FORM S-4
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2005

Registration No. 333-[            ]


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   6141   54-1719854
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 720-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

John G. Finneran, Jr., Esq.

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 720-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

Victor I. Lewkow, Esq. and Christopher E. Austin, Esq.   Edward D. Herlihy, Esq. and Lawrence S. Makow, Esq.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

Telephone: (212) 225-2000

Facsimile: (212) 225-3999

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Telephone: (212) 403-1000

Facsimile: (212) 403-2000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to closing of the merger described herein, and consummation of the merger.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of each class of
securities to be registered
  Amount
to be
registered (1)
  Proposed
maximum offering
price per share
  Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price (2)
  Amount of
registration fee (2)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (3)

  41,639,667   N/A   $ 2,914,065,157   $ 342,985.47

(1) The maximum number of shares of Capital One common stock estimated to be issuable upon the completion of the Capital One/Hibernia merger described herein. This number is based on the average number of Hibernia common shares outstanding, or reserved for issuance under various plans, as of March 31, 2005 and the exchange of each Hibernia common share, and Hibernia common shares reserved for issuance under various plans, for cash and shares of Capital One common stock pursuant to the formula set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 6, 2005, by and between Capital One and Hibernia, assuming the Capital One Closing Price was $71.61, which was the closing price of Capital One common stock on April 27, 2005.
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee required by Section 6(b) of the Securities Act, and calculated pursuant to Rules 457(f)(1), 457(f)(3) and 457(c) under the Securities Act, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the registrant’s common stock was calculated based upon the market value of shares of Hibernia common stock (the securities to be cancelled in the merger) in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act as follows: (A) the product of (1) $31.14, the average of the high and low prices per shares of Hibernia common stock on April 21, 2005, as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, multiplied by (2) 170,077,279, the maximum number of shares of Hibernia common stock which may be exchanged in the merger, less (B) the amount of cash paid by the Registrant in exchange for shares of Hibernia common stock (which equals $2,382,141,311).
(3) Includes associated preferred stock purchase rights.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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The information in this document is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell the securities offered by this document until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This document is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION—DATED APRIL 28, 2005

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

MERGER PROPOSED – YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

 

We are pleased to report that the boards of directors of Capital One Financial Corporation and Hibernia Corporation have each approved a merger involving our two companies. Before we can complete the merger, we must obtain the approval of Hibernia shareholders. We are sending you this document to ask you to vote in favor of the merger transaction and related matters.

 

In the merger, Hibernia will merge into Capital One and Hibernia shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive their merger consideration in the form of Capital One common stock, cash or a combination of both. Subject to the election and adjustment procedures described in this document, Hibernia shareholders will receive, in exchange for each share of Hibernia common stock they hold, consideration with a value equal to the sum of (1) 0.2261 multiplied by the average of the closing prices on the NYSE for Capital One common stock during the five trading days ending the day before the completion of the merger and (2) $15.35.

 

The value of the merger consideration will fluctuate with the market price of Capital One common stock. As explained in more detail in this document, whether you make a cash election or a stock election, the value of the consideration that you will receive as of the completion date will be substantially the same.

 

As an example, based on the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock on the NYSE for the five trading days ending on [            ], 2005, for each of your shares of Hibernia common stock you would receive either approximately $[            ] in cash or approximately 0.[            ] shares of Capital One common stock, having a market value based on that average of closing prices of approximately $[            ]. If the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock on the NYSE for the five trading days ending the day before the completion of the merger is $78.08, which was the closing price for Capital One common stock on March 4, 2005, the last trading day prior to the day the merger agreement was executed, each share of Hibernia common stock would be converted into approximately $33.00 in cash or approximately 0.4226 of a share of Capital One common stock. A chart showing the cash and stock merger consideration at various closing prices of Capital One common stock is provided on page [            ] of this document.

 

The market prices of both Capital One common stock and Hibernia common stock will fluctuate before the merger. You should obtain current stock price quotations for Capital One common stock and Hibernia common stock. Capital One common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “COF” and Hibernia common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “HIB.”

 

Your vote is important. We cannot complete the merger of Capital One and Hibernia unless the Hibernia shareholders approve the merger agreement. Hibernia has scheduled a special meeting of its shareholders to vote on the merger proposal. The special meeting will be held at [            ], on [            ] at [            ].

 

This document gives you detailed information about the special meeting and the proposed merger. We urge you to read this document carefully, including “ Risk Factors” beginning on page [            ] for a discussion of the risks relating to the merger. You also can obtain information about Capital One and Hibernia from documents that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, to ensure your shares are represented at the meeting, please vote as soon as possible by either completing and submitting the enclosed proxy card or by using the telephone or Internet voting procedures described on your proxy card.

 

Hibernia’s board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Hibernia and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement.

 

LOGO

J. Herbert Boydstun

President and Chief Executive Officer

Hibernia Corporation

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the common shares to be issued by Capital One under this document or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This document is dated [            ], 2005, and is being first mailed to Hibernia shareholders on or about [            ], 2005.


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LOGO

 

HIBERNIA CORPORATION

313 CARONDELET STREET

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70130

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

TO BE HELD ON [            ], 2005

 

To the Shareholders of Hibernia Corporation:

We will hold a special meeting of Hibernia shareholders on [            ], [            ] 2005, at [            ], local time, at [             ], for the following purposes:

 

  1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 6, 2005, between Capital One Financial Corporation and Hibernia Corporation, pursuant to which Hibernia will merge with and into Capital One;

 

  2. To vote upon an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies; and

 

  3. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.

 

Only holders of record of Hibernia common shares at the close of business on [            ], 2005 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting. To ensure your representation at the special meeting, please complete and promptly mail your proxy card in the return envelope enclosed, or authorize the individuals named on your proxy card to vote your shares by calling the toll-free telephone number or by using the Internet as described in the instructions included with your proxy card or voting instruction card. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but will help to secure a quorum and avoid added solicitation costs. Your proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted. Please review the proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this notice for more complete information regarding the merger and the special meeting.

 

Hibernia shareholders have a right to dissent from the merger and obtain payment of the fair value of their shares in cash by complying with the applicable provisions of applicable law, which are attached to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D. Dissenting shareholders who comply with the procedural requirements of the Business Corporation Law of Louisiana will be entitled to receive payment of the fair cash value of their shares if the merger is effected upon approval by less than 80% of the corporation’s total voting power.

 

The board of directors of Hibernia unanimously recommends that Hibernia shareholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger agreement.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

LOGO

Cathy E. Chessin

Corporate Secretary

Hibernia Corporation

 

New Orleans, Louisiana

[            ], 2005


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This document incorporates important business and financial information about Capital One Financial Corporation and Hibernia Corporation from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are not included in or delivered with this document. Capital One Financial Corporation, which in this document we refer to as “Capital One,” will provide you with copies of this information relating to Capital One, without charge, upon written or oral request to:

 

Capital One Financial Corporation

1680 Capital One Drive

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attention: Investor Relations Department

Telephone Number: (703) 720-2455

 

Hibernia Corporation, which in this document we refer to as “Hibernia,” will provide you with copies of this information relating to Hibernia, without charge, upon written or oral request to:

 

Hibernia Corporation

313 Carondelet Street

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Attention: Investor Relations Department

Telephone Number: (504) 533-2180

 

In order to receive timely delivery of the documents in advance of the special meeting, you must request the information no later than [            ].

 

You may also obtain these documents at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, “www.sec.gov” and you may obtain certain of these documents at Capital One’s website, “www.capitalone.com” by selecting “Investors” and then selecting “SEC & Regulatory Filings,” and then selecting “Capital One Financial Corporation,” and at Hibernia’s website, “www.hibernia.com” by selecting “About Hibernia,” and then selecting “Investor Relations – SEC Filings.” Information contained on the Capital One and Hibernia websites is expressly not incorporated by reference into this document.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this document to vote on the merger. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this document. This document is dated [            ]. You should not assume that the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into this document is accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither our mailing of this document to Hibernia shareholders nor the issuance by Capital One of common shares in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

 

This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information contained in this document regarding Capital One has been provided by Capital One and information contained in this document regarding Hibernia has been provided by Hibernia.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Questions and Answers About the Merger

   1

Summary

   3

Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

   11

Risk Factors

   17

Forward-Looking Statements

   20

The Special Meeting of Hibernia Shareholders

   21

General

   21

Record Date and Voting

   21

Vote Required

   21

Revocability of Proxies

   22

Voting Electronically or by Telephone

   22

Solicitation of Proxies

   22

Participants in Hibernia’s Benefits Plans

   23

The Merger

   23

Background of the Merger

   23

Hibernia’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of Hibernia’s Board of Directors

   25

Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.—Financial Advisor to Hibernia

   26

Opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.—Financial Advisor to Hibernia

   35

Capital One’s Reasons for the Merger

   40

Interests of Hibernia’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger

   40

Capital One Board of Directors after the Merger

   44

Stock Exchange Listing

   44

Dissenters’ Rights

   44

Accounting Treatment

   47

Regulatory Approvals

   47

Federal Reserve Board

   47

Other Notices and Approvals

   48

Litigation Relating to the Merger

   49

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

   50

Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally

   50

Tax Basis and Holding Period

   52

Cash Received in Lieu of a Fractional Share of Capital One Common Stock

   52

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

   52

Reporting Requirements

   52

The Merger Agreement

   53

The Merger

   53

Effective Time and Timing of Closing

   53

Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation

   53

Consideration To Be Received in the Merger

   53

Stock Options and Other Stock-Based Awards

   57

Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration

   58

Representations and Warranties

   60

Conduct of Business Pending the Merger

   62

Reasonable Best Efforts of Hibernia to Obtain the Required Shareholder Vote

   63

No Solicitation of Alternative Transactions

   64

Employees Matters

   65

Indemnification and Insurance

   66

Conditions to Complete the Merger

   66

Termination of the Merger Agreement

   67

Amendment, Waiver and Extension of the Merger Agreement

   69

Fees and Expenses

   69

Dissenting Shares

   69

Restrictions on Resales by Affiliates

   70

The Companies

   71

Capital One Financial Corporation

   71

Hibernia Corporation

   71

Market Price and Dividend Data

   72

Capital One

   72

Hibernia

   73

Preliminary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

   74

Notes to the Preliminary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Information

   77

Comparative Rights of Capital One and Hibernia Shareholders

   82

Legal Matters

   94

Experts

   94

Submission of Future Shareholder Proposals

   94

Where You Can Find More Information

   94

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 6, 2005, between Capital One Financial Corporation and Hibernia Corporation

   Annex A

Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., dated as of March 6, 2005

   Annex B

Opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., dated as of March 6, 2005

   Annex C

Copy of Section 131 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law

   Annex D


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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

 

Q: Why is my vote important?

 

A: Under the Articles of Incorporation of Hibernia, the merger agreement must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock. Accordingly, if a Hibernia shareholder fails to vote, or if a Hibernia shareholder abstains, that will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the merger agreement.

 

Q: What do I need to do now?

 

A: After you have carefully read this document, please respond by completing, signing and dating your proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope or by submitting your proxy or voting instruction by telephone or through the Internet as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented and voted at the Hibernia special meeting.

 

     The Hibernia board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote to approve the merger agreement.

 

Q: When and where is the special meeting?

 

A: The special meeting will take place at [            ] on [            ], 2005. The location of the meeting is [            ].

 

Q: Are there risks associated with the merger that I should consider in deciding how to vote?

 

A: Yes. There are a number of risks related to the merger, Capital One or Hibernia that are discussed in this document and in other documents incorporated by reference in this document. Please read with particular care the detailed description of the risks associated with the merger on pages [            ] through [            ] and in the Capital One and Hibernia SEC filings referred to on page [            ].

 

Q: When do you expect to complete the merger?

 

A: We currently expect to complete the merger in the third quarter of 2005. However, we cannot assure you when or if the merger will occur. We must first obtain the approval of Hibernia shareholders at the special meeting and the necessary regulatory approvals.

 

 

Q: When must I elect the type of merger consideration that I prefer to receive?

 

A: Hibernia shareholders who wish to elect the type of merger consideration they prefer to receive in the merger should carefully review and follow the instructions set forth in the form of election that will be provided to Hibernia shareholders at a later date. Since the actual election deadline is not currently known, Capital One and Hibernia will issue a press release announcing the date of the election deadline at least five business days before that deadline. If a Hibernia shareholder does not submit a properly completed and signed form of election to the exchange agent by the election deadline, such shareholder will have no control over the type of merger consideration such shareholder may receive, and, consequently, may receive only cash, only Capital One common stock or a combination of cash and Capital One common stock in the merger.

 

Q: Should I send in my Hibernia share certificates now?

 

A: No. Please DO NOT send your share certificates with your proxy card. You will be provided at a later date a form of election and instructions regarding the surrender of your share certificates. You should then, prior to the election deadline, send your Hibernia common stock certificates to the exchange agent, together with your completed, signed form of election.

 

Q: How do I vote my shares if my shares are held in “street name”?

 

A:

You should contact your broker or bank. Your broker or bank can give you directions on how to instruct the broker or bank to vote your shares. Your broker or bank will not vote your shares unless the broker or bank receives appropriate instructions from you. Such a failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” approval of the merger agreement. You should therefore provide your broker or bank with instructions as to how to vote your shares. In addition, when you receive a form of election, you should follow your broker’s or

 

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bank’s instructions for making an election with respect to your shares.

 

Q: What do I do if I want to change my vote after I have delivered my proxy card?

 

A: You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the special meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you can do this in any of the three following ways:

 

    by sending a written revocation to Cathy E. Chessin, Corporate Secretary of Hibernia, 225 Baronne Street, 11th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112, in time to be received before the special meeting;

 

    by completing another proxy card (whether by mail, telephone or Internet) that is dated later than the original proxy and returning it in time to be received before the special meeting; or

 

    by voting in person at the special meeting if your shares of Hibernia common stock are registered in your name rather than in the name of a broker or bank.

 

 

     If you hold your shares in “street name,” you should contact your broker or bank to give it instructions to change your vote.

 

Q: Who can I call with questions about the special meeting or the merger?

 

A: If you have any questions about the merger or how to vote or if you need additional copies of this document or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact:

 

Hibernia Corporation

313 Carondelet Street

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Attention: Investor Relations Dept.

Telephone Number: (504) 533-2180

 

Q: Where can I find more information about the companies?

 

A: You can find more information about Capital One and Hibernia from the various sources described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

 

 

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SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire document and the other documents to which this document refers to fully understand the merger. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page [            ]. Each item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that item.

 

THE COMPANIES (see page [            ])

 

Capital One Financial Corporation

1680 Capital One Drive

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 720-1000

 

With more than 49.1 million accounts at March 31, 2005, Capital One is one of the world’s largest financial services franchises. It is a diversified financial services corporation focused primarily on consumer lending. Its principal business segments are domestic credit card lending, automobile and other motor vehicle financing and global financial services.

 

Hibernia Corporation

313 Carondelet Street

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

(504) 533-3333

 

Hibernia is a financial holding company with operations in Louisiana and Texas that provides a wide array of financial products and services through its bank and non-bank subsidiaries, including a full range of deposit products, small business, commercial, mortgage and private and international banking, trust and investment management, brokerage, investment banking and insurance. Hibernia is the largest depository institution in Louisiana and, as of March 31, 2005, had 317 locations in 34 Louisiana parishes and 35 Texas counties, including the high-growth areas of Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.

 

THE MERGER (see page [            ])

 

The terms and conditions of the merger are contained in the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this document. Please carefully read the merger agreement as it is the legal document that governs the merger.

 

Hibernia Will Merge into Capital One

 

We propose a merger of Hibernia with and into Capital One. Capital One will survive the merger.

 

Hibernia Shareholders Will Receive Cash and/or Shares of Capital One Common Stock in the Merger depending on their Election and any Adjustment (see pages [            ])

 

Hibernia shareholders will have the right to elect to receive merger consideration for each of their shares of Hibernia common stock in the form of cash or shares of Capital One common stock, subject to adjustment in the circumstances described below. In the event of adjustment, you may receive a portion of the merger consideration in a form other than that which you elected.

 

The value of the merger consideration you will receive will fluctuate with the market price of Capital One common stock and will be determined based on the five-day average closing price on the NYSE of Capital One

 

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common stock ending on the day before the completion of the merger. As explained in more detail in this document, whether you make a cash election or a stock election, the value of the consideration that you will receive as of the date of completion of the merger will be substantially the same based on the average Capital One closing price used to calculate the merger consideration. You may specify different elections with respect to different shares that you hold (if, for example, you own 100 Hibernia shares, you could make a cash election with respect to 50 shares and a stock election with respect to the other 50 shares).

 

As an example, based on the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock for the five trading days ending on [            ], 2005, for each of your shares of Hibernia common stock you would receive either approximately $[            ] in cash or 0.[            ] shares of Capital One common stock, subject to possible adjustment. However, we will compute the actual amount of cash and number of shares of Capital One common stock you will receive in the merger using the formula contained in the merger agreement. For a summary of the formula contained in the merger agreement, see “The Merger Agreement—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger” beginning on page [            ].

 

Set forth below is a table showing a hypothetical range of five-day average closing sale prices for shares of Capital One common stock and the corresponding consideration that a Hibernia shareholder would receive in a cash election, on the one hand, or in a stock election, on the other hand, under the merger consideration formula. The table does not reflect the fact that cash will be paid instead of fractional shares. As described below, regardless of whether you make a cash election or a stock election, you may nevertheless receive a mix of cash and stock.

 

Capital One Common Stock

   Hibernia Common Stock

Hypothetical Five-Day
Average Closing Prices


   Cash Election:
Cash Consideration
Per Share


  OR    Stock Election: Stock Consideration Per Share

        Capital One Shares

   Market Value(*)

$ 65    $ 30.05        0.4623    $ 30.05
  66      30.27        0.4586      30.27
  67      30.50        0.4552      30.50
  68      30.72        0.4518      30.72
  69      30.95        0.4486      30.95
  70      31.18        0.4454      31.18
  71      31.40        0.4423      31.40
  72      31.63        0.4393      31.63
  73      31.86        0.4364      31.86
  74      32.08        0.4335      32.08
  75      32.31        0.4308      32.31
  76      32.53        0.4280      32.53
  77      32.76        0.4255      32.76
  78      32.99        0.4229      32.99
  79      33.21        0.4204      33.21
  80      33.44        0.4180      33.44
  81      33.66        0.4156      33.66
  82      33.89        0.4133      33.89
  83      34.12        0.4111      34.12
  84      34.34        0.4088      34.34
  85      34.57        0.4067      34.57

(*) Market value based on hypothetical five-day average closing price on the NYSE of Capital One common stock.

 

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The examples above are illustrative only. The value of the merger consideration that you actually receive will be based on the actual five-day average closing price on the NYSE of Capital One common stock prior to completion of the merger, as described below. The actual average closing price may be outside the range of the amounts set forth above, and as a result, the actual value of the merger consideration per share of Hibernia common stock may not be shown in the above table.

 

Regardless of Whether You Make a Cash Election or a Stock Election, You May Nevertheless Receive a Mix of Cash and Stock (see page [            ])

 

The aggregate number of shares of Capital One common stock that will be issued in the merger is approximately [            ] million, based on the number of Hibernia shares outstanding on [            ], 2005, and the cash that will be paid in the merger is fixed at $2,382,141,311. As a result, if more Hibernia shareholders elect to receive either Capital One common stock or cash than is available as merger consideration under the merger agreement, those shareholders electing the over-subscribed form of consideration will have the over-subscribed consideration proportionately reduced and will receive a portion of their consideration in the other form, despite their election.

 

If shares of Hibernia common stock are issued upon the exercise of outstanding Hibernia stock options, upon vesting of other stock-settled awards or as otherwise permitted by the merger agreement, the aggregate number of shares of Capital One common stock to be issued as consideration in the merger will be increased accordingly. However, the cash consideration will always remain fixed at $2,382,141,311.

 

What Holders of Hibernia Stock Options and Other Equity-Based Awards Will Receive (see page [            ])

 

When we complete the merger, Hibernia stock options, restricted share units and phantom shares that are outstanding immediately before completing the merger will become options, restricted share units (to the extent they do not vest upon the change of control and instead become shares of Capital One common stock) and phantom shares on shares of Capital One common stock. The number of common shares subject to such stock options, restricted share units and phantom shares, and the exercise price of the Hibernia stock options, will be adjusted according to the exchange ratio.

 

Each Hibernia restricted share outstanding immediately before completing the merger will be converted upon the completion of the Merger into the right to receive the merger consideration (with the same terms as the Hibernia restricted shares, including transfer restrictions to the extent such shares do not vest and transfer restrictions do not lapse on the change of control) elected by the holder of the Hibernia restricted share, subject to adjustment in the circumstances described above.

 

In Order To Make an Election, Hibernia Shareholders Must Properly Complete and Deliver the Form of Election that Will Be Sent at a Later Date (see page [            ])

 

You will receive at a later date a form of election with instructions for making cash and stock elections. You must properly complete and deliver to the exchange agent your form of election along with your stock certificates (or a properly completed notice of guaranteed delivery). The form of election will also include delivery instructions with respect to any shares you may hold in book-entry form. The exchange agent will be named in the form of election. Do not send your stock certificates with your proxy card.

 

Forms of election and stock certificates (or a properly completed notice of guaranteed delivery) must be received by the exchange agent by the election deadline. Since the actual election deadline is not currently known, Capital One and Hibernia will issue a press release announcing the date of the election deadline at least five business days before that deadline. For further details on the determination of the election deadline, see “The Merger Agreement—Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration—

 

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Form of Election.” Once you tender your stock certificates to the exchange agent, you may not transfer your Hibernia shares until the merger is completed, unless you revoke your election by written notice to the exchange agent that is received prior to the election deadline. If the merger is not completed and the merger agreement is terminated, stock certificates will be returned by the exchange agent by first class mail or through book-entry transfer (in the case of Hibernia shares delivered in book-entry form to the exchange agent).

 

If you fail to submit a properly completed form of election, together with your stock certificates (or a properly completed notice of guaranteed delivery), prior to the election deadline, you will be deemed not to have made an election. As a non-electing holder, you will be paid merger consideration per share equivalent to the amount paid per share to holders making elections, but you may be paid all in cash, all in Capital One common stock, or in part cash and in part Capital One common stock, depending on the remaining pool of cash and Capital One common stock available for paying merger consideration after honoring the cash elections and stock elections that other shareholders have made, and without regard to your preference.

 

Dividend Policy of Capital One; Potential Partial Dividend from Hibernia (see page [            ])

 

The holders of Capital One common stock receive dividends if and when declared by the Capital One board of directors out of legally available funds. Capital One declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.026667 per share of common stock for each quarter in 2004 and for the first quarter of 2005. Following the completion of the merger, Capital One expects to continue paying quarterly cash dividends on a basis consistent with past practice. However, the declaration and payment of dividends will depend upon business conditions, operating results, capital and reserve requirements and consideration by the Capital One board of directors of other relevant factors.

 

Prior to completion of the merger, Hibernia shareholders will continue to receive any regular quarterly dividends declared and paid by Hibernia. In addition, depending on the timing of the completion of the merger, Hibernia shareholders also may become entitled to receive a partial dividend declared and paid by Hibernia for all or part of the period between the last dividend record date of Hibernia and the date the merger is completed. See “The Merger Agreement—Dividends and Distributions.”

 

Hibernia’s Financial Advisors Have Provided Opinions as to the Fairness of the Merger Consideration, from a Financial Point of View, to Hibernia’s Shareholders (see page [            ])

 

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., or “JPMorgan,” and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., or “Bear Stearns,” have provided opinions to the Hibernia board of directors, each dated as of March 6, 2005, that, as of that date, and subject to and based on the qualifications and assumptions set forth in their respective opinions, the consideration to be received by the holders of Hibernia common stock in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders. We have attached the full text of JPMorgan’s opinion to this document as Annex B and the Bear Stearns opinion as Annex C. We urge you to read the opinions in their entirety. The opinions of JPMorgan and Bear Stearns are addressed to the board of directors of Hibernia, are directed only to the consideration to be paid in the merger and do not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Hibernia as to how that shareholder should vote at the Hibernia special meeting. Pursuant to engagement letters between Hibernia and each of JPMorgan and Bear Stearns, Hibernia has agreed to pay each of JPMorgan and Bear Stearns a fee, a substantial portion of which is payable only upon completion of the merger.

 

Hibernia’s Board of Directors Recommends that You Vote “FOR” Approval of the Merger Agreement (see page [            ])

 

Hibernia’s board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable to you and in your best interests, and unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to approve the merger agreement.

 

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In determining whether to approve the merger agreement, Hibernia’s board of directors consulted with certain of its senior management and with its legal and financial advisors. In arriving at its determination, the Hibernia board of directors also considered the factors described under “—Hibernia’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of Hibernia’s Board of Directors.”

 

Interests of Hibernia Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger (see page [            ])

 

Some of the directors and executive officers of Hibernia have financial interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Hibernia shareholders. These interests include rights of executive officers under change of control agreements with Hibernia, rights under stock-based benefit programs and awards of Hibernia, and rights to continued indemnification and insurance coverage by Capital One after the merger for acts and omissions occurring before the merger. In addition, Capital One entered into an employment agreement with J. Herbert Boydstun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hibernia, under which, effective as of the completion of the merger, Mr. Boydstun will be employed by Capital One as the highest ranking executive of the consumer, commercial and other branch banking business of Capital One (excluding certain banking businesses operated by Capital One) as described more fully under “Interests of Hibernia’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger—Employment Agreement with J. Herbert Boydstun.” The Hibernia board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them in approving the merger agreement and the merger.

 

Board of Directors after the Merger (see page [            ])

 

Upon completion of the merger, Capital One will take the actions as may be reasonably required to appoint E.R. Campbell, the current Chairman of the Hibernia board of directors, to the Capital One board of directors to the class of directors whose term expires at Capital One’s 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

Non-Solicitation (see page [            ])

 

Hibernia has agreed that it will not solicit or encourage any inquiries or proposals regarding any acquisition proposals by third parties. Hibernia may respond to unsolicited proposals in certain circumstances if required by the Hibernia board of directors’ fiduciary duties. Hibernia must promptly notify Capital One if it receives any acquisition proposals.

 

Conditions to Completion of the Merger (see page [            ])

 

Each of Capital One’s and Hibernia’s obligations to complete the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of mutual conditions including:

 

    approval of the merger agreement by the Hibernia shareholders; and

 

    the absence of any statute, regulation, rule, decree, injunction or other order in effect by any court or other governmental entity that prohibits completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

Each of Capital One’s and Hibernia’s obligations to complete the merger is also separately subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions including:

 

    receipt by the party of a legal opinion from its counsel with respect to certain federal income tax consequences of the merger;

 

    the receipt and effectiveness of all regulatory approvals, registrations and consents, and the expiration of all waiting periods required to complete the merger; and

 

    the other company’s representations and warranties in the merger agreement being true and correct, subject to the materiality standards contained in the merger agreement, and the performance by the other party in all material respects of its obligations under the merger agreement.

 

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Capital One’s obligation to complete the merger is further subject to the condition that the regulatory approvals received in connection with the completion of the merger not include any conditions or restrictions that, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Hibernia or Capital One, measured relative to Hibernia.

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement (see page [            ])

 

Capital One and Hibernia can mutually agree at any time to terminate the merger agreement without completing the merger, even if Hibernia shareholders have approved the merger. Also, either of Capital One or Hibernia can terminate the merger agreement in various circumstances, including the following:

 

    if the merger is not completed by March 6, 2006 (other than because of a breach of the merger agreement caused by the party seeking termination);

 

    if a governmental entity issues a non-appealable final order prohibiting the merger;

 

    if a governmental entity which must grant a regulatory approval as a condition to the merger denies such approval of the merger and such action has become final and non-appealable; or

 

    if the other party breaches the merger agreement in a way that would entitle the party seeking to terminate the agreement not to consummate the merger, subject to the right of the breaching party to cure the breach within 45 days following written notice (unless it is not possible due to the nature or timing of the breach for the breaching party to cure the breach).

 

Additionally, Capital One may terminate the merger agreement if:

 

    Hibernia’s shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement, but Capital One only has the right to terminate the merger agreement for this reason on or prior to the 20th day after the Hibernia special meeting of shareholders, and Capital One must not then be in material breach of its obligations to use reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the merger if the Hibernia shareholders do not approve the merger at the special meeting;

 

    Hibernia has materially breached its “non-solicitation” obligations described under “The Merger Agreement—No Solicitation of Alternative Transactions,” or Hibernia’s board has failed to recommend in Hibernia’s special meeting proxy statement the approval of the merger agreement, changed its recommendation to Hibernia shareholders, recommended any alternative transaction proposals with third parties or failed to call a meeting of its shareholders; or

 

    Hibernia or any of its representatives engages in discussions with any person in connection with an unsolicited alternative transaction proposal and not ceased all discussions within 20 days of the first date of such discussions.

 

Additionally, Hibernia may terminate the merger agreement if:

 

    Capital One has breached its obligation to in good faith use its reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the merger if the Hibernia shareholders do not approve the merger agreement at the special meeting.

 

Termination Fee (see page [            ])

 

Hibernia has agreed to pay a termination fee to Capital One of $220 million if the merger agreement is terminated under any of the circumstances specified in “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement—Termination Fees.”

 

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Hibernia Shareholders Have Dissenters’ Rights (see page [            ])

 

Hibernia is incorporated in Louisiana. Under Louisiana law, Hibernia shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger and, upon full satisfaction of specified procedures and conditions, to receive (in lieu of the merger consideration) the fair value of their shares in cash in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law or “LBCL” if the merger is completed but it was not approved by a vote of at least 80% of Hibernia’s outstanding shares of common stock. The procedures that must be followed by dissenting shareholders both before and after the special meeting are summarized under “The Merger—Dissenters’ Rights,” and the applicable provisions of the LBCL are reproduced as Annex D.

 

Hibernia Will Hold its Special Meeting on [            ], 2005 (see page [            ])

 

The Hibernia special meeting will be held at [            ], on [            ], 2005 at [            ], local time. At the special meeting, you will be asked:

 

    to approve the merger agreement;

 

    to vote upon an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies; and

 

    to transact any other business as may properly be brought before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

 

You can vote at the Hibernia special meeting if you owned Hibernia common stock at the close of business on [            ], 2005. On that date, there were [            ] shares of Hibernia common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, approximately [            ]% of which were owned and entitled to be voted by Hibernia directors and executive officers and their affiliates. You can cast one vote for each share of Hibernia common stock you owned on that date. In order to approve the merger agreement, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock entitled to vote must vote in favor of doing so.

 

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger (see page [            ])

 

Completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is subject to various regulatory approvals, including approval from the Federal Reserve Board and various state regulatory authorities.

 

Capital One and Hibernia have completed, or will complete, filing all of the required applications and notices with regulatory authorities.

 

Although we do not know of any reason why we would not be able to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals in a timely manner, we cannot be certain when or if we will get them.

 

The Merger Generally Will Be Tax-Free to Holders of Hibernia Common Stock to the Extent They Receive Capital One Common Stock (see page [            ])

 

The exchange by U.S. holders of Hibernia common stock for Capital One common stock has been structured to be generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that:

 

    U.S. holders of Hibernia common stock that receive both cash and Capital One common stock generally will recognize gain, but not loss, to the extent of the cash received;

 

    U.S. holders of Hibernia common stock that receive only cash generally will recognize gain or loss; and

 

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    U.S. holders of Hibernia common stock generally will recognize gain or loss with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Capital One common stock that the former Hibernia shareholders would otherwise be entitled to receive.

 

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE INFORMATION (see page [            ])

 

Capital One common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “COF” and Hibernia common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “HIB.” The following table presents the closing sale prices of Capital One common stock and Hibernia common stock on March 4, 2005, the last trading day before we announced the merger, and on [            ], 2005, the last practicable date prior to mailing this document. The table also presents the equivalent value of the merger consideration per share of Hibernia common stock on those dates, calculated by multiplying the closing price of Capital One common stock on those dates by 0.4226 and [            ], respectively, each representing the fraction of a share of Capital One common stock that Hibernia shareholders electing to receive Capital One common stock would receive in the merger for each share of Hibernia common stock, assuming that the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock on the NYSE for the five trading days ending the day before the completion of the merger was the closing price of Capital One common stock on March 4, 2005 and [            ], 2005, respectively, and assuming no adjustment.

 

Date


   Capital One
Closing Price


  

Hibernia

Closing Price


   Equivalent
Per Share Value


March 4, 2005

   $ 78.08    $ 26.57    $ 33.00

[                ], 2005

   $      $      $  

 

The market prices of both Capital One common stock and Hibernia common stock will fluctuate prior to the merger. You should obtain current stock price quotations for Capital One common stock and Hibernia common stock.

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Unaudited Comparative Per Share Data

 

The table on the following page shows historical information about Capital One’s and Hibernia’s respective earnings per share, dividends per share and book value per share, and preliminary pro forma information, which reflects the merger, at or for the year ended December 31, 2004. In presenting the comparative preliminary pro forma information for the periods shown, it is assumed that the companies had been combined as of or throughout those periods.

 

The merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, with Capital One treated as the acquiror. Under this method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of Hibernia will be recorded by Capital One at their respective fair values as of the merger completion date. Financial statements of Capital One issued after the consummation of the merger will reflect such values and will not be restated retroactively to reflect the historical financial position or results of operations of Hibernia.

 

The information listed as equivalent pro forma for Hibernia was obtained by multiplying the pro forma amounts listed by Capital One by 0.4226, which is the fraction of a share of Capital One common stock that Hibernia shareholders electing to receive stock would receive in the merger for each share of Hibernia common stock, assuming the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock on the NYSE for the five trading days ending the day before the completion of the merger was $78.08, which was the closing price of Capital One common stock on March 4, 2005, the last trading day before announcement of the transaction. The actual fraction of a share of Capital One common stock that Hibernia shareholders electing to receive stock in the merger will receive may differ depending on the average of the closing stock prices for Capital One common stock during the five trading days ending immediately before completion of the merger.

 

The preliminary pro forma financial information includes estimated adjustments to record the assets and liabilities of Hibernia at their respective fair values based on management’s best estimate using the information available at this time. The preliminary pro forma adjustments may be revised as additional information becomes available and as additional analyses are performed. The final allocation of the purchase price will be determined after the merger is completed and after the completion of a final analysis to determine the fair values of Hibernia’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities as of the closing date. The final purchase price adjustments may differ materially from the preliminary pro forma adjustments presented in this document. Increases or decreases in fair value of certain balance sheet amounts and other items of Hibernia as compared to the information presented in this document may change the amount of the purchase price allocated to goodwill and other assets and liabilities and may impact the statement of income due to adjustments in yield and/or amortization of adjusted assets and liabilities.

 

It is anticipated that the merger will provide Capital One with financial benefits such as possible expense efficiencies and revenue enhancements, among other factors, although no assurances can be given that such benefits will actually be achieved. These benefits have not been reflected in the preliminary pro forma information. The preliminary pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate the financial results of the combined companies had the companies actually been combined as of or at the beginning of each period presented nor does it indicate future results.

 

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The information in the following tables is derived from and should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and related notes of both Capital One and Hibernia, which are incorporated into this document by reference.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2004

Capital One

      

Basic earnings per common share

      

Historical

   $ 6.55

Pro forma

     6.38

Diluted earnings per common share

      

Historical

     6.21

Pro forma

     6.03

Dividends declared on common stock

      

Historical

     0.11

Pro forma

     0.11

Book value per common share

      

Historical

     33.99

Pro forma

     40.47

Hibernia

      

Basic earnings per common share

      

Historical

     1.90

Equivalent pro forma

     2.70

Diluted earnings per common share

      

Historical

     1.86

Equivalent pro forma

     2.55

Dividends declared on common stock

      

Historical

     0.76

Equivalent pro forma

     0.05

Book value per common share

      

Historical

     12.60

Equivalent pro forma

     17.10

 

Reconciliation to GAAP Financial Measures for Capital One

 

Capital One’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP are referred to as its “reported” financial statements. Loans included in securitization transactions which qualify as sales under GAAP have been removed from Capital One’s “reported” balance sheet. However, servicing fees, finance charges, and other fees, net of charge-offs, and interest paid to investors of securitizations are recognized as servicing and securitizations income on the “reported” income statement.

 

Capital One’s “managed” consolidated financial statements reflect adjustments made related to effects of securitization transactions qualifying as sales under GAAP. Capital One generates earnings from its “managed” loan portfolio which includes both the on-balance sheet loans and off-balance sheet loans. Capital One’s “managed” income statement takes the components of the servicing and securitizations income generated from the securitized portfolio and distributes the revenue and expense to appropriate income statement line items from which it originated. For this reason, Capital One believes the “managed” consolidated financial statements and related managed metrics to be useful to stakeholders.

 

 

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As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

(in thousands)    Total
Reported
   Securitization
Adjustments (1)
    Total
Managed (2)

Income Statement Measures

                     

Net interest income

   $ 3,002,978    $ 3,631,764     $ 6,634,742

Non-interest income

     5,900,157      (1,675,571 )     4,224,586

Total revenue

     8,903,135      1,956,193       10,859,328

Provision for loan losses

     1,220,852      1,956,193       3,177,045

Net charge-offs

     1,295,568      1,956,193       3,251,761

Balance Sheet Measures

                     

Consumer loans

   $ 38,215,591    $ 41,645,708     $ 79,861,299

Total assets

     53,747,255      41,044,776       94,792,031

Average consumer loans

     34,265,668      39,446,005       73,711,673

Average earning assets

     46,655,669      37,584,633       84,240,302

Average total assets

     50,648,052      38,844,527       89,492,579

Delinquencies

     1,472,194      1,581,884       3,054,078
(1) Includes adjustments made related to the effects of securitization transactions qualifying as sales under GAAP and adjustments made to reclassify to “managed” loans outstanding the collectible portion of billed finance charge and fee income on the investors’ interest in securitized loans excluded from loans outstanding on the “reported” balance sheet in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position, “Accounting for Accrued Interest Receivable Related to Securitized and Sold Receivables under FASB Statement 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” issued April 2003.

 

(2) The managed loan portfolio does not include auto loans which have been sold in whole loan sale transactions where Capital One has retained servicing rights.

 

The following tables show summarized historical financial data for Capital One and Hibernia. The historical financial data show the financial results actually achieved by Capital One and Hibernia for the periods indicated.

 

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Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data of Capital One

 

(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Data)    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  

Income Statement Data:

                                        

Interest income

   $ 4,794.4     $ 4,367.7     $ 4,180.8     $ 2,921.1     $ 2,453.9  

Interest expense

     1,791.4       1,582.6       1,461.7       1,171.0       801.0  

Net interest income

     3,003.0       2,785.1       2,719.1       1,750.1       1,652.9  

Provision for loan losses

     1,220.9       1,517.5       2,149.3       1,120.5       812.9  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     1,782.1       1,267.6       569.8       629.6       840.0  

Non-interest income

     5,900.2       5,415.9       5,466.8       4,463.8       3,065.1  

Non-interest expense

     5,322.2       4,856.7       4,585.6       4,058.0       3,147.7  

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

     2,360.1       1,826.8       1,451.0       1,035.4       757.4  

Income taxes

     816.6       676.0       551.4       393.4       287.8  

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

     1,543.5       1,150.8       899.6       642.0       469.6  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes of $8.8

     —         15.0       —         —         —    

Net income

   $ 1,543.5     $ 1,135.8     $ 899.6     $ 642.0     $ 469.6  

Dividend payout ratio

     1.66 %     2.14 %     2.61 %     3.48 %     4.43 %

Per Common Share:

                                        

Basic earnings per share

   $ 6.55     $ 5.05     $ 4.09     $ 3.06     $ 2.39  

Diluted earnings per share

     6.21       4.85       3.93       2.91       2.24  

Dividends

     0.11       0.11       0.11       0.11       0.11  

Book value as of year-end

     33.99       25.75       20.44       15.33       9.94  

Selected Year-End Reported Balances:

                                        

Securities

   $ 9,300.5     $ 5,866.6     $ 4,423.7     $ 3,115.9     $ 1,696.8  

Loans

     38,215.6       32,850.3       27,343.9       20,921.0       15,112.7  

Allowance for loan losses

     (1,505.0 )     (1,595.0 )     (1,720.0 )     (840.0 )     (527.0 )

Total assets

     53,747.3       46,283.7       37,382.4       28,184.0       18,889.3  

Deposits

     25,636.8       22,416.3       17,326.0       12,839.0       8,379.0  

Borrowings

     16,511.8       14,812.6       11,930.7       9,330.8       6,976.5  

Stockholders’ equity

     8,388.2       6,051.8       4,623.2       3,323.5       1,962.5  

Selected Average Reported Balances:

                                        

Securities

   $ 8,879.8     $ 5,335.5     $ 3,873.2     $ 2,526.5     $ 1,611.6  

Loans

     34,265.7       28,677.6       25,036.0       17,284.3       11,487.8  

Allowance for loan losses

     (1,473.0 )     (1,627.0 )     (1,178.2 )     (637.8 )     (402.2 )

Total assets

     50,648.1       41,195.4       34,201.7       23,346.3       15,209.6  

Deposits

     24,313.3       19,768.0       15,606.9       10,373.5       5,339.5  

Borrowings

     15,723.6       12,978.0       11,381.1       8,056.7       6,870.0  

Stockholders’ equity

     7,295.5       5,323.5       4,148.2       2,781.2       1,701.0  

Reported Metrics:

                                        

Net interest margin

     6.44 %     7.45 %     8.73 %     8.45 %     12.47 %

Delinquency rate

     3.85       4.79       6.12       4.84       7.26  

Net charge-off rate

     3.78       5.74       5.03       4.76       5.46  

Return on average assets

     3.05       2.76       2.63       2.75       3.09  

Return on average equity

     21.16       21.34       21.69       23.08       27.61  

Average equity to average assets

     14.40       12.92       12.13       11.91       11.18  

Allowance for loan losses to consumer loans

     3.94       4.86       6.29       4.02       3.49  

Managed Metrics:

                                        

Net interest margin

     7.88 %     8.64 %     9.23 %     9.40 %     11.11 %

Delinquency rate

     3.82       4.46       5.60       4.95       5.23  

Net charge-off rate

     4.41       5.86       5.24       4.65       4.56  

Return on average assets

     1.73       1.52       1.47       1.54       1.78  

Average loans

   $ 73,711.7     $ 62,911.9     $ 52,799.6     $ 35,612.3     $ 22,634.9  

Year-end loans

   $ 79,861.3     $ 71,244.8     $ 59,746.5     $ 45,264.0     $ 29,524.0  

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (1)

     16.85 %     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Total risk-based capital ratio (1)

     19.35 %     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Tier 1 leverage ratio (1)

     15.38 %     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
(1) Effective October 1, 2004, Capital One registered as a bank holding company (“BHC”).

 

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Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data of Hibernia

 

(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Data)    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  

Income Statement Data:

                                        

Interest income

   $ 1,002.4     $ 910.3     $ 987.1     $ 1,159.4     $ 1,217.3  

Interest expense

     251.8       239.6       282.9       494.7       606.8  

Net interest income

     750.6       670.7       704.2       664.7       610.5  

Provision for loan losses

     48.2       60.0       80.6       97.3       120.6  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     702.4       610.7       623.6       567.4       489.9  

Non-interest income

     387.4       350.1       300.9       294.0       242.2  

Non-interest expense

     640.1       564.4       541.7       524.2       469.6  

Income before income taxes and minority interest

     449.7       396.4       382.8       337.2       262.5  

Income taxes

     156.6       138.1       132.9       118.4       91.9  

Minority interest, net of income tax expense

     0.1       —         —         —         —    

Net income

   $ 293.0     $ 258.3     $ 249.9     $ 218.8     $ 170.6  

Dividend payout ratio

     40.00 %     37.72 %     35.85 %     38.69 %     46.67 %

Per Common Share:

                                        

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.90     $ 1.67     $ 1.59     $ 1.37     $ 1.05  

Diluted earnings per share

     1.86       1.64       1.56       1.35       1.04  

Dividends

     0.76       0.63       0.57       0.53       0.49  

Book value as of year-end

     12.60       11.55       10.79       9.94       8.97  

Selected Year-End Balances:

                                        

Securities

   $ 4,560.1     $ 3,926.7     $ 3,651.7     $ 3,491.2     $ 3,048.9  

Loans

     15,719.2       12,883.0       11,492.2       11,241.0       12,124.7  

Allowance for loan losses

     (227.6 )     (213.3 )     (212.8 )     (195.8 )     (178.3 )

Total assets

     22,308.1       18,560.4       17,392.7       16,618.2       16,698.0  

Deposits

     17,378.9       14,159.5       13,481.0       12,953.1       12,692.7  

Borrowings

     2,465.9       2,382.6       1,677.7       1,795.7       2,354.5  

Stockholders’ equity

     1,941.9       1,777.5       1,680.9       1,559.8       1,479.7  

Selected Average Balances:

                                        

Securities

   $ 4,151.2     $ 3,943.1     $ 3,464.6     $ 3,198.9     $ 3,042.7  

Loans

     14,558.0       11,915.0       11,274.9       11,622.8       11,504.7  

Allowance for loan losses

     (228.8 )     (213.8 )     (208.7 )     (182.1 )     (163.2 )

Total assets

     20,451.2       17,757.0       16,561.2       16,478.4       15,854.2  

Deposits

     15,908.8       13,608.9       12,866.7       12,608.3       12,095.1  

Borrowings

     2,359.5       1,933.8       1,665.6       2,064.5       2,153.5  

Stockholders’ equity

     1,848.7       1,713.4       1,619.2       1,551.6       1,422.5  

Selected Metrics:

                                        

Net interest margin

     3.98 %     4.16 %     4.68 %     4.41 %     4.21 %

Return on average assets

     1.43       1.45       1.51       1.33       1.08  

Return on average equity

     15.85       15.08       15.43       14.10       12.00  

Average equity to average assets

     9.04       9.65       9.78       9.42       8.97  

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

     9.48       10.50       10.57       10.14       9.69  

Total risk-based capital ratio

     11.32       11.75       11.82       11.39       10.94  

Tier 1 leverage ratio

     7.51       8.65       8.45       8.14       7.65  

 

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The following table shows summarized preliminary pro forma selected financial data reflecting the merger of Capital One and Hibernia. The preliminary pro forma metrics balance sheet metrics assume the merger was effective on December 31, 2004.

 

Preliminary Selected Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Data of Capital One and Hibernia

 

(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Data)    2004  

Income Statement Data:

        

Interest income

   $ 5,761.2  

Interest expense

     2,089.1  

Net interest income

     3,672.1  

Provision for loan losses

     1,269.1  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     2,403.0  

Non-interest income

     6,287.6  

Non-interest expense

     6,050.2  

Income before income taxes

     2,640.4  

Income taxes

     914.0  

Minority interest, net of income tax expense

     0.1  

Net income

   $ 1,726.3  

Dividend payout ratio

     1.76 %

Per Common Share:

        

Net income per share

   $ 6.38  

Net income per share assuming dilution

     6.03  

Dividends

     0.11  

Book value

     40.47  

Selected Year-End Reported Balances:

        

Securities

   $ 12,661.4  

Loans

     53,800.0  

Allowance for loan losses

     (1,732.6 )

Total assets

     78,305.7  

Deposits

     43,044.8  

Borrowings

     19,935.3  

Equity

     11,408.9  

Selected Ratios (Reported):

        

Net interest margin

     5.73 %

Delinquency rate

     2.87  

Net charge-off rate

     2.76  

Return on assets

     2.35  

Return on equity

     16.73  

Average equity to average assets

     14.06  

Allowance for loan losses to loans

     3.22  

Selected Ratios (Managed):

        

Net interest margin

     7.19 %

Delinquency rate

     3.27  

Net charge-off rate

     3.74  

Return on assets

     1.54  

Average equity to average assets

     9.19  

Capital Ratios (regulatory filing basis):

        

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

     10.49 %

Total risk-based capital ratio

     12.73  

Tier 1 leverage ratio

     9.75  

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this document, including Capital One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and Hibernia’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, you should carefully consider the following risk factors in deciding whether to vote to approve the merger agreement.

 

Because the Market Price of Capital One Common Stock Will Fluctuate, Hibernia Shareholders Cannot Be Sure of the Value of the Merger Consideration They Will Receive.

 

Upon completion of the merger, each share of Hibernia common stock will be converted into merger consideration consisting of shares of Capital One common stock and/or cash pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. The value of the merger consideration to be received by Hibernia shareholders will be based on the average closing price of Capital One common stock on the NYSE during the five trading days ending on the day before the completion of the merger. This average price may vary from the closing price of Capital One common stock on the date we announced the merger, on the date that this document was mailed to Hibernia shareholders and on the date of the special meeting of the Hibernia shareholders. Any change in the market price of Capital One common stock prior to completion of the merger will affect the value of the merger consideration that Hibernia shareholders will receive upon completion of the merger. Accordingly, at the time of the Hibernia special meeting, Hibernia shareholders will not necessarily know or be able to calculate the amount of the cash consideration they would receive or the exchange ratio used to determine the number of any shares of Capital One common stock they would receive upon completion of the merger. Neither company is permitted to terminate the merger agreement or resolicit the vote of Hibernia shareholders solely because of changes in the market prices of either company’s stock. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including general market and economic conditions, changes in our respective businesses, operations and prospects, and regulatory considerations. Many of these factors are beyond our control. You should obtain current market quotations for shares of Capital One common stock and for shares of Hibernia common stock.

 

We May Fail To Realize All of the Anticipated Benefits of the Merger.

 

The success of the merger will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from combining the businesses of Capital One and Hibernia. However, to realize these anticipated benefits, we must successfully combine the businesses of Capital One and Hibernia. If we are not able to achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

 

Capital One and Hibernia have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger. Integration efforts between the two companies will also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of Hibernia and Capital One during such transition period.

 

The Market Price of Capital One Common Stock after the Merger May Be Affected by Factors Different from Those Affecting the Shares of Hibernia or Capital One Currently.

 

The businesses of Capital One and Hibernia differ in some respects and, accordingly, the results of operations of the combined company and the market price of the combined company’s shares of common stock may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations of each

 

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of Capital One or Hibernia. For a discussion of the businesses of Capital One and Hibernia and of certain factors to consider in connection with those businesses, see the documents incorporated by reference in this document and referred to under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

The Fairness Opinions Obtained by Hibernia from its Financial Advisors Will Not Reflect Changes in Circumstances between Signing the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

 

Hibernia has not obtained updated opinions as of the date of this document from JPMorgan and Bear Stearns, Hibernia’s financial advisors. Changes in the operations and prospects of Capital One or Hibernia, general market and economic conditions and other factors which may be beyond the control of Capital One and Hibernia, and on which the fairness opinions were based, may alter the value of Capital One or Hibernia or the prices of shares of Capital One common stock or Hibernia common stock by the time the merger is completed. The opinions do not speak as of the time the merger will be completed or as of any date other than the dates of such opinions. Because Hibernia currently does not anticipate asking its financial advisors to update their opinions, the March 6, 2005 opinions may not accurately address the fairness of the merger consideration, from a financial point of view, at the time the merger is completed. For a description of the opinions that Hibernia received from its financial advisors, please refer to “The Merger—Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.—Financial Advisor to Hibernia” and “—Opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.—Financial Advisor to Hibernia.” For a description of the other factors considered by Hibernia’s board of directors in determining to approve the merger, please refer to “The Merger—Hibernia’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of Hibernia’s Board of Directors.”

 

The Merger Agreement Limits Hibernia’s Ability to Pursue Alternatives to the Merger.

 

The merger agreement contains non-solicitation provisions that, subject to limited exceptions, limit Hibernia’s ability to discuss, facilitate or commit to competing third-party proposals to acquire all or a significant part of the company. Further, there are only limited exceptions to Hibernia’s agreement that Hibernia’s board of directors will not withdraw or modify in a way adverse to Capital One its recommendation to Hibernia shareholders that they vote in favor of the merger, or recommend any other acquisition proposal. Although Hibernia’s board of directors is permitted to take these actions in connection with receipt of a competing acquisition proposal if it determines that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties, doing so would entitle Capital One to terminate the merger agreement and to receive a termination fee of $220 million. Also, in some situations where a competing acquisition proposal has been made known to Hibernia or its shareholders and the merger agreement is subsequently terminated for a variety of reasons (including, among other reasons, because Hibernia shareholders fail to approve the merger or because Hibernia, as permitted by the merger agreement, engages in discussions with a competing acquiror that are not terminated within 20 days), Hibernia is required to pay Capital One a termination fee of $220 million if Hibernia completes, or enters into an agreement for, an alternative acquisition transaction during the 12 months after the termination and may be required to pay one third of this $220 million termination fee upon termination of the merger agreement with Capital One. See “The Merger Agreement—No Solicitation of Alternative Transactions” and “—Termination of the Merger Agreement.” Capital One required Hibernia to agree to these provisions as a condition to Capital One’s willingness to enter into the merger agreement. However, these provisions might discourage a potential competing acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of Hibernia from considering or proposing that acquisition even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share market price than that proposed in the merger, or might result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire Hibernia than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.

 

Hibernia Shareholders May Receive a Form of Consideration Different From What They Elect.

 

While each Hibernia shareholder may elect to receive all cash or all Capital One common stock in the merger, the pools of cash and Capital One common stock available for all Hibernia shareholders will be fixed amounts (subject to increase in the available number of shares of Capital One stock as a result of exercise of outstanding Hibernia stock options, upon vesting of other stock-settled awards or as otherwise permitted by the

 

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merger agreement prior to the completion of the merger). As a result, if either a cash or stock election proves to be more popular among Hibernia shareholders, and you choose the election that is more popular, you might receive a portion of your consideration in the form you did not elect.

 

If You Tender Shares of Hibernia Common Stock to Make an Election, You Will Not Be Able to Sell Those Shares, Unless You Revoke Your Election Prior to the Election Deadline.

 

If you are a Hibernia shareholder and want to make a cash or stock election, you will have to deliver your stock certificates (or follow the procedures for guaranteed delivery) and a properly completed and signed form of election to the exchange agent. Since the actual election deadline is not currently known, Capital One and Hibernia will issue a press release announcing the date of the election deadline at least five business days before that deadline. For further details on the determination of the election deadline see “The Merger Agreement—Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration—Form of Election.” The election deadline may be significantly in advance of the closing of the merger. You will not be able to sell any shares of Hibernia common stock that you have delivered as part of your election unless you revoke your election before the deadline by providing written notice to the exchange agent. If you do not revoke your election, you will not be able to liquidate your investment in Hibernia common stock for any reason until you receive cash and/or Capital One common stock in the merger. In the time between delivery of your shares and the closing of the merger, the trading price of Hibernia or Capital One common stock may decrease, and you might otherwise want to sell your shares of Hibernia to gain access to cash, make other investments, or reduce the potential for a decrease in the value of your investment.

 

The date that you will receive your merger consideration depends on the completion date of the merger, which is uncertain. The completion date of the merger might be later than expected due to unforeseen events, such as delays in obtaining regulatory approvals.

 

Hibernia Executive Officers and Directors Have Financial Interests in the Merger that Are Different from, or in Addition to, the Interests of Hibernia Shareholders.

 

Executive officers of Hibernia negotiated the terms of the merger agreement with their counterparts at Capital One, and Hibernia’s board of directors approved the merger agreement and unanimously recommended that Hibernia shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement. In considering these facts and the other information contained in this document, you should be aware that Hibernia’s executive officers and directors have financial interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Hibernia shareholders. Please see “The Merger—Interests of Hibernia’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger” for information about these financial interests.

 

The Merger is subject to the Receipt of Consents and Approvals from Government Entities that May Impose Conditions that Could Have an Adverse Effect on Capital One.

 

Before the merger may be completed, various approvals or consents must be obtained from the Federal Reserve Board and various bank regulatory, antitrust, insurance and other authorities in the United States. These governmental entities, including the Federal Reserve Board, may impose conditions on the completion of the merger or require changes to the terms of the merger. While Capital One and Hibernia do not currently expect that any such conditions or changes would be imposed, there can be no assurance that they will not be, and such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying completion of the merger or imposing additional costs on or limiting the revenues of Capital One following the merger, any of which might have a material adverse effect on Capital One following the merger. Capital One is not obligated to complete the merger if the regulatory approvals received in connection with the completion of the merger include any conditions or restrictions that, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Hibernia or Capital One, measured relative to Hibernia, but Capital One could choose to waive this condition.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This document contains or incorporates by reference a number of forward-looking statements regarding the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook, and business prospects of Capital One, Hibernia and the potential combined company and may include statements for the period following the completion of the merger. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible” and other similar expressions.

 

The forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. The ability of either Capital One or Hibernia to predict results or actual effects of its plans and strategies, or those of the combined company, is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may cause actual results or earnings to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed under “Risk Factors” and those discussed in the filings of each of Capital One and Hibernia that are incorporated herein by reference, as well as the following:

 

    those risks and uncertainties we discuss or identify in our public filings with the SEC;

 

    the risk that the businesses of Capital One and Hibernia will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;

 

    revenues following the merger may be lower than expected;

 

    changes in both companies’ businesses during the period between now and the completion of the merger;

 

    deposit attrition, operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the merger, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, may be greater than expected; and

 

    the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule.

 

Because these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document or the date of any document incorporated by reference in this document.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the merger or other matters addressed in this document and attributable to Capital One or Hibernia or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, Capital One and Hibernia undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF HIBERNIA SHAREHOLDERS

 

General

 

This document is being furnished to Hibernia shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Hibernia board of directors to be used at the special meeting of shareholders to be held on [            ], 2005 at [            ], local time, in [            ], and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. This document and the enclosed form of proxy are being sent to Hibernia shareholders on or about [            ], 2005.

 

Record Date and Voting

 

The Hibernia board of directors has fixed the close of business on [            ], 2005 as the record date for determining the holders of shares of Hibernia common stock entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting. Only holders of record of shares of Hibernia common stock at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote at the special meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were [            ] shares of Hibernia common stock outstanding, held by approximately [            ] holders of record.

 

Each holder of shares of Hibernia common stock outstanding on the record date will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record upon each matter properly submitted at the special meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. In order for Hibernia to satisfy its quorum requirements, the holders of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock entitled to vote at the meeting must be present. You will be deemed to be present if you attend the meeting or if you submit a proxy card (including through the Internet or telephone) that is received at or prior to the meeting (and not revoked as described below).

 

If your proxy card is properly executed and received by Hibernia in time to be voted at the special meeting, the shares represented by your proxy card (including those given through the Internet or by telephone) will be voted in accordance with the instructions that you mark on your proxy card. If you execute your proxy but do not provide Hibernia with any instructions, your shares will be voted “FOR” the approval of the merger agreement and “FOR” any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting that may be necessary to solicit additional proxies.

 

If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker or bank and you do not provide your broker or bank with instructions on how to vote your shares, your broker or bank will not be permitted to vote your shares, which will have the same effect as a vote against the merger.

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock. Shares as to which the “abstain” box is selected on a proxy card will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. The required vote of Hibernia shareholders on the merger is based upon the number of outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock, and not the number of shares that are actually voted. Accordingly, the failure to submit a proxy card or to vote in person at the special meeting or the abstention from voting by Hibernia shareholders will have the same effect as an “AGAINST” vote with respect to the approval of the merger agreement.

 

As of the record date:

 

    Hibernia directors and executive officers and their affiliates owned and were entitled to vote approximately [            ] shares of Hibernia common stock, representing approximately [        ]% of the outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock; and

 

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    Capital One directors and executive officers and their affiliates owned and were entitled to vote less than 0.1% of the outstanding shares of Hibernia common stock. Capital One owns no shares of Hibernia common stock.

 

We currently expect that Hibernia’s and Capital One’s directors and executive officers will vote their shares “FOR” approval of the merger agreement, although none of them has entered into any agreement requiring them to do so.

 

Approval of any proposal to adjourn or postpone the meeting, if necessary, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies may be obtained by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Hibernia common stock represented at the special meeting, whether or not a quorum is present.

 

Revocability of Proxies

 

The presence of a shareholder at the special meeting will not automatically revoke that shareholder’s proxy. However, a shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by:

 

    submitting a written revocation to Cathy E. Chessin, Corporate Secretary, 225 Baronne Street, 11th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112 that is received prior to the meeting;

 

    submitting another proxy by telephone, via the Internet or by mail that is dated later than the original proxy and that is received prior to the meeting; or

 

    attending the special meeting and voting in person if your shares of Hibernia common stock are registered in your name rather than in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee.

 

If your shares are held by a broker or bank, you must follow the instructions on the form you receive from your broker or bank with respect to changing or revoking your proxy.

 

Voting Electronically or by Telephone

 

In addition to voting by submitting your proxy card by mail, Hibernia shareholders of record and many shareholders who hold their shares through a broker or bank will have the option to submit their proxy cards or voting instruction cards electronically through the Internet or by telephone. Please note that there are separate arrangements for using the Internet and telephone depending on whether your shares are registered in Hibernia’s stock records in your name or in the name of a broker, bank or other holder of record. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other holder of record, you should check your proxy card or voting instruction card forwarded by your broker, bank or other holder of record to see which options are available.

 

Hibernia shareholders of record may submit their proxies:

 

    through the Internet by visiting a website established for that purpose at [__] and following the instructions; or

 

    by telephone by calling the toll-free number [            ] on a touch-tone phone and following the recorded instructions.

 

Solicitation of Proxies

 

In addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of Hibernia may solicit proxies for the special meeting from Hibernia shareholders personally or by telephone and other electronic means. However, they will not be paid for soliciting such proxies. We also will provide persons, firms, banks and corporations holding shares in their names or in the names of nominees, which in either case are beneficially owned by others, proxy material for transmittal to such beneficial owners and will reimburse such record owners for their expenses in taking such actions. We have also made arrangements with [            ] to assist us in soliciting proxies and have agreed to pay them $[            ], plus reasonable expenses, for these services.

 

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Hibernia and Capital One will share equally the expenses incurred in connection with the printing and mailing of this document.

 

Participants in Hibernia’s Benefits Plans

 

If you participate in Hibernia’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or “ESOP,” or Hibernia’s Retirement Security Plan, or “RSP,” you may vote the shares of common stock that are actually allocated to your account in such plans as of the record date. Hibernia’s Employee Benefit Plans Committee intends to appoint an independent fiduciary for the ESOP and the RSP. Subject to compliance with its responsibilities under federal law, the independent fiduciary will direct Hibernia National Bank, the trustee of the plans, to vote the shares allocated to your account in accordance with your instructions regarding how to vote the shares. ESOP shares that are allocated to the suspense account (i.e., they are not allocated to any participant’s account as of the record date) will be voted by the independent fiduciary.

 

THE MERGER

 

Background of the Merger

 

The management of Hibernia has from time to time explored and assessed, and has discussed with the Hibernia board of directors, various strategic options potentially available to Hibernia. These strategic discussions have included the possibility of, among other things, business combinations involving Hibernia and other financial institutions, particularly in view of the increasing competition and ongoing consolidation in the financial services industry.

 

In early December 2004, while attending an industry conference, J. Herbert Boydstun, President and CEO of Hibernia, and Richard D. Fairbank, Chairman, President and CEO of Capital One, met and had general discussions regarding the financial services industry and their respective companies. Among other things, industry trends and issues and the respective strategic directions of the two companies were discussed.

 

An informal discussion between representatives of Hibernia and Capital One followed, and in late January, 2005, E. R. Campbell, Chairman of the Hibernia board of directors, Sidney W. Lassen, Vice Chairman of the Hibernia board of directors, and Mr. Boydstun met with Mr. Fairbank in New Orleans and discussed generally their respective companies and a possible strategic transaction. During this time period, including at a regularly scheduled board meeting on January 27, 2005, Mr. Fairbank updated the Capital One board of directors on his preliminary discussions with Hibernia.

 

The informal discussion was followed by a meeting in Northern Virginia in early February 2005 between Messrs. Fairbank and Boydstun, at which they continued discussions, including regarding a potential business combination involving their respective companies and the benefits for each company that could result from such a transaction. In the course of those discussions, Mr. Fairbank indicated that Capital One was interested in management continuity, including the retention of Mr. Boydstun, following any potential business combination.

 

At meetings of the executive committee of the Hibernia board of directors and the full board of directors in mid- and late February, Mr. Boydstun reported on, and the directors discussed with Hibernia’s financial advisors, the likely level of interest of Capital One in a strategic merger and hypothetical values of consideration to Hibernia’s shareholders in such a transaction. They also discussed the potential strategic fit and benefits of a business combination with Capital One. A number of other hypothetical transactions and strategic alternatives were also discussed, as well as the potential for internally developing and enhancing Hibernia’s existing business model. The Hibernia board of directors also considered the views and opinions of Hibernia’s executive management regarding the potential advantages and disadvantages of Hibernia remaining independent, as well as their views and opinions on hypothetical potential merger transactions, including a possible merger with Capital One, and also discussed the foregoing matters with Hibernia’s financial advisors.

 

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Following the execution of a confidentiality agreement between Capital One and Hibernia on February 16, 2005, representatives of Capital One and Hibernia and their respective advisors began conducting mutual due diligence. Periodic discussions between representatives of Hibernia and Capital One continued, resulting in a preliminary indication of interest by Capital One on February 24, 2005. The Hibernia board of directors discussed this indication of interest at a meeting on February 28, 2005, and instructed Hibernia management to continue discussions with Capital One with a view to improving the initial indication of interest. Also on February 28, 2005, the Capital One board held a special meeting at which management made various presentations about, and the board discussed, the potential strategic combination with Hibernia and the proposed terms of the merger.

 

Subsequent to these board meetings and following a conversation between Mr. Fairbank and Mr. Boydstun on February 28, Capital One revised its preliminary indication of interest. This revised indication of interest was presented as the highest price that Capital One would consider offering and proposed consideration (consisting of cash and Capital One common stock) to Hibernia shareholders that would have a value of $33.00 per share based on the closing price of Capital One common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of signing the merger agreement, which was ultimately reflected in the merger agreement. This revised preliminary indication of interest, like the prior preliminary indication of interest, was made subject to satisfactory completion of diligence, negotiation of a mutually satisfactory merger agreement, and Capital One and Hibernia board approvals. Hibernia’s board of directors considered this indication of interest at a meeting on March 1, 2005, and directed Mr. Boydstun to continue negotiations with Capital One in order to resolve the details of the potential transaction, including appropriate arrangements with respect to management of the combined company and the definitive documentation.

 

During the first week of March 2005, Capital One and Hibernia continued to conduct mutual due diligence, including on-site diligence, involving senior executives from both companies, as well as their outside financial and legal advisors. Also during this time, the parties and their outside counsel began drafting and negotiating the terms of the merger agreement and the related transaction documents, including a proposed employment agreement between Mr. Boydstun and Capital One.

 

On March 6, 2005, the Capital One board approved the merger agreement, the employment agreement with Mr. Boydstun and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

Also on March 6, 2005, the board of directors of Hibernia met to discuss and analyze Capital One’s offer as reflected in the proposed merger agreement. Mr. Boydstun reviewed for the Hibernia board of directors the background of discussions with Capital One and the progress of negotiations. Management and representatives of Hibernia then reported to the board of directors on Hibernia’s due diligence investigations of Capital One. Hibernia’s financial advisors, JPMorgan and Bear Stearns, each presented summaries of their respective financial analyses relating to the proposed merger and responded to questions posed by the board of directors. In connection with the deliberation by the Hibernia board of directors, each of JPMorgan and Bear Stearns rendered to the Hibernia board of directors its oral opinion (subsequently confirmed in writing), as described under “Opinions of Hibernia’s Financial Advisors”, that, as of the date of its opinion, and subject to and based on the qualifications and assumptions set forth in its opinions, the consideration to be received by the holders of common stock of Hibernia in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders.

 

Representatives of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, legal advisors to Hibernia, discussed with the Hibernia board of directors the legal standards applicable to its decisions and actions with respect to its evaluation of merger proposals, and reviewed the legal terms of the merger proposal and the related agreements.

 

Following these discussions, and review and discussion among the members of the Hibernia board of directors both with advisors present and then in executive session, and taking into consideration the factors described under “Hibernia’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Merger by the Hibernia Board of Directors”, the Hibernia board of directors determined that the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Hibernia and its shareholders, and the directors voted unanimously to approve the merger with Capital One and to approve and adopt the merger agreement.

 

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The transaction was announced on March 6, 2005 in a press release issued jointly by Capital One and Hibernia.

 

Hibernia’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of Hibernia’s Board of Directors

 

In reaching its decision to adopt and approve the merger agreement and recommend the merger to its shareholders, the Hibernia board of directors consulted with Hibernia’s management, as well as its legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors, including:

 

    its knowledge of Hibernia’s business, operations, financial condition, earnings and prospects and of Capital One’s business, operations, financial condition, earnings and prospects, taking into account the results of Hibernia’s due diligence review of Capital One;

 

    its knowledge of the current environment in the financial services industry, including national and regional economic conditions, continued consolidation, increased operating costs resulting from regulatory initiatives and compliance mandates, evolving trends in technology and increasing nationwide and global competition, the current financial market conditions and the likely effects of these factors on the companies’ potential growth, development, productivity and strategic options, and the historical market prices of Hibernia’s common stock;

 

    the fact that the combined company would be, on a pro forma basis, one of the top 10 largest consumer lenders among U.S. financial institutions and one of the top 20 in terms of total deposits;

 

    the complementary strengths of the two financial institutions, and in particular, the expectation that Capital One’s national brand, number of accounts, broad product offerings, asset generation capabilities and marketing expertise would provide opportunities for profitable growth in branch banking;

 

    the potential cost saving opportunities, and the related potential impact on the combined company’s earnings;

 

    the complementary fit of the businesses of Capital One and Hibernia, including the expectation that a substantial portion of Hibernia’s existing management team would continue with the combined company after the merger and manage the consumer, commercial and other branch banking business of the combined company (excluding certain banking businesses operated by Capital One), under the leadership of Mr. Boydstun, and that the merger would entail minimal disruption for Hibernia’s customers, employees and the local communities which Hibernia serves;

 

    the presentation of findings by Hibernia’s financial advisors concerning the operations, financial condition and prospects of Capital One and the expected financial impact of the merger on the combined company, including pro forma assets, earnings and deposits;

 

    the financial analyses presented by JPMorgan and Bear Stearns to the Hibernia board of directors, and the opinions dated as of March 6, 2005 delivered to the Hibernia board of directors by JPMorgan and Bear Stearns, to the effect that, as of that date, and subject to and based on the qualifications and assumptions set forth in the respective opinions, the consideration to be received by the holders of common stock of Hibernia in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders;

 

    the financial terms of the merger, including the fact that, based on the closing prices on the NYSE of Capital One common stock on March 4, 2005 (the last trading day prior to the execution and announcement of the merger agreement), and based on the right of Hibernia shareholders, for each share, subject to proration, to elect to receive cash or Capital One common stock, in either case having a value equal to $15.35 plus the value at closing of .2261 Capital One shares, the acquisition price as of March 4, 2005 represented an approximate 24 percent premium over the closing price of Hibernia shares on the NYSE as of that date;

 

   

the structure of the merger and the terms of the merger agreement, including the fact that Hibernia shareholders would have the right to elect to receive a portion of the merger consideration either in cash or Capital One common stock, subject to adjustment, and including the merger agreement’s non-solicitation and shareholder approval covenants and provision for the payment of a termination fee of

 

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$220 million in certain events, which the Hibernia board of directors understood could limit the willingness of a third party to propose a competing business combination transaction with Hibernia following execution of the merger agreement;

 

    the expected treatment of the merger as a “reorganization” for United States federal income tax purposes;

 

    the regulatory and other approvals required in connection with the merger and the likelihood such approvals would be received without unacceptable conditions;

 

    the potential risk of diverting management focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from operational matters while working to implement the merger;

 

    the fact that historically the dividend yield per share of Capital One common stock has been lower than the dividend yield per share of Hibernia common stock; and

 

    the fact that some of Hibernia’s directors and executive officers have other interests in the merger that are in addition to their interests as Hibernia shareholders, including as a result of employment and compensation arrangements with Hibernia and the manner in which they would be affected by the merger and, in the case of Mr. Boydstun, as a result of a new proposed employment agreement with Capital One the term of which would commence upon completion of the merger. See “—Interests of Hibernia’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger.”

 

The foregoing discussion of the factors considered by the Hibernia board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but, rather, includes the material factors considered by the Hibernia board of directors. In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the Hibernia board of directors did not quantify or assign any relative weights to the factors considered, and individual directors may have given different weights to different factors. The Hibernia board of directors considered all these factors as a whole, including discussions with, and questioning of, Hibernia management and Hibernia’s financial and legal advisors, and overall considered the factors to be favorable to, and to support, its determination. The Hibernia board of directors also relied on the experience of JPMorgan and Bear Stearns, its financial advisors, for analyses of the financial terms of the merger and for their opinions as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration in the merger to Hibernia’s shareholders.

 

For the reasons set forth above, the Hibernia board of directors unanimously determined that the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Hibernia and its shareholders, and unanimously approved and adopted the merger agreement. The Hibernia board of directors unanimously recommends that the Hibernia shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the merger agreement.

 

Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.—Financial Advisor to Hibernia

 

At a meeting of the board of directors of Hibernia on March 6, 2005, JPMorgan rendered its oral opinion to the board of directors of Hibernia that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in its opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of common stock of Hibernia was fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders. JPMorgan confirmed its oral opinion by delivering to the board of directors of Hibernia a written opinion dated March 6, 2005. Hibernia’s board of directors did not limit the investigations made or the procedures followed by JPMorgan in giving its oral or written opinion.

 

The full text of the written opinion of JPMorgan, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by JPMorgan in connection with the opinion, is attached to this document as Annex B and is incorporated in this document by reference. Holders of Hibernia common stock are urged to, and should, read this opinion carefully and in its entirety.

 

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JPMorgan’s opinion is directed to the board of directors of Hibernia and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by the holders of common stock of Hibernia. JPMorgan’s opinion does not constitute an opinion as to the fairness of the merger to, or any consideration of, the holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Hibernia or the underlying decision by Hibernia to engage in the merger. Moreover, JPMorgan has expressed no opinion as to the price at which Hibernia’s or Capital One’s common stock will trade at any future time. The JPMorgan opinion is not a recommendation as to how any holder of Hibernia common stock should vote with respect to the merger or any other matter.

 

In arriving at its opinion, JPMorgan, among other things:

 

    reviewed a draft dated March 6, 2005 of the merger agreement,

 

    reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning Hibernia and Capital One and the industries in which they operate,

 

    compared the proposed financial terms of the merger with the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions involving companies that JPMorgan deemed relevant and the consideration received for such companies,

 

    compared the financial and operating performance of Hibernia and Capital One with publicly available information concerning certain other companies that JPMorgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of Hibernia common stock and Capital One common stock and certain publicly traded securities of such other companies,

 

    reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the managements of Hibernia and Capital One relating to their respective businesses, as well as the estimated amount and timing of cost savings and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the merger (the “Synergies”),

 

    reviewed certain publicly available research analyst estimates of the future financial performance of Hibernia and Capital One, and

 

    performed such other financial studies and analyses, and considered such other information, as JPMorgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion.

 

JPMorgan also held discussions with certain members of the managements of Hibernia and Capital One with respect to certain aspects of the merger, and the past and current business operations of Hibernia and Capital One, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of Hibernia and Capital One, the effects of the merger on the financial condition and future prospects of Hibernia and Capital One, and other matters that JPMorgan believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.

 

JPMorgan relied upon and assumed, without assuming responsibility or liability for independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or was furnished to or discussed with it by Hibernia and Capital One or otherwise reviewed by or for JPMorgan. JPMorgan did not review individual credit files and it did not conduct, nor was it provided with, any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (including any derivative or off-balance-sheet liabilities), nor did it evaluate the solvency of Hibernia or Capital One under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. JPMorgan is not an expert in the evaluation of loan and lease portfolios for purposes of assessing the adequacy of the allowances for losses with respect thereto and, accordingly, JPMorgan assumed that such allowances for losses are in the aggregate adequate to cover such losses. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to it, including the Synergies, JPMorgan assumed that those analyses and forecasts were reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by the management as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of Hibernia and Capital One to which such analyses and forecasts relate. In addition, in JPMorgan’s discussions with the senior managements of Hibernia and Capital One regarding the respective future financial performance of Hibernia and Capital One, JPMorgan discussed certain reports and estimates of research analysts, and sensitivities related thereto. With Hibernia’s consent, JPMorgan relied on those reports and estimates (and the related sensitivities) and assumed that such reports and estimates (and the related sensitivities) were a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate the business

 

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and financial prospects of Hibernia and Capital One. JPMorgan expressed no view as to whether the future results included in those analyses or forecasts (including the Synergies) or the reports and estimates, or the assumptions on which they were based, will actually be achieved. JPMorgan also assumed that the merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes, that the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be consummated as described in the merger agreement, and that the definitive merger agreement would not differ in any material respects from the draft thereof furnished to JPMorgan. JPMorgan relied as to all legal matters relevant to rendering its opinion upon the advice of counsel. JPMorgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the completion of the merger will be obtained without any material adverse effect on Hibernia or Capital One or on the contemplated benefits of the merger.

 

JPMorgan based its opinions on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to JPMorgan, as of the date of its opinion. Subsequent developments may affect its opinion, and JPMorgan has no obligation to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion.

 

JPMorgan was not authorized to and did not solicit any expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all or any part of Hibernia or any other alternative transaction. Consequently, no opinion was expressed as to the relative merits of the merger as compared to other business strategies or transactions that might be available to Hibernia.

 

In accordance with customary investment banking practice, JPMorgan employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The following is a summary of the material financial analyses that JPMorgan used in providing its opinion. Some of the summaries of financial analyses are presented in tabular format. In order to understand the financial analyses used by JPMorgan more fully, you should read the tables together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of JPMorgan’s financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, and if viewed in isolation could create a misleading or incomplete view of the financial analyses performed by JPMorgan.

 

Implied Value and Multiple Analysis

 

Based upon the consideration to be received by the holders of common stock of Hibernia and the $78.08 closing market price of Capital One common stock on March 4, 2005, JPMorgan calculated that the implied value of the merger consideration was $33.00 per share of Hibernia common stock. This implied value represents approximately a 24% premium to $26.57 (the closing price per share of Hibernia common stock on March 4, 2005), approximately a 26% premium to $26.23 (the five-day average closing price per share of Hibernia common stock prior to March 4, 2005) and approximately an 18% premium to $27.97 (the 90-day average closing price per share of Hibernia common stock prior to March 4, 2003).

 

JPMorgan also determined the multiple of the implied offer price to I/B/E/S median estimated 2005, 2006 and 2007 earnings per share of Hibernia common stock as of March 4, 2005 (for 2007 based on I/B/E/S median estimates for 2006 and long-term growth of 8.5%) and the stated tangible book values per share of Hibernia common stock as of December 31, 2004. Cash earnings per share below is based on I/B/E/S median GAAP estimates adjusted based on expected intangible amortization disclosed in Hibernia’s public filings. I/B/E/S is a database owned and operated by Thompson Financial, which contains estimated and actual earnings, cash flows, dividends and other data for U.S. and foreign markets. The results of this analysis are summarized as follows:

 

     Multiples

2005E GAAP EPS

   16.3x

2006E GAAP EPS

   14.9x

2007E GAAP EPS

   13.7x

2005E Cash EPS

   16.0x

2006E Cash EPS

   14.7x

2007E Cash EPS

   13.6x

Book value per share

   2.64x

Tangible book value per share

   3.26x

 

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Hibernia Comparable Companies Analysis

 

Using publicly available information, JPMorgan compared selected financial and market data of Hibernia with similar data for the following companies:

 

Regional Banking Peers


  

Geographic Banking Peers


Commerce Bancorp, Inc.

   Southwest Bancorporation of Texas, Inc.

Mercantile Bankshares Corporation

   Whitney Holding Corporation

Sky Financial Group, Inc.

   Texas Regional Bancshares, Inc.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

   Hancock Holding Company

City National Bancshares Corporation

   Cullen / Frost Bankers, Inc.

Colonial BancGroup, Inc.

   BancorpSouth, Inc.

Compass Bancshares, Inc.

   Colonial BancGroup, Inc.

BOK Financial Corporation

   Compass Bancshares, Inc.

TCF Financial Corporation

   Trustmark Corporation

Zions Bancorporation

   Regions Financial Corporation

Associated Banc-Corp

   AmSouth Bancorporation

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

   First Horizon National Corporation

First Horizon National Corporation

    

 

JPMorgan calculated and compared various financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of December 31, 2004, information it obtained from filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and I/B/E/S estimates. The multiples and ratios of Hibernia were calculated using the closing price of Hibernia common stock as of March 4, 2005. The multiples and ratios for each of the selected companies were based on the most recent publicly available information. With respect to the selected companies, JPMorgan presented:

 

    price as a percentage of the selected company’s 52-week high,

 

    price as a percentage of the selected company’s 52-week low,

 

    multiple of price to 2005 and 2006 I/B/E/S median estimated GAAP and cash earnings per share,

 

    multiple of price to stated book value and tangible book value per share,

 

    premium to core deposits,

 

    consensus estimated growth rate from 2007 to 2009 GAAP earnings per share,

 

    estimated growth rate of 2006 GAAP earnings per share, and

 

    2005 P/E to long-term growth (LTG).

 

The results of this analysis are set forth below:

 

     Regional Banking Peers

    Geographic Banking Peers

   
 
     Range

   Median

    Range

   Median

    Hibernia

 

% of 52-week high

   86.8%-97.5%    94.3 %   84.2%-95.5%    93.3 %   88.6 %

% of 52-week low

   111.3%-129.4%    122.8 %   104.9%-129.4%    116.3 %   123.5 %

2005E GAAP EPS

   13.0x-15.6x    14.4 x   12.8x-17.2x    14.6 x   13.1 x

2006E GAAP EPS

   11.9x-14.1x    13.1 x   11.9x-14.8x    13.4 x   12.0 x

2005E Cash EPS

   12.9x-15.3x    14.1 x   12.8x-16.5x    14.3 x   12.9 x

2006E Cash EPS

   11.8x-14.0x    12.9 x   11.9x-14.5x    13.1 x   11.9 x

Book value

   1.91x-2.93x    2.22 x   1.82x-2.81x    2.30 x   2.12 x

Tangible book value

   2.37x-3.36x    3.10 x   2.66x-3.45x    2.92 x   2.62 x

Core deposit premium

   18.7%-31.7%    22.7 %   20.2%-31.7%    21.9 %   18.4 %

LTG (%)

   8.0%-12.0%    10.0 %   7.5%-12.0%    9.0 %   8.5 %

2006E EPS growth (%)

   8.9%-11.7%    10.0 %   8.4%-14.5%    9.7 %   9.4 %

2005 P/E to LTG (%)

   119%-168%    144.0 %   135%-225%    149 %   154 %

 

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The analysis implied a range of values for Hibernia common stock of approximately $26.39 to $31.67 per share.

 

Comparable Transactions

 

Using publicly available information, JPMorgan examined the following transactions involving banks with transaction values greater than $2 billion since January 2001:

 

Announcement Date


  

Acquiror


  

Target


August 2004

  

TD Bank Financial Group

  

Banknorth Group, Inc.

June 2004

  

Wachovia Corporation

  

SouthTrust Corporation

May 2004

  

SunTrust Banks Inc.

  

National Commerce Financial Corp.

May 2004

  

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc

  

Charter One Financial Inc

February 2004

  

National City Corporation

  

Provident Financial Group Inc.

February 2004

  

North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.

  

GreenPoint Financial Corporation

January 2004

  

Regions Financial Corporation

  

Union Planters Corporation

January 2004

  

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

  

Bank One Corporation

October 2003

  

Bank of America Corporation

  

FleetBoston Financial Corporation

January 2003

  

BB&T Corporation

  

First Virginia Banks, Inc.

September 2002

  

M&T Bank Corporation

  

Allfirst Financial Inc.

May 2002

  

Citigroup Inc.

  

Golden State Bancorp Inc.

December 2001

  

BNP Paribas

  

United California Bank

June 2001

  

Washington Mutual, Inc.

  

Dime Bancorp, Inc.

April 2001

  

First Union Corporation

  

Wachovia Corporation

January 2001

  

Royal Bank of Canada

  

Centura Banks, Inc.

 

For each of these transactions, JPMorgan analyzed the premium to the market price five days prior to announcement and price as a multiple to the estimated twelve-months forward projected earnings, book value and tangible book value, transaction P/E ratio as percentage of acquiror P/E and the premium to core deposits. Set forth below are the results of this analysis for the transactions reviewed, based on information available as of March 4, 2005:

 

     High/Low Range

   Median

   

Implied value of

Hibernia based on
median


5-day premium to market

   11.7%-34.6%    22.7 %   $ 32.60

12-month forward GAAP EPS

   12.9x-17.5x    15.5 x   $ 31.93

12-month forward Cash EPS

   12.3x-16.7x    14.9 x   $ 31.14

Book value

   1.94x-2.99x    2.43 x   $ 30.42

Tangible book value

   2.48x-4.12x    3.12 x   $ 31.61

Core deposit premium

   18.2%-38.3%    28.0 %   $ 35.31

 

The analysis implied an acquisition value of Hibernia common stock ranging from approximately $26.57 to $36.05 per share.

 

Hibernia Dividend Discount Analysis

 

JPMorgan performed a dividend discount analysis to determine a range of equity values of Hibernia common stock, assuming Hibernia continued to operate as a stand-alone entity. The range was determined by adding the present value of an estimated future dividend stream for Hibernia over a five-year period from 2005 through 2009, and the present value of an estimated terminal value of Hibernia common stock at the end of 2009. In performing its analysis, JPMorgan made the following assumptions, among others:

 

    earnings per share in 2005 and 2006 based on I/B/E/S median estimated earnings per share,

 

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    an earnings per share growth at an annual rate of 8.5% (based on I/B/E/S estimated median) from 2007 through 2010,

 

    a targeted tangible equity/tangible assets (TE/TA) ratio of 7.0%,

 

    a terminal value of Hibernia common stock at the end of 2009 based on a price to earnings multiple range of 11.5x to 13.5x to year 2010 projected earnings,

 

    discount rates from 10.0% to 12.0% to calculate the present value of the dividend stream and terminal values,

 

    a 6% asset growth rate, and

 

    a 35% marginal tax rate.

 

This analysis implied a fully diluted equity value of $25.25 to $30.87 per share of Hibernia common stock, on a stand-alone basis, as illustrated by the following table:

 

       Exit Multiple

Discount Rate


     11.5x

     12.5x

     13.5x

10.0%

     $27.25      $29.06      $30.87

11.0%

     $26.22      $27.95      $29.68

12.0%

     $25.25      $26.90      $28.56

 

JPMorgan also tested the sensitivity of the values by varying the targeted long-term growth rate from 6.5% to 12.5% assuming a fixed terminal price to earnings multiple of 12.5x and an 11% discount rate and keeping constant the other assumptions discussed above. This analysis indicated a fully-diluted equity value of $25.68 to $32.34 per share of Hibernia common stock, on a stand-alone basis.

 

Hibernia Dividend Discount Analysis With Synergies

 

JPMorgan also performed a dividend discount analysis to determine a range of equity values of Hibernia common stock that included the expected synergies from the merger. In performing its analysis, JPMorgan made the following assumptions in addition to the assumptions described under “Dividend Discount Analysis” above, among others:

 

    pre-tax synergies of $75-150 million, phased in 25% in 2005, 50% in 2006 and 100% in 2007,

 

    assumed synergy growth rate of 3.0% post 2007,

 

    discount rate of 11.0%, and

 

    restructuring charge equal to 150% of pre-tax synergies.

 

This analysis indicated a fully diluted equity value of $28.46 to $36.08 per share of Hibernia common stock, on a pro forma basis, as illustrated by the synergy value per share in the following table:

 

     Synergies ($mm)

Exit Multiple


   $75

   $100

   $125

   $135

   $150

10.0x

   $ 2.40    $ 3.21    $ 4.01    $ 4.33    $ 4.81

11.0x

   $ 2.61    $ 3.48    $ 4.34    $ 4.69    $ 5.21

12.0x

   $ 2.81    $ 3.74    $ 4.68    $ 5.06    $ 5.62

 

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Capital One Comparable Companies Analysis

 

Using publicly available information, JPMorgan compared selected financial and market data of Capital One with similar data for the following companies:

 

Credit Cards


    

Auto


American Express Company

    

AmeriCredit Corp.

CompuCredit Corporation

    

WFS Financial Inc.

MBNA Corporation

      

Metris Companies Inc.

      

Providian Financial Corporation

      

 

JPMorgan calculated and compared various financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of December 31, 2004, information it obtained from filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and I/B/E/S estimates. The multiples and ratios of Capital One were calculated using the closing price of Capital One common stock as of March 4, 2005. The multiples and ratios for each of the selected companies were based on the most recent publicly available information. With respect to the selected companies, JPMorgan presented:

 

    multiple of price to 2005 and 2006 I/B/E/S median estimated GAAP earnings per share,

 

    multiple of price to stated book value and tangible book value per share,

 

    estimated growth rate from 2007 to 2009 GAAP earnings per share,

 

    dividend yield,

 

    total expected return, and

 

    2006 P/E to long-term growth (LTG).

 

The results of this analysis are set forth below:

 

     Credit Cards

    Auto

   
 
     Range

   Median

    Range

   Median

    Capital One

 

2005E GAAP EPS

   10.8x-23.0x    12.8 x   11.4x-14.4x    12.9 x   11.2 x

2006E GAAP EPS

   9.6x-19.1x    11.6 x   N/A    12.5 x   10.1 x

Book value

   0.76x-4.31x    2.19 x   1.71x-2.06x    1.89 x   2.11 x

Tangible book value

   0.77x-5.16x    2.62 x   1.71x-2.06x    1.89 x   2.30 x

LTG (%)

   12.0%-15.0%    13.0 %   N/A    15.0 %   14.0 %

Dividend yield (%)

   0.0%-2.2%    0.0 %   0.0%-0.0%    0.0 %   0.1 %

Total expected return (%)

   13.0%-15.0%    14.0 %   N/A    15.0 %   14.1 %

2006 P/E to LTG (%)

   84.8%-127.6%    104.9 %   N/A    83.3 %   80.2 %

 

 

Capital One Dividend Discount Analysis

 

JPMorgan performed a dividend discount analysis to determine a range of equity values of Capital One common stock, assuming Capital One continued to operate as a stand-alone entity. In performing its analysis, JPMorgan made the following assumptions, among others:

 

    earnings per share in 2005 and 2006 based on I/B/E/S median estimated earnings per share,

 

    an earnings per share growth at an annual rate of 14.0% (based on I/B/E/S estimated median) from 2007 through 2010,

 

    a targeted tangible equity/tangible managed assets (TE/TMA) ratio of 7.5%,

 

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    a terminal value of Capital One common stock at the end of 2009 based on a price to earnings multiple range of 10.0x to 12.0x to year 2010 projected earnings,

 

    discount rates from 11.0% to 13.0% to calculate the present value of the dividend stream and terminal values,

 

    13% asset growth rate, and

 

    a 35% marginal tax rate.

 

This analysis indicated a fully diluted value of $84.48 to $105.44 per share of Capital One common stock, on a stand-alone basis, as illustrated by the following table:

 

     Exit Multiple

Discount Rate


   10.0x

   11.0x

   12.0x

11.0%

   $ 91.08    $ 98.26    $ 105.44

12.0%

   $ 87.70    $ 94.57    $ 101.45

13.0%

   $ 84.48    $ 91.06    $ 97.65

 

Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis

 

JPMorgan calculated the exchange ratio of Hibernia common stock and Capital One common stock as of March 4, 2005 and the average exchange ratios for a range of periods from a five-day period to a 90-day period ending on March 4, 2005 (calculated by dividing the Hibernia common stock price for each day in such period by the corresponding Capital One common stock price, and then averaging the exchange ratios determined for each day during the applicable period) and also determined the implied fully diluted ownership of the combined company that Hibernia shareholders would have acquired based on those average exchange ratios.

 

These results are shown in the following table:

 

     Average Exchange
Ratio


   Implied Hibernia Fully
Diluted Ownership


 

March 4, 2005

   0.3403x    16.7 %

5 trading days

   0.3410x    16.7 %

30 trading days

   0.3393x    16.6 %

90 trading days

   0.3522x    17.1 %

 

Contribution Analysis

 

JPMorgan compared the 16.7% pro forma equity ownership of the combined company that Hibernia’s shareholders would hold based on the exchange ratio of 0.3403x (assuming 100% stock consideration) to the expected relative contributions of Hibernia and Capital One to the pro forma combined company in terms of estimated GAAP and cash net income for 2005 (based on I/B/E/S median estimated earnings per share), tangible common equity as of December 31, 2004 and market value as of March 4, 2004. JPMorgan also calculated the implied exchange ratio implied by these contributions. The results of this analysis are set forth below assuming 100% stock consideration:

 

     Contribution by
Capital One


    Contribution by
Hibernia


    Implied Exchange
Ratio from
Contribution


2005E GAAP net income

   85.1 %   14.9 %   0.2985x

2005E Cash net income

   84.9 %   15.1 %   0.3025x

Tangible common equity

   84.2 %   15.8 %   0.3185x

Market value

   83.3 %   16.7 %   0.3403x

 

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Pro Forma Merger Analysis

 

JPMorgan analyzed the pro forma impact of the merger on projected earnings per share for Capital One for 2005, 2006 and 2007, based upon I/B/E/S median estimates as of March 4, 2004 and annual pre-tax cost savings as described below. The pro forma results were calculated based on publicly available I/B/E/S estimates of GAAP earnings per share and information provided by managements of Capital One and Hibernia regarding expected cost savings and synergies from the merger.

 

JPMorgan calculated the effect on earnings per share assuming annual pre-tax synergies of $135 million phased in 25% in 2005, 50% in 2006 and 100% in 2007, assumed synergy growth rate of 3.0% post 2007, a restructuring charge equal to 150% of pre-tax synergies and a core deposit intangible created equal to 2.5% of Hibernia core deposits amortized over a ten year period using a straight line method of amortization. The results of this analysis are set forth below:

 

     Accretion/(Dilution) (%)

 

2005E GAAP EPS

   (0.6 )%

2006E GAAP EPS

   0.3 %

2007E GAAP EPS

   1.4 %

2005E Cash EPS

   0.0 %

2006E Cash EPS

   1.3 %

2007E Cash EPS

   2.3 %

 

*         *         *

 

The foregoing summary of certain material financial analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by JPMorgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. JPMorgan believes that the foregoing summary and its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the foregoing summary and these analyses, without considering all of its analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses and its opinion. No single factor or analysis was determinative of JPMorgan’s fairness determination. Rather, JPMorgan considered the totality of the factors and analyses performed in determining its opinion. JPMorgan based its analyses on assumptions that it deemed reasonable, including those concerning general business and economic conditions and industry-specific factors. The other principal assumptions upon which JPMorgan based its analysis have been described under the description of each analysis in the foregoing summary. Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are inherently uncertain, as they are subject to numerous factors or events beyond the control of the parties and their advisors. Accordingly, forecasts and analyses used or made by JPMorgan are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by those analyses. Moreover, JPMorgan’s analyses are not and do not purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which businesses actually could be bought or sold. None of the selected companies reviewed as described in the above summary is identical to Hibernia or Capital One, and none of the selected transactions reviewed was identical to the merger. However, the companies selected were chosen because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of JPMorgan’s analysis, may be considered similar to those of Hibernia and Capital One. The transactions selected were similarly chosen because their participants, size and other factors, for purposes of JPMorgan’s analysis, may be considered similar to the merger. The analyses necessarily involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the companies compared to Hibernia and Capital One and the transactions compared to the merger.

 

As a part of its investment banking business, JPMorgan and its affiliates are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private

 

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placements, and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. JPMorgan and its affiliates have provided, and in the future may continue to provide, for compensation, investment banking and other services to Hibernia and Capital One and their respective affiliates, including acting as financial advisor for Capital One in connection with its acquisition of HFS Group, acting as a lead underwriter for Capital One in connection with various securitization transactions and acting as administrative agent and a lender in connection with credit and securitization transactions by Capital One. In the ordinary course of business, JPMorgan and its affiliates may actively trade in the debt and equity securities of Hibernia and Capital One for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers, and accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.

 

Hibernia selected JPMorgan to advise it and deliver a fairness opinion with respect to the merger on the basis of its experience and its familiarity with Hibernia. Pursuant to its engagement letter with JPMorgan, Hibernia has agreed to pay JPMorgan a fee (of which $3,000,000 has been paid with the remainder due if and when the merger is completed) equal to 0.24% of the aggregate consideration payable plus an additional incentive fee calculated based on the amount of the aggregate consideration in excess of $33.00 per share of Hibernia common stock as of the closing of the merger. In addition, Hibernia has agreed to reimburse JPMorgan for its expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and disbursements of counsel, and will indemnify JPMorgan against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under federal securities laws.

 

Opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.—Financial Advisor to Hibernia

 

Hibernia retained Bear Stearns to act as its financial adviser in connection with a possible business combination with Capital One and to render to Hibernia’s board of directors an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by Hibernia shareholders in the transaction.

 

Bear Stearns delivered to Hibernia’s board of directors on March 6, 2005 its oral opinion, as of that date and based upon and subject to the assumptions, factors and limitations set forth in the written opinion and described below, that the merger consideration proposed to be paid for shares of Hibernia common stock in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to those shareholders. That opinion was subsequently reaffirmed by issuance to Hibernia’s board of directors of a written opinion dated March 6, 2005. A copy of Bear Stearns’ written opinion, dated March 6, 2005, which sets forth assumptions made, general procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached to this document as Annex C and is incorporated into this document by reference. You are urged to read the opinion carefully and in its entirety.

 

Bear Stearns rendered its opinion and provided certain analyses to Hibernia’s board of directors for the benefit and use of Hibernia’s board of directors, Bear Stearns was not requested to, and did not, make any recommendation to Hibernia’s board of directors or any Hibernia shareholder as to how to vote or act with respect to any matters related to the proposed merger or the form or amount of the consideration to be received by Hibernia shareholders in the proposed merger, which was determined through negotiations between Hibernia and Capital One. Bear Stearns’ written opinion, which was directed to the Hibernia board of directors in connection with its consideration of the proposed merger, addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the proposed merger consideration to be received by Hibernia shareholders in the proposed merger, does not address Hibernia’s underlying business decision to proceed with, or effect, the merger or its structure, or the relative merits of the merger as compared to any alternative business strategy that might exist for Hibernia or the effects of any other transaction in which Hibernia might engage.

 

In conducting its investigation and analyses and in arriving at its opinion, Bear Stearns reviewed information and took into account financial and economic factors, investment banking procedures and such other considerations as it deemed relevant under the circumstances. In arriving at its opinion, Bear Stearns, among other things:

 

    reviewed the merger agreement;

 

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    reviewed Hibernia’s Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for years ended December 31, 2002 , 2003 and 2004, and its Reports on Form 8-K for the three years ended March 6, 2005;

 

    reviewed Capital One’s Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2004, June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2004, its preliminary financial results for the quarter ended and year ended December 31, 2004, and its Reports on Form 8-K for the three years ended March 6, 2005;

 

    reviewed certain operating and financial information relating to Hibernia’s business and prospects, including financial projections, all as prepared and provided to Bear Stearns by Hibernia’s management;

 

    reviewed certain operating and financial information relating to Capital One’s business and prospects, including financial projections, all as prepared and provided to Bear Stearns by Capital One’s management;

 

    met with certain members of Hibernia’s senior management to discuss Hibernia’s business, operations, historical and projected financial results and future prospects;

 

    met with certain members of Capital One’s senior management to discuss Capital One’s business, operations, historical and projected financial results and future prospects;

 

    reviewed the historical prices, trading multiples and trading volumes of the shares of Hibernia common stock and Capital One common stock;

 

    reviewed Wall Street analyst research regarding Hibernia, including earnings estimates, price targets and commentary on performance and expected operating and financial results;

 

    reviewed publicly available financial data, stock market performance data and trading multiples of companies that Bear Stearns deemed generally comparable to Hibernia;

 

    reviewed the terms of recent mergers and acquisitions which involve companies that Bear Stearns deemed generally comparable to Hibernia;

 

    performed discounted cash flow analyses on Hibernia based upon I/B/E/S estimates and management projections furnished to Bear Stearns by Hibernia; and

 

    conducted such other studies, analyses, inquiries and investigations as Bear Stearns deemed appropriate.

 

The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of the financial analyses performed by Bear Stearns or its presentations to Hibernia’s board of directors. The order of analyses described does not represent relative importance or weight given to the analyses performed by Bear Stearns. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses include information presented in a tabular format. These tables must be read together with the full text of each summary and alone are not a complete description of Bear Stearns’ financial analyses. Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative information is based on market and financial data as it existed on or before March 6, 2005 and is not necessarily indicative of current market conditions.

 

Comparable Company Analysis

 

Bear Stearns compared financial information and valuation ratios relating to Hibernia to corresponding data and ratios from a group of publicly traded companies deemed comparable to Hibernia (the “Trading Comparables Peer Group”).

 

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The Trading Comparables Peer Group consisted of the following nine publicly traded companies that Bear Stearns deemed comparable to Hibernia:

 

Trading Comparables Peer Group


Name


  

Location


  

Trading Symbol


AmSouth Bancorporation

Associated Banc-Corp

BOK Financial Corporation

Commerce Banchares

Compass Bancshares

Colonial BancGroup

First Horizon

Mercantile Bankshares

Zions Bancorporation

  

Birmingham, AL

Green Bay, WI

Tulsa, OK

Kansas City, MO

Birmingham, AL

Montgomery, AL

Memphis, TN

Baltimore, MD

Salt Lake City, UT

  

ASO

ASBC

BOKF

CBSH

CBSS

CNB

FHN

MRBK

ZION

 

This analysis produced multiples of selected valuation data as follows:

 

     Hibernia (1)

   Peer Median

Price to 2005 estimated earnings per share (I/B/E/S)

Price to 2006 estimated earnings per share (I/B/E/S)

Price to book value per share as of December 31, 2004

Price to tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2004

   16.3x
14.9x
2.64x
3.26x
   14.2x
12.8x
2.22x
2.96x

(1) Based on proposed merger consideration as of March 6, 2005

 

Bear Stearns chose these financial institutions based on a review of publicly traded financial institutions that possessed general business, operating and financial characteristics representative of the industry in which Hibernia operates. Bear Stearns noted that none of the financial institutions reviewed is identical to Hibernia and that, accordingly, the analysis of such financial institutions necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in the business, operating and financial characteristics of each financial institution and other factors that affect the public market values of such financial institutions.

 

Comparable Transaction Analysis

 

Bear Stearns reviewed a group of merger and acquisition transactions involving companies that it deemed comparable to Hibernia. The group consisted of the following eight comparable transactions announced or completed since January 1, 2000, with transaction equity values between $2 billion and $15 billion. Bear Stearns selected these transactions by searching filings made with the SEC, public company disclosures, press releases, industry and press reports, databases and other sources.

 

Announcement Date


  

Acquiror


  

Target


June 21, 2004

May 7, 2004

May 4, 2004

January 22, 2004

January 21, 2003

January 26, 2001

November 20, 2000

October 2, 2000

  

Wachovia Corp.

SunTrust Banks Inc.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group

Regions

BB&T Corp.

Royal Bank of Canada

Fifth Third Bancorp

FleetBoston Financial Corp.

  

SouthTrust Corp.

National Commerce Financial Corp.

Charter One Financial

Union Planters

First Virginia Banks Inc.

Centura Banks Inc.

Old Kent Financial Corp.

Summit Bancorp.

 

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Bear Stearns compared the resulting multiples of selected valuation data to multiples for Hibernia derived from the estimated consideration payable in the merger.

 

     Hibernia (1)

   Peer Median

Price to 2005 estimated earnings per share (I/B/E/S) (2)

Price to 2006 estimated earnings per share (I/B/E/S) (3)

Price to book value per share as of December 31, 2004 (4)

Price to tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2004 (4)

   16.3x
14.9x
2.64x
3.26x
   15.4x
14.4x
2.60x
3.25x

(1) Based on proposed merger consideration as of March 6, 2005
(2) Peer data based on next twelve months (NTM) earnings per share.
(3) Peer data based on fiscal year two earnings per share.
(4) Peer data based on book value per share and tangible book value per share at the announcement of the transaction.

 

Bear Stearns chose these acquisition transactions based on a review of completed acquisition transactions involving target financial institutions that possessed general business, operating and financial characteristics representative of companies in the industry in which Hibernia operates. Bear Stearns noted that none of the acquisition transactions or subject target financial institutions reviewed is identical to the merger or Hibernia, respectively, and that, accordingly, the analysis of such acquisition transactions necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in the business, operating and financial characteristics of each subject target financial institution and each acquisition transaction and other factors that affect the values implied in such acquisition transactions.

 

Discounted Cash Flow (Excess Equity) Analysis

 

Bear Stearns performed two stand-alone discounted cash flow analyses for Hibernia in which it calculated the present value of the projected hypothetical future capital flows of excess equity from Hibernia using:

 

    Wall Street (I/B/E/S) consensus earnings per share estimates through 2006 and an assumed 8.5% earnings growth thereafter (based on Wall Street (I/B/E/S) median long-term earnings per share growth). Bear Stearns estimated a range of theoretical values for Hibernia based on the net present value of Hibernia’s projected annual cash flows (defined as Hibernia’s excess equity) and a terminal value for Hibernia utilizing 2010 projected net income. Bear Stearns applied a range of terminal value multiples of 12.5x to 14.5x to forecasted 2010 net income, a target tangible equity ratio of 7.17% (based on Hibernia’s December 31, 2004 capitalization) and a cost of equity ranging from 10.25% to 12.25% (based on several assumptions regarding factors such as Hibernia’s equity beta, and the company’s prospective capital structure). This analysis indicated an implied value range for Hibernia of approximately $25.33 to $30.87 per share.

 

    Management Projections through 2008. Bear Stearns estimated a range of theoretical values for Hibernia based on the net present value of Hibernia’s projected annual cash flows (defined as Hibernia’s excess equity) and a terminal value for Hibernia utilizing 2008 projected net income. Bear Stearns applied a range of terminal value multiples of 13.5x to 15.5x to forecasted 2008 net income, a target tangible equity ratio of 7.17% (based on Hibernia’s December 31, 2004 capitalization) and a cost of equity ranging from 10.25% to 12.25% (based on several assumptions regarding factors such as Hibernia’s equity beta, and the company’s prospective capital structure). This analysis indicated an implied value range for Hibernia of approximately $28.79 to $34.61 per share.

 

Cost Savings Analysis

 

Bear Stearns performed a valuation of potential cost savings. Bear Stearns calculated the annual pre-tax Cost Savings expected to result from the transaction to be between $68.0 million to $170.0 million. Assuming

 

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perpetual growth rates for the cost savings of between 2.0% and 4.0% and a discount rate of 11.34%, the estimated cost savings value range was between $2.42 and $7.41 per share.

 

Discounted Cash Flow with Cost Savings

 

With the cost savings described above under “—Cost Savings Analysis” included, the value ranges for the two stand-alone Discounted Cash Flows described under the bullet points under “—Discounted Cash Flow (Excess Equity) Analysis” above increase to $27.75 to $38.28 per share; and to $31.21 to $42.02 per share, respectively.

 

*         *         *

 

In reaching its conclusion as to the fairness of the merger consideration in its presentation to the board of directors, Bear Stearns did not rely on any single analysis or factor described above, assign relative weights to the analyses or factors considered by it, or make any conclusion as to how the results of any given analysis, taken alone, supported its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Bear Stearns believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selection of portions of its analyses and of the factors considered by it, without considering all of the factors and analyses in the aggregate, could create a different view of the processes underlying the opinion.

 

The analyses of Bear Stearns are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested. Analyses relating to the value of companies do not purport to be appraisals or valuations or necessarily reflect the price at which companies may actually be sold. No company or transaction used in any analysis for purposes of comparison is identical to Hibernia or the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the comparisons is not mathematical; rather, it involves complex considerations and judgments about differences in the companies to which Hibernia was compared and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the companies.

 

Bear Stearns relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness in all material respects of Hibernia’s and Capital One’s publicly available information, other information from third party sources, and the financial and other information provided to Bear Stearns by Hibernia and Capital One, including, without limitation, the financial projections. With respect to Hibernia’s and Capital One’s projected financial results, Bear Stearns relied on representations that each has been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the senior management of Hibernia and Capital One as to the expected future performance of Hibernia, Capital One and the combined company, as the case may be. Bear Stearns did not assume any responsibility for the independent verification of any such information or of the projections provided to Bear Stearns, and Bear Stearns further relied upon the assurances of the senior management of Hibernia and Capital One that they are unaware of any facts that would make the information and projections provided to Bear Stearns materially incomplete or misleading.

 

In arriving at its opinion, Bear Stearns neither performed nor obtained any independent appraisal or inspection of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Hibernia or Capital One, nor was Bear Stearns furnished with any such appraisals or inspections. Accordingly, Bear Stearns did not make an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses, or “ALLL,” for Hibernia or Capital One nor did Bear Stearns conduct any review of the credit files of Hibernia or Capital One, and, as a result, Bear Stearns assumed that the respective ALLL for Hibernia and Capital One are adequate to cover such future loan and lease losses and will be adequate on a pro forma basis for the combined company. Bear Stearns was not asked to, nor did it, offer any opinion as to the terms of the merger agreement (other than the merger consideration) or the form of the merger. Bear Stearns expressed no opinion as to what the value of Capital One common stock will be when issued pursuant to the merger or the prices at which the shares of Capital One common stock would trade following the announcement of the merger or at any other time. Bear Stearns

 

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assumed that the merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. During the course of its engagement, Bear Stearns was not asked by Hibernia’s board of directors to solicit indications of interest from various third parties regarding a potential transaction with Hibernia. Bear Stearns assumed that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement without any limitations, restrictions, conditions, amendments or modifications, regulatory or otherwise, that collectively would have a material adverse effect on Hibernia or Capital One.

 

Bear Stearns’ opinion is subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion and is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions, and the information made available to Bear Stearns, as of the date of such opinion. Bear Stearns assumes no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date of such opinion.

 

Bear Stearns is an internationally recognized investment banking firm, and as a customary part of its investment banking business, Bear Stearns is engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, underwritings and secondary distributions of securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. Hibernia selected Bear Stearns to act as its financial adviser based on Bear Stearns’ experience, expertise and reputation.

 

Under the terms of its engagement letter with Bear Stearns, Hibernia has agreed to pay Bear Stearns a fee of approximately $4,240,000 upon consummation of the merger for Bear Stearns’ financial advisory services. Hibernia paid Bear Stearns a $2,000,000 fee for rendering its opinion, which amount was not contingent upon consummation of the merger, but will be credited against payment of the fee for financial advisory services. Whether or not the transaction is consummated, Hibernia has agreed to pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of Bear Stearns and to indemnify Bear Stearns against liabilities incurred. These liabilities include liabilities under the federal securities laws in connection with the engagement of Bear Stearns by Hibernia’s board of directors. In the ordinary course of its business, Bear Stearns and its affiliates may actively trade in the securities and/or bank debt of Hibernia and Capital One for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities or bank debt.

 

Capital One’s Reasons for the Merger

 

Capital One believes that:

 

    following the merger, the businesses of Capital One will include a broader variety of financial services, which should result in a more diversified loan, earnings and funding mix, lower funding costs, and a lower risk profile compared to Capital One before the merger;

 

    the merger will combine Capital One’s national-scale lending capabilities with Hibernia’s local-scale deposit business and high performing branch expansion in Texas—as a result, the combined company should have enhanced asset, deposit and earnings growth;

 

    the combined company will be well positioned in the consolidating national consumer financial services markets as well as in the consumer and commercial markets in Hibernia’s regional footprint; and

 

    due to Capital One’s strong brand, large customer base, asset generation capabilities and information-based marketing capability, the combined company will have enhanced opportunities to offer products on a large-scale and for accelerated growth (including with respect to Hibernia’s growth in key, fast-growing markets in Texas).

 

Interests of Hibernia’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger

 

In considering the recommendation of the Hibernia board of directors with respect to the merger agreement, Hibernia’s shareholders should be aware that some of Hibernia’s executive officers and directors have interests in the merger and have arrangements that are different from, or in addition to, those of Hibernia’s shareholders

 

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generally. The Hibernia board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in reaching its decisions to approve the merger agreement and to recommend that Hibernia’s shareholders vote in favor of approving the merger agreement.

 

Equity Compensation Awards

 

The merger agreement provides that upon completion of the merger, each Hibernia stock option, restricted share unit and phantom share, including those held by executive officers and directors of Hibernia, that are outstanding and not exercised immediately before completing the merger will become options, restricted share units (to the extent they do not vest upon the change of control and instead become shares of Capital One common stock) and phantom shares on shares of Capital One common stock. The number of common shares subject to such stock options, restricted share units and phantom shares, and the exercise price of the Hibernia stock options, will be adjusted according to the exchange ratio for the merger. Each Hibernia restricted share outstanding immediately before completing the merger, including those held by executive officers and directors of Hibernia, will be converted upon the completion of the merger into the right to receive the merger consideration (with the same terms as the Hibernia restricted shares, including transfer restrictions to the extent such shares do not vest and transfer restrictions do not lapse on the change of control) elected by the holder of the Hibernia restricted share. Upon completion of the merger, each stock option, share of restricted stock and restricted stock unit will vest in full. Based on Hibernia equity compensation awards held by executive officers and directors of Hibernia as of [            ], 2005 and assuming a closing date of [            ], 2005, upon completion of the merger, Messrs. [            ],[            ],[            ],[             ], and [            ] and the remaining executive officers and directors, respectively, as a group, would vest, as of completion of the merger, in respect of [            ],[            ],[            ],[             ], and [            ] shares subject to their stock options and [            ],[            ],[            ],[             ], and [            ] with respect to their restricted stock and restricted stock units. In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, Hibernia amended the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan so that any termination of service of a non-employee director in connection with the merger would be deemed retirement, subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” for purposes of the applicable plan document. The effect of this amendment is that their stock options issued under this plan will remain exercisable for three years following the date of termination of service on the board, subject to Section 409A of the Code.

 

Change of Control Agreements

 

Each of Hibernia’s executive officers, including Messrs. [            ],[            ],[            ],[             ], and [            ], is party to a change of control agreement pursuant to which in the event that (1) the executive officer resigns for any reason during the 30-day period commencing on the first anniversary of a change of control, such as completion of the merger, or (2) within two years following a change of control, such as completion of the merger, the executive’s employment is terminated by Hibernia (or its successor) without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” (as each term is defined in the agreements), the executive officer will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the sum of:

 

    the amount of any earned but unpaid bonus;

 

    the amount of the executive’s target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs pro rated through the date of termination;

 

    two times the sum of the executive’s annual base salary plus target bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs;

 

    all deferred compensation, unless pursuant to a plan that specifies the time of distribution; and

 

    any accrued obligations, including unpaid base salary, expenses and unused vacation.

 

In addition, upon such a termination, the executive will be entitled to continuation of medical benefits (for the executive and each of his or her covered dependents) at the level of coverage elected or retained by the executive during the open enrollment period immediately preceding the date of termination until the earliest of

 

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(calculated separately for each executive and each dependent) (1) the executive’s (or any of his dependents’) coverage under Medicare Part B, (2) the date on which any of the executive’s dependents ceases to be a dependent or (3) the date on which the executive or any dependent is covered under a group plan maintained by another employer that provides substantially similar benefits with no applicable preexisting condition limitations. The executive is also entitled to continued dental and group term life insurance coverage until the earlier of two years following termination or the date upon which the executive becomes eligible for comparable benefits from a new employer. Finally, the executive is entitled to outplacement services for twelve months.

 

In the event that an executive officer is entitled to the two times severance payment described above and set forth in the agreement, the executive officer will receive an additional payment such that the executive officer will be placed in the same after-tax position as if no income or employment tax had been imposed on the two times payment. In addition, in the event that, upon termination giving rise to severance benefits under the agreement, the executive would be subject to income and employment taxes and the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the executive will receive an additional payment such that he is placed in the same after-tax position as if no excise tax or income tax had been imposed.

 

In the event that the executive resigns without good reason during the 30-day window period described above, the executive officer will be subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation of customers and suppliers covenants.

 

Assuming that the merger is completed on [            ], 2005 and each of the executive officers’ employment is terminated by Hibernia (or its successor) without “cause” immediately after completion, the amount of cash severance (based upon current base salaries and target bonus amounts) that would be payable to each of Messrs. [            ],[            ],[            ],[             ], and [            ] and the remaining executive officers and directors, respectively, as a group, is [            ],[            ],[            ],[             ], and [            ].

 

Board of Directors Appointment of E.R. Campbell

 

Upon completion of the merger, Capital One will take the actions as may be reasonably required to appoint E.R. Campbell, the current Chairman of the Hibernia board of directors, to the Capital One board of directors to the class of directors whose term expires at Capital One’s 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

Employment Agreement with J. Herbert Boydstun

 

Capital One has entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 6, 2005, with Mr. J. Herbert Boydstun, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Hibernia. The agreement becomes effective upon completion of the merger and provides for a term of employment commencing upon completion of the merger and ending on the third anniversary thereof, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement. During the term, Mr. Boydstun will serve as the highest ranking executive of a line of business which is generally defined in his employment agreement to include the consumer, commercial and other branch banking business of Capital One or any of its affiliates conducted in the United States and to exclude the automobile lending, credit card, home mortgage lending, home equity, insurance brokerage, direct small business lending and installment loan businesses and the business of Capital One, F.S.B. Mr. Boydstun will report directly and exclusively to the Chief Executive Officer of Capital One or, if so requested by the board, the board of directors of Capital One.

 

Upon completion of the merger, Mr. Boydstun will receive a lump sum cash payment equal to the amount that he would have received pursuant to his change of control agreement described above had his employment been terminated immediately following completion of the merger. In addition, upon completion of the merger, all of Mr. Boydstun’s equity-based awards based on shares of Hibernia common stock will vest in full.

 

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During the term, Mr. Boydstun will receive an annual base salary of $700,000. In addition, for each fiscal year ending during the term, Mr. Boydstun will receive an annual bonus of not less than $600,000 with a target of $1,000,000, based on the attainment of performance goals established for such fiscal year by the board of directors of Capital One under the annual incentive compensation plan of Capital One applicable to its senior executives. The bonus payable by Capital One with respect to Capital One’s 2005 fiscal year will be pro-rated based on the period of time elapsed from completion of the merger until the end of Capital One’s 2005 fiscal year. During the term, Mr. Boydstun shall be eligible for an annual grant of equity awards with a target aggregate value of $2,300,000 and for employee benefit arrangements no less favorable than those generally applicable or made available to senior executives of Capital One and perquisite and fringe benefit arrangements no less favorable than those made available by Hibernia prior to the effective date of the merger to the extent consistent with the past practices of Hibernia and Mr. Boydstun.

 

Commencing on the later of the third anniversary of completion of the merger or the date of termination of Mr. Boydstun’s employment (or such later date required by Section 409A of the Code) and continuing for the life of Mr. Boydstun, Mr. Boydstun will be entitled to receive an annual cash retirement income benefit equal to the excess of (1) $600,000 over (2) the actuarial equivalent of certain other retirement benefits that will be payable or paid to Mr. Boydstun as of the date of termination, payable in the form of a single life annuity to Mr. Boydstun commencing on such start date referred to at the beginning of this sentence. In addition, following Mr. Boydstun’s termination of employment for any reason other than for “cause,” Mr. Boydstun and his spouse will be entitled to medical and dental benefits for the remainder of their respective lives, at the sole cost of Capital One, that are no less favorable than the medical and dental benefits provided to Mr. Boydstun and his spouse under the medical and dental plans of Capital One immediately prior to the termination of Mr. Boydstun’s employment and in the aggregate are materially comparable to the medical and dental benefits provided to Mr. Boydstun immediately prior to completion of the merger under the plans of Hibernia. During the term, unless Mr. Boydstun’s employment with Capital One is terminated by Capital One for “cause” or by Mr. Boydstun without “good reason” (as each term is defined in the agreement), Mr. Boydstun will be provided until he reaches age 65 with whole life insurance coverage, at no cost to him, providing a death benefit equal to the death benefit provided to Mr. Boydstun by Hibernia immediately prior to completion of the merger.

 

In addition to the benefits specified above, if Mr. Boydstun’s employment is terminated by Capital One without “cause” or Mr. Boydstun resigns for “good reason” (as each term is defined in the agreement), Mr. Boydstun will be entitled to receive, subject to Mr. Boydstun’s execution and non-revocation of a release:

 

    Any accrued obligations, including unpaid base salary, expenses and unused vacation;

 

    A pro rata target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs;

 

    An amount equal to the sum of Mr. Boydstun’s annual base salary and target bonus for the remainder of the term; and

 

    Vesting and full-term exercisability for all equity based awards.

 

Under the employment agreement, Mr. Boydstun is restricted from revealing confidential information of Capital One and, during Mr. Boydstun’s employment and for a two-year period after such termination, Mr. Boydstun may not solicit for employment any employees of Capital One, may not solicit any customers or depositors of Capital One’s Branch Banking Business (as defined in the agreement) and may not compete with Capital One’s Branch Banking Business in certain specified geographies. In the event that any payments to Mr. Boydstun are subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, Mr. Boydstun will be entitled to an additional payment so that he remains in the same after-tax position he would have been in had the excise tax not been imposed.

 

Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees

 

Hibernia maintains the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees pursuant to which through December 31, 2004 eligible employees could elect to defer their compensation and pursuant to which an

 

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account is maintained for the excess matching contribution made under Hibernia’s 401(k) plan through the December 31, 2004 contribution. Upon a change of control, such as completion of the merger, as well as in the event of a material ratings decline of Hibernia, Hibernia must promptly notify participants that such an event has occurred and, during the 30-day period following receipt of such notice, each participant may elect to terminate his or her participation in the plan and receive 90% of his or her then-vested account balance.

 

Supplemental Stock Compensation Plan

 

Hibernia maintains the Supplemental Stock Compensation Plan, which is an “excess” plan to Hibernia’s employee stock ownership plan. Upon a change of control, such as completion of the merger, Hibernia must promptly notify participants that a change of control has occurred and, during the 30-day period following receipt of such notice, each participant may elect to terminate his or her participation in the plan and receive 90% of his or her then-vested account balance.

 

Deferred Award Plan

 

Hibernia maintains the Deferred Award Plan pursuant to which Hibernia may grant deferred awards to participants. Awards generally vest after the participant has completed five years of service, but such vesting accelerates upon a change of control, such as completion of the merger. Upon a change of control, such as completion of the merger, Hibernia must promptly notify participants that a change of control has occurred and, during the 30-day period following receipt of such notice, each participant may elect to terminate his or her participation in the plan and receive 90% of his or her then-vested account balance.

 

Executive Bonus Insurance Plan

 

Hibernia maintains the Executive Bonus Insurance Plan pursuant to which Hibernia pays the annual premiums on a life insurance policy with a death benefit equal to approximately 300% of the employees base compensation plus target bonus, subject to a reduction of the death benefit at age 65. This plan limits Hibernia’s (or its successor’s) ability to terminate the plan following a change of control, such as completion of the merger.

 

Capital One Board of Directors after the Merger

 

Upon completion of the merger, Capital One will take the actions as may be reasonably required to appoint E.R. Campbell, the current Chairman of the Hibernia board of directors, to the Capital One board of directors to the class of directors whose term expires at Capital One’s 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

Listing of Capital One Common Shares

 

It is a condition to the merger that Capital One common shares issuable in connection with the merger be authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange subject to official notice of issuance.

 

Delisting of Hibernia Common Shares

 

If the merger is completed, Hibernia common shares will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Exchange Act.

 

Dissenters’ Rights

 

If the merger is approved by the holders of a majority, but less than 80%, of Hibernia’s common stock and the merger is completed, each Hibernia shareholder who (1) votes against the merger, AND (2) files a written

 

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objection to the merger prior to or at the special meeting AND (3) fully complies with all other procedural requirements of Section 131 of the LBCL will be entitled to the rights and remedies of dissenting shareholders provided in Section 131 of the LBCL, a copy of which is included as Annex D to this document.

 

The following is a summary of the steps to be taken by a Hibernia shareholder who is interested in perfection of its dissenters’ rights and should be read in conjunction with the full text of Section 131 of the LBCL. Each of the steps enumerated below must be taken in strict compliance with the applicable provisions of the statute in order for holders of Hibernia common stock to perfect their dissenters’ rights. If the merger is approved by the holders of 80% or more of the total voting power of Hibernia, then, in accordance with the LBCL, dissenters’ rights will not be available.

 

Any written objection, demand, or notice required by the LBCL in connection with the exercise of dissenters’ rights should be sent to Hibernia or, following the merger, to Capital One, in either case to 313 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, Attention: Corporate Secretary. It is recommended that all required documents to be delivered by mail be sent by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested.

 

Any holder of Hibernia common stock who wishes to receive in cash the “fair value” of its shares (determined as of the day before the merger agreement is approved by the shareholders), in lieu of receiving the merger consideration, may elect to do so by taking all of the following steps:

 

    Such shareholder must file with Hibernia, prior to or at the special meeting, a written objection to the proposed merger.

 

    Such shareholder MUST ALSO vote its shares of Hibernia common stock against the merger. If the merger is approved by the holders of a majority, but less than 80%, of Hibernia’s common stock, and the merger authorized thereby is effected, the corporation (referring in the remainder of this section to Hibernia, or if after the effective date of the merger, Capital One, as the then successor to Hibernia) promptly thereafter will give written notice of such facts, by registered mail, to each shareholder who both filed such written objection to, and voted its shares against, the merger, at such shareholder’s last address on Hibernia’s records.

 

    Each such shareholder, within 20 days after the mailing of such notice to such holder, but not thereafter, must file with the corporation a demand in writing for the fair cash value of its shares of Hibernia common stock as of the day before such vote was taken, and such holder must state in such demand the value demanded and a post office address to which the corporation may send a reply.

 

    At the same time, such shareholder must deposit in escrow in a chartered bank or trust company located in Orleans Parish, Louisiana the certificates representing its shares of Hibernia common stock, duly endorsed and transferred to the corporation upon the sole condition that such certificates will be delivered to the corporation upon payment of the value of the shares determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 131 of the LBCL. Accordingly, any shareholder who makes a cash election or a stock election prior to the election deadline (see “The Merger Agreement—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger”) and does not validly withdraw that election prior to the election deadline, will have surrendered its certificates and will not be eligible to exercise dissenters’ rights.

 

    With the demand, the shareholder must deliver to the corporation the written acknowledgment of such bank or trust company that it so holds such holder’s certificates of Hibernia common stock.

 

Any shareholder who fails to take each of the required actions outlined above in a timely manner will not be entitled to exercise the rights of a dissenting shareholder.

 

If the corporation does not agree to the value so stated and demanded, or does not agree that a payment is due, within 20 days after receipt of such demand and acknowledgment, it will notify the shareholder in writing, at the designated post office address, of its disagreement and must state in such notice the value it will agree to pay

 

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if any payment should be held to be due; otherwise it will be liable for, and must pay to the dissatisfied shareholder, the value demanded by such shareholder.

 

In case of disagreement as to the fair cash value, or as to whether any payment is due, after compliance by the parties with the provisions described above, the dissatisfied shareholder, within 60 days after receipt of notice in writing of the corporation’s disagreement, but not thereafter, may file suit against the corporation, in the district court of Orleans Parish, Louisiana asking the court to fix and decree the fair cash value of the dissatisfied shareholder’s shares of Hibernia common stock as of the day before the shareholder vote on the merger agreement was taken. The court, based on the evidence presented, will determine summarily whether any payment is due and, if so, will determine the cash value and render judgment accordingly. Any shareholder entitled to file such suit, within such 60-day period, but not thereafter, may intervene as a plaintiff in such a suit filed by another shareholder. Such shareholder may recover judgment in that suit against the corporation for the fair cash value of its shares of Hibernia common stock. Failure of the shareholder to bring suit, or to intervene in another shareholder’s suit, within 60 days after receipt of notice of disagreement by the corporation conclusively will bind the shareholder (i) to acquiesce in, and not contest, the corporation’s statement that no payment is due or (ii) if the corporation does not contend that no payment is due, to accept the value of its shares of Hibernia common stock as fixed by the corporation in its notice of disagreement.

 

A shareholder, upon filing a demand for the value of its shares, will cease to have any of the rights of a shareholder, except the rights accorded by Section 131 of the LBCL. Such a demand may be withdrawn by the shareholder at any time before the corporation gives notice of disagreement, as provided by the LBCL. After such notice of disagreement is given, withdrawal of the demand will require the consent of the corporation. If a demand is withdrawn, or the merger is abandoned or rescinded, or a court determines that the shareholder is not entitled to receive payment for its shares of Hibernia common stock, or the shareholder otherwise loses its dissenters’ rights, such holder will not have the right to receive a cash payment for its shares of Hibernia common stock. In this case, its share certificates will be returned (and, on such holder’s request, new certificates will be issued in exchange for the old ones endorsed to the corporation), and such holder will be reinstated to all rights as a shareholder as of the filing of its demand for value, including the right to payment of any intervening dividend or other distribution, or if any such rights have expired or any such dividend or distribution other than in cash has been completed, in lieu thereof, at the election of the corporation, the fair value thereof in cash as determined by the corporation’s board of directors as of the time of such expiration or completion, but without prejudice otherwise to any corporate proceedings that may have been taken in the interim.

 

Under the merger agreement, if any dissenting Hibernia shareholder fails to perfect or has effectively withdrawn or lost its dissenters’ rights before the election deadline, each of such holder’s shares of Hibernia common stock will be deemed to be non-election shares unless such shareholder makes a valid election before the election deadline. If any dissenting Hibernia shareholder fails to perfect or has effectively withdrawn or lost its dissenters’ rights after the election deadline, each of such holder’s shares of Hibernia common stock will be converted, as of the effective time of the merger, into the right to receive the stock consideration or the cash consideration or a combination of both the stock consideration and the cash consideration, as determined by Capital One in its sole discretion. For further details on the “election deadline,” “non-election shares,” the “effective time,” “stock consideration” and “cash consideration,” see “The Merger Agreement—Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration,” “—Effective Time and Timing of Closing” and “—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger.”

 

Any dissenting Hibernia shareholder who perfects its rights to be paid the value of its shares will recognize taxable gain or loss upon receipt of cash for such shares for federal income tax purposes. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger.” Any cash ultimately paid to a dissenting Hibernia shareholder who perfects its rights to be paid the fair value of its shares will be considered cash consideration paid for purposes of the limit on cash to be paid to Hibernia shareholders in the merger described under “The Merger Agreement—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger.”

 

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ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

 

The merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting with Capital One treated as the acquiror. Under this method of accounting, Hibernia’s assets and liabilities will be recorded by Capital One at their respective fair values as of the closing date of the merger. Financial statements of Capital One issued after the merger will reflect such values and will not be restated retroactively to reflect the historical financial position or results of operations of Hibernia.

 

REGULATORY APPROVALS

 

Capital One and Hibernia have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain all regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. These approvals include approval from the Federal Reserve Board and various state regulatory authorities. Capital One and Hibernia have completed, or will complete, the filing of all applications and notifications required in order to complete the merger.

 

Federal Reserve Board

 

The merger is subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board under Section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, which we refer to as the “BHCA.” The BHCA prohibits the Federal Reserve Board from approving a merger under Section 3 of the BHCA if (1) it would result in a monopoly or be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or to attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the United States or (2) its effect in any section of the country would be substantially to lessen competition or to tend to create a monopoly, or if it would in any other respect result in a restraint of trade, unless the Federal Reserve Board finds that the anti-competitive effects of the merger are clearly outweighed by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the communities to be served.

 

Section 3 of the BHCA requires the Federal Reserve Board, when considering transactions such as the merger, to consider the financial and managerial resources of Capital One and Hibernia and their depository institution subsidiaries, the effect of the merger on the convenience and needs of the communities to be served, and the institutions’ effectiveness in combating money laundering activities. As part of its consideration of these factors, we expect that the Federal Reserve Board will consider the regulatory status of Capital One, F.S.B., Capital One Bank and Hibernia National Bank, including legal and regulatory compliance and the adequacy of the capital levels of the parties and the resulting institution.

 

Under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended, the Federal Reserve Board will take into account the records of performance of the insured depository institution subsidiaries of Capital One and Hibernia in meeting the credit needs of the communities served by such institutions, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Each of the depository institution subsidiaries of Capital One and Hibernia has received either an outstanding or a satisfactory rating in its most recent Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluation from its federal regulator.

 

The Federal Reserve Board will furnish notice and a copy of the application for approval of the merger to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which we refer to as the “OCC.” The OCC has 30 days to submit its views and recommendations to the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board is required to hold a public hearing in the event it receives a written recommendation of disapproval of the application from the OCC within this 30-day period. A copy of the application is also provided to the United States Department of Justice, or “DOJ,” which will review the merger for adverse effects on competition. Furthermore, applicable federal law provides for the publication of notice and opportunity for public comment on the application. The Federal Reserve Board frequently receives comments and protests from community groups and others and may, in its discretion, choose to hold public hearings or a meeting on the application. Any hearing or meeting or comments provided by third parties could prolong the period during which the application is under review by the Federal Reserve Board.

 

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The merger may not be completed until the 30th day after the Federal Reserve Board has approved the transaction, which may be reduced to 15 days by the Federal Reserve Board with the concurrence of the Attorney General of the United States. The commencement of an antitrust action by the DOJ would stay the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve Board’s approval unless a court specifically orders otherwise.

 

Hibernia is a financial holding company under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act amendments to the BHCA and in reliance on that authority controls certain subsidiaries that engage in activities that are not permissible under the BHCA for a bank holding company such as Capital One. On April 28, 2005, Capital One filed a declaration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond electing to become a “financial holding company” under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act amendments to the BHCA. The election will become effective on May 29, 2005 unless the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond notifies Capital One prior to that time that the election is ineffective. Once this election is effective and Capital One becomes a financial holding company, Capital One should have authority under the BHCA to acquire all of Hibernia’s subsidiaries.

 

Because the merger involves activities that are not subject to review by the Federal Reserve Board under Section 4 of the BHCA, it is partially subject to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, or the “HSR Act.” The HSR Act and its related rules prohibit the completion of transactions such as the merger unless the parties notify the Federal Trade Commission, or “FTC,” and the DOJ in advance and a specified waiting period expires. Capital One and Hibernia intend to file pre-merger notification and report forms with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ. A transaction or portion of a transaction that is notifiable under the HSR Act may not be consummated until the expiration of a 30 calendar-day waiting period, or the early termination of that waiting period, following the filing of pre-merger notification and report forms by the parties with the FTC and DOJ. If either the FTC or the DOJ were to request additional information or documentary material with respect to the merger from the parties prior to the expiration of the waiting period, the waiting period would expire on the 20th calendar day after the date of substantial compliance with that request. At any time before or after the merger and the exchange of shares, the FTC or the DOJ could take whatever action under the antitrust laws it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the merger or the exchange of shares, or seeking a divestiture of shares or assets.

 

Other Notices and Approvals

 

Approvals also will be required from certain other regulatory authorities in connection with the changes, as a result of the merger, in the ownership of certain businesses that are controlled by Hibernia. Ownership changes regarding registered broker-dealers controlled by Hibernia are subject to review by various regulatory and self-regulatory organizations, including the SEC, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and state regulatory authorities. The change in control of Hibernia’s insurance subsidiaries is subject to the receipt of necessary approvals from, or notice to, various U.S. state insurance regulatory authorities. Applications or notifications are being made to the insurance departments of those states. A notification regarding the change in control of Hibernia is also being filed with Louisiana state banking regulators.

 

We cannot assure you that all of the regulatory approvals described above will be obtained and, if obtained, we cannot assure you as to the timing of such approvals, our ability to obtain the approvals on satisfactory terms or the absence of litigation challenging such approvals. We also cannot assure you that the Department of Justice will not attempt to challenge the transaction on antitrust grounds or for other reasons and, if such a challenge is made, we cannot assure you as to its result. The parties’ obligation to complete the merger is conditioned upon the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. See “Merger Agreement—Conditions to Complete the Merger.”

 

We are not aware of any material governmental approvals or actions that are required for completion of the merger other than those described above. It is presently contemplated that if any such additional governmental approvals or actions are required, those approvals or actions will be sought. There can be no assurance, however, that any additional approvals or actions will be obtained.

 

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LITIGATION RELATING TO THE MERGER

 

On April 22, 2005, a putative class action complaint was filed on behalf of the shareholders of Hibernia in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana, against Hibernia and each of the members of Hibernia’s board of directors in connection with the proposed merger. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors of Hibernia named in the complaint breached their fiduciary duties by failing to maximize shareholder value, and by creating deterrents to third-party offers (including by agreeing to pay a termination fee to Capital One in certain circumstances under the merger agreement). Among other things, the complaint seeks class action status, a court order enjoining Hibernia and its directors from proceeding with or consummating the merger, or any other business combination with a third party, a court order rescinding the merger agreement and any of its terms to the extent already implemented and the payment of attorneys’ and experts’ fees. Hibernia believes that the claims in the lawsuit lack merit and intends to vigorously defend it.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER

 

The following section describes the anticipated material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders (as defined below) of Hibernia common stock. This discussion addresses only those holders that hold their Hibernia common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code, and does not address all the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their individual circumstances or to holders that are subject to special rules, such as:

 

    financial institutions;

 

    insurance companies;

 

    tax-exempt organizations;

 

    dealers in securities or currencies;

 

    persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

 

    traders in securities that elect to use a mark to market method of accounting;

 

    persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States;

 

    persons that hold Hibernia common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, constructive sale or conversion transaction; and

 

    U.S. holders who acquired their shares of Hibernia common stock through the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation.

 

The following is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code and published rulings and decisions, all as currently in effect as of the date of this document, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to differing interpretations. Tax considerations under state, local and foreign laws, or federal laws other than those pertaining to income tax, are not addressed in this document.

 

Holders of Hibernia common stock should consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of the merger in their particular circumstances, including the applicability and effect of the alternative minimum tax and any state, local or foreign and other tax laws and of changes in those laws.

 

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of Hibernia common stock that is:

 

    a U.S. citizen or resident, as determined for federal income tax purposes;

 

    a corporation, or entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States; or

 

    otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis.

 

Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally

 

Capital One and Hibernia have structured the merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a condition to Capital One’s obligation to complete the merger that Capital One receive an opinion of its counsel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, dated the closing date of the merger, substantially to the effect that the merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a condition to Hibernia’s obligation to complete the merger that Hibernia receive an opinion of its counsel, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, dated the closing date of the merger, substantially to the effect that the merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. In rendering these opinions, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in letters and certificates to be received from Hibernia and Capital One. None of the tax

 

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opinions given in connection with the merger or the opinions described below will be binding on the Internal Revenue Service. Neither Capital One nor Hibernia intends to request any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.

 

Consequently, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of those set forth below. In addition, if any of the representations or assumptions upon which those opinions are based is inconsistent with the actual facts, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger could be adversely affected. It is assumed for purposes of the remainder of the discussion in this section that each counsel will deliver such an opinion. Based on the conclusion therein, the following material U.S. federal tax consequences will result from the merger:

 

    for a U.S. holder who exchanges all of its shares of Hibernia common stock solely for shares of Capital One common stock in the merger, no gain or loss will be recognized, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Capital One common stock (see discussion below under “—Cash Received in Lieu of a Fractional Share of Capital One Common Stock”);

 

    for a U.S. holder who exchanges all of its shares of Hibernia common stock solely for cash in the merger, whether as a result of the U.S. holder’s election to receive cash in the merger or as a dissenting shareholder, capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received (other than, in the case of a dissenting shareholder, amounts, if any, which are or are deemed to be interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which amounts will be taxed as ordinary income) and its tax basis in the Hibernia common stock generally will be recognized. Any capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder held the shares of Hibernia common stock for more than one year at the time the merger is completed. Long-term capital gain of an individual generally is subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A dissenting shareholder may be required to recognize any gain or loss in the year the merger closes, irrespective of whether the dissenting shareholder actually receives payment for his or her shares in that year. In some cases, such as if the U.S. holder actually or constructively owns Capital One common stock immediately before the merger, such cash received in the merger could be treated as having the effect of the distribution of a dividend, under the tests set forth in Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code, in which case such cash received would be treated as ordinary dividend income. These rules are complex and dependent upon the specific factual circumstances particular to each U.S. holder. Consequently, each U.S. holder that may be subject to those rules should consult its tax advisor as to the application of these rules to the particular facts relevant to such U.S. holder;

 

    for a U.S. holder who exchanges its shares of Hibernia common stock for a combination of Capital One common stock and cash (other than cash received in lieu of a fractional share), gain (but not loss) will be recognized, and the gain recognized will be equal to the lesser of:

 

    the excess, if any of:

 

  the sum of the cash and the fair market value of the Capital One common stock the U.S. holder received in the merger, over

 

  the tax basis in the shares of Hibernia common stock surrendered by the U.S. holder in the merger, or

 

    the amount of cash received.

 

For a U.S. holder who acquired different blocks of Hibernia common stock at different times and at different prices, realized gain or loss generally must be calculated separately for each identifiable block of shares exchanged in the merger, and a loss realized on the exchange of one block of shares cannot be used to offset a gain realized on the exchange of another block of shares.

 

If a U.S. holder has differing bases or holding periods in respect of shares of Hibernia common stock, the U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor prior to the exchange with regard to identifying the bases or holding periods of the particular shares of Capital One common stock received in the merger.

 

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Any capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder held the shares of Hibernia common stock for more than one year at the time the merger is completed. Long-term capital gain of an individual generally is subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. In some cases, such as if the U.S. holder actually or constructively owns Capital One common stock immediately before the merger, such gain could be treated as having the effect of the distribution of a dividend, under the tests set forth in Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code, in which case such gain would be treated as ordinary dividend income. These rules are complex and dependent upon the specific factual circumstances particular to each U.S. holder. Consequently, each U.S. holder that may be subject to those rules should consult its tax advisor as to the application of these rules to the particular facts relevant to such U.S. holder; and

 

    no gain or loss will be recognized by Capital One or Hibernia in the merger.

 

Tax Basis and Holding Period

 

A U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the Capital One common stock received in the merger, including any fractional share interests deemed received by the U.S. holder under the treatment described below, will equal its aggregate tax basis in the Hibernia common stock surrendered in the merger, increased by the amount of taxable gain or dividend income, if any, recognized in the merger (excluding any gain resulting from the deemed receipt and redemption of a fractional share interest), and decreased by the amount of cash, if any, received in the merger (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share interest). The holding period for the shares of Capital One common stock received in the merger generally will include the holding period for the shares of Hibernia common stock exchanged therefor.

 

Cash Received in Lieu of a Fractional Share of Capital One Common Stock

 

A U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Capital One common stock will be treated as having received the fractional share of Capital One common stock pursuant to the merger and then as having exchanged the fractional share of Capital One common stock for cash in a redemption by Capital One. As a result, assuming that the redemption of a fractional share of Capital One common stock is treated as a sale or exchange and not as a dividend, a U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the basis in its fractional share of Capital One common stock as set forth above. This gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, as of the effective date of the merger, the holding period for the shares is greater than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Cash payments received in the merger by a U.S. holder may, under certain circumstances, be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate of 28% of the cash payable to the holder, unless the holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or furnishes its taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with all applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld from payments to a holder under the backup withholding rules are not additional tax and will be allowed as a refund or credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Reporting Requirements

 

A U.S. holder who receives Capital One common stock as a result of the merger will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger and will be required to file with its United States federal income tax returns for the year in which the merger takes place a statement setting forth certain facts relating to the merger.

 

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THE MERGER AGREEMENT

 

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the merger agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this document and is incorporated into this document by reference. You should read the merger agreement in its entirety, as it is the legal document governing this merger.

 

The Merger

 

Each of the Capital One board of directors and the Hibernia board of directors has approved the merger agreement, which provides for the merger of Hibernia with and into Capital One. Capital One will be the surviving corporation in the merger. Each share of Capital One common stock issued and outstanding at the effective time of the merger will remain issued and outstanding as one share of common stock of Capital One, and each share of Hibernia common stock issued and outstanding at the effective time of the merger will be converted into either cash or Capital One common stock, as described below. See “—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger.”

 

The Capital One certificate of incorporation will be the certificate of incorporation, and the Capital One bylaws will be the bylaws, of the combined company after the completion of the merger. The merger agreement provides that Capital One may change the structure of the merger if consented to by Hibernia (but Hibernia’s consent cannot be unreasonably withheld). No such change will alter the amount or kind of merger consideration to be provided under the merger agreement, adversely affect the tax consequences to Hibernia shareholders in the merger, or materially impede or delay completion of the merger.

 

Effective Time and Timing of Closing

 

The merger will be completed and become effective when we file certificates of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and when it is recorded by the Secretary of State of the State of Louisiana as of its time of filing. However, we may agree to a later time for completion of the merger and specify that time in the certificates of merger in accordance with Delaware and Louisiana law. The closing of the merger will take place on the fifth business day after the conditions to the merger have been satisfied or waived, or on such other date as we may agree. If these conditions are satisfied or waived during the two weeks immediately prior to the end of a fiscal quarter of Capital One, then Capital One may postpone the closing until the first full week after the end of that quarter.

 

We anticipate that the merger will be completed during the third quarter of 2005. However, completion of the merger could be delayed if there is a delay in obtaining the required regulatory approvals or in satisfying any other conditions to the merger. There can be no assurances as to whether, or when, Capital One and Hibernia will obtain the required approvals or complete the merger.

 

Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation

 

Upon completion of the merger, Capital One will take such actions as may be reasonably required to appoint Hibernia’s chairman, E.R. Campbell, to its board of directors, in the class of directors with its term expiring at the 2006 annual meeting of Capital One’s shareholders and, if necessary, will increase the size of the board of directors to permit this appointment.

 

Consideration To Be Received in the Merger

 

As a result of the merger you will have the right, with respect to each of your shares of Hibernia common stock, to elect to receive merger consideration consisting of either cash or shares of Capital One common stock, subject to adjustment as described below. The aggregate value of the merger consideration will fluctuate with the

 

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market price of Capital One common stock and will be determined based on the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock for the five trading days ending on the day before the date of completion of the merger.

 

Whether you make a cash election or a stock election, the value of the consideration that you will receive as of the completion date will be substantially the same based on the average Capital One closing price used to calculate the merger consideration. A chart showing the cash and stock merger consideration at various assumed average closing prices of Capital One common stock is provided on page [    ] of this document.

 

Elections must be received by the exchange agent that will be named in the form of election. The form of election will be mailed to you at least 20 business days before the anticipated election deadline, as described more fully below under “—Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration—Form of Election.”

 

If you do not return by the election deadline or improperly complete or do not sign your form of election, you will receive cash, shares of Capital One common stock or a mixture of cash and shares of Capital One common stock, based on what is available after giving effect to the valid elections made by other shareholders, as well as the adjustment described below.

 

You may specify different elections with respect to different shares held by you (for example, if you have 100 shares, you could make a cash election with respect to 50 shares and a stock election with respect to the other 50 shares).

 

Cash Election

 

The merger agreement provides that each Hibernia shareholder who makes a valid cash election will have the right to receive, in exchange for each share of Hibernia common stock, an amount in cash equal to the Per Share Amount (determined as described below). We sometimes refer to this cash amount as the “cash consideration.” Based on the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock for the five trading days ending [            ], 2005 if the merger had been completed on [            ], 2005, the cash consideration would have been approximately $[            ]. The aggregate amount of cash that Capital One has agreed to pay to all Hibernia shareholders in the merger is fixed at $2,382,141,311 and as a result, even if you make a cash election, you may nevertheless receive a mix of cash and stock.

 

The “Per Share Amount” is the amount, rounded to two decimal places, obtained by adding (A) $15.35 and (B) the product, rounded to four decimal places, of 0.2261 times the Capital One Closing Price.

 

The “Capital One Closing Price” is the average, rounded to four decimal places, of the closing sale prices of Capital One common stock on the NYSE for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the effective time of the merger.

 

Stock Election

 

The merger agreement provides that each Hibernia shareholder who makes a valid stock election will have the right to receive, in exchange for each share of Hibernia common stock, a fraction of a share of Capital One common stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (determined as described below). We sometimes refer to such fraction of a share of Capital One common stock as the “stock consideration.” Based on the average of the closing prices of Capital One common stock for the five trading days ended [            ], 2005, if the merger had been completed on [            ], 2005, the stock consideration would have been [            ] of a share of Capital One common stock. The total number of shares of Capital One common stock that will be issued in the merger is fixed, subject to corresponding increases if shares of Hibernia common stock are issued upon the exercise of outstanding Hibernia stock options, upon vesting of other stock-settled awards or as otherwise permitted by the

 

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merger agreement, prior to completion of the merger. As a result, even if you make a stock election, you may nevertheless receive a mix of cash and stock.

 

The “Exchange Ratio” is defined in the merger agreement as the quotient, rounded to four decimal places, obtained by dividing the Per Share Amount (determined as described above) by the Capital One Closing Price (as described above).

 

No fractional shares of Capital One common stock will be issued to any holder of Hibernia common stock upon completion of the merger. For each fractional share that would otherwise be issued, Capital One will pay cash in an amount equal to the fraction multiplied by the Capital One Closing Price. No interest will be paid or accrued on cash payable to holders in lieu of fractional shares. The cash to be paid in respect of fractional shares is not included in the aggregate cash limit described above under “—Cash Election”.

 

Non-Election Shares

 

If you do not make an election to receive cash or Capital One common stock in the merger, your elections are not received by the exchange agent by the election deadline, or your forms of election are improperly completed and/or are not signed, you will be deemed not to have made an “election.” Shareholders not making an election may be paid in cash, Capital One common stock or a mix of cash and shares of Capital One common stock depending on, and after giving effect to, the number of valid cash elections and stock elections that have been made by other Hibernia shareholders using the proration adjustment described below.

 

Adjustment

 

The total number of shares of Capital One common stock that will be issued in the merger is approximately [            ], based on the number of Hibernia shares outstanding on [            ], 2005, and the cash that will be paid in the merger is fixed at $2,382,141,311. If the number of Hibernia common shares outstanding increases prior to the date of completion of the merger due to the issuance of Hibernia common shares upon the the exercise of outstanding Hibernia stock options, the vesting of other stock-settled awards or as otherwise permitted by the merger agreement, the aggregate number of Capital One shares to be issued as consideration in the merger will be increased accordingly. Subject to this potential increase, the total number of shares of Capital One common stock that will be issued in the merger is fixed. The cash and stock elections are subject to adjustment to preserve the limitations described above on the stock and cash to be issued and paid in the merger. As a result, if you make a cash election or stock election, you may nevertheless receive a mix of cash and stock.

 

Adjustment if Cash Pool is Oversubscribed

 

Stock may be paid to shareholders who make cash elections if the available $2,382,141,311 cash pool is oversubscribed. The total number of shares of Hibernia common stock for which valid cash elections are made is referred to as the “Cash Election Number.” The number of shares of Hibernia common stock that will be converted into the right to receive cash in the merger, which we refer to as the “Cash Conversion Number,” is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (1) $2,382,141,311 by (2) the Per Share Amount. For example, if the Per Share Amount were $[            ], the Cash Conversion Number would be [            ] ($2,382,141,311/$[            ]), meaning that [            ] Hibernia shares must be converted into the right to receive $[            ] in cash, regardless of whether Hibernia shareholders have made cash elections for a greater or lesser number of Hibernia shares.

 

If the Cash Election Number is greater than the Cash Conversion Number, the cash election is oversubscribed. If the cash election is oversubscribed, then:

 

    a Hibernia shareholder making a stock election, no election or an invalid election will receive the stock consideration for each share of Hibernia common stock as to which it made a stock election, no election or an invalid election; and

 

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    a Hibernia shareholder making a cash election will receive:

 

    the cash consideration for a number of Hibernia shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Hibernia shares for which such shareholder has made a cash election by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Cash Conversion Number and the denominator of which is the Cash Election Number; and

 

    the stock consideration for the remaining Hibernia shares for which the shareholder made a cash election.

 

Example A. Oversubscription of Cash Pool

 

Assuming that:

 

    the Cash Conversion Number was 50 million, and

 

    the Cash Election Number was 100 million (in other words, only 50 million Hibernia shares can receive the cash consideration, but Hibernia shareholders have made cash elections with respect to 100 million Hibernia shares),

 

then a Hibernia shareholder making a cash election with respect to 1,000 Hibernia shares would receive the cash consideration with respect to 500 Hibernia shares (1,000x50/100) and the stock consideration with respect to the remaining 500 Hibernia shares. Therefore, if the Capital One Closing Price was equal to $75.00, that Hibernia shareholder would receive 215 shares of Capital One common stock and $16,185 in cash.

 

Adjustment if the Cash Pool is Undersubscribed

 

Cash may be issued to shareholders who make stock elections if the available $2,382,141,311 cash pool is undersubscribed. If the Cash Election Number is less than the Cash Conversion Number, the cash election is undersubscribed. The amount by which the Cash Election Number is less than the Cash Conversion Number is referred to as the “Shortfall Number.” If the cash election is undersubscribed, then all Hibernia shareholders making a cash election will receive the cash consideration for all shares of Hibernia common stock as to which they made a cash election. Hibernia shareholders making a stock election, Hibernia shareholders who make no election and Hibernia shareholders who failed to make a valid election will receive cash and/or Capital One common stock based in part on whether the Shortfall Number is less or greater than the number of non-election shares, as described below.

 

Scenario 1: Undersubscription of Cash Pool and Shortfall Number is Less than or Equal to Number of Non-Election Shares. If the Shortfall Number is less than or equal to the number of non-election shares, then:

 

    a Hibernia shareholder making a stock election will receive the stock consideration for each share of Hibernia common stock as to which it made a stock election; and

 

    a Hibernia shareholder who made no election or who did not make a valid election with respect to any of its shares will receive:

 

    the cash consideration with respect to the number of Hibernia shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the number of non-election shares held by such Hibernia shareholder by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Shortfall Number and the denominator of which is the total number of non-election shares; and

 

    the stock consideration with respect to the remaining non-election shares held by such shareholder.

 

Example B1. Undersubscription of Cash Pool and Shortfall Number is Less than Number of Non-Election Shares.

 

Assuming that:

 

    the Cash Conversion Number is 50 million,

 

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    the Cash Election Number is 20 million (in other words, 50 million Hibernia shares must be converted into cash consideration but Hibernia shareholders have made a cash election with respect to only 20 million Hibernia shares, so the Shortfall Number is 30 million), and

 

    the total number of non-election shares is 40 million,

 

then a Hibernia shareholder that has not made an election with respect to 1,000 Hibernia shares would receive the per share cash consideration with respect to 750 Hibernia shares (1,000x30/40) and the per share stock consideration with respect to the remaining 250 Hibernia shares. Therefore, if the Capital One Closing Price was equal to $75.00, that Hibernia shareholder would receive 107 shares of Capital One common stock and $24,285 in cash.

 

Scenario 2: Undersubscription of Cash Pool and Shortfall Number Exceeds Number of Non-Election Shares. If the Shortfall Number exceeds the number of non-election shares, then:

 

    a Hibernia shareholder who made no election or who has not made a valid election will receive the cash consideration for each share of Hibernia common stock for which it did not make a valid election; and

 

    a Hibernia shareholder making a stock election will receive:

 

    the cash consideration with respect to the number of Hibernia shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Hibernia shares with respect to which the shareholder made a stock election by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the amount by which the Shortfall Number exceeds the number of non-election shares and the denominator of which is equal to the total number of stock election shares; and

 

    stock consideration with respect to the remaining Hibernia shares held by such shareholder as to which it made a stock election.

 

Example B2. Undersubscription of Cash Pool and Shortfall Number Exceeds Number of Non-Election Shares.

 

Assuming that:

 

    the Cash Conversion Number is 50 million,

 

    the Cash Election Number is 20 million (in other words, 50 million Hibernia shares must be converted into the cash consideration but Hibernia shareholders have made a cash election with respect to only 20 million Hibernia shares, so the Shortfall Number is 30 million),

 

    the number of non-election shares is 20 million (so the Shortfall Number exceeds the number of non-election shares by 10 million), and

 

    the number of stock election shares is 160 million,

 

then a Hibernia shareholder that has made a stock election with respect to 1,000 Hibernia shares would receive the cash consideration with respect to 62.5 Hibernia shares (1,000x10/160) and the stock consideration with respect to the remaining 937.5 Hibernia shares. Therefore, if the Capital One Closing Price was equal to $75.00, that Hibernia shareholder would receive 403 shares of Capital One common stock, and $2,085.01 in cash.

 

Stock Options and Other Stock-Based Awards

 

Each outstanding option to acquire Hibernia common stock granted under Hibernia’s stock option and incentive plans will be converted automatically at the effective time of the merger into an option to purchase Capital One common stock and will continue to be governed by the terms of the Hibernia stock plan and related grant agreements under which it was granted, except that:

 

   

the number of shares of Capital One common stock subject to the new Capital One stock option will be equal to the product of the number of shares of Hibernia common stock subject to the Hibernia stock

 

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option and the Exchange Ratio (determined as described above under the heading “—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger”), rounded down to the nearest whole share; and

 

    the exercise price per share of Capital One common stock subject to the new Capital One stock option will be equal to the exercise price per share of Hibernia common stock under the Hibernia stock option divided by the Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest cent.

 

Outstanding restricted share units and phantom shares in respect of Hibernia common stock immediately prior to the merger will be converted automatically at the effective time of the merger into restricted share units and phantom shares in respect of shares of Capital One common stock (except that restricted share units that vest upon the change of control will instead be converted into shares of Capital One common stock). The number of shares of Capital One common stock subject to each converted restricted share unit and phantom share will be equal to the product of the number of shares of Hibernia common stock subject to the Hibernia restricted share unit or phantom share and the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

Each outstanding restricted share of Hibernia common stock will be converted automatically at the effective time of the merger into the right to receive, on the same terms and conditions as applied to such restricted shares immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (including transfer restrictions to the extent such shares do not vest and transfer restrictions do not lapse on the change of control), the merger consideration, consisting of either cash or Capital One common stock, as elected by the holder of such restricted Hibernia common share, subject to the same adjustments and election procedures as applicable to a holder of unrestricted Hibernia common stock and as fully described above in “—Consideration To Be Received in the Merger” for such purpose and subject to Capital One’s right to deduct and withhold any amounts required under the Code or applicable state or local tax law when the restrictions on such rights lapse.

 

Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration

 

The conversion of Hibernia common stock into the right to receive the merger consideration will occur automatically at the effective time of the merger. As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time of the merger, the exchange agent will exchange certificates representing shares of Hibernia common stock for merger consideration to be received in the merger pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. Prior to the election deadline, Capital One will select a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to Hibernia to be the exchange agent, who will receive your form of election, exchange certificates for the merger consideration and perform other duties as explained in the merger agreement.

 

Form of Election

 

You will be mailed a form of election at least 20 business days prior to the election deadline so as to permit you to exercise your right to make an election prior to the election deadline. Each form of election will allow you to make cash or stock elections.

 

The election deadline will be 5:00 p.m., local time in the city in which the principal office of the exchange agent is located, on the later of (1) the date of the special meeting of Hibernia shareholders and (2) the earlier of (A) the date that Capital One and Hibernia agree is as near as practicable to five business days prior to the expected closing date and (B) September 2, 2005. However, if it appears that the closing date will not take place prior to or on October 15, 2005, Capital One and Hibernia will discuss in good faith whether a September 2, 2005 election deadline should be deferred to an appropriate later date. Capital One and Hibernia will issue a press release announcing the date of the election deadline not more than 15 business days before, and at least five business days prior to, the election deadline.

 

If you wish to elect the type of merger consideration you will receive in the merger, you should carefully review and follow the instructions that will be set forth in the form of election. Shareholders who hold their shares in “street name” or through a bank, broker or other nominee should follow the instructions of the bank, broker or other nominee for making an election with respect to such shares. Shares of Hibernia common stock as

 

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to which the holder has not made a valid election prior to the election deadline will be treated as though they had not made an election.

 

To make an election, you must submit a properly completed form of election, together with stock certificates, so that it is actually received by the exchange agent at or prior to the election deadline in accordance with the instructions on the form of election.

 

A form of election will be properly completed only if accompanied by certificates (or book-entry transfer of uncertificated shares) representing all shares of Hibernia common stock covered by the form of election (or appropriate evidence as to the loss, theft or destruction, appropriate evidence as to the ownership of that certificate by the claimant, and appropriate and customary indemnification, as will be described in the form of election). If you cannot deliver your stock certificates to the exchange agent by the election deadline, you may deliver a notice of guaranteed delivery promising to deliver your stock certificates, as will be described in the form of election, so long as (1) the guarantee of delivery is from a firm which is a member of any registered national securities exchange or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States and (2) the actual stock certificates are in fact delivered to the exchange agent by the time set forth in the guarantee of delivery.

 

Generally, an election may be revoked or changed, but only by written notice received by the exchange agent prior to the election deadline accompanied by a properly completed and signed revised form of election. If an election is revoked, or the merger agreement is terminated, and any certificates have been transmitted to the exchange agent, the exchange agent will promptly return those certificates to the shareholder who submitted those certificates via first-class mail or, in the case of shares of Hibernia common stock tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at the Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” by crediting to an account maintained by such shareholder within DTC promptly following the termination of the merger or revocation of the election. Hibernia shareholders will not be entitled to revoke or change their elections following the election deadline. As a result, if you have made elections, you will be unable to revoke your elections or sell your shares of Hibernia common stock during the interval between the election deadline and the date of completion of the merger.

 

Shares of Hibernia common stock as to which the holder has not made a valid election prior to the election deadline, including as a result of revocation, will be deemed non-election shares. If it is determined that any purported cash election or stock election was not properly made, the purported election will be deemed to be of no force or effect and the holder making the purported election will be deemed not to have made an election for these purposes, unless a proper election is subsequently made on a timely basis.

 

Letter of Transmittal

 

Soon after the completion of the merger, the exchange agent will send a letter of transmittal to only those persons who were Hibernia shareholders at the effective time of the merger and who have not previously submitted a form of election and properly surrendered shares of Hibernia common stock to the exchange agent. This mailing will contain instructions on how to surrender shares of Hibernia common stock (if these shares have not already been surrendered) in exchange for the merger consideration the holder is entitled to receive under the merger agreement.

 

If a certificate for Hibernia common stock has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the exchange agent will issue the consideration properly payable under the merger agreement upon receipt of appropriate evidence as to that loss, theft or destruction, appropriate evidence as to the ownership of that certificate by the claimant, and appropriate and customary indemnification.

 

Withholding

 

The exchange agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from the cash consideration or cash in lieu of fractional shares payable to any Hibernia shareholder the amounts it is required to deduct and withhold under any

 

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federal, state, local or foreign tax law. If the exchange agent withholds any amounts, these amounts will be treated for all purposes of the merger as having been paid to the shareholders from whom they were withheld.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

Until Hibernia common stock certificates are surrendered for exchange, any dividends or other distributions declared after the effective time with respect to Capital One common stock into which shares of Hibernia common stock may have been converted will accrue but will not be paid. Capital One will pay to former Hibernia shareholders any unpaid dividends or other distributions, without interest only after they have duly surrendered their Hibernia stock certificates.

 

Prior to the effective time of the merger, Hibernia and its subsidiaries may not declare or pay any dividend or distribution on its capital stock or repurchase any shares of its capital stock, other than:

 

    regular quarterly cash dividends at a rate not to exceed $0.20 per share of Hibernia common stock with record dates and payment dates consistent with the prior year;

 

    a cash dividend per share of Hibernia common stock for the period commencing on the day after the most recent dividend record date prior to the anticipated closing date to and including the anticipated closing date (we refer to such period as the pro rata period) at a rate per share of Hibernia common stock as follows:

 

    if the pro rata period is at least 46 calendar days but less than 75 calendar days, $0.0667; and

 

    if the pro rata period is 75 calendar days or more, $0.1333;

 

    dividends paid by any of the subsidiaries of Hibernia to Hibernia or to any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries; and

 

    the acceptance of shares of Hibernia common stock in payment of the exercise of a stock option or the vesting of restricted shares of Hibernia common stock granted under a Hibernia stock plan, in each case in accordance with past practice.

 

Representations and Warranties

 

The merger agreement contains generally customary representations and warranties of Capital One and Hibernia relating to their respective businesses. With the exception of certain representations that must be true and correct in all material respects or true and correct except to an immaterial extent, no representation or warranty will be deemed untrue or incorrect as a consequence of the existence or absence of any fact, circumstance or event unless that fact, circumstance or event, individually or when taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events, has had or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company making the representation. In determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred or is reasonably likely, the parties will disregard any effects resulting from (1) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to banks or savings associations and their holding companies generally, (2) changes in laws, rules or regulations of general applicability or their interpretations by courts or governmental entities, (3) changes in global or national political conditions or in general economic or market conditions affecting banks or their holding companies generally except to the extent that such changes in general economic or market conditions have a materially disproportionate adverse effect on such party or (4) public disclosure of the merger.

 

The representations and warranties of each of Capital One and Hibernia have been made solely for the benefit of the other party and such representations and warranties should not be relied on by any other person. In addition, such representations and warranties:

 

    have been qualified by information set forth in confidential disclosure schedules exchanged by the parties in connection with signing the merger agreement—the information contained in these schedules modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties in the merger agreement;

 

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    will not survive consummation of the merger and cannot be the basis for any claims under the merger agreement by the other party after termination of the merger agreement except if willfully false as of the date of the merger agreement;

 

    may be intended not as statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to the merger agreement if those statements turn out to be inaccurate;

 

    are subject to the materiality standard described in the merger agreement which may differ from what may be viewed as material by you; and

 

    were made only as of the date of the merger agreement or such other date as is specified in the merger agreement.

 

Each of Capital One and Hibernia has made representations and warranties to the other regarding, among other things:

 

    corporate matters, including due organization and qualification;

 

    capitalization;

 

    authority relative to execution and delivery of the merger agreement and the absence of conflicts with, or violations of, organizational documents or other obligations as a result of the merger;

 

    governmental filings and consents necessary to complete the merger;

 

    the timely filing of regulatory reports, and the absence of investigations by regulatory agencies;

 

    financial statements;

 

    the absence of undisclosed liabilities;

 

    broker’s fees payable in connection with the merger;

 

    the absence of material adverse effects;

 

    legal proceedings;

 

    tax matters;

 

    compliance with applicable laws;

 

    intellectual property;

 

    tax treatment of the merger; and

 

    the accuracy of information supplied for inclusion in this document and other similar documents.

 

In addition, Hibernia has made other representations and warranties about itself to Capital One as to:

 

    employee matters and benefit plans;

 

    matters relating to certain contracts;

 

    risk management instruments;

 

    investment securities and commodities;

 

    loan portfolio;

 

    real property;

 

    environmental liabilities;

 

    investment advisor subsidiaries, funds and clients;

 

    broker-dealer subsidiaries;

 

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    the inapplicability of state takeover laws; and

 

    the receipt of fairness opinions from financial advisors.

 

Conduct of Business Pending the Merger

 

Each of us has undertaken customary covenants that place restrictions on us and our respective subsidiaries until the effective time of the merger. In general, each of us has agreed to (1) conduct our business in the ordinary course in all material respects, (2) use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact our business organization and advantageous business relationships, including retaining the services of key officers and key employees, and (3) take no action that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect or materially delay our respective ability to obtain any necessary regulatory approvals, perform our covenants or complete the transaction. Hibernia further has agreed that, with certain exceptions, Hibernia will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, among other things, undertake the following actions:

 

    incur indebtedness or in any way assume the indebtedness of another person, except in the ordinary course of business;

 

    adjust, split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock;

 

    issue shares except pursuant to the exercise of Hibernia stock options in existence as of the date of the merger agreement or as issued thereafter as permitted by the merger agreement, or grant any stock options, restricted shares or other equity-based awards;

 

    make, declare or pay any dividends or other distributions on any shares of its capital stock, except as set forth above in “Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Elections as to Form of Consideration—Dividends and Distributions;”

 

    with certain exceptions, (1) increase wages, salaries or incentive compensation, (2) pay or provide, or increase or accelerate the accrual rate, vesting or timing of payment or funding of, any compensation, benefits or other rights, or (3) establish, adopt, or become a party to any new employee benefit or compensation plan or agreement or amend any Hibernia benefit plan;

 

    amend, suspend or terminate the Hibernia employee stock ownership plan or otherwise alter the rate of contribution or allocations under that plan or contribute any amount to that plan in excess of that required to fund current payments of principal and interest due in the ordinary course of business under the terms of the related loan;

 

    other than in the ordinary course of business, sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any material assets or properties, or cancel, release or assign any material indebtedness;

 

    enter into any new line of business or change in any material respect its lending, investment, underwriting, risk and asset liability management and other banking and operating policies other than as required by applicable law;

 

    make any material investment either by purchase of securities, capital contributions, property transfer or purchase of property or assets other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

    take any action or knowingly fail to take any action reasonably likely to prevent the merger from qualifying as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes;

 

    amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws;

 

    restructure or materially change its investment securities portfolio or its gap position;

 

    commence or settle any material claim, except in the ordinary course of business;

 

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    take any action or fail to take any action that is intended or may be reasonably expected to result in any of the conditions to the merger not being satisfied;

 

    change its tax or financial accounting methods, other than as required by law;

 

    file any application to establish, or to relocate or terminate the operations of, any banking office of Hibernia or its subsidiaries;

 

    file or amend any tax return other than in the ordinary course of business, make or change any material tax election, or settle or compromise any material tax liability; or

 

    agree to take, or adopt any resolutions by the board of directors in support of, any of the actions prohibited by the preceding bullet points.

 

Capital One has agreed that, except with Hibernia’s prior written consent, Capital One will not, among other things, undertake the following actions:

 

    amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws in a manner that would adversely effect Hibernia, the shareholders of Hibernia or the transactions contemplated in the merger agreement;

 

    take any action or knowingly fail to take any action reasonably likely to prevent the merger from qualifying as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes;

 

    take any action that is intended or may be reasonably expected to result in any of the conditions to the merger not being satisfied;

 

    enter into any new line of business or change its lending, investment, underwriting, risk and asset liability management and other banking and operating policies that would be reasonably expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the merger agreement, other than as required by law or except for transactions in the ordinary course of business;

 

    make any material investment that would be reasonably expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the merger agreement; or

 

    agree to take, or adopt any resolutions by the board of directors in support of, any of the actions prohibited by the preceding bullet points.

 

The merger agreement also contains mutual covenants relating to the preparation of this document, access to information of the other company and public announcements with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

Reasonable Best Efforts of Hibernia to Obtain the Required Shareholder Vote

 

Hibernia has agreed to hold a meeting of its shareholders as soon as is reasonably practicable for the purpose of obtaining shareholder approval of the merger agreement. Hibernia will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such approval. The merger agreement requires Hibernia to submit the merger agreement to a shareholder vote even if its board of directors no longer recommends approval of the merger agreement.

 

Except as described in the next sentence, neither Hibernia’s board of directors nor any committee of Hibernia’s board of directors is permitted, in a manner adverse to Capital One:

 

    to withdraw, modify or qualify the recommendation by the board of the merger, or take any action or make any statement in connection with the Hibernia shareholder meeting inconsistent with its approval of the merger agreement; or

 

    to recommend any acquisition proposal other than the merger.

 

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However, if Hibernia complies with its non-solicitation obligations described under “—No Solicitation of Alternative Transactions” it may take the actions described in the preceding bullet points if the Hibernia board, after consultation with counsel, reasonably determines in good faith that a failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties.

 

Hibernia and Capital One have also agreed to in good faith use their reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the merger if Hibernia’s shareholders do not approve the merger agreement at the special meeting and to resubmit the transaction to Hibernia’s shareholders for approval. However, in any restructuring neither party has any obligation to change the amount or kind of the merger consideration in a manner adverse to that party or its shareholders.

 

No Solicitation of Alternative Transactions

 

Hibernia has agreed that it, its subsidiaries and their officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives will not, directly or indirectly:

 

    initiate, solicit, encourage or facilitate (including by furnishing information), or take any other action designed to facilitate, any “Alternative Proposal” (as defined below); or

 

    participate in any discussions or negotiations, or enter into any agreement, regarding any “Alternative Transaction” (as defined below).

 

However, prior to the Hibernia special meeting, Hibernia may consider and participate in discussions with respect to an Alternative Proposal if:

 

    it has first entered into a confidentiality agreement with the party proposing the Alternative Proposal on terms substantially similar to, and no less favorable to Hibernia than, the confidentiality agreement with Capital One; and

 

    the Hibernia board of directors reasonably determines in good faith:

 

    such Alternative Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a “Superior Proposal” (as defined below), and

 

    after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties.

 

If Hibernia does not limit the duration of these discussions and negotiations to 20 days, Capital One has the right to terminate the merger agreement and, if it does so, would be entitled to a termination fee of $220 million if an Alternative Transaction is consummated, or Hibernia enters into a definitive agreement providing for an Alternative Transaction, within 12 months after Capital One terminates the merger agreement. See “—Termination of the Merger Agreement—Termination Fees.”

 

Hibernia has agreed:

 

    to notify Capital One promptly (but in no event later than 24 hours) after it receives any Alternative Proposal, or any material change to any Alternative Proposal, or any request for nonpublic information relating to Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries, and to provide Capital One with relevant information regarding the Alternative Proposal or request;

 

    to keep Capital One fully informed, on a current basis, of any material changes in the status and terms of any such Alternative Proposal; and

 

    to cease any existing discussions or negotiations with any persons with respect to any Alternative Proposal, and to use reasonable best efforts to cause all persons other than Capital One who have been furnished with confidential information in connection with an Alternative Proposal within 12 months prior to the date of the merger agreement to return or destroy such information.

 

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As used in the merger agreement, “Alternative Proposal” means any inquiry or proposal regarding any merger, share exchange, consolidation, sale of assets, sale of shares of capital stock (including by way of a tender offer) or similar transactions involving Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries that, if completed, would constitute an Alternative Transaction.

 

As used in the merger agreement, “Alternative Transaction” means any of the following:

 

    a transaction pursuant to which any person or group other than Capital One or its affiliates, directly or indirectly, acquires or would acquire more than 25% of the outstanding shares of Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries or outstanding voting power or of any new series or class of preferred stock that would be entitled to a class or series vote with respect to a merger of Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries, whether from Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries or pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer or otherwise;

 

    a merger, share exchange, consolidation or other business combination involving Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries (other than the merger with Capital One);

 

    any transaction pursuant to which any person or group other than Capital One or its affiliates acquires or would acquire control of assets (including for this purpose the outstanding equity securities of subsidiaries of Hibernia and securities of the entity surviving any merger or business combination, including any of Hibernia’s subsidiaries) of Hibernia, or any of its subsidiaries representing more than 25% of the fair market value of all the assets, net revenues or net income of Hibernia and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, immediately prior to such transaction; or

 

    any other consolidation, business combination, recapitalization or similar transaction involving Hibernia or any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

As used in the merger agreement, “Superior Proposal” means a bona fide written Alternative Proposal which the board of directors of Hibernia concludes in good faith, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the proposal and the person making the proposal (including any break-up fees, expense reimbursement provisions and conditions to consummation), (1) is more favorable to the shareholders of Hibernia than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and (2) is fully financed or reasonably capable of being fully financed, reasonably likely to receive all required governmental approvals on a timely basis and otherwise reasonably capable of being completed on the terms proposed. For purposes of this definition of Superior Proposal, all references to “25%” in the definition of the term Alternative Transaction are deemed to be a reference to “a majority” and Alternative Proposal will only be deemed to refer to a transaction involving Hibernia.

 

Employee Matters

 

Capital One has agreed that for a period of one year following the closing of the merger, with respect to the employees of Hibernia and its subsidiaries at the effective time, it will:

 

    provide such employees in the aggregate with employee benefits, rates of base salary or hourly wage and annual bonus opportunities that are substantially similar in the aggregate to the aggregate employee benefits, rates of base salary or hourly wage and annual bonus opportunities provided to such employees pursuant to Hibernia’s benefit plans (other than the employee stock ownership plan and its related non-qualified supplemental stock plan) as in effect immediately prior to the merger; and

 

    provide employees of Hibernia who are designated by Hibernia and whose employment is terminated in a qualifying termination of employment (other than those employees who are party to a change in control employment agreement) with severance benefits no less favorable than the greater of (1) the severance benefits that would be payable to such employees upon a qualifying termination of employment under the Hibernia special severance plan and (2) the severance benefits provided to similarly situated employees of Capital One upon a qualifying termination of employment under the applicable Capital One severance plan. Capital One has separately agreed that this arrangement will apply beyond one year in certain circumstances where employees are requested to remain with the combined company beyond one year.

 

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In addition, Capital One has agreed, to the extent any Hibernia employee becomes eligible to participate in Capital One benefit plans following the merger:

 

    generally to recognize each employee’s service with Hibernia prior to the completion of the merger for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting credits and, except under defined benefit pension plans, benefit accruals, in each case under the Capital One plans to the same extent such service was recognized under comparable Hibernia plans prior to the completion of the merger; and

 

    to waive any exclusion for pre-existing conditions under any Capital One health, dental or vision plans, to the extent such limitation would have been waived or satisfied under a corresponding Hibernia plan in which such employee participated immediately prior to the effective time, and recognize any medical or health expenses incurred in the year in which the merger closes for purposes of applicable deductible and annual out-of-pocket expense requirements under any health, dental or vision plan of Capital One.

 

Capital One also has agreed not to amend, or permit the amendment of, the Hibernia employee stock ownership plan in any manner that would extend participation under that plan to employees other than employees of Hibernia and its subsidiaries and to cause all unallocated shares of Capital One common stock held in trust under that plan to be allocated solely for the benefit of participants who are, as of immediately prior to the effective time, employees of Hibernia and its subsidiaries.

 

However, Capital One has no obligation to continue the employment of any Hibernia employee for any period following the merger.

 

Indemnification and Insurance

 

The merger agreement requires Capital One to maintain in effect for six years after completion of the merger the current rights of Hibernia directors, officers and employees to indemnification under Hibernia’s charter documents or disclosed agreements of Hibernia. The merger agreement also provides that, upon completion of the merger, Capital One will indemnify and hold harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, all past and present officers, directors and employees of Hibernia and its subsidiaries in their capacities as such against all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities, judgments or amounts paid in settlement to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.

 

The merger agreement provides that Capital One will maintain for a period of six years after completion of the merger Hibernia’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, or policies of at least the same coverage and amount and containing terms and conditions that are not less advantageous than the current policy, with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to the effective time of the merger, subject to specified cost limitations.

 

Conditions to Complete the Merger

 

Our respective obligations to complete the merger are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of mutual conditions, including:

 

    the approval of the merger agreement by the Hibernia shareholders;

 

    the approval of the listing of Capital One common stock to be issued in the merger on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

    the effectiveness of the registration statement with respect to the Capital One common stock to be issued in the merger under the Securities Act and the absence of any stop order or proceedings initiated or threatened by the SEC for that purpose; and

 

    the absence of any statute, regulation, rule, decree, injunction or other order in effect by any court or other governmental entity that prohibits completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

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Each of Capital One’s and Hibernia’s obligations to complete the merger is also separately subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions including:

 

    the receipt by the party of a legal opinion from its counsel with respect to certain federal income tax consequences of the merger;

 

    the receipt and effectiveness of all regulatory approvals, registrations and consents, and the expiration of all waiting periods required to complete the merger; and

 

    the other company’s representations and warranties in the merger agreement being true and correct, subject to the materiality standard contained in the merger agreement, and the performance by the other party in all material respects of its obligations under the merger agreement.

 

Capital One’s obligation to complete the merger is further subject to the condition that the regulatory approvals received in connection with the completion of the merger not include any conditions or restrictions that, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Hibernia or Capital One, measured relative to Hibernia.

 

We cannot provide assurance as to when or if all of the conditions to the merger can or will be satisfied or waived by the appropriate party. As of the date of this document, we have no reason to believe that any of these conditions will not be satisfied.

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement

 

General

 

The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the completion of the merger by our mutual written consent, if authorized by each of our boards of directors, or by either Capital One or Hibernia if:

 

    a governmental entity which must grant a regulatory approval as a condition to the merger denies approval of the merger or any governmental entity has issued an order prohibiting the merger and such action has become final and non-appealable; or

 

    the merger is not completed by March 6, 2006 (other than because of a breach of the merger agreement caused by the party seeking termination).

 

The merger agreement may also be terminated by Capital One if:

 

    Hibernia’s shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement at the Hibernia special meeting or any adjournment thereof, but Capital One only has the right to terminate the merger agreement for this reason on or prior to the 20th day after the date of such meeting of Hibernia shareholders, and Capital One must not then be in material breach of its obligations to use reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the merger if the Hibernia shareholders do not approve the merger at the special meeting;

 

    there has been a breach of any of Hibernia’s representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, the breach has not been cured within 45 days of written notice of the breach or cannot by its nature be cured within 45 days, and the breach, if occurring on the closing date, would constitute the failure of a condition to closing;

 

    Hibernia has materially breached its “non-solicitation” obligations, or Hibernia’s board has failed to recommend in the proxy statement the approval of the merger agreement, changed its recommendation to the Hibernia shareholders, recommended an Alternative Proposal or failed to call a meeting of Hibernia’s shareholders; or

 

    Hibernia or any of its representatives has engaged in discussions with any person in connection with an Alternative Proposal and not ceased all discussions within 20 days of the first date of such discussions.

 

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The merger agreement may also be terminated by Hibernia if:

 

    there has been a breach of any of Capital One’s representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, the breach has not been cured within 45 days of written notice of the breach or cannot by its nature be cured within 45 days, and the breach, if occurring on the closing date, would constitute the failure of a condition to closing; or

 

    Capital One has materially breached its obligation to in good faith use its reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the merger if the Hibernia shareholders do not approve the merger agreement at the special meeting.

 

Effect of Termination

 

In the event the merger agreement is terminated as described above, the merger agreement will become void and neither Capital One nor Hibernia will have any liability under the merger agreement, except that:

 

    both Capital One and Hibernia will remain liable for any willful breach of the merger agreement;

 

    designated provisions of the merger agreement, including the payment of fees and expenses, the confidential treatment of information, publicity restrictions and, if applicable, the termination fee described below, will survive the termination.

 

Termination Fees

 

Hibernia has agreed to pay a termination fee of $220 million to Capital One in the following circumstances:

 

    If (1) either party terminates the merger agreement because the merger was not completed by March 6, 2006 without the Hibernia special meeting having been convened or when the Hibernia shareholders failed to approve the merger agreement at the special meeting and (2) an Alternative Proposal was publicly announced or otherwise communicated to the senior management or board of directors of Hibernia, and was not irrevocably withdrawn prior to March 6, 2006 or the date of the Hibernia special meeting, whichever is earlier. One-third of the termination fee will be payable on termination of the merger agreement and if, within 12 months after this termination of the merger agreement, Hibernia enters into any definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, any Alternative Transaction, the remaining two-thirds of the termination fee will become payable to Capital One.

 

    If (1) the merger agreement is terminated by Capital One because the required shareholder vote of Hibernia was not obtained at the special meeting or because of a material breach by Hibernia of its agreement to in good faith use its reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the merger if its shareholders do not approve the merger agreement at the special meeting and to resubmit the transaction to its shareholders for approval and (2) an Alternative Proposal has been publicly announced or otherwise communicated to the senior management or board of directors of Hibernia, and has not been irrevocably withdrawn prior to the taking of a vote at the meeting of Hibernia shareholders (or prior to the date of termination, in the case of a breach of Hibernia’s agreement relating to restructuring), then Hibernia will owe Capital One one-third of the termination fee. If, within 12 months after the date of such termination, Hibernia enters into any definitive agreements with respect to, or consummates, any Alternative Transaction, the remaining two-thirds of the termination fee will become payable to Capital One.

 

    If (1) the merger agreement is terminated by Capital One because of a material breach by Hibernia of the merger agreement (other than a breach of its restructuring agreement) and (2) an Alternative Proposal has been publicly announced or otherwise communicated to the senior management or board of directors of Hibernia and has not been irrevocably withdrawn prior to such breach, then Hibernia must pay the full termination fee following the termination.

 

   

If the merger agreement is terminated by Capital One because Hibernia materially breached its “no solicitation” obligations, or Hibernia’s board of directors has failed to recommend in the proxy

 

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statement the approval of the merger agreement, changed its recommendation to the Hibernia shareholders, recommended an Alternative Proposal or failed to call a meeting of Hibernia’s shareholders, then Hibernia must pay the full termination fee following the termination.

 

    If the merger agreement is terminated by Capital One because Hibernia engaged in discussions with another person in connection with the Alternative Proposal, such discussions had not ceased within 20 days of the first date of such discussions and within 12 months of the date of termination, Hibernia enters into any definitive agreements with respect to, or consummates, any Alternative Transaction, then Hibernia must pay the full termination fee to Capital One following the date of execution of a definitive agreement in respect of, or consummation of, such Alternative Transaction.

 

For purposes of determining whether the termination fee is payable, the term “Alternative Transaction” has the meaning described under “—No Solicitation of Alternative Transactions;” except that the 25% thresholds are treated as references to “50%,” and mergers or business combinations in which Hibernia shareholders would continue to hold at least 50% of the total voting power of the entity surviving the transactions are not considered “Alternative Transactions.”

 

Amendment, Waiver and Extension of the Merger Agreement

 

Amendment

 

We may amend the merger agreement by action taken or authorized by our boards of directors. However, after any approval of the merger agreement by the Hibernia shareholders, there may not be, without further approval of the shareholders, any amendment of the merger agreement that changes the amount or the form of the consideration to be delivered to Hibernia shareholders, changes any term of the certificate of incorporation of the combined company or changes any of the terms and conditions of the merger agreement if such change would adversely affect the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Hibernia or Capital One, in each case other than as contemplated in the merger agreement.

 

Extension; Waiver

 

At any time prior to the completion of the merger, each of us, by action taken or authorized by our respective board of directors, to the extent legally allowed, may:

 

    extend the time for performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party under the merger agreement;

 

    waive any inaccuracies in the other party’s representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement; and

 

    waive the other party’s compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained in the merger agreement.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

In general, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement will be paid by the party incurring such expenses, except that those expenses incurred in connection with filing, printing and mailing the registration statement and this document will be shared equally by Capital One and Hibernia.

 

Dissenting Shares

 

If dissenters’ rights for any Hibernia shares are perfected by any shareholder, then those shares will be treated as described under “The Merger—Dissenters’ Rights.”

 

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Restrictions on Resales by Affiliates

 

Shares of Capital One common stock to be issued to Hibernia shareholders in the merger have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the “Securities Act,” and may be traded freely and without restriction by those shareholders not deemed to be affiliates (as that term is defined under the Securities Act) of Hibernia. Any subsequent transfer of shares, however, by any person who is an affiliate of Hibernia at the time the merger is submitted for a vote of the Hibernia shareholders will, under existing law, require either:

 

    the further registration under the Securities Act of the Capital One common stock to be transferred;

 

    compliance with Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act, which permits limited sales under certain circumstances; or

 

    the availability of another exemption from registration.

 

An “affiliate” of Hibernia is a person who directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, Hibernia. These restrictions are expected to apply to the directors and executive officers of Hibernia and the holders of 10% or more of the outstanding Hibernia common stock. The same restrictions apply to the spouses and certain relatives of those persons and any trusts, estates, corporations or other entities in which those persons have a 10% or greater beneficial or equity interest.

 

Capital One will give stop transfer instructions to the exchange agent with respect to the shares of Capital One common stock to be received by persons subject to these restrictions, and the certificates for their shares will be appropriately legended.

 

Hibernia has agreed in the merger agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to cause each person who is an affiliate of Hibernia for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act to deliver to Capital One a written agreement intended to ensure compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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THE COMPANIES

 

Capital One Financial Corporation

 

With more than 49.1 million accounts at March 31, 2005, Capital One is one of the world’s largest financial services franchises. It is a diversified financial services corporation focused primarily on consumer lending. Its principal business segments are domestic credit card lending, automobile and other motor vehicle financing and global financial services.

 

Capital One Financial Corporation is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and was incorporated in Delaware in 1994. Capital One’s Virginia state chartered bank subsidiary, Capital One Bank, currently offers credit card products and takes retail deposits and can, consistent with its charter, engage in a wide variety of lending and other financial activities. Capital One, F.S.B., a federally chartered savings bank subsidiary, offers consumer and commercial lending and consumer deposit products, and Capital One Auto Finance, Inc. offers automobile and other motor vehicle financing products. Capital One Services, Inc. provides various operating, administrative and other services to Capital One and its subsidiaries.

 

As of March 31, 2005, Capital One had 49.1 million accounts and $81.6 billion in managed consumer loans outstanding. It is among the five largest issuers of Visa® and MasterCard® credit cards in the United States based on managed credit card loans outstanding as of December 31, 2004.

 

Capital One offers its products throughout the United States. It also offers its products outside of the United States principally through Capital One Bank (Europe) plc, an indirect subsidiary of Capital One Bank organized and located in the United Kingdom, and a branch of Capital One Bank in Canada. The U.K. bank has authority to accept deposits and provide credit card and installment loans.

 

Additional information about Capital One and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

The principal executive office of Capital One is located at 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102, and its telephone number is (703) 720-1000.

 

Hibernia Corporation

 

Hibernia Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hibernia provides banking and other financial services through its banking and non-banking subsidiaries. Hibernia’s banking subsidiary is Hibernia National Bank. Hibernia National Bank is a national banking association with its main office in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

As of March 31, 2005, Hibernia had consolidated assets of $22.2 billion and shareholders’ equity of $2.0 billion.

 

As of March 31, 2005, Hibernia operated in 317 locations in 34 Louisiana parishes and 35 Texas counties, with two mortgage loan production and retail brokerage services offices in southern Mississippi. Hibernia also maintains a transactional website that offers certain banking services online.

 

Hibernia offers a broad array of financial products and services, including retail, small business, commercial, international, mortgage and private banking; leasing; investment banking; corporate finance; treasury management; merchant processing; property and casualty, life, and health insurance; trust and investment management; and retail brokerage, and provides access to alternative investments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and annuities.

 

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Hibernia also provides financial risk management products and advisory services to customers. These products are designed to assist customers in managing their exposure in the areas of interest rate and currency risks. Hibernia offers repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, Eurodollar deposits, safekeeping of securities, U.S. government and government agency obligations, tax-free municipal obligations, reverse repurchase agreements, letters of credit, and collection and foreign exchange transactions.

 

At March 31, 2005, Hibernia and its subsidiaries had 6,230 full-time equivalent employees.

 

Additional information about Hibernia and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

The principal executive office of Hibernia is located at 313 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, and its telephone number is (504) 533-3333.

 

MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA

 

Capital One

 

Capital One common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the New York Stock Exchange symbol “COF.”

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of Capital One common shares for the calendar quarters indicated, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, and the quarterly cash dividends paid per share in the periods indicated:

 

     High

   Low

   Dividend
Declared


2003

First Quarter

   39.70    24.91    0.03

Second Quarter

   54.99    30.05    0.03

Third Quarter

   62.02    44.51    0.03

Fourth Quarter

   64.25    55.15    0.03

2004

First Quarter

   76.66    60.04    0.03

Second Quarter

   77.65    61.15    0.03

Third Quarter

   75.49    64.93    0.03

Fourth Quarter

   84.45    67.62    0.03

2005

First Quarter

   84.75    73.15    0.03

Second Quarter (through [                ], 2005)

              

 

On March 4, 2005, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the high and low sale prices of Capital One common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange were $78.46 and $76.98, respectively. On [            ], 2005, the last full trading day before the date of this document, the high and low sale prices of Capital One common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange were $[            ] and $[            ], respectively.

 

As of [            ], 2005, the last date prior to printing this document for which it was practicable for Capital One to obtain this information, there were approximately [            ] registered holders of Capital One common shares.

 

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Hibernia

 

Hibernia’s common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the New York Stock Exchange symbol “HIB.”

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of Hibernia common shares for the calendar quarters indicated, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, and the quarterly cash dividends paid per share in the periods indicated:

 

     High

   Low

   Dividend
Declared


2003

First Quarter

   20.33    16.47    0.15

Second Quarter

   19.56    16.82    0.15

Third Quarter

   21.15    18.56    0.15

Fourth Quarter

   23.69    20.90    0.18

2004

First Quarter

   24.04    22.68    0.18

Second Quarter

   24.30    21.72    0.18

Third Quarter

   26.85    23.75    0.20

Fourth Quarter

   29.98    26.62    0.20

2005

First Quarter

   33.10    25.36    0.20

Second Quarter (through [                ], 2005)

              

 

On March 4, 2005, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the high and low sale prices of Hibernia common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange were $26.80 and $26.23, respectively. On [            ], 2005, the last full trading day before the date of this document, the high and low sale prices of Hibernia common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange were $[            ] and $[            ], respectively.

 

As of [            ], 2005, the last date prior to printing this document for which it was practicable for Hibernia to obtain this information, there were approximately [            ] registered holders of Hibernia common shares.

 

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PRELIMINARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and explanatory notes present how the combined financial statements of Capital One and Hibernia may have appeared had the businesses actually been combined as of or at the beginning of the period presented. The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information shows the impact of the merger of Capital One and Hibernia on the combined balance sheets and statements of income under the purchase method of accounting with Capital One treated as the acquiror. Under this method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of Hibernia will be recorded by Capital One at their estimated fair values as of the date the merger is completed. The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information combines the historical financial information of Capital One and Hibernia as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004. The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 assumes the merger was completed on that date. The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of income gives effect to the merger as if the merger had been completed January 1, 2004.

 

The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate the financial results of the combined companies had the companies actually been combined at the beginning of each period presented and had the impact of possible expense efficiencies and revenue enhancements, among other factors, been considered. In addition, as explained in more detail in the accompanying notes to the preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, the allocation of the purchase price reflected in the preliminary pro forma condensed combined financial information is subject to adjustment. The preliminary purchase price allocation will vary from the actual purchase price allocation that will be recorded upon the completion of the merger based upon changes in the estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired from Hibernia. The information will be updated when all necessary information becomes available and management has completed its analysis.

 

The preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is derived from and should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes of both Capital One and Hibernia which are incorporated in this document by reference.

 

The following preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet combines the historical balance sheets of Capital One and Hibernia assuming the companies had been combined on December 31, 2004, on a purchase accounting basis.

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet

 

December 31 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


   Capital One
2004


   

Hibernia

2004


    Pro Forma
Adjustments


         Capital One
Hibernia
Combined


 

Assets:

                                   

Cash and due from banks

   $ 327,517     $ 612,872     —            $ 940,389  

Federal funds sold and resale agreements

     773,695       521,500     (255,000 )   A      1,040,195  

Interest-bearing deposits at other banks

     309,999       16,694     —              326,693  
    


 


 

      


Cash and cash equivalents

     1,411,211       1,151,066     (255,000 )          2,307,277  

Securities available for sale

     9,300,454       4,524,340     (1,200,000 )   A      12,624,794  

Securities held to maturity

     —         35,819     745     B      36,564  

Mortgage loans held for sale

     —         78,136     —              78,136  

Loans

     38,215,591       15,719,216     (134,798 )   C      53,800,009  

Less: Allowance for loan losses

     (1,505,000 )     (227,574 )   —              (1,732,574 )
    


 


 

      


Net loans

     36,710,591       15,491,642     (134,798 )          52,067,435  

Accounts receivable from securitizations

     4,081,271       —       —              4,081,271  

 

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December 31 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


   Capital One
2004


   

Hibernia

2004


    Pro Forma
Adjustments


         Capital One
Hibernia
Combined


 

Premises and equipment, net

     817,704       293,356       15,000     D      1,126,060  

Interest receivable

     252,857       80,436                    333,293  

Goodwill

     352,157       337,441       (337,441 )   E      4,174,254  
                       3,822,097     E         

Core deposit intangibles and other intangibles

     —         31,697       (31,697 )   F      371,330  
                       371,330     F         

Other assets

     821,010       284,155       168     B      1,105,333  
    


 


 


      


Total assets

   $ 53,747,255     $ 22,308,088     $ 2,250,404          $ 78,305,747  
    


 


 


      


Liabilities:

                                     

Interest bearing deposits

   $ 25,636,802     $ 14,114,756     $ 29,057     G    $ 39,780,615  

Non-interest bearing deposits

     —         3,264,190       —              3,264,190  

Senior and subordinated notes

     6,874,790       164,899       10,580     G      7,050,269  

Other borrowings

     9,637,019       2,301,002       927,141     A      12,885,012  
                       19,850     G         

Interest payable

     237,227       21,428       —              258,655  

Other

     2,973,228       499,916       55,000     H      3,658,109  
                       129,965     F         
    


 


 


      


Total liabilities

     45,359,066       20,366,191       1,171,593            66,896,850  

Commitments and Contingencies

                                     

Stockholders' Equity:

                                     

Common stock

     2,484       328,504       (328,504 )   I      2,835  
                       351     I         

Paid-in capital, net

     2,711,327       548,277       (548,277 )   I      5,731,684  
                       2,738,724     I         
                       281,633     J         

Retained earnings

     5,596,372       1,347,544       (1,347,544 )   I      5,596,372  

Cumulative other comprehensive income

     144,759       15,198       (15,198 )   I      144,759  

Less: Treasury stock, at cost

     (66,753 )     (297,626 )     297,626     I      (66,753 )
    


 


 


      


Total stockholders' equity

     8,388,189       1,941,897       1,078,811            11,408,897  
    


 


 


      


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

   $ 53,747,255     $ 22,308,088     $ 2,250,404          $ 78,305,747  
    


 


 


      


 

The following preliminary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of income combines the historical statements of income of Capital One and Hibernia assuming the companies had been combined on January 1, 2004, on a purchase accounting basis.

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statement of Income

 

Year Ended December 31 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


   Capital One
2004


   Hibernia
2004


   Pro Forma
Adjustments


         Capital One
Hibernia
Combined


Interest Income:

                               

Loans, including past-due fees

   $ 4,234,420    $ 827,060    16,989     C    $ 5,078,469

Securities available for sale

     312,374      162,026    (46,061 )   A      428,339

Securities held to maturity

     —        2,486    —              2,486

Interest on mortgage loans held for sale

     —        6,644                 6,644

Other

     247,626      4,217    (6,623 )   A      245,220
    

  

  

      

Total interest income

     4,794,420      1,002,433    (35,695 )          5,761,158
    

  

  

      

 

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Year Ended December 31 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


   Capital One
2004


   Hibernia
2004


   Pro Forma
Adjustments


         Capital One
Hibernia
Combined


Interest Expense:

                               

Deposits

     1,009,545      189,175    12,365     G      1,211,085

Senior and subordinated notes

     486,812      6,279    4,232     G      497,323

Other borrowings

     295,085      56,306    7,040     G      380,668
                   22,237     A