PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(2)
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 28, 2003) REGISTRATION NO. 333-103755
$750,000,000
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE
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AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
The Company: AvalonBay Communities, Inc. Our executive offices are located at
2900 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 and our telephone
number is (703) 329-6300.
Terms: We plan to offer and sell notes from time to time, in various amounts.
The notes will have various terms, including the following:
- Ranking as senior unsecured indebtedness of AvalonBay
- Stated maturities of nine months or more from date of issue
- Redemption and/or repayment provisions, if applicable, whether mandatory
or at the option of AvalonBay or noteholders
- Payments in U.S. dollars or one or more foreign currencies
- Minimum denominations of $1,000 or other specified denominations for
foreign currencies
- Book-entry, through The Depository Trust Company, or certificated form
- Interest at fixed or floating rates, or no interest at all. The floating
interest rate may be based on one or more indices plus or minus a spread
and/or multiplied by a spread multiplier.
- Interest payments on fixed rate notes as specified in a pricing supplement
and on the maturity date
- Interest payments on floating rate notes on a monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual basis
We will specify the final terms for each note, which may be different from
the terms described in this prospectus supplement, in the applicable pricing
supplement.
INVESTING IN THE NOTES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE
S-1.
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Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus or any pricing supplement is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
AGENTS' DISCOUNTS
PRICE TO PUBLIC AND COMMISSIONS PROCEEDS TO AVALONBAY
--------------- --------------- ---------------------
Per Note.................... 100% 0.125% - 0.750% 99.875% - 99.250%
Total....................... $750,000,000 $937,500 - $5,625,000 $749,062,500 - $744,375,000
We are offering the notes on a continuous basis to or through the agents
listed below acting as agents or principals using their reasonable efforts on
our behalf. AvalonBay reserves the right to cancel or modify this offer without
notice. AvalonBay or an agent, if the agent solicits the offer on an agency
basis, may reject any offer to purchase notes in whole or in part. See
"Supplemental Plan of Distribution."
------------------------
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
CITIGROUP
FLEET SECURITIES, INC.
JPMORGAN
LEHMAN BROTHERS
MORGAN STANLEY
WACHOVIA SECURITIES
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THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS AUGUST 11, 2003
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any
pricing supplement. Neither we nor any agent has authorized any other person to
provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you
with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. Neither we
nor any agent is making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and any pricing supplement is accurate only as of the
date on the front cover of the applicable document.
References in this prospectus supplement to "AvalonBay," "the Company," "our
company," "we," "us," or "our" or similar expressions in this prospectus
supplement refer collectively to AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland
corporation, and its subsidiaries, and their respective predecessor entities for
the applicable periods, considered as a single enterprise.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PAGE
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Risk Factors................................................ S-1
About This Prospectus Supplement; Pricing Supplements....... S-3
Description of the Notes.................................... S-3
Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes....... S-28
United States Federal Income Taxation Considerations........ S-30
Supplemental Plan of Distribution........................... S-38
Legal Matters............................................... S-39
PROSPECTUS
PAGE
--------
Risk Factors................................................ 1
Forward-looking Statements.................................. 9
About this Prospectus....................................... 10
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 10
About AvalonBay Communities, Inc............................ 11
Policies With Respect to Certain Activities................. 12
Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividends........................................... 13
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................... 14
How We Intend to Use the Proceeds........................... 15
Description of the Debt Securities.......................... 15
Description of Preferred Stock.............................. 31
Description of Common Stock................................. 36
Limits on Ownership of Stock................................ 38
Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your
Investment................................................ 40
How We Plan to Sell the Securities.......................... 56
Experts..................................................... 58
Legal Opinions.............................................. 58
(i)
RISK FACTORS
BEFORE YOU INVEST IN THE MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER
THE RISKS DESCRIBED BELOW AS WELL AS OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS AND ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT
AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED OR DEEMED INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR
THEREIN.
NOTES INDEXED TO INTEREST RATES, CURRENCIES OR OTHER INDICES OR FORMULAS HAVE
INHERENT RISKS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A CONVENTIONAL DEBT SECURITY.
If you invest in notes indexed to one or more interest rates, currencies or
composite currencies or other indices or formulas, you will be subject to
significant risks not associated with a conventional fixed rate or floating rate
debt security. These risks include fluctuation of the indices or formulas and
the possibility that you will receive a lower, or no, amount of principal,
premium or interest and at different times than you expected. We have no control
over a number of matters, including economic, financial and political events,
that are important in determining the existence, magnitude and longevity of
these risks and their results. In addition, if an index or formula used to
determine any amounts payable in respect of the notes contains a multiplier or
leverage factor, the effect of any change in the particular index or formula
will be magnified. In recent years, values of these indices and formulas have
been volatile and volatility in those and other indices and formulas may be
expected in the future.
THERE MAY NOT BE ANY TRADING MARKET FOR YOUR NOTES.
We cannot assure you that a trading market for your notes will be maintained
or ever develop. Many factors independent of our creditworthiness may affect the
trading market of your notes and the value of the applicable index or indices,
or formula or formulas. These factors include:
- the complexity and volatility of the index or formula applicable to the
notes;
- the possibility that each index or formula may be subject to significant
changes;
- the method of calculating the principal, premium and interest in respect
of the notes;
- the time remaining to the maturity of the notes;
- the outstanding amount of the notes;
- the redemption features of the notes;
- the amount of other securities linked to the index or formula applicable
to the notes; and
- the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.
Finally, because some notes may be designed for specific investment
objectives or strategies, those notes will have a more limited trading market
and may experience more price volatility than other forms of debt securities.
The notes will not have an established trading market when issued, and there can
be no assurance of a secondary market for the notes or the liquidity of this
market if one develops. This may affect the price you receive for these notes,
your anticipated yield, or your ability to sell the notes at all. You should not
purchase any of these notes unless you understand and know that you can bear the
related investment risks.
REDEMPTION MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR RETURN ON THE NOTES.
If the notes are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem the notes
at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. In addition, if the
notes are subject to mandatory redemption, we may also be required to redeem the
notes at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. As a result,
you generally will not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a
comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the notes being
redeemed.
S-1
REPAYMENT PROCEDURES MAY LIMIT YOUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN REPAYMENT OF THE NOTES.
Your notes may be repayable at your option if specified in the pricing
supplement relating to the notes. If your notes are repayable at your option
under specific circumstances, you will be required to follow specified
procedures. Among these procedures is a requirement that the holder must provide
the Trustee with the required documentation at least 30 days and no more than 60
days prior to the repayment date. If the note is a global note, there may be
additional notice deadlines imposed by DTC or any broker or other intermediary
through which the notes are held. Accordingly, these repayment procedures may
limit your ability to obtain repayment of the notes on an expedited basis, and
your failure to comply with the repayment procedures may adversely affect your
ability to obtain repayment of your notes.
THE CREDIT RATINGS ASSIGNED TO OUR NOTES MAY NOT REFLECT ALL RISKS OF AN
INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.
The credit ratings assigned to our medium-term notes reflect the rating
agencies' assessments of our ability to make payments on the notes when due.
Consequently, real or anticipated changes in these credit ratings will generally
affect the market value of your notes. These credit ratings, however, may not
reflect the potential impact of risks related to structure, market or other
factors related to the value of your notes or the possibility that payments on
indexed notes may be less than anticipated because of changes in the specified
index.
FLUCTUATIONS IN EXCHANGE RATES AND MODIFICATION OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS MAY IMPAIR
YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.
An investment in foreign currency notes entails significant risks that are
not associated with a similar investment in a debt security denominated and
payable in United States dollars. These risks include:
- the possibility of significant changes in the exchange rate between the
United States dollar and the applicable foreign currency or composite
currency; and
- the possibility of the imposition or modification of exchange controls by
the applicable governments or monetary authorities.
These risks generally depend on factors over which we have no control, such
as economic, financial and political events and the supply and demand for the
applicable currencies or composite currencies. In addition, if payments on your
foreign currency notes are determined by reference to a formula containing a
multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of any change in the applicable
currencies or composite currencies will be magnified.
In recent years, exchange rates between the United States dollar and foreign
currencies or composite currencies have been volatile and this volatility may
continue or increase in the future. Fluctuations between currencies that have
occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations
that may occur in the future. Depreciation of the foreign currency or composite
currency in which a foreign currency note is payable against the United States
dollar would result in a decrease:
- in the United States dollar-equivalent yield of the foreign currency note;
- in the United States dollar-equivalent value of the principal and premium,
if any, payable on the maturity date of the foreign currency note; and
- in the United States dollar-equivalent market value of the foreign
currency note.
In addition, government and monetary authorities may impose or revise
exchange controls. These controls could affect exchange rates and the
availability of the foreign currency or composite currency in which payments on
the notes may be made. Even if there are no exchange controls, it is possible
that the foreign currency or composite currency in which a payment due on a
foreign currency note is to be made will not be available on the required
payment date due to other circumstances beyond our
S-2
control. In these cases, we may satisfy our obligations in respect of the
foreign currency note in United States dollars. See "Special Provisions Relating
to Foreign Currency Notes--Availability of Specified Currency."
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT; PRICING SUPPLEMENTS
We may use this prospectus supplement, together with the attached prospectus
and an attached pricing supplement, to offer the notes from time to time. The
total initial public offering price of the notes that we may offer by use of
this prospectus supplement is $750,000,000 (or the equivalent in one or more
foreign currencies).
This prospectus supplement sets forth some of the terms of the notes that we
may offer. It supplements the description of our debt securities that is
contained in the attached prospectus. If information in this prospectus
supplement is inconsistent with the prospectus, this prospectus supplement will
apply and will supersede the information in the prospectus.
Each time we issue notes under this prospectus supplement, we will attach a
pricing supplement to this prospectus supplement. The pricing supplement will
contain the specific description of the notes being offered and the terms of the
offering. The pricing supplement may also add, update or change information in
this prospectus supplement or the attached prospectus. Any information in the
pricing supplement, including any changes in the method of calculating interest
on any note, that is inconsistent with this prospectus supplement will apply and
will supersede the information in this prospectus supplement.
It is important for you to read and carefully consider all information
contained in this prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus and pricing
supplement in making your investment decision. You should also read and
carefully consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in
"Where You Can Find More Information" in the attached prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
We will issue the notes as a series of debt securities, which refers to all
debt securities including the notes, issued and issuable under the Indenture.
When we refer to the Indenture, we are referring collectively to an original
Indenture dated as of January 16, 1998, referred to as the Original Indenture, a
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 20, 1998, a Second
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 7, 1998, and an Amended and Restated
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 10, 2000, each between AvalonBay
and US Bank, National Association (as successor to State Street Bank and Trust
Company), the Trustee. The Indenture is subject to, and governed by, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939. The following summary of the notes and the Indenture is
not complete. You should read the actual provisions of the notes and the
Indenture, which we have filed as exhibits to the documents we have filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Capitalized terms used but not defined
in this prospectus supplement will have the meanings given to them in the
accompanying prospectus, the notes or the Indenture, as the case may be. The
following description of the particular terms of the notes offered, referred to
in the accompanying prospectus as the senior securities, supplements, and to the
extent inconsistent replaces, the description of the general terms and
provisions of the senior securities set forth in the prospectus, to which
description reference is made.
The following description of the notes applies to each note offered under
this prospectus supplement unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing
supplement.
GENERAL
All of our debt securities, including the notes, will be unsecured
obligations of AvalonBay and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness. The notes are effectively subordinated to
mortgages and other secured indebtedness of AvalonBay, which encumber the assets
of AvalonBay, and to indebtedness and other liabilities of subsidiaries of
AvalonBay.
S-3
Accordingly, we must satisfy these mortgages and other secured indebtedness in
full before holders of the notes may realize any value from encumbered or
indirectly-held properties. In addition, we will repay the notes solely from the
assets of AvalonBay and, therefore, holders of the notes will not have recourse
against any director, officer or stockholder of AvalonBay for repayment of the
notes.
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we
may issue. As a result, we may issue debt securities in one or more series up to
the aggregate initial offering price authorized by us for each series. We may
also, without the consent of the holders of the notes, provide for the issuance
of notes or other debt securities under the Indenture in addition to the
$750,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of the notes offered by this
prospectus supplement.
The notes are currently limited to up to $750,000,000 aggregate initial
offering price, or the equivalent in one or more foreign or composite
currencies. However, the $750,000,000 aggregate amount may be reduced by our
sale of other securities referred to in the accompanying prospectus.
Interest-bearing notes will either be fixed rate notes or floating rate notes,
as specified in the applicable pricing supplement. We may also issue notes that
do not bear any interest currently or that bear interest at a below market rate.
Each note will mature on any day nine months or more from its date of issue,
as specified in the applicable pricing supplement, unless the principal or any
installment of principal becomes due and payable prior to the stated maturity
date, whether, as applicable, by the declaration of acceleration of maturity,
notice of redemption at our option, notice of the registered holder's option to
elect repayment or otherwise.
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable pricing supplement, the notes
will be denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, will be made in, United States dollars. The notes also may be
denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if
any, may be made in, one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies. See
"Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes--Payment of principal,
premium and interest." The currency or composite currency in which a note is
denominated, whether in United States dollars or otherwise, is referred to in
this prospectus supplement as the Specified Currency.
You will be required to pay for the notes in the applicable Specified
Currency. At the present time, there are limited facilities in the United States
for the conversion of United States dollars into foreign currencies or composite
currencies and vice versa. In general, commercial banks do not offer non-United
States dollar checking or savings account facilities in the United States. Each
agent may be prepared to arrange for the conversion of United States dollars
into the applicable Specified Currency to enable you to pay for the related
foreign currency note, provided that you make a request to the agent on or prior
to the fifth Business Day, as defined below, preceding the date of delivery of
the foreign currency note, or by any other day as determined by the agent. An
agent will make each conversion on the terms and subject to the conditions,
limitations and charges as the agent may from time to time establish in
accordance with its regular foreign exchange practices. You will be required to
bear all costs of exchange in respect of your foreign currency note. See
"Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes--Payment of principal,
premium and interest."
Interest rates offered by us with respect to the notes may differ depending
upon the aggregate principal amount of notes purchased in any single
transaction. Interest rates or formulas and other terms of the notes are subject
to change by AvalonBay, but no change will affect any note already issued or as
to which we have accepted an offer to purchase.
We will issue each note in fully registered form as a book-entry note
represented by one or more global securities or a certificated note. The
authorized denominations of each note other than a foreign currency note will be
$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000, while the authorized denominations of
each foreign currency note will be specified in the applicable pricing
supplement.
S-4
We will make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on,
book-entry notes through the Trustee to The Depository Trust Company, referred
to as DTC. See "Description of the Notes--DTC's procedures."
In the case of certificated notes, we will make payments of principal and
premium, if any, due on the stated maturity date or any prior date on which the
principal, or an installment of principal, of each certificated note becomes due
and payable, whether by:
- the declaration of acceleration;
- notice of redemption at the option of AvalonBay; or
- notice of the holder's option to elect repayment or otherwise
in immediately available funds upon their presentation and surrender, or, in the
case of any repayment on an optional repayment date, upon their presentation and
surrender and a duly completed election form in accordance with the provisions
described below, at the office or agency maintained by AvalonBay for this
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which is currently
the corporate trust office of the Trustee located at 100 Wall Street,
Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005. We will make payments of interest due on
the maturity date of each certificated note to the person to whom payment of the
principal and premium, if any, shall be made. We will make payments of interest
due, if any, on each certificated note on any interest payment date, other than
the maturity date, at the office or agency referred to above maintained by
AvalonBay for this purpose or, at the option of AvalonBay, by check mailed to
the address of the holder that is entitled as that address appears in the
Security Register of AvalonBay.
However, a registered holder of $10,000,000 (or, if the applicable Specified
Currency is other than United States dollars, the equivalent in the Specified
Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of notes, whether having
identical or different terms and provisions, will be entitled to receive
interest payments on any interest payment date other than the maturity date by
wire transfer of immediately available funds if the holder has delivered
appropriate wire transfer instructions in writing to the Trustee not less than
15 calendar days prior to that interest payment date. Any wire transfer
instructions received by the Trustee will remain in effect until revoked by the
registered holder. For special payment terms applicable to foreign currency
notes, see "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes--Payment of
principal, premium and interest."
"Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is
neither a legal holiday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or
required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of New York;
provided, however, that, if the Specified Currency is other than United States
dollars, the day must also not be a day on which commercial banks are authorized
or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal
Financial Center, as defined below, of the country issuing the Specified
Currency, or, if the Specified Currency is Euro, the day must also be a day on
which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer,
or TARGET, System is open; provided, further, that, with respect to floating
rate notes as to which LIBOR is an applicable interest rate basis, the day must
also be a London Banking Day, as defined below.
"London Banking Day" means a day on which commercial banks are open for
business, including dealings in the LIBOR Currency, as defined below, in London.
"Principal Financial Center" means, (i) the capital city of the country
issuing the Specified Currency, except that with respect to United States
dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, South African rand and Swiss
francs, the "Principal Financial Center" will be the City of New York, Sydney
and Melbourne, Toronto, Johannesburg and Zurich, respectively, or (ii) the
capital city of the country to which the LIBOR Currency relates, except that
with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars,
South African rand and Swiss francs, the "Principal Financial Center" will be
the City of New York, Sydney, Toronto, Johannesburg and Zurich, respectively.
S-5
Book-entry notes may be transferred or exchanged only through DTC. See
"Description of the Notes--Book-entry notes--Description of the global notes
and--DTC's procedures." Registration of transfer or exchange of certificated
notes will be made at the office or agency maintained by AvalonBay for this
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. No service charge
will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we
may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed other than exchanges in accordance with the Indenture
not involving any transfer.
REOPENING OF ISSUE
We may from time to time, without the consent of existing note holders,
issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions (including maturity
and interest payment terms) as previously issued notes in all respects, except
for issue date, issue price and the first payment of interest. Additional notes
issued in this manner will be consolidated with and will form a single series
with the previously issued notes.
REDEMPTIONS AT THE OPTION OF AVALONBAY
The notes will not be subject to, or entitled to the benefit of, any sinking
fund. We may redeem the notes at our option before their stated maturity only if
an initial redemption date is specified in the notes and in the pricing
supplement. If indicated in the pricing supplement, we may redeem the notes at
our option on any date on or after the initial redemption date. On or after the
initial redemption date, if any, we may at our option redeem the related note at
any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at the redemption price
together with unpaid interest on the principal of the note payable to the
redemption date. We must give written notice to registered holders of the notes
to be redeemed not more than 60 nor less than 30 days before the redemption
date. We will redeem the notes in increments of $1,000, provided that any
remaining principal amount will be an authorized denomination of the note. The
redemption price with respect to a note will initially be the initial redemption
percentage of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed specified in the
pricing supplement multiplied by the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed.
This initial redemption percentage, if any, shall decline at each anniversary of
the initial redemption date by a percentage, specified in the pricing
supplement, of the principal amount to be redeemed until the redemption price is
100% of the principal amount. For a discussion of the redemption of original
issue discount notes, see "--Original issue discount notes."
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
The pricing supplement will indicate if the notes are repayable at the
option of their registered holders on a date specified prior to the notes'
maturity date and, unless otherwise specified in the pricing supplement, these
notes will be repayable at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount,
together with unpaid interest accrued to the date of repayment.
In order for a note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive, at least
30 days but not more than 60 days, prior to the repayment date, either:
(1) in the case of a certificated note, the note with a completed "Option to
Elect Repayment" form, which is located on the reverse side of the note;
or
(2) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, or a letter from a member of
a national securities exchange, the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., referred to as the NASD, a commercial bank or a trust
company in the United States which sets forth the following:
(A) the name of the registered holder of the note,
- the principal amount of the note,
- the principal amount of the note to be repaid, and
S-6
- the certificate number or a description of the terms of the note;
(B) a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised;
and
(C) a guarantee that the note to be repaid, together with the completed
"Option to Elect Repayment" form, will be received by the Trustee not
later than the fifth Business Day after the date of the telegram,
telex, facsimile or letter. This election by the holder of the note
will only be effective if the note and completed form are received by
the Trustee or its designated agent by this time.
The exercise of the repayment option by the holder of a note will be
irrevocable. The holder of a note may exercise the repayment option for less
than the entire principal amount of the note. However, the principal amount of
the note remaining outstanding after repayment must be in an authorized
denomination.
If a note is represented by a global note, DTC's nominee will be the holder
of the note and, therefore, will be the only entity that can exercise the right
to repayment. In order to ensure that DTC's nominee will timely exercise a right
to repayment with respect to a particular note, the beneficial owner of the note
must instruct the broker or other direct participant or indirect participant
through which it holds an interest in the note to notify DTC of its desire to
exercise a right to repayment. Different firms have different deadlines for
accepting instructions from their customers. Accordingly, each beneficial owner
should consult the broker or other direct participant or indirect participant
through which it holds an interest in a note in order to determine the deadline
by which an instruction must be given in order for notice to be delivered to DTC
on time. Please see, "Description of the Notes--DTC procedures."
If applicable, we will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to as the Exchange Act, and any other
securities laws or regulations in connection with any repayment.
We may at any time purchase notes at any price or prices in the open market
or otherwise. Notes purchased by us may, at our discretion, be held, resold or
surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
INTEREST
Each interest-bearing note will bear interest from its date of issue at the
rate per annum, in the case of a fixed rate note, or in accordance with the
interest rate formula, in the case of a floating rate note, until its principal
is paid or made available for payment. We will make interest payments in respect
of fixed rate notes and floating rate notes in an amount equal to the interest
accrued from and including the immediately preceding interest payment date in
respect of which interest has been paid or made available for payment, or from
and including the date of issue, if no interest has been paid or made available
for payment with respect to the applicable note, to but excluding the applicable
interest payment date or the maturity date, each referred to as an Interest
Period.
Interest on fixed rate notes and floating rate notes will be payable in
arrears on each interest payment date and on the maturity date. The first
payment of interest on any note originally issued between a record date, which
is the fifteenth calendar day, whether or not a Business Day, immediately
preceding the related interest payment date, and the related interest payment
date will be made on the interest payment date immediately following the next
record date to the holder as of the next record date.
FIXED RATE NOTES. Interest on fixed rate notes will be payable in arrears
on the interest payment dates specified in the applicable pricing supplement and
on the maturity date. Each fixed rate note will bear interest from the date of
issue at the rate per annum stated on the face of the note until the principal
amount of the note is paid or made available for payment. Interest on fixed rate
notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
S-7
If any interest payment date or the maturity date of a fixed rate note falls
on a day that is not a Business Day, we will make the related payment of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest on the next succeeding Business Day
as if made on the date the payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the
amount payable for the period from and after the interest payment date or the
maturity date, as the case may be.
FLOATING RATE NOTES. Interest on floating rate notes will be determined by
reference to the applicable interest rate basis or interest rate bases, which
may be one or more of:
- the CD Rate,
- the CMT Rate,
- the Commercial Paper Rate,
- the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate,
- the Federal Funds Rate,
- LIBOR,
- the Prime Rate,
- the Treasury Rate, or
- any other interest rate basis or interest rate formula that is specified
in the pricing supplement.
Each pricing supplement will specify the terms of the floating rate note
being offered, including:
- whether the floating rate note is:
(1) a Regular Floating Rate Note,
(2) a Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note, or
(3) an Inverse Floating Rate Note,
- the fixed rate commencement date, if applicable,
- the fixed interest rate, if applicable,
- the interest rate basis or bases,
- the interest rate in effect from the date of issue until the date on which
this interest rate on the related floating rate note will be reset,
- the date on which the interest rate on the related floating rate note will
be reset,
- the interest payment period and dates,
- the period to maturity of the instrument or obligation with respect to
which the interest rate basis or bases will be calculated, referred to as
the Index Maturity,
- a maximum numerical limitation, or ceiling, on the rate at which interest
may accrue during any interest period, if any,
- a minimum numerical limitation, or floor, on the rate at which interest
may accrue during any interest period, if any,
- the number of basis points to be added to or subtracted from the related
interest rate basis or bases, referred to as the Spread,
- the percentage of the related interest rate basis or bases by which the
interest rate basis or bases will be multiplied to determine the
applicable interest rate, referred to as the Spread Multiplier,
- if one or more of the specified interest rate bases is LIBOR, the Index
Currency and the Designated LIBOR Page, and
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- if one or more of the specified interest rate bases is the CMT Rate, the
Designated CMT Moneyline Telerate Page and Designated CMT Maturity Index.
The interest rate borne by the floating rate notes will be determined as
follows:
REGULAR FLOATING RATE NOTES. Unless a floating rate note is designated as a
Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note, an Inverse Floating Rate Note or as having an
addendum attached or as having "Other/ Additional Provisions" apply relating to
a different interest rate formula, it will be a Regular Floating Rate Note and,
except as described below or in a pricing supplement, will bear interest at the
rate determined by reference to the applicable interest rate basis or bases:
- plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or
- multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any.
Commencing on the first interest reset date, the rate at which interest on
the Regular Floating Rate Note will be payable will be reset as of each interest
reset date. However, the interest rate in effect for the period from the date of
issue to the first interest reset date will be the initial interest rate.
FLOATING RATE/FIXED RATE NOTES. If a floating rate note is designated as a
Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note, then, except as described below or in a pricing
supplement, it will bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the
applicable interest rate basis or bases:
- plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or
- multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any.
Commencing on the first interest reset date, the rate at which interest on
the Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note will be payable will be reset as of each
interest reset date; provided, however, that:
- the interest rate in effect for the period from the date of issue to the
first interest reset date will be the initial interest rate, and
- the interest rate in effect commencing on, and including, the date on
which interest begins to accrue on a fixed rate basis to maturity will be
the fixed interest rate, if the rate is specified in the pricing
supplement, or if no fixed interest rate is specified, the interest rate
in effect on the Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note on the day immediately
preceding the date on which interest begins to accrue on a fixed rate
basis.
INVERSE FLOATING RATE NOTES. If a floating rate note is designated as an
Inverse Floating Rate Note, it will bear interest at the fixed interest rate
specified in the related pricing supplement minus the rate determined by
reference to the applicable interest rate basis or bases:
- plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or
- multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any;
provided, however, that the interest rate on the Inverse Floating Rate Note will
not be less than zero. Commencing on the first interest reset date, the rate at
which interest on the Inverse Floating Rate Note is payable will be reset as of
each interest reset date. However, the interest rate in effect for the period
from the date of issue to the first interest reset date will be the initial
interest rate.
Each interest rate basis shall be the rate determined in accordance with the
provisions below. The interest rate in effect on each day will be:
- if the day is an interest reset date, the interest rate determined as of
the interest determination date, as defined below, immediately preceding
the interest reset date, or
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- if the day is not an interest reset date, the interest rate determined as
of the interest determination date immediately preceding the most recent
interest reset date.
INTEREST RESET DATES. The pricing supplement will specify whether the
interest rate on the related floating rate note will be reset daily, weekly,
monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually or any other basis (each referred to
in this prospectus supplement as an interest reset period), and the dates on
which the interest rate on the related floating rate note will be reset (each
referred to in this prospectus supplement as an interest reset date). The
interest reset date will be, in the case of floating rate notes which reset:
- daily--each Business Day;
- weekly--the Wednesday of each week, with the exception of weekly reset
floating rate notes where the Treasury Rate is an applicable interest rate
basis, which will reset the Tuesday of each week, except as described
below;
- monthly--the third Wednesday of each month, with the exception of monthly
reset floating rate notes where the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate
is an applicable interest rate basis, which will reset on the first
calendar day of the month;
- quarterly--the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of
each year;
- semiannually--the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the
pricing supplement; and
- annually--the third Wednesday of the month specified in the pricing
supplement;
provided, however, that with respect to Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Notes, the rate
of interest will not reset after the date on which interest on a fixed rate
basis begins to accrue.
If any interest reset date for any floating rate note would otherwise be a
day that is not a Business Day, the interest reset date will be postponed to the
next succeeding day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a
floating rate note as to which LIBOR is an applicable interest rate basis and if
the Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then the interest
reset date will be the immediately preceding Business Day. In addition, in the
case of a floating rate note as to which the Treasury Rate is an applicable
interest rate basis, if the interest determination date would otherwise fall on
an interest reset date, the particular interest reset date will be postponed to
the next succeeding Business Day.
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM INTEREST RATES. A floating rate note may have either or
both of the following:
- a maximum numerical limitation, or ceiling, on the rate at which interest
may accrue during any interest period, referred to as a maximum interest
rate, and
- a minimum numerical limitation, or floor, on the rate at which interest
may accrue during any period, referred to as a minimum interest rate.
The Indenture is, and any notes issued under the Indenture will be, governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In
addition to any maximum interest rate that may apply to any floating rate note,
the interest rate will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by
New York law, as the same may be modified by United States law of general
application.
INTEREST PAYMENTS. Each pricing supplement will specify the dates on which
interest will be payable. Each floating rate note will bear interest from the
date of issue at the rates specified in the floating rate note until the
principal of the note is paid or otherwise made available for payment. Except as
provided below or in the pricing supplement, the interest payment dates with
respect to floating rate notes will be, in the case of floating rate notes which
reset:
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- daily, weekly or monthly--the third Wednesday of each month or on the
third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year, as
specified in the pricing supplement;
- quarterly--the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of
each year;
- semiannually--the third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified
in the pricing supplement;
- annually--the third Wednesday of the month of each year specified in the
pricing supplement; and
- at the maturity date.
If any interest payment date for any floating rate note, other than an
interest payment date at maturity, would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, the interest payment date will be postponed to the next succeeding
day that is a Business Day, except that in the case of a floating rate note as
to which LIBOR is an applicable interest rate basis and if the Business Day
falls in the next succeeding calendar month, the interest payment date will be
the immediately preceding Business Day. If the maturity of a floating rate note
falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment of principal, premium, if
any, and interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no
additional interest will accrue in respect of the payment made on that next
succeeding Business Day.
All percentages resulting from any calculation on floating rate notes will
be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with
five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example,
9.876545%, or .09876545, would be rounded to 9.87655%, or .0987655. All dollar
amounts used in or resulting from any calculation on floating rate notes will be
rounded to the nearest cent, or in the case of a foreign currency or composite
currency to the nearest unit, with one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards.
With respect to each floating rate note, accrued interest is calculated by
multiplying its principal amount by an accrued interest factor. The accrued
interest factor is computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each
day in the period for which accrued interest is being calculated.
- In the case of floating rate notes for which the interest rate basis is
the CD Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of
Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate, the interest
factor for each day will be computed by dividing the interest rate
applicable to each day by 360.
- In the case of floating rate notes for which the interest rate basis is
the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate, the interest factor for each day will
be computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to each day by the
actual number of days in the year.
- In the case of floating rate notes for which the interest rate is
calculated with reference to two or more interest rate bases, the interest
factor will be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only one
of the applicable interest rate bases specified in the pricing supplement
applied.
INTEREST DETERMINATION DATES. The interest rate applicable to each interest
reset period commencing on the interest reset date with respect to that interest
reset period will be determined by the calculation agent and calculated on or
prior to the calculation date, as specified below, except with respect to LIBOR
and the Eleventh District Costs of Funds Rate, which will be calculated on the
interest determination date.
- The interest determination date with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate,
the Commercial Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate will
be the Business Day immediately preceding each interest reset date for the
related note.
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- The interest determination date with respect to the Eleventh District Cost
of Funds Rate will be the last Business Day of the month preceding each
interest reset date on which the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
publishes the Index, as defined below.
- The interest determination date with respect to LIBOR will be the second
London Banking Day immediately preceding each interest reset date, unless
the Index Currency is British pounds sterling, in which case the interest
determination date will be the applicable interest reset date.
- The interest determination date with respect to the Treasury Rate will be
the day in the week in which the related interest reset date falls on
which day Treasury Bills, as defined below, are normally auctioned.
Treasury Bills are normally sold at auction on Monday of each week, unless
that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is normally held on
the following Tuesday, except that the auction may be held on the
preceding Friday and if an auction is held on the Friday of the week
preceding the related interest reset date, the related interest
determination date will be the preceding Friday.
- If the interest rate of a note is determined with reference to two or more
interest rate bases, then the interest determination date for the note
will be the most recent Business Day, which is at least two Business Days
prior to the applicable interest reset date on which each interest rate
basis is determinable.
- The interest determination date pertaining to a floating rate note the
interest rate of which is determined with reference to two or more
interest rate bases will be the latest Business Day which is at least two
Business Days before the interest reset date for the floating rate note on
which each interest rate basis is determinable.
- Each interest rate basis will be determined accordingly, and the
applicable interest rate will commence on the applicable interest reset
date.
CALCULATION DATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, the Trustee will be the calculation agent with respect to any
floating rate note. Upon the request of the holder of any floating rate note,
the calculation agent will provide the interest rate then in effect and, if
determined, the interest rate that will become effective as a result of a
determination made for the next interest reset date with respect to that
floating rate note, unless otherwise provided in the pricing supplement. The
calculation date, if applicable, pertaining to any interest determination date
will be the earlier of:
- the tenth calendar day after the interest determination date, or, if the
tenth calendar day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business
Day, or
- the Business Day immediately preceding the interest payment date or
maturity, as the case may be.
The calculation agent will determine each interest rate basis in accordance
with the following provisions, unless otherwise specified by a pricing
supplement:
CD RATE. "CD Rate" means:
(1) the rate on the particular interest determination date for negotiable
United States dollar certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity specified
in the applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519), as defined
below, under the caption "CDs (secondary market)", or
(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of
deposit of the particular Index Maturity as published in H.15 Daily Update, as
defined below, or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of
displaying the applicable rate, under the caption "CDs (secondary market)", or
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(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date calculated by the calculation agent as the
arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York
City time, on that interest determination date, of three leading nonbank dealers
in negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New
York, which may include the agents or their affiliates, selected by the
calculation agent for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of
major United States dollar money market banks for negotiable United States
dollar certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the
particular Index Maturity in an amount that is representative for a single
transaction in that market at that time, or
(4) if the dealers selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned in clause (3), the CD Rate in effect on the particular interest
determination date.
"H.15(519)" means the weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or
any successor publication, published by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
"H.15 Daily Update" means the daily update of H.15(519), available through
the world-wide-web site of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/ h15/update/, or any successor site or
publication.
CMT RATE. "CMT Rate" means:
(1) if CMT Moneyline Telerate Page 7051 is specified in the applicable
pricing supplement:
(a) the percentage equal to the yield for United States Treasury
securities at "constant maturity" having the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) under the caption
"Treasury Constant Maturities", as the yield is displayed on Moneyline
Telerate, or any successor service, on page 7051, or any other page as may
replace the specified page on that service, referred to as Telerate Page
7051, for the particular interest determination date, or
(b) if the rate referred to in clause (a) does not appear on Telerate
Page 7051, the percentage equal to the yield for United States Treasury
securities at "constant maturity" having the particular Index Maturity and
for the particular interest determination date as published in
H.15(519) under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities", or
(c) if the rate referred to in clause (b) does not appear in H.15(519),
the rate on the particular interest determination date for the period of the
particular Index Maturity as may then be published by either the Federal
Reserve System Board of Governors or the United States Department of the
Treasury that the calculation agent determines to be comparable to the rate
which would otherwise have been published in H.15(519), or
(d) if the rate referred to in clause (c) is not published, the rate on
the particular interest determination date calculated by the calculation
agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary
market bid prices at approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that
interest determination date of three leading primary United States
government securities dealers in The City of New York, which may include the
agents or their affiliates, each referred to as a Reference Dealer, selected
by the calculation agent from five Reference Dealers selected by the
calculation agent and eliminating the highest quotation, or, in the event of
equality, one of the highest, and the lowest quotation, or, in the event of
equality, one of the lowest, for United States Treasury securities with an
original maturity equal to the particular Index Maturity, a remaining term
to maturity no more than 1 year shorter than that Index Maturity and in a
principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
securities in that market at that time, or
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(e) if fewer than five but more than two of the prices referred to in
clause (d) are provided as requested, the rate on the particular interest
determination date calculated by the calculation agent based on the
arithmetic mean of the bid prices obtained and neither the highest nor the
lowest of the quotations shall be eliminated, or
(f) if fewer than three prices referred to in clause (d) are provided as
requested, the rate on the particular interest determination date calculated
by the calculation agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean
of the secondary market bid prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York
City time, on that interest determination date of three Reference Dealers
selected by the calculation agent from five Reference Dealers selected by
the calculation agent and eliminating the highest quotation, or, in the
event of equality, one of the highest and the lowest quotation or, in the
event of equality, one of the lowest, for United States Treasury securities
with an original maturity greater than the particular Index Maturity, a
remaining term to maturity closest to that Index Maturity and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the securities in
that market at that time, or
(g) if fewer than five but more than two prices referred to in
clause (f) are provided as requested, the rate on the particular interest
determination date calculated by the calculation agent based on the
arithmetic mean of the bid prices obtained and neither the highest nor the
lowest of the quotations will be eliminated, or
(h) if fewer than three prices referred to in clause (f) are provided as
requested, the CMT Rate in effect on the particular interest determination
date.
(2) if CMT Moneyline Telerate Page 7052 is specified in the applicable
pricing supplement:
(a) the percentage equal to the one-week or one-month, as specified in
the applicable pricing supplement, average yield for United States Treasury
securities at "constant maturity" having the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) opposite the caption
"Treasury Constant Maturities", as the yield is displayed on Moneyline
Telerate, or any successor service, on page 7052, or any other page as may
replace the specified page on that service, referred to as, Telerate Page
7052, for the week or month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the
week or month, as applicable, in which the particular interest determination
date falls, or
(b) if the rate referred to in clause (a) does not appear on Telerate
Page 7052, the percentage equal to the one-week or one-month, as specified
in the applicable pricing supplement, average yield for United States
Treasury securities at "constant maturity" having the particular Index
Maturity and for the week or month, as applicable, preceding the particular
interest determination date as published in H.15(519) opposite the caption
"Treasury Constant Maturities," or
(c) if the rate referred to in clause (b) does not appear in H.15(519),
the one-week or one-month, as specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, average yield for United States Treasury securities at "constant
maturity" having the particular Index Maturity as otherwise announced by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the week or month, as applicable, ended
immediately preceding the week or month, as applicable, in which the
particular interest determination date falls, or
(d) if the rate referred to in clause (c) is not published, the rate on
the particular interest determination date calculated by the calculation
agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary
market bid prices at approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that
interest determination date of three Reference Dealers selected by the
calculation agent from five Reference Dealers selected by the calculation
agent and eliminating the highest quotation, or, in the event of equality,
one of the highest, and the lowest quotation or, in the event
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of equality, one of the lowest, for United States Treasury securities with
an original maturity equal to the particular Index Maturity, a remaining
term to maturity no more than 1 year shorter than that Index Maturity and in
a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
securities in that market at that time, or
(e) if fewer than five but more than two of the prices referred to in
clause (d) are provided as requested, the rate on the particular interest
determination date calculated by the calculation agent based on the
arithmetic mean of the bid prices obtained and neither the highest nor the
lowest of the quotations shall be eliminated, or
(f) if fewer than three prices referred to in clause (d) are provided as
requested, the rate on the particular interest determination date calculated
by the calculation agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean
of the secondary market bid prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York
City time, on that interest determination date of three Reference Dealers
selected by the calculation agent from five Reference Dealers selected by
the calculation agent and eliminating the highest quotation, or, in the
event of equality, one of the highest, and the lowest quotation or, in the
event of equality, one of the lowest, for United States Treasury securities
with an original maturity greater than the particular Index Maturity, a
remaining term to maturity closest to that Index Maturity and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the securities in
that market at the time, or
(g) if fewer than five but more than two prices referred to in
clause (f) are provided as requested, the rate on the particular interest
determination date calculated by the calculation agent based on the
arithmetic mean of the bid prices obtained and neither the highest or the
lowest of the quotations will be eliminated, or
(h) if fewer than three prices referred to in clause (f) are provided as
requested, the CMT Rate in effect on that interest determination date.
If two United States Treasury securities with an original maturity greater than
the Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement have remaining
terms to maturity equally close to the particular Index Maturity, the quotes for
the United States Treasury security with the shorter original remaining term to
maturity will be used.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE. "Commercial Paper Rate" means:
(1) the Money Market Yield, as defined below, on the particular interest
determination date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) under
the caption "Commercial Paper--Nonfinancial", or
(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the Money Market Yield of the
rate on the particular interest determination date for commercial paper having
the particular Index Maturity as published in H.15 Daily Update, or other
recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable
rate, under the caption "Commercial Paper--Nonfinancial", or
(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date calculated by the calculation agent as the Money
Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates at approximately
11:00 A.M., New York City time, on that interest determination date of three
leading dealers of United States dollar commercial paper in The City of New
York, which may include the agents or their affiliates, selected by the
calculation agent for commercial paper having the particular Index Maturity
placed for industrial issuers whose bond rating is "Aa", or the equivalent, from
a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or
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(4) if the dealers selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned in clause (3), the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on the particular
interest determination date.
"Money Market Yield" means a yield, expressed as a percentage, calculated in
accordance with the following formula:
D X 360
Money Market Yield = ------------------ X 100
360 - (D X M)
where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the applicable interest reset period.
ELEVENTH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE. "Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate" means:
(1) the rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of funds for the
calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the particular interest
determination date falls as set forth under the caption "11th District" on the
display on Moneyline Telerate, or any successor service, on page 7058, or any
other page as may replace the specified page on that service, referred to as
Telerate Page 7058, as of 11:00 A.M., San Francisco time, on that interest
determination date, or
(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) does not appear on Telerate Page
7058, the monthly weighted average cost of funds paid by member institutions of
the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank District that was most recently announced,
referred to as the Index, by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco as the
cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding that interest
determination date, or
(3) if the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco fails to announce the
Index on or prior to the particular interest determination date for the calendar
month immediately preceding that interest determination date, the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on the particular interest determination
date.
FEDERAL FUNDS RATE. "Federal Funds Rate" means:
(1) the rate on the particular interest determination date for United States
dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the caption "Federal Funds
(Effective)" and displayed on Moneyline Telerate, or any successor service, on
page 120, or any other page as may replace the specified page on that service,
referred to as Telerate Page 120, or
(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) does not appear on Telerate Page
120 or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
calculation date, the rate on the particular interest determination date for
United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15 Daily Update, or any
other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the
applicable rate, under the caption "Federal Funds (Effective)", or
(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date calculated by the calculation agent as the
arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States
dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar
federal funds transactions in The City of New York, which may include the agents
or their affiliates, selected by the calculation agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New
York City time, on that interest determination date, or
(4) if the brokers selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned in clause (3), the Federal Funds Rate in effect on the particular
interest determination date.
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LIBOR. "LIBOR" means:
(1) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable pricing supplement or
if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable
pricing supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in
the LIBOR Currency having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, commencing on the related interest reset date, that appears on the
LIBOR Page, as defined below, as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on the particular
interest determination date, or
(2) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
the arithmetic mean of the offered rates, calculated by the calculation agent,
or the offered rate, if the LIBOR Page by its terms provides only for a single
rate, for deposits in the LIBOR Currency having the particular Index Maturity,
commencing on the related interest reset date, that appear or appears, as the
case may be, on the LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on the particular
interest determination date, or
(3) if fewer than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case
may be, on the particular interest determination date on the LIBOR Page as
specified in clause (1) or (2), as applicable, the rate calculated by the
calculation agent of at least two offered quotations obtained by the calculation
agent after requesting the principal London offices of each of four major
reference banks, which may include affiliates of the agents, in the London
interbank market to provide the calculation agent with its offered quotation for
deposits in the LIBOR Currency for the period of the particular Index Maturity,
commencing on the related interest reset date, to prime banks in the London
interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on that interest
determination date and in a principal amount that is representative for a single
transaction in the LIBOR Currency in that market at that time, or
(4) if fewer than two offered quotations referred to in clause (3) are
provided as requested, the rate calculated by the calculation agent as the
arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M., in the
applicable Principal Financial Center, on the particular interest determination
date by three major banks, which may include affiliates of the agents, in that
Principal Financial Center selected by the calculation agent for loans in the
LIBOR Currency to leading European banks, having the particular Index Maturity
and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
LIBOR Currency in that market at that time, or
(5) if the banks selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned in clause (4), LIBOR in effect on the particular interest
determination date.
"LIBOR Currency" means the currency specified in the applicable pricing
supplement as to which LIBOR shall be calculated or, if no currency is specified
in the applicable pricing supplement, United States dollars.
"LIBOR Page" means either:
- if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the
display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service, or any successor
service, on the page specified in the applicable pricing supplement, or
any other page as may replace that page on that service, for the purpose
of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the LIBOR
Currency; or
- if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable pricing supplement or
neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the
applicable pricing supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR, the
display on Moneyline Telerate, or any successor service, on the page
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, or any other page as may
replace that page on that service, for the purpose of displaying the
London interbank rates of major banks for the LIBOR Currency.
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PRIME RATE. "Prime Rate" means:
(1) the rate on the particular interest determination date as published in
H.15(519) under the caption "Bank Prime Loan", or
(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date as published in H.15 Daily Update, or any other
recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable
rate, under the caption "Bank Prime Loan", or
(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date calculated by the calculation agent as the
arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that
appears on the Reuters Screen US PRIME 1 Page, as defined below, as the
applicable bank's prime rate or base lending rate as of 11:00 A.M., New York
City time, on that interest determination date, or
(4) if fewer than four rates referred to in clause (3) are published by
3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the
interest determination date calculated by the calculation agent as the
arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates quoted on the basis of
the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close
of business on that interest determination date by three major banks, which may
include affiliates of the agents, in The City of New York selected by the
calculation agent, or
(5) if the banks selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned in clause (4), the Prime Rate in effect on the particular interest
determination date.
"Reuters Screen US PRIME 1 Page" means the display on the Reuter Monitor Money
Rates Service, or any successor service, on the "US PRIME 1" page, or any other
page as may replace that page on that service for the purpose of displaying
prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks.
TREASURY RATE. "Treasury Rate" means:
(1) the rate from the auction held on the interest determination date,
referred to as the Auction, of direct obligations of the United States, or
Treasury Bills, having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement under the caption "INVESTMENT RATE" on the display on Moneyline
Telerate, or any successor service, on page 56, or any other page as may replace
that page on that service, referred to as Telerate Page 56, or page 57, or any
other page as may replace that page on that service, referred to as Telerate
Page 57, or
(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the Bond Equivalent Yield, as
defined below, of the rate for the applicable Treasury Bills as published in
H.15 Daily Update, or another recognized electronic source used for the purpose
of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption "U.S. Government
Securities/Treasury Bills/ Auction High", or
(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the Bond Equivalent Yield of
the auction rate of the applicable Treasury Bills as announced by the United
States Department of the Treasury, or
(4) if the rate referred to in clause (3) is not announced by the United
States Department of the Treasury, or if the Auction is not held, the Bond
Equivalent Yield of the rate on the particular interest determination date of
the applicable Treasury Bills as published in H.15(519) under the caption "U.S.
Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market", or
(5) if the rate referred to in clause (4) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date of the applicable
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Treasury Bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, or another recognized
electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under
the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/ Secondary Market", or
(6) if the rate referred to in clause (5) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the particular
interest determination date calculated by the calculation agent as the Bond
Equivalent Yield of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that interest determination
date, of three primary United States government securities dealers, which may
include the agents or their affiliates, selected by the calculation agent, for
the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement, or
(7) if the dealers selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned in clause (6), the Treasury Rate in effect on the particular interest
determination date.
"Bond Equivalent Yield" means a yield, expressed as a percentage, calculated
in accordance with the following formula:
D X N
Bond Equivalent Yield = ------------------ X 100
360 - (D X M)
where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for Treasury Bills quoted on a
bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, "N" refers to 365 or 366, as the
case may be, and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the applicable
interest reset period.
OTHER PROVISIONS; ADDENDA
Any provisions with respect to an issue of notes, including the
determination of one or more interest rate bases, the specification of one or
more interest rate bases, the calculation of the interest rate applicable to a
floating rate note, the interest payment dates, the stated maturity date, any
redemption or repayment provisions or any other matter relating to the notes,
may be modified by the terms as specified under "Other/Additional Provisions" on
the face of the notes or in an addendum relating to the notes, if specified on
the face of the notes, and in the pricing supplement.
AMORTIZING NOTES
We may offer amortizing notes. Interest on each amortizing note will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Payments with
respect to amortizing notes will be applied first to interest due and payable on
that amortizing note and then to the reduction of its unpaid principal amount.
Further information concerning additional terms and conditions of any issue of
amortizing notes will be provided in the pricing supplement, including a table
setting forth repayment information in respect of each amortizing note.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTES
We may offer notes from time to time that have an issue price that is less
than 100% of their principal amount, referred to as discount notes. Discount
notes may not bear any interest currently or may bear interest at a rate that is
below market rates at the time of issuance. The difference between the issue
price of a discount note and 100% of the principal amount is referred to as the
discount. In the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of a
discount note, the amount payable to the holder of a discount note will be equal
to the sum of:
(1) the issue price, increased by any accruals of discount, and, in the
event of any redemption of the discount note, if applicable, multiplied by the
initial redemption percentage specified in the
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applicable pricing supplement, as adjusted by the annual redemption percentage
reduction, if applicable, specified in the applicable pricing supplement; plus
(2) any unpaid interest on the discount note accrued from the date of issue
to the date of the redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, for
purposes of determining the amount of discount that has accrued as of any date
on which a redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity occurs for a
discount note, the discount will accrue using a constant yield method:
- The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year
convention, a compounding period that, except for the period from the date
of issue to the initial interest payment date for a discount note,
referred to as the initial period, corresponds to the shortest period
between interest payment dates for the applicable discount note with
ratable accruals within a compounding period, a coupon rate equal to the
initial coupon rate applicable to the discount note and an assumption that
the maturity of the discount note will not be accelerated.
- If the initial period is shorter than the compounding period for the
discount note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire
compounding period will be accrued.
- If the initial period is longer than the compounding period, then this
period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short
period with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding
sentence.
The accrual of the applicable discount may differ from the accrual of
original issue discount for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
referred to as the Code, discount notes may not be treated as having original
issue discount within the meaning of the Code, and notes other than discount
notes may be treated as issued with original issue discount for federal income
tax purposes. See "United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."
INDEXED NOTES
We may issue notes with the amount of principal, premium and/or interest
payable to be determined with reference:
- to the price or prices of specified commodities or stocks;
- to the exchange rate of one or more designated currencies, including a
composite currency, relative to an indexed currency; or
- to any other price(s) or exchange rate(s), as specified in the applicable
pricing supplement.
We refer to these types of notes in this prospectus supplement as indexed
notes.
Holders of indexed notes may receive a principal payment on the maturity
date that is greater than or less than the principal amount of the indexed notes
depending upon the relative value on the maturity date of the specified indexed
item. Information as to the method for determining the amount of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest payable in respect of indexed notes, particular
historical information with respect to the specified indexed item and tax
considerations associated with an investment in indexed notes will be specified
in the applicable pricing supplement. See also "Risk Factors."
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
AvalonBay has established a depository arrangement with DTC with respect to
the book-entry notes, the terms of which are summarized below. Any additional or
differing terms of the depositary
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arrangement with respect to the book-entry notes will be described in the
applicable pricing supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GLOBAL NOTES
Upon issuance, all book-entry notes having the same date of issue, maturity
and otherwise having identical terms and provisions will be represented by one
or more fully registered global notes. Each global note will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, DTC registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. Unless
and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for notes in certificated form, no
global note may be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC, or
by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC, or by DTC or any nominee
to a successor of DTC or a nominee of the successor.
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global note,
DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or
holder of the notes represented by the global note for all purposes under the
Indenture. Except as provided below, beneficial owners of a global note will not
be entitled to have the notes represented by a global note registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the notes
in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof
under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a
global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns
its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. AvalonBay
understands that under existing industry practices, in the event that AvalonBay
requests any action of holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest in a
global note desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to
give or take under the Indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding
the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the desired action, and the
participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants
to give or take the desired action or would otherwise act upon the instructions
of beneficial owners. The laws of some states may require that purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws
may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global
notes.
Each global note will be exchangeable for notes in certificated form of like
tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000, only if:
(a) DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a
successor depository is not appointed by AvalonBay within 90 days,
(b) AvalonBay executes and delivers to the Trustee a company order to the
effect that the global notes shall be exchangeable, or
(c) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the
notes and beneficial owners representing a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the book-entry notes represented by the global note advise DTC to stop
acting as the depository.
The certificated notes will be registered in the name or names as DTC
instructs the Trustee. It is expected that instructions may be based upon
directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of
beneficial interests in global notes.
DTC'S PROCEDURES
The following is based on information furnished by DTC:
DTC will act as securities depository for the book-entry notes. The
book-entry notes will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the
name of Cede & Co., DTC's partnership nominee, or such other name as may be
requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered
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global note will be issued for each issue of book-entry notes, each in the
aggregate principal amount of the issue, and will be deposited with DTC. If,
however, the aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $500,000,000, one
global note will be issued with respect to each $500,000,000 of principal amount
and an additional global note will be issued with respect to any remaining
principal amount of the issue.
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 Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered in accordance with the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also
facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and
other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants'
accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. Direct participants of DTC include both U.S. and non-U.S.
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository
Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC, in turn, is owned by a number of
direct participants of DTC and Members of the National Securities Clearing
Corporation, Government Securities Clearing Corporation, MBS Clearing
Corporation, and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation (also subsidiaries of
DTCC), as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock
Exchange, LLC, and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access
to DTC's system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S.
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct
participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC's
participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of book-entry notes under DTC's system must be made by or through
direct participants, which will receive a credit for those book-entry notes on
DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each
book-entry note represented by a global note is, in turn, to be recorded on the
records of direct participants and indirect participants. Beneficial owners of
book-entry notes will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their
purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations
providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their
holdings, from the direct participants or indirect participants through which
the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership
interests in a global note representing book-entry notes are to be accomplished
by entries made on the books of direct participants and indirect participants
acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners of a global note
representing book-entry notes will not receive notes in certificated form
representing their ownership interests in those notes, except in the event that
use of the book-entry system for the book-entry notes is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global notes representing book-entry
notes deposited by direct participants with DTC are registered in the name of
DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co or such other name as may be requested by
an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of global notes with, or on
behalf of, DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co., or such other
DTC nominee effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of
the actual beneficial owners of the global notes representing the book-entry
notes. DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to
whose accounts the book-entry notes are credited, which may or may not be the
beneficial owners. The direct participants and indirect participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct
participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct
participants and indirect participants to beneficial
S-22
owners, will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote
with respect to the global notes representing the book-entry notes unless
authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC's procedures. Under
its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to AvalonBay as soon as
possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede &
Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants (identified in a
listing attached to the omnibus proxy) to whose accounts the book-entry notes
are credited on the applicable record date.
AvalonBay will make principal and any premium and interest payments on the
global notes representing the book-entry notes in immediately available funds to
Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized
representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts
upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from AvalonBay
or the Trustee, on the applicable payment date in accordance with their
respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by participants to
beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in
bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of
the applicable participant and not of DTC, the Trustee or AvalonBay, subject to
any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Payment of principal and any premium and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other
nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the
responsibility of AvalonBay or the Trustee, disbursement of payments to direct
participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to
the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct participants and
indirect participants.
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of
the book-entry notes within the same issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is
to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the
issue to be redeemed.
A beneficial owner will give notice to elect to have its book-entry notes
repaid by AvalonBay, through its participant, to the Trustee, and will effect
delivery of the applicable book-entry notes by causing the direct participant to
transfer the participant's interest in the global note representing the
book-entry notes, on DTC's records, to the Trustee. The requirement for physical
delivery of book-entry notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be
deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the global note representing the
book-entry notes are transferred by direct participants on DTC's records and
followed by book-entry credit of such repaid book-entry notes to the Trustee.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with
respect to the book-entry notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to
AvalonBay or the Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a
successor securities depository is not obtained, notes in certificated form are
required to be printed and delivered.
AvalonBay may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC or a successor securities depository. In that event, notes
in certificated form will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that AvalonBay believes to be reliable, but
AvalonBay takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
COVENANTS OF AVALONBAY
LIMITATIONS ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS. We will not, and will not permit
any Subsidiary, as defined below, to, incur any Indebtedness, as defined below,
if immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any additional
Indebtedness and the application of its proceeds, the aggregate principal
S-23
amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP is greater than 60% of
the sum of, without duplication:
- the Total Assets, as defined below, of us and our Subsidiaries as of the
end of the calendar quarter covered in AvalonBay's Annual Report on
Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the
SEC, or, if this filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the
Trustee, prior to the incurrence of this additional Indebtedness; and
- the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable
acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received, to
the extent that these proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets
or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness, by AvalonBay or
any Subsidiary since the end of the calendar quarter, including those
proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of this additional
Indebtedness.
In addition, AvalonBay will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to,
incur any Indebtedness secured by any Encumbrance, as defined below, upon any of
the property of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect
to the incurrence of this additional Indebtedness and the application of its
proceeds, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of
AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which is secured by any
Encumbrance on property of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary is greater than 40% of
the sum of, without duplication:
- the Total Assets of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the
calendar quarter covered in AvalonBay's Annual Report on Form 10-K or
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, most recently filed with the SEC, or, if
that filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee,
prior to the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness; and
- the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable
acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received, to
the extent that those proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets
or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness, by AvalonBay or
any Subsidiary since the end of the calendar quarter, including those
proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of this additional
Indebtedness.
AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries may not at any time, own Total Unencumbered
Assets, as defined below, equal to less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Unsecured Indebtedness of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries
on a consolidated basis.
In addition, AvalonBay will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to,
incur any Indebtedness if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt
Service, as defined below, to the Annual Service Charge, as defined below, for
the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on
which the additional Indebtedness is to be incurred will have been less than
1.5:1, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to it and to the application of
its proceeds, and calculated on the assumption that:
- this Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness incurred by AvalonBay and its
Subsidiaries since the first day of that four-quarter period and the
application of its proceeds, including to refinance other Indebtedness,
had occurred at the beginning of that period;
- the repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by AvalonBay and its
Subsidiaries since the first day of the four-quarter period had been
repaid or retired at the beginning of the period, except that, in making
this computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit
facility will be computed based upon the average daily balance of the
Indebtedness during that period;
S-24
- in the case of Acquired Indebtedness, as defined below, or Indebtedness
incurred in connection with any acquisition since that first day of the
four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first
day of the period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the
acquisition being included in this pro forma calculation; and
- in the case of any acquisition or disposition by AvalonBay or its
Subsidiaries, of any asset or group of assets since the first day of the
four-quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset
purchase or sale, this acquisition or disposition or any related repayment
of Indebtedness had occurred as of the first day of that period with the
appropriate adjustments with respect to that acquisition or disposition
being included in this pro forma calculation.
As used in this prospectus supplement and in the Indenture:
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person:
- existing at the time this Person becomes a Subsidiary, or
- assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from that Person, in
each case, other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, that Person becoming a Subsidiary or any acquisition.
Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to be incurred on the date of the
related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired
Person becomes a Subsidiary.
"Annual Service Charge" for any period means the maximum amount which is
payable during any period for interest on, and original issue discount of,
Indebtedness of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries and the amount of dividends which
are payable during that period in respect of any Disqualified Stock, as defined
below.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock,
including preferred stock, shares, interests, participations or other ownership
interests, however designated, of any Person and any rights, other than debt
securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock, warrants or
options.
"Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service" for any period means
Earnings from Operations, as defined below, of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries,
plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added,
for the following, without duplication:
- interest on Indebtedness of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries,
- provision for taxes of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries based on income,
- amortization of debt discount and other deferred financing costs,
- provisions for gains and losses on properties and property depreciation
and amortization,
- the effect of any noncash charge resulting from a change in accounting
principles in determining Earnings from Operations for that period, and
- amortization of deferred charges.
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of
that Person which by the terms of that Capital Stock, or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or
exercisable, upon the happening of any event or otherwise:
- matures or is mandatorily redeemable, other than Capital Stock which is
redeemable solely in exchange for common stock,
- is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Indebtedness or
Disqualified Stock, or
S-25
- is redeemable at the option of its holder, in whole or in part, other than
Capital Stock which is redeemable solely in exchange for Capital Stock
which is not Disqualified Stock, in each case on or prior to the Stated
Maturity of the notes.
"Earnings from Operations" for any period means net earnings excluding gains
and losses on sales of investments, extraordinary items and property valuations
losses, net as reflected in the financial statements of AvalonBay and its
Subsidiaries for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP.
"Encumbrance" means any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest
of any kind.
"Indebtedness" of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary means, without duplication,
any indebtedness of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in
respect of:
(1) borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments,
(2) indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any Encumbrance existing on
property owned by AvalonBay or any Subsidiary,
(3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection
with any letters of credit actually issued, other than letters of credit issued
to provide credit enhancement or support with respect to other indebtedness of
AvalonBay or any Subsidiary otherwise reflected as Indebtedness under the
Indenture, or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase price of any property or services, except any balance that constitutes
an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or
obligations under any title retention agreement,
(4) the principal amount of all obligations of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary
with respect to redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified
Stock,
(5) any lease of property by AvalonBay or any Subsidiary as lessee which is
reflected on AvalonBay's consolidated balance sheet as a capitalized lease in
accordance with GAAP, or
(6) interest rate swaps, caps or similar agreements and foreign exchange
contracts, currency swaps or similar agreements, to the extent, in the case of
items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any of these items,
other than letters of credit, would appear as a liability on AvalonBay's
consolidated balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and also includes, any
obligation by AvalonBay or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as
obligor, guarantor or otherwise, other than for purposes of collection in the
ordinary course of business, Indebtedness of another person. However, it is
understood that Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred by AvalonBay or any
Subsidiary whenever AvalonBay or any Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee
or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
of any of these entities.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any subsidiary which is a "Significant
Subsidiary," as defined in Article I, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, under the
Securities Act, of AvalonBay.
"Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to a note or any installment
of principal or interest on that note, the date specified on the note as the
fixed date on which the principal of that note or installments of principal or
interest on that note is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited
liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of the voting
power of the Voting Equity Securities or the outstanding equity interests are
owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person. For the purposes of this
definition, Voting Equity Securities means equity securities having voting power
for the election of
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directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of security
has this voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Total Assets" as of any date means the sum of the Undepreciated Real Estate
Assets, as defined below, and all other assets of AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries
determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding accounts receivable and
intangibles.
"Total Unencumbered Assets" means the sum of those Undepreciated Real Estate
Assets not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money and all other assets of
AvalonBay and its Subsidiaries not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money,
determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding accounts receivable and
intangibles.
"Undepreciated Real Estate Assets" as of any date means the cost, original
cost plus capital improvements, of real estate assets of AvalonBay and its
Subsidiaries on any date, before depreciation and amortization, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Unsecured Indebtedness" means Indebtedness which is not secured by any
Encumbrance upon any of the properties of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary.
See "Description of the Debt Securities--Covenants" in the accompanying
prospectus for a description of additional covenants applicable to AvalonBay.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS
AvalonBay may, without the consent of the holders of any outstanding debt
securities, consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all
of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity provided that:
- either AvalonBay will be the continuing entity, or the successor entity,
if other than AvalonBay, formed by or resulting from any consolidation or
merger or which shall have received the transfer of those assets is
organized under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes
AvalonBay's obligations to pay principal of, and premium or make-whole
amount, if any, and interest on all of the debt securities and the due and
punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions
contained in each Indenture;
- immediately after giving effect to this transaction and treating any
indebtedness that becomes an obligation of AvalonBay or any Subsidiary as
a result of the transaction as having been incurred by AvalonBay or any
Subsidiary at the time of this transaction, no Event of Default, as
provided by the Indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse
of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred
and be continuing; and
- an officers' certificate and legal opinion covering these conditions shall
be delivered to the Trustee.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
Each of the following is an Event of Default, as provided by the Indenture,
with respect to the notes, regardless of the reason for its occurrence:
- default in the payment of any interest on any note when the interest
becomes due and payable, and continuance of the default for 30 days;
- default in the payment of principal of, or any premium or other amount
which may be required to be paid in connection with any optional
redemption or accelerated payment on any note, when due;
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- default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty, of
AvalonBay contained in the Indenture for the benefit of the notes or in
the notes, and the continuance of the default or breach for 60 days after
written notice has been given;
- any default with respect to any Indebtedness of AvalonBay or any of its
Subsidiaries, the repayment of which we have guaranteed or for which we
are directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor, which results
in the acceleration of at least $10,000,000 of Indebtedness, whether the
Indebtedness now exists or shall be subsequently created in principal
amount being accelerated, unless the acceleration is rescinded or annulled
within 10 days after written notice has been given; provided, however,
that a default on Indebtedness which constitutes a tax-exempt financing
having an aggregate principal amount outstanding not exceeding $25,000,000
that results solely from a failure of an entity providing credit support
for that Indebtedness to honor a demand for payment on a letter of credit
will not constitute an Event of Default; and
- any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of AvalonBay or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries.
See "Description of the Debt Securities--Events of Default, notice and
waiver" in the accompanying prospectus for a description of rights, remedies and
other matters relating to Events of Default.
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
The provisions of Article 14 of the Indenture relating to defeasance and
covenant defeasance, which are described under "Description of Debt
Securities--Discharge, defeasance and covenant defeasance" in the accompanying
prospectus, will apply to the notes. Each of the covenants described under
"Description of the Notes--Covenants of AvalonBay" in this prospectus supplement
and "Description of Debt Securities--Covenants" in the accompanying prospectus
will be subject to covenant defeasance.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OR RECOURSE
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in
the Indenture or the notes, or because of any indebtedness evidenced by these
documents, shall be had against any past, present or future stockholder,
employee, officer or director of AvalonBay or any successor, either directly or
through AvalonBay or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or
constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal
or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder of notes waives and releases
all of this liability by accepting the notes. The waiver and release are part of
the consideration for the issue of the notes.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
GENERAL
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, foreign
currency notes will not be sold in, or to residents of, the country issuing the
Specified Currency. The information set forth in this prospectus supplement is
directed to prospective purchasers who are United States residents and, with
respect to foreign currency notes, is incomplete. AvalonBay and the agents
disclaim any responsibility to advise prospective purchasers who are residents
of countries other than the United States with respect to any matters that may
affect the purchase, holding or receipt of payments of principal of, and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, the foreign currency notes. These
purchasers should consult their own financial and legal advisors with regard to
these matters. See "Risk Factors--Fluctuations in exchange rates and
modification of exchange controls may impair your investment in the notes."
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PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, we are
obligated to make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest,
if any, on a foreign currency note in the applicable Specified Currency, or, if
this Specified Currency is not at the time of the payment legal tender for the
payment of public and private debts, in any other coin or currency of the
country which issued the Specified Currency which is at the time of the payment
is legal tender for the payment of the debts. Any amounts payable by AvalonBay
in the Specified Currency will, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, be converted by the exchange rate agent named in the
applicable pricing supplement into United States dollars for payment to holders.
However, the holder of a foreign currency note may elect to receive any amounts
in the Specified Currency.
Any United States dollar amount to be received by a holder of a foreign
currency note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York
received by the exchange rate agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from
three recognized foreign exchange dealers, one of whom may be the exchange rate
agent, selected by the exchange rate agent and approved by AvalonBay for the
purchase by the quoting dealer of the Specified Currency for United States
dollars, for settlement on the payment date, in the aggregate amount of the
Specified Currency payable to all holders of foreign currency notes scheduled to
receive United States dollar payments and at which the applicable dealer commits
to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the holders
of the foreign currency notes by deductions from these payments. If three bid
quotations are not available, payments will be made in the Specified Currency.
A holder of a foreign currency note may elect to receive all or a specified
portion of any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, on the foreign currency note in the Specified Currency by
submitting a written request for this payment to AvalonBay at the office or
agency maintained by AvalonBay for this purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York on or prior to the applicable record date or at least 15
calendar days prior to the maturity date. This written request may be mailed or
hand delivered or sent by cable, telex, or other form of facsimile transmission.
A holder of a foreign currency note may elect to receive all or a specified
portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency in respect of the
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest and need not file a separate
election for each payment. This election will remain in effect until revoked by
written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any revocation must be
received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable record date or at least 15
calendar days prior to the maturity date, as the case may be. Holders of foreign
currency notes whose notes are to be held in the name of a broker or nominee
should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how an election to
receive payments in the Specified Currency may be made.
We will make payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, on foreign currency notes which are to be made in United
States dollars in the manner specified with respect to notes denominated in
United States dollars. See "Description of the Notes--General." We will make
payments of interest on foreign currency notes which are to be made in the
Specified Currency on an interest payment date other than the maturity date by
check mailed to the address of the holders of the foreign currency notes, as
they appear in the security register, subject to the right to receive an
interest payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds under
circumstances described under "Description of the Notes--General."
We will make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and/or interest,
if any, on foreign currency notes which are to be made in the Specified Currency
on the maturity date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account with a bank designated at least 15 calendar days prior to the maturity
date by each holder, provided that the bank has the appropriate facilities and
that the applicable foreign currency note is presented and surrendered at the
principal corporate trust office of
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the Trustee in time for the Trustee to make these payments in the funds in
accordance with its normal procedures.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, a
beneficial owner of a Global Note or securities representing book-entry notes
payable in a Specified Currency other than United States dollars that elects to
receive payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in the Specified
Currency must notify the participant through which it owns its interest on or
prior to the applicable record date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the
maturity date. The participant must notify DTC of this election on or prior to
the third Business Day after the record date or at least 12 calendar days prior
to the maturity date and DTC will notify the Trustee of this election on, or
prior to, the fifth Business Day after the record date, or at least ten calendar
days prior to the maturity date. If complete instructions are received by the
participant from the beneficial owner and forwarded by the participant to DTC,
and by DTC to the Trustee, on or prior to the applicable dates, then the
beneficial owner will receive payments in the applicable Specified Currency.
AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFIED CURRENCY
If the Specified Currency for a foreign currency note is not available for
the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control
we will be entitled to satisfy our obligations to the holder of the foreign
currency note by making the payment in United States dollars on the basis of the
Market Exchange Rate, as defined below, on the second Business Day prior to the
payment or, if the Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of
the most recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified in
the applicable pricing supplement.
The "Market Exchange Rate" for a Specified Currency other than United States
dollars means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable
transfers for the Specified Currency as certified for customs purposes by, or if
not certified, as otherwise determined, by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Any payment made in United States dollars under these circumstances, where the
required payment is in a Specified Currency other than United States dollars,
will not constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the
notes.
All determinations referred to above made by the exchange rate agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holders of the foreign currency
notes.
GOVERNING LAW AND JUDGMENTS
The notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York. Under current New York law, where a cause of action is
based upon an obligation denominated in a non-United States currency, a state
court in the State of New York rendering a judgment on an obligation would be
required to render its judgment in the non-United States currency, and this
judgment would be converted into United States dollars at the exchange rate
prevailing on the date of entry of the judgment. The holders of these notes
could be subject to exchange rate fluctuations occurring after the judgment is
rendered. It is not certain, however, that a non-New York court would follow the
same rules with respect to conversion.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary of the material United States federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes is based
upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are
subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or possible differing
interpretations. It deals only with notes held as capital assets and does not
purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial
institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations,
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former U.S. citizens, "controlled foreign corporations," "passive foreign
investment companies," "foreign personal holding companies," regulated
investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons holding notes
as a hedge against currency risks or as a position in a "straddle" for tax
purposes, or persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar.
It also does not deal with holders other than original purchasers, except where
otherwise specifically noted. Persons considering the purchase of the notes
should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of United
States federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes arising
under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
As used in this prospectus supplement, the term "U.S. Holder" means a
beneficial owner of a note that is for United States federal income tax
purposes:
(1) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(2) a corporation or a partnership, including an entity treated as a
corporation or a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes,
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, unless, in the case of a partnership,
Treasury Department regulations are adopted that provide otherwise,
(3) an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax
regardless of its source, or
(4) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
Trusts not described in clause (4) above in existence on August 20, 1996
that elect to be treated as a United States person will also be a U.S. Holder
for purposes of the following discussion. As used in this prospectus supplement,
the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a note that is not a U.S.
Holder.
If a partnership invests in the notes, the tax treatment of a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership acquiring notes, you should
consult your tax advisors.
U.S. HOLDERS
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST. Payments of interest on a note, other than interest
on a discount note, as defined below, generally will be includable in income of
U.S. Holders as ordinary interest income at the time these payments are accrued
or are received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax
accounting.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. The following summary is a general discussion of
the United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of notes issued with original issue
discount, referred to as discount notes.
For United States federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is
the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a note over its issue
price, if this excess equals or exceeds a DE MINIMIS amount, generally 1/4 of 1%
of the note's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of
complete years to its maturity from its issue date. The issue price of each note
of an issue of notes equals the first price at which a substantial amount of the
notes has been sold, ignoring sales to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons
or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents, or
wholesalers. The stated redemption price at maturity of a note is the sum of all
payments provided by the note other than "qualified stated interest" payments.
The term "qualified stated interest" generally means stated interest that is
unconditionally payable in cash or property, other than
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debt instruments of the issuer, at least annually at a single fixed rate. In
addition, under Treasury regulations governing original issue discount, referred
to as the OID Regulations, if a note bears interest for one or more accrual
periods at a rate below the rate applicable for the remaining term of the note,
for example, notes with teaser rates or interest holidays, and if the greater of
either the resulting foregone interest on the note or any "true" discount on the
note, for example, the excess of the note's stated principal amount over its
issue price, equals or exceeds a specified DE MINIMIS amount, then the stated
interest on the note would be treated as original issue discount rather than
qualified stated interest.
Payments of qualified stated interest on a note are taxable to a U.S. Holder
as ordinary interest income at the time these payments are accrued or are
received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax accounting.
A U.S. Holder of a discount note must include original issue discount in income
as interest for United States federal income tax purposes as it accrues under a
constant yield method, which can result in recognition of income before receipt
of the cash payments attributable to this income, regardless of the U.S.
Holder's regular method of tax accounting. In general, the amount of original
issue discount included in income by the initial U.S. Holder of a discount note
is the sum of the daily portions of original issue discount with respect to the
discount note for each day during the taxable year, or portion of the taxable
year, on which the U.S. Holder held the discount note. The "daily portion" of
original issue discount on any discount note is determined by allocating to each
day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the original issue discount
allocable to that accrual period. An "accrual period" may be of any length and
the accrual periods may vary in length over the term of the discount note,
provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled
payment of principal or interest occurs either on the final day of an accrual
period or on the first day of an accrual period. The amount of original issue
discount allocable to each accrual period is generally equal to the difference
between:
- the product of the discount note's adjusted issue price at the beginning
of the accrual period and its yield to maturity, determined on the basis
of compounding at the close of each accrual period and appropriately
adjusted to take into account the length of the particular accrual period,
and
- the amount of any qualified stated interest payments allocable to the
accrual period.
The "adjusted issue price" of a discount note at the beginning of any
accrual period is the sum of the issue price of the discount note plus the
amount of original issue discount allocable to all prior accrual periods minus
the amount of any prior payments on the discount note that were not qualified
stated interest payments. Under these rules, U.S. Holders generally will have to
include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue discount in
successive accrual periods. U.S. Holders of notes with a DE MINIMIS amount of
original issue discount generally must include a proportionate amount of each
payment of stated principal received in respect of the notes in income as
capital gain.
A U.S. Holder who purchases a discount note for an amount that is greater
than its adjusted issue price as of the purchase date and less than or equal to
the sum of all amounts payable on the discount note after the purchase date
other than payments of qualified stated interest, will be considered to have
purchased the discount note at an "acquisition premium." Under the acquisition
premium rules, the amount of original issue discount which the U.S. Holder must
include in its gross income with respect to the discount note for any taxable
year, or portion thereof in which the U.S. Holder holds the discount note, will
be reduced, but not below zero, by the portion of the acquisition premium
properly allocable to the period.
Under the OID Regulations, floating rate notes and indexed notes, referred
to as variable notes, are subject to special rules. A variable note will qualify
as a "variable rate debt instrument" if:
- its issue price does not exceed the total non-contingent principal
payments due under the variable note by more than a specified DE MINIMIS
amount, and
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- it provides for stated interest, paid or compounded at least annually, at
current values of:
- one or more qualified floating rates,
- a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates,
- a single objective rate, or
- a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a qualified
inverse floating rate.
A "qualified floating rate" is any variable rate where variations in the
value of this rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the
variable note is denominated. Although a multiple of a qualified floating rate
will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a variable rate
equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is
greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35 will constitute a qualified floating
rate. A variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a
fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate, will also constitute a qualified floating rate. In
addition, under the OID Regulations, two or more qualified floating rates that
can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the
term of the variable note, for example, two or more qualified floating rates
with values within 25 basis points of each other as determined on the variable
note's issue date, will be treated as a single qualified floating rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a variable rate that would otherwise constitute a
qualified floating rate but which is subject to one or more restrictions such as
a maximum numerical limitation, referred to as a cap, or a minimum numerical
limitation, referred to as a floor, may, in some circumstances, fail to be
treated as a qualified floating rate under the OID Regulations unless this cap
or floor is fixed throughout the term of the note. An "objective rate" is a rate
that is not itself a qualified floating rate but which is determined using a
single fixed formula that is based on objective financial or economic
information. A rate will not qualify as an objective rate if it is based on
information that is within the control of the issuer, or a related party, or
that is unique to the circumstances of the issuer, or a related party, such as
dividends, profits, or the value of the issuer's stock, although a rate does not
fail to be an objective rate merely because it is based on the credit quality of
the issuer.
A "qualified inverse floating rate" is any objective rate where this rate is
equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, as long as variations in
the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous
variations in the qualified floating rate. The OID Regulations also provide that
if a variable note provides for stated interest at a fixed rate for an initial
period of one year or less followed by a variable rate that is either a
qualified floating rate or an objective rate and if the variable rate on the
variable note's issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate, for
example, the value of the variable rate on the issue date does not differ from
the value of the fixed rate by more than 25 basis points, then the fixed rate
and the variable rate together will constitute either a single qualified
floating rate or objective rate, as the case may be.
If a variable note that provides for stated interest at either a single
qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term thereof
qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID Regulations, and if
the interest on a variable note is unconditionally payable in cash or property,
other than debt instruments of the issuer, at least annually, then all stated
interest on the variable note will constitute qualified stated interest and will
be taxed accordingly. Thus, a variable note that provides for stated interest at
either a single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout
the term thereof and that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under
the OID Regulations will generally not be treated as having been issued with
original issue discount unless the variable note is issued at a "true" discount,
for example, at a price below the variable note's stated principal amount, in
excess of a specified DE MINIMIS amount. The amount of qualified stated interest
and the amount of original issue discount, if any, that accrues during an
accrual period on a variable
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note is determined under the rules applicable to fixed rate debt instruments by
assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to:
- in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating
rate, the value as of the issue date, of the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate, or
- in the case of an objective rate, other than a qualified inverse floating
rate, a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for
the variable note.
The qualified stated interest allocable to an accrual period is increased, or
decreased, if the interest actually paid during an accrual period exceeds, or is
less than, the interest assumed to be paid during the accrual period in
accordance with the foregoing rules.
In general, any other variable note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt
instrument" will be converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
for purposes of determining the amount and accrual of original issue discount
and qualified stated interest on the variable note. The OID Regulations
generally require that a variable note be converted into an "equivalent" fixed
rate debt instrument by substituting any qualified floating rate or qualified
inverse floating rate provided for under the terms of the variable note with a
fixed rate equal to the value of the qualified floating rate or qualified
inverse floating rate, as the case may be, as of the variable note's issue date.
Any objective rate, other than a qualified inverse floating rate, provided for
under the terms of the variable note is converted into a fixed rate that
reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the variable note. In the
case of a variable note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" and
provides for stated interest at a fixed rate, in addition to either one or more
qualified floating rates or a qualified inverse floating rate, the fixed rate is
initially converted into a qualified floating rate, or a qualified inverse
floating rate, if the variable note provides for a qualified inverse floating
rate. Under those circumstances, the qualified floating rate or qualified
inverse floating rate that replaces the fixed rate must be so that the fair
market value of the variable note as of the variable note's issue date is
approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt
instrument that provides for either the qualified floating rate or qualified
inverse floating rate rather than the fixed rate. Subsequent to converting the
fixed rate into either a qualified floating rate or a qualified inverse floating
rate, the variable note is then converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument in the manner described above.
Once the variable note is converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument in accordance with the foregoing rules, the amount of original issue
discount and qualified stated interest, if any, are determined for the
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by applying the general original issue
discount rules to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument and a U.S. Holder
of the variable note will account for the original issue discount and qualified
stated interest as if the U.S. Holder held the "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument. For each accrual period appropriate adjustments will be made to the
amount of qualified stated interest or original issue discount assumed to have
been accrued or paid with respect to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
in the event that these amounts differ from the actual amount of interest
accrued or paid on the variable note during the accrual period.
If a variable note does not qualify as a "variable rate debt instrument"
under the OID Regulations, then the variable note would be treated as a
contingent payment debt obligation. In general, a U.S. Holder of a contingent
payment debt obligation includes future contingent and noncontingent interest
payments in income as the interest accrues based upon a projected payment
schedule. Moreover, in general, any gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on the
sale, exchange, or retirement of a contingent payment debt instrument will be
treated as ordinary income and all or a portion of any loss realized could be
treated as ordinary loss as opposed to capital loss, depending upon the
circumstances. The proper United States federal income tax treatment of variable
notes that are treated as contingent payment debt obligations will be more fully
described in the pricing supplement. Furthermore, any other special United
States federal income tax considerations, not otherwise discussed in this
prospectus supplement, which are applicable to any particular issue of notes
will be discussed in the pricing supplement.
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We may issue notes which:
- may be redeemable at our option before their stated maturity, referred to
as a call option, and/or
- may be repayable at the option of the holder before their stated maturity,
referred to as a put option.
Notes containing these features may be subject to rules that differ from the
general rules discussed above. Investors intending to purchase notes with these
features should consult their own tax advisors, since the original issue
discount consequences will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features
of the purchased notes.
U.S. Holders may generally, upon election, include in income all interest,
including stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, DE
MINIMIS original issue discount, market discount, DE MINIMIS market discount,
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or
acquisition premium, that accrues on a debt instrument by using the constant
yield method applicable to original issue discount, subject to limitations and
exceptions.
FOREIGN-CURRENCY NOTES. The United States federal income tax consequences
of the purchase, ownership and disposition of notes providing for payments
denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be more fully described
in the applicable pricing supplement.
SHORT-TERM NOTES. Notes that have a fixed maturity of one year or less,
referred to as short-term notes, will be treated as having been issued with
original issue discount. In general, an individual or other cash method U.S.
Holder is not required to accrue the original issue discount unless the U.S.
Holder elects to do so. If the election is not made, any gain recognized by the
U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or maturity of the short-term note will be
ordinary income to the extent of the original issue discount accrued on a
straight-line basis, or upon election under the constant yield method, based on
daily compounding, through the date of sale or maturity, and a portion of the
deductions otherwise allowable to the U.S. Holder for interest on borrowings
allocable to the short-term note will be deferred until a corresponding amount
of income is realized. U.S. Holders who report income for United States federal
income tax purposes under the accrual method, and other holders including banks
and dealers in securities, are required to accrue original issue discount on a
short-term note on a straight-line basis unless an election is made to accrue
the original issue discount under a constant yield method, based on daily
compounding.
MARKET DISCOUNT. If a U.S. Holder purchases a note subsequent to the note's
issuance, other than a discount note, for an amount that is less than its stated
redemption price at maturity, or, in the case of a discount note, for an amount
that is less than its adjusted issue price as of the purchase date, this U.S.
Holder may be treated as having purchased the note at a "market discount,"
unless the market discount is less than a specified DE MINIMIS amount.
Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat any
partial principal payment, or, in the case of a discount note, any payment that
does not constitute qualified stated interest, on, or any gain realized on the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a note as ordinary interest
income to the extent of the lesser of:
- the amount of the payment or realized gain, or
- the market discount which has not previously been included in income and
is treated as having accrued on the note at the time of the payment or
disposition.
Market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the
date of acquisition to the maturity date of the note, unless the U.S. Holder
elects to accrue market discount on the basis of a constant interest rate.
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A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a note with market discount until the maturity of the note or
earlier dispositions, because a current deduction is only allowable to the
extent the interest expense exceeds an allocable portion of market discount. A
U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues, on either a ratable or constant interest rate basis, in which case the
rules described above regarding the treatment as ordinary income of gain upon
the disposition of the note and upon the receipt of cash payments and regarding
the deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Generally, currently
included market discount is treated as ordinary interest for United States
federal income tax purposes. This election will apply to all debt instruments
acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first day of the taxable year to
which the election applies and may be revoked only with the consent of the
Internal Revenue Service.
PREMIUM. If a U.S. Holder purchases a note for an amount that is greater
than the sum of all amounts payable on the note after the purchase date other
than payments of qualified stated interest, the U.S. Holder will be considered
to have purchased the note with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to
the excess. A U.S. Holder may elect to amortize this premium using a constant
yield method over the remaining term of the note and may offset interest
otherwise required to be included in respect of the note during any taxable year
by the amortized amount of the excess for the taxable year. However, if the note
may be optionally redeemed after the U.S. Holder acquires it at a price in
excess of its stated redemption price at maturity, special rules would apply
which could result in a deferral of the amortization of some bond premium until
later in the term of the note. Any election to amortize bond premium applies to
all taxable debt obligations then owned and thereafter acquired by the U.S.
Holder and may be revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
DISPOSITION OF A NOTE. Except as discussed above, upon the sale, exchange
or retirement of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange
or retirement, other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest, and
the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in a note generally will equal the U.S. Holder's initial investment in the
note increased by any original issue discount included in income, and accrued
market discount, if any, if the U.S. Holder has included a market discount in
income, and decreased by the amount of any payments, other than qualified stated
interest payments, received and amortizable bond premium taken with respect to
the note. This gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the note were held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of
individuals are subject to reduced capital gain rates while short-term capital
gains are subject to ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses
is generally subject to limitations. Prospective investors should consult their
own tax advisors concerning these tax law provisions.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
Payments of principal and interest, including original issue discount or
market discount, if any, on a note beneficially owned by a non-U.S. Holder will
not be subject to United States federal withholding tax; provided, in the case
of interest:
- each of the following conditions is met:
(i) the non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of AvalonBay
entitled to vote,
(ii) the non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is
related, directly or indirectly, to AvalonBay, and
(iii) the non-U.S. Holder either (x) provides an Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8BEN certifying to the person otherwise required to withhold
United States federal income tax from such
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interest that the non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. Holder and provides the
non-U.S. Holder's name and address, or (y) the certification procedures set
forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.871-14(c)(2) are otherwise
satisfied; or
- the non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty
under which the interest is exempt from United States federal withholding
tax and the non-U.S. Holder or the non-U.S. Holder's agent provides an
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming the exemption; or
- the non-U.S. Holder conducts a trade or business in the United States to
which the interest is effectively connected and the non-U.S. Holder or the
non-U.S. Holder's agent provides an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI;
provided that in each such case, the relevant certification or Internal Revenue
Service Form is delivered pursuant to applicable procedures and is properly
transmitted to the person otherwise required to withhold United States federal
income tax, and none of the persons receiving the relevant certification or
Internal Revenue Service Form has actual knowledge or reason to know that the
certification or any statement on the Internal Revenue Service Form is false.
A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal withholding
tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of a note
unless the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by
such non-U.S. Holder in the United States or, in the case of an individual, such
non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
taxable year in which the sale, exchange or other disposition occurs and certain
other conditions are met.
If a non-U.S. Holder engages in a trade or business in the United States,
and if interest on the note (or gain realized on its sale, exchange or other
disposition) is effectively connected with the conduct by such non-U.S. Holder
of such trade or business, the non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to
regular United States income tax on such effectively connected income in the
same manner as if such non-U.S. Holder was a U.S. Holder. In addition, if a
non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, such non-U.S. Holder may be subject to
a 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable treaty)
on the non-U.S. Holder's effectively connected earnings and profits for the
taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For purposes of the branch profits
tax, interest on, and any gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of, a note will be included in the non-U.S. Holder's effectively
connected earnings and profits if such interest or gain, as the case may be, is
effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Holder of a trade or
business in the United States.
A non-U.S. Holder should be aware that if he, she or it does not properly
provide the required Internal Revenue Service form, or if the Internal Revenue
Service form (or, if permissible, a copy of such form) is not properly
transmitted to and received by the United States person otherwise required to
withhold United States federal income tax, interest on the note may be subject
to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate. Such tax, however, may in
certain circumstances be allowed as a refund or as a credit against the non-U.S.
Holder's United States federal income tax.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of
interest on the notes and payments of the proceeds of the sale of the notes to
some U.S. Holders, unless an exception applies. Further, the payer under current
law will be required to withhold backup withholding tax at the rate of 28% if:
- the payee fails to furnish a taxpayer identification number, or TIN, to
the payer or to establish an exemption for backup withholding;
- the Internal Revenue Service notifies the payer that the TIN furnished by
the payee is incorrect;
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- there has been a notified payee under-reporting with respect to interest,
dividends, or original issue discount described in Section 3406(c) of the
Code; or
- there has been a failure of the payee to certify under the penalty of
perjury that the payee is not subject to backup withholding under the
Code.
Some U.S. Holders, including corporations, are exempt from backup withholding.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S.
Holder will be allowed as a credit against such U.S. Holder's United States
federal income tax and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that
the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are offering the notes on a continuous basis for sale to or through Banc
of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Fleet
Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and/or Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, or through one
or more other member firms of the NASD, as may be designated or approved by
AvalonBay and identified in the applicable pricing supplement. Each of these
agents may purchase notes, as principal, from AvalonBay from time to time for
resale to investors and other purchasers at varying prices relating to
prevailing market prices at the time of resale as determined by the applicable
agent(s), or, if specified in the applicable pricing supplement, for resale at a
fixed offering price. However, we may agree with an agent for that agent to
utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit offers to purchase
the notes at 100% of their principal amount, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement. We will pay a commission to an agent, ranging
from 0.125% to 0.750% of the principal amount of each note, depending upon its
stated maturity, sold through the agent. We will negotiate commissions with
respect to notes with stated maturities in excess of 30 years that are sold
through an agent at the time of sale.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, any note
sold to an agent as principal will be purchased by that agent at a price equal
to 100% of its principal amount less a percentage of the principal amount equal
to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a note of identical maturity.
An agent may sell notes it has purchased from AvalonBay as principal to other
dealers for resale to investors and other purchasers, and may allow all or any
portion of the discount received in connection with that purchase from AvalonBay
to those dealers. After the initial offering of notes, the offering price in the
case of notes to be resold on a fixed price basis, the concession and the
discount may be changed.
We may sell the notes directly to investors, and may solicit and accept
offers to purchase notes directly from investors from time to time on our own
behalf. We will not pay any commission on notes that we sell directly. We may
offer notes to or through additional agents named in the applicable pricing
supplement.
We may withdraw, cancel or modify this offer made without notice and may
reject offers in whole or in part, whether placed directly with us or through
the agents. Each agent will have the right, in its discretion reasonably
exercised, to reject in whole or in part any offer to purchase notes received by
it on an agency basis.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, you will be
required to pay the purchase price of the notes in immediately available funds
in the Specified Currency in The City of New York on the date of settlement. See
"Description of the Notes--General."
Upon issuance, the notes will not have an established trading market. The
notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. The agents have advised
AvalonBay that they may from time to time purchase and sell notes in the
secondary market, but the agents are not obligated to do so, and any of these
sales and purchases may be discontinued at any time without notice. There can be
no assurance
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that there will be a secondary market for the notes or that there will be
liquidity in a secondary market if one develops. The agents may make a market in
the notes, but the agents are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any
market-making activity at any time without notice.
The agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933. AvalonBay has agreed to indemnify the agents against
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to
payments the agents may be required to make in respect in accordance with the
Securities Act. AvalonBay has agreed to reimburse the agents for other expenses.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the agents and their
affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment and/or
commercial banking transactions with AvalonBay and its affiliates.
In connection with an offering of notes purchased by one or more agents as
principal on a fixed offering price basis, the agents will be permitted to
engage in transactions that stabilize the price of notes. These transactions may
consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining
the price of notes. If the agents create a short position in notes, for example,
they sell notes in an aggregate principal amount exceeding the amount referred
to in the applicable pricing supplement, these agents may reduce that short
position by purchasing notes in the open market. In general, purchases of notes
for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the
price of notes to be higher than it might be in the absence of these purchases.
Finally, the syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing
notes in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed notes
in the market to cover a short position or to stabilize the price of the notes.
The agents are not required to engage in any of these activities and may end any
of them at any time.
Neither AvalonBay nor any of the agents makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that these
transactions described in the preceding paragraph may have on the price of
notes. In addition, neither AvalonBay nor any of the agents makes any
representation that the agents will engage in any of these transactions or that
these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
From time to time, we may sell other Securities referred to in the
accompanying prospectus. These offerings may be concurrent with an offering of
the notes through the agents.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the notes will be passed upon for AvalonBay by Goodwin
Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. O'Melveny & Myers LLP, San Francisco,
California, will pass upon some legal matters relating to the notes for the
agents.
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PROSPECTUS
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
$750,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
COMMON STOCK
------------------
This prospectus provides you with a general description of debt and equity
securities that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. may offer and sell from time to
time. Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that
will contain specific information about the terms of that sale and may add to or
update the information in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and
any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our
securities.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific
Exchange under the symbol "AVB."
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES VARIOUS RISKS. BEGINNING ON PAGE 1, WE
HAVE DISCUSSED SEVERAL "RISK FACTORS" THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING
IN OUR SECURITIES.
---------------------
JULY 28, 2003
------------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
--------
Risk Factors................................................ 1
Forward-looking Statements.................................. 9
About this Prospectus....................................... 10
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 10
About AvalonBay Communities, Inc............................ 11
Policies With Respect to Certain Activities................. 12
Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividends........................................... 13
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................... 14
How We Intend to Use the Proceeds........................... 15
Description of the Debt Securities.......................... 15
Description of Preferred Stock.............................. 31
Description of Common Stock................................. 36
Limits on Ownership of Stock................................ 38
Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your
Investment................................................ 40
How We Plan to Sell the Securities.......................... 56
Experts..................................................... 58
Legal Opinions.............................................. 58
i
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "us," "our,"
"our company," "AvalonBay," or similar expressions in this prospectus refer
collectively to AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and its
subsidiaries, and their respective predecessor entities for the applicable
periods, considered as a single enterprise.
RISK FACTORS
BEFORE YOU INVEST IN OUR SECURITIES, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE
RISKS IN MAKING THE INVESTMENT, INCLUDING THOSE DESCRIBED BELOW. YOU SHOULD
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THESE RISK FACTORS TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION
INCLUDED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO
PURCHASE OUR SECURITIES. THIS SECTION INCLUDES OR REFERS TO FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS. YOU SHOULD REFER TO THE EXPLANATION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS AND
LIMITATIONS ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCUSSED ON PAGE 9.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION RISKS COULD AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
We intend to continue to develop and redevelop apartment home communities.
Our development and redevelopment activities may be exposed to the following
risks:
- we may be unable to obtain, or experience delays in obtaining, necessary
zoning, land-use, building, occupancy, and other required governmental
permits and authorizations or other necessary third party consents, which
could result in increased costs or the delay or abandonment of development
or redevelopment opportunities;
- we may abandon development and redevelopment opportunities that we have
already begun to explore for a number of reasons, including changes in
local market conditions which make development or redevelopment less
desirable, increases in costs of development or redevelopment and
increases in the cost of capital, and, as a result, we may fail to recover
expenses already incurred in exploring those opportunities;
- we may incur construction, reconstruction, development or redevelopment
costs for a community that exceed our original estimates due to increased
material, labor or other costs, and we may not be able to increase rents
to compensate for the increase in those costs;
- occupancy rates and rents at a newly completed or redeveloped community
may fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including market and
economic conditions which are beyond our control and the development by
competitors of competing communities, and this may result in the community
not being profitable;
- we may be unable to complete construction and lease-up of a community on
schedule, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction or
reconstruction costs and a decrease in our expected rental revenues; and
- we may be unable to obtain financing with favorable terms, or at all, for
the proposed development of a community, which may cause us to be unable
to proceed with its development and could limit our pursuit of
opportunities.
Construction costs have been increasing in our markets, and the cost to
develop communities or redevelop acquired communities has, in some cases,
exceeded our original estimates. We may experience similar cost increases in the
future. If we are not able to charge rents that will be sufficient to offset the
effects of any increases in construction costs, our profitability could be less
than anticipated.
UNFAVORABLE CHANGES IN MARKET AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS COULD HURT OCCUPANCY
OR RENTAL RATES.
The market and economic conditions in Northern and Southern California and
selected states in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest
regions of the United States may
1
significantly affect occupancy or rental rates at our communities in those
regions. For example, the current economic contraction resulting from job losses
in a number of these regions, particularly in the technology, telecommunications
and financial services sectors, has adversely affected our occupancy and rental
rates at our communities in these regions. We do not expect these conditions to
improve during 2003. The market and economic conditions in these regions, in
turn, may significantly affect our profitability and our ability to satisfy our
financial obligations. The risks that may affect conditions in those markets
include the following:
- plant closings, industry slowdowns and other factors that adversely affect
the local economy;
- an oversupply of, or a reduced demand for, apartment homes;
- a decline in household formation or employment or lack of employment
growth that adversely affects occupancy or rental rates;
- the inability or unwillingness of residents to pay rent increases; and
- rent control or rent stabilization laws, or other laws regulating housing,
that could prevent us from raising rents to offset increases in operating
costs.
SHORT-TERM LEASES EXPOSE US TO THE EFFECTS OF DECLINING MARKET RENTS.
Substantially all of our apartment leases are for a term of one year or
less. Because these leases generally permit the residents to leave at the end of
the lease term without penalty, our rental revenues are impacted by declines in
market rents more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms. In a
deflationary rent environment like we are presently experiencing, declining
market rents could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and financial condition.
COMPETITION COULD LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO LEASE APARTMENT HOMES OR INCREASE OR
MAINTAIN RENTS.
Our apartment communities compete with other housing alternatives to attract
residents, including other rental apartments, condominiums and single-family
homes that are available for rent, as well as new and existing condominiums and
single-family homes for sale. Competitive residential housing in a particular
area could adversely affect our ability to lease apartment homes and to increase
or maintain rents.
COMPETITION COULD LIMIT AVAILABLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
We expect that other real estate investors, including insurance companies,
pension and investment funds, partnerships, investment companies and other
apartment REITs, will compete with us to acquire existing properties and to
develop new properties. This competition could increase prices for properties of
the type we would likely pursue. As a result, we may not be able, or have the
opportunity, to make suitable investments on favorable terms in the future. This
could adversely affect our profitability.
INSUFFICIENT CASH FLOW COULD AFFECT OUR DEBT FINANCING AND CREATE
REFINANCING RISK.
We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing,
including the risk that our cash flow will be insufficient to meet required
payments of principal and interest. In this regard, we note that we are required
to annually distribute dividends generally equal to at least 90% of our REIT
taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our
net capital gain, in order for us to continue to qualify as a REIT, and this
requirement limits the amount of our cash flow available to meet required
principal and interest payments. The principal outstanding balance on a portion
of our debt will not be fully amortized prior to its maturity. Although we may
be able to repay our debt by using our cash flows, we cannot assure you that we
will have sufficient cash flows available to make all required principal
payments. Therefore, we may need to refinance at least a portion of our
2
outstanding debt as it matures. There is a risk that we may not be able to
refinance existing debt or that the terms of any refinancing will not be as
favorable as the terms of the existing debt, either of which could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
RISING INTEREST RATES COULD INCREASE INTEREST COSTS AND COULD AFFECT THE
MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
We currently have, and may in the future incur, variable interest rate debt
under credit facilities as we acquire, construct and reconstruct apartment
communities, as well as for other purposes. Accordingly, if interest rates
increase, our interest costs will also rise, unless we have made arrangements
that hedge the risk of rising interest rates. In addition, an increase in market
interest rates may lead purchasers of our common stock to demand a greater
annual dividend yield, which could adversely affect the market price of our
outstanding shares of common stock.
BOND FINANCING COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS COULD LIMIT OUR INCOME, RESTRICT THE
USE OF COMMUNITIES AND CAUSE FAVORABLE FINANCING TO BECOME UNAVAILABLE.
We have financed some of our apartment communities with obligations issued
by local government agencies or instrumentalities because the interest paid to
the holders of this debt is generally exempt from federal income taxes and,
therefore, the interest rate is generally more favorable to us. These
obligations are commonly referred to as "tax-exempt bonds" and generally must be
secured by communities.
The compliance requirements for our current tax-exempt bonds limit, and the
requirements of any future tax-exempt bond financings may limit, the potential
income from communities that are subject to this financing. This is because
under the terms of our current tax-exempt bonds, we must comply with
restrictions on the use of the communities that we financed with these bonds,
including a requirement that we make some of the apartments available to low and
middle income households.
In addition, some of our tax-exempt bond financing documents require us to
obtain a guarantee from a financial institution of payment of the principal of,
and interest on, the bonds. The guarantee may take the form of a letter of
credit, surety bond, guarantee agreement or other additional collateral. If the
financial institution defaults in its guarantee obligations, or if we are unable
to renew the applicable guarantee or otherwise post satisfactory collateral, a
default will occur under the applicable tax-exempt bonds and the community could
be foreclosed upon.
CREDIT FACILITY FINANCING RESTRICTS OUR ABILITY TO PAY DIVIDENDS.
We have a $500,000,000 revolving variable rate unsecured credit facility
with J.P. Morgan Chase and Fleet National Bank serving as co-agents for a
syndicate of commercial banks. Under the terms of that credit facility, we are
prohibited from paying dividends in amounts that exceed 95% of our funds from
operations, provided that we may pay dividends in excess of 95% of our funds
from operations as required to maintain our qualification as a REIT. This
restriction on paying dividends may adversely affect our dividend growth in the
future.
FAILURE TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT REVENUE COULD LIMIT CASH FLOW AVAILABLE FOR
DISTRIBUTIONS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
If our communities do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating
expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our cash flow would
decrease. Our cash flow from operations is dependent primarily on revenues and
net operating income generated by our communities, which is subject to variation
depending on market conditions. For example, our net operating income from
established communities decreased significantly in 2002 due primarily to a weak
demand environment, which caused a decline in rental rates and occupancies. In
addition, in 2002, our net income available to common stockholders declined by
$60,778,000 (28.1%) as a result of decreased revenues due primarily to fewer
gains on sales of communities, increases in interest and depreciation expense
and a decline in net operating income due to deteriorating market conditions in
many of our submarkets. We
3
presently expect continued weak demand during most of 2003. A decrease in cash
flow could have an adverse effect on our ability to pay distributions to our
stockholders and our ability to maintain our status as a real estate investment
trust (REIT). Significant expenditures associated with each community such as
debt service payments, if any, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance
costs are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in income
from a community.
DIFFICULTY OF SELLING APARTMENT COMMUNITIES COULD LIMIT FLEXIBILITY.
Real estate in our markets can be hard to sell, especially if market
conditions are poor. These potential difficulties in selling real estate in our
markets may limit our ability to change or reduce the apartment communities in
our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
In addition, federal tax laws may limit our ability to earn a gain on the sale
of a community if we have owned it for too short a period of time or we are
otherwise found to have acquired or developed the community primarily with a
view to reselling the community, and this limitation may affect our ability to
sell communities without adversely affecting returns to our stockholders. We
presently expect to increase our disposition activity in 2003 as compared to
2002, which means that these potential difficulties and limitations may
adversely affect our ability to fully implement our business plan for 2003.
ACQUISITIONS MAY NOT YIELD ANTICIPATED RESULTS.
We may, in the future, acquire apartment communities on a select basis. Our
acquisition activities and their success may be exposed to the following risks:
- an acquired property may fail to perform as we expected in analyzing our
investment; and
- our estimate of the costs of repositioning or redeveloping an acquired
property may prove inaccurate.
RISK OF EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.
Many of our West Coast communities are located in the general vicinity of
active earthquake faults. A large concentration of our communities lie near, and
thus are susceptible to, the major fault lines in the San Francisco Bay Area,
including the San Andreas fault and Hayward fault. We cannot assure you that an
earthquake would not cause damage or losses greater than insured levels. In
November 2002, we renewed our earthquake insurance. We have in place with
respect to communities located in California, for any single occurrence and in
the aggregate, $75,000,000 of coverage with a deductible per building equal to
five percent of the insured value of that building. The five percent deductible
is subject to a minimum of $100,000 per occurrence. Earthquake coverage outside
of California is subject to a $100,000,000 limit, except with respect to the
state of Washington, for which the limit is $65,000,000. Our earthquake
insurance outside of California provides for a $100,000 deductible per
occurrence. In addition, up to an annual aggregate of $2,000,000, the next
$400,000 of loss per occurrence outside California will be treated as an
additional deductible. In the event of an uninsured disaster or a loss in excess
of insured limits, we could lose our capital invested in the affected community,
as well as anticipated future revenue from that community. We would also
continue to be obligated to repay any mortgage indebtedness or other obligations
related to the community. Any such loss could materially and adversely affect
our business and our financial condition and results of operations.
A SIGNIFICANT UNINSURED PROPERTY OR LIABILITY LOSS COULD HAVE A MATERIAL
ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
In addition to the earthquake insurance discussed above, we carry commercial
general liability insurance, property insurance and terrorism insurance with
respect to all of our communities on terms
4
we consider commercially reasonable. There are, however, certain types of losses
(such as losses arising from acts of war) that are not insured, in full or in
part, because they are either uninsurable or the cost of insurance makes it, in
management's view, economically impractical. If an uninsured property loss or a
property loss in excess of insured limits were to occur, we could lose our
capital invested in a community, as well as the anticipated future revenues from
such community. We would also continue to be obligated to repay any mortgage
indebtedness or other obligations related to the community. If an uninsured
liability to a third party were to occur, we would incur the cost of defense and
settlement with, or court ordered damages to, that third party. A significant
uninsured property or liability loss could materially and adversely affect our
business and our financial condition and results of operations.
CONTINUED INCREASES IN DEDUCTIBLES AND PREMIUMS FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE COULD
HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
The insurance and reinsurance markets have worsened since 2001, and we
believe this has resulted in higher insurance costs for the entire real estate
sector. Within the last twelve months, we renewed our annual general liability
policy, workman's compensation coverage, our property insurance (which includes
the earthquake coverage and builder's risk), and our directors and officers
insurance, and we purchased insurance for property damage due to terrorism of up
to $200,000,000 (with the first $15,000,000 of damage costs payable by us). In
all cases, our insurance policies are subject to deductibles and limits on and
conditions to coverage. The costs of the renewals were significantly greater
than in prior years. Although we will continue to maintain commercially
reasonable insurance coverage, we believe that the cost of this coverage will
continue to increase at a faster rate than other operating expenses. Continued
increases in these costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.
WE MAY INCUR COSTS AND INCREASED EXPENSES TO REPAIR PROPERTY DAMAGE
RESULTING FROM INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Our communities in the Northeast and Midwest expose us to risks associated
with inclement winter weather, including increased costs for the removal of snow
and ice as well as from delays in the construction, reconstruction, development
or redevelopment of apartment communities. In addition, inclement weather could
increase the need for maintenance and repair of our communities. Similarly,
unusually high rainfall or other inclement weather could result in increased
costs due to delays in the construction, reconstruction, development or
redevelopment of apartment communities. These costs and delays could adversely
affect our results of operations.
WE MAY INCUR COSTS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION.
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and
ordinances, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be
required, regardless of knowledge or responsibility, to investigate and
remediate the effects of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product
releases at the property and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to
third parties for property or personal injury damages and for investigation and
remediation costs incurred by these parties as a result of the contamination.
These damages and costs may be substantial. The presence of such substances, or
the failure to properly remediate the contamination, may adversely affect the
owner's ability to borrow against, sell or rent the affected property. In
addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in
favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs as a result of the
contamination.
Certain federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances govern the
removal, encapsulation or disturbance of asbestos containing materials ("ACMs")
when such materials are in poor condition or in the event of reconstruction,
remodeling, renovation, or demolition of a building. These laws may impose
liability for release of ACMs and may provide for third parties to seek recovery
from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with
exposure to ACMs. We are not aware that any ACMs were used in the construction
of the communities we developed. ACMs were, however,
5
used in the construction of several of the communities that we acquired. We
implement an operations and maintenance program at each of the communities at
which ACMs are detected. We do not anticipate that we will incur any material
liabilities as a result of the presence of ACMs at our communities.
We are aware that some of our communities have lead paint and have
implemented an operations and maintenance program at each of those communities.
We do not anticipate that we will incur any material liabilities as a result of
the presence of lead paint at our communities.
All of our stabilized operating communities, and all of the communities that
we are currently developing or redeveloping, have been subjected to at least a
Phase I or similar environmental assessment, which generally does not involve
invasive techniques such as soil or ground water sampling. These assessments,
together with subsurface assessments conducted on some properties, have not
revealed, and we are not otherwise aware of, any environmental conditions that
we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, assets,
financial condition or results of operation. In connection with our ownership,
operation and development of communities, from time to time we undertake
remedial action in response to the presence of subsurface or other contaminants.
In some cases, an indemnity exists upon which we may be able to rely if
environmental liability arises from the contamination. There can be no
assurance, however, that all necessary remediation actions have been or will be
undertaken at our properties or that we will be indemnified, in full or at all,
in the event that environmental liability arises.
Mold growth may occur when excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on
building materials, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or
is not addressed over a period of time. Although the occurrence of mold at
multifamily and other structures, and the need to remediate such mold, is not a
new phenomenon, there has been increased awareness in recent years that certain
molds may in some instances lead to adverse health effects, including allergic
or other reactions. To help limit mold growth, we educate residents about the
importance of adequate ventilation and request or require that they notify us
when they see mold or excessive moisture. We have established procedures for
promptly addressing and remediating mold or excessive moisture from apartment
homes when we become aware of its presence regardless of whether we or the
resident believe a health risk is presented. However, we cannot assure that mold
or excessive moisture will be detected and remediated in a timely manner. If a
significant mold problem arises at one of our communities, we could be required
to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold from the
affected community and could be exposed to other liabilities.
Additionally, we have occasionally been involved in developing, managing,
leasing and operating various properties for third parties. Consequently, we may
be considered to have been an operator of such properties and, therefore,
potentially liable for removal or remediation costs or other potential costs
which could relate to hazardous or toxic substances. We are not aware of any
material environmental liabilities with respect to properties managed or
developed by us or our predecessors for such third parties.
We cannot assure you that:
- the environmental assessments described above have identified all
potential environmental liabilities;
- no prior owner created any material environmental condition not known to
us or the consultants who prepared the assessments;
- no environmental liabilities have developed since the environmental
assessments were prepared;
- the condition of land or operations in the vicinity of our communities,
such as the presence of underground storage tanks, will not affect the
environmental condition of our communities;
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- future uses or conditions, including, without limitation, changes in
applicable environmental laws and regulations, will not result in the
imposition of environmental liability; and
- no environmental liabilities will arise at communities that we have sold
for which we may have liability.
COMPANIES IN WHICH WE HAVE INVESTED THAT DEVELOP SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS AND
ANCILLARY SERVICES MAY BE UNSUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING THEIR BUSINESS PLANS.
We currently have investments in three technology companies. These
investments were made with the belief that they would promote the development
and application of technology and services which would improve the operating
performance of our real estate holdings. Historically, our most significant
technology investment has been Realeum, Inc. ("Realeum"), an entity engaged in
the development and deployment of an on-site property management and leasing
automation system that enables management to capture, review and analyze data.
After consideration of our share of Realeum's losses, the carrying value of our
investment in Realeum was reduced to zero as of December 31, 2002. We are also a
member of Constellation Real Technologies LLC ("Constellation"), an entity
formed by a number of real estate investment trusts and real estate operating
companies for the purpose of investing in multi-sector real estate technology
opportunities. Our original commitment to Constellation was $4,000,000 but, as a
result of an agreement among the members reducing the commitment due from each
member, our commitment is currently $2,600,000, of which we have contributed
$1,002,000 to date. The remaining unfunded commitment of $1,598,000 is expected
to be funded over the next five years. Our third investment is in Rent.com, an
internet-based rental housing information provider. The aggregate carrying value
of our technology investments at May 1, 2003 was $1,447,000. If these entities
are unsuccessful in developing their software applications or ancillary services
or are otherwise unsuccessful in executing their business plans, we could be
required to write-off all or part of the remaining carrying value of our
investments in these entities.
CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS COULD MAKE INVESTMENTS IN REITS LESS ATTRACTIVE.
The federal income tax laws governing REITs and the administrative
interpretations of those laws may be amended from time to time. Any such new
laws or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect
us or our stockholders. The recently enacted Jobs and Growth Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2003 reduces the maximum individual tax rate on dividends
and long-term capital gain to 15% until 2008. This reduced tax rate generally
does not apply to REIT dividends of ordinary income, most of which will continue
to be taxed at the higher federal income tax rates applicable to ordinary
income. Accordingly, this Act could cause investments in non-REIT corporations
to be more attractive relative to investments in REITs and could adversely
affect the market price of our outstanding shares of common stock.
FAILURE TO QUALIFY AS A REIT WOULD CAUSE US TO BE TAXED AS A CORPORATION,
WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
STOCKHOLDERS.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we will be
subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates,
plus any applicable alternative minimum tax. In addition, unless we are entitled
to relief under applicable statutory provisions, we would be disqualified from
treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we
lose our qualification. The additional tax liability resulting from the failure
to qualify as a REIT would significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of funds
available for distribution to our stockholders. Furthermore, we would no longer
be required to make distributions to our stockholders.
We believe that we are organized and qualified as a REIT, and we intend to
operate in a manner that will allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT.
However, we cannot assure you that we are qualified as a REIT, or that we will
remain qualified in the future. This is because qualification as a REIT involves
the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code
7
for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations and
involves the determination of a variety of factual matters and circumstances not
entirely within our control. In addition, future legislation, new regulations,
administrative interpretations or court decisions may significantly change the
tax laws or the application of the tax laws with respect to qualification as a
REIT for federal income tax purposes or the federal income tax consequences of
this qualification.
THE ABILITY OF OUR STOCKHOLDERS TO CONTROL OUR POLICIES AND EFFECT A CHANGE
OF CONTROL OF OUR COMPANY IS LIMITED, WHICH MAY NOT BE IN OUR STOCKHOLDERS' BEST
INTERESTS.
CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS
There are provisions in our charter and bylaws that may discourage a third
party from making a proposal to acquire us, even if some of our stockholders
might consider the proposal to be in their best interests. These provisions
include the following:
- Our charter authorizes our board of directors to issue up to 50,000,000
shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval and to establish
the preferences and rights, including voting rights, of any series of
preferred stock issued. The board of directors may issue preferred stock
without stockholder approval, which could allow the board to issue one or
more classes or series of preferred stock that could discourage or delay a
tender offer or a change in control.
- To maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes,
not more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly
or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last
half of any year. To maintain this qualification, and to otherwise address
concerns about concentrations of ownership of our stock, our charter
generally prohibits ownership (directly, indirectly by virtue of the
attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, or beneficially as
defined in Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act) by any single
stockholder of more than 9.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of any
class or series of our stock. In general, under our charter, pension plans
and mutual funds may directly and beneficially own up to 15% of the
outstanding shares of any class or series of stock. Under our charter, our
board of directors may in its sole discretion waive or modify the
ownership limit for one or more persons. These ownership limits may
prevent or delay a change in control and, as a result, could adversely
affect our stockholders' ability to realize a premium for their shares of
common stock.
- Our bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of
all of the shares entitled to be cast in the election of directors is
required to elect a director. In a contested election, if no nominee
receives the vote of holders of a majority of all of the shares entitled
to be cast, the incumbent directors would remain in office. This
requirement may prevent or delay a change in control and, as a result,
could adversely affect our stockholders' ability to realize a premium for
their shares of common stock.
MARYLAND LAW
As a Maryland corporation, we are subject to the provisions of the Maryland
General Corporation Law. Maryland law imposes restrictions on some business
combinations and requires compliance with statutory procedures before some
mergers and acquisitions may occur, which may delay or prevent offers to acquire
us or increase the difficulty of completing any offers, even if they are in our
stockholders' best interests. In addition, other provisions of the Maryland
General Corporation Law permit the Board of Directors to make elections and to
take actions without stockholder approval that, if made or taken, could have the
effect of discouraging or delaying a change in control.
8
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into
this prospectus, contains statements that are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You can identify forward-looking statements by
the use of the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate,"
"assume," "plan," "project," "may," "shall," "will" and other similar
expressions which predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not
relate to historical matters. These statements include, among other things,
statements regarding our intent, belief or expectations with respect to:
- our potential development, redevelopment, acquisition or disposition of
communities;
- the timing and cost of completion of apartment communities under
construction, reconstruction, development or redevelopment;
- the timing of lease-up, occupancy and stabilization of apartment
communities;
- the pursuit of land on which we are considering future development;
- the anticipated operating performance of our communities;
- cost, yield and earnings estimates;
- our declaration or payment of distributions;
- our policies regarding investments, indebtedness, acquisitions,
dispositions, financings and other matters;
- our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code;
- the real estate markets in Northern and Southern California and markets in
selected states in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and Pacific
Northwest regions of the United States and in general;
- the availability of debt and equity financing;
- interest rates;
- general economic conditions; and
- trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations.
We cannot assure the future results or outcome of the matters described in
any of these statements; rather, these statements merely reflect our current
expectations and estimates of the approximate outcomes of the matters discussed.
You should not rely on forward-looking statements because they involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our
control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors, which we describe above
under "Risk Factors," may cause our actual results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from the anticipated future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THIS PROSPECTUS, AND IN PARTICULAR THE SECTION
ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS," WHICH TOGETHER WITH ANY APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DESCRIBED BELOW UNDER THE HEADING "WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION" WILL CONTAIN ALL INFORMATION OF WHICH WE ARE
AWARE THAT IS MATERIAL TO YOUR DECISION WHETHER TO INVEST IN OUR SECURITIES.
We caution you that these forward-looking statements reflect our estimates
and beliefs only as of the date of this report and are not guarantees of future
performance. We do not promise to update any forward-looking statements to
reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future
events or other changes and you should not rely upon these forward-looking
statements after the date of this prospectus.
9
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may
sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or
more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $750,000,000. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each
time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will
contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus
supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this
prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement together with additional information described below under the
heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the
SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation
of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public
from the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, you may read our SEC
filings at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which is located
at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, and at the offices of the Pacific
Exchange (PCX), which is located at 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California
94104. Our SEC filings are available at the NYSE and the PCX because our common
stock and outstanding series of preferred stock are listed on the NYSE and the
PCX.
In accordance with Section 2-210 of the Maryland General Corporation Law,
our board of directors has authorized the issuance of some or all of the shares
of any or all of our classes or series of stock without certificates. In
addition, we have the authority to designate and issue more than one class or
series of stock having various preferences, conversion and other rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and
conditions of redemption. See "Description of Preferred Stock" and "Description
of Common Stock." Our charter imposes limitations on the ownership and transfer
of our stock. See "Limits on Ownership of Stock." We will furnish a full
statement of the relative rights and preferences of each class or series of our
stock which has been so designated and any restrictions on the ownership or
transfer of our stock to any stockholder upon request and without charge.
Written requests for such copies should be directed to: AvalonBay
Communities, Inc., 2900 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia
22314, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with
it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an
important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the
SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated
by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below,
which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with
the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 until we sell all of the securities.
AVALONBAY SEC FILINGS (FILE NO. 001-12672) PERIOD OR DATE FILED
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A............................ Year ended December 31, 2002
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q........................... Quarter ended March 31, 2003
In addition, we are incorporating by reference the description of our common
stock from our Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed June 8, 1995.
YOU MAY REQUEST A COPY OF THESE FILINGS, AND ANY EXHIBITS WE HAVE
SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AT NO
COST BY WRITING OR TELEPHONING US AT THE FOLLOWING: AVALONBAY
COMMUNITIES, INC., 2900 EISENHOWER AVENUE, SUITE 300, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
22314, ATTENTION: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. OUR TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 703-329-6300.
10
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC.
We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read
the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated
by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this
prospectus or those documents.
ABOUT AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
- AvalonBay Communities, Inc. focuses on the ownership and operation of
upscale apartment communities (which generally command among the highest
rents in their submarkets) in high barrier-to-entry markets of the United
States. This is because we believe that, long term, the limited new supply
of upscale apartment homes and lower housing affordability in these
markets will result in larger increases in cash flows relative to other
markets over an entire business cycle. These barriers-to-entry generally
include a difficult and lengthy entitlement process with local
jurisdictions and dense urban or suburban areas where zoned and entitled
land ("in-fill locations") is in limited supply. Our markets are located
in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Northern
and Southern California regions of the United States. We believe that we
have penetrated substantially all of the high barrier-to-entry markets of
the country.
- Our principal operating objectives are to develop, own and operate, in our
selected markets, high-quality, upscale communities that contain features
and amenities desired by prospective residents, and to provide our
residents with efficient and effective service. At May 1, 2003, we owned
or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 136 operating apartment
communities containing 40,019 apartment homes in eleven states and the
District of Columbia, of which two communities containing 1,089 apartment
homes were under reconstruction. In addition, we owned or held a direct or
indirect ownership interest in ten communities under construction that are
expected to contain an aggregate of 2,826 apartment homes when completed.
We also owned a direct or indirect ownership interest in rights to develop
an additional 39 communities that, if developed in the manner expected,
will contain an estimated 10,133 apartment homes. We generally obtain
ownership in an apartment community by developing a new community on
vacant land or by acquiring and either repositioning or redeveloping an
existing community. In selecting sites for development, redevelopment or
acquisition, we favor locations that are near expanding employment centers
and convenient to recreation areas, entertainment, shopping and dining.
- AvalonBay is a Maryland corporation that is the surviving entity from the
merger of Avalon Properties, Inc. with and into Bay Apartment
Communities, Inc. on June 4, 1998. In October 1998, we changed our name to
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE and the
PCX under the symbol "AVB."
- AvalonBay elected to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for
the taxable year ended December 31, 1994. As long as we qualify for
taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax
on that portion of our ordinary income and capital gains that is currently
distributed to our stockholders. Even if we qualify for taxation as a
REIT, we may be subject to state and local taxes on our income and
property, to federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income,
and to federal and state income taxes on the income earned by subsidiaries
that are taxed as regular corporations.
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POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
The following is a discussion of certain investment, financing and other
policies of AvalonBay. These policies may be changed from time to time without a
vote of our stockholders.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Our principal financial goal is to increase long-term stockholder value by
successfully and cost-effectively developing, owning and operating high-quality
communities in our selected markets that contain features and amenities desired
by residents. To help fulfill this goal, our investment policy is (1) to
selectively develop, redevelop and acquire apartment communities in high
barrier-to-entry markets and (2) to selectively sell apartment communities that
no longer meet our long-term strategy due to product type, location or relative
potential for future value creation and redeploy the proceeds from those sales
to develop and redevelop apartment communities. During the three years ended
December 31, 2002, we acquired 11 apartment communities, disposed of 16
apartment communities, and completed the development of 22 apartment communities
and the redevelopment of seven apartment communities. We presently expect to
decrease acquisition and development during 2003 as compared to prior years and
to increase disposition activity during 2003 in response to current and
anticipated real estate and capital market conditions. The level of disposition,
acquisition or development activity, however, is heavily influenced by capital
market conditions, including prevailing interest rates. As a result, we cannot
assure you that assets can be sold on terms that we consider satisfactory.
We may, from time to time, enter into joint ventures (including limited
liability companies) or partnerships through which we would own an indirect
economic interest in less than 100% of the property or properties held by such
joint venture or partnership. As of May 1, 2003, we had an interest in 14 joint
ventures or partnerships (including the six "DownREIT" partnerships referred to
below) through which we have an indirect economic interest in 27 of our
communities. Our decision whether to hold an apartment community in fee simple
or to have an indirect interest in the community through a joint venture or
partnership is based on a variety of facts and considerations, including:
(1) the economic and tax terms required by a seller of land or of a community,
who may prefer that (or who may require less payment if) the land or community
is contributed to a joint venture or partnership; (2) our desire to diversify
our portfolio of communities by market, submarket and product type; (3) our
desire at times to preserve our capital resources to maintain liquidity or
balance sheet strength; and (4) our projection, in some circumstances, that we
will achieve higher returns on our invested capital or reduce our risk if a
joint venture or partnership vehicle is used. Any future investments in joint
ventures or partnerships will not be limited to a specified percentage of our
assets. Each joint venture or partnership agreement is individually negotiated,
and our ability to operate and/or dispose of a community in our sole discretion
may be limited to varying degrees depending on the terms of the joint venture or
partnership agreement.
While we emphasize equity real estate investments in apartment communities,
we have the ability, which would be exercised in the discretion of our Board of
Directors, to invest in other types of real estate, mortgages (including
participating or convertible mortgages), securities of other REITs or real
estate operating companies, or securities of technology companies that relate to
our real estate operations or of companies that provide services to us or our
residents, in each case consistent with our qualification as a REIT. On
occasion, we own and operate retail space at our communities when either
(1) the highest and best use of the space is for retail (e.g., street level in
an urban area) or (2) we believe the retail space will enhance the
attractiveness of the community to residents. As of December 31, 2002, we had a
total of 176,253 square feet of rentable retail space that produced gross rental
revenue in 2002 of $2,255,960 (0.4% of total revenue). Any investment in
securities of other entities is subject to the percentage of ownership
limitations and gross income tests necessary for REIT qualification. See
"Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your Investment." We have
not, and under our current policy we do not intend to, invest in the securities
of any other issuer
12
(other than a joint venture or partnership or an entity that provides services
to us or our residents, each as described above) for the purpose of exercising
control. Our current policy also does not contemplate future investments in
mortgages or deeds of trust.
FINANCING POLICIES
Our Board of Directors may, from time to time, depending upon general market
and economic conditions, including interest rates, our short and long term
liquidity needs, the adequacy of our expected liquidity sources, the relative
costs of debt and equity capital, growth opportunities and other factors,
determine to raise additional capital. We may raise additional capital through
additional equity or debt offerings or both (including offerings of senior
securities). In the past three years, we have issued two series of preferred
stock: (1) we issued 592,000 shares of Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock on July 11, 2002 for an aggregate purchase price of $14,800,000, and we
subsequently redeemed those shares on August 29, 2002 and (2) we issued
3,336,611 shares of Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock on March 18,
2003 for an aggregate purchase price of $83,415,275, and we subsequently
redeemed those shares on May 9, 2003. During the three years ended December 31,
2002, we also issued an aggregate of approximately $1,100,000,000 principal
amount of senior debt securities (including the issuance of medium-term notes),
and we repaid an aggregate of $100,000,000 in principal of senior debt
securities. In addition, we repaid an aggregate of $50,000,000 in prinicipal of
senior debt securities in January 2003.
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO OTHER ACTIVITIES
We may, from time to time, offer shares of our equity securities, debt
securities or options to purchase stock in exchange for property. We currently
have six limited partnerships structured as "DownREITs" in which either us or
one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries is the general partner. The DownREIT
acquires properties or communities in exchange for units of limited partnership
interest. After a period of time, the holders of units of limited partnership
interest have the right to present each unit of limited partnership interest for
redemption for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a share of
our common stock on the date of redemption. In lieu of a cash redemption of a
limited partner's unit, we may elect to acquire any unit presented for
redemption for one share of common stock. We entered into these DownREITs as a
way of acquiring an indirect interest in land or communities while permitting
the prior owner to also retain an interest and defer the recognition of the
taxable gain that would have occurred if we had acquired the property directly
for cash. During the three years ended December 31, 2002, we issued an aggregate
of 361,835 units of limited partnership interest in DownREITs in connection with
the acquisition of properties or communities.
We have not engaged in trading, underwriting or agency distribution or sale
of securities of other issuers and do not intend to do so. At all times we
intend to make investments in a manner as to qualify as a REIT unless, because
of circumstances or changes to the Internal Revenue Code (or the Treasury
Regulations), the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in our best
interest to qualify as a REIT.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
Our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends for each of the periods indicated is as follows:
QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Ratios............... 1.25x 1.39x 1.70x 1.73x 1.40x 1.52x
The ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends were computed by dividing earnings by combined fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends. For this purpose, earnings
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consist of pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for
minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries plus fixed charges less
capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including the
amortization of debt issuance costs) and capitalized interest.
Since its formation, AvalonBay has issued the following series of preferred
stock:
- 2,308,800 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued in October 1995,
of which 1,358,736 shares were converted into 1,358,736 shares of Common
Stock in April 1998 and 950,064 shares were converted into 950,064 shares
of Common Stock in June 1998;
- 405,022 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were issued in May 1996, all of
which were converted into 405,022 shares of Common Stock in June 1998;
- 2,300,000 shares of 8.50% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
were issued in June 1997, all of which were redeemed in July 2002;
- 3,267,700 shares of 8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
were issued in December 1997, all of which were redeemed in March 2003;
- 4,455,000 shares of 9.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
were issued in June 1998, all of which were redeemed in June 2001;
- 4,300,000 shares of 8.96% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
were issued in June 1998, all of which were redeemed in October 2001;
- 4,000,000 shares of 8.70% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
were issued in October 1998, all of which are currently outstanding;
- 592,000 shares of Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock were
issued in June 2002, all of which were redeemed in August 2002; and
- 3,336,611 shares of Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock were
issued in March 2003, all of which were redeemed on May 9, 2003.
In addition, AvalonBay designated 1,000,000 shares of Series E Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock in March 1998 in connection with our
shareholder rights agreement. Our shareholder rights agreement was subsequently
terminated on March 31, 2002.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is
as follows:
QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Ratios............... 1.36x 1.56x 2.12x 2.41x 1.99x 2.15x
The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings
by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of pre-tax income from
continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated
subsidiaries plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist
of interest expense (including the amortization of debt issuance costs) and
capitalized interest.
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HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE PROCEEDS
Unless we provide otherwise in a supplement to this prospectus, we intend to
use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for one or more of the
following:
- working capital;
- capital expenditures, including for the development and redevelopment of
apartment communities;
- repayment and refinancing of debt or redemption of prior issuances of
preferred stock;
- potential acquisitions; and
- other general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of the debt
securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we
will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this
prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general
terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series
of debt securities. You should read the indentures referenced below for a more
complete understanding of the general terms and provisions described in this
prospectus.
The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture, dated as of a
date prior to such issuance, between us and US Bank, National Association (as
successor to State Street Bank and Trust Company), as trustee, as amended or
supplemented from time to time. We will refer to any such indenture throughout
this prospectus as the "senior indenture." The subordinated debt securities will
be issued under a separate indenture, dated as of a date prior to such issuance,
between us and the trustee. We will refer to any such indenture throughout this
prospectus as the "subordinated indenture" and to a trustee under any senior or
subordinated indenture as the "trustee." The senior indenture and the
subordinated indenture are sometimes collectively referred to in this prospectus
as the "indentures." The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939. We included copies of the indentures as exhibits to our
registration statement and they are incorporated into this prospectus by
reference. The following summarizes the material provisions of the indentures
but may not contain all of the information that is important to you. Except as
otherwise indicated, the terms of the indentures are identical. As used under
this caption, the term "debt securities" includes the debt securities being
offered by this prospectus and all other debt securities issued by us under the
indentures.
GENERAL
The indentures:
- do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue;
- allow us to issue debt securities in one or more series;
- do not require us to issue all of the debt securities of a series at the
same time;
- allow us to reopen a series to issue additional debt securities without
the consent of the debt securityholders of such series; and
- provide that the debt securities will be unsecured.
Unless we give you different information in the prospectus supplement, the
senior debt securities will be our unsubordinated obligations and will rank
equally with all of our other unsecured and
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unsubordinated indebtedness. Payments on the subordinated debt securities will
be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness,
as described under "--Subordination" and in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Each indenture provides that we may, but need not, designate more than one
trustee under an indenture. Any trustee under an indenture may resign or be
removed and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to the
series of debt securities administered by the resigning or removed trustee. If
two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of
debt securities, each trustee shall be a trustee of a trust under the applicable
indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, any action described in this
prospectus to be taken by each trustee may be taken by each trustee with respect
to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for
which it is trustee under the applicable indenture.
The prospectus supplement for each offering will provide the following
terms, where applicable:
- the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior or
subordinated;
- the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities being offered, the
aggregate principal amount of the debt securities outstanding as of the
most recent practicable date and any limit on their aggregate principal
amount, including the aggregate principal amount of debt securities
authorized;
- the price at which the debt securities will be issued, expressed as a
percentage of the principal;
- the portion of the principal payable upon declaration of acceleration of
the maturity, if other than the principal amount;
- the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, on
which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
- the fixed or variable interest rate or rates of the debt securities, or
the method by which the interest rate or rates is determined;
- the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, from
which interest will accrue;
- the dates on which interest will be payable;
- the record dates for interest payment dates, or the method by which we
will determine those dates;
- the persons to whom interest will be payable;
- the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
- any make-whole amount, which is the amount in addition to principal and
interest that is required to be paid to the holder of a debt security as a
result of any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such debt
security, or the method for determining the make-whole amount;
- the place or places where the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole
amount) and interest on, the debt securities will be payable;
- where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer
or exchange;
- where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities
and the applicable indenture may be served;
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- the times, prices and other terms and conditions upon which we may redeem
the debt securities;
- any obligation we have to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities
under any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of holders
of the debt securities, and the times and prices at which we must redeem,
repay or purchase the debt securities as a result of such an obligation;
- the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated
and payable if other than United States dollars, which may be a foreign
currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite
currency or currencies and the terms and conditions relating thereto, and
the manner of determining the equivalent of such foreign currency in
United States dollars;
- whether the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) or
interest on, the debt securities of the series are to be payable, at our
election or at the election of a holder, in a currency or currencies other
than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be
payable, and other related terms and conditions;
- whether the amount of payments of principal of, and any premium (or
make-whole amount) or interest on, the debt securities may be determined
according to an index, formula or other method and how such amounts will
be determined;
- whether the debt securities will be in registered form, bearer form or
both and (1) if in registered form, the person to whom any interest shall
be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is
registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such
interest, or (2) if in bearer form, the manner in which, or the person to
whom, any interest on the security shall be payable if otherwise than upon
presentation and surrender upon maturity;
- any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of securities
in bearer form and the terms upon which securities in bearer form of the
series may be exchanged for securities in registered form of the series
and vice versa if permitted by applicable laws and regulations;
- whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable initially in
temporary global form and whether any debt securities of the series are to
be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so,
whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global
security may or shall be required to exchange their interests for other
debt securities of the series, and the manner in which interest shall be
paid;
- the identity of the depository for securities in registered form, if such
series are to be issuable as a global security;
- the date as of which any debt securities in bearer form or in temporary
global form shall be dated if other than the original issuance date of the
first security of the series to be issued;
- the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance
provisions described in this prospectus or in the applicable indenture;
- whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts on
the debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental
charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt
securities in lieu of making such a payment;
- the circumstances, if any, in the applicable prospectus supplement, under
which beneficial owners of interests in the global security may obtain
definitive debt securities and the manner in which payments on a permanent
global debt security will be made if any debt securities are issuable in
temporary or permanent global form;
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- any provisions granting special rights to holders of securities upon the
occurrence of such events as specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement;
- the name of the applicable trustee and the nature of any material
relationship with AvalonBay or with any of its affiliates, and the
percentage of debt securities of the class necessary to require the
trustee to take action;
- any deletions from, modifications of, or additions to the events of
default or covenants of AvalonBay, and any change in the right of any
trustee or any of the holders to declare the principal amount of any of
such debt securities due and payable; and
- any other terms of such debt securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the applicable indenture.
We may issue debt securities at a discount below their principal amount and
provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof. We will refer to any such
debt securities throughout this prospectus as "original issue discount
securities." The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal
income tax consequences and other relevant considerations applicable to original
issue discount securities.
Except as described under "--Merger, consolidation or sale of assets" or as
may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not
contain any provisions that (1) would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or
(2) would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of (a) a
highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or any of our respective
affiliates or (b) a change of control or reorganization, restructuring, merger
or similar transaction involving us that may adversely affect the holders of the
debt securities. In the future, we may enter into transactions, such as the sale
of all or substantially all of our assets or a merger or consolidation, that may
have an adverse effect on our ability to service our indebtedness, including the
debt securities, by, among other things, substantially reducing or eliminating
our assets.
Neither the Maryland General Corporation Law nor the governing instruments
of AvalonBay define the term "substantially all" as it relates to the sale of
assets. Additionally, Maryland cases interpreting the term "substantially all"
rely upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case. Consequently, to
determine whether a sale of "substantially all" of our assets has occurred, a
holder of debt securities must review the financial and other information that
we disclosed to the public. AvalonBay's charter contains restrictions on
ownership and transfers of its stock that are designed to preserve its status as
a REIT and to otherwise address concerns about concentration of ownership of our
stock, and, therefore, it may prevent or hinder a change of control. See "Limits
on Ownership of Stock" beginning on page 38.
We will provide you with more information in the applicable prospectus
supplement regarding any deletions, modifications, or additions to the events of
default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a
covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
PAYMENT
Unless we give you different information in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and
interest on, any series of the debt securities will be payable at the corporate
trust office of the trustee. We will provide you with the address of the trustee
in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also pay interest by mailing a
check to the address of the person entitled to it as it appears in the
applicable register for the debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to that
person at an account maintained within the United States.
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All monies that we pay to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment of the
principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) or interest on, any debt
security will be repaid to us if unclaimed at the end of two years after the
obligation underlying payment becomes due and payable. After funds have been
returned to us, the holder of the debt security may look only to us for payment,
without payment of interest for the period which we hold the funds.
DENOMINATION, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt
securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000.
Subject to the limitations imposed upon debt securities that are evidenced
by a computerized entry in the records of a depository company rather than by
physical delivery of a note, a holder of debt securities of any series may:
- exchange them for any authorized denomination of other debt securities of
the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and kind upon
surrender of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the
applicable trustee or at the office of any transfer agent that we
designate for such purpose; and
- surrender them for registration of transfer or exchange at the corporate
trust office of the applicable trustee or at the office of any transfer
agent that we designate for such purpose.
Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange
must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, and
the person requesting such action must provide evidence of title and identity
satisfactory to the applicable trustee or transfer agent. Payment of a service
charge will not be required for any registration of transfer or exchange of any
debt securities, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
If in addition to the applicable trustee, the applicable prospectus supplement
refers to any transfer agent initially designated by us for any series of debt
securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer
agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent
acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place
of payment for such series. We may at any time designate additional transfer
agents for any series of debt securities.
Neither we nor any trustee shall be required to:
- issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
day that the notice of redemption of any debt securities selected for
redemption is mailed and ending at the close of business on the day of
such mailing;
- register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion
thereof, so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; and
- issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security that has
been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the
portion, if any, of such debt security not to be so repaid.
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MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS
The indentures provide that we may, without the consent of the holders of
any outstanding debt securities, (1) consolidate with, (2) sell, lease or convey
all or substantially all of our assets to, or (3) merge with or into, any other
entity provided that:
- either we are the continuing entity, or the successor entity, if other
than us, assumes our obligations (A) to pay the principal of, and any
premium and interest on, all of the debt securities and (B) to duly
perform and observe all of our covenants and conditions contained in each
indenture;
- immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating any
indebtedness that becomes our obligation or the obligation of any of our
subsidiaries as having been incurred by us or by such subsidiary at the
time of the transaction, no event of default under the indentures, and no
event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such
an event of default, occurs and continues; and
- an officers' certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions are
delivered to each trustee.
COVENANTS
EXISTENCE. Except as permitted under "--Merger, consolidation or sale of
assets," the indentures require us to do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights
and franchises. However, the indentures do not require us to preserve any right
or franchise if we determine that any right or franchise is no longer desirable
in the conduct of our business.
MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. If we determine that it is necessary in order to
properly and advantageously carry on our business, the indentures require us to:
- cause all of our material properties used or useful in the conduct of our
business or the business of any of our subsidiaries to be maintained and
kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all
necessary equipment; and
- cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof.
However, the indentures do not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from selling
or otherwise disposing of our respective properties for value in the ordinary
course of business.
INSURANCE. The indentures require our insurable properties to be insured
against loss or damage in an amount deemed reasonable by our board of directors
with insurers of recognized responsibility.
PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS. The indentures require us to pay,
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before they become delinquent:
- all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed on us,
our subsidiaries or our subsidiaries' income, profits or property; and
- all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid,
might by law become a lien upon our or our subsidiaries' property.
However, we will not be required to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability
or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
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PROVISION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The indentures require us, within
15 days of each of the respective dates by which we are required to file annual
reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the SEC to:
- mail to all holders of debt securities, as their names and addresses
appear in the applicable register for such debt securities, without cost
to such holders, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act; and
- supply, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost
of duplication and delivery, copies of such documents to any prospective
holder.
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth
any additional covenants of AvalonBay relating to any series of debt securities.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, when we refer
to "events of default" as defined in the indentures with respect to any series
of debt securities, we mean:
- default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt security
of such series continuing for 30 days;
- default in the payment of principal of, or any premium (or make-whole
amount) on, any debt security of such series at its maturity;
- default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any debt
security of such series;
- default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of
AvalonBay contained in the indenture continuing for 60 days after written
notice to AvalonBay as provided in the applicable indenture;
- default under any bond, debenture, note, indenture or instrument under
which there may be issued, secured or evidenced any existing or later
created indebtedness for money borrowed by us or our subsidiaries, the
repayment of which has been guaranteed by us, in an aggregate principal
amount of at least $25,000,000,
if the default results in the indebtedness becoming or being declared due
and payable prior to the date it otherwise would have, without such
indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been
rescinded or annulled, within 10 days after notice to the Company
specifying such default;
- bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a
receiver, liquidator or trustee of AvalonBay or any significant subsidiary
of AvalonBay; and
- any other event of default provided with respect to a particular series of
debt securities.
When we use the term "significant subsidiary," we refer to the meaning
ascribed to such term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the
Securities Act.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to debt
securities of any series outstanding, then the applicable trustee or the holders
of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will
have the right to declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of
that series to be due and payable. If the debt securities of that series are
original issue discount securities or indexed securities, then the applicable
trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities
of that series will have the right to declare the portion of the principal
amount as may be specified in the terms thereof to be due and payable. However,
at any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a
judgment or decree for payment of the
21
money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee, the holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series or of
all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may rescind
and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
- we have deposited with the applicable trustee all required payments of the
principal, any premium (or make-whole amount), and interest, plus
applicable fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the applicable
trustee; and
- all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal
(or a specified portion thereof, or any premium or make-whole amount) or
accelerated interest, have been cured or waived.
The indentures also provide that the holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt
securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may on behalf of all
holders waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences,
except a default:
- in the payment of the principal, any premium (or make-whole amount) or
interest;
- in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable
indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
holder of the outstanding debt security that is affected by the default;
or
- in respect of a covenant or provision for the benefit or protection of the
trustee, without its express written consent.
The indentures require each trustee to give notice to the holders of debt
securities within 90 days of a default unless such default has been cured or
waived. However, the trustee may withhold notice if specified responsible
officers of such trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of the
holders of debt securities. The trustee may not withhold notice of a default in
the payment of principal, any premium (or make-whole amount) or interest on any
debt security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment
in respect of any debt security of such series.
The indentures provide that holders of debt securities of any series may not
institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture
or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails to act for a
period of 60 days after the trustee has received a written request to institute
proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of 25% or more in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as
an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. However, this
provision will not prevent any holder of debt securities from instituting suit
for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium (or
make-whole amount) and interest on, such debt securities at the respective due
dates thereof.
The indentures provide that, subject to provisions in each indenture
relating to its duties in the case of a default, a trustee has no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any holders
of any series of debt securities then outstanding under the indenture, unless
the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. The
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under an
indenture shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee, or
of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such trustee. However, a trustee
may refuse to follow any direction which:
- is in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture;
- may involve the trustee in personal liability; or
- may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of the series
not joining the proceeding.
22
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we will be required to
deliver to each trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified
officers of AvalonBay stating whether or not that officer has knowledge of any
default under the applicable indenture. If the officer has knowledge of any
default, the notice must specify the nature and status of the default.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
The indentures provide that modifications and amendments may be made only
with the consent of the affected holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture. However,
no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of the
debt securities affected by the modification or amendment:
- change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium (or
make-whole amount) on, or any installment of principal of or interest on,
any such debt security;
- reduce the principal amount of, the rate or amount of interest on or any
premium (or make-whole amount) payable on redemption of any such debt
security;
- reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security that
would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right
of repayment of the holder of any such debt security;
- change the place of payment or the coin or currency for payment of
principal of, or any premium (or make-whole amount) or interest on, any
such debt security;
- impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
or with respect to any such debt security;
- reduce the percentage in principal amount of any outstanding debt
securities necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture with
respect to such debt securities, to waive compliance with particular
provisions thereof or defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce
the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the applicable indenture;
and
- modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating
to the waiver of particular past defaults or covenants, except to increase
the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that some of
the other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of
the holder of such debt security.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities
of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with
material restrictive covenants of the applicable indenture.
AvalonBay and the respective trustee may make modifications and amendments
of an indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities for any of
the following purposes:
- to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under such
indenture;
- to add to the covenants of AvalonBay for the benefit of the holders of all
or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon us in such indenture;
- to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any
series of debt securities;
- to add or change any provisions of an indenture (1) to facilitate the
issuance of, or to change or eliminate restrictions on the payment of
principal of, or premium (or make-whole amount) or interest on, debt
securities in bearer form, or (2) to permit or facilitate the issuance of
debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall
not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities
of any series in any material respect;
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- to change or eliminate any provisions of an indenture, provided that any
such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no
debt securities outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are
entitled to the benefit of such provision;
- to secure the debt securities;
- to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series;
- to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or
facilitate the administration of the trusts under an indenture by more
than one trustee;
- to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in an indenture, provided
that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of holders of
debt securities of any series issued under such indenture; or
- to supplement any of the provisions of an indenture to the extent
necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series
of such debt securities, provided that such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of
any series.
VOTING
The indentures provide that in determining whether the holders of the
requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series have given
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under
the indentures or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of debt
securities:
- the principal amount of an original issue discount security that shall be
deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that
would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
- the principal amount of any debt security denominated in a foreign
currency that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the United States
dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such debt security, of
the principal amount or, in the case of an original issue discount
security, the United States dollar equivalent on the issue date of such
debt security of the amount determined as provided in the preceding bullet
point;
- the principal amount of an indexed security that shall be deemed
outstanding shall be the principal face amount of such indexed security at
original issuance, unless otherwise provided for such indexed security
under such indenture; and
- debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities
or by any affiliate of ours or of such other obligor shall be disregarded.
The indentures contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of
debt securities of a series. A meeting will be permitted to be called at any
time by the applicable trustee, and also, upon request, by us or the holders of
at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such
series, in any such case upon notice given as provided in such indenture. Except
for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt security affected
by the modifications and amendments of an indenture described above, any
resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which
a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
that series represented at such meeting.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, except as referred to above, any
resolution relating to a request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders
of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, of the aggregate
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principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted
at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present
by the affirmative vote of such specified percentage.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any properly held meeting of
holders of debt securities of any series will be binding on all holders of such
series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any
reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series. However, if any
action is to be taken relating to a consent or waiver which may be given by the
holders of at least a specified percentage in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding such percentage
will constitute a quorum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the indentures provide that if any
action is to be taken at a meeting with respect to any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver and other action that such
indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a
specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities
affected by such action, or of the holders of such series and one or more
additional series:
- there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and
- the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series
that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in
determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken
under such indenture.
SUBORDINATION
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement,
subordinated securities will be subject to the following subordination
provisions.
Upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on any subordinated
securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the applicable
indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior debt.
However, our obligation to make payments of the principal of and interest on
such subordinated securities otherwise will not be affected. No payment of
principal or interest will be permitted to be made on subordinated securities at
any time if a default on senior debt exists that permits the holders of such
senior debt to accelerate its maturity and the default is the subject of
judicial proceedings or we receive notice of the default. After all senior debt
is paid in full and until the subordinated securities are paid in full, holders
of subordinated securities will be subrogated to the rights of holders of senior
debt to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to holders of
subordinated securities have been applied to the payment of senior debt. The
subordinated indenture will not restrict the amount of senior debt or other
indebtedness of AvalonBay and its subsidiaries. As a result of these
subordination provisions, in the event of a distribution of assets upon
insolvency, holders of subordinated securities may recover less, ratably, than
our general creditors.
"Senior Debt" will be defined in the applicable indenture as the principal
of and interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by us in
respect of, the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the
applicable indenture or subsequently incurred, created or assumed:
- indebtedness incurred by us for money borrowed or represented by
purchase-money obligations;
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- indebtedness incurred by us evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds, or
other securities issued under the provisions of an indenture, fiscal
agency agreement or other agreement;
- our obligations as lessee under leases of property either made as part of
any sale and leaseback transaction to which we are a party or otherwise;
- indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures which is included in our
consolidated financial statements;
- indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of others in respect of which we
are liable contingently or otherwise to pay or advance money or property
or as guarantor, endorser or otherwise or which we have agreed to purchase
or otherwise acquire; and
- any binding commitment we have to fund any real estate investment or to
fund any investment in any entity making such real estate investment.
In each case, the following will not be Senior Debt:
- any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in the
preceding clauses (1) that is outstanding and (2) the instrument creating
or evidencing such indebtedness, obligation or liability provides that the
same is not superior to or ranks on an equal basis with the subordinated
securities with respect to right of payment;
- any such indebtedness, obligation or liability that is subordinated to
indebtedness incurred by us to substantially the same extent as or to a
greater extent than the subordinated securities are subordinated; and
- the subordinated securities.
No restrictions will be included in any indenture relating to subordinated
securities upon the creation of additional senior debt.
If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a
series of subordinated securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the
information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will set forth the
approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of our most recent
fiscal quarter.
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
indentures allow us to discharge our obligations to holders of any series of
debt securities issued under any indenture when:
- either (1) all securities of such series have already been delivered to
the applicable trustee for cancellation; or (2) all securities of such
series have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee for
cancellation but (a) have become due and payable, (b) will become due and
payable within one year, or (c) if redeemable at our option, are to be
redeemed within one year, and we have irrevocably deposited with the
applicable trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such
debt securities are payable, an amount sufficient to pay the entire
indebtedness on such debt securities in respect of principal (and any
premium or make-whole amount) and interest to the date of such deposit if
such debt securities have become due and payable or, if they have not, to
the stated maturity or redemption date;
- we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable; and
- we have delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion
of counsel stating the conditions to discharging the debt securities have
been satisfied.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
indentures provide that, upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable
trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit
or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are
payable at stated maturity, or government obligations, or both, applicable to
such debt securities, which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and
interest on, such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous
payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor, we may elect either:
- to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to
such debt securities; or
- to be released from our obligations with respect to such debt securities
under the applicable indenture or, if provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement, our obligations with respect to any other covenant,
and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute an
event of default with respect to such debt securities.
Notwithstanding the above, we may not elect to defease and be discharged
from the obligation to pay any additional amounts upon the occurrence of
particular events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to
payments on such debt securities and the obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of such debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of
such debt securities, or to hold monies for payment in trust.
The indentures only permit us to establish the trust described in the
paragraph above if, among other things, we have delivered to the applicable
trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, will be
required to refer to and be based upon a ruling received from or published by
the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law
occurring after the date of the indenture. In the event of such defeasance, the
holders of such debt securities would be able to look only to such trust fund
for payment of principal, any premium (or make-whole amount), and interest.
When we use the term "government obligations," we mean securities that are:
- direct obligations of the United States or the government that issued the
foreign currency in which the debt securities of a particular series are
payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or
- obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an
agency or instrumentality of the United States or other government that
issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of such series
are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full
faith and credit obligation by the United States or such other government,
which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof
and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such government obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such government
obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a
depository receipt. However, except as required by law, such custodian is
not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder
of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the government obligation or the specific payment of interest
on or principal of the government obligation evidenced by such depository
receipt.
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Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if after
we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect defeasance or
covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, (a) the
holder of a debt security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect under
the terms of the applicable indenture or the terms of such debt security to
receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than
that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such debt security, or
(b) a conversion event occurs in respect of the currency, currency unit or
composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness
represented by such debt security will be deemed to have been, and will be,
fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and
premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, such debt security as they
become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in
respect of such debt security into the currency, currency unit or composite
currency in which such debt security becomes payable as a result of such
election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange
rate.
When we use the term "conversion event," we mean the cessation of use of:
- a currency, currency unit or composite currency both by the government of
the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of
transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within
the international banking community;
- the European Currency Unit both within the European Monetary System and
for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the
European Communities; or
- any currency unit or composite currency other than the European Currency
Unit for the purposes for which it was established.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all
payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, any debt
security that is payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its
government of issuance shall be made in United States dollars.
In the event that (a) we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt
securities and (b) such debt securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any event of default, the amount in such currency, currency
unit or composite currency in which such debt securities are payable, and
government obligations on deposit with the applicable trustee, will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of their
stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt
securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default.
However, we would remain liable to make payments of such amounts due at the time
of acceleration. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this paragraph, events of
default in (b) above shall not include the event of default described in
(1) the fourth bullet point under "--Events of default, notice and waiver" with
respect to specified sections of an indenture or (2) the seventh bullet point
under "--Events of default, notice and waiver" with respect to any other
covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance.
The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if
any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt
securities of or within a particular series.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are
convertible into common stock or preferred stock will be set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include whether the debt
securities are convertible into shares of common stock or preferred stock, the
conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or the option of the
holders, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and
provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of the debt
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securities and any restrictions on conversion, including restrictions directed
at maintaining our status as a REIT. If we issue debt securities that are
convertible into shares of common stock or convertible into shares of preferred
stock, in either case having rights, preferences or privileges with respect to
voting, dividends, rights upon liquidation or otherwise that are on par with or
senior to any class or series of common stock or preferred stock, then the
rights of holders of such junior or parity classes or series of common stock or
preferred stock may be materially adversely affected. In addition, the
conversion of any such debt securities into common stock or preferred stock,
could result in the dilution of the holders of the then-existing shares of
common or preferred stock.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to
such series. Global securities, if any, issued in the United States are expected
to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company (DTC), as depository. We may
issue global securities in either registered or bearer form and in either
temporary or permanent form. We will describe the specific terms of the
depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the
applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. We expect that unless
the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following
provisions will apply to depository arrangements.
Once a global security is issued, the depository for such global security or
its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the
respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by
such global security to the accounts of participants that have accounts with
such depository. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers
or agents with respect to such debt securities or by us if we offer such debt
securities directly. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security
will be limited to participants with the depository or persons that may hold
interests through those participants.
We expect that, under procedures established by DTC, ownership of beneficial
interests in any global security for which DTC is the depository will be shown
on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records
maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of
participants with the depository) and records of participants (with respect to
beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants with the
depository). Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing any records of DTC or any of its participants relating to
beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities. The laws of some states
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to
own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.
So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such global security, such depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt
securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the
applicable indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable prospectus
supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be
entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such
global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such debt securities in definitive form and
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable
indenture. Beneficial owners of debt securities evidenced by a global security
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable
indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any
direction, instructions or approvals to the trustee under the indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security with
respect to which DTC is the depository must rely on the procedures of DTC and,
if such person is not a participant with the depository, on the procedures of
the participant through which such person owns
29
its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable
indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practice, if DTC requests
any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global
security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give
or take under the applicable indenture, DTC would authorize the participants
holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or take such action, and such
participants would authorize beneficial owners through such participants to give
or take such actions or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial
owners holding through them.
Payments of principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and
interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security
registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to or at the
direction of the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the global security under the applicable indenture. Under
the terms of the applicable indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons
in whose name debt securities, including a global security, are registered as
the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently,
neither we nor the trustee have or will have any responsibility or liability for
the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of debt securities including
principal, any premium (or make-whole amount) or interest. We believe, however,
that it is currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the accounts of
relevant participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their
respective holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant global security as
shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held
through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of
customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the
responsibility of such participants. Redemption notices with respect to any debt
securities represented by a global security will be sent to the depository or
its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of any series are to be
redeemed, we expect the depository to determine the amount of the interest of
each participant in such debt securities to be redeemed to be determined by lot.
Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar for such
debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the global security for such debt securities or for maintaining any
records with respect thereto.
Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the holders of a
global security or the depository in identifying the beneficial owners of debt
securities, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be
protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of a global security or
the depository for all purposes. The rules applicable to DTC and its
participants are on file with the SEC.
If a depository for any debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or
ineligible to continue as depository and we do not appoint a successor
depository within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities in exchange
for the global security representing such debt securities. In addition, we may
at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in
the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, determine not to
have any of such debt securities represented by one or more global securities
and in such event will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the
global security or securities representing such debt securities. Individual debt
securities so issued will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000.
The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more bearer global securities that will be deposited with a
depository, or with a nominee for such depository, identified in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Any such bearer global securities may be issued in
temporary or permanent form. The specific terms and procedures, including the
specific terms of the depository arrangement, with respect to any portion of a
series of debt securities to be represented by one or more bearer global
securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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NO RECOURSE
There is no recourse under any obligation, covenant or agreement in the
applicable indenture or with respect to any security against any of our or our
successor's past, present or future stockholders, employees, officers or
directors.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our
preferred stock. It may not contain all of the information that is important to
you. Therefore, you should read our charter and bylaws before you purchase any
shares of our preferred stock.
GENERAL
Under our charter, AvalonBay is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, of which 4,600,000 shares have been designated 8.70% Series H
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and 4,000,000 of which are currently
outstanding. The Series H Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE and PCX under
the symbol "AVB PrH."
Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more
series, as authorized by our board of directors. Prior to the issuance of shares
of each series, the board of directors is required by the Maryland General
Corporation Law and our charter to fix for each series, subject to the
provisions of the charter regarding excess stock, the terms, preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to
dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption, as are permitted by Maryland law. The preferred stock will, when
issued following the receipt of full consideration therefor, be fully paid and
nonassessable and will have no preemptive rights. Our board of directors could
authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions
that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transactions that
holders of common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which
holders of some, or a majority, of the shares of common stock might receive a
premium for their shares over the then market price of such shares of common
stock.
TERMS
You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of a
series of preferred stock for the specific terms of that series, including:
- its title and stated value;
- the number of shares of preferred stock offered, the liquidation
preference per share, if applicable, and the offering price;
- the applicable dividend rate(s) or amount(s), period(s) and payment
date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof;
- the date from which dividends on the preferred stock shall accumulate, if
applicable;
- any procedures for auction and remarketing;
- any provision for a sinking fund;
- any applicable provision for redemption;
- any securities exchange listing;
- the terms and conditions of conversion into common stock, including the
conversion price or rate or manner of calculation thereof;
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- any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions;
- a discussion of applicable federal income tax considerations;
- the relative ranking and preference as to dividend rights and rights upon
our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;
- any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking
senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred stock as to
dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or the
winding up of our affairs; and
- any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on
transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a
REIT.
RANK
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank:
- senior to all classes and series of our common stock, and to all equity
securities ranking junior to such preferred stock with respect to dividend
rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
affairs;
- on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the
preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and
- junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the
preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.
The term "equity securities" does not include convertible debt securities.
DIVIDENDS
Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive
cash dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors. We will pay
dividends out of assets that are legally available for payment of dividends. We
will specify the rate(s) or amount(s) of dividends and the dates that we will
pay dividends in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends will be payable
to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books on such record
dates as fixed by our board of directors.
Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or
non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends,
if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors fails to declare a
dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the preferred stock
for which dividends are non-cumulative, then the holders of that series of the
preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the
dividend period ending on that dividend payment date. Accordingly, we will have
no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not
dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment
date.
If preferred stock of any series is outstanding, we will not declare, pay or
set aside funds to pay dividends on any other series of our stock ranking, as to
dividends, on a parity with or junior to the preferred stock of such series for
any period unless:
- if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have
declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds
to pay full cumulative dividends on the
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preferred stock of such series for all past dividend periods and the then
current dividend period; or
- if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we
have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside
funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock of such series for the
then current dividend period.
We must declare all dividends pro rata on all series of preferred stock that
rank on a parity with the series of preferred stock upon which we paid dividends
if we did not pay or set aside funds to pay dividends on the series of preferred
stock in full. We must declare dividends pro rata to ensure that the amount of
dividends declared per share of preferred stock bears in all cases the same
ratio that accrued dividends per share of preferred stock bears to each other.
We will not accumulate unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods with respect
to accrued dividends on preferred stock that does not have cumulative dividends.
No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of
any payments that may be in arrears.
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless:
- if such series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have
declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds
to pay full cumulative dividends for all past dividend periods and the
then current dividend period; or
- if such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we
have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside
funds to pay full dividends for the then current dividend period,
we will not: (1) declare, pay or set aside funds to pay dividends or declare or
make any other distribution upon the common stock or any other shares of our
stock ranking junior to or on a parity with the preferred stock of such series
as to dividends or upon liquidation; (2) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
for any consideration any common stock, or any other shares of our stock ranking
junior to or on a parity with the preferred stock of such series as to
dividends; nor (3) pay any monies to or make any monies available for a sinking
fund to redeem any such shares, except by conversion into or exchange for other
shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series
as to dividends or liquidation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, we may
declare or set aside dividends in common stock or other shares of stock ranking
junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon
liquidation.
Any dividend payment we make on a series of preferred stock shall first be
credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to
shares of such series which remains payable.
REDEMPTION
If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock
will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or
in part, upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in
the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares that will be
redeemed in each year commencing after a specified date at a specified
redemption price per share, together with an amount equal to all accrued and
unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption. Unless the shares have a
cumulative dividend, such accrued dividends will not include any accumulation in
respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods. We may pay the
redemption price in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series
is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of shares of our stock,
the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if no such shares of our
stock have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds
33
from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price
then due, such preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily convert into
the applicable shares of our stock under the conversion provisions specified in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not redeem any preferred stock of a
series unless:
- if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have
declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds
to pay full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock for the past and
current dividend periods; or
- if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we
have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside
funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock for the current
dividend period.
However, in no case will we redeem any preferred stock of a series unless we
redeem all outstanding preferred stock of the series simultaneously.
In addition, except as described below, we will not acquire any preferred
stock of a series unless:
- if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have
declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds
to pay full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of such series
of preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period; or
- if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we
have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside
funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock of such series for the
then current dividend period.
However, at any time we may purchase or acquire preferred stock of that
series (1) to preserve our status as a REIT, (2) in accordance with a purchase
or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred
stock of such series or (3) by conversion into or exchange for shares of our
capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to
dividends and upon liquidation.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series
are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares that may be redeemed
pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number
of such shares held or for which redemption is requested by such holder or by
any other equitable manner that we determine. Such determination will reflect
adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares.
We will mail notice of redemption at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock
to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. Each notice
shall state:
- the redemption date;
- the number of shares and series to be redeemed;
- the redemption price;
- the place or places where certificates are to be surrendered for payment
of the redemption price;
- that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and
after the redemption date;
- the date upon which the holder's conversion rights, if any, as to the
shares shall terminate; and
- the specific number of shares to be redeemed from each the holder if fewer
than all the shares of any series are to be redeemed.
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If notice of redemption has been given and we have set aside the funds
necessary for the redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of any
shares so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date,
dividends will cease to accrue on those shares, and all rights of the holders of
such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
our affairs, then, before we make any distribution or payment to the holders of
any common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking
junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each
series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, out of assets legally
available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the
amount of the liquidation preference per share set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Such
dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative
dividends for prior dividend periods. After full payment of their liquidating
distributions, holders will have no right or claim to any of our remaining
assets. Upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, if our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the
liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock and the
corresponding amounts payable on all other classes or series of our capital
stock ranking on a parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of
assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or
series of capital stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in
proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise
be entitled.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and if we have made liquidating
distributions in full to all holders of preferred stock, we will distribute our
remaining assets among the holders of any other classes or series of capital
stock ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their respective rights
and preferences and, in each case, according to their respective number of
shares. For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other
corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or
substantially all of our assets or business will not be deemed to constitute a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.
VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of preferred stock will have no voting rights, except as described
in the next paragraph, as otherwise from time to time required by law or as
indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise provided for any series of preferred stock, so long as any
preferred stock of a series remains outstanding, we will not, without the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
preferred stock of such series outstanding at the time, given in person or by
proxy, either in writing or at a meeting with each of such series voting
separately as a class:
- authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any
class or series of shares of capital stock ranking senior to such series
of preferred stock with respect to payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or
reclassify any of our authorized shares of capital stock into such shares,
or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into
or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or
- amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our charter or the amendment to
our charter designating the terms for such series of preferred stock,
whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and
adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of such
series of preferred stock or the holders thereof.
The occurrence of any of the events described above in the immediately preceding
bullet shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights,
preferences, privileges or voting power of holders
35
of preferred stock, provided that, the preferred stock remains outstanding with
the terms thereof materially unchanged, or, if we are not the surviving entity
in such transaction, the preferred stock is exchanged for a security of a
surviving entity with terms that are materially the same as the preferred stock.
In addition, any increase in the amount of (1) authorized preferred stock or the
creation or issuance of any other series of preferred stock, or (2) authorized
shares of such series or any other series of preferred stock, in each case
ranking on a parity with or junior to the preferred stock of such series with
respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely
affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be
effected, we have redeemed or called for redemption all outstanding shares of
such series of preferred stock and, if called for redemption, have deposited
sufficient funds in trust to effect such redemption.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms and conditions upon which any series of preferred stock may be
convertible into common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement relating to the offering of the series of preferred stock. Such terms
will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of
preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, rate or manner of
calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion
will be at our option or at the holders' option, the events requiring an
adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the
event of the redemption.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
For us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, no more than
50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or
indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of a taxable year.
To assist us in meeting this requirement, we may take actions to limit the
beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, by a single person of our
outstanding equity securities, including any of our preferred stock. Therefore,
the amendment to our charter designating each series of preferred stock may
contain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of the preferred
stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional
ownership limitation relating to a series of preferred stock. See "Limits on
Ownership of Stock" beginning on page 38.
TRANSFER AGENT
The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be set forth
in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our
common stock. You should read our charter and bylaws in their entirety before
you purchase any shares of our common stock.
GENERAL
Under our charter, we have authority to issue 140,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $.01 per share. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are
not responsible for our debts or obligations. As of June 30, 2003, we had
67,536,888 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Our common stock is
listed on the NYSE and the PCX under the symbol "AVB."
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DIVIDENDS
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and
to the provisions of our charter regarding excess stock, which are described
below, holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to receive
dividends on shares of common stock out of assets that we may legally use to pay
dividends, if and when they are authorized and declared by our board of
directors.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as otherwise required by law and except as provided by the terms of
any other class or series of stock, holders of common stock have the exclusive
power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the
election of directors. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per
share. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, and,
subject to any rights to elect directors that are granted to the holders of any
class or series of preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of all outstanding shares of common stock is required to elect a
director.
LIQUIDATION/DISSOLUTION RIGHTS
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and
to the provisions of our charter regarding excess stock, holders of shares of
our common stock share in the same proportion as our other stockholders in the
assets that we may legally use to pay distributions in the event we are
liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up after we pay or make adequate
provision for all of our known debts and liabilities.
OTHER RIGHTS
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and
to provisions of our charter regarding excess stock, all shares of our common
stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have
no preference, appraisal or exchange rights. Furthermore, holders of shares of
our common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or
preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.
Under Maryland law, a corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its
charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share
exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of
business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at
least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter, unless a
different percentage is set forth in the corporation's charter, which percentage
shall not in any event be less than a majority of all of the shares entitled to
vote on such matter. Our charter provides that whenever any vote of the holders
of voting stock is required to amend or repeal any provision of the charter,
then in addition to any other vote of the holders of voting stock that is
required by the charter, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of our outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal,
voting together as a single class, and (2) the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon
as a class are required. However, with respect to the amendment or repeal of any
of the provisions of our charter relating to the resignation or removal of
directors, vacancies on the board of directors, independent directors, the
rights and powers of our company, the board of directors and officers, and the
limitation of liability of directors and officers, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on
such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class, and the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, shall be required.
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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
For us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, no more than
50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or
indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of a taxable year.
To assist us in meeting this requirement, we may take actions such as the
automatic conversion of shares in excess of this ownership restriction into
shares of excess stock to limit the beneficial ownership of our outstanding
equity securities, directly or indirectly, by one individual. See "Limits on
Ownership of Stock" beginning on page 38.
TRANSFER AGENT
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Wachovia
Bank, N.A., Charlotte, North Carolina.
LIMITS ON OWNERSHIP OF STOCK
OWNERSHIP LIMITS
For us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, among other
things, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of a
taxable year. Additionally, the shares of stock must be beneficially owned by
100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months
or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. To protect us against
the risk of losing our status as a REIT due to a concentration of ownership
among our stockholders, and to otherwise address concerns related to
concentrated ownership of capital stock, our charter provides that no person may
own (directly, indirectly by virtue of the attribution provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code, or beneficially under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities
Exchange Act) more than 9.8% of any class or series of our stock (15% for some
entities as described below). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the board
of directors at its option and in its sole discretion may approve ownership
greater than the applicable ownership limitation by selected persons or
entities. Our board of directors does not expect that it would waive the
applicable ownership limit unless the board of directors receives evidence to
its satisfaction that the waiver of the limit will not jeopardize our status as
a REIT, and the board of directors also decides that the waiver is in our
stockholders' best interests. Any transfer of shares of stock, including any
security convertible into shares of stock, shall be void and have no effect if
it: (1) would create a direct or indirect ownership of shares of stock in excess
of the applicable ownership limit, absent a valid waiver of this ownership limit
or (2) would result in our disqualification as a REIT, including any transfer
that would (a) result in the shares of stock being owned by fewer than 100
persons, (b) result in us being "closely held" within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or (c) result in us constructively
owning 10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant within the meaning of
Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, if any purported
transfer of stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person
violating the applicable ownership limit, then the purported transfer will be
void and of no force or effect with respect to the intended transferee as to
that number of shares in excess of the ownership limit. The intended transferee
will acquire no right or interest in the excess shares; or, in the case of any
event other than a purported transfer, the person holding record title to any
shares in excess of the ownership limit shall cease to own any right or interest
in the excess shares. In both cases, neither the intended transferee nor the
person holding record title to any shares in excess of the ownership limit shall
have any right to: (1) transfer or otherwise dispose of the excess stock,
(2) vote the excess stock or (3) receive any dividend or distribution paid with
respect to the excess stock, as further explained below.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, some types of entities, which includes
pension plans described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and
mutual funds registered under the Investment
38
Company Act of 1940, will be looked through for purposes of the five or fewer
test described above. Our charter limits these pension plans and mutual funds to
owning no more than 15% of any class or series of our stock.
SHARES OWNED IN EXCESS OF THE OWNERSHIP LIMIT
Stock owned, or deemed to be owned, or proposed to be transferred to a
stockholder in excess of the ownership limit will be converted automatically
into shares of excess stock and will be transferred, by operation of law, to a
trust, the beneficiary of which shall be a qualified charitable organization
selected by us. As soon as practicable after the transfer of shares to the
trust, the trustee of the trust will be required to sell the shares of excess
stock to a person who could own the shares without violating the ownership limit
and distribute to the proposed transferee an amount equal to the lesser of
(1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares of excess stock or
(2) the sales proceeds received by the trust for the shares of excess stock. In
the case of any excess stock resulting from any event other than a transfer, or
from a transfer for no consideration (such as a gift), the trustee will be
required to sell the excess stock to a qualified person or entity and distribute
to the person holding record title to the shares in excess of the ownership
limit an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the fair market value of the excess
stock as of the date of the event or (B) the sales proceeds received by the
trust for the excess stock. In either case, any proceeds in excess of the amount
distributable to the proposed transferee or person holding record title to the
shares in excess of the ownership limit, as applicable, will be distributed to
the beneficiary of the trust.
Upon the transfer of shares of excess stock by the trustee, the shares shall
be converted automatically into an equal number of shares of the same class and
series that were converted into the excess stock, and the shares of excess stock
will be automatically retired and canceled and will thereupon be restored to the
status of authorized but unissued shares of excess stock. Prior to a sale of any
excess stock by the trustee, the trustee will be entitled to receive in trust
for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to
the excess stock. In addition, while the shares of excess stock are held in
trust, the holder of shares will not be entitled to vote such shares, except
when Maryland law mandates class voting rights. In the event voting rights are
mandated by Maryland law, the trustee shall be entitled to vote the shares of
excess stock.
Neither the proposed transferee nor any person holding record title to any
excess stock shall have any right to receive any dividend or distribution paid
with respect to the excess stock. Any dividend or distribution paid on excess
stock prior to discovery by us of the violation of the applicable ownership
limit shall be repaid to us. In addition, neither the proposed transferee nor
any person holding record title to any excess stock shall have any voting rights
with respect to the excess stock. Any vote of any excess stock prior to
discovery by us of the violation of the applicable ownership limit shall,
subject to applicable law, be rescinded and deemed void and shall be recast by
the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary; provided, however, that
such vote shall not be rescinded and recast if we have already taken
irreversible corporate action. Shares of excess stock are not treasury stock,
but rather constitute a separate class of issued and outstanding stock.
RIGHT TO PURCHASE EXCESS STOCK
In addition to the foregoing transfer restrictions, we have the right for a
period of 90 days to purchase all or any portion of the excess stock from the
proposed transferee or any person holding record title to any excess stock for a
price per share equal to the lesser of:
(1) the price per share initially paid for the stock by the proposed
transferee or, in the case of excess stock resulting from any event other
than a transfer or from a transfer for no consideration (such as a gift),
the average of the closing price per share for the class of shares
39
from which the shares of excess stock were converted for the five
consecutive trading days ending on the date of such event or transfer, as
applicable; or
(2) the average closing price per share for the class or series of shares
from which the shares of excess stock were converted for the five
consecutive trading days ending on the date we elect to purchase the
shares.
The 90-day period begins on the date of the purported transfer or non-transfer
event that violated the applicable ownership limit if the proposed transferee or
person holding record title to any excess stock gives notice to us of the
transfer or non-transfer event, as applicable, or, if no notice is given, the
date our board of directors determines that such a transfer or non-transfer
event has been made.
GENERAL
The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply
if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interest
to continue to qualify as a REIT. The board may, in its sole discretion, waive
the ownership limits if evidence is presented that such ownership of shares in
excess of the ownership limit will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT
and the board otherwise decides that such action is in our stockholders' best
interest.
Our stockholders are required to disclose to us in writing any information
with respect to their ownership of our stock that we may request in order to
determine our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership
limits.
The ownership limits may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control of our company.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INVESTMENT
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences relating to our qualification as a REIT and the ownership and
disposition of shares of our common stock and, to a lesser extent, our debt
securities.
The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of
shares of our preferred stock and of our debt securities depend to a high degree
on the specific rights and terms of the preferred stock or debt securities
issued. If we offer one or more additional series of preferred stock or debt
securities, information about any income tax consequences to holders of those
particular shares of preferred stock or debt securities will be included in the
documents pursuant to which they are offered to the extent required by
applicable law.
Because this is a summary that is intended to address only material federal
income tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of our common
stock and, to a lesser extent, our debt securities that will apply to all
holders, it may not contain all the information that may be important to you. As
you review this discussion, you should keep in mind that:
- the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your particular tax
situation;
- special rules that are not discussed below may apply to you if, for
example, you are a tax-exempt organization, a broker-dealer, a non-U.S.
person, a trust, an estate, a regulated investment company, a financial
institution, an insurance company, or otherwise subject to special tax
treatment under the Internal Revenue Code;
- this summary does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations;
- this summary deals only with common stockholders and holders of debt
securities that hold common stock or debt securities, as applicable, as
"capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal
Revenue Code; and
40
- this discussion is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax
advice.
You are urged both to review the following discussion and to consult with
your own tax advisor to determine the effect of ownership and disposition of our
securities on your individual tax situation, including any state, local or
non-U.S. tax consequences.
The information in this section is based on the current Internal Revenue
Code, current, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, the legislative
history of the Internal Revenue Code, current administrative interpretations and
practices of the Internal Revenue Service, including its practices and policies
as endorsed in private letter rulings, which are not binding on the Internal
Revenue Service except in the case of the taxpayer to whom a private letter
ruling is addressed, and existing court decisions. Future legislation,
regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions could change
current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law. Any
change could apply retroactively. We have not obtained any rulings from the
Internal Revenue Service concerning the tax treatment of the matters discussed
below. Thus, it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service could challenge
the statements in this discussion, which do not bind the Internal Revenue
Service or the courts, and that a court could agree with the Internal Revenue
Service.
TAXATION OF AVALONBAY AS A REIT
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. A
REIT generally is not subject to federal income tax on the income that it
distributes to stockholders if it meets the applicable REIT distribution
requirements and other requirements for qualification.
We believe that we are organized and have operated, and we intend to
continue to operate, in a manner to qualify as a REIT, but there can be no
assurance that we have qualified or will remain qualified as a REIT. Goodwin
Procter LLP, our tax counsel, has provided us an opinion, dated March 11, 2003,
that, based upon and subject to the assumptions and other matters stated in the
opinion, commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 1994, our form of
organization and operations are such as to enable us to qualify as a "real
estate investment trust" under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code. Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet,
through actual annual (or in some cases quarterly) operating results,
requirements relating to income, asset ownership, distribution levels and
diversity of share ownership, and the various other REIT qualification
requirements imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Goodwin Procter LLP has
not and will not independently review these results on an independent basis.
Given the complex nature of the REIT qualification requirements, the ongoing
importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in
our circumstances, we cannot provide any assurance that our actual operating
results will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code for any particular taxable year.
So long as we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be
subject to federal corporate income tax on our net income that is distributed
currently to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates "double
taxation" (that is, taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that
generally results from an investment in a regular corporation. However, we will
be subject to federal income tax as follows:
- We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed "REIT
taxable income." REIT taxable income is the taxable income of the REIT
subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends
paid;
- Under some circumstances, we may be subject to the "alternative minimum
tax" on our items of tax preference;
41
- If we have net income from the sale or other disposition of "foreclosure
property" that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of business, or other nonqualifying income from foreclosure
property, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on this
income;
- Our net income from "prohibited transactions" will be subject to a 100%
tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions
of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business other than foreclosure property;
- If we fail to satisfy either the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross
income test discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as
a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a tax
equal to the gross income attributable to the greater of either (1) the
amount by which 75% of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income
qualifying under the 75% test for the taxable year or (2) the amount by
which 90% of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying
for the 95% income test for the taxable year, multiplied by a fraction
intended to reflect our profitability;
- We will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required
distribution over the sum of amounts actually distributed and amounts
retained for which federal income tax was paid, if we fail to distribute
during each calendar year at least the sum of:
(1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year;
(2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year; and
(3) any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years;
- We will be subject to a 100% penalty tax on some payments we receive (or
on certain expenses deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary) if arrangements
among us, our tenants and our taxable REIT subsidiaries are not comparable
to similar arrangements among unrelated parties; and
- If we should acquire any asset from a "C" corporation in a carry-over
basis transaction and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of
such asset during the ten-year period beginning on the date on which we
acquired the asset, then, to the extent of any built-in gain, such gain
will be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate. Built-in
gain means the excess of (a) the fair market value of the asset as of the
beginning of the applicable recognition period over (b) the adjusted basis
in such asset as of the beginning of such recognition period.
REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION AS A REIT
We elected to be taxable as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for our
taxable year ended December 31, 1994. In order to have so qualified, we must
have met and continue to meet the requirements discussed below, relating to our
organization, sources of income, nature of assets and distributions of income to
stockholders.
The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or
association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares,
or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856
through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject
to applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) during the last half of each taxable year not more than 50% in value of
the outstanding shares of which is owned directly or indirectly by five
or fewer individuals, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include
specified entities;
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(7) that makes an election to be taxable as a REIT, or has made this
election for a previous taxable year which has not been revoked or
terminated, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative
requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service that must be met
to elect and maintain REIT status;
(8) that uses a calendar year for federal income tax purposes and complies
with the recordkeeping requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and
regulations promulgated thereunder; and
(9) that meets other applicable tests, described below, regarding the nature
of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.
Conditions (1), (2), (3) and (4) above must be met during the entire taxable
year and condition (5) above must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable
year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than
12 months. For purposes of determining stock ownership under condition
(6) above, a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private
foundation and a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively
for charitable purposes generally are each considered an individual. A trust
that is a qualified trust under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a) generally
is not considered an individual, and beneficiaries of a qualified trust are
treated as holding shares of a REIT in proportion to their actuarial interests
in the trust for purposes of condition (6) above.
We believe that we have issued sufficient shares of common stock with
sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (5) and
(6) above. In addition, our charter contains restrictions regarding the transfer
of shares of common stock and preferred stock that are intended to assist us in
continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions
(5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will be
able to satisfy these share ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these
share ownership requirements, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.
To monitor its compliance with condition (6) above, a REIT is required to
send annual letters to its stockholders requesting information regarding the
actual ownership of its shares. If we comply with the annual letters requirement
and we do not know or, exercising reasonable diligence, would not have known of
our failure to meet condition (6) above, then we will be treated as having met
condition (6) above.
To qualify as a REIT, we cannot have at the end of any taxable year any
undistributed earnings and profits that are attributable to a non-REIT taxable
year. We do not believe that we have any non-REIT earnings and profits and
believe that we therefore satisfy this requirement.
QUALIFIED REIT SUBSIDIARIES. If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is
a "qualified REIT subsidiary," the separate existence of that subsidiary will be
disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Generally, a qualified REIT
subsidiary is a corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary (discussed
below), all of the stock of which is owned by the REIT. All assets, liabilities
and items of income, deduction and credit of the qualified REIT subsidiary will
be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of
the REIT itself. A qualified REIT subsidiary of AvalonBay will not be subject to
federal corporate income taxation, although it may be subject to state and local
taxation in some states.
TAXABLE REIT SUBSIDIARIES. A "taxable REIT subsidiary" of AvalonBay is a
corporation in which we directly or indirectly own stock and that elects,
together with us, to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under
Section 856(l) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, if one of our taxable
REIT subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 35% or
more of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also
be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a
corporation subject to federal income tax, and state and local income tax where
applicable, as a regular "C" corporation.
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Generally, a taxable REIT subsidiary can perform some impermissible tenant
services without causing us to receive impermissible tenant services income
under the REIT income tests. However, several provisions regarding the
arrangements between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that a
taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of federal
income taxation. For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its
ability to deduct interest payments in excess of a certain amount made to us. In
addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that
we receive or on certain expenses deducted by the taxable REIT subsidiary if the
economic arrangements between us, our tenants and the taxable REIT subsidiary
are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
OWNERSHIP OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS BY A REIT. A REIT that is a partner in a
partnership will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the
partnership and will be deemed to earn its proportionate share of the
partnership's income. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the
same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of the gross income and
asset tests applicable to REITs as described below. Thus, our proportionate
share of the assets and items of income of any entity taxable as a partnership
for federal income tax purposes in which we hold an interest will be treated as
our assets and liabilities and our items of income for purposes of applying the
requirements described in this prospectus. The assets, liabilities and items of
income of any partnership in which we own an interest include such entity's
share of the assets and liabilities and items of income with respect to any
partnership in which it holds an interest.
INCOME TESTS APPLICABLE TO REITS. To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two
gross income tests. First, at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross
income from prohibited transactions, for each taxable year must be derived
directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages
on real property, including "rents from real property," gains on the disposition
of real estate, dividends paid by another REIT and interest on obligations
secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, or from
some types of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income,
excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, for each taxable year must
be derived from any combination of income qualifying under the 75% test and
dividends, interest, some payments under hedging instruments and gain from the
sale or disposition of stock or securities and some hedging instruments.
Rents received by us will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying
the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several
conditions are met. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in
part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or
accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "rents from real property"
solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts
or sales. Second, rents received from a "related party tenant" will not qualify
as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests unless the
tenant is a taxable REIT subsidiary and at least 90% of the property is leased
to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary is
substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for
comparable space. A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual
or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively
owns 10% or more of the tenant. Third, if rent attributable to personal
property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is greater than
15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent
attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real
property.
Generally, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for the purpose
of satisfying the gross income tests, we may provide directly only an
insignificant amount of services, unless those services are "usually or
customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of real property and not
otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant." Accordingly, we may not provide
"impermissible services" to tenants (except through an independent contractor
from whom we derive no revenue and that meets other requirements or through a
taxable REIT subsidiary) without giving rise to "impermissible tenant service
income." Impermissible tenant service income is deemed to be at least 150% of
our direct cost
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of providing the service. If the impermissible tenant service income exceeds 1%
of our total income from a property, then all of the income from that property
will fail to qualify as rents from real property. If the total amount of
impermissible tenant service income from a property does not exceed 1% of our
total income from the property, the services will not "taint" the other income
from the property (that is, it will not cause the rent paid by tenants of that
property to fail to qualify as rents from real property), but the impermissible
tenant service income will not qualify as rents from real property.
We have not charged, and do not anticipate charging, rent that is based in
whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. We have not derived,
and do not anticipate deriving, rent attributable to personal property leased in
connection with real property that exceeds 15% of the total rents.
We have provided and will provide services with respect to the multifamily
apartment communities. We believe that the services with respect to our
communities that have been and will be provided by us are usually or customarily
rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not
otherwise rendered to particular tenants; or, if considered impermissible
services, income from the provision of such services with respect to a given
property has not and will not exceed 1% of all amounts received by us from such
property. Therefore, we believe that the provision of such services has not and
will not cause rents received with respect to our communities to fail to qualify
as rents from real property. We believe that services with respect to our
communities that may not be provided by us directly without jeopardizing the
qualification of rent as rents from real property have been and will be
performed by independent contractors or taxable REIT subsidiaries.
We currently own an equity stake in three technology-related corporations,
and may in the future acquire equity stakes in additional corporations, which do
not constitute real estate assets. Gain from a sale or other taxable disposition
of these interests will constitute income satisfying the 95% income test, but
not the 75% income test. The need to satisfy the 75% income test may adversely
affect the time at which we chose to sell or dispose of one or more of these
investments, depending on the appreciation of these equity interests, if any.
We have earned and continue to earn a small amount of nonqualifying income
relative to total gross income in any relevant taxable year. For example, we
earn fees related to the management of properties that are not wholly-owned by
us. We believe that the amount of nonqualifying income generated from these
activities has not affected and will not affect our ability to meet the 95%
gross income test.
Any gain realized by us on the sale of any property held as inventory or
other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject
to a 100% penalty tax. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory
or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business
is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances of a
particular transaction. We intend to hold our properties for investment with a
view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring,
developing, owning and operating properties, and to make occasional sales of
properties as are consistent with our investment objectives. We cannot provide
any assurance, however, that the Internal Revenue Service might not contend that
one or more of these sales are subject to the 100% penalty tax.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for
any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year if we are
entitled to relief under the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions
generally will be available if our failure to meet the tests is due to
reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we attached a schedule of the
sources of our income to our federal income tax return and any incorrect
information on the schedule is not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is
not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be
entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to
satisfy the gross income tests
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because nonqualifying income that we intentionally incur exceeds the limits on
nonqualifying income, the Internal Revenue Service could conclude that the
failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief
provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us,
we will fail to qualify as a REIT. As discussed under "--Taxation of AvalonBay
as a REIT" even if these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed based
on the amount of nonqualifying income.
ASSET TESTS APPLICABLE TO REITS. At the close of each quarter of our
taxable year, we must satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets:
(1) at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by
real estate assets, cash, cash items and government securities. Our real
estate assets include, for this purpose, stock or debt instruments held
for less than one year purchased with the proceeds of an offering of our
shares or long-term debt;
(2) not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities
other than those in the 75% asset class;
(3) except for equity investments in REITS, qualified REIT subsidiaries, or
taxable REIT subsidiaries or other securities that qualify as "real
estate assets" for purposes of the test described in clause (1):
- the value of any one issuer's securities owned by us may not exceed
5% of the value of our total assets;
- we may not own more than 10% of the voting power of the outstanding
securities of any one issuer; and
- we may not own more than 10% of the value of the outstanding
securities of any one issuer; and
(4) not more than 20% of our total assets may be represented by securities
of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Securities for purposes of the asset tests may include debt securities.
However, debt of an issuer will not count as a security for purposes of the 10%
value test if the debt securities are "straight debt" as defined in
Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code and (1) the issuer is an individual,
(2) the only securities of the issuer that the REIT holds are straight debt or
(3) if the issuer is a partnership, the REIT holds at least a 20% profits
interest in the partnership.
We currently own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding
securities of several subsidiaries. Each of these subsidiaries has elected to be
a taxable REIT subsidiary. We believe that the aggregate value of our taxable
REIT subsidiaries does not exceed 20% of the aggregate value of our gross
assets.
With respect to each issuer in which we currently own an interest that does
not qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary,
we believe that our pro rata share of the value of the securities, including
debt, of any such issuer does not exceed 5% of the total value of our assets and
that we comply with the 10% voting power limitation and 10% value limitation
with respect to each such issuer. In this regard, however, we cannot provide any
assurance that the Internal Revenue Service might not disagree with our
determinations.
After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will
not lose our status as a REIT if we fail to satisfy the 25%, 20% and 5% asset
tests and the 10% value limitation at the end of a later quarter solely by
reason of changes in the relative values of our assets. If the failure to
satisfy the 25%, 20% or 5% asset tests or the 10% value limitation results from
an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, the failure can
be cured by disposition of sufficient non-qualifying
46
assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to maintain
adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset
tests and to take any available actions within 30 days after the close of any
quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance with the 25%, 20% or 5%
asset tests or 10% value limitation. If we were to fail to cure noncompliance
with the asset tests within this time period, we would cease to qualify as a
REIT.
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO REITS. To qualify as a REIT,
we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to
our stockholders each year in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of
(a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends
paid deduction and our net capital gain, and (b) 90% of the net income, after
tax, from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain specified items of
noncash income. In addition, if we recognize any built-in gain, we will be
required, under Treasury regulations, to distribute at least 90% of the built-in
gain, after tax, recognized on the disposition of the applicable asset. See
"--Taxation of AvalonBay as a REIT" for a discussion of the possible recognition
of built-in gain. These distributions must be paid either in the taxable year to
which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely
file our tax return for the prior year and if paid with or before the first
regular dividend payment date after the declaration is made.
We believe that we have made and intend to continue to make timely
distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements.
It is expected that our REIT taxable income has been and will be less than
our cash flow due to the allowance of depreciation and other noncash charges in
computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will generally
have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the 90%
distribution requirement. It is possible, however, that we, from time to time,
may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet this distribution
requirement or to distribute such greater amount as may be necessary to avoid
income and excise taxation, due to timing differences between (a) the actual
receipt of income and the actual payment of deductible expenses and (b) the
inclusion of such income and the deduction of such expenses in arriving at our
taxable income, or as a result of nondeductible expenses such as principal
amortization or capital expenditures in excess of noncash deductions. In the
event that such timing differences occur, we may find it necessary to arrange
for borrowings or, if possible, pay taxable stock dividends in order to meet the
dividend requirement.
Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the
distribution requirement for a year by paying dividends to stockholders in a
later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the
earlier year. We will refer to such dividends as "deficiency dividends." Thus,
we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency
dividends. We will, however, be required to pay interest based upon the amount
of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain or
distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as
adjusted, we are subject to tax on these amounts at regular corporate tax rates.
We will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required
distribution over the sum of amounts actually distributed and amounts retained
for which federal income tax was paid, if we fail to distribute during each
calendar year at least the sum of:
(1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year;
(2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year; and
(3) any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years.
47
A REIT may elect to retain rather than distribute all or a portion of its
net capital gains and pay the tax on the gains. In that case, a REIT may elect
to have its stockholders include their proportionate share of the undistributed
net capital gains in income as long-term capital gains and receive a credit for
their share of the tax paid by the REIT. For purposes of the 4% excise tax
described above, any retained amounts would be treated as having been
distributed.
RECORD-KEEPING REQUIREMENTS. We are required to comply with applicable
record-keeping requirements. Failure to comply could result in monetary fines.
FAILURE OF AVALONBAY TO QUALIFY AS A REIT. If we fail to qualify for
taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply,
we will be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates,
including any applicable alternative minimum tax. Distributions to stockholders
in any year in which we fail to qualify will not be deductible by us nor will
they be required to be made. In such event, to the extent of current or
accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to stockholders will be
dividends, and subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate
distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction and individual
distributees may be able to treat the dividends as qualified dividend income
taxable at long-term capital gain rates. Unless we are entitled to relief under
specific statutory provisions, we also will be disqualified from taxation as a
REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification
was lost. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be
entitled to such statutory relief. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross
income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally incur exceeds
the limit on such income, the Internal Revenue Service could conclude that our
failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause.
TAXATION OF U.S. STOCKHOLDERS
When we refer to a United States stockholder, we mean a beneficial owner of
a share of our common stock that is, for United States federal income tax
purposes:
(1) a citizen or resident, as defined in Section 7701(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code, of the United States;
(2) a corporation or partnership, or other entity treated as a corporation
or partnership for federal income tax purposes, created or organized
under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of
Columbia;
(3) an estate the income of which is subject to federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or
(4) in general, a trust subject to the primary supervision of a United
States court and the control of one or more United States persons.
Generally, in the case of a partnership that holds our common stock, any
partner that would be a U.S. stockholder if it held the common stock directly is
also a U.S. stockholder. A "non-U.S. stockholder" is a holder, including any
partner in a partnership that holds our common stock, that is not a U.S.
stockholder.
RECENT LEGISLATION. On May 28, 2003, the President signed into law the Jobs
and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, referred to herein as the Jobs
and Growth Tax Act. The Jobs and Growth Tax Act reduces the maximum individual
tax rate for long-term capital gains generally from 20% to 15% (for sales
occurring after May 6, 2003 through December 31, 2008). The Jobs and Growth Tax
Act also taxes "qualified dividend income" of individuals as net capital gain,
thus reducing the maximum individual tax rate for such dividends from 35% to 15%
(for tax years from 2003 through 2008). "Qualified dividend income" generally
includes dividends received from regular domestic corporations and from certain
"qualified foreign corporations," provided that certain required stock holding
periods are met.
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Under the Jobs and Growth Tax Act, REIT dividends, other than capital gain
dividends, generally are not qualified dividend income and continue to be taxed
at ordinary rates. Dividends received by an individual from a REIT will be
treated as qualified dividend income, however, to the extent the REIT itself has
qualified dividend income for the taxable year in which the dividend was paid,
such as dividends from taxable REIT subsidiaries, and designates such dividends
as qualifying for such capital gains rate tax treatment. Qualified dividend
income of a REIT for this purpose also includes the sum of (i) the excess of the
REIT's "real estate investment trust taxable income" for the preceding year,
which would typically include any income that the REIT did not distribute to
stockholders, over the tax payable by the REIT on such income in the preceding
year, and (ii) the excess of the income of the REIT for the preceding year
subject to the built-in gain tax on certain assets acquired from C corporations
over the tax payable by the REIT on any such income in the preceding year.
Without future congressional action, the maximum individual tax rate on
long-term capital gains will return to 20% in 2009, and the maximum individual
tax rate on dividends will move to 35% in 2009 and 39.6% in 2011.
DISTRIBUTIONS BY AVALONBAY. So long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions
to U.S. stockholders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that
are not designated as capital gain dividends will be taxable as ordinary income
and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally
available for corporations. However, dividends, other than capital gain
dividends, that are (i) attributable to income on which we were subject to tax
in the previous taxable year at the corporate level, either because we did not
distribute such income or such income consists of gains from certain assets
acquired from C Corporations, or (ii) attributable to dividends received by us
from non-REIT corporations, such as taxable REIT subsidiaries, during the
current taxable year will be taxable, to the extent designated by us, to
individual stockholders as net capital gain at the current maximum rate of 15%.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will
not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to the extent that the distributions do not
exceed the adjusted tax basis of the stockholder's shares. Rather, such
distributions will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. Distributions in
excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits that exceed the U.S.
stockholder's adjusted basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gains in
the amount of such excess if the shares are held as a capital asset. If we
declare a dividend in October, November or December of any year with a record
date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the
following year, we will be treated as having paid the dividend, and the
stockholder will be treated as having received the dividend, on December 31 of
the year in which the dividend was declared. The above applies regardless of
whether the distributions of AvalonBay are reinvested pursuant to the Dividend
Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.
We may elect to designate distributions of our net capital gain as "capital
gain dividends." Capital gain dividends are taxed to stockholders as gain from
the sale or exchange of a capital asset held for more than one year, without
regard to how long the U.S. stockholder has held its shares. Designations made
by us only will be effective to the extent that they comply with the principles
of Revenue Ruling 89-81, which require that distributions made to different
classes of shares be composed proportionately of dividends of a particular type.
If we designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, a U.S.
stockholder will receive an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-DIV indicating
the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as capital gain. Corporate
stockholders, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of capital gain
dividends as ordinary income.
Instead of paying capital gain dividends, we may designate all or part of
our net capital gain as "undistributed capital gain." We will be subject to tax
at regular corporate rates on any undistributed capital gain.
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A U.S. stockholder:
(1) will include in its income as long-term capital gains its proportionate
share of such undistributed capital gains; and
(2) will be deemed to have paid its proportionate share of the tax paid by
us on such undistributed capital gains and receive a credit or a refund
to the extent that the tax paid by us exceeds the U.S. stockholder's tax
liability on the undistributed capital gain.
A U.S. stockholder will increase the basis in its common stock by the difference
between the amount of capital gain included in its income and the amount of tax
it is deemed to have paid. Our earnings and profits will be adjusted
appropriately.
We will classify portions of any designated capital gain dividend or
undistributed capital gain based on the source of such capital gain as either:
(1) an adjusted net capital rate gain distribution, which would be taxable
to non-corporate U.S. stockholders at a current maximum rate of 15%; or
(2) an "unrecaptured Section 1250 gain" distribution, which would be taxable
to non-corporate U.S. stockholders at a current maximum rate of 25%.
Distributions made by our company and gain arising from the sale or exchange
by a U.S. stockholder of shares will not be treated as passive activity income,
and as a result, U.S. stockholders generally will not be able to apply any
"passive losses" against this income or gain. In addition, taxable distributions
from our company, other than qualified dividend income, capital gain dividends
and capital gains from the disposition of shares, generally will be treated as
investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitations. A U.S.
stockholder may elect to treat qualified dividend income, capital gain dividends
and capital gains from the disposition of shares as investment income for
purposes of the investment interest limitation, in which case the applicable
qualified dividend income and capital gains will be taxed at ordinary income
rates. We will notify stockholders regarding the portions of distributions for
each year that constitute ordinary income, qualified dividend income, return of
capital and capital gain. U.S. stockholders may not include in their individual
income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of our company.
Our operating or capital losses would be carried over for potential offset
against our future income, subject to applicable limitations.
SALES OF SHARES. Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of shares, a
U.S. stockholder will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in
an amount equal to the difference between:
(1) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on
the sale or other disposition; and
(2) the holder's adjusted basis in the shares for tax purposes.
This gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if the shares have been
held by the U.S. stockholder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will
depend on the stockholder's holding period in the asset (generally, if an asset
has been held for more than one year it will produce long-term capital gain) and
the stockholder's tax bracket. The Internal Revenue Service has the authority to
prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital
gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the long-term capital gain
tax rates for noncorporate stockholders) to a portion of capital gain realized
by a noncorporate stockholder on the sale of REIT shares that would correspond
to the REIT's "unrecaptured Section 1250 gain." Stockholders are urged to
consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax
liability. A corporate U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate
of 35% on capital gain from the sale of our company's shares held for more than
12 months. In general, any loss recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the sale
or other disposition of shares that have been held for six months or less, after
applying the holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss,
to the extent of distributions received by the U.S. stockholder from us that
were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.
50
TAXATION OF TAX-EXEMPT STOCKHOLDERS
Provided that a tax-exempt stockholder has not held its common stock as
"debt financed property" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, the
dividend income from our company will not be unrelated business taxable income,
referred to as UBTI, to a tax-exempt stockholder. Similarly, income from the
sale of shares will not constitute UBTI unless the tax-exempt stockholder has
held its shares as debt financed property within the meaning of the Internal
Revenue Code or has used the shares in a trade or business.
However, for tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary
employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and
qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under
Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code,
respectively, income from an investment in our company will constitute UBTI
unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for
purposes specified in the Internal Revenue Code. These tax-exempt stockholders
should consult their own tax advisors concerning these "set aside" and reserve
requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a
"pension held REIT" are treated as UBTI if received by any trust which is
described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, is tax-exempt under
Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and holds more than 10%, by value,
of the interests in the REIT.
Tax-exempt pension funds that are described in Section 401(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code are referred to below as "pension trusts."
A REIT is a pension held REIT if it meets the following two tests:
(1) it qualified as a REIT only by reason of Section 856(h)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, which provides that stock owned by pension trusts
will be treated, for purposes of determining if the REIT is closely held,
as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust rather than by the trust
itself; and
(2) either (a) at least one pension trust holds more than 25% of the value
of the REIT's stock, or (b) a group of pension trusts each individually
holding more than 10% of the value of the REIT's shares, collectively
owns more than 50% of the value of the REIT's shares.
The percentage of any REIT dividend treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of
the UBTI earned by the REIT, treating the REIT as if it were a pension trust and
therefore subject to tax on UBTI, to the total gross income of the REIT. An
exception applies where the percentage is less than 5% for any year. The
provisions requiring pension trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as
UBTI will not apply if the REIT is able to satisfy the "not closely held
requirement" without relying upon the "look-through" exception with respect to
pension trusts. Based on both our current share ownership and the limitations on
transfer and ownership of shares contained in our charter, we do not expect to
be classified as a pension held REIT.
TAXATION OF HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES AND POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE DEBT SECURITIES
STATED INTEREST AND MARKET DISCOUNT. Holders of debt securities will be
required to include stated interest on the debt securities in gross income for
federal income tax purposes in accordance with their methods of accounting for
tax purposes. Purchasers of debt securities should be aware that the holding and
disposition of debt securities may be affected by the market discount provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules generally provide that if a holder of
a debt instrument purchases it at a market discount and subsequently recognizes
gain on a disposition of the debt instrument, including a gift or payment on
maturity, the lesser of such gain or appreciation, in the case of a gift, and
the portion of the market discount that accrued while the debt instrument was
held by such holder will be
51
treated as ordinary interest income at the time of the disposition. For this
purpose, a purchase at a market discount includes a purchase after original
issuance at a price below the debt instrument's stated principal amount. The
market discount rules also provide that a holder who acquires a debt instrument
at a market discount and who does not elect to include such market discount in
income on a current basis may be required to defer a portion of any interest
expense that may otherwise be deductible on any indebtedness incurred or
maintained to purchase or carry such debt instrument until the holder disposes
of the debt instrument in a taxable transaction.
A holder of a debt instrument acquired at a market discount may elect to
include the market discount in income as the discount thereon accrues, either on
a straight line basis or, if elected, on a constant interest rate basis. The
current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount
obligations acquired by such holder on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service. If a holder of a debt security elects
to include market discount in income in accordance with the preceding sentence,
the foregoing rules with respect to the recognition of ordinary income on a sale
or particular other dispositions of such debt security and the deferral of
interest deductions on indebtedness related to such debt security would not
apply.
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM. Generally, if the tax basis of an obligation held
as a capital asset exceeds the amount payable at maturity of the obligation,
such excess may constitute amortizable bond premium that the holder may elect to
amortize under the constant interest rate method and deduct the amortized
premium over the period from the holder's acquisition date to the obligation's
maturity date. A holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce the tax
basis in the related obligation by the amount of the aggregate deductions
allowable for amortizable bond premium.
The amortizable bond premium deduction is treated as an offset to interest
income on the related security for federal income tax purposes. Each prospective
purchaser is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the consequences of the
treatment of such premium as an offset to interest income for federal income tax
purposes.
DISPOSITION. In general, a holder of a debt security will recognize gain or
loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption, payment upon maturity or other taxable
disposition of the debt security. The gain or loss is measured by the difference
between (a) the amount of cash and the fair market value of property received
and (b) the holder's tax basis in the debt security as increased by any market
discount previously included in income by the holder and decreased by any
amortizable bond premium deducted over the term of the debt security. However,
the amount of cash and the fair market value received excludes cash or other
property attributable to the payment of accrued interest not previously included
in income, which amount will be taxable as ordinary income. Subject to the
market discount and amortizable bond premium rules above, any such gain or loss
will generally be long-term capital gain or loss, provided the debt security was
a capital asset in the hands of the holder and had been held for more than one
year.
U.S. TAXATION OF NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS
DISTRIBUTIONS BY AVALONBAY. Distributions by AvalonBay to a non-U.S.
stockholder that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us
of "U.S. real property interests" nor designated by us as capital gains
dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that
they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. These
distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income
tax on a gross basis at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as permitted under an
applicable income tax treaty, unless the dividends are treated as effectively
connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. stockholder of a U.S. trade or
business. Under some treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally
applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. Applicable
certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from
52
withholding under the effectively connected income exemption. Dividends that are
effectively connected with a trade or business will be subject to tax on a net
basis, that is, after allowance for deductions, at graduated rates, in the same
manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to these dividends, and are
generally not subject to withholding. Any dividends received by a corporate
non-U.S. stockholder that is engaged in a U.S. trade or business also may be
subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or lower applicable
treaty rate.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits
that exceed the non-U.S. stockholder's basis in its common stock will be taxable
to a non-U.S. stockholder as gain from the sale of common stock, which is
discussed below. Distributions in excess of our current or accumulated earnings
and profits that do not exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. stockholder in
its common stock will reduce the non-U.S. stockholder's adjusted basis in its
common stock and will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, but will be
subject to U.S. withholding tax as described below.
We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on any dividend
distributions (including distributions that later may be determined to have been
in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits) made to a non-U.S.
stockholder unless:
(1) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files an
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that
reduced treaty rate with us; or
(2) the non-U.S. stockholder files an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI
with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected
with non-U.S. stockholder's trade or business.
We may be required to withhold at least 10% of any distribution in excess of
our current and accumulated earnings and profits, even if a lower treaty rate
applies and the non-U.S. stockholder is not liable for tax on the receipt of
that distribution. However, a non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund of these
amounts from the Internal Revenue Service if the non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. tax
liability with respect to the distribution is less than the amount withheld.
Distributions to a non-U.S. stockholder that are designated by us at the
time of the distribution as capital gain dividends, other than those arising
from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be
subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless:
(1) the investment in the common stock is effectively connected with the
non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S.
stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders
with respect to any gain, except that a stockholder that is a foreign
corporation also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as
discussed above, or
(2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who is
present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has
a "tax home" in the U.S., in which case the nonresident alien individual
will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gains.
Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, which is referred to
as "FIRPTA," distributions to a non-U.S. stockholder that are attributable to
gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests, whether or
not designated as a capital gain dividend, will cause the non-U.S. stockholder
to be treated as recognizing gain that is income effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business. Non-U.S. stockholders will be taxed on this gain at the
same rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to a special alternative
minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Also, this gain may be
subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder that
is a corporation.
We will be required to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service
35% of any distributions to foreign stockholders that are designated as capital
gain dividends, or, if greater, 35% of
53
a distribution that could have been designated as a capital gain dividend.
Distributions can be designated as capital gains to the extent of our net
capital gain for the taxable year of the distribution. The amount withheld is
creditable against the non-U.S. stockholder's United States federal income tax
liability. A non-U.S. stockholder whose U.S. federal income tax liability under
FIRPTA exceeds amounts withheld by us will be required to file a U.S. federal
income tax return for the taxable year.
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts
designated by us as undistributed capital gains in respect of the common stock
held by U.S. stockholders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S.
stockholders in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain
dividends. Under that approach, the non-U.S. stockholders would be able to
offset as a credit against their United States federal income tax liability
resulting therefrom an amount equal to their proportionate share of the tax paid
by us on the undistributed capital gains, and to receive from the Internal
Revenue Service a refund to the extent their proportionate share of this tax
paid by our company exceeds their actual United States federal income tax
liability.
SALE OF COMMON STOCK. Gain recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the
sale or exchange of AvalonBay common stock generally would not be subject to
United States taxation unless:
(1) the investment in our company's common stock is effectively connected
with the non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the
non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as domestic
stockholders with respect to any gain;
(2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who is
present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year
and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the nonresident
alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's net
capital gains for the taxable year; or
(3) our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest within the
meaning of FIRPTA, as described below.
Our common stock will not constitute a U.S. real property interest if we are
a domestically controlled REIT. We will be a domestically controlled REIT if, at
all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock
is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders.
We believe that, currently, we are a domestically controlled REIT and,
therefore, that the sale of our common stock would not be subject to taxation
under FIRPTA. Because our company's common stock is publicly traded, however, we
cannot guarantee that we are or will continue to be a domestically controlled
REIT.
Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT at the time a
non-U.S. stockholder sells its common stock, gain arising from the sale still
would not be subject to FIRPTA tax if:
(1) the class or series of stock sold is considered regularly traded under
applicable Treasury regulations on an established securities market, such
as the NYSE; and
(2) the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 5%
or less in value of the outstanding class or series of stock being sold
throughout the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or
exchange.
If gain on the sale or exchange of our common stock were subject to taxation
under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to regular U.S. income
tax with respect to any gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. stockholder,
subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative
minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals.
54
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX APPLICABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
U.S. STOCKHOLDERS. In general, information reporting requirements will
apply to payments of distributions on AvalonBay common stock and payments of the
proceeds of the sale of AvalonBay common stock to some stockholders, unless an
exception applies. Further, the payer will be required to withhold backup
withholding tax at the current rate of 28% if:
(1) the payee fails to furnish a taxpayer identification number, or TIN, to
the payer or to establish an exemption from backup withholding;
(2) the Internal Revenue Service notifies the payer that the TIN furnished
by the payee is incorrect;
(3) there has been a notified payee under-reporting with respect to
interest, dividends or original issue discount described in
Section 3406(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
(4) there has been a failure of the payee to certify under the penalty of
perjury that the payee is not subject to backup withholding under the
Internal Revenue Code.
Some stockholders, including corporations, will be exempt from backup
withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a
payment to a stockholder will be allowed as a credit against the stockholder's
United States federal income tax and may entitle the stockholder to a refund,
provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service.
NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS. Generally, information reporting will apply to
payments of distributions on AvalonBay common stock, and backup withholding at a
current rate of 28% may apply, unless the payee certifies that it is not a U.S.
person or otherwise establishes an exemption.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of AvalonBay common stock
to or through the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to
information reporting and, possibly, backup withholding unless the non-U.S.
stockholder certifies as to its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an
exemption, provided that the broker does not have actual knowledge that the
stockholder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are
not, in fact, satisfied. The proceeds of the disposition by a non-U.S.
stockholder of AvalonBay common stock to or through a foreign office of a broker
generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding.
However, if the broker is a U.S. person, a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. tax purposes or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all
sources for specified periods is from activities that are effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business, information reporting generally will apply unless
the broker has documentary evidence as to the non-U.S. stockholder's foreign
status and has no actual knowledge to the contrary.
Applicable Treasury regulations provide presumptions regarding the status of
stockholders when payments to the stockholders cannot be reliably associated
with appropriate documentation provided to the payer. Under these Treasury
regulations, some stockholders are required to have provided new certifications
with respect to payments made after December 31, 2000. Because the application
of the these Treasury regulations varies depending on the stockholder's
particular circumstances, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding
the information reporting requirements applicable to you.
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR AVALONBAY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS
Our company and its stockholders may be subject to state and local taxation
in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which it or they
transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of our company
and its stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences
discussed above. Consequently, prospective investors should consult their own
tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment
in our securities.
55
A portion of our income is earned through several taxable REIT subsidiaries.
The taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to federal and state income tax at the
full applicable corporate rates. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary will be
limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to us.
To the extent that we and the taxable REIT subsidiaries are required to pay
federal, state or local taxes, we will have less cash available for distribution
to stockholders.
HOW WE PLAN TO SELL THE SECURITIES
We may sell the securities in any one or more of the following ways:
- directly to investors;
- to investors through agents;
- to dealers;
- through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters;
and
- through one or more underwriters acting alone.
Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis.
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our
stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any
distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying
securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities
directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more
underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the
unsubscribed securities to third parties.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions:
- at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
- at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
- at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
- at negotiated prices.
Any of the prices may represent a discount from the then prevailing market
prices.
In the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive
compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act
as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters
may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of
1933, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on
the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the Securities Act. The applicable prospectus supplement
will, where applicable:
- identify any such underwriter or agent;
- describe any compensation in the form of discounts, concessions,
commissions or otherwise received from us by each such underwriter or
agent and in the aggregate to all underwriters and agents;
- identify the amounts underwritten; and
- identify the nature of the underwriter's obligation to take the
securities.
56
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series
of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than
the common stock and the Series H Preferred Stock, which are listed on the NYSE
and PCX. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be
listed on the NYSE and PCX, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect
to list any series of debt securities or preferred stock, respectively, on an
exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more
underwriters may make a market in a series of securities, but such underwriters
will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or
the trading market for, any series of debt securities or preferred stock.
Until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of the SEC may
limit the ability of any underwriters and selling group members to bid for and
purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, underwriters are
permitted to engage in some transactions that stabilize the price of the
securities. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of
pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering
in which they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the
applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short
position by purchasing the securities in the open market.
The lead underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on other underwriters
and selling group members participating in an offering. This means that if the
lead underwriters purchase securities in the open market to reduce the
underwriters' short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they
may reclaim the amount of any selling concession from the underwriters and
selling group members who sold those securities as part of the offering.
In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than
it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid
might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were
to discourage resales of the security before the distribution is completed.
We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or
magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above might have on the
price of the securities. In addition, we do not make any representation that
underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once
commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents
who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to
indemnification by us against some liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, perform
services for us or be our tenants in the ordinary course of business.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by
particular institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering
price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such
prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount no
less than, and the aggregate principal amounts of securities sold under delayed
delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts
stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which such
contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions and others, but will in all cases be subject to our
approval. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be
subject to the conditions that (a) the purchase of the securities shall not at
the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the
United States to which the purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are
57
being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to the underwriters the total
principal amount of the securities less the principal amount thereof covered by
the contracts. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any
responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.
To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by
this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be
sold in some states unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in
the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification
requirement is available and is complied with.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedule at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, as set forth in their
report. Our consolidated financial statements and schedule have been
incorporated by reference in the prospectus and the registration statement in
reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the securities we are offering and our qualification as a
"real estate investment trust" under the Internal Revenue Code will be passed
upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.
58
$750,000,000
[MAP]
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES DUE
NINE MONTHS OR MORE
FROM DATE OF ISSUE
----------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AUGUST 11, 2003
----------------------
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
CITIGROUP
FLEET SECURITIES, INC.
JPMORGAN
LEHMAN BROTHERS
MORGAN STANLEY
WACHOVIA SECURITIES