Automatic Shelf Registration Statement (Form F-3ASR)
Table of Contents
As filed with the
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| (Translation of Registrant's name into English) | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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| Not Applicable | 42-1489646 | |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
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1118 BH Schiphol +31-20-259-2500 (Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices) |
(319) 355-8511 (Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices) |
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(319) 355-8511
(
Copy of communications to:
(212) 906-1200
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with
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The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the |
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PROSPECTUS
(an exempted company limited by shares registered under the laws of
and
(a
Common Shares
Warrants
Guarantees
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may offer these securities from time to time in one or more offerings through this prospectus. We may also offer any combination of these securities. This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities.
Each time we offer and sell or otherwise dispose of the securities described in this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to the offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled "About this Prospectus" and "Plan of Distribution" for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
Investing in these securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" on page 7 of this prospectus and beginning on page 332 of
Our common shares are listed on the Official Segment of the stock market of Euronext Amsterdam under the symbol "AGN" and our common shares of New York registry ("New York Registered Shares") are also listed on the
Neither the
The date of this prospectus is
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS |
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
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RISK FACTORS |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US |
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE |
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES |
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USE OF PROCEEDS |
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL, MEMORANDUM OF CONTINUANCE AND BYE-LAWS OF AEGON LTD. |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES |
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS |
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
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LEGAL MATTERS |
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EXPERTS |
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the
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Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in |
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Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to: |
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The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in our fixed income investment portfolios; |
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The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of the equity and debt securities we hold; and |
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The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that we hold; |
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Civil unrest, (geo-) political tensions, military action or other instability in countries or geographic regions that affect our operations or that affect global markets; |
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Changes in the performance of our investment portfolio and decline in ratings of our counterparties; |
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The impact from volatility in credit, equity, and interest rates; |
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The effect of tariffs and potential trade wars on trading markets and on economic growth, globally and in the markets where we operate; |
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Lowering of one or more of our debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on our ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition; |
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Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries; |
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Any constraints on our ability to pay dividends; |
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Changes affecting interest rate levels and low or rapidly changing interest rate levels; |
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Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates; |
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The effects of global inflation, or inflation in the markets where we operate; |
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Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness; |
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Increasing levels of competition in |
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Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt our business; |
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The frequency and severity of insured loss events; |
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Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of our insurance products; |
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Our projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results; |
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Reinsurers to whom we have ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations; |
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Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products we sell, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations; |
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Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels; |
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Third-party information used by us may prove to be inaccurate and change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve impacting our results and disclosures; |
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As our operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which we do business may disrupt our business, damage our reputation and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; |
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The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including our ability to complete, or obtain regulatory approval for, acquisitions and divestitures, integrate acquisitions, and realize anticipated results from such transactions, and our ability to separate businesses as part of divestitures; |
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Our failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies as well as other cost saving and excess cash and leverage ratio management initiatives; |
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Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments; |
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Litigation or regulatory action that could require us to pay significant damages or change the way we do business; |
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Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for our products; |
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Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European monetary union in whole or in part; |
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The rapidly changing landscape for environmental, social and governance responsibilities and potential challenges by private parties and governmental authorities related to our ESG efforts; |
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Changes in laws and regulations, particularly those affecting our operations' ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of our companies, the products we sell, and the attractiveness of certain products to our consumers; |
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Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, and insurance industries in the jurisdictions in which we operate; |
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Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the |
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Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by us in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect our reported results, shareholders' equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels. |
Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting us are described in our filings with the
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement and, if applicable, the pricing supplement may add to or update or change information about us contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement together with the additional information described under "Where You Can Find More Information About Us" and "Incorporation of Certain Information We File with the
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any pricing supplement prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement is accurate only as of the date of that prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
When we refer to "
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With roots dating back more than 175 years,
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AFC was established as a financing vehicle to be used to raise funds for the
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RISK FACTORS
Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and any subsequent Annual Reports on Form 20-F we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, before acquiring any of our securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in our securities.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US
We file annual reports with and furnish other information to the
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE
As permitted by the
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incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus; |
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we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; |
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information that we file with the |
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information that is more recent that is included in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes information in documents incorporated by reference with a date earlier than this prospectus. |
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus our documents listed below. Unless otherwise noted, all documents incorporated by reference have the
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Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended |
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The consolidated financial statements of |
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each of the following documents that we file with or furnish to the |
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reports filed under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the |
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reports filed or furnished on Form 6-K that indicate that they are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described below. |
We may incorporate by reference part or all of any reports on Form 6-K that we subsequently furnish to the
These documents contain important information about us and our financial condition. You may obtain copies of these documents in the manner described above. You may also request a copy of these filings (excluding exhibits) at no cost by contacting us as follows or by visiting our website at www.aegon.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference and is not part of this prospectus.
You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Investor Relations
1118 BH Schiphol
Tel: +31-70-344-8305
E-mail: [email protected]
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No person is authorized to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus. We are only offering the securities in places where sales of those securities are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, as well as information incorporated by reference, is current only as of the date of that information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
AFC does not, and will not, file separate reports with the
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Except as otherwise noted, we present the financial statement amounts in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the
The consolidated financial statements of
We have derived the financial data in this prospectus presenting year-end figures from our audited consolidated financial statements. We have derived all financial data in this prospectus presenting interim figures from unaudited financial statements.
As used in this prospectus, "dollar", "USD" and "$" refer to the
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ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We have been advised by our
In addition, and irrespective of jurisdictional issues, the
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise set forth in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement, we intend to use the proceeds from the sale of securities offered through this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which include financing our operations, debt repayment and refinancing, capital expenditures and acquisitions. The specific purpose of any individual issuance of securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL, MEMORANDUM OF CONTINUANCE AND BYE-LAWS OF AEGON LTD.
The following is a summary of the terms of
Share Capital
The total authorized share capital of
All of our shares are fully paid and not subject to calls for additional payments of any kind. All of our common shares are registered shares. Holders of New York Registered Shares hold their shares in the registered form issued by
As of
Reduction of the
Subject to certain restrictions contained in the laws of
Dividends
Pursuant to the Bye-Laws and subject to
If any dividend is being declared, holders of our common shares B are entitled to one-fortieth (1/40) of the dividends paid on our common shares.
Those who are recorded as shareholders in
The Board may, before declaring any dividend or making a distribution out of contributed surplus, set aside such sums as it thinks proper as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose of
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If and when
After investment in new business to generate organic growth, the expected capital generation in
While
When planning and determining whether to declare or propose a dividend, the Board historically has balanced prudence with offering an attractive retuto shareholders. Prudence is particularly important during adverse economic and/or financial market conditions. Furthermore,
Voting Rights and Appointment of
Voting Rights
General Meeting of Shareholders. All holders of shares will be entitled to attend personally or by proxy any General Meeting upon compliance with the procedures described below. The shares of both classes offer equal full voting rights subject to the discussion of the absence of Special Cause below. All common shares are entitled to one vote for each share represented at the meeting. Shareholders representing at least 10% of the paid-up share capital may request a General Meeting.
The Voting Rights Agreement between
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by any person or group of persons whether individually or as a group, other than in a transaction approved by the Board. If, in its sole discretion, Vereniging Aegon determines that a "Special Cause" exists, Vereniging Aegon will notify the General Meeting and retain its right to exercise the full voting power of one vote per common share B for a limited period of six months.
A General Meeting is required to be held at least once every year. General Meetings may be called by the Board. Furthermore, shareholders representing at least 10% of the paid-up share capital can request that the Board call a General Meeting. If the Board has not taken steps necessary to convene a meeting within 21 days of the request, the shareholders may themselves convene a meeting, to be held within three months of the request.
Pursuant to the Bye-Laws, General Meetings can be held in
Resolutions are adopted at General Meetings by a simple majority of the votes cast unless a greater majority is provided by law or by the Bye-Laws. Resolutions may be adopted if a quorum is present. The quorum for a General Meeting is set at 1/3 of the paid-up share capital.
Major Shareholders of
Vereniging Aegon is an association under Dutch law. One of the principal characteristics of a Dutch association is that it has no share capital. The objective of Vereniging Aegon is the balanced representation of the interests of
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Title of Class |
Number Owned |
Percent of Class |
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Common Shares |
284,282,445 | 17.2 | % | |||||
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Common Shares B |
345,442,360 | 100 | % | |||||
Vereniging Aegon has two administrative bodies: the general meeting of members and the executive committee. The general meeting of members consists of fourteen (14) individuals who were elected as members of Vereniging Aegon. The majority of the voting rights is with the twelve (12) members not being employees or former employees of
As of the date of this prospectus, the executive committee of Vereniging Aegon consisted of seven (7) members: five (5) members A and two (2) members B. The members A, including the chairman and vice-chairman, are not nor have ever been, related to
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matters specified in the articles of association of Vereniging Aegon, are made with an absolute majority of the votes. When a vote in the executive committee results in a tie, the Chairman has the deciding vote, or when absent, the Vice-Chairman. If both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are absent, the resolution shall be deemed not adopted if the votes tie. Regarding the amendment of the Articles of
Composition of Aegon Board.
Board members are appointed for a term of not more than four years at a time. A director will be eligible for re-election upon expiry of his or her term. After 12 years, a non-executive director will no longer be considered independent.
If the removal or suspension of a Board member is proposed by the Board, the General Meeting resolution requires a simple majority of the votes cast, while otherwise, the resolution requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, which majority must represent more than half of the issued share capital.
The Board may fill a vacancy that arises at its own discretion, such appointment to be ratified at the next General Meeting.
The Board and each executive director individually may represent
For more information please see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees" of
Shareholder Proposals. Shareholders who, alone or jointly, represent at least 1% of the issued capital or 100 or more shareholders jointly, have the right to request of the Board that items be placed on the agenda of a General Meeting and that statements of not more than 1000 words with respect to the matter referred to in the proposed agenda item are sent to the shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting. A request made by a shareholder requiring notice of a resolution must be received by
Amendment of Memorandum of Continuance and Bye-Laws.
Pursuant to
Under
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amendment of the memorandum of continuance adopted by the General Meeting, other than an amendment which alters or reduces
Financial Statements. The General Meeting annually adopts
Liquidation Rights
A winding-up of
Issuance of Shares and Preemptive Rights
According to the current Bye-Laws adopted by the General Meeting on
In accordance with
As a result, other than in the case described in the previous sentence, any transaction requiring the issuance of more than 10% of
Repurchase by
In accordance with the Bye-Laws, the Board may, at its discretion, authorize the purchase by
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Any shares repurchased by
Mergers and Amalgamations
Any amalgamation or merger of
In the event of an amalgamation or merger of
Under
Pursuant to the Bye-Laws, any person who alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly acquires 30% or more of
Certificates for Common Stock and their Transfer
Common Shares are issued in registered form. The Bye-Laws allow the
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities. If the debt securities are offered as part of a global offering, this prospectus only covers offers and sales initially made in the
General
The debt securities will be issued by
Any debt securities issued by AFC will be guaranteed by
The prospectus supplement and, if applicable, the pricing supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
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the issuer of the debt securities, |
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the price of the debt securities offered; |
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the title of the debt securities; |
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the total principal amount of the debt securities; |
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the date or dates, if any, on which the principal of and any premium on the debt securities will be payable; |
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if applicable, the circumstances under which |
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whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities and, if subordinated, the ranking of such debt securities in relation to other senior or subordinated debt securities and the ability of the issuer to defer or cancel notional and/or interest payments on the subordinated debt securities; |
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the tier of the debt securities under the |
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the places at which payments of principal and interest are payable; |
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the terms of any optional or mandatory redemption or clean-up call option, including the price for the redemption or option; |
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any sinking fund provisions; |
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the terms of any payments on the debt securities that will be payable in foreign currency or currency units or another form; |
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the terms of any payments that will be payable by reference to any index or formula; |
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any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants described in this prospectus; |
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whether debt securities will be issued as discount securities and the amount of any discount; |
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whether the debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities; |
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whether the debt securities will be issued in registered or bearer form, and any restrictions that may apply; |
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any terms for the conversion or exchange of the debt securities for other securities of |
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any tax call provisions; and |
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any other terms of the debt securities. |
We have the ability under the indenture to "reopen" a previously issued series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series or establish additional terms of the series. We are also permitted to issue debt securities with the same terms as previously issued debt securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
The senior debt securities will be unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of their issuer. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured indebtedness and will be subordinated in right of payment to existing and future senior debt of their issuer as set forth in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the relevant pricing supplement. See "-Subordination" below.
Some of the debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities will either bear no interest or will bear interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates.
If AFC issues the debt securities,
On
Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, or, if applicable, the relevant pricing supplement,
Governing Law
Except as may otherwise be provided in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the relevant pricing supplement, the indenture and the guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
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the
Form, Exchange and Transfer
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the related pricing supplement, the debt securities of each series will be issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, or, if applicable, the related pricing supplement, any payments of principal, interest and premium on registered debt securities will be payable and, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities, debt securities may be transferred or exchanged, at any office or agency we maintain for such purpose, without the payment of any service charge except for any applicable tax or governmental charge.
The debt securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with a depositary identified in a prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the related pricing supplement. Unless a global certificate is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form, a global certificate may generally be transferred only as a whole and only to the depositary or to a nominee of the depositary or to a successor depositary or its nominee.
Unless your prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the securities will initially be issued to investors only in book-entry form. We will issue and register in the name of one or more financial institutions or clearing systems or their nominees, one or more fully registered global certificates, representing the total aggregate number of securities. A financial institution or clearing system that we select for the purpose is called the "depositary" for that security. A security will usually have only one depositary, but it may have more.
Each series of securities will have one or more of the following as the depositaries:
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a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of |
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any other clearing system or financial institution named in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The depositaries named above may also be participants in one another's systems. Thus, for example, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, investors may hold beneficial interests in that security through
We have been informed that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the
Pursuant to DTC's procedures, upon the sale of debt securities represented by a global certificate to underwriters, DTC will credit the accounts of the participants designated by the underwriters with the principal amount of the debt securities purchased by the underwriters. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global certificate will be shown on DTC's records (with respect to participants), by the participants (with respect to indirect participants and certain beneficial owners) and by the indirect participants (with respect to all other beneficial owners). The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of the securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global certificate may be limited.
We will wire to DTC's nominee principal and interest payments with respect to global certificates. We and the trustees under the indenture will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global certificates for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and the paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global certificates to owners of beneficial interests in the global certificates.
It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest, to credit participants' accounts on the payment date according to their beneficial interests in the global certificates as shown on DTC's records. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global certificates will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices between the participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global certificates, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers registered in "street name". However, payments will be the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us.
Debt securities of any series represented by a global certificate will be exchangeable for debt securities in definitive form with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:
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DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, or DTC is no longer eligible to act as depositary, and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days; or |
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we determine not to have the debt securities of a series represented by global certificates and notify the trustee of our decision. |
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So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner and holder of the global notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by the global notes for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, you, as the beneficial owner of interests in the global notes, will not be entitled to have notes registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owner or holder thereof under the indenture. Accordingly, you, as the beneficial owner, must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if you are not a DTC participant, on the procedures of the DTC participants through which you own your interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
Neither we, the trustee, nor any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in global notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests. DTC's practice is to credit the accounts of DTC's direct participants with payment in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interest in a security as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on the payment date. The underwriters will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Beneficial owners may experience delays in receiving distributions on their notes because distributions will initially be made to DTC and they must be transferred through the chain of intermediaries to the beneficial owner's account. Payments by DTC participants to you will be the responsibility of the DTC participant and not of DTC, the trustee or us. Accordingly, we and any paying agent will have no responsibility or liability for: any aspect of DTC's records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in notes represented by a global securities certificate; any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in a global securities certificate held through those participants; or the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTC's records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
We have been informed that, under DTC's existing practices, if we request any action of holders of notes, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security such as you desires to take any action which a holder of notes
is entitled to take under the indenture, DTC would authorize the direct participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take such action, and those direct participants and any indirect participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those direct and indirect participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
We have been informed that Clearstream, Luxembourg is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a bank and is subject to regulation by the
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We have been informed that
The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC, Clearstream,
Payments of Additional Amounts
The provisions of this section "Payment of Additional Amounts" apply to the debt securities except as may otherwise be provided for in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the relevant pricing supplement:
All payments (whether in respect of principal, redemption amount, interest or otherwise) in respect of the debt securities will be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of
| • |
in the case of payments by |
| • |
in respect of any tax imposed pursuant to the Dutch Withholding Tax Act 2021 (Wet bronbelasting2021); |
| • |
in the case of payments by AFC, by or on behalf of, a holder of the debt securities who is liable for such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges in respect of such debt securities by reason of |
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|
his having some connection with |
| • |
(where presentation is required) more than 30 days after the later of (1) the due date for such payment or (2) the date we provide funds to make such payment to the trustee, except to the extent that the relevant holder would have been entitled to such additional amounts on presenting the same for payment on the expiry of such period of 30 days; |
| • |
in respect of any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, wealth, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge; |
| • |
in respect of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or with respect to a debt security; |
| • |
in respect of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for a failure to comply with any applicable certification, information, identification, documentation or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity of the holder or beneficial owner of a debt security if such compliance is required as a precondition to relief or exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; |
| • |
in the case of payments by AFC, with respect to |
| • |
by or on behalf of a holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant debt securities to another paying agent; |
| • |
in the case of payments by AFC, in respect of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed as a result of a person's actual or constructive holding of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Issuer entitled to vote or as the result of the receipt of interest by a bank on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business; |
| • |
in respect of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code"), any regulations or agreements thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto ("FATCA"); |
| • |
in respect of any withholding or deduction required pursuant to Section 871(m) of the Code ("871(m) Withholding") (in addition, in determining the amount of 871(m) Withholding imposed with respect to any amounts to be paid on the securities, the Issuer shall be entitled to withhold on any "dividend equivalent" (as defined for purposes of Section 871(m) of the Code) at the highest rate applicable to such payments regardless of any exemption from, or reduction in, such withholding otherwise available under applicable law); or |
| • |
any combination of items above, |
nor shall additional amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or any interest on any debt security to any holder who is a fiduciary, a partnership or a beneficial owner and who is other than the sole beneficial owner of the payment to the extent the fiduciary or a member of the partnership or a beneficial owner would not have been entitled to any additional amount had it been the holder of the debt security.
Conversion or Exchange
The terms, if any, upon which debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. These terms may include the conversion price,
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the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders of that series of debt securities or at our option, provisions concerning conversions arising not at the option of the holder or the issuer but resulting from a breach of regulatory capital requirements, any events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price, provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such series of debt securities and other relevant provisions relating to those securities.
Events of Default
Except as may otherwise be provided for in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the relevant pricing supplement, the following are defined as events of default with respect to senior debt securities of any series outstanding under the indenture:
| (a) |
failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security of that series when due, and continuance of such a default beyond any applicable grace period; |
| (b) |
failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when due, and continuance of such a default for a period of 30 days beyond any applicable grace period; |
| (c) |
failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due and continuance of such a default beyond any applicable grace period, on any debt security of that series; |
| (d) |
failure to perform any of our other covenants or the breach of any of the warranties in the indenture after being given written notice and continuance of such a default for a period of 90 days beyond any applicable grace period; and |
| (e) |
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of |
The events of default in respect of subordinated debt securities will be set out in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the relevant pricing supplement.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may accelerate the maturity of the debt securities of that series (or, such portion of the principal amount of such debt securities as may be specified in a prospectus supplement). If an acceleration occurs, subject to specified conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul such acceleration. Because each series of debt securities will be independent of each other series, a default in respect of one series will not necessarily in itself result in a default or acceleration of the maturity of a different series of debt securities.
Other than its duties in case of an event of default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
A holder of debt securities of any series will not have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture unless:
| • |
the holder previously gave written notice to the trustee of an event of default; |
| • |
the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and |
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| • |
the trustee fails to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. |
The limitations described above do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal, interest or premium on that debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in that debt security, unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement for subordinated debt.
We will be required to furnish to each trustee annually a statement by our officers as to whether or not we are in default in the performance of any of the terms of the indenture.
Subordination
The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities will, to the extent provided pursuant to the indenture with respect to each series of subordinated debt securities, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior debt, as defined, including any senior debt securities and any subordinated debt securities that are defined as senior debt for purposes of a particular series of subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement relating to any subordinated debt securities will summarize the subordination provisions of the indenture applicable to that series including:
| • |
the applicability and effect of such provisions upon any payment or distribution of our assets to creditors upon any bankruptcy, winding-up moratorium or emergency regulations being applied to us; |
| • |
the applicability and effect of such provisions in the event of specified defaults with respect to senior debt, including the circumstances under which and the periods in which we will be prohibited from making payments on the subordinated debt securities; and |
| • |
the definition of senior debt applicable to the subordinated debt securities of that series including whether and to what extent the subordinated debt of that series shall be subordinated to other subordinated debt of their issuer. |
In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of any senior debt continuing beyond any applicable grace period specified in the instrument evidencing that senior debt (unless and until the default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist), no payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the subordinated debt securities or sums payable with respect to the conversion or exchange, if applicable, of the subordinated debt securities may be made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the subordinated debt securities.
Upon payment or distribution of our assets to creditors in the event of our winding-up, bankruptcy or moratorium if that constitutes a liquidation, the holders of our senior debt will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt before any payment is made by us on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the subordinated debt securities.
By reason of this subordination, in the event of our winding-up, bankruptcy or moratorium if that constitutes a liquidation, holders of subordinated debt securities may recover less, ratably, and holders of senior debt may recover more, ratably, than our other creditors. The indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt that we may issue.
Limitation on Liens
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement relating to a series of debt securities, so long as any of the debt securities of that series remain outstanding, the issuer and its subsidiaries may not secure any indebtedness in respect of borrowed moneys having an original maturity of more
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than two years by granting security upon any of their present or future assets or revenues unless they effectively provide that the same or equal and ratable security (or other security acceptable to the trustee) is accorded to all debt securities of that series for so long as the secured indebtedness is so secured. This limitation does not apply to:
| • |
security created over any shares in or any securities owned by any subsidiaries that are not principally engaged in the business of insurance and that do not contribute more than 10% of |
| • |
security created in the normal course of the insurance business carried on in a manner consistent with generally accepted insurance practice for that insurance business; |
| • |
security created in the normal course of the asset management business carried on in a manner consistent with generally accepted practices for that asset management business; |
| • |
security or preference arising by operation of any law; |
| • |
security over real property to secure borrowings to finance the purchase or improvement of that real property; |
| • |
security over assets existing at the time of the acquisition of those assets; and |
| • |
security not otherwise permitted by the above that secures borrowed money in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding 50% of |
Defeasance
Unless otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement, we may elect, at our option at any time, to have the provisions of the indenture relating (a) to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness or (b) to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants apply to the debt securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series.
In order to exercise either option, we must irrevocably deposit, in trust for the benefit of the holders of those debt securities, money or
If we meet all the conditions to clause (a) above and elect to do so, we will be discharged from all our obligations with respect to the applicable debt securities and if those debt securities are subordinated debt securities, the provisions relating to subordination will cease to be effective (other than obligations to register transfer of debt securities, to replace lost, stolen or mutilated certificates and to maintain paying agencies). We shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the applicable debt securities and to have satisfied all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture relating to those debt securities.
If we meet all the conditions to clause (b) above and elect to do so, we may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of certain restrictive covenants as described in the related prospectus supplement and, if
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those debt securities are subordinated debt securities, the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, in each case with respect to those debt securities.
Modification of the Indenture
Under the indenture, our rights and obligations and the rights of holders may be modified with the consent of the holders holding not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification. No modification of the principal or interest payment terms, and no modification reducing the percentage required for modifications or altering the provisions relating to the waiver of any past default, is effective against any holder without its consent. We and the trustee may also amend the indenture or any supplement to the indenture without the consent of the holders of any debt securities to evidence the succession or addition of another corporation to
Consolidation, Merger or Disposition of Assets of
We may not consolidate with or merge into, or sell or lease substantially all of our assets to any person unless:
| • |
the successor person expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; |
| • |
immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| • |
any other conditions specified in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement are met. |
Concerning the Trustee
We and certain of our affiliates and subsidiaries may maintain deposit account and lines of credit and have other customary banking relationship with the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of our and their respective businesses.
Pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, should a default occur with respect to the debt securities constituting our senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, the trustee would be required to resign as trustee with respect to the debt securities constituting either the senior debt securities or the subordinated debt securities under the indenture within 90 days of the default unless the default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated or unless only senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities are outstanding under the indenture at the time of the default.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase debt securities, common shares or the equity or debt of issuers unaffiliated with us. If we issue warrants to purchase securities of issuers unaffiliated with us, the warrants will not be exercisable within one year of the date of sale of the warrants. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from those securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. A description of the warrant agreement will be included in the prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement relating to the warrants that we offer. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The following is a summary of the general terms of the warrants. Each time that we issue warrants pursuant to this prospectus we will file with the
General
We will describe in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement the terms of each series of warrants to purchase securities, which may include debt securities, common shares or the equity or debt of issuers unaffiliated with us, the warrant agreement relating to the warrants offered and the warrant certificates representing the warrants offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:
| • |
the title of the warrants offered; |
| • |
the securities, which may include debt securities, common shares or the equity or debt of issuers unaffiliated with us, for which you may exercise the warrants; |
| • |
the aggregate number of the warrants; |
| • |
the number of securities that you may purchase upon exercise of each warrant, and the price or prices at which we will issue the warrants; |
| • |
the currency or currencies investors may use to pay for the warrants; |
| • |
the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; |
| • |
the designation and terms of any related securities issued with the warrants, and the number of warrants issued with each security; |
| • |
the date, if any, from which you may separately transfer the warrants and the related securities; |
| • |
the date on which your right to exercise the warrants commences, and the date on which your right expires; |
| • |
whether we will issue the warrants or the underlying securities in registered form or bearer form; |
| • |
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • |
the maximum or minimum number of warrants which you may exercise at any time; |
| • |
if applicable, a discussion of material |
| • |
a description of your rights to institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding to enforce your rights to exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of your warrants; |
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| • |
a description of any antidilution provisions applicable to the warrants that would require adjustment of the number of securities purchasable or the exercise price of your warrants, or both; |
| • |
the identity of the warrant agent; and |
| • |
any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to your exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
We will also describe in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or the expiration date of the warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange warrant certificates for new warrant certificates of different denominations and may exercise warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement. Prior to the exercise of your warrants, you will not have any of the rights of holders of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and will not be entitled to dividend, interest or any other payments, if any, or voting rights of the underlying securities purchasable upon such exercise.
Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law
Each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the
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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES
In addition to guarantees in connection with debt securities issued by AFC, we may issue guarantees pursuant to this prospectus in a variety of circumstances including in connection with one or more securities described in this prospectus, in connection with the obligations of any present or future subsidiary in addition to AFC, or in connection with other transactions to be described in one or more prospectus supplements and, if applicable, pricing supplements. Guarantees may be issued for consideration or without consideration. Guarantees may be subordinated or unsubordinated and may be contingent or non-contingent.
The following is a summary of the general terms of the guarantees. Each time that we issue guarantees pursuant to this prospectus, we will file with the
Guarantees of
If AFC issues debt securities,
Other Guarantees
We may offer guarantees pursuant to this prospectus in a variety of circumstances that will be described in prospectus supplements and, if applicable, pricing supplements. For example, we may offer guarantees to holders of one or more series of debt securities of one or more of our direct or indirect subsidiaries as consideration for obtaining consent to amend or waive certain covenants and other terms of those securities and the indenture or indentures governing them. The relevant prospectus supplement and, if applicable, the pricing supplement will contain a description of the specific terms of the guarantees we may offer including the following:
| • |
the title and issuer of the obligations to which the guarantee relates; |
| • |
whether and to what extent the obligations under the guarantee are contingent; |
| • |
any obligations to which the guarantee may be subordinated; |
| • |
to what extent the guarantee is issued in connection with an indenture or other instrument and the terms of any supplemental indenture or other instrument entered into in connection with the issuance of the guarantee; |
| • |
the principal amount of our obligation under the guarantee; |
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| • |
any limits on assignment of the guarantee; |
| • |
any consideration to be received for the guarantee; |
| • |
any events of default under the guarantee; and |
| • |
any other terms or conditions associated with the guarantee. |
The guarantee does not limit the amount of secured or unsecured debt that we may incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional debt that is senior to guarantees in right of payment.
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating you to purchase from us, and us to sell to you, a specific number of common shares or other securities at a future date or dates. The price of common shares or other securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts separately or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and other securities, including debt or equity issued by us or debt obligations of third parties, including United States Treasury securities. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to you or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner including by depositing cash or securities forming a component of units issued by us or otherwise.
Each time that we issue purchase contracts pursuant to this prospectus we will file with the
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement and, if applicable, the pricing supplement, each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may or may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The related prospectus supplement and, if applicable, the related pricing supplement, may describe:
| • |
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| • |
any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; |
| • |
whether the units will be callable by the issuer; |
| • |
any conversion rights, penalties and restrictions; |
| • |
any antidilution, mandatory conversion or tax call provisions; |
| • |
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; and |
| • |
any other terms of the units. |
Each time that we issue units pursuant to this prospectus we will file with the
The preceding description and any description of units in the related prospectus supplement and, if applicable, the pricing supplement do not purport to be complete and are subject to and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in and outside
| • |
through underwriters; |
| • |
through dealers; |
| • |
through agents; or |
| • |
directly to purchasers. |
The distribution of the securities may be carried out from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The distribution of guarantees may also be carried out in connection with a consent solicitation to amend covenants relating to a subsidiary's indebtedness. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the
The prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement relating to any offering will include the following information:
| • |
the terms of the offering; |
| • |
the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| • |
the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; |
| • |
the purchase price of, or consideration payable for, the securities; |
| • |
the net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities; |
| • |
any delayed delivery arrangements; |
| • |
any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters' compensation; |
| • |
any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; |
| • |
any commissions paid to agents; |
| • |
any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed; and |
| • |
any other information we think is important. |
Sales through Underwriters or Dealers
If we use underwriters in an offering using this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters. The underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters with respect to a sale of the offered securities are subject to specified conditions precedent and that the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any. Underwriters may sell those securities through dealers. The underwriters may change the initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. If we use underwriters in an offering of securities using this prospectus, the related prospectus supplement will contain a statement regarding the intention, if any, of the underwriters to make a market in the offered securities.
We may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional offered securities, to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price (with additional underwriting discounts or commissions), as may be set forth in the related prospectus supplement or, if applicable, the pricing supplement. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of the over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offered securities.
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If we use a dealer in an offering of securities using this prospectus, we will sell the offered securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell those securities to the public or other dealers at a fixed price or varying prices to be determined at the time of resale.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may also use this prospectus to directly solicit offers to purchase securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement, none of our directors, officers or employees will solicit or receive a commission in connection with those direct sales. Those persons may respond to inquiries by potential purchasers and perform ministerial and clerical work in connection with direct sales.
We may also sell the offered securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will describe any commission payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
We may authorize underwriters and agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date specified in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with which delayed delivery contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions we may approve. The obligations of any purchaser under any delayed delivery contract will not be subject to any conditions except that any related sale of offered securities to underwriters shall have occurred and the purchase by an institution of the securities covered by its delayed delivery contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in
Indemnification
Underwriters, dealers or agents participating in a distribution of securities using this prospectus may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act. Pursuant to agreements that we may enter into, underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of securities by use of this prospectus may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that those underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters of
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EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of
The financial statements of
The consolidated financial statements of
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Any underwriter will agree, severally, to indemnify the directors of
Item 9. Exhibits
| Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
| 1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
| 4.1 | Memorandum of Continuance of |
|
| 4.2 | Bye-Laws of |
|
| 4.3 | 1983 Amended Merger Agreement among |
|
| 4.4 | Voting Rights Agreement, as amended and restated |
|
| 4.5 | Indenture dated as of |
|
| 4.6 | Form of Guarantee (included in Exhibit 4.5) | |
| 4.7 | Form of Warrant Agreement | |
| 4.8 | Form of Purchase Contract Agreement | |
| 4.9 | Form of Unit Agreement | |
| 5.1 | Opinion of |
|
| 5.2 | Opinion of |
|
| 23.1 | Consent of |
|
| 23.2 | Consent of |
|
| 23.3 | Consent of |
|
| 23.4 | Consent of |
|
| 23.5 | Consent of |
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| 24.1 | Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages) | |
| 25.1 | Statement of Eligibility of |
|
| 107.1 | Filing Fee Table | |
| (1) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Form 20-F 2023 filed with the |
| (2) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to Form 20-F 2024 filed with the |
| (3) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 20-F filed with the |
| (4) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 20-F filed with the |
| (5) |
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form F-3 (file no. 333-71438) filed with the |
Item 10. Undertakings
| (a) |
The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake: |
| (1) |
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
| (i) |
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (ii) |
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the |
| (iii) |
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
| (2) |
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) |
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) |
In the case of |
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| is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Item 8.A. of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the |
| (5) |
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
| (i) |
Each prospectus filed by the Registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this Registration Statement; and |
| (ii) |
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in this Registration Statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of this Registration Statement relating to the securities in this Registration Statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of this Registration Statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement or prospectus that is part of this Registration Statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this Registration Statement or prospectus that was part of this Registration Statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
| (6) |
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrants under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrants pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) |
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) |
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrants or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrants; |
| (iii) |
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrants or their securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrants; and |
| (iv) |
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrants to the purchaser. |
| (b) |
The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of |
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| (c) |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the |
| (d) |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant,
| By: | /s/ Eilard Friese | |||
| EILARD FRIESE | ||||
|
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee |
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The officers and directors of each of
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons (who comprise a majority of the Board of Directors) in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature |
Title |
Date |
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/s/ Eilard Friese EILARD FRIESE |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee (Principal Executive Officer) |
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/s/ |
Member of the Executive Committee and Chief Financial Officer Accounting Officer) |
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/s/ |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ |
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ |
Director |
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/s/ |
Director |
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/s/ |
Director |
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/s/ |
Director |
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/s/ |
Director |
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/s/ |
Director |
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/s/ |
Director |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant,
| By: | /s/ |
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Title: |
President and Chairman of the |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons (who comprise a majority of the
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Signature |
Title |
Date |
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/s/ |
President and Chairman of the (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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/s/ |
Manager and Secretary | |||
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/s/ |
Manager and Senior Vice President | |||
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in
| By: | /s/ |
|
|
Title: |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |
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