Filed by Wachovia Corporation pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | ||
Subject Company: SouthTrust Corporation | ||
Commission File No.: 333-117283 | ||
Date: September 13, 2004 |
This filing contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to each of Wachovia Corporation, SouthTrust Corporation and the combined company following the proposed merger between Wachovia and SouthTrust, as well as the goals, plans, objectives, intentions, expectations, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of Wachovia, including, without limitation, (i) statements relating to the benefits of the merger, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues and the accretion or dilution to reported earnings that may be realized from the merger, (ii) statements relating to the benefits of the retail securities brokerage combination transaction between Wachovia and Prudential Financial, Inc. completed on July 1, 2003, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues and the accretion of reported earnings that may be realized from the brokerage transaction, (iii) statements regarding certain of Wachovias and/or SouthTrusts goals and expectations with respect to earnings, earnings per share, revenue, expenses and the growth rate in such items, as well as other measures of economic performance, including statements relating to estimates of credit quality trends, and (iv) statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words may, could, should, would, believe, anticipate, estimate, expect, intend, plan, projects, outlook or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Wachovias management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Wachovias control).
The following factors, among others, could cause Wachovias or SouthTrusts financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements: (1) the risk that the businesses of Wachovia and SouthTrust in connection with the merger or the businesses of Wachovia and Prudential in the brokerage transaction will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; (2) expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the merger or the brokerage transaction may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; (3) revenues following the merger or the brokerage transaction may be lower than expected; (4) deposit attrition, operating costs, customer loss and business disruption
following the merger or the brokerage transaction, including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, may be greater than expected; (5) the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule; (6) the failure of Wachovias or SouthTrusts shareholders to approve the merger; (7) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which Wachovia and/or SouthTrust conducts operations may be different than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on Wachovias and/or SouthTrusts loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses; (8) the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (9) inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; and (10) adverse conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets (including changes in interest rate conditions) and the impact of such conditions on Wachovias capital markets and capital management activities, including, without limitation, Wachovias mergers and acquisition advisory business, equity and debt underwriting activities, private equity investment activities, derivative securities activities, investment and wealth management advisory businesses, and brokerage activities. Additional factors that could cause Wachovias and SouthTrusts results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Wachovias and SouthTrusts Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Wachovia or the proposed merger or other matters and attributable to Wachovia or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Wachovia and SouthTrust do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this filing.
The proposed merger will be submitted to Wachovias and SouthTrusts shareholders for their consideration, and, on August 31, 2004, Wachovia filed an amended registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC containing a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus of Wachovia and SouthTrust and other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger. Shareholders are urged to read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information. You will be able to obtain a free copy of the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Wachovia and SouthTrust, at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, at www.wachovia.com under the tab Inside WachoviaInvestor Relations and then under the heading Financial ReportsSEC Filings. You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, at www.southtrust.com under the tab About SouthTrust, then under Investor Relations and then under SEC Documents. Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the SEC filings that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28288-0206, (704)-374-6782, or to SouthTrust Corporation, P. O. Box 2554, Birmingham, AL 35290, (205)-254-5187.
Wachovia and SouthTrust, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Wachovia and SouthTrust in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Wachovia and their ownership of Wachovia common stock is set forth in the proxy statement, dated March 15, 2004, for Wachovias 2004 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A. Information about the directors and executive officers of SouthTrust and their ownership of SouthTrust common stock is set forth in the proxy statement, dated March 8, 2004, for SouthTrusts 2004 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
The following presentation was used in a meeting with securities analysts on Monday, September 13, 2004
The following presentation was used in a meeting with securities analysts on Monday, September 13, 2004
Wachovia Corporation
Lehman Brothers
Financial Services Conference September 13, 2004
Ken Thompson Chairman and CEO
Wachovia in perspective
Diversified scale businesses
Key Business Lines
General Bank
(Retail, small business and commercial banking)
2,500 branches, 4,400 ATMs
Capital Management
Retail Brokerage: 10,900 registered reps Asset Management: $248 billion AUM
Wealth Management (Private Banking)
67,000 clients, $60 billion client AUM Commercial insurance agency
Corporate and Investment Bank
2,200 middle-market clients Cash management Preferred securities* Loan syndications* High yield*
TTM Revenues ($ millions) $9,119 $5,590 $1,025 $4,864
U.S. Rank
#3
#3 #25
#3 of U.S. Banks
#2 #3 #4 #7
Trailing twelve months (TTM) through June 30, 2004.
*YTD 2004 league table ranking based on lead number of issues/deals.
Page 1 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Wachovia in perspective
Revenue and earnings momentum
General Bank
Wealth Management
Corporate and Investment Bank
Capital Management
2Q04 vs. 2Q03 Growth
5%
16%
13%
49%
18%
56%
63%
44%
Revenue
Earnings*
*Represents net income as reported on a segment basis.
Page 2 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Delivering for our shareholders
2Q04 earnings* momentum vs. last quarter
4%
0% vs. 1 year ago
12%
19% (#4) vs. 4Q01
20%
64%(#4)
MedianTop 20 U.S. Banks
Wachovia
*Represents net income available to common shareholders excluding merger-related and restructuring expenses of $47 million after-tax in 2Q04, $48 million after-tax in 1Q04, $60 million after-tax in 2Q03, and $63 million after-tax in 4Q01. Including such expenses, earnings growth for Wachovia would have been 0% vs. last quarter, 21% vs. 1 year ago, and 72% vs. 4Q01.
Page 3 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Moving forward
Strategically focused on managing for growth
Focus on maintaining employee engagement Focus on building customer loyalty Focus on execution of revenue growth strategies Focus on improving cost structure and operating efficiencies Focus on financial strength and corporate governance Focus on SouthTrust merger approval and successful merger integration
Page 4 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Diversified scale businesses
Driven by fully engaged employees
Employee engagement at an all-time high
Customer service and loyalty scores remain near all-time highs Our inclusive workplace fosters employee loyalty
Working Mother Top 10 Company, Best in Financial Services Industry, Best in Class for Family Friendly Company Culture
NAACP Annual Survey Best in the Financial Services Industry for Commitment to Diversity
Latina Style Top 12 Company for Latinas
Diversity Inc Top 50 Company for Diversity Essence Outstanding Company for Black Women
Page 5 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Service momentum
Superior customer service with focus on customer loyalty
Customer Satisfaction Scores*
5.59
6.13
6.29
6.37
6.55
6.58
6.57
1Q99 1Q00 1Q01 1Q02 1Q03 1Q04 2Q04
*Data is from independent studies conducted with customers who transact in our Financial Centers. Scores prior to 1Q02 for legacy First Union only. Scale of 1-7.
Percentage Loyal Customers*
39.5% 40.2%
43.8%
45.3%
46.7%
50.0%
3Q02 4Q02 2Q03 4Q04 2Q04 2004 Goal
*Data is from independent studies conducted with customers who transact in our Financial Centers.
Definition of a loyal customer is a customer who rates all three loyalty questions satisfaction with Wachovia, likelihood to recommend, and likelihood to repurchase a 7 (scale of 1-7).
Page 6 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
GBG revenue growth strategy
Acquire and retain customers
Annualized Controllable Customer Acquisition and Attrition
Acquisition
Attrition
11.6%
12.0%
12.9%
14.1%
14.5%
10.5%
10.2% 10.1% 10.0%
10.5%
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04
New/ Lost Ratio*
1.11 1.17 1.27 1.41 1.38
*Retail, Small Business and Business Banking core households gained divided by core households lost. Core households exclude single service credit card, mortgage and trust households and out of footprint households.
Page 7 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Retail & Small Business
Leveraging the sales culture
Legacy WB branch loan production as a % of a legacy FTU branch has increased while legacy FTU branch loan production has grown more than five-fold
Loan Production/Branch
($ in thousands)
+1,293%
+459%
167
1,847
2,326
666
3,720
3Q01 2Q03 2Q04 3Q01 2Q04
Legacy WB Legacy FTU
Legacy WB Loan Production as a % of Legacy FTU
25%
52%
63%
100%
3Q01 2Q03 2Q04 Goal
Conversions & Rebranding Completed
Page 8 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Retail & Small Business
Leveraging the sales culture
Legacy WB branch investment production as a % of a legacy FTU branch has increased while legacy FTU branch investment production has more than tripled
Investment Production/Branch
($ in thousands)
+255%
0
26
29
11
39
3Q01 2Q03 2Q04 3Q01 2Q04
Legacy WB Legacy FTU
Legacy WB Investment Production as a % of Legacy FTU
0%
59%
73%
100%
3Q01 2Q03 2Q04 Goal
Conversions & Rebranding Completed
Page 9 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Retail & Small Business
Strong sales culture drives revenue growth
Same-store Production
($ in thousands)
Deposits
+9%
2,449
2,680
2Q03 2Q04
Loans
+7%
3,265
3,490
2Q03 2Q04
Revenue per Financial Center
($ in thousands)
+8 % $691 $714 $687 $704 $743
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04
Page 10 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
CMG revenue growth opportunity
Wachovia Securities retail brokerage
Client Asset Balances*
($ in billions)
+10% $564 $569 $603 $623 $619
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04
*Client assets for 2Q03 are combined Wachovia Securities and Prudential Securities prior to the consummation of the brokerage transaction.
Wachovia/Prudential Brokerage Integration
Largest client conversion ever in the retail brokerage industry completed over the Labor Day weekend
Over 1.9 million accounts Over $225 billion in assets*
Regretted broker attrition remains lower than anticipated at 3% Expected one-time merger costs reduced in 2Q04 to $1.0 billion
71% complete as of 6/30/04
*Prudential client assets of $225 billion excludes correspondent clearing business.
Page 11 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Asset management momentum
Evergreen fund performance
Lipper
53%
65%
69%
2Q02 2Q03 2Q04
Morningstar
48%
59%
71%
2Q02 2Q03 2Q04
Lipper: 3-year Top 2 quartiles Taxable Fluctuating Funds Morningstar: 4 or 5 star rated funds
*Lipper and Morningstar ratings as of June 30th.
Page 12 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
WM revenue growth strategy
Intensify client focus
Trust and Investment Management Fees
($ in millions) $81 $83 $87 $89 $90
+11%
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04
Wealth Management Pre-Tax Margin
23%
24%
26%
29%
30%
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 YTD 2004 2004 Goal
Page 13 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
CIB revenue growth strategy
Focus on growing market share
Wachovia Market Share
(based on lead deal $ volumes)
1.2%
3.6%
0.1%
1.1%
0.8%
2.7%
0.6%
2.3%
0.5%
1.3%
2.0%
5.7%
0.8%
0.7%
0.2%
8.2%
TOTAL Converts Equity High Grade High Yield Loan Syndications M&A Preferreds
2001
1H 2004
Sources: Converts (Bloomberg), Equity (EquiDesk), High Grade (Thomson Financial), High Yield (Bloomberg), Loan Syndications (Loan Pricing Corporation), M&A (Thomson Financial), Preferreds (Bloomberg).
Page 14 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Corporate and Investment Bank
Non-interest revenue growth
Fee and Other Income +28% $556 $539 $621 $743 $716
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04
Fee Income as a % of Total Revenue
50.7% 49.9% 52.7% 56.7% 55.2%
Page 15 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Wachovia Client Partnership:
Focus on cross-enterprise sales management
Strategy drives wealth, wholesale and retail opportunities
Initiative Revenue
($ in millions) $30 $70 $600 Opportunity
2003 2004 Goal 2007 Annual New Revenue Cumulative Production Impact
Partnership Revenue Opportunity
Retail to Wealth & Wealth Client Acquisition Wholesale to and from Wealth CIB to Wealth Product Cross-selling Initiatives
50% 30% 5% 15%
Page 16 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Focus on improving cost structure and operating efficiencies
Operating Overhead Efficiency Ratio*
2Q03 2Q04
52.7%
61.0%
(#16)
55.0%
61.5%
(#15)
MedianTop 20 U.S. Banks
Wachovia
*Total noninterest expense, excluding merger-related and restructuring expense, divided by the sum of net interest income, including the tax-equivalent adjustment, and fee and other income.
Page 17 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Focus on improving cost structure and operating efficiencies
General Bank Cash Overhead Efficiency Ratio*
58%
56%
55%
52%
50%
2001 2002 2003 YTD 2005
2004 Goal
*Total noninterest expense as reported on a segment basis, divided by the sum of net interest income, including the tax-equivalent adjustment, and fee and other income as reported on a segment basis.
Retail Brokerage Pre-Tax Margin
17%
14% 14% 14%
20%
2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 YTD 2005
2004 Year End Goal
Page 18 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Balance sheet momentum
Wachovia vs. peers: credit quality
Net Charge-off Ratio vs. Top 20 U.S. Banks
0.92%
0.83%
0.97%
0.91%
0.78%
0.84%
0.80%
0.73%
0.70%
0.52%
0.34%
Median
WB (#2)
0.93%
0.83%
0.78%
0.59%
0.52%
0.49%
0.43%
0.33%
0.39%
0.17%
0.13%
4Q01 1Q02 2Q02 3Q02 4Q02 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04
MedianTop 20 U.S. Banks
Wachovia
Page 19 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
SouthTrust rationale
Creates $1 billion of shareholder value for WB shareholders based on announcement assumptions in June 21st investor presentation
Upside shareholder value potential exceeds $1.6B including achievable revenue synergies
Strengthens competitive positioning in fast growing Southeast Provides additional scale and growth opportunities to General Bank
Offers significant revenue synergies, yet none are assumed Deepens and expands base of key human capital Extends General Banks footprint Accelerates Texas strategy
Expense efficiencies reasonable and achievable Low-risk integration
Clean, straightforward systems environment
Vast majority of integration activities are GBG related Only two deposit conversions required
Integration plans further along than WB/FTU integration at this point in timeline
Capacity considerations require less system analysis and allows for handling of more accounts for less cost
Page 20 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
SouthTrust opportunity
Retail & Small Business: further leverage the sales culture
Branch revenue lift estimated at $175 million/year
Average SouthTrust branch production as a % of an average Wachovia branch*
22%
37%
48%
53%
100%
Consumer Loans Investment Sales Retail Checking Small Business Loans Goal
*Branch production estimates as of 1Q04.
Page 21 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
SouthTrust opportunity
Commercial: further leverage the sales culture
Avg. SouthTrust outstandings/RM as % of avg. WB outstandings/RM*
22%
67%
100%
Deposits Loans Goal
*Commercial outstanding estimates as of 2Q04.
Treasury Services Annual Revenues/Commercial Loans Outstanding.
Additional product opportunities
Treasury Services
Penetration of Small Business segment is 50% of Wachovias
Derivatives
New product opportunity
Commercial Real Estate Securitizations
New product opportunity
Permanent Real Estate Loan Placement
New product opportunity
Page 22 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
SouthTrust is a less complex conversion than Wachovia/First Union
Number system applications requiring conversion
1,100
600
45% fewer systems to convert
Transaction volumes as a % of legacy company
40%
10%
Lower transaction volumes as a % of acquiring company will result in minimal needs for capacity expansion
Wachovia/ First Union Wachovia/ SouthTrust
Number of accounts requiring conversion
(in millions)
5.2
2.3
55% fewer accounts to convert
Number of regional conversions
4
2
50% fewer regional conversions
Page 23 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Moving forward
Strategic priorities will lead to continued success
Focus on maintaining employee engagement Focus on building customer loyalty Focus on execution of revenue growth strategies Focus on improving cost structure and operating efficiencies Focus on financial strength and corporate governance Focus on SouthTrust merger approval and successful merger integration
Page 24 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Cautionary statement
This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, (i) statements about the benefits of the merger between Wachovia Corporation and SouthTrust Corporation, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues, and accretion to reported earnings that may be realized from the merger; (ii) statements with respect to Wachovias and SouthTrusts plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts; and (iii) other statements identified by words such as believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans, targets and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Wachovias and SouthTrusts management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements: (1) the risk that the businesses of Wachovia and SouthTrust will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; (2) expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; (3) revenues following the merger may be lower than expected; (4) deposit attrition, operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the merger, including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, may be greater than expected; (5) the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule and without greater divestitures than anticipated; (6) the failure of Wachovias and/or SouthTrusts shareholders to approve the merger; (7) enforcement actions by governmental agencies that are not currently anticipated; (8) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly and have an effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (9) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the combined company will conduct operations may be different than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on the combined companys loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses; (10) changes in the U.S. and foreign legal and regulatory framework; and (11) adverse conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets (including changes in interest rate conditions) and the impact of such conditions on the combined companys capital markets and asset management activities. Additional factors that could cause Wachovias and SouthTrusts results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Wachovias and SouthTrusts Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the proposed transaction or other matters and attributable to Wachovia or SouthTrust or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. Wachovia and SouthTrust do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
Page 25 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson
Additional information
The proposed merger between Wachovia Corporation and SouthTrust Corporation will be submitted to Wachovias and SouthTrusts shareholders for their consideration, and on August 31, 2004, Wachovia filed an amended registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC containing a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Shareholders are urged to read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information. You will be able to obtain a free copy of the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Wachovia and SouthTrust, at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, at www.wachovia.com under the tab Inside Wachovia Investor Relations and then under the heading Financial ReportsSEC Filings. You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, at www.southtrust.com under the tab About SouthTrust, then under Investor Relations and then under SEC Documents. Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the SEC filings that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Wachovia Corporation, Investor Relations, One Wachovia Center, 301 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28288-0206, (704)-374-6782, or to SouthTrust Corporation, P. O. Box 2554, Birmingham, AL 35290, (205)-254-5187.
Wachovia and SouthTrust, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Wachovia and SouthTrust in connection with the merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Wachovia and their ownership of Wachovia common stock is set forth in the proxy statement, dated March 15, 2004, for Wachovias 2004 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A. Information about the directors and executive officers of SouthTrust and their ownership of SouthTrust common stock is set forth in the proxy statement, dated March 8, 2004, for SouthTrusts 2004 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.
Page 26 #3736 Lehman Brothers, Ken Thompson