e424b5
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424B5
File No. 333-124535
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated August 3, 2005)
12,000,000 Securities
USB Capital VII
5.875% Trust Preferred Securities
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
The 5.875% Trust Preferred Securities, each with $25
liquidation amount, are referred to in this prospectus
supplement as the capital securities. A brief
description of the capital securities can be found under
Summary in this prospectus supplement.
We will apply to list the capital securities on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol USB Pr F. Trading of
the capital securities on the New York Stock Exchange is
expected to commence within 30 days of the date of the
initial delivery of the capital securities.
Investing in the capital securities involves risks. See
Risk Factors beginning on page S-7.
The capital securities and the junior subordinated debentures
are not deposits or other obligations of a bank. They are not
insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined that this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Capital | |
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Security | |
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Total | |
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Public offering price(1)
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
300,000,000 |
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Underwriting commission to be paid by U.S. Bancorp
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$ |
0.7875 |
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$ |
9,450,000 |
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Proceeds (before expenses)
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$ |
24.2125 |
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$ |
290,550,000 |
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(1) |
Any accrued distributions on the capital securities from
August 15, 2005 should be added to the public offering
price. |
We have granted the underwriters a right to request from us the
opportunity to purchase up to 1,800,000 additional capital
securities at the public offering price less the underwriting
commission of $.7875 per capital security, within
30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to
cover over-allotments, if any.
The underwriters expect to deliver the capital securities in
book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company on or
about August 15, 2005.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
A.G. Edwards
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Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. |
The date of this prospectus supplement is August 3, 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
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S-1 |
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S-7 |
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S-9 |
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S-10 |
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S-11 |
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S-12 |
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S-12 |
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S-13 |
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S-13 |
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S-13 |
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S-14 |
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S-20 |
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S-22 |
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S-24 |
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S-29 |
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S-33 |
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S-35 |
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S-35 |
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Prospectus |
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You should rely only on the information contained in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus may be used only for the purpose for
which they have been prepared. No one is authorized to give
information other than that contained in this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the documents
referred to in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus and which are made available to the public. We have
not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other
S-i
person to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you
should not rely on it.
We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to
sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or
sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the
information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by
reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the
applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do
not constitute an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or on
behalf of the underwriters, to subscribe for and purchase, any
of the capital securities, and may not be used for or in
connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any
jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not
authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such
an offer or solicitation.
S-ii
SUMMARY
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The following information should be read together with the
information contained in other parts of this prospectus
supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. It may not
contain all the information that is important to you. You should
carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus to understand fully the terms of the
capital securities and the related guarantee and junior
subordinated debentures, as well as the tax and other
considerations that are important to you in making a decision
about whether to invest in the capital securities. To the extent
the following information is inconsistent with the information
in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the following
information. You should pay special attention to the Risk
Factors section of this prospectus supplement to determine
whether an investment in the capital securities is appropriate
for you. |
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About U.S. Bancorp
We are a multi-state financial holding company with
$204 billion in assets at June 30, 2005, headquartered
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We were incorporated in Delaware in
1929 and operate as a financial holding company and a bank
holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. We
provide a full range of financial services, including lending
and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and
trust and investment management services. We also engage in
credit card services, merchant and automated teller machine
processing, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, leasing and
investment banking. We are the parent company of U.S. Bank.
Our banking subsidiaries are engaged in the general banking
business, principally in domestic markets. Our subsidiaries
range in size from $25 million to $128 billion in
deposits at December 31, 2004, and provide a wide range of
products and services to individuals, businesses, institutional
organizations, governmental entities and other financial
institutions. Commercial and consumer lending services are
principally offered to customers within our domestic markets, to
domestic customers with foreign operations and within certain
niche national venues. Lending services include traditional
credit products as well as credit card services, financing and
import/export trade, asset-backed lending, agricultural finance
and other products. Leasing products are offered through bank
leasing subsidiaries. Depository services include checking
accounts, savings accounts and time certificate contracts.
Ancillary services such as foreign exchange, treasury management
and receivable lock-box collection are provided to corporate
customers. Our bank and trust subsidiaries provide a full range
of asset management and fiduciary services for individuals,
estates, foundations, businesses and charitable organizations.
Our nonbanking subsidiaries primarily offer investment and
insurance products to our customers principally within their
markets and mutual fund processing services to a broad range of
mutual funds.
Banking and investment services are provided through a network
of 2,383 banking offices principally operating in 24 states
in the Midwest and West. U.S. Bancorp operates a network of
4,877 branded ATMs and provides 24-hour, seven day a week
telephone customer service. Mortgage banking services are
provided through banking offices and loan production offices
throughout our markets. Consumer lending products may be
originated through banking offices, indirect correspondents,
brokers or other lending sources, and a consumer finance
division. We are also one of the largest providers of Visa®
corporate and purchasing card services and corporate trust
services in the United States. A wholly-owned subsidiary, NOVA
Information Systems, Inc., provides merchant processing services
directly to merchants through a network of banking affiliations.
Affiliates of NOVA Information Systems, Inc. provide similar
merchant services in Canada and segments of Europe. These
foreign operations are not significant to us.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol USB. Our principal executive
offices are located at 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55402, and our telephone number is (651) 466-3000.
S-1
About USB Capital VII
USB Capital VII is a statutory trust organized under Delaware
law by the trustees and us. USB Capital VII was established
solely for the following purposes:
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to issue the capital securities, which represent undivided
beneficial ownership interests in USB Capital VIIs assets,
to the public; |
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to use proceeds from the sale of capital securities to buy our
junior subordinated debentures; |
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to issue the common securities to us in a total liquidation
amount equal to at least 3% of USB Capital VIIs total
capital in exchange for our junior subordinated debentures; |
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to maintain USB Capital VIIs status as a grantor trust for
federal income tax purposes; and |
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to engage in other activities that are directly related to the
activities described above, such as registering the transfer of
the capital securities. |
Because USB Capital VII was established only for the purposes
listed above, the junior subordinated debentures will be USB
Capital VIIs sole assets. Payments on the junior
subordinated debentures will be USB Capital VIIs sole
source of income. USB Capital VII will issue only one series of
capital securities.
The Offering
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Title |
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USB Capital VII 5.875% Trust Preferred Securities. |
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Securities Offered |
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12,000,000 capital securities in denominations of $25 each with
an aggregate liquidation amount of $300,000,000. Each capital
security will represent an undivided beneficial ownership
interest in the assets of USB Capital VII. Each capital
security will entitle its holder to receive quarterly cash
distributions as described below. |
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USB Capital VII |
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The issuer of the capital securities is USB Capital VII, a
Delaware statutory trust. We created it for the sole purpose of
issuing the capital securities to the public, using the proceeds
of the sale to buy our 5.875% junior subordinated debentures due
2035, issuing common securities to us in exchange for an
additional amount of junior subordinated debentures, and
engaging in the other transactions described below. |
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USB Capital VII has five trustees. The three administrative
trustees are officers of U.S. Bancorp. Delaware Trust
Company, National Association will act as the property trustee
and the Delaware trustee of USB Capital VII. |
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USB Capital VII will hold the junior subordinated
debentures that it buys from us and that it receives in exchange
for the issuance of common securities to us. We will retain the
common securities that we receive from USB Capital VII. We
will pay interest on the junior subordinated debentures at the
same rate and at the same times as USB Capital VII makes
payments on the capital securities. USB Capital VII will
use the payments it receives on the junior subordinated
debentures to make the corresponding payments on the capital
securities. We will guarantee payments made on the capital
securities to the extent described below. Both the junior
subordinated debentures and |
S-2
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the guarantee will be subordinated to the holders of our
existing and future senior debt. |
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Distributions |
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If you purchase the capital securities, as an undivided
beneficial owner in the junior subordinated debentures, you will
be entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions at an
annual rate of 5.875%. Interest on the junior subordinated
debentures will accrue, and as a result distributions on the
capital securities will accumulate, from the date of issuance,
and will be paid quarterly in arrears on August 15,
November 15, February 15 and May 15 of each year, beginning
November 15, 2005, unless they are deferred as described
below. |
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Distribution Deferral |
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We can, on one or more occasions, defer the quarterly interest
payments on the junior subordinated debentures for up to 20
consecutive quarterly periods. In other words, we may declare at
our discretion up to a five-year interest payment moratorium on
the junior subordinated debentures and may choose to do that on
more than one occasion. A deferral of interest payments cannot
extend, however, beyond the maturity date of the junior
subordinated debentures, nor can we begin a new interest
deferral period until we have paid all accrued interest on the
junior subordinated debentures from the previous interest
deferral period. |
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If we defer interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures, USB Capital VII will also defer distributions
on the capital securities. Any deferred interest on the junior
subordinated debentures will accrue additional interest at an
annual rate of 5.875%, and, as a result, any deferred
distributions will accumulate additional amounts at an annual
rate of 5.875%, compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by
applicable law. Once we pay all deferred interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures, with accrued interest, we
can again defer interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures as described above, but not beyond the maturity date
of the junior subordinated debentures. |
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During any period in which we defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures, we will not and our subsidiaries
will not do any of the following, with certain limited
exceptions: |
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declare or pay any dividends or distributions, or
redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment on any
of our capital stock; |
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make any payment of principal of or interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any of our
debt securities (including other junior subordinated debentures)
that rank equally with or junior in interest to the junior
subordinated debentures; or |
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make any guarantee payments on any guarantee of debt
securities of any of our subsidiaries (including under other
guarantees of junior subordinated debentures) if the guarantee |
S-3
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ranks equally with or junior in interest to the junior
subordinated debentures, except in some circumstances. |
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If we defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures, the junior subordinated debentures will be treated
at that time as being issued with original issue discount for
United States federal income tax purposes. This means you would
be required to accrue interest income in an amount equal to the
deferred distributions on your capital securities even though
you would not be receiving any cash distributions on your
capital securities. These amounts would be included in your
gross income for United States federal income tax purposes. For
more information, see below under the caption United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences in this prospectus
supplement. |
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Redemption |
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USB Capital VII will redeem all of the outstanding capital
securities when the junior subordinated debentures are repaid at
maturity. The junior subordinated debentures are scheduled to
mature on August 15, 2035. |
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In addition, if we redeem any junior subordinated debentures
before their maturity, USB Capital VII will use the cash it
receives on the redemption of the junior subordinated debentures
to redeem, on a proportionate basis, the capital securities and
the common securities. We can redeem the junior subordinated
debentures before their maturity at 100% of their principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest in whole or in part on
one or more occasions any time on or after August 15, 2010,
or in whole at any time if certain changes occur in tax or
investment company laws and regulations or in the treatment of
the capital securities for bank regulatory purposes. These
circumstances are more fully described below under the caption
Certain Terms of the Capital Securities
Redemption in this prospectus supplement. |
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We will not redeem the junior subordinated debentures unless we
obtain the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve) to do
so, if then required under the Federal Reserve Boards
capital rules. |
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Liquidation Preference |
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Upon any dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of USB
Capital VII involving the liquidation of the junior
subordinated debentures, the holders of the capital securities
will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by USB
Capital VII, subject to the rights of any creditors of USB
Capital VII, the liquidation distribution in cash. USB
Capital VII will be able to make this distribution of cash
only if we redeem the junior subordinated debentures. |
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The Guarantee |
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We will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment of all
amounts due on the capital securities to the extent USB
Capital VII has funds available for payment of such
distributions. |
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We also are obligated to pay most of the expenses and
obligations of USB Capital VII (other than USB
Capital VIIs |
S-4
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obligations to make payments on the capital securities and
common securities, which are covered only by the guarantee). |
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The guarantee does not cover payments when USB Capital VII
does not have sufficient funds to make payments on the capital
securities. In other words, if we do not make a payment on the
junior subordinated debentures, USB Capital VII will not
have sufficient funds to make payments on the capital
securities, and the guarantee will not obligate us to make those
payments on USB Capital VIIs behalf. In addition, our
obligations under the guarantee are subordinate to our
obligations to other creditors to the same extent as the junior
subordinated debentures. For more information, see
Description of the Guarantee in the accompanying
prospectus. |
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Dissolution of USB Capital VII and Distribution of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures |
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We can dissolve USB Capital VII at any time, subject to
obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to do
so, if then required under the Federal Reserve Boards
capital rules. |
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If we dissolve USB Capital VII, or if USB Capital VII
dissolves because of certain other specified events (such as our
bankruptcy), USB Capital VII will distribute the junior
subordinated debentures to holders of the capital securities and
the common securities on a proportionate basis. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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The net proceeds from the offering of the capital securities are
estimated to be $290,445,000, or $334,027,500 if the
underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. We
intend to use all of the proceeds from the sale of the capital
securities for general corporate purposes. We expect the capital
securities to qualify as Tier 1 capital under the capital
guidelines of the Federal Reserve Board. |
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Listing |
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We will apply to list the capital securities on the New York
Stock Exchange. Trading is expected to commence within
30 days after the capital securities are first issued. You
should be aware that the listing of the capital securities will
not necessarily ensure that an active trading market will be
available for the capital securities or that you will be able to
sell your capital securities at the price you originally paid
for them. |
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If USB Capital VII distributes the junior subordinated
debentures, we will use our best efforts to list them on the New
York Stock Exchange or wherever the capital securities are then
listed. |
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Form of the Capital Securities |
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The capital securities will be represented by one or more global
securities that will be deposited with and registered in the
name of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York. This
means that you will not receive a certificate for your capital
securities and the capital securities will not be registered in
your name. For more details, see the information under the
caption Book-Entry Issuance in the accompanying
prospectus. |
S-5
Summary Selected Consolidated Financial Data of
U.S. Bancorp and Subsidiaries
We provide below our selected consolidated financial data as of
and for the periods specified. You should read the data below
with the more detailed information, consolidated financial
statements and the notes to the consolidated financial
statements that we refer you to in the accompanying prospectus
under the caption Where You Can Find More
Information.
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Six Months | |
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Ended | |
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June 30, | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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2002 | |
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($ and shares in millions, except per | |
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share data) | |
Condensed Income Statement
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Net interest income (taxable-equivalent basis)
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$ |
3,512 |
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$ |
7,139.9 |
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$ |
7,217.5 |
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$ |
6,847.2 |
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Securities gains (losses), net
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(58 |
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(104.9 |
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244.8 |
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299.9 |
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Noninterest income
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2,981 |
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5,624.1 |
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5,068.2 |
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4,910.8 |
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Total net revenue
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6,435 |
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12,659.1 |
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12,530.5 |
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12,057.9 |
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Noninterest expense
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2,926 |
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5,784.5 |
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5,596.9 |
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5,740.5 |
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Provision for credit losses
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316 |
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669.6 |
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1,254.0 |
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1,349.0 |
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Income from continuing operations before taxes
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3,193 |
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6,205.0 |
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5,679.6 |
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4,968.4 |
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Taxable-equivalent adjustment
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14 |
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28.6 |
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28.2 |
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32.9 |
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Applicable income taxes
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987 |
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2,009.6 |
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1,941.3 |
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1,707.5 |
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Income from continuing operations
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2,192 |
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4,166.8 |
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3,710.1 |
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3,228.0 |
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Discontinued operations (after-tax)
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22.5 |
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(22.7 |
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Cumulative effect of accounting change (after-tax)
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(37.2 |
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Net income
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$ |
2,192 |
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$ |
4,166.8 |
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$ |
3,732.6 |
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$ |
3,168.1 |
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Financial Ratios
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Return on average assets
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2.22 |
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2.17 |
% |
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1.99 |
% |
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1.84 |
% |
Return on average equity
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22.3 |
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21.4 |
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19.2 |
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18.3 |
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Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)
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4.03 |
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4.25 |
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4.49 |
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4.65 |
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Efficiency ratio
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45.1 |
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45.3 |
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45.6 |
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48.8 |
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Per Common Share
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Earnings per share from continuing operations
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$ |
1.19 |
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$ |
2.21 |
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$ |
1.93 |
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$ |
1.68 |
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Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
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1.17 |
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2.18 |
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1.92 |
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1.68 |
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Earnings per share
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1.19 |
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2.21 |
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1.94 |
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1.65 |
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Diluted earnings per share
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1.17 |
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2.18 |
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1.93 |
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1.65 |
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Dividends declared per share
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.60 |
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1.020 |
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.855 |
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.780 |
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Average Balance Sheet Data
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
|
|
$ |
129,474 |
|
|
$ |
122,141 |
|
|
$ |
118,362 |
|
|
$ |
114,453 |
|
Loans held for sale
|
|
|
1,564 |
|
|
|
1,608 |
|
|
|
3,616 |
|
|
|
2,644 |
|
Investment securities
|
|
|
42,576 |
|
|
|
43,009 |
|
|
|
37,248 |
|
|
|
28,829 |
|
Earning assets
|
|
|
175,022 |
|
|
|
168,123 |
|
|
|
160,808 |
|
|
|
147,410 |
|
Assets
|
|
|
199,390 |
|
|
|
191,593 |
|
|
|
187,630 |
|
|
|
171,948 |
|
Noninterest bearing deposits
|
|
|
28,784 |
|
|
|
29,816 |
|
|
|
31,715 |
|
|
|
28,715 |
|
Deposits
|
|
|
120,332 |
|
|
|
116,222 |
|
|
|
116,553 |
|
|
|
105,124 |
|
Short-term borrowings
|
|
|
16,313 |
|
|
|
14,534 |
|
|
|
10,503 |
|
|
|
10,116 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
36,211 |
|
|
|
35,115 |
|
|
|
33,663 |
|
|
|
32,172 |
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
19,812 |
|
|
|
19,459 |
|
|
|
19,393 |
|
|
|
17,273 |
|
Average shares outstanding
|
|
|
1,842 |
|
|
|
1,887.1 |
|
|
|
1,923.7 |
|
|
|
1,916.0 |
|
Average diluted shares outstanding
|
|
|
1,869 |
|
|
|
1,912.9 |
|
|
|
1,936.2 |
|
|
|
1,924.8 |
|
Period-end Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
|
|
$ |
133,444 |
|
|
$ |
126,315 |
|
|
$ |
118,235 |
|
|
$ |
116,251 |
|
Allowance for credit losses
|
|
|
2,269 |
|
|
|
2,269 |
|
|
|
2,369 |
|
|
|
2,422 |
|
Investment securities
|
|
|
42,299 |
|
|
|
41,481 |
|
|
|
43,334 |
|
|
|
28,488 |
|
Assets
|
|
|
203,981 |
|
|
|
195,104 |
|
|
|
189,471 |
|
|
|
180,027 |
|
Deposits
|
|
|
121,823 |
|
|
|
120,741 |
|
|
|
119,052 |
|
|
|
115,534 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
34,788 |
|
|
|
34,739 |
|
|
|
33,816 |
|
|
|
31,582 |
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
19,901 |
|
|
|
19,539 |
|
|
|
19,242 |
|
|
|
18,436 |
|
Regulatory capital ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tangible common equity
|
|
|
6.1 |
% |
|
|
6.4 |
% |
|
|
6.5 |
% |
|
|
5.7 |
% |
|
Tier 1 capital
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
Total risk-based capital
|
|
|
12.5 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
13.6 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
Leverage
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
S-6
RISK FACTORS
Before purchasing any capital securities, you should read
carefully this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus and pay special attention to the following risk
factors.
Because USB Capital VII will rely on the payments it
receives on the junior subordinated debentures to fund all
payments on the capital securities, and because USB Capital VII
may distribute the junior subordinated debentures in exchange
for the capital securities, you are making an investment
regarding the junior subordinated debentures as well as the
capital securities. You should carefully review the information
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
about the capital securities, the guarantee and the junior
subordinated debentures.
Holders of Our Senior Indebtedness Will Get Paid Before You
Will Get Paid Under the Guarantee
Our obligations under the junior subordinated debentures and the
guarantee will be junior in right of payment to all of our
existing and future senior debt. This means that we cannot make
any payments on the junior subordinated debentures or the
guarantee if we are in default on any of our senior debt. In
addition, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or
dissolution, our assets must be used to pay off our senior
obligations in full before any payments may be made on the
junior subordinated debentures or the guarantee.
As of December 31, 2004, we had outstanding senior debt of
approximately $24.5 billion. The indenture pursuant to
which the junior subordinated debentures will be issued, the
guarantee, the certificate of trust which created USB Capital
VII and the amended and restated trust agreement, do not limit
our ability to incur additional senior debt.
For more information, see below under the captions Certain
Terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
Ranking in this prospectus supplement and
Description of the Guarantee Status of
Guarantees in the accompanying prospectus.
Our Results of Operations Depend Upon the Results of
Operations of Our Subsidiaries
We are a holding company that conducts substantially all of our
operations through our banks and other subsidiaries. As a
result, our ability to make payments on the junior subordinated
debentures and the guarantee will depend primarily upon the
receipt of dividends and other distributions from our
subsidiaries.
There are various regulatory restrictions on the ability of our
banking subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to
us. At December 31, 2004, our banking subsidiaries could
pay a total of approximately $1.2 billion in dividends to
us in a calendar year without prior regulatory approval.
In addition, our right to participate in any distribution of
assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiarys
liquidation or otherwise, and thus your ability as a holder of
the capital securities to benefit indirectly from such
distribution, will be subject to the prior claims of creditors
of that subsidiary, except to the extent that any of our claims
as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized. As a result,
the capital securities will effectively be subordinated to all
existing and future liabilities and obligations of our
subsidiaries. Therefore, holders of the capital securities
should look only to our assets for payments on the junior
subordinated debentures and indirectly on the capital
securities. Further, the junior subordinated debentures and the
guarantee also will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future obligations of our subsidiaries.
At December 31, 2004, our subsidiaries had outstanding debt
and other liabilities, including deposits, of approximately
$175.6 billion.
S-7
If We Do Not Make Payments on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, USB Capital VII Will Not Be Able to Pay
Distributions and Other Payments on the Capital Securities and
the Guarantee Will Not Apply
USB Capital VIIs ability to make timely distribution
and redemption payments on the capital securities is completely
dependent upon our making timely payments on the junior
subordinated debentures. If we default on the junior
subordinated debentures, USB Capital VII will lack funds for the
payments on the capital securities. If this happens, holders of
capital securities will not be able to rely upon the guarantee
for payment of such amounts because the guarantee only
guarantees that we will make distribution and redemption
payments on the capital securities if USB Capital VII has the
funds to do so itself but does not. Instead, you or the property
trustee may proceed directly against us for payment of any
amounts due on the capital securities.
For more information, see below under the caption Certain
Terms of the Capital Securities
Trust Enforcement Events in this prospectus
supplement.
Distributions on the Capital Securities Could Be Deferred;
You May Have to Include Interest in Your Taxable Income Before
You Receive Cash
As long as the junior subordinated debentures are not in
default, we can, on one or more occasions, defer interest
payments on the junior subordinated debentures for up to 20
consecutive quarterly periods, but not beyond the maturity date
of the junior subordinated debentures. Because interest payments
on the junior subordinated debentures fund the distributions on
the capital securities, each such deferral would result in a
corresponding deferral of distributions on the capital
securities.
We do not intend to defer interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures. However, if we do so in the future, the
capital securities may trade at a price that does not reflect
fully the value of the accrued but unpaid distributions. Even if
we do not do so, our right to defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures could mean that the market price
for the capital securities may be more volatile than that of
other securities without interest deferral rights.
If we defer interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures, you will be required to accrue interest income for
United States federal income tax purposes in respect of your
proportionate share of the accrued but unpaid interest on the
junior subordinated debentures held by USB Capital VII, even if
you normally report income when received. As a result, you will
be required to include the accrued interest in your gross income
for United States federal income tax purposes prior to your
receiving any cash distribution. If you sell your capital
securities prior to the record date for the first distribution
after a deferral period, you would never receive the cash from
us related to the accrued interest that you reported for tax
purposes. You should consult with your own tax advisor
regarding the tax consequences of an investment in the capital
securities.
For more information regarding the tax consequences of
purchasing the capital securities, see below under the caption
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
Interest Income and Original Issue Discount and
Sales of Capital Securities or Redemption of
Junior Subordinated Debentures in this prospectus
supplement.
The Capital Securities May Be Redeemed Prior to Maturity; You
May Be Taxed on the Proceeds and You May Not Be Able to Reinvest
the Proceeds at the Same or a Higher Rate of Return
The junior subordinated debentures (and therefore the capital
securities) may be redeemed in whole or in part on one or more
occasions any time on or after August 15, 2010 or in whole
upon the occurrence of certain special events relating to
changes in tax law, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the
treatment of the capital securities for bank regulatory capital
purposes, subject to receipt of any necessary Federal Reserve
Board approval. The redemption price for the junior subordinated
debentures would be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus
accrued and unpaid interest. If such a redemption happens, USB
Capital VII must use the redemption price it receives to redeem
on a proportionate basis capital
S-8
securities and common securities having an aggregate liquidation
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the junior
subordinated debentures redeemed.
The redemption of the capital securities would be a taxable
event to you for United States federal income tax purposes.
In addition, you may not be able to reinvest the money that you
receive in the redemption at a rate that is equal to or higher
than the rate of return on the capital securities.
Federal Banking Authorities May Restrict the Ability of USB
Capital VII to Make Distributions on or Redeem the Capital
Securities
Federal banking authorities will have the right to examine USB
Capital VII and its activities because USB Capital VII is our
subsidiary. Under certain circumstances, including any
determination that our relationship to USB Capital VII would
result in an unsafe and unsound banking practice, these banking
authorities have the authority to issue orders which could
restrict the ability of USB Capital VII to make distributions on
or to redeem the capital securities.
An Active Trading Market for the Capital Securities May Not
Develop
We will apply to list the capital securities on the New York
Stock Exchange. Trading is expected to commence within
30 days after the capital securities are first issued. You
should be aware that the listing of the capital securities will
not necessarily ensure that an active trading market will be
available for the capital securities or that you will be able to
sell your capital securities at the price you originally paid
for them.
We Generally Will Control USB Capital VII Because Your Voting
Rights Are Very Limited
You will only have limited voting rights. In particular, you may
not elect and remove any trustees, except when there is a
default under the junior subordinated debentures. If such a
default occurs, a majority in liquidation amount of the holders
of the capital securities would be entitled to remove or appoint
the property trustee and the Delaware trustee.
For more information, see below under the caption USB
Capital VII in this prospectus supplement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
Statements that are not historical or current facts, including
statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking
statements. These statements often include the words
may, could, would,
should, believes, expects,
anticipates, estimates,
intends, plans, targets,
potentially, probably,
projects, outlook or similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements cover, among other things,
anticipated future revenue and expenses and the future prospects
of U.S. Bancorp. Forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated, including but not limited to the following, in
addition to those contained in U.S. Bancorps reports
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC):
|
|
|
|
|
general economic or industry conditions could be less favorable
than expected, resulting in a deterioration in credit quality, a
change in the allowance for credit losses, or a reduced demand
for credit or fee-based products and services; |
|
|
|
changes in the domestic interest rate environment could reduce
net interest income and could increase credit losses; |
S-9
|
|
|
|
|
inflation, changes in securities market conditions and monetary
fluctuations could adversely affect the value or credit quality
of our assets, or the availability and terms of funding
necessary to meet our liquidity needs; |
|
|
|
changes in the extensive laws, regulations and policies
governing financial services companies could alter our business
environment or affect operations; |
|
|
|
the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information
technology systems, on which we are highly dependent, could
present operational issues or require significant capital
spending; |
|
|
|
competitive pressures could intensify and affect our
profitability, including as a result of continued industry
consolidation, the increased availability of financial services
from non-banks, technological developments or bank regulatory
reform; |
|
|
|
changes in consumer spending and savings habits could adversely
affect our results of operations; |
|
|
|
changes in the financial performance and condition of our
borrowers could negatively affect repayment of such
borrowers loans; |
|
|
|
acquisitions may not produce revenue enhancements or cost
savings at levels or within time frames originally anticipated,
or may result in unforeseen integration difficulties; |
|
|
|
capital investments in our businesses may not produce expected
growth in earnings anticipated at the time of the
expenditure; and |
|
|
|
acts or threats of terrorism, and/or political and military
actions taken by the U.S. or other governments in response
to acts or threats of terrorism or otherwise could adversely
affect general economic or industry conditions. |
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are
made, and we undertake no obligation to update them in light of
new information or future events.
U.S. BANCORP
We are a multi-state financial holding company with
$204 billion in assets at June 30, 2005, headquartered
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We were incorporated in Delaware in
1929 and operate as a financial holding company and a bank
holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. We
provide a full range of financial services, including lending
and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and
trust and investment management services. We also engage in
credit card services, merchant and automated teller machine
processing, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, leasing and
investment banking. We are the parent company of U.S. Bank.
Our banking subsidiaries are engaged in the general banking
business, principally in domestic markets. Our subsidiaries
range in size from $25 million to $128 billion in
deposits at December 31, 2004, and provide a wide range of
products and services to individuals, businesses, institutional
organizations, governmental entities and other financial
institutions. Commercial and consumer lending services are
principally offered to customers within our domestic markets, to
domestic customers with foreign operations and within certain
niche national venues. Lending services include traditional
credit products as well as credit card services, financing and
import/export trade, asset-backed lending, agricultural finance
and other products. Leasing products are offered through bank
leasing subsidiaries. Depository services include checking
accounts, savings accounts and time certificate contracts.
Ancillary services such as foreign exchange, treasury management
and receivable lock-box collection are provided to corporate
customers. Our bank and trust subsidiaries provide a full range
of asset management and fiduciary services for individuals,
estates, foundations, businesses and charitable organizations.
Our nonbanking subsidiaries primarily offer investment and
insurance products to our customers principally within their
markets and mutual fund processing services to a broad range of
mutual funds.
S-10
Banking and investment services are provided through a network
of 2,383 banking offices principally operating in 24 states
in the Midwest and West. U.S. Bancorp operates a network of
4,877 branded ATMs and provides 24-hour, seven day a week
telephone customer service. Mortgage banking services are
provided through banking offices and loan production offices
throughout our markets. Consumer lending products may be
originated through banking offices, indirect correspondents,
brokers or other lending sources, and a consumer finance
division. We are also one of the largest providers of Visa®
corporate and purchasing card services and corporate trust
services in the United States. A wholly-owned subsidiary, NOVA
Information Systems, Inc., provides merchant processing services
directly to merchants through a network of banking affiliations.
Affiliates of NOVA Information Systems, Inc. provide similar
merchant services in Canada and segments of Europe. These
foreign operations are not significant to us.
Contact Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 800 Nicollet
Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, and our telephone number is
(651) 466-3000.
USB CAPITAL VII
Purpose and Ownership of USB Capital VII
USB Capital VII is a statutory trust organized under Delaware
law by the trustees and us. USB Capital VII was established
solely for the following purposes:
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|
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|
|
to issue the capital securities, which represent undivided
beneficial ownership interests in USB Capital VIIs
assets, to the public; |
|
|
|
to use proceeds from the sale of capital securities to buy our
junior subordinated debentures; |
|
|
|
to issue the common securities to us in a total liquidation
amount equal to at least 3% of USB Capital VIIs total
capital in exchange for our junior subordinated debentures; |
|
|
|
to maintain USB Capital VIIs status as a grantor
trust for federal income tax purposes; and |
|
|
|
to engage in other activities that are directly related to the
activities described above, such as registering the transfer of
the capital securities. |
Because USB Capital VII was established only for the purposes
listed above, the junior subordinated debentures will be USB
Capital VIIs sole assets. Payments on the junior
subordinated debentures will be USB Capital VIIs sole
source of income. USB Capital VII will issue only one
series of capital securities.
As issuer of the junior subordinated debentures, we will pay:
|
|
|
|
|
all fees, expenses and taxes related to USB Capital VII and
the offering of the capital securities and common securities; and |
|
|
|
all ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of USB
Capital VII, except obligations to make distributions and
other payments on the common securities and the capital
securities. |
For so long as the capital securities remain outstanding, we
will:
|
|
|
|
|
own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities; |
|
|
|
cause USB Capital VII to remain a statutory trust and not
to voluntarily dissolve, wind-up, liquidate or be terminated,
except as permitted by the certificate of trust by which USB
Capital VII was created; |
|
|
|
use our commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that USB
Capital VII will not be an investment company for
purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and |
S-11
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|
|
|
|
take no action that would be reasonably likely to cause USB
Capital VII to be classified as other than a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes. |
The Trustees
The business and affairs of USB Capital VII will be
conducted by its five trustees. The three administrative
trustees will be individuals who are our employees. The fourth
trustee, Delaware Trust Company, National Association, as
property trustee, will hold title to the junior subordinated
debentures for the benefit of the holders of the capital
securities and will have the power to exercise all the rights
and powers of a registered holder of the junior subordinated
debentures. The fifth trustee, Delaware Trust Company, National
Association, as Delaware trustee, maintains its principal place
of business in Delaware and meets the requirements of Delaware
law for Delaware statutory trusts. In addition, Delaware Trust
Company, National Association, as guarantee trustee, will hold
the guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the capital
securities.
We have the sole right to appoint, remove and replace the
trustees of USB Capital VII, unless an event of default
occurs with respect to the junior subordinated debentures. In
that case, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of
the capital securities will have the right to remove and appoint
the property trustee and the Delaware trustee.
Additional Information
For additional information concerning USB Capital VII, see
About the Trusts in the accompanying prospectus. USB
Capital VII will not be required to file any reports with
the SEC after the issuance of the capital securities. As
discussed below under the caption Accounting
Treatment in this prospectus supplement, we will provide
certain information concerning USB Capital VII and the
capital securities in the financial statements included in our
own periodic reports to the SEC.
Office of USB Capital VII
The executive office of USB Capital VII is
c/o U.S. Bancorp, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55402, and its telephone number is (651) 466-3000.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the offering of the capital securities by
USB Capital VII are estimated to be $290,445,000 or
$334,027,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment
option in full. USB Capital VII will use the proceeds of
the sale of the capital securities to buy our junior
subordinated debentures. We intend to use all of the proceeds
from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures for general
corporate purposes.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
Historically, issuer trusts that issued trust preferred
securities have been consolidated by their parent companies and
the accounts of such issuer trusts have been included in the
consolidated financial statements of such parent companies.
However, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Interpretation No. 46,
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, or
FIN 46, as revised in December 2003, provides guidance for
determining when an entity should consolidate another entity
that meets the definition of a variable interest entity.
FIN 46 requires a variable interest entity to be
consolidated if the company will absorb a majority of the
expected losses, will receive a majority of the expected
residual returns, or both. For financial reporting purposes, we
treat our existing trusts formed for the purpose of issuing
trust preferred securities, and will treat USB Capital VII,
as unconsolidated subsidiaries and report the aggregate
principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities we
issue to the various trusts as liabilities, record the assets
related to the cash and common securities received from the
trusts in our
S-12
consolidated balance sheet, and report interest payable on the
junior subordinated debt securities as an interest expense in
our consolidated statements of operations.
REGULATORY TREATMENT
We are required by the Federal Reserve to maintain certain
levels of capital for bank regulatory purposes. We expect that
the capital securities will be treated as Tier 1 capital of
U.S. Bancorp. Since 1996, it has been the position of the
Federal Reserve that certain qualifying amounts of cumulative
preferred stock instruments having the characteristics of the
trust preferred securities could be included as Tier 1
capital for bank holding companies; however, capital received
from the sale of such cumulative preferred stock instruments,
including the trust preferred securities, cannot constitute, as
a whole, more than 25% of total Tier 1 capital. On
March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a final
rule which amended its risk-based capital standards. The amended
standards provide that qualifying trust preferred
securities shall continue to be included in Tier 1
capital, subject to stricter quantitative limits within
Tier 1 capital that do not become effective until
March 31, 2009. Those stricter quantitative limits will
require the deduction of goodwill in computing Tier I
capital limits for restricted core capital elements
that include trust preferred securities and will thereby reduce
the amount of trust preferred securities that we will be able to
include in Tier 1 capital in the future.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table shows our capitalization at June 30,
2005 on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the
issuance of junior subordinated debentures in the aggregate
principal amount of $309,278,000 in exchange for payment from
USB Capital VII (using the proceeds of the sale of
capital securities) and the common securities.
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|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
As Adjusted | |
|
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| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Total long-term debt
|
|
$ |
34,788,000 |
|
|
$ |
35,097,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
19,901,000 |
|
|
|
19,901,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
54,689,000 |
|
|
$ |
54,998,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods
indicated is as follows:
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Three Months Ended | |
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March 31, | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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| |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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2002 | |
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2001 | |
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2000 | |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
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Excluding interest on deposits
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5.06 |
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5.98 |
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6.40 |
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4.88 |
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2.26 |
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2.76 |
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Including interest on deposits
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3.29 |
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3.88 |
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3.64 |
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2.79 |
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1.50 |
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1.69 |
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For the purpose of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of consolidated income from continuing
operations before provision for income taxes, minority interest
and fixed charges, and fixed charges consist of interest
expense, amortization of debt issuance costs and the portion of
rental expense deemed to represent interest.
S-13
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
We have summarized below certain terms of the capital
securities. This summary supplements the general description of
the capital securities under the caption Description of
Capital Securities and elsewhere in the accompanying
prospectus. To the extent that this summary is inconsistent with
the description in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely
on the summary below. This summary is not a complete description
of all of the terms and provisions of the capital securities.
For more information, we refer you to the certificate of trust,
the form of the amended and restated trust agreement and the
form of capital security certificate (which will be
substantially similar to the form of the capital securities),
which we filed as exhibits to the registration statement of
which the accompanying prospectus is a part.
The capital securities represent undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of USB Capital VII. The only assets
of USB Capital VII will be the junior subordinated debentures.
The capital securities will rank equally with the common
securities except as described below under the caption
Subordination of Common Securities in
this section.
Distributions
As an undivided beneficial owner in the junior subordinated
debentures, you will receive distributions on the capital
securities that are cumulative and will accumulate from the date
of issuance at the annual rate of 5.875% of the liquidation
amount of $25 for each capital security. Interest on the junior
subordinated debentures will accrue and, as a result,
distributions on the capital securities will accumulate and will
be payable quarterly in arrears on August 15,
November 15, February 15 and May 15 of each year, beginning
November 15, 2005. The amount of distributions payable for
any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months. The amount of distributions
payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period will
be computed on the basis of a 30-day month and, for periods of
less than a month, the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day
month.
Interest not paid when due will accrue additional interest at
the annual rate of 5.875% on the amount of unpaid interest,
compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
As a result, distributions not paid when due will accumulate
additional distributions at the annual rate of 5.875% on the
amount of unpaid distributions, compounded quarterly, to the
extent permitted by applicable law. When we refer to any payment
of distributions, the term distributions includes
any such additional accumulated distributions.
If distributions are payable on a date that is not a
business day, payment will be made on the next
business day and without any interest or other payment as a
result of such delay. A business day means each day
except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required
by law to close or on which the corporate trust office of the
property trustee or the indenture trustee is closed for business.
USB Capital VIIs income available for the payment of
distributions will be limited to our payments made on the junior
subordinated debentures. As a result, if we do not make interest
payments on the junior subordinated debentures, then USB
Capital VII will not have funds to make distributions on
the capital securities.
Deferral of Distributions
If the junior subordinated debentures are not in default, we
can, on one or more occasions, defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures for up to 20 consecutive
quarterly interest payment periods. A deferral of interest
payments cannot extend, however, beyond the maturity date of the
junior subordinated debentures. If we defer interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures, USB Capital VII also
will defer distributions on the capital securities. During a
deferral period, interest on the junior subordinated debentures
will accrue and compound quarterly at the annual rate of 5.875%,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, and as a result
distributions otherwise due to you would continue to accumulate
from the date that these distributions were due.
S-14
Once we make all deferred interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures, we again can defer interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures in the same manner as
discussed above. As a result, there could be multiple periods of
varying length during which you would not receive cash
distributions from USB Capital VII.
We currently do not intend to defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures. If we defer such interest
payments, however, neither we nor our subsidiaries generally
will be permitted to pay dividends on or repurchase shares of
our capital stock or make payments on debt securities or
guarantees that rank equal or junior to the junior subordinated
debentures and the guarantee. These limitations are described in
greater detail below under the caption Certain Terms of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures Option to Defer
Interest Payments in this prospectus supplement.
If we choose to defer payments of interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, then the junior subordinated debentures
would at that time be treated as being issued with original
issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
This means you will be required to include your share of the
accrued but unpaid interest on the junior subordinated
debentures in your gross income for United States federal income
tax purposes before you receive cash distributions from USB
Capital VII. This treatment will apply as long as you own
capital securities. For more information, see below under the
caption United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount in this prospectus supplement.
Payment of Distributions
Distributions on the capital securities will be payable to
holders on the relevant record date. If the capital securities
are issued in the form of global securities, as is expected, the
record date for determining who will receive distributions on
the capital securities will be the business day preceding the
payment date for such distributions; otherwise the record date
will be the fifteenth day preceding the payment date for such
distributions. For more information on global securities, see
Global Securities; Book-Entry Issue
below, and under the caption Book-Entry Issuance in
the accompanying prospectus. Distributions payable on any
capital securities that are not paid on the scheduled
distribution date will cease to be payable to the person in
whose name such capital securities are registered on the
relevant record date, and such distribution will instead be
payable to the person in whose name such capital securities are
registered on a special record date set for this purpose.
Payments on the capital securities while they are in book-entry
form will be made in immediately available funds to DTC, the
depositary for the capital securities.
Redemption
We may redeem the junior subordinated debentures before their
maturity at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid interest:
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in whole or in part, on one or more occasions at any time on or
after August 15, 2010 or |
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in whole at any time if certain changes occur in tax or
investment company laws and regulations, or in the treatment of
the capital securities for bank regulatory capital purposes.
These events, which we refer to as Special Events,
are described in detail below under the caption
Redemption Upon a Special Event. |
We may not redeem the junior subordinated debentures unless we
receive the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to do
so, if that approval is then required under the Federal Reserve
Boards capital rules.
When we repay the junior subordinated debentures, either at
maturity on August 15, 2035 or upon early redemption (as
discussed above), USB Capital VII will use the cash it receives
from the repayment
S-15
or redemption of the junior subordinated debentures to redeem a
corresponding amount of the capital securities and common
securities. The redemption price for the capital securities will
be equal to the liquidation amount, $25 per capital
security, plus accumulated but unpaid distributions on the
capital securities to the redemption date.
If less than all the capital securities and the common
securities are redeemed, the total amount of the capital
securities and the common securities to be redeemed will be
allocated proportionately among the capital securities and
common securities, unless an event of default under the junior
subordinated debentures or similar event has occurred, as
described below under the caption
Subordination of Common Securities in
this section.
If we do not elect to redeem the junior subordinated debentures,
then the capital securities will remain outstanding until the
repayment of the junior subordinated debentures unless we
liquidate USB Capital VII and distribute the junior subordinated
debentures to you. For more information, see
Optional Liquidation of USB Capital VII and
Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures in this
section.
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Redemption Upon a Special Event |
If a Special Event has occurred and is continuing, and we cannot
cure that event by some reasonable action, then we may redeem
the junior subordinated debentures within 90 days following
the occurrence of the Special Event. A Special Event
means, for these purposes, the occurrence of a Tax
Event, a Regulatory Capital Event or an
Investment Company Event. We summarize each of these
events below.
A Tax Event means that either we or USB Capital VII
will have received an opinion of counsel (which may be our
counsel or counsel of an affiliate but not an employee and which
must be reasonably acceptable to the property trustee)
experienced in tax matters stating that, as a result of any:
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amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective
change) in, the laws (or any regulations under those laws) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing
authority affecting taxation; or |
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interpretation or application of the laws, enumerated in the
preceding bullet point, or regulations by any court,
governmental agency or regulatory authority, |
there is more than an insubstantial risk that:
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USB Capital VII is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of the opinion of counsel, subject to U.S. federal income
tax on interest received on the junior subordinated debentures; |
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interest payable by us to USB Capital VII on the junior
subordinated debentures is not, or will not be within
90 days of the date of the opinion of counsel, deductible,
in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes; or |
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USB Capital VII is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of the opinion of counsel, subject to more than a minimal amount
of other taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental
charges. |
A Regulatory Capital Event means the reasonable
determination by us that, as a result of any:
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amendment to, or change (including any prospective change) in,
the laws or any applicable regulation of the United States or
any political subdivision; or |
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as a result of any official or administrative pronouncement or
action or judicial decision interpreting or applying the laws or
regulations, which amendment is effective or announced on or
after the date of issuance the capital securities, |
there is more than an insubstantial risk of impairment of our
ability to treat the capital securities (or any substantial
portion) as Tier 1 capital (or its equivalent) for purposes
of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve in
effect and applicable to us.
S-16
An Investment Company Event means the receipt by us
and USB Capital VII of an opinion of counsel experienced in
matters relating to investment companies to the effect that, as
a result of any:
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change in law or regulation; or |
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change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by
any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority, |
USB Capital VII is or will be considered an investment company
that is required to be registered under the Investment Company
Act, which change becomes effective on or after the original
issuance of the capital securities.
USB Capital VII will give you at least 30 days but
not more than 60 days notice before any redemption of
capital securities. To the extent funds are available for
payment, USB Capital VII will irrevocably deposit with DTC
sufficient funds to pay the redemption amount for the capital
securities being redeemed. USB Capital VII also will give DTC
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption
amount to its participants. Any distribution to be paid on or
before a redemption date for any capital securities called for
redemption will be payable to the registered holders on the
record date for the distribution.
Once notice of redemption is given and USB Capital VII
irrevocably deposits the redemption amount, additional
distributions on the capital securities will cease to accumulate
from and after the redemption date. In addition, all rights of
the holders of the capital securities called for redemption will
cease, except for the right to receive distributions payable
prior to the redemption date and the redemption amount.
If any redemption date is not a business day, the redemption
amount will be payable on the next business day, without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.
If payment of the redemption amount for any capital securities
called for redemption is not paid because the payment of the
redemption price on the junior subordinated debentures is not
made, interest on the junior subordinated debentures will
continue to accrue from the originally scheduled redemption date
to the actual date of payment, and, as a result, distributions
on the capital securities will continue to accumulate.
In addition, we may and our affiliates may, at any time,
purchase outstanding capital securities by tender, in the open
market or by private agreement.
Optional Liquidation of USB Capital VII and Distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debentures
We may dissolve USB Capital VII at any time, and after
satisfying the creditors of USB Capital VII, may cause the
junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders
of the capital securities. We may not dissolve USB Capital VII,
however, unless we first receive:
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the approval of the Federal Reserve System to do so, if that
approval is then required under the Federal Reserve
Systems capital rules; and |
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an opinion of independent counsel that the distribution of the
junior subordinated debentures will not be taxable to the
holders for United States federal income tax purposes. |
See below under the caption Certain Terms of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures Distribution of Junior
Subordinated Debentures in this prospectus supplement.
If we elect to dissolve USB Capital VII, thus causing the junior
subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders of the
capital securities, we will continue to have the right to redeem
the junior subordinated debentures in certain circumstances as
described above.
S-17
Subordination of Common Securities
Payment of distributions or any redemption or liquidation
amounts by USB Capital VII regarding the capital securities and
the common securities will be made proportionately based on the
total liquidation amounts of the securities. However, if we are
in default under the junior subordinated debentures, USB Capital
VII will make no payments on the common securities until all
unpaid amounts on the capital securities have been provided for
or paid in full.
Trust Enforcement Events
An event of default under the indenture constitutes an event of
default under the amended and restated trust agreement. We refer
to such an event as a Trust Enforcement Event.
For more information on events of default under the indenture,
see Description of Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities Events of Default in the
accompanying prospectus. Upon the occurrence and continuance of
a Trust Enforcement Event, the property trustee, as the
sole holder of the junior subordinated debentures, will have the
right under the indenture to declare the principal amount of the
junior subordinated debentures due and payable. The amended and
restated trust agreement does not provide for any other events
of default.
If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
junior subordinated debentures, any holder of capital securities
may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, institute a
legal proceeding against us to enforce the property
trustees rights under the junior subordinated debentures
and the indenture without first instituting legal proceedings
against the property trustee or any other person. In addition,
if a Trust Enforcement Event is due to our failure to pay
interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures when
due, then the registered holder of capital securities may
institute a direct action on or after the due date directly
against us for enforcement of payment to that holder of the
principal of or interest on the junior subordinated debentures
having a principal amount equal to the total liquidation amount
of that holders capital securities. In connection with
such a direct action, we will have the right under the indenture
to set off any payment made to that holder by us. The holders of
capital securities will not be able to exercise directly any
other remedy available to the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures.
Pursuant to the amended and restated trust agreement, the holder
of the common securities will be deemed to have waived any
Trust Enforcement Event regarding the common securities
until all Trust Enforcement Events regarding the capital
securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated.
Until all Trust Enforcement Events regarding the capital
securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated,
the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of
the capital securities and only the holders of the capital
securities will have the right to direct the enforcement actions
of the property trustee.
Voting Rights
Holders of capital securities will have only limited voting
rights. In particular, holders of capital securities may not
elect or remove any trustee, except when there is a default
under the junior subordinated debentures. If such a default
occurs, a majority in liquidation amount of the holders of the
capital securities would be entitled to remove or appoint the
property trustee and the Delaware trustee.
Remedies
So long as any junior subordinated debentures are held by the
property trustee, the holders of a majority of all outstanding
capital securities will have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the property trustee, or to direct the exercise of
any
S-18
power conferred upon the property trustee under the amended and
restated trust agreement, including the right to direct the
property trustee, as holder of the junior subordinated
debentures to:
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exercise the remedies available to it under the indenture as a
holder of the junior subordinated debentures, including the
right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of
all the junior subordinated indentures will be due and payable; |
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consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
indenture or the junior subordinated debentures; or |
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waive any past default that is waivable under the indenture. |
However, where a consent or action under the indenture would
require the consent or action of the holders of more than a
majority of the total principal amount of junior subordinated
debentures affected by it, only the holders of that greater
percentage of the capital securities may direct the property
trustee to give the consent or to take such action. See
Description of Capital Securities Voting
Rights; Amendment of Each Trust Agreement in the
accompanying prospectus.
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, the holders of 25% of the total liquidation amount
of the capital securities may direct the property trustee to
declare the principal and interest on the junior subordinated
debentures due and payable.
Meetings
Any required approval of holders of capital securities may be
given at a meeting of holders of capital securities convened for
such purpose or pursuant to written consent. The property
trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of
capital securities are entitled to vote to be given to each
holder of record of capital securities in the manner described
in the amended and restated trust agreement.
No vote or consent of the holders of capital securities will be
required for USB Capital VII to redeem and cancel its capital
securities in accordance with the amended and restated trust
agreement.
Global Securities; Book-Entry Issue
We expect that the capital securities will be issued in the form
of global securities held by The Depository Trust Company as
described under the caption Book-Entry Issuance in
the accompanying prospectus.
Information Concerning the Property Trustee
The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and
continuance of a Trust Enforcement Event, undertakes to
perform only the duties that are specifically described in the
amended and restated trust agreement and, after a
Trust Enforcement Event which has not been cured or waived,
must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent
person would exercise or use in the conduct of his own affairs.
Subject to this provision, the property trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
amended and restated trust agreement at the request of any
holder of capital securities unless it is offered reasonable
security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities that might be incurred in connection with taking
that action.
S-19
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We have summarized below certain terms of the junior
subordinated debentures. This summary supplements the general
description of these securities under the caption
Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
and elsewhere in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that
this summary is inconsistent with the description in the
accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the summary below.
This summary is not a complete description of all of the terms
and provisions of the junior subordinated debentures. For more
information, we refer you to the indenture and the form of the
junior subordinated debentures, which we file with the SEC.
The junior subordinated debentures will be issued pursuant to an
indenture between us and Delaware Trust Company, National
Association as indenture trustee. The indenture provides for the
issuance from time to time of junior subordinated debentures in
an unlimited dollar amount and an unlimited number of series.
Interest Rate and Maturity
The junior subordinated debentures will bear interest at the
annual rate of 5.875%, payable quarterly in arrears on
August 15, November 15, February 15 and
May 15 of each year, beginning November 15, 2005.
Interest payments not paid when due will themselves accrue
additional interest at the annual rate of 5.875% on the amount
of unpaid interest, to the extent permitted by law, compounded
quarterly. The amount of interest payable for any period will be
computed based on a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months. The amount of interest payable for any period shorter
than a full quarterly period will be computed on the basis of a
30-day month and, for periods of less than a month, the actual
number of days elapsed per 30-day month. The distribution
provisions of the capital securities correspond to the interest
payment provisions for the junior subordinated debentures
because the capital securities represent undivided beneficial
ownership interests in the junior subordinated debentures.
The junior subordinated debentures do not have a sinking fund.
This means that we are not required to make any principal
payments prior to maturity.
The junior subordinated debentures will mature on
August 15, 2035.
Ranking
The junior subordinated debentures will be unsecured and will
rank junior and be subordinate in right of payment to all our
senior debt.
As a holding company, our assets primarily consist of the equity
securities of our subsidiaries. As a result, the ability of
holders of the junior subordinated debentures to benefit from
any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the
liquidation or reorganization of such subsidiary is subordinate
to the prior claims of present and future creditors of that
subsidiary.
The capital securities, the junior subordinated debentures and
the guarantee do not limit our or our subsidiaries ability
to incur additional debt, including debt that ranks senior in
priority of payment to the junior subordinated debentures and
the guarantee. At December 31, 2004, approximately
$24.5 billion of our senior debt was outstanding. In
addition, the junior subordinated debentures will be effectively
subordinated to all our subsidiaries existing and future
obligations. At December 31, 2004, our subsidiaries had
outstanding debt and other liabilities, including deposits, of
approximately $175.6 billion.
Redemption
We may, under certain circumstances, redeem some or all of the
junior subordinated debentures before their maturity. For more
information, see above under the caption Certain Terms of
the Capital Securities Redemption in this
prospectus supplement.
S-20
Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures
If the property trustee distributes the junior subordinated
debentures to the holders of the capital securities and the
common securities upon the liquidation of USB Capital VII, we
will cause the junior subordinated debentures to be issued in
denominations of $25 principal amount and integral multiples
thereof. We anticipate that the junior subordinated debentures
would be distributed in the form of one or more global
securities and that DTC would act as depositary for the junior
subordinated debentures. The depositary arrangements for the
junior subordinated debentures would be substantially the same
as those in effect for the capital securities.
For a description of DTC and the terms of the depositary
arrangements relating to payments, transfers, voting rights,
redemption and other notices and other matters, see
Book-Entry Issuance in the accompanying prospectus.
Option to Defer Interest Payments
We can defer interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment
periods if the junior subordinated debentures are not in
default. A deferral of interest payments cannot extend, however,
beyond the maturity date of the junior subordinated debentures.
During the deferral period, interest will continue to accrue on
the junior subordinated debentures, compounded quarterly, and
deferred interest payments will accrue additional interest at
5.875% to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest
will be due and payable on the junior subordinated debentures
until the end of the deferral period except upon a redemption of
the junior subordinated debentures during a deferral period.
We may pay at any time all or any portion of the interest
accrued to that point during a deferral period. At the end of
the deferral period or on any redemption date, we will be
obligated to pay all accrued and unpaid interest.
Once we pay all accrued and unpaid interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, we again can defer interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures as described above, provided
that a deferral period cannot extend beyond the maturity date of
the junior subordinated debentures.
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Certain Limitations During a Deferral Period |
During any deferral period, we will not and our subsidiaries
will not be permitted to:
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declare or pay any dividends or distributions, or redeem,
purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment on any of our
capital stock; |
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make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any of our debt securities
(including other junior subordinated debentures) that rank
equally with or junior in interest to the junior subordinated
debentures; or |
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make any guarantee payments on any guarantee of debt securities
of any of our subsidiaries (including under other guarantees of
junior subordinated debentures) if the guarantee ranks equally
with or junior in interest to the junior subordinated debentures. |
However, at any time, including during a deferral period, we
will be permitted to:
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pay dividends or distributions in additional shares of our
capital stock; |
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make payments under the guarantee of the series of the capital
securities and the common securities; |
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declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation
of a shareholders rights plan, or issue stock under such a
plan or repurchase such rights; and |
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purchase common stock for issuance pursuant to any employee
benefit plans. |
S-21
Notice
We will give USB Capital VII, the administrative trustees and
the property trustee notice if we decide to defer interest
payments on the junior subordinated debentures. We will give
that notice five business days before the earlier of:
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the next date distributions on the capital securities are
payable; or |
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the date USB Capital VII is required to give notice to
the New York Stock Exchange (or any applicable self-regulatory
organization) or to holders of the capital securities on the
record date or the date any distribution is payable, but in any
event at least five business days before the record date. |
In no event, however, we will be required to give notice more
than 15 business days before the next date distributions on the
capital securities are payable.
The administrative trustees will give notice to the holders of
capital securities if we decide to defer interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures.
Agreement by Purchasers of Certain Tax Treatment
Each junior subordinated debenture will provide that, by
acceptance of the junior subordinated debentures, or a
beneficial interest therein, the holder of the junior
subordinated debenture intends that such junior subordinated
debenture constitutes debt and agrees to treat it as debt for
United States federal, state and local tax purposes.
Miscellaneous
Under the indenture, we will pay all of any costs, expenses or
liabilities of USB Capital VII, other than obligations
of USB Capital VII under the terms of the capital
securities or other similar interests or with respect to the
common securities.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES,
THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE
Full and Unconditional Guarantee
Payments of distributions and other amounts due on the capital
securities are irrevocably guaranteed by us, to the extent
USB Capital VII has funds available for the payment of
such distributions, as described under Description of the
Guarantee in the accompanying prospectus.
If we do not make payments under the junior subordinated
debentures, USB Capital VII will not have sufficient
funds to pay distributions or other amounts due on the capital
securities. The guarantee does not cover payment of
distributions when USB Capital VII does not have
sufficient funds to pay such distributions. In that event, a
holder of capital securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce payment of the junior
subordinated debentures to such holder in accordance with their
terms, including our right to defer interest payments.
Taken together, our obligations under the amended and restated
trust agreement, the junior subordinated debentures, the
indenture and the guarantee provide a full and unconditional
guarantee of payments of distributions and other amounts due on
the capital securities.
S-22
Sufficiency of Payments
As long as payments of interest, principal and other payments
are made when due on the junior subordinated debentures, those
payments will be sufficient to cover distributions and other
payments due on the capital securities because of the following
factors:
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the total principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures
will be equal to the sum of the total stated liquidation amount
of the capital securities and the common securities; |
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the interest rate and payment dates on the junior subordinated
debentures will match the distribution rate and payment dates
for the capital securities; |
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as borrower, we will pay, and USB Capital VII will not be
obligated to pay, all costs, expenses and liabilities of USB
Capital VII except USB Capital VIIs obligations under the
capital securities and common securities; and |
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the amended and restated trust agreement further provides that
USB Capital VII will engage only in activity that is consistent
with the limited purposes of USB Capital VII. |
We have the right to set-off any payment we are otherwise
required to make under the indenture with and to the extent we
make a related payment under the guarantee.
Enforcement Rights of Holders of Capital Securities
If a Trust Enforcement Event occurs, the holders of capital
securities would rely on the enforcement by the property trustee
of its rights as registered holder of the junior subordinated
debentures against us. In addition, the holders of a majority in
liquidation amount of the capital securities will have the right
to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the property trustee or
to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the
property trustee under the amended and restated trust agreement,
including the right to direct the property trustee to exercise
the remedies available to it as the holder of the junior
subordinated debentures.
If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
junior subordinated debentures in respect of an event of default
under the indenture after a holder of capital securities has
made a written request, such holder may, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, institute a legal proceeding against us to
enforce the property trustees rights under the junior
subordinated debentures. In addition, if we fail to pay interest
or principal on the junior subordinated debentures, a holder of
capital securities may institute a proceeding directly against
us for enforcement of payment to that holder of the principal of
or interest on junior subordinated debentures having a principal
amount equal to the total liquidation amount of that
holders capital securities (which we refer to as a
direct action). In connection with such a direct
action, we will have the right to set off any payment made to
such holder by us. The holders of capital securities will not be
able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the
holders of the junior subordinated debentures.
Limited Purpose of Trust
The capital securities evidence undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of USB Capital VII, and
USB Capital VII exists for the sole purpose of issuing
the common securities and capital securities as described in
this prospectus supplement. A principal difference between the
rights of a holder of capital securities and a holder of junior
subordinated debentures is that a holder of junior subordinated
debentures is entitled to receive from us the principal of and
interest accrued on junior subordinated debentures held, while a
holder of capital securities is entitled to receive
distributions to the extent USB Capital VII has funds
available for the payment of such distributions.
Rights Upon Termination
Upon any dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of USB Capital
VII involving the liquidation of the junior subordinated
debentures, the holders of the capital securities will be
entitled to receive, out of assets
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held by USB Capital VII, subject to the rights of any creditors
of USB Capital VII, the liquidation distribution in cash. Upon
our voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy, the
property trustee, as holder of the junior subordinated
debentures, would be our subordinated creditor, subordinated in
right of payment to all senior debt as described in the
indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal
and interest before any of our stockholders receive payments or
distributions. Because we are the guarantor under the guarantee
and, under the indenture, as borrower, we have agreed to pay for
all costs, expenses and liabilities of USB Capital VII (other
than USB Capital VIIs obligations to the holders of the
capital securities or the common securities), the positions of a
holder of capital securities and a holder of the junior
subordinated debentures relative to other creditors and to our
stockholders in the event of our liquidation or bankruptcy would
be substantially the same.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following summary describes the material United States
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the capital securities as of the date of this
prospectus supplement. Where noted, it constitutes the opinion
of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., counsel to
U.S. Bancorp and USB Capital VII.
Except where we state otherwise, this summary deals only with
capital securities held as capital assets by a holder who:
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is a United States person (as defined below); and |
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purchases the capital securities upon original issuance at their
original issue price. |
A United States person is a holder who is one of the
following:
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a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized
in or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision of the United States; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust |
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that is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the
United States and the control of one or more United States
persons, or |
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that has a valid election in effect under applicable United
States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States
person. |
Your tax treatment may vary depending on your particular
situation. This summary does not address all the tax
consequences that may be relevant to holders that are subject to
special tax treatment, such as:
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dealers in securities or currencies; |
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financial institutions; |
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tax-exempt investors; |
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method
of accounting for their securities holdings; |
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persons liable for alternative minimum tax; |
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insurance companies; |
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persons holding capital securities as part of a hedging,
conversion, integrated or constructive sale transaction; |
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persons holding capital securities as part of a straddle; or |
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persons whose functional currency is not the United States
dollar. |
In addition, this summary does not include any description of
the tax laws of any state, local or foreign government.
Furthermore, if a partnership holds capital securities, the tax
treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of
the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a
partner of a partnership holding capital securities, you should
consult your own tax advisor.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (which we refer to as the Code), the
Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code and
administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. These
income tax laws, regulations and interpretations, however, may
change at any time. Any change could be retroactive to the
issuance date of the capital securities.
The authorities on which this summary is based are subject to
various interpretations, and the opinions of Squire,
Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. are not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service (which we refer to as the
IRS) or the courts. No rulings have been or will be
sought from the IRS with respect to the transactions described
in this prospectus supplement. Either the IRS or the courts
could disagree with the explanations or conclusions contained in
this summary. Nevertheless, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
L.L.P. has advised us that they believe that the opinions
expressed in this summary, if challenged, would be sustained by
a court with jurisdiction in a properly presented case.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax
consequences to you of the purchase, ownership and disposition
of the capital securities, including the tax consequences under
state, local, foreign and other tax laws. For a discussion of
the possible redemption of the capital securities upon the
occurrence of a Tax Event, see Certain Terms of the
Capital Securities Redemption Redemption
Upon a Special Event in this prospectus supplement.
Classification of USB Capital VII
In connection with the issuance of the capital securities,
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. is of the opinion that
under current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of
the amended and restated trust agreement, and based upon certain
facts and assumptions contained in such opinion, USB
Capital VII will be classified as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes and not as an
association taxable as a corporation. As a result, for United
States federal income tax purposes, you generally will be
treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in
the junior subordinated debentures. Thus, you will be required
to include in your gross income your proportionate share of the
interest income or original issue discount that is paid or
accrued on the junior subordinated debentures. See below under
the caption Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount in this section.
Classification of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
U.S. Bancorp, USB Capital VII and you (by your acceptance
of a beneficial ownership interest in a capital security) agree
to treat the junior subordinated debentures as indebtedness for
all United States tax purposes. In connection with the issuance
of the junior subordinated debentures, Squire,
Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. is of the opinion that under
current law, and based on certain representations, facts and
assumptions set forth in its opinion, the junior subordinated
debentures will be classified as indebtedness for United States
federal income tax purposes.
Interest Income and Original Issue Discount
We anticipate that the junior subordinated debentures will not
be issued with an issue price that is less than their stated
redemption price at maturity. In this case, subject to the
discussion below, the junior subordinated debentures will not be
subject to the special original issue discount (which we refer
to as OID) rules, at least upon initial issuance, so
that you will generally be taxed on the stated interest on
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the junior subordinated debentures as ordinary income at the
time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your regular
method of tax accounting.
If, however, we exercise our right to defer payments of interest
on the junior subordinated debentures, the junior subordinated
debentures will become OID instruments at such time. In such
case, you will be subject to the special OID rules described
below. Once the junior subordinated debentures become OID
instruments, they will be taxed as OID instruments for as long
as they remain outstanding.
Under the OID economic accrual rules, the following occur:
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regardless of your method of accounting, you would accrue an
amount of interest income each year that approximates the stated
interest payments called for under the terms of the junior
subordinated debentures using the constant-yield-to-maturity
method of accrual described in section 1272 of the Code; |
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the actual cash payments of interest you receive on the junior
subordinated debentures would not be reported separately as
taxable income; |
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any amount of OID included in your gross income (whether or not
during a deferral period) with respect to the capital securities
would increase your tax basis in such capital
securities; and |
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the amount of distributions in respect of such accrued OID would
reduce your tax basis in such capital securities. |
The United States Treasury regulations dealing with OID and the
deferral of interest payments have not yet been addressed in any
rulings or other interpretations by the IRS. It is possible that
the IRS could assert that the junior subordinated debentures
were issued initially with OID, merely because of our right to
defer payments of interest. If the IRS were successful in this
regard, you would be subject to the special OID rules described
above, regardless of whether we exercise our option to defer
payments of interest on such junior subordinated debentures.
Because the junior subordinated debentures are debt for tax
purposes, any income you recognize on the capital securities
will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received
deduction or taxation for individuals at long-term capital gains
rates as qualified dividend income.
Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon
Liquidation of USB Capital VII
As described under the caption Certain Terms of the
Capital Securities Optional Liquidation of USB
Capital VII and Distribution of Junior Subordinated
Debentures in this prospectus supplement, the junior
subordinated debentures held by USB Capital VII may be
distributed to you in exchange for your capital securities if
USB Capital VII is liquidated before the maturity of the
junior subordinated debentures, as long as we first receive:
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the approval of the Federal Reserve System to do so, if that
approval is then required under the Federal Reserve
Systems capital rules; and |
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an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that the
distribution of the junior subordinated debentures will not be
taxable to you. |
Under current law, except as described below, this type of
distribution from a grantor trust would not be taxable. Upon
such a distribution, you will receive your proportionate share
of the junior subordinated debentures previously held indirectly
through USB Capital VII. Your holding period and total tax
basis in the junior subordinated debentures will equal the
holding period and total tax basis that you had in your capital
securities before the distribution.
If you receive junior subordinated debentures in exchange for
your capital securities, you would accrue interest in respect of
the junior subordinated debentures received from USB
Capital VII in the manner described above under the caption
Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount in this section.
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In certain circumstances described above under the captions
Certain Terms of the Capital Securities
Redemption Redemption Upon a Special
Event in this prospectus supplement, we may redeem the
junior subordinated debentures and distribute cash in
liquidation of USB Capital VII. This distribution of cash
would be taxable as described below under
Sales of Capital Securities or Redemption of
Junior Subordinated Debentures in this section.
Sales of Capital Securities or Redemption of Junior
Subordinated Debentures
If you sell your capital securities or receive cash upon
redemption of the junior subordinated debentures, you will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between:
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the amount realized on the sale or redemption of the capital
securities or junior subordinated debentures (less an amount
equal to any accrued but unpaid qualified stated interest that
you did not previously include in income, which will be taxable
as interest income); and |
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your adjusted tax basis in your capital securities or junior
subordinated debentures sold or redeemed. |
Your gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, provided that
you held the capital securities or junior subordinated
debentures as a capital asset. The gain or loss will generally
be a long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your
capital securities or junior subordinated debentures for more
than one year. Long-term capital gains of individuals derived
with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are
currently subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15% (this rate is
scheduled to increase to 20% for tax years beginning after
December 31, 2008). The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to limitations.
Non-United States Holders
The following discussion only applies to you if you are not a
United States person. As discussed above, the capital securities
will be treated by the parties as evidence of undivided
beneficial ownership interests in the junior subordinated
debentures. See above under the caption
Classification of USB Capital VII in
this section.
U.S. Federal
Withholding Tax
The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any
payment of principal or interest (including OID) on the capital
securities (or the junior subordinated debentures) provided that:
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you do not actually (or constructively) own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock
within the meaning of the Code and the United States Treasury
regulations; |
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to
us through stock ownership; |
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you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the capital
securities (or the junior subordinated debentures) is described
in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and |
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either (a) you provide your name and address on an IRS
Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form), and certify, under
penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person,
or (b) you hold your capital securities (or junior
subordinated debentures) through certain foreign intermediaries
and you satisfy the certification requirements of applicable
United States Treasury regulations. Special certification rules
apply to non-United States persons that are pass-through
entities. |
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments
of interest (including OID) made to you will be subject to the
30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless you provide us
with a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN (or other
applicable form) claiming an exemption from, or reduction in the
rate of, withholding under the benefit of an applicable tax
treaty or (2) IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form)
stating that interest paid on the capital securities (or the
junior subordinated debentures)
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is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively
connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United
States as discussed below under the caption
U.S. Federal Income Tax in this section.
The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any
gain that you realize on the sale, exchange, retirement or other
disposition of the capital securities or junior subordinated
debentures.
U.S. Federal Income
Tax
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States
and interest on the capital securities (or the junior
subordinated debentures) is effectively connected with the
conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an
applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States
permanent establishment), you will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on that interest on a net income
basis (although exempt from the 30% withholding tax, provided
the certification requirements discussed above under the caption
U.S. Federal Withholding Tax are
satisfied), in the same manner as if you were a United States
person as defined under the Code. In addition, if you are a
foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax
equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) of your earnings
and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that
are effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or
business in the United States.
Any gain realized on the disposition of a capital security (or a
junior subordinated debenture) generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax unless (1) that gain is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by
you in the United States (and, if required by an applicable
income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment), or (2) you are an individual who is present
in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable
year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met.
Your estate will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax
on the capital securities (or the junior subordinated
debentures) beneficially owned by you at the time of your death,
provided that (1) you do not actually (or constructively)
own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of our voting stock (within the meaning of the Code and
the United States Treasury regulations) and (2) interest on
those capital securities (or junior subordinated debentures)
would not have been, if received at the time of your death,
effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or
business in the United States.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to
payments of income on the capital securities (or the junior
subordinated debentures) and to the proceeds of the sale of the
capital securities (or the junior subordinated debentures) paid
to you (unless you are an exempt recipient such as a
corporation). A backup withholding tax may apply to such
payments if you fail to provide a taxpayer identification
number, a certification of exempt status, or fail to report in
full interest income.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal
income tax liability provided the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
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In general, we must report to the IRS and to you the amount of
interest (including OID) paid to you on the capital securities
(or the junior subordinated debentures) and the amount of tax,
if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the
information returns reporting such interest payments and any
withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in
the country in which you reside under the provisions of an
applicable income tax treaty.
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In general, no backup withholding will be required regarding
payments of income on the capital securities (or the junior
subordinated debentures) that we make to you provided that we do
not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a
United States person and we have received from you the
certification described above in the fourth bullet point under
the caption Non-United States Holders
U.S. Federal Withholding Tax in this section.
In addition, no information reporting or backup withholding will
be required regarding the proceeds of the sale of capital
securities (or junior subordinated debentures) made within the
United States or conducted through certain United States-related
financial intermediaries if (1) the payor receives the
certification described above and does not have actual knowledge
or reason to know that you are a United States person or
(2) you otherwise establish an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal
income tax liability provided the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Each fiduciary of an employee benefit plan subject to
Title I of ERISA, a plan described in Section 4975 of
the Code, including an individual retirement arrangement or a
Keogh plan, a plan subject to provisions under applicable
federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or
regulations that are similar to the provisions of Title I
of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (Similar
Laws), and any entity whose underlying assets include
plan assets by reason of any such employee benefit
plans or plans investment in such entity (each of
which we refer to as a Plan) should consider the
fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions
of ERISA, applicable Similar Laws and Section 4975 of the
Code in the context of the Plans particular circumstances
before authorizing an investment in the capital securities.
Accordingly, such a fiduciary should consider, among other
factors, that each Plan investing in the capital securities will
be deemed to have represented that the Plans purchase of
the capital securities is covered by one or more prohibited
transaction exemptions. Plan fiduciaries should also consider
whether the Plans investment in the capital securities
would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of
ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments
governing their Plan.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code
prohibit Plans subject to Title I of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code (ERISA Plans) from
engaging in certain transactions involving plan
assets of an ERISA Plan with persons who are parties
in interest under ERISA or disqualified
persons under the Code (Parties in Interest)
regarding such a Plan. A violation of these prohibited
transaction rules may result in an excise tax, penalty or
other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the
Code for such persons or, in the case of an individual
retirement account, the occurrence of a prohibited transaction
involving the individual who established the individual
retirement account, or his or her beneficiaries, would cause the
individual retirement account to lose its tax-exempt status,
unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable
statutory or administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans
that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of
ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33)
of ERISA or Section 4975(g)(3) of the Code) and foreign
plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) are not
subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code.
ERISA and the Code do not define plan assets.
However, regulations (the Plan Assets Regulations)
promulgated under ERISA by the DOL generally provide that when
an ERISA Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code acquires an equity interest in an
entity that is neither a publicly-offered security
nor a security issued by an investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act, the ERISA Plans assets include
both the equity interest and an undivided interest in each of
the underlying assets of the entity unless it is established
either that equity participation in the entity by benefit
plan investors is not significant or that the
entity is an operating company, in each case as
defined in the Plan Assets Regulations. USB Capital VII is not
expected to qualify as an operating company and will not be an
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act.
For purposes of the Plan Assets Regulations, equity
participation in an entity by benefit plan investors will not be
significant if they hold, in the aggregate less than 25% of the
value of any class of such entitys
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equity, excluding equity interests held by persons (other than a
benefit plan investor) with discretionary authority or control
over the assets of the entity or who provide investment advice
for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, and
any affiliates thereof. For purposes of this 25% test (the
Benefit Plan Investor Test), benefit plan
investors include all employee benefit plans, whether or
not subject to ERISA or the Code, including governmental plans,
Keogh plans, individual retirement accounts and
pension plans maintained by foreign corporations, as well as any
entity whose underling assets are deemed to include plan assets
under the Plan Assets Regulations (e.g., an entity of which 25%
or more of the value of any class of equity interests is held by
employee benefit plans or other benefit plan investors and which
does not satisfy another exception under the Plan Assets
Regulations). No assurance can be given that the value of the
capital securities held by benefit plan investors
will be less than 25% of the total value of such capital
securities at the completion of the initial offering of the
capital securities or thereafter, and no monitoring or other
measures will be taken regarding the satisfaction of the
conditions to this exception. All of the common securities will
be purchased and held by U.S. Bancorp.
For purposes of the Plan Assets Regulations, a
publicly-offered security is a security that is
(a) freely transferable, (b) part of a
class of securities that is widely held, and (c)(i)
sold to the ERISA Plan as part of an offering of securities to
the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933 within 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year of the issuer during which the offering of such
securities to the public occurred or (ii) is part of a
class of securities that is registered under Section 12 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Registration
Requirement). It is anticipated that the capital
securities will be offered in a manner which satisfies the
Registration Requirement. The Plan Assets Regulations provide
that a security is widely held only if it is part of
a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more investors
independent of the issuer and of one another. A security will
not fail to be widely held because the number of
independent investors falls below 100 subsequent to the initial
offering as a result of events beyond the control of the issuer.
It is anticipated that the capital securities will be
widely held within the meaning of the Plan Assets
Regulations, although no assurance can be given in this regard.
The Plan Assets Regulations provide that whether a security is
freely transferable is a factual question to be
determined on the basis of all relevant facts and circumstances.
The Plan Assets Regulations further provide that when a security
is part of an offering in which the minimum investment in
US $10,000 or less, certain restrictions described in the
Plan Assets Regulations ordinarily will not, alone or in
combination, affect the finding that such securities are
freely transferable. It is anticipated that the
capital securities will be freely transferable
within the meaning of the Plan Assets Regulations, although no
assurance can be given in this regard.
As indicated above, there can be no assurance that any of the
exceptions set forth in the Plan Assets Regulations will apply
to the capital securities, and, as a result, under the terms of
the Plan Assets Regulations, an investing Plans assets
could be considered to include an undivided interest in the
assets held by USB Capital VII (including the junior
subordinated debentures).
If the assets of USB Capital VII were to be deemed to be
plan assets under ERISA, this would result, among
other things, in (i) the application of the prudence and
other fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISA to investments
made by USB Capital VII and (ii) the possibility that
certain transactions in which USB Capital VII might seek to
engage could constitute prohibited transactions
under ERISA and the Code. If a prohibited transaction occurs for
which no exemption is available, any fiduciary that has engaged
in the prohibited transaction could be required (i) to
restore to the Plan any profit realized on the transaction and
(ii) to reimburse the Plan for any losses suffered by the
Plan as a result of the investment. In addition, each
disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of
the Code) involved could be subject to an excise tax equal to
15% of the amount involved in the prohibited transaction for
each year the transaction continues and, unless the transaction
is corrected within statutorily required periods, to an
additional tax of 100%. Plan fiduciaries who decide to invest in
USB Capital VII could, under certain circumstances, be
liable for prohibited transactions or other violations as a
result of their investment in USB Capital VII or as
co-fiduciaries for actions taken by or on behalf of USB
Capital VII. With respect to an individual retirement
account (IRA) that invests in USB Capital VII,
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the occurrence of a prohibited transaction involving the
individual who established the IRA, or his or her beneficiaries,
would cause the IRA to lose its tax-exempt status.
Regardless of whether the assets of USB Capital VII are deemed
to be plan assets of ERISA Plans investing in USB
Capital VII, as discussed above, the acquisition and holding of
the capital securities with plan assets of an ERISA
Plan could itself result in a prohibited transaction. The DOL
has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions
(PTCEs) that may provide exemptive relief for direct
or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase
and/or holding of the capital securities by an ERISA Plan. These
class exemptions are:
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PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by
in-house asset managers); |
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PTCE 95-60, as clarified by PTCE 2002-13 (for certain
transactions involving insurance company general accounts); |
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PTCE 91-38, as clarified by PTCE 2002-13 (for certain
transactions involving bank collective investment funds); |
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PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance
company pooled separate accounts); and |
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PTCE 84-14, as clarified by PTCE 2002-13 (for certain
transactions determined by independent qualified
professional asset managers). |
Such class exemptions may not, however, apply to all of the
transactions that could be deemed prohibited transactions in
connection with an ERISA Plans investment in the capital
securities.
Any insurance company considering the use of its general account
assets to purchase capital securities should consult with its
counsel concerning matters affecting its purchase decision.
Because of ERISAs prohibitions and those of
Section 4975 of the Code, discussed above and the potential
application of Similar Laws to Plans not subject to Title I
of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (a Non-ERISA
Plan), the capital securities, or any interest therein,
should not be purchased or held by any Plan or any person
investing plan assets of any Plan, unless such
purchase and holding is covered by the exemptive relief
available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 (or
some other applicable class or individual exemption) (or, in the
case of a Non-ERISA Plan, a similar exemption applicable to the
transaction). Accordingly, each purchaser or holder of the
capital securities or any interest therein will be deemed to
have represented by its purchase and holding thereof that either:
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it is not a Plan and no part of the assets to be used by it to
purchase and/or hold such capital securities or any interest
therein constitutes plan assets of any Plan; or |
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it is itself a Plan, or is purchasing or holding the capital
securities or an interest therein on behalf of or with
plan assets of one or more Plans, and each such
purchase and holding of such securities either
(i) satisfies the requirements of, and is entitled to full
exemptive relief under, PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or
84-14 (or some other applicable class or individual exemption)
(or, in the case of a Non-ERISA Plan, a similar exemption
applicable to the transaction) or (ii) will not result in a
prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code or its equivalent
under applicable Similar Laws. |
Although, as noted above, governmental plans and certain other
plans are not subject to ERISA, including the prohibited
transaction provisions thereof, or of Section 4975 of the
Code, Similar Laws governing the investment and management of
the assets of such plans may contain fiduciary and prohibited
transaction provisions similar to those under ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code discussed above. Similarly,
fiduciaries of other plans not subject to ERISA may be subject
to other legal restrictions under applicable Similar Laws.
Accordingly, fiduciaries of governmental plans or other plans
not subject to
S-31
ERISA, in consultation with their advisors, should consider the
impact of their respective Similar Laws on their investment in
capital securities, and the considerations discussed above, to
the extent applicable.
The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not
intended to be inclusive. Consequently, and due to the
complexity of the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited
transaction rules described above and the penalties that may be
imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited
transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or
other persons considering purchasing the capital securities on
behalf of or with plan assets of any Plan consult
with their counsel, prior to any such purchase, regarding the
potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code
and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether any
exemption would be applicable and determine on their own whether
all conditions of such exemption or exemptions have been
satisfied such that the acquisition and holding of capital
securities by the purchaser Plan are entitled to full exemption
relief thereunder.
S-32
UNDERWRITING
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co.,
Incorporated are acting as representatives of the underwriters
named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the
underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus
supplement, each underwriter has agreed to purchase, and we have
agreed to sell to that underwriter, the respective number of
capital securities set forth opposite the underwriters
name below:
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Number of | |
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Capital | |
Underwriters |
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Securities | |
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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1,743,000 |
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Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
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1,743,000 |
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
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1,743,000 |
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UBS Securities LLC
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1,743,000 |
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Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
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1,743,000 |
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A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
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600,000 |
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Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
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600,000 |
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RBC Dain Rauscher Inc.
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600,000 |
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Banc of America Securities LLC
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67,500 |
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BB&T Capital Markets, a division of Scott &
Stringfellow, Inc.
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67,500 |
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Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
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67,500 |
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Credit Suisse First Boston LLC
|
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67,500 |
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
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67,500 |
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H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc.
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67,500 |
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HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
|
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67,500 |
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KeyBanc Capital Markets, A Division of McDonald Investments
Inc.
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67,500 |
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Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated
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67,500 |
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Lehman Brothers Inc.
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67,500 |
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Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
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67,500 |
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Piper Jaffray & Co.
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67,500 |
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TD Waterhouse Investor Services, Inc.
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67,500 |
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Advest, Inc.
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22,500 |
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B.C. Ziegler & Company
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22,500 |
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Crowell, Weedon & Co.
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22,500 |
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D.A. Davidson & Co.
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22,500 |
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Davenport & Company LLC
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22,500 |
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First Southwest Company
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22,500 |
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Huntleigh Securities Corporation
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22,500 |
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Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
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22,500 |
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Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
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22,500 |
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J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
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22,500 |
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McGinn, Smith & Co. Inc.
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22,500 |
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Mesirow Financial, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Miller Johnson Steichen Kinnard, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Pershing LLC
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22,500 |
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Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
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22,500 |
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Ryan Beck & Co., Inc.
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22,500 |
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Smith, Moore & Co.
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22,500 |
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Southwest Securities, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Sterne Agee & Leach, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Stephens Inc.
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22,500 |
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Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
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22,500 |
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SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc.
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22,500 |
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Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc.
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22,500 |
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William Blair & Company L.L.C.
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22,500 |
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Total:
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12,000,000 |
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S-33
We have granted the underwriters a right to request from us the
opportunity to purchase up to 1,800,000 additional capital
securities at the public offering price less the underwriting
commission of $.7875 per capital security. The underwriters
may exercise these options for 30 days from the date of
this prospectus supplement solely to cover any over-allotments.
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the capital securities included in this
offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and
to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase
all capital securities if they purchase any of the capital
securities.
The underwriters propose to offer some of the capital securities
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on
the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the
capital securities to dealers at the public offering price less
a concession not to exceed $0.50 per capital security. The
underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow a discount not
to exceed $0.45 per capital security on sales to other
dealers. After the initial offering of the capital securities to
the public, the representatives may change the public offering
price, concession and discount.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and
commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection
with this offering.
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Paid by | |
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U.S. Bancorp | |
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Per capital security
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$ |
.7875 |
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USB Capital VII and we have agreed that, during a period of
30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement,
neither USB Capital VII nor we will offer, sell, contract
to sell or otherwise dispose of any capital securities, any
other beneficial interests in the assets of USB
Capital VII, or any other securities of USB
Capital VII or any other similar trust that are
substantially similar to the capital securities, including any
guarantee of such securities, or any of our junior subordinated
debentures issued to USB Capital VII or other similar trust, or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or
representing the right to receive capital securities or any such
substantially similar securities of either USB Capital VII
or other similar trust, or any of our junior subordinated
debentures issued to USB Capital VII or other similar
trust, without the prior written consent of the underwriters,
except for the capital securities offered in connection with
this offering.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the
capital securities. We will apply to list the capital securities
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol USB Pr
F. Trading of the capital securities on the New York Stock
Exchange is expected to commence within a 30-day period after
the initial delivery of the capital securities. In order to meet
one of the requirements for listing the capital securities on
the New York Stock Exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to
sell the capital securities to a minimum of 400 beneficial
owners. The representatives have advised us that they intend to
make a market in the capital securities prior to the
commencement of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, but are
not obligated to do so, and may discontinue market making at any
time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the
liquidity of the trading market for the capital securities.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters are permitted
to engage in transactions that stabililze the market price of
the capital securities. Such transactions consist of bids or
purchases to peg, fix or maintain the price of the capital
securities. If the underwriters create a short position in the
capital securities in connection with this offering, i.e., if
they sell more capital securities than are on the cover page of
this prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that
short position by purchasing capital securities in the open
market. Purchases of a security to stabilize the price or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of a security to
be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation
or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect
that the transactions described above may have on the price of
the capital securities. In addition, neither we nor any of the
underwriters makes any representation that the
S-34
underwriters will engage in those transactions or that those
transactions, once commenced will not be discontinued without
notice.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of this
offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will
be approximately $105,000.
Certain of the underwriters and certain of their respective
affiliates have performed banking, investment banking, custodial
and advisory services for us and our affiliates, from time to
time, for which they have received customary fees and expenses.
The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions
with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their
business.
U.S. Bancorp expects to deliver the capital securities
against payment on or about the date specified in the last
paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which
is the eighth business day following the date of this prospectus
supplement. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the SEC under the Exchange
Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to
settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such
trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if any purchaser
wishes to trade the capital securities on the date of this
prospectus supplement or the next succeeding four business days,
it will be required, by virtue of the fact that the capital
securities initially will settle on the eighth business day
following the date of this prospectus supplement, to specify an
alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to
prevent a failed settlement.
The underwriters do not intend to make sales of the capital
securities to accounts over which they exercise discretionary
authority without obtaining the prior written approval of the
account holder.
USB Capital VII and we have agreed to indemnify the
underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or contribute to
payments that the underwriters may be required to make because
of any of those liabilities.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to USB Capital VII will
be passed upon for USB Capital VII and U.S. Bancorp by
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware.
The due authorization, execution and delivery of the junior
subordinated debentures and the validity of the junior
subordinated debentures and the guarantees will be passed upon
for U.S. Bancorp and USB Capital VII by Squire,
Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., Cincinnati, Ohio. The
validity of the junior subordinated debentures and the
guarantees will be passed upon for the underwriters by Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. Certain
United States federal income taxation matters also will be
passed upon for U.S. Bancorp and USB Capital VII by Squire,
Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., Cincinnati, Ohio.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003
and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2004 and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004 included therein incorporated in this
prospectus supplement by reference from our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports
which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus
supplement. Our financial statements for the year in the period
ended December 31, 2002 incorporated in this prospectus
supplement by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, as stated
in their report. Such financial statements and managements
assessment are incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such
firms given on their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
S-35
PROSPECTUS
U.S. Bancorp
800 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(651) 466-3000
$10,000,000,000
U.S. Bancorp
Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debt Securities
USB Capital VII
USB Capital VIII
USB Capital IX
USB Capital X
USB Capital XI
USB Capital XII
USB Capital XIII
USB Capital XIV
USB Capital XV
USB Capital XVI
Capital Securities
Fully and unconditionally guaranteed, as described in this
prospectus, by U.S. Bancorp
We will provide the specific terms of these securities in
supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus
and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you
invest.
The securities will be unsecured obligations of USB and/or the
trusts and will not be savings accounts deposits or other
obligations of any bank or nonbank subsidiary of USB and/or the
trusts and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Bank Insurance Fund or any other government
agency.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless
accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
The date of this prospectus is August 3, 2005.
You should rely on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else
to provide you with different information. Neither we nor the
underwriters are making an offer of these securities in any
state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume
that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any
date other than the date on the front of this document.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
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2
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we,
along with the trusts, USB Capital VII, USB
Capital VIII, USB Capital IX, USB Capital X, USB
Capital XI, USB Capital XII, USB Capital XIII,
USB Capital XIV, USB Capital XV and USB
Capital XVI, filed with the SEC using a shelf registration
process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell:
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debt securities; |
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preferred stock; |
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depositary shares; |
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common stock; |
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debt warrants; |
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equity warrants; and |
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units |
and the trusts may sell:
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capital securities (representing undivided beneficial interests
in the trusts) to the public; and |
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common securities to us |
in one or more offerings.
The trusts will use the proceeds from sales of securities to buy
a series of our junior subordinated debt securities with terms
that correspond to the capital securities.
We:
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will pay principal and interest on our junior subordinated debt
securities, subject to the payment of our more senior debt; |
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may choose to distribute our junior subordinated debt securities
pro rata to the holders of the related capital securities and
common securities if we terminate a trust; and |
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will fully and unconditionally guarantee the capital securities
based on: |
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our obligations to make payments on our junior subordinated debt
securities; |
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our obligations under our guarantee (our payment obligations are
subject to payment on all of our general liabilities); and |
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our obligations under the trust agreements. |
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the
capital securities, the junior subordinated debt securities and
the guarantee. The description of the debt securities, the
preferred stock, the depositary shares, the debt warrants, the
equity warrants and the units will be included in a separate
prospectus in this registration statement. Each time we sell
capital securities, we will provide an applicable prospectus
supplement that will contain specific information about the
terms of that offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may
also add, update or change information in this prospectus. You
should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus
supplement together with the additional information described
under the heading Where You Can Find More
Information.
The registration statement that contains this prospectus
(including the exhibits to the registration statement) has
additional information about us and about the trusts and the
securities offered under this prospectus. That registration
statement can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC offices
mentioned under the heading Where You Can Find More
Information.
3
The words USB, Company, we,
our, ours and us refer to
U.S. Bancorp and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated.
We have also defined terms in the glossary section, at the back
of this prospectus.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any
document that we file at the SECs public reference rooms
in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are
also available to the public from the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange. For further information
on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock
Exchange, you should call (212) 656-5060.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we
file with them, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be part
of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the
SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the following documents listed below
and any future filings made with the SEC under
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act),
until we or any underwriters sell all of the securities:
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005; and |
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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, March
9 (two reports, one of which was on Form 8-K/ A),
March 21, April 19, May 16, June 15,
June 22, June 27, and July 19, 2005. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing
or telephoning us at the following address:
U.S. Bancorp
800 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Attn: Investor Relations Department
(612) 303-0799 or (866) 775-9668
The trusts have no separate financial statements. The statements
would not be material to holders of the capital securities
because the trusts have no independent operations.
Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this prospectus
and in any applicable prospectus supplement are stated in
U.S. dollars.
ABOUT U.S. BANCORP
We are a multi-state financial holding company with
$204 billion in assets at June 30, 2005, headquartered
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We were incorporated in Delaware in
1929 and operate as a financial holding company and a bank
holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. We
provide a full range of financial services, including lending
and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and
trust and investment management services. We also engage in
credit card services, merchant and automated teller machine
processing, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, leasing and
investment banking. We are the parent company of U.S. Bank.
Our banking subsidiaries are engaged in the general banking
business, principally in domestic markets. Our subsidiaries
range in size from $25 million to $128 billion in
deposits at December 31, 2004, and
4
provide a wide range of products and services to individuals,
businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities
and other financial institutions. Commercial and consumer
lending services are principally offered to customers within our
domestic markets, to domestic customers with foreign operations
and within certain niche national venues. Lending services
include traditional credit products as well as credit card
services, financing and import/export trade, asset-backed
lending, agricultural finance and other products. Leasing
products are offered through bank leasing subsidiaries.
Depository services include checking accounts, savings accounts
and time certificate contracts. Ancillary services such as
foreign exchange, treasury management and receivable lock-box
collection are provided to corporate customers. Our bank and
trust subsidiaries provide a full range of asset management and
fiduciary services for individuals, estates, foundations,
businesses and charitable organizations.
Our nonbanking subsidiaries primarily offer investment and
insurance products to our customers principally within their
markets and mutual fund processing services to a broad range of
mutual funds. Banking and investment services are provided
through a network of 2,383 banking offices principally
operating in 24 states in the Midwest and West.
U.S. Bancorp operates a network of 4,877 branded ATMs
and provides 24-hour, seven day a week telephone customer
service. Mortgage banking services are provided through banking
offices and loan production offices throughout our markets.
Consumer lending products may be originated through banking
offices, indirect correspondents, brokers or other lending
sources, and a consumer finance division. We are also one of the
largest providers of Visa® corporate and purchasing card
services and corporate trust services in the United States. A
wholly-owned subsidiary, NOVA Information Systems, Inc.,
provides merchant processing services directly to merchants
through a network of banking affiliations. Affiliates of NOVA
Information Systems, Inc. provide similar merchant services in
Canada and segments of Europe. These foreign operations are not
significant to us.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol USB. Our principal executive
offices are located at 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55402, and our telephone number is (651) 466-3000.
If you would like to know more about us, see our documents
incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described under
the section Where You Can Find More Information.
ABOUT THE TRUSTS
We created a number of trusts under Delaware law under separate
trust agreements established for each trust. A trust is a
fiduciary relationship where one person known as the trustee,
holds some property for the benefit of another person, in this
case, the purchasers of the securities. For the securities being
sold, the trustees and we will enter into amended and restated
trust agreements that will be essentially in the form filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement, which will state the
terms and conditions for each trust to issue and sell the
specific capital securities and common securities.
The trusts exist solely to:
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issue and sell capital securities and common securities; |
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use the gross proceeds from the sale of the capital securities
and common securities to purchase corresponding series of our
junior subordinated debt securities; |
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maintain their status as grantor trusts for federal income tax
purposes; and |
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engage in other activities that are necessary or incidental to
these purposes. |
We will purchase all of the common securities of each trust. The
common securities will represent an aggregate liquidation amount
equal to at least 3% of each trusts total capitalization.
The capital securities will represent the remaining 97% of each
trusts total capitalization. The common securities will
have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal in
priority of payment with, the capital securities. If we default
on the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, then
distributions on the common securities will be subordinate to
the preferred securities in priority of payment.
5
For each trust, as the direct or indirect holder of the common
securities, we have appointed five trustees to conduct each
trusts business and affairs. As holder of the common
securities we (except in some circumstances) have the power to:
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appoint the trustees; |
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replace or remove the trustees; and |
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increase or decrease the number of trustees. |
This means that if you are dissatisfied with a trustee you will
not be able to remove the trustee without our assistance.
Similarly, if we are dissatisfied with a trustee we can remove
the trustee even if you are satisfied with the trustee.
The capital securities will be fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by us as described under Description of the
Guarantees.
The principal executive offices of each trust is
c/o U.S. Bancorp, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55402 and the telephone number is (651) 466-3000.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Each trust will use all the proceeds from the sale of the
capital securities to purchase our junior subordinated debt
securities. Except as otherwise stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, we intend to use the proceeds from the
sale of our junior subordinated debt securities (including
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities) for general
corporate purposes, including working capital, capital
expenditures, investments in or advances to existing or future
indebtedness, repayment of maturing obligations and replacement
of outstanding indebtedness. Pending such use, we may
temporarily invest the proceeds or use them to reduce short-term
indebtedness.
The applicable prospectus supplement provides more details on
the use of proceeds of any specific offering.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges of USB for each of the
periods indicated is as follows:
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Year Ended December 31 | |
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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2002 | |
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2001 | |
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2000 | |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
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Excluding interest on deposits
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5.98 |
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6.40 |
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4.88 |
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2.26 |
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2.76 |
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Including interest on deposits
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3.88 |
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3.64 |
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2.79 |
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1.50 |
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1.69 |
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The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing
income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed
charges (excluding capitalized interest), as adjusted for some
equity method investments, by fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist of interest on debt (including capitalized interest),
amortization of debt discount and expense and a portion of
rentals determined to be representative of interest.
DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the
junior subordinated debt securities that are offered by this
prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe
the specific terms of the series of the junior subordinated debt
securities offered under that prospectus supplement and any
general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to
those junior subordinated debt securities.
6
The junior subordinated indenture will be issued under an
indenture dated as of April 28, 2005, between us and
Delaware Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The
indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.
A form of the junior subordinated indenture is filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement relating to this
prospectus.
This section summarizes the material terms and provisions of the
junior subordinated indenture and the junior subordinated debt
securities. Because this is a summary, it does not contain all
of the details found in the full text of the junior subordinated
indenture and the junior subordinated debt securities. If you
would like additional information, you should read the form of
junior subordinated indenture and the form of junior
subordinated debt securities.
General
We can issue the junior subordinated debt securities in one or
more series. A series of junior subordinated debt securities
initially will be issued to a trust in connection with a capital
securities offering.
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus
supplement regarding any offered junior subordinated debt
securities, the junior subordinated debt securities will rank
equally with all other series of junior subordinated debt
securities, will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior
in priority of payment to all of our Senior Debt as described
below under Subordination.
The indenture does not limit the amount of junior subordinated
debt securities which we may issue, nor does it limit our
issuance of any other secured or unsecured Debt.
We can issue the junior subordinated debt securities under a
supplemental indenture, an officers certificate or a
resolution of our board of directors.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following
terms of the junior subordinated debt securities:
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the title; |
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount that may be issued; |
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the date(s) on which the principal is payable or the method of
determining that date; |
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the interest rate, if any, the interest payment dates, any
rights we may have to defer or extend an interest payment date,
and the regular record date for any interest payment or the
method by which any of the foregoing will be determined; |
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the place(s) where payments shall be payable and where the
junior subordinated debt securities can be presented for
registration of transfer or exchange, and the place(s) where
notices and demands to or on us can be made; |
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any period(s) within which or date(s) on which, price(s) at
which and the terms and conditions on which the junior
subordinated debt securities can be redeemed, in whole or in
part, at our option or at the option of a holder of the junior
subordinated debt securities; |
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our or any holders obligation or right, if any, to redeem,
purchase or repay the junior subordinated debt securities and
other related terms and provisions; |
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the denominations in which any junior subordinated debt
securities will be issued if other than denominations of
$100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
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if other than in U.S. dollars, the currency in which the
principal, premium and interest, if any, that the junior
subordinated debt securities will be payable or denominated; |
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any additions, modifications or deletions in the events of
default or covenants specified in the indenture; |
7
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the portion of the principal amount that will be payable at
declaration of acceleration of the maturity; |
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any additions or changes to the indenture as will be necessary
to facilitate the issuance of a series of junior subordinated
debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable
for the principal, and with or without interest coupons; |
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the index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of
principal and premium, if any, on any junior subordinated debt
securities and how these amounts will be determined; |
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the terms and conditions under which temporary global securities
are exchanged for definitive junior subordinated debt securities
of the same series; |
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whether the junior subordinated debt securities will be issued
in global form and, in that case, the terms and the depositary
for these global securities; |
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the paying agent; |
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the terms and conditions of any right to convert or exchange any
junior subordinated debt securities into any of our other
securities or property; |
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the form of trust agreement and guarantee agreement; |
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the relative degree, if any, to which the junior subordinated
debt securities shall be senior or subordinated to other junior
subordinated debt securities or any of our other indebtedness in
right of payment; and |
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any other terms of the junior subordinated debt securities
consistent with the provisions of the indenture. |
Junior subordinated debt securities may be sold at a substantial
discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no
interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is
below market rates. Some U.S. federal income tax
consequences and special considerations applicable to the junior
subordinated debt securities will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the
restrictions, elections, some U.S. federal income tax
consequences, and specific terms and other information related
to the junior subordinated debt securities if the purchase
price, principal, premium, or interest of any of the junior
subordinated debt securities is payable or denominated in one or
more foreign currencies or currency units.
If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of
principal, premium, or interest on any series of junior
subordinated debt securities, special U.S. federal income
tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to the
junior subordinated debt securities will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Option to Extend Interest Payment Dates
If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement and if the
junior subordinated debentures are not in default, we shall have
the right at any time and from time to time during the term of
any series of junior subordinated debt securities to defer
payment of interest for a number of consecutive interest payment
periods as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement
(extension period).
Some U.S. federal income tax consequences and
considerations applicable to any junior subordinated debt
securities that permit extension periods will be described in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
Redemption
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, junior subordinated debt securities will not be
subject to any sinking fund.
8
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise,
we may, at our option and subject to the receipt of prior
approval by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies, redeem the junior subordinated debt securities of any
series:
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in whole at any time or in part from time to time; or |
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upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event
or a Capital Treatment Event in whole (but not in part) at any
time within 90 days of the occurrence of the Tax Event, the
Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event. |
If the junior subordinated debt securities of any series are
redeemable only on or after a specified date or by the
satisfaction of additional conditions, the applicable prospectus
supplement will specify the date or describe these conditions.
Junior subordinated debt securities shall be redeemable in the
denominations specified in the prospectus supplement. Unless the
applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, junior
subordinated debt securities will be redeemed at the redemption
price.
A Tax Event means that either we or a trust will have received
an opinion of counsel (which may be our counsel or counsel of an
affiliate but not an employee and which must be reasonably
acceptable to the property trustee) experienced in tax matters
stating that, as a result of any:
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amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective
change) in, the laws (or any regulations under those laws) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing
authority affecting taxation; or |
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interpretation or application of the laws enumerated in the
preceding bullet point or regulations, by any court,
governmental agency or regulatory authority; |
there is more than an insubstantial risk that:
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a trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the
opinion of counsel, subject to U.S. federal income tax on
interest received on the junior subordinated debt securities; |
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interest payable by us to the trusts on the junior subordinated
debt securities is not, or will not be within 90 days of
the date of the opinion of counsel, deductible, in whole or in
part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or |
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a trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the
opinion of counsel, subject to more than a minimal amount of
other taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges. |
An Investment Company Event means the receipt by us and a trust
of an opinion of counsel experienced in matters relating to
investment companies to the effect that, as a result of any:
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change in law or regulation; or |
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change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by
any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority, |
the trust is or will be considered an investment company that is
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act,
which change becomes effective on or after the original issuance
of the capital securities.
A Capital Treatment Event means the reasonable determination by
us that, as a result of any:
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amendment to, or change (including any prospective change) in,
laws or any applicable regulation of the United States and any
political subdivision; or |
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as a result of any official or administrative pronouncement or
action or judicial decision interpreting or applying the laws or
regulations, which amendment is effective or announced on or
after the date of issuance of the capital securities, |
9
there is more than an insubstantial risk of impairment of our
ability to treat the capital securities (or any substantial
portion) as Tier 1 capital (or its equivalent) for purposes
of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, in
effect and applicable to us.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days
and not more than 60 days before the redemption date to
each holder of redeemable junior subordinated debt securities,
at its registered address. Unless we default in the payment of
the redemption price, on or after the redemption date, interest
will cease to accrue on the junior subordinated debt securities
or portions called for redemption.
Restrictions on Some Payments
We agreed that we will not permit any of our subsidiaries to:
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declare or pay any dividends or distributions, or redeem,
purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment on any of our
capital stock; |
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make any payment of principal of interest or premium, if any, on
or repay, repurchase or redeem any of our debt securities
(including other junior subordinated debt securities) that rank
equally with or junior in interest to the junior subordinated
debt securities; or |
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make any guarantee payments on any guarantee of debt securities
of any of our subsidiaries (including under other guarantees) if
the guarantee ranks equally with or junior in interest to the
junior subordinated debt securities, except in some
circumstances, if at that time: |
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we have actual knowledge of an event that with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an event
of default under the indenture and we will not have taken
reasonable steps to cure the event of default; |
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the junior subordinated debt securities are held by a trust that
is the issuer of a series of related capital securities and we
are in default on our payment obligations under the guarantee
relating to those related capital securities; or |
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we have given notice of our selection of an extension period on
the junior subordinated debt securities of a series and we have
not rescinded the notice, or extension period, or any extension
period relating to the junior subordinated debt securities shall
be continuing. |
Modification of Indenture
We may and the trustee may change the indenture without your
consent for specified purposes, including:
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to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provided that the
change does not materially adversely affect the interest of any
holder of any series of junior subordinated debt securities or,
in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, the interest of a holder of any related capital
securities so long as they remain outstanding; and |
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to qualify or maintain the qualification of the indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act. |
In addition, under the indenture, we and the trustee may modify
the indenture to affect the rights of the holders of the series
of the junior subordinated debt securities, with the consent of
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
series of junior subordinated debt securities that are affected.
However, neither we nor the trustee may take the following
actions without the consent of each holder of the outstanding
junior subordinated debt securities affected:
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change the maturity date of any series of junior subordinated
debt securities (except as otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement), or reduce the principal amount, rate of
interest, or extend the time of payment of interest; |
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of junior subordinated
debt securities of any series necessary to modify the indenture; |
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modify some provisions of the indenture relating to modification
or waiver, except to increase the required percentage; or |
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modify the provisions of the indenture relating to the
subordination of the junior subordinated debt securities of any
series in a manner adverse to the holders, provided that, in the
case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, as
long as any of the related capital securities are outstanding,
no modification will be made that adversely affects the holders
of these capital securities in any material respect. Also the
indenture cannot be terminated, and a waiver of any event of
default or compliance with any covenant under the indenture
cannot be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of
a majority of the liquidation preference of the related capital
securities unless and until the principal of the corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities and all accrued and unpaid
interest have been paid in full and some other conditions are
satisfied. |
In addition, we and the trustee may execute any supplemental
indenture to create any new series of junior subordinated debt
securities without the consent of any holders.
Events of Default
The following are events of defaults under the indenture:
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the default in the payment of interest in full for a period of
30 days after the conclusion of a period consisting of 20
consecutive quarters, commencing with the earliest quarter for
which interest (including deferred payments) has not been paid
in full; |
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the related trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily
dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its
existence, except in connection with (i) the distribution
of the junior subordinated debt securities to holders of the
trust preferred securities, (ii) the redemption of all of
the outstanding trust preferred securities or (iii) certain
mergers, consolidations or amalgamations; |
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certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization; or |
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any other event of default that may be specified for the junior
subordinated debt securities of that series when that series is
created. |
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
amount of any series of junior subordinated debt securities have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee. If an event
of default (other than certain events of bankruptcy) under the
indenture of any series occurs and is continuing, the junior
subordinated trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding junior subordinated debt
securities can declare the unpaid principal and accrued
interest, if any, to the date of acceleration on all the
outstanding junior subordinated debt securities of that series
to be due and payable immediately. Similarly, in the case of
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, if the
trustee or holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities fail to make this declaration, the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate liquidation preference of the related
capital securities will have that right.
If an event of default consisting of certain events of
bankruptcy occurs under the indenture of any series, the
principal amount of all the outstanding junior subordinated debt
securities of that series will automatically, and without any
declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any
holder, become immediately due and payable.
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
amount of any series of junior subordinated debt securities can
rescind a declaration of acceleration and waive the default if
the default (other than the non-payment of principal which has
become due solely by acceleration) has been cured and a sum
sufficient to pay all principal and interest due (other than by
acceleration) has been deposited with the trustee. In the case
of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, if the
holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities
fail to rescind a declaration and waive the default, the holders
of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the related
capital securities will have that right.
11
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the junior subordinated debt securities of any
affected series may, on behalf of holders of all of the junior
subordinated debt securities, waive any past default, except:
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a default in the payment of principal or interest (unless the
default has been cured or a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of principal and interest has been deposited with
the trustee); or |
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a default in a covenant or provision of the indenture which
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders
of each outstanding junior subordinated debt securities. |
In the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, if the holders of the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities fail to rescind a declaration and
waive the default, the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of the related capital securities will have that
right.
We are required to file annually, with the trustee, a
certificate stating whether or not we are in compliance with all
the conditions and covenants applicable to us under the junior
subordinated indenture.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing on a series of
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, the property
trustee will have the right to declare the principal of, and the
interest on, the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, and any amounts payable under the indenture, to be
immediately due and payable, and to enforce its other rights as
a creditor for these corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities.
Enforcement of Some Rights by Holders of Capital
Securities
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, and this event can be attributable to our failure to
pay interest or principal on the related junior subordinated
debt securities when due, you may institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce the payment of the principal of
or interest on those subordinated debt securities having a
principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of your related
capital securities. We cannot amend the indenture to remove the
right to bring a direct action, without the written consent of
holders of all capital securities. If the right to bring a
direct action is removed, the applicable trust may become
subject to reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.
You would not be able to exercise directly any remedy other than
those stated in the preceding paragraph which are available to
the holders of the junior subordinated debt securities unless
there has been an event of default under the trust agreement.
See Description of Capital Securities Events
of Default; Notice.
Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other
Transactions
The indenture states that we cannot consolidate with or merge
into any other person or convey, transfer or lease our
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
person, and no person will consolidate with or merge into us or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to us, unless:
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the successor is organized under the laws of the United States
or any state or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes
all of our obligations under the indenture; |
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immediately after the transaction, no event of default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become
an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing; |
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this transaction is permitted under the related trust agreement
and the related guarantee and does not give rise to any breach
or violation of the related trust agreement or the related
guarantee; and |
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some other conditions prescribed in the indenture are met. |
12
The general provisions of the indenture do not afford protection
to the holders of the junior subordinated debt securities in the
event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving us
that may adversely affect the holders.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indenture provides that when all junior subordinated debt
securities not previously delivered to the trustee for
cancellation:
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have become due and payable; or |
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will become due and payable within one year, and |
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we deposit with the trustee money sufficient to pay and
discharge the entire indebtedness on the junior subordinated
debt securities; |
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we deliver to the trustee officers certificates and
opinions of counsel; and |
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we comply with some other requirements under the indenture, |
then the indenture will cease to be of further effect and we
will be considered to have satisfied and discharged the
indenture.
Conversion or Exchange
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the junior
subordinated debt securities of any series may be convertible or
exchangeable into capital securities or other securities. The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific
terms on which the junior subordinated debt securities of any
series may be so converted or exchanged. The terms may include
provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the
option of the holder, or at our option, in which case the number
of shares of capital securities or other securities to be
received by the holders of junior subordinated debt securities
would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Subordination
The indenture provides that any junior subordinated debt
securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all Senior Debt.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon our
liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, whether
voluntary or involuntary, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency,
debt restructuring or similar proceedings, the holders of Senior
Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the
principal, premium, or interest due before the holders of junior
subordinated debt securities or, in the case of corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities, the property trustee, on
behalf of the holders, will be entitled to receive any payment
or distribution.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any junior
subordinated debt securities, the holders of all Senior Debt
outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the
Senior Debt (including any amounts due upon acceleration) before
the holders of junior subordinated debt securities.
No payment, by or on our behalf, of principal, premium, if any,
or interest, on the junior subordinated debt securities shall be
made if at the time of the payment, there exists:
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a default in any payment on any Senior Debt, or any other
default under which the maturity of any Senior Debt has been
accelerated; and |
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any judicial proceeding relating to the defaults which shall be
pending. |
13
We are a non-operating holding company and almost all of our
operating assets are owned by our subsidiaries. We rely
primarily on dividends from our subsidiaries to meet our
obligations to pay the principal of and interest on our
outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. We are a
legal entity separate and distinct from our banking and
nonbanking affiliates. Our principal sources of income are
dividends, interest and fees from U.S. Bank National
Association and our other banking and nonbanking affiliates. Our
banking subsidiaries are subject to some restrictions imposed by
federal law on any extensions of credit to, and some other
transactions with, us and some other affiliates, and on
investments in stock or other securities. These restrictions
prevent us and our other affiliates from borrowing from our
banking subsidiaries unless the loans are secured by various
types of collateral. Further, these secured loans, other
transactions and investments by any of our banking subsidiaries
are generally limited in amount for us and each of our other
affiliates to 10% of our banking subsidiaries capital and
surplus, and as to us and all of our other affiliates to an
aggregate of 20% of our banking subsidiaries capital and
surplus. In addition, payment of dividends by our banking
subsidiaries to us are subject to ongoing review by banking
regulators and to various statutory limitations and in some
circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory
authorities. Because we are a holding company, our right to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon
the liquidation or reorganization or otherwise of our subsidiary
is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary,
unless we can be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary.
Accordingly, the junior subordinated debt securities will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities
of our banking subsidiaries, and holders of junior subordinated
debt securities should look only to our assets for payments on
the junior subordinated debt securities.
The indenture places no limitation on the amount of Senior Debt
that we may incur. We expect to incur from time to time
additional indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.
The indenture provides that these subordination provisions, as
they relate to any particular issue of junior subordinated debt
securities, may be changed before the issuance. The applicable
prospectus supplement will describe any of these changes.
Denominations, Registration and Transfer
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement specifies otherwise,
we will issue the junior subordinated debt securities in
registered form only, without coupons and in the denominations
specified in the prospectus supplement. Holders can exchange
junior subordinated debt securities of any series for other
junior subordinated debt securities:
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of the same issue and series; |
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in any authorized denominations; |
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in a like principal amount; |
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of the same date of issuance and maturity; and |
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bearing the same interest rate. |
Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations
applicable to global securities stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, junior subordinated debt securities will
be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly
endorsed or with the form of transfer duly endorsed, or a
satisfactory written instrument of transfer, duly executed) at
the office of the security registrar or at the office of any
transfer agent designated by us for that purpose.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, no service charge will be made for any registration
of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes
or other governmental charges. We have appointed the trustee as
security registrar for the junior subordinated debt securities.
Any transfer agent (in addition to the security registrar)
initially designated by us for any junior subordinated debt
securities will be named in the applicable prospectus
supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer
agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or
approve a change in
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the location through which any transfer agent acts, except that
we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place
of payment for the junior subordinated debt securities of each
series.
If the junior subordinated debt securities of any series are to
be redeemed, neither the trustee nor us will be required to:
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issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any junior
subordinated debt securities of any series during a period
beginning on the business day that is 15 days before the
day of mailing of notice of redemption of any junior
subordinated debt securities that is selected for redemption and
ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the
relevant notice; or |
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transfer or exchange any junior subordinated debt securities
selected for redemption, except, the unredeemed portion of any
junior subordinated debt securities being redeemed in part. |
Global Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
We may issue, in whole or in part, the junior subordinated debt
securities of a series in the form of one or more global junior
subordinated debt securities that will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus
supplement relating to those series. The specific terms of the
depositary arrangements for a series of junior subordinated debt
securities will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. See Book-Entry Issuance.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, payment of principal of and any premium and interest
on junior subordinated debt securities will be made at the
office of the trustee in the City of New York or at the office
of the paying agent(s) designated by us, from time to time, in
the applicable prospectus supplement. However, we may make
interest payments by:
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check mailed to the address of the person entitled to it at the
address appearing in the securities register (except in the case
of global junior subordinated debt securities); or |
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transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled to it
as specified in the securities register, so long as we receive
proper transfer instructions by the regular record date. |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, payment of the interest on junior subordinated debt
securities on any interest payment date will be made to the
person in whose name the junior subordinated debt securities are
registered at the close of business on the regular record date
relating to the interest payment date, except in the case of
defaulted interest.
We may at any time designate additional paying agents or cancel
the designation of any paying agent. We will at all times be
required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for
each series of junior subordinated debt securities.
Any money deposited with the trustee or any paying agent, or
held by us in trust for the payment of the principal of and any
premium or interest on any junior subordinated debt securities
that remains unclaimed for two years after the principal, any
premium or interest has become due and payable will, at our
request, be repaid to us and the holder of the junior
subordinated debt securities can then only look to us for
payment.
Information About the Trustee
The Trust Indenture Act describes the duties and
responsibilities of the trustee. Subject to the provisions under
the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee has no obligation to
exercise any of the powers vested in it by the indenture, at the
request of any holder of junior subordinated debt securities,
unless the holder offers reasonable indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities that are incurred. The trustee is not
required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the
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performance of its duties if it reasonably believes that
repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
The corresponding junior subordinated debt securities are issued
in one or more series of junior subordinated debt securities
under the indenture with terms corresponding to the terms of a
series of related capital securities. Concurrently with the
issuance of each trusts capital securities, the trust will
invest the proceeds and the consideration paid by us for the
related common securities in a series of corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities. Each series of corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities will be in the principal
amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the
related capital securities and the common securities of the
trust and will rank equally with all other series of junior
subordinated debt securities. As a holder of the related capital
securities for a series of corresponding junior subordinated
debt securities, you will have rights in connection with
modifications to the indenture or at the occurrence of events of
default under the indenture described under
Modification of Indenture and
Events of Default, unless provided
otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement for these
related capital securities.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, if a Tax Event relating to a trust of related
capital securities occurs and is continuing, we have the option,
and subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve (if
required at the time under applicable capital guidelines or
policies), to redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities at any time within 90 days of the occurrence of
the Tax Event, in whole but not in part, at the redemption
price. As long as the applicable trust is the holder of all
outstanding series of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, the trust will use the proceeds of the redemption to
redeem the corresponding capital securities and common
securities in accordance with their terms. We may not redeem a
series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities in
part, unless all accrued and unpaid interest has been paid in
full on all outstanding corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities of the applicable series.
We will covenant in the indenture that if and as long as:
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the trust of the related series of capital securities and common
securities is the holder of all the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities; |
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a Tax Event related to the trust has occurred and is continuing;
and |
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we have elected, and have not revoked our election to pay
Additional Sums for the capital securities and common securities, |
we will pay to the trust the Additional Sums.
We will also covenant, as to each series of corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities:
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to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the common
securities of the trust to which corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities have been issued, provided that
some successors which are permitted under the indenture, may
succeed to our ownership of the common securities; |
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not to voluntarily terminate, wind-up or liquidate any trust,
except: |
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with prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve; and |
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in connection with a distribution of corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities to the holders of the capital
securities in liquidation of a trust, or in connection with some
mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the
related trust agreement; and |
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to use our reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and
provisions of the related trust agreement, to cause the trust to
remain classified as a grantor trust and not as an association
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes. |
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
General
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the
capital securities that are offered by this prospectus. The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific
terms of the series of the capital securities offered under that
prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this
section that will not apply to those capital securities.
The capital securities will be issued under the trust agreement.
The trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. The forms of trust agreement and capital
securities have been filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement.
The capital securities will have the terms described in the
applicable trust agreement or made part of the trust agreement
by the Trust Indenture Act or the Delaware Business
Trust Act. The terms of the capital securities will mirror
the terms of the junior subordinated debt securities held by
each trust.
This section summarizes the material terms and provisions of the
trust agreement and the capital securities. Because this is only
a summary, it does not contain all of the details found in the
full text of the trust agreement and the capital securities. If
you would like additional information you should read the form
of trust agreement and the form of capital securities.
The trust agreement of each trust authorizes the administrative
trustees to issue on behalf of each trust one series of capital
securities and one series of common securities containing the
terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The
proceeds from the sale of the capital securities and common
securities will be used by each trust to purchase a series of
junior subordinated debt securities from us. The junior
subordinated debt securities will be held in trust by the
property trustee for your benefit and the benefit of the holder
of the common securities.
Under the guarantee, we will agree to make payments of
distributions and payments on redemption or liquidation of the
capital securities, to the extent that the related trust holds
funds available for this purpose and has not made such payments.
See Description of the Guarantee.
The assets of each trust available for distribution to you will
be limited to payments received from us under the corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities. If we fail to make a
payment on the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, the property trustee will not have sufficient funds
to make related payments, including distributions, on the
capital securities.
Each guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under
the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities and the
indenture, the applicable trust agreement and the expense
agreement, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee of
amounts due on the capital securities issued by each trust.
Each trust will redeem an amount of capital securities equal to
the amount of any corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities redeemed.
Specific terms relating to the capital securities will be
described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including:
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the name of the capital securities; |
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the dollar amount and number of capital securities issued; |
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the annual distribution rate(s) (or method of determining this
rate(s)), the payment date(s) and the record dates used to
determine the holders who are to receive distributions; |
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the date from which distributions shall be cumulative; |
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the optional redemption provisions, if any, including the
prices, time periods and other terms and conditions for which
the capital securities shall be purchased or redeemed, in whole
or in part; |
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the terms and conditions, if any, under which the junior
subordinated debt securities are distributed to you by the
trusts; |
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any securities exchange on which the capital securities are
listed; |
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whether the capital securities are to be issued in book-entry
form and represented by one or more global certificates, and if
so, the depositary for the global certificates and the specific
terms of the depositary arrangements; and |
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any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
or restrictions of the capital securities. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe some
U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any
offering of capital securities.
Redemption or Exchange
Mandatory Redemption. If any corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities are repaid or redeemed in whole or
in part, whether at maturity or upon earlier redemption, the
property trustee will use the proceeds from this repayment or
redemption to redeem a Like Amount of the capital securities and
common securities. The property trustee will give you at least
30 days notice, but not more than 60 days
notice, before the date of redemption. The capital securities
and (unless there is a default under the junior subordinated
debt securities) the common securities will be redeemed at the
redemption price at the concurrent redemption of the
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities. See
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities Redemption.
If less than all of any series of corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities are to be repaid or redeemed on a
date of redemption, then the proceeds from the repayment or
redemption shall be allocated, pro rata, to the redemption of
the related capital securities and the common securities.
We may redeem any series of corresponding junior subordinated
debt securities:
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on or after the date as specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, in whole at any time or in part, from time to time; |
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at any time, in whole (but not in part), upon the occurrence of
a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital
Treatment; or |
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as is otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement. |
Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities. We may at any time terminate any trust and,
after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of the trust
as provided by applicable law, cause the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities relating to the capital securities
and common securities issued by the trust to be distributed to
you and the holders of the common securities in liquidation of
the trust.
Tax Event, Investment Company Event Redemption or Capital
Treatment Event. If a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or
Capital Treatment Event relating to a series of capital
securities and common securities shall occur and be continuing,
we may redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities in whole, but not in part. This will cause a
mandatory redemption of all of the related capital securities
and common securities at the redemption price within
90 days following the occurrence of the Tax Event,
Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event.
If a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment
Event relating to a series of capital securities and common
securities occurs and is continuing and we elect not to redeem
the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities or to
terminate the related trust and cause the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities to be distributed to holders of the
capital securities and common securities as described above,
those capital securities and common securities will remain
outstanding and Additional Sums may be payable on the
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities.
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Like Amount means:
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for a redemption of any series of capital securities and common
securities, capital securities and common securities of the
series having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion of the
principal amount of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities to be contemporaneously redeemed. The Like Amount
will be allocated to the common securities and to the capital
securities based upon their relative Liquidation Amounts. The
proceeds will be used to pay the redemption price of the capital
securities and common securities; and |
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for a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities to holders of any series of capital securities and
common securities, corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the related capital securities and common securities. |
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Liquidation Amount means, unless otherwise provided in the
applicable prospectus supplement, $25 per capital security
and common security. |
Once the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities for any series
of capital securities:
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the series of capital securities will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding; |
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The DTC, or its nominee, as the record holder of the series of
capital securities, will receive a registered global certificate
or certificates representing the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities to be delivered upon the
distribution; and |
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certificates representing the series of capital securities not
held by DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent the
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities. Those
certificates will bear accrued and unpaid interest in an amount
equal to the accrued and unpaid distributions on the series of
capital securities until the certificates are presented to the
administrative trustees of the applicable trust or their agent
for transfer or reissuance. |
We cannot assure you of the market prices for the capital
securities or the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities. Accordingly, the capital securities that you may
purchase, or the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities that you may receive on dissolution and liquidation
of a trust, may trade at a discount of the price that you paid
for the capital securities.
Redemption Procedures
Capital securities redeemed on a date of redemption shall be:
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redeemed at the redemption price with the applicable proceeds
from the contemporaneous redemption of the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities; and |
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payable on each date of redemption only to the extent that the
related trust has funds on hand available for the payment of the
redemption price. |
If notice of redemption is given, then, by 12:00 noon, New York
City time, on the date of redemption, to the extent funds are
available, the property trustee will deposit irrevocably with
DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and
will give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
redemption price to you. See Book-Entry Issuance. If
the capital securities are no longer in book-entry form, the
property trustee, to the extent funds are available, will
irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the capital
securities, funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption
price and will give the paying agent irrevocable instructions
and authority to pay the redemption price to you when you
surrender your certificates evidencing the capital securities.
Distributions payable on or before the date of redemption for
any capital securities called for redemption shall be payable to
the holders on the relevant record dates for the related
distribution dates.
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If notice of redemption is given and funds deposited as
required, all of your rights will cease, except your right to
receive the redemption price, and the capital securities will
cease to be outstanding.
If a date of redemption is not a business day, then payment of
the redemption price payable on the date of redemption will be
made on the next succeeding day which is a business day (and
without any interest or other payment for any delay). However,
if the business day falls in the next calendar year, then
payment will be made on the immediately preceding business day.
If payment of the redemption price of the capital securities
called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not
paid either by the trust or by us under the guarantee, then
distributions on the capital securities will continue to accrue
at the then applicable rate from the date of redemption to the
date that the redemption price is actually paid. In this case
the actual payment date will be the date of redemption for
purposes of calculating the redemption price.
Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation,
federal securities law), our subsidiaries or us may at any time
and from time to time purchase outstanding capital securities by
tender offer, in the open market or by private agreement.
Payment of the redemption price on the capital securities and
any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities to holders of capital securities shall be payable to
the holders on the relevant record date as they appear on the
register of capital securities. The record date shall be one
business day before the relevant date of redemption or
liquidation date as applicable. However, if the capital
securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date
for the capital securities shall be at least 15 days before
the date of redemption or liquidation date.
If less than all of the capital securities and common securities
issued by a trust are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then
the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the capital securities and
common securities to be redeemed shall be allocated pro rata to
the capital securities and the common securities based upon the
relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The property
trustee will select the capital securities to be redeemed on a
pro rata basis not more than 60 days before the date of
redemption, by a method deemed fair and appropriate by it. The
property trustee will promptly notify the registrar in writing
of the capital securities selected for redemption and, in the
case of any capital securities selected for partial redemption,
the Liquidation Amount to be redeemed.
You will receive notice of any redemption at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption at
your registered address. Unless we default in the payment of the
redemption price on the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, on and after the date of redemption, interest will
cease to accrue on the junior subordinated debt securities or
portions of the junior subordinated debt securities (and
distributions will cease to accrue on the related capital
securities or portions of the capital securities) called for
redemption.
Subordination of Common Securities
Payment of distributions on, and the redemption price of, each
trusts capital securities and common securities, will be
made pro rata based on the liquidation amount of the capital
securities and common securities. However, if an event of
default under the indenture shall have occurred and is
continuing, no payment may be made on any of the trusts
common securities, unless all unpaid amounts on each of the
trusts outstanding capital securities shall have been made
or provided for in full.
If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is
continuing, we, as holder of the trusts common securities,
will be deemed to have waived any right to act on the event of
default under the applicable trust agreement until the effect of
all events of default relating to the capital securities have
been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until the events of
default under the applicable trust agreement relating to the
capital securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on your behalf
and not on our behalf as holder of the trusts common
securities, and only you and the other holders of capital
securities will have the right to direct the property trustee to
act on your behalf.
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Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination
Each trust agreement states that each trust shall be
automatically terminated upon the expiration of the term of the
trust and shall also be terminated upon the first to occur of:
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our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation; |
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the distribution of a Like Amount of the junior subordinated
debt securities directly to the holders of the capital
securities and common securities. For this distribution, we must
give at least 30 days written notice to the trustees; |
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the redemption of all of the capital securities and common
securities of a trust; and |
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a court order for the dissolution of a trust is entered. |
If dissolution of a trust occurs as described in the first,
second and fourth bullets above, the applicable trustee shall
liquidate the trust as quickly as possible. After paying all
amounts owed to creditors, the trustee will distribute to the
holders of the capital securities and the common securities
either:
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a Like Amount of junior subordinated debt securities; or |
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if the distribution of the junior subordinated debt securities
is determined by the property trustee not to be practical, cash
assets equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount per capital
security and common security specified in an accompanying
prospectus supplement, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions
from that date to the date of payment. |
If a trust cannot pay the full amount due on its capital
securities and common securities because insufficient assets are
available for payment, then the amounts payable by the trust on
its capital securities and common securities shall be paid pro
rata. However, if an event of default under the indenture has
occurred and is continuing, the total amounts due on the capital
securities shall be paid before any distribution on the common
securities.
Trust Enforcement Event
An event of default under the indenture constitutes an event of
default under the amended and restated trust agreement. We refer
to such an event as a Trust Enforcement Event. For
more information on events of default under the indenture, see
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities Events of Default. Upon the
occurrence and continuance of a Trust Enforcement Event, the
property trustee, as the sole holder of the junior subordinated
debentures, will have the right under the indenture to declare
the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures due
and payable. The amended and restated trust agreement does not
provide for any other events of default.
If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
junior subordinated debentures, any holder of capital securities
may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, institute a
legal proceeding against us to enforce the property
trustees rights under the junior subordinated debentures
and the indenture without first instituting legal proceedings
against the property trustee or any other person. In addition,
if a Trust Enforcement Event is due to our failure to pay
interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures when
due, then the registered holder of capital securities may
institute a direct action on or after the due date directly
against us for enforcement of payment to that holder of the
principal of or interest on the junior subordinated debentures
having a principal amount equal to the total liquidation amount
of that holders capital securities. In connection with
such a direct action, we will have the right under the indenture
to set off any payment made to that holder by us. The holders of
capital securities will not be able to exercise directly any
other remedy available to the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures.
Pursuant to the amended and restated trust agreement, the holder
of the common securities will be deemed to have waived any Trust
Enforcement Event regarding the common securities until all
Trust Enforcement Events regarding the capital securities have
been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all Trust
Enforcement Events regarding the capital securities have been so
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will
act solely on behalf of the holders of the capital securities
and only
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the holders of the capital securities will have the right to
direct the enforcement actions of the property trustee.
Removal of Trustees
Unless an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred
and is continuing, we can remove and replace any trustee at any
time. If an event of default under a trust agreement has
occurred and is continuing, the property trustee and the
Delaware trustee may be removed or replaced by the holders of at
least a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding
capital securities. We are the only one that has the right to
remove or replace the administrative trustees. No resignation or
removal of any of the trustees and no appointment of a successor
trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment
by the successor trustee as described in the applicable trust
agreement.
Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee
Unless an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred
and is continuing, we, as the holder of the common securities,
and the administrative trustees shall have the power:
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to appoint one or more persons approved by the property trustee
either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the property trustee,
of all or any part of the trust property, or to act as a
separate trustee of any trust property, in either case with the
powers as provided in the instrument of appointment; and |
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to vest in the person(s) any property, title, right or power
deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of the
applicable trust agreement. |
If an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred and
is continuing, only the property trustee may appoint a
co-trustee or separate property trustee.
Merger or Consolidation of Trustees
If any of the trustees merge, convert, or consolidate with or
into another entity or sells its trust operations to another
entity, the new entity shall be the successor of the trustee
under each trust agreement, provided that the corporation or
other entity shall be qualified and eligible to be a trustee.
Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the
Trust
A trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or
be replaced by or transfer or lease all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any other entity (a merger event),
except as described below. A trust may, at our request, with the
consent of the administrative trustees and without your consent,
merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate or be replaced by
another trust provided that:
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the successor entity either: |
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expressly assumes all of the obligations of the trust relating
to the capital securities; or |
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substitutes for the capital securities other securities with
terms substantially similar to the capital securities (successor
securities) so long as the successor securities have the same
rank as the capital securities for distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; |
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we expressly appoint a trustee of the successor entity who has
the same powers and duties as the property trustee of the trust
as it relates to the junior subordinated debt securities; |
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the successor securities are listed or will be listed on the
same national securities exchange or other organization that the
capital securities are listed on; |
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the merger event does not cause the capital securities or
successor securities to be downgraded by any national
statistical rating organization; |
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the merger event does not adversely affect the rights,
preferences and privileges of the holders of the capital
securities or successor securities in any material way; |
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the successor entity has a purpose substantially similar to that
of the trust; |
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before the merger event, we have received an opinion of counsel
stating that: |
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the merger event does not adversely affect the rights of the
holders of the capital securities or any successor securities in
any material way; and |
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following the merger event, neither the trust nor the successor
entity will be required to register as an investment company
under the Investment Company Act; and |
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we own all of the common securities of the successor entity and
guarantee the successor entitys obligations under the
successor securities in the same manner provided by the related
guarantee. |
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The trusts and any successor entity must always be classified as
grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless
all of the holders of the capital securities approve otherwise. |
Voting Rights; Amendment of Each Trust Agreement
You have no voting rights except as discussed under
Description of the Capital Securities Mergers,
Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust
and Description of the Guarantee Amendments
and Assignment, and as otherwise required by law and the
applicable trust agreement. The property trustee, the
administrative trustees and us may amend each trust agreement
without your consent:
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to fix any ambiguity or inconsistency; or |
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to modify, eliminate or add provisions to the applicable trust
agreement as shall be necessary to ensure that each trust shall
at all times be classified as a grantor trust for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
The administrative trustees and us may amend each trust
agreement for any other reason as long as the holders of at
least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the capital
securities agree, and the trustees receive an opinion of counsel
which states that the amendment will not affect the applicable
trust status as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, or its exemption from regulation as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act, except to:
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change the amount and/or timing or otherwise adversely affect
the method of payment of any distribution or Liquidation Amount
on the capital securities or common securities; |
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restrict your right or the right of the common security holder
to institute suit for enforcement of any distribution or
Liquidation Amount on the capital securities or common
securities; |
The changes described in the two bullet points above require the
approval of each holder of the capital securities affected.
So long as the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities
of a trust are held by the property trustee of that trust, the
trustees shall not:
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direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the trustee or executing any trust
or power conferred on the trustee relating to the corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities; |
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waive any past default under Section 5.13 of the indenture; |
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cancel an acceleration of the principal of the corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities; or |
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agree to any change in the indenture or the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities, where the trustees approval
is required, without obtaining the prior approval of the holders
of at least a majority in the aggregate Liquidation Amount of
all outstanding related capital securities. However, if the
indenture requires the consent of each holder of corresponding
junior subordinated debt |
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securities that are affected, then the property trustee must get
approval of all holders of capital securities. |
The trustees cannot change anything previously approved by you
without your approval to make the change. The property trustee
shall notify you of any notice of default relating to the
corresponding junior subordinated debt securities.
In addition, before taking any of the actions described above,
the trustees must obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in
these matters, stating that the trust will continue to be
classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
As described in each trust agreement, the property trustee may
hold a meeting so that you may vote on a change or request that
you approve the change by written consent.
Your vote or consent is not required for the trust to redeem and
cancel its capital securities under the trust agreement.
If your vote is taken or a consent is obtained, any capital
securities that are owned by us, the trustees or any affiliate
of either of us shall, for purposes of the vote or consent, be
treated as if they were not outstanding.
Global Capital Securities
The capital securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more global securities that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of the
depositary arrangements for a series of capital securities will
be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. See
Book-Entry Issuance.
Payment and Paying Agents
Payments regarding the capital securities shall be made to a
depositary, which shall credit the relevant accounts at the
depositary on the applicable distribution dates or, if any
trusts capital securities are not held by a depositary,
the payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the
holder entitled to it at the address listed in the register.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the paying agent shall initially be the property
trustee. The paying agent shall be permitted to resign as paying
agent with 30 days written notice to the property
trustee and to us. If the property trustee shall no longer be
the paying agent, the administrative trustees shall appoint a
successor (which shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to
the administrative trustees and to us) to act as paying agent.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the property trustee will act as registrar and
transfer agent for the capital securities.
Registration of transfers of capital securities will be effected
without charge by or on behalf of each trust, after payment of
any tax or other governmental charges that are imposed in
connection with any transfer or exchange. No transfers of
capital securities called for redemption will be registered.
Information About the Property Trustee
The property trustee will perform only those duties that are
specifically stated in each trust agreement. If an event of
default arises or certain defaults occur and continue under a
trust agreement, the property trustee must use the same degree
of care and skill in the exercise of its duties as a prudent
person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own
affairs. The property trustee is under no obligation to exercise
any of the powers given it by the applicable trust agreement at
your request unless it is offered reasonable security or
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it
might incur.
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If no event of default under a trust agreement has occurred and
is continuing, and the property trustee is required to decide
between alternative courses of action, construe ambiguous
provisions in the applicable trust agreement or is unsure of the
application of any provisions of the applicable trust agreement,
and the matter is not one on which you are entitled to vote,
then the property trustee shall:
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take some action as directed by us; and |
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if not so directed, take whatever action the property trustee
deems advisable and in your best interests, and in the best
interests of the holders of the capital securities and common
securities of the applicable trust and will have no liability
except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct. |
Miscellaneous
The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to
conduct the affairs of and to operate the trusts in the manner
that:
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no trust will be deemed to be an investment company required to
be registered under the Investment Company Act or to fail to be
classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax
purposes; |
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the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities will be
treated as our indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. |
In this connection, the administrative trustees and we are
authorized to take any action, consistent with applicable law or
the certificate of trust of each trust or each trust agreement,
that we each determine in our discretion to be necessary or
desirable for these purposes.
You have no preemptive or similar rights. A trust may not borrow
money, issue Debt or mortgages, or pledge any of its assets.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
General
We will execute a guarantee, for your benefit at the same time
that a trust issues the capital securities. The guarantee
trustee will hold the guarantee for your benefit. The guarantee
will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The form of guarantee has been filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement.
This section summarizes the material terms and provisions of the
guarantee. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain
all of the details found in the full text of the guarantee. If
you would like additional information you should read the form
of guarantee agreement.
We will irrevocably agree to pay to you in full the Guarantee
Payments as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of
set-off or counterclaim which the trust may have or assert other
than the defense of payment. The following payments, to the
extent not paid by a trust, will be subject to the guarantee:
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any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on
the capital securities, to the extent that the trust has
applicable funds available to make the payment; |
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the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid distributions to
the date of redemption on the capital securities called for
redemption, to the extent that the trust has funds available to
make the payment; or |
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in the event of a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding
up or liquidation of the trust (other than in connection with a
distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities to you or the redemption of all the related capital
securities), the lesser of: |
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the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement for each capital security plus
all accrued and unpaid distributions on the capital securities
to the date of payment; and |
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the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for
distribution to you. |
We can satisfy our obligation to make a guarantee payment by
direct payment to you of the required amounts or by causing the
trust to pay those amounts to the holders.
Each guarantee will be an irrevocable guarantee on a
subordinated basis of the related trusts obligations under
the capital securities, but will apply only to the extent that
the related trust has funds sufficient to make the payments, and
is not a guarantee of collection.
No single document executed by us that is related to the
issuance of the capital securities will provide for its full,
irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the capital
securities. It is only the combined operation of the applicable
guarantee, the applicable trust agreement, the indenture and the
expense agreement that has the effect of providing a full,
irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the trusts
obligations under its capital securities.
Status of Guarantees
Each guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of ours
and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
of our Senior Debt; and each guarantee will rank equally with
all other guarantees issued by us. The guarantee will constitute
a guarantee of payment and not of collection (in other
words you may sue us, or seek other remedies, to enforce your
rights under the guarantee without first suing any other person
or entity). Each guarantee will be held for your benefit. Each
guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the
Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not previously paid by
the trust or upon distribution to you of the corresponding
series of junior subordinated debt securities. None of the
guarantees places a limitation on the amount of additional
Senior Debt that we may incur. We expect to incur from time to
time additional indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.
Amendments and Assignment
Except regarding any changes which do not adversely affect your
rights in any material respect (in which case your consent will
not be required), the guarantee may only be amended with the
prior approval of the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding capital
securities. A description of the manner in which approval may be
obtained is described under Description of the Capital
Securities Voting Rights; Amendment of Each
Trust Agreement. All guarantees and agreements
contained in each guarantee will be binding on our successors,
assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives and shall inure
to the benefit of the holders of the related capital securities
then outstanding.
Events of Default
An event of default under each guarantee occurs if we fail to
make any of our required payments or perform our obligations
under the guarantee. The holders of at least a majority in
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the related capital securities
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
guarantee trustee relating to the guarantee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power given to the guarantee trustee
under the guarantee.
You may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to
enforce your rights under the guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee
trustee or any other person or entity.
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As guarantor, we are required to file annually with the
guarantee trustee a certificate stating whether or not we are in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to
us under the guarantee.
Information About the Guarantee Trustee
The guarantee trustee, other than during the occurrence and
continuance of an event of default by us in the performance of
any guarantee, will only perform the duties that are
specifically described in the guarantee. After an event of
default on any guarantee, the guarantee trustee will exercise
the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would
exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Subject to this provision, the guarantee trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of its powers as described in the
guarantee at your request unless it is offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it
might incur.
Termination of Capital Securities Guarantees
Each guarantee will terminate once the related capital
securities are paid in full or upon distribution of the
corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities to
you. Each guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated if at any time you are required to restore payment of
any sums paid under the capital securities or the guarantee.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE CORRESPONDING
JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES
Full and Unconditional Guarantee
Payments of distributions and other amounts due on the capital
securities (to the extent the trust has funds available for the
payments) will be irrevocably guaranteed by us to the extent
described under Description of the Guarantee. No
single document executed by us in connection with the issuance
of the capital securities will provide for its full, irrevocable
and unconditional guarantee of the capital securities. It is
only the combined operation of our obligations under the related
guarantee, the related trust agreement, the corresponding series
of junior subordinated debt securities, the indenture and the
expense agreement that has the effect of providing a full,
irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the trusts
obligations under the related series of capital securities.
If we do not make payments on any series of corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities, the related trust will not pay
distributions or other amounts on the related capital
securities. The guarantee does not cover payments of
distributions when the related trust does not have sufficient
funds to pay such distributions. If that occurs, your remedy is
to sue us, or seek other remedies, to enforce your rights under
the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the guarantee trustee.
Sufficiency of Payments
As long as we make payments of interest and other payments when
due on each series of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities, the payments will be sufficient to cover the payment
of distributions and other payments due on the related capital
securities, primarily because:
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the aggregate principal amount of each series of corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities will be equal to the sum of
the aggregate liquidation amount of the related capital
securities and common securities; |
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the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on each
series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities will
match the distribution rate and distribution and other payment
dates for the related capital securities; |
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we shall pay for any and all costs, expenses and liabilities of
a trust except the trusts obligations to holders of its
capital securities under the capital securities; and |
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each trust agreement provides that the trust will not engage in
any activity that is inconsistent with the limited purposes of
the trust. |
We have the right to set-off any payment we are otherwise
required to make under the indenture with and to the extent we
have made, or are concurrently on the date of the payment
making, a payment under the related guarantee.
Enforcement Rights of Holders of Capital Securities
You may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to
enforce your rights under the related guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee,
the related trust or any other person or entity.
A default or event of default under any of our Senior Debt would
not constitute a default or event of default under the trust
agreements. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or
acceleration of, any of our Senior Debt, the subordination
provisions of the indenture provide that no payments will be
made regarding the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities until the Senior Debt has been paid in full or any
payment default on it has been cured or waived. Failure to make
required payments on any series of corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities would constitute an event of
default under the trust agreements.
Limited Purpose of Trusts
Each trusts capital securities evidence a beneficial
interest in the respective trust, and each trust exists for the
sole purpose of issuing its capital securities and common
securities and investing the proceeds in corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities. A principal difference between the
rights of a holder of a capital security and a holder of a
corresponding junior subordinated debt security is that a holder
of a corresponding junior subordinated debt security is entitled
to receive from us the principal amount of and interest accrued
on corresponding junior subordinated debt securities held, while
a holder of capital securities is entitled to receive
distributions from the trust (or from us under the applicable
guarantee) if and to the extent the trust has funds available
for the payment of distributions.
Rights Upon Termination
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary termination,
winding up or liquidation of any trust involving a liquidation
of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities held by
a trust, you will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by
that trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. See
Description of the Capital Securities
Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination. In the event of
our voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy, the
property trustee, as holder of the corresponding junior
subordinated debt securities, would be a subordinated creditor
of ours, subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt,
but entitled to receive payment in full of principal, premium,
if any, and interest, before any of our common stockholders
receive payments or distributions. Since we are the guarantor
under each guarantee and have agreed to pay for all costs,
expenses and liabilities of each trust (other than the
trusts obligations to you), your position and the position
of a holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities relative to other creditors and to our stockholders
in the event of our liquidation or bankruptcy are expected to be
substantially the same.
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
DTC will act as securities depositary for all of the capital
securities and the junior subordinated debt securities, unless
otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. We
will issue the capital securities and junior subordinated debt
securities only as fully-registered securities registered in the
name of Cede & Co. (DTCs nominee). We will issue
and deposit with DTC one or more fully-registered global
certificates for the capital securities of each trust and junior
subordinated debt securities representing in
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the aggregate, the total number of the trusts capital
securities or aggregate principal balance of junior subordinated
debt securities, respectively.
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New
York Banking Law, a banking organization under the meaning of
the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a clearing corporation under the meaning of the New York
Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered under
the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities
transactions, like transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
the participants accounts, eliminating in this manner the
need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.
DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc.
and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Others,
like securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies
that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with
Direct Participants, either directly or indirectly, the Indirect
Participants, also have access to the DTC system. The rules
applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of capital securities or junior subordinated debt
securities within the DTC system must be made by or through
Direct Participants, who will receive a credit for the capital
securities or junior subordinated debt securities on DTCs
records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each
capital security and each junior subordinated debt securities is
in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect
Participants records. DTC will not send written
confirmation to Beneficial Owners of their purchases, but
Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations
providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect
Participants through which the Beneficial Owners purchased
capital securities or junior subordinated debt securities.
Transfers of ownership interests in the capital securities or
junior subordinated debt securities are to be accomplished by
entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive
certificates representing their ownership interests in capital
securities or junior subordinated debt securities, unless the
book-entry system for the capital securities of the trust or
junior subordinated debt securities is discontinued.
DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the
capital securities or junior subordinated debt securities.
DTCs records reflect only the identity of the Direct
Participants to whose accounts the capital securities or junior
subordinated debt securities are credited, which may or may not
be the Beneficial Owners. The participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of
their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants,
and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to
Beneficial Owners and the voting rights of Direct Participants,
Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners, subject to any
statutory or regulatory requirements as is in effect from time
to time, will be governed by arrangements among them.
We will send redemption notices to Cede & Co. as the
registered holder of the capital securities or junior
subordinated debt securities. If less than all of a trusts
capital securities or the junior subordinated debt securities
are redeemed, DTCs current practice is to determine by lot
the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant to be
redeemed.
Although voting on the capital securities or the junior
subordinated debt securities is limited to the holders of record
of the capital securities or junior subordinated debt
securities, in those instances in which a vote is required,
neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote
on capital securities or junior subordinated debt securities.
Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an Omnibus Proxy to
the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date.
The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.s consenting
or voting rights to Direct Participants for whose accounts the
capital securities or junior
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subordinated debt securities are credited on the record date
(identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
The relevant trustee will make distribution payments on the
capital securities or on the junior subordinated debt securities
to DTC. DTCs practice is to credit Direct
Participants accounts on the relevant payment date in
accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTCs
records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not
receive payments on the payment date. Standing instructions and
customary practices will govern payments from participants to
Beneficial Owners. Subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements, participants, and not DTC, the relevant trustee,
trust or us will be responsible for the payment. The relevant
trustee is responsible for payment of distributions to DTC.
Direct and Indirect Participants are responsible for the
disbursement of the payments to the Beneficial Owners.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities
depositary on any of the capital securities or the junior
subordinated debt securities at any time by giving reasonable
notice to the relevant trustee and to us. If a successor
securities depositary is not obtained, final capital securities
or junior subordinated debt securities certificates must be
printed and delivered. We may at our option decide to
discontinue the use of the system of book-entry transfers
through DTC (or a successor depositary). After an event of
default, the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of
capital securities or aggregate principal amount of junior
subordinated debt securities may discontinue the system of
book-entry transfers through DTC. In this case, final
certificates for the capital securities or junior subordinated
debt securities will be printed and delivered.
The trusts and we have obtained the information in this section
about DTC and DTCs book-entry system from sources that
they believe to be accurate, but the trusts and we assume no
responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Neither the
trusts nor USB have any responsibility for the performance by
DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as
described in this prospectus or under the rules and procedures
governing their respective operations.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities:
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through underwriters or dealers; |
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directly to one or more purchasers; or |
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through agents. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will include the names of
underwriters, dealers or agents retained. The applicable
prospectus supplement will also include the purchase price of
the securities, our proceeds from the sale, any underwriting
discounts or commissions and other items constituting
underwriters compensation, and any securities exchanges on
which the securities are listed.
The underwriters will acquire the securities for their own
account. They may resell the securities in one or more
transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed
public offering price or at varying prices determined at the
time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase
the securities will be subject to some conditions. The
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities
offered if any of the securities are purchased. Any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed
or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to
time.
Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate in the
distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in
the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions received by
them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by
them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions
under the Securities Act.
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, and
agents to indemnify them against some civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Act, or to contribute to
payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be
required to make.
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Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions
with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of their businesses.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit
offers by certain specified institutions to purchase securities
from us at the public offering price stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement on delayed delivery contracts providing
for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.
These contracts will be subject only to the conditions included
in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the prospectus
supplement will specify the commission payable for solicitation
of such contracts.
We may determine the price or other terms of the securities
offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement how any
auction will be conducted to determine the price or any other
terms of the securities, how potential investors may participate
in the auction and, where applicable, the nature of the
underwriters obligations with respect to the auction.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise,
all securities except for common stock will be new issues of
securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters
who purchase securities from us for public offering and sale may
make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not
be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at
any time without notice. We cannot assure you that the trading
market for any securities will be liquid.
The maximum commission or discount to be received by any
dealer/underwriter will not exceed eight (8) percent.
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, some legal matters will be passed upon for us by
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., Cincinnati, Ohio, our
counsel, and for the underwriters, by Shearman &
Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Richards, Layton &
Finger P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel for
the trusts, will pass on some legal matters for the trusts.
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. and
Shearman & Sterling LLP will rely on the opinion of
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware
as to matters of Delaware law regarding the trusts.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003
and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2004 and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004 incorporated in this prospectus by
reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports which are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2002
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in
their report. Such financial statements and managements
assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
the reports of such firms given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
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GLOSSARY
Below are abbreviated definitions of capitalized terms used in
this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. The
applicable prospectus supplement may contain a more complete
definition of some of the terms defined here and reference
should be made to the applicable prospectus supplement for a
more complete definition of these terms.
Additional Sums refers to the additional amounts
required to be paid so that the amount of distributions due and
payable by a trust on outstanding capital securities and common
securities shall not be reduced because of any additional taxes,
duties and other governmental charges to which a trustee is
subject because of a Tax Event.
Beneficial Owner refers to the ownership interest of
each actual purchaser of each debt security.
Company refers to U.S. Bancorp and its
subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated.
Debt means, for any person, whether recourse is to
all or a portion of the assets of the person and whether or not
contingent:
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every obligation of the person for money borrowed; |
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every obligation of the person evidenced by bonds, debt
securities, notes or other similar instruments, including
obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of
property, assets or businesses; |
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every reimbursement obligation of the person regarding letters
of credit, bankers acceptances or similar facilities
issued for the account of the person; |
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every obligation of the person issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business); |
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every capital lease obligation of the person; |
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all indebtedness of the person whether incurred on, before, or
after the date of the indenture, for claims relating to
derivative products, including interest rate, foreign exchange
rate and commodity-forward contracts, options and swaps and
similar arrangements; and |
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every obligation of the type referred to in the first through
the sixth bullet points above of another person and all
dividends of another person the payment of which, in either
case, the person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable,
directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise. |
Depositary refers to a bank or trust company
selected by us, having its principal office in the United States
and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million
and where we will deposit the shares of any series of the
preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a
separate deposit agreement between us and that bank or trust
company.
Direct Participants refers to securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other
organizations who, with the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the
American Stock Exchange Inc., and the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., own DTC. Purchases of debt securities
within the DTC system must be made by or through Direct
Participants who will receive a credit for the debt securities
on DTCs records.
Guarantee Payments refers to the following payments,
to the extent not paid by a trust, which will be subject to the
guarantee:
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any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on
the capital securities, to the extent that the trust has
applicable funds available to make the payment; |
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the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid distributions to
the date of redemption with respect to capital securities called
for redemption, to the extent that the trust has funds available
to make the payment; or |
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in the event of a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding
up or liquidation of the trust (other than in connection with a
distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt
securities to you or the redemption of all the related capital
securities), the lesser of: |
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the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount specified in the
prospectus supplement for each capital security plus all accrued
and unpaid distributions on the capital securities to the date
of payment; and |
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the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for
distribution to you. |
Indirect Participants refers to others, like
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that
clear through or maintain custodial relationships with Direct
Participants, either directly or indirectly, and who also have
access to the DTC system.
Omnibus Proxy refers to the omnibus proxy that DTC
would mail under its usual procedures to the relevant trustee as
soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy
assigns Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights
to Direct Participants for whose accounts the debt securities
are credited on the record date.
Senior Debt means the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after
the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization
relating to us whether or not the claim for post-petition
interest is allowed in the proceeding) on, our Debt whether
incurred on, before or subsequent to the date of the indenture,
unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the Debt or
under which the Debt is outstanding, it is provided that the
obligations are not superior in right of payment to the junior
subordinated debt securities.
Tier 1 Capital refers to the sum of core
capital elements, less goodwill, other intangible assets,
interest-only strip receivables, deferred tax assets,
nonfinancial equity investments and certain other items. The
core capital elements include: common stockholders equity,
qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including
related surplus), Class A minority interest and restricted
core capital elements. The restricted core capital elements may
not exceed 25% of the sum of all core capital elements and
include qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock
(including related surplus), Class B minority interest,
Class C minority interest and qualifying trust preferred
securities.
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12,000,000 Securities
USB Capital VII
5.875% Trust Preferred Securities
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Citigroup
Morgan Stanley
Merrill Lynch & Co.
UBS Investment Bank
Wachovia Securities
A.G. Edwards
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
RBC Dain Rauscher
August 3, 2005