Bank of America Corporation
BYLAWS
OF
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
As Amended and Restated by the Board of Directors
on December 14, 2022
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BYLAWS OF BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.Definitions. In these Bylaws, unless otherwise specifically provided:
(a)“Advancement of Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 of Article VIII of these Bylaws.
(b)“Affiliate” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization that is Controlled By the Corporation.
(c)“Certificate of Incorporation” means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and restated from time to time, including any certificates of designation filed with the Delaware Secretary of State setting forth the terms of preferred stock of the Corporation.
(d)“Chief Audit Executive” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of Article VI of these Bylaws.
(e)“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Corporation.
(f)“Controlled By” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction and management of the policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of over fifty (50) percent of the voting securities or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise.
(g)“Corporation” means Bank of America Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
(h)“Delivery Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(i)“Designated Officers” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 of Article X of these Bylaws.
(j)“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended.
(k)“Eligible Stockholder” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(l)“Emergency” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of Article X of these Bylaws.
(m)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(n)“Executive Officer” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of Article VI of these Bylaws.
(o)“Federal Reserve Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(c)(iii)(E) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(p)“Final Adjudication” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 of Article VIII of these Bylaws.
(q)“Final Proxy Access Nomination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(b) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(r)“Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of Article VIII of these Bylaws.
(s)“Lead Independent Director” means the independent director appointed by the independent members of the Board of Directors in accordance with Article IV, Section 8 of these Bylaws.
(t)“Meeting Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(u)“Notice of Proxy Access Nomination” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(b) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(v)“NYSE” has the meaning set forth in Section 9 of Article III of these Bylaws.
(w)“Officer” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of Article VI of these Bylaws.
(x)“OCC” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(c)(iii)(E) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(y)“Permitted Number” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(d) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(z)“Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of Article VIII of these Bylaws.
(aa)“Qualifying Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(e) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(bb) “Required Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(e) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(cc) “Requisite Percent” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(dd) “Shares” means the Common Stock and other units into which equity interests in the Corporation are divided.
(ee) “Similar Item” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(ff) “Special Meeting Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(gg) “Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(h) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(hh) “Stockholder” means the person in whose name Shares are registered in the records of the Corporation.
(ii) “Stockholder Nominee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a) of Article IV of these Bylaws.
(jj) “Stockholder Requested Special Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(kk) “Stockholder Special Meeting Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of Article III of these Bylaws.
(ll) “Undertaking” has the meaning set forth in Section 2 of Article VIII of these Bylaws.
Section 2.Cross-Reference to the DGCL. If any term used in these Bylaws and not otherwise defined herein is defined for purposes of the DGCL, such definition shall apply for purposes of these Bylaws, unless the context shall clearly require otherwise.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
Section 1.Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Corporation shall be located in the City of Charlotte, County of Mecklenburg, State of North Carolina.
Section 2.Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation required by the DGCL to be maintained in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
Section 3.Other Offices. The Corporation may have offices at such other places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as the affairs of the Corporation may require from time to time.
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Stockholders shall be held each year at a date and hour fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other proper business as may come before the meeting. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of Stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.Special Meetings.
(a)General.
(i)Special meetings of the Stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by the DGCL, may be called by the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or by the Secretary acting under instructions of the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President, subject to any applicable law or regulation (each, a “Special Meeting Request”). A special meeting of Stockholders shall be called by the Secretary upon the written request of Stockholders, including a written request made by one or more Stockholders on behalf of any beneficial owner of Common Stock, representing ownership of at least ten (10) percent of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation (the “Requisite Percent”), subject to Subsection (b) of this Section 2 (a “Stockholder Requested Special Meeting”). Business transacted at any special meeting of Stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of the Stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.
(ii)For purposes of calculating the Requisite Percent, “ownership” shall be deemed to consist of and include only the outstanding Common Stock as to which a person possesses both (A) the full voting rights pertaining to the Common Stock and (B) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such Common Stock; provided that the ownership of Common Stock calculated in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) shall not include any Common Stock (x) that a person has sold in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (y) that a person has borrowed or purchased pursuant to an agreement to resell or (z) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by a person, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with Common Stock or with cash based on the notional amount or value of Common Stock, in any
such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (1) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, the person’s full right to vote or direct the voting of any such Common Stock, and/or (2) hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such person’s Common Stock. “Ownership” shall include Common Stock held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the person claiming ownership of such Common Stock retains the right to instruct how the Common Stock is voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the Common Stock, provided that this provision shall not alter the obligations of any Stockholder to provide the notice described in Subsection (b) of this Section 2. Ownership of Common Stock shall be deemed to continue during any period in which Common Stock has been loaned if the person claiming ownership may terminate the Common Stock lending within three (3) days and during any period in which any voting power has been delegated by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement which is revocable at any time without condition. The determination of the extent of “ownership” of Common Stock for purposes of this Section 2 shall be made in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Corporation and the Stockholders. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings.
(b)Stockholder Requested Special Meetings. In order for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting to be called, one or more requests for a special meeting (each, a “Stockholder Special Meeting Request,” and collectively, the “Stockholder Special Meeting Requests”) must be signed by Stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than the Requisite Percent (or their duly authorized agents) and must be delivered to the Secretary. The Stockholder Special Meeting Request(s) shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation by registered mail, return receipt requested. Each Stockholder Special Meeting Request shall (i) set forth a statement of the specific purpose(s) of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, (ii) bear the date of signature of each such Stockholder (or duly authorized agent) signing the Stockholder Special Meeting Request, (iii) set forth (A) the name and address of each Stockholder signing such request and of any beneficial owner on whose behalf the Stockholder Special Meeting Request is signed, (B) the amount of Common Stock owned of record and beneficially by each such Stockholder and (C) include documentary evidence of such Stockholder’s record and beneficial ownership of such Common Stock, (iv) set forth all information relating to each such Stockholder that must be disclosed with respect to persons involved in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest (even if the Stockholder Requested Special Meeting does not involve an election contest), or is otherwise required, in each case, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, (v) contain the information required by Article III, Section 12(c)(i)-(iii) of these Bylaws as to each such Stockholder and any beneficial owners on whose behalf the Stockholder Special Meeting Request
is signed, and the information required by Article III, Section 12(c)(iv) and (v) as to any nominees and other business proposed to be presented at such meeting, and (vi) set forth an acknowledgment by each such Stockholder that the Stockholder Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to be revoked (and any meeting scheduled in response may be canceled) if the Common Stock owned by such persons does not represent ownership of at least the Requisite Percent at all times between the date on which such Stockholder Special Meeting Request is delivered and the date of the applicable Stockholder Requested Special Meeting, as well as an agreement by each such Stockholder to notify the Corporation immediately if such Stockholder ceases to own any Common Stock. Any requesting Stockholder may revoke a Stockholder Special Meeting Request at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation; provided, however, that if following such revocation there are Stockholder Special Meeting Requests which have not been revoked from Stockholders holding in the aggregate less than the Requisite Percent, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may cancel the Stockholder Requested Special Meeting. If none of the Stockholders who submitted a Stockholder Special Meeting Request for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting appears or sends a qualified representative (as defined below in Article III, Section 12(g)) to present the nominations proposed to be presented or other business proposed to be conducted at the Stockholder Requested Special Meeting, the Corporation need not present such nominations or other business for a vote at such Stockholder Requested Special Meeting.
In determining whether a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting has been requested by Stockholders (including by one or more Stockholders on behalf of any beneficial owners of Common Stock) owning in the aggregate not less than the Requisite Percent as of the date of such written request to the Secretary, multiple Stockholder Special Meeting Requests delivered to the Secretary will be considered together only if (i) each request identifies substantially the same purpose or purposes of the proposed Stockholder Requested Special Meeting and substantially the same matters proposed to be acted on at the proposed Stockholder Requested Special Meeting (in each case to be determined by the Board of Directors), and (ii) such Stockholder Special Meeting Requests have been dated and delivered to the Secretary within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated Stockholder Special Meeting Request.
(c)Calling of a Special Meeting. The Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting of Stockholders if (i) the Board of Directors calls an annual or special meeting of Stockholders to be held not later than sixty (60) days after the date on which a valid Special Meeting Request, Stockholder Special Meeting Request or multiple Stockholder Special Meeting Requests constituting at least the Requisite Percent have been delivered to the Secretary (the “Delivery Date”); or (ii) the Special Meeting Request or the Stockholder Special Meeting Request (A) is received by the Secretary during the period commencing seventy-five (75) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting and ending on the date of the next annual meeting; (B) contains an identical or substantially similar item (a “Similar Item”) to an item that was presented at any meeting of Stockholders held within one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the Delivery Date (and, for purposes of this clause (B) the election of directors shall be deemed a “Similar Item” with respect to all items of business involving the election or removal of directors); (C) relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject
for action by the party requesting the special meeting under applicable law; (D) was made in a manner that involved a violation of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act or other applicable law; or (E) does not comply with the provisions of this Section 2. The Secretary may call a special meeting of Stockholders at any time as requested by any government or regulatory agency.
(d)Holding a Special Meeting. Except as provided in the next sentence, any special meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors in accordance with these Bylaws and the DGCL. In the case of a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting, such meeting shall be held at such date, time and place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting shall be not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”), which shall be fixed in accordance with Article III, Section 5 of these Bylaws; provided further that, if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, a date and time for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on the sixtieth (60th) day after the Meeting Record Date (or, if that day shall not be a business day, then on the next preceding business day); and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting within ten (10) days after the Meeting Record Date, then such meeting shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive offices. In fixing a date and time for any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant within the good faith exercise of business judgment, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting.
(e)Business Transacted at a Special Meeting. Business to be transacted at a special meeting may only be brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Business transacted at any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting shall be limited to the purpose(s) stated in the Stockholder Special Meeting Request(s); provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Directors from submitting matters to the Stockholders at any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting.
Section 3.Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Corporation, or the Secretary acting under instructions of the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, may designate any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting of Stockholders or for any special meeting of Stockholders or may, in its sole discretion determine that a meeting of Stockholders shall in addition or instead be held by means of remote communication in accordance with the DGCL.
Section 4.Notice to Stockholders. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by law, whenever Stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which the Stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed
to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Any notice to Stockholders shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission in the manner and to the extent permitted by the DGCL.
Unless otherwise provided or permitted by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice may be given to Stockholders sharing an address in the manner and to the extent permitted by the DGCL and by the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Exchange Act. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Stockholder at such Stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
Any meeting of Stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or another place. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the date, time and place, if any, of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which the Stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and voting at such meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken or are provided in any other manner permitted by the DGCL. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determining Stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice in accordance with Article III, Section 5 of these Bylaws and notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
A Stockholder may waive any notice required by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws before or after the date and time stated in the notice. Attendance of a Stockholder at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the Stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 5.Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or Stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, or in order to make a determination of Stockholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date for any such determination of Stockholders, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which date in any case shall not be more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of Stockholders, not less than ten days, prior to the date of such meeting or on which such action is to be taken. If no record date is fixed
for the determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders, the close of business on the day before the first notice is given, or if notice is waived, the close of business on the day before the date of such meeting shall be the record date. If no record date is fixed for the determination of Stockholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or other distribution or any other proper purpose, the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto shall be the record date. When a determination of Stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of Stockholders has been made as provided in this Section 5, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof or any postponement that is to a date not more than sixty (60) days after the record date, in each case unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date.
Section 6.Stockholders List. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the tenth day before each meeting of Stockholders, a complete list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of Shares registered in the name of each Stockholder. The list of Stockholders shall be open to the examination of any Stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of ten days ending on the day before the meeting date during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation, or the Corporation may place the Stockholders list on a reasonably accessible electronic network as permitted by the DGCL. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the Stockholders entitled to examine the list of Stockholders required by this Section 6 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders.
Section 7.Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the outstanding Shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. In the absence of a quorum, such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the chair of the meeting or upon the approval of the majority of the voting power of the outstanding Shares present and entitled to vote at the meeting, even if less than a quorum, without notice other than announcement at the meeting as provided in Article III, Section 4 or as otherwise required by Article III. Once a quorum is present at a meeting, it is deemed present for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 8.Proxies. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Without limiting the manner in which a Stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder as proxy pursuant to the previous paragraph, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a Stockholder may grant such authority:
(1) A Stockholder, or such Stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent, may execute a document authorizing another person or persons to act for such Stockholder as proxy.
(2) A Stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the Stockholder. If it is determined that such transmissions are valid, the inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.
(3) The authorization of a person to act as a proxy may be documented, signed and delivered in accordance with the DGCL, provided that such authorization shall set forth, or be delivered with information enabling the Corporation to determine, the identity of the Stockholder granting such authorization.
Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the document (including electronic transmission) created pursuant to the previous paragraph of this Section 8 may be substituted or used in lieu of the original document for any and all purposes for which the original document could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original document.
A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally.
A Stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.
Section 9.Voting of Shares. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, each outstanding Share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter voted on at a Stockholders meeting. Other Shares are entitled to vote only as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL. If a quorum exists, action on a matter (other than election of
directors, which is set forth in Section 10 of this Article III, or the chair of a meeting of stockholders, which is set forth in Section 11 of this Article III) is approved if the votes cast favoring an action exceed the votes cast opposing the action; provided, however, if the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the DGCL, the rules or regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (unless the Corporation’s Common Stock ceases to be listed on the NYSE and is listed on another exchange in which case such exchange’s rules and regulations), or any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or the action to be voted on requires a greater number of affirmative votes for approval of such matter, then action on such matter is approved if such greater number of votes favoring such action are cast.
Section 10.Required Vote for Directors. A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election; provided, however, that the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of Stockholders for which (a) the Secretary receives a notice that a Stockholder has nominated one or more persons for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to these Bylaws and (b) each such nomination has not been withdrawn by such Stockholder or such nominee on or prior to the date that is ten (10) days in advance of the date the Corporation files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether thereafter revised or supplemented) for such meeting of Stockholders with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a result of which the total number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected at such meeting of Stockholders. If no nominees for election to the Board of Directors are elected at an annual meeting, a special meeting of Stockholders shall be called for an election of directors in the manner provided in Article III, Section 2 of these Bylaws.
Section 11.Conduct of Meetings. The Chair of the Board shall preside as chair at each meeting of Stockholders or, in the Chair of the Board’s absence, the Chief Executive Officer or President shall so preside. At the request of the Chair of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or President, or in the event all are absent, such other Officer as the Board of Directors shall designate shall so preside at any such meeting. In the absence of a presiding officer determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, any person may be designated to so preside at a Stockholders meeting by a plurality vote of the Shares represented and entitled to vote at the meeting. The Secretary or, in the absence or at the request of the Secretary, any person designated by the person presiding at a Stockholders meeting shall act as secretary of such meeting. The chair of the meeting shall have the authority to adopt and enforce such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of Stockholders and the safety of those in attendance as deemed necessary, appropriate or convenient, including, without limitation, establishing: (a) an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on participation in the meeting to Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall permit; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (e) limitations on the time allotted for consideration of each agenda item and for questions and discussion by participants; and (f) procedures requiring attendees to provide the Corporation advance notice of their intent to attend the meeting.
The chair of the meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if the chair should so determine, such chair shall so declare to the meeting that any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. The chair of the meeting may, for any reason, from time to time, adjourn any meeting of Stockholders, or recess any meeting of Stockholders, without notice other than announcement at the meeting except as provided in Article III, Section 4. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the Stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.
Section 12.Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a)At any meeting of the Stockholders, only nominations for the election of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered that has been properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 may be conducted. Nominations for the election of directors and the proposal of other business at an annual meeting may be made only: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof; (ii) by a Stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section 12 is delivered to the Secretary, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with this Section 12; or (iii) by an Eligible Stockholder (as defined in Article IV, Section 9 of these Bylaws) who complies with the requirements of Article IV, Section 9 of these Bylaws. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to make director nominations at an annual meeting of Stockholders, and the foregoing clause (ii) shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to propose other business at an annual meeting of Stockholders (other than a proposal included in the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the applicable Stockholders’ meeting pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act).
(b)For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a Stockholder pursuant to clause (ii) of Subsection (a) of this Section 12, the Stockholder must have given timely and proper notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and any such proposed business other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a Stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation by registered mail, return receipt requested, not later than the close of business on the seventy-fifth (75th) day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after its anniversary date, notice by the Stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the seventy-fifth (75th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above. The number of persons a Stockholder may nominate for election as a director at the annual meeting (or in the case of a Stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of persons a Stockholder may nominate for election as a director at the annual meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting.
(c)To be proper, the notice by a Stockholder must set forth:
(i)the name and address of the Stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the business is proposed;
(ii)a representation that the Stockholder is a holder of record of the Corporation’s Shares (including the number and class of Shares which are owned of record by such Stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed) as of the date of the notice, entitled to vote at such meeting of Stockholders and intends to appear (or have a qualified representative appear) at such meeting to make such nomination or to propose such business;
(iii)as to the Stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner, as to such beneficial owner, and if such Stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, as to each individual who is a director, executive officer, general partner or managing member of such entity or of any other entity that has or shares control of such entity (each such individual or entity, a “control person”):
(A)the number and class of Shares which are beneficially owned by such Stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of Shares beneficially owned by the Stockholder or such beneficial owners and by any control person as of the record date for the meeting. For purposes of this Subsection (A), Shares shall be treated as “beneficially owned” by a person if the person beneficially owns such Shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing): (1) the right to acquire such Shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of
a condition or both), (2) the right to vote such Shares, alone or in concert with others, (3) investment power with respect to such Shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such Shares, and/or (4) a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in such Shares, as determined pursuant to Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act, or other direct or indirect financial interest in Shares, regardless of whether exempt from the definition of pecuniary interest;
(B)whether and the extent to which any hedging, pledging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into as of the date of the notice by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding, including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, forward contracts, swaps, contracts of sale, voting rights, dividend rights, performance-related fees or any borrowing and/or lending of Shares (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) has been made, whether the Derivative Instrument is to be settled with Shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of Common Stock, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such Stockholder or any such beneficial owner and any control person with respect to any Shares, and a representation that the Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any Derivative Instrument in effect as of the record date for the meeting;
(C)a representation whether the Stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, and any control person intends or is part of a group that intends to engage in a solicitation with respect to the nomination or business proposed and, if so, (1) whether such solicitation will be conducted as an exempt solicitation under Rule 14a-2(b) of the Exchange Act, (2) the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such solicitation, (3) in the case of a proposal of business other than any nomination for the election of a director, whether such person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy through means satisfying each of the conditions that would be applicable to the Corporation under either Rule 14a-16(a) or Rule 14a-16(n) of the Exchange Act to holders (including any beneficial owners pursuant to Rule 14b-1 and Rule 14b-2 of the Exchange Act) of at least the percentage of the voting power of the
outstanding Shares required under applicable law to approve or adopt the proposal, and (4) in the case of any solicitation that is subject to Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act, confirming that such person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy through means satisfying each of the conditions that would be applicable to the Corporation under either Rule 14a-16(a) or Rule 14a-16(n) of the Exchange Act to holders (including any beneficial owners pursuant to Rule 14b-1 and Rule 14b-2 of the Exchange Act) of at least sixty-seven percent (67%) of the voting power of the outstanding Shares then entitled to vote at the meeting on the election of directors;
(D)a representation that promptly after soliciting proxies from the percentage of Stockholders referred to in the representation required under clause (c)(iii)(C)(4) of this Section 12, and no later than the tenth day before such meeting of Stockholders, such Stockholder or beneficial owner will provide the Corporation with documents, which may take the form of a certified statement and documentation from a proxy solicitor, specifically demonstrating that the necessary steps have been taken to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of such percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding Shares, which documents shall be deemed to be a part of the notice required under this Section 12(c);
(E)a description of any plans or proposals which such Stockholder or beneficial owner and each control person may have which relate to or would result in, if implemented, any action that would (1) be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 4 of Schedule 13D of the Exchange Act (regardless of whether a Schedule 13D is required), and/or (2) require the Stockholder to notify any government or regulatory agency, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and/or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) under applicable banking laws and regulations, and a representation that the Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any such plans or proposals existing as of such record date; and
(F)a description (which description shall include, in addition to all other information, information identifying all parties thereto) of all agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the nomination or proposal among the Stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, and any control person and each nominee, if any, and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons)
including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the Stockholder or beneficial owner) pursuant to which the nomination or proposal is to be made by the Stockholder and a representation that the Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreements, arrangements or understandings in effect as of the record date for the meeting;
(iv)as to each person whom the Stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:
(A)all information regarding each nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee for director in a proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the meeting at which directors are to be elected and to serving as a director if elected;
(B)completed and signed questionnaires in the same form the Corporation requests of the Board of Directors’ nominees for director, and such other information as the Corporation may reasonably request, including any additional information necessary for the Board of Directors to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation, including information relevant to a determination of whether such person (1) qualifies as independent under the listing standards of each principal U.S. exchange upon which the Common Stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation’s directors, (2) has any direct or indirect relationship with the Corporation other than those relationships that have been deemed categorically immaterial pursuant to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, and (3) if such person is not and has not been subject to any event specified in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K (or successor rule) of the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(C)a written statement, not to exceed 500 words, in support of such person as a nominee for the Board of Directors; and
(D)a written representation by such person as a nominee that such person (1) is not and will not become a party to any compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity in connection with such person’s nomination, service or action as a director of the Corporation, or any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity as to how such person would vote or act on any issue or question as a director, in each case that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (2) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity that could limit or interfere with the person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, and (3) has read and agrees, if elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, to adhere to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct and any other Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to directors.
(v)As to any business other than a nomination for director that the Stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, to be proper, the notice by a Stockholder must set forth:
(A)a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting;
(B)the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment);
(C)the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting; and
(D)any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such Stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and of any control person.
(d)Any Stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other Stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use for solicitation by the Board of Directors.
(e)Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Subsection (b) of this Section 12 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Stockholder’s notice required by this Section 12 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(f)Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of Stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of Stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or Stockholders pursuant to Article III, Section 2 of these Bylaws or (ii) provided that the Board of Directors or Stockholders pursuant to Article III, Section 2 of these Bylaws have determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any Stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 12 is delivered to the Secretary, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12. The number of persons a Stockholder may nominate for election as a director at the special meeting (or in the case of a Stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of persons a Stockholder may nominate for election as a director at the special meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such special meeting. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of Stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such Stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the Stockholder’s notice required by Subsection (b) of this Section 12 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors or the Stockholders pursuant to Article III, Section 2 of these Bylaws to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.
(g)Except as otherwise provided by law, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 (including whether the Stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the nomination or proposal is made provided timely and proper notice pursuant to this Section 12 or solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such nominee or proposal in compliance with the representations as required by Subsection (c)(iii)(C) of this Section 12) and (ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 12 (including if a Stockholder or a nominee, as applicable, did not provide the information required under Article III, Section 12(c) to the Corporation within the time period prescribed therein), and if it be so determined, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies and votes in respect of such matter may have been received (which proxies and votes shall be disregarded). In furtherance and not by way of limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, unless otherwise required by law, if the Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies and votes in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of Article III, Section 2 and this Section 12, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders. In the event that a qualified representative of the Stockholder will appear at the annual or special meeting of Stockholders (including a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting) to make a nomination or propose business, the Stockholder must provide notice of the designation, including the identity of the representative, to the Corporation at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to such meeting. Where a Stockholder fails to provide such notice of designation to the Corporation within the required timeframe, such Stockholder must appear in person to present such Stockholder’s nomination or proposed business at the annual or special meeting or such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted as provided for above.
(h)For purposes of this Section 12 and Article IV, Section 9(b) of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(i)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, a Stockholder seeking to include a proposal in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 12. Nothing in this Section 12 shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of Stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 13.Inspectors of Election. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of Stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. In the event that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of Stockholders, the chair of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (a) ascertain the number of Shares outstanding and the voting power of each such Share, (b) determine the Shares of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (e) certify their determination of the number of Shares of the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a nominee for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or permitted under the DGCL.
Section 2.Number and Qualifications. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed or changed from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Directors need not be residents of the State of Delaware or Stockholders of the Corporation. A director of the Corporation shall at all times meet all statutory and regulatory qualifications for a director of a publicly held bank holding company and financial holding company, as well as all requirements of the Corporation’s primary regulators in their supervisory capacity.
Section 3.Terms of Directors. The terms of all directors shall expire at the next annual Stockholders meeting following their election or upon a director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. A decrease in the number of directors does not shorten an incumbent director’s term. The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy shall expire at the next Stockholders meeting at which directors are elected or upon such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, however, such director shall continue to serve until the director’s successor is elected and qualified or until
such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. Any director may be removed at any time with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation.
Section 4.Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Except in those instances where the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law provides otherwise, a majority of directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or a sole remaining director, may fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship on the Board of Directors. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date or otherwise) may be filled before the vacancy occurs by a majority of directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 5.Compensation. The Board of Directors may provide for the compensation of directors for their services as such and may provide for the payment or reimbursement of any or all expenses reasonably incurred by them in attending meetings of the Board or of any committee of the Board or in the performance of their other duties as directors.
Section 6.Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time create or eliminate one or more committees, including but not limited to Audit, Compensation and Human Capital, Corporate Governance, ESG, and Sustainability, and Enterprise Risk committees, and appoint members of the Board of Directors to serve on them. Each committee must have one or more members who serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors shall periodically review, and approve any changes to, the charter describing the duties of each committee. The provisions of the DGCL and these Bylaws that govern meetings, action without meetings, notice and waiver of notice, and quorum and voting requirements of the Board of Directors, shall apply to committees and their members as well. Each committee may exercise the authority of the Board of Directors to the extent provided by the Board of Directors, and to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall preclude the Board of Directors from establishing and appointing any committee, whether of directors or otherwise, not having or exercising the authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 7.Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors may elect from among its members a director designated as the Chair of the Board, but the appointment of a Chair of the Board shall not be required. If a Chair of the Board shall be elected, then the Chair of the Board shall have such other duties and authority as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time. In general, the Chair of the Board shall perform all duties incident to the position of chair of the board or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws from time to time. The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, may remove the Chair of the Board.
Section 8.Lead Independent Director. A majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors may elect from among the independent members of the Board of Directors a Lead Independent Director, but the election of a Lead Independent Director shall not be required. The
Lead Independent Director may be removed as a Lead Independent Director by vote of a majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors. If a Lead Independent Director shall be elected, then the Lead Independent Director shall have such duties and authority as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time. For purposes of this Bylaw, “independent” has the meaning set forth in the NYSE listing standards, unless the Corporation’s Common Stock ceases to be listed on the NYSE and is listed on another exchange, in which case such exchange’s definition of independent director shall apply.
Section 9.Inclusion of Director Nominations by Stockholders in the Corporation’s Proxy Materials.
(a)Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in these Bylaws, the Corporation shall include in its proxy statement and form of proxy (hereinafter, the “proxy materials”) for an annual meeting of Stockholders, in addition to the persons nominated for election by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, the name, and with respect to the proxy statement, the Required Information (defined below), of any person nominated for election (the “Stockholder Nominee”) to the Board of Directors by one or more Stockholders that satisfies the notice, ownership and other requirements of this Section 9 (such person or group, the “Eligible Stockholder”).
(b)To nominate a Stockholder Nominee, the Eligible Stockholder must provide a notice that expressly elects to have its Stockholder Nominee included in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 9 (the “Notice of Proxy Access Nomination”). To be timely, a Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation by registered mail, return receipt requested, not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) calendar day and no later than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) calendar day prior to the anniversary of the date the Corporation commenced mailing of its proxy materials in connection with the most recent annual meeting of Stockholders (the last day on which a Notice of Proxy Access Nomination may be delivered, the “Final Proxy Access Nomination Date”), provided that in the event that the date of such annual meeting is more than thirty (30) calendar days before or seventy (70) calendar days after its anniversary date, the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the one hundred twentieth (120th) calendar day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the tenth (10th) calendar day following the day on which a public announcement of the annual meeting date is first made. In addition to other requirements set forth in this Section 9, the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must include the name and address of the Eligible Stockholder (including each Stockholder and/or beneficial owner whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder).
(c)For purposes of this Section 9, the “Required Information” that the Corporation will include in its proxy statement is (i) the information concerning the Stockholder Nominee and the Eligible Stockholder that the Corporation determines is required to be disclosed in the Corporation’s proxy materials by the regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (ii) if the Eligible Stockholder so elects, a Statement (defined below). Nothing in this Section 9 shall
limit the Corporation’s ability to solicit against and include in its proxy materials its own statements relating to any Stockholder Nominee.
(d)The maximum number of Stockholder Nominees (including Stockholder Nominees that were submitted by an Eligible Stockholder for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 9 but either are subsequently withdrawn or that the Board of Directors decides to nominate as Board of Director nominees) appearing in the Corporation’s proxy materials with respect to an annual meeting of Stockholders shall not exceed 20% of the number of directors in office as of the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date, or if such number is not a whole number, the closest whole number below 20% (the “Permitted Number”); provided, however, that the Permitted Number shall be reduced, but not below zero, by the number of such director candidates for which the Corporation shall have received one or more valid notices that a Stockholder (other than an Eligible Stockholder) intends to nominate director candidates at such applicable annual meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Article III, Section 12 of these Bylaws; provided, further, that in the event that one or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board of Directors at any time after the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date and before the date of the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders and the Board of Directors resolves to reduce the size of the Board of Directors in connection therewith, the Permitted Number shall be calculated based on the number of directors in office as so reduced. In the event that the number of Stockholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 9 exceeds the Permitted Number, each Eligible Stockholder will select one Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials until the Permitted Number is reached, with preference provided based on the number (largest to smallest) of Shares owned by each Eligible Stockholder pursuant to this Section 9. If the Permitted Number is not reached after each Eligible Stockholder has selected one Stockholder Nominee, this selection process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the Permitted Number is reached.
(e)An Eligible Stockholder is one or more Stockholders who owns and has owned, or are acting on behalf of one or more beneficial owners who own and have owned (as defined below), for at least three years as of date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is received by the Corporation, Shares representing at least 3% of the voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Required Shares”), and who continue to own the Required Shares at all times between the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is received by the Corporation and the date of the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders, provided that the aggregate number of Stockholders, and, if and to the extent that a Stockholder is acting on behalf of one or more beneficial owners, of such beneficial owners, whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of satisfying the foregoing ownership requirement shall not exceed twenty (20). Two or more funds that are (i) under common management and investment control or (ii) under common management and funded primarily by a single employer (such funds together under each of (i) or (ii) comprising a “Qualifying Fund”) shall be treated as one Stockholder for the purpose of determining the aggregate number of Stockholders in this Section 9(e), and treated as one person for the purpose of determining ownership in Section 9(f), provided that each fund comprising a Qualifying Fund otherwise meets the requirements set forth in this Section 9. No
Stockholder or beneficial holder may be a member of more than one group constituting an Eligible Stockholder under this Section 9.
(f)For purposes of calculating the Required Shares, “ownership” shall be deemed to consist of and include only the outstanding Shares as to which a person possesses both (i) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the Shares and (ii) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such Shares; provided that the ownership of Shares calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) shall not include any Shares (A) that a person has sold in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (B) that a person has borrowed or purchased pursuant to an agreement to resell or (C) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by a person, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with Shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of Shares, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (1) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, the person’s full right to vote or direct the voting of any such Shares, and/or (2) hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such person’s Shares. “Ownership” shall include Shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the person claiming ownership of such Shares retains the right to instruct how the Shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the Shares, provided that this provision shall not alter the obligations of any Stockholder to provide the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination. Ownership of Shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which Shares have been loaned if the person claiming ownership may terminate the Shares lending within three (3) days and during any period in which any voting power has been delegated by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement which is revocable at any time without condition. The determination of the extent of “ownership” of Shares for purposes of this Section 9 shall be made in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Corporation and the Stockholders. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. An Eligible Stockholder shall include in its Notice of Proxy Access Nomination the number of Shares it is deemed to own for the purposes of this Section 9.
(g)No later than the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date, an Eligible Stockholder (including each Stockholder, fund comprising a Qualifying Fund and/or beneficial owner whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder) must provide the following information in writing to the Secretary: (i) one or more written statements from the record holder of the Shares (and from each intermediary through which the Shares are or have been held during the requisite three-year holding period) verifying that, as of the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is sent to by the Corporation, the Eligible Stockholder owns, and has owned continuously for the preceding three (3) years, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement to provide (A) within five (5) business days after the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Stockholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through the record date, and (B) immediate notice if the Eligible Stockholder ceases to own any of the Required Shares
prior to the date of the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders; (ii) the written consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named as a nominee for director in a proxy statement and form of proxy and to serving as a director if elected; and (iii) a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 14a-18 under the Exchange Act. In addition, no later than the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date, an Eligible Stockholder (including each Stockholder, fund comprising a Qualifying Fund and/or beneficial owner whose stock ownership is counted for purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder) must provide to the Secretary a signed and written agreement of the Eligible Stockholder setting forth: (i) a representation that the Eligible Stockholder (A) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control of the Corporation, and does not presently have such intent, (B) intends to maintain qualifying ownership of the Required Shares through the date of the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders, (C) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders any person other than its Stockholder Nominee, (D) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders other than its Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board of Directors, (E) will not distribute to any Stockholder any form of proxy for the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders other than the form distributed by the Corporation, and (F) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its Stockholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and otherwise will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with any actions taken pursuant to this Section 9; (ii) a representation that the Eligible Stockholder intends to maintain ownership (as defined in this Section 9) of the Required Shares for at least one year following the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders; (iii) in the case of a nomination by a group of Stockholders that together is such an Eligible Stockholder, the designation by all group members of one group member that is authorized to act on behalf of all members of the nominating stockholder group with respect to the nomination and matters related thereto, including withdrawal of the nomination; and (iv) an undertaking that the Eligible Stockholder agrees to (A) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Stockholder’s communications with the Stockholders of the Corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Stockholder provided to the Corporation, (B) indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation and each of its directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss or damages in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Corporation or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of any nomination, solicitation or other activity by the Eligible Stockholder in connection with its efforts to elect the Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 9, and (C) file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any solicitation or other communication with the Corporation’s Stockholders relating to the meeting at which the Stockholder Nominee will be nominated, regardless of whether any such filing is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act or whether any exemption from filing is available for such solicitation or other communication
under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. In addition, no later than the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date, a Qualifying Fund whose stock ownership is counted for purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder must provide to the Secretary documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors that demonstrates that the funds comprising the Qualifying Fund are either (i) under common management and investment control, or (ii) under common management and funded primarily by a single employer.
(h)The Eligible Stockholder may provide to the Secretary, at the time the information required by this Section 9 is provided, a written statement for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials for the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders, not to exceed 500 words, in support of the Eligible Stockholder’s Stockholder Nominee (the “Statement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9, the Corporation may omit from its proxy materials any information or Statement (or portion thereof) that it, in good faith, believes would violate any applicable law or regulation.
(i)The Notice of Proxy Access Nomination shall set forth or be submitted with the following information and materials in writing: (i) an executed agreement, in a form deemed satisfactory by the Board of Directors or its designee, that (A) the Stockholder Nominee has read and agrees, if elected, to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, to adhere to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct and any other Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to directors, and (B) that the Stockholder Nominee is not and will not become a party to any compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity in connection with such Stockholder Nominee’s nomination, service or action as a director of the Corporation, or any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity as to how the Stockholder Nominee would vote or act on any issue or question as a director, in each case that has not been disclosed to the Corporation; (ii) all completed and signed questionnaires requested of the Corporation’s Board of Directors; and (iii) a representation that the Stockholder Nominee will provide, within five (5) business days of the Corporation’s request, such additional information as the Corporation determines may be necessary to permit the Board of Directors to determine (A) if such Stockholder Nominee is independent under the listing standards of each principal U.S. exchange upon which the Common Stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation’s directors, (B) if such Stockholder Nominee has any direct or indirect relationship with the Corporation other than those relationships that have been deemed categorically immaterial pursuant to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, and (C) if such Stockholder Nominee is not and has not been subject to any event specified in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K (or successor rule) of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the event that any information or communications provided by the Eligible Stockholder or the Stockholder Nominee to the Corporation or its Stockholders is inaccurate, incomplete, ceases to be true and correct in any respect or omits a fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, each Eligible Stockholder or Stockholder Nominee, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Secretary of any such
inaccuracy or omission in such previously provided information and of the information that is required to make such information or communication true and correct; it being understood that providing any such notification shall not be deemed to cure any defect or limit the Corporation’s rights to omit a Stockholder Nominee from its proxy materials as provided in this Section 9.
(j)Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation’s proxy materials for a particular annual meeting of Stockholders but either (i) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at that annual meeting, or (ii) does not receive at least 20% of the votes cast in favor of the Stockholder Nominee’s election, will be ineligible to be a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 9 for the next two (2) annual meetings of Stockholders. Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation’s proxy materials for a particular annual meeting of Stockholders, but subsequently is determined not to satisfy the eligibility requirements of this Section 9 or any other provision of the Corporation’s Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, Corporate Governance Guidelines or other applicable regulation at any time before the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders, will not be eligible for election at the relevant annual meeting of Stockholders and may not be substituted by the Eligible Stockholder that nominated such Stockholder Nominee. Any Eligible Stockholder (including each Stockholder, fund comprising a Qualifying Fund and/or beneficial owner whose stock ownership is counted for the purposes of qualifying as an Eligible Stockholder) whose Stockholder Nominee is elected as a director at the annual meeting of Stockholders will not be eligible to nominate or participate in the nomination of a Stockholder Nominee for the following two (2) annual meetings of Stockholders other than the nomination of such previously elected Stockholder Nominee.
(k)The Corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 9, a Stockholder Nominee in its proxy materials for any meeting of Stockholders, or, if the proxy statement already has been filed, to allow the nomination of a Stockholder Nominee, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation: (i) if the Stockholder Nominee or the Eligible Stockholder (or any member of any group of Stockholders that together is such Eligible Stockholder) who has nominated such Stockholder Nominee has engaged in or is currently engaged in, or has been or is a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders other than its Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board of Directors; (ii) if another person is engaging in a “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders other than a nominee of the Board of Directors; (iii) who is not independent under the listing standards of each principal U.S. exchange upon which the Common Stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC, and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing independence of the Corporation’s directors, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors; (iv) who does not meet the audit committee independence requirements under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are traded, is not a “non-employee director” for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule), is not experienced in matters of risk management for the purposes of
Regulation YY of the Federal Reserve Board, is not independent for the purposes of the requirements under the FDIC Improvement Act related to designation as an “outside director,” and is not a U.S. citizen; (v) whose election as a member of the Board of Directors would cause the Corporation to be in violation of these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, the rules and listing standards of the principal U.S. securities exchanges upon which the Common Stock of the Corporation is listed, or any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation; (vi) who is or has been, within the past three (3) years, an officer or director of a competitor, for purposes of Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914; (vii) whose election as a member of the Board of Directors would cause the Corporation to seek, or assist in the seeking of, advance approval or to obtain, or assist in the obtaining of, an interlock waiver pursuant to the rules or regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; (viii) whose then-current or within the preceding ten (10) years’ business or personal interests place such Stockholder Nominee in a conflict of interest with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries that would cause such Stockholder Nominee to violate any fiduciary duties of directors under applicable law, including but not limited to, the duty of loyalty and duty of care, as determined by the Board of Directors; (ix) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past ten (10) years; (x) if such Stockholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Stockholder (or any member of any group of Stockholders that together is such Eligible Stockholder) shall have provided information to the Corporation in connection with such nomination that was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make any statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it was made, not misleading, as determined by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof; (xi) the Eligible Stockholder (or any member of any group of Stockholders that together is such Eligible Stockholder) does not appear at the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders to present the Stockholder Nominee for election; (xii) the Eligible Stockholder (or any member of any group of Stockholders that together is such Eligible Stockholder) or applicable Stockholder Nominee otherwise breaches or fails to comply with its representations or obligations pursuant to these Bylaws, including, without limitation, this Section 9; or (xiii) the Eligible Stockholder ceases to be an Eligible Stockholder for any reason, including but not limited to not owning the Required Shares through the date of the applicable annual meeting. For the purpose of this paragraph, clauses (iii) through (xiii) will result in the exclusion from the proxy materials pursuant to this Section 9 of the specific Stockholder Nominee to whom the ineligibility applies, or, if the proxy statement already has been filed, the ineligibility of the Stockholder Nominee; however, clauses (i) and (ii) will result in the exclusion from the proxy materials pursuant to this Section 9 of all Stockholder Nominees from the applicable annual meeting of Stockholders, or, if the proxy statement already has been filed, the ineligibility of all Stockholder Nominees. Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation’s proxy materials for an annual meeting of Stockholders pursuant to this Section 9 shall tender an irrevocable resignation in advance of the annual meeting, provided that such resignation shall expire upon the certification of the voting results of that annual meeting of Stockholders. Such resignation shall become effective upon a determination by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof that (i) the information provided pursuant to this Section 9 to the Corporation by such individual or by the Eligible Stockholder (or any member of any group of Stockholders that together is such Eligible
Stockholder) who nominated such individual was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) such individual, or the Eligible Stockholder (or any member of any group of Stockholders that together is such Eligible Stockholder) who nominated such individual, shall have breached or failed to comply with its agreements, representations undertakings and/or obligations pursuant to these Bylaws, including, without limitation, this Section 9.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw provision immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of the Stockholders. In addition, the Board of Directors may determine the date, time and place, within or without the State of Delaware for the holding of additional regular meetings.
Section 2.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any date, time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, upon the call of the Chair of the Board, the Lead Independent Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or of the Secretary acting under instructions from the Chair of the Board, the Lead Independent Director, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or upon the call of any three directors. Special meetings may be held at any date, time and place and without special notice by unanimous consent of the directors.
Section 3.Notice. The person or persons calling a special meeting of the Board of Directors shall, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting, give notice thereof by any usual means of communication. Such notice may be communicated, without limitation, in person; by telephone, facsimile, or other electronic transmission; or by mail or private carrier. Notice of a directors’ meeting is effective at the earliest of the following:
(a)when received;
(b)if by facsimile or other electronic transmission, when sent addressed to the director; or
(c)on the date shown on the confirmation of delivery issued by United States mail or a private carrier, if sent by overnight delivery to the address of the director last known to the Corporation.
Oral notice is effective when actually communicated to the director. Notice of an adjourned meeting of directors need not be given if the time and place are fixed at the meeting being adjourned. The notice of any meeting of directors need not describe the purpose of the meeting unless otherwise required by the DGCL.
Section 4.Waiver of Notice. A director may waive any notice required by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws before or after the date and time stated in the notice. The waiver may be in writing, signed by the director entitled to the notice, or by electronic transmission of such director and filed with the minutes or corporate records, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing requirement of notice, a director’s attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to the director of the meeting unless the director at the beginning of the meeting expressly objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 5.Quorum. A majority of the number of directors in office immediately before the meeting begins, but in no case less than one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors fixed by the Board of Directors, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if a quorum is not present at a meeting, a majority of directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 6.Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or herein, the act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
Section 7.Conduct of Meetings. The Chair of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors or, in the Chair of the Board’s absence or at the Chair of the Board’s request, the Lead Independent Director shall so preside; provided, however, that in the absence or at the request of both the Chair of the Board and the Lead Independent Director, or if there shall not be persons holding such offices, the person selected to preside at a meeting of directors by a vote of a majority of the directors present shall preside at such meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence or at the request of the Secretary, any person designated by the person presiding at a meeting of the Board of Directors, shall act as secretary of such meeting.
Section 8.Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be. The action must be evidenced by one or more consents in writing or by electronic transmission describing the action taken. After an action is taken, the consent or consents shall be filed with the records of the Board of Directors or of such committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.
Section 9.Participation Other Than in Person. Members of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a Board of Directors or committee meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 9 shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 1.Officers of the Corporation. The officers of the Corporation may include a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Chairs, one or more individuals designated by the Board of Directors as an “executive officer” for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations (the “Executive Officers”), one or more Managing Directors (including the officer title of Directors), one or more Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents), a Secretary, a Treasurer, a chief internal audit executive (the “Chief Audit Executive”), and such other officers, assistant or deputy officers and agents, as may be elected from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors (collectively, with the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice Chair, the Executive Officers, the Managing Directors, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Chief Audit Executive, the “Officers”). The Officers shall have such duties and authorities as may be prescribed by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or by the Officer to whom such Officer reports.
The same individual may simultaneously hold more than one office in the Corporation, but no individual may act in more than one capacity where action of two or more Officers is required. The title of any Officer may include any additional designation descriptive of such Officer’s duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Section 2.Appointment and Term. The Officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors, by a duly authorized committee thereof or by an Officer authorized by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof to elect one or more Officers; provided, however, that no Officer may be authorized to elect the Chief Executive Officer or the President. Each Officer shall hold office until such Officer’s death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification or until such Officer’s successor is elected and qualified.
Section 3.Compensation. The compensation of all Officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by or under the authority of the Board of Directors. No Officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that such Officer is also a director.
Section 4.Resignation and Removal of Officers. An Officer may resign at any time by communicating such Officer’s resignation to the Corporation. A resignation is effective when it is communicated unless it specifies in writing or by electronic transmission a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Corporation accepts the future effective date, the Board of Directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board of Directors provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date. The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, may remove the Chief Executive Officer or the President whenever in its judgment the best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby. In addition, the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee or an Officer
authorized by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof may remove any other Officer at any time with or without cause.
Section 5.Contract Rights of Officers. The appointment of an Officer does not itself create contract rights. An Officer’s removal does not itself affect the Officer’s contract rights, if any, with the Corporation, and an Officer’s resignation does not itself affect the Corporation’s contract rights, if any, with the Officer.
Section 6.Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors may elect a Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors, supervise and control the business and affairs of the Corporation. In general the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all duties incident to the position of chief executive officer or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws from time to time.
Section 7.President. The Board of Directors may elect a President. The President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of that office and, in addition, the President shall perform such other duties and shall have such other authority as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. In general the President shall perform all duties incident to the position of president or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws from time to time. The Board of Directors shall, if it deems such action necessary or desirable, designate the Officer of the Corporation who is to perform the duties of the President in the event of such Officer’s absence or inability to act.
Section 8.Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings of the Stockholders and of the Board of Directors and be custodian of the corporate records, and in general perform all duties incident to the office of the secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by these Bylaws or assigned to the Secretary by the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors or a committee created by the Board of Directors.
Section 9.Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation, and in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by these Bylaws, or assigned to the Treasurer by the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors or a committee created by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
Section 1.Shares. Shares of the Corporation will be uncertificated unless the Board of Directors by resolution determines otherwise. Shares represented by an existing certificate will remain certificated until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Shares represented by certificates shall be in such form as shall be required by the DGCL, and as determined by the Board of Directors. If certificates are issued, each certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, any two authorized Officers, including but not limited to the Chief
Executive Officer, a Vice Chair of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Corporation certifying the number of Shares represented by such certificate. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any Officer or any transfer agent or registrar (whose roles are described in Article VII, Section 4 below) who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such Officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such Officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 2.Stock Transfer Books and Transfer of Shares. The Corporation, or its agent, shall keep a book or set of books to be known as the stock transfer books of the Corporation, containing the name of each stockholder of record, together with such Stockholder’s address and the number and class or series of Shares held by such Stockholder. Transfer of Shares of the Corporation shall be made on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, and if such Shares are represented by certificates only upon surrender of the certificates for the Shares sought to be transferred by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s duly authorized agent, transferee or legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer with the Secretary. All certificates surrendered for transfer shall be canceled, and the Shares shall thereafter be uncertificated, unless otherwise determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.Lost Certificates. The Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice Chair, any Executive Officer, any Senior Vice President, any Managing Director, the Secretary, the Treasurer, or such other Officers, employees or agents as the Board of Directors or any of the designated Officers may direct, may authorize the issuance of uncertificated Shares, or, if determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors, a replacement stock certificate, in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, upon receipt of an affidavit of such fact from the person or persons claiming the loss or destruction and any other documentation satisfactory to the Board of Directors or such Officer. At the discretion of the party reviewing such claim, any such claimant may be required to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct to indemnify against the loss from any claim with respect to the certificate claimed to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4.Transfer Agent and Registrar; Regulations. The Corporation may, if and whenever the Board of Directors so determines, maintain in the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States, one or more transfer offices or agencies and also one or more registry offices, which offices and agencies may establish rules and regulations for the issue, transfer and registration of certificates and uncertificated Shares not inconsistent with these Bylaws or applicable law. No certificates for Shares in respect of which a Transfer Agent and Registrar shall have been designated shall be valid unless countersigned by such Transfer Agent and registered by such Registrar. Any such countersignature may be a facsimile. The Board may also make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates and uncertificated Shares.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1.Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, investigation or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, manager or employee of an Affiliate or of another corporation, association, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, manager, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, manager, or employee or agent, shall be vested with the contractual right to indemnification and be held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, taxes, including ERISA excise taxes, or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation or other entity covered by this Article VIII, and, with respect to any criminal action or Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall not be retroactively amended to adversely affect the rights of an Indemnitee in connection with any act, omissions, facts or circumstances occurring prior to the date of amendment, shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article VIII with respect to Proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement under this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify any such Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee (including claims and counterclaims, whether such counterclaims are asserted by (a) such Indemnitee, or (b) the Corporation in a Proceeding initiated by such Indemnitee) only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. This Article shall supersede any conflicting provisions contained in the corporate governance documents of any Affiliate of the Corporation.
Section 2.Right to Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any Proceeding (an “Advancement of Expenses”); provided, however, that an Advancement of Expenses incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “Undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which
there is no further right to appeal (a “Final Adjudication”) that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 2 or otherwise.
Section 3.Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. The rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII, as limited by Section 7 hereof, are contract rights. If a claim under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article VIII is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an Advancement of Expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit to the fullest extent permitted by law. In (i) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an Advancement of Expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit by the Corporation to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a Final Adjudication that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, a committee thereof or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, a committee thereof or independent legal counsel) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an Advancement of Expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such Advancement of Expenses, under this Article or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 4.Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of Stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5.Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any person serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, manager, employee or agent of another corporation, association, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 6.Indemnification of Agents of the Corporation. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors or its designee, grant rights to indemnification, and to the Advancement of Expenses to any agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and Advancement of Expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
Section 7.Limitations on Indemnification. All indemnification and insurance provisions contained in this Article VIII are subject to the limitations and prohibitions imposed by federal law, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and any implementing regulations concerning indemnification.
Section 8.Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not by themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of the parties that the Corporation provide protection to the Indemnitee to the fullest enforceable extent.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1.Execution of Instruments. All indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, contracts, notes, drafts, loan documents, letters of credit, master agreements, swap agreements, guarantees, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, powers of attorney, and other instruments or contracts may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, attested, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Corporation by an Officer (as such term is defined in Article VI, Section 1) or any individual who is listed on the Corporation’s Officer’s payroll file in a position equal to any of the Officers, or such other officers, employees or agents as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Officer reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer may direct in a written delegation kept in the minute book of the Corporation. The provisions of this Section 1 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws and shall not be construed to authorize execution of instruments otherwise dictated by law.
Section 2.Voting of Ownership Interests. The Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice Chair, any Executive Officer, the Secretary, the Treasurer, or such other Officers, employees or agents as the Board of Directors or such designated Officers may direct are authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of stock or other ownership interests in any Affiliate or any other corporations, associations, limited liability companies, partnerships, or other entities standing in the name of the Corporation. The
authority herein granted to the individuals to vote or represent on behalf of the Corporation any and all ownership interests held by the Corporation may be exercised either by the individuals in person or by any duly executed proxy or power of attorney.
Section 3.Distributions. The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize, and the Corporation may pay or distribute, dividends or other distributions on its outstanding Shares in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as are permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.
Section 4.Seal and Attestation. Any Officer of the Corporation is empowered to affix the corporate seal on all documents, and may attest the signature of any person executing an instrument on behalf of the Corporation. In the execution on behalf of the Corporation of any instrument, document, writing, notice or paper, it shall not be necessary to affix the corporate seal of the Corporation thereon, and any such instrument, document, writing, notice or paper when executed without said seal affixed thereon shall be of the same force and effect and as binding on the Corporation as if said corporate seal had been affixed thereon in each instance.
Section 5.Amendments. The Board of Directors may amend or repeal these Bylaws and may adopt new Bylaws; provided, however, that any amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any Bylaw inconsistent with, Article III, Section 10 of these Bylaws shall also require the approval of the Stockholders of the Corporation. The Stockholders of the Corporation may also amend or repeal these Bylaws and may adopt new Bylaws.
Section 6.Exclusive Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, or other employee or agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee or agent of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (as any of the foregoing may be amended or restated from time to time), or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware; or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, shall be solely and exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that it lacks jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding, another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware). Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in Shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article IX, Section 6.
ARTICLE X
EMERGENCY BYLAWS
Section 1.Emergency Bylaws. This Article X shall be operative during any emergency resulting from an attack on the United States or on a locality in which the Corporation conducts its business or customarily holds meetings of its Board of Directors or its Stockholders, or during any nuclear or atomic disaster or during the existence of any catastrophe, including, but not limited to, an epidemic or pandemic, and a declaration of a national emergency by the United States government, or other similar emergency condition, irrespective of whether a quorum of the Board of Directors or a standing committee thereof can be readily convened for action (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provision in the preceding Articles of these Bylaws, in the Certificate of Incorporation or in the DGCL. Without limiting any powers or emergency actions that the Board of Directors may take during an Emergency, during an Emergency, the Board of Directors may take any action that it determines to be practical and necessary to address the circumstances of the Emergency including, without limitation, taking the actions with respect to stockholder meetings and dividends as provided in the DGCL. To the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article, the Bylaws provided in the preceding Articles and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall remain in effect during such Emergency, and upon termination of such Emergency, the provisions of this Article X shall cease to be operative.
Section 2.Meetings. During any Emergency, a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be called by any member of the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the Lead Independent Director, the Chief Executive Officer, President, a Vice Chair, the Secretary or any Officer reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Notice of the time and place of the meeting shall be given by any available means of communication by the person calling the meeting to such of the directors and the members of the Corporation’s Management Operating Committee, or any successor committee thereto, (the “Designated Officers”) as it may be feasible to reach. Such notice shall be given at such time in advance of the meeting as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, circumstances permit. As a result of any Emergency, the Board of Directors may determine that a meeting of Stockholders not be held at any place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with the DGCL.
Section 3.Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, called in accordance with Section 2 of this Article X, the presence of one director shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Vacancies on the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be filled by a majority vote of the directors in attendance at the meeting. In the event that no directors are able to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors, then the Designated Officers in attendance shall serve as directors for the meeting, without any additional quorum requirement and with full powers to act as directors of the Corporation.
Section 4.Amendments. At any meeting called in accordance with Section 2 of this Article X, the Board of Directors or the committees thereof, as the case may be, may modify, amend or
add to the provisions of this Article X so as to make any provision that may be practical or necessary for the circumstances of the Emergency.
Section 5.Contingency Plan. The Corporation may develop a contingency plan for the management of the Corporation in the event of an Emergency. The contingency plan may be reviewed or modified by the Board of Directors from time to time as provided in this Article X.
Section 6.Liability. No Officer, director or employee of the Corporation acting in accordance with the provisions of this Article X shall be liable except for willful misconduct.
Section 7.Repeal or Change. The provisions of this Article X shall be subject to repeal or change by further action of the Board of Directors or by action of the Stockholders, but no such repeal or change shall modify the provisions of Section 6 of this Article X with regard to action taken prior to the time of such repeal or change.
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
As of December 31, 2022, Bank of America Corporation (the “Company”) had the following classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”):
• Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 6.00% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series GG
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series HH
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,200th interest in a share of Bank of America Corporation Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 1
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,200th interest in a share of Bank of America Corporation Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,200th interest in a share of Bank of America Corporation Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 4
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,200th interest in a share of Bank of America Corporation Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 5
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series KK
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series LL
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series NN
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series PP
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.250% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series QQ
• Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series SS
• 7.25% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series L
• Floating Rate Preferred Hybrid Income Term Securities of BAC Capital Trust XIII (and the guarantee related thereto)
• 5.63% Fixed to Floating Rate Preferred Hybrid Income Term Securities of BAC Capital Trust XIV (and the guarantee related thereto)
• Income Capital Obligation Notes initially due December 15, 2066 of Bank of America Corporation
• Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Step Up Callable Notes, due November 28, 2031, of BofA Finance LLC (and the guarantee of the Company with respect thereto)
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the shares of the Company’s common stock. You should read the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) and the Company’s by-laws (the “Bylaws”) for additional information about the common stock. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are included as exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, to which this exhibit also is attached.
General
As of December 31, 2022, under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue twelve billion eight hundred million (12,800,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of which approximately 8.0 billion shares were outstanding. The Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “BAC.” As of December 31, 2022, approximately 490.9 million shares were reserved for issuance in connection with the Company’s various employee and director benefit plans, the conversion of outstanding securities convertible into shares of the Common Stock, and for other purposes. After taking into account the reserved shares, there were approximately 4.3 billion authorized shares of Common Stock available for issuance as of December 31, 2022.
Shares of newly issued Common Stock will be uncertificated unless the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) by resolution determines otherwise. Shares represented by an existing certificate will remain certificated until such certificate is surrendered to the Company.
Voting and Other Rights
Holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. There are no cumulative voting rights. In general, a majority of votes cast on a matter is sufficient to take action upon routine matters, including the election of directors in an uncontested election. However, (1) amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation generally must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding stock, and (2) a merger, dissolution, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets generally must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding stock.
In the event of the Company’s liquidation, holders of the Common Stock will be entitled to receive pro rata any assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, subject to any prior rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.
The Common Stock does not have any preemptive rights, redemption privileges, sinking fund privileges, or conversion rights. All the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are, and, upon proper conversion of any convertible securities, all of the shares of Common Stock into which those securities are converted will be, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock.
Dividends
Subject to the preferential rights of any holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends or distributions, whether payable in cash or otherwise, as the Board may declare out of funds legally available for
payments. Stock dividends, if any are declared, may be paid from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock.
Certain Anti-Takeover Matters
Certain provisions of Delaware law and of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company or have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire control of the Company. For example, the Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would make it more difficult for another party to acquire the Company without the approval of the Board. Certain provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may make it less likely that the Company’s management would be changed or that someone would acquire voting control of the Company without the Board’s consent. These provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.
Preferred Stock. The Board can, at any time, under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and without stockholder approval, issue one or more new series of preferred stock. In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock without stockholder approval could discourage or make more difficult attempts to take control of the Company through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. Preferred stock with special voting rights or other features issued to persons favoring the Company’s management could stop a takeover by preventing the person trying to take control of the Company from acquiring enough voting shares necessary to take control. For a description of the outstanding series of the Company’s preferred stock as of December 31, 2022, see “Description of Preferred Stock” below.
Advance Notice Requirements. The Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to nominations for the election of directors or other business to be brought before meetings of the Company’s stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of such stockholder proposals must be timely given to the Company’s corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. The notice must contain certain information specified in the Bylaws and must otherwise comply with the Bylaws.
Vacancies. Under the Bylaws, a majority vote of the Board may increase or decrease the number of directors. Any director may be removed at any time with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Any vacancy on the Board or newly created directorship will be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, and those newly elected directors will serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and until such directors’ successor has been elected and qualified.
Amendment of Bylaws. The Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by a majority of the Board, subject to certain limitations in the Bylaws. The Company’s stockholders also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
This section summarizes the general terms and provisions of all series of the Company’s preferred stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022. Certain of these series of preferred stock (or depositary shares representing a fractional interest in a share of such series of preferred stock) are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as indicated in each case by noting its listing. Reference is made to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the respective certificates of designations for each series of the Company’s preferred stock for complete information about the provisions of that series of preferred stock. See also “Description of Common Stock – Certain Anti-Takeover Matters” above.
Existing Series of Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2022, under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company has authority to issue 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately 4.1 million issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock and the aggregate liquidation preference of all of the Company’s outstanding preferred stock was approximately $28.7 billion. All outstanding shares of the Company’s preferred stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Of the Company’s authorized and outstanding preferred stock, as of December 31, 2022:
• 35,045 shares were designated as 7% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $100 per share, 7,076 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 85,100 shares were designated as Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (the “Series E Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 12,317 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 7,001 shares were designated as Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, 1,409 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 8,501 shares were designated as Adjustable Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (the “Series G Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, 4,925 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 6,900,000 shares were designated as 7.25% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series L (the “Series L Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, 3,080,182 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 40,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series U (the “Series U Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 40,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 80,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series X (the “Series X Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 80,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 56,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series Z (the “Series Z Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 56,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 76,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series AA (the “Series AA Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 76,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 40,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series DD (the “Series DD Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 40,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 94,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series FF (the “Series FF Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 90,833 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 55,200 shares were designated as 6.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series GG (the “Series GG Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 54,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 34,160 shares were designated as 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series HH (the “Series HH Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 34,049 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 40,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series JJ (the “Series JJ Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 34,171 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 60,950 shares were designated as 5.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series KK (the “Series KK Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 55,273 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 52,400 shares were designated as 5.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series LL (the “Series LL Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 52,045 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 44,000 shares were designated as Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series MM (the “Series MM Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 30,753 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 44,000 shares were designated as 4.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series NN (the “Series NN Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 42,993 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 36,600 shares were designated as 4.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series PP (the “Series PP Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 36,500 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 52,000 shares were designated as 4.250% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series QQ (the “Series QQ Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 51,879 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 70,000 shares were designated as 4.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series RR (the “Series RR Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 66,738 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 28,000 shares were designated as 4.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series SS (the “Series SS Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 27,463 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 80,000 shares were designated as 6.125% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series TT (the “Series TT Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, 80,000 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 21,000 shares were designated as Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 1 (the “Series 1 Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, 3,186 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 37,000 shares were designated as Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 2 (the “Series 2 Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, 9,967 shares of which were issued and outstanding;
• 20,000 shares were designated as Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 4 (the “Series 4 Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, 7,010 shares of which were issued and outstanding; and
• 50,000 shares were designated as Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 5 (the “Series 5 Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, 13,331 shares of which were issued and outstanding.
In addition, as of December 31, 2022, the following series of preferred stock were designated, but no shares of any of these series were outstanding: (1) approximately 1.03 million shares of ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C; (2) approximately 20 million shares of $2.50 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series BB; (3) 50,000 shares of 6% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series T; (4) 44,000 shares of 6.500% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series Y; (5) 44,000 shares of 6.200% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series CC; and (6) 36,000 shares of 6.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series EE.
Series B Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and ranks equally with the Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on liquidation. Shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series B Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences superior or equal to the Series B Preferred Stock without the consent of holders of Series B Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board, cumulative cash dividends at an annual dividend rate per share of 7.00% of the stated value per share of Series B Preferred Stock. The stated value per share of the Series B Preferred Stock is $100. Dividends are payable quarterly on such dates that are fixed by the Board. The Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends on any shares of Common Stock
unless full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and funds sufficient for the payment have been set apart.
Voting Rights. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock has equal voting rights, share for share, with each share of Common Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, after payment of the full liquidation preference on shares of any class of preferred stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock, but before any distribution on shares of Common Stock, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference of $100 per share plus accumulated dividends.
Redemption. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the holders, at the redemption price of $100 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, provided that (1) full cumulative dividends have been paid, or declared, and funds sufficient for payment set apart, on any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock; and (2) the Company is not then in default or in arrears on any sinking fund or analogous fund or call for tenders obligation or agreement for the purchase of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption provisions or redemption at the option of the Company.
Series E Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series E Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrE”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series E Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and ranks equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series E Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the Company’s Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series E Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences superior or equal to the Series E Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series E Preferred Stock, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 to record holders as of the last business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series E Preferred Stock) of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls. Dividends on each share of Series E Preferred Stock accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at an annual rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 0.35%, and (b) 4.00%. The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day, then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day
falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in either case without any interest in respect of such delay.
As long as shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series E Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series E Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series E Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series E Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series E Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as specifically required by Delaware law and in the case of certain dividend arrearages in relation to the Series E Preferred Stock. Whenever dividends payable on the Series E Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series E Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, at least six quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two additional directors of the Board to fill two newly-created directorships (the “Preferred Stock Directors”). When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock and any such other series of preferred stock for at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation. Shares of Series E Preferred Stock are not subject to a sinking fund.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series E Preferred Stock in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date for the Series E Preferred Stock, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends. Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series F Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series F Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and ranks equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred
Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. The Series F Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights and the Series F Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences superior or equal to the Series F Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share of Series F Preferred Stock, payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 to record holders as of the last business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series F Preferred Stock) of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls. Dividends on each share of Series F Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share at an annual rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 0.40%, and (b) 4.00%. The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day, then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in either case without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
As long as shares of Series F Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series F Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series F Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series F Preferred Stock unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series F Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series F Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series F Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as specifically required by Delaware law.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary of involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series F Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation
of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation. Shares of Series F Preferred Stock are not subject to a sinking fund.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series F Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date for the Series F Preferred Stock at the redemption price equal to $100,000 per share, plus dividends that have been declared but not paid plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to the redemption date. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series G Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series G Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and ranks equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. The Series G Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series G Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series G Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences superior or equal to the Series G Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series G Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series G Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share of Series G Preferred Stock, payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 to record holders as of the last business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series G Preferred Stock) of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls. Dividends on each share of Series G Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share at an annual rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 0.40%, and (b) 4.00%. The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day, then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in either case without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
As long as shares of Series G Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series G Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series G Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series G Preferred Stock unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series G Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares
of Series G Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series G Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series G Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as specifically required by Delaware law.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series G Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of capital stock ranking junior to the Series G Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series G Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation. Shares of Series G Preferred Stock are not subject to a sinking fund.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series G Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date for the Series G Preferred Stock at the redemption price equal to $100,000 per share, plus dividends that have been declared but not paid plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to the redemption date. Holders of the Series G Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series L Preferred Stock
Listing. The Series L Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrL”.
Preferential Rights. The Series L Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Holders of the Series L Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series L Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences superior or equal to the Series L Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series L Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series L Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 7.25% on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series L Preferred Stock, payable quarterly in arrears on each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls. The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series L Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in either case without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
As long as shares of Series L Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends on any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock ranking
junior to the Series L Preferred Stock or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series L Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series L Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series L Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series L Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series L Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series L Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series L Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series L Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series L Preferred Stock.
Conversion Right. Each share of the Series L Preferred Stock may be converted at any time, at the option of the holder, into 20 shares of the Common Stock (which reflects an initial conversion price of $50.00 per share of Common Stock) plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, subject to anti-dilution adjustments.
Conversion at the Company’s Option. The Company may, at its option, at any time or from time to time, cause some or all of the Series L Preferred Stock to be converted into shares of its Common Stock at the then-applicable conversion rate if, for 20 trading days during any period of 30 consecutive trading days, the closing price of its Common Stock exceeds 130% of the then-applicable conversion price of the Series L Preferred Stock.
Conversion Upon Certain Acquisitions. If a make-whole acquisition occurs, holders of Series L Preferred Stock may cause the Series L Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into shares of the Common Stock, and the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate in respect of such conversions of the Series L Preferred Stock that occur during the period beginning on the effective date of the make-whole acquisition and ending on the date that is 30 days after the effective date by a number of additional shares of Common Stock. The amount of the make-whole adjustment, if any, will be based upon the price per share of the Common Stock and the effective date of the make-whole acquisition. Subject to certain exceptions, a “make-whole acquisition” occurs in the event of (1) the acquisition by a person or group of more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock or (2) the Company’s consolidation or merger where it is not the surviving entity.
Conversion Upon Fundamental Change. In lieu of receiving the make-whole shares described above, if the reference price (as defined below) in connection with a make-whole acquisition is less than the applicable conversion price (a “fundamental change”), a holder may elect to convert each share of the Series L Preferred Stock during the period beginning on the effective date of the fundamental change and ending on the date that is 30 days after the effective date of such fundamental change at an adjusted conversion price equal to the greater of (1) the “reference price,” which is the price per share of the Common Stock paid in the event of a fundamental change, and (2) $19.95, which is 50% of the closing price of the Common Stock on January 24, 2008, the date of the initial offering of the Series L Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment (the “base price”). If the reference price is less than the base price, holders of the Series L Preferred Stock will receive a maximum of 50.1253 shares of the Common Stock per share of Series L Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment, which may result in a holder receiving value that is less than the liquidation preference of the Series L Preferred Stock.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments. The conversion rate may be adjusted in the event of, among other things, (1) stock dividend distributions, (2) subdivisions, splits, and combinations of the Common Stock, (3) issuance of stock purchase rights, (4) debt or asset distributions, (5) increases in cash dividends, and (6) tender or exchange offers for the Common Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series L Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as specifically required by Delaware law and in the case of certain dividend arrearages in relation to the Series L Preferred Stock. Whenever dividends payable on the Series L Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series L Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid for the equivalent of at least six quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series L Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. Upon the conversion of all of the Series L Preferred Stock, or when the Company has paid full dividends on the Series L Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series L Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series L Preferred Stock, and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series L Preferred Stock and after satisfaction of all liabilities to creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company does not have any rights to redeem the Series L Preferred Stock, and holders of the Series L Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series U Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series U Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, , Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series U Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series U Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series U Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series U Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series U Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series U Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semi-annually in arrears on each June 1 and December 1, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, beginning September 1, 2023, in each case to record holders as of the fifteenth day of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls. Dividends on each share of Series U Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 5.20%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, June 1, 2023 (the “fixed rate period”), and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.135%, for each dividend period from, and including, June 1, 2023 (the “floating rate period”). The amount
of dividends shall be computed (x) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (y) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series U Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless, for the fixed rate period, that day falls in the next calendar year or, for the floating rate period, that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), (i) on or prior to June 1, 2023, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, and (ii) after June 1, 2023, with dividends accruing to the actual payment date.
As long as shares of Series U Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series U Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series U Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series U Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series U Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series U Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series U Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series U Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series U Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series U Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series U Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series U Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series U Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, as applicable, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series U Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series U Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series U Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series U Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series U Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series U Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series U Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series U Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series U Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series U Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series U Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series U Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series U Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after June 1, 2023, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series U Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series U Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series U Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series X Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series X Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series X Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series X Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series X Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series X Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series X Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series X Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series X Preferred Stock, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semiannually in arrears on each March 5 and September 5, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each March 5, June 5, September 5 and December 5, beginning December 5, 2024, in each case to record holders as of the fifteenth day of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series X Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 6.250%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, September 5, 2024 (the “fixed rate period”), and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.705%, for each dividend period from, and including, September 5, 2024 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend
payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series X Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless, for the fixed rate period, that day falls in the next calendar year or, for the floating rate period, that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), (i) on or prior to September 5, 2024, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, and (ii) after September 5, 2024, with dividends accruing to the actual payment date.
As long as shares of Series X Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series X Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series X Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series X Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series X Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series X Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declare dividends on the Series X Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series X Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series X Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series X Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series X Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series X Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series X Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, as applicable, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series X Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series X Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series X Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series X Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series X Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series X Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series X Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series X Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series X Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series X Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the
Series X Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series X Preferred Stock and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series X Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after September 5, 2024, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period, to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series X Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series X Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series X Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series Z Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series Z Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series Z Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series Z Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series Z Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series Z Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series Z Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series Z Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semiannually in arrears on each April 23 and October 23, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each January 23, April 23, July 23 and October 23, beginning on January 23, 2025, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series Z Preferred Stock will accrue on the on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 6.500%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, October 23, 2024 (the “fixed rate period”), and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.174%, for each dividend period from, and including, October 23, 2024 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series Z Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless, for the fixed rate period, that day falls in the next calendar year or, for the floating rate period, that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), (i) on or prior to October 23,
2024, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, and (ii) after October 23, 2024, with dividends accruing to the actual payment date.
As long as shares of Series Z Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series Z Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series Z Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series Z Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series Z Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series Z Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series Z Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series Z Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series Z Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series Z Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series Z Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series Z Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series Z Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, as applicable, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series Z Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series Z Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series Z Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series Z Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series Z Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series Z Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series Z Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series Z Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series Z Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series Z Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series Z Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series Z Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series Z Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after October 23, 2024, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series Z Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series Z Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series Z Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series AA Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series AA Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock Series, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series AA Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series AA Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series AA Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series AA Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series AA Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series AA Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series AA Preferred Stock, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semiannually in arrears on each March 17 and September 17, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17, beginning on June 17, 2025, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series AA Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 6.100%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, March 17, 2025 (the “fixed rate period”), and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.898%, for each dividend period from, and including, March 17, 2025 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) during the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) during the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series AA Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless, for the fixed rate period, that day falls in the next calendar year or, for the floating rate period, that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), (i) on or prior to March 17, 2025, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, and (ii) after March 17, 2025, with dividends accruing to the actual payment date.
As long as shares of Series AA Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series AA Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series AA Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series AA Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series AA Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series AA Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series AA Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series AA Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series AA Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series AA Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series AA Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series AA Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series AA Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, as applicable, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series AA Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series AA Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series AA Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series AA Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series AA Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series AA Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series AA Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series AA Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series AA Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series AA Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series AA Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series AA Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series AA Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after March 17, 2025, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In
addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series AA Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series AA Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series AA Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series DD Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series DD Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series DD Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series DD Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series DD Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series DD Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series DD Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series DD Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series DD Preferred Stock, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semiannually in arrears on each March 10 and September 10, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each March 10, June 10, September 10 and December 10, beginning on June 10, 2026, in each case to record holders as of the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series DD Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 6.300%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, March 10, 2026 (the “fixed rate period”), and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.553%, for each dividend period from, and including, March 10, 2026 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series DD Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless, for the fixed rate period, that day falls in the next calendar year or, for the floating rate period, that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), (i) on or prior to March 10, 2026, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, and (ii) after March 10, 2026, with dividends accruing to the actual payment date.
As long as shares of Series DD Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series DD Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series DD Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series DD
Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series DD Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series DD Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series DD Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series DD Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series DD Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series DD Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series DD Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series DD Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series DD Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, as applicable, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series DD Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series DD Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series DD Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series DD Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series DD Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series DD Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series DD Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series DD Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series DD Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series DD Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series DD Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series DD Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series DD Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after March 10, 2026, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series DD Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series DD Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but
excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series DD Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series FF Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series FF Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series FF Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series FF Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series FF Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series FF Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series FF Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series FF Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series FF Preferred Stock, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semiannually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, beginning on June 15, 2028, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series FF Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 5.875%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, March 15, 2028 (the “fixed rate period”), and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 2.931%, for each dividend period from and including March 15, 2028 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series FF Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless, for the fixed rate period, that day falls in the next calendar year or, for the floating rate period, that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), (i) on or prior to March 15, 2028, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, and (ii) after March 15, 2028, with dividends accruing to the actual payment date.
As long as shares of Series FF Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series FF Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series FF Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series FF Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series FF Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series FF Preferred Stock for the immediately
preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series FF Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series FF Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series FF Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series FF Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series FF Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series FF Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series FF Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, as applicable, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series FF Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series FF Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series FF Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series FF Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series FF Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series FF Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series FF Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series FF Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series FF Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series FF Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series FF Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series FF Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series FF Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after March 15, 2028, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series FF Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series FF Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series FF Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series GG Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series GG Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrB”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series GG Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series GG Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series GG Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series GG Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series GG Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series GG Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series GG Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 6.000% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 16, May 16, August 16 and November 16, to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series GG Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
As long as shares of Series GG Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series GG Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series GG Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series GG Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series GG Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series GG Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declare dividends on the Series GG Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series GG Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series GG Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series GG Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series GG Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series GG Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series GG Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable,
have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series GG Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series GG Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series GG Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series GG Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series GG Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series GG Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series GG Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series GG Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series GG Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series GG Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series GG Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series GG Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series GG Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after May 16, 2023, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series GG Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series GG Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series GG Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series HH Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series HH Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrK”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series HH Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred
Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series HH Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series HH Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series HH Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series HH Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series HH Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series HH Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 5.875% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each January 24, April 24, July 45 and October 24, to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series HH Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
As long as shares of Series HH Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series HH Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series HH Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series HH Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series HH Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series HH Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series HH Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series HH Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series HH Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series HH Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series HH Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series HH Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series HH Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series HH Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series HH Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series HH Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series HH Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any
capital stock ranking senior to the Series HH Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series HH Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series HH Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series HH Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series HH Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series HH Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series HH Preferred Stock and subject to the right of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series HH Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series HH Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after July 24, 2023, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series HH Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series HH Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series HH Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series JJ Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series JJ Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series JJ Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series JJ Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series JJ Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series JJ Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series JJ Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series JJ Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series JJ Preferred Stock, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semi-annually in arrears on each June 20 and December 20, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each March 20, June 20, September 20 and December 20, beginning on September 20, 2024, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board
committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series JJ Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 5.125%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, June 20, 2024 (the “fixed rate period”) and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR (which rate is subject to replacement upon the occurrence of a “Benchmark Transition Event” and its related “Benchmark Replacement Date”, as described in the certificate of designations for the Series JJ Preferred Stock) plus a spread of 3.292%, for each dividend period from, and including, June 20, 2024 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date for the fixed rate period is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series JJ Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year, in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in each case without additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted. If any dividend payment date for the floating rate period is not a business day, then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which case the immediately preceding business day will be the dividend payment date for that dividend period, in each case with dividends accruing to, but excluding, the actual payment date, and the dividend period will be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series JJ Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of the Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series JJ Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series JJ Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series JJ Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series JJ Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series JJ Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series JJ Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series JJ Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series JJ Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series JJ Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series JJ Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series JJ Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series JJ Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series JJ Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series JJ Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series JJ Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series JJ Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series JJ Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series JJ Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series JJ Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series JJ Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series JJ Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series JJ Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series JJ Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series JJ Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series JJ Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after June 20, 2024, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series JJ Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series JJ Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series JJ Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series KK Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series KK Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrM”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series KK Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series KK Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series KK Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series KK Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series KK Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series KK Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series KK Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 5.375% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each March 25, June 25, September 25 and December 25, to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series KK Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), in each case without any additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series KK Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series KK Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series KK Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series KK Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series KK Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series KK Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series KK Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series KK Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series KK Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series KK Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series KK Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series KK Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series KK Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph are conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series KK Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series KK Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series KK Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series KK Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series KK Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series KK Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series KK Preferred Stock shall be necessary to
amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series KK Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series KK Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series KK Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series KK Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series KK Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series KK Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after June 25, 2024, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series KK Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series KK Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series KK Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series LL Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series LL Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrN”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series LL Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series LL Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series LL Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series LL Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series LL Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series LL Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series LL Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 5.000% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17, to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series LL Preferred Stock), then that
dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), in each case without any additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series LL Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series LL Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series LL Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series LL Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series LL Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series LL Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series LL Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series LL Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series LL Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series LL Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series LL Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series LL Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series LL Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series LL Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series LL Preferred Stock and any such other series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series LL Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series LL Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series LL Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series LL Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series LL Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series LL Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series LL Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series LL Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series LL Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series LL Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation
preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series LL Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after September 17, 2024, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series LL Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series LL Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series LL Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series MM Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series MM Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series MM Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series MM Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series MM Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series MM Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series MM Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of Series MM Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, based on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series MM Preferred Stock, payable (a) for the “fixed rate period”, semi-annually in arrears on each January 28 and July 28, and (b) for the “floating rate period”, quarterly in arrears on each January 28, April 28, July 28 and October 28, beginning on April 28, 2025, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series MM Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 4.300%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, January 28, 2025 (the “fixed rate period”) and (2) thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR (which rate is subject to replacement upon the occurrence of a “Benchmark Transition Event” and its related “Benchmark Replacement Date”, as described in the certificate of designations for the Series MM Preferred Stock) plus a spread of 2.664%, for each dividend period from, and including, January 28, 2025 (the “floating rate period”). The amount of dividends shall be computed (i) for the fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and (ii) for the floating rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date for the fixed rate period is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series MM Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year, in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in each case without additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will
not be adjusted. If any dividend payment date for the floating rate period is not a business day, then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which case the immediately preceding business day will be the dividend payment date for that dividend period, in each case, with dividends accruing to, but excluding, the actual payment date, and the dividend period will be adjusted accordingly.
As long as shares of Series MM Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series MM Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series MM Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series MM Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series MM Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series MM Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series MM Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series MM Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series MM Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series MM Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series MM Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series MM Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series MM Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least three or more semi-annual or six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series MM Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series MM Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least two semi-annual or four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series MM Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series MM Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series MM Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series MM Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series MM Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series MM Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series MM Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series MM Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series MM Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or
on a parity with the Series MM Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series MM Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after January 28, 2025, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series MM Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series MM Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series MM Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series NN Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series NN Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrO”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series NN Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series NN Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series NN Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series NN Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series NN Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series NN Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series NN Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 4.375% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 3, May 3, August 3, and November 3, to record holders as of the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series NN Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), in each case without any additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series NN Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series NN Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for
consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series NN Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series NN Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series NN Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series NN Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series NN Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series NN Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series NN Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series NN Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series NN Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series NN Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series NN Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series NN Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series NN Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series NN Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series NN Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series NN Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series NN Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series NN Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series NN Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series NN Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series NN Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series NN Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series NN Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series NN Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after November 3, 2025, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series NN Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the
Series NN Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series NN Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series PP Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series PP Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrP”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series PP Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series PP Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series PP Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series PP Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series PP Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series PP Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series PP Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 4.125% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 2, May 2, August 2, and November 2, to record holders as of the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding the month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series PP Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), in each case without any additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series PP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series PP Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series PP Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series PP Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series PP Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series PP Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series PP Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series PP Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro
rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series PP Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series PP Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series PP Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series PP Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series PP Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series PP Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series PP Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series PP Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series PP Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series PP Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series PP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series PP Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series PP Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series PP Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series PP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series PP Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series PP Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series PP Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after February 2, 2026, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series PP Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series PP Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series PP Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series QQ Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series QQ Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrQ”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series QQ Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series QQ Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series QQ Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series QQ Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series QQ Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series QQ Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series QQ Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 4.250% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 17, May 17, August 17, and November 17, to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series QQ Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), in each case without any additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series QQ Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series QQ Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series QQ Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series QQ Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series QQ Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series QQ Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series QQ Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series QQ Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series QQ Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series QQ Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series QQ Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series QQ Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series QQ Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend
periods, the holders of the Series QQ Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series QQ Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series QQ Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series QQ Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series QQ Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series QQ Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series QQ Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series QQ Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series QQ Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series QQ Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series QQ Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series QQ Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series QQ Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after November 17, 2026, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series QQ Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series QQ Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series QQ Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series RR Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series RR Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series RR Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series RR Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series RR Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series RR Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series RR Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of Series RR Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, based on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series RR Preferred Stock, payable quarterly in arrears, on each January 27, April 27, July 27 and October 27, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series RR Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 4.375%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, January 27, 2027, and (2) from, and including, April 27, 2027, during each “reset period” (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series RR Preferred Stock) at a rate per annum equal to the “Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate” (as described in the certificate of designations for the Series RR Preferred Stock) as of the most recent “dividend determination date” (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series RR Preferred Stock), plus a spread of 2.76% per annum. The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series RR Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year, in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in each case without additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series RR Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series RR Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series RR Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series RR Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series RR Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series RR Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series RR Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series RR Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend
payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series RR Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series RR Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series RR Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series RR Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series RR Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series RR Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series RR Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series RR Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series RR Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series RR Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series RR Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series RR Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series RR Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series RR Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series RR Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series RR Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series RR Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series RR Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after January 27, 2027, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series RR Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series RR Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series RR Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series SS Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series SS Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC PrS”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series SS Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series SS Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series SS Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series SS Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series SS Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series SS Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series SS Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, at an annual dividend rate per share of 4.750% on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 17, May 17, August 17, and November 17, to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such other record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days prior to the dividend payment date). The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series SS Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar year in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day), in each case without any additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series SS Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series SS Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series SS Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series SS Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series SS Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series SS Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series SS Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series SS Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series SS Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series SS Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series SS Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series SS Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series SS Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend
periods, the holders of the Series SS Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series SS Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series SS Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series SS Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series SS Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series SS Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series SS Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series SS Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series SS Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series SS Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series SS Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series SS Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series SS Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after February 17, 2027, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series SS Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series SS Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series SS Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series TT Preferred Stock
Preferential Rights. The Series TT Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Series TT Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Common Stock or any other class of its capital stock. Holders of the Series TT Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series TT Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company
may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series TT Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series TT Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of Series TT Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, based on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share of Series TT Preferred Stock, payable quarterly in arrears, on each January 27, April 27, July 27 and October 27, in each case to record holders as of the first day of the calendar month in which the dividend payment date falls (or such record date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the dividend payment date). Dividends on each share of Series TT Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to (1) 6.125%, for each dividend period from the issue date to, but excluding, April 27, 2027, and (2) from, and including, April 27, 2027, during each “reset period” (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series TT Preferred Stock) at a rate per annum equal to the “Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate” (as described in the certificate of designations for the Series TT Preferred Stock) as of the most recent “dividend determination date” (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series TT Preferred Stock), plus a spread of 3.231% per annum. The amount of dividends shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any dividend payment date is not a business day (as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series TT Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, unless that day falls in the next calendar year, in which case payment will occur on the immediately preceding business day, in each case without additional dividends accruing or other payment adjustment and the relevant dividend period will not be adjusted.
As long as shares of Series TT Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of its Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series TT Preferred Stock, or generally repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any capital stock ranking equally with the Series TT Preferred Stock other than on a pro rata basis, in each case unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series TT Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends on capital stock ranking equally with the Series TT Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series TT Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside. If the Company declares dividends on the Series TT Preferred Stock and on any capital stock ranking equally with the Series TT Preferred Stock but cannot make full payment of those declared dividends, the Company will allocate the dividend payments on a pro rata basis among the holders of the shares of Series TT Preferred Stock and the holders of any capital stock ranking equally with the Series TT Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series TT Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as described herein and as specifically required by Delaware law. Whenever dividends payable on the Series TT Preferred Stock or any other series of the Company’s preferred stock ranking equally with the Series TT Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, and as to which voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to, as to any series, the equivalent of at least six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series TT Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent voting rights, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series TT Preferred Stock and any other such series of preferred stock for the equivalent of at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series TT Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series TT Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock, voting as a class, shall be necessary to authorize, create or issue any capital stock ranking senior to the Series TT Preferred Stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to reclassify any authorized capital stock into any such shares of such capital stock or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares of capital stock. In addition, so long as any shares of the Series TT Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the Series TT Preferred Stock shall be necessary to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of designations for the Series TT Preferred Stock or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series TT Preferred Stock.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series TT Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series TT Preferred Stock and subject to the rights of holders of securities ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series TT Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Company’s depositors and other creditors, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series TT Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at any time on or after April 27, 2027, at the redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. In addition, at any time within 90 days after a “capital treatment event,” as described in the certificate of designations for the Series TT Preferred Stock, the Company may redeem the Series TT Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series TT Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series 1 Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series 1 Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BML PrG”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series 1 Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Shares of the Series 1 Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series 1 Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series 1 Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series 1 Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series 1 Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series 1 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share at an annual floating rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR, plus a spread of 0.75% and (b) 3.00%, payable quarterly, if declared, on each February 28, May 28, August 28 and November 28, to record holders as of the date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is a date not more than 30 nor less than 10 days preceding the applicable payment date. The amount of dividends payable for a period shorter than a full dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual number of days elapsed in any period of less than one month. If any dividend payment date is not a New York business day and a London business day (each as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series 1 Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day).
As long as shares of Series 1 Preferred Stock remain outstanding, generally the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series 1 Preferred Stock unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 1 Preferred Stock have been declared, paid or set aside for payment for the immediately preceding dividend period. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire any capital stock ranking equally with the Series 1 Preferred Stock for any period unless for such dividend period full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 1 Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been declared, paid or set aside for payment. When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of the Series 1 Preferred Stock and any capital stock ranking equally with the Series 1 Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of the Series 1 Preferred Stock and all shares of capital stock ranking equally with the Series 1 Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the Series 1 Preferred Stock and all such other of the Company’s stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of the Series 1 Preferred Stock and all such other stock bear to each other.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series 1 Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as provided herein and as specifically required by law. Holders of Series 1 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as one class, and each share of Series 1 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to 150 votes. If any quarterly dividend payable on the Series 1 Preferred Stock is in arrears for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series 1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 1 Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and upon which voting rights equivalent to those granted to the holders of Series 1 Preferred Stock have been conferred and are exercisable, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors; each share of Series 1 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to three votes for the election of such Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series 1 Preferred Stock for at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series 1 Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series 1 Preferred Stock, outstanding at the time (voting as a class with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 1 Preferred Stock) shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate (i) the authorization, creation, or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Series 1 Preferred Stock or (ii) the amendment, alteration, or repeal,
whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a certificate of designations for the Series 1 Preferred Stock, which would adversely affect any right, preference, or privilege or voting power of the Series 1 Preferred Stock, or of the holders thereof.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series 1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of Bank of America capital stock ranking junior to the Series 1 Preferred Stock, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series 1 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at the redemption price equal to $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series 1 Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series 2 Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series 2 Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BML PrH”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series 2 Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Shares of the Series 2 Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series 2 Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series 2 Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series 2 Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series 2 Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series 2 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share at an annual floating rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR, plus a spread of 0.65% and (b) 3.00%, payable quarterly in arrears, if declared, on each February 28, May 28, August 28 and November 28, to record holders as of the date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is a date not more than 30 nor less than 10 days preceding the applicable payment date. The amount of dividends payable shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a New York business day and a London business day (each as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series 2 Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day).
As long as shares of Series 2 Preferred Stock remain outstanding, generally the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire any
shares of Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series 2 Preferred Stock unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 2 Preferred Stock have been declared, paid or set aside for payment for the immediately preceding dividend period. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire capital stock ranking equally with the Series 2 Preferred Stock for any period unless for such dividend period full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 2 Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been declared, paid or set aside for payment. When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of the Series 2 Preferred Stock and any capital stock ranking equally with the Series 2 Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of the Series 2 Preferred Stock and all shares of capital stock ranking equally with the Series 2 Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the Series 2 Preferred Stock and all such other stock of the Company shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of the Series 2 Preferred Stock and all such other stock bear to each other.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series 2 Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as provided herein and as specifically required by law. Holders of Series 2 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as one class, and each share of Series 2 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to 150 votes. If any quarterly dividend payable on the Series 2 Preferred Stock is in arrears for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series 2 Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 2 Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and upon which voting rights equivalent to those granted to the holders of Series 2 Preferred Stock have been conferred and are exercisable, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors; each share of Series 2 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to three votes for the election of such Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series 2 Preferred Stock for at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series 2 Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series 2 Preferred Stock, outstanding at the time (voting as a class with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 2 Preferred Stock), shall be necessary to permit, effect, or validate (i) the authorization, creation, or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Series 2 Preferred Stock or (ii) the amendment, alteration, or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a certificate of designations for the Series 2 Preferred Stock, which would adversely affect any right, preference, or privilege or voting power of the Series 2 Preferred Stock, or of the holders thereof.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series 2 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series 2 Preferred Stock, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series 2 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at the redemption price equal to $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series 2 Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series 4 Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series 4 Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BML PrJ”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series 4 Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, and Series 5 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on Bank of America’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Shares of the Series 4 Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series 4 Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series 4 Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may issue stock with preferences equal to the Series 4 Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series 4 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share at an annual floating rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR, plus a spread of 0.75% and (b) 4.00%, payable quarterly in arrears, if declared, on each February 28, May 28, August 28 and November 28, to record holders as of the date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is a date not more than 30 nor less than 10 days preceding the applicable payment date. The amount of dividends payable shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a New York business day and a London business day (each as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series 4 Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day).
As long as shares of Series 4 Preferred Stock remain outstanding, generally the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series 4 Preferred Stock unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 4 Preferred Stock have been declared, paid or set aside for payment for the immediately preceding dividend period. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire capital stock ranking equally with the Series 4 Preferred Stock for any period unless for such dividend period full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 4 Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been declared, paid or set aside for payment. When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of the Series 4 Preferred Stock and any capital stock ranking equally with the Series 4 Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of the Series 4 Preferred Stock and all shares of capital stock ranking equally with the Series 4 Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the Series 4 Preferred Stock and all such other of the Company’s stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of the Series 4 Preferred Stock and all such other stock bear to each other.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series 4 Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as provided herein and as specifically required by law. Holders of Series 4 Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as one class, and each share of Series 4 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to 150 votes. If any quarterly dividend payable on the Series 4 Preferred Stock is in arrears for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 4 Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and upon which voting rights equivalent to those granted to the holders of Series 4 Preferred Stock have been conferred and are exercisable, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors; each share of Series 4 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to three votes for the election of such Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series 4 Preferred Stock for at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series 4 Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series 4 Preferred Stock, outstanding at the time (voting as a class with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 4 Preferred Stock), shall be necessary to permit, effect, or validate (i) the authorization, creation, or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Series 4 Preferred Stock or (ii) the amendment, alteration, or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a certificate of designations for the Series 4 Preferred Stock, which would adversely affect any right, preference, or privilege or voting power of the Series 4 Preferred Stock, or of the holders thereof.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series 4 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of its capital stock ranking junior to the Series 4 Preferred Stock, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series 4 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at the redemption price equal to $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series 4 Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
Series 5 Preferred Stock
Listing. Depositary shares representing fractional interests in a share of Series 5 Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BML PrL”. See “Description of Depositary Shares” below.
Preferential Rights. The Series 5 Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series TT Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, and Series 4 Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions on the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Shares of the Series 5 Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of Common Stock or any other class of the Company’s capital stock. Holders of the Series 5 Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights, and the Series 5 Preferred Stock is not subject to the operation of any sinking fund. The Company may
issue stock with preferences equal to the Series 5 Preferred Stock without the consent of the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series 5 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends, when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee the Board out of funds legally available for payment, on the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share at an annual floating rate per share equal to the greater of (a) three-month LIBOR, plus a spread of 0.50% and (b) 4.00%, payable quarterly in arrears, if declared, on each February 21, May 21, August 21 and November 21, to record holders as of the date fixed by the Board or a duly authorized Board committee that is a date not more than 30 nor less than 10 days preceding the applicable payment date. The amount of dividends payable shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in the dividend period. If any dividend payment date is not a New York business day and a London business day (each as defined in the certificate of designations for the Series 5 Preferred Stock), then that dividend payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day (unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which each such case payment will occur on the immediately preceding day that is both a New York business day and a London business day).
As long as shares of Series 5 Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company cannot declare or pay cash dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series 5 Preferred Stock unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 5 Preferred Stock have been declared, paid or set aside for payment for the immediately preceding dividend period. The Company cannot declare or pay dividends or distributions on or redeem, purchase or acquire capital stock ranking equally with the Series 5 Preferred Stock for any period unless for such dividend period full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series 5 Preferred Stock for the immediately preceding dividend period have been declared, paid or set aside for payment. When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of the Series 5 Preferred Stock and any capital stock ranking equally with the Series 5 Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of the Series 5 Preferred Stock and all shares of capital stock ranking equally with the Series 5 Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the Series 5 Preferred Stock, and all such other of the Company’s stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of the Series 5 Preferred Stock and all such other stock bear to each other.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series 5 Preferred Stock do not have voting rights, except as provided herein and as specifically required by law. Holders of Series 5 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as one class, and each share of Series 5 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to 150 votes. If any quarterly dividend payable on the Series 5 Preferred Stock is in arrears for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote as a class, together with the holders of all series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 5 Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and upon which voting rights equivalent to those granted to the holders of Series 5 Preferred Stock have been conferred and are exercisable, for the election of two Preferred Stock Directors; each share of Series 5 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to three votes for the election of such Preferred Stock Directors. When the Company has paid full dividends on the Series 5 Preferred Stock for at least four quarterly dividend periods following a dividend arrearage described above, these voting rights will terminate.
As long as the Series 5 Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series 5 Preferred Stock, outstanding at the time (voting as a class with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series 5 Preferred Stock), shall be necessary to permit, effect, or validate (i) the authorization, creation, or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of
stock ranking prior to the Series 5 Preferred Stock or (ii) the amendment, alteration, or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a certificate of designations for the Series 5 Preferred Stock, which would adversely affect any right, preference, or privilege or voting power of the Series 5 Preferred Stock, or of the holders thereof.
Distributions. In the event of the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series 5 Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment out of its assets may be made to or set aside for the holders of the Company’s capital stock ranking junior to the Series 5 Preferred Stock, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to the date of liquidation.
Redemption. The Company may redeem the Series 5 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, at the redemption price equal to $30,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series 5 Preferred Stock do not have any optional redemption rights.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
Each outstanding share of the Series E Preferred Stock, Series GG Preferred Stock, Series HH Preferred Stock, Series KK Preferred Stock, Series LL Preferred Stock, Series NN Preferred Stock, Series PP Preferred Stock, Series QQ Preferred Stock, Series SS Preferred Stock, Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock and Series 5 Preferred Stock is represented by depositary shares that are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and listed on the NYSE. In addition, each of the Series U Preferred Stock, Series X Preferred Stock, Series Z Preferred Stock, Series AA Preferred Stock, Series DD Preferred Stock, Series FF Preferred Stock, Series JJ Preferred Stock, Series MM Preferred Stock, Series RR Preferred Stock and Series TT Preferred Stock is represented by depositary shares that are not listed. This section describes the certain provisions of all of Company’s depositary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
General
The Company has deposited the shares of preferred stock of each series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares under respective deposit agreements: (a) in the case of all such series of preferred stock other than the Series 1 Preferred Stock, the Series 2 Preferred Stock, the Series 4 Preferred Stock and the Series 5 Preferred Stock (such series of preferred stock collectively referred to as “Legacy Bank of America Preferred Stock”), between the Company and each of Computershare Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (collectively acting as depository) and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts issued thereunder and evidencing such depositary shares; and (b) in the case of the Series 1 Preferred Stock, Series 2 Preferred Stock, Series 4 Preferred Stock and Series 5 Preferred Stock (referred to collectively as the “Legacy ML Preferred Stock”), between the Company (as successor by merger to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or The Bank of New York, N.A., as applicable), acting as depository, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts issued thereunder and evidencing such depositary shares, as amended pursuant to the assignment, assumption and amendment agreement among the Company, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon. The respective deposit agreements are included as exhibits to the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 6, 2006 (Series E Preferred Stock), May 29, 2013 (Series U Preferred Stock), September 5, 2014 (Series X Preferred Stock), October 23, 2014 (Series Z Preferred Stock), March 17, 2015 (Series AA Preferred Stock), March 10, 2016 (Series DD Preferred Stock), March 15, 2018 (Series FF Preferred Stock), June 20, 2019 (Series JJ Preferred Stock), January 24, 2020 (Series MM Preferred Stock), January 25, 2022 (Series RR Preferred Stock) and April 22, 2022 (Series TT Preferred Stock) or its Registration Statements on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on January 2, 2009 (Legacy ML Preferred Stock), May 16, 2018 (Series GG Preferred Stock), July 24, 2018 (Series HH Preferred Stock), June 25, 2019 (Series KK Preferred Stock), September 17, 2019 (Series LL Preferred Stock), October 29, 2020 (Series NN Preferred Stock), January 28, 2021 (Series PP Preferred Stock), October 26, 2021 (Series QQ Preferred Stock), and January 31, 2022 (Series SS Preferred Stock).
With respect to each series of Legacy Bank of America Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares listed on the NYSE (the “Listed Legacy Bank of America Depositary Shares”), each depositary share represents a 1/1,000th interest in a share of the related series of preferred stock. With respect to each series of Legacy Bank of America Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares that are not listed (the “Unlisted Legacy Bank of America Depositary Shares”), each depositary share represents a 1/25th interest in a share of the related series of preferred stock. With respect to each series of Legacy ML Preferred Stock, each depositary share represents a 1/1,200th interest in a share of the related series of preferred stock. Subject to the terms of the respective deposit agreements, each holder of a depositary share is
entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of the series of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the series of preferred stock being represented, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, and liquidation rights.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Unless the depositary shares have been called for redemption, generally a holder of depositary shares may surrender his or her depositary receipts at the principal office of the depository, pay any charges, and comply with any other terms as provided in the related deposit agreement, and in exchange be entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. However, generally holders of whole shares of the relevant series of preferred stock are not entitled to deposit those shares under the applicable deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts for those shares after the withdrawal. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with the withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depository will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.
Dividends and Other Distributions
Each dividend on a Listed Legacy Bank of America Depositary Share will be in an amount equal to 1/1,000th of the dividend declared on a share of the relevant underlying series of preferred stock. Each dividend on an Unlisted Legacy Bank of America Depositary Share will be in an amount equal to 1/25th of the dividend declared on a share of the relevant underlying series of preferred stock. Each dividend on a Legacy ML Depositary Share will be in an amount equal to 1/1,200th of the dividend declared on a share of the relevant underlying series of preferred stock. In each case, the depository will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the relevant underlying series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to that preferred stock in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders. If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depository will distribute property received by it to the record holders of the depositary shares who are entitled to that property, in proportion to the number of depositary shares held by each holder. However, if the depository determines that it is not feasible to make this distribution of property, the depository, with the Company’s approval, may sell that property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares.
Generally, in the case of each series of Legacy Bank of America Preferred Stock, if the calculation of a dividend or other cash distribution results in an amount that is a fraction of a cent and that fraction is equal to or greater than $0.005, the depository will round that amount up to the next highest whole cent and will request that the Company pay the resulting additional amount to the depository for the relevant dividend or other cash distribution. If the fractional amount is less than $0.005, the depository will disregard that fractional amount.
In the case of each series of Legacy ML Preferred Stock, the depository will not distribute any fraction of a cent and will instead retain any balance not so distributed, which shall be held by the depository and treated as part of the next sum received by the depository for distribution the holders.
Record dates for the payment of dividends and other matters relating to depositary shares will be the same as the corresponding record dates for the related series of preferred stock.
The amount paid as dividends or otherwise distributable by the depository with respect to depositary shares or the relevant underlying series of preferred stock will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the Company or the depository on account of taxes or other
governmental charges. The depository may refuse to make any payment or distribution, or to effect any transfer, exchange, or withdrawal of any depositary shares or the shares of the related series of preferred stock, until such taxes or other governmental charges are paid.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If a series of preferred stock that relates to depositary shares is redeemed, the related depositary shares will be redeemed with the proceeds received by the depository from the redemption, in whole or in part, of that underlying series of preferred stock. Generally, the depository will mail notice of redemption at least 30 (5 in the case of each of the Series RR Preferred Stock and Series TT Preferred Stock, and 15 in the case of each of the Series 4 Preferred Stock and Series 5 Preferred Stock) and not more than 60 calendar days before the redemption date to the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed at their addresses appearing in the depository’s books (unless the depositary shares are held through DTC in which case, for certain series, the notice will be in accordance with DTC’s procedures). With respect to (i) the Listed Legacy Bank of America Depositary Shares, the redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/1,000th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the relevant underlying series of preferred stock, (ii) the Unlisted Legacy Bank of America Depositary Shares, the redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/25th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the relevant underlying series of preferred stock, and (iii) the Legacy ML Depositary Shares, the redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/1,200th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the relevant underlying series of preferred stock.
Whenever the Company redeems shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary under a deposit agreement, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of related depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock that are redeemed. If less than all of the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed generally will be selected by lot or pro rata.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding. At that time, all rights of the holder of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive any money or other property they become entitled to receive upon surrender to the depository of the depositary receipts.
Voting the Deposited Preferred Stock
Holders of depositary receipts are entitled to a fraction of a vote per depositary share (1/1,000th in the case of the Listed Legacy Bank of America Depositary Shares, 1/25th in the case of the Unlisted Legacy Bank of America Depositary Shares, and 1/1,200th in the case of the Legacy ML Depositary Shares) under those limited circumstances in which holders of the relevant underlying series of preferred stock are entitled to a vote. When the depository receives notice of any meeting at which holders of a series of preferred stock held by the depository are entitled to vote, the depository will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the related depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the related series of preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depository as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depository will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions. The Company will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depository to enable the depository to do so. The depository will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of the related preferred stock (provided that with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock, the depository will vote the stock
represented by such depositary shares proportionately with votes cast pursuant to instructions received from the other holders).
Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing depositary shares and any provision of the related deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between the Company and the depository. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the record holders of at least a majority (or, with respect to the Legacy ML Depositary Shares, in the case of amendments relating to or affecting rights to receive dividends or distributions, or voting or redemption rights, two-thirds) of the depositary shares then outstanding. Either the Company or the depository may terminate a deposit agreement if all of the outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or if there has been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up or, with respect to the Legacy ML Depositary Shares, upon the consent of holders of depositary receipts representing not less than two-thirds of the depositary shares then outstanding.
Charges of Depository
The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes, assessments and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of a depository arrangement. The Company will pay the fees of the depository in connection with the initial deposit of the underlying series of preferred stock and any redemption of such preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer and other taxes, assessments and governmental charges and any other charges as are expressly provided in the related deposit agreement to be for their accounts. The depository may refuse to make any payment or distribution on, or effect any transfer of a depositary receipt or any withdrawals of preferred stock evidenced by, a depositary receipt until all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges with respect to the depositary receipt or preferred stock are paid by their holders.
Miscellaneous
The depository will forward to the record holders of depositary shares all of the Company’s reports and communications that are delivered to the depository and which the Company is required to furnish to the holders of its preferred stock or depositary shares.
Neither the Company nor the depository will be liable if the Company is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under a deposit agreement. All of the Company’s obligations as well as the depository’s obligations under each deposit agreement are limited to performance of its respective duties set forth in the deposit agreement and neither the Company nor the depository will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding relating to any depositary shares or preferred stock unless provided with satisfactory indemnity. The Company, and the depository, may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares, or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depository
The depository may resign at any time by delivering to the Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may remove the depository at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect only upon the appointment of a successor depository and the successor
depository’s acceptance of the appointment. Any successor depository must be a U.S. bank or trust company.
DESCRIPTION OF FLOATING RATE PREFERRED HYBRID INCOME TERM SECURITIES OF BAC CAPITAL TRUST XIII (AND THE GUARANTEE OF THE REGISTRANT RELATED THERETO)
This section describes the Floating Rate Preferred Hybrid Income Term Securities of BAC Capital Trust XIII (the “Trust XIII HITS”) and the Company’s guarantee related thereto. The Trust XIII HITS are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC/PF”.
General
The Trust XIII HITS are a class of preferred beneficial interests in BAC Capital Trust XIII, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust XIII”), and are issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of BAC Capital Trust XIII (the “Trust XIII Declaration of Trust”) dated as of February 16, 2007 among the Company, as sponsor, The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as property trustee, BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware (formerly known as The Bank of New York (Delaware)), as Delaware trustee, the regular trustees named therein and the holders of the trust securities. The terms of the Trust XIII HITS include those stated in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, any amendments thereto, and those made a part of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The Trust XIII Declaration of Trust is included as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2007. As of December 31, 2022, 140,922 Trust XIII HITS (having an aggregate liquidation amount of approximately $140.9million) were outstanding.
The common securities of Trust XIII (“Trust XIII Common Securities”) are held directly or indirectly by the Company. The Trust XIII Common Securities rank on a parity, and payments upon redemption, liquidation or otherwise will be made on a proportionate basis, with the Trust XIII HITS, except as set forth below in “—Ranking of Trust XIII Common Securities”. The Trust XIII Declaration of Trust does not permit Trust XIII to issue any securities other than the Trust XIII Common Securities and the Trust XIII HITS or to incur any indebtedness.
The assets of Trust XIII consist of shares of the Company’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), which Trust XIII owns for the benefit of the holders of its Trust XIII HITS and Trust XIII Common Securities (together, the “Trust XIII securities”). Each Trust XIII HITS has a liquidation amount of $1,000 and represents a beneficial interest in Trust XIII that corresponds to 1/100th of a share of Series F Preferred Stock. Because Trust XIII is a pass-through vehicle, Trust XIII will distribute to holders of the Trust XIII securities the dividends that it receives on the Series F Preferred Stock. For a description of the terms of the Series F Preferred Stock, see “Description of Preferred Stock – Series F Preferred Stock” above.
Trust XIII’s business and affairs are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by the Company as sponsor of Trust XIII.
The Trust XIII HITS are issued in registered book-entry only form and are held in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee. Distributions
Trust XIII must make distributions on the Trust XIII HITS on relevant distribution dates to the extent that it has funds available therefor. The distribution dates for the Trust XIII HITS are March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. A distribution period is each period beginning on a distribution date and continuing to, but not including, the next succeeding distribution date. When a distribution date is not a business day (as defined in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust), Trust XIII will make the distribution on the next business day
without interest. Distributions are calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed in a distribution period.
Holders of Trust XIII HITS will be entitled to receive distributions corresponding to dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock. These non-cumulative cash dividends will be payable in arrears if, as and when declared by the Board (or a committee of the Board) on the quarterly dividend payment dates, which are each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 (or if such day is not a business day, the next business day). For additional information about dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock, see “Description of Preferred Stock – Series F Preferred Stock” above.
Trust XIII will make distributions on the Trust XIII HITS only to the extent it has received dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock.
Distributions on the Trust XIII HITS will be payable to the holders as they appear in the security register of Trust XIII on the relevant record dates. The record date will be the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the relevant distribution date falls.
Mandatory Redemption of Trust XIII HITS upon Redemption of Series F Preferred Stock
The Trust XIII HITS have no stated maturity but must be redeemed on the date the Company redeems the Series F Preferred Stock, and the property trustee or paying agent will apply the proceeds from such repayment or redemption to redeem a like amount, as defined below, of the Trust XIII HITS. The Series F Preferred Stock is perpetual but the Company generally may redeem it at any time. The redemption price per Trust XIII HITS will equal the liquidation amount per Trust XIII HITS plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date.
If less than all of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock held by Trust XIII are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the proceeds from such redemption will be allocated pro rata to the redemption of the Trust XIII HITS and the Trust XIII Common Securities, except as set forth below under “— Ranking of Trust XIII Common Securities.”
The term “like amount” as used above means Trust XIII HITS having a liquidation amount equal to that portion of the liquidation amount of the Series F Preferred Stock to be contemporaneously redeemed, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the redemption price of such Trust XIII HITS.
Redemption Procedures. Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the registered address of each holder of Trust XIII HITS to be redeemed.
If (1) Trust XIII gives an irrevocable notice of redemption of Trust XIII HITS for cash and (2) the Company has paid to the property trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption of the Series F Preferred Stock, then on the redemption date, the property trustee will irrevocably deposit with DTC funds sufficient to pay the redemption price for the Trust XIII HITS being redeemed. Trust XIII will also give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption amount in immediately available funds to the beneficial owners of the Trust XIII HITS. Distributions to be paid on or before the redemption date for any Trust XIII HITS called for redemption will be payable to the holders as of the record dates for the related dates of distribution. If the Trust XIII HITS called for redemption are no longer in book-entry form, the property trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the Trust XIII HITS funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
redemption price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates evidencing the Trust XIII HITS.
If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit:
• all rights of the holders of such Trust XIII HITS called for redemption will cease, except the right of the holders of such Trust XIII HITS to receive the redemption price and any distribution payable in respect of the Trust XIII HITS on or prior to the redemption date, but without interest on such redemption price; and
• the Trust XIII HITS called for redemption will cease to be outstanding.
If any redemption date is not a business day, then the redemption amount will be payable on the next business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay). However, if payment on the next business day causes payment of the redemption amount to be in the next calendar month, then payment will be on the preceding business day.
If payment of the redemption amount for any shares of Series F Preferred Stock called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and accordingly the redemption amount of the Trust XIII HITS is not paid either by Trust XIII or by the Company under the Trust XIII Guarantee (as defined below), then dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will continue to accrue and distributions on such Trust XIII HITS called for redemption will continue to accumulate at the applicable rate then borne by such Trust XIII HITS from the original redemption date scheduled to the actual date of payment. In this case, the actual payment date will be considered the redemption date for purposes of calculating the redemption amount.
If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the aggregate liquidation amount of Trust XIII HITS and Trust XIII Common Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated pro rata to the Trust XIII HITS and Trust XIII Common Securities based upon the relative liquidation amounts of such classes, except as set forth below under “— Ranking of Trust XIII Common Securities.” The property trustee will select the particular Trust XIII HITS to be redeemed on a pro rata basis not more than 60 days before the redemption date from the outstanding Trust XIII HITS not previously called for redemption by any method the property trustee deems fair and appropriate, or, if the Trust XIII HITS are in book-entry only form, in accordance with the procedures of DTC. The property trustee shall promptly notify the transfer agent in writing of the Trust XIII HITS selected for redemption and, in the case of any Trust XIII HITS selected for redemption in part, the liquidation amount to be redeemed.
For all purposes of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Trust XIII HITS shall relate, in the case of any Trust XIII HITS redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the aggregate liquidation amount of Trust XIII HITS that has been or is to be redeemed. If less than all of the Trust XIII HITS are redeemed, the Trust XIII HITS held through the facilities of DTC will be redeemed pro rata in accordance with DTC’s internal procedures.
The holders of the Trust XIII HITS do not have any optional redemption rights.
Company Guarantee of Trust XIII HITS
The Company has irrevocably guaranteed (the “Trust XIII Guarantee”), on a junior subordinated basis, the payment in full of any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to the paid on the Trust XIII HITS and the redemption price for any Trust XIII HITS called for
redemption, in each case to the extent Trust XIII has funds available to make the payment, as well as upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of Trust XIII (other than in connection with a distribution of corresponding assets to the holders of the Trust XIII HITS), the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid distributions on the Trust XIII HITS to the date of payment to the extent Trust XIII has funds available to make the payment, and (ii) the amount of assets of Trust XIII remaining available for distribution to holders of Trust XIII HITS upon liquidation of Trust XIII. The Trust XIII Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not of collection.
The Trust XIII Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding Trust XIII HITS. No vote will be required, however, for any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Trust XIII HITS in any material respect.
The Company’s obligations under the Trust XIII Guarantee are unsecured, are subordinated to and junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s secured and senior and subordinated indebtedness, and rank on a parity with all other similar guarantees issued by the Company.
The Trust XIII HITS and the Trust XIII Guarantee do not limit the Company’s ability or the ability of its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks senior to or equally with the Trust XIII Guarantee.
The Trust XIII Guarantee, when taken together with the Company’s obligations under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, including the obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of Trust XIII, other than liabilities with respect to the Trust XIII securities, has the effect of providing a full and unconditional guarantee on an unsecured and junior subordinated basis of amounts due on the Trust XIII HITS.
The HITS Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 16, 2007 between the Company, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as guarantee trustee, related to the Trust XIII HITS, is included as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2007.
Liquidation Distribution upon Dissolution
The Company can at any time dissolve and liquidate Trust XIII. Pursuant to the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, Trust XIII shall dissolve on the first to occur of:
• upon the Company’s bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation;
• upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Company;
• upon the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of Trust XIII securities voting together as a single class to dissolve Trust XIII;
• upon the revocation of the Company’s charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;
• at the Company’s election at any time pursuant to which Trust XIII has been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Trust XIII securities and upon the distribution of the assets of Trust XIII corresponding to its securities to the holders of Trust XIII securities;
• upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the holder of the Trust XIII Common Securities, the Company or Trust XIII; or
• upon the redemption of all of the Trust XIII HITS.
Except as set forth in the next paragraph, if an early dissolution occurs as a result of certain events of the Company’s bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, or if an early dissolution occurs as a result of the entry of an order for the dissolution of Trust XIII by a court of competent jurisdiction, the property trustee and the regular trustees will liquidate Trust XIII as expeditiously as they determine possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust XIII as provided by applicable law, to each holder of Trust XIII HITS a like amount of corresponding assets as of the date of such distribution. Trust XIII shall give notice of liquidation to each holder of Trust XIII HITS at least 15 days and not more than 60 days before the date of liquidation.
If, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, the property trustee determines that distribution of the corresponding assets in the manner provided above is not practical, or if the early dissolution occurs as a result of the redemption of all the Trust XIII HITS, the property trustee and the regular trustees shall liquidate the property of Trust XIII and wind up its affairs in such manner as they determine. In that case, upon the winding-up of Trust XIII, except with respect to an early dissolution that occurs as a result of the redemption of all the Trust XIII HITS, the holders of the Trust XIII securities will be entitled to receive out of the assets of Trust XIII available for distribution to holders and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust XIII as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the liquidation amount per Trust XIII security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of payment. If, upon any such winding-up, Trust XIII has insufficient assets available to pay in full such aggregate liquidation distribution, then the amounts payable directly by Trust XIII on the Trust XIII securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis, except as set forth below under “— Ranking of Trust XIII Common Securities.”
The term “like amount” as used above means, with respect to a distribution of Series F Preferred Stock to holders of Trust XIII securities in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of Trust XIII therefor, Series F Preferred Stock having a liquidation preference equal to the liquidation amount of the Trust XIII securities of the holder to whom such Series F Preferred Stock would be distributed.
Distribution of Trust Assets
Upon liquidation of Trust XIII other than as a result of an early dissolution upon the redemption of all the Trust XIII HITS and after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of Trust XIII as provided by applicable law, the assets of Trust XIII will be distributed to the holders of the Trust XIII securities in exchange therefor.
After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of assets of Trust XIII:
• the Trust XIII HITS will no longer be deemed to be outstanding;
• if the assets to be distributed are shares of Series F Preferred Stock, DTC or its nominee, as the record holder of the Trust XIII HITS, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be delivered upon such distribution;
• any certificates representing the Trust XIII HITS not held by DTC or its nominee or surrendered to the exchange agent will be deemed to represent shares of Series F
Preferred Stock having a liquidation preference equal to the Trust XIII HITS until such certificates are so surrendered for transfer and reissuance; and
• all rights of the holders of the Trust XIII HITS will cease, except the right to receive Series F Preferred Stock upon such surrender.
As each Trust XIII HITS corresponds to 1/100th of a share of Series F Preferred Stock, holders of Trust XIII HITS may receive fractional shares of Series F Preferred Stock or depositary shares representing the Series F Preferred Stock upon this distribution. Since holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote for the election of directors in the event the Company does not pay full dividends for six quarterly dividend periods, the Series F Preferred Stock (or depositary shares representing the Series F Preferred Stock) would not qualify for listing on the NYSE under its current rules.
Ranking of Trust XIII Common Securities
If on any distribution date Trust XIII does not have funds available from payments of dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock to make full distributions on the Trust XIII HITS and the Trust XIII Common Securities, then, if the deficiency in funds results from the Company’s failure to pay a full dividend on shares of Series F Preferred Stock on a dividend payment date, then the available funds from dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will be applied first to make distributions then due on the Trust XIII HITS on a pro rata basis on such distribution date up to the amount of such distributions corresponding to dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock (or, if less, the amount of the corresponding distributions that would have been made on the Trust XIII HITS had the Company paid a full dividend on the Series F Preferred Stock) before any such amount is applied to make a distribution on Trust XIII Common Securities on such distribution date.
If, on any date where Trust XIII HITS and Trust XIII Common Securities must be redeemed because the Company is redeeming Series F Preferred Stock, Trust XIII does not have funds available from the Company’s redemption of shares of Series F Preferred Stock to pay the full redemption price then due on all of the outstanding Trust XIII HITS and Trust XIII Common Securities to be redeemed, then (1) the available funds shall be applied first to pay the redemption price on the Trust XIII HITS to be redeemed on such redemption date and (2) Trust XIII Common Securities shall be redeemed only to the extent funds are available for such purpose after the payment of the full redemption price on the Trust XIII HITS to be redeemed.
If an early dissolution event occurs in respect of Trust XIII, no liquidation distributions will be made on the Trust XIII Common Securities until full liquidation distributions have been made on the Trust XIII HITS.
In the case of any event of default under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust resulting from the Company’s failure to comply in any material respect with any of its obligations as issuer of the Series F Preferred Stock, including obligations set forth in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, of or arising under applicable law, the Company, as holder of the Trust XIII Common Securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such event of default under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust until the effect of all such events of default with respect to the Trust XIII HITS have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all events of default under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of the Trust XIII HITS and not on the Company’s behalf, and only the holders of the Trust XIII HITS will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.
Events of Default; Notice
Any one of the following events constitutes an event of default under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust (a “Trust XIII Event of Default”) regardless of the reason for such event of default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body:
• the Company’s failure to comply in any material respect with its obligations as issuer of the Series F Preferred Stock, under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or arising under applicable law;
• the default by Trust XIII in the payment of any distribution on any trust security of Trust XIII when such becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days;
• the default by Trust XIII in the payment of any redemption price of any trust security of Trust XIII when such becomes due and payable;
• the failure to perform or the breach, in any material respect, of any other covenant or warranty of the trustees in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust and the continuation of such default or breach for 90 days after the Company and the trustees have received written notice of the failure to perform or breach in the manner specified in such Trust XIII Declaration of Trust; or
• the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the property trustee and the Company’s failure to appoint a successor property trustee within 90 days.
Within 30 days after any Trust XIII Event of Default actually known to the property trustee occurs, the property trustee will transmit notice of such Trust XIII Event of Default to the holders of the affected class of Trust XIII securities and to the regular trustees, unless such Trust XIII Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. The Company, as sponsor, and the regular trustees are required to file annually with the property trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company or the regular are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to the Company and to them under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust.
Removal of Trustees
The property trustee and/or the Delaware trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the Trust XIII Common Securities. The property trustee and the Delaware trustee may be removed by the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding Trust XIII HITS for cause. In no event will the holders of the Trust XIII HITS have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the regular trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Company, as the holder of the Trust XIII Common Securities. No resignation or removal of a trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust.
Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee
At any time or from time to time, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of Trust XIII property may at the time be located, the Company, as the holder of the Trust XIII Common Securities, and the
regular trustees shall have the power to appoint one or more persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the property trustee, of all or any part of such trust property, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such person or persons in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of such Trust XIII Declaration of Trust.
Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of Trust XIII
Trust XIII may not consolidate, amalgamate, or merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, to the Company or any other person, except as described below. Trust XIII may, with the consent of the regular trustees but without the consent of the holders of the applicable Trust XIII securities, the property trustee, or the Delaware trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, or merge with or into, or be replaced by, a trust organized under the laws of any state if:
• the successor entity, if not Trust XIII, either:
• expressly assumes all of the obligations of Trust XIII with respect to the Trust XIII securities, or
• substitutes for the Trust XIII securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Trust XIII securities, so long as the successor securities rank the same as the Trust XIII securities in priority with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption, and otherwise;
• the Trust XIII HITS or any successor securities are listed, or any successor securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national or international securities exchange or with another organization, if any, on which the Trust XIII HITS are then listed or quoted;
• the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement does not cause the Trust XIII HITS, including any successor securities, to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
• the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of Trust XIII securities, including any successor securities, in any material respect, other than in connection with any dilution of the holders’ interest in the new entity;
• the successor entity has a purpose identical to that of Trust XIII;
• prior to the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement, the Company has received an opinion of counsel to Trust XIII to the effect that:
• the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of Trust XIII securities, including any successor securities, in any material respect, other than in connection with any dilution of the holders’ interest in the new entity;
• following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement, neither Trust XIII nor the successor entity will be required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”); and
• following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement, Trust XIII or the successor entity will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
• the Company guarantees the obligations of the successor entity under the successor securities at least to the extent provided by the guarantees of the Trust XIII securities.
Trust XIII may not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation amount of its Trust XIII securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if that consolidation, merger, amalgamation, or replacement would cause Trust XIII or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust
Except as provided herein and under “—Company Guarantee of Trust XIII HITS” above and as otherwise required by law and the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, the holders of the Trust XIII HITS will have no voting rights or control over the administration, operation or management of Trust XIII or the obligations of the parties to the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, including in respect of Series F Preferred Stock beneficially owned by Trust XIII. Under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, however, the property trustee will be required to obtain their consent before exercising some of its rights in respect of these securities.
Trust XIII Declaration of Trust. The Company and the regular trustees may amend the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust without the consent of the holders of the Trust XIII HITS, the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, unless in the case of the first two bullets below such amendment will materially and adversely affect the interests of any holder of Trust XIII HITS or the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, to:
• cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, which may not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust;
• modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that Trust XIII will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as one or more grantor trusts and/or agency arrangements and not as an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation at all times that any Trust XIII securities are outstanding, to ensure that Trust XIII will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act or to ensure the treatment of Trust XIII HITS as Tier 1 regulatory capital under prevailing Federal Reserve rules and regulations;
• provide that certificates for Trust XIII HITS may be executed by a regular trustee by facsimile signature instead of manual signature, in which case such amendment(s) shall also provide for the appointment by the Company of an authentication agent and certain related provisions;
• require that holders that are not U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes irrevocably appoint a U.S. person to exercise any voting rights to ensure that Trust XIII will not be treated as a foreign trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or
• conform the terms of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust to the description of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, the Trust XIII HITS and the Trust XIII Common Securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the initial offering of the Trust XIII HITS, in the manner provided in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust.
Any such amendment shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the property trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the holders of the Trust XIII HITS.
The Company and the regular trustees may generally amend the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust with:
• the consent of holders representing not less than a majority, based upon liquidation amounts, of each outstanding class of Trust XIII HITS affected by the amendments; and
• receipt by the trustees of Trust XIII of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the trustees of Trust XIII or the regular trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect Trust XIII’s status as one or more grantor trusts and/or agency arrangements for U.S. federal income tax purposes or affect Trust XIII’s exemption from status as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.
However, without the consent of each affected holder of Trust securities, the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust may not be amended to:
• change the amount or timing, or otherwise adversely affect the amount, of any distribution required to be made in respect of Trust XIII securities as of a specified date; or
• restrict the right of a holder of Trust XIII securities to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
Series F Preferred Stock. So long as the Series F Preferred Stock is held by the property trustee on behalf of Trust XIII, the trustees of Trust XIII will not waive any default in respect of the Series F Preferred Stock without obtaining the prior approval of the holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust XIII HITS then outstanding. The trustees of Trust XIII also shall not consent to any amendment to Trust XIII’s or the Company’s governing documents that would change the dates on which dividends are payable or the amount of such dividends, without the prior written consent of each holder of Trust XIII HITS. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals from holders, the trustees of Trust XIII shall obtain, at the Company’s expense, an opinion of counsel to the effect that such action shall not cause Trust XIII to be taxable as a corporation or classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
General. Any required approval of holders of Trust XIII HITS may be given at a meeting of holders of such class of Trust XIII HITS convened for such purpose or pursuant to written consent. The property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of Trust XIII HITS are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given to each record holder of such Trust XIII HITS in the manner set forth in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust.
No vote or consent of the holders of Trust XIII HITS will be required for Trust XIII to redeem and cancel the Trust XIII HITS in accordance with the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust.
Notwithstanding that holders of the Trust XIII HITS are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Trust XIII HITS that are owned by the Company or its affiliates or the trustees or any of their affiliates shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
Payment and Paying Agent
Payments on the Trust XIII HITS shall be made to DTC by the paying agent, which shall credit the relevant accounts on the applicable distribution dates. If any Trust XIII HITS are not held by DTC, the paying agent shall make such payments by check mailed to the address of the holder as such address shall appear on the register.
The “paying agent” is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) and any co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the Company and to the regular trustees. The paying agent shall be permitted to resign as paying agent upon 30 days written notice to the regular trustees and to the property trustee. In the event that The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall no longer be the paying agent, the property trustee will appoint a successor to act as paying agent, which will be a bank or trust company acceptable to the regular trustees and to the Company.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. acts as registrar and transfer agent for the Trust XIII HITS.
Registration of transfers of Trust XIII HITS will be effected without charge by or on behalf of Trust XIII but after payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. Neither Trust XIII nor the transfer agent shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any trust security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of Trust XIII securities and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of notice of redemption or to transfer or exchange any trust security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any trust security to be redeemed in part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.
Any Trust XIII HITS can be exchanged for other Trust XIII HITS so long as such other Trust XIII HITS are denominated in authorized denominations and have the same aggregate liquidation amount and same terms as the Trust XIII HITS that were surrendered for exchange. The Trust XIII HITS may be presented for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a satisfactory written instrument of transfer, at the office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose in a place of payment. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Trust XIII HITS, but the Company may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange of the Trust XIII HITS. The Company may at any time rescind the designation or approve a change in the location of any office or agency, in addition to the security registrar, designated by the Company where holders can surrender the Trust XIII HITS for registration of transfer or exchange. However, Trust XIII will be required to maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for the Trust XIII HITS.
Information Concerning the Property Trustee
Other than during the occurrence and continuance of a Trust XIII Event of Default, the property trustee undertakes to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust. After a Trust XIII Event of Default, the property trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent individual would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust at the request of any holder of Trust XIII HITS unless it is offered indemnity satisfactory to it by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred. However, the holders of the Trust XIII HITS will not be required to offer any indemnity if those holders, by exercising their voting rights, direct the property trustee to take any action following an event of default under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust. If no Trust XIII Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the property trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust or is unsure of the application of any provision of the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, and the matter is not one upon which holders of Trust XIII HITS are entitled under the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust to vote, then the property trustee will take any action that the Company directs. If the Company does not provide direction, the property trustee may take any action that it deems advisable and in the interests of the holders of the Trust XIII securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
The Company and certain of its affiliates have from time to time maintained deposit accounts and conducted other banking transactions with the property trustee and its affiliated entities in the ordinary course of business. The Company expects to continue those business transactions. The property trustee or its affiliates also serve as trustee for a number of series of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under other indentures.
Trust Expenses
Pursuant to the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, the Company, as sponsor, agrees to pay:
• all debts and other obligations of Trust XIII (other than with respect to the Trust XIII HITS);
• all costs and expenses of Trust XIII, including costs and expenses relating to the organization of Trust XIII, the fees and expenses of the trustees and the cost and expenses relating to the operation of Trust XIII; and
• any and all taxes and costs and expenses with respect thereto, other than U.S. withholding taxes, to which Trust XIII might become subject.
Miscellaneous
The regular trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate Trust XIII in such a way that it will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act or characterized as other than one or more grantor trusts and/or agency arrangements for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this regard, the Company, as sponsor of Trust XIII, and the regular trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of Trust XIII or the Trust XIII Declaration of Trust, that the Company and the regular trustees determine to be necessary or desirable to achieve such end, as long as such action does not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Trust XIII HITS.
Holders of the Trust XIII HITS have no preemptive or similar rights. The Trust XIII HITS are not convertible into or exchangeable for the Company’s Common Stock or any series of the Company’s preferred stock (including Series F Preferred Stock).
DESCRIPTION OF 5.63% FIXED TO FLOATING RATE PREFERRED HYBRID INCOME TERM SECURITIES OF BAC CAPITAL TRUST XIV (AND THE GUARANTEE OF THE REGISTRANT RELATED THERETO)
This section describes the 5.63% Fixed to Floating Rate Preferred Hybrid Income Term Securities of BAC Capital Trust XIV (the “Trust XIV HITS”) and the Company’s guarantee related thereto. The Trust XIV HITS are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC/PG”.
General
The Trust XIV HITS are a class of preferred beneficial interests in BAC Capital Trust XIV, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust XIV”), and are issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of BAC Capital Trust XIV (the “Trust XIV Declaration of Trust”) dated as of February 16, 2007 among the Company, as sponsor, The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as property trustee, BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware (formerly known as The Bank of New York (Delaware)), as Delaware Trustee, the regular trustees named therein and the holders of the trust securities. The terms of the Trust XIV HITS include those stated in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, any amendments thereto, and those made a part of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust by the Trust Indenture Act and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The Trust XIV Declaration of Trust is included as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2007. As of December 31, 2022, 492,537 Trust XIV HITS (having an aggregate liquidation amount of approximately $492.5 million) were outstanding.
The common securities of Trust XIV (“Trust XIV Common Securities”) are held directly or indirectly by the Company. The Trust XIV Common Securities rank on a parity, and payments upon redemption, liquidation or otherwise will be made on a proportionate basis, with the Trust XIV HITS, except as set forth below in “—Ranking of Trust XIV Common Securities”. The Trust XIV Declaration of Trust does not permit Trust XIV to issue any securities other than the Trust XIV Common Securities and the Trust XIV HITS or to incur any indebtedness.
The assets of Trust XIV consist of shares of the Company’s Adjustable Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (the “Series G Preferred Stock”), which Trust XIV owns for the benefit of the holders of its Trust XIV HITS and Trust XIV Common Securities (together, the “Trust XIV securities”). Each Trust XIV HITS has a liquidation amount of $1,000 and represents a beneficial interest in Trust XIV that corresponds to 1/100th of a share of Series G Preferred Stock. Because Trust XIV is a pass-through vehicle, Trust XIV will distribute to holders of Trust XIV securities the dividends that it receives on the Series G Preferred Stock. For a description of the terms of the Series G Preferred Stock, see “Description of Preferred Stock – Series G Preferred Stock” above.
Trust XIV’s business and affairs are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by the Company as sponsor of Trust XIV.
The Trust XIV HITS are issued in registered book-entry only form and are held in the name of DTC or its nominee.
Distributions
Trust XIV must make distributions on the Trust XIV HITS on relevant distribution dates to the extent that it has funds available therefor. The distribution dates for the Trust XIV HITS are March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. A distribution period is each period beginning on a distribution date and continuing to, but not including, the next succeeding distribution date. When a distribution date is not a business day (as defined in the
Trust XIV Declaration of Trust), Trust XIV will make the distribution on the next business day without interest. Distributions are calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed in a distribution period.
Holders of Trust XIV HITS will be entitled to receive distributions corresponding to dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock. These non-cumulative cash dividends will be payable in arrears if, as and when declared by the Board (or a committee of the Board) on the quarterly dividend payment dates, which each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 (or if such day is not a business day, the next business day). For additional information about dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock, see “Description of Preferred Stock – Series G Preferred Stock” above.
Trust XIV will make distributions on the Trust XIV HITS only to the extent it has received dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock.
Distributions on the Trust XIV HITS will be payable to the holders as they appear in the security register of Trust XIV on the relevant record dates. The record date will be the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the relevant distribution date falls.
Mandatory Redemption of Trust XIV HITS upon Redemption of Series G Preferred Stock
The Trust XIV HITS have no stated maturity but must be redeemed on the date the Company redeems the Series G Preferred Stock, and the property trustee or paying agent will apply the proceeds from such repayment or redemption to redeem a like amount, as defined below, of the Trust XIV HITS. The Series G Preferred Stock is perpetual but the Company generally may redeem it at any time. The redemption price per Trust XIV HITS will equal the liquidation amount per Trust XIV HITS plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date.
If less than all of the shares of Series G Preferred Stock held by Trust XIV are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the proceeds from such redemption will be allocated pro rata to the redemption of the Trust XIV HITS and the Trust XIV Common Securities, except as set forth below under “— Ranking of Trust XIV Common Securities.”
The term “like amount” as used above means Trust XIV HITS having a liquidation amount equal to that portion of the liquidation amount of the Series G Preferred Stock to be contemporaneously redeemed, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the redemption price of such Trust XIV HITS.
Redemption Procedures. Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the registered address of each holder of Trust XIV HITS to be redeemed.
If (1) Trust XIV gives an irrevocable notice of redemption of Trust XIV HITS for cash and (2) the Company has paid to the property trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption of the Series G Preferred Stock, then on the redemption date, the property trustee will irrevocably deposit with DTC funds sufficient to pay the redemption price for the Trust XIV HITS being redeemed. Trust XIV will also give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption amount in immediately available funds to the beneficial owners of the Trust XIV HITS. Distributions to be paid on or before the redemption date for any Trust XIV HITS called for redemption will be payable to the holders as of the record dates for the related dates of distribution. If the Trust XIV HITS called for redemption are no longer in book-entry form, the property trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the Trust XIV HITS funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption
price and will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates evidencing the Trust XIV HITS.
If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit:
• all rights of the holders of such Trust XIV HITS called for redemption will cease, except the right of the holders of such Trust XIV HITS to receive the redemption price and any distribution payable in respect of the Trust XIV HITS on or prior to the redemption date, but without interest on such redemption price; and
• the Trust XIV HITS called for redemption will cease to be outstanding.
If any redemption date is not a business day, then the redemption amount will be payable on the next business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay). However, if payment on the next business day causes payment of the redemption amount to be in the next calendar month, then payment will be on the preceding business day.
If payment of the redemption amount for any shares of Series G Preferred Stock called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and accordingly the redemption amount of the Trust XIV HITS is not paid either by Trust XIV or by the Company under the Trust XIV Guarantee (as defined below), then dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock will continue to accrue and distributions on such Trust XIV HITS called for redemption will continue to accumulate at the applicable rate then borne by such Trust XIV HITS from the original redemption date scheduled to the actual date of payment. In this case, the actual payment date will be considered the redemption date for purposes of calculating the redemption amount.
If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the aggregate liquidation amount of Trust XIV HITS and Trust XIV Common Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated pro rata to the Trust XIV HITS and Trust XIV Common Securities based upon the relative liquidation amounts of such classes, except as set forth below under “— Ranking of Trust XIV Common Securities.” The property trustee will select the particular Trust XIV HITS to be redeemed on a pro rata basis not more than 60 days before the redemption date from the outstanding Trust XIV HITS not previously called for redemption by any method the property trustee deems fair and appropriate, or, if the Trust XIV HITS are in book-entry only form, in accordance with the procedures of DTC. The property trustee shall promptly notify the Transfer Agent in writing of the Trust XIV HITS selected for redemption and, in the case of any Trust XIV HITS selected for redemption in part, the liquidation amount to be redeemed.
For all purposes of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Trust XIV HITS shall relate, in the case of any Trust XIV HITS redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the aggregate liquidation amount of Trust XIV HITS that has been or is to be redeemed. If less than all of the Trust XIV HITS are redeemed, the Trust XIV HITS held through the facilities of DTC will be redeemed pro rata in accordance with DTC’s internal procedures.
The holders of the Trust XIV HITS do not have any optional redemption rights.
Company Guarantee of Trust XIV HITS
The Company has irrevocably guaranteed (the “Trust XIV Guarantee”), on a junior subordinated basis, the payment in full of any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to
the paid on the Trust XIV HITS and the redemption price for any Trust XIV HITS called for redemption, in each case to the extent Trust XIV has funds available to make the payment, as well as upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of Trust XIV (other than in connection with a distribution of corresponding assets to the holders of the Trust XIV HITS), the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid distributions on the Trust XIV HITS to the date of payment to the extent Trust XIV has funds available to make the payment, and (ii) the amount of assets of Trust XIV remaining available for distribution to holders of Trust XIV HITS upon liquidation of Trust XIV. The Trust XIV Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not of collection.
The Trust XIV Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding Trust XIV HITS. No vote will be required, however, for any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Trust XIV HITS in any material respect.
The Company’s obligations under the Trust XIV Guarantee are unsecured, are subordinated to and junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s secured and senior and subordinated indebtedness, and rank on a parity with all other similar guarantees issued by the Company.
The Trust XIV HITS and the Trust XIV Guarantee do not limit the Company’s ability or the ability of its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks senior to or equally with the Trust XIV Guarantee.
The Trust XIV Guarantee, when taken together with the Company’s obligations under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, including the obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of Trust XIV, other than liabilities with respect to the Trust XIV securities, has the effect of providing a full and unconditional guarantee on an unsecured and junior subordinated basis of amounts due on the Trust XIV HITS.
The HITS Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 16, 2007 between the Company, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as guarantee trustee, related to the Trust XIV HITS, is included as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2007.
Liquidation Distribution upon Dissolution
The Company can at any time dissolve and liquidate Trust XIV. Pursuant to the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, Trust XIV shall dissolve on the first to occur of:
• upon the Company’s bankruptcy, dissolution or winding up;
• upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Company;
• upon the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of Trust XIV securities voting together as a single class to dissolve Trust XIV;
• upon the revocation of the Company’s charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;
• at the Company’s election at any time pursuant to which Trust XIV has been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Trust XIV securities and upon the distribution of the assets of Trust XIV corresponding to its securities to the holders of Trust XIV securities;
• upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the holder of the Trust XIV Common Securities, the Company or Trust XIV; or
• upon the redemption of all of the Trust XIV HITS.
Except as set forth in the next paragraph, if an early dissolution occurs as a result of certain events of the Company’s bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, or if an early dissolution occurs as a result of the entry of an order for the dissolution of Trust XIV by a court of competent jurisdiction, the property trustee and the regular trustees will liquidate Trust XIV as expeditiously as they determine possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust XIV as provided by applicable law, to each holder of Trust XIV HITS a like amount of corresponding assets as of the date of such distribution. Trust XIV shall give notice of liquidation to each holder of Trust XIV HITS at least 15 days and not more than 60 days before the date of liquidation.
If, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, the property trustee determines that distribution of the corresponding assets in the manner provided above is not practical, or if the early dissolution occurs as a result of the redemption of all the Trust XIV HITS, the property trustee and the regular trustees shall liquidate the property of Trust XIV and wind up its affairs in such manner as they determine. In that case, upon the winding-up of Trust XIV, except with respect to an early dissolution that occurs as a result of the redemption of all the Trust XIV HITS, the holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of Trust XIV available for distribution to holders of the Trust XIV securities and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of Trust XIV as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the liquidation amount per Trust XIV security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of payment. If, upon any such winding-up, Trust XIV has insufficient assets available to pay in full such aggregate liquidation distribution, then the amounts payable directly by Trust XIV on the Trust XIV securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis, except as set forth below under “— Ranking of Trust XIV Common Securities.”
The term “like amount” as used above means, with respect to a distribution of Series G Preferred Stock to holders of Trust XIV securities in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of Trust XIV therefor, Series G Preferred Stock having a liquidation preference equal to the liquidation amount of the Trust XIV securities of the holder to whom such Series G Preferred Stock would be distributed.
Distribution of Trust Assets
Upon liquidation of Trust XIV other than as a result of an early dissolution upon the redemption of all the Trust XIV HITS and after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of Trust XIV as provided by applicable law, the assets of Trust XIV will be distributed to the holders of the Trust XIV securities in exchange therefor.
After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of assets of Trust XIV:
• the Trust XIV HITS will no longer be deemed to be outstanding;
• if the assets to be distributed are shares of Series G Preferred Stock, DTC or its nominee, as the record holder of the Trust XIV HITS, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the shares of Series G Preferred Stock to be delivered upon such distribution;
• any certificates representing the Trust XIV HITS not held by DTC or its nominee or surrendered to the exchange agent will be deemed to represent shares of Series G
Preferred Stock having a liquidation preference equal to the Trust XIV HITS until such certificates are so surrendered for transfer and reissuance; and
• all rights of the holders of the Trust XIV HITS will cease, except the right to receive Series G Preferred Stock upon such surrender.
As each Trust XIV HITS corresponds to 1/100th of a share of Series G Preferred Stock, holders of Trust XIV HITS may receive fractional shares of Series G Preferred Stock or depositary shares representing the Series G Preferred Stock upon this distribution. Since holders of the Series G Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote for the election of directors in the event the Company does not pay full dividends for six quarterly dividend periods, the Series G Preferred Stock (or depositary shares representing the Series G Preferred Stock) would not qualify for listing on the NYSE under its current rules.
Ranking of Trust XIV Common Securities
If on any distribution date Trust XIV does not have funds available from payments of dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock to make full distributions on the Trust XIV HITS and the Trust XIV Common Securities, then, if the deficiency in funds results from the Company’s failure to pay a full dividend on shares of Series G Preferred Stock on a dividend payment date, then the available funds from dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock will be applied first to make distributions then due on the Trust XIV HITS on a pro rata basis on such distribution date up to the amount of such distributions corresponding to dividends on the Series G Preferred Stock (or, if less, the amount of the corresponding distributions that would have been made on the Trust XIV HITS had the Company paid a full dividend on the Series G Preferred Stock) before any such amount is applied to make a distribution on Trust XIV Common Securities on such distribution date.
If, on any date where Trust XIV HITS and Trust XIV Common Securities must be redeemed because the Company is redeeming Series G Preferred Stock, Trust XIV does not have funds available from the Company’s redemption of shares of Series G Preferred Stock to pay the full redemption price then due on all of the outstanding Trust XIV HITS and Trust XIV Common Securities to be redeemed, then (1) the available funds shall be applied first to pay the redemption price on the Trust XIV HITS to be redeemed on such redemption date and (2) Trust XIV Common Securities shall be redeemed only to the extent funds are available for such purpose after the payment of the full redemption price on the Trust XIV HITS to be redeemed.
If an early dissolution event occurs in respect of Trust XIV, no liquidation distributions will be made on the Trust XIV Common Securities until full liquidation distributions have been made on the Trust XIV HITS.
In the case of any event of default under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust resulting from the Company’s failure to comply in any material respect with any of its obligations as issuer of the Series G Preferred Stock, including obligations set forth in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation of or arising under applicable law, the Company, as holder of the Trust XIV Common Securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such event of default under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust until the effect of all such events of default with respect to the Trust XIV HITS have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all events of default under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of the Trust XIV HITS and not on the Company’s behalf, and only the holders of the Trust XIV HITS will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.
Events of Default; Notice
Any one of the following events constitutes an event of default under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust (a “Trust XIV Event of Default”) regardless of the reason for such event of default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body:
• the Company’s failure to comply in any material respect with its obligations as issuer of the Series G Preferred Stock, under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or arising under applicable law;
• the default by Trust XIV in the payment of any distribution on any trust security of Trust XIV when such becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days;
• the default by Trust XIV in the payment of any redemption price of any trust security of Trust XIV when such becomes due and payable;
• the failure to perform or the breach, in any material respect, of any other covenant or warranty of the trustees in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust and the continuation of such default or breach for 90 days after the Company and the trustees have received written notice of the failure to perform or breach in the manner specified in such Trust XIV Declaration of Trust; or
• the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the property trustee and the Company’s failure to appoint a successor property trustee within 90 days.
Within 30 days after any Trust XIV Event of Default actually known to the property trustee occurs, the property trustee will transmit notice of such Trust XIV Event of Default to the holders of the affected class of Trust XIV securities and to the regular trustees, unless such Trust XIV Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. The Company, as sponsor, and the regular trustees are required to file annually with the property trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company or the regular trustees are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to the Company and to them under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust.
Removal of Trustees
The property trustee and/or the Delaware trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the Trust XIV Common Securities. The property trustee and the Delaware trustee may be removed by the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding Trust XIV HITS for cause. In no event will the holders of the Trust XIV HITS have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the regular trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Company, as the holder of the Trust XIV Common Securities. No resignation or removal of a trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust.
Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee
At any time or from time to time, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of Trust XIV property may at the time be located, the Company, as the holder of the Trust XIV Common Securities, and the
regular trustees shall have the power to appoint one or more persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the property trustee, of all or any part of such trust property, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such person or persons in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of such Trust XIV Declaration of Trust.
Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of Trust XIV
Trust XIV may not consolidate, amalgamate, or merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, to the Company or any other person, except as described below. Trust XIV may, with the consent of the regular trustees but without the consent of the holders of the applicable Trust XIV securities, the property trustee, or the Delaware trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, or merge with or into, or be replaced by, a trust organized under the laws of any state if:
• the successor entity, if not Trust XIV, either:
• expressly assumes all of the obligations of Trust XIV with respect to the Trust XIV securities, or
• substitutes for the Trust XIV securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Trust XIV securities, so long as the successor securities rank the same as the Trust XIV securities in priority with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption, and otherwise;
• the Trust XIV HITS or any successor securities are listed, or any successor securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national or international securities exchange or with another organization, if any, on which the Trust XIV HITS are then listed or quoted;
• the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement does not cause the Trust XIV HITS, including any successor securities, to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
• the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of Trust XIV securities, including any successor securities, in any material respect, other than in connection with any dilution of the holders’ interest in the new entity;
• the successor entity has a purpose identical to that of Trust XIV;
• prior to the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement, the Company has received an opinion of counsel to Trust XIV to the effect that:
• the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of Trust XIV securities, including any successor securities, in any material respect, other than in connection with any dilution of the holders’ interest in the new entity;
• following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement, neither Trust XIV nor the successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; and
• following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or replacement, Trust XIV or the successor entity will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
• the Company guarantees the obligations of the successor entity under the successor securities at least to the extent provided by the guarantees of the Trust XIV securities.
Trust XIV may not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation amount of its Trust XIV securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if that consolidation, merger, amalgamation, or replacement would cause Trust XIV or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust
Except as provided herein and under “—Company Guarantee of Trust XIV HITS” above and as otherwise required by law and the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, the holders of the Trust XIV HITS will have no voting rights or control over the administration, operation or management of Trust XIV or the obligations of the parties to the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, including in respect of Series G Preferred Stock beneficially owned by Trust XIV. Under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, however, the property trustee will be required to obtain their consent before exercising some of its rights in respect of these securities.
Trust XIV Declaration of Trust. The Company and the regular trustees may amend the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust without the consent of the holders of the Trust XIV HITS, the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, unless in the case of the first two bullets below such amendment will materially and adversely affect the interests of any holder of Trust XIV HITS or the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, to:
• cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, which may not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust;
• modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that Trust XIV will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as one or more grantor trusts and/or agency arrangements and not as an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation at all times that any Trust XIV securities are outstanding, to ensure that Trust XIV will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act or to ensure the treatment of Trust XIV HITS as Tier 1 regulatory capital under prevailing Federal Reserve rules and regulations;
• provide that certificates for Trust XIV HITS may be executed by a regular trustee by facsimile signature instead of manual signature, in which case such amendment(s) shall also provide for the appointment by the Company of an authentication agent and certain related provisions;
• require that holders that are not U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes irrevocably appoint a U.S. person to exercise any voting rights to ensure that Trust XIV will not be treated as a foreign trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or
• conform the terms of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust to the description of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, the Trust XIV HITS and the Trust XIV Common Securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the initial offering of the Trust XIV HITS, in the manner provided in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust.
Any such amendment shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the property trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the holders of the Trust XIV HITS.
The Company and the regular trustees may generally amend the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust with:
• the consent of holders representing not less than a majority, based upon liquidation amounts, of each outstanding class of Trust XIV HITS affected by the amendments; and
• receipt by the trustees of Trust XIV of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the trustees of Trust XIV or the regular trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect Trust XIV’s status as one or more grantor trusts and/or agency arrangements for U.S. federal income tax purposes or affect Trust XIV’s exemption from status as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.
However, without the consent of each affected holder of Trust XIV securities, the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust may not be amended to:
• change the amount or timing, or otherwise adversely affect the amount, of any distribution required to be made in respect of Trust XIV securities as of a specified date; or
• restrict the right of a holder of Trust XIV securities to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
Series G Preferred Stock. So long as the Series G Preferred Stock is held by the property trustee on behalf of Trust XIV, the trustees of Trust XIV will not waive any default in respect of the Series G Preferred Stock without obtaining the prior approval of the holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust XIV HITS then outstanding. The trustees of Trust XIV also shall not consent to any amendment to Trust XIV’s or the Company’s governing documents that would change the dates on which dividends are payable or the amount of such dividends, without the prior written consent of each holder of Trust XIV HITS. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals from holders, the trustees of Trust XIV shall obtain, at the Company’s expense, an opinion of counsel to the effect that such action shall not cause Trust XIV to be taxable as a corporation or classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
General. Any required approval of holders of Trust XIV HITS may be given at a meeting of holders of such class of Trust XIV HITS convened for such purpose or pursuant to written consent. The property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of Trust XIV HITS are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given to each record holder of such Trust XIV HITS in the manner set forth in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust.
No vote or consent of the holders of Trust XIV HITS will be required for Trust XIV to redeem and cancel the Trust XIV HITS in accordance with the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust.
Notwithstanding that holders of the Trust XIV HITS are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Trust XIV HITS that are owned by the Company or its affiliates or the trustees or any of their affiliates shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
Payment and Paying Agent
Payments on the Trust XIV HITS shall be made to DTC by the paying agent, which shall credit the relevant accounts on the applicable distribution dates. If any Trust XIV HITS are not held by DTC, the paying agent shall make such payments by check mailed to the address of the holder as such address shall appear on the register.
The “paying agent” is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) and any co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the Company and to the regular trustees. The paying agent shall be permitted to resign as paying agent upon 30 days written notice to the regular trustees and to the property trustee. In the event that The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. shall no longer be the paying agent, the property trustee will appoint a successor to act as paying agent, which will be a bank or trust company acceptable to the regular trustees and to the Company.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. acts registrar and transfer agent for the Trust XIV HITS.
Registration of transfers of Trust XIV HITS will be effected without charge by or on behalf of Trust XIV but after payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. Neither Trust XIV nor the transfer agent shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any trust security during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of Trust XIV securities and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of notice of redemption or to transfer or exchange any trust security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any trust security to be redeemed in part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.
Any Trust XIV HITS can be exchanged for other Trust XIV HITS so long as such other Trust XIV HITS are denominated in authorized denominations and have the same aggregate liquidation amount and same terms as the Trust XIV HITS that were surrendered for exchange. The Trust XIV HITS may be presented for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a satisfactory written instrument of transfer, at the office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose in a place of payment. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Trust XIV HITS, but the Company may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange of the Trust XIV HITS. The Company may at any time rescind the designation or approve a change in the location of any office or agency, in addition to the security registrar, designated by the Company where holders can surrender the Trust XIV HITS for registration of transfer or exchange. However, Trust XIV will be required to maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for the Trust XIV HITS.
Information Concerning the Property Trustee
Other than during the occurrence and continuance of a Trust Event of Default, the property trustee undertakes to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust. After a Trust XIV Event of Default, the property trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent individual would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust at the request of any holder of Trust XIV HITS unless it is offered indemnity satisfactory to it by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred. However, the holders of the Trust XIV HITS will not be required to offer any indemnity if those holders, by exercising their voting rights, direct the property trustee to take any action following an event of default under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust. If no Trust XIV Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the property trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust or is unsure of the application of any provision of the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, and the matter is not one upon which holders of Trust XIV HITS are entitled under the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust to vote, then the property trustee will take any action that the Company directs. If the Company does not provide direction, the property trustee may take any action that it deems advisable and in the interests of the holders of the Trust XIV securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
The Company and certain of its affiliates have from time to time maintained deposit accounts and conducted other banking transactions with the property trustee and its affiliated entities in the ordinary course of business. The Company expects to continue those business transactions. The property trustee or its affiliates also serve as trustee for a number of series of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under other indentures.
Trust Expenses
Pursuant to the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, the Company, as sponsor, agrees to pay:
• all debts and other obligations of Trust XIV (other than with respect to the Trust XIV HITS);
• all costs and expenses of Trust XIV, including costs and expenses relating to the organization of Trust XIV, the fees and expenses of the trustees and the cost and expenses relating to the operation of Trust XIV; and
• any and all taxes and costs and expenses with respect thereto, other than U.S. withholding taxes, to which Trust XIV might become subject.
Miscellaneous
The regular trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate Trust XIV in such a way that it will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act or characterized as other than one or more grantor trusts and/or agency arrangements for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this regard, the Company, as sponsor of Trust XIV, and the regular trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of Trust XIV or the Trust XIV Declaration of Trust, that the Company and the regular trustees determine to be necessary or desirable to achieve such end, as long as such action does not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Trust XIV HITS.
Holders of the Trust XIV HITS have no preemptive or similar rights. The Trust XIV HITS are not convertible into or exchangeable for the Company’s Common Stock or any series of the Company’s preferred stock (including the Series G Preferred Stock).
DESCRIPTION OF INCOME CAPITAL OBLIGATION NOTES
INITIALLY DUE DECEMBER 15, 2066
This section describes the Company’s Income Capital Obligations Notes initially due December 15, 2066 (the “ICONs”). The ICONs are issued under the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of December 14, 2006 between the Company (successor by merger to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as trustee (as supplemented, the “ICONs Indenture”). The ICONs Indenture is included as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 18, 2018.
General
The ICONs are unsecured junior subordinated debt securities of the Company. An aggregate principal amount of $1,050,000,000 of the ICONs was outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The ICONs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “MER PrK”. The ICONs are issued in registered book-entry only form, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository.
Unless the ICONs are redeemed prior to maturity, the ICONs will mature on December 15, 2066 (the “Initial Scheduled Maturity Date”), unless the Company extends the maturity of the ICONs as described below.
Interest Rate
The ICONs will bear interest at 6.45% per annum through the Initial Scheduled Maturity Date or any earlier redemption date (the “Fixed Rate Period”). Subject to the Company’s right to defer interest payments described below, during the Fixed Rate Period interest is payable quarterly in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each year. If interest payments are deferred or otherwise not paid during the Fixed Rate Period, the interest will accrue and compound until paid at the annual rate of 6.45%. The amount of interest payable for any accrual period during this period will be compounded on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
If the Company elects to extend the maturity date of the ICONs as described below, the ICONs will bear interest at the Three-Month LIBOR Rate plus 132.7 basis points (1.327%), reset quarterly, during the period commencing on and including December 15, 2066 to, but excluding, the date on which the ICONs mature or any earlier redemption date (the “Floating Rate Period”). Subject to the Company’s right to defer interest payments as described below, during the Floating Rate Period interest is payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning March 15, 2067. If interest payments are deferred or otherwise not paid during the Floating Rate Period, the interest will accrue and compound until paid at the prevailing floating rate. The amount of interest payable for any accrual period during the Floating Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed during the relevant period.
During the Fixed Rate Period if an interest payment date or a redemption date of the ICONs falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment of interest and principal will be made on the next succeeding business day, and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after the interest payment date or the redemption date, as applicable. During the Floating Rate Period, if any interest payment date, other than a redemption date or the maturity date of the ICONs, falls on a day that is not a business day, the interest payment date will be postponed to the next day that is a business day, except that if that business day is in the next succeeding calendar month, the interest payment date will be the immediately preceding business
day. Also during the Floating Rate Period, if a redemption date or the maturity date of the ICONs falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment of interest and principal will be made on the next succeeding business day, and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after the redemption date or the maturity date, as applicable.
A “business day” means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to close; provided that, during the Floating Rate Period the day is also a London banking day. “London banking day” means a day on which commercial banks are open for business, including dealings in U.S. dollars, in London.
The “Three-Month LIBOR Rate” means the rate determined in accordance with the following provisions. On the LIBOR interest determination date, the calculation agent or its affiliate will determine the Three-Month LIBOR Rate which will be the rate for deposits in U.S. Dollars having a three-month maturity which appears on the Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on the LIBOR interest determination date. If no rate appears on Telerate Page 3750 on the LIBOR interest determination date, the calculation agent or its affiliate will request the principal London offices of four major reference banks in the London Inter-Bank Market to provide it with their offered quotations for deposits in U.S. Dollars for the period of three months, commencing on the applicable interest payment date in the Floating Rate Period, to prime banks in the London Inter-Bank Market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on that LIBOR interest determination date and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in U.S. dollars in that market at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, the Three-Month LIBOR Rate will be the average (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundredth (0.01) of a percent) of those quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, then the Three-Month LIBOR Rate will be the average (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundredth (0.01) of a percent) of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the LIBOR interest determinate date by three major banks in New York City selected by the calculation agent or its affiliate for loans in U.S. Dollars to leading European banks, having a three-month maturity and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in U.S. dollars in that market at that time. If the banks selected by the calculation agent or its affiliate are not providing quotations in the manner described by this paragraph, the rate for the quarterly interest period following the LIBOR interest determination date will be the rate in effect on that LIBOR interest determination date.
“Telerate Page 3750” means the display designated as “Telerate page 3750” on Moneyline Telerate, Inc. (or such other page as may replace “Telerate page 3750” on such service) or such other service displaying the London Inter-Bank offered rates of major banks, as may replace Moneyline Telerate, Inc.
“LIBOR interest determination date” means the second London banking day preceding each interest payment date in the Floating Rate Period.
“Calculation agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, or its successor appointed by the Company, acting as calculation agent.
Interest payable at any interest payment date other than the maturity date will be paid to the registered holder of the ICON on the regular record date for that interest payment date. The principal and interest payable at maturity will be paid to the holder of the ICON at the time of payment by the paying agent.
Maturity; Extension of Maturity
The ICONs do not have a sinking fund. This means that the Company is not required to make any principal payments prior to maturity.
The ICONs will mature on December 15, 2066 unless the Company elects to extend the maturity date as described in the following paragraph.
On December 15, 2026, the Company may, at its sole option, elect to extend the maturity date of the ICONs for an additional ten years. If the Company makes this election, the ICONs will mature on December 15, 2076. The Company will provide irrevocable notice of any such election not less than 30 days, nor more than 60 days, prior to the applicable election date. The Company may make this election to extend the maturity date of the ICONs only if the following conditions are met at the time it provides irrevocable notice of any such election:
• the Company’s senior unsecured indebtedness is rated at least Baa1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or BBB+ by either of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc. (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) or, if any of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch (or their respective successors) is no longer in existence, the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act;
• the Company is not deferring the payment of interest on the ICONs pursuant to an Optional Deferral Period (as defined below); and
• the Company is not in default in respect of any of its outstanding indebtedness for money borrowed having an aggregate principal or face amount in excess of $100 million.
Ranking of the ICONs
The Company’s payment obligations under the ICONs are unsecured and rank junior and are subordinated in right of payment and upon liquidation to all of its Senior Indebtedness.
“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company, including without limitation all indebtedness (whether now or hereafter outstanding) issued under the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. subordinated indenture, dated as of December 17, 1996, (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company, (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any conditional sale or title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company in respect of any letters of credit, banker’s acceptances, security purchase facilities and similar credit transactions, (v) all obligations of the Company in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements, (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except that Senior Indebtedness does not include obligations in respect of (1) any indebtedness issued under the ICONs Indenture, (2) any guarantee entered into by the Company in respect of any capital securities issued by any finance subsidiary trust similar to Merrill Lynch Capital Trust I, (3) any indebtedness or any guarantee that is by its terms subordinated to, or ranks equally with, the ICONs and the issuance of which does not at the time of issuance prevent the ICONs from qualifying for tier 1 (or its equivalent for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the applicable regulatory body or governmental authority) capital
treatment (irrespective of any limits on the amount of the Company’s tier 1 capital) under applicable capital adequacy guidelines, regulations, policies, published interpretations, or the concurrence or approval of the SEC or any other applicable regulatory body or governmental authority, or (4) trade accounts payable. Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal, premium, or interest due before the holders of ICONs will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any ICONs, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the Senior Indebtedness (including any amounts due upon acceleration) before the holders of the ICONs.
No payment, by or on the Company’s behalf, of principal or interest on the ICONs shall be made if at the time of the payment, there exists:
• a default in any payment on any Senior Indebtedness, or any other default under which the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated; and
• any judicial proceeding relating to the defaults which shall be pending.
At December 31, 2022, the Senior Indebtedness to which the ICONs would rank subordinate includes (but is not limited to) approximately $399 billion of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of indebtedness for money borrowed and indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company, on an unconsolidated basis.
Because the Company is a holding company, its right and the rights of its creditors, including the holders of the ICONs, to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that a bankruptcy court may recognize its claims as a creditor of its subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries are restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.
The ICONs do not limit the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt or liabilities, including debt or other liabilities which would rank senior in priority of payment to the ICONs.
Redemption
Subject to obtaining any required regulatory approval, the Company may redeem the ICONs before their maturity in whole or in part, on one or more occasions at any time, at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Notice of any redemption will be given at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of ICONs at its registered address. The holders of the ICONs do not have any optional redemption rights.
Option to Defer Interest Payments
As long as no event of default that would permit acceleration of the ICONs has occurred and is continuing, the Company can defer quarterly interest payments on the ICONs for one or
more periods (each an “Optional Deferral Period”) for up to 40 consecutive quarters, or 10 years, if no event of default that would permit acceleration of the ICONs has occurred and is continuing. A deferral of interest payments cannot extend, however, beyond the maturity date of the ICONs. During the Optional Deferral Period, interest will continue to accrue on the ICONs, compounded quarterly, and deferred interest payments will accrue additional interest at the annual interest rate then applicable to the ICONs to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest will be due and payable on the ICONs until the end of the Optional Deferral Period except upon a redemption of the ICONs during a deferral period.
The Company may pay at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued to that point during an Optional Deferral Period. At the end of the Optional Deferral Period or on any redemption date, the Company will be obligated to pay all accrued and unpaid interest.
Once the Company pays all accrued and unpaid deferred interest on the ICONs, the Company again can defer interest payments on the ICONs as described above, provided that a deferral period cannot extend beyond the maturity date of the ICONs. The Company may pay the accrued and unpaid interest at any time during an Optional Deferral Period.
Certain Limitations During a Deferral Period. During any deferral period, the Company will not and its subsidiaries will not be permitted to:
• declare or pay any dividends or distributions, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment on any of the Company’s capital stock;
• make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any of the Company’s debt securities that rank equally with or junior in interest to the ICONs, other than pro rata payments of accrued and unpaid amounts on the ICONs and any other of the Company’s debt securities that rank equally with the ICONs; or
• make any guarantee payments on any guarantee by the Company of debt securities of any of its subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks equally with or junior in interest to the guarantee issued in connection with Merrill Lynch Capital Trust I other than pro rata payments of accrued and unpaid amounts on the guarantee and any other of the Company’s guarantees of debt securities of its subsidiaries that rank equally with the guarantee.
However, at any time, including during a deferral period, the Company will be permitted to:
• pay dividends or distributions on its capital stock in additional shares of its capital stock;
• declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or issue stock under such a plan or repurchase such rights; and
• purchase Common Stock for issuance pursuant to any employee benefit plans.
Notice. The Company will provide to the trustee written notice of any optional deferral of interest at least ten and not more than 60 business days prior to the applicable interest payment date, and the trustee shall promptly give notice of the election to the holders of the ICONs.
Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration
The ICONs Indenture provides that any one or more of the following events with respect to the ICONs that has occurred and is continuing constitutes an event of default and acceleration:
• default in the payment of interest, including compounded interest, in full on any ICONs for a period of 30 days after the conclusion of a ten-year period following the commencement of any Optional Deferral Period; or
• some events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization involving the Company.
If an event of default and acceleration under the ICONs Indenture of the type described in the first bullet point above has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in outstanding principal amount of the ICONs will have the right to declare the principal of, and accrued interest (including compounded interest) on, those securities to be due and payable immediately. If the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the ICONs fail to make that declaration, then the holders of at least 25% in total liquidation amount of the capital securities then outstanding will have the right to do so. If an event of default and acceleration under the ICONs Indenture arising from events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization involving the Company occurs, the principal of and accrued interest on the ICONs will automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder of ICONs, become immediately due and payable. In case of any default that is not an event of default and acceleration, there is no right to declare the principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities immediately payable. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the ICONs then outstanding, in some circumstances, may annul the declaration of acceleration and waive past defaults.
Modification of ICONs Indenture
The Company and the trustee may change the indenture without the holders’ consent for specified purposes, including:
• to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provided that the change does not materially adversely affect the interest of any holder of ICONs; and
• to qualify or maintain the qualification of the ICONs Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
In addition, under the ICONs Indenture, the Company and the trustee may modify the ICONs Indenture to affect the rights of the holders of the ICONs, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding ICONs that are affected. However, neither the Company nor the trustee may take the following actions without the consent of each holder of the ICONs affected:
• change the maturity date of the ICONs (other than in connection with any election by the Company to extend the maturity of the ICONs in accordance with their terms), or reduce the principal amount, rate of interest, or extend the time of payment of interest;
• reduce the percentage in principal amount of the ICONs necessary to modify the ICONs Indenture;
• modify some provisions of the ICONs Indenture relating to modification or waiver, except to increase the required percentage; or
• modify the provisions of the ICONs Indenture relating to the subordination of the ICONs in a manner adverse to the holders.
Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions
The ICONs Indenture provides that the Company cannot consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, and no person will consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:
• the Company is the continuing entity or the successor is organized under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes all of the Company’s obligations under the ICONs Indenture;
• immediately after the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
• certain other conditions specified in the ICONs Indenture are met.
Collection of Indebtedness
If the Company fails to pay the principal of or any premium on any securities, or if it is over 30 calendar days late on any interest payment or other amounts payable (other than principal, any premium, or other amounts payable at maturity or upon redemption) on the securities, the trustee can demand that the Company pay to it, for the benefit of the holders of those securities, the amount which is due and payable on those securities, including any interest incurred because of the Company’s failure to make that payment. If the Company fails to pay the required amount on demand, the trustee may take appropriate action, including instituting judicial proceedings against the Company.
The holders of a majority of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the ICONs have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the ICONs, but the trustee will be entitled to receive from the holders indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against expenses and liabilities.
The Company is required periodically to file with the trustee under the ICONs Indenture a certificate stating that the Company is not in default under any of the terms of the ICONs Indenture.
Limitation on Suits
The ICONs Indenture provides that no individual holder of ICONs may institute any action against the Company under the indenture, except actions for the payment of overdue principal, any premium, interest or other amounts due, unless the following actions have occurred:
• the holder must have previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default;
• the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of such outstanding securities issued under the ICONs Indenture must have (1) requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default and (2) offered the trustee indemnity against liabilities
incurred by the trustee for taking such action, which indemnity is reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
• the trustee must have failed to institute proceedings within 60 days after receipt of the request referred to above; and
• the holders of a majority in principal amount of such outstanding ICONs must not have given direction to the trustee inconsistent with the request of the holders referred to above.
However, the holder of any securities will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of and any premium and interest or other amounts due on the securities when due and to institute suit to enforce this payment.
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR MEDIUM TERM NOTES, SERIES A, STEP UP CALLABLE NOTES, DUE NOVEMBER 28, 2031 OF BOFA FINANCE LLC (AND THE GUARANTEE OF THE REGISTRANT RELATED THERETO)
This section describes the Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Step Up Callable Notes, due November 28, 2031 (the “Step Up Callable Notes”), issued by BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance”) and guaranteed by the Company. The Step Up Callable Notes were issued under the Indenture dated as of August 23, 2016 among BofA Finance, as issuer, the Company, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “BofA Finance Indenture”). The BofA Finance Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-213265) filed with the SEC, pursuant to which the Step Up Callable Notes were issued.
Principal Terms of the Step Up Callable Notes
The Step Up Callable Notes are unsecured senior debt securities issued by BofA Finance, which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. The Step Up Callable Notes were issued originally on November 28, 2016 in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000, all of which is outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The Step Up Callable Notes are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BAC/31B”. The Step Up Callable Notes are issued in registered book-entry only form, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository.
Unless the Step Up Callable Notes are redeemed prior to maturity, the Step Up Callable Notes will mature on November 28, 2031. The Step Up Callable Notes are not subject to the operation of a sinking fund.
Interest on the Step Up Callable Notes is payable semiannually in arrears, on May 28 and November 28 of each year, with the final interest date occurring on the maturity date. Each interest period (other than the first interest period, which began on the issue date) will begin on, and will include, an interest payment date, and will extend to, but will exclude, the next succeeding interest payment date (or the maturity date, as applicable). Interest on the Step Up Callable Notes is computed and paid on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The Step Up Callable Notes will accrue interest at the following rates per annum during the indicated periods of their term:
• November 28, 2016 to, but excluding, November 28, 2021: 3.00%
• November 28, 2021 to, but excluding, November 28, 2026: 3.50%
• November 28, 2026 to, but excluding, November 28, 2028: 4.00%
• November 28, 2028 to, but excluding, November 28, 2030: 5.00%
• November 28, 2030 to, but excluding, November 28, 2031: 7.00%
Interest payable at any interest payment date other than the maturity date will be paid to the registered holder of the note on the regular record date for that interest payment date. The principal and interest payable at maturity will be paid to the holder of the note at the time of payment by the paying agent.
BofA Finance has the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Step Up Callable Notes on November 28, 2019 and on each subsequent interest payment date (other than the maturity date). The redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Step Up Callable Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. In order to call the Step Up Callable Notes, BofA Finance will give notice at least five business days but not more than 60 calendar days before the specified early redemption date.
If any interest payment date, any early redemption date or the maturity date of the Step Up Callable Notes occurs on a day that is not a business day in New York, New York, then the payment will be postponed until the next business day in New York, New York. No additional interest will accrue on the Step Up Callable Notes as a result of such postponement, and no adjustment will be made to the length of the relevant interest period. As long as the Step Up Callable Notes are held in book-entry only form, the record dates for interest payments on the notes will be one business day in New York, New York prior to the payment date.
The trustee serves as the sole paying agent, security registrar and transfer agent for the Step Up Callable Notes through the trustee’s office or agency in Jacksonville, Florida. BofA Finance may rescind the designation of paying agent, appoint a successor or an additional paying agent, or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts in accordance with the terms of the BofA Finance Indenture. BofA Finance also may decide to act as its own paying agent, and the paying agent may resign.
The Company and certain of its affiliates have from time to time maintained deposit accounts and conducted other banking transactions with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. The Company and its affiliates expect to continue these business transactions. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. and its affiliates also serve as trustee for a number of series of outstanding indebtedness of the Company and its affiliates under other indentures.
Company Guarantee
The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and any interest and all other amounts payable on the Step Up Callable Notes issued by BofA Finance, when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or upon redemption, repayment or acceleration, in accordance with the terms of the Step Up Callable Notes and the BofA Finance Indenture. If for any reason BofA Finance does not make any required payment on the securities when due, the Company will make such payment, on demand, at the same place and in the same manner that applies to payments made by BofA Finance under the BofA Finance Indenture. The guarantee is of payment and not of collection. The Company’s obligations under its guarantee of the securities are unconditional and absolute.
Sale or Issuance of Capital Stock of Principal Subsidiary Banks
The BofA Finance Indenture provides that, subject to the provisions of the BofA Finance Indenture described below relating to the merger or sale of assets of the Company, the Company will not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or permit the issuance of, or permit a subsidiary to sell, assign, transfer or dispose of, any shares of capital stock, or any securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to acquire capital stock, of any “principal subsidiary bank” (as described below) or of any subsidiary which owns shares of capital stock, or securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to acquire capital stock, of any principal subsidiary bank, with the following exceptions:
• sales of directors’ qualifying shares;
• sales or other dispositions for fair market value, if, after giving effect to the disposition and to conversion of any shares or securities convertible into capital stock of a principal subsidiary bank, the Company would own at least 80% of each class of the capital stock of that principal subsidiary bank;
• sales or other dispositions made in compliance with an order of a court or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction;
• any sale by a principal subsidiary bank of additional shares of its capital stock, securities convertible into shares of its capital stock, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of its capital stock, to its stockholders at any price, so long as before that sale the Company owned, directly or indirectly, securities of the same class and immediately after the sale, the Company owned, directly or indirectly, at least as great a percentage of each class of securities of the principal subsidiary bank as it owned before the sale of additional securities; and
• any issuance of shares of capital stock, or securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of capital stock, of a principal subsidiary bank or any subsidiary which owns shares of capital stock, or securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to acquire capital stock, of any principal subsidiary bank, to the Company or its wholly-owned subsidiary.
A “principal subsidiary bank” is defined in the BofA Finance Indenture as any bank or trust company subsidiary of the Company that is organized and doing business under any U.S. state or federal law, with total assets equal to more than 10% of the Company’s total consolidated assets.
Limitation on Mergers and Sales of Assets
Under the terms of the BofA Finance Indenture, each of BofA Finance and the Company generally is permitted to merge or consolidate with another entity. Each of BofA Finance and the Company also is permitted to sell all or substantially all of its assets. These transactions are permitted if:
• With respect to BofA Finance:
◦ the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than BofA Finance, is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes all of BofA Finance’s obligations under the BofA Finance Indenture and the debt securities issued under the BofA Finance Indenture; and
◦ immediately after the transaction, BofA Finance (or any successor entity) is not in default in the performance of any covenant or condition under the BofA Finance Indenture.
• With respect to the Company:
◦ the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than the Company, is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes the guarantee obligations under the BofA Finance Indenture; and
◦ immediately after the transaction, the Company (or any successor guarantor) is not in default in the performance of any covenant or condition under the BofA Finance Indenture.
Upon any consolidation, merger, sale, or transfer of this kind, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for BofA Finance or the Company, as the case may be, in the BofA Finance Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to that indenture. As a result, the successor entity may exercise BofA Finance’s or the Company’s rights and powers under the BofA Finance Indenture, as the case may be. If BofA Finance were to merge into the Company, under the terms of the BofA Finance Indenture, the guarantee would terminate.
Waiver of Covenants
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected securities then outstanding under the BofA Finance Indenture may waive compliance with some of the covenants or conditions of the BofA Finance Indenture.
Modification of the BofA Finance Indenture
BofA Finance, the Company and the trustee may modify the BofA Finance Indenture and the rights of the holders of the securities with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding securities under the BofA Finance Indenture affected by the modification. However, no modification may extend the stated maturity of, reduce the principal amount or any premium of, or reduce the rate, or extend the time of payment, of interest on, any security or reduce any amount payable on redemption of any security (except in accordance with the terms of the securities) without the consent of all holders of each outstanding security affected by the modification. No modification may reduce the percentage of securities that is required to consent to modification of the BofA Finance Indenture without the consent of all holders of the securities outstanding under the BofA Finance Indenture.
In addition, BofA Finance, the Company and the trustee may execute supplemental indentures in some circumstances without the consent of any holder of outstanding securities.
For purposes of determining the aggregate principal amount of securities outstanding at any time in connection with any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the BofA Finance Indenture, (1) the principal amount of any security issued with original issue discount is that amount that would be due and payable at that time upon declaration of acceleration following an event of default, and (2) the principal amount of securities denominated in a foreign currency or currency unit is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the security determined as described in the supplement relating to that security.
Meetings and Action by Securityholders
The trustee may call a meeting in its discretion, or upon request by BofA Finance or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding securities affected thereby, by giving notice. If a meeting of holders is duly held, any resolution raised or decision taken in
accordance with the BofA Finance Indenture will be binding on all holders of securities affected thereby.
Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration
Under the BofA Finance Indenture, an event of default for the Step Up Callable Notes includes any one of the following events:
• default in the payment of the principal or any premium when due on the Step Up Callable Notes;
• default in the payment of interest or other amounts due (other than principal, premium, if any, or other amounts payable at maturity or upon redemption) on the Step Up Callable Notes, within 30 calendar days after the interest or other such amounts become due;
• BofA Finance’s breach of any of its other covenants in the Step Up Callable Notes or in the BofA Finance Indenture that is not cured within 90 calendar days after written notice to BofA Finance by the trustee, or to BofA Finance and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of all securities then outstanding under the BofA Finance Indenture and affected by the breach; or
• specified events involving BofA Finance’s bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the securities outstanding under the BofA Finance Indenture and affected by such event of default (or, in the case of an event of default under the BofA Finance Indenture relating to specified events involving BofA Finance’s bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation, the holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding securities) may declare the principal amount, or, if the securities are issued with original issue discount, a specified portion of the principal amount, of all affected securities (or all securities, as the case may be) to be due and payable immediately. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the affected securities then outstanding, in some circumstances, may annul the declaration of acceleration and waive past defaults.
Collection of Indebtedness
If BofA Finance fails to pay the principal of or any premium on any securities, or if it is over 30 calendar days late on any interest payment or other amounts payable (other than principal, any premium, or other amounts payable at maturity or upon redemption) on the securities, the trustee can demand that BofA Finance pay to it, for the benefit of the holders of those securities, the amount which is due and payable on those securities, including any interest incurred because of BofA Finance’s failure to make that payment. If BofA Finance fails to pay the required amount on demand, the trustee may take appropriate action, including instituting judicial proceedings against BofA Finance.
In addition, a holder of a security also may file suit to enforce BofA Finance’s obligations to make payment of principal, any premium, interest, or other amounts due on that security regardless of the actions taken by the trustee.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the affected securities then outstanding under the BofA Finance Indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee under the BofA Finance Indenture, but the trustee will be entitled to receive from the holders indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against expenses and liabilities.
BofA Finance and the Company are required periodically to file with the trustee under the BofA Finance Indenture a certificate stating that BofA Finance or the Company, as the case may be, is not in default under any of the terms of the BofA Finance Indenture.
Limitation on Suits
The BofA Finance Indenture provides that no individual holder of securities of any series may institute any action against BofA Finance under the indenture, except actions for the payment of overdue principal, any premium, interest or other amounts due, unless the following actions have occurred:
• the holder must have previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default;
• the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of such outstanding securities issued under the BofA Finance Indenture must have (1) requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default and (2) offered the trustee indemnity against liabilities incurred by the trustee for taking such action, which indemnity is reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
• the trustee must have failed to institute proceedings within 60 days after receipt of the request referred to above; and
• the holders of a majority in principal amount of such outstanding securities issued under the BofA Finance Indenture must not have given direction to the trustee inconsistent with the request of the holders referred to above.
However, the holder of any securities will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of and any premium and interest or other amounts due on the securities when due and to institute suit to enforce this payment.