As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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95-4502084
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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95-4705259
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
(626) 578-0777
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Joel S. Marcus
Executive Chairman
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
(626) 578-0777
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Kenneth E. Kohler
Morrison & Foerster LLP
707 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90017
(213) 892-5200
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.:
Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P.:
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
PROSPECTUS
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
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Common Stock
Preferred Stock
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Rights
Warrants
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Debt Securities
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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P.
Guarantees of Debt Securities
We may issue Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, rights, warrants or debt securities, and we or any selling security holders may offer and sell these securities from time to time in one or more offerings. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. may guarantee any debt securities that we issue under this prospectus.
Each time that we or any selling security holders sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or other offering material that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement or other offering material may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering material, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or such other offering material.
We or any selling security holders may sell the securities to or through underwriters, and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of the underwriters, purchasers or agents will be stated in the prospectus supplements or other offering material. We also may sell securities directly to investors. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants or debt securities sold by any selling security holder. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. will not receive any proceeds from issuing guarantees of any debt securities.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ARE.”
Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2.
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 February 1, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” “the company,” or “Alexandria” refer to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we have filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, we or any selling security holders may sell the common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants or debt securities and the related guarantees described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering material:
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from time to time and in one or more offerings;
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in one or more series; and
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in any combination thereof.
If any securities are sold pursuant to this prospectus by any persons other than us, we will, in a prospectus supplement, name the selling security holders, indicate the nature of any relationship such holders have had with us or any of our affiliates during the three years preceding such offering, state the amount of securities of the class owned by such security holder prior to the offering and the amount to be offered for the security holder’s account, and state the amount and (if one percent or more) the percentage of the class to be owned by such security holder after completion of the offering.
Neither this prospectus nor any accompanying prospectus supplement contains all of the information included in the registration statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. To understand fully the terms of the securities we or any selling security holders are offering with this prospectus, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any other offering material, as well as the documents we have incorporated by reference. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and therefore file reports and other information with the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering material about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If SEC rules or regulations require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should refer to that agreement or document for its complete contents. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering material is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS PROSPECTUS, THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY APPLICABLE OTHER OFFERING MATERIAL, AS WELL AS THE DOCUMENTS WE HAVE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AS DESCRIBED UNDER THE SECTION ENTITLED “WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.” WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY STATE WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR OTHER OFFERING MATERIAL.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials, and the documents we have incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information provided by this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, our other offering materials, or the documents we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the respective document.
RISK FACTORS
Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. Before acquiring any offered securities pursuant to this prospectus, you should carefully consider the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable accompanying prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or a part of your investment in the offered securities. Please also refer to the section below entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Where Documents are Filed; Copies of Documents
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act in accordance with which we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This registration statement, the exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof, and the reports, proxy and information statements and other information we have filed with the SEC are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and similar information regarding us and the information we provide to the exchange may be inspected and copied at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.
You may also access further information about us by visiting our website at www.are.com. Please note that the information and materials found on our website, except for our SEC filings expressly described below, are not part of this prospectus and are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement. As allowed by the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. Instead, the SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose particular important information to you without actually including such information in this prospectus by simply referring you to another document that we filed separately with the SEC.
The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus and should be carefully read in conjunction with this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and may supersede some of the information in this prospectus as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and that was incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
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all reports or documents that we file under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than those that we “furnish” pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC) on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities described in this prospectus.
If information in any of these incorporated documents conflicts with information in this prospectus, prospectus supplement or any other offering materials, you should rely on the most recent information. If information in an incorporated document conflicts with information in another incorporated document, you should rely on the information in the most recent incorporated document.
We will provide at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, excluding all exhibits to such incorporated documents (unless we have specifically incorporated by reference such exhibits either in this prospectus or in the incorporated document). A request can be made in writing or by telephone to the following address:
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
Attention: Investor Relations
(626) 578-0777
Except as provided above, no other information (including information on our website) is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
THE COMPANY
We are a Maryland corporation formed in October 1994 that has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500® company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.
We develop dynamic urban cluster campuses and vibrant ecosystems that enable and inspire the world’s most brilliant minds and innovative companies to create life-changing scientific and technological breakthroughs. We believe in the utmost professionalism, humility, and teamwork. Our tenants include multinational pharmaceutical companies; public and private biotechnology companies; life science product, service, and medical device companies; digital health, technology, and agtech companies; academic and medical research institutions; U.S. government research agencies; non-profit organizations; and venture capital firms. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A/A+ properties clustered in life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses that provide our innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity, and success. Alexandria also provides strategic capital to transformative life science, agrifoodtech, climate innovation, and technology companies through our venture capital platform. We believe our unique business model and diligent underwriting allow us to attract a high-quality and diverse tenant base that results in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns, and greater long-term asset value. For additional information on Alexandria, please visit www.are.com.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership of which our wholly owned subsidiary, ARE-QRS Corp., is the sole general partner. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and ARE-QRS Corp. together hold all of the limited partnership interests in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. We directly or indirectly hold a majority of our interests in our properties and land, and conduct most of our operations, through Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. and its subsidiaries.
For additional information regarding our business, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Our principal executive offices are located at 26 North Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101 and our telephone number is (626) 578-0777.
SECURITIES THAT MAY BE OFFERED
We or any selling security holder may offer and sell from time to time, at prices determined by negotiation, “at-the-market” or otherwise, as described by the applicable prospectus or other offering material, in one or more offerings, the following securities:
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common stock;
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preferred stock;
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rights;
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warrants; and/or
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debt securities and related guarantees, if any.
The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we or any selling security holder may offer under this prospectus. The particular terms of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in a prospectus supplement or other offering material.
This prospectus contains a summary of the material general terms of the various securities that we or any selling security holder may offer. The specific terms of the securities will be described in a prospectus supplement or other offering material, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. The summaries contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplements or other offering material may not contain all of the information that you would find useful. Accordingly, you should read the actual documents relating to any securities sold pursuant to this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” to find out how you can obtain a copy of those documents.
The terms of any offering of securities, the initial offering price of any such offering and the net proceeds to us, will be contained in the prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to that offering.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities to reduce the outstanding balance on our unsecured senior line of credit, our commercial paper program, or other borrowings or for general corporate purposes. If initially used to pay down our unsecured senior line of credit or our commercial paper program, we may then borrow from time to time under our unsecured senior line of credit to fund potential future acquisitions, to repay debt, or for general working capital and other corporate purposes, including the selective development, or the redevelopment or acquisition of properties.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the securities to which this prospectus relates that are offered by any selling security holders.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK
The following is a brief description of our securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. This description of the terms of our stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), and the full text of our charter and our amended and restated bylaws (“bylaws”).
General
Our charter provides that we may issue up to
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400,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (“common stock”);
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100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share (“preferred stock”); and
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200,000,000 shares of excess stock, $.01 par value per share, or excess stock (as described below).
As of February 1, 2024, the following securities were issued and outstanding:
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174,944,314 shares of our common stock; and
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no shares of our preferred stock.
Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for a corporation’s debts or obligations.
Common Stock
As of February 1, 2024, our common stock is the only class of our securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Dividends. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such shares if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor. Our holders of common stock are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all our known debts and liabilities.
Voting. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of our stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. In uncontested elections of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast “for” or “against,” or withheld as to a director nominee is sufficient to elect such director nominee. In contested elections, a plurality of votes cast is required for the election of a director. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Other Rights. Holders of shares of our common stock generally have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, shares of our common stock will each have equal distribution, liquidation and other rights.
Reclassification. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into other classes or series of classes of stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.
Listing. Our outstanding shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ARE.” Any additional shares of common stock we issue will also be listed on the New York Stock Exchange upon official notice of issuance.
Preferred Stock
As of February 1, 2024, we have no outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without the approval of our stockholders, to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of
preferred stock of any series. Prior to the issuance of shares of any series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer of our stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such series, all of which will be set forth in articles supplementary to our charter adopted for that purpose by our board of directors or a duly authorized special committee thereof. Using this authority, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or for other reasons be desired by them.
Upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price therefor, shares of preferred stock will be fully paid, validly issued and nonassessable. The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock to be offered pursuant to this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to that class or series, including a prospectus supplement or other offering material providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise of warrants or conversion of other securities issued by us. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles supplementary relating to that class or series.
Rank. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, our preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:
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senior to all classes or series of our common stock, and to all our equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;
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on a parity with all equity securities authorized or designated by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and
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junior to all our existing and future indebtedness and to any class or series of equity securities authorized or designated by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Conversion Right. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any class or series of our preferred stock will be convertible into shares of our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material relating thereto. Such terms will include:
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the number of shares of our common stock into which the shares of our preferred stock are convertible;
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the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
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the conversion period;
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provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such class or series of our preferred stock or us;
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the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price; and
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provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such class or series of preferred stock.
Power to Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
We believe that the power of our board of directors to authorize us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financing and acquisition
transactions and in meeting other needs that may arise. The additional classes or series of our preferred stock, as well as our common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless further action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors has no present intention to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of stock that could, depending upon the terms of such class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or for other reasons be desired by them.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), not more than 50% of the value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals or certain tax-exempt entities (as set forth in the Code) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). Furthermore, shares of our outstanding stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more Persons (as defined in our charter), during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.
In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, among other purposes, our charter provides for an ownership limit, which prohibits, with certain exceptions, direct or constructive ownership of shares of stock representing more than 9.8% of the combined total value of our outstanding shares of stock by any Person.
Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may waive the ownership limit for any Person. However, our board of directors may not grant such waiver if, after giving effect to such waiver, five individuals could beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% of the value of our outstanding stock. As a condition to waiving the ownership limit, our board of directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”),an opinion of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as our board of directors deems necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any such ruling, opinion, affidavit, undertaking or agreement, our board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting a waiver.
Our charter further prohibits any Person from:
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beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code; and
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transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being owned by fewer than 100 Persons.
Any transfer in violation of any of these restrictions is void ab initio. Any Person who acquires or attempts to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock in violation of the foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer is required to give us written notice immediately and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our status as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify, or to attempt to qualify, as a REIT.
If any transfer of shares of our stock or other event occurs that would result in any Person beneficially or constructively becoming the owner of shares of our stock in excess or in violation of the above ownership or transfer limitations, or becoming a prohibited owner, then that number of shares of our stock (rounded up to the nearest whole share) the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate such limitations shall be automatically exchanged for an equal number of shares of excess stock. Those shares of excess stock will be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the prohibited owner will generally not acquire any rights in such shares. This automatic exchange will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of such violative transfer. Shares of excess stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares of our stock. The prohibited owner will not:
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benefit economically from ownership of any shares of excess stock held in the trust;
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have any rights to dividends or other distributions thereon; or
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possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of excess stock held in the trust.
The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of stock held in the trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by us that shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee will be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to us upon demand, or, at our sole election, will be offset against any future dividends or distributions payable to the purported transferee or holder, and any dividend or distribution authorized but unpaid will be rescinded as void ab initio with respect to such shares of stock and promptly thereafter paid over to the trustee with respect to such shares of excess stock, as trustee of the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. The prohibited owner will have no voting rights with respect to shares of excess stock held in the trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee, the trustee will have the authority (at the trustee’s sole discretion) to:
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rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to the discovery by us that such shares have been transferred to the trustee, and
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recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.
Within 180 days after the date of the event that resulted in shares of our excess stock being transferred to the trust (or as soon as possible thereafter if the trustee did not learn of such event within such period), the trustee shall sell the shares of stock held in the trust to a Person, designated by us, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership and transfer limitations set forth in our charter. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and those shares of excess stock will be automatically exchanged for an equal number of shares of the same class or series of stock that originally were exchanged for the excess stock.
The trustee shall distribute to the prohibited owner, as appropriate:
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the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares;
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if the prohibited owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price (as defined in our charter) of such shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust; or
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if the exchange for excess stock did not arise as a result of a purported transfer, the Market Price of such shares on the day of the other event causing the shares to be held in the trust.
If such shares are sold by a prohibited owner, then to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive pursuant to the aforementioned requirement, such excess shall be paid to the trustee.
All certificates representing shares of common stock and preferred stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as may be required by our charter, the Code or the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder) of all classes or series of our stock, including shares of common stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, is required to give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock which the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner must provide us such additional information as we may reasonably request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT. In addition, each stockholder will be required upon demand to provide us such information as we may reasonably request in order to determine our status as a REIT, to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance, or to comply with the REIT provisions of the Code.
These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the holders of our common stock or might otherwise be desired by such holders.
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or other offered security independently or together with any other offered security. Any rights that we may issue may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other person would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material will describe the specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following to the extent applicable:
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the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder;
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the exercise price payable for each share of common stock, preferred stock or other offered security upon the exercise of the rights;
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the number and terms of the shares of common stock, preferred stock or other offered security which may be purchased per each right;
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the extent to which the rights are transferable;
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the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire;
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the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights; and
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any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material of any rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our preferred stock, common stock or our debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement or other offering material and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants may be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material. 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 or trust for or with any provisions of the warrants offered hereby.
The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material will describe the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:
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the title of the warrants;
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the aggregate number of the warrants;
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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
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the designation, terms and amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;
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the designation and terms of the securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of the warrants issued with each such security;
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the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable, including any limitations on ownership and transfer of the warrants that may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT;
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the price or prices at which securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;
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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which such right relating to the warrants expires;
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the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
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information with respect to book-entry procedures applicable to the warrants, if any;
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a description of material federal income tax considerations; and
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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND RELATED GUARANTEES
This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement, a pricing supplement or other offering materials. We will also indicate in the prospectus supplement or other offering materials whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. We may issue our debt securities under one or more indentures. Each indenture and the instruments evidencing the debt securities of each series will be in the form filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement containing this prospectus, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement or a document incorporated by reference herein and, in each case, may be obtained as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.” The form of indenture is subject to any amendments or supplements that may be adopted from time to time.
We will enter into each indenture with a trustee and the trustee for each indenture may be the same. Each indenture will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued under an indenture among us, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P., as guarantor, and Truist Bank, as trustee. A copy of the form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement containing this prospectus. Because this description of debt securities is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you and this description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of the applicable indenture and the instrument evidencing the debt securities of the applicable series. You should read the applicable indenture and the instrument evidencing the applicable debt securities in their entirety to assure that you have all the important information you need to make any required decisions.
General
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. The debt securities will be our direct obligations and they may be secured or unsecured, senior or subordinated indebtedness.
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or other offering material, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at any office or agency maintained by us for that purpose. The debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require you to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange.
The prospectus supplement or other offering material will describe the following terms of the debt securities we are offering:
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the title of the debt securities;
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
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the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities is payable;
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the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, or the method by which the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable and the regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
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the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;
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the person who is entitled to receive any interest on the debt securities, if other than the record holder on the record date;
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the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;
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our obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we will redeem, purchase or repay, in whole or in part, the debt securities pursuant to such obligation;
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the currency, currencies or currency units in which we will pay the principal of and any premium and interest on any debt securities, if other than the currency of the United States of America and the manner of determining the equivalent in United States currency;
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if the amount of payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities may be determined with reference to an index or formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
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if the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities is to be payable, at our election or at the election of the holder, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;
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if other than the debt securities’ principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity;
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the applicability of the provisions described in the section of this prospectus captioned “Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance;”
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if the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a book-entry security as described in this prospectus, the depository we appointed or its nominee with respect to the debt securities and the circumstances under which the book-entry security may be registered for transfer or exchange or authenticated and delivered in the name of a person other than the depository or its nominee;
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any provisions related to the conversion or exchange of the debt securities into our common stock, other debt securities or any other securities;
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whether the debt securities are entitled to the benefits of the guarantee of any guarantor, and whether any such guarantee is made on a senior or subordinated basis and, if applicable, a description of the subordination terms of any such guarantee;
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any provisions regarding the status and ranking of the debt securities;
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a description of material federal income tax consequences; and
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any other terms of the debt securities.
We may offer and sell the debt securities as original issue discount securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement or other offering material will describe the federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount securities and any debt securities the federal tax laws treat as having been issued with original issue discount. “Original issue discount securities” means any debt security that provides for an amount less than its principal amount to be due and payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt security upon the occurrence and continuation of an “Event of Default.”
The indenture does not contain covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, change in credit rating or similar occurrence. However, no assurances can be provided that the applicable indenture for any particular series of debt securities will not contain such covenants.
Guarantees of the Debt Securities
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. may fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on one or more series of such debt securities, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of the applicable guarantee and the applicable indenture.
Covenants
The prospectus supplement or other offering material will describe any material covenants of a series of debt securities.
Events of Default
With respect to a series of debt securities, any one of the following events will constitute an event of default under the indenture:
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failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when due, continued for 30 days;
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failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;
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failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any debt security of that series;
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our failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty in the indenture, other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series, continued for 90 days after written notice as provided in the indenture;
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certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; or
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any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.
If any event of default occurs and continues, either the trustee by written notice to us or the holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series by written notice to us may declare the principal amount or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of those debt securities, of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to us, and to the trustee if given by holders. The principal amount (or specified amount) will then be immediately due and payable. After acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment based on acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of that series may by written notice to us and the trustee, under specified circumstances, rescind and annul the acceleration.
Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement or other offering material. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities. The prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to any series of debt securities that are original issue discount securities will
contain the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the stated maturity of a portion of the principal amount of that series of original issue discount securities upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.
The indenture in part provides that, subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
A holder of any series of debt securities will not have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:
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the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;
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the holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee;
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such holder or holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
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the trustee has not instituted proceedings within 60 days after receipt of such notice; and
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the trustee shall not have received from the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request during the 60-day period.
However, these limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder for enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on its debt securities on or after the respective due dates.
We are required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of certain obligations under the indenture and as to any default.
Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than the majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series which is affected. Neither we nor the trustee may, however, modify or amend the indenture without the consent of the holders of all debt securities affected if such action would:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security;
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reduce the principal amount of, or the premium payable upon redemption, if any, or, except as otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or other offering material, interest on, any debt security, including in the case of an original issue discount security the amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity;
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change the place or currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security;
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security on or after the stated maturity thereof, or in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date;
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modify the conversion or exchange provisions, if any, of any debt security in a manner adverse to the holder of the debt security;
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or
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modify certain provisions of the indenture, except to increase any percentage of principal amount whose holders are required to approve any change to such provision or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder affected.
The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive any past default under the indenture, except a default:
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in the payment of principal, premium or interest and
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in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of those holders of each outstanding debt security of that series who were affected.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We, and any guarantor, may not consolidate with or merge into any other company or entity or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety and may not permit any company or entity to merge into or consolidate with us or any guarantor or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us or any guarantor, unless:
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in the case we, or the applicable guarantor, consolidate with or merge into another person or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, the person formed by that consolidation or into which we are, or the applicable guarantor is, merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, our properties and assets substantially as an entirety is a corporation, partnership or trust organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes our or the guarantor’s obligations on the debt securities under a supplemental indenture or guarantee, as applicable;
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing; and
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we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating compliance with these provisions.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The indenture provides that if the provisions described below are made applicable to a particular series of debt securities, then, at our option, we:
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will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of that series, except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange of debt securities of that series, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of that series, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust; or
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need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the indenture and the occurrence of an event described in the fourth bullet point in the section of the prospectus captioned “Events of Default” will no longer be an event of default,
in each case, if we deposit, in trust, with the trustee, money or United States Government obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series on the dates such payments are due, which may include one or more redemption dates that we designate, in accordance with the terms of the debt securities of that series.
We may establish this trust only if, among other things:
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no event of default or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and is continuing on the date of the
deposit or insofar as an event of default resulting from certain events involving our bankruptcy or insolvency at any time during the period ending on the 121st day after the date of the deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the longest preference period applicable to us in respect of the deposit;
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the defeasance will not cause the trustee to have any conflicting interest with respect to any other of our securities or result in the trust arising from the deposit to constitute, unless it is qualified as, a “regulated investment company;”
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the defeasance will not result, in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound; and
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we have delivered an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax in the same manner as if the defeasance had not occurred, which opinion of counsel, in the case of the first item above, must refer to and be based upon a published ruling of the IRS, a private ruling of the IRS addressed to us, or otherwise a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture.
If we fail to comply with remaining obligations under the indenture after a defeasance of the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series as described under the second item of the first sentence of this section and the debt securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and United States Government obligations on deposit with the trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We will, however, remain liable for those payments.
DESCRIPTION OF GLOBAL SECURITIES
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
The common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants or debt securities may be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities. The global securities are expected to be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), New York, New York, as depositary. The global securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered global security certificate will be issued for each issue of the global securities, each in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount, and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount.
DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is:
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a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;
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a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;
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a member of the Federal Reserve System;
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a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and
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a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
As of the date of this prospectus, DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 1.4 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments (from over 131 countries) that DTC’s participants (“direct participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among its direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing
Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC, in turn, is owned by a number of direct participants of DTC and members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, Government Securities Clearing Corporation, MBS Clearing Corporation and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation, as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange LLC and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as “indirect participants,” such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The DTC rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com. Information contained in this website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this prospectus.
Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for those securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of a security, which is sometimes referred to as a “beneficial owner,” is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owner entered into the transactions. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the global securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in such issue to be redeemed in accordance with DTC’s procedures.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to securities unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
Principal and interest payments, redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or our agent, if any, on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by direct and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC, our agent, if any, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest, redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) will be our responsibility or the responsibility of our agent, if any,
disbursement of such payments to direct participants will be the responsibility of DTC and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the global securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or our agent, if any. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, the global security certificates are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, global security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following summary of certain provisions of MGCL and of our charter and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to MGCL and our charter and bylaws.
Board of Directors
Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of our directors may be established by our board of directors, but may not be fewer than the minimum number required by the MGCL, which is one, nor, unless our charter and bylaws are amended, more than 15. All directors are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.
Our charter provides that our stockholders may remove any director by a vote of not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter and bylaws further provide that, except as may be provided by our board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on our board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and that any director elected to fill a vacancy may hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred. Holders of shares of common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock will be able to elect all of the directors then standing for election.
Business Combinations
Under the MGCL, specified “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in specified circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the 10% or more beneficial owner acquires such status. An interested stockholder is defined as:
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any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or
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an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. In approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year period, any such business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom, or with whose affiliate, the business combination is to be effected, or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive “a minimum price” (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares; and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the 10% or more beneficial owner for its shares.
These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of directors of the corporation prior to the time before the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution providing that the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL shall not apply to us generally and that such resolution is irrevocable unless revocation, in whole or in part, is approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock, but revocation will not affect any business combination consummated, or any business combination contemplated by any agreement entered into, prior to the revocation. As a result of the foregoing, any person who becomes a 10% or more beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interest of the stockholders, without our compliance with the business combination provisions of the MGCL.
Control Share Acquisitions
The MGCL provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or
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a majority or more of all voting power.
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to specified exceptions.
Under Maryland law, a person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of specified conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses of the meeting), may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any meeting of the stockholders.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to specified conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a meeting of the stockholders and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any acquisition by any person of shares of our stock. Our board of directors has resolved that, subject to Maryland law, this provision may not be amended or repealed without the approval of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock. There can be no assurance, however, that the provision will not be amended or eliminated in the future or that the resolution is enforceable under Maryland law.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business and Proxy Access
Our bylaws provide that:
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with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting;
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by or at the direction of our board of directors; or
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by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws and, as applicable, with the proxy access provisions set forth in the bylaws with respect to qualifying nominations ; and
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with respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the special meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to our board of directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only:
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by or at the direction of our board of directors; or
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provided that our board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws.
Our bylaws permit qualifying stockholders, or a qualifying group of no more than 20 stockholders, that have continuously owned at least 3% of our outstanding common stock throughout at least a three-year period to nominate and to require us to include in its proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of two director nominees or 25% of the number of directors up for election, provided that the stockholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in our bylaws and subject to the terms and conditions therein.
Amendment to Our Bylaws
The board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter, repeal or amend our bylaws.
Extraordinary Actions
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange, or convert into another form of business entity unless advised by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Our charter provides for approval of such matters by the affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast thereon. Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. Maryland law also does not require approval of the stockholders of a parent corporation to
merge or sell all or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary entity. Because operating assets may be held by a corporation’s subsidiaries, as in our situation, this may mean that a subsidiary may be able to merge or to sell all or substantially all of its assets without a vote of the corporation’s stockholders.
Subtitle 8
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
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a classified board;
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a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;
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a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;
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a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and
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a majority vote requirement for the calling by stockholders of a special meeting of stockholders.
Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already:
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vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and
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require, unless called by our chairman of the board, vice chairman of the board (if any), our chief executive officer or the board of directors, the request of holders of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at to call a special meeting.
We have also elected to be subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 relating to:
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a two-thirds vote requirement for the removal of any director from the board and
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the filling of vacancies on the board.
In the future, our board of directors may elect, without stockholder approval, to create a classified board or adopt one or more of the other provisions of Subtitle 8.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law, Our Charter and Our Bylaws
The possible future application of the business combination, the control share acquisition and Subtitle 8 provisions of the MGCL and the current Subtitle 8 elections and advance notice provisions of our bylaws may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or for other reasons be desired by them.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to our qualification as a REIT and the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock. Supplemental U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to holders of the securities offered by this prospectus may be provided in the prospectus supplement that relates to those securities. This discussion is based on current
provisions of the Code, current and proposed Treasury regulations, administrative decisions and rulings of the IRS and court decisions as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and all of which are subject to differing interpretation. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances or to persons subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws. In particular, this discussion deals only with stockholders that hold our common stock as capital assets within the meaning of the Code. Except as expressly provided below, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of special classes of stockholders, including, without limitation, banks, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, persons holding our stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction, constructive sale or conversion transaction, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, foreign corporations, foreign estates or trusts and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States. This discussion may not be applicable to stockholders who acquired our stock pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants or otherwise as compensation. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any state, local, foreign or non-income tax considerations.
If a partnership (including, for this purpose, any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A stockholder that is a partnership, and the partners in such partnership, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of an investment in our shares.
THE DISCUSSION SET FORTH BELOW IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER. ACCORDINGLY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS APPLICABLE STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND NON-INCOME TAX LAWS.
Taxation of Our Company
General
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1996, and intend to continue to operate in a manner consistent with such election and all rules with which a REIT must comply. Although we believe we are organized and operate in such a manner, we cannot assure you we qualify or will continue to qualify as a REIT. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control may affect our ability to qualify. If we fail to qualify as a REIT (and we do not qualify for relief under certain provisions of the Code), we will be subject to federal income tax on taxable income at regular corporate rates. In addition, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, we will be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost. The additional tax would significantly reduce the cash flow available for distributions to stockholders. In addition, we would not be obligated to make distributions to stockholders.
We have received from Morrison & Foerster LLP its opinion to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, we were organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion is based and conditioned upon certain assumptions and representations made by us as to factual matters (including representations concerning, among other things, our business and properties, the amount of rents attributable to personal property and other items regarding our ability to meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT). The opinion is expressed as of its date, and Morrison & Foerster LLP has undertaken no obligation to advise holders of our securities of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or any subsequent change in the applicable law. Moreover, qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our having met and continuing to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the
various qualification tests imposed under the Code discussed below, the results of which will not be reviewed by Morrison & Foerster LLP.
In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, we will not be subject to federal income tax on that portion of our REIT taxable income or capital gain that is distributed to our stockholders, thereby substantially eliminating the “double taxation” of such income or gain (i.e., the taxation of such income or gain at the corporate level and the taxation of any distribution of such income or gain at the stockholder level).
Notwithstanding our qualification as a REIT, we may be subject to tax under the following circumstances:
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We will be subject to tax at normal corporate tax rates upon any undistributed taxable income or capital gain. If we elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain, stockholders would be required to include their proportionate share of such undistributed gain in income but would receive a credit for their share of any taxes paid on such gain by us. A stockholder would increase the tax basis in his or her shares by the amount of income included less his or her credit or refund. Any undistributed net long-term capital gain would be designated in a notice mailed to stockholders. Through December 31, 2023, we have never made such a designation.
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If we fail to satisfy either the 75% or the 95% gross income test discussed below, and nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on (i) the greater of the amount by which we fail to satisfy either the 75% or the 95% gross income test (ii) multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
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If we fail to satisfy the 5% asset test or the 10% vote and value test (and we do not qualify for a de minimis safe harbor) or we fail to satisfy the other asset tests, each of which are discussed below, and nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, we will be subject to a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or an amount determined by multiplying the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) by the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure for the period during which we failed to satisfy the tests.
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If we fail to satisfy one or more REIT requirements other than the gross income or asset tests, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, we will be subject to a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.
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We will be subject to a tax of 100% on net income from any “prohibited transaction,” as described below.
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We will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) on net income from the sale or other disposition of certain foreclosure properties held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property.
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If we acquire any asset from a “C” corporation in a carry-over basis transaction and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of such asset during the five-year period beginning on the date of acquisition, such gain will be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate (currently 21%) to the extent of any built-in gain. Built-in gain means the excess of (i) the fair market value of the asset over (ii) the adjusted basis in such asset on the date of acquisition.
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We will be subject to a tax of 100% on the amount of any rents from real property, deductions, excess interest or services income that would be reapportioned between us and any of our “taxable REIT subsidiaries” in order to more clearly reflect the income of such subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary is any corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation under the Code) for which a joint election has been made by a REIT and such corporation to treat such corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary with respect to such REIT.
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If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, other than capital gains we elect to retain and pay tax on and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such sum over the amounts actually distributed. To the extent we elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain, such retained amounts will be treated as having been distributed for purposes of the 4% excise tax.
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We may also be subject to tax in various situations and on some types of transactions not presently contemplated.
We will use the calendar year both for federal income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes. The requirements for our qualification as a REIT and certain additional matters are discussed in greater detail in the subsections that follow.
Share Ownership Test
Our shares must be held by a minimum of 100 persons for at least 335 days in each taxable year of 12 months or a proportionate number of days in any shorter taxable year. In addition, at all times during the second half of each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of our shares may be owned, directly or indirectly, including via application of constructive ownership rules, by five or fewer individuals, including certain tax-exempt entities. Any shares held by a qualified domestic pension or other retirement trust will be treated as held directly by its beneficiaries in proportion to their actuarial interest in such trust. If we comply with applicable Treasury regulations for ascertaining our actual ownership and did not know, or exercising reasonable diligence would not have reason to know, that more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares were held, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, then we will be treated as meeting this share ownership requirement.
To ensure compliance with the 50% share ownership test, we have placed restrictions on the transfer of our shares to prevent concentration of ownership. Moreover, to evidence compliance with these requirements, under applicable Treasury regulations we must maintain records that disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares. Such regulations impose penalties for failing to do so. In fulfilling our obligation to maintain records, we must and will demand written statements each year from the record holders of designated percentages of our shares disclosing the actual owners of such shares as prescribed by Treasury regulations. A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with such demand must be maintained as a part of our records. A stockholder failing or refusing to comply with our written demand must submit with his or her tax returns a similar statement disclosing the actual ownership of our shares and other information. In addition, our charter provides restrictions regarding the transfer of shares that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements. We intend to enforce the percentage limitations on ownership of shares of our stock to ensure that our qualification as a REIT will not be compromised.
Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy certain tests relating to the nature of our assets:
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At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by interests in real property, interests in mortgages on real property, shares in other REITs, cash (generally including the functional currency of any of our “qualified business units” when used in the normal course of activities that produce income qualifying under the 95% or 75% gross income test discussed below), cash items, government securities, qualified temporary investments and interests in mortgages secured by both real property and personal property if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property, personal property leased in connection with real property for which the rent attributable to personal property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, and debt instruments issued by “publicly offered REITs.”
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No more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those in the 75% asset class described above.
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Excluding securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary, another REIT, a taxable REIT subsidiary or other securities that qualify for the 75% asset test, we are prohibited from owning securities representing more than 10% of either the vote or the value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer and no more than 5% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of any one issuer. For purposes of the 10% value test, certain additional securities are excluded, including certain “straight debt,” loans to individuals or estates and obligations to pay rents from real property.
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No more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.
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Not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of “publicly offered REITs” to the extent those debt instruments would not be real estate assets but for the inclusion of debt instruments of “publicly offered REITs” in the meaning of real estate assets.
For purposes of the 10% value test described above:
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our interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security;
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any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than “straight debt” or other excluded securities) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and
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any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than “straight debt” or other excluded securities) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of our interest as a partner in the partnership.
We currently hold, and expect to hold in the future, securities of various issuers. While we do not anticipate our securities holdings would result in a violation of the REIT asset tests, fluctuations in value and other circumstances existing from time to time may increase our risk under the asset tests.
If we meet the asset tests at the close of a quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT if we fail to satisfy such tests at the end of a subsequent quarter solely by reason of changes in the relative values of our assets (including changes caused solely by the change in the foreign currency exchange rate used to value a foreign asset). If we would fail these tests, in whole or in part, due to an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, we can avoid such failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of such quarter. If we fail the 5% or 10% asset tests at the end of any quarter and do not cure within 30 days, we may still cure such failure or otherwise satisfy the requirements of such tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure occurred, provided the non-qualifying assets do not exceed the lesser of 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests exceeds this amount or we fail any of the other asset tests and do not cure within 30 days, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT provided (i) the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (ii) we file certain reports with the IRS, (iii) we take steps to satisfy the requirements of the applicable asset test within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure occurred, including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset tests, and (iv) we pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the product of (x) the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the relevant asset test and (y) the highest U.S. federal income tax rate then applicable to U.S. corporations (currently 21%).
Gross Income Tests
Two separate percentage tests related to the sources of our gross income must be satisfied each taxable year.
First, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from “prohibited transactions,” discussed below) for the taxable year generally must be:
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“rents from real property”;
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interest on obligations secured by mortgages on, or interests in, real property, and interest on debt secured by mortgages on both real and personal property if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property;
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gains from the disposition of interests in real estate assets (excluding gain from the sale of a nonqualified “publicly offered REIT” debt instrument) and real estate mortgages, other than gain from property held primarily for sale to customers (“dealer property”);
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distributions on shares in other REITs, as well as gain from the sale of such shares;
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abatements and refunds of real property taxes;
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income from the operation, and gain from the sale, of “foreclosure property”;
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commitment fees received for agreeing to make loans secured by mortgages on real property or to purchase or lease real property; and
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certain qualified temporary investment income.
Second, in general, at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from “prohibited transactions,” discussed below) for the taxable year must be derived from the above-described qualifying income and dividends, interest or gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or other securities that are not dealer property.
Rents we receive will qualify as “rents from real property” only under the following conditions:
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Rent will not qualify if we, or a direct or constructive owner of 10% or more of our shares, directly or constructively own 10% or more of a tenant unless the tenant is a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours and certain other requirements are met with respect to the real property being rented.
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If rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rent from real property. The determination of whether an item of property constitutes real property or personal property under the REIT provisions of the Code is subject to both legal and factual considerations and, as such, is subject to differing interpretations. Our accountants and counsel have advised us with respect to applicable considerations underlying such determination. After consulting with our accountants and counsel and considering such advice, we have reviewed our properties and have determined that rents attributable to personal property do not exceed 15% of the total rent with respect to any particular lease. Due to the specialized nature of our properties, however, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert the rent attributable to personal property with respect to a particular lease is greater than 15% of the total rent with respect to such lease. If the IRS were successful, and the amount of such non-qualifying income, together with other non-qualifying income, exceeds 5% of our taxable income, we may fail to qualify as a REIT.
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An amount received or accrued will not qualify as rent from real property if it is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person, although an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from “rents from real property” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
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For rents received to qualify as rents from real property, generally we must not furnish or render services to tenants, other than through a taxable REIT subsidiary or an “independent contractor” from whom we derive no income, unless such services are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of property and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant.” A REIT is permitted to render a de minimis amount of impermissible services and still treat amounts otherwise received with respect to a property as rents from real property. The amount received or accrued by the REIT during the taxable year for impermissible services with respect to a property may not exceed 1% of all amounts received or accrued by the REIT directly or indirectly from the property. For this purpose, the amount received for any service or management operation will be deemed not less than 150% of the direct cost of the REIT in furnishing or rendering the service.
Foreign currency gain with respect to income that otherwise qualifies for purposes of the 75% or 95% income test will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% income test, respectively.
Income from a hedging transaction made (i) to hedge indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or own real estate assets, (ii) primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would qualify under the 75% or 95% income tests (or any property which generates such income or gain), or (iii) to hedge the income or loss from prior hedging transactions, where the property or indebtedness which was the subject of the prior hedging transaction was extinguished or disposed of, in each case generally will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Any such hedging transactions must be properly identified.
For purposes of determining whether we comply with the 75% and 95% gross income tests, gross income also does not include income from “prohibited transactions.” A “prohibited transaction” is a sale of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business, excluding foreclosure property, unless we hold such property for at least two years and other requirements relating to the number of properties sold in a year, their tax bases, and the cost of improvements made to the property are satisfied. See “— Taxation of Our Company — General” for certain tax consequences of prohibited transactions.
For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, gross income also does not include any “accumulated post-1986 deferred foreign income” (as determined under the Code) of certain foreign corporations in which we own an interest that is required to be included in our taxable income. “Accumulated post-1986 deferred foreign income” generally means, subject to certain exclusions, the previously untaxed post-1986 accumulated earnings and profits (determined on a net basis) of such foreign corporations, determined as of November 2, 2017 or December 31, 2017, whichever is higher.
Even if we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under certain relief provisions of the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if:
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following our identification of the failure, we file a schedule with a description of each item of gross income subject to these gross income tests in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Treasury; and
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our failure to comply was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.
If these relief provisions apply, nonetheless we will be subject to a special tax upon the greater of the amount by which we fail either the 75% or 95% gross income test for that year. See “— Taxation of Our Company — General” for a discussion of such tax.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to make distributions, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders each year in an amount at least equal to (i) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and REIT net capital gain, plus (ii) 90% of our net income after tax, if any, from foreclosure property, minus (iii) the sum of certain items of excess non-cash income. Such distributions must be made in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and if paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration.
To the extent we do not distribute all of our net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular capital gains or ordinary corporate tax rates, as the case may be. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net capital gain and pay tax on such gain. If we make this election, our stockholders would include in their income as long-term capital gains their proportionate share of the undistributed net capital gains as designated by us, and we would have to pay the tax on such gains within 30 days of the close of our taxable year. Each of our stockholders would be deemed to have paid such stockholder’s share of the tax paid by us on such gains, which tax would be credited or refunded to the stockholder. Each stockholder would increase his tax basis in our shares by the amount of income to the holder resulting from the designation less the holder’s credit or refund for the tax paid by us.
We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. It is possible that we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the 90% distribution requirement, due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of expenses on the one hand, and the inclusion of such income and deduction of such expenses in computing our REIT taxable income on the other hand. To avoid any problem with the 90% distribution requirement, we will closely monitor the relationship between our REIT taxable income and cash flow and, if necessary, borrow funds or distribute property in-kind to satisfy the distribution requirements. In addition, from time to time, we may determine to declare dividends payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, subject to a limit on the aggregate cash that could be paid. Any such dividend would be distributed in a manner intended
to be treated in full as a taxable dividend that counts toward satisfaction of our annual distribution requirements. While the IRS privately has ruled a distribution of stock pursuant to such an election will be considered a taxable dividend if certain requirements are met, no assurances can be provided that the IRS will not assert a contrary position and that such a distribution will be considered a taxable dividend that qualifies for the dividends paid deduction.
In order for distributions to count toward the annual distribution requirement applicable to REITs and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends” unless we qualify as a “publicly offered REIT.” Generally, a distribution is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents. We believe that we are, and expect we will continue to be, a “publicly offered REIT.”
If we fail to meet the 90% distribution requirement as a result of an adjustment to our tax return by the IRS, or if we determine that we have failed to meet the 90% distribution requirement in a prior taxable year, we may retroactively cure the failure by paying a “deficiency dividend,” plus applicable penalties and interest, within a specified period.
If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, other than capital gains we elect to retain and pay tax on and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, we would be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such sum over the amounts actually distributed. To the extent we elect to retain and pay income tax on our long-term capital gain, such retained amounts will be treated as having been distributed for purposes of the 4% excise tax.
Absence of Earnings and Profits from Non-REIT Years
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must not have accumulated earnings and profits attributable to any non-REIT years. A REIT has until the close of its first taxable year in which it has non-REIT earnings and profits to distribute any such accumulated earnings and profits. Unless the “deficiency dividend” procedures described above apply and we comply with those procedures, failure to distribute such accumulated earnings and profits would result in our disqualification as a REIT. We believe that we had no accumulated earnings and profits as of December 31, 1995.
Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Partnerships and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries
Certain of our investments are held through partnerships or entities treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate share of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership and are subject to tax thereon without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include our proportionate share of the foregoing partnership items for purposes of the various REIT gross income tests and in the computation of our REIT taxable income, and we will include our proportionate share of the assets held by each partnership for purposes of the REIT asset tests.
Certain of our investments are held through wholly-owned subsidiaries that are treated as “qualified REIT subsidiaries.” Generally, a qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, all of the capital stock of which is owned by the REIT. If a REIT owns a subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary, the separate existence of that subsidiary is disregarded for federal income tax purposes. All assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself. Our qualified REIT subsidiaries are not subject to federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities, as described above under “— Taxation of Our Company — Asset Tests.”
Investments in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
We and any entity treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes in which we own an interest may jointly elect to treat such entity as a “taxable REIT subsidiary.” In addition, if a taxable REIT subsidiary
of ours owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 35% or more of the vote or value of an entity treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, that subsidiary also will be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. Taxable REIT subsidiaries are permitted to engage in certain types of activities that cannot be performed directly by REITs without jeopardizing their REIT status.
Certain of our subsidiaries have elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries of ours and additional elections may be made in the future. As taxable REIT subsidiaries, these entities will pay federal and state income taxes at the full applicable corporate tax rates on their income prior to the payment of any dividends to us. Our taxable REIT subsidiaries will attempt to minimize the amount of such taxes, but there can be no assurance whether or the extent to which measures taken to minimize taxes will be successful. To the extent a taxable REIT subsidiary is required to pay federal, state or local income taxes, the cash available for distribution by such taxable REIT subsidiary to its stockholders will be reduced accordingly. Taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to limitations on the deductibility of payments made to the associated REIT, which could materially increase the taxable income of the taxable REIT subsidiary. Further, we will be subject to a tax of 100% on the amount of any rents from real property, deductions, excess interest or services income that is reapportioned between us and any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries to more clearly reflect the income of the taxable REIT subsidiary.
Failure to Qualify
In the event we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for qualification as a REIT, other than the REIT asset and gross income tests, each of which is subject to the cure provisions described above, we will retain our REIT qualification if (i) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and (ii) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the provision.
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor generally will they be required to be made under the Code. In such event, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to our stockholders will be taxable as dividends and, subject to the limitations set forth in the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also will be disqualified from re-electing taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost.
Taxation of Our Stockholders
For purposes of the following discussions, a “domestic stockholder” generally refers to (i) a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States or of a political subdivision of the United States; (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (iv) any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. A “foreign stockholder” generally refers to a person that is not a domestic stockholder.
If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our stock by the partnership.
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will be taken into account by them as ordinary dividends and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate stockholders. Generally our ordinary dividends will be taxable to our domestic stockholders as ordinary income. However, for taxable years prior to 2026, generally individual stockholders are allowed to
deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary dividends distributed by us, subject to certain limitations. Furthermore, such dividends will be taxable to individuals at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains to the extent such dividends are attributable to dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations (e.g., taxable REIT subsidiaries) or are attributable to income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income). We do not expect a significant portion of our ordinary dividends to be eligible for taxation at long-term capital gain rates.
We may designate portions of our distributions as capital gain dividends. Alternatively, we may elect to retain and pay income taxes on capital gains rather than distribute them, in which case stockholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed gain in income, receive a credit for their share of the taxes paid by us and increase their basis in their shares by the amount of income included less the credit or refund. Distributions designated as capital gain dividends and retained net capital gain will be taxed as long-term capital gains to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which a stockholder has held its shares. Dividends designated as capital gain dividends may not exceed our dividends paid for the taxable year, including dividends paid the following year that are treated as paid in the current year. Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. In addition, net capital gains attributable to the sale by us of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are taxable to individuals at a 25% maximum federal income tax rate to the extent of previously claimed real property depreciation.
To the extent we make distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions are treated as a return of capital to the stockholder, reducing the tax basis of a stockholder’s shares by the amount of such distribution, with distributions in excess of the stockholder’s tax basis taxable as capital gains.
Any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specific date in any such month may be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided the dividend is actually paid by us during January of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
A stockholder will realize capital gain or loss upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our stock equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and cash received in such disposition and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held its shares for more than one year. Capital losses generally are available only to offset capital gains of the stockholder except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year. In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares by a stockholder who has held such shares for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions from us required to be treated by such stockholder as long-term capital gains.
See “Taxation of Our Stockholders — Tax Rates Applicable to Individual Stockholders” below for a discussion of applicable capital gains rates. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the taxation of capital gains and capital gain dividends and with regard to state, local and foreign taxes on capital gains and other income.
Distributions by us and gain from the sale or other disposition of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. Dividends from us (to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital) generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation. Net capital gain from the disposition of our stock or capital gain dividends generally will be excluded from investment income unless the stockholder elects to have the gain taxed at ordinary income rates.
Taxation of Foreign Stockholders
As background to this discussion, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), a “United States real property interest” (“USRPI”) generally refers to interests in U.S. real property and shares of corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of such interests. However, shares
of certain “domestically controlled qualified investment entities” are excluded from USRPI treatment. We will qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity so long as we qualify as a REIT and less than 50% in value of our shares are held by foreign persons (as determined for purposes of these rules). We currently anticipate that we will qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, although no assurance can be given that we will continue to qualify at all times.
Distributions to foreign stockholders out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and not attributable to capital gains generally will be a dividend subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% unless (i) an applicable tax treaty reduces such rate or (ii) such dividend is effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business conducted by such stockholder. Dividends effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business will be subject to federal income tax in the same manner and at the same rates applicable to domestic stockholders and, with respect to corporate foreign stockholders, may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax. We plan to withhold at the 30% rate unless (i) the foreign stockholder files an IRS Form W-8BEN or, in the case of a foreign entity stockholder, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E with us evidencing the application of a lower treaty rate or (ii) the foreign stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming the distribution is effectively connected.
To the extent distributions not attributable to capital gains exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions would not be subject to federal income taxation. If we cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, a stockholder may obtain a refund of amounts that we withhold if we later determine that a distribution in fact exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Under FIRPTA, distributions attributable to capital gains from the sale or exchange by us of USRPIs are treated as income effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business, are subject to federal income taxation in the same manner and at the same rates applicable to domestic stockholders and, with respect to corporate foreign stockholders, may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax. However, these distributions will not be subject to tax under FIRPTA, and will instead be taxed in the same manner as distributions described above, if:
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the distribution is made with respect to a class of shares regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States; and
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the foreign stockholder does not own more than 10% of such class at any time during the year within which the distribution is received.
Unless you are a “qualified shareholder” or a “qualified foreign pension fund” (both as defined below), we are required by applicable Treasury regulations to withhold 21% of any distribution to a foreign stockholder owning more than 10% of the relevant class of shares that could be designated by us as a capital gain dividend. Any amount so withheld is creditable against the foreign stockholder’s FIRPTA tax liability.
In addition, distributions to certain non-U.S. publicly traded shareholders that meet certain record-keeping and other requirements (“qualified shareholders”) are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital stock. Furthermore, distributions to “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Distributions attributable to capital gains from the sale or exchange of non-USRPIs are not subject to federal income taxation.
Gains from the sale or exchange of our stock by a foreign stockholder will not be subject to federal income taxation, provided we qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity or the stockholder does not own more than 10% of the class of stock sold.
In addition, dispositions of our capital stock held by qualified shareholders are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own,
actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital stock. An actual or deemed disposition of our capital stock by such qualified shareholders or owners of such qualified shareholders who own 10% or less of our capital stock may also be treated as a dividend. Furthermore, dispositions of our capital stock held by “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Distributions and gains otherwise not subject to taxation under the foregoing rules may be subject to tax to the extent such distributions or gains were effectively connected to the conduct of a foreign stockholder’s U.S. trade or business or were made to a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year.
Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be includible in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
THE FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION OF FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS IS A HIGHLY COMPLEX MATTER THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY MANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. ACCORDINGLY, FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE INCOME AND WITHHOLDING TAX CONSIDERATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THEIR INVESTMENT IN US.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
While generally exempt from federal income taxation, tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, are subject to tax on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). The IRS has issued a revenue ruling in which it held that amounts distributed by a REIT to a tax-exempt employees’ pension trust do not constitute UBTI. Subject to the following paragraph, based upon the ruling, the analysis in the ruling and the statutory framework of the Code, distributions by us to a stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity also should not constitute UBTI, provided the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its shares with “acquisition indebtedness” (within the meaning of the Code), the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity and, consistent with our present intent, we do not hold a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit.
Certain social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans that are exempt from taxation under special provisions of the federal income tax laws are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions received from us as UBTI. Furthermore, if any pension or other retirement trust that qualifies under Section 401(a) of the Code holds more than 10% by value of the interests in a “pension-held REIT” at any time during a taxable year, a portion of the dividends paid to the qualified pension trust by such REIT may constitute UBTI. For these purposes, a “pension-held REIT” is defined as a REIT that would not have qualified as a REIT but for the provisions of the Code that look through such a qualified pension trust in determining ownership of stock of the REIT and at least one qualified pension trust holds more than 25% by value of the interests of such REIT or one or more qualified pension trusts, each owning more than a 10% interest by value in the REIT, hold in the aggregate more than 50% by value of the interests in such REIT. We do not believe that we are, and we do not expect to become, a pension-held REIT.
Tax Rates Applicable to Individual Stockholders
Long-term capital gains (i.e., capital gains with respect to assets held for more than one year) and “qualified dividends” received by an individual generally are subject to federal income tax at a maximum rate of 20%. Short-term capital gains (i.e., capital gains with respect to assets held for one year or less) generally are subject to federal income tax at ordinary income rates. Because we are not generally subject to federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income or capital gains distributed to our stockholders, our dividends generally are not eligible for the 20% maximum tax rate on qualified dividends. Instead, our ordinary dividends generally are taxed at the higher tax rates applicable to ordinary income,
the current maximum rate of which is 37%. However, for taxable years prior to 2026, individual stockholders are generally allowed to deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary dividends distributed by us, subject to certain limitations, which would reduce the maximum marginal effective tax rate for individuals on the receipt of such ordinary dividends to 29.6%. The 20% maximum tax rate for long-term capital gains and qualified dividends generally applies to:
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your long-term capital gains, if any, recognized on the disposition of our shares;
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our distributions designated as long-term capital gain dividends (except to the extent attributable to real estate depreciation, in which case such distributions are subject to a 25% tax rate to such extent);
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our dividends attributable to dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as taxable REIT subsidiaries; and
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our dividends to the extent attributable to income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income).
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We will report to our domestic stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect to such distributions. Under the backup withholding rules, a domestic stockholder may be subject to back-up withholding at applicable rates on distributions paid unless the stockholder (i) is a corporation or is otherwise specifically exempt from backup withholding and, when required, demonstrates this fact or (ii) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A stockholder that does not provide us with his or her correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
Payments of dividends or of proceeds from the disposition of stock made to a foreign stockholder may be subject to information reporting and back-up withholding unless such holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its foreign status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or, in the case of a foreign entity stockholder, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, back-up withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that a stockholder is a U.S. person.
Any amount paid as backup withholding will be credited against the stockholder’s income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of any capital gain distributions made to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to us. Currently, the backup withholding rate is 24%.
Additional Healthcare Tax
Certain U.S. persons, including individuals, estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% tax, which, for individuals, applies to the lesser of (i) “net investment income” or (ii) the excess of “modified adjusted gross income” over $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly or $125,000 if married and filing separately). “Net investment income” generally equals the taxpayer’s gross investment income reduced by the deductions that are allocable to such income. Investment income generally includes passive income such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents and capital gains.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax on certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other non-U.S. entities unless certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligation requirements are satisfied. FATCA generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our stock if paid to a foreign entity unless either (i) the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution” that undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, or in the case of a foreign financial institution that is a resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement to implement FATCA, the entity complies with the diligence and reporting requirements of such agreement, (ii) the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution” and identifies certain of its U.S. investors, or (iii) the foreign entity otherwise is excepted under
FATCA. Regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department in December 2018, indicate an intent to eliminate the requirement under FATCA to withhold on gross proceeds of the disposition of financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. If we determine withholding is appropriate in respect of our common stock, we may withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding.
If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related to our common stock, holders of our common stock that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction (provided that such benefit is available). You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the effect of FATCA on an investment in our common stock.
Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax Consequences
Prospective stockholders should recognize that the present federal income tax treatment of an investment in us may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing with federal income taxation are continually under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the Treasury, resulting in revisions of regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes. Revisions in federal tax laws and interpretations of these laws could adversely affect the tax consequences of your investment.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business or reside. The state, local and foreign tax treatment of us and our stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effects of state, local and foreign tax laws on an investment in us.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or we may sell the securities to investors directly or through agents or through a combination of any of these methods of sale. Our common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, may be issued by us upon conversion of our preferred stock or debt securities or upon exercise of rights or warrants. The securities that we distribute by any of these methods may be sold to the public, in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the related prospectus supplement. We reserve the right to sell the securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so.
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices that may be changed at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers, acting as our agents, to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions described in the related prospectus supplement. Underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as an agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions, which may be changed from time to time, from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties (including, without limitation, forward delivery contracts), or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities
covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.
Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be stated in the related prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the applicable securities laws. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution towards certain civil liabilities, including any liabilities under the applicable securities laws.
Some or all of the securities we may sell may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. We cannot give any assurances as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities.
In connection with an offering of securities, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves sales of securities in excess of the principal amount of securities to be purchased by the underwriters in an offering, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchase of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of securities made for the purpose of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the securities being offered. They may also cause the price of the securities being offered 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 in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with, and perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may receive customary fees and expenses.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the guarantees and federal income tax will be passed upon for us by Morrison & Foerster LLP, Los Angeles, California. The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. If legal matters in connection with any offering of any of the securities described in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material are passed on by counsel for any underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. appearing in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify the forward-looking statements by their use of forward-looking words, such as “forecast,” “guidance,” “goals,” “projects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “seeks,” “should,” “targets,” or “will,” or the negative of these words or similar words. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties regarding events, conditions and financial trends that may affect our future plans of operation, business strategy, results of operations and financial position. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or contemplated by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as incorporated herein by reference. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” Other than as may be required by law, we do not undertake any responsibility to update any of these factors or to announce publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distributions.
The estimated expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with the offering of the securities, are as follows:
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Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee
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$ |
* |
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|
| |
Listing Fees and Expenses
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|
|
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$ |
** |
|
|
| |
Printing and Engraving Expenses
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|
|
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$ |
** |
|
|
| |
Legal Fees and Expenses
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|
|
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$ |
** |
|
|
| |
Accounting Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
|
$ |
** |
|
|
| |
Trustee and Transfer Agent Fees
|
|
|
|
$ |
** |
|
|
| |
Miscellaneous
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|
|
$ |
** |
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|
| |
Total
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|
$ |
** |
|
|
*
Deferred in accordance with Rule 456(b) and 457(r).
**
These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. Each prospectus supplement will reflect estimated expenses based on the amount of the related offering.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision that eliminates such liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the MGCL.
The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (y) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (z) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to obligate ourselves to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to
(i) any present or former director or officer or (ii) any individual who, while a director of us and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or to which such person may incur by reason of his or her serving as a present or former director or officer of us.
Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (ii) any individual who, while a director or officer of us and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, member or manager and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Our charter and bylaws also permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served our predecessor in any of the capacities described above and to any of our employees or agents or our predecessor.
Each of the indemnification agreements with our executive officers require that we indemnify such officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, and to pay such persons’ expenses in defending any civil or criminal proceeding in advance of final disposition of such proceeding.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. Subject to any standards or restrictions set forth in a partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “DRULPA”) empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other persons from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
The limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership (the “LP Agreement”) provides that that the Operating Partnership is required to indemnify and hold harmless its partners and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, costs, damages, causes of action of any nature whatsoever (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred in connection with settlement or any legal proceeding, but excluding income taxes payable by the Operating Partnership’s partners (the “Partners”) as a result of such Partner’s ownership of an interest in the Operating Partnership) arising out of actions taken by the Partners in the management of the Operating Partnership affairs, except where any such Partner has committed fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. The foregoing indemnification rights are cumulative of, and in addition to, any and all rights, remedies and recourse to which a Partner may be entitled, whether pursuant to the provisions of the LP Agreement, at law or in equity. Indemnifications made pursuant to the LP Agreement shall be made from assets of the Operating Partnership and no Partner shall be personally liable to any indemnitee.
The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and the Operating Partnership’s organizational documents dealing with indemnification of its Partners and agents and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of the DRULPA and of the Operating Partnership’s organizational documents.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 17. Undertakings.
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
a. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
i. to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
ii. to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
iii. to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that:
paragraphs a.i, a.ii and a.iii above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
b. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
c. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
d. That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
i. If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
1. Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
2. Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
ii. if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
e. That, for the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
f. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
g. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
h. Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)2 of the Trust Indenture Act.
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
Number
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Exhibit
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1.1*
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Form of Underwriting Agreement.
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4.1†
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4.2†
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4.3†
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4.4†
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4.5†
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4.5†
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4.6†
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4.7*
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Form of Articles Supplementary relating to preferred stock.
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4.8*
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Form of Rights Agreement.
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4.9*
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Form of Warrant Agreement.
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4.10*
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Form of specimen certificate representing shares of preferred stock.
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4.11†
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5.1
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5.2
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8.1
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22.1
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23.1
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23.2
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23.3
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23.4
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24.1
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25.1
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107
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*
To be filed by amendment or by a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference in connection with the offering of securities hereunder.
†
Incorporated by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pasadena, State of California on February 1, 2024.
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ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Joel S. Marcus
Joel S. Marcus
Executive Chairman
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Each of the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Joel S. Marcus, Peter M. Moglia, and Marc E. Binda, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of substitution and resubmission to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that the attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration statement, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign his or her name, in his or her respective capacity as a member of the board of directors or officer of the registrant, to the registration statement and/or any other form or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as any of them may deem appropriate in connection therewith, to any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, to such registration statement, to any related Rule 462(b) registration statement and to any other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 1, 2024.
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Name
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Title
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/s/ Joel S. Marcus
Joel S. Marcus
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Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ Peter M. Moglia
Peter M. Moglia
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Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ Marc E. Binda
Marc E. Binda
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
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/s/ Andres R. Gavinet
Andres R. Gavinet
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Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
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/s/ Steven R. Hash
Steven R. Hash
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Lead Director
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/s/ James P. Cain
James P. Cain
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Director
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/s/ Cynthia L. Feldmann
Cynthia L. Feldmann
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Director
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Name
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Title
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/s/ Maria C. Freire
Maria C. Freire
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Director
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/s/ Richard H. Klein
Richard H. Klein
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Director
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/s/ Sheila K. McGrath
Sheila K. McGrath
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Director
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/s/ Michael A. Woronoff
Michael A. Woronoff
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Director
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pasadena, State of California on February 1, 2024.
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ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, L.P.
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By:
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ARE-QRS Corp., its General Partner
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By:
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/s/ Joel S. Marcus
Joel S. Marcus
Executive Chairman
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Each of the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Joel S. Marcus, Peter M. Moglia, and Marc E. Binda, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of substitution and resubmission to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that the attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration statement, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign his or her name, in his or her respective capacity as a member of the board of directors or officer of the registrant, to the registration statement and/or any other form or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as any of them may deem appropriate in connection therewith, to any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, to such registration statement, to any related Rule 462(b) registration statement and to any other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 1, 2024.
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Name
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Title
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/s/ Joel S. Marcus
Joel S. Marcus
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Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ Peter M. Moglia
Peter M. Moglia
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Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ Marc E. Binda
Marc E. Binda
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
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/s/ Andres R. Gavinet
Andres R. Gavinet
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Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
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Exhibit 5.1
February 1, 2024
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
| Re: |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. |
| |
Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland counsel to Alexandria
Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law
arising out of the registration by the Company of securities (collectively, the “Securities”) consisting of: (i) shares
of common stock, $.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company; (ii) shares of preferred stock, $.01
par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company; (iii) rights (the “Rights”) to purchase Common
Stock, Preferred Stock or other offered Securities independently or together with any other offered Securities; (iv) warrants (the
“Warrants”) to purchase Debt Securities (as defined below) or shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock; and (v) debt
securities (the “Debt Securities”) of the Company; each covered by the Registration Statement on Form S-3, and all amendments
thereto, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by the Company on or about
the date hereof under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) (the “Registration Statement”).
In connection with our representation of the Company,
and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):
1. The
Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission
under the 1933 Act;
2. The
charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);
3. The
Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
4. A
certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
February 1, 2024
Page 2
5. Resolutions
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to the registration
and issuance of the Securities (the “Resolutions”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
6. A
certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and
7. Such
other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth in this letter, subject to the
assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have
assumed the following:
1. Each
individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
2. Each
individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.
3. Each
of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents
to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable
in accordance with all stated terms.
4. All
Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not
differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted
to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records
reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained
in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there
has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.
5. Upon
the issuance of any (i) shares of Common Stock, (ii) shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of any Debt
Securities or shares of Preferred Stock convertible into Common Stock, or (iii) shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon
the exercise of any of the Rights or the Warrants (together, the “Common Securities”), the total number of shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
February 1, 2024
Page 3
6. Upon
the issuance of any (i) shares of Preferred Stock, (ii) shares of Preferred Stock which may be issued upon conversion of any
Debt Securities or (iii) shares of Preferred Stock which may be issued upon the exercise of any of the Rights or the Warrants (together,
the “Preferred Securities”), the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the number
of shares of Preferred Stock the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.
7. Any
Securities convertible or exchangeable for any other Securities will be duly converted or exercised in accordance with their terms.
8. The
issuance of, and certain terms of, the Securities will be approved by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, in accordance
with the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions (with such approvals referred to hereinafter as
the “Corporate Proceedings”) prior to the issuance thereof.
9. Articles
supplementary creating and designating the number of shares and terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock to be issued by the Company
will be filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT prior to the issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock.
10. None
of the Securities will be issued, sold or transferred in violation of the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in Article VII
of the Charter or any comparable provision in the articles supplementary creating any class or series of Preferred Stock.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The
Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing
with the SDAT.
2. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Common Securities, the Common Securities will be duly authorized for issuance
and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor and otherwise in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Corporate
Proceedings, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Preferred Securities, the Preferred Securities will be duly authorized for
issuance and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor and otherwise in accordance with the Registration Statement and
the Corporate Proceedings, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
February 1, 2024
Page 4
4. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Rights, the Rights will be duly authorized for issuance.
5. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Warrants, the Warrants will be duly authorized for issuance.
6. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be duly authorized for issuance.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of
the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning United States federal law or the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State
of Maryland, federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers or the laws, codes or regulations of any municipality or other local
jurisdiction. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect
of any judicial decision which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters
specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to
supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion
expressed herein after the date hereof.
This opinion is being furnished to you for submission
to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.
| |
|
| |
Very truly yours, |
| |
|
| |
/s/ Venable LLP |
| |
|
Exhibit 5.2
 |
707 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
California 90017-3543
Telephone: 213.892.5200
Facsimile: 213.892.5454
www.mofo.com |
morrison & foerster
llp
austin, beijing, berlin, boston,
brussels, denver,
hong kong,
london, los angeles, miami,
new york, palo alto, san diego,
san francisco, shanghai, singapore,
tokyo, washington, d.c. |
February 1, 2024
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
| Re: | Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P.—Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Alexandria Real Estate
Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing on
the date hereof by the Company and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Guarantor”),
of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating
to, among other things, the offering from time to time of guarantees (the “Guarantees”) by the Guarantor of debt securities
which may be issued and sold from time to time by the Company under the Registration Statement (the “Debt Securities”)
pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”). The Guarantees being registered under the Registration Statement will be
offered pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act, and are to be issued from time to time pursuant to one or
more guaranties or guarantee agreements (each, a “Guarantee Agreement”) to be entered into by the Guarantor.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined
such corporate records, documents, instruments, certificates of public officials and of the Guarantor and the Company and such questions
of law as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering the opinions set forth herein. We also have examined the Registration
Statement.
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures and the authenticity of all items submitted to us as originals and the conformity with originals of all items submitted
to us as copies.
The opinions hereinafter expressed are subject
to the following qualifications and exceptions:
| (i) | the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights
of creditors generally, including, without limitation, laws relating to fraudulent transfers or conveyances, preferences and equitable
subordination; |
| (ii) | limitations imposed by general principles of equity upon the availability of equitable remedies or the enforcement of provisions of
any Guarantees, and the effect of judicial decisions which have held that certain provisions are unenforceable where their enforcement
would violate the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or would be commercially unreasonable, or where their breach is not
material; and |
| (iii) | our opinion is based upon current statutes, rules, regulations, cases and official interpretive opinions, and it covers certain items
that are not directly or definitively addressed by such authorities. |
February 1, 2024
Page Two
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further
assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that:
| (i) | When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act, when the terms of the Debt Securities to be issued
under the applicable Indenture and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so
as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and
so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Company, and
when the Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the applicable Indenture and the organizational
documents, as amended, of the Company, and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, and if all the foregoing actions
are taken pursuant to the authority granted in the resolutions of the board of directors of the Company, the Debt Securities will be valid,
binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the applicable Indenture; and |
| | | |
| (ii) | When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act, when Guarantees have been duly authorized by the Guarantor,
when such Guarantees have been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantor, when the terms of such Guarantees and of their issuance have
been duly established in conformity with the organizational documents and partnership agreements, as amended, of the Guarantor, which
terms do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Guarantor
or the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or government body having jurisdiction over the Guarantor
or the Company, and when such Guarantees have been duly issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement and consideration therefor
has been received, such Guarantees will be duly authorized and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantor. |
In rendering the opinion expressed above, we have
further assumed that (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including additional post-effective amendments) will
have become effective and comply with all applicable laws; (ii) the Registration Statement will be effective and will comply with
all applicable laws at the time the Guarantees are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iii) the terms
of the Debt Securities will conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the Prospectus which is part of the Registration
Statement (the “Prospectus”); (iv) the Company will authorize the issuance of the Debt Securities and will authorize,
execute and deliver the applicable Indenture and any other document contemplated thereby or by the Registration Statement and will take
any other appropriate additional corporate action to effect such issuance; (v) the terms of all Guarantees will conform in all material
respects to the description thereof in the Prospectus; and (vi) the Guarantor will authorize the issuance of the Guarantees and will
authorize, execute and deliver the applicable Guarantee Agreement and any other document contemplated thereby or by the Registration Statement
and will take any other appropriate additional corporate action to effect such issuance.
We express no opinion as to matters governed by
laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal
laws of the United States of America, as in effect on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the use of our name under
the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement to be filed by the Company and the Guarantor with the Commission.
We further consent to your filing a copy of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement. In giving such permission,
we do not admit hereby that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act,
or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. We disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes of
the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Morrison & Foerster LLP
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
Exhibit 8.1
 |
12531 HIGH BLUFF DRIVE
SUITE 100
SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA 92130-2040
TELEPHONE: 858.720.5100
FACSIMILE: 858.720.5125
WWW.MOFO.COM |
morrison & foerster
llp
austin, beijing, berlin,
boston,
brussels, denver, hong kong,
london, los angeles, miami,
new york, palo alto, san diego,
san francisco, shanghai, singapore,
tokyo, washington, d.c. |
February 1, 2024
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
| Re: | Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.— Status as a Real Estate Investment Trust; Information in Registration Statement on
Form S-3 under Heading Federal Income Tax Considerations |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Alexandria Real Estate
Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing
on the date hereof by the Company and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Guarantor”),
of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), relating to, among other things, the offering from time to time of guarantees (the “Guarantees”)
by the Guarantor of debt securities which may be issued and sold from time to time by the Company under the Registration Statement (the
“Debt Securities”) pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”). The Guarantees being
registered under the Registration Statement will be offered pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act, and
are to be issued from time to time pursuant to one or more guaranties or guarantee agreements (each, a “Guarantee Agreement”)
to be entered into by the Guarantor.
You have requested our opinion as to certain federal
income tax matters regarding the Company. Although you may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the federal
tax treatment and federal tax structure of the Company and all materials of any kind that were provided to you by us relating to such
tax treatment and tax structure, this opinion is intended solely for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement. You may
not authorize any other person or entity to rely on this opinion, or otherwise make this opinion available for the benefit of any other
person or entity, without our prior written consent.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
February 1, 2024
Page Two
In our capacity as counsel to the Company and for
purposes of rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the following, with your consent: (i) the Registration Statement,
(ii) a certificate executed by duly appointed officers of the Company (the “Officer’s Certificate”) setting
forth certain factual representations, dated January [●], 2024, and (iii) such other documents as we have considered relevant to
our analysis. We have also examined the opinions, including officer’s certificates and exhibits related thereto (the “Supporting
Documents”), of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Mawe LLP, dated February 28, 2002, June 29, 2004, March 31, 2005, September 23,
2005, June 20, 2006, June 23, 2006, September 29, 2006, January 17, 2007 and January 23, 2007 (the “Mayer Opinions”),
with respect to the qualification of the Company as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for its taxable
year ended December 31, 1996, and all subsequent taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2006. In our examination of such documents,
we have assumed the authenticity of original documents, the accuracy of copies, the genuineness of signatures, and the legal capacity
of signatories. We have also assumed that all parties to such documents have acted, and will act, in accordance with the terms of such
documents.
Our opinion is based on (a) our understanding of
the facts as represented to us in the Officer’s Certificate and (b) the assumption that (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have
valid legal existences under the laws of the states in which they were formed and have operated in accordance with the laws of such states,
(ii) the Company is operated, and will continue to be operated, in the manner described in the Officer’s Certificate, (iii) the
facts contained in the Supporting Documents, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are true and complete in all material respects,
(iv) all representations of fact contained in the Officer’s Certificate are true and complete in all material respects and (v) any
representation of fact in the Officer’s Certificate that is made “to the knowledge of” or similarly qualified is correct
without such qualification. We have not undertaken any independent inquiry into or verification of these facts either in the course of
our representation of the Company or for the purpose of rendering this opinion, including, without limitation, any investigation as to
(i) the proper allocation of lease payments between real property and personal property, or (ii) whether the Company owns, directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of any tenant of the Company, applying the principles of sections 856(d)(2)(B) and (d)(5) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). While we have reviewed all representations made to us to determine their
reasonableness, and nothing has come to our attention that would cause us to question the accuracy of such representations, we have no
assurance that they are or will ultimately prove to be accurate.
We note that the tax consequences addressed herein
depend upon the actual occurrence of events in the future, which events may or may not be consistent with any representations made to
us for purposes of this opinion. In particular, the qualification and taxation of the Company as a REIT for federal income tax purposes
depends upon the Company’s ability to meet on a continuing basis certain distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership, and
the various qualification tests imposed by the Code. To the extent that the facts differ from those represented to or assumed by us herein,
our opinion should not be relied upon.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
February 1, 2024
Page Three
Our opinion herein is based on existing law as
contained in the Code, final and temporary Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative pronouncements of the Internal
Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and court decisions as of the date hereof. The provisions of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations, IRS administrative pronouncements and case law upon which this opinion is based could be changed at any time, perhaps with
retroactive effect. In addition, some of the issues under existing law that could significantly affect our opinion have not yet been authoritatively
addressed by the IRS or the courts, and our opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts. Hence, there can be no assurance that the
IRS will not challenge, or that the courts will agree with, our conclusions.
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing and the
next paragraphs below, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof:
| 1. | The Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under
the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2004 through its taxable year ended December
31, 2023, and its current organization and current and proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements
for qualification and taxation as a REIT for the taxable year ending December 31, 2024 and thereafter. |
| 2. | We have reviewed the statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement under the heading “Federal
Income Tax Considerations” and, insofar as such statements pertain to matters of law or legal conclusions, they are correct in all
material respects. |
We undertake no obligation to update this opinion,
or to ascertain after the date hereof whether circumstances occurring after such date may affect the conclusions set forth herein. We
express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the Code, the Treasury Regulations, published administrative announcements
and rulings of the IRS, and court decisions.
This opinion is furnished to you solely for use
in connection with the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to such Registration Statement.
We also consent to the reference to our firm name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not
admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations
of the SEC thereunder, nor do we thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement within the meaning
of the term “experts” as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Sincerely,
/S/ MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
EXHIBIT 22.1
List of Guarantor Subsidiaries of Alexandria
Real Estate Equities, Inc.
The following subsidiary was, as of December 31,
2023, a guarantor of the registrant's 3.45% Senior Notes due 2025, 4.30% Senior Notes due 2026, 3.80% Senior Notes due 2026, 3.95% Senior
Notes due 2027, 3.95% Senior Notes due 2028, 4.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.75% Senior Notes due 2029, 4.70% Senior Notes due 2030, 4.90%
Senior Notes due 2030, 3.375% Senior Notes due 2031, 2.00% Senior Notes due 2032, 1.875% Senior Notes due 2033, 2.95% Senior Notes due
2034, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2035, 4.85% Senior Notes due 2049, 4.00% Senior Notes due 2050, 3.00% Senior Notes due 2051, 3.55% Senior
Notes due 2052, and 5.15% Senior Notes due 2053.
| Name of Subsidiary |
|
Jurisdiction of Organization |
| Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P. |
|
Delaware |
Exhibit 23.4
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts”
in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Alexandria Real Estate Equities,
L.P. for the registration of (1) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants and debt
securities and (2) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, L.P.’s guarantees of debt securities, and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our reports dated January 29, 2024 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Alexandria Real Estate
Equities, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., included
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 1, 2024
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)
Truist Bank
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
| North Carolina |
|
56-0149200 |
|
(Jurisdiction of incorporation
if
not a U.S. national
bank)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
223 West Nash Street
Wilson, NC 27893 |
|
27893 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
Patrick Giordano
Vice President
223 West Nash Street
Wilson, NC 27893
(904) 463-6762
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for
service)
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Maryland |
|
95-4502084 |
|
(Jurisdiction of incorporation) |
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, L.P.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Delaware |
|
95-4705259 |
|
(Jurisdiction of incorporation) |
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
26 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
(626) 578-0777
(Address of principal executive offices)
Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| Item 1. |
General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee: |
| |
|
| |
(a) |
Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
State of North Carolina – Commissioner of Banks |
| |
|
State of North Carolina |
| |
|
Raleigh, North Carolina |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond |
| |
|
Post Office Box 27622 |
| |
|
Richmond, VA 23261 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
| |
|
Washington, D.C. |
| |
|
|
| |
(b) |
Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Yes. |
| |
|
|
| Item 2. |
Affiliations with Obligor.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee. |
| |
| Items 3-15 |
No responses are included for Items 3-15. Responses to those items are not required because, as provided in General Instruction B, the obligor is not in default on any securities issued under indentures under which Truist Bank is a trustee and Truist Bank is not a foreign trustee. |
| Item 16. |
List of Exhibits.
List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility; exhibits identified in parentheses are filed with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits hereto pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and Rule 24 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. |
| |
|
| |
Exhibit 1. |
A copy of the Articles of Incorporation for Truist Bank, as now in effect, attached as Exhibit 1. |
| |
Exhibit 2. |
The authority of Truist Bank to commence business was granted under the Articles of Incorporation for Truist Bank, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of this Form T-1. |
| |
Exhibit 3. |
The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted by the State of North Carolina Commissioner of Banks in the Authority to Act as Fiduciary without Bond Certificate, as now in effect, attached as Exhibit 3. |
| |
Exhibit 4. |
A copy of the existing By-Laws of Truist Bank, as now in effect, attached as Exhibit 4. |
| |
Exhibit 5. |
Not applicable. |
| |
Exhibit 6. |
The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. |
| |
Exhibit 7. |
The Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
| |
Exhibit 8. |
Not applicable. |
| |
Exhibit 9. |
Not applicable. |
| |
|
|
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the trustee, Truist Bank, a banking corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of North Carolina, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Jacksonville and the State of
Florida, on the 24th day of January, 2024.
| |
TRUIST BANK |
| |
|
| |
By: |
/s/ Patrick Giordano |
| |
Name: |
Patrick Giordano |
| |
Title: |
Vice President |
EXHIBIT 3 TO FORM T-1
Authority to Act as Fiduciary
without Bond
State
of North Carolina
Commissioner
of Banks
Truist
Bank having paid the $500 fee as required by G.S. § 53-160, and otherwise being empowered to exercise fiduciary powers, is hereby
granted a license to act as Guardian, Trustee, Assignee, Receiver, Executor, or Administrator without bond as provided by law.
 |
Witness my signature and official seal this 19th day of
December, 2022.
/s/ Katherine M.R. Bosken
Katherine M.R. Bosken
Commissioner of Banks |
Expires December 31, 2023
North
Carolina Commissioner of Banks, 316 W. Edenton Street, 4309 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4309
Telephone: (919)733-3016 Fax:
(919)733-6918 Internet: http://www.nccob.gov
EXHIBIT 4 TO FORM T-1
| BYLAWS OF TRUIST BANK
As Amended and Restated, Effective December 7, 2019
ARTICLE I
Offices
1. Principal Office: The principal office of Truist Bank (the “bank”) shall be located
at 214 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, or at such other place as the Board of
Directors may fix from time to time.
2. Registered Office: The bank shall maintain a registered office or registered
offices at such place or places as may be required by applicable law.
3. Other Offices: The bank may have offices at such other places as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine, or as the affairs of the bank may require.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of Sole Shareholder
1. Place of Meetings: All meetings of the bank’s sole shareholder, Truist Financial
Corporation, shall be held at the principal office of the bank, or at such other place, either within
or without the State of North Carolina, as shall, in each case, be fixed by the Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or
the Board of Directors and designated in the notice of the meeting.
2. Annual Meetings: The annual meeting of the bank’s sole shareholder shall be
held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or the Board of
Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
3. Substitute Annual Meeting: If the annual meeting shall not be held on the day
designated by these bylaws, a substitute annual meeting may be called in accordance with the
provisions of this Article relating to special meetings. A meeting so called shall be designated
and treated for all purposes as the annual meeting.
4. Special Meetings: Except as otherwise provided by any applicable law, special
meetings of the bank’s sole shareholder may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or the
Board of Directors of the bank.
5. Notice of Meetings; Waiver:
(a) Written, printed or electronically transmitted notice of a meeting stating the date, |
| - 2 -
time and place of the meeting shall be delivered to the bank’s sole shareholder not fewer than 10
nor more than 60 days before the date thereof, by or at the direction of the Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or
the Board of Directors.
(b) In case of an annual or substitute annual meeting, the notice of meeting need not
specifically state the business to be transacted at the meeting, unless a description of the matter is
required by the provisions of applicable law. In the case of a special meeting, the notice of
meeting shall specifically state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
(c) The bank’s sole shareholder may waive notice of any meeting before or after the
date and time stated in the notice. The waiver must be in writing, signed by the shareholder and
delivered to the bank for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records.
Attendance at a meeting by the sole shareholder waives objection to lack of notice or defective
notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding
the meeting or transacting business at the meeting.
6. Proxies: Shares may be voted either in person or by one or more proxies
authorized by a written appointment of proxy signed by the bank’s sole shareholder.
7. Action without Meeting: Any action that is required or permitted to be taken at a
meeting of the sole shareholder may be taken without a meeting if a written consent, setting forth
the action so taken, shall be signed by the sole shareholder, and delivered to the bank for
inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records.
8. Conduct of Meetings:
(a) Unless determined otherwise by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer of the bank shall act as chairman at all meetings of the sole shareholder and the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the bank shall act as secretary at all meetings of sole shareholder.
(b) The Board of Directors or, in its absence, the chairman of the meeting may, to the
extent not prohibited by applicable law, establish such rules or regulations for the conduct of
meetings of the sole shareholder as the Board or the chairman, as the case may be, shall deem
necessary, appropriate or convenient.
ARTICLE III
Directors
1. General Powers: All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the
authority of, and the business, affairs and operations of the bank shall be managed by or under
the direction of, the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by applicable law or in the
articles of incorporation or bylaws.
2. Number, Term, and Qualification: The Board shall consist of not less than five
nor more than thirty members and the number of members shall be fixed and determined from
time to time by a resolution of the majority of the full board or by resolution of the sole
shareholder. Each director shall be elected to serve a term of one year, with each director’s term
to expire at the annual meeting next following the director’s election as a director. Each director |
| - 3 -
shall hold office until his or her death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification, or his or
her successor is elected and qualified. Unless otherwise permitted by applicable law, not less
than three-fourths of the directors shall be citizens of the United States of America and satisfy
the eligibility requirements for bank directors imposed by federal law and Chapter 53C of the
North Carolina General Statutes or any successor thereto. In addition, a director must do either
of the following: (i) appoint an agent in Wake County, North Carolina, for service of process; or
(ii) consent, on a form satisfactory to the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, to the
following: that the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks may serve as the director’s agent for
service of process and that the director consents to jurisdiction in Wake County, North Carolina,
but only for purposes of any action or proceeding brought by the North Carolina Commissioner
of Banks.
3. Election of Directors: Except as provided in Section 5 of this Article, directors
shall be elected by the sole shareholder of the bank.
4. Removal: Any director may be removed from office by the bank’s sole
shareholder with or without cause.
5. Vacancies: A vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors, including a vacancy
created by an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining
directors. The bank’s sole shareholder may elect a director at any time to fill a vacancy not filled
by the directors. In addition, at any meeting of the sole shareholder, the shareholder may
authorize not more than two additional directorships which may be left unfilled to be filled in the
discretion of the Board during the interval between shareholders’ meetings. A director elected to
fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.
6. Compensation: The Board of Directors may compensate non-management
directors for their services as such and may provide for the payment of expenses incurred by all
directors, as appropriate, in connection with such services.
7. Director Retirement: A director, upon reaching age seventy-five, shall retire as a
director effective as of the end of that calendar year without any further action by the sole
shareholder or the Board of Directors.
8. Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairmen: There shall be a Chairman of the Board
of Directors elected by the directors from their members. The Chairman may also be the Chief
Executive Officer of the bank. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of
Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be incident to the office of Chairman or as
may be directed by the Board. There may also be one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board of
Directors elected by the directors from their members. Such Vice Chairman or Vice Chairmen
shall perform such other duties as may be incident to the office of Vice Chairman or as may be
directed by the Board.
9. Executive Committee: The Board of Directors shall appoint an Executive
Committee composed of not less than three members of the Board. The Executive Committee
shall have such powers and duties as may be stated in its charter, if any, or as may be prescribed
from time to time by the Board, subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable law. Without
limiting the foregoing, to the extent permitted by applicable law and authorized by the Board of
Directors, the Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between |
| - 4 -
the meetings of the Board, all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business affairs and operations of the bank.
10. Audit Committee: The Board of Directors shall appoint an Audit Committee,
composed solely of not less than three independent directors. Members of the Audit Committee
shall be elected by a majority of the Board and in compliance with Section 363 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation Rules and Regulations. The Audit Committee shall have such
powers and duties as may be stated in its charter or as may be prescribed from time to time by
the Board, subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable law.
11. Other Committees: The Board of Directors may appoint such other committees of
the Board (including a Trust Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Risk Committee and a
Loan Committee) as: (i) the Board shall deem appropriate for the safe and sound operation of the
bank in a manner consistent with applicable law and regulations; (ii) as required by the North
Carolina Commissioner of Banks; or (iii) as may be required by applicable law. Members of
such committees shall be elected by a majority of the Board. Each committee shall have a
minimum of three members. Each such committee shall have such powers and duties as may be
stated in such committee’s charter, if any, or as may be prescribed from time to time by the
Board, subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable law.
12. Advisory Directors: The Board of Directors may also appoint local advisory
directors as it deems useful to the business of the bank; provided, however that the local advisory
directors shall in no way be deemed to be directors serving on the Board of Directors.
13. General Committee Matters: Each committee member serves at the pleasure of
the Board of Directors. The provisions in these bylaws governing meetings, action without
meetings, notice, waiver of notice, quorum and voting requirements of the Board apply to
committees of the Board established under this Article.
14. CEO and Chairman Position and Succession; Board Composition; Headquarters.
(a) The Board of Directors has resolved that, effective as of the effective time (the
“Effective Time”) of the Bank Merger (for all purposes of this Section 14, as defined in the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 7, 2019, as amended June 14, 2019, by and
between BB&T Corporation (the “corporation”) and SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust”), as the
same may be amended from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”)), Mr. Kelly S. King shall
continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the bank
and Mr. William H. Rogers, Jr. shall become the President and Chief Operating Officer of the
bank. The Board of Directors has further resolved that (i) Mr. Rogers shall be the successor to
Mr. King as the Chief Executive Officer of the bank, with such succession to become effective
on September 12, 2021 or any such earlier date as of which Mr. King ceases for any reason to
serve in the position of Chief Executive Officer of the bank (the date of such corporation
succession, the “CEO Succession Date”); (ii) subject to Mr. King’s death, resignation or
disqualification, from the CEO Succession Date through March 12, 2022, Mr. King shall serve as
Executive Chairman of the bank; (iii) Mr. Rogers shall be the successor to Mr. King as the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, with such succession to become effective on
March 12, 2022, or any such earlier date as of which Mr. King ceases for any reason to serve in
the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank (the date of such corporation
succession, the “Chairman Succession Date”); and (iv) subject to Mr. King’s death, resignation |
| - 5 -
or disqualification, from the Chairman Succession Date until September 12, 2022, Mr. King shall
serve as a consultant to the bank. The corporation may enter into or amend appropriate
agreements or arrangements with Mr. King and Mr. Rogers in connection with the subject matter
of this Article III, Section 14(a) (any such agreement or arrangement, as may be amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time, an “Employment Agreement”).
(b) (i) Prior to the date that is the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Time (such
date, the “Expiration Date”), the removal of Mr. Rogers from, or the failure to appoint or re-elect
Mr. Rogers to, any of the positions specifically provided for in this Article III, Section 14 and in
any Employment Agreement with Mr. Rogers at the times specifically provided for in this
Article III, Section 14 or in any Employment Agreement with Mr. Rogers, (ii) prior to the
Expiration Date, the removal of Mr. King from, or the failure to appoint or re-elect Mr. King to,
any of the positions specifically provided for in this Article III, Section 14 and in any
Employment Agreement with Mr. King at the times specifically provided for in this Article III,
Section 14 or in any Employment Agreement with Mr. King, (iii) prior to the Expiration Date,
any determination not to nominate Mr. Rogers as a director of the bank or (iv) any determination
not to nominate Mr. King as a director of the bank for each term of service of directors beginning
at any time prior to December 31, 2023, shall each require the affirmative vote of at least 75% of
the full Board of Directors.
(c) Effective as of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall be comprised of
eleven (11) Continuing SunTrust Directors, including the Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust as
of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and eleven (11) Continuing BB&T Directors,
including the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation as of immediately prior to the Effective
time. From and after the Effective Time through the Expiration Date: (i) the number of directors
that comprises the full Board of Directors shall each be twenty-two (22); and (ii) no vacancy on
the Board of Directors created by the cessation of service of a director shall be filled by the
Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall not nominate any individual to fill such
vacancy, unless (x) such individual would be an independent director of the bank, (y) in the case
of a vacancy created by the cessation of service of a Continuing SunTrust Director, not less than
a majority of the Continuing SunTrust Directors have approved the appointment or nomination
(as applicable) of the individual appointed or nominated (as applicable) to fill such vacancy, in
which case the Continuing BB&T Directors shall vote to approve the appointment or nomination
(as applicable) of such individual, and (z) in the case of a vacancy created by the cessation of
service of a Continuing BB&T Director, not less than a majority of the Continuing BB&T
Directors have approved the appointment or nomination (as applicable) of the individual
appointed or nominated (as applicable) to fill such vacancy, in which case the Continuing
SunTrust Directors shall vote to approve the appointment or nomination (as applicable) of such
individual; provided, that any such appointment or nomination pursuant to clause (y) or (z) shall
be made in accordance with applicable law and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (or
other national securities exchange on which the corporation’s securities are listed). For purposes
of this Article III, Section 14, the terms “Continuing SunTrust Directors” and “Continuing
BB&T Directors” shall mean, respectively, the directors of the corporation and SunTrust who
were selected to be directors of the corporation and Truist Bank by SunTrust or the corporation,
as the case may be, as of the Effective Time, pursuant to Section 6.12(a) of the Merger
Agreement, and any directors of the bank who were subsequently appointed or nominated and
elected to fill a vacancy created by the cessation of service of a Continuing SunTrust Director or
a Continuing BB&T Director, as applicable, pursuant to this Article III, Section 14(c). |
| - 6 -
(d) (i) The headquarters of the bank shall be located in Charlotte, North Carolina; (ii)
the hub for the bank’s wholesale business shall be located in Atlanta, Georgia; (iii) the hub for
the bank’s consumer and community banking business shall be located in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina; and (iv) the hub for the bank’s technology and innovation operations shall be located in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
(e) In the event of any inconsistency between any provision of this Article III,
Section 14 and any other provision of these bylaws or the bank’s other constituent documents,
the provisions of this Article III, Section 14 shall control. The provisions of Article III, Section
14(d)(i) and this second sentence of this Section 14(e) may be modified, amended or repealed,
and any bylaw provision inconsistent with such provisions may be adopted, only by the
affirmative vote of at least 75% of the full Board of Directors and solely in connection with the
corporation’s entry into or consummation of a business combination transaction with another
corporation (i) in which the corporation merges with and into such other corporation, (ii) which
is a merger of equals or (iii) as a result of which the shareholders of the corporation prior to the
effective time of the business combination hold less than 60% of the outstanding common stock
of the surviving entity in such business combination. The first and third sentences of this Section
14(e) may be modified, amended or repealed, and any bylaw provision inconsistent with such
provisions may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the full Board of
Directors. Until December 31, 2023, the provisions of Article III, Section 14(b)(iv) and this
fourth sentence of this Section 14(e) may be modified, amended or repealed, and any bylaw
provision inconsistent with such provisions may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of at
least 75% of the full Board of Directors. Until the Expiration Date, the provisions of this Article
III, Section 14 (other than Section 14(b)(iv), Section 14(d)(i) and the first four sentences of this
Section 14(e), which are subject to the standards set forth in the preceding sentences) may be
modified, amended or repealed, and any Bylaw provision inconsistent with such provisions may
be adopted, only by an affirmative vote of at least 75% of the full Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Meetings of Directors
1. Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors and the
committees thereof may be held without notice of the date, time, place or purpose of the meeting,
either inside or outside the State of North Carolina, as the Board of Directors shall determine in
accordance with North Carolina law. Minutes of all board and committee meetings, regular or
special, shall be kept and maintained by the bank, and all such minutes shall be submitted to the
Board for its review at or prior to its next meeting and for approval at such meeting as required
by applicable law.
2. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by
the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating
Officer or the Secretary of the bank, or at the request of three or more directors. Each member of
the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic
delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such
notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the North
Carolina Business Corporation Act, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. |
| - 7 -
3. Waiver of Notice: A director may waive notice of any meeting before or after the
date and time stated in the notice. The waiver must be in writing, signed by the director entitled
to the notice, and filed with the minutes or corporate records. In addition, attendance at or
participation by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, unless
the director at the beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon his or her arrival) objects to
holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not later vote for or assent to
action taken at the meeting.
4. Quorum: Unless the articles of incorporation, the bylaws or applicable law
require a greater number, a majority of the number of directors prescribed by or pursuant to these
bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or, if no number is so prescribed, a majority of directors in office immediately before
the meeting shall constitute a quorum.
5. Adjournment: Any duly convened regular or special meeting may be adjourned
to a later date or time without further notice.
6. Manner of Acting: Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or in the
articles of incorporation or bylaws, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
7. Presumption of Assent: A director who is present at a meeting of the Board of
Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors when corporate action is taken is deemed to
have assented to the action taken unless: (i) he or she objects at the beginning of the meeting (or
promptly upon his or her arrival) to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting;
(ii) his or her dissent or abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting;
or (iii) he or she files written notice of his or her dissent or abstention with the presiding officer
of the meeting before its adjournment or with the Secretary immediately after adjournment of the
meeting. The right of dissent or abstention is not available to a director who votes in favor of the
action taken.
8. Action without Meeting: Action required or permitted to be taken at a Board of
Directors meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the
Board. The action must be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director
before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with
the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without meeting may be in electronic
form and delivered by electronic means.
9. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means: Except as otherwise
provided by applicable law or the Board or in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, any or all
directors may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the
use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously
hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is
deemed to be present in person at the meeting. |
| - 8 -
ARTICLE V
Officers
1. Title and Number: The officers of the bank may consist of a Chief Executive
Officer, a President, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Administrative
Officer, a Chief Risk Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller, and one or more Corporate
Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Executive Vice Presidents, Regional Presidents, and
Executive Vice Presidents, as the Board of Directors may from time to time elect. The Chief
Executive Officer may also appoint other officers, including such Senior Vice Presidents, Vice
Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers as deemed appropriate.
The Chief Executive Officer may delegate the authority to appoint officers to other officers of
the Bank. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except that no individual
may act in more than one capacity where action of two or more officers is required.
2. Election and Term: The officers of the bank shall be elected by the Board of
Directors or by a duly designated committee of the Board. Each officer shall hold office until a
successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her resignation, retirement, death, removal or
disqualification.
3. Removal: The Board of Directors may remove or terminate any officer at any
time with or without cause. In addition, any officer other than the Chief Executive Officer may
be removed or terminated at any time with or without cause by a duly designated Board
committee or by a superior officer. Removal, resignation or termination of an officer shall be
without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
4. Compensation: The compensation of all officers of the bank shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors or by or under the direction of a duly designated committee of the Board or
other officer or officers designated by the Board.
5. Chief Executive Officer: The Chief Executive Officer shall have full executive
powers, shall be the principal executive officer of the bank, shall have and exercise all powers,
duties and authority incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer or as prescribed by the
Board and shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board, supervise, direct and control
the management of the bank in accordance with these bylaws. The Chief Executive Officer may
also serve as Chairman of the Board in accordance with Article III, Section 8.
6. Other Officers: Each officer other than the Chief Executive Officer shall have
such title or titles, perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be incident to his or her
office or prescribed by the Board, a duly designated committee of the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer or his or her designee.
7. Bonds: To the extent required by law, the bank shall require security in the form
of a bond for the fidelity and faithful performance of duties by its officers and employees. The
bond shall be issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in the State of North
Carolina and upon such form as may be approved by the North Carolina Commissioner of
Banks. Except as otherwise required by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks or
applicable law, the amount, form, and terms of the bond shall be such as the Board of Directors
may require. The premium for the bond is to be paid by the bank. |
| - 9 -
ARTICLE VI
Contracts, Loans and Deposits
1. Contracts: The Board of Directors may authorize such officers as it deems
appropriate to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument on behalf of the
bank, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. In addition, unless the
Board determines otherwise, each officer of the bank shall have such authority as may be
incident to his or her particular office to enter into contracts and execute and deliver instruments
on behalf of the bank.
2. Loans: No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the bank, as debtor, and no
evidence of indebtedness on behalf of the bank shall be issued in its name unless authorized by
the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
3. Checks and Drafts: All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money
issued in the name of the bank shall be signed by such officer or officers or agent or agents of the
bank and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors or
the Chief Executive Officer.
4. Deposits: All funds of the bank not otherwise employed shall be deposited from
time to time to the credit of the bank in such depositories as may be selected by or under the
authority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
Certificates for Shares and Their Transfer
1. Certificates for Shares and Stock Transfer Records: The Board of Directors may
authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of the bank without issuing certificates to
represent such shares. If shares are represented by certificates, the certificates shall be in such
form as required by applicable law and as determined by the Board of Directors. Certificates
shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, by: (i) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or a Senior Executive Vice President; and (ii) the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise
identified and entered into the stock transfer records of the bank. When shares are represented
by certificates, the bank shall issue and deliver to each shareholder to whom such shares have
been issued or transferred, certificates representing the shares owned by such shareholder. When
shares are not represented by certificates, then, within a reasonable time after the issuance or
transfer of such shares, the bank shall send the shareholder to whom such shares have been
issued or transferred a written statement of the information required by applicable law. Unless
otherwise provided by applicable law, the rights and obligations of shareholders are identical
whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.
2. Transfer of Shares: Transfers of shares shall be made and recorded on the stock
transfer records of the bank only: (i) by the record holder thereof or by his, her or its duly
authorized agent, transferee or legal representative; and (ii) in the case of certificated shares,
upon the surrender of the certificate thereof, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate or |
| - 10 -
uncertificated shares shall be issued. No transfer of shares shall be valid as against the bank for
any purpose until it shall have been made and recorded on the stock transfer records of the bank
by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.
3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates: The Board of Directors may authorize the
issuance of a new share certificate in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon receipt of a written statement of such fact from the person claiming that the
certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new
certificate, the Board may require the claimant or his, her or its legal representative to give the
bank a bond in such sum and with such surety or other security as the Board may direct to
indemnify the bank against loss from any claim with respect to the certificate claimed to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed; or the Board may, by resolution, authorize the issuance of the new
certificate without requiring such a bond.
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
1. Right to Indemnification: Any person who at any time hereafter serves or
heretofore has served: (i) as an officer, director or advisory director of the bank; (ii) at the
request of the bank as a director, advisory director, officer, partner, or trustee (or in any position
of similar authority, by whatever title known) of any other foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; or (iii) as a trustee or administrator under any
employee benefit plan, shall have a right to be indemnified by the bank to the fullest extent
permitted by law against:
(a) All liability and expenses, including without limitation costs and expenses of
litigation and reasonable attorney’s fees, actually and reasonable incurred by him or her in
connection with or as a consequence of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including appeals, and
whether or not brought by or on behalf the bank or by or on behalf of any third party, outsider or
any other person, seeking to hold him or her liable by reason of or arising out of his or her status
or his or her activities in any of the foregoing capacities; and
(b) Liability incurred by him or her for any judgments, money decrees, fines,
penalties or amounts paid in settlement in connection with or as a consequence of any action, suit
or proceeding described in (a) above;
provided, however, the bank shall not indemnify or agree to indemnify any person
against any liability or expenses he or she may incur on account of his or her activities which
were at the time taken known or believed by him or her to be clearly in conflict with the best
interest of the bank.
2. Recovery of Expenses: Any person entitled to indemnification under this Article
shall be entitled to recover from the bank his or her reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys’
fees incurred in connection with enforcing his or her right to indemnification. |
| - 11 -
3. Advancement of Expenses: Expenses incurred by a director, advisory director or
officer of the bank in defending an action, suit or proceeding described above shall, at the request
of such director, advisory director or officer, and subject to authorization by the Board, be paid
by the bank in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of
an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, advisory director or officer to repay such amount
unless it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is entitled to indemnification from the bank
under this Article or otherwise.
4. Reliance: Any person who at any time after the adoption of this Article serves or
has served in any of the capacities described in Section 1 herein for or on behalf of the bank shall
be deemed to be doing so and to have done so in reliance upon, and as consideration for, the
rights provided herein. Such rights shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives
of any such person and shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which such person may be
entitled apart from the provisions of this Article.
5. Amendment: Any amendment, alteration, repeal or other change hereof limiting
or restricting in any way the rights, fixed or contingent, granted hereunder shall operate
prospectively only and shall not prejudice, defeat or impair any rights of any person existing at
the time of such amendment, alteration, repeal or other change.
6. No Limitation on Other Rights to Indemnification: If this Article or any portion
hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction, then
the bank shall nevertheless indemnify each person described in Section 1 herein to the full extent
permitted by the portion of this Article that is not invalidated and also to the full extent permitted
or required by other applicable law.
7. Nonexclusivity: The entitlements to advancement of expenses and/or
indemnification provided for in this Article VIII are nonexclusive and are separate from any
similar rights provided under any law, agreement or otherwise.
ARTICLE IX
General Provisions
1. Dividends: The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the bank
may pay, distributions and share dividends to its sole shareholder in the manner and upon the
terms and conditions provided by N.C.G.S. §53C-4-7 and other applicable law.
2. Seal: The seal of the bank shall be in any form approved from time to time or at
any time by the Board of Directors.
3. Fiscal Year: Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year
of the bank shall be from January 1 to December 31.
4. Amendments: Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or in the articles
of incorporation or the bylaws, the Board of Directors of the bank shall have the authority,
without the assent or vote of the bank’s sole shareholder, to adopt, make, alter, amend and/or
rescind the bylaws or any bylaw of the bank. The bank’s sole shareholder may amend or repeal
the bank’s bylaws even though the bylaws may also be amended or repealed by the Board of
Directors. |
| - 12 -
5. Voting of Shares of Other Corporations: Except as otherwise directed by the
Board of Directors of the bank or required by applicable law, shares of other corporations and
associations held by the bank shall be voted in the manner directed by the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer or any Senior Executive Vice President of the
bank. All such officers are authorized on behalf of the bank to vote shares of other corporations
and associations by proxy and to execute other instruments in connection therewith.
6. Applicability of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act and Chapter 53C of
the North Carolina General Statutes: To the extent not inconsistent with or otherwise provided
for in these bylaws, management of the bank’s business and regulation of its affairs shall be
governed by the provisions of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act and Chapter 53C of
the North Carolina General Statutes.
7. Definitions: Unless the context otherwise requires, terms used in these bylaws
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the North Carolina Business Corporation Act and
Chapter 53C of the North Carolina General Statutes to the extent defined therein. In addition,
without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the term “applicable law” used in these bylaws shall
refer to any applicable laws, rules or regulations, including the North Carolina Business |
EXHIBIT 6 TO FORM T-1
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, Truist Bank hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities
may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| |
TRUIST BANK |
| |
|
| Dated: January 24, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Patrick Giordano |
| |
Name: |
Patrick Giordano |
| |
Title: |
Vice President |
EXHIBIT 7 TO FORM T-1
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
TRUIST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, shares in thousands) Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and due from banks $ 5,379 $ 5,085
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 16,042 15,210
Securities borrowed or purchased under agreements to resell 3,181 4,028
Trading assets at fair value 4,905 4,423
AFS securities at fair value 71,801 153,123
HTM securities ($47,791 and $1,495 at fair value, respectively) 57,713 1,494
LHFS (including $1,065 and $3,544 at fair value, respectively) 1,444 4,812
Loans and leases (including $18 and $23 at fair value, respectively) 325,991 289,513
ALLL (4,377) (4,435)
Loans and leases, net of ALLL 321,614 285,078
Premises and equipment 3,605 3,700
Goodwill 27,013 26,098
CDI and other intangible assets 3,672 3,408
Loan servicing rights at fair value 3,758 2,633
Other assets (including $1,582 and $3,436 at fair value, respectively) 35,128 32,149
Total assets $ 555,255 $ 541,241
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 135,742 $ 145,892
Interest-bearing deposits 277,753 270,596
Short-term borrowings (including $1,551 and $1,731 at fair value, respectively) 23,422 5,292
Long-term debt 43,203 35,913
Other liabilities (including $2,971 and $586 at fair value, respectively) 14,598 14,277
Total liabilities 494,718 471,970
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock 6,673 6,673
Common stock, $5 par value 6,634 6,639
Additional paid-in capital 34,544 34,565
Retained earnings 26,264 22,998
AOCI, net of deferred income taxes (13,601) (1,604)
Noncontrolling interests 23 —
Total shareholders’ equity 60,537 69,271
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 555,255 $ 541,241
Common shares outstanding 1,326,829 1,327,818
Common shares authorized 2,000,000 2,000,000
Preferred shares outstanding 223 223
Preferred shares authorized 5,000 5,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Truist Financial Corporation 83 |
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