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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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July 29, 1998 (July 27, 1998)
(Date of Report (date of earliest event reported))
Cendant Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-10308 06-0918165
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(973) 428-9700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if applicable)
Item 5. Other
Management and Corporate Governance Changes. On July 28, 1998, Cendant
Corporation (the "Company") announced that Walter A. Forbes resigned as Chairman
of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors. Henry R. Silverman,
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, was unanimously elected by the Board of
Directors to be Chairman and will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer
and President. Nine members of the Board formerly associated with CUC
International Inc. ("CUC") , including Mr. Forbes, also resigned effective
immediately. One other Board member formerly associated with CUC will leave the
Board by year end, leaving the Company with 18 directors.
The Board also voted to eliminate the governance plan adopted as part of
the merger of CUC and HFS Incorporated, including the 80% super-majority
provisions of the Company's By-Laws which included provisions governing the
composition of the Board and limitations on the removal of the Chairman and the
Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Board rescheduled the Company's annual
meeting of shareholders for October 1, 1998.
The severance agreement reached with Mr. Forbes gives him the benefits
required by his employment contract relating to a termination of Mr. Forbes'
employment with the Company for reasons other than for cause. These benefits
total $35 million in cash and include the grant of stock options. In addition,
the Company provided a limited release for Mr. Forbes. The payments to Mr.
Forbes will cause the Company to record an unusual expense of approximately
$0.03 per share in the third quarter.
The immediate departure of nine Directors formerly associated with CUC, and
the planned departure of one additional CUC Director, Frederick D. Green, will
result in the Company having a Board with 18 Directors. Mr. Green, Chairman of
the Audit Committee of the Board, has agreed to resign effective upon completion
of the final Audit Committee report relating to the accounting irregularities.
Extension of American Bankers Tender offer. On July 27, 1998, the Company
Corporation announced that it extended its cash tender offer to purchase
approximately 23.5 million common shares of American Bankers Insurance Group,
Inc. ("ABI") at a price of $67 per share. The offer, which commenced on January
28, 1998, and was scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
Monday, August 3, 1998, has been extended through 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
Tuesday, September 1, 1998, unless further extended.
Audit Committee Investigation Update. On July 28, 1998, the Company
announced that the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors had received an
oral summary of the conclusions of Arthur Andersen LLP's forensic audit of the
accounting records of the former CUC. Arthur Andersen reported that its
investigation was virtually complete. Deloitte & Touche LLP also reported on the
status of its audit and indicated that it was substantially complete. Their
conclusions were consistent with the Company's July 14, 1998 $0.22 to $0.28 per
share estimate of the aggregate restatement of net income before one-time and
extraordinary items required to correct 1997 accounting irregularities and
accounting errors.
The information set forth in the press releases attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1,
99.2 and 99.3 and the agreements attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Item 7. Exhibits
Exhibit
No. Description
10.1 Memorandum, dated July 28, 1998, from Walter A. Forbes to
Audit Committee.
10.2 Agreement, dated July 28, 1998, between Cendant Corporation
and Walter A. Forbes.
99.1 Press Release: Cendant Extends $67 Per Share Tender Offer for
American Bankers Insurance Group to September 1, 1998, dated
July 27, 1998.
99.2 Press Release: Cendant Confirms Estimate of 1997 Accounting
Restatement, dated July 28, 1998.
99.3 Press Release: Walter Forbes Steps Down as Cendant Chairman.
dated July 28, 1998.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CENDANT CORPORATION
By: /s/ James E. Buckman
James E. Buckman
Senior Executive
Vice President and
General Counsel
Date: July 29, 1998
CENDANT CORPORATION
CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
Report Dated July 28, 1998 (July 27, 1998)
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
10.1 Memorandum, dated July 28, 1998, from Walter A. Forbes to
Audit Committee.
10.2 Agreement, dated July 28, 1998, between Cendant Corporation
and Walter A. Forbes.
99.1 Press Release: Cendant Extends $67 Per Share Tender Offer for
American Bankers Insurance Group to September 1, 1998, dated
July 27, 1998.
99.2 Press Release: Cendant Confirms Estimate of 1997 Accounting
Restatement, dated July 28, 1998.
99.3 Press Release: Walter Forbes Steps Down as Cendant Chairman.
dated July 28, 1998.
EXHIBIT 10.1
July 28, 1998
To: The Audit Committee of the Board of Cendant Corporation
From: Walter Forbes
Gentlemen:
I will remit to the Company any overcharge the Audit Committee determines
exists with respect to my expense items as discussed at the Special Board
Meeting on July 28, 1998.
/s/ Walter A. Forbes
EXHIBIT 10.2
AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of July 28, 1998, between Cendant
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Walter A. Forbes (the
"Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are parties to a Restated Employment
Agreement, dated as of May 27, 1997 (the "Employment Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has
reported to the Board of Directors on an interim basis with respect to its
investigation of the accounting issues at CUC International, Inc. businesses as
disclosed by the Company in a press release dated July 14, 1998 (the "Accounting
Issues");
WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are divided
with respect to the governance of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company have agreed as provided herein for
the termination of the Executive's employment and other positions with the
Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to confirm the rights and
obligations of Executive under the Employment Agreement as a result of the
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and
understandings set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Termination of Employment; Benefits.
(a) Resignation. Effective at the Effective Time (as defined below), the
Executive hereby terminates his Period of Employment (as defined in the Employ
ment Agreement) with the Company and resigns as Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and as
a director of the Company.
(b) Benefits. The Company and the Executive agree that the termina tion of
the Executive's Period of Employment pursuant to Section 1(a) of this Agreement
shall be deemed a "Without Cause Termination" under the terms of the
Employment Agreement and accordingly, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
the following payments and benefits in accordance with Sections VIII B, C and D
of the Employment Agreement: (i)$35,000,000 in cash in full satisfaction of the
Company's obligations under Sections VIII B(x) and VIII C(x) of the Employment
Agreement; (ii) fully vested options to purchase 1,266,500 shares of common
stock of the Company at an exercise price of $17.00 per share, subject to the
same terms and conditions (other than vesting) as the Initial Options (as
defined in the Employment Agreement), pursuant to a grant substantially in the
form attached hereto as Annex A, in full satisfaction of the Com pany's
obligations under Section VIII B (y) of the Employment Agreement; (iii)
$753,205.13 in cash in full satisfaction of the Company's obligations under
Section VIII C (y)(a) of the Employment Agreement; and (iv) until the fifth
anniversary of the Effective Time, the continuation of the welfare benefits
otherwise provided to the Executive under Section IV D of the Employment
Agreement and, to the extent applicable, the Executive's spouse. In addition, as
a result of such termination: (i) all stock options granted to the Executive
prior to the Effective Time shall become fully vested at the Effective Time and
shall remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms without regard to the
termination of the Executive's Period of Employment; (ii) any restrictions on
shares of restricted Company common stock issued to the Executive prior to the
Effective Time shall lapse at the Effective Time; and (iii) the Company shall
contribute $2,149,172.00 in cash to the escrow agent to be held pursuant to the
escrow agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B, with all
interest and/or dividends thereon to be paid periodically to the Company, such
contribution to be in full satisfaction of the Company's obligations under
Section VIII C(y)(d) of the Employment Agreement. The cash payments to the
Executive, the cash contribution to the Escrow Agent and the grant of stock
options to the Executive pursuant to this Section 1(b) shall be made by the
Company (in the case of cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
one or more accounts designated by the Executive or the Escrow Agent, as the
case may be) on or before the Effective Time. In accordance with Section XIV of
the Employment Agreement and as detailed in Schedule A attached hereto, all
payments made by the Company to the Executive pursuant to this Section 1(b)
shall be reduced by all federal, state, city or other taxes that are required to
be withheld pursuant to any law or governmental regulation.
(c) Continuing Rights and Obligations under Employment Agreement.
The parties hereto agree that the rights and obligations under the
Employment Agreement which continue by their terms after termination of the
Period of Employment shall be unaffected by the execution of this Agreement,
including without limitation the indemnification provisions of Section XI
thereof, except to the extent the parties' respective rights and obligations
under Article VIII of the Employment Agreement are provided for in Section 1(b)
hereof. The Executive agrees that within thirty (30) days
after the Effective Time he shall vacate his offices at the Company and at
any of its subsidiaries and return to the Company all property of the Company
and any of its subsidiaries, including without limitation, files, records,
access cards, computer cards, computer equipment and software, facsimile
machines, automobiles. The Executive agrees that promptly following the
Effective Time he shall return to the Company all cellular telephones, credit
cards and debit cards.
(d) Representations and Warranties of the Executive. The Executive hereby
represents and warrants to the Company that he did not have knowledge of or
participate in the Accounting Issues and no event, circumstance or other reason
exists that would entitle the Company to terminate his Period of Employment
under the Employ ment Agreement through a "Termination for Cause" (as defined in
the Employment Agreement).
Section 2. Additional Agreements. The Company covenants that it will not
bring or assert against the Executive any claim or cause of action, whether in
law or equity, based upon any of the Accounting Issues and hereby releases the
Executive from any and all claims, causes of action, debts, contracts, promises
and demands, whether in law or equity, based upon the Accounting Issues, except
as expressly set forth in this Agreement; provided however, that this Section 2
shall in all respects be null, void and of no effect if the Executive is
convicted of or pleads guilty to any crime based upon any of the Accounting
Issues. In the event that the Executive has received any direct benefit or
consideration relating to any of the Accounting Issues (it being understood
that, for purposes of this Agreement, receipt by the Executive of his
compensation and other benefits pursuant to the terms of his employment by the
Company or trading in the Company's securities shall not be considered such
benefit or consideration), the Com pany's remedy in any proceeding against the
Executive with respect to such benefits or consideration shall be limited to the
recovery of any such benefit or consideration. The covenant and release in this
paragraph shall in no way eliminate, limit or waive the Company's right to bring
or assert against any other person a claim or cause of action, whether in law or
equity, based upon any of the Accounting Issues. The Executive agrees that for a
period of ten (10) years from the date hereof, he will not interpose as a
defense or otherwise assert any legal doctrine or theory based upon the passage
of time, including without limitation the statute of limitations and laches, in
or in connection with any action, proceeding, claim, or cause of action brought
against him by the Company based upon any of the Accounting Issues to the extent
consistent with the terms of this Agree ment.
The Executive hereby releases the Company from any and all claims, causes
of action, debts, contracts, promises and demands, whether in law or equity,
which the Executive ever had or now has, except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement
and except with respect to any rights to indemnification whether under law
or pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the Company's Amended and Restated
By-Laws or the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. The releases in this
Section 2 shall in no way eliminate, limit or waive (i) the Executive's right to
bring or assert against any officer, director, employee or agent of the Company
any action, proceeding, claim or cause of action or (ii) the right of any
officer, director, employee or agent of the Company to bring or assert against
the Executive any action, proceeding, claim or cause of action.
Section 3. Effective Time of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be deemed
effective immediately upon the satisfaction or occurrence of all of the
following events (such time herein referred to as the "Effective Time"): (i) the
approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Board of Directors of the
Company; (ii) the effective ness of the irrevocable resignations of all of the
persons listed on Schedule B hereto as members of the Company's Board of
Directors in the form attached hereto as Annex C; (iii) the receipt by the
Company of the irrevocable resignation of Frederick D. Green as a member of the
Company's Board of Directors in the form attached hereto as Annex D; (iv) the
receipt by the Executive of the cash payments to the Executive, the cash
contribu tion to the Escrow Agent and the granting of stock options to the
Executive pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof; and (v) the approval and adoption by
the Company's Board of Directors of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the
Company in the form set forth in Annex E hereto by the affirmative vote of at
least 24 directors. In the event that the Effective Time shall not have occurred
by July 30, 1998, this Agreement shall terminate and become void and have no
effect, and neither party hereto shall have any liability or obligation
hereunder.
Section 4. Public Announcement. The parties agree that the initial press
release to be issued with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement
shall be in the form as agreed to by the parties and shall not be issued until
the Effective Time. In the event that either party or any of its representatives
makes any public statements concerning this Agreement or otherwise publicly
discloses the existence of this Agreement or the fact that there were or are
discussions between the parties regarding the matters set forth herein in
violation of the preceding sentence, the preceding sentence shall be null and
void and without further effect.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (without giving
effect to the choice of law principles thereof). The parties agree that, if
Section 2 hereof becomes null and void and of no effect, any claim or cause of
action arising from or based upon this Agreement shall be brought before the
Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware in and for New Castle County (the "Court"), and each of the
parties hereby consents to the Court's exercise of personal jurisdiction over it
and to venue before the Court for purposes of any such claim or cause of action.
In circumstances in which the immediately preceding sentence shall not be
operative, the parties agree that the arbitra tion provisions of Section XIX of
the Employment Agreement shall apply to any claim or cause of action arising
from or based upon this Agreement.
(b) Headings. The section and paragraph headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agree ment, and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (other than the Employ ment
Agreement), both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement.
(e) Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public
policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect.
(f) Subrogation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agree ment to
the contrary, nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair, affect
or limit the rights of any insurance carrier to subrogation or recovery.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
CENDANT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Henry R. Silverman
Name: Henry R. Silverman
By: /s/ Walter A. Forbes
Name: Walter A. Forbes
SCHEDULE A
Taxes to be withheld on payments under Sections 1(b)(i) and 1(b)(iii)
of this Agreement:
Total Payment Due Executive: $35,753,205.13
Less:
Federal Taxes (28%) $10,010,897.44
State Taxes (4%) 1,430,128.20
Medicare (1.45%) 518,421.47
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Total Withholdings $11,959,447.11
Total Net Payment to Executive $23,793,758.02
SCHEDULE B
Bartlett Burnap
T. Barnes Donnelly
Walter A. Forbes
Stephen A. Greyser
Burton C. Perfit
Anthony G. Petrello
Stanley M. Rumbough, Jr.
Kirk Shelton
Robert T. Tucker
ANNEX A
July 28, 1998
Walter A. Forbes:
In accordance with Section 1(b)(ii) of the Agreement, dated as of July 28,
1998, between Cendant Corporation (the "Corporation") and you (the "Separation
Agreement"), the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Corporation has
authorized the grant to you of a non-qualified option to purchase 1,266,500
shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock")
at a price of $17.00 per share (the "Exercise Price"), which the Board of
Directors has determined to be the closing price of a share of Common Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the Separation Agree ment.
Your option has the following terms:
(a) This option is irrevocable and may be exercised by you as follows:
You may purchase the 1,266,500 shares of Common Stock for which options are
herein granted at any time following the filing by the Corporation of a Registra
tion Statement on Form S-8 (the "Form S-8") covering the shares of Common Stock
underlying the option granted herein.
(b) If required by the Corporation and applicable laws, rules and
regulations, prior to the delivery to you of a certificate or certificates
representing the shares of Common Stock purchased by you upon the exercise of
this option, you shall have deposited with the Corporation a non-disposition
letter (restricting disposition by you of the shares of Common Stock) in form
reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Corporation.
(c) In the event of any change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock
split or a corporate transaction, or any merger, consolidation, separation,
including a spin- off, or other distribution of stock or property of the
Corporation, any reorganiza tion (whether or not such reorganization comes
within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) or any partial or complete liquidation of the
Corporation, the Board may make such substitution or adjustments in the number,
kind and option price of shares subject to this option as it determines is
appropriate to preserve the benefits of this option.
(d) This option shall become exercisable as provided in paragraph (a) above
and shall thereafter continue to be exercisable for a period of ten (10) years
from the date hereof (the "Term"), and shall terminate at the end of such
period; provided, however, that if you die within such period, this option shall
continue to be exercisable by your estate or legal representative for a period
of twelve (12) months from the date of your death or until the expiration of the
Term, whichever period is the shorter, and shall terminate at the end of such
period; provided, further, however, that your estate or legal representative may
not exercise this option pursuant to the foregoing proviso until the Form S-8
has been filed.
(e) You may pay for shares purchased pursuant hereto (together with any
withholding taxes due with respect thereto) in cash, by check or with previously
acquired shares of Common Stock having an aggregate fair market value equal to
the aggregate exercise price of the options being exercised at the time of
exercise or with any other legal consideration that may be acceptable to the
Board in its sole discretion at the time of exercise. The delivery to you of
shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this option shall be conditional upon
your payment of, or your arrangement which is acceptable to the Corporation to
pay, all required withhold ing taxes in connection with such exercise.
(f) This option shall not be transferable except: by will or the laws of
descent and distribution; pursuant to a domestic relations order, as defined in
the Code, or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended,
or the regulations thereunder; or as a gift to your family members, trusts for
the benefit of your family members or charities or other not-for-profit
organizations. If you wish to transfer your option, contact the Corporation
first for more information.
(g) Even though your option is not granted under the Corporation's 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), in the event of any ambiguity in this
Agreement, any term not defined in this Agreement, or any matters as to which
this Agreement is silent, this Agreement shall be deemed to adopt the relevant
terms of the Plan.
The Corporation agrees to use its best efforts to file the Form S-8 with
the Securities and Exchange Commission as promptly as practicable following the
filing by the Corporation of amended financial statements correcting the
Accounting Issues (as defined in the Separation Agreement). The Form S-8 shall
be kept effective (and the current status of the prospectus required thereby
shall be maintained) for as long as the option granted herein remain
outstanding.
When you wish to exercise your stock option in whole or in part, please
refer to the provisions of this letter and correspond in writing with the
Secretary of the Corporation. This is not an incentive stock option under
Section 422 of the Code.
Very truly yours,
[Name]
[Title]
ANNEX B
ESCROW AGREEMENT
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of July __, 1998, between Cendant Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("Cendant"), ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company (the "Escrow Agent"), and Walter A. Forbes
(the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Executive owns six life insurance policies (the "Poli cies"),
issued by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America and Canada Life, with respect to which Cendant has
advanced the premiums paid to date and a list of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit I; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section IV. F. of the amended and
restated employment agreement, dated as of May 27, 1997, between Cendant
(formerly known as CUC International, Inc.) and the Executive (the "Employment
Agreement"), Cendant has agreed to advance premiums in the annual amount of
approxi mately $540,000 or such other annual amount as may be agreed to in
writing between Cendant and the Executive on the Policies through the calendar
year in which the Executive attains age 61, provided that the Executive does not
violate the Covenant Not to Compete set forth in Exhibit A to the Employment
Agreement (the "Covenant Not to Compete"), a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit II; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, dated as of July 28, 1998,
between the Executive and Cendant (the "Separation Agreement"), the Executive is
terminating his employment and directorship with Cendant;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section VIII.C(y)(d) of the
Employment Agreement, on or prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the
Separation Agreement), Cendant is required to contribute to an escrow agent a
lump sum of $2,149,172 (as it may be expended from time to time pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, the "Escrow Fund"), representing all of the required
premiums on the Policies that would hereafter be payable under Section IV.F(ii)
of the Employment Agreement if the Executive's employment with Cendant continued
through the calendar year in which the Executive attains age 61 (the "Premium
Period"); and
WHEREAS, Cendant and the Executive desire to have the Escrow Agent hold the
Escrow Fund, and the Escrow Agent is willing to do so, all upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
FIRST: Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Escrow
Agreement, Cendant shall deposit the Escrow Fund with the Escrow Agent, and the
Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Fund in escrow pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
SECOND: A. The Escrow Agent is authorized and directed to pay out of the
Escrow Fund all premiums on the Policies as they are due in accordance with the
terms of the Policies as in effect on the date hereof.
B. The Escrow Agent shall invest the Escrow Fund in short-term government
securities, government repurchase agreements, commercial paper rated the highest
grade by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Corporation with
a maturity of not more than one year, money market funds invested in the
foregoing, short-term certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks having
a combined capital surplus and undivided profits of not less than $100 million
or other similar short-term highly liquid investments of equal or greater
security as the foregoing. Any interest and dividends earned on the Escrow Fund
shall be distributed to Cendant by the Escrow Agent when earned.
THIRD: A. This Agreement and Cendant's obligation to pay premiums with
respect to the Policies for the Premium Period shall terminate, and concurrently
therewith the Escrow Agent shall distribute to Cendant any remaining balance of
the Escrow Fund and all undistributed interest and dividends earned thereon,
upon the earlier of (i) a violation by the Executive of the Covenant Not to
Compete prior to the date on which he attains age 60, (ii) the death of the
Executive prior to the date on which he attains age 60 or (iii) January 1, 2004.
B. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled conclusively to rely on a written
statement of the Executive that the Executive has attained the age of 60, with a
copy of the Executive's birth certificate, notwithstanding the fact that it
shall receive written notice from Cendant to the contrary or that it shall know
or have reasonable grounds to know to the contrary.
C. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled conclusively to rely on a written
certification of Cendant that the Executive has died.
D. In the event that the Escrow Agent shall receive written notice from
Cendant to the effect that Cendant is entitled to distribution of the Escrow
Fund held by the Escrow Agent hereunder as a result of the application of the
provisions of part A(i) of this Article THIRD, the Escrow Agent shall give
written notice thereof to the Executive. Unless the Escrow Agent shall receive
written notice from the Executive within twenty business days after the delivery
of such notice by the Escrow Agent to the Executive that he intends to exercise
his rights to arbitration as set forth in the Employment Agreement in order to
contest Cendant's determination that the Executive has breached the Covenant Not
to Compete, the Escrow Agent shall be conclusively entitled to rely upon such
initial notice from Cendant of Cendant's right to the distribution of the Escrow
Fund. If the Escrow Agent shall timely receive such written notice of objection
from the Executive, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to retain the Escrow Fund
until the receipt of a final determination of the arbitration proceeding or the
receipt of a written agreement between Cendant and the Executive. The Escrow
Agent shall then deliver the Escrow Fund in accordance with such final
determination or the written agreement of the parties.
FOURTH: A. Cendant agrees to reimburse the Escrow Agent for the reasonable
fees, expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Escrow Agent
in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall be paid an
annual fee by Cendant. Such fee arrangement shall be set forth in a separate
agreement between Cendant and the Escrow Agent.
B. The Escrow Agent undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement. All of such duties are purely
ministerial in nature and the Escrow Agent may conclusively rely and shall be
protected in acting or refraining from acting on any written notice, instrument
or signature believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
by the proper party duly authorized and to do so, including, without limitation,
the notices referred to in ARTICLE FIFTH hereof. The Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibility for the contents of any such writing contemplated hereby and may
rely upon the contents thereof without liability.
C. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by
it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized hereby or within the rights
and powers conferred upon it hereunder, nor for action taken or omitted by it in
good faith, or in accordance with the advice of counsel (which counsel may be of
the Escrow Agent's own choosing), and shall not be liable for any mistake of
fact or error of judg ment of for any acts or omissions of any kind.
D. Cendant hereby agrees to indemnify the Escrow Agent and hold it harmless
from and against, and agrees to reimburse the Escrow Agent for, any and all
loss, damage, liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
incurred by it in connection with its duties hereunder.
FIFTH: All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested; if intended for Cendant
be addressed to it, attention of its Senior Executive Vice President and General
Counsel, at 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054, or at such other address
of which Cendant shall have given notice to the Executive and the Escrow Agent
in the manner herein provided;
if intended for the Executive, shall be mailed to him at 941 Ponus Ridge Road,
New Canaan, Connecticut 06840, or at such other address of which the Executive
shall have given notice to Cendant and the Escrow Agent in the manner herein
provided; if intended for the Escrow Agent be addressed to it, attention of
_____________, at 85 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660, or at such
other address and/or to the attention of such other person of which the Escrow
Agent shall have given notice to Cendant and the Executive in the manner herein
provided.
SIXTH: This Escrow Agreement constitutes the entire understanding among the
parties with respect to the matters referred to herein and no waiver or modifi
cation to the terms hereof shall be valid unless in writing signed by the party
to be charged and only to the extent therein set forth. All prior and
contemporaneous agree ments and understandings between the parties with respect
to the subject matter of this Escrow Agreement are superseded by this Escrow
Agreement.
SEVENTH: Cendant and the Executive may terminate the Escrow Agreement
and/or the services of the Escrow Agent by mutual written consent and may
appoint by mutual written consent a successor Escrow Agent.
EIGHTH: This Escrow Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto, their respective heirs, administrators,
executors, personal representatives and successors and assigns and in the event
the Escrow Agent resigns or is replaced following the execution of this Escrow
Agreement, shall apply to any successor Escrow Agent; provided, however, that
none of the parties hereto may assign any of its or his rights or obligations
hereunder other than by operation of law.
NINTH: This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to the
principles of conflict of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Escrow Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
CENDANT CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
By:
Name:
Title:
WALTER A. FORBES
EXHIBIT I
I. Policies Issued by Guardian Life Insurance Company
2913144
3023808
3001153
II. Policies Issued by Security Mutual Life Insurance
1046438
1071502
III. Policies Issued by Canada Life
2633-125
EXHIBIT II
Exhibit A
To Employment Agreement
Covenant Not To Compete
In accordance with the terms of Paragraph F. of Section IV of this
Agreement, the Executive agrees that from the Effective Date until the later of
(i) the date the Executive attains age sixty (60) or (ii) two years from the
date of retirement from the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior
written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, directly or
indirectly become an officer or director of, or become employed by, or render
advisory or other services to, or make any financial investment in, any firm,
corporation or business enterprise directly or indirectly competi tive with any
of the business operations or activities of the Company.
Nothing contained in this Covenant to Compete shall prohibit or restrict
the Executive from making any investment in a corporation or other entity whose
securities are listed on a United States or Canadian securities exchange or
actively traded in the over-the-counter market, so long as such investment does
not give the Executive the right to control or influence the policy decisions of
any business operations or activities which are, directly or indirectly, in
competition with any of the business operations or activities of the Company.
The foregoing restrictions shall apply to the United States. It is intended
that the foregoing sentence shall be severable and shall apply separately and
distinctly to each of the said states of the United States and within such
states to each of the counties and municipalities therein with the same force
and effect as though the said covenant was separately expressed with respect to
each state, county and municipality.
If a court finds any provision under this Covenant Not To Compete to be
unreasonable, the parties authorize the court to reformulate the provisions so
that they would be deemed reasonable.
By execution of this Exhibit A to this Employment Agreement dated January
1, 1987, as amended effective as of January 1, 1991, January 1, 1993, October 1,
1993 and June 1, 1994, the Executive declares that the territorial and time
limitations under this Covenant Not To Compete are reasonable and are properly
required for the adequate protection of the Company.
____________________
Walter A. Forbes
____________________
CUC International Inc.
ANNEX C
General Form of Director's Resignation
The Board of Directors
Cendant Corporation
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
Ladies and Gentleman:
As of the Effective Time (as defined in the Agreement, dated as of July 28,
1998, between Cendant Corporation (the "Corporation") and Walter A. Forbes), I
hereby irrevocably resign as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation and all committees thereof.
Very truly yours,
________________________
Date: July 28, 1998
ANNEX D
Resignation of Frederick D. Green
The Board of Directors
Cendant Corporation
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
Ladies and Gentleman:
Effective immediately following the adoption of a resolution of the Audit
Committee of the Cendant Corporation (the "Corporation") Board of Directors
approving its final report concerning the accounting irregularities at CUC
International Inc. businesses as disclosed by the Corporation in a press release
dated July 14, 1998 or as are being investigated by the Audit Committee as of
the date hereof, I hereby irrevocably resign as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation and all committees thereof.
Very truly yours,
________________________
Frederick D. Green
Date: July 28, 1998
ANNEX E
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
OF
CENDANT CORPORATION
(the "Corporation")
ARTICLE I
Offices
SECTION 1.
The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be
in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.
The Corporation shall have offices at such other places as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE II
Stockholders
SECTION 1. Annual Meeting.
The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of Directors and
for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
meeting shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware,
and hour as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The day, place and
hour of each annual meeting shall be specified in the notice of annual meeting.
The meeting may be adjourned from time to time and place to place until its
business is completed.
At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be
conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly
brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in the notice
of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before
the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an
annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to
the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must
be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation, not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior to the
meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than seventy days'
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not
later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which
such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as
to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (a)
a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual
meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of
the stock holder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of
the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (d) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything
in the By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual
meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.
The presiding officer of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant,
determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought
before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1, and
if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such
business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
SECTION 2. Special Meeting.
Except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders
may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the Board of
Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of
Directors.
SECTION 3. Stockholder Action; How Taken.
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the
Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such
holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders.
SECTION 4. Notice of Meeting.
Notice of every meeting of the stockholders shall be given in the manner
prescribed by law.
SECTION 5. Quorum.
Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these By-Laws, the holders of not less than one-third of the shares entitled to
vote at any meeting of the stockholders, present in person or by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum and the act of the majority of such quorum shall be deemed
the act of the stockholders.
If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting
may adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time.
If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to all
stockholders entitled to vote thereat, stating that it will be held with those
present constituting a quorum, then, except as otherwise required by law, those
present at such adjourned meeting shall constitute a quorum and all matters
shall be determined by a majority of votes cast at such meeting.
SECTION 6. Qualification of Voters.
The Board of Directors (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Board")
may fix a day and hour not more than sixty nor less than ten days prior to the
day of holding any meeting of the stockholders as the time which the
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting shall be
determined. Only those persons who were holders of record of voting stock at
such time shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting.
SECTION 7. Procedure.
The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting
of the stockholders may be determined by the presiding officer.
The Board shall appoint two or more Inspectors of Election to serve at
every meeting of the stockholders at which Directors are to be elected.
ARTICLE III
Directors
SECTION 1. Number, Election and Terms.
The number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors but shall not be less than three. The Directors shall be classified,
with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three
classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as determined by the Board of
Directors, one class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 1986, another class to hold office
initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held
in 1987, and another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1988, with the members of each
class to hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. At each
annual meeting of stockholders, the successors of the class of Directors whose
term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring
at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year
of their election.
The term "entire Board" as used in these By-Laws means the total number of
Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
Nominations for the election of Directors may be made by the Board of
Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or by any
stockholder entitled to vote in the election of Directors generally. However,
any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of Directors generally may
nominate one or more persons for election as Directors at a meeting only if
written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or
nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States
mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i)
with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders,
ninety days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual
meeting, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of
stockholders for the election of Directors, the close of business on the tenth
day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to
stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the
stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to
be nominated; (b) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear
in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified
in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between
the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such
person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be
made by the stockholder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee
proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy
statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the
Corporation of so elected. The presiding officer of the meeting may refuse to
acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the
foregoing procedure.
SECTION 2. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies.
Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
Directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled solely by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office,
even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any Directors elected
in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of
the full term of the class of Directors in which the new directorship was
created or the vacancy occurred and until such Director's successor shall have
been elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting
the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.
SECTION 3. Removal.
Any Director may be removed from office, without cause, only by the
affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as
a single class.
SECTION 4. Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as the
Board may from time to time determine.
SECTION 5. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and
for any purpose by the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the
Board, or the President, or by any officer of the Corporation upon the request
of a majority of the entire Board.
SECTION 6. Notice of Meeting.
Notice of regular meetings of the Board need not be given.
Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to each
Director at his usual place of business, or at such other address as shall have
been furnished by him for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least
twenty-four hours before the meeting by telephone or by being personally
delivered, mailed, or telegraphed. Such notice need not include a statement of
the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
SECTION 7. Quorum.
Except as may be otherwise provided by law or in these By-Laws, the
presence of a majority of the Board shall be necessary and sufficient to
constitute a quorum for the transac tion of business at any meeting of the
Board, and the act of a majority of such quorum shall be deemed the act of the
Board.
Less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting of the Board from time to time
without notice.
SECTION 8. Participation In Meetings By Conference Telephone.
Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a
meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in
person at such meeting.
SECTION 9. Powers.
The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by
or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which shall have and may
exercise all the powers of the Corporation to do all such lawful acts and things
as are not by law, or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these By-Laws,
directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
SECTION 10. Compensation of Directors.
Directors shall receive such compensation for their services as shall be
determined by a majority of the Board provided that Directors who are serving
the Corporation as officers or employees and who receive compensation for their
services as such officers or employers shall not receive any salary or other
compensation for their services as Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
SECTION 1. Number.
(a) General. The officers of the Corporation shall be appointed or elected
by the Board of Directors. The officers shall be a Chairman of the Board, a
President and Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board, a
Chief Financial Officer, a General Counsel, such number of vice presidents as
the Board may from time to time determine and a Secretary. The Chairman of the
Board or, in his absence or if such office be vacant, the President, shall
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board. In the absence of
the Chairman of the Board and the President, a Vice Chairman of the Board shall
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board. Any person may
hold two or more offices, other than the offices of Chairman of the Board and
Vice Chairman of the Board, at the same time. Subject to this Section 1, the
Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairmen of the Board shall be chosen from
among the Board of Directors, but the other officers need not be members of the
Board.
(b) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be a member of
the Board of Directors and shall be an officer of the Corporation.
(c) President and Chief Executive Officer. The President and Chief
Executive Officer shall be a member of the Board of Directors and an officer of
the Corporation. The President and Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief
executive officer of the Corporation and shall supervise, coordinate and manage
the Corporation's business and activities and supervise, coordinate and manage
its operating expenses and capital allocation, shall have general authority to
exercise all the powers necessary for the President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other
powers as may be prescribed by the Board or these By-laws, all in accordance
with basic policies as established by and subject to the oversight of the Board.
In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the duties of the
Chairman of the Board shall be performed and the Chairman of the Board's
authority may be exercised by the President and Chief Executive Officer.
(d) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have
responsibility for the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall exercise
supervisory responsibility for the performance of the duties of the Treasurer
and the Controller. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board or these By-laws,
all in accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to the
oversight of the Board, the Chairman of the Board and the President and Chief
Executive Officer.
(e) General Counsel. The General Counsel shall have responsibility for the
legal affairs of the Corporation and for the performance of the duties of the
Secretary. The General Counsel shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as may be prescribed by the Board or these By-laws, all in
accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to the oversight of
the Board, the Chairman of the Board and the President and Chief Executive
Officer.
SECTION 2. Additional Officers.
The Board may appoint such other officers, agents and employees as it shall
deem appropriate. All references in these By-laws to a particular officer shall
be deemed to refer to the person holding such office regardless of whether such
person holds additional offices.
SECTION 3. Terms of Office.
All officers, agents and employees of the Corporation shall hold their
respective offices or positions at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and
may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors with or without cause.
SECTION 4. Duties.
The officers, agents and employees shall perform the duties and exercise
the powers usually incident to the offices or positions held by them
respectively, and/or such other duties and powers as may be assigned to them
from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
ARTICLE V
Committees of the Board of Directors
SECTION 1. Designation.
The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the following
committees:
(a) An Executive Committee consisting of not less than three Directors may
be elected by a majority vote of the Board to serve until the Board shall
otherwise determine. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all of
the powers of the Board of Directors when the Board is not in session, including
the power to authorize the issuance of stock, except that the Executive
Committee shall have no power to (i) alter, amend or repeal these By-Laws or any
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors; (ii) declare any dividend
or make any other distribution to the stockholders of the Corporation; (iii)
appoint any member of the Executive Committee; or (iv) take any other action
which legally may be taken only by the Board. The Executive Committee shall also
act as the nominating committee, nominating persons for election as Directors.
Subject to the classification of Directors provided for under Section 1 of
Article III and until such time as all claims and causes of actions relating to
the Accounting Issues (as defined in Section 1(d) of this Article V) have been
settled, adjudicated or otherwise disposed of pursuant to a final determination
that is no longer subject to appeal or review, (x) the Executive Committee shall
nominate for election as Directors Craig R. Stapleton and Robert P. Rittereiser
or such alternate candidates as designated by Messrs. Stapleton and Rittereiser
who are not reasonably objected to by the Executive Committee (collectively, the
"CUC Directors") and (y) in the event that any one or more of Mr. Stapleton, Mr.
Rittereiser or Carole Hankin are not elected, resign or are removed as
Directors, then the Board will replace that individual(s) with an alternate
Director as designated by the remaining individuals specified above who are not
reasonably objected to by the Board. In addition, the Executive Committee shall
nominate Carole Hankin for election as a Director at the Corpora tion's 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a term of three years. The Chairman of the
Board will also serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee. Each resolution of
the Executive Committee will require approval by a majority of the members of
such Committee.
(b) A Compensation Committee consisting of not less than three Directors
may be elected by a majority vote of the Board to serve until the Board shall
otherwise determine. The Compensation Committee will have the following powers
and authority: (i) determining and fixing the compensation for all senior
officers of the Corporation and those of its subsidiaries that the Compensation
Committee shall from time to time consider appropriate, as well as all employees
of the Corporation and its subsidiaries compensated at a rate in excess of such
amount per annum as may be fixed or determined from time to time by the Board;
(ii) performing the duties of the committees of the Board provided for in any
present or future stock option, incentive compensation or employee benefit plan
of the Corporation or, if the Compensation Committee shall so determine, any
such plan of any subsidiary; and (iii) reviewing the operations of and policies
pertaining to any present or future stock option
incentive compensation or employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any
subsidiary that the Compensation Committee shall from time to time consider
appropriate. Each resolution of the Compensation Committee will require approval
by a majority of the members of such committee.
(c) An Audit Committee consisting of not less than four Directors may be
elected by a majority vote of the Board to serve until the Board shall otherwise
determine. The Audit Committee will have the following powers and authority: (i)
employing independent public accountants to audit the books of account,
accounting procedures, and financial statements of the Corporation and to
perform such other duties from time to time as the Audit Committee may
prescribe; (ii) receiving the reports and comments of the Corporation's internal
auditors and of the independent public accountants employed by the Audit
Committee and to take such action with respect thereto as may seem appropriate;
(iii) requesting the Corporation's consolidated subsidiaries and affiliated
companies to employ independent public accountants to audit their respective
books of account, accounting procedures, and financial statements; (iv)
requesting the independent public accountants to furnish to the Compensation
Committee the certifications required under any present or future stock option,
incentive compensation or employee benefit plan of the Corporation; (v)
reviewing the adequacy of internal financial controls; (vi) approving the
accounting principles employed in financial reporting; (vii) approving the
appointment or removal of the Corporation's general auditor; and (viii)
reviewing the accounting principles employed in financial reporting. Each
resolution of the Audit Committee will require approval by a majority of the
members of such committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there will be no
changes in the composition of the Audit Committee prior to the date of the
adoption of a resolution of the Audit Committee approving its final report
concerning the Accounting Issues (as defined in Section 1(d)).
(d) A Litigation Committee shall consist of no more than four Directors as
determined by a majority vote of the Board, subject to the provisions of Section
3(d) of this Article V. The Litigation Committee will have (i) full and
exclusive power and authority to determine whether the prosecution of any
pending or threatened stockholder derivative actions arising from or related to
the accounting issues at CUC International Inc. businesses as disclosed by the
Corporation in a press release dated July 14, 1998 or as are being investigated
by the Audit Committee as of July 28, 1998 (the "Accounting Issues") are or
would be in the best interests of the Corporation; and (ii) full and exclusive
power and authority to initiate, maintain or settle on behalf of the Corporation
any direct action by the Corporation against any present or former Director
(whether sued as a director or as an officer) arising from or related to the
Accounting Issues. Each resolution of the Litigation Committee will require
approval by a majority of the entire committee; provided that, in the event that
only two members of the Litigation Commit tee (or one member in the event the
size of the Committee shall have been reduced to two) (such members, the
"Approving Members") shall have voted to approve and authorize a settlement of
an action contemplated by clause (ii) above against any defendant or defendants,
independent legal counsel mutually acceptable to the Approving Members, on the
one hand, and the other member(s) of the Litigation Committee, on the other
hand, shall be appointed to
determine whether such settlement shall be approved and such counsel's
determination shall be binding upon the Litigation Committee. Unless a majority
of the Litigation Committee votes to support or permit (by taking a position of
neutrality) the continuation and/or prosecution of a derivative lawsuit by a
shareholder, the Litigation Committee will be deemed to have voted that the
prosecution or continuation of such pending or threatened stockholder derivative
action is not in the best interests of the Corporation. The Litigation Committee
shall be authorized to retain independent counsel. All persons who were
Directors on the date of adoption of the By- Laws embodied in Sections 1(a) and
(d) of this Article V shall have the right to enforce compliance with this
By-Law.
SECTION 2. Meetings; Notice.
Regular meetings of committees shall be held at such times and places as
the Board or the committee in question may from time to time determine. Special
meetings of any committee may be called at any time, at any place and for any
purpose by the Chairman of such commit tee, the Chairman of the Board, or the
President, or by any officer of the Corporation upon the request of a majority
of the members of such committee. Notice of regular meetings of the committees
need not be given. Notice of every special meeting of any committee shall be
given to each member at his usual place of business, or at such other address as
shall have been furnished by him for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at
least twenty-four hours before the meeting by telephone or by being personally
delivered, mailed, or telegraphed. Such notice need not include a statement of
the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
SECTION 3. Committee Members; Board of Director Nominations.
(a) Each member of any committee of the Board shall hold office until such
member's successor is elected and has qualified, unless such member sooner dies,
resigns or is removed.
(b) Subject to Section 3(d) of this Article V, the Board may remove a
director from a committee or change the chairmanship of a committee by
resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.
(c) Subject to Section 3(d) of this Article V, the Board may designate one
or more Directors as alternate members of any committee to fill any vacancy on a
committee and to fill a vacant chairmanship of a committee, occurring as a
result of a member or chairman leaving the committee, whether through death,
resignation, removal or otherwise. Any such designa tion may be made or amended
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.
(d) The Board shall designate the members of the Litigation Committee in
accordance with the following: The members of the Litigation Committee shall
consist of an equal number of CUC Directors and directors other than the CUC
Directors (the "Non-CUC Directors"). In
the event that a CUC Director serving on the Litigation Committee shall no
longer serve as a member of such committee, then a Non-CUC Director serving on
the Litigation Committee shall immediately resign as a member of the Litigation
Committee and no action shall be taken by the Litigation Committee prior to the
resignation of such Non-CUC Director. In the event that there is only one CUC
Director serving on the Litigation Committee and such person shall cease serving
as a member of such committee (whether because of resignation, removal or
failure to be reelected as a Director by the stockholders of the Corporation),
to the extent consistent with Delaware law and the Certificate of Incorporation,
then such CUC Director shall be replaced on the Litigation Committee by a person
who at the time of such replacement is a Director designated by Carole G. Hankin
and Christopher K. McLeod or their successors appointed or elected pursuant to
Section 1(a) of this Article V to the extent they are serving as Directors (such
person thereinafter to be deemed a CUC Director). No CUC Director who is a
member of the Litigation Committee may be removed from the Litigation Committee.
SECTION 4. Amendments.
Notwithstanding anything contained in these By-Laws or the Certificate of
Incorpora tion to the contrary and in addition to any other requirement set
forth herein and therein, until the earlier of July 28, 2004 or such time as all
litigation relating to the Accounting Issues has been settled, adjudicated or
otherwise disposed of pursuant to a final determination that is no longer
subject to appeal or review, the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Litigation Committee shall be required for the Board to amend, modify or repeal,
or adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions of Section 1 (a), (c)
or (d) or 3(d) of this Article V or this Section 4 and the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a
single class, shall be required for stockholders to amend, modify or repeal, or
adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions of Section 1(a), (c) or
(d) or 3(d) of this Article V or this Section 4.
ARTICLE VI
Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Employees
SECTION 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other than Those
by or in the Right of the Corporation.
Subject to Section 3 of this Article VI, the Corporation shall 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 (other than an action by or in the
right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of
the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a
manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good
faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such
person's conduct was unlawful.
SECTION 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the
Right of the Corporation.
Subject to Section 3 of this Article VI, the Corporation shall indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a
director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon applica tion that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
SECTION 3. Authorization of Indemnification.
Any indemnification under this Article VI (unless ordered by a court) shall
be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnifica tion of the director or officer is proper in the
circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set
forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VI, as the case may be. Such
determination shall be made (i) by a majority vote of the Directors who are not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or
(ii) if there are no such Directors, or if such Directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the stockholders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any request for indemnification
arising out of or relating to the Accounting Issues, it will be presumed that
indemnification is proper and appropriate, and any disagreement concerning
indemnification of any person who resigned from the Board pursuant to a
resignation dated
July 28, 1998 shall be resolved by independent legal counsel, reasonably
acceptable to either Mr. Rittereiser or Mr. Stapleton (whoever was the last of
the two to cease being a director), on the one hand, and the General Counsel of
the Corporation, on the other hand, in a written opinion. To the extent,
however, that a director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described
above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of
authorization in the specific case.
SECTION 4. Good Faith Defined.
For purposes of any determination under Section 3 of this Article VI, a
person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had
no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was unlawful, if such
person's action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation
or another enterprise, or on information supplied to such person by the officers
of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on
the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on
information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another
enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or
other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enter
prise. The term "another enterprise" as used in this Section 4 shall mean any
other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request
of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The provisions of
this Section 4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the
circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or 2 of this Article VI, as the case
may be.
SECTION 5. Indemnification by a Court.
Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under
Section 3 of this Article VI, and notwithstanding the absence of any
determination thereunder, any director or officer may apply to the Court of
Chancery in the State of Delaware for indemnification to the extent otherwise
permissible under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VI. The basis of such
indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that
indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances
because such person has met the applicable standards of conduct set forth in
Section 1 or 2 of this Article VI, as the case may be. Neither a contrary
determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article VI nor the
absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application
or create a presumption that the director or officer seeking indemnification has
not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for
indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 shall be given to the Corporation
promptly upon the filing of such application. If successful, in whole or in
part, the director or officer seeking indemnification shall also be entitled to
be paid the expense of prosecuting such application.
SECTION 6. Expenses Payable in Advance.
Expenses incurred by a current or former director or officer in defending
any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding
shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation
as authorized in this Article VI. Any disagreement concerning the foregoing
expense advance ment provisions shall be resolved in a summary proceeding as
expeditiously as possible.
SECTION 7. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted
pursuant to this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under the Certificate of Incorpora tion, any By-Law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such
person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the
persons specified in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VI shall be made to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VI shall not be
deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in
Section 1 or 2 of this Article VI but whom the Corporation has the power or
obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, or otherwise.
SECTION 8. Insurance.
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director
or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity,
or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such
liability under the provisions of this Article VI.
SECTION 9. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Article VI, references to "the Corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had
continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its Directors or
officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such
constituent corporation, or is or was a director or officer of such constituent
corporation serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the
same position under the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to
such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For
purposes of this Article VI, references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with
respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a
person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee
benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this Article VI.
SECTION 10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this Article VI shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be
a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
SECTION 11. Limitation on Indemnification.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VI to the contrary,
except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification (which shall be
governed by Section 5 hereof), the Corporation shall not be obligated to
indemnify any director or officer in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was
authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
SECTION 12. Indemnification of Employees and Agents.
The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the
Board of Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of
expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred
in this Article VI to Directors and officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII
Seal
SECTION 1.
The Corporate seal shall bear the name of the Corporation and the words
"Corporate Seal, Delaware."
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
SECTION 1. Amendments of By-Laws.
Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the
provisions of these By-Laws, these By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed
at any regular meeting of the stockholders (or at any special meeting thereof
duly called for that purpose) by the vote of a majority of the shares
outstanding and entitled to vote at such meeting; provided that in the notice of
such special meeting notice of such purpose shall be given. Subject to the laws
of the State of Delaware, the provisions of Certificate of Incorporation and the
provisions of these By-Laws, the Board of Directors may by majority vote of
those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present amend these By-Laws,
or enact such other bylaws as in their judgment may be advisable for the
regulation of the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.
EXHIBIT 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CENDANT EXTEND $67 PER SHARE TENDER OFFER
FOR AMERICAN BANKERS INSURANCE GROUP TO SEPTEMBER 1, 1998
Stamford, CT and Parsippany, NJ, July 27, 1998 - Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD)
announced today it has extended its cash tender offer to purchase approximately
23.5 million common shares of American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABI)
at a price of $67 per share. The offer, which commenced on January 28, 1998, and
was scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, August 3,
1998, has been extended through 5:00 p.m., new York City time, Tuesday,
September 1, 1998, unless further extended.
As of 1:00 p.m. New York City time on July 27, 1998, 28,281,722 shares of
American Bankers' stock had been tendered to Cendant under the terms of the
tender offer, including 4,120,828 shares tendered pursuant to notices of
guaranteed delivery.
The Information Agent for the Cendant offer is Innisfree M&A Incorporated. The
Dealer Managers are Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch & Co.
Cendant (NYSE: CD) is the world's premier provider of consumer and business
services. Cendant operates in three principal segments: Alliance Marketing,
Travel and Real Estate Services. In Alliance Marketing, Cendant provides access
to travel, shopping, auto, dining, and other services worldwide. In Travel
Services, Cendant is the leading franchisor of hotels and rental car agencies
worldwide, the premier provider o vacation exchange services, a leading fleet
management company through PHH, and the U.K.'s largest car park operator through
NPC. In Real Estate Services, Cendant is the world's premier franchisor of
residential real estate brokerage offices, a major provider of mortgage services
to consumers and a global leader in corporate employee relocation. Headquartered
in Stamford, CT and Parsippany, NJ, the company has nearly 40,000 employees,
operates in over 100 countries and makes approximately 100 million customer
contacts annually.
Media Contacts:
Elliott Bloom Jim Fingeroth/Victoria Weld
Vice President Kekst and Company
Public Relations (212) 521-4800
(973) 496-8414
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CENDANT CONFIRMS ESTIMATE OF 1997 ACCOUNTING RESTATEMENT
PARSIPPANY, NJ AND STAMFORD, CT, JULY 28, 1998--Cendant Corporation (NYSE:CD)
today announced that the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors had received
an oral summary of the conclusions of Arthur Andersen LLP's forensic audit of
the accounting records of the former CUC International. Arthur Andersen reported
that its investigation was virtually complete. Deloitte & Touche LLP also
reported on the status of its audit and indicated that it was substantially
complete. Their conclusions were consistent with the Company's July 14 $0.22 to
$0.28 per share estimate of the aggregate restatement of net income before
one-time and extraordinary items required to correct 1997 accounting
irregularities and accounting errors.
The Company also now expects the restatement will reverse significantly more
1997 one-time merger charges than the $200 million amount ($0.22 per share)
estimated on July 14. This reversal of one-time merger charges will not benefit
1997 net income before one-time and extraordinary items. It will, however, have
the effect of further reducing the impact of the restatement on 1997 net income
and on Cendant's shareholders' equity.
Cendant expects to issue full restated and audited historical financial
statements in early August. Deloitte & Touche acts as independent auditors to
Cendant and has replaced Ernst & Young as the auditor of these historical
statements.
Arthur Andersen's forensic audit was commissioned by Willkie Farr & Gallagher as
part of its overall investigation of the accounting irregularities on behalf of
the Audit Committee of the Cendant Board. The Audit Committee's report of that
investigation should be complete in late August. Certain matters discussed in
the news release are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but
not limited to, the outcome of the Audit Committee's investigation; uncertainty
as to the Company's future profitability; the Company's ability to develop and
implement operational and financial systems to manage rapidly growing
operations; competition in the Company's existing and potential future lines of
business; the Company's ability to integrate and operate successfully acquired
businesses and the risks associated with such businesses; the Company's ability
to obtain financing on acceptable terms to finance the Company's growth strategy
and for the Company to operate within the limitations imposed by financing
arrangements; uncertainty as to the future profitability of acquired businesses;
and other factors. Other factors and assumptions not identified above were also
involved in the derivation of these forward-looking statements, and the failure
of such other assumptions to be realized as well as other factors may also cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected. The Company assumes no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results,
changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such
forward-looking statements.
Cendant (NYSE:CD) is the world's premier provider of consumer and business
services. Cendant operates in three principal segments: Alliance Marketing,
Travel and Real Estate Services. Headquartered in Stamford, CT and Parsippany,
NJ, the company has more than 40,000 employees, operates in over 100 countries
and makes approximately 100 million customer contacts annually.
Media Contacts:
Jim Fingeroth/Roanne Kulakoff
Kekst and Company
(212) 521-4800
Investor Contact:
David M. Johnson
(973) 496-7909
EXHIBIT 99.3
news release
WALTER FORBES STEPS DOWN AS CENDANT CHAIRMAN
CEO Henry Silverman Elected New Chairman
Nine CUC Board Members Resign;
One Additional Director to Leave by Year-End
80% Vote on Corporate Governance Provisions Eliminated
PARSIPPANY, NJ, July 28, 1998 -- Cendant Corporation [NYSE: CD] today announced
that Walter A. Forbes resigned as Chairman of the Company and as a member of the
Board of Directors, effective immediately. Henry R. Silverman, Chief Executive
Officer of Cendant, was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors to be
Chairman and will continue to serve as CEO and President.
Nine members of the Board formerly associated with CUC International, including
Mr. Forbes, also resigned effective immediately. One other Board member formerly
associated with CUC will leave the Board by year end, leaving Cendant with 18
directors.
The Board also voted to eliminate the governance plan adopted as part of the
CUC-HFS merger, including the 80% super-majority provisions of the Company's
By-Laws which include limitations on the removal of the Chairman and the CEO. In
addition, the Board rescheduled Cendant' annual meeting of shareholders for
October 1, 1998.
Mr. Silverman said, "Walter Forbes's decision and the corporate governance
changes approved today end any uncertainty about the future direction and
leadership of Cendant. That uncertainty was a serious impediment to conducting
our business and the process of restoring trust in our company.
"Now we can focus all of our energies on rebuilding confidence in our Company
and value for Cendant's shareholders," Mr. Silverman added. "The company's
earnings and cash flow remain strong. We have some of the most valuable
businesses in the world. Most importantly, we have outstanding people who are
passionate about Cendant and its future."
Commenting on his action, Mr. Forbes said, "I leave with tremendous confidence
in the future success of Cendant. The vision and rationale behind its creation
remain as compelling as ever. Its business fundamentals are strong. The
operations are sound and profitable. The opportunities for synergy are numerous.
The action I am taking today eliminates speculation about the future leadership
of Cendant and helps the company focus all of its attention and resources on
restoring the faith of its shareholders, its customers and its people."
(Note: full statements by Mr. Silverman and Mr. Forbes are attached.)
Terms of Severance Agreement with Mr. Forbes Outlined
The severance agreement reached with Mr. Forbes gives him the benefits required
by his contract should he be terminated for reasons other than for cause. These
benefits total $35 million in cash and include the grant of certain options. In
addition, the Company provided a limited release for Mr. Forbes. The payments to
Mr. Forbes will cause Cendant to record an unusual expense of approximately
$0.03 per share in the third quarter.
Board Members Resign, Size of Board Reduced
The immediate departure of nine Directors formerly associated with CUC, and the
planned departure of one additional CUC Director, Frederick D. Green, will
result in Cendant having a Board with 18 Directors. Mr. Green, Chairman of the
Audit Committee, has agreed to resign effective upon completion of the final
Audit Committee report.
Certain matters discussed in this news release and the attached statements are
forward- looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the
outcome of the Audit Committee's investigation; uncertainty as to the Company's
future profitability; the Company's ability to develop and implement operational
and financial systems to manage rapidly growing operations; competition in the
Company's existing and potential future lines of business; the Company's ability
to integrate and operate successfully acquired businesses and the risks
associated with such businesses; the Company's ability to obtain financing on
acceptable terms to finance the Company's growth strategy and for the Company to
operate within the limitations imposed by financing arrangements; uncertainty as
to the future profitability of acquired businesses; and other factors. Other
factors and assumptions not identified above were also involved in the
derivation of these forward-looking statements, and the failure of such other
assumptions to be realized as well as other factors may also cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. The Company assumes no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results,
changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such
forward-looking statements.
Cendant is the world's premier provider of consumer and business services.
Cendant operates in three principal segments: Alliance Marketing, Travel and
Real Estate Services. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, the company has more than
40,000 employees, operates in over 100 countries and makes approximately 100
million customer contacts annually.
Contact:
Media:
Jim Fingeroth/Victoria Weld
Kekst and Company
212/521-4800
Investors:
David M. Johnson
Cendant
973/496-7909
For Mr. Forbes:
Nicole Reilly
212/885-0353
Statement from Henry Silverman
Chief Executive Officer, Cendant Corporation
During the past three months, the shareholders and people of Cendant have
suffered unfairly from an unconscionable fraud perpetrated against the company
by a few individuals at the former CUC International. It has tarnished our
company' reputation and created public uncertainty and speculation about the
future leadership of Cendant.
Like every other shareholder and employee, I am outraged at what has transpired.
We intend to take appropriate action against those who conducted these
fraudulent activities, and will continue cooperating fully with law enforcement
authorities.
At the same time, we have an obligation to our shareholders and everyone
associated with Cendant to move ahead with the business of our company. We must
do everything we can to put this episode behind us, to eliminate the cloud
hanging over this company, to dispel all of the uncertainty generated by recent
events. As others have noted, it has been difficult for Cendant to rebuild trust
in our company while this uncertainty exists.
The corporate governance changes approved today by our Board of Directors end
any uncertainty about the future direction and leadership of Cendant. We can now
rebuild trust in our company. We can focus all of our energies on rebuilding
value for Cendant' shareholders. The company' earnings and cash flow remain
strong. We have some of the most valuable businesses in the world. Most
importantly, we have outstanding people who are passionate about Cendant and its
future.
I look forward to working with all of the people of Cendant to move our company
forward, build on our unique combination of strengths and realize the full
potential of this great enterprise.
Statement from Walter Forbes
Chairman, Cendant Corporation
Together with many talented, hard working and decent people, I devoted 25 years
of my life to creating and building CUC International, which became an
innovative force in developing and marketing consumer services. In combining
with HFS, another great company, CUC became part of an enterprise with
extraordinary energy and vision - and an unsurpassed ability to capitalize on
rapidly changing consumer markets.
However, the people of Cendant and its shareholders have suffered in recent
months as a result of fraudulent conduct and the uncertainty it has created.
Today, it is apparent that the actions of a few have profoundly hurt us all.
And, as I have said on many occasions, I had absolutely no knowledge of the
accounting irregularities. However, I now believe it is in the best interest of
our shareholders and employees to resolve this uncertainty.
I leave with tremendous confidence in the future success of Cendant. The vision
and rationale behind its creation remain as compelling as ever. Its business
fundamentals are strong. The operations are sound and profitable. The
opportunities for synergy are numerous. The action I am taking today eliminates
speculation about the future leadership of Cendant and helps the company focus
all of its attention and resources on restoring the faith of its shareholders,
its customers and its people.
I am proud to have helped create one of the most dynamic consumer enterprises in
the world. I am grateful to all those bright, dedicated individuals with whom I
have had the chance to work. I have an unshakable faith in Cendant's ability to
create value for its shareholders, business partners and customers for many
years to come. I wish everyone associated with the company the very best as it
fulfills that mission.