insurer by the state
insurance regulators in 49 states plus the District of
Columbia. In the excess and surplus lines market, ProCentury
serves businesses that are unable to obtain coverage from
standard lines carriers for a variety of reasons, including the
following:
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the non-standard nature of the insured is outside
the risk profile of most standard lines carriers;
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the risk associated with an insured is higher than the risk
anticipated by a standard lines carrier when it filed its rates
and forms for regulatory approval, which prevents it from
charging a premium that is appropriate for the heightened risk;
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many geographic regions are considered to be adverse markets in
which to operate due to legal, regulatory or claims issues or
because they are too remote to warrant a marketing effort and,
as a result, agents in theses areas have a limited choice of
admitted insurers; and
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small agent organizations do not generate enough premium volume
to qualify for direct relationships with standard lines carriers.
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ProCentury generally targets shorter tail classes of
casualty business focusing on owner landlord and tenants classes
of business. Tail is the term used to describe the
period of time from the occurrence giving rise to a claim to the
time that the actual cost of the occurrence to the insurance
carrier is known. ProCentury believes these shorter tail owner
landlord and tenants classes of business present less rating and
reserving risk to it compared to longer tail casualty lines,
such as manufacturing and contractors casualty lines. Although
ProCentury tends to focus on writing shorter tail classes of
business, there are benefits to writing some longer tail
casualty lines, such as in the manufacturing and contractors
classes of business. ProCentury currently writes longer tail
casualty lines in selective classes and geographic regions when
opportunities would appear to support its core strategy of
profitable underwriting.
Consistent with ProCenturys general approach to casualty
lines, it believes that the inherent short tail of the property
business presents less pricing and reserving risk compared to
longer tail classes of business. These classes include apartment
buildings, commercial buildings and low value dwellings.
ProCentury also writes commercial multi-peril policies that
provide its insureds with commercial property and general
liability coverages bundled together as a package. The targeted
classes, limits and pricing on these policies are the same as
the policies it writes separately.
ProCentury offers garage liability, professional liability,
commercial excess and umbrella policies to supplement its
commercial multi-peril and commercial general liability
writings. Commercial umbrella insurance policies provide excess
liability coverage above the limits of standard liability
policies and may also provide coverage for risks not covered
under standard liability policies. ProCenturys customers
typically include small business, retail stores and
non-residential service contractors. In addition, ProCentury has
developed customized products and coverages for other small
commercial insureds such as daycare facilities, fitness centers
and special event providers.
ProCentury also has a program unit that focuses on the
development of specialty programs as well as alternative risk
transfer programs, which require the insured to fund all or part
of the insurance risk with cash or a letter of credit. Its
specialty programs focus on specific risks for a targeted group
of insureds, such as oil and gas contractors, pet sitters and
assisted care facilities.
In June 2006, ProCentury created a unit to write ocean marine
business, which targets small and medium sized ocean cargo,
marine liability, and hull exposures. It focuses more on shorter
tail marine exposures and typically does not write high hazard
marine manufacturing and contracting exposures. ProCentury
typically excludes workers compensation coverages from its
protection and indemnity coverage for the ocean marine business.
ProCenturys marine products are distributed through its
existing agents and brokers as well as specialized ocean marine
brokers. In addition, in April 2007, ProCentury began marketing
a product that serves the environmental contractors and
consultant market as well as a product that offers mono-line
contractors pollution liability for non-environmental
contracting risks.
In addition, in August 2007, ProCentury began to underwrite
surety business. It seeks in construction accounts with an
underwriting focus on financial condition and work experience.
ProCentury also writes non-contract surety bonds such as
license-permit, public official, court, probate and other
miscellaneous surety products.
ProCenturys principal executive offices are located at 465
Cleveland Ave., Westerville, Ohio 43082, and the telephone
number at that address is
(614) 895-2000.
89
Financial and other information relating to ProCentury is set
forth in ProCenturys 2007 Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
ProCenturys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
three months ended March 31, 2008 and ProCenturys
Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed during 2008, copies of which may be obtained from
ProCentury as indicated under Where You Can Find More
Information on page 91.
Recent
Developments
On April 2, 2008, the staff of the SEC requested that
ProCentury voluntarily provide certain information related to
its construction defect reserves for fiscal years 2003 through
2006. At December 31, 2007, construction defect reserves
represented approximately 5.6% of ProCenturys total
reserves. The request indicated that their inquiry should not be
construed as an indication by the Commission or the staff that
any violation of law has occurred. ProCentury is in the process
of voluntarily providing the SEC with responsive information
with the goal of expediting the resolution of inquiry. Although
ProCentury has confidence in the integrity of its financial
statements and its methods for establishing reserves, including
construction defect reserves, ProCentury cannot predict the
ultimate outcome of the inquiry at this time. Based on present
information, ProCentury believes the resolution of this matter
will not have a material adverse effect on its financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
OTHER
MATTERS
As of the date of this joint proxy statement-prospectus, no
matters other than the matters described in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus are expected to be presented for
consideration at the special meetings. However, if any other
matters properly come before the Meadowbrook or ProCentury
special meeting and are voted upon, the enclosed joint proxy
statement-prospectus will be deemed to confer discretionary
authority on the individuals named as proxies to vote the shares
represented by such proxy as to any such matters.
SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Meadowbrook expects to hold its next annual meeting of
shareholders in May 2009. Under the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, proposals of Meadowbrook shareholders
intended to be presented at that meeting and included in
Meadowbrooks proxy statement must be received by
Meadowbrook at its principal executive offices at Meadowbrook
Insurance Group, Inc., 26255 American Drive, Southfield,
Michigan
48034-5178,
no later than December 4, 2008. If a shareholder wishes to
present a proposal for the 2009 annual meeting, but does not
wish to have the proposal considered for inclusion in
Meadowbrooks proxy statement and proxy, the shareholder
must give written notice to Meadowbrook on or before
February 17, 2009. Proposals submitted after
February 17, 2009 shall be considered untimely. Please
refer to Meadowbrooks proxy statement in connection with
its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders for additional
information. See Where You Can Find More
Information. It is not currently anticipated that
ProCentury will hold its annual meeting in 2008 or 2009, unless
the merger has not been completed or the merger agreement has
been terminated. If this occurs, ProCentury will announce the
applicable deadlines for shareholder proposals when it announces
the date of the annual meeting.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Meadowbrook and its
subsidiaries appearing in Meadowbrooks Annual Report
(Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2007 (including schedules
appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Meadowbrooks
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2007 have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set
forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 2007 are incorporated herein
by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of
ProCentury and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and
2006, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2007, and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2007, have been
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incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of
KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report
covering the consolidated financial statements refers to
ProCenturys adoption of the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment,
effective January 1, 2006. The audit report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2007, expresses an opinion that ProCentury and
subsidiaries did not maintain effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 because of the
effect of a material weakness on the achievement of the
objectives of the control criteria and contains an explanatory
paragraph stating that a material weakness related to
determining the assumptions for projected cash flows for
asset-backed securities in connection with managements
assessment of other-than-temporary impairment has been
identified and included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the Meadowbrook common stock to be issued in the
merger was passed upon for Meadowbrook by Howard &
Howard Attorneys PC, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Baker & Hostetler LLP, Cleveland, Ohio has delivered
an opinion concerning material federal income tax consequences
of the merger to ProCentury and Bodman LLP, Detroit, Michigan,
has delivered an opinion concerning material federal income tax
consequences of the merger to Meadowbrook. In addition, pursuant
to the merger agreement, Baker & Hostetler LLP is
expected to deliver an opinion to ProCentury prior to closing
substantially to the effect that the merger will be treated as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(A)
of the Code. Correspondingly, Bodman is expected to deliver an
opinion to Meadowbrook prior to closing substantially to the
effect that the merger will be treated as a reorganization
within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(A)
of the Code. See Description of Transaction
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Merger.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Meadowbrook and ProCentury each file annual, quarterly and
current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read
and copy this information at the Public Reference Room at the
SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information about issuers that
file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov.
Meadowbrook filed a registration statement with the SEC under
the Securities Act relating to the Meadowbrook common stock
offered to ProCentury shareholders. The registration statement
contains additional information about Meadowbrook and the
Meadowbrook common stock. The SEC allows Meadowbrook to omit
certain information included in the registration statement from
this joint proxy statement-prospectus. The registration
statement may be inspected and copied at the SECs public
reference facilities described above. The registration statement
is also available on the SECs website.
Information about Meadowbrook is also available at its website
at
http://www.meadowbrook.com.
Information about ProCentury is also available at its website at
http://www.procentury.com.
However, the information on Meadowbrooks and
ProCenturys respective websites is not a part of this
joint proxy statement-prospectus.
All information contained in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus with respect to Meadowbrook was supplied by
Meadowbrook, and all information contained in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus with respect to ProCentury was supplied by
ProCentury.
INFORMATION
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
This proxy statement-prospectus incorporates important business
and financial information about Meadowbrook and ProCentury that
is not included in or delivered with this proxy
statement-prospectus.
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The following documents filed with the SEC by Meadowbrook are
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus (SEC File
No. 001-14094):
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the annual report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (including the
Form 10-K/A
filed on March 20, 2007);
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the proxy statement in connection with the 2008 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders;
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the quarterly report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008;
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the current reports on
Form 8-K
filed on February 21, 2008, February 22, 2008,
February 22, 2008 and February 27, 2008 (other than
the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed);
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the description of Meadowbrooks common stock contained in
a registration statement on
Form 8-A
dated September 14, 1995 filed under the Exchange Act and
any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of
updating such description; and
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the description of Meadowbrooks preferred share purchase
rights contained in a registration statement on
Form 8-A
dated October 12, 1999 filed under the Exchange Act and any
amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of
updating such description.
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Meadowbrook also incorporates by reference any filings it makes
with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act after the date of this proxy
statement-prospectus and before the special meeting.
The following documents filed with the SEC by ProCentury are
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus (SEC File
No. 000-50641):
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the annual report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007;
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the quarterly report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008; and
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the current reports on
Form 8-K
filed on February 21, 2008, February 22, 2008 and
February 27, 2008 (other than the portions of those
documents not deemed to be filed).
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ProCentury also incorporates by reference any filings it makes
with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act after the date of this proxy
statement-prospectus and before the special meeting.
You may obtain copies of the information incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement-prospectus upon written or
oral request. The section above entitled Where You Can
Find More Information contains information about how such
requests should be made.
PLEASE
NOTE
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any
information other than the information included in this document
and the documents to which we refer you. If someone provides you
with other information, please do not rely on it as being
authorized by us.
This joint proxy statement-prospectus has been prepared as of
May 27, 2008. You should not assume that the information
contained in this document is accurate as of any date other than
that date, and neither the mailing to you of this document nor
the issuance to you of shares of common stock of Meadowbrook
will create any implication to the contrary. However, if there
is a material change to information requiring the filing of a
post-effective amendment with the SEC, you will receive an
updated document and your proxy will be resolicited.
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APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 2008
BY AND AMONG
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.,
PROCENTURY CORPORATION,
AND
MBKPC CORP.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
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A-1
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ARTICLE II THE MERGER
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A-6
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2.1
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The Merger
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A-6
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2.2
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Effective Time
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A-6
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2.3
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Effects of the Merger
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A-6
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2.4
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Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
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A-6
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2.5
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Directors and Executive Officers of the Surviving Corporation
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A-6
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2.6
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Tax Consequences
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A-7
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2.7
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Offices
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A-7
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2.8
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Additional Actions
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A-7
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2.9
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Merger Sub Common Stock
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A-7
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ARTICLE III CONSIDERATION; ELECTION AND EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
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A-7
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3.1
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Conversion of Shares
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A-7
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3.2
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Election Procedures
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A-8
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3.3
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Exchange Procedures
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A-10
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3.4
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Rights as Shareholders; Stock Transfers
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A-12
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3.5
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No Fractional Shares
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A-12
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3.6
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Anti-Dilution Provisions
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A-12
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3.7
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Withholding Rights
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A-12
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3.8
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Dissenters Rights
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A-12
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3.9
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Restricted Shares and Options
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A-13
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ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PROCENTURY
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A-13
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4.1
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Corporate Organization
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A-13
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4.2
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Capitalization
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A-14
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4.3
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Authority; No Violation
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A-14
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4.4
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Consents and Approvals
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A-15
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4.5
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Reports
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A-15
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4.6
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Financial Statements
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A-16
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4.7
|
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Brokers Fees
|
|
|
A-17
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|
4.8
|
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Absence of Certain Changes or Events
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
4.9
|
|
Legal Proceedings
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
4.10
|
|
Taxes
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
4.11
|
|
Employee Benefit Plan Matters
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
4.12
|
|
ProCentury Information
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
4.13
|
|
Ownership of Meadowbrook Common Stock
|
|
|
A-19
|
|
4.14
|
|
Compliance with Applicable Law; Licenses
|
|
|
A-19
|
|
4.15
|
|
Certain Contracts
|
|
|
A-19
|
|
4.16
|
|
Investment Securities
|
|
|
A-19
|
|
4.17
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
4.18
|
|
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
4.19
|
|
State Takeover Laws; Required Vote
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
4.20
|
|
Environmental Matters
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
A-i
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Page
|
|
4.21
|
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Opinion
|
|
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A-20
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4.22
|
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ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
4.23
|
|
Labor and Employment Matters
|
|
|
A-22
|
|
4.24
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
A-23
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4.25
|
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Indemnification
|
|
|
A-23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MEADOWBROOK AND
MERGER SUB
|
|
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A-23
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5.1
|
|
Corporate Organization
|
|
|
A-23
|
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5.2
|
|
Capitalization
|
|
|
A-24
|
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5.3
|
|
Authority; No Violation
|
|
|
A-24
|
|
5.4
|
|
Consents and Approvals
|
|
|
A-25
|
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5.5
|
|
Reports
|
|
|
A-25
|
|
5.6
|
|
Financial Statements
|
|
|
A-26
|
|
5.7
|
|
Brokers Fees
|
|
|
A-26
|
|
5.8
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events
|
|
|
A-26
|
|
5.9
|
|
Legal Proceedings
|
|
|
A-27
|
|
5.10
|
|
Taxes
|
|
|
A-27
|
|
5.11
|
|
Employee Benefit Plan Matters
|
|
|
A-27
|
|
5.12
|
|
Meadowbrook Information
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
5.13
|
|
Ownership of ProCentury Common Stock
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
5.14
|
|
Compliance with Applicable Law
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
5.15
|
|
Certain Contracts
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
5.16
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
5.17
|
|
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
5.18
|
|
Required Vote
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
5.19
|
|
Environmental Matters
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
5.20
|
|
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
5.21
|
|
Labor and Employment Matters
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
5.22
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
5.23
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
|
|
|
A-32
|
|
6.1
|
|
Covenants of ProCentury
|
|
|
A-32
|
|
6.2
|
|
Covenants of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub
|
|
|
A-34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
|
|
|
A-34
|
|
7.1
|
|
Reasonable Best Efforts
|
|
|
A-34
|
|
7.2
|
|
Shareholder Approval
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
7.3
|
|
Registration Statement
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
7.4
|
|
Regulatory Filings
|
|
|
A-36
|
|
7.5
|
|
Press Releases
|
|
|
A-37
|
|
7.6
|
|
Access; Information
|
|
|
A-37
|
|
7.7
|
|
Acquisition Proposals
|
|
|
A-37
|
|
7.8
|
|
NYSE Listing
|
|
|
A-38
|
|
7.9
|
|
Benefit Plans
|
|
|
A-38
|
|
7.10
|
|
Notification of Certain Matters
|
|
|
A-39
|
|
A-ii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
7.11
|
|
Indemnification and Insurance
|
|
|
A-39
|
|
7.12
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
7.13
|
|
Current Information
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
7.14
|
|
Continuing Directors
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
8.1
|
|
Conditions to Each Partys Obligation To Effect the Merger
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
8.2
|
|
Conditions to Obligations of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
8.3
|
|
Conditions to Obligations of ProCentury
|
|
|
A-42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
9.1
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
9.2
|
|
Effect of Termination
|
|
|
A-44
|
|
9.3
|
|
Extension; Waiver
|
|
|
A-45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
|
|
A-45
|
|
10.1
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
A-45
|
|
10.2
|
|
Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements
|
|
|
A-45
|
|
10.3
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
A-46
|
|
10.4
|
|
Notices
|
|
|
A-46
|
|
10.5
|
|
Interpretation
|
|
|
A-46
|
|
10.6
|
|
Entire Agreement
|
|
|
A-46
|
|
10.7
|
|
Governing Law
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
10.8
|
|
Enforcement of the Agreement
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
10.9
|
|
Severability
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
10.10
|
|
Amendment
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
10.11
|
|
Assignment
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
10.12
|
|
Execution of Agreement
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
10.13
|
|
No Third Party Beneficiaries
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
A-iii
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this
Agreement), dated as of February 20, 2008, is
by and among Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., a Michigan
corporation (Meadowbrook), ProCentury Corporation,
an Ohio corporation (ProCentury), and MBKPC Corp., a
Michigan corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Meadowbrook (Merger Sub). Meadowbrook, ProCentury
and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to herein, individually as
a Party, and collectively, as the
Parties.
WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of
Meadowbrook, Merger Sub and ProCentury have each approved and
adopted this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the merger of ProCentury with and into Merger Sub (the
Merger), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the board of directors of ProCentury deems it
advisable and in the best interests of ProCentury and its
shareholders that ProCentury enter into this Agreement to
advance its strategic business interests by putting the
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries and the Meadowbrook Insurance
Subsidiaries under common ownership, and permitting the
coordination of activities conducted by them, and otherwise
participating in growth opportunities of Meadowbrook and its
Subsidiaries;
WHEREAS, for United States federal income tax purposes,
it is intended that the Merger will qualify as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder (the Code); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain
representations, warranties and agreements in connection with
the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the
Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants,
representations, warranties and agreements contained herein, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings:
Acquisition Agreement shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 9.1(j).
Acquisition Proposal shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 7.7.
Agent means an agent, representative,
distributor, broker, employee or other Person authorized to sell
or administer products of a ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary.
Aggregate Merger Consideration shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(v).
Aggregate Stock Amount shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.2(f).
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in
the Preamble.
Applicable Date shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.5(a).
Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(i).
Burdensome Condition shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 8.1(g).
Capital Change shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.6.
Cash Consideration shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(v).
Cash Election shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(a).
Cash Election Shares shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.2(a).
Century 401(k) Plan shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 7.9(a).
A-1
Certificate shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.3(a). Certificates of Merger shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Closing shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.1.
Closing Date shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 10.1.
Code shall have the meaning set forth in the
third recital.
Covered Person shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.25.
Determination Date shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(ii).
Dissenting Shareholder shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.8.
Dissenting Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.8.
DOL means United States Department of Labor.
Drop Dead Date shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 9.1(c).
Effective Time shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.2.
Election Deadline shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(b).
Election Form shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(a).
Environmental Laws means all federal, state
and local laws including common law, regulations and ordinances
and with all applicable decrees, orders and contractual
obligations relating to pollution, the discharge of, or exposure
to materials in the environment or workplace.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means each entity that is
treated as a single employer with ProCentury for purposes of
Code Section 414.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Agent shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(c).
Exchange Ratio shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(iii).
Excluded Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1(a)(1).
Forms shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.22(e).
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles.
Governmental Entity means any court,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority or instrumentality.
HSR Act means the
Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
Indemnified Party shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 7.11(a).
Injunction shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.1(f).
Insurance Laws shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.22(b).
IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
Laws means all applicable federal, state,
local or foreign law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation,
judgment, order, injunction, decree or agency requirement of any
Governmental Entity.
Liens means any security interest, pledge,
mortgage, lien, charge, restriction, or other encumbrance,
choate or inchoate, of any kind or nature whatsoever or however
arising, including any Tax lien.
A-2
License means permits, licenses,
certifications, approvals, registrations, consents,
authorizations, franchises, variances, exemptions and orders
issued or granted by a Governmental Entity.
Maximum Cash Consideration shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(iv).
Meadowbrook shall have the meaning set forth
in the Preamble.
Meadowbrook 401(k) Plan shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a).
Meadowbrook Actuarial Analyses shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.20(g).
Meadowbrook Common Stock means the common
stock, stated value $.01 per share, of Meadowbrook.
Meadowbrook Credit Facility means the credit
facility established under the Credit Agreement dated as of
November 12, 2004 among Meadowbrook and Standard Federal
Bank National Association (Standard Federal), as
amended by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated
May 20, 2005 between Meadowbrook and Standard Federal, the
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated September 8,
2007 between Meadowbrook and Standard Federal, the Third
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 28, 2005 and
the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated April 10,
2007 among Meadowbrook, Meadowbrook, Inc., Crest Financial
Corporation and LaSalle Bank Midwest National Association.
Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule shall have
the meaning set forth in Article V.
Meadowbrook Insurance Contracts shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 5.20(e).
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 5.20(a).
Meadowbrook Intellectual Property shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 5.16.
Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect means an
event, change or effect that has a material adverse effect on
(i) the financial position, results of operations or
business of Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or
(ii) the ability of Meadowbrook or Merger Sub to perform
its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially
threaten or materially impede the consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided,
however, that Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect shall not be
deemed to include any events, changes or effects to the extent
resulting from (a) changes in Insurance Laws and other Laws
of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or
Governmental Entities, or other changes affecting insurance
companies generally, including changes in general political,
economic or business conditions (including the commencement,
continuation or escalation of a war, material armed hostilities
or other material international or national calamity or acts of
terrorism or earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters
or acts of God), (b) changes in GAAP or regulatory
accounting requirements applicable to insurance companies and
their holding companies generally, (c) any modifications or
changes to policies and practices in connection with the Merger
or restructuring charges taken in connection with the Merger, in
each case in accordance with GAAP, (d) changes resulting
from expenses (such as legal, accounting and investment
bankers fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement,
(e) actions or omissions of Meadowbrook or Merger Sub taken
with the prior written consent of ProCentury in contemplation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, (f) the announcement
or performance of the transactions contemplated hereby or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
(g) changes in general financial or capital market
conditions.
Meadowbrook Plans shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.11.
Meadowbrook Preferred Stock shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
Meadowbrook Reports shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.5(a).
Meadowbrook SAP Statements shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.6(b).
Meadowbrook Shareholder Meeting shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).
Meadowbrook Shareholder Approval shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
Meadowbrook Stock Plans shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
A-3
Meadowbrooks Counsel means Bodman LLP,
counsel to Meadowbrook.
Meadowbrook Trusts means Meadowbrook Capital
Trust I and Meadowbrook Capital Trust II formed in
connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities
referred to in the Meadowbrook Reports.
Merger shall have the meaning set forth in
the first recital.
Merger Sub shall have the meaning set forth
in the Preamble.
Minimum Tax Ratio shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(f).
Mixed Election shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(a).
Nasdaq shall mean the NASDAQ Global Select
Market, any successor inter-dealer quotation system operated by
the Nasdaq Inc., or any successor thereto.
No-Election Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(a).
Non-Election shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.2(a).
NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange or
such national securities exchange on which the Meadowbrook
Common Stock is listed.
Option Merger Consideration shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.9.
Party and Parties shall
have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Permitted Liens means any Lien (a) for
Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment
not yet due, being contested in good faith or for which adequate
accruals or reserves have been established, (b) which is a
carriers, warehousemens, mechanics,
materialmens, repairmens or other similar lien
arising in the ordinary course of business, (c) which is
disclosed on the consolidated balance sheet (or notes thereto)
of ProCentury or securing liabilities reflected on such balance
sheet, (d) which was incurred in the ordinary course of
business since September 30, 2007 and (e) all other
title exceptions, defects, encumbrances and other matters,
whether or not of record, which do not materially affect the
continued use of the property for the purposes for which the
property is currently being used by ProCentury or its
Subsidiaries as of the date hereof.
Person means any individual, firm,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, association, estate, trust, governmental agency or body
or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or
otherwise) of such Person.
Per Share Cash Consideration shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(1)(i).
Per Share Stock Consideration shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(1)(ii).
Previously Disclosed shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.1.
ProCentury shall have the meaning set forth
in the Preamble.
ProCentury Actuarial Analyses shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.22(g).
ProCentury Common Shares means the common
shares, without par value, of ProCentury.
ProCentury Contract shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 4.15(a).
ProCentury Disclosure Schedule shall have the
meaning set forth in Article IV.
ProCentury Insurance Contracts shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.22(e).
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary(ies) shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.22(a).
ProCentury Intellectual Property shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 4.17.
ProCentury Material Adverse Effect means an
event, change or effect that has a material adverse effect on
(i) the financial position, results of operations or
business of ProCentury and its Subsidiaries taken as a
A-4
whole or (ii) the ability of ProCentury to perform its
obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially
threaten or materially impede the consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided,
however, that ProCentury Material Adverse Effect shall not be
deemed to include any events, changes or effects to the extent
resulting from (a) changes in Insurance Laws and other Laws
of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or
Governmental Entities, or other changes affecting insurance
companies generally, including changes in general political,
economic or business conditions (including the commencement,
continuation or escalation of a war, material armed hostilities
or other material international or national calamity or acts of
terrorism or earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters
or acts of God), (b) changes in GAAP or regulatory
accounting requirements applicable to insurance companies and
their holding companies generally, (c) any modifications or
changes to policies and practices in connection with the Merger
or restructuring charges taken in connection with the Merger, in
each case in accordance with GAAP, (d) changes resulting
from expenses (such as legal, accounting and investment
bankers fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement,
(e) actions or omissions of ProCentury taken with the prior
written consent of Meadowbrook, as applicable, in contemplation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, (f) the payments
of any amounts due, or the provision of any benefits to, any
officer or employee under employment,
change-in-control
or severance agreements as of the date hereof as Previously
Disclosed, (g) the announcement or performance of the
transactions contemplated hereby or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and (h) changes in general
financial or capital market conditions.
ProCentury Option Plans shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).
ProCentury Optionholder shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).
ProCentury Option shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.9.
ProCentury Plans shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.11(a).
ProCentury Preferred Shares means the
preferred shares, no par value, of ProCentury.
ProCentury Reports shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.5(a).
ProCentury SAP Statements shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.6(b).
ProCentury Shareholder Approval shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a).
ProCentury Shareholder Meeting shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).
Proxy Statement shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.4.
Reallocated Cash Shares shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(i)(3).
Reallocated Stock Shares shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(ii)(2).
Reduction Amount shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(f).
Regulatory Agreement shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 4.22(d).
Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 8.1(d).
Restricted Stock shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.9.
S-4
means Meadowbrooks Registration Statement on
Form S-4.
SAP shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.6(b).
Sarbanes-Oxley Act means the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Stock Consideration shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.1(a)(2)(v).
A-5
Stock Election shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2(a).
Stock Election Shares shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.2(a).
Subsidiary means, when used with respect to
any Party, any corporation, partnership or other organization,
whether incorporated or unincorporated, which is consolidated
with such Party for financial reporting purposes.
Superior Proposal shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 7.7.
Surviving Corporation shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.1.
Tax Ratio shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(f).
Tax Return means any return, report,
information return or other document (including any related or
supporting information) with respect to Taxes.
Taxes means all taxes, charges, fees, levies,
penalties or other assessments imposed by any United States
federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority, including,
but not limited to income, excise, property, sales, transfer,
franchise, payroll, withholding, social security or other taxes,
including any interest, penalties or additions attributable
thereto.
Termination Fee shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 9.2(b).
Trusts means the (i) Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust by and among State Street Bank and
Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as
Institutional Trustee, Profinance Holdings Corporation, as
Sponsor, and Steven R. Young and John A. Marazza, as
Administrators, dated as of December 4, 2002 and
(ii) the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust by and
among U.S. Bank National Association, as Institutional
Trustee, Profinance Holdings Corporation, as Sponsor, and Steven
R. Young and John A. Marazza, as Administrators, dated as of
May 15, 2003.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement, ProCentury shall be
merged with and into Merger Sub in accordance with the Ohio
Revised Code and the Michigan Business Corporation Act,
whereupon the separate corporate existence of ProCentury shall
cease and Merger Sub shall continue as the surviving corporation
in the Merger (the Surviving Corporation) and as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Meadowbrook.
2.2 Effective Time. The Merger
shall become effective when certificates of merger with respect
to the Merger (the Certificates of Merger),
containing the provisions required by, and executed in
accordance with, the Ohio Revised Code and the Michigan Business
Corporation Act have been accepted for filing by the office of
the Secretary of State of Ohio and the Michigan Department of
Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Commercial
Services, Corporation Division or at such other subsequent date
as Meadowbrook and ProCentury may agree in writing in accordance
with the Ohio Revised Code and the Michigan Business Corporation
Act. The term Effective Time shall be the date and
time when the Merger becomes effective.
2.3 Effects of the Merger. The
Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 1701.82
of the Ohio Revised Code and Section 450.1724 of the
Michigan Business Corporation Act.
2.4 Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws. At the Effective Time, the articles
of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles
of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by
applicable Law; provided, however, that Article I of the
articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be
amended in its entirety to read as follows: The name of
the corporation is ProCentury Corporation.
2.5 Directors and Executive Officers of the Surviving
Corporation. The directors and executive
officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the
Effective Time shall be as set forth in Section 2.5 of the
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Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule, each of whom shall serve until
such time as their successors shall be duly elected or appointed
and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal.
2.6 Tax Consequences. It is
intended that the Merger constitute a tax free reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code.
2.7 Offices. The headquarters of
the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Effective Time
shall be at 465 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43082, and
it is Meadowbrooks present intention to retain such
location as its headquarters.
2.8 Additional Actions. At and
after the Effective Time, the officers and directors of the
Surviving Corporation will be authorized to execute and deliver,
in the name and on behalf of ProCentury or Merger Sub, any
deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances and to take any
other actions and do any other things, in the name and on behalf
of ProCentury or Merger Sub, reasonably necessary to vest,
perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving
Corporation any and all right, title and interest in, to and
under any of the rights, properties or assets of ProCentury or
Merger Sub or to be acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a
result of, or in connection with, the Merger.
2.9 Merger Sub Common Stock. Each
share of Merger Sub common stock, no par value per share, that
is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall remain issued and outstanding as the only issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Surviving Corporation and shall
be unchanged by the Merger.
ARTICLE III
CONSIDERATION;
ELECTION AND EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
3.1 Conversion of Shares. At the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger:
(a) (1) ProCentury Common
Shares. Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.5, 3.6,
3.7, 3.8 and 3.9, each ProCentury Common Share issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding
Dissenting Shares and any ProCentury Common Shares held as
treasury shares or by any wholly owned Subsidiary of ProCentury,
Merger Sub, Meadowbrook or any other wholly owned Subsidiary of
Meadowbrook (collectively, the Excluded Shares))
shall be converted into, and shall be canceled in exchange for,
the right to receive, at the election of the holder thereof:
(i) Per Share Cash
Consideration. A cash amount equal to $20.00
(the Per Share Cash Consideration); or
(ii) Per Share Stock
Consideration. A number of shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (the
Per Share Stock Consideration).
As provided in Section 3.2, ProCenturys shareholders
shall have the right to elect to receive the Per Share Cash
Consideration with respect to some of such holders shares
and the Per Share Stock Consideration with respect to such
holders remaining shares. Such election shall be subject
to the allocations set forth in Section 3.2(d). Meadowbrook
shall make a public announcement of the Exchange Ratio and the
Election Deadline no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the third Business Day prior to the date of the
Election Deadline.
(2) Additional Definitions. For
purposes of this Agreement:
(i) Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share
Price shall mean the volume weighted average sales
price of a share of Meadowbrook Common Stock, as reported on the
NYSE, for the thirty
(30) trading-day
period ending with the Determination Date.
(ii) Determination Date shall mean the
close of business on the fifth business day preceding the
Election Deadline.
(iii) Exchange Ratio shall mean the
quotient (rounded to the nearest ten thousandth, or if there is
no nearest ten thousandth, the next higher ten thousandth) of
the Per Share Cash Consideration divided by the Average Closing
Date Meadowbrook Share Price; provided, however, that if the
Average Closing Date
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Meadowbrook Share Price is less than $8.00, the Exchange Ratio
shall be 2.5, and if the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share
Price is greater than $10.50, the Exchange Ratio shall be 1.9048.
(iv) Maximum Cash Consideration shall
mean an aggregate amount of cash equal to 45% of the total value
of the cash and shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock issuable to
holders of ProCentury Common Shares at the Effective Time,
calculated based on the closing price of Meadowbrook Common
Stock as of the date prior to the date of the Effective Time.
For purposes of the allocation provisions in
Section 3.2(d), the cash issuable to holders of ProCentury
Common Shares, as set forth in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to include an amount of cash equal to the number of
Dissenting Shares multiplied by $20.00.
(v) The Aggregate Merger Consideration shall be
(i) the cash amount (which shall not exceed the Maximum
Cash Consideration) equal to (A) the number of ProCentury
Common Shares that are converted at the Effective Time into the
right to receive cash pursuant to Section 3.3 multiplied by
(B) the Per Share Cash Consideration (the Cash
Consideration), and (ii) a number of shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock equal to (A) the number of
ProCentury Common Shares that are converted at the Effective
Time into the right to receive shares of Meadowbrook Common
Stock pursuant to Section 3.3 multiplied by (B) the
Exchange Ratio (the Stock Consideration).
(b) At the Effective Time, the Excluded Shares, other than
Dissenting Shares, shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist
and no stock of Meadowbrook or other consideration shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.
3.2 Election Procedures.
(a) Election Form. An election
form, in such form as ProCentury and Meadowbrook shall mutually
agree (the Election Form), shall be mailed no later
than the date on which the Proxy Statement is mailed to holders
of ProCentury Common Shares to each holder of record of
ProCentury Common Shares as of the record date for the
ProCentury Shareholder Meeting. Each Election Form shall permit
the holder of ProCentury Common Shares including Restricted
Stock (or in the case of nominee record holders, the beneficial
owner through proper instructions and documentation), other than
Dissenting Shareholders, subject to the conditions set forth in
Sections 3.1 and 3.2, (i) to elect to receive
Meadowbrook Common Stock with respect to all of such
holders ProCentury Common Shares as hereinabove provided
(a Stock Election), (ii) to elect to receive
cash with respect to all of such holders ProCentury Common
Shares as hereinabove provided (a Cash Election),
(iii) to elect to receive cash with respect to some of such
holders shares and shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock with
respect to such holders remaining shares (a Mixed
Election) or (iv) to indicate that such holder makes
no such election with respect to such holders ProCentury
Common Shares (a Non-Election). ProCentury Common
Shares as to which a Cash Election has been made (including
pursuant to a Mixed Election) are referred to herein as
Cash Election Shares. ProCentury Common Shares as to
which a Stock Election has been made (including pursuant to a
Mixed Election) are referred to herein as Stock Election
Shares. ProCentury Common Shares as to which no election
has been made are referred to herein as No-Election
Shares. Nominee record holders who hold ProCentury Common
Shares on behalf of multiple beneficial owners shall indicate
how many of the shares held by them are Stock Election Shares,
Cash Election Shares and No-Election Shares. If a shareholder
either (i) does not submit a properly completed Election
Form by the Election Deadline or (ii) revokes an Election
Form prior to the Election Deadline and does not resubmit a
properly completed Election Form prior to the Election Deadline,
the ProCentury Common Shares held by such shareholder (unless
such shares are then Dissenting Shares) shall be designated
No-Election Shares. Meadowbrook and ProCentury shall make
available one or more Election Forms as may be reasonably
requested from time to time by all Persons who become holders
(or beneficial owners) of ProCentury Common Shares between the
record date for the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting and the
Election Deadline.
(b) Election Deadline. The term
Election Deadline shall mean 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on the business day prior to the Effective Time.
(c) Effective Election. Any
election to receive Meadowbrook Common Stock or cash shall have
been properly made only if LaSalle Bank National Association,
which will act as the exchange agent for purposes of conducting
the election procedure and the exchange procedure described in
this Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 (the Exchange
Agent), shall have actually received a properly completed
Election Form by the Election Deadline.
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Any Election Form may be revoked or changed by the Person
submitting such Election Form to the Exchange Agent (or any
other Person to whom the subject ProCentury Common Shares are
subsequently transferred) by written notice to the Exchange
Agent only if such written notice is actually received by the
Exchange Agent at or prior to the Election Deadline. The
Exchange Agent shall have reasonable discretion to determine
when any election, modification or revocation is received,
whether any such election, modification or revocation has been
properly made and to disregard immaterial defects in any
Election Form, and any good faith decisions of the Exchange
Agent regarding such matters shall be binding and conclusive.
Neither Meadowbrook, Merger Sub, ProCentury nor the Exchange
Agent shall be under any obligation to notify any Person of any
defect in an Election Form.
(d) Allocation. Solely for
purposes of calculating the allocations pursuant to this
Section 3.2(d), Dissenting Shareholders will be deemed to
have a right to receive Cash Consideration. Subject to
Section 3.2(f), the Exchange Agent shall effect the
allocation among holders of ProCentury Common Shares of rights
to receive the Cash Consideration and the Stock Consideration as
follows:
(i) Maximum Cash Consideration
Undersubscribed. If the number of Cash
Election Shares times the Per Share Cash Consideration is less
than the Maximum Cash Consideration, then:
(1) all Cash Election Shares shall be converted at the
Effective Time into the right to receive cash;
(2) No-Election Shares shall then be deemed to be Cash
Election Shares to the extent necessary to have the total number
of Cash Election Shares times the Per Share Cash Consideration
equal the Maximum Cash Consideration. If less than all of the
No-Election Shares need to be treated as Cash Election Shares in
accordance with this clause (2), then the Exchange Agent shall
select which No-Election Shares shall be treated as Cash
Election Shares in such manner as the Exchange Agent shall
determine, and all remaining No-Election Shares shall thereafter
be treated as Stock Election Shares;
(3) if all of the No-Election Shares are treated as Cash
Election Shares under the preceding subsection and the total
number of Cash Election Shares times the Per Share Cash
Consideration is less than the Maximum Cash Consideration, then
the Exchange Agent shall convert on a pro rata basis as
described in Section 3.2(e) hereof a sufficient number of
Stock Election Shares into Cash Election Shares
(Reallocated Cash Shares) such that the sum of the
number of Cash Election Shares plus the number of Reallocated
Cash Shares times the Per Share Cash Consideration equals the
Maximum Cash Consideration, and all Reallocated Cash Shares will
be converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive
cash; and
(4) the Stock Election Shares which are not Reallocated
Cash Shares shall be converted at the Effective Time into the
right to receive Meadowbrook Common Stock.
(ii) Maximum Cash Consideration
Oversubscribed. If the number of Cash
Election Shares times the Per Share Cash Consideration is
greater than the Maximum Cash Consideration, then:
(1) all Stock Election Shares and all No-Election Shares
shall be converted at the Effective Time into the right to
receive Meadowbrook Common Stock;
(2) the Exchange Agent shall convert on a pro rata basis as
described in Section 3.2(e) a sufficient number of Cash
Election Shares (Reallocated Stock Shares) into
Stock Election Shares times the Per Share Cash Consideration
such that the number of remaining Cash Election Shares equals
the Maximum Cash Consideration, and all Reallocated Stock Shares
shall be converted at the Effective Time into the right to
receive Meadowbrook Common Stock; and
(3) the Cash Election Shares which are not Reallocated
Stock Shares shall be converted at the Effective Time into the
right to receive cash.
(iii) Maximum Consideration
Satisfied. If the number of Cash Election
Shares times the Per Share Cash Consideration is equal to the
Maximum Cash Consideration, then subparagraphs (d)(i) and
(ii) above shall not apply and all Cash Election Shares
shall be converted at the Effective Time into the right to
receive cash and all No-Election Shares and all Stock Election
Shares will be converted at the Effective Time into the right to
receive Meadowbrook Common Stock.
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(e) Pro Rata Reallocations. In the
event that the Exchange Agent is required pursuant to
Section 3.2(d)(i)(3) to convert some Stock Election Shares
into Reallocated Cash Shares, each holder of Stock Election
Shares (based upon the number of Stock Election Shares held)
shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the total Reallocated
Cash Shares. In the event the Exchange Agent is required
pursuant to Section 3.2(d)(ii)(2) to convert some Cash
Election Shares (based upon the number of Cash Election Shares
held) into Reallocated Stock Shares, each holder of Cash
Election Shares shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the
total Reallocated Stock Shares.
(f) Adjustment Per Tax
Opinion. Notwithstanding anything in this
Article III to the contrary, if, based on the Exchange
Ratio determined in accordance with Section 3.1(a), the Tax
Ratio (as defined below) is less than 55% (or such lesser
percentage, not below 40%, as shall be reasonably agreed to by
tax counsel to ProCentury and Meadowbrook to enable such tax
counsel to deliver the tax opinions referred to in
Article VIII) (the Minimum Tax Ratio), the
number of Cash Election Shares (but for this
Section 3.2(f)) shall be reduced by the minimum extent
necessary (the amount of such reduction, the Reduction
Amount) so that the Tax Ratio is equal to the Minimum Tax
Ratio. The reduction and reallocation required by this
Section 3.2(f) shall be effected in accordance with the
procedures set forth in Section 3.2(e). Tax
Ratio shall mean the ratio of (i) the product of
(A) the closing price per share of Meadowbrook Common Stock
on the Closing Date times (B) the excess of (x) the
Stock Consideration over (y) the number of shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock that tax counsel to Meadowbrook or
ProCentury reasonably deems necessary to exclude for purposes of
the continuity-of-interest requirements under
applicable federal income tax principles relating to
reorganizations described in the Code (such product, the
Aggregate Stock Amount), to (ii) the sum of
(u) the Aggregate Stock Amount plus (v) the aggregate
cash payable pursuant to this Section 3.2 (plus the
aggregate estimated amount of cash payable in lieu of fractional
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.5)
plus (w) the number of Dissenting Shares times the per
share fair value of such shares determined pursuant to
applicable Law or, if such fair value has not been determined as
of the date the calculation required by this Section 3.2(f)
is required to be made, then times the greater of (A) the
Per Share Cash Consideration and (B) the value of the
number of shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock equal to the
Exchange Ratio (calculated for the purposes of this
Section 3.2(f) based on the closing price per share of
Meadowbrook Common Stock on the Closing Date), plus (x) any
other amounts paid by ProCentury (or any affiliate thereof) to,
or on behalf of, any holder of ProCentury Common Shares in
connection with the sale, redemption or other disposition of any
ProCentury Common Shares in connection with the Merger for
purposes of Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.368-1(e)
and 1.368-1T(e) plus (y) any extraordinary dividend
distributed by ProCentury prior to and in connection with the
Merger for purposes of Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.368-1(e)
and 1.368-1T(e), plus (z) the amount of any other items
that tax counsel to Meadowbrook or ProCentury reasonably deems
necessary to take into account for purposes of making the Merger
satisfy the requirements under applicable federal income tax
principles relating to reorganizations described in the Code. If
necessary or advisable under the applicable Treasury
Regulations, payments made in respect of ProCentury Options
under Section 3.9 shall be taken into account in
determining the Reduction Amount.
3.3 Exchange Procedures.
(a) Mailing of Transmittal
Material. Meadowbrook shall cause the
Exchange Agent to, no later than five (5) business days
after the Closing Date, mail or make available to each holder of
record of ProCentury Common Shares a notice and letter of
transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall
pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the
Exchange Agent) advising such holder of the effectiveness of the
Merger and the procedure for surrendering to the Exchange Agent
such holders stock certificate or certificates
representing ProCentury Common Shares (Certificate)
in exchange for the consideration set forth in
Section 3.1(a) deliverable in respect of such shares
pursuant to this Agreement. A letter of transmittal will be
properly completed only if accompanied by Certificates
representing all ProCentury Common Shares covered thereby,
subject to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this
Section 3.3.
(b) Meadowbrook Deliveries. At the
Effective Time, for the benefit of the holders of ProCentury
Common Shares, Meadowbrook shall deliver to the Exchange Agent
(i) certificates evidencing the number of shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock issuable and (ii) an amount in
cash equal to the Cash Consideration payable, in each case,
pursuant to this Article III in exchange for outstanding
ProCentury Common Shares. The Exchange Agent shall not be
entitled to vote or exercise any rights of ownership with
respect to the shares of Meadowbrook Common
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Stock held by it from time to time hereunder, except that it
shall receive and hold all dividends or other distributions paid
or distributed with respect to such shares for the account of
the Persons entitled thereto.
(c) Exchange Agent
Deliveries. After completion of the
allocations referred to in paragraphs (d), (e) and
(f) of Section 3.2, each holder of an outstanding
ProCentury Common Share who has surrendered the Certificate or
Certificates representing such shares to the Exchange Agent (or
otherwise complied with Section 3.3(d) or the other
procedures established by the Exchange Agent with respect to the
matters set forth therein) will, upon acceptance thereof by the
Exchange Agent, be entitled to receive a number of whole shares
of Meadowbrook Common Stock (represented by a certificate or, as
applicable, issued in book-entry only form)
and/or the
amount of cash into which the aggregate number of ProCentury
Common Shares surrendered shall have been converted pursuant to
this Agreement (including, but not limited to, payment for
fractional shares under Section 3.5) and, if such
holders ProCentury Common Shares have been converted into
Meadowbrook Common Stock, any other distribution theretofore
paid with respect to Meadowbrook Common Stock after the
Effective Time, in each case without interest. The Exchange
Agent shall accept such Certificates upon compliance with such
reasonable terms and conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose
to effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal
exchange practices. Each outstanding Certificate which prior to
the Effective Time represented ProCentury Common Shares and
which is not surrendered to the Exchange Agent in accordance
with the procedures provided for herein shall, except as
otherwise herein provided, until duly surrendered to the
Exchange Agent be deemed to evidence ownership of the number of
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock
and/or the
right to receive the amount of cash into which such ProCentury
Common Shares shall have been converted. After the Effective
Time, there shall be no further transfer on the records of
ProCentury of ProCentury Common Shares and if such shares are
presented to ProCentury for transfer, they shall be cancelled
against delivery of shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock or cash
as hereinabove provided. No dividends which have been declared
will be remitted to any Person entitled to receive shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock under Section 3.2 until such
Person surrenders the Certificate or Certificates representing
ProCentury Common Shares (or otherwise complied with
Section 3.3(d) or the other procedures established by the
Exchange Agent with respect to the matters set forth therein),
at which time such dividends shall be remitted to such Person,
without interest.
(d) Lost or Destroyed Certificates; Issuances of
Meadowbrook Common Stock in New Names. The
Exchange Agent, Merger Sub and Meadowbrook, as the case may be,
shall not be obligated to deliver cash
and/or
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock to which a holder of
ProCentury Common Shares would otherwise be entitled as a result
of the Merger until such holder surrenders the Certificate or
Certificates representing the ProCentury Common Shares for
exchange as provided in this Section 3.3, or, in default
thereof, an appropriate affidavit of loss and indemnity
agreement
and/or a
bond in an amount as may be reasonably required in each case by
Merger Sub and Meadowbrook. If any certificates evidencing
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock are to be issued in a name
other than that in which the Certificate evidencing ProCentury
Common Shares surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it
shall be a condition of the issuance thereof that the
Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or
accompanied by an executed form of assignment separate from the
Certificate and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that
the Person requesting such exchange pay to the Exchange Agent
any transfer or other tax required by reason of the issuance of
a certificate for shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock in any name
other than that of the registered holder of the Certificate
surrendered or otherwise establish to the satisfaction of the
Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
(e) Unclaimed Merger
Consideration. Any portion of the shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock and cash delivered to the Exchange
Agent by Meadowbrook pursuant to Section 3.3(b) that
remains unclaimed by the shareholders of ProCentury for nine
(9) months after the Effective Time (as well as any
proceeds from any investment thereof) shall be delivered by the
Exchange Agent to Meadowbrook. Any shareholders of ProCentury
who have not theretofore complied with Section 3.3(c) shall
thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for the
consideration deliverable in respect of each ProCentury Common
Share such shareholder holds as determined pursuant to this
Agreement without any interest thereon. If outstanding
Certificates for ProCentury Common Shares are not surrendered or
the payment for them is not claimed prior to the date on which
such shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock or cash would otherwise
escheat to or become the property of any governmental unit or
agency, the unclaimed items shall, to the extent permitted by
abandoned property and any other applicable law, become the
property of the Surviving Corporation (and to the extent not in
its possession shall be delivered to it), free and clear
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of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled to
such property. Neither the Exchange Agent nor any Party shall be
liable to any holder of stock represented by any Certificate for
any consideration paid to a public official pursuant to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. The
Surviving Corporation and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled
to rely upon the stock transfer books of ProCentury as of the
Effective Time to establish the identity of those Persons
entitled to receive the consideration specified in this
Agreement, which books shall be conclusive with respect thereto.
In the event of a dispute with respect to ownership of stock
represented by any Certificate, the Surviving Corporation and
the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deposit any
consideration represented thereby in escrow with an independent
third party and thereafter be relieved with respect to any
claims thereto.
3.4 Rights as Shareholders; Stock
Transfers. At the Effective Time, holders of
ProCentury Common Shares shall cease to be, and shall have no
rights as, shareholders of ProCentury other than to receive the
consideration provided under this Article III. After the
Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock
transfer books of ProCentury of ProCentury Common Shares.
3.5 No Fractional
Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, neither certificates nor scrip for fractional
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock shall be issued in the
Merger. Each holder of ProCentury Common Shares who otherwise
would have been entitled to a fraction of a share of Meadowbrook
Common Stock (after taking into account all Certificates
delivered by such holder) shall receive in lieu thereof cash
(without interest) in an amount determined by multiplying the
fractional share interest to which such holder would otherwise
be entitled by the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share Price,
rounded to the nearest whole cent or if there is no nearest
whole cent, to the next higher whole cent. No such holder shall
be entitled to dividends, voting rights or any other rights in
respect of any fractional share.
3.6 Anti-Dilution Provisions. If,
between the date hereof and the Effective Time, the shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock shall be changed into a different
number or class of shares by reason of any reclassification,
recapitalization,
split-up,
combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or a stock
dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within
said period (a Capital Change), the Per Share Stock
Consideration shall be adjusted accordingly.
3.7 Withholding Rights. The
Surviving Corporation and Meadowbrook (through the Exchange
Agent, if applicable) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold
from any amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to
any holder of ProCentury Common Shares such amounts as the
Surviving Corporation and Meadowbrook is required under the Code
or any state, local or foreign tax law or regulation thereunder
to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such
payment. Any amounts so withheld shall be treated for all
purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of
ProCentury Common Shares in respect of which such deduction and
withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or
Meadowbrook, as applicable.
3.8 Dissenters
Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, to the extent required by the Ohio
Revised Code, ProCentury Common Shares which are issued and
outstanding prior to the Effective Time and which are held by
any shareholder of ProCentury who shall not have voted in favor
of adoption of this Agreement at the ProCentury Shareholder
Meeting and who files with ProCentury within ten (10) days
after such vote at the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting a written
demand to be paid the fair cash value for such ProCentury Common
Shares (Dissenting Shares) in accordance with
Section 1701.84 and 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code
(Dissenting Shareholder) shall not be converted into
the right to receive the Per Share Cash Consideration or Per
Share Stock Consideration as provided in Section 3.1,
unless and until such shareholder fails to demand payment
properly or otherwise loses such shareholders rights as a
Dissenting Shareholder, if any, under the Ohio Revised Code. If
any such Dissenting Shareholder fails to perfect or shall have
effectively withdrawn or lost such rights as a Dissenting
Shareholder, that Dissenting Shareholders Dissenting
Shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted as of
the Effective Time as if that Dissenting Shareholder had made a
Mixed Election, with 45% of that Dissenting Shareholders
Dissenting Shares being treated as Cash Election Shares and 55%
of that Dissenting Shareholders Dissenting Shares being
treated as Stock Election Shares. From and after the Effective
Time, any Dissenting Shareholder who has asserted rights
provided in Section 1701.84 and 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised
Code shall be entitled to only those rights as are granted under
those provisions of the Ohio Revised Code. ProCentury shall give
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub (i) prompt notice of any
shareholder who has asserted rights as dissenting
A-12
shareholder, attempted withdrawals of such demands, and any
other instruments served pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code that
are received by ProCentury relating to purported Dissenting
Shareholders and (ii) the opportunity to direct all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to Dissenting
Shareholders. Prior to the Effective Time, ProCentury shall not,
except with the prior written consent of Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to
settle, any rights of a Dissenting Shareholder asserted under
Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code. Following the
Effective Time, Meadowbrook shall be solely responsible for the
settlement and payment of any claims of a Dissenting Shareholder.
3.9 Restricted Shares and
Options. The board of directors of ProCentury
shall take such action as is necessary so that at the Effective
Time, each outstanding ProCentury Common Share that was granted
as a restricted share award and remains unvested as of the
Effective Time (the Restricted Stock) under the
ProCentury Option Plans, shall become fully vested and,
accordingly, at the Effective Time, the holder thereof shall
have the rights of any holder of ProCentury Common Shares to
receive the consideration provided for in this Article III.
The board of directors of each of ProCentury and Meadowbrook
shall take such action as is necessary so that at the Effective
Time, each outstanding option to purchase ProCentury Common
Shares (a ProCentury Option) under the ProCentury
Option Plans, shall become fully vested and exercisable.
ProCentury will provide that a holder of a ProCentury Option may
exercise the ProCentury Option and complete an Election Form
conditioned on consummation of the Merger so that if the Merger
is not completed the ProCentury Options will remain subject to
their respective original vesting schedules. In the event of any
such conditional exercise and election, all ProCentury Common
Shares underlying such exercised ProCentury Options will be
deemed to have been issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time for purposes of Section 3.1. If a holder
of a ProCentury Option so elects and executes an appropriate
acknowledgement or waiver, a ProCentury Option may be canceled
in exchange for the right to receive from Meadowbrook a single
lump cash payment, equal to the product of (i) the number
of ProCentury Common Shares subject to such ProCentury Option
immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) the
excess, if any, of the Per Share Cash Consideration over the
exercise price per share of such ProCentury Option (the
Option Merger Consideration) less any applicable
Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment.
Subject to the foregoing, the ProCentury Option Plans and all
ProCentury Options issued thereunder shall terminate at the
Effective Time.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PROCENTURY
Prior to the execution of this Agreement, ProCentury has
delivered to Meadowbrook and Merger Sub a schedule (the
ProCentury Disclosure Schedule) setting forth, among
other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or
appropriate either in response to an express disclosure
requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception
to one or more representations or warranties contained in
Article IV or to one or more of its covenants contained in
Article VI or additional agreements in Article VII.
This Article IV is qualified in its entirety by such
disclosures.
Subject to the foregoing, ProCentury hereby represents and
warrants to Meadowbrook as of the date of this Agreement as
follows:
4.1 Corporate Organization.
(a) ProCentury is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Ohio. ProCentury has the corporate power and authority to own or
lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted, and is duly licensed or
qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the character or
location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it
makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where
the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have a
ProCentury Material Adverse Effect. The articles of
incorporation and code of regulations of ProCentury, copies of
which have previously been made available to Meadowbrook, are
true, complete and correct copies of such documents as in effect
as of the date hereof.
(b) Each Subsidiary of ProCentury is a legal entity duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws
of the jurisdiction of its organization. Each of
ProCenturys Subsidiaries has the corporate or similar
power
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and authority to own or lease all of its properties and assets
and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and is
duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
character or the location of the properties and assets owned or
leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary,
except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would
not have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect. The articles of
incorporation, bylaws or similar governing documents of each
Subsidiary of ProCentury, copies of which have previously been
made available to Meadowbrook and Merger Sub, are true, complete
and correct copies of such documents as in effect as of the date
hereof.
(c) The Trusts have been duly created and are validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of their establishment, such Trusts will not be deemed to be an
Investment Company required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and each Trust is
classified as a grantor trust for United States
Federal Income Tax purposes. The securities issued under the
Trusts are valid and legally binding obligations of the Trusts,
subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and
other statutory or decisional laws relating to or affecting
creditors rights or the reorganization of financial
institutions (including preference and fraudulent conveyance or
transfer laws, heretofore or hereafter enacted or an offset,
affecting the rights of creditors generally).
4.2 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of ProCentury consists of
20,000,000 ProCentury Common Shares and 1,000,000 ProCentury
Preferred Shares. No other capital stock is authorized. As of
February 18, 2008, there are (x) 13,403,367 ProCentury
Common Shares issued and outstanding and no ProCentury Common
Shares held in ProCenturys treasury, (y) no
ProCentury Common Shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of
outstanding stock options or otherwise except for 808,496
ProCentury Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the
ProCentury stock option plans (ProCentury Option
Plans) and (z) no ProCentury Preferred Shares issued
and outstanding. Section 4.2(a) of the ProCentury
Disclosure Schedule sets forth all of the ProCentury Option
Plans and all grantees holding unexercised and unexpired
ProCentury Options as of the date hereof (ProCentury
Optionholder), including the name of each such ProCentury
Optionholder, the date on which each ProCentury Option was
granted, the number of ProCentury Options held, the expiration
date of each ProCentury Option, the price at which each
ProCentury Option may be exercised under the ProCentury Option
Plans, the number of ProCentury Common Shares subject to each
ProCentury Option, the type of grant and the status of the
ProCentury Option grant as qualified or non-qualified under
Section 422 of the Code. All of the issued and outstanding
ProCentury Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive
rights. Except as referred to above, ProCentury is not a party
to any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls,
commitments or agreements of any character calling for the
purchase or issuance of any ProCentury Common Shares or
ProCentury Preferred Shares or any other equity security of
ProCentury or any securities representing the right to purchase
or otherwise receive any ProCentury Common Shares or ProCentury
Preferred Shares or any other equity security of ProCentury.
(b) Section 4.2(b) of the ProCentury Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a true and correct list of all of the
Subsidiaries of ProCentury as of the date hereof, including the
number of shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary issued and
the holder(s) of such shares. ProCentury owns, directly or
indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of the
capital stock of each of such Subsidiaries, free and clear of
all Liens other than Permitted Liens, and all of such shares are
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. No Subsidiary of
ProCentury has or is bound by any outstanding subscriptions,
options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements of any
character calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of
capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary or
any securities representing the right to purchase or otherwise
receive any shares of capital stock or any other equity security
of such Subsidiary. Immediately following the Effective Time,
there will not be any outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants, calls, commitments or agreements of any character by
which ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries will be bound
calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of the
capital stock of ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries.
4.3 Authority; No Violation.
(a) ProCentury has full corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and, subject to the receipt of the ProCentury
Shareholder Approval, to consummate the transactions
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contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by ProCentury and the consummation of the Merger and
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
approved and adopted by the board of directors of ProCentury.
The board of directors of ProCentury resolved to recommend that
ProCenturys shareholders approve and adopt this Agreement
and, except for (i) the ProCentury Shareholder Approval,
(ii) the filing of the Certificates of Merger with the
Secretary of State of Ohio and the Michigan Department of Labor
and (iii) regulatory approvals, no other corporate
proceedings on the part of ProCentury are necessary to approve
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by ProCentury and (assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery by Meadowbrook and Merger Sub)
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of ProCentury,
enforceable against ProCentury in accordance with its terms,
except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of
equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity
and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer and similar Laws affecting creditors
rights and remedies generally.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
ProCentury, nor the consummation by ProCentury of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by ProCentury
with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will
(i) violate any provision of the articles of incorporation
or code of regulations of ProCentury or the articles of
incorporation, bylaws or similar governing documents of any of
its Subsidiaries or (ii) assuming that the consents and
approvals referred to in Section 4.4 are duly obtained,
(x) violate any applicable Law or (y) violate,
conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the
loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event
which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a
default) under, result in the termination of or a right of
termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance
required by, result in the obligation to sell or result in the
creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or
assets of ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries under, any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other
instrument or obligation to which ProCentury or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party, or by which they or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except
for any violation, conflict, breach, default, acceleration,
termination, modification or cancellation that would not be
reasonably expected to have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
4.4 Consents and Approvals. Except
for (a) approvals of or filings with insurance regulatory
authorities under the Insurance Laws, (b) the appropriate
reports, filings and statements required under the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act, including the filing with the SEC of a
proxy statement/prospectus in definitive form relating to the
ProCentury Shareholder Meeting and the Meadowbrook Shareholder
Meeting to be held in connection with this Agreement and the
Merger contemplated hereby (the Proxy Statement),
(c) the appropriate filings and approvals under the rules
of Nasdaq, (c) the ProCentury Shareholder Approval,
(d) the filings of the Certificates of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Ohio and the Michigan
Department of Labor and (e) the filing of a Pre-Merger
Notification pursuant to the HSR Act and the expiration or
termination of any waiting period required by the HSR Act, no
consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with a
Governmental Entity or with any third party are necessary in
connection with (1) the execution and delivery by
ProCentury of this Agreement and (2) the consummation by
ProCentury of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby, except where the failure to obtain such consents or
approvals or make such filings or registrations would not have a
ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
4.5 Reports.
(a) ProCentury has filed or furnished, as applicable, all
forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents
required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the
Exchange Act or the Securities Act since January 1, 2006
(the Applicable Date) (the forms, statements,
reports and documents filed or furnished since the Applicable
Date and those filed or furnished subsequent to the date hereof,
including any amendments thereto, the ProCentury
Reports). Each of the ProCentury Reports, as of its
respective date (or, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of
the date of such amendment), complied in all material respects
with, to the extent in effect at the time of filing, the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As of their respective dates (or, if
amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of such
amendment), the ProCentury Reports did not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading.
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(b) Except as permitted by the Exchange Act, including
Section 13(k) or rules of the SEC, since the enactment of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, neither ProCentury nor any of its
Subsidiaries has extended or maintained credit, arranged for the
extension of credit or renewed an extension of credit, in the
form of a personal loan to any executive officer or director of
ProCentury within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the
Exchange Act.
(c) ProCentury maintains disclosure controls and procedures
required by
Rule 13a-15
or 15d-15
under the Exchange Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures
are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to
be disclosed by ProCentury is recorded and reported on a timely
basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of
ProCenturys filings with the SEC and other public
disclosure documents. ProCentury and its Subsidiaries maintain
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15
or 15d-15,
as applicable, under the Exchange Act). ProCentury has completed
an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over
financial reporting in compliance with Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the year ended December 31, 2006,
and such evaluation concluded that such controls were effective.
ProCentury has disclosed and identified, based on the most
recent evaluation of its chief executive officer and its chief
financial officer prior to the date hereof, for
ProCenturys auditors and the audit committee of
ProCenturys board of directors (i) any significant
deficiencies in the design or operation of its internal controls
over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely
affect ProCenturys ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information, (ii) any material
weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and
(iii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in
ProCenturys internal control over financial reporting.
4.6 Financial Statements.
(a) The consolidated balance sheets included in or
incorporated by reference into the ProCentury Reports (including
the related notes and schedules) fairly present, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of ProCentury and
its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of their
respective dates, and the consolidated statements of operations,
changes in shareholders equity (deficit) and cash flows included
in or incorporated by reference into the ProCentury Reports
(including any related notes and schedules) fairly present, in
all material respects, the results of operations, retained
earnings (loss) and changes in financial position, as the case
may be, of ProCentury and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the
case of unaudited statements, to notes and normal year-end audit
adjustments and to any other adjustments described therein
(including in the notes thereto)); and in each case were
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the
periods involved, except as may be noted therein, or in the case
of unaudited statements, as permitted by the SEC.
(b) ProCentury has previously furnished or made available
to Meadowbrook and Merger Sub true and complete copies of the
annual statements or other comparable statements for each of the
years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006,
together with all exhibits and schedules thereto (collectively,
the ProCentury SAP Statements), with respect to each
of the ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries, in each case as filed
with the Governmental Entity charged with supervision of
insurance companies of such ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiarys jurisdiction of domicile. The ProCentury SAP
Statements were prepared in conformity with applicable statutory
accounting practices prescribed or permitted by such
Governmental Entity applied on a consistent basis
(SAP) and present fairly, in all material respects,
the statutory financial condition and results of operations of
such ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary as of the respective dates
thereof or for the respective periods set forth therein, in each
case in accordance with SAP. Since December 31, 2005, the
ProCentury SAP Statements were filed with the applicable
Governmental Entity in a timely fashion on forms prescribed or
permitted by such Governmental Entity, except for such filings,
the failure so to file or timely file would not individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a ProCentury
Material Adverse Effect. No deficiencies or violations material
to the financial condition of any of the ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiaries, individually, whether or not material in the
aggregate, have been asserted in writing by any Governmental
Entity which have not been cured or otherwise resolved to the
satisfaction of such Governmental Entity (unless not currently
pending). ProCentury has made available to Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub true and complete copies of all financial
examinations, market-conduct examinations and other material
reports of Governmental Entities since December 31, 2004,
including the most recent reports of state insurance regulatory
authorities, relating to each ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary.
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4.7 Brokers Fees. Except for
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey and Co., Inc., neither ProCentury nor
any Subsidiary of ProCentury nor any of their respective
officers or directors has employed any broker or finder or
incurred any liability for any brokers fees, commissions
or finders fees in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. ProCentury has provided to
Meadowbrook a correct and complete copy of the only agreement
between ProCentury and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey and Co., Inc.
4.8 Absence of Certain Changes or
Events.
(a) Except as disclosed in the ProCentury Reports filed
prior to the date hereof, since September 30, 2007, no
event has occurred which has caused, or is reasonably likely to
cause, individually or in the aggregate, a ProCentury Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) Since September 30, 2007, ProCentury and its
Subsidiaries each (i) has been operated in all material
respects in the ordinary course of business and (ii) has
not made any material changes in its respective capital or
corporate structures.
(c) Except to the extent pursuant to existing plans and
policies or permitted under Section 6.1(d)(i), since
September 30, 2007, neither ProCentury nor any of its
Subsidiaries has (i) increased the wages, salaries,
compensation, pension, or other fringe benefits or perquisites
payable to any executive officer, employee, or director from the
amount thereof in effect as of September 30, 2007 (which
amounts have been previously disclosed to Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub), granted any severance or termination pay, entered into any
contract to make or grant any severance or termination pay,
granted any ProCentury Options or other derivative security or
paid any bonus or (ii) suffered any strike, work stoppage,
slow-down, or other labor disturbance or (iii) taken any of
the actions set forth in Section 6.1.
4.9 Legal Proceedings.
(a) Other than ordinary course claims under insurance
policies written by ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries,
neither ProCentury nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to
any, and there are no pending or, to the knowledge of
ProCentury, threatened in writing, legal, administrative,
arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions, suits or
governmental or regulatory investigations (i) of any nature
against ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries or
(ii) challenging the validity or propriety of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement as to which there is
a reasonable probability of an adverse determination and which,
if adversely determined, would, individually or in the
aggregate, have or be reasonably likely to have a ProCentury
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) There is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or
regulatory restriction, other than any of general application,
imposed upon ProCentury, any of its Subsidiaries or the assets
of ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries, which has had, or
could reasonably be expected to have, a ProCentury Material
Adverse Effect.
4.10 Taxes. Since the Applicable
Date, each of ProCentury and its Subsidiaries has (i) duly
and timely filed or will duly and timely file (including
applicable extensions granted without penalty) all Tax Returns
(as hereinafter defined) required to be filed at or prior to the
Effective Time, and such Tax Returns which have heretofore been
filed are, and those to be hereinafter filed will be, complete
and accurate in all material respects and (ii) paid in full
or have made adequate provision for on the financial statements
of ProCentury (in accordance with GAAP) all Taxes (as
hereinafter defined) and will pay in full or make adequate
provision for all Taxes. ProCentury has made available to
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub true and correct copies of the United
States federal income tax returns filed by ProCentury and its
Subsidiaries for each of the two most recent fiscal years for
which such returns have been filed. There are no material Liens
for Taxes upon the assets of either ProCentury or its
Subsidiaries except for statutory Liens for current Taxes not
yet due. Neither ProCentury nor any of its Subsidiaries has
requested any extension of time within which to file any Tax
Returns in respect of any fiscal year which have not since been
filed and no request for waivers of the time to assess any Taxes
are pending or outstanding. Since the Applicable Date, the
federal and state income Tax Returns of ProCentury and its
Subsidiaries have been audited by the IRS or appropriate state
tax authorities only with respect to those periods and
jurisdictions set forth on Section 4.10 of the ProCentury
Disclosure Schedule. Neither ProCentury nor any of its
Subsidiaries is presently subject to any audits, investigations
or proceeding by any tax authority, and neither ProCentury nor
any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any
tax authority that it intends to conduct any such audit,
investigation or proceeding. Since the Applicable Date, no
written claim has been made by a tax authority in a jurisdiction
where ProCentury or any of its
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Subsidiaries does not file a tax return that ProCentury or any
of its Subsidiaries is or may be subject to taxation in the
jurisdiction. Neither ProCentury nor any of its Subsidiaries
(i) is a party to any agreement providing for the
allocation or sharing of Taxes (other than the allocation of
federal income taxes as provided by
Regulation 1.1552-l(a)(l))
under the Code; (ii) is required to include in income any
adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code, by
reason of the voluntary change in accounting method (nor has any
taxing authority proposed in writing any such adjustment or
change of accounting method) or (iii) has filed a consent
pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code.
4.11 Employee Benefit Plan
Matters.
(a) Section 4.11(a) of the ProCentury Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of each employee
benefit plan, as the term is defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA, and other arrangement or agreement providing benefits to
any employee or former employee of ProCentury, any Subsidiary or
any ERISA Affiliate that is maintained or contributed to or
required to be contributed to as of the date hereof
(collectively referred to as the ProCentury Plans)
by ProCentury, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate,
all of which together with ProCentury would be deemed a
single employer within the meaning of
Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA.
(b) Each of the ProCentury Plans has been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its
terms and applicable law, including but not limited to ERISA and
the Code, (ii) each of the ProCentury Plans intended to be
qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a)
of the Code either (1) has received a favorable
determination letter from IRS, (2) is or will be the
subject of an application for a favorable determination letter,
and ProCentury is not aware of any circumstances likely to
result in the revocation or denial of any such favorable
determination letter or (3) is the subject of a favorable
determination letter issued to the sponsor of a prototype plan
upon which ProCentury is entitled to rely, (iii) no
ProCentury Plan provides benefits, including death or medical
benefits (whether or not insured), with respect to current or
former employees of ProCentury, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate beyond their retirement or other termination of
service, other than (w) coverage mandated by applicable
law, (x) death benefits or retirement benefits under any
employee pension plan, as that term is defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA, (y) deferred compensation
benefits accrued as liabilities on the books of ProCentury, its
Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliates or (z) benefits the
full cost of which is borne by the current or former employee
(or his beneficiary), (iv) no liability under Title IV
of ERISA has been incurred by ProCentury, its Subsidiaries or
any ERISA Affiliate that has not been satisfied in full, and no
condition exists that presents a material risk to ProCentury,
its Subsidiaries or a ProCentury ERISA Affiliate of incurring a
material liability thereunder, (v) no ProCentury Plan is a
multiemployer pension plan, as such term is defined
in Section 3(37) of ERISA, (vi) all contributions or
other amounts payable by ProCentury, its Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliates as of the Effective Time with respect to each
ProCentury Plan for any period through the date hereof have been
paid or accrued in accordance with GAAP, (vii) neither
ProCentury, its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged
in a merger in connection with which ProCentury, its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate could be subject to either a
civil penalty assessed pursuant to Section 406 or 502(i) of
ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Section 4975 or 4976 of
the Code, (viii) there are no pending, or, to the knowledge
of ProCentury, threatened claims (other than routine claims for
benefits) by, on behalf of or against any of the ProCentury
Plans or any trusts related thereto and (ix) the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not (y) entitle any current or former employee or
officer of ProCentury, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate
to severance pay, termination pay or any other payment, except
as expressly provided in this Agreement or (z) accelerate
the time of payment or vesting or increase the amount of
compensation or benefits due any such employee or officer.
(c) ProCentury has provided to Meadowbrook correct
historical compensation information of those executives for whom
severance would be payable upon a change in control, or in
connection with a termination following a change in control, for
the previous five years and such employees current rate of
salary or bonus, as applicable, for use in connection with
determining the applicable severance amount and the amount of
any parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code.
4.12 ProCentury Information. The
information provided by ProCentury that is related to ProCentury
and its Subsidiaries to be contained in, or incorporated by
reference in, the Proxy Statement and the
S-4, or in
any other document filed with any other regulatory agency in
connection with this Agreement, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
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the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading and
will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
4.13 Ownership of Meadowbrook Common
Stock. None of ProCentury or any of its
Subsidiaries (i) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly
or (ii) is a party to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or
disposing of, in each case, any shares of capital stock of
Meadowbrook.
4.14 Compliance with Applicable Law;
Licenses.
(a) The businesses of each of ProCentury and its
Subsidiaries have not been, since the Applicable Date, and are
not now being conducted in violation of any applicable Laws
(except for Laws with respect to matters that are subject to
Sections 4.10 (Taxes), 4.11 (Employee Benefit Matters),
4.20 (Environmental Matters) or 4.22 (Insurance Matters), which
matters are the subject solely of such respective sections)
except for violations that, individually or in the aggregate,
are not reasonably likely to have a ProCentury Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) ProCentury and its Subsidiaries each has obtained and
is in compliance with all Licenses (except for Licenses with
respect to matters that are subject to Sections 4.10
(Taxes), 4.11 (Employee Benefit Matters), 4.20 (Environmental
Matters) or 4.22 (Insurance Matters), which matters are the
subject solely of such respective sections) necessary to conduct
its business as presently conducted, except those the absence of
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably
likely to have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
4.15 Certain Contracts.
(a) Except for this Agreement, neither ProCentury nor any
of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any contract,
arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or
oral) (i) with respect to the employment of any directors,
officers or employees, (ii) which, upon the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (either
alone or upon the occurrence of any additional acts or events,
including, without limitation, termination) result in any
payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due
from Meadowbrook, Merger Sub, ProCentury, the Surviving
Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries to any
director, officer, employee or consultant thereof,
(iii) which is a material contract (as defined in
Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC) to be performed after the date hereof that has not
been filed or incorporated by reference in the ProCentury
Reports, (iv) which is a consulting agreement (including
data processing, software programming and licensing contracts)
not terminable on 60 days or less notice involving the
payment of more than $50,000 per annum, in the case of any such
agreement with an individual, or $100,000 per annum, in the case
of any other such agreement or (v) which materially
restricts the conduct of any line of business by ProCentury or
any of its Subsidiaries. Each contract, arrangement, commitment
or understanding of the type described in this
Section 4.15(a), whether or not set forth in
Section 4.15(a) of the ProCentury Disclosure Schedule, is
referred to herein as a ProCentury Contract.
ProCentury has previously made available to Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub true and correct copies of each ProCentury Contract.
(b) Each ProCentury Contract is a valid and binding
obligation of ProCentury or its Subsidiary which is a party
thereto and, to the knowledge of ProCentury, of each other party
thereto, is in full force and effect, except where such failure
to be in full force and effect would not have or be reasonably
likely to have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect. ProCentury
and each of its Subsidiaries have performed all obligations
required to be performed by them to date under each ProCentury
Contract, except where such nonperformance, individually or in
the aggregate, would not have or be reasonably likely to have a
ProCentury Material Adverse Effect. No event or condition exists
which constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute, a material default on the part of ProCentury
or any of its Subsidiaries under any such ProCentury Contract,
except where such default, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have or be reasonably likely to have a ProCentury
Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of ProCentury, no
other party to any ProCentury Contract is in default under the
terms of any ProCentury Contract, except where such default,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have or be
reasonably likely to have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
4.16 Investment
Securities. Section 4.16 of the
ProCentury Disclosure Schedule sets forth the book and market
value as of December 31, 2007 of the investment securities
and securities held for investment, sale or trading of
ProCentury and its Subsidiaries other than stock of direct or
indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of ProCentury.
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To the knowledge of ProCentury, there are no events which may be
reasonably expected to result in any material adverse change in
the quality or performance of the investment portfolio of
ProCentury or its Subsidiaries.
4.17 Intellectual
Property. ProCentury and each of its
Subsidiaries owns (without any Lien other than the Permitted
Liens) or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable
rights to use all material patents, copyrights, trade secrets,
trade names, servicemarks, trademarks and computer software used
in its businesses as currently conducted (the ProCentury
Intellectual Property); and neither ProCentury nor any of
its Subsidiaries has, since the Applicable Date, received any
written notice of conflict with respect to any material
ProCentury Intellectual Property that asserts the right of any
third party with respect to the use or ownership of any
ProCentury Intellectual Property. All ProCentury Intellectual
Property that has been licensed by ProCentury or any of its
Subsidiaries is being used substantially in accordance with the
applicable license pursuant to which ProCentury or such
Subsidiary acquired the right to use such ProCentury
Intellectual Property, except where such use would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably likely
to have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
4.18 Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except for (a) those
liabilities that are fully reflected or reserved against on the
consolidated balance sheet (or notes thereto) of ProCentury
included in its
Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 30, 2007;
(b) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
since September 30, 2007 that, either alone or when
combined with all similar liabilities, have not had, and could
not reasonably be expected to have, a ProCentury Material
Adverse Effect and (c) those liabilities permitted or
contemplated by this Agreement, neither ProCentury nor any of
its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability of any nature
whatsoever required by GAAP to be set forth on a balance sheet
or financial statement of ProCentury or in the notes thereto.
4.19 State Takeover Laws; Required
Vote. ProCentury has (a) opted
out of the application of the provisions of
Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code (the Ohio Business
Combination Statute) in its articles of incorporation, and such
provisions will not apply to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby and (b) has provided in its articles of
incorporation that the vote required to adopt this Agreement at
the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting is the affirmative vote of
the holders of ProCentury Common Shares entitling them to
exercise at least a majority of the voting power of ProCentury.
4.20 Environmental Matters. Except
in the ordinary course of business or as has not had or would
not reasonably be expected to have a ProCentury Material Adverse
Effect, (a) since the Applicable Date, each of ProCentury
and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws necessary to conduct its current operations
and (b) neither ProCentury nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any written notice from any Governmental Entity
alleging that ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries is in
violation of, or liable under, any Environmental Law.
4.21 Opinion. ProCentury has
received a written opinion, dated the date hereof, from
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey and Co., Inc. to the effect that,
subject to the terms, conditions and qualifications set forth
therein, as of the date thereof the Aggregate Merger
Consideration to be received by holders of ProCentury Common
Shares pursuant to this Agreement is fair, from a financial
point of view, to such holders.
4.22 ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiaries.
(a) As of the date hereof, ProCentury conducts its
insurance operations solely through the following Subsidiaries:
Century Surety Company, ProCentury Risk Partners Insurance
Company and ProCentury Insurance Company (collectively, the
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries). Each of the
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries is (i) duly licensed or
authorized as an insurance company and, where applicable, a
reinsurance company, in its jurisdiction of incorporation,
(ii) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance company
and, where applicable, a reinsurance company, in each other
jurisdiction where it is required to be so licensed or
authorized and (iii) duly authorized in its jurisdiction of
incorporation and each other applicable jurisdiction to write
each line of business reported as being written in the
ProCentury SAP Statements, except, in any such case, where the
failure to be so licensed or authorized is not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a ProCentury
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The business and operations of the ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiaries, since the Applicable Date, have been and are now
being conducted in compliance with all Laws relating to the
regulation of insurance and market conduct recommendations
resulting from market conduct examinations by insurance
regulatory authorities
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(collectively, Insurance Laws), except where the
failure to so conduct such business and operations is not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a
ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
(c) No insurance regulator in any state has notified
ProCentury or any of the ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries in
writing that any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary is commercially
domiciled in any jurisdiction and to the knowledge of
ProCentury, there are no facts that would result in any
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary being commercially domiciled in
any state. To the knowledge of ProCentury, none of ProCentury or
any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary, or any of their respective
Affiliates, (i) has purposefully engaged in, or colluded
with or assisted any other Persons with, the paying of
contingent commissions or similar incentive payments to steer
business to them or colluded with Agents or brokers or other
producers or intermediaries to rig bids or submit
false quotes to customers or (ii) is a party to any
agreement that provides for any payment by or to any Person of
any variable or contingent commissions or payments based upon
the profitability, claims handling, sales volume or loss ratio
of the business that is the subject of such agreement. Since the
Applicable Date, ProCentury and each ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiary have made all required notices, submissions, reports
or other filings under applicable Insurance Law, including
insurance holding company statutes, except for any such failures
or instances of noncompliance that would not reasonably be
likely, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a
ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Neither ProCentury nor any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to any
cease-and-desist
or other order issued by, or is a party to any written
agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding
with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar
undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or
is a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or has adopted
any board resolutions at the request of (each, a
Regulatory Agreement), any regulatory agency or
other Governmental Entity that restricts the conduct of its
business or that in any manner relates to its capital adequacy,
its underwriting policies, its management or its business, nor
has ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries been advised by any
regulatory agency or other Governmental Entity that it is
considering issuing or requesting any Regulatory Agreement.
(e) Except as otherwise is not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a ProCentury Material Adverse
Effect, all policies, binders, slips, certificates, and other
agreements of insurance, in effect as of the date hereof that
are issued by the ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries (the
ProCentury Insurance Contracts) and any and all
marketing materials, are, to the extent required under
applicable Law, on forms approved by applicable insurance
regulatory authorities which have been filed and not objected to
by such authorities within the period provided for objection
(the Forms). The Forms comply in all material
respects with the Insurance Laws applicable thereto and, as to
premium rates established by any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary
which are required to be filed with or approved by insurance
regulatory authorities, the rates have been so filed or approved
and the premiums charged are within the amount permitted by
Insurance Laws applicable thereto, except where the failure to
be so filed or approved is not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably likely to have a ProCentury Material
Adverse Effect.
(f) All reinsurance and coinsurance treaties or agreements,
including retrocessional agreements, to which any ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiary is a party or under which any ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiary has any existing rights, obligations or
liabilities are in full force and effect, except for such
treaties or agreements the failure to be in full force and
effect of which is not reasonably likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
Except as is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect, no
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary, or, to the knowledge of
ProCentury, any other party to a material reinsurance or
coinsurance treaty or agreement to which any ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiary is a party, is in default in any material
respect as to any provision thereof, and no such agreement
contains any provision providing that the other party thereto
may terminate such agreement, or that such agreement will be
automatically terminated, by reason of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. To the knowledge of ProCentury,
the financial condition of the other parties to any such
agreement is impaired with the result that a default thereunder
may reasonably be anticipated, whether or not such default may
be cured by the operation of any offset clause in such
agreement, that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
likely to have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect. All
reinsurance and retrocession agreements to which any ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiary is a party, either as a cedent or a
reinsurer or retrocessionaire, comply in all material respects
with all risk transfer criteria under GAAP and applicable SAP,
and to the knowledge of ProCentury, there is no investigation,
inquiry or proceeding
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currently pending before or by Governmental Entity, to which
ProCentury or any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary is subject,
with respect to the risk transfer characteristics or the
reporting or disclosure thereof, of any such reinsurance or
retrocession except any such investigation, inquiry or
proceeding which would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be likely to have a ProCentury Material Adverse
Effect.
(g) Prior to the date hereof, ProCentury has delivered or
made available to Meadowbrook and Merger Sub a true and complete
copy of any material actuarial reports prepared by actuaries,
independent or otherwise, with respect to any ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiary since the Applicable Date, and all material
attachments, addenda, supplements and modifications thereto (the
ProCentury Actuarial Analyses). The information and
data furnished by any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary to its
actuaries in connection with the preparation of the ProCentury
Actuarial Analyses were accurate in all material respects. The
aggregate reserves for claims, losses (including incurred but
not reported losses), loss adjustment expenses (whether
allocated or unallocated) and unearned premium, as reflected in
each of the ProCentury SAP Statements, (i) were determined
in accordance with presently accepted actuarial standards
consistently applied (except as otherwise noted in the financial
statements and notes thereto included in such financial
statements); (ii) are fairly stated in accordance with
sound actuarial principles; (iii) were computed on the
basis of methodologies consistent in all material respects with
those used in computing the corresponding reserves in the prior
fiscal years (except as otherwise noted in the financial
statements and notes thereto included in such financial
statements) and (iv) include provisions for all actuarial
reserves and related items which ought to be established in
accordance with applicable Laws.
(h) A.M. Best Company has not announced that it has
under surveillance or review (with negative implications) its
rating of the financial strength or claims-paying ability of any
ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary or imposed conditions (financial
or otherwise) on retaining any currently held rating assigned to
any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary which is rated as of the
date hereof, and ProCentury has no reason (other than the entry
into the Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) to
believe that any rating presently held by the ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiaries is likely to be modified, qualified,
lowered or placed under such surveillance for any reason. As of
the date hereof, Century Surety Company and ProCentury Insurance
Company have been assigned A− (Excellent) financial
strength ratings and a− issuer credit ratings
and ProCentury has been assigned a bbb− issuer
credit rating by A.M. Best Company.
(i) Section 4.22(i) of the ProCentury Disclosure
Schedule lists the top 60 Agents (by gross written premiums
sold) of the ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries for the year
ended December 31, 2007, and the gross written premium sold
by each of these agents in such year with respect to products
issued by any ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary. To the knowledge
of ProCentury, the contracts and other agreements pursuant to
which agents act on behalf of the ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiaries are valid, binding and in full force and effect in
all material respects in accordance with their terms and the
parties to such contracts and agreements are not in default
thereunder in any material respects. To the knowledge of
ProCentury, since January 1, 2008 through the date hereof,
none of the agents listed on Section 4.22(i) of the
ProCentury Disclosure Schedule has (a) terminated its
relationship with any of the ProCentury Insurance Subsidiaries
or (b) materially decreased the placement, marketing or
sales of products issued by the ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiaries. To the knowledge of ProCentury, each insurance
agent, at the time such agent wrote, sold or produced any
insurance policy for a ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary,
(i) was duly licensed as an insurance agent for the type of
business written, sold or produced in the particular
jurisdiction in which such agent wrote, sold or produced such
business for such ProCentury Insurance Subsidiary and
(ii) was duly appointed as an agent by such ProCentury
Insurance Subsidiary, except for any failures to be so licensed
and appointed as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect. ProCentury has made
available to Meadowbrook and Merger Sub a true and complete copy
of each standard form agency agreement used by ProCentury and
its Subsidiaries for new business as of the date hereof.
4.23 Labor and Employment
Matters. Neither ProCentury nor its
Subsidiaries is or has ever been a party to, or is or has ever
been bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract, or
other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor
organization with respect to its employees, nor is ProCentury or
its Subsidiaries the subject of any proceeding asserting that it
has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it
or any such Subsidiary to bargain with any labor organization as
to wages and conditions of employment, nor is the management of
ProCentury aware of any strike, other labor dispute,
organizational effort or other activity taken with a view toward
unionization involving ProCentury or its Subsidiaries pending or
threatened. ProCentury and its
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Subsidiaries are in material compliance with applicable Laws
regarding employment or employees and retention of independent
contractors and are in material compliance with all applicable
employment tax Laws.
4.24 Insurance. ProCentury and its
Subsidiaries are presently insured, and since the Applicable
Date, have been insured, for reasonable amounts with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies, against such risks as
companies engaged in a similar business would, in accordance
with good business practice, customarily be insured. Except as
would not reasonably be expected to have a ProCentury Material
Adverse Effect, all of the insurance policies and bonds
maintained by ProCentury and its Subsidiaries outside the
ordinary course of its business are in full force and effect,
ProCentury and its Subsidiaries are not in default thereunder
and all material claims thereunder have been filed in due and
timely fashion.
4.25 Indemnification. Except as
provided in ProCenturys employment agreements, or the
articles of incorporation or code of regulations of ProCentury,
neither ProCentury nor its Subsidiaries is a party to any
indemnification agreement with any of its present or future
directors, officers, employees, agents or other Persons who
serve or served in any other capacity with any other enterprise
at the request of ProCentury (a Covered Person), and
there are no claims for which any Covered Person would be
entitled to indemnification under the articles of incorporation
or code of regulations of ProCentury or any Subsidiary of
ProCentury, applicable law, regulation or any indemnification
agreement.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF MEADOWBROOK AND MERGER SUB
Prior to the execution of this Agreement, Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub have delivered to ProCentury a schedule (the
Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule) setting forth,
among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary
or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure
requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception
to one or more representations or warranties contained in
Article V or to one or more of its covenants contained in
Article VI hereof or additional agreements in
Article VII. This Article V is qualified in its
entirety by such disclosures.
Subject to the foregoing, Meadowbrook and Merger Sub hereby
represent and warrant to ProCentury as of the date of this
Agreement as follows:
5.1 Corporate Organization.
(a) Meadowbrook is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Michigan. Meadowbrook has the corporate power and authority to
own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on
its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly licensed
or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the character or
location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it
makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where
the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have a
Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect. The articles of
incorporation and bylaws of Meadowbrook, copies of which have
previously been made available to ProCentury, are true, complete
and correct copies of such documents as in effect as of the date
of this Agreement.
(b) Each Subsidiary of Meadowbrook is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. Each
of Meadowbrooks Subsidiaries has the corporate power and
authority to own or lease all of its properties and assets and
to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and is
duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
character or the location of the properties and assets owned or
leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary,
except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would
not have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect. The articles of
incorporation, bylaws and similar governing documents of each
Subsidiary of Meadowbrook, copies of which have previously been
made available to ProCentury, are true, complete and correct
copies of such documents as in effect as of the date of this
Agreement.
(c) The Meadowbrook Trusts have been duly created and are
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of their establishment, such Meadowbrook Trusts
will not be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
and each
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Meadowbrook Trust is classified as a grantor trust
for United States Federal Income Tax purposes. The securities
issued under the Meadowbrook Trusts are valid and legally
binding obligations of the Meadowbrook Trusts, subject to or
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
conservatorship, receivership, moratorium and other statutory or
decisional laws relating to or affecting creditors rights
or the reorganization of financial institutions (including
preference and fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws,
heretofore or hereafter enacted or an offset, affecting the
rights of creditors generally).
5.2 Capitalization.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized
capital stock of Meadowbrook consists of 75,000,000 shares
of Meadowbrook Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (Meadowbrook
Preferred Stock). No other capital stock is authorized. As
February 15, 2008, there were 37,019,966 shares of
Meadowbrook Common Stock and no shares of Meadowbrook Preferred
Stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of Meadowbrook
Common Stock held in Meadowbrooks treasury. As of the date
of this Agreement, no shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock or
Meadowbrook Preferred Stock were reserved for issuance, except
that 2,000,000 shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock were
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of long-term stock
awards, stock options and other equity-type rewards pursuant to
the Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 1995
Stock Option Plan and the Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Option Plan (the
Meadowbrook Stock Plans). All of the issued and
outstanding shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable
and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability
attaching to the ownership thereof. Except for the stock options
set forth above, Meadowbrook does not have and is not bound by
any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls,
commitments or agreements of any character calling for the
purchase or issuance of any shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock
or Meadowbrook Preferred Stock or any other equity securities of
Meadowbrook or any securities representing the right to purchase
or otherwise receive any shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock or
Meadowbrook Preferred Stock. The shares of Meadowbrook Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger will be duly
authorized and validly issued and, at the Effective Time, all
such shares will be fully paid, nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights.
(b) Section 5.2(b) of the Meadowbrook Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a true and correct list of all of
Meadowbrook Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement.
Meadowbrook owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries
of Meadowbrook, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted
Liens, and all of such shares are duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive
rights. No Subsidiary of Meadowbrook has or is bound by any
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments
or agreements of any character calling for the purchase or
issuance of any shares of capital stock or any other equity
security of such Subsidiary or any securities representing the
right to purchase or otherwise receive any shares of capital
stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary.
5.3 Authority; No Violation.
(a) Each of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub have full corporate
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and, subject to the receipt of
the Meadowbrook Shareholder Approval, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Meadowbrook and the consummation of the Merger
and the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly approved and adopted by the board of directors of each
of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub. The board of directors of
Meadowbrook has directed that the approval of the issuance of
the Meadowbrook Common Stock contemplated by this Agreement be
submitted to Meadowbrooks shareholders for approval at a
meeting of such shareholders and, except for (i) the
Meadowbrook Shareholder Approval, (ii) the filings of the
Certificates of Merger with the Secretary of State of Ohio and
the Michigan Department of Labor and (iii) regulatory
approvals, no other corporate proceedings on the part of
Meadowbrook or Merger Sub are necessary to approve this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Meadowbrook and Merger Sub and (assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by ProCentury) constitutes
a valid and binding obligation of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub,
enforceable against Meadowbrook and Merger Sub in accordance
with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by general
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principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a
court of equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar Laws affecting
creditors rights and remedies generally.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Meadowbrook or Merger Sub, nor the consummation by Meadowbrook
or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor
compliance by Meadowbrook or Merger Sub with any of the terms or
provisions hereof, will (i) violate any provision of the
articles of incorporation or bylaws of Meadowbrook or the
articles of incorporation, bylaws or similar governing documents
of any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) assuming that the
consents and approvals referred to in Section 5.4 are duly
obtained, (x) violate any applicable Law, or
(y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any
provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a
default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or
both, would constitute a default) under, result in the
termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under,
accelerate the performance required by, result in the obligation
to sell or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
respective properties or assets of Meadowbrook or any of its
Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license,
lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which
Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which
they or any of their respective properties or assets may be
bound or affected, except for any violation, conflict, breach,
default, acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation
that would not reasonably be expected to have a Meadowbrook
Material Adverse Effect.
5.4 Consents and Approvals. Except
for (a) approvals of or filings with insurance regulatory
authorities under the Insurance Laws, (b) the appropriate
reports, filings and statements required under the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act, including the filing with the SEC of
the Proxy Statement, (c) the Meadowbrook Shareholder
Approval (d) the filings of the Certificates of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio and the Michigan
Department of Labor and (e) the filing of a Pre-Merger
Notification pursuant to the HSR Act and the expiration or
termination of any waiting period required by the HSR Act, no
consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any
Governmental Entity or with any third party are necessary in
connection with (1) the execution and delivery by
Meadowbrook or Merger Sub of this Agreement and (2) the
consummation by Meadowbrook and Merger Sub of the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby, except where the failure
to obtain such consents or approvals or make such filings or
registrations would not have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse
Effect.
5.5 Reports.
(a) Meadowbrook has filed or furnished, as applicable, all
forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents
required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the
Exchange Act or the Securities Act since the Applicable Date
(the forms, statements, reports and documents filed or furnished
since the Applicable Date and those filed or furnished
subsequent to the date hereof, including any amendments thereto,
the Meadowbrook Reports). Each of the Meadowbrook
Reports, as of its respective date (or, if amended prior to the
date hereof, as of the date of such amendment) complied in all
material respects with, to the extent in effect at the time of
filing, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and any rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to the Meadowbrook
Reports. As of their respective dates (or, if amended prior to
the date hereof, as of the date of such amendment), the
Meadowbrook Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading.
(b) Except as permitted by the Exchange Act, including
Sections 13(k) or rules of the SEC, since the enactment of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, neither Meadowbrook nor any of its
Subsidiaries has extended or maintained credit, arranged for the
extension of credit or renewed an extension of credit in the
form of a personal loan to any executive officer or director of
Meadowbrook within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the
Exchange Act.
(c) Meadowbrook maintains disclosure controls and
procedures required by
Rule 13a-15
or 15d-15
under the Exchange Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures
are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to
be disclosed by Meadowbrook is recorded and reported on a timely
basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of
Meadowbrooks filings with the SEC and other public
disclosure documents. Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries maintain
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15
or 15d-15,
as applicable, under the Exchange Act). Meadowbrook has
completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal
control over
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financial reporting in compliance with Section 404 of the
Sarbanes Oxley Act for the year ended December 31, 2006,
and such evaluation concluded that such controls were effective.
Meadowbrook has disclosed and identified, based on the most
recent evaluation of its chief executive officer and its chief
financial officer prior to the date hereof, for
Meadowbrooks auditors and the audit committee of
Meadowbrooks board of directors (A) any significant
deficiencies in the design or operation of its internal controls
over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely
affect Meadowbrooks ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information, (B) any material
weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and
(C) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in
Meadowbrooks or its Subsidiaries internal control
over financial reporting.
5.6 Financial Statements.
(a) The consolidated balance sheets included in or
incorporated by reference into the Meadowbrook Reports
(including the related notes and schedules) fairly present, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Meadowbrook and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
as of their respective dates, and the consolidated statements of
operations, changes in shareholders equity (deficit) and cash
flows included in or incorporated by reference into the
Meadowbrook Reports (including any related notes and schedules)
fairly present, in all material respects, the results of
operations, retained earnings (loss) and changes in financial
position, as the case may be, of Meadowbrook and its
consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for the periods set
forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to
notes and normal year-end audit adjustments and to any other
adjustments described therein (including in the notes thereto));
and in each case were prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied during the periods involved, except as may
be noted therein, or in the case of unaudited statements, as
permitted by the SEC.
(b) Meadowbrook has previously furnished or made available
to ProCentury true and complete copies of the annual statements
or other comparable statements for each of the years ended
December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2006, together
with all exhibits and schedules thereto (collectively, the
Meadowbrook SAP Statements), with respect to each of
the Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries, in each case as filed
with the Governmental Entity charged with supervision of
insurance companies of such Meadowbrook Insurance
Subsidiarys jurisdiction of domicile. The Meadowbrook SAP
Statements were prepared in conformity SAP and present fairly,
in all material respects, the statutory financial condition and
results of operations of such Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary
as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective
periods set forth therein, in each case in accordance with SAP.
Since December 31, 2005, the Meadowbrook SAP Statements
were filed with the applicable Governmental Entity in a timely
fashion on forms prescribed or permitted by such Governmental
Entity, except for such filings, the failure so to file or
timely file would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse
Effect. No deficiencies or violations material to the financial
condition of any of the Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries,
individually, whether or not material in the aggregate, have
been asserted in writing by any Governmental Entity which have
not been cured or otherwise resolved to the satisfaction of such
Governmental Entity (unless not currently pending). Meadowbrook
has made available to ProCentury true and complete copies of all
financial examinations, market-conduct examinations and other
material reports of Governmental Entities since
December 31, 2004, including the most recent reports of
state insurance regulatory authorities, relating to each
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary.
5.7 Brokers Fees. Except for
Paracap Group, LLC, neither Meadowbrook nor any Subsidiary of
Meadowbrook, nor any of their respective officers or directors,
has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for
any brokers fees, commissions or finders fees in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Meadowbrook has provided a correct and complete copy
of each agreement between Meadowbrook and Paracap Group, LLC
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.
5.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
(a) Except as disclosed in the Meadowbrook Reports filed
prior to the date hereof, since September 30, 2007, no
event has occurred which has caused, or is reasonably likely to
cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect.
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(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.8(b) of the
Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule, since September 30, 2007,
Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries each (i) has been operated
in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and
(ii) has not made any material changes in its respective
capital or corporate structures.
5.9 Legal Proceedings.
(a) Other than ordinary course claims under insurance
policies written by Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries,
neither Meadowbrook nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to
any and there are no pending or to the knowledge of Meadowbrook,
threatened in writing, legal, administrative, arbitral or other
proceedings, claims, actions, suits or governmental or
regulatory investigations (i) of any nature against
Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) challenging
the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement as to which there is a reasonable probability of
an adverse determination and which, if adversely determined,
would, individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably
likely to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
(b) There is no injunction, order, judgment, decree, or
regulatory restriction imposed upon Meadowbrook, any of its
Subsidiaries or the assets of Meadowbrook or any of its
Subsidiaries which has had, or could reasonably be expected to
have, a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
5.10 Taxes. Each of Meadowbrook
and its Subsidiaries has (i) duly and timely filed or will
duly and timely file (including applicable extensions granted
without penalty) all Tax Returns required to be filed at or
prior to the Effective Time, and such Tax Returns which have
heretofore been filed are, and those to be hereinafter filed
will be, complete and accurate in all material respects, and
(ii) paid in full or have made adequate provision for on
the financial statements of Meadowbrook (in accordance with
GAAP) all Taxes and will pay in full or make adequate provision
for all Taxes. There are no material Liens for Taxes upon the
assets of either Meadowbrook or its Subsidiaries except for
statutory Liens for current Taxes not yet due. Neither
Meadowbrook nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested any
extension of time within which to file any Tax Returns in
respect of any fiscal year which have not since been filed and
no request for waivers of the time to assess any Taxes are
pending or outstanding. Since the Applicable Date, the federal
and state income Tax Returns of Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries
have been audited by the IRS or appropriate state tax
authorities only with respect to those periods and jurisdictions
set forth on Section 5.10 of the Meadowbrook Disclosure
Schedule. Neither Meadowbrook nor any of its Subsidiaries is
presently subject to any audits, investigations or proceeding by
any tax authority, and neither Meadowbrook nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any tax
authority that it intends to conduct any such audit,
investigation or proceeding. Since the Applicable Date, no
written claim has been made by a tax authority in a jurisdiction
where Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries does not file a tax
return that Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries is or may be
subject to taxation in the jurisdiction. Neither Meadowbrook nor
any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a party to any agreement
providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes (other than the
allocation of federal income taxes as provided by
Regulation 1.1552-l(a)(l))
under the Code; (ii) is required to include in income any
adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code, by
reason of the voluntary change in accounting method (nor has any
taxing authority proposed in writing any such adjustment or
change of accounting method) or (iii) has filed a consent
pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code.
5.11 Employee Benefit Plan
Matters. Except as set forth in
Schedule 5.11 of the Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule,
(i) each employee benefit plan, as the term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, and other arrangement or agreement
providing benefits to any employee or former employee of
Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate
that is maintained or contributed to as of the date of this
Agreement (collectively referred to as Meadowbrook
Plans) by Meadowbrook, any of its Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate, all of which together with Meadowbrook would be
deemed a single employer within the meaning of
Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA, has been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its
terms and applicable law, including but not limited to ERISA and
the Code, (ii) each of Meadowbrook Plans intended to be
qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a)
of the Code has either (1) received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS or (2) is or will be the
subject of an application for a favorable determination letter,
and Meadowbrook is not aware of any circumstances likely to
result in the revocation or denial of any such favorable
determination letter, (iii) no Meadowbrook Plan provides
benefits, including death or medical benefits (whether or not
insured), with respect to current or former employees of
Meadowbrook, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate beyond
their retirement or other termination of service, other than
(w) coverage mandated by applicable law, (x) death
benefits or retirement
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benefits under any employee pension plan, as that
term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, (y) deferred
compensation benefits accrued as liabilities on the books of
Meadowbrook, its Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliates or
(z) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current
or former employee (or his beneficiary), (iv) no liability
under Title IV of ERISA has been incurred by Meadowbrook,
its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate that has not been
satisfied in full, and no condition exists that presents a
material risk to Meadowbrook, its Subsidiaries or a Meadowbrook
ERISA Affiliate of incurring a material liability thereunder,
(v) no Meadowbrook Plan is a multiemployer pension
plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA, (vi) all contributions or other amounts payable by
Meadowbrook, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates as of the
Effective Time with respect to each Meadowbrook Plan for any
period through the date hereof have been paid or accrued in
accordance with GAAP, (vii) neither Meadowbrook, its
Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a merger in
connection with which Meadowbrook, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate could be subject to either a civil penalty assessed
pursuant to Section 406 or 502(i) of ERISA or a tax imposed
pursuant to Section 4975 or 4976 of the Code and
(viii) there are no pending, or, to the knowledge of
Meadowbrook, threatened claims (other than routine claims for
benefits) by, on behalf of or against any of the Meadowbrook
Plans or any trusts related thereto.
5.12 Meadowbrook Information. The
information relating to Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries to be
contained in, or incorporated by reference in, the Proxy
Statement and the
S-4 (except
for such portions thereof that relate only to ProCentury or any
of its Subsidiaries as represented in Section 4.12 hereof),
or in any other document filed with any other regulatory agency
in connection herewith, will not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in
which they are made, not misleading. The
S-4 (except
for such portions thereof that relate only to ProCentury or any
of its Subsidiaries as represented in Section 4.12 hereof)
will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the
Securities Act and Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
5.13 Ownership of ProCentury Common
Stock. None of Meadowbrook or any of its
Subsidiaries (i) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly
or (ii) is a party to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or
disposing of, in each case, any shares of capital stock of
ProCentury.
5.14 Compliance with Applicable Law.
(a) The businesses of each of Meadowbrook and its
Subsidiaries have not been since the Applicable Date, and are
not being conducted in violation of any applicable Laws (except
for Laws with respect to matters that are subject to
Sections 5.10 (Taxes), 5.11 (Employee Benefit Matters),
5.19 (Environmental Matters) or 5.20 (Insurance Matters), which
matters are subject solely of such respective sections) except
for violations that, individually or in the aggregate, are not
reasonably likely to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries each has obtained and
is in compliance with all Licenses (except for Licenses with
respect to matters that are subject to Sections 5.10
(Taxes), 5.11 (Employee Benefit Matters), 5.19 (Environmental
Matters) or 5.20 (Insurance Matters)) necessary to conduct its
business as presently conducted, except those the absence of
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably
likely to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
5.15 Certain Contracts.
(a) Except for this Agreement, neither Meadowbrook nor any
of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any contract,
arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or
oral) which is a material contract (as defined in
Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC) to be performed after the date hereof that has not
been filed or incorporated by reference in the Meadowbrook
Reports or (ii) which materially restricts the conduct of
any line of business by Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries.
Each contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding of the
type described in this Section 5.15(a), whether or not set
forth in Section 5.15(a) of the Meadowbrook Disclosure
Schedule, is referred to herein as a Meadowbrook
Contract. Meadowbrook has previously made available to
ProCentury true and correct copies of each Meadowbrook Contract.
(b) Each Meadowbrook Contract is a valid and binding
obligation of Meadowbrook or its Subsidiary which is a party
thereto and, to the knowledge of Meadowbrook, of each other
party thereto, is in full force and effect, except where such
failure to be in full force and effect would not have or be
reasonably likely to have a Meadowbrook
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Material Adverse Effect. Meadowbrook and each of its
Subsidiaries have performed all obligations required to be
performed by them to date under each Meadowbrook Contract,
except where such nonperformance, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have or be reasonably likely to have a
Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect. No event or condition
exists which constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or
both, would constitute, a material default on the part of
Meadowbrook or any of its Subsidiaries under any such
Meadowbrook Contract, except where such default, individually or
in the aggregate, would not have or be reasonably likely to have
a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of
Meadowbrook, no other party to any Meadowbrook Contract is in
default under the terms of any Meadowbrook Contract, except
where such default, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have or be reasonably likely to have a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect.
5.16 Intellectual
Property. Meadowbrook and each of its
Subsidiaries owns (without any Lien other than Permitted Liens)
or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights
to use all material patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade
names, servicemarks, trademarks and computer software used in
its businesses as currently conducted (the Meadowbrook
Intellectual Property); and neither Meadowbrook nor any of
its Subsidiaries has, since the Applicable Date, received any
written notice of conflict with respect to any material
Meadowbrook Intellectual Property that asserts the right of any
third party with respect to the use or ownership of any
Meadowbrook Intellectual Property. All Meadowbrook Intellectual
Property that has been licensed by Meadowbrook or any of its
Subsidiaries is being used substantially in accordance with the
applicable license pursuant to which Meadowbrook or such
Subsidiary acquired the right to use such Meadowbrook
Intellectual Property, except where such use would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably likely
to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
5.17 Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except for (a) those
liabilities that are fully reflected or reserved against on the
consolidated balance sheet (or notes thereto) of Meadowbrook
included in its
Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 30, 2007,
(b) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
since September 30, 2007 that, either alone or when
combined with all similar liabilities, have not had, and could
not reasonably be expected to have, a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect and (c) those liabilities permitted or
contemplated by this Agreement, neither Meadowbrook nor any of
its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability of any nature
whatsoever required by GAAP to be set forth on a balance sheet
or financial statement of Meadowbrook or in the notes thereto.
5.18 Required Vote. No vote of the
shareholders of Meadowbrook is required by law,
Meadowbrooks articles of incorporation and bylaws or
otherwise to approve this Agreement and the Merger other than
the vote of shareholders of Meadowbrook to approve the issuance
of Meadowbrook Common Stock contemplated by this Agreement as
required by the rules of the NYSE.
5.19 Environmental Matters. Except
in the ordinary course of business or as has not had or would
not reasonably be expected to have a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect, (a) since the Applicable Date, each of
Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws necessary to conduct its current
operations and (b) neither Meadowbrook nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any
Governmental Entity alleging that Meadowbrook or any of its
Subsidiaries is in violation of, or liable under, any
Environmental Law.
5.20 Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries.
(a) As of the date hereof, Meadowbrook conducts its
insurance operations solely through the following Subsidiaries:
Star Insurance Company, Ameritrust Insurance Corporation, Savers
Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Williamsburg
National Insurance Company (collectively, the Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiaries). Each of the Meadowbrook Insurance
Subsidiaries is (i) duly licensed or authorized as an
insurance company and, where applicable, a reinsurance company,
in its jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) duly licensed or
authorized as an insurance company and, where applicable, a
reinsurance company, in each other jurisdiction where it is
required to be so licensed or authorized, and (iii) duly
authorized in its jurisdiction of incorporation and each other
applicable jurisdiction to write each line of business reported
as being written in the Meadowbrook SAP Statements, except, in
any such case, where the failure to be so licensed or authorized
is not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to
have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) The business and operations of the Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiaries, since the Applicable Date, have been and
are now being conducted in compliance with all Insurance Laws,
except where the failure to so conduct such business and
operations is not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
likely to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
(c) No insurance regulator in any state has notified
Meadowbrook or any of the Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries in
writing that any Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary is
commercially domiciled in any jurisdiction and to the knowledge
of Meadowbrook, there are no facts that would result in any
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary being commercially domiciled in
any state. To the knowledge of Meadowbrook, none of Meadowbrook
or any Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary, or any of their
respective Affiliates, (i) has purposefully engaged in, or
colluded with or assisted any other Persons with, the paying of
contingent commissions or similar incentive payments to steer
business to them or colluded with Agents or brokers or other
producers or intermediaries to rig bids or submit
false quotes to customers or (ii) is a party to any
agreement that provides for any payment by or to any Person of
any variable or contingent commissions or payments based upon
the profitability, claims handling, sales volume or loss ratio
of the business that is the subject of such agreement. Since the
Applicable Date, Meadowbrook and each Meadowbrook Insurance
Subsidiary have made all required notices, submissions, reports
or other filings under applicable Insurance Law, including
insurance holding company statutes, except for any such failures
or instances of noncompliance that would not reasonably be
likely, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a
Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Neither Meadowbrook nor any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to any
cease-and-desist
or other order issued by, or is a party to any Regulatory
Agreement with, any regulatory agency or other Governmental
Entity that restricts the conduct of its business or that in any
manner relates to its capital adequacy, its underwriting
policies, its management or its business, nor has ProCentury or
any of its Subsidiaries been advised by any regulatory agency or
other Governmental Entity that it is considering issuing or
requesting any Regulatory Agreement.
(e) Except as otherwise is not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Meadowbrook Material Adverse
Effect, all policies, binders, slips, certificates, and other
agreements of insurance, in effect as of the date hereof that
are issued by the Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries (the
Meadowbrook Insurance Contracts) and any and all
marketing materials, are, to the extent required under
applicable Law, on the Forms. The Forms comply in all material
respects with the Insurance Laws applicable thereto and, as to
premium rates established by any Meadowbrook Insurance
Subsidiary which are required to be filed with or approved by
insurance regulatory authorities, the rates have been so filed
or approved and the premiums charged are within the amount
permitted by Insurance Laws applicable thereto, except where the
failure to be so filed or approved is not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect.
(f) All reinsurance and coinsurance treaties or agreements,
including retrocessional agreements, to which any Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiary is a party or under which any Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiary has any existing rights, obligations or
liabilities are in full force and effect, except for such
treaties or agreements the failure to be in full force and
effect of which is not reasonably likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
Except as is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect, no
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary, or, to the knowledge of
Meadowbrook, any other party to a material reinsurance or
coinsurance treaty or agreement to which any Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiary is a party, is in default in any material
respect as to any provision thereof, and no such agreement
contains any provision providing that the other party thereto
may terminate such agreement, or that such agreement will be
automatically terminated, by reason of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. To the knowledge of Meadowbrook,
the financial condition of the other parties to any such
agreement is impaired with the result that a default thereunder
may reasonably be anticipated, whether or not such default may
be cured by the operation of any offset clause in such
agreement, that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
likely to have a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect. All
reinsurance and retrocession agreements to which any Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiary is a party, either as a cedent or a
reinsurer or retrocessionaire, comply in all material respects
with all risk transfer criteria under GAAP and applicable SAP,
and to the knowledge of Meadowbrook, there is no investigation,
inquiry or proceeding currently pending before or by
Governmental Entity, to which Meadowbrook or any Meadowbrook
Insurance Subsidiary is subject, with respect to the risk
transfer characteristics or the reporting or disclosure thereof,
of any such reinsurance or retrocession except any
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such investigation, inquiry or proceeding which would no,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a
Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Prior to the date hereof, Meadowbrook has delivered or
made available to ProCentury a true and complete copy of any
material actuarial reports prepared by actuaries, independent or
otherwise, with respect to any Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary
since the Applicable Date, and all attachments, addenda,
supplements and modifications thereto (the Meadowbrook
Actuarial Analyses). The information and data furnished by
any Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary to its actuaries in
connection with the preparation of the Meadowbrook Actuarial
Analyses were accurate in all material respects. The aggregate
reserves for claims, losses (including, without limitation,
incurred but not reported losses), loss adjustment expenses
(whether allocated or unallocated) and unearned premium, as
reflected in each of the Meadowbrook SAP Statements,
(i) were determined in accordance with presently accepted
actuarial standards consistently applied (except as otherwise
noted in the financial statements and notes thereto included in
such financial statements), (ii) are fairly stated in
accordance with sound actuarial principles, (iii) were
computed on the basis of methodologies consistent in all
material respects with those used in computing the corresponding
reserves in the prior fiscal years (except as otherwise noted in
the financial statements and notes thereto included in such
financial statements) and (iv) include provisions for all
actuarial reserves and related items which ought to be
established in accordance with applicable Laws.
(h) A.M. Best Company has not announced that it has
under surveillance or review (with negative implications) its
rating of the financial strength or claims-paying ability of any
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary or imposed conditions
(financial or otherwise) on retaining any currently held rating
assigned to any Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiary which is rated
as of the date of this Agreement, and Meadowbrook has no reason
(other than the entry into the Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby) to believe that any rating presently held
by the Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries is likely to be
modified, qualified, lowered or placed under such surveillance
for any reason. As of the date hereof, Meadowbrook and each of
the Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries have been assigned an A-
(Excellent) financial strength rating by A.M. Best Company.
5.21 Labor and Employment
Matters. Neither Meadowbrook nor its
Subsidiaries is or has ever been a party to, or is or has ever
been bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract, or
other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor
organization with respect to its employees, nor is Meadowbrook
or its Subsidiaries the subject of any proceeding asserting that
it has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel
it or any such Subsidiary to bargain with any labor organization
as to wages and conditions of employment, nor is the management
of Meadowbrook aware of any strike, other labor dispute,
organizational effort or other activity taken with a view toward
unionization involving Meadowbrook or its Subsidiaries pending
or threatened. Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries are in material
compliance with applicable Laws regarding employment or
employees and retention of independent contractors and are in
material compliance with all applicable employment tax Laws.
5.22 Insurance. Meadowbrook and
its Subsidiaries are presently insured, and since the Applicable
Date, have been insured, for reasonable amounts with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies, against such risks as
companies engaged in a similar business would, in accordance
with good business practice, customarily be insured. Except as
would not reasonably be expected to have a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect, all of the insurance policies and bonds
maintained by Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries outside the
ordinary course of its business are in full force and effect,
Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries are not in default thereunder
and all material claims thereunder have been filed in due and
timely fashion.
5.23 Financing. Section 5.23
of the Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule sets forth the amount, as
of the date hereof, of Meadowbrooks cash and cash
equivalents, the amount of the cash and cash equivalents of the
Meadowbrook Insurance Subsidiaries available to pay a
dividend to Meadowbrook without obtaining the approval of the
Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation and the borrowings
currently available under the Meadowbrook Credit Facility is as
set forth in Section 5.23 of the Meadowbrook Disclosure
Schedule. As of the Closing Date, Meadowbrook will have cash and
availability under the Meadowbrook Credit Facility in amounts
sufficient to pay the Maximum Cash Consideration.
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ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
6.1 Covenants of ProCentury. From
the date hereof until the Effective Time, except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as previously
disclosed in the ProCentury Disclosure Schedule
(Previously Disclosed), without the prior written
consent of Meadowbrook, ProCentury will not and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) Ordinary Course. Conduct its
business other than in the ordinary and usual course consistent
with past practice or fail to use commercially reasonable
efforts to preserve its business organization, keep available
the present services of its employees and preserve for itself
and Meadowbrook the goodwill of the customers of ProCentury and
its Subsidiaries and others with whom business relations exist;
provided, however, that no action by ProCentury or its
Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by
Sections 6.1(b) through 6.1(u) will be deemed a breach of
this Section 6.1(a) unless such action would constitute a
breach of such other provision.
(b) Capital Stock. Other than
pursuant to the ProCentury Options outstanding on the date
hereof, (i) issue, sell or otherwise permit to become
outstanding, or authorize the creation of, any additional shares
of stock or any rights or (ii) permit any additional shares
of stock to become subject to grants of employee or director
stock options or other rights.
(c) Dividends; Etc. (i) Make,
declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend on or in
respect of, or declare or make any distribution on any
ProCentury Common Shares, other than normal quarterly dividends
in the amount of no more than $0.04 per ProCentury Common Share
per quarter with customary record and payment dates or
(ii) directly or indirectly adjust, split, combine, redeem,
reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its
capital stock.
(d) Compensation; Employment Agreements;
Etc. Enter into or amend or renew any
employment, consulting, severance or similar agreements or
arrangements with any director, officer or employee of
ProCentury or grant any salary or wage increase or increase any
employee benefit (including incentive or bonus payments), except
(i) for the employment of individuals in the ordinary
course of business on an at-will basis, (ii) for normal
individual increases in compensation to employees in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
(iii) for other changes that are required by applicable
Law, (iv) to satisfy contractual obligations existing as of
the date hereof which are set forth in Section 6.1(d) or
(v) of the ProCentury Disclosure Schedule to satisfy the
terms of any ProCentury Plan.
(e) Benefit Plans. For the 2008
calendar year, enter into, establish, adopt or amend, or make
any contributions to (except (i) as may be required by
applicable Law or (ii) to satisfy contractual obligations
existing as of the date hereof which are set forth in
Section 6.1(d) of ProCentury Disclosure Schedule or the
terms of any ProCentury Plan), any pension, retirement, stock
option, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other
employee benefit, incentive or welfare contract, plan or
arrangement, or any trust agreement (or similar arrangement)
related thereto, in respect of any director, officer or employee
of ProCentury or any Subsidiary or take any action, other than
contemplated by this Agreement, to accelerate the vesting or
exercisability of stock options, restricted stock or other
compensation or benefits payable thereunder.
(f) Dispositions. Sell, transfer,
mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or discontinue any of
its material assets, business or properties including investment
securities other than in the ordinary course of business.
(g) Acquisitions. Acquire all or
any material portion of the assets, business, deposits or
properties of any other entity other than in the ordinary course
of business or as contemplated by Section 6.1(h).
(h) Capital Expenditures. Make any
capital expenditures not contemplated by ProCenturys
capital expenditure budget having an aggregate value exceeding
$150,000.
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(i) Governing Documents. Amend its
articles of incorporation, code of regulations or similar
governing documents.
(j) Accounting Methods. Implement
or adopt any material change in its accounting principles,
practices or methods, other than as may be required by changes
in Laws or GAAP which are disclosed promptly to Meadowbrook in
writing.
(k) Contracts. Enter into any
agreement that would be required to be listed on
Section 4.15(a) of the ProCentury Disclosure Schedule or
renew or terminate or amend or modify in any material respect in
a manner that is adverse to ProCentury any agreement for
services to be provided to ProCentury or any Subsidiary or any
other contract obligating ProCentury to pay an amount in excess
of $150,000, other than agreements or arrangements entered into
in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
defense of claims, including litigated claims, made under
policies of insurance issued by a ProCentury Insurance
Subsidiary.
(l) Claims. Except for the
settlement, in the ordinary course of business, of claims
(including litigated claims) made under insurance policies
issued by ProCentury or its Subsidiaries, enter into any
settlement or similar agreement with respect to any action,
suit, proceeding, order or investigation to which ProCentury or
any Subsidiary is or becomes a party after the date hereof,
which settlement, agreement or action involves payment by
ProCentury or any Subsidiary of an amount which exceeds $50,000
and/or would
impose any material restriction on the business of ProCentury or
any Subsidiary.
(m) ProCentury Operations. Enter
into any new material line of business or otherwise change its
investment policies, except as required by applicable Law.
(n) Indebtedness. Incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money or assume, guarantee, endorse or
otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the
obligations of any other Person, other than indebtedness
incurred under ProCenturys existing credit facility in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
(o) Loans. Make, purchase, renew
or otherwise modify any loan, loan commitment, letter of credit
or other extension of credit other than in the ordinary course
of business.
(p) Investments in Real
Estate. Make any investment or commitment to
invest in real estate or in any real estate development project.
(q) Certain Transactions. Enter
into any agreement that could reasonably be expected to have the
result of delaying or hindering the approval of the ProCentury
shareholders or any Governmental Entity.
(r) Adverse Actions. (i) Take
any action that would, or is reasonably likely to, prevent or
impede the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code or
(ii) take any action that is intended or is reasonably
likely to result in (x) any of its representations and
warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue
in any material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective
Time, (y) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article VIII not being satisfied or (z) a material
violation of any provision of this Agreement except as may be
required by applicable Law or regulation.
(s) Board Membership. Elect to the
board of directors of itself or any of its Subsidiaries or to
any office of its Subsidiaries any Person who is not a member of
the board of directors or an officer of ProCentury or its
Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement; provided,
however, that if an additional vacancy is created on the board
of directors of ProCentury, ProCentury may fill such vacancy
with a Person who is not an officer of ProCentury or its
Subsidiaries.
(t) No New Subsidiaries. Neither
ProCentury nor its Subsidiaries will establish, acquire or
otherwise create any new entity.
(u) Commitments. Enter into any
contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or commit to do,
any of the foregoing.
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6.2 Covenants of Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub. From the date hereof, until the
Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by
this Agreement, without the prior written consent of ProCentury,
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub will not, and will cause each of
their Subsidiaries not to:
(a) Ordinary Course. Conduct its
business other than in the ordinary and usual course consistent
with past practice or fail to use commercially reasonable
efforts to preserve its business organization, keep available
the present services of its employees and preserve for itself
the goodwill of its customers and others with whom business
relations exist; provided, however, that no action by
Meadowbrook or Merger Sub or their Subsidiaries with respect to
matters specifically addressed by Sections 6.2(b) through
6.2(i) will be deemed a breach of this Section 6.2(a)
unless such action would constitute a breach of such other
provision.
(b) Acquisitions or Capital
Expenditures. (i) Acquire all or any
material portion of the assets, business, deposits or properties
of any other entity other than in the ordinary course of
business or as contemplated by clause (ii) hereof or
(ii) make any capital expenditures not contemplated by
Meadowbrooks capital expenditure budget as in effect on
the date hereof having an aggregate value exceeding $150,000, in
each case if such acquisition or expenditure would materially
affect Meadowbrooks ability to pay the Maximum Cash
Consideration.
(c) Capital Stock. Other than
equity awards issued and granted under the Meadowbrook Stock
Plans, issue, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding, or
authorize the creation of, any additional shares of stock or any
rights.
(d) Dispositions. Sell, transfer,
mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or discontinue any of
its material assets, deposits, business or properties including
investment securities and loans other than in the ordinary
course of business.
(e) Accounting Methods. Implement
or adopt any material change in its accounting principles,
practices or methods, other than as may be required by changes
in Laws or GAAP.
(f) Certain Transactions. Enter
into any agreement that could reasonably be expected to have the
result of delaying or hindering the approval of the Meadowbrook
shareholders or any Governmental Entity.
(g) Adverse Actions. (i) Take
any action that would, or is reasonably likely to, prevent or
impede the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code or
(ii) take any action that is intended or is reasonably
likely to result in (x) any of its representations and
warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue
in any material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective
Time, (y) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article VIII not being satisfied or (z) a material
violation of any provision of this Agreement, except as may be
required by applicable Law or regulation.
(h) Governing Documents. Amend its
articles of incorporation, bylaws or code of regulations, which
as a direct result of such amendment the holders of ProCentury
Common Shares would be adversely affected.
(i) Commitments. Enter into any
contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or commit to do,
any of the foregoing.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
7.1 Reasonable Best
Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, each of ProCentury, Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub agrees to use its reasonable best efforts (subject to, and
in accordance with applicable Law) in good faith to take, or
cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done,
all things necessary, proper or desirable, or advisable under
applicable Laws, so as to permit consummation of the Merger as
promptly as practicable and otherwise to enable consummation of
the Merger including the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Article VIII, and shall cooperate fully with the
other Parties hereto to that end.
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7.2 Shareholder Approval.
(a) ProCentury agrees to take, in accordance with
applicable Law and its articles of incorporation and code of
regulations, all action necessary to convene as soon as
reasonably practicable a special meeting of its shareholders to
consider and vote upon the approval and adoption of this
Agreement, including the Merger, and any other matters required
to be approved by ProCenturys shareholders for
consummation of the Merger (including any adjournment or
postponement, the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting).
Except with the prior approval of Meadowbrook, no other matters
shall be submitted for the approval of ProCentury shareholders
at the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting, other than the election
of directors in the event the Agreement is not approved and
adopted. The board of directors of ProCentury shall at all times
prior to and during such meeting recommend such approval and
adoption and shall take all reasonable lawful action to solicit
such approval and adoption by its shareholders; provided that
nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the board of directors
of ProCentury from withholding, withdrawing, amending or
modifying its recommendation if the board of directors of
ProCentury determines, after consultation with its outside
counsel, that failing to take such action would be reasonably
likely to constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties to the
ProCentury shareholders under applicable Law; provided, further,
that Section 7.7 shall govern the withholding, withdrawing,
amending or modifying of such recommendation in the
circumstances described therein.
(b) Meadowbrook agrees to take, in accordance with
applicable Law and its articles of incorporation and bylaws, all
action necessary to convene as soon as reasonably practicable a
special meeting of its shareholders to consider and vote upon
the issuance of the Meadowbrook Common Stock contemplated by
this Agreement and any other matters required to be approved by
Meadowbrooks shareholders for consummation of the Merger
(including any adjournment or postponement, the
Meadowbrook Shareholder Meeting). Except with the
prior approval of ProCentury, no other matters shall be
submitted for the approval of Meadowbrook shareholders at the
Meadowbrook Shareholder Meeting, other than matters customarily
brought before the Meadowbrook shareholders at an annual
meeting. The board of directors of Meadowbrook shall at all
times prior to and during such meeting recommend such approval
and shall take all reasonable lawful action to solicit such
approval by its shareholders; provided that nothing in this
Agreement shall prevent the board of directors of Meadowbrook
from withholding, withdrawing, amending or modifying its
recommendation if the board of directors of Meadowbrook
determines, after consultation with its outside counsel, that
such action is legally required in order for the directors to
comply with their fiduciary duties to the Meadowbrook
shareholders under applicable Law.
7.3 Registration Statement.
(a) Meadowbrook agrees to prepare an
S-4 or other
applicable registration statement to be filed by Meadowbrook
with the SEC in connection with the issuance of Meadowbrook
Common Stock in the Merger (including the Proxy Statement and
other proxy solicitation materials of ProCentury and Meadowbrook
constituting a part thereof and all related documents).
ProCentury shall prepare and furnish such information relating
to it and its directors, officers and shareholders as may be
reasonably required in connection with the above referenced
documents based on its knowledge of and access to the
information required for said documents, and ProCentury, and its
legal, financial and accounting advisors, shall have the right
to review and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) the
S-4 prior to
its filing. ProCentury agrees to cooperate with Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub and Meadowbrooks and Merger Subs counsel
and accountants in requesting and obtaining appropriate
opinions, consents and letters from its financial advisor and
independent auditor in connection with the
S-4 and the
Proxy Statement. Provided that ProCentury has cooperated as
described above, Meadowbrook agrees to file, or cause to be
filed, the
S-4 with the
SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable. Each of ProCentury,
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the
S-4 to be
declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
reasonably practicable after the filing thereof. Meadowbrook
also agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all
necessary state securities Law or Blue Sky permits
and approvals required to carry out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. After the
S-4 is
declared effective under the Securities Act, ProCentury and
Meadowbrook shall promptly mail the Proxy Statement to their
respective shareholders.
(b) Each of ProCentury and Meadowbrook agrees that none of
the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion
or incorporation by reference in (i) the
S-4 shall,
at the time the
S-4 and each
amendment or
A-35
supplement thereto, if any, becomes effective under the
Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and
(ii) the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement
thereto shall, at the date(s) of mailing to shareholders and at
the time of the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting and the
Meadowbrook Shareholder Meeting, contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading. Each of ProCentury and Meadowbrook further
agrees that if such Party shall become aware prior to the
Effective Time of any information furnished by such Party that
would cause any of the statements in the
S-4 or the
Proxy Statement to be false or misleading with respect to any
material fact, or to omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein not false or misleading, to
promptly inform the other Parties thereof and to take the
necessary steps to correct the
S-4 or the
Proxy Statement.
(c) Meadowbrook agrees to advise ProCentury, promptly after
Meadowbrook receives notice thereof, of the time when the
S-4 has
become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed,
of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the
qualification of Meadowbrook Common Stock for offering or sale
in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or, to the extent
Meadowbrook is aware thereof, threat of any proceeding for any
such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or
supplement of the
S-4 or for
additional information.
7.4 Regulatory Filings.
(a) Each of Meadowbrook, Merger Sub and ProCentury shall
cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts to
prepare all documentation, to effect all filings and to obtain
all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third
parties and Governmental Entities necessary to consummate the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby; and any
initial filings with Governmental Entities shall be made by
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub as soon as reasonably practicable
after the execution of this Agreement. Each of Meadowbrook,
Merger Sub and ProCentury shall have the right to review and
approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), and to the extent practicable each shall consult with
the other, in each case subject to applicable Laws relating to
the exchange of information, with respect to all written
information submitted to any third party or any Governmental
Entity in connection with the Merger. In exercising the
foregoing right, each of such Parties agrees to act reasonably
and as promptly as practicable. Each Party agrees that it shall
consult with the other Parties with respect to the obtaining of
all permits, consents, approvals, waivers and authorizations of
all third parties and Governmental Entities necessary or
advisable to consummate the Merger, and each Party shall keep
the other Parties apprised of the status of material matters
relating to completion of the Merger.
(b) ProCentury and Meadowbrook shall: (i) within
twenty (20) business days following the execution of this
Agreement, file the Notification and Report Forms required of it
under the HSR Act relating to the Merger with the United States
Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission;
(ii) promptly respond to inquiries from the United States
Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission or any
other governmental agency in connection with such notification;
(iii) request early termination of the waiting period under
the HSR Act and (iv) take all other commercially reasonable
actions necessary or appropriate to gain all approvals necessary
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
under the HSR Act. Subject to such confidentiality restrictions
as may be reasonably requested, each Party hereto shall
coordinate and cooperate with the other Parties in preparing the
Notification and Report Forms, responding to such inquiries and
taking all such other actions.
(c) Each of the Parties shall use their reasonable best
efforts to: (i) within twenty (20) business days
following the execution of this Agreement, file a Form A
(Statement Regarding the Acquisition of Control of or Merger
with a Domestic Insurer) with the Ohio Department of Insurance,
the Texas Department of Insurance and the Washington D.C.
Department of Insurance; (ii) promptly respond to inquiries
from the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Texas Department of
Insurance and the Washington D.C. Department of Insurance in
connection with such filings or requests and (iii) take all
other commercially reasonable actions necessary or appropriate
to obtain the approval of Governmental Entities necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Each Party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other
Parties with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries
(if applicable), directors, officers and shareholders and such
other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in
connection with any filing, notice or application made by or on
behalf of such other Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (if
applicable) to any third party or Governmental Entity.
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(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any of
the Parties be obligated to take any action, including divesting
or holding separate any assets, in order to obtain any consent,
waiver, approval or authorization relating to, or to resolve any
objections to the transactions contemplated hereby, asserted by
any Governmental Entity.
(f) Each Party shall promptly inform the other party in
advance of any proposed meetings, discussions or other material
communications with the Federal Trade Commission or the United
States Department of Justice or any other Governmental Entity
regarding the transactions contemplated hereby (and as soon as
practicable following any communication from any such entity).
(g) Upon any HSR Act filing made in accordance with this
Agreement, ProCentury and Meadowbrook will each pay one-half of
all HSR Act filing fees.
7.5 Press Releases. ProCentury,
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub shall consult with each other before
issuing any press release with respect to the Merger or this
Agreement. Meadowbrook and ProCentury will issue a joint press
release with respect to the Merger or this Agreement as soon as
practicable after this Agreement is fully executed. ProCentury
shall not issue any press release with respect to the Merger or
this Agreement or make any such public statements without the
prior written consent of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however,
that ProCentury may, without the prior consent of Meadowbrook or
Merger Sub (but after consultation with Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub, to the extent practicable under the circumstances), issue
such press release or make such public statements as may upon
the advice of outside counsel be required by Law or the rules or
regulations of Nasdaq. ProCentury, Merger Sub and Meadowbrook
shall cooperate to develop all public announcement materials and
make appropriate management available at presentations related
to the Merger as reasonably requested by the other Parties.
7.6 Access; Information.
(a) ProCentury agrees that upon reasonable notice and
subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of
information, it shall afford Meadowbrook and Merger Sub and
their officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other
authorized representatives such access during normal business
hours throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to the
books, records (including Tax Returns and work papers of
independent auditors), properties and personnel of ProCentury
and to such other information relating to ProCentury as
Meadowbrook may reasonably request and, during such period, it
shall furnish promptly to Meadowbrook and Merger Sub all
information concerning the business, properties and personnel of
ProCentury as Meadowbrook and Merger Sub may reasonably request,
subject to applicable Law.
(b) Meadowbrook and Merger Sub agree that upon reasonable
notice and subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange
of information, they shall afford ProCentury and its officers,
employees, counsel, accountants and other authorized
representatives such access during normal business hours
throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to the books,
records (including Tax Returns and work papers of independent
auditors), properties and personnel of Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub and to such other information relating to Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub as ProCentury may reasonably request and, during such
period, they shall furnish promptly to ProCentury all
information concerning the business, properties and personnel of
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub as ProCentury may reasonably request,
subject to applicable Law.
(c) No investigation by any Party of the business and
affairs of any other Party shall affect or be deemed to modify
or waive any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in
this Agreement, or the conditions to any Partys obligation
to consummate the Merger.
7.7 Acquisition
Proposals. ProCentury agrees that it shall
not, and that it shall cause its directors and officers not to,
directly or indirectly, initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage
or otherwise knowingly facilitate any inquiries or the making of
any proposal or offer with respect to a merger, reorganization,
share exchange, consolidation or similar transaction involving
ProCentury, or any purchase of all or substantially all of the
assets of ProCentury or more than 20% of the outstanding equity
securities of ProCentury (any such proposal or offer being
hereinafter referred to as an Acquisition Proposal).
ProCentury further agrees that it shall not, and that it shall
cause its directors and officers not to, directly or indirectly,
engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any
confidential information or data to, or have any discussions
with, any Person relating to an Acquisition Proposal,
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or otherwise knowingly facilitate any effort or attempt to make
or implement an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that
nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent ProCentury or
the board of directors of ProCentury from (A) complying
with its disclosure obligations under federal or state Law;
(B) providing information in response to a request therefor
by a Person who has made an unsolicited bona fide written
Acquisition Proposal if the board of directors of ProCentury
receives from the Person so requesting such information an
executed confidentiality agreement; (C) engaging in any
negotiations or discussions with any Person who has made an
unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal or
(D) recommending such an Acquisition Proposal to the
shareholders of ProCentury, if and only to the extent that, in
each such case referred to in clause (B), (C) or
(D) above, (i) the ProCentury board of directors
determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside
legal counsel) that failure to take such action would reasonably
be expected to result in a violation of its fiduciary duties
under applicable law and (ii) the ProCentury board of
directors determines in good faith (after receipt of advice of
its financial advisor) that such Acquisition Proposal, if
accepted, is reasonably likely to be consummated, taking into
account all legal, financial and regulatory aspects of the
proposal and the Person making the proposal and could reasonably
be expected, if consummated, to result in a transaction more
favorable to ProCenturys shareholders from a financial
point of view than the Merger. An Acquisition Proposal which is
received and considered by the ProCentury in compliance with
this Section 7.7 and which meets the requirements set forth
in clause (D) of the preceding sentence is herein referred
to as a Superior Proposal. ProCentury agrees that it
will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any Persons
conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposals.
ProCentury agrees that it will notify Meadowbrook and Merger Sub
if any such inquiries, proposals or offers are received by, any
such information is requested from, or any such discussions or
negotiations are sought to be initiated or continued with,
ProCentury or any of its representatives.
7.8 NYSE Listing. Meadowbrook
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to list, prior to the
Effective Time, on the NYSE the shares of Meadowbrook Common
Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger.
7.9 Benefit Plans.
(a) Meadowbrook shall take all commercially reasonable
action so that either contemporaneously with or as soon as
administratively practicable after the Effective Time, employees
of ProCentury and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time will
be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans of
Meadowbrook on substantially the same terms and conditions of
similarly situated employees of Meadowbrook. Except as provided
elsewhere in this Section 7.9(a) and in
Section 7.9(b), nothing in this Agreement shall require
that Meadowbrook or the Surviving Corporation, as applicable,
continue the ProCentury Plans or shall limit the ability of the
Surviving Corporation to amend or terminate any of
ProCenturys Plans in accordance with their terms at any
time. On or before the Effective Time, if directed in writing to
do so by Meadowbrook, ProCentury shall take or cause to be taken
all such action necessary to terminate the Century Surety
Company 401(k) Plan (Century 401(k) Plan) and, as
soon as reasonably practicable following the effective date of
the termination, file an application for a favorable
determination of the qualified status of the ProCentury 401(k)
Plan upon its termination; provided, however, ProCentury shall
not be obligated to take any such requested action that is
irrevocable until immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Meadowbrook shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to
permit any outstanding participant loans under the Century
401(k) Plan of employees of ProCentury and its Subsidiaries as
of the Effective Time to be transferred to a 401(k) plan
maintained by Meadowbrook or its Subsidiaries (the
Meadowbrook 401(k) Plan) prior to the date that such
loans would go into a default status under the Century 401(k)
Plan. As soon as reasonably practicable following the
termination of the Century 401(k) Plan and the issuance of a
favorable determination letter by the Internal Revenue Service
confirming the qualified status of the Century 401(k) Plan upon
its termination, the participants in the Century 401(k) Plan who
are employees of the Surviving Corporation or Meadowbrook or its
Subsidiaries shall be eligible to roll over their account
balances, including any outstanding participant loans, into the
Meadowbrook 401(k) Plan. All employees of ProCentury and its
Subsidiaries shall be eligible to participate in the Meadowbrook
401(k) Plan as of the Effective Time; provided that such
employees were, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
eligible to participate in the Century 401(k) Plan and had
reached their Entry Date (as defined in the Century 401(k)
Plan). Employees of ProCentury and its Subsidiaries who,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, had not reached their
Entry Date (as defined in the Century 401(k) Plan), shall be
eligible to participate in the Meadowbrook 401(k) Plan as of
their Entry Date (as defined in the Meadowbrook 401(k) Plan),
taking into account such employees service with both
ProCentury and its Subsidiaries and Meadowbrook and its
Subsidiaries.
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(b) At and following the Effective Time, Meadowbrook and
the Surviving Corporation shall honor, and the Surviving
Corporation shall continue to be obligated to perform, in
accordance with their terms, all contractual rights of current
and former employees of ProCentury existing as of the Effective
Time, and all employment,
change-in-control,
deferred compensation and incentive compensation agreements of
ProCentury and its Subsidiaries, in each case, which are
Previously Disclosed.
(c) For purposes of eligibility and vesting (but not for
benefit accruals) under the employee benefit plans of
Meadowbrook and its Subsidiaries providing benefits to any
employees of ProCentury and its Subsidiaries after the Effective
Time, each such employee shall be credited with his or her years
of service with ProCentury and its Subsidiaries and their
respective predecessors before the Effective Time, to the same
extent as such employee was entitled, before the Effective Time,
to credit for such service under any similar ProCentury Plan in
which such employee participated or was eligible to participate
immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided that the
foregoing shall not apply to the extent that its application
would result in a duplication of benefits with respect to the
same period of service. At such time as employees of ProCentury
become eligible to participate in a medical, dental or health
plan of Meadowbrook or its Subsidiaries, Meadowbrook shall cause
each such plan to (i) provide full credit under such plans
for any deductibles, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the employees of ProCentury and their beneficiaries
during the portion of the calendar year prior to such
participation as if such amounts had been paid in accordance
with such plan of Meadowbrook or its Subsidiaries and
(ii) waive any waiting period limitation, evidence of
insurability or actively-at-work requirement which would
otherwise be applicable to such employee on or after the
Effective Time to the extent such employee had satisfied any
similar limitation or requirement under an analogous ProCentury
Plan. The Surviving Corporation shall assume full responsibility
for providing COBRA continuation coverage to current and former
ProCentury employees who are M&A Qualified Beneficiaries as
the term is defined in Treas. Reg.
§§ 54.4980B-1 B-10 until such time as
the Surviving Corporation terminates its own health plan or
plans. Nothing in this Section 7.9(c) shall prevent
Meadowbrook or the Surviving Corporation from terminating its
group health plan or plans. On or before the Effective Time, if
directed in writing to do so by Meadowbrook, ProCentury shall
take or cause to be taken all such action necessary to terminate
some or all of ProCenturys Plans that are welfare benefit
plans; provided, however, ProCentury shall not be obligated to
take any such requested action that is irrevocable until
immediately prior to the Effective Time. All employees of
ProCentury and its Subsidiaries shall be eligible to participate
in Meadowbrooks welfare benefit plans as of the Effective
Time.
7.10 Notification of Certain
Matters. Each of ProCentury, Merger Sub and
Meadowbrook shall give prompt notice to the other of any fact,
event or circumstance known to it that (i) is reasonably
likely, individually or taken together with all other facts,
events and circumstances known to it, to result in any Material
Adverse Effect with respect to it and its respective
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii) would cause or
constitute a material breach of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein.
7.11 Indemnification and
Insurance.
(a) Meadowbrook shall, and shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to, jointly and severally, honor all of
ProCenturys and its Subsidiaries obligations to
indemnify (including any obligations to advance funds for
expenses) the current and former directors and officers of
ProCentury and its Subsidiaries (each, an Indemnified
Party) for acts or omissions by such Indemnified Parties
occurring prior to the Effective Time to the extent that such
obligations of ProCentury and such Subsidiaries exist on the
date hereof, whether pursuant to articles of incorporation, code
of regulations, bylaws of ProCentury or its Subsidiaries or
pursuant to such indemnity agreements as are disclosed in
Section 7.11 of the ProCentury Disclosure Schedule, and
such obligations shall survive the Merger and shall continue in
full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof.
(b) Meadowbrook will obtain, fully pay for and maintain for
six years A-Side coverage including Difference in Conditions
coverage (DIC) drop down, reasonably acceptable to
ProCentury, with a prior and pending/ retroactive date of
March 19, 2007 for the DIC coverage and March 19, 2004
for the main coverage grant, which provides substantially the
same amounts and scope of coverage as are provided under
ProCenturys existing policies; provided, however, that if
the aggregate premium for the foregoing coverage is greater than
$1,000,000, such insurance shall be reduced in scope, amount or
duration (at ProCenturys option) to insurance coverage the
premium for which equals $1,000,000 in the aggregate.
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(c) If an Indemnified Party prevails in enforcing the
indemnity and other obligations provided in this
Section 7.11, Meadowbrook shall pay all reasonable
expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees, incurred by
the Indemnified Party in such enforcement.
(d) If Meadowbrook or the Surviving Corporation
(A) consolidates with or merges into any other person and
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
of such consolidation or merger or (B) transfers all or
substantially all of its properties or assets to any person,
then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so
that such continuing or surviving corporation or entity or
transferee of such assets, as the case may be, shall assume the
obligations set forth in this Section 7.11.
(e) The rights of each Indemnified Party hereunder shall be
in addition to and not in limitation of, any other rights such
Indemnified Party may have under the articles of incorporation,
code of regulations, bylaws or other organizational documents of
ProCentury or any of its Subsidiaries or the Surviving
Corporation, any other indemnification arrangement, the Ohio
Revised Code or otherwise. The provisions of this
Section 7.11 shall survive the consummation of the Merger
and expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by,
each of the Indemnified Parties.
7.12 Financing. Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub shall take all action that is necessary so that at
the Effective Time Meadowbrook and Merger Sub have sufficient
cash and cash equivalents and available amounts under
then-existing credit facilities to pay the Maximum Cash
Consideration and all related fees and expenses payable by
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
7.13 Current Information. During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time, each of ProCentury, on the one hand, and Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub, on the other hand, will cause one or more of its
designated representatives to notify on a regular and frequent
basis (not less than monthly) representatives of Meadowbrook or
ProCentury, as the case may be, and to report (i) the
general status of the ongoing operations of it and its
Subsidiaries; and (ii) the status of, and the action
proposed to be taken with respect to, any matters outside the
ordinary course of its and its Subsidiaries businesses.
Each of ProCentury, on the one hand, and Meadowbrook and Merger
Sub, on the other hand, will promptly notify the other of any
material change in the normal course of business or in the
operation of its properties or the properties of any of its
Subsidiaries and all regulatory communications and governmental
complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications
indicating that the same may be contemplated), or the
institution or the threat of significant litigation involving
itself or any of its Subsidiaries, and will keep the other fully
informed of such events.
7.14 Continuing
Directors. Meadowbrook shall take such
actions as may be required to appoint, effective as of the
Effective Time, two Persons currently serving on the ProCentury
board of directors (the ProCentury Directors), as
designated by ProCentury, to the board of directors of
Meadowbrook.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
8.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligation To
Effect the Merger. The respective obligation
of each Party to effect the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
written waiver by the Parties at or prior to the Effective Time
of each of the following conditions:
(a) ProCentury Shareholder
Approval. This Agreement shall have been
adopted at the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting by the requisite
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding ProCentury Common Shares entitled to vote thereon
(the ProCentury Shareholder Approval).
(b) Meadowbrook Shareholder
Approval. The issuance of Meadowbrook Common
Stock contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved by
the requisite affirmative vote of at least a majority of the
votes cast (assuming a quorum is present) at the Meadowbrook
Shareholder Meeting (the Meadowbrook Shareholder
Approval).
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(c) NYSE Stock Market Listing. The
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock which shall be issued to the
shareholders of ProCentury upon consummation of the Merger shall
have been authorized for listing on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance.
(d) Other Approvals. The following
material registrations, filings, applications, notices,
consents, approvals, orders, qualifications and waivers shall
have been made, filed, given or obtained: (i) the approvals
of or filings with insurance regulatory authorities under all
applicable Laws regulating the business of insurance, including
the filing of a Form A (Statement Regarding the Acquisition
or Change of Control of a Domestic Insurer) with the Ohio
Department of Insurance with respect to Century Surety Company,
the Texas Department of Insurance with respect to ProCentury
Insurance Company and the Washington D.C. Department of
Insurance with respect to ProCentury Risk Partners and approval
or non-objection of such statements by the applicable
Governmental Entities; and (ii) the filing of a Pre-Merger
Notification pursuant to the HSR Act and the expiration or
termination of any waiting period required by the HSR Act,
required to be made, filed, given or obtained with, to or from
any Governmental Entity in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (all such
registrations, filings, applications, notices, consents,
approvals, orders, qualifications and waivers being referred to
herein as the Requisite Regulatory Approvals).
(e) S-4. The
S-4 shall
have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the
S-4 shall
have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have
been initiated or threatened by the SEC.
(f) No Injunctions or Restraints;
Illegality. No order, injunction or decree
issued by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction or other
legal restraint or prohibition (an Injunction)
preventing the consummation of the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect
and no proceeding therefor shall have been initiated by any
Governmental Entity. No statute, rule, regulation, order,
injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity which
prohibits, restricts or makes illegal consummation of the Merger.
(g) No Burdensome Condition. None
of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall impose any term,
condition or restriction upon Meadowbrook, ProCentury or any of
their respective Subsidiaries that Meadowbrook, or ProCentury,
in good faith, reasonably determines would so materially
adversely affect the economic or business benefits of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to Meadowbrook or
ProCentury as to render inadvisable in the reasonable good faith
judgment of Meadowbrook or ProCentury, the consummation of the
Merger (a Burdensome Condition).
8.2 Conditions to Obligations of Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub. The obligation of Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub to effect the Merger is also subject to the
satisfaction or waiver by Meadowbrook and Merger Sub at or prior
to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties of
ProCentury. The representations and
warranties of ProCentury set forth in this Agreement that are
qualified by a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect
qualification shall be true and correct in all respects as so
qualified as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date (except to the extent any particular
representations and warranties speak as of a specific earlier
date), and the representations and warranties of ProCentury that
are not so qualified, shall be true and correct as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date
(except to the extent such representations and warranties speak
as of an earlier date), subject to such exceptions as do not
have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a ProCentury Material Adverse Effect.
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate
dated as of the Closing Date signed on behalf of ProCentury by
the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of
ProCentury to the foregoing effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of
ProCentury. ProCentury shall have performed
in all material respects all obligations required to be
performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
Date, and Meadowbrook and Merger Sub shall have received a
certificate dated as of the Closing Date signed on behalf of
ProCentury by the chief executive officer and the chief
financial officer of ProCentury to such effect.
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(c) Federal Tax
Opinion. Meadowbrook shall have received an
opinion of Meadowbrooks counsel, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Meadowbrook, substantially to the
effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and
assumptions set forth in such opinion which are consistent with
the state of facts existing at the Effective Time, the Merger
will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. In rendering such
opinion, Meadowbrooks counsel may require and rely upon
representations and covenants, including those contained in
certificates of officers of Meadowbrook, Merger Sub, ProCentury
and others, reasonably satisfactory to such counsel.
(d) Consents. The consents,
approvals or waivers listed on Section 8.2(d) of the
ProCentury Disclosure Schedule shall have been obtained.
(e) Other Actions. ProCentury
shall have furnished Meadowbrook and Merger Sub with such
certificates of its officers or others and such other documents
to evidence fulfillment of the conditions set forth in
Section 8.1 and this Section 8.2 as Meadowbrook may
reasonably request.
8.3 Conditions to Obligations of
ProCentury. The obligation of ProCentury to
effect the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver
by ProCentury at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties of Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub. The representations and
warranties of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub set forth in this
Agreement that are qualified by a Meadowbrook Material
Adverse Effect qualification shall be true and correct in
all respects as so qualified as of the Closing Date as though
made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent any
particular representations and warranties speak as of a specific
earlier date), and the representations and warranties of
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub that are not so qualified, shall be
true and correct as of the Closing Date as though made on and as
of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations
and warranties speak as of an earlier date), subject to such
exceptions as do not have, and would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Meadowbrook
Material Adverse Effect. ProCentury shall have received a
certificate dated as of the Closing Date signed on behalf of
Meadowbrook and Merger Sub by the chief executive officer and
the chief financial officer of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub to the
foregoing effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub. Meadowbrook and Merger Sub shall
have performed in all material respects all obligations required
to be performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date, and ProCentury shall have received a certificate
dated as of the Closing Date signed on behalf of Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub by the chief executive officer and the chief
financial officer of Meadowbrook and Merger Sub to such effect.
(c) Deposit of Cash and Stock
Consideration. Meadowbrook shall have
deposited with the Exchange Agent the Cash Consideration, the
Stock Consideration and the Option Merger Consideration to be
paid to holders of ProCentury Common Shares pursuant to
Article III.
(d) Federal Tax
Opinion. ProCentury shall have received an
opinion of ProCenturys counsel, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to ProCentury, substantially to the
effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and
assumptions set forth in such opinion which are consistent with
the state of facts existing at the Effective Time, the Merger
will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. In rendering such
opinion, ProCenturys counsel may require and rely upon
representations and covenants, including those contained in
certificates of officers of Meadowbrook, Merger Sub, ProCentury
and others, reasonably satisfactory to such counsel.
(e) Consents. The consents,
approvals or waivers listed on Section 8.3(e) of the
Meadowbrook Disclosure Schedule shall have been obtained.
(f) Other Actions. Meadowbrook and
Merger Sub shall have furnished ProCentury with such
certificates of its officers or others and such other documents
to evidence fulfillment of the conditions set forth in
Section 8.1 and this Section 8.3 as ProCentury may
reasonably request.
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ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
AND AMENDMENT
9.1 Termination. This Agreement
may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether before or after approval of the matters presented in
connection with the Merger by the shareholders of ProCentury or
the shareholders of Meadowbrook:
(a) Mutual Consent. By mutual
consent of ProCentury and Meadowbrook in a written instrument,
if the board of directors of each so determines by a majority
vote of the members of its entire Board;
(b) No Regulatory Approval. By
either Meadowbrook or ProCentury upon written notice to the
other Party (i) twenty (20) business days after the
date on which any request or application for a Requisite
Regulatory Approval shall have been denied or withdrawn at the
request or recommendation of the Governmental Entity which must
grant such Requisite Regulatory Approval, unless within the
twenty (20) business day period following such denial or
withdrawal a petition for rehearing or an amended application
has been filed with the applicable Governmental Entity;
provided, however, that no Party shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(b)(i)
if such denial or request or recommendation for withdrawal shall
be due to the failure of the Party seeking to terminate this
Agreement to perform or observe the covenants and agreements of
such Party set forth herein; (ii) if any Governmental
Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have issued a final
nonappealable order enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or (iii) there shall be a Burdensome Condition
upon Meadowbrook, Merger Sub or ProCentury;
(c) Delay. By either Meadowbrook
or ProCentury if the Merger shall not have been consummated on
or before September 30, 2008 (the Drop Dead
Date), unless the failure of the Closing to occur by such
date shall be due to the failure of the Party (including Merger
Sub with respect to a termination by Meadowbrook) seeking to
terminate this Agreement to perform or observe the covenants and
agreements of such Party set forth herein; provided, however
that if Meadowbrook or ProCentury determines that additional
time is necessary to forestall any action to restrain, enjoin or
prohibit the Merger by any Governmental Entity, the Drop Dead
Date may be extended to a date not later than December 31,
2008;
(d) ProCentury Shareholder
Approval. By either Meadowbrook or ProCentury
(provided that if ProCentury is the terminating Party it shall
not be in material breach of any of its obligations under
Section 7.2(a)) if any approval of the shareholders of
ProCentury required for the consummation of the Merger shall not
have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the
required vote at the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting;
(e) Meadowbrook Shareholder
Approval. By either Meadowbrook or ProCentury
(provided that if Meadowbrook is the terminating Party it shall
not be in material breach of any of its obligations under
Section 7.2(b)) if any approval of the shareholders of
Meadowbrook required for the consummation of the Merger and
issuance of Meadowbrook Common Stock in connection therewith
shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain
the required vote at the Meadowbrook Shareholder Meeting;
(f) Breach of Representations; Material Adverse
Effect. By either Meadowbrook or ProCentury
(provided that the terminating Party (including Merger Sub with
respect to a termination by Meadowbrook) is not then in material
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other
agreement contained herein) if there shall have been a breach of
any of the representations or warranties set forth in this
Agreement on the part of the other Party (including Merger Sub
with respect to a termination by ProCentury), which breach would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect or ProCentury
Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Breach of Covenants; Material Adverse
Effect. By either Meadowbrook or ProCentury
(provided that the terminating Party (including Merger Sub with
respect to a termination by Meadowbrook) is not then in material
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other
agreement contained herein) if there shall have been a breach of
any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement
on the part of the other Party (including Merger Sub with
respect to a termination by ProCentury), which breach would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Meadowbrook Material Adverse Effect or ProCentury
Material Adverse Effect;
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(h) ProCentury Failure to
Recommend. By Meadowbrook, if (i) the
board of directors of ProCentury does not recommend in the Proxy
Statement that its shareholders adopt this Agreement;
(ii) after recommending in the Proxy Statement that
shareholders adopt this Agreement, the board of directors shall
have withdrawn, modified or qualified such recommendation
adverse to the interest of Meadowbrook or (iii) ProCentury
fails to call, give proper notice of, convene and hold the
ProCentury Shareholder Meeting;
(i) Meadowbrook Failure to
Recommend. By ProCentury, if (i) the
board of directors of Meadowbrook does not recommend in the
Proxy Statement that its shareholders adopt this Agreement or
approve the issuance of the Meadowbrook Common Stock in
connection with the Merger; (ii) after recommending in the
Proxy Statement that shareholders approve this Agreement or the
issuance of the Meadowbrook Common Stock in connection with the
Merger, the board of directors shall have withdrawn, modified or
qualified such recommendation adverse to the interest of
ProCentury or (iii) Meadowbrook fails to call, give proper
notice of, convene and hold the Meadowbrook Shareholder Meeting.
(j) Superior Proposal. At any time
prior to the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting, by ProCentury in
order to enter into an acquisition agreement or similar
agreement (each, an Acquisition Agreement) with
respect to a Superior Proposal which has been received and
considered by ProCentury and the board of directors of
ProCentury is in full compliance with all of the requirements of
Section 7.7; provided, however, that this Agreement may be
terminated by ProCentury pursuant to this Section 9.1(j)
only after the tenth business day following ProCenturys
provision of written notice to Meadowbrook advising Meadowbrook
that the board of directors of ProCentury is prepared to accept
a Superior Proposal, and only if, during such ten-business day
period, Meadowbrook does not, in its sole discretion, make an
offer to ProCentury that the board of directors of ProCentury
determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial
and legal advisors, is at least as favorable as the Superior
Proposal.
(k) Governmental Orders. By either
Meadowbrook or ProCentury if a Governmental Entity shall have
issued or entered a judgment, order, injunction or decree or
taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger and such
judgment, order, injunction or decree or any other action shall
have become final and non-appealable; provided, that the Party
seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 9.1(k) shall have used its reasonable best efforts
to have such injunction lifted; or
(l) Certain Tender or Exchange
Offers. By Meadowbrook if a tender offer or
exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding shares of
ProCentury Common Stock is commenced (other than by Meadowbrook
or a Subsidiary thereof), and the ProCentury board of directors
recommends that the shareholders of ProCentury tender their
shares in such tender or exchange offer within the ten-business
day period specified in
Rule 14e-2(a)
under the Exchange Act.
9.2 Effect of Termination.
(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement and the
abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article IX, no
Party to this Agreement shall have any liability or further
obligation to any other Party hereunder except (i) as set
forth in this Section 9.2, Section 10.2 and 10.3,
(ii) that termination will not relieve a breaching Party
from liability for any willful breach of any covenant,
agreement, representation or warranty of this Agreement giving
rise to such termination and (iii) that in the event of a
termination by ProCentury (so long as ProCentury is not in
material breach of this Agreement), ProCentury shall be entitled
to pursue any and all of its remedies, including on behalf of
its shareholders, for any breach by Meadowbrook of
Section 5.23 or Section 7.12.
(b) In recognition of the efforts, expenses and other
opportunities foregone by Meadowbrook while structuring and
pursuing the Merger, the Parties agree that ProCentury shall pay
to Meadowbrook a termination fee of $9.5 million (the
Termination Fee) in the manner set forth below if:
(i) this Agreement is terminated by Meadowbrook pursuant to
Section 9.1(h) or (l); or
(ii) this Agreement is terminated by (A) Meadowbrook
pursuant to Section 9.1(c) (but only if the failure of the
Closing to occur by the Drop Dead Date is caused by a material
breach of this Agreement by ProCentury, or (B) either
Meadowbrook or ProCentury pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (other
than by reason of any breach by
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Meadowbrook), and in the case of any termination pursuant to the
clauses set forth in (A) or (B) an Acquisition
Proposal shall have been publicly announced or otherwise
communicated or made known to the ProCentury board of directors
or any of its members (or any Person shall have publicly
announced, communicated or made known an intention, whether or
not conditional, to make an Acquisition Proposal) at any time
after the date of this Agreement and prior to the taking of the
vote of the shareholders of ProCentury contemplated by this
Agreement at the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting, in the case of
clause (B), or the date of termination of this Agreement, in the
case of clause (A); or
(iii) this Agreement is terminated by ProCentury pursuant
to Section 9.1(j).
In the event the Termination Fee shall become payable pursuant
to this Section 9.2(b), the Termination Fee shall be paid
within five days following the date of termination of this
Agreement. Any amount that becomes payable pursuant to this
Section 9.2(b) shall be paid by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by
Meadowbrook.
(c) ProCentury and Meadowbrook agree that the agreement
contained in Sections 9.2(b) and (c) hereof is an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, that without such agreement Meadowbrook would not
have entered into this Agreement and that such amounts
constitute liquidated damages, but not a penalty, in the event
of a breach of this Agreement by ProCentury. If ProCentury fails
to pay Meadowbrook the amounts due under paragraph
(b) above within the time periods specified therein,
ProCentury shall pay the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by Meadowbrook in
connection with any action in which Meadowbrook prevails,
including the filing of any lawsuit, taken to collect payment of
such amounts, together with interest on the amount of any such
unpaid amounts at the prime lending rate prevailing during such
period as published in The Wall Street Journal, calculated on a
daily basis from the date such amounts were required to be paid
until the date of actual payment.
9.3 Extension; Waiver. At any time
prior to the Effective Time, the Parties, by action taken or
authorized by their respective boards of directors, may, to the
extent legally allowed, (a) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other
Parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other Parties contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance
with any of the agreements or conditions of the other Parties
contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a Party to any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a
written instrument signed on behalf of such Party, but such
extension or waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance
with an obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or other failure.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
10.1 Closing. Subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the
Closing) will take place at 10:00 a.m. on a
date to be specified by the Parties, which shall be the first
day which is at least two business days after the satisfaction
or waiver (subject to applicable Law) of the latest to occur of
the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other than such
conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied on the
Closing Date) but in no event earlier than the 11th day
following the ProCentury Shareholder Meeting (the Closing
Date), at the offices of Meadowbrooks counsel unless
another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by the
Parties.
10.2 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and
Agreements. None of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive
the Effective Time (except for those covenants and agreements
contained herein and therein which by their terms apply in whole
or in part after the Effective Time) or the termination of this
Agreement if this Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective
Time (other than Sections 9.1, 9.2 and this Article X,
which shall survive any such termination). Notwithstanding
anything in the foregoing to the contrary, no representations,
warranties, agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement
shall be deemed to be terminated or extinguished so as to
deprive any Party or any of their affiliates of any defense at
Law or in equity which otherwise would be available against the
claims of any Person.
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10.3 Expenses. Except as provided
in Section 7.4(g) and as costs and expenses may be payable
pursuant to Section 9.2, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including fees and expenses of its own financial
consultants, accountants and counsel shall be paid by the Party
incurring such expense; provided, however, that all filing and
other fees paid to the SEC or any other Governmental Entity in
connection with the Merger and other transactions contemplated
thereby shall be borne by Meadowbrook, provided, further,
however, that nothing contained herein shall limit any
Partys rights to recover any liabilities or damages
arising out of another Partys willful breach of any
provision of this Agreement.
10.4 Notices. All notices and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (with
confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return
receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with
confirmation) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at
such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like
notice):
(a) if to Meadowbrook or Merger Sub, to:
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
MBKPC Corp.
26255 American Drive
Southfield, Michigan
48034-6112
Attention: Michael G. Costello, Esq.
General Counsel, Secretary and Senior Vice President
with a copy to:
Bodman LLP
6th
Floor at Ford Field
1901 St. Antoine Street
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Attention: Forrest O. Dillon, Esq.
(b) if to ProCentury, to:
ProCentury Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Attention: Edward F. Feighan
Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief
Executive Officer
with a copy to:
Baker & Hostetler LLP
3200 National City Center
1900 East
9th
Street
Cleveland, Ohio
44114-3485
Attention: John M. Gherlein, Esq.
10.5 Interpretation. When a
reference is made in this Agreement to Sections, Exhibits or
Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of or Exhibit or
Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words
include, includes or
including are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed to be followed by the words without
limitation. The phrases the date of this
Agreement, the date hereof and terms of
similar import, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be
deemed to refer to February , 2008.
10.6 Entire Agreement. This
Agreement (including the documents and the instruments referred
to herein) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
other than the Confidentiality Agreement, dated August 30,
2007, between ProCentury and Meadowbrook.
A-46
10.7 Governing Law. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws
of the State of Ohio without regard to conflicts-of-law
principles that would require the application of any other Law.
10.8 Enforcement of the
Agreement. The Parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance
with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement
and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in
any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction,
this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are
entitled at Law or in equity.
10.9 Severability. Except to the
extent that application of this Section 10.9 would have a
Material Adverse Effect on ProCentury or Meadowbrook and their
respective Subsidiaries taken as a whole, any term or provision
of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to
the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and
provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision
shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable. In
all such cases, the Parties shall use their reasonable best
efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision
which, insofar as practicable, implements the original purposes
and intents of this Agreement.
10.10 Amendment. Subject to
compliance with applicable Law, this Agreement may be amended by
the Parties, by action taken or authorized by their respective
boards of directors, at any time before or after adoption of the
Agreement by the shareholders of either ProCentury or
Meadowbrook; provided, however, that after adoption of the
Agreement by ProCenturys shareholders, there may not be,
without further approval of such shareholders, any amendment of
this Agreement which reduces the amount or changes the form of
the consideration to be delivered to ProCentury shareholders
hereunder other than as contemplated by this Agreement or as
otherwise required by applicable Law. This Agreement may not be
amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
each of the Parties.
10.11 Assignment. Neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties (whether by
operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent
of the other Parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and
assigns.
10.12 Execution of Agreement. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement
and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to
constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been
executed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other
Parties. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of
signature pages by facsimile or other electronic transmission
shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this
Agreement as to the Parties and may be used in lieu of the
original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the Parties
transmitted by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall
be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
10.13 No Third Party
Beneficiaries Except as set forth in
Section 7.11, nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to or shall be construed to confer upon or
give any Person other than the Parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement.
[Remainder
of page intentionally left blank.]
A-47
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Meadowbrook, Merger Sub and ProCentury have
caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective
officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above
written.
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Name: Robert S. Cubbin
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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MBKPC CORP.
Name: Robert S. Cubbin
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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PROCENTURY CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Edward
F. Feighan
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Name: Edward F. Feighan
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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A-48
FIRST
AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
(this First Amendment), dated as of May 6,
2008, is by and among Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., a
Michigan corporation (Meadowbrook), ProCentury
Corporation, an Ohio corporation (ProCentury), and
MBKPC Corp., a Michigan corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Meadowbrook (Merger Sub). Meadowbrook,
ProCentury and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to herein,
individually as a Party, and collectively, as the
Parties.
WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 20, 2008 by and
among Meadowbrook, ProCentury and Merger Sub (the
Agreement) with respect to the merger of Merger Sub
and ProCentury; and
WHEREAS, the Parties now desire to modify and amend
certain terms and conditions of the Agreement as more
particularly provided in this First Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. All
capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
2. Amendment to
Section 3.1(a)(2)(iv). The Parties
hereby delete Section 3.1(a)(2(iv) in its entirety and
replace it with the following:
(iv) Maximum Cash Consideration shall
mean an aggregate amount of cash equal to 45% of the total value
of the cash and shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock issuable to
holders of ProCentury Common Shares at the Effective Time,
calculated based on the Average Closing Date Meadowbrook Share
Price. For purposes of the allocation provisions in
Section 3.2(d), the cash issuable to holders of ProCentury
Common Shares, as set forth in the preceding sentence, shall be
deemed to include an amount of cash equal to the number of
Dissenting Shares multiplied by $20.00.
3. Amendment to
Section 3.2(f). The Parties hereby
delete Section 3.2(f) in its entirety and replace it with
the following:
(f) Adjustment Per Tax
Opinion. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, if, based on the Exchange Ratio
determined in accordance with Section 3.1(a), the Tax Ratio
(as defined below) is less than 55% (or such lesser percentage,
not below 40%, as shall be reasonably agreed to by tax counsel
to ProCentury and Meadowbrook to enable such tax counsel to
deliver the tax opinions referred to in Article VIII) (the
Minimum Tax Ratio), the number of Cash Election
Shares (but for this Section 3.2(f)) shall be reduced by
the minimum extent necessary (the amount of such reduction, the
Reduction Amount) so that the Tax Ratio is equal to
the Minimum Tax Ratio. The reduction and reallocation required
by this Section 3.2(f) shall be effected in accordance with
the procedures set forth in Section 3.2(e). Tax
Ratio shall mean the ratio of (i) the product of
(A) the closing price per share of Meadowbrook Common Stock
on the date of the Effective Time times (B) the excess of
(x) the Stock Consideration over (y) the number of
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock that tax counsel to
Meadowbrook or ProCentury reasonably deems necessary to exclude
for purposes of the continuity-of-interest
requirements under applicable federal income tax principles
relating to reorganizations described in the Code (such product,
the Aggregate Stock Amount), to (ii) the sum of
(u) the Aggregate Stock Amount plus (v) the aggregate
cash payable by Meadowbrook for the benefit of ProCenturys
shareholders pursuant to this Section 3.2 (plus the
aggregate estimated amount of cash payable in lieu of fractional
shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.5)
plus (w) the number of Dissenting Shares times the per
share fair value of such shares determined pursuant to
applicable Law or, if such fair value has not been determined as
of the date the calculation required by this Section 3.2(f)
is required to be made, then times the greater of (A) the
Per Share Cash Consideration and (B) the value of the
number of shares of Meadowbrook Common Stock equal to the
Exchange Ratio (calculated for the purposes of this
Section 3.2(f) based on the closing price per share of
Meadowbrook Common Stock on the date of the Effective Time),
plus (x) any other amounts paid by ProCentury (or any
affiliate thereof) to, or on behalf of, any holder of ProCentury
Common Shares in connection with the sale, redemption or other
disposition of any ProCentury
A-49
Common Shares in connection with the Merger for purposes of
Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.368-1(e)
and 1.368-1T(e) plus (y) any extraordinary dividend
distributed by ProCentury prior to and in connection with the
Merger for purposes of Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.368-1(e)
and 1.368-1T(e), plus (z) the amount of any other items
that tax counsel to Meadowbrook or ProCentury reasonably deems
necessary to take into account for purposes of making the Merger
satisfy the requirements under applicable federal income tax
principles relating to reorganizations described in the Code. If
necessary or advisable under the applicable Treasury
Regulations, payments made in respect of ProCentury Options
under Section 3.9 shall be taken into account in
determining the Reduction Amount.
4. Entire Agreement. The
Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, embodies the
entire understanding among the Parties with respect to the
subject matter thereof and hereof and can be changed only by an
instrument in writing executed by all of the Parties.
5. Conflict of Terms. In the
event of a conflict or inconsistency between the terms,
covenants, conditions and provisions of the Agreement and those
of this First Amendment, the terms, covenants, conditions and
provisions of this First Amendment shall control and govern the
rights and obligations of the Parties.
6. Ratification. Except to
the extent amended hereby or inconsistent herewith, all of the
terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of the Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect, and the Parties hereby
acknowledge and confirm that the same are in full force and
effect.
7. Execution. This First
Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute
one and the same instrument. Facsimile or other electronic
signatures shall be accepted by the Parties as originals.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
A-50
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Meadowbrook, Merger Sub and ProCentury have
caused this First Amendment to be executed by their respective
officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above
written.
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Robert
S. Cubbin
Name: Robert
S. Cubbin
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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MBKPC CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Robert
S. Cubbin
Name: Robert
S. Cubbin
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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PROCENTURY CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Edward
F. Feighan
Name: Edward
F. Feighan
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
|
A-51
APPENDIX B-1
February 20, 2008
The Board of Directors
ProCentury Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, OH 43082
Members of the Board of Directors:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to the holders of common shares,
without par value (the Shares), of ProCentury
Corporation (the Company), of the Aggregate Merger
Consideration (as defined below) to be received by such holders
pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement) to be entered into among Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc. (Purchaser), MBKPC Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Purchaser (Merger Sub) and the
Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company will
merge with and into Merger Sub (the Merger),
whereupon Merger Sub will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Purchaser. Each outstanding Share (other than Shares held by
the Company or its subsidiaries, the Purchaser or its
subsidiaries or Shares to which dissenter rights are perfected)
will be converted into the right to receive, at the
holders election, $20.00 in cash without interest (the
Per Share Cash Consideration) or shares of common
stock of the Purchaser having a notional value of $20.00 as
calculated pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the Per Share
Stock Consideration), in each case subject to proration
and adjustments as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The
exchange ratio used to determine the Per Share Stock
Consideration may become fixed under certain circumstances
pursuant to a formula set forth in the Merger Agreement. The
aggregate Per Share Cash Consideration and the aggregate Per
Share Stock Consideration to be paid or issued pursuant to the
Merger Agreement is referred to as the Aggregate Merger
Consideration.
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.
(FBR), as part of its investment banking business,
is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and
securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions,
underwritings, sales and distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and
other purposes. We have acted as financial advisor to the
Company in connection with the proposed Merger and will receive
a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. We will also
receive a fee for rendering this opinion. In addition, the
Company has agreed to indemnify us and certain related parties
against certain liabilities and to reimburse us for certain
expenses arising in connection with or as a result of our
engagement. We and our affiliates provide a wide range of
investment banking and financial services, including financial
advisory, securities trading, brokerage and financing services.
In that regard, we and our affiliates have in the past provided
and may in the future provide investment banking and other
financial services to the Company, Purchaser and their
respective affiliates for which we and our affiliates would
expect to receive compensation. In particular, FBR acted as
financial advisor to the Company in connection with potential
financing transactions in 2007 and acted as a co-manager in
connection with an offering of common stock of the Purchaser in
2007. In the ordinary course of business, we and our affiliates
may trade in the securities and financial instruments of the
Company, Purchaser and their affiliates for our and our
affiliates own accounts and the accounts of customers.
Accordingly, we may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities and financial instruments.
In arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things:
(i) reviewed a draft of the Merger Agreement, dated
February 20, 2008;
(ii) reviewed the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Companys
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 30, 2007, certain unaudited
interim financial statements and other financial information
prepared by the management of the Company with respect to the
year ended December 31, 2007, which the management of the
Company has identified as being the most current financial
statements available and other publicly available financial and
operating information;
(iii) reviewed the Purchasers Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Purchasers
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 30, 2007, the
Purchasers earnings
B-1
release containing certain unaudited interim financial
statements and other financial information with respect to the
year ended December 31, 2007 and other publicly available
financial and operating information;
(iv) reviewed the reported stock prices and trading
histories of the Shares and of the shares of common stock of the
Purchaser and a comparison of those trading histories with each
other and with those of other companies that we deemed relevant;
(v) met with certain members of the Companys
management to discuss the business and prospects of the Company;
(vi) met with certain members of the Purchasers
management to discuss the business and prospects of the
Purchaser;
(vii) held discussions with certain members of the
Companys management concerning the amounts and timing of
cost savings and related expenses expected to result from the
Merger as furnished to us by the Companys management (the
Expected Synergies);
(viii) reviewed certain pro forma financial effects of the
Merger, including the Expected Synergies;
(ix) reviewed certain business, financial and other
information relating to the Company, including financial
forecasts for the Company provided to or discussed with us by
the management of the Company;
(x) reviewed certain financial and stock market data and
other information for the Company and the Purchaser and compared
that data and information with corresponding data and
information for companies with publicly traded securities that
we deemed relevant;
(xi) reviewed the financial terms of the proposed Merger
and compared those terms with the financial terms of certain
other business combinations and other transactions which have
recently been effected or announced; and
(xii) considered such other information, financial studies,
analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market
criteria that we deemed, in our sole judgment, to be necessary,
appropriate or relevant to render the opinion set forth herein.
In preparing our opinion, we have, with your consent, relied
upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all of the
financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information we
reviewed, and we have not assumed any responsibility for the
independent verification of any of such information. With
respect to the financial forecasts provided to or discussed with
us by the management of the Company, including the Expected
Synergies, and the unaudited interim financial statements and
other financial information prepared and provided to us by the
management of the Company, we assumed that they were reasonably
prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the Company. We have assumed no
responsibility for the assumptions, estimates and judgments on
which such forecasts, Expected Synergies and interim financial
statements and other financial information were based and have
not made any independent verification thereof. In addition, we
were not requested to make, and did not make, an independent
evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent, derivative, off-balance sheet or otherwise) of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or of the Purchaser or any of
its subsidiaries, independently or combined, nor were we
furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals, and
accordingly we express no opinion as to the future prospects,
plans or viability of the Company or the Purchaser,
independently or combined. With regard to the information
provided to us by the Company or the Purchaser, we have assumed
that all such information is complete and accurate in all
material respects and have relied upon the assurances of the
management of the Company or the Purchaser, as applicable, that
they are unaware of any facts or circumstances that would make
such information incomplete or misleading. We have made no
independent evaluation of any legal matters involving the
Company or the Purchaser and we have assumed the correctness of
all statements with respect to legal matters made or otherwise
provided to the Company and us by the Companys counsel or
by the Purchasers counsel. We have also assumed that there
has been no change in the assets, liabilities, business,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
prospects of the Company or of the Purchaser since the date of
the most recent financial statements made available to us that
would be material to our analysis. We have assumed, with your
consent, that the Merger will qualify for federal income tax
purposes as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. With your consent, we
have
B-2
also assumed that the Merger Agreement, when executed, will
conform to the draft reviewed by us in all respects material to
our analyses, that in the course of obtaining any necessary
regulatory and third party consents, approvals and agreements
for the Merger, no modification, delay, limitation, restriction
or condition will be imposed that will have an adverse effect on
the Company, the Purchaser or the proposed Merger and that the
Merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the
Merger Agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment of
any term, condition or agreement therein that is material to our
analysis, including that the Purchaser will obtain the necessary
financing and will have sufficient funds available at Closing to
consummate the Merger. Our opinion is necessarily based on
financial, economic, market and other circumstances and
conditions as they exist on and the information made available
to us as of the date hereof. Our opinion can be evaluated only
as of the date of this letter and any change in such
circumstances and conditions, including a change in stock price
of the Purchaser, would require a reevaluation of this opinion,
which we are under no obligation to undertake. We assume no
responsibility to update or revise our opinion based upon events
or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
This letter does not constitute a recommendation to the Board of
Directors of the Company, the stockholders of the Company or any
other person as to how to vote or act on any matter related to
the Merger, and does not address the relative merits of the
Merger over any other alternative transactions which may be
available to the Company. We express no opinion as to the
underlying business decision of the Company to effect the
Merger, the structure or accounting treatment or taxation
consequences of the Merger or the availability or the
advisability of any alternatives to the Merger. Further, we
express no opinion as to the value of the common stock of the
Purchaser upon the announcement or consummation of the Merger or
the price at which the common stock of the Purchaser or the
Company will trade at any time. We express no opinion with
respect to any other reasons, legal, business, or otherwise,
that may support the decision of the Board of Directors of the
Company to approve or cause the Company to consummate the
Merger. This letter addresses only the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the Aggregate Merger Consideration
to be received by the holders of the Shares (other than Shares
held by the Company or its subsidiaries, the Purchaser or its
subsidiaries or Shares to which dissenter rights are perfected).
This letter does not address the fairness of the Merger or of
any specific portion of the Merger (including without limitation
as to the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation
paid or payable to any of the officers, directors or employees
of the Company or its subsidiaries), other than the Aggregate
Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of the Shares
(other than Shares held by the Purchaser or Merger Sub). This
opinion has been approved by a fairness committee of FBR.
It is understood that this letter is for the information and use
of the Companys Board of Directors in evaluating the
Merger and does not confer rights or remedies upon the
shareholders of the Company or the Purchaser. Furthermore, this
letter should not be construed as creating any fiduciary duty on
the part of FBR to the Company, the Companys Board of
Directors or any other party. This opinion is not to be
reproduced, summarized, described or referred to or given to any
other person or otherwise made public or used for any other
purpose, or published or referred to at any time, in whole or in
part, without our prior written consent, except that a copy of
this opinion may be included in its entirety in any filing that
the Company is required to make with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection with the Merger if such inclusion is
required by law.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, and in reliance thereon,
we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Aggregate
Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Shares
pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair, from a financial point
of view, to such holders.
Very truly yours,
FRIEDMAN, BILLINGS, RAMSEY & CO., INC.
Jack Maier
Senior Managing Director and Co-Head Mergers &
Acquisitions
B-3
APPENDIX
B-2
May 6, 2008
The Board of Directors
ProCentury Corporation
465 Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, OH 43082
Members of the Board of Directors:
You have requested us to update our opinion, dated
February 20, 2008, as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of common shares, without par
value (the Shares), of ProCentury Corporation (the
Company), of the Aggregate Merger Consideration (as
defined below) to be received by such holders pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 20, 2008 (the
Merger Agreement), among Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc. (Purchaser), MBKPC Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Purchaser (Merger Sub) and the
Company, in connection with a proposed amendment to the Merger
Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as amended, the
Company will merge with and into Merger Sub (the
Merger), whereupon Merger Sub will continue as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser. Each outstanding Share
(other than Shares held by the Company or its subsidiaries, the
Purchaser or its subsidiaries or Shares to which dissenter
rights are perfected) will be converted into the right to
receive, at the holders election, $20.00 in cash without
interest (the Per Share Cash Consideration) or
shares of common stock of the Purchaser pursuant to an exchange
ratio calculated pursuant to the amended Merger Agreement (the
Per Share Stock Consideration), in each case subject
to proration and adjustments as set forth in the Merger
Agreement, as amended. As long as the volume-weighted average
sales price of a share of Purchaser common stock for the
30-day
trading period ending on the sixth trading day before the
closing date is between $8.00 and $10.50, the exchange ratio
will vary such that the stock consideration equals $20.00 per
share based on the
30-day
average price. Above or below this range for Purchasers
stock price, the exchange ratio will be fixed as if the
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price preceding the sixth trading
day before the closing date equaled $10.50 or $8.00, as
applicable. Specifically, if the
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price is equal to or above $10.50,
the exchange ratio will be fixed at 1.9048, and if the
30-day
volume-weighted average sales price is equal to or below $8.00,
the exchange ratio will be fixed at 2.5000. The aggregate Per
Share Cash Consideration and the aggregate Per Share Stock
Consideration to be paid or issued pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, as amended, is referred to as the Aggregate
Merger Consideration.
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.
(FBR), as part of its investment banking business,
is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and
securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions,
underwritings, sales and distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and
other purposes. We have acted as financial advisor to the
Company in connection with the proposed Merger and will receive
a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. We will also
receive a fee for rendering this opinion and the opinion dated
February 20, 2008. In addition, the Company has agreed to
indemnify us and certain related parties against certain
liabilities and to reimburse us for certain expenses arising in
connection with or as a result of our engagement. We and our
affiliates provide a wide range of investment banking and
financial services, including financial advisory, securities
trading, brokerage and financing services. In that regard, we
and our affiliates have in the past provided and may in the
future provide investment banking and other financial services
to the Company, Purchaser and their respective affiliates for
which we and our affiliates would expect to receive
compensation. In particular, FBR acted as financial advisor to
the Company in connection with potential financing transactions
in 2007 and acted as a co-manager in connection with an offering
of common stock of the Purchaser in 2007. In the ordinary course
of business, we and our affiliates may trade in the securities
and financial instruments of the Company, Purchaser and their
affiliates for our and our affiliates own accounts and the
accounts of customers. Accordingly, we may at any time hold a
long or short position in such securities and financial
instruments.
B-II-1
In arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things:
(i) reviewed the Merger Agreement and the proposed
amendment;
(ii) reviewed the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007, certain unaudited
interim financial statements and other financial information
prepared by the management of the Company with respect to the
quarter ended March 31, 2008, which the management of the
Company has identified as being the most current financial
statements available, and other publicly available financial and
operating information;
(iii) reviewed the Purchasers Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007, the Purchasers
earnings release containing certain unaudited interim financial
statements and other financial information with respect to the
quarter ended March 31, 2008 and other publicly available
financial and operating information;
(iv) reviewed the reported stock prices and trading
histories of the Shares and of the shares of common stock of the
Purchaser and a comparison of those trading histories with each
other and with those of other companies that we deemed relevant;
(v) met with certain members of the Companys
management to discuss the business and prospects of the Company;
(vi) met with certain members of the Purchasers
management to discuss the business and prospects of the
Purchaser;
(vii) held discussions with certain members of the
Companys management concerning the amounts and timing of
cost savings and related expenses expected to result from the
Merger as furnished to us by the Companys management (the
Expected Synergies);
(viii) reviewed certain pro forma financial effects of the
Merger, including the Expected Synergies;
(ix) reviewed certain business, financial and other
information relating to the Company, including financial
forecasts for the Company provided to or discussed with us by
the management of the Company;
(x) reviewed certain financial and stock market data and
other information for the Company and the Purchaser and compared
that data and information with corresponding data and
information for companies with publicly traded securities that
we deemed relevant;
(xi) reviewed the financial terms of the proposed Merger
and compared those terms with the financial terms of certain
other business combinations and other transactions which have
recently been effected or announced; and
(xii) considered such other information, financial studies,
analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market
criteria that we deemed, in our sole judgment, to be necessary,
appropriate or relevant to render the opinion set forth herein.
In preparing our opinion, we have, with your consent, relied
upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all of the
financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information we
reviewed, and we have not assumed any responsibility for the
independent verification of any of such information. With
respect to the financial forecasts provided to or discussed with
us by the management of the Company, including the Expected
Synergies, and the unaudited interim financial statements and
other financial information prepared and provided to us by the
management of the Company, we assumed that they were reasonably
prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the Company. We have assumed no
responsibility for the assumptions, estimates and judgments on
which such forecasts, Expected Synergies and interim financial
statements and other financial information were based and have
not made any independent verification thereof. In addition, we
were not requested to make, and did not make, an independent
evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent, derivative, off-balance sheet or otherwise) of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or of the Purchaser or any of
its subsidiaries, independently or combined, nor were we
furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals, and
accordingly we express no opinion as to the future prospects,
plans or viability of the Company or
B-II-2
the Purchaser, independently or combined. With regard to the
information provided to us by the Company or the Purchaser, we
have assumed that all such information is complete and accurate
in all material respects and have relied upon the assurances of
the management of the Company or the Purchaser, as applicable,
that they are unaware of any facts or circumstances that would
make such information incomplete or misleading. We have made no
independent evaluation of any legal matters involving the
Company or the Purchaser and we have assumed the correctness of
all statements with respect to legal matters made or otherwise
provided to the Company and us by the Companys counsel or
by the Purchasers counsel. We have also assumed that there
has been no change in the assets, liabilities, business,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
prospects of the Company or of the Purchaser since the date of
the most recent financial statements made available to us that
would be material to our analysis. We have assumed, with your
consent, that the Merger will qualify for federal income tax
purposes as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. With your consent, we
have also assumed that the amendment to the Merger Agreement,
when executed, will conform to the draft reviewed by us in all
respects material to our analyses, that in the course of
obtaining any necessary regulatory and third party consents,
approvals and agreements for the Merger, no modification, delay,
limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that will
have an adverse effect on the Company, the Purchaser or the
proposed Merger and that the Merger will be consummated in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, as amended,
without waiver, modification or amendment of any term, condition
or agreement therein that is material to our analysis, including
that the Purchaser will obtain the necessary financing and will
have sufficient funds available at Closing to consummate the
Merger. Our opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic,
market and other circumstances and conditions, the information
made available to us and the respective stock prices of the
Company and the Purchaser as of the date hereof. Our opinion
can be evaluated only as of the date of this letter and any
change in such circumstances, conditions and information,
including a change in stock price of the Purchaser, would
require a reevaluation of this opinion, which we are under no
obligation to undertake. We assume no responsibility to
update or revise our opinion based upon changes, events or
circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
This letter does not constitute a recommendation to the Board of
Directors of the Company, the stockholders of the Company or any
other person as to how to vote or act on any matter related to
the Merger, and does not address the relative merits of the
Merger over any other alternative transactions which may be
available to the Company. We express no opinion as to the
underlying business decision of the Company to effect the
Merger, the structure or accounting treatment or taxation
consequences of the Merger or the availability or the
advisability of any alternatives to the Merger. Further, we
express no opinion as to the value of the common stock of the
Purchaser upon the announcement or consummation of the Merger or
the price at which the common stock of the Purchaser or the
Company will trade at any time. We express no opinion with
respect to any other reasons, legal, business, or otherwise,
that may support the decision of the Board of Directors of the
Company to approve or cause the Company to consummate the
Merger. This letter addresses only the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the Aggregate Merger Consideration
to be received by the holders of the Shares (other than Shares
held by the Company or its subsidiaries, the Purchaser or its
subsidiaries or Shares to which dissenter rights are perfected).
This letter does not address the fairness of the Merger or of
any specific portion of the Merger (including without limitation
as to the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation
paid or payable to any of the officers, directors or employees
of the Company or its subsidiaries), other than the Aggregate
Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of the Shares
(other than Shares held by the Purchaser or Merger Sub). This
opinion has been approved by a fairness committee of FBR.
It is understood that this letter is for the information and use
of the Companys Board of Directors in evaluating the
Merger and does not confer rights or remedies upon the
shareholders of the Company or the Purchaser. Furthermore, this
letter should not be construed as creating any fiduciary duty on
the part of FBR to the Company, the Companys Board of
Directors or any other party. This opinion is not to be
reproduced, summarized, described or referred to or given to any
other person or otherwise made public or used for any other
purpose, or published or referred to at any time, in whole or in
part, without our prior written consent, except that a copy of
this opinion may be included in its entirety in any filing that
the Company is required to make with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection with the Merger if such inclusion is
required by law.
B-II-3
Based on and subject to the foregoing, and in reliance thereon,
we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Aggregate
Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Shares
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as amended, is fair, from a
financial point of view, to such holders.
Very truly yours,
FRIEDMAN, BILLINGS, RAMSEY & CO., INC.
Jack Maier
Senior Managing Director and Co-Head Mergers &
Acquisitions
B-II-4
APPENDIX C
OHIO
REVISED CODE SECTION 1701.85
Section 1701.85.
Dissenting shareholders demand for fair cash value of
shares
(A) (1) A shareholder of a domestic corporation is
entitled to relief as a dissenting shareholder in respect of the
proposals described in Sections 1701.74, 1701.76 and
1701.84 of the Revised Code, only in compliance with this
section.
(2) If the proposal must be submitted to the shareholders
of the corporation involved, the dissenting shareholder shall be
a record holder of the shares of the corporation as to which he
seeks relief as of the date fixed for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of a meeting of the shareholders
at which the proposal is to be submitted, and such shares shall
not have been voted in favor of the proposal. Not later than ten
days after the date on which the vote on the proposal was taken
at the meeting of the shareholders, the dissenting shareholder
shall deliver to the corporation a written demand for payment to
him of the fair cash value of the shares as to which he seeks
relief, which demand shall state his address, the number and
class of such shares, and the amount claimed by him as the fair
cash value of the shares.
(3) The dissenting shareholder entitled to relief under
division (C) of Section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in
the case of a merger pursuant to Section 1701.80 of the
Revised Code and a dissenting shareholder entitled to relief
under division (E) of Section 1701.84 of the Revised
Code in the case of a merger pursuant to Section 1701.801
[1701.80.1] of the Revised Code shall be a record holder of the
shares of the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of the
date on which the agreement of merger was adopted by the
directors of that corporation. Within twenty days after he has
been sent the notice provided in Section 1701.80 or
1701.801 [1701.80.1] of the Revised Code, the dissenting
shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written demand
for payment with the same information as that provided for in
division (A)(2) of this section.
(4) In the case of a merger or consolidation, a demand
served on the constituent corporation involved constitutes
service on the surviving or the new entity, whether the demand
is served before, on, or after the effective date of the merger
or consolidation.
(5) If the corporation sends to the dissenting shareholder,
at the address specified in his demand, a request for the
certificates representing the shares as to which he seeks
relief, the dissenting shareholder, within fifteen days from the
date of the sending of such request, shall deliver to the
corporation the certificates requested so that the corporation
may forthwith endorse on them a legend to the effect that demand
for the fair cash value of such shares has been made. The
corporation promptly shall return such endorsed certificates to
the dissenting shareholder. A dissenting shareholders
failure to deliver such certificates terminates his rights as a
dissenting shareholder, at the option of the corporation,
exercised by written notice sent to the dissenting shareholder
within twenty days after the lapse of the
fifteen-day
period, unless a court for good cause shown otherwise directs.
If shares represented by a certificate on which such a legend
has been endorsed are transferred, each new certificate issued
for them shall bear a similar legend, together with the name of
the original dissenting holder of such shares. Upon receiving a
demand for payment from a dissenting shareholder who is the
record holder of uncertificated securities, the corporation
shall make an appropriate notation of the demand for payment in
its shareholder records. If uncertificated shares for which
payment has been demanded are to be transferred, any new
certificate issued for the shares shall bear the legend required
for certificated securities as provided in this paragraph. A
transferee of the shares so endorsed, or of uncertificated
securities where such notation has been made, acquires only such
rights in the corporation as the original dissenting holder of
such shares had immediately after the service of a demand for
payment of the fair cash value of the shares. A request under
this paragraph by the corporation is not an admission by the
corporation that the shareholder is entitled to relief under
this section.
(B) Unless the corporation and the dissenting shareholder
have come to an agreement on the fair cash value per share of
the shares as to which the dissenting shareholder seeks relief,
the dissenting shareholder or the corporation, which in case of
a merger or consolidation may be the surviving or new entity,
within three months after the service of the demand by the
dissenting shareholder, may file a complaint in the court of
common pleas of the county in which the principal office of the
corporation that issued the shares is located or was located
when the
C-1
proposal was adopted by the shareholders of the corporation, or,
if the proposal was not required to be submitted to the
shareholders, was approved by the directors. Other dissenting
shareholders, within that three-month period, may join as
plaintiffs or may be joined as defendants in any such
proceeding, and any two or more such proceedings may be
consolidated. The complaint shall contain a brief statement of
the facts, including the vote and the facts entitling the
dissenting shareholder to the relief demanded. No answer to such
a complaint is required. Upon the filing of such a complaint,
the court, on motion of the petitioner, shall enter an order
fixing a date for a hearing on the complaint and requiring that
a copy of the complaint and a notice of the filing and of the
date for hearing be given to the respondent or defendant in the
manner in which summons is required to be served or substituted
service is required to be made in other cases. On the day fixed
for hearing on the complaint or any adjournment of it, the court
shall determine from the complaint and from such evidence as is
submitted by either party whether the dissenting shareholder is
entitled to be paid the fair cash value of any shares and, if
so, the number and class of such shares. If the court finds that
the dissenting shareholder is so entitled, the court may appoint
one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and to
recommend a decision on the amount of the fair cash value. The
appraisers have such power and authority as is specified in the
order of their appointment. The court thereupon shall make a
finding as to the fair cash value of a share and shall render
judgment against the corporation for the payment of it, with
interest at such rate and from such date as the court considers
equitable. The costs of the proceeding, including reasonable
compensation to the appraisers to be fixed by the court, shall
be assessed or apportioned as the court considers equitable. The
proceeding is a special proceeding and final orders in it may be
vacated, modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant to the Rules
of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with
those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code. If, during
the pendency of any proceeding instituted under this section, a
suit or proceeding is or has been instituted to enjoin or
otherwise to prevent the carrying out of the action as to which
the shareholder has dissented, the proceeding instituted under
this section shall be stayed until the final determination of
the other suit or proceeding. Unless any provision in division
(D) of this section is applicable, the fair cash value of
the shares that is agreed upon by the parties or as fixed under
this section shall be paid within thirty days after the date of
final determination of such value under this division, the
effective date of the amendment to the articles, or the
consummation of the other action involved, whichever occurs
last. Upon the occurrence of the last such event, payment shall
be made immediately to a holder of uncertificated securities
entitled to such payment. In the case of holders of shares
represented by certificates, payment shall be made only upon and
simultaneously with the surrender to the corporation of the
certificates representing the shares for which the payment is
made.
(C) If the proposal was required to be submitted to the
shareholders of the corporation, fair cash value as to those
shareholders shall be determined as of the day prior to the day
on which the vote by the shareholders was taken, and, in the
case of a merger pursuant to Section 1701.80 or 1701.801
[1701.80.1] of the Revised Code, fair cash value as to
shareholders of a constituent subsidiary corporation shall be
determined as of the day before the adoption of the agreement of
merger by the directors of the particular subsidiary
corporation. The fair cash value of a share for the purposes of
this section is the amount that a willing seller who is under no
compulsion to sell would be willing to accept and that a willing
buyer who is under no compulsion to purchase would be willing to
pay, but in no event shall the fair cash value of a share exceed
the amount specified in the demand of the particular
shareholder. In computing such fair cash value, any appreciation
or depreciation in market value resulting from the proposal
submitted to the directors or to the shareholders shall be
excluded.
(D) (1) The right and obligation of a dissenting
shareholder to receive such fair cash value and to sell such
shares as to which he seeks relief, and the right and obligation
of the corporation to purchase such shares and to pay the fair
cash value of them terminates if any of the following applies:
(a) The dissenting shareholder has not complied with this
section, unless the corporation by its directors waives such
failure;
(b) The corporation abandons the action involved or is
finally enjoined or prevented from carrying it out, or the
shareholders rescind their adoption of the action involved;
(c) The dissenting shareholder withdraws his demand, with
the consent of the corporation by its directors;
C-2
(d) The corporation and the dissenting shareholder have not
come to an agreement as to the fair cash value per share, and
neither the shareholder nor the corporation has filed or joined
in a complaint under division (B) of this section within
the period provided in that division.
(2) For purposes of division (D)(1) of this section, if the
merger or consolidation has become effective and the surviving
or new entity is not a corporation, action required to be taken
by the directors of the corporation shall be taken by the
general partners of a surviving or new partnership or the
comparable representatives of any other surviving or new entity.
(E) From the time of the dissenting shareholders
giving of the demand until either the termination of the rights
and obligations arising from it or the purchase of the shares by
the corporation, all other rights accruing from such shares,
including voting and dividend or distribution rights, are
suspended. If during the suspension, any dividend or
distribution is paid in money upon shares of such class or any
dividend, distribution, or interest is paid in money upon any
securities issued in extinguishment of or in substitution for
such shares, an amount equal to the dividend, distribution, or
interest which, except for the suspension, would have been
payable upon such shares or securities, shall be paid to the
holder of record as a credit upon the fair cash value of the
shares. If the right to receive fair cash value is terminated
other than by the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all
rights of the holder shall be restored and all distributions
which, except for the suspension, would have been made shall be
made to the holder of record of the shares at the time of
termination.
C-3
PART II.
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 20.
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Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
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The Michigan Business Corporation Act provides that, under
certain circumstances, directors, officers, employees and agents
of a Michigan corporation may be indemnified against expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by them in connection with settling, or
otherwise disposing of, suits or threatened suits to which they
are a party or threatened to be named a party be reason of
acting in any of such capacities if such person acted in a
manner such person believed in good faith to be in, or not
opposed to, the best interest of the corporation. The bylaws of
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (the Company)
provide for indemnification of officers and directors to the
fullest extent permitted by such Michigan law. The
Companys Articles of Incorporation also limit the
potential personal monetary liability of the members of the
Companys Board of Directors to the Company or its
shareholders for certain breaches of their duty of care or other
duties as a director. The Company maintains (i) director
and officer liability insurance that provides for
indemnification of the directors and officers of the Company and
of its subsidiaries, and (ii) Company reimbursement
insurance that provides for indemnification of the Company and
its subsidiaries in those instances where the Company
and/or its
subsidiaries indemnified its directors and officers.
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Item 21.
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Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
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The exhibits filed pursuant to this Item 21 immediately
follow the Exhibit Index. The following is a description of
the applicable exhibits required for
Form S-4
as provided by Item 601 of
Regulation S-K.
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description
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2
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.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 20, 2008 (as
amended). This document is filed as Appendix A to the joint
proxy statement-prospectus forming a part of this Registration
Statement.
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3
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.1
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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by
reference from Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2007).
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3
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.2
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Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference from
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007).
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4
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.1
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Junior Subordinated Indenture between Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc., and JP Morgan Chase Bank, dated September 30,
2003 (incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2003).
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4
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.2
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Junior Subordinated Indenture between Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc. and LaSalle Bank National Association, dated as of
September 16, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Current
Report on
Form 8-K
filed on September 22, 2005).
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4
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.3
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Rights Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1999, by and
between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and First Chicago
Trust Company of New York, including the Certificate of
Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of
Rights attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C,
respectively (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1
to the
Form 8-A
filed on October 12, 1999).
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5
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.1
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Opinion of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
regarding the validity of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
common stock to be issued in the merger.*
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8
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.1
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Opinion of Bodman LLP regarding material Federal income tax
consequences of the merger.
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8
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.2
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Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP regarding material
Federal income tax consequences of the merger.
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23
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.1
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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23
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.2
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Consent of KPMG LLP.
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23
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.3
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Consent of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
(included in Exhibit 5.1).*
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23
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.4
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Consent of Bodman LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).
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23
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.5
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Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibit
8.2).
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23
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.6
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Consent of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.*
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23
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.7
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Consent of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. dated
May 27, 2008.
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II-1
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description
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24
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.1
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Power of Attorney.*
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99
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.1
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Form of Proxy Card to be delivered to the shareholders of
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.*
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99
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.2
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Form of Proxy Card to be delivered to the shareholders of
ProCentury Corporation.*
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* Filed previously
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) To file during any period in which offers and sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the Act);
(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 end 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 a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of
Registration Fee table in the effective registration
statement; and
(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.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Act, 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.
(c) 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 Act, each filing of the
registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities and 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 as follows: that
prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this
registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to
be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain
the information called for by the applicable registration form
with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the
other items of the applicable form.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that every
prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to the immediately
preceding paragraph, or (ii) that purports to meet the
requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in
connection with an offering of securities subject to
Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the
registration statement and will not be used until such amendment
is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Act, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
II-2
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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to
requests for information that is incorporated by reference into
the joint proxy statement-prospectus pursuant to items 4,
10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of
receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents
by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes
information contained in the documents filed subsequent to the
effective date of this registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means
of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a
transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein,
that was not the subject of and included in this registration
statement when it became effective.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Southfield, State of Michigan, on
May 27, 2008.
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC
Robert S. Cubbin
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on May 27, 2008, by
the following persons in their capacities and on the dates
indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Robert
S. Cubbin
Robert
S. Cubbin
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
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May 27, 2008
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/s/ Karen
M. Spaun
Karen
M. Spaun
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
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May 27, 2008
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* *
Merton
J. Segal
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Director (Chairman)
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May 27, 2008
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Joseph
S. Dresner
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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* *
Hugh
W. Greenberg
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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* *
Florine
Mark
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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* *
Robert
H. Naftaly
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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* *
David
K. Page
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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* *
Robert
W. Sturgis
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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II-4
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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* *
Bruce
E. Thal
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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* *
Herbert
Tyner
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Director
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May 27, 2008
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** Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney.
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By:
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/s/ Robert
S. Cubbin
Robert
S. Cubbin
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II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description
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2
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.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 20, 2008 (as
amended). This document is filed as Appendix A to the joint
proxy statement-prospectus forming a part of this Registration
Statement.
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3
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.1
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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by
reference from Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2007).
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3
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.2
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Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference from
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007).
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4
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.1
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Junior Subordinated Indenture between Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc., and JP Morgan Chase Bank, dated September 30,
2003 (incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2003).
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4
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.2
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Junior Subordinated Indenture between Meadowbrook Insurance
Group, Inc. and LaSalle Bank National Association, dated as of
September 16, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Current
Report on
Form 8-K
filed on September 22, 2005).
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4
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.3
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Rights Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1999, by and
between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and First Chicago
Trust Company of New York, including the Certificate of
Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of
Rights attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C,
respectively (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1
to the
Form 8-A
filed on October 12, 1999).
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5
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.1
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Opinion of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
regarding the validity of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
common stock to be issued in the merger.*
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8
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.1
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Opinion of Bodman LLP regarding material Federal income tax
consequences of the merger.
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8
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.2
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Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP regarding material
Federal income tax consequences of the merger.
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23
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.1
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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23
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.2
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Consent of KPMG LLP.
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23
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.3
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Consent of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
(included in Exhibit 5.1).*
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23
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.4
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Consent of Bodman LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).
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23
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.5
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Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibit
8.2).
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23
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.6
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Consent of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.*
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23
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.7
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Consent of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., dated
May 27, 2008.
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24
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.1
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Power of Attorney.*
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99
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.1
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Form of Proxy Card to be delivered to the shareholders of
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.*
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99
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.2
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Form of Proxy Card to be delivered to the shareholders of
ProCentury Corporation.*
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* Filed previously