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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-43808
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated September 1, 2000)
$150,000,000
7.250% Public Income NotES
(PINES®) due 2032
We are offering $150,000,000 of 7.250% Public Income NotES due 2032, which we refer to as the
“PINES”. The PINES will be our senior obligations and will rank on a parity with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We will pay interest on the PINES on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15
of each year. The first such payment will be on September 15, 2002. We may redeem the PINES, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 25, 2007 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the redemption date. The PINES will be issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples thereof.
We intend to list the PINES on the New York Stock Exchange and expect trading in the PINES on the New York Stock Exchange to begin within 30 days after the original issue date. The PINES are expected to trade “flat”,
meaning that purchasers will not pay and sellers will not receive any accrued and unpaid interest on the PINES that is not included in the trading price.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved
of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| Per PINES |
Total | ||||
| Public Offering Price |
100.00% |
$ |
150,000,000 | ||
| Underwriting Discounts |
3.15% |
$ |
4,725,000 | ||
| Proceeds to UnumProvident (before expenses) |
96.85% |
$ |
145,275,000 | ||
The public offering price set forth above does not include accrued interest, if any. Interest on the PINES will accrue from June 25, 2002 and must be paid by the purchaser if the PINES are delivered after June 25, 2002.
The underwriters are severally underwriting the PINES being offered. The underwriters expect to deliver the PINES in book-entry
form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company against payment in New York, New York on June 25, 2002.
“PINES®” is a registered service mark of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Salomon Smith Barney
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
UBS Warburg
Wachovia Securities, Inc.
Banc of America Securities LLC
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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. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and you may not rely on any information that we have not authorized. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement. The information contained in
our website, www.unumprovident.com, is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
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In this prospectus supplement, “UnumProvident”, the “Company”,
“we”, “us” and “our” refer to UnumProvident Corporation.
It is expected that delivery of the PINES will be made
on or about the date specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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, the purchasers who wish to trade PINES on the
date of this prospectus supplement or the next succeeding business day will be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement. Purchasers of PINES who wish to trade PINES on the date of
this prospectus supplement or the next succeeding business day should consult their own advisors.
This document is in two parts. The first part is the
prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the PINES we are offering and certain other matters relating to UnumProvident. The second part, the base prospectus, gives more general information about securities we may offer from time
to time, some of which does not apply to the PINES we are offering. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. If the description of the PINES in the prospectus supplement differs from the
description in the base prospectus, the description in this prospectus supplement supersedes the description in the base prospectus.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
contain or incorporate statements that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “may,”
“should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “objectives,” or other similar expressions. Our actual results,
performance or achievements could be materially different from the results expressed in, or implied by, those forward-looking statements. Those statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, certain risks
described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or other documents incorporated by reference. When considering those forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks, uncertainties and other cautionary
statements made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made. You should refer to our periodic and current reports filed
with the SEC for specific risks which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements.
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We are the surviving corporation in the merger on June 30,
1999 of Provident Companies Inc., the leading individual disability insurance provider in North America, with Unum Corporation, the leading group disability insurance provider. We are the parent holding company for a group of insurance and
non-insurance companies that collectively operate throughout North America and in the United Kingdom and Japan. Our principal operating subsidiaries are Unum Life Insurance Company of America (Unum America), Provident Life and Accident Insurance
Company (Accident), The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company (Paul Revere Life), and Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company (Colonial). We, through our subsidiaries, are the largest provider of group and individual disability insurance in
North America and the United Kingdom. We also provide a complementary portfolio of life insurance products, including long-term care insurance, life insurance, employer- and employee-paid group benefits, and related services.
We are organized around our customers, with reporting segments that reflect our major market segments: employee benefits,
individual, and voluntary benefits. The employee benefits segment includes group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life insurance, group long-term care, accidental death and dismemberment coverages, and the results of managed
disability. Our individual segment includes individual disability and individual long-term care. The voluntary benefits segment includes products sold to employees through payroll deduction at the workplace. These products include life insurance and
health products, primarily disability, accident and sickness, and cancer. We also have two additional segments: other and corporate. The other segment includes the results from products that we no longer actively market, including individual life,
corporate-owned life insurance, reinsurance pools and management operations, group pension, health insurance, and individual annuities. The corporate segment includes investment income on corporate assets not specifically allocated to a line of
business, corporate interest expense and certain corporate expenses not allocated to a line of business.
On June 13, 2002, we entered into an underwriting agreement
pursuant to which we sold $250,000,000 in principal amount of our 7.375% Senior Debentures due 2032. We will use the proceeds from the sale of our senior debentures to refinance our existing commercial paper borrowings. Pending such use, we may
temporarily invest the net proceeds from the sale of our senior debentures in highly liquid short-term debt securities.
Standard & Poor’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.,
Fitch, Inc. and A.M. Best Company are among the third parties that provide assessments of our overall financial position. Ratings from these agencies for financial strength are available for certain of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries. Financial
strength ratings are based primarily on statutory financial information for these individual insurance companies. Our debt ratings are based primarily on consolidated financial information prepared using generally accepted accounting principles.
Both financial strength ratings and debt ratings incorporate qualitative analyses by rating agencies on an ongoing basis.
On August 23, 2000, Moody’s lowered the financial strength ratings of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries to A2 from A1 and confirmed our short-term rating at Prime-2. On August 17, 2001, A.M. Best lowered the financial strength of
our U.S. insurance subsidiaries from A+ to A. We have not experienced a material impact on our new sales or persistency of existing business as a result of these ratings changes.
On May 29, 2002, Moody’s announced a change in its notching practices for U.S. life insurers. Moody’s stated it would be changing its rating strategy for U.S.
life insurers to achieve wider notching between the financial strength ratings at the operating insurance company level and the debt ratings at the holding company level. On June 7, 2002, Moody’s announced that it was increasing the number of
rating notches between us and our operating companies from two notches to three notches, and as a result our Moody’s holding company debt rating was lowered from Baa1 to Baa2.
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On June 12, 2002, Standard & Poor’s re-affirmed the various financial
strength ratings of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries and our various holding company debt ratings, including our senior debt rating at A-, and changed the outlook on us and our U.S. insurance subsidiaries from negative to stable.
The information contained in the debt and financial strength ratings described herein or incorporated by reference herein is
not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
The table below reflects our most recent senior debt and commercial paper ratings.
| S&P |
Moody’s |
Fitch |
A.M. Best | |||||
| Senior Debt |
A-(strong) |
Baa2 (medium grade) |
A-(high credit quality) |
a-(strong) | ||||
| Commercial Paper |
A-2 (good) |
Prime-2 (strong ability) |
F2 (good credit quality) |
AMB-2 (acceptable) |
We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the PINES to refinance
existing commercial paper borrowings. Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in highly liquid short-term debt securities.
Our consolidated ratio of earnings to
fixed charges including our consolidated subsidiaries is computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. The ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods prior to December 31, 1999 have been restated to give retroactive effect to the merger
of Unum Corporation and Provident Companies, Inc. on June 30, 1999. The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown:
| For the Year Ended December 31, |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2002 | ||||||||||||
| 1997 |
1998 |
1999(2) |
2000 |
2001 |
|||||||||
| Earnings to fixed charges (1) |
10.1x |
7.7x |
(0.1 |
)x |
5.4x |
5.4x |
3.4x | ||||||
(1) |
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings as adjusted consist of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest and debt expense, amortization of deferred debt costs and the estimated interest portion of rent expense. |
(2) |
Earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency totals $165.5 million. |
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General
We provide information to you about the PINES in two separate documents:
• |
the accompanying prospectus and |
• |
this prospectus supplement. |
The PINES are a series of “Debt Securities” as described in the accompanying prospectus. This description supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities found in the
accompanying prospectus. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined below or elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are used with the respective meanings given thereto in the Indenture, dated as of March 9,
2001, as supplemented, between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, and the terms of which will govern the PINES.
The PINES:
• |
will be our unsecured obligations, |
• |
will rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding, |
• |
will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to $150,000,000, subject to increase as described under “—Future Issues” below,
|
• |
will mature on June 15, 2032, |
• |
will be issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples thereof, |
• |
will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 25, 2007 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, |
• |
are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and |
• |
are expected to receive ratings equivalent to our senior long-term debt ratings. |
Quarterly Payments
Interest on the PINES will
accrue from June 25, 2002 at a rate of 7.250% per annum and will be payable initially on September 15, 2002 and thereafter quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”). On an
Interest Payment Date, interest will be paid to the persons in whose names the PINES were registered as of the record date. With respect to any Interest Payment Date, for so long as the PINES are represented by Global Securities (as defined below),
the record date will be the close of business on the Business Day prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, and in case the PINES are no longer represented by Global Securities, the record date will be the close of business on the 15th calendar
day (whether or not a Business Day) prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date.
The amount of interest payable
for any period will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly interest period will be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a
90-day quarter of three 30-day months. If any Interest Payment Date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close, then payment
of interest may be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will accrue because of such delayed payment.
Future Issues
We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of
the PINES, create and issue further PINES ranking equally and ratably with the PINES in all respects, or in all respects except for the
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payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of those further PINES. Any such further PINES will be consolidated and
form a single issue with the PINES currently being offered and will have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the PINES. Any such further PINES may be issued pursuant to authorization provided by one or more Board Resolutions.
Redemption and Repayment
The PINES will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 25, 2007, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Additionally, we may at any time repurchase PINES at any price in the open market and may hold, resell or surrender such PINES to the Trustee for cancellation.
You will not have the right to require us to repay PINES prior to maturity. The PINES are not subject to any sinking fund provision.
Trading Characteristics
We expect the PINES to trade at a price that takes into account
the value, if any, of accrued and unpaid interest. This means that purchasers will not pay, and sellers will not receive, accrued and unpaid interest on the PINES that is not included in their trading price. Any portion of the trading price of a
PINES that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will be treated as ordinary interest income for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will not be treated as part of the amount realized for purposes of determining gain or loss on the
disposition of the PINES. See generally “Material United States Tax Consequences”.
Transfer Agent and Paying Agent
JPMorgan Chase Bank is the transfer agent and paying agent for the PINES. Payment of principal and interest
will be payable, and the PINES will be transferable, at the office of the paying agent. We may, however, pay interest by wire transfer or check mailed to registered holders of the PINES. At the maturity of the PINES, the principal, together with
accrued interest thereon, will be payable in immediately available funds upon surrender of such PINES at the office of the Trustee. For so long as the PINES are represented by global securities (“Global Securities”), we will make payments
of interest to The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) or its nominees, as the case may be, which will distribute payments to its beneficial holders in accordance with its customary procedures.
Book-Entry Only
The PINES will be issued only in book-entry form through the facilities of the Depositary and will be in denominations of $25 and integral multiples thereof. The PINES will be represented by a Global Security and will be registered
in the name of a nominee of the Depositary. The Depositary has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. The Depositary holds securities that its participants deposit with the Depositary. The Depositary also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in its participants’ accounts. By doing so, the Depositary eliminates the need for physical movement of securities. The Depositary’s participants include securities brokers and
dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of which own the Depositary. The Depositary is also owned by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange,
Inc., and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depositary’s system is also available to others, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities held by the Depositary only through participants. The rules applicable to the Depositary and its participants are on
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Upon the issuance of the Global Security, the Depositary will credit its
participants’ accounts on its book-entry registration and transfer system with their respective principal amounts of the PINES represented by such Global Security. The underwriters designate which participants’ accounts will be credited.
The only persons who may own beneficial interests in the Global Security will be the Depositary’s participants or persons that hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on,
and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee (with respect to interests of its participants), and on the records of its participants (with respect to interests of persons other
than such participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair your ability to transfer your interest in the PINES.
So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of the Global Security, the Depositary or such
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the PINES represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below or as we may otherwise agree in our sole discretion, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have PINES represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of PINES in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
Principal and interest payments on PINES registered
in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such PINES. None of UnumProvident, the Trustee, any paying agent or the
registrar for the PINES will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in such Global Security for such PINES or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial interests.
We expect that the Depositary for the PINES or its nominee, upon
receipt of any payment of principal or interest, will credit immediately its participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Security for such PINES as
shown on the records of the Depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by such participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name” (i.e., the name of a securities broker or dealer). Such payments will be the responsibility of such
participants.
If the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor
depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue PINES in definitive form in exchange for the entire Global Security representing such PINES. In addition, we may at any time, and in our sole discretion determine not to have the PINES
represented by the Global Security and, in such event, will issue PINES in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security representing such PINES. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Security will be entitled
to physical delivery in definitive form of PINES represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such PINES registered in its name. PINES so issued in definitive form will be issued as registered
PINES in denominations that are integral multiples of $25.
This section describes the material United
States federal income tax consequences of owning the PINES we are offering. It applies to you only if you acquire PINES in the offering at the offering price and you hold your PINES as capital assets for tax purposes. This section does not apply to
you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:
• |
a dealer in securities or currencies, |
• |
a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings, |
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a bank, |
• |
a life insurance company, |
• |
a tax-exempt organization, |
• |
a person that owns PINES that are a hedge or that are hedged against interest rate risks, |
• |
a person that owns PINES as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes, or |
• |
a person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. |
This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Internal Revenue Code,
published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
If you purchase PINES at other than the offering price, the amortizable bond premium or market discount rules may also apply to you. You should consult your tax advisor regarding this possibility.
Please consult your tax advisor concerning the consequences of owning PINES in your particular circumstances.
United States Holders
This subsection describes the tax consequences to a United States holder. You are a United States holder if you are a beneficial owner of PINES and you are:
• |
a citizen or resident of the United States, |
• |
a domestic corporation, |
• |
an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source, or |
• |
a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to
control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
If you are not a United States holder, this
subsection does not apply to you and you should refer to “—United States Alien Holders” below.
Payments of Interest
You will be taxed on interest on your PINES as ordinary income at the
time you receive the interest or when it accrues, depending on your method of accounting for tax purposes.
Sale or Other Taxable
Disposition of the PINES
Your tax basis in your PINES generally will be its cost. You will generally
recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of your PINES equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition and your tax basis in your PINES. The PINES
are expected to trade “flat,” meaning that purchasers would not pay and sellers would not receive any accrued and unpaid interest on the PINES that was not included in the trading price. Amounts received on the sale, retirement or other
taxable disposition of the PINES that were attributable to accrued and unpaid interest would be treated as ordinary interest income to the extent such interest had not been previously included in gross income and would not be treated as part of the
amount realized for purposes of determining gain or loss on the disposition of the PINES. For example, if you were to sell your PINES at a price equal to your purchase price when it had accrued interest that was not yet paid, you would be treated as
receiving ordinary interest income and recognizing a capital loss. Capital gain of a noncorporate U.S. holder is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 20% where the property is held more than one year and 18% where the property is held more than five
years. The deduction of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.
United States Alien Holders
This subsection describes the tax consequences to a United States alien holder. You are a United States alien holder if you are
a beneficial owner of PINES and you are, for United States federal income tax purposes:
• |
a nonresident alien individual, |
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a foreign corporation, |
• |
a foreign partnership, or |
• |
an estate or trust that in either case is not subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis on income or gain from PINES.
|
If you are a United States holder, this section does not apply to you. Under United States federal income
and estate tax law, and subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, if you are a United States alien holder of PINES:
• |
we and other U.S. payors generally will not be required to deduct United States withholding tax from payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, to
you if, in the case of payments of interest: |
1. |
you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote,
|
2. |
you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us through stock ownership, and |
3. |
the U.S. payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and |
a. |
you have furnished to the U.S. payor an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of
perjury, that you are a non-United States person, |
b. |
in the case of payments made outside the United States to you at an offshore account (generally, an account maintained by you at a bank or other financial
institution at any location outside the United States), you have furnished to the U.S. payor documentation that establishes your identity and your status as a non-United States person, |
c. |
the U.S. payor has received a withholding certificate (furnished on an appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form) from a
person claiming to be: |
i. |
a withholding foreign partnership (generally a foreign partnership that has entered into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to assume primary
withholding responsibility with respect to distributions and guaranteed payments it makes to its partners), |
ii. |
a qualified intermediary (generally a non-United States financial institution or clearing organization or a non-United States branch or office of a United
States financial institution or clearing organization that is a party to a withholding agreement with the Internal Revenue Service), or |
iii. |
a U.S. branch of a non-United States bank or of a non-United States insurance company, |
and the withholding foreign partnership, qualified intermediary or U.S. branch has received documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a
non-United States person in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations (or, in the case of a qualified intermediary, in accordance with its agreement with the Internal Revenue Service),
d. |
the U.S. payor receives a statement from a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the
ordinary course of its trade or business, |
i. |
certifying to the U.S. payor under penalties of perjury that an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form has been received from you
by it or by a similar financial institution between it and you, and |
ii. |
to which is attached a copy of the Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or acceptable substitute form, or |
e. |
the U.S. payor otherwise possesses documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person in accordance with U.S.
Treasury regulations. |
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Additionally, a foreign partnership holding PINES will be required to provide an
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, and unless it has entered into a withholding agreement with the Internal Revenue Service, to attach an appropriate certification obtained from each of its partners.
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of your
PINES. However, a U.S. alien holder might be subject to tax on such gain if such holder were an individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions were met, in
which case such holder may have to pay a U.S. federal income tax of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate) on such gain.
If interest or gain from a disposition of your PINES were effectively connected with your conduct of a United States trade or business, or if required by an applicable income tax treaty and you were to maintain a United States
“permanent establishment” to which the interest or gain were generally attributable, you might be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the interest or gain on a net basis in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder. If interest income
received with respect to PINES were taxable on a net basis, the withholding tax described above in the preceding paragraph would not apply (assuming an appropriate certification is provided).
Further, PINES held by an individual who at death is not a citizen or resident of the United States will not be includible in the individual’s gross estate for
United States federal estate tax purposes if:
• |
the decedent did not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote at the time of
death, and |
• |
the income on the PINES would not have been effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the decedent at the same time.
|
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
United States Holders
In
general, if you are a noncorporate United States holder, we and other payors are required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all payments of principal, any premium and interest on your PINES. In addition, we and other payors are required to
report to the Internal Revenue Service any payment of proceeds of the sale of your PINES before maturity within the United States. Additionally, backup withholding will apply to any payments if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification
number, or you are notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you have failed to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on your federal income tax returns.
United States Alien Holders
In general, payments of principal, premium or interest made by us and other payors to you will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting, provided that the certification requirements described above under
“—United States Alien Holders” are satisfied or you otherwise establish an exemption.
In general,
payment of the proceeds from the sale of PINES effected at a United States office of a broker is subject to both United States backup withholding and information reporting. If, however, you are a United States alien holder, you will not be subject
to backup withholding and information reporting on such a sale provided that:
• |
the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and you have furnished to the broker:
|
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1. |
an appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are a non-United
States person, or |
2. |
other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations; or
|
• |
you otherwise establish an exemption. |
If you fail to establish an exemption and the broker does not possess adequate documentation of your status as a non-United States person, the payments may be subject to information reporting and
backup withholding. However, backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made outside the United States to an offshore account maintained by you unless the payor has actual knowledge that you are a United States person. We and other
payors are required to report payments of interest on your PINES on Internal Revenue Service Form 1042-S even if the payments are not otherwise subject to information reporting requirements.
In general, payment of the proceeds from the sale of PINES effected at a foreign office of a broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding.
However, a sale effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding if:
• |
the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in the United States, |
• |
the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to you at a United States address, or |
• |
the sale has some other specified connection with the United States as provided in U.S. Treasury regulations, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and the documentation requirements described above
(relating to a sale of PINES effected at a United States office of a broker) are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
In addition, payment of the proceeds from the sale of PINES effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting, but not backup withholding, if the sale is effected at a foreign office of a broker that
is:
• |
a United States person, |
• |
a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes, |
• |
a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year
period, or |
• |
a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year: |
1. |
one or more of its partners are “U.S. persons,” as defined in U.S. Treasury regulations, who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or
capital interest in the partnership, or |
2. |
such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a United States trade or business, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and the documentation requirements described above
(relating to a sale of PINES effected at a United States office of a broker) are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
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Salomon Smith Barney Inc. is acting as representative of the underwriters
named below.
Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus
supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of PINES set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
| Underwriters |
Principal Amount of PINES | ||
| Salomon Smith Barney Inc. |
$ |
24,000,000 | |
| A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. |
|
22,875,000 | |
| Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
|
22,875,000 | |
| UBS Warburg LLC |
|
22,875,000 | |
| Wachovia Securities, Inc. |
|
22,875,000 | |
| Banc of America Securities LLC |
|
3,000,000 | |
| Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Fox-Pitt Kelton Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| H&R BLOCK Financial Advisors, Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| McDonald Investments Inc. (a KeyCorp Company) |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Prudential Securities Incorporated |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Quick & Reilly, Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| TD Securities (USA), Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| US Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Wells Fargo Van Kasper, LLC |
|
1,500,000 | |
| Advest, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| C.L. King & Associates, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| D.A. Davidson & Co. |
|
500,000 | |
| Davenport & Company LLC |
|
500,000 | |
| Fahnstock & Co. Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| Janney Montgomery Scott LLC |
|
500,000 | |
| Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated |
|
500,000 | |
| Mesirow Financial, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| Parker/Hunter Incorporated |
|
500,000 | |
| Raymond James & Associates, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated |
|
500,000 | |
| Southwest Securities, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated |
|
500,000 | |
| Wedbush Morgan Securities, Inc. |
|
500,000 | |
| William Blair & Company L.L.C. |
|
500,000 | |
| |
| ||
| Total |
$ |
150,000,000 | |
| |
| ||
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to
purchase the PINES included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the PINES if they purchase any of the PINES.
The underwriters propose to offer some of the PINES directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of
this prospectus supplement and some of the PINES to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $0.50 per $25 PINES. The underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed $0.45 per $25 PINES on
sales to other dealers. After the initial offering of the PINES to the public, the representatives may change the public offering price and concessions.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the PINES. We intend to list the PINES on the New York Stock Exchange, and we expect trading in the PINES on the New York Stock Exchange to
begin within 30 days after the original issue date. In order to meet one of the requirements for listing the PINES, the underwriters will undertake to sell the PINES to a minimum of 400 beneficial holders.
The PINES are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a
market in the PINES but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. Neither we nor the underwriters can assure you that the trading market for the PINES will be liquid.
In connection with this offering, Salomon Smith Barney Inc., on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell PINES in the open
market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of PINES in excess of the principal amount of PINES to be purchased by the underwriters in
the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchase of the PINES in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions
consist of certain bids or purchases of PINES made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the PINES while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when Salomon Smith Barney Inc.,
in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchases PINES originally sold by that syndicate member.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the PINES. They may also cause the price of the PINES to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open
market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue
them at any time.
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering will be approximately $200,000.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and their affiliates engage, and may in
the future engage, in investment banking and commercial banking transactions with us and our subsidiaries. Certain of the underwriters participating in this offering are dealers under our commercial paper program, and may receive proceeds from this
offering as a result of their ownership of some of our commercial paper. This offering is being conducted pursuant to NASD Conduct Rule 2710 (c) (8).
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make
because of any of these liabilities.
It is expected that delivery of the PINES will be made on or about the date
specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement.
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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, the purchasers who wish to trade PINES on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next succeeding business day will be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed
settlement. Purchasers of PINES who wish to trade PINES on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next succeeding business day should consult their own advisors.
The consolidated financial statements of UnumProvident Corporation appearing
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2001, incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement, Ernst & Young LLP have reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report, included in our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on
their report on such information should be restricted considering the limited nature of the review procedures applied. The independent auditors are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the
“Act”) for their report on the unaudited interim financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by the auditors within the meaning of Sections
7 and 11 of the Act.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s website is provided for the information of prospective investors and not as an active link. You can also inspect reports,
proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the information in documents we file with the SEC, 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 a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and should be read with the same care. When we update the
information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference, by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is considered to be
automatically updated and superceded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference the following documents listed below and any additional documents we file with the
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SEC in the future under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the offering of the PINES is completed:
(1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001,
(2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002, and
(3) Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2002, May 7, 2002 and May 15, 2002.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Corporate Relations
UnumProvident Corporation
1 Fountain Square
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Telephone: (423) 755-1011
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Table of Contents
PROSPECTUS
$1,000,000,000
UNUMPROVIDENT
CORPORATION
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
COMMON STOCK
WARRANTS
STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
AND
STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
UNUMPROVIDENT FINANCING TRUST II
UNUMPROVIDENT FINANCING TRUST
III
PREFERRED SECURITIES
AS FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
BY UNUMPROVIDENT CORPORATION
We will provide you with more specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement
carefully before you invest.
We may offer these securities from time to time in amounts, at prices and on other
terms to be determined at the time of offering. The total offering price of the securities offered to the public will be limited to $1,000,000,000.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is September 1, 2000.
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| 33 | ||
| 40 | ||
| 43 | ||
| 43 | ||
| 44 | ||
| 44 |
Notice to North Carolina residents: the Commissioner
of Insurance for the State of North Carolina has not approved or disapproved these securities, nor has the Commissioner ruled upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document.
The laws of the various states prohibit any person or entity from directly or indirectly acquiring 10% or more (5% or more in Alabama and Florida) of the voting control
of any domestic insurance holding company without approval of the states’ Commissioner of Insurance.
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Table of Contents
This document is called a prospectus and is part of a
registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration or continuous offering process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one
or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $1,000,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general
description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities being offered. A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of
any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus
and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading
“WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION” on page 1.
The registration statement containing this prospectus,
including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The 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” on page 1.
When acquiring any securities discussed in this
prospectus, you should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. Neither we, nor any underwriters or agents, have authorized anyone to
provide you with different information. We are not offering the securities in any state where the offer is prohibited. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any document incorporated by
reference, is truthful or complete at any date other than the date mentioned on the cover page of these documents.
We may sell securities to underwriters who will sell the securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the securities may be sold by us directly or through dealers or agents designated from time to time.
If we, directly or through agents, solicit offers to purchase the securities, we reserve the sole right to accept and, together with any agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers.
Any prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the
compensation of those underwriters and the net proceeds to us. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
Unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,”
“our,” or similar references mean UnumProvident Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Unless otherwise
stated, currency amounts in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars (“$”).
We file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s 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 at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s web site is provided for the information of prospective investors and
not as an active link. You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York.
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Table of Contents
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus
the information in documents we file with the SEC, 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 a part of this prospectus and should
be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference, by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be
automatically updated and superceded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information
contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any additional documents we file with the SEC in the future under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
until our offering is completed:
Ÿ |
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999; and |
Ÿ |
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ending March 31, 2000, and June 30, 2000. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at either of the following addresses:
Corporate Relations
UNUMPROVIDENT CORPORATION
| 2211 Congress Street Portland, Maine
04122 (207) 770-4361 |
1 Fountain Square Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 (423) 755-8996 |
We have not included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus any separate financial statements of UnumProvident Financing Trust II or UnumProvident Financing Trust III, which we will refer to as the trusts. We do not believe that these financial statements would provide holders of preferred
securities with any important information for the following reasons:
Ÿ |
we will own all of the voting securities of the trusts; |
Ÿ |
the trusts do not and will not have any independent operations other than to issue securities and to purchase and hold our junior subordinated debt securities;
and |
Ÿ |
we are fully and unconditionally guaranteeing the obligations of the trusts as described in this prospectus. |
Although the trusts would normally be required to file information with the SEC on an ongoing basis, we expect the SEC to exempt the
trusts from filing this information for as long as we continue to file our information with the SEC.
This prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplements
contain or incorporate statements that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “may,”
“should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “objectives,” or other similar expressions. Our actual results,
performance or achievements could be significantly different from the results expressed in, or implied by, those forward-looking statements. Those statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, certain risks
described in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus or other documents incorporated by reference. When considering those forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks, uncertainties and other cautionary statements
made in this prospectus and the prospectus
2
Table of Contents
supplements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made. You should refer to our periodic and current reports filed with the SEC
for specific risks which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements.
We are the surviving corporation in the merger on June 30,
1999 of Provident Companies Inc., the leading individual disability insurance provider in North America, with Unum Corporation, the leading group disability insurance provider. We are the parent holding company for a group of insurance companies
that collectively operate in North America and in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Argentina. Our principal operating subsidiaries are Unum Life Insurance Company of America (Unum America), Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company (Accident), The
Paul Revere Life Insurance Company (Paul Revere Life), and Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company (Colonial). We, through our subsidiaries, are the largest provider of group and individual disability insurance in North America, the United
Kingdom, and Japan. We also provide a complementary portfolio of life insurance products, including long-term care insurance, life insurance, employer- and employee-paid group benefits, and related services.
Each of UnumProvident Financing Trust II and UnumProvident
Financing Trust III is a Delaware statutory business trust and was created by the certificate of trust that we filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 14, 2000. Each trust is subject to the terms of its declaration of trust that we
have executed as the depositor of the trust and which has also been executed by trustees of the trust. At the time a trust issues any preferred securities, the applicable declaration of trust will be amended and restated to set the terms of the
preferred securities. The common securities will represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of each trust’s total capitalization. The preferred securities will represent the remaining approximate 97% of the trust’s
total capitalization. The terms of the common securities will also be contained in the amended declaration and the common securities will rank equally, and payments will be made ratably, with the preferred securities. However, if there are certain
continuing payment events of default under the subordinated indenture, our rights as holder of the common securities to distributions, liquidation, redemption and other payments from the trust will be subordinated to the rights to those payments of
the holders of the preferred securities. Each trust will use the proceeds of the sale of the preferred securities and the common securities to invest in junior subordinated debt securities that we will issue to the trust. The preferred securities
will be guaranteed by us as described later in this prospectus.
Each trust has a term of approximately 45 years
but may be dissolved earlier under the terms of its amended declaration. The trustees of each trust will conduct the business and affairs of the trust. As holder of the common securities, we are entitled to appoint, remove, replace or increase or
reduce the number of trustees. The amended declarations govern the duties of the trustees. Most of the trustees will be employees, officers or affiliates of ours and will be referred to as administrative trustees. One trustee of each trust, the
property trustee, will be a financial institution that is not affiliated with us and that has a minimum of combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The property trustee will act as indenture trustee for the purpose of compliance with
the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Unless the property trustee has a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and meets other legal requirements, we will appoint another trustee for each trust who meets these
requirements to serve as the Delaware trustee.
The trusts exist solely for the following purposes:
Ÿ |
to issue the preferred securities and common securities which we collectively refer to as the trust securities and which represent undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the trusts; |
Ÿ |
to invest the gross proceeds from the sale of the trust securities in junior subordinated debt securities issued by us; |
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Ÿ |
to distribute the cash payments they receive from the junior subordinated debt securities they own to the holders of the trust securities; and
|
Ÿ |
to engage in only those other activities that are necessary for or are incidental to issuing the trust securities and investing in the junior subordinated debt
securities. |
We or any subsequent holder of the common securities will pay all fees and
expenses related to the trusts and the offering of the preferred securities and will pay all ongoing costs and expenses of the trusts.
The property trustee of each trust is The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001. The Delaware trustee is Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association and its address in the State
of Delaware is 1201 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The principal place of business of each trust is c/o UnumProvident Corporation, 1 Fountain Square, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402. The telephone number for each trust at that address is
(423) 755-1011.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for
any offering of securities, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of these securities will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include:
Ÿ |
funding investments in, or extensions of credit to, our subsidiaries; |
Ÿ |
reducing or refinancing debt; |
Ÿ |
redeeming outstanding securities; |
Ÿ |
financing possible acquisitions; and |
Ÿ |
working capital. |
Pending such use, we may temporarily invest net proceeds. We do not have any present plans, and are not engaged in any negotiations, for the use of any such proceeds, or the issuance of common stock, in any future acquisition. We
will disclose any proposal to use the net proceeds from any offering of securities in connection with an acquisition in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
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TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED
FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
Our
consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges including our consolidated subsidiaries is computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods prior to December 31, 1999 have been restated to give
retroactive effect to the merger of Unum Corporation and Provident Companies, Inc. on June 30, 1999. The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
stock dividends for the periods shown:
| For the Year Ended December 31, |
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999(2) |
|||||||||||||
| Earnings to Fixed Charges |
|||||||||||||||||
| Excluding Preferred Stock Dividends(1) |
8.6 |
|
8.9 |
|
10.1 |
|
7.7 |
|
(0.1 |
) |
5.4 | ||||||
| Including Preferred Stock Dividends(3) |
6.8 |
|
7.0 |
|
8.4 |
|
7.5 |
|
(0.1 |
) |
5.4 | ||||||
(1) |
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings as adjusted consist of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest and debt expense, amortization of deferred debt costs, and the estimated interest portion of rent expense. |
(2) |
Earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency totals $165.5 million. |
(3) |
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings as adjusted consist of income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest and debt expense, amortization of deferred debt costs, the estimated interest portion of rent expense and preferred stock dividends. |
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Table of Contents
General
The following summary outlines the material terms of the senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, which we collectively refer to as the debt securities,
that we may offer from time to time. The specific terms of any debt securities we may offer and the extent, if any, to which these general terms and provisions may or may not apply to the debt securities will be described in the prospectus
supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the senior debt securities under
an indenture, which we will enter into with The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee. We will also issue the subordinated debt securities under an indenture, which we will enter into with The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee. Except for the
subordination provisions included in the subordinated indenture, the indentures are substantially identical. The indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act, and we may supplement the indentures from time to time after we
execute them. The following description of the debt securities may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of either the senior or the subordinated indenture relating to the particular series of debt
securities, each of which we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that contains this prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this description will have the meanings in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular
sections or defined terms of the indentures, it is our intent that those sections or defined terms will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Terms
The debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations. The indebtedness
represented by the senior debt securities will rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, but will be subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, if any. The indebtedness represented by the
subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment, under the terms contained in the subordinated indenture, and will be subject to our prior payment in full of our senior debt all as described under “—Subordination.”
The amount of debt securities we offer will be limited to the amount described on the cover of this prospectus.
We may issue the debt securities, in one or more series from time to time, as our board of directors may establish by resolution or as we may establish in one or more supplemental indentures. We may issue debt securities with terms different from
those of debt securities we previously issued. We may issue debt securities of the same series at more than one time and, unless prohibited by the terms of the series, we may reopen a series for issuances of additional debt securities, without the
consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series. The debt securities may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies or units based on or related to foreign currencies. Special United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to any debt securities denominated in foreign currencies will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of the debt securities. Any trustee under an indenture may resign or be
removed with respect to one or more series of the debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to that series. Upon prior written notice, a trustee may be removed by act of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series with respect to which the trustee acts as trustee. If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust
under the applicable indenture unrelated to the trust administered by any other trustee. Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus, any action described in this prospectus to be taken by each trustee may only be taken by the trustee with respect
to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the applicable indenture.
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You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular
series of debt securities for the specific terms of the debt securities, including, but not limited to:
(1) the title of the debt securities of the series and whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, including junior subordinated debt securities;
(2) the total principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on the total principal
amount;
(3) the price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the debt
securities) at which we will issue the debt securities of the series;
(4) the terms,
if any, by which holders may convert or exchange the debt securities of the series into or for common stock or other of our securities or property;
(5) if the debt securities of the series are convertible or exchangeable, any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities
or property into which holders may convert or exchange the debt securities;
(6) the
date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, on which we will be obligated to pay the principal of the debt securities of the series and the amount of principal we will be obligated to pay;
(7) the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities of the series will bear
interest, if any, or the method by which the rate or rates will be determined;
(8) the
date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, from which any interest will accrue on the debt securities of the series, the dates on which we will be obligated to pay any such interest, the regular record dates if any, for the
interest payments, or the method by which the dates shall be determined, the persons to whom we will be obligated to pay interest, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months;
(9) the place or places where the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole
Amount (as defined in the indenture), interest or Additional Amounts (as defined in the indenture) on, the debt securities of the series will be payable, where the holders of the debt securities may surrender debt securities for conversion, transfer
or exchange, and where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the indenture may be served;
(10) if other than the trustee, the identity of each security registrar and/or paying agent for debt securities of the series;
(11) the period or periods during which, the price or prices (including any premium or Make-Whole Amount) at which, the currency or currencies in
which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, we may redeem the debt securities of the series, at our option, if we have such an option;
(12) any obligation of ours to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the terms
and conditions upon which we will redeem, repay or purchase all or a portion of the debt securities of the series pursuant to that obligation;
(13) the currency or currencies in which we will sell the debt securities and in which the debt securities of the series will be denominated and payable;
(14) whether the amount of payment of principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, or interest on, the
debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
(15) whether the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, the debt securities of the series are to be
payable, at our election or at the election of the holder of the debt securities, in a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods during which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, this election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with
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responsibility for, determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies in which
the debt securities will be payable;
(16) any provisions granting special rights to
the holders of the debt securities of the series at the occurrence of certain events;
(17) any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of the debt securities with respect to the events of default or covenants contained in the applicable indenture;
(18) whether the debt securities of the series will be issued in certificated or book-entry form and the
related terms and conditions;
(19) whether the debt securities of the series will be
in registered or bearer form and the terms and conditions relating to the applicable form, and if in registered form, the denomination in which we will issue the debt securities if other than $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000 and, if in bearer form,
the denominations in which we will issue the debt securities if other than $5,000 or a multiple of $5,000;
(20) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance or covenant defeasance provisions described below under “—Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”;
(21) any applicable United States federal income tax consequences, including whether and under what
circumstances we will pay any Additional Amounts as contemplated in the applicable indenture on the debt securities, to any holder who is not a United States person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and,
if we will pay Additional Amounts, whether we will have the option, and on what terms to redeem the debt securities instead of paying the Additional Amounts;
(22) whether we may extend the interest payment periods and, if so, the terms of any extension;
(23) if the principal amount payable on any maturity date will not be determinable on any one or more dates
prior to the maturity date, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount as of any date for any purpose, including the principal amount which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the maturity date, or the manner of
determining that amount;
(24) any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit
of the debt securities of the series;
(25) any proposed listing of the debt securities
of the series on any securities exchange; and
(26) any other terms of such debt
securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.
The debt securities of a series may
provide for less than their entire principal amount to be payable if we accelerate the maturity of the debt securities as a result of the occurrence and continuation of an event of default. If this is the case, the debt securities would have what is
referred to as “original issue discount.” Any special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities of a series from time to time, with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or
the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of these debt securities may receive a principal amount on
any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value on the applicable dates of the
applicable currency, commodity, equity index or other factors.
Information as to the methods for determining the
amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain additional tax considerations will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
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The indentures do not contain any provisions that afford holders of the debt
securities protection in the event we engage in a transaction in which we incur or acquire a large amount of additional debt.
Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer
Unless the applicable prospectus
supplement states otherwise, debt securities we issue in registered form of any series will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities we issue in
bearer form will be issued in denominations of $5,000 and multiples of $5,000.
Unless the applicable prospectus
supplement states otherwise, the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, or interest on, any series of debt securities will be payable in the currency designated in the prospectus supplement at the corporate trust office of the trustee,
initially located at The Chase Manhattan Bank, Global Trust Services, 15th Floor, 450 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001. At our option, however, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the
interest payment as it appears in the security register for the series or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States. We may at any time designate additional paying agents, remove any paying agents, or
approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for any series. All monies we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, or any
premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, any debt security which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us. After this time, the holder of
the debt security will be able to look only to us for payment.
Any interest we do not punctually pay on any
interest payment date with respect to a debt security will be defaulted interest and will cease to be payable to the holder on the original regular record date and may either:
(1) be paid to the holder at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of defaulted interest to be fixed by the applicable
trustee, or
(2) may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more
completely described in the applicable indenture.
If the defaulted interest is to be paid on a special record
date, notice of the special record date will be mailed to each holder of such not less than ten days before the special record date.
Subject to certain limitations imposed on debt securities issued in book-entry form, debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series and with the same total principal amount
and authorized denomination upon surrender of the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any
series may be surrendered for conversion, transfer or exchange at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. Every debt security surrendered for conversion, transfer or exchange will be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument
of transfer. There will be no service charge on any transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment by holders to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange.
If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to us designating a transfer agent (in addition to the applicable trustee) for
any series of debt securities, we may at any time remove the transfer agent or approve a change in the location at which the transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for any series of
debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.
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Neither we nor any trustee will be required to do any of the following:
(1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before there is a selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing or publication of the relevant notice of redemption;
(2) register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion thereof, called
for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being only partially redeemed;
(3) exchange any debt security in bearer form that is selected for redemption, except a debt security in bearer form may be exchanged for a debt security in registered form of that series and like denomination, provided
that the debt security in registered form shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption or exchange; or
(4) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of the debt security that is not to be repaid.
Global Securities
The debt securities in registered form of a series may be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the
applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. In this case, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or total denominations equal to the portion
of the total principal amount of outstanding registered debt securities of the series to be represented by the registered global securities or securities. Unless and until it is wholly exchanged for debt securities in definitive registered form, a
registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by a nominee to the depositary or another nominee, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or the successor
depositary’s nominee.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a
series of debt securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with, or are participants
of, the depositary for the registered global security or persons that may hold interests through participants. When we issue a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security owned by those participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents
participating in the distribution of the debt securities. Ownership of participants in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary
and ownership of persons who hold debt securities through participants will be reflected on the records of participants. The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. These laws may impair a person’s ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in a registered global security.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the global security, the depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt
securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the debt securities
represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the
applicable indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the
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procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices,
if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, the depositary would authorize
the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of
beneficial owners holding through them.
Payments of principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or
Additional Amounts on, debt securities represented by a registered global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of us, the trustee or any other
agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that once the
depositary receives any payment of principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, a registered global security, the depositary will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held
through the participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the
responsibility of the participants.
If the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and we do not appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days, we will issue debt securities in
definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities and, in
such event, will issue debt securities of such series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global security or securities representing the debt securities. Any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a
registered global security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. It is expected that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to
ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security.
Debt securities in bearer form of a series
may also be issued in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a common depositary for Euroclear and CEDEL, or with a nominee for such depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms and
procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer form global security, with respect to any portion of a series of debt
securities to be represented by a bearer form global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale
We may consolidate with, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or substantially all
of our assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation or trust or entity provided that:
(1) we are the survivor in the merger, or the survivor, if not us, is an entity organized under the laws of the United States or a state of the United States and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the due and
punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, all of the outstanding debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained
in each indenture;
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(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction and
treating any indebtedness that becomes an obligation of ours or one of our subsidiaries as a result of the transaction, as having been incurred by us or the subsidiary at the time of the transaction, there is no event of default under the indenture,
and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default;
(3) if, as a result of the transaction, our property or assets would be subject to an encumbrance that would not be permitted under the indenture, we shall take steps to secure the debt securities equally and ratably with
all indebtedness secured in the transaction; and
(4) certain other conditions that are
described in the indentures are met.
Upon any such consolidation, merger, or sale, the successor corporation
formed, or into which we are merged or to which we are sold, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, us under the indentures.
This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, change of control of us or a transaction in which we incur a large amount of additional debt unless the transactions or change of control included a merger or
consolidation or transfer of substantially all of our assets. Except as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, there are no covenants or other provisions in the indentures providing for a put or increased interest or that would
otherwise afford holders of debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control of us or a transaction in which we incur or acquire a large amount of additional debt.
Certain Covenants
Existence. Except as permitted under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale” above we will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep our legal existence, rights and
franchises in full force and effect; provided, however, that we will not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that the preservation of that right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business and that
its loss is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of any debt securities.
Maintenance of Properties. We will cause all of our material properties used or useful in the conduct of our business or the business of any of our subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and we will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements for those properties, as we in our judgment believe is necessary
so that we may carry on the business related to those properties properly and advantageously at all times; provided, however, that we will not be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of our properties or the properties of our subsidiaries
in the ordinary course of business.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. We
will pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before they become delinquent,
(1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon us or any subsidiary of ours or upon our income, profits or property or that of any subsidiary of ours, and
(2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon our
property or any subsidiary of ours;
provided, however, that we will not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not we are subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we will, within 15 days of each of the respective dates by
which we are or would be required to file annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13 and 15(d):
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(1) file with the applicable trustee copies of the
annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that we are or would be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and
(2) promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of those documents to any
prospective holder.
Waiver of Certain Covenants. We may choose not to comply with
any term, provision or condition of the foregoing covenants, or with certain other terms, provisions or conditions with respect to the debt securities of a series (except any such term, provision or condition which could not be amended without the
consent of all holders of such series), if before or after the time for compliance with the covenant, term, provision or condition, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the series either waive
compliance in that instance or generally waive compliance with that covenant or condition. Unless the holders expressly waive compliance with a covenant and the waiver has become effective, our obligations and the duties of the trustee in respect of
the term, provision, or condition will remain in full force and effect.
Covenants Relating to Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities. In the subordinated indenture that governs the terms of the junior subordinated debt securities we issue to a trust, in connection with the issuance of trust securities, we will covenant that,
so long as any preferred securities of the trust remain outstanding, if there has occurred any event that would constitute an event of default under the applicable trust guarantee or amended declaration or if we have extended the interest payment
periods of the junior subordinated debt securities, we will not do any of the following:
(1) declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our capital stock, except for
Ÿ |
purchases or acquisitions of shares of common stock in connection with the satisfaction of our obligations under any employee benefit plans or the satisfaction
of our obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on the date of the event, which requires us to purchase shares of our common stock, |
Ÿ |
as a result of a reclassification of our capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of our capital stock for another class or series of
our capital stock, or |
Ÿ |
the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of the capital stock or the security being
converted or exchanged; |
(2) make any payment of interest, principal
or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any debt securities (including guarantees) we have issued which rank equally with or junior to the subordinated debt securities held by the applicable trust; or
(3) make any guarantee payments on any obligations ranking equally with or junior to the subordinated debt
securities held by the trust, except under the applicable trust guarantee.
Additional
Covenants. Any additional covenants with respect to any series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Except as otherwise
described in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture provides that the following events are “Events of Default” with respect to any series of debt securities we may issue under those indentures:
(1) we fail for 30 days to pay any installment of interest or any Additional Amounts payable on any debt
security of that series;
(2) we fail to pay the principal of, or any premium or
Make-Whole Amount on, any debt security of that series when due, either at maturity, redemption or otherwise;
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(3) we fail to make any sinking fund payment when due
as required for any debt security of that series;
(4) we default in the performance or
breach of any other covenant or agreement we made in the indenture other than a covenant added to the indenture solely for the benefit of another series of debt securities, which has continued for 60 days after written notice as provided for in
accordance with the applicable indenture by the applicable trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series;
(5) we default under a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any subsidiary of ours that we have
guaranteed that has a principal amount outstanding that is more than $10,000,000 (other than non-recourse indebtedness), which default has caused the indebtedness to become due and payable earlier than it would otherwise have become due and payable,
and the acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days after written notice was provided to us in accordance with the indenture;
(6) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and
(7) any other event of default specified in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.
If there is a continuing event of default under an indenture with respect to outstanding debt securities of a series, then the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% of the total
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, voting as a single class, may declare immediately due and payable the principal amount or other amount as may be specified in the terms of the securities of and any premium or
Make-Whole Amount on, all of the debt securities of that series. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to any or all debt securities of a series then outstanding has been made, but before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration if:
(1) we deposit with the applicable trustee all required payments of the principal of, and any premium,
Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts, on the applicable debt securities, plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the applicable trustee; and
(2) all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount or other amounts or interest, with
respect to the applicable debt securities have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.
Each indenture
also provides that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the applicable outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to those debt securities and its consequences, except a default
consisting of:
(1) our failure to pay the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole
Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, any debt security; or
(2) a default
relating to a covenant or provision contained in the applicable indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected by the default.
The trustee is generally required to give notice to the holders of debt securities of each affected series within 90 days of a default of
which the trustee has actual knowledge under the applicable indenture unless the default has been cured or waived. The trustee may withhold a notice of default unless the default relates to:
(1) our failure to pay the principal of, or any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, a debt security of that series; or
(2) any sinking fund installment for any debt security of that series, if the
responsible officers of the trustee consider it to be in the interest of the holders.
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Each indenture provides that no holder of debt securities of any series may
institute a proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the applicable trustee fails to act, for 60 days, after (1) it has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of
default from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee and (2) no direction inconsistent with such written request
has been given to the trustee during that 60 day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of the series. This provision will not prevent, however, any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for
the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, debt securities at their respective due dates.
Subject to provisions in each indenture relating to the trustee’s duties in case of default, the trustee is not under an obligation to exercise any of its rights or
powers under any indenture at the request or direction of any holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding, unless the holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it. Subject to these provisions for the
indemnification of the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the applicable outstanding debt securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the applicable trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture, which may involve the trustee in
personal liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of the applicable series not joining in the direction.
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we must deliver to each trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers, stating such officer’s knowledge of our compliance
with all the conditions and covenants under the applicable indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such noncompliance and the nature and status of the noncompliance.
Modification of the Indenture
Modification and
amendment of an indenture may be made only with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture which are affected by the modification or amendment. However, no
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected, do any of the following:
(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium, Make-Whole Amount, installment of principal of, interest or Additional Amounts payable on, any debt security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, any premium, Make-Whole Amount
payable on redemption of or any Additional Amounts payable with respect to, any debt security;
(3) reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security, indexed security or any Make-Whole Amount that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of an original issue
discount security or indexed security, or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of any debt security;
(4) change the place of payment or the currency or currencies of payment of the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or
Additional Amounts on, any debt security;
(5) impair the right to institute suit for
the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any debt security;
(6) reduce the
percentage of the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain defaults and consequences thereunder, or to reduce the
quorum or voting requirements contained in the applicable indenture;
(7) make any
change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any security or decrease the conversion or exchange rate or increase the conversion or exchange price of any security; or
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(8) modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of
the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of
the holder of the debt security.
We and the relevant trustee may modify or amend an indenture, without the
consent of any holder of debt securities, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to
evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under the indenture;
(2) to
add to the covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;
(3) to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;
(4) to add or change any provisions of an indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain
terms of, debt securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in
any material respect;
(5) to add, change or eliminate any provisions of an indenture,
provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall
Ÿ |
become effective only when there are no outstanding debt securities of any series created prior to the change or elimination which are entitled to the benefit
of the applicable provision, or |
Ÿ |
not apply to any outstanding debt securities created prior to the change or elimination; |
(6) to secure the debt securities;
(7) to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series, including the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion
of the debt securities into our common stock or other securities or property of ours;
(8) to provide for the acceptance or appointment of a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under an indenture by more than one trustee;
(9) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in an indenture, provided that the action does not adversely affect the interests of holders
of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture;
(10) to close an
indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of debt securities or to qualify, or maintain qualification of, an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(11) to supplement any of the provisions of an indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series
of the debt securities; provided that, in each case above, the action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect; or
(12) to make any provisions with respect to the conversion or exchange rights of the holders of any debt securities, including providing for the
conversion or exchange of any debt securities into any of our securities or property.
Subordination
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the following
subordinated provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities.
The subordinated debt securities,
including any junior subordinated debt securities we issue in connection with the issuance of any trust preferred securities by a trust, will be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured and senior
indebtedness. As a result, upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the
extent provided in the subordinated
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indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior debt and our secured debt. Our obligation to make payments of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt
securities will not otherwise be affected.
We may not make payments of principal or interest on the subordinated
debt securities at any time we are in default on any payment with respect to our senior debt, or we have defaulted on any of our senior debt resulting in the acceleration of the maturity of the senior debt, or if there is a judicial proceeding
pending with respect to our default on our senior debt and we have received notice of the default. We may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities when the default is cured or waived if the subordination provisions of the subordinated
indenture will permit us to do so at that time. After we have paid all of our senior debt in full, holders of subordinated debt securities will still be subrogated to the rights of holders of our senior debt for the amount of distributions otherwise
payable to holders of the subordinated debt securities until the subordinated debt securities are paid in full. Because of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon insolvency, certain of our general creditors may recover
more on a proportional basis than holders of the subordinated debt securities.
Senior debt is defined in the
subordinated indenture as the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is
allowed in such proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in respect of the types of debt generally described below:
(1) debt for money we have borrowed;
(2) debt evidenced by a bond, note, debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money obligations) whether or not given in connection
with the acquisition of any business, property or assets, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but not any account payable or other obligation created or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining
of materials or services;
(3) debt which is a direct or indirect obligation which
arises as a result of banker’s acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure our obligations, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for our benefit, whether contingent or otherwise;
(4) any debt of others described in the preceding clauses (1) through (3) which we have guaranteed or for which
we are otherwise liable;
(5) debt secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge,
encumbrance or any security interest existing on our property;
(6) our obligation as
lessee under any lease of property which is reflected on our balance sheet as a capitalized lease;
(7) any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or refunding of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (1) through (6); and
(8) our obligations to make payments under the terms of financial instruments such as securities contracts and foreign currency exchange
contracts, derivative instruments and other similar financial instruments.
provided, however, that, in computing
our debt, any particular debt will be excluded if,
(1) upon or prior to the maturity
thereof, we have deposited in trust with a depositary, money (or evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating such indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy that debt as it becomes due, and the amount so
deposited will not be included in any computation of our assets; and
(2) we have
delivered an officers’ certificate to the trustee that certifies that we have deposited in trust with the depositary the sufficient amount.
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Senior debt will exclude the following:
(1) any debt referred to in paragraphs (1) through (6) above as to which, in the instrument creating or
evidencing the debt or under which the debt is outstanding, it is provided that the debt is not superior in right of payment to our subordinated debt securities, or ranks equal with the subordinated debt securities;
(2) our subordinated debt securities;
(3) any debt of ours which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978,
as amended, was without recourse to us;
(4) debt to any employee of ours; and
(5) all other junior subordinated debentures issued by us from time to time and sold
to subsidiaries of ours, including any limited liability companies, partnerships or trust established or to be established by us, in each case where the subsidiary is similar in purpose to one of the trusts.
There is no limit on the amount of senior debt or other debt that we may incur. At June 30, 2000, our senior debt aggregated approximately
$1.17 billion.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless the terms of a series of debt securities provides otherwise, under each indenture, we may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities
that have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled for redemption within one year). We can discharge these
obligations by irrevocably depositing with the applicable trustee funds in such currency or currencies in which the debt securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities including the principal of,
and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts payable on, the debt securities to the date of the deposit, if the debt securities have become due and payable or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, if the terms of the debt securities of a series permit us to do so, we may elect either of the
following:
(1) to be defeased and be discharged from any and all obligations with
respect to the debt securities of that series; except our obligations to
Ÿ |
pay any Additional Amounts upon the occurrence of certain tax and other events, |
Ÿ |
register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, |
Ÿ |
replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, |
Ÿ |
maintain an office or agency for the debt securities, and |
Ÿ |
to hold moneys for payment in trust; or |
(2) to be defeased and discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series described under “—Certain
Covenants” or, if the terms of the debt securities of that series permit, our obligations with respect to any other covenant.
If we choose to defease and discharge our obligations under the covenants, any failure to comply with the obligations imposed on us by the covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the
debt securities of that series. However, to make either election we must irrevocably deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, an amount, in the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are payable, or in government obligations, or
both, that will provide sufficient funds to pay the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, the debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments on the debt securities, on the
relevant scheduled due dates or upon redemption.
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We may defease and discharge our obligations as described in the preceding
paragraphs only if, among other things,
(1) we have delivered to the applicable
trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance described in the previous
paragraphs and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of defeasance the
opinion of counsel must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States federal income tax laws occurring after the date of the indenture;
(2) any defeasance does not result in, or constitute, a breach or violation of an indenture or any other
material agreement which we are a party to or obligated under; and
(3) no event of
default, or event that with notice will be an event of default, has occurred and is continuing with respect to any securities subject to a defeasance.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if, after we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt
securities of any series:
(1) the holder of a debt security of such series elects to
receive payment in a currency in which the deposit was made in respect of the debt security, or
(2) a conversion event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency in which the deposit was made,
the indebtedness represented by the debt security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts
on, the debt security, as they become due, out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of the debt security into the currency in which the debt security becomes payable as a result of the election or such cessation
of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate.
Unless otherwise defined in the applicable prospectus
supplement, “conversion event” means the cessation of use of:
(1) a
currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or
other public institutions of or within the international banking community, or
(2) any
currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.
Unless otherwise described in
the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any premium, Make-Whole Amount, interest or Additional Amounts on, any debt security that is payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance
will be made in United States dollars.
In the event we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of
debt securities and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default other than:
(1) the event of default described in clause (4) of the first paragraph under “—Events of Default, Notice and Waiver,” which would no longer be applicable to the debt
securities of that series, or
(2) the event of default described in clause (7) under
“—Events of Default, Notice and Waiver” with respect to a covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance,
then
the amount on deposit with the trustee will still be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the
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acceleration resulting from the event of default. In this case, we would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may describe further provisions, if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to a particular series of debt securities.
Conversion and Exchange
Rights
The terms on which debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for our common
stock or other securities or property of ours will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will include:
(1) the conversion or exchange price, or manner for calculating a price;
(2) the exchange or conversion period; and
(3) whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option.
The terms may also include calculations pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other securities or property to be received by the holders of debt securities would be determined according to the market price of
our common stock or other securities or property of ours as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement. The conversion exchange price of any debt securities of any series that is convertible into our common stock may be adjusted for any stock
dividends, stock splits, reclassification, combinations or similar transactions, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governing Law
The indentures are governed by and will be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
Redemption of Debt Securities
If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of any series may be wholly or partially redeemed at our option, at any time. The debt securities
may also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption on terms and conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
From and after notice has been given as provided in the indenture, if funds for the redemption of any debt securities called for redemption have been made available on the redemption date, the debt securities will cease to
bear interest on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the notice, and the only right of the holders of the debt securities will be to receive payment of the redemption price.
Concerning the Trustee
The Chase Manhattan Bank is one of
a number of banks with which we maintain banking relationships in the ordinary course of business. Our banking relationship with The Chase Manhattan Bank includes providing us with $200 million of short-term funding due in November 2000, providing
custodial services in connection with our bond and stock portfolios, serving as trustee under the indentures involving our debt securities, and providing us with general banking services. Upon the occurrence of an event of default or an event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under a series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, or upon the occurrence of a default under another indenture under which The Chase Manhattan Bank serves
as trustee, the trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the other debt securities as to which we are not in default for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act and, accordingly, may be required to resign as trustee under the
applicable indenture. In that event, we would be required to appoint a successor trustee.
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The following outlines some of the provisions of the
preferred stock that we may offer from time to time. The specific terms of a series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The following description of the preferred
stock and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the certificate of designations relating to the particular series of preferred stock, which
we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of sale of the preferred stock.
General
Under our restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, to adopt resolutions
providing for the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock par value $.10 per share, in one or more series.
For each series of preferred stock the board of directors may fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series. The board will fix these terms by resolution
adopted before we issue any shares of the series of preferred stock.
In addition, as described under
“DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES,” we may, instead of offering full shares of any series of preferred stock, offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share of the particular series of
preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred stock will contain a description of the specific terms of that
series as fixed by the board of directors, including, as applicable:
Ÿ |
the offering price at which we will issue the preferred stock; |
Ÿ |
the title, designation of number of shares and stated value of the preferred stock; |
Ÿ |
the dividend rate or method of calculation, the payment dates for dividends and the place or places where the dividends will be paid, whether dividends will be
cumulative or noncumulative, and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will begin to cumulate; |
Ÿ |
any conversion or exchange rights; |
Ÿ |
whether the preferred stock will be subject to redemption and the redemption price and other terms and conditions relative to the redemption rights;
|
Ÿ |
any liquidation rights; |
Ÿ |
any sinking fund provisions; |
Ÿ |
any voting rights; and |
Ÿ |
any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions that are not inconsistent with the terms of our restated certificate of incorporation.
|
When we issue and receive payment for shares of preferred stock, the shares will be fully paid
and nonassessable, and for each share issued, a sum equal to the stated value will be credited to our preferred stock account. Holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire more of our stock. Unless
otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, each series of preferred stock will rank on a parity in all respects with each other series of preferred stock and prior to our common stock as to
dividends and any distribution of our assets.
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The rights of holders of the preferred stock offered may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any shares of
preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Our board of directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purposes and may include issuances to obtain additional financing in
connection with acquisitions, and issuances to officers, directors and employees pursuant to benefit plans. Our board of directors’ ability to issue shares of preferred stock may discourage attempts by others to acquire control of us without
negotiation with our board of directors, as it may make it difficult for a person to complete an acquisition of us without negotiating with our board.
Redemption
If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of preferred
stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option or the holder’s, and may be mandatorily redeemed.
Any restriction on the repurchase or redemption by us of our preferred stock while we are in arrears in the payment of dividends will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made in a way that our board of directors decides is equitable.
Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue after the redemption date of shares of
preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of these shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.
Dividends
Holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash
dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. The rates and dates of payment of dividends will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each series of preferred
stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of preferred stock as they appear on our books on the record dates fixed by the board of directors. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative.
We may not declare, pay or set apart funds for payment of dividends on a particular series of preferred stock unless full
dividends on any other series of preferred stock that ranks equally with or senior to the series of preferred stock have been paid or sufficient funds have been set apart for payment for either of the following:
Ÿ |
all prior dividend periods of the other series of preferred stock that pay dividends on a cumulative basis; or |
Ÿ |
the immediately preceding dividend period of the other series of preferred stock that pay dividends on a noncumulative basis. |
Partial dividends declared on shares of any series of preferred stock and other series of preferred stock ranking on an equal
basis as to dividends will be declared pro rata. A pro rata declaration means that the ratio of dividends declared per share to accrued dividends per share will be the same for both series of preferred stock.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, holders of each series of our preferred stock will have the right to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount described in the applicable prospectus supplement
relating to each series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. These distributions will be made before any distribution is made on the common stock or on any securities ranking junior to the preferred stock
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
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If the liquidation amounts payable relating to the preferred stock of any series
and any other securities ranking on a parity regarding liquidation rights are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of these series and other securities will have the right to a ratable portion of our available assets, up to the full
liquidation preference. Holders of these series of preferred stock or other securities will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.
Voting Rights
The
holders of shares of preferred stock will have no voting rights, except:
Ÿ |
as otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
Ÿ |
as otherwise stated in the certificate of designations establishing the series; or |
Ÿ |
as required by applicable law. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent
for the preferred stock will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The registrar for shares of preferred stock will send notices to shareholders of any meetings at which holders of the preferred stock have the right to elect directors
or to vote on any other matter.
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The following briefly summarizes the provisions of
the depositary shares and depositary receipts that we may issue from time to time and which would be important to holders of depositary receipts, other than pricing and related terms which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the generalized provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement
may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the deposit agreement which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time we issue the depositary shares.
Description of Depositary Shares
We may offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts. Each depositary receipt represents a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of
preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will deposit the shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares according to the provisions of a deposit agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company which we will select as our
preferred stock depositary. The depositary must have its principal office in the United States and have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. We will name the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each owner of a
depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. These rights include dividend, voting,
redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. The depositary will send the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications that we deliver to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of depositary shares.
Depositary Receipts
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to anyone who is buying the fractional shares of
preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.
While definitive engraved
depositary receipts (certificates) are being prepared, we may instruct the depositary to issue temporary depositary receipts, which will entitle holders to all the rights of the definitive depositary receipts and be substantially in the same form.
The depositary will prepare definitive depositary receipts without unreasonable delay, and we will pay for the exchange of your temporary depositary receipts for definitive depositary receipts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
A holder of
depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the holder’s depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office
of the depositary. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the surrendered depositary shares exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock the holder wishes to withdraw, then the
depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Once the holder has withdrawn the preferred stock, the holder will not be entitled to re-deposit that preferred stock
under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary shares in exchange for such preferred stock. We do not expect that there will be any public trading market for withdrawn shares of preferred stock.
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Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary has agreed to pay to holders of depositary shares the cash dividends or other cash distributions it receives on preferred stock, after deducting its fees and
expenses. Each holder will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holder. The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents. The depositary will add any fractional cents not
distributed to the next sum received for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.
In the event of a
non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval,
sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If the series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, then we will give the necessary
proceeds to the depositary. The depositary will then redeem the depositary shares using the funds they received from us for the preferred stock. The depositary will notify the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed not less than 30
nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption at the holders’ addresses appearing in the depositary’s books. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price payable per share for the applicable
series of the preferred stock and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held
by the depositary, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock on the same day. If fewer than all the depositary shares of a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be selected by lot or
ratably as the depositary will decide.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for
redemption will no longer be considered outstanding. Therefore, all rights of holders of the depositary shares will cease, except that the holders will still be entitled to receive any cash payable upon the redemption and any money or other property
to which the holder was entitled at the time of redemption.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will notify holders of
depositary shares of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to the holders. The record date for determining holders of depositary shares that are entitled to vote will be the same as the record date for the preferred stock.
The materials the holders will receive will (1) describe the matters to be voted on and (2) explain how the holders, on a certain date, may instruct the depositary to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. For
instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, to vote the shares as instructed by the holder. We will do anything the depositary asks us to do in order to
enable it to vote as a holder has instructed. If any holder does not instruct the depositary how to vote the holder’s shares, the depositary will abstain from voting those shares.
Conversion or Exchange
The depositary will convert or
exchange all depositary shares on the same day that the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is converted or exchanged. In order for the depositary to do so, we will need to deposit the other preferred stock, common stock or other
securities into which the preferred stock is to be converted or for which it will be exchanged.
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The exchange or conversion rate per depositary share will be equal to:
Ÿ |
the exchange or conversion rate per share of preferred stock, multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share;
|
Ÿ |
plus all money and any other property represented by one depositary share; and |
Ÿ |
including all amounts per depositary share paid by us for dividends that have accrued on the preferred stock on the exchange or conversion date and that have
not yet been paid. |
The depositary shares, as such, cannot be converted or exchanged into other
preferred stock, common stock, securities of another issuer or any other securities or property of us. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a holder of depositary shares may be able to surrender the depositary
receipts to the depositary with written instructions asking the depositary to instruct us to convert or exchange the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into other shares of our preferred stock or common stock or to exchange the
preferred stock for securities of another issuer. If the depositary shares carry this right, we would agree that, upon the payment of any applicable fees, we will cause the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock using the same procedures as
we use for the delivery of preferred stock. If a holder is only converting part of the depositary shares represented by a depositary receipt, new depositary receipts will be issued for any depositary shares that are not converted or exchanged.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt without consent of the holder at any time. However, if the amendment adds
or increases fees or charges or prejudices an important right of holders, it will only become effective with the approval of holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding. If an amendment becomes effective,
holders are deemed to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the amended deposit agreement if they continue to hold their depositary receipts.
The deposit agreement automatically terminates if:
Ÿ |
all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; |
Ÿ |
each share of preferred stock has been converted into or exchanged for common stock; or |
Ÿ |
a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock has been made to the holders of depositary receipts in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up. |
We may also terminate the deposit agreement at any time we wish. If we do so, the
depositary will give notice of termination to the holders not less than 30 days before the termination date. Once depositary receipts are surrendered to the depositary, it will send to each holder the number of whole or fractional shares of the
series of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary and Expenses
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges in connection with the existence of the depositary
arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary for the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and the
charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for the holders account.
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Limitations on Our Obligations and Liability to Holders of Depositary Receipts
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and
the liability of the depositary as follows:
Ÿ |
we and the depositary are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement in good faith; |
Ÿ |
we and the depositary are not liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or circumstances beyond our control from performing our obligations under
the deposit agreement; |
Ÿ |
we and the depositary are not liable if either of us exercises discretion permitted under the deposit agreement; |
Ÿ |
we and the depositary have no obligation to become involved in any legal or other proceeding related to the depositary receipts or the deposit agreement on your
behalf or on behalf of any other party, unless you provide us with satisfactory indemnity; and |
Ÿ |
we and the depositary may rely upon any written advice of counsel or accountants and on any documents we believe in good faith to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by the proper party. |
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary will
agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by notifying us of its election to do so. In addition, we may remove the depositary at any time. The
resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary and it accepts the appointment. We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and the new depositary must
be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
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The following briefly summarizes the provisions of our
restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws that would be important to holders of our common stock. The following description may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of our
restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws which we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement which contains this prospectus.
General
Under our restated certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to issue a
total of 725,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $.10 per share. As of June 30, 2000 240,657,154 shares of common stock were outstanding, which were held by approximately 22,866 shareholders of record. All outstanding shares of
common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Holders
of common stock do not have any conversion, redemption, preemptive or cumulative voting rights. In the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, common stockholders will share ratably in any assets remaining after all creditors are paid
in full, including holders of our debt securities, and after the liquidation preference of holders of preferred stock has been satisfied.
Dividends
Holders of common stock are entitled to participate equally in dividends when
the board of directors declares dividends on shares of common stock out of funds legally available for dividends. The rights of holders of common stock to receive dividends are subject to the preferences of holders of preferred stock.
Voting Rights
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters voted on by stockholders, including the election of directors.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of our liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up, holders of common stock have the right to a ratable portion of assets remaining after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of our creditors, all liabilities, and the total liquidation preferences of any outstanding
shares of preferred stock.
Certain Provisions That May Have an Anti-Takeover Effect
Our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and certain portions of Delaware law, contain certain provisions that may have an
anti-takeover effect.
Board of Directors Classification. We have a staggered or
classified board of directors. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with the members of each class serving a three-year term. The members of only one class of directors are elected at any annual meeting of our stockholders. It
therefore takes at least two years to elect a majority of our directors.
Business
Combination. We cannot enter into business combinations with a person who is an “interested stockholder” unless the business combination transaction is approved by a vote of not less than 80% of the votes
entitled to be cast on the transaction, including a majority of the votes that are not the votes of the interested stockholder.
An “interested stockholder” is generally any person that owns, or has owned in the two-year period prior to the date in question, shares of our voting stock that represent 15% or more of the votes entitled to be
cast by the holders of the shares of our outstanding voting stock.
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A “business combination” is generally a merger or consolidation
involving a company, a disposition of a substantial part of the assets or securities of a company, a liquidation or dissolution of a company, or a certain type of reclassification of securities of a company.
The supermajority vote requirements described above will not apply to business combinations with interested stockholders if the
transaction has been approved by a majority of our directors (or their successors) who are not affiliates of the interested stockholder and were our directors before the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder.
We are also subject to restrictions imposed by Delaware law on transactions with interested stockholders. These restrictions
are similar to the restrictions contained in our restated certificate of incorporation described above. In order to engage in any transaction that is subject to the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the provisions of
Delaware law, the requirements of both the restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law must be satisfied.
Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only our Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer or our President may call a special meeting of our stockholders and these meetings are to be called by any
such officer at the request of a majority of the board of directors.
Action of Stockholders Without a
Meeting. Any action of our stockholders may be taken at a meeting only and may not be taken by written consent.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. For us to amend our restated certificate of incorporation, Delaware law requires that our board of directors adopt a resolution
setting forth any amendment, declare the advisability of the amendment and call a stockholders’ meeting to adopt the amendment. Generally, amendments to our restated certificate of incorporation require the affirmative vote of majority of our
outstanding stock. As described below, however, certain amendments to our restated certificate of incorporation may require a supermajority vote.
The vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast is required to adopt any amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation that relates to the provisions of our
restated certificate of incorporation that govern the following matters:
Ÿ |
management of our business by the directors and classification of our board of directors; |
Ÿ |
the ability of our stockholders to act by written consent; and |
Ÿ |
the power of the board of directors and the stockholders to amend the bylaws. |
The vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast, including the majority of the votes that are not the votes of an interested stockholder, is
required to adopt any amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation that relates to the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation that govern the following matters:
Ÿ |
the provisions regarding “business combinations” with interested stockholders; and |
Ÿ |
the provisions setting forth the supermajority vote requirements for amending the restated certificate of incorporation. |
These supermajority vote provisions for amending the certificate of incorporation do not apply if the amendment is recommended
by a majority of our directors (or their successors) who are not affiliates of an interested stockholder and were our directors before the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder.
The provisions described above may discourage attempts by others to acquire control of us without negotiation with our board of directors. This enhances our board of
directors’ ability to attempt to promote the
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interests of all of our stockholders. However, to the extent that these provisions make us a less attractive takeover candidate, they may not always be in our best interests or in the best
interests of our stockholders. None of these provisions is the result of any specific effort by a third party to accumulate our securities or to obtain control of us by means of merger, tender offer, solicitation in opposition to management or
otherwise.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for shares of the common stock is Boston EquiServe L.P.
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General
We may issue warrants to purchase senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or any combination of these securities and these
warrants may be issued independently or together with any underlying securities and may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us
and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following
outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the
warrants in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time we issue the warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants, including the following:
Ÿ |
the title of the warrants; |
Ÿ |
the total number of warrants; |
Ÿ |
the price or prices at which we will issue the warrants; |
Ÿ |
the currency or currencies investors may use to pay for the warrants; |
Ÿ |
the designation and terms of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
Ÿ |
the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which investors may purchase the underlying securities purchasable upon
exercise of the warrants; |
Ÿ |
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
Ÿ |
whether we will issue the warrants in registered form or bearer form; |
Ÿ |
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
Ÿ |
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
Ÿ |
if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying
security; |
Ÿ |
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable; |
Ÿ |
if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; |
Ÿ |
the identity of the warrant agent; |
Ÿ |
the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and |
Ÿ |
any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
|
Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and warrants
may be exercised at the warrant agent’s corporate trust office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any
of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon
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such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of preferred stock or common stock will not have any rights of holders of the preferred stock or
common stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise of Warrants
A warrant will entitle the
holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on
the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of
the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are
exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law
The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own
benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against us to enforce their rights to exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of their warrants. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus
supplement, each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares
of our common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the stock purchase contracts.
The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and our senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury
securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock under the stock purchase contracts.
Stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure
their obligations under the contracts in a specific manner.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe
the terms of any stock purchase contracts or units. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the stock purchase contracts and, if applicable,
collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such stock purchase contracts or units.
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General
The following summary outlines the material terms and provisions of the preferred securities that the trusts may offer. The particular terms of any preferred securities a
trust offers and the extent if any to which these general terms and provisions may or may not apply to the preferred securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each trust will issue the preferred securities under an amended declaration, which we will enter into with the trustees. The amended declaration for each trust is subject
to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and The Chase Manhattan Bank, an independent trustee, will act as property trustee under each amended declaration for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The
terms of the preferred securities will be those contained in the applicable amended declaration and those made part of the amended declaration by the Trust Indenture Act. The following summary may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in
its entirety by reference to the form of amended declaration, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus, and the Trust Indenture Act.
Terms
Each amended declaration will provide that a trust
may issue, from time to time, only one series of preferred securities and one series of common securities. The preferred securities will be offered to investors and the common securities will initially be held by us. The terms of the preferred
securities, as a general matter, will mirror the terms of the junior subordinated debt securities that we will issue to a trust in exchange for the proceeds of the sales of the preferred and common securities. If we fail to make a payment on the
junior subordinated debt securities, the trust holding those securities will not have sufficient funds to make related payments, including distributions, on its preferred securities.
You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the preferred securities for specific terms of the preferred securities, including, but not limited to:
(1) the distinctive designation of the preferred securities;
(2) the total and per security liquidation amount of the preferred securities;
(3) the annual distribution rate, or method of determining the rate at which the trust issuing the securities
will pay distributions, on the preferred securities and the date or dates from which distributions will accrue;
(4) the date or dates on which the distributions will be payable and any corresponding record dates;
(5) whether distributions on preferred securities will be cumulative, and, in the case of preferred securities having cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of
determining the date or dates from which distributions on preferred securities will be cumulative;
(6) the right, if any, to defer distributions on the preferred securities upon extension of the interest payment period of the related junior subordinated debt securities;
(7) whether the preferred 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 arrangement;
(8) the amount or amounts which will be paid out of the assets of the trust issuing the securities to the holders of preferred securities upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the
trust issuing the securities;
(9) any obligation of the trust issuing the securities
to purchase or redeem preferred securities and the terms and conditions relating to any redemption obligation;
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(10) any voting rights of the preferred securities;
(11) any terms and conditions upon which the junior subordinated debt securities held
by the trust issuing the securities may be distributed to holders of preferred securities;
(12) any securities exchange on which the preferred securities will be listed; and
(13) any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of the preferred securities not inconsistent with the amended declaration or with applicable law.
We will guarantee the preferred securities to the extent described below under “DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEES.” Our guarantee,
when taken together with our obligations under the junior subordinated debt securities and the related subordinated indenture, and our obligations under the amended declaration, would provide a full and unconditional guarantee of amounts due on any
preferred securities. Certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of preferred securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, each amended declaration states that each trust will be dissolved:
Ÿ |
on the expiration of the term of that trust; |
Ÿ |
upon our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation; |
Ÿ |
upon our written direction to the property trustee to dissolve the trust and distribute the related junior subordinated debt securities directly to the holders
of the trust securities; |
Ÿ |
upon the redemption of all of the preferred securities in connection with the redemption of all of the related junior subordinated debt securities; or
|
Ÿ |
upon entry of a court order for the dissolution of the trust. |
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, in the event of a dissolution as described above other than in connection with redemption, after a trust
satisfies all liabilities to its creditors as provided by applicable law, each holder of the preferred or common securities issued by that trust will be entitled to receive:
Ÿ |
the related junior subordinated debt securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the preferred or common securities
held by the holder; or |
Ÿ |
if any distribution of the related junior subordinated debt securities is determined by the property trustee not to be practical, cash equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of the preferred or common securities held by the holder, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of payment. |
If a trust cannot pay the full amount due on its preferred and common securities because it has insufficient assets available for payment, then the amounts payable by that trust on its preferred and
common securities will be paid on a pro rata basis. However, if certain payment events of default under the subordinated indenture have occurred and are continuing with respect to any series of related junior subordinated debt securities, the total
amounts due on the preferred securities will be paid before any distribution on the common securities.
Events of Default
The following will be events of default under each amended declaration:
Ÿ |
an event of default under the subordinated indenture occurs with respect to any related series of junior subordinated debt securities; or
|
Ÿ |
any other event of default specified in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs. |
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If an event of default with respect to a related series of junior subordinated
debt securities occurs and is continuing under the subordinated indenture, and the subordinated indenture trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the related junior subordinated debt securities outstanding fail to declare
the principal amount of all of such junior subordinated debt securities to be immediately due and payable, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding preferred securities of the trust holding the junior
subordinated debt securities, will have the right to declare such principal amount immediately due and payable by providing written notice to us, the applicable property trustee and the subordinated indenture trustee.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to a related series of junior subordinated debt securities and
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the affected preferred securities may rescind any declaration of acceleration with respect to the related junior
subordinated debt securities and its consequences:
Ÿ |
if we deposit with the subordinated indenture trustee funds sufficient to pay all overdue principal of and premium and interest on the related junior
subordinated debt securities and other amounts due to the subordinated indenture trustee and the property trustee; and |
Ÿ |
if all existing events of default with respect to the related junior subordinated debt securities have been cured or waived except non-payment of principal on
the related junior subordinated debt securities that has become due solely because of the acceleration. |
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the affected preferred securities may waive any past default under the subordinated debenture indenture with respect to related junior subordinated debt securities, other than a
default in the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any related junior subordinated debenture or a default with respect to a covenant or provision that cannot be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each
affected outstanding related junior subordinated debenture. In addition, the holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the affected preferred securities may waive any past default under the amended declaration.
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the affected preferred securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the property trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the property trustee under the amended declaration.
A holder of preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us, without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the property trustee or anyone else, for enforcement of payment to the holder of principal and any premium or interest on the related series of junior subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of the preferred securities of the holder, if we fail to pay principal and any premium or interest on the related series of junior subordinated debt securities when payable.
We are required to furnish annually, to the property trustee for each trust, officers’ certificates to the effect that, to the best knowledge of the individuals
providing the certificates, we and each trust are not in default under the applicable amended declaration or, if there has been a default, specifying the default and its status.
Consolidation, Merger or Amalgamation of the Trust
No
trust may merge with or into, amalgamate, consolidate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any entity, except as described below or as described in “—Liquidation
Distribution Upon Dissolution.” A trust may, with the consent of the administrative trustees but without the consent of the holders of the outstanding preferred securities or the other trustees of that trust,
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merge with or into, amalgamate, consolidate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to, a trust organized under the laws of any State if:
(1) the successor
entity either:
Ÿ |
expressly assumes all of the obligations of the trust relating to its preferred securities, or |
Ÿ |
substitutes for the trust’s preferred securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the preferred securities, so long as the
substituted successor securities rank the same as the preferred securities for distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; |
(2) we appoint a trustee of the successor entity who has substantially the same powers and duties as the property trustee of the trust;
(3) the successor securities are listed or traded, or any substituted successor
securities will be listed upon notice of issuance, on the same national securities exchange or other organization on which the preferred securities are then listed or traded;
(4) the merger event does not cause the preferred securities or any substituted successor securities to be downgraded by any national rating
agency;
(5) the merger event does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and
privileges of the holders of the preferred securities or any substituted successor securities in any material respect;
(6) the successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the trust that issued the securities;
(7) prior to the merger event, we shall provide to the property trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm stating that:
Ÿ |
the merger event does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the trust’s preferred securities in any material
respect, and |
Ÿ |
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 of
1940; and |
(8) we own or our permitted transferee owns, all of the
common securities of the successor entity and we guarantee or our permitted transferee guarantees the obligations of the successor entity under the substituted successor securities at least to the extent provided under the applicable preferred
securities guarantee.
In addition, unless all of the holders of the preferred securities approve otherwise, no
trust may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any other entity, or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or into or replace it if the transaction would cause that trust or the successor entity to be taxable as a corporation or classified other than as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
Voting Rights
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of the preferred securities will have no voting rights except as discussed below and under “—Amendment to the Trust Agreement” and
“DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEES—Modification of the Trust Guarantee; Assignment” and as otherwise required by law.
If any proposed amendment to an amended declaration provides for, or the trustees of a trust otherwise propose to effect:
Ÿ |
any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the preferred securities in any material respect, whether by way of
amendment to the amended declaration or otherwise; or |
Ÿ |
the dissolution, winding-up or termination of a trust other than pursuant to the terms of the amended declaration, |
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then the holders of the affected preferred securities as a class will be entitled to vote on the
amendment or proposal. In that case, the amendment or proposal will be effective only if approved by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the affected preferred securities.
Without obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the preferred securities issued by a
trust, the trustees of that trust may not:
Ÿ |
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the subordinated indenture trustee for any related junior
subordinated debt securities or direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the property trustee with respect to the related junior subordinated debt securities; |
Ÿ |
waive any default that is waivable under the subordinated indenture with respect to any related junior subordinated debt securities;
|
Ÿ |
cancel an acceleration of the principal of the related junior subordinated debt securities; or |
Ÿ |
consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the subordinated indenture or any related junior subordinated debt securities where consent is
required. |
However, if a consent under the subordinated indenture requires the consent of each affected holder of the
related junior subordinated debt securities, then the property trustee must obtain the prior consent of each holder of the preferred securities of the trust that holds the related junior subordinated debt securities. In addition, before taking any
of the foregoing actions, we will provide to the property trustee an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of such actions, the trust will not be taxable as a corporation or classified as other than a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
The property trustee will notify all preferred securities
holders of a trust of any notice of default received from the subordinated indenture trustee with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities held by that trust.
Any required approval of the holders of preferred securities may be given at a meeting of the holders of the preferred securities convened for the purpose or pursuant to
written consent. The applicable property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of securities are entitled to vote to be given to each holder of record of the preferred securities at the holder’s registered address at least
15 days and not more than 90 days before the meeting.
No vote or consent of the holders of the trust securities
will be required for a trust to redeem and cancel its trust securities in accordance with its amended declaration.
Notwithstanding that holders of the preferred securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the preferred securities that are owned by us, any trustee or any affiliate of a trustee
or ours will, for purposes of any vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. Preferred securities held by us or any of our affiliates may be exchanged for related junior subordinated debt securities at the election of the holder.
Amendment to the Trust Agreement
An amended declaration may be amended from time to time by us and the property trustee and the administrative trustees of each trust without the consent of the holders of the preferred securities of
that trust to:
Ÿ |
cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision which may be inconsistent with any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
the amended declaration, in each case to the extent that the amendment does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of the preferred securities in any material respect; or |
Ÿ |
modify, eliminate or add to any provisions to the extent necessary to ensure that the trust will not be taxable as a corporation or classified as other than a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, to ensure that the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust are treated as indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes or to ensure that the trust will not be
required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
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Other amendments to an amended declaration of trust may be made by us and the
trustees of that trust upon approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding preferred securities of that trust and receipt by the trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not
cause the trust to be taxable as a corporation or classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, affect the treatment of the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust as indebtedness for United
States federal income tax purposes or affect the trust’s exemption from the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each affected holder of common or preferred securities of each trust, an amended declaration may not be amended to:
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change the amount or timing of any distribution on the common or preferred securities of a trust or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any distribution
required to be made in respect of the securities as of a specified date; or |
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restrict the right of a holder of any securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the distribution date.
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In addition, no amendment may be made to an amended declaration if the amendment would:
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cause a trust to be taxable as a corporation or characterized as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes;
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cause the junior subordinated debt securities held by a trust to not be treated as indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes;
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cause a trust to be deemed to be an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; or |
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impose any additional obligation on us without our consent. |
Removal and Replacement of Trustees
The holder of a
trust’s common securities may, upon prior written notice, remove or replace any of the administrative trustees and, unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the subordinated indenture, the property and Delaware trustee of
the trust. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the subordinated indenture, only the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust’s preferred securities may remove or replace the property trustee and Delaware
trustee. The resignation or removal of any trustee will be effective only upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the applicable amended declaration.
Merger or Consolidation of Trustees
Any entity into which a property trustee or the Delaware trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the trustee
shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the trustee, shall be the successor of the trustee under the applicable amended declaration; provided, however, that the entity shall be
otherwise qualified and eligible.
Information Concerning the Property Trustee
For matters relating to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the property trustee for each trust will have all of the duties
and responsibilities of an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a default under an amended declaration, undertakes to perform only the duties as are
specifically set forth in the amended declaration and, after a default,
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must use the same degree of care and skill 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 an amended declaration at the request of any holder of the preferred securities unless it is offered security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. If the property trustee
is required to decide between alternative courses of action, construe ambiguous provisions in an amended declaration or is unsure of the application of any provision of the amended declaration, and the matter is not one on which the holders of the
preferred securities are entitled to vote, then the property trustee will deliver notice to us requesting written instructions as to the course of action to be taken and the property trustee will take or refrain from taking that action as
instructed. If we do not provide these instructions within ten business days, then the property trustee will take such action as it deems advisable and in the best interests of the holders of the preferred and common securities. In this event, the
property trustee will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
The Chase
Manhattan Bank, which is the property trustee for each trust, also serves as the senior indenture trustee, the subordinated indenture trustee and the guarantee trustee under each trust guarantee described below. We and certain of our affiliates
maintain banking relationships with The Chase Manhattan Bank, which are described above under “DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES—Concerning the Trustee.”
Miscellaneous
The administrative trustees of each trust
are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate each trust in such a way so that:
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each trust will not be taxable as a corporation or classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes;
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the junior subordinated debt securities held by each trust will be treated as indebtedness of ours for United States federal income tax purposes; and
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each trust will not be deemed to be an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
We and the trustees of each trust are authorized to take any action, so long as it is consistent with applicable law, the
certificate of trust or amended declaration, that we and the trustees determine to be necessary or desirable for the above purposes.
Registered holders of the preferred securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
A
trust may not incur indebtedness or place a lien on any of its assets.
Governing Law
Each amended declaration and the preferred securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
Description of the Expense Agreement
We will execute an expense agreement at the same time that a trust issues the preferred securities. Under the expense
agreement, we will irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee to each creditor of each trust the full amount of that trust’s costs, expenses and liabilities, other than the amounts owed to holders of its preferred and common securities pursuant
to the terms of those securities. Third parties will be entitled to enforce the expense agreement. The expense agreement, once executed, will be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K or by a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part.
Our obligation under an expense agreement will be subordinated in right of payment to
the same extent as the trust guarantees. The expense agreement will contain provisions regarding amendment, termination, assignment, succession and governing law similar to those contained in the trust guarantees.
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The following describes certain general terms and
provisions of the trust guarantees which we will execute and deliver for the benefit of the holders from time to time of preferred securities. Each trust guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, an independent trustee, will act as indenture trustee under each trust guarantee for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The terms of each trust guarantee will be those contained
in each trust guarantee and those made part of each trust guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The following summary may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of trust guarantee, which is
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus, and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Each trust guarantee will be held by the guarantee trustee of each trust for the benefit of the holders of the preferred
securities.
General
We will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay the following payments or distributions with respect to preferred securities, in full, to the holders of the preferred securities, as and when they
become due regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that a trust may have except for the defense of payment:
(1) any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on the preferred securities, to the extent the trust that issued the securities does not make such payments or
distributions but has sufficient funds available to do so;
(2) the redemption price
and all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption with respect to any preferred securities called for redemption, to the extent the trust that issued the securities does not make such payments or distributions but has sufficient
funds available to do so; and
(3) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
winding-up or termination of the trust that issued the securities (other than in connection with the distribution of junior subordinated debt securities to the holders of preferred securities or the redemption of all of the preferred securities),
the lesser of
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the total liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on the preferred securities to the date of payment, to the extent the trust that issued
the securities does not make such payments or distributions but has sufficient funds available to do so, and |
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the amount of assets of the trust that issued the securities remaining available for distribution to holders of such preferred securities in liquidation of the
trust. |
Our obligation to make a payment under a trust guarantee may be satisfied by our direct
payment of the required amounts to the holders of preferred securities to which the trust guarantee relates or by causing the applicable trust to pay the amounts to the holders.
Modification of the Trust Guarantee; Assignment
Except
with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights of holders of preferred securities in any material respect (in which case no vote will be required), each trust guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders
of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding preferred securities to which the trust guarantee relates. The manner of obtaining the approval of holders of the preferred securities will be described in an accompanying
prospectus supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in each trust guarantee will bind our successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives and will be for the benefit of the holders of the outstanding preferred securities to
which the trust guarantee relates.
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Termination
Each trust guarantee will terminate when any of the following has occurred:
(1) all preferred securities to which the trust guarantee relates have been paid in full or redeemed in full by us, the trust that issued the
securities or both;
(2) the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust that
issued the securities have been distributed to the holders of the preferred securities; or
(3) the amounts payable in accordance with the applicable amended declaration upon liquidation of the trust that issued the securities have been paid in full.
Each trust guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of preferred securities to which the trust guarantee
relates must restore payment of any amounts paid on the preferred securities or under the trust guarantee.
Events of Default
An event of default under a trust guarantee will occur if we fail to perform any of our payment obligations
under a trust guarantee or we fail to perform any other obligation under a trust guarantee and the failure to perform such other obligation continues for 60 days.
Each trust guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the preferred securities to which the
trust guarantee relates have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee in respect of the trust guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred
upon the guarantee trustee under the trust guarantee. If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the trust guarantee, any holder of preferred securities to which the trust guarantee relates may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to
enforce the holder’s rights under the trust guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee trustee or any one else. If we do not make a guarantee payment, a holder of preferred securities may directly
institute a proceeding against us for enforcement of the trust guarantee for such payment.
Status of the Trust Guarantees
Each trust guarantee will be our general unsecured obligation and will rank subordinate and junior in right
of payment, and will be subject to our prior payment in full of our senior debt as described under “DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES — Subordination.”
The terms of the preferred securities provide that each holder of preferred securities by acceptance of the preferred securities agrees to the subordination provisions and
other terms of the trust guarantee relating to the subordination. As of June 30, 2000, we had approximately $1.17 billion of indebtedness that would rank senior to a trust guarantee.
Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee
The guarantee
trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to a trust guarantee, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically contained in the trust guarantee and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent
individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the applicable trust guarantee at the request of any holder of preferred securities to
which the trust guarantee relates, unless it is
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offered indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which it might incur by exercising these powers; however the
guarantee trustee will not be, upon the occurrence of an event of default under the applicable trust guarantee, relieved from exercising the rights and powers vested in it by such trust guarantee.
Governing Law
The
trust guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
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AND THE TRUST GUARANTEES
As long as we may make payments of interest and any other payments when they are due on the junior subordinated debt securities held by a
particular trust, those payments will be sufficient to cover distributions and any other payments due on the trust securities issued by that trust because of the following factors:
(1) the total principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust will be equal to the total stated liquidation amount
of the trust securities issued by the trust;
(2) the interest rate and the interest
payment dates and other payment dates on the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust will match the distribution rate and distribution payment dates and other payment dates for the preferred securities issued by the trust;
(3) we will pay, and the trust will not be obligated to pay, directly or indirectly,
all costs, expenses, debt, and obligations of the trust (other than obligations under the trust securities); and
(4) each amended declaration will further provide that the trustees shall not take or cause or permit the trust to engage in any activity that is not consistent with the purposes of the trust, which consist solely of
issuing the trust securities, investing in the junior subordinated debt securities and anything necessary or incident to those activities.
We will guarantee payments of distributions, to the extent the trust obligated to pay those distributions has funds available to make the payments due on the preferred securities, to the extent described under
“DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEES.” If we do not make interest payments on the junior subordinated debt securities held by a trust, that trust will not have sufficient funds to pay distributions on the preferred securities. Each trust
guarantee covers the payment of distributions and other payments on the preferred securities only if and to the extent that we have made a payment of interest or principal on the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust as its sole
asset. However, we believe that the trust guarantees, when taken together with our obligations under the junior subordinated debt securities and the subordinated indenture and our obligations under the amended declarations, including our obligations
to pay the costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the trusts, provide a full and unconditional guarantee of payment on the preferred securities.
A holder of preferred securities may sue us to enforce its rights under the trust guarantee which relates to the holder’s preferred securities without first suing the guarantee trustee, the trust
or any other person or entity.
We and the trusts may offer and sell the securities to or through
underwriters or dealers, and also may offer and sell the securities directly to other purchasers or through designated agents. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a
fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We and the trusts also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting
as our agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in any prospectus supplement.
In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or a trust or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the
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distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us or a trust, and any profit on the resale of the securities they realize may
be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent will be identified, and any such compensation received will be described, in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series of the securities will be a new issue with no
established trading market, other than the common stock. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. We and the trusts may elect to list any of the other securities on
an exchange, but are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of the securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.
Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the securities.
If dealers are
utilized in the sale of the securities, we and the trusts will sell the securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. The
names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We and the trusts may enter into agreements with underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities which may entitle these persons to indemnification by us and the trusts against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Any agreement in which we agree to indemnify
underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, or be customers of ours in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to
purchase the securities from us at the public offering price stated in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. These contracts will be subject to only those conditions
stated in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will state the commission payable to the solicitor of such offers.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Alston & Bird LLP, Washington, D.C., and for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York. Certain United States federal income taxation matters will be passed upon for
us by Alston & Bird LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the preferred securities will be passed upon for the trust and us by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware.
The consolidated financial statements of UnumProvident Corporation appearing
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information for the three-month and six-month
periods ended March 31 and June 30 of 2000 and 1999, incorporated by reference in this document, Ernst & Young LLP have reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such
information. However, their separate reports, included in UnumProvident Corporation’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference, state that they did not audit and they
do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted considering the limited nature of the review procedures applied. The independent auditors
are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because those reports are not a “report” or a “part” of the registration
statement prepared or certified by the auditors within the meaning of Section 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.
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$150,000,000
7.250% Public Income NotES (PINES®) due 2032
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
June 18, 2002
Salomon Smith Barney
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
UBS Warburg
Wachovia Securities, Inc.
Banc of America Securities LLC